~ honor flight ~

Last weekend I had the honor (get it?) of attending the welcome home reception for nearly 80 WWII, Vietnam, and Korea veterans after their visit to Washington D.C. with Honor Flight (more information here).

{vintage dress, Miss L Fire shoes}

My grandfather was never able to go on the flight - something that I think he would have loved, despite complaining the whole way there - so attending the welcome home party was a way to honor him, along with the other veterans.

As their plane taxied in, the Tallahassee Swing Band played them the top hits from the 40s.  

What a beautiful night!

xoxo,

Eliza

~ let's hear it for the boy ~

I've loved menswear as long as I can remember - walking into my grandfather's closet and seeing his suits on one side, and what seemed like 100 blue shirts that were only slightly different on the other, and all of his shoes, lined up neatly on a shelf underneath had a profound impact on my sartorial education.  Diane Keaton, Marlene Dietrich, Frida Kahlo, Cary Grant, equestrian wear from the '30s, etc., etc.  Classic tailored lines, broad shoulders, mismatched ties, vests, pocket squares, cuff links - I love it all.

This winter, I think I've worn a dress twice and that was only because all of my pants were in the wash (and it was 70 degrees), so I think it's safe to say I've entered a new era of my personal style.

{button up: Old Navy / striped shirt: Ralph Lauren via goodwill / blazer: Target / jeans: Gap}

I've spent the last week scouring Etsy, ebay, and Pinterest for vintage ties and riding pants, only furthering my obsession and making all my clothes seem boring and too feminine for my taste.  So if anyone has a velvet top hat or a three-piece tweed suit, I'd be happy to take them off your hands! 

xoxo,

Eliza

~ hats upon hats upon hats ~

One of my favorite parts of having a collection has always been taking inventory - pulling boxes and boxes out of the closet, digging through layers of carefully placed acid-free tissue paper, brushing off any dust that found itself inside the box, straightening out wonky bows, making lists, writing descriptions, and remembering what made me fall in love with each piece in the first place.  Each hat I own has a special place in my heart.  Even if I only wear it once or twice a year, at midnight while listening to Frank Sinatra in my pajamas.

My collection has now reached new heights - over fifty hats, big and small.  1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, tiny toppers, enormous 1940s wide-brimmed beach hats, Jackie O' pillboxes, little veiled ones with velvet bows, pink feathered monstrosities with diamonds glued on, woolen berets, etc., etc.

I've found them in antique stores, thrift shops, bookstores, on etsy, in attics, and hatboxes on the top shelf of my grandmother's closet.

Sure, some have moth holes, burn marks, bows that are one harsh movement away from falling off, mysterious stains, and veils that got ripped off by terrible, terrible, horrible kittens (I'm still mad about that), but all in all, I'd say they're holding up pretty well.

xoxo,

Eliza

~ veteran's day ~

Veteran's Day is a special day to so many people.  I feel lucky to have spent it with my family, celebrating all those who have served and are serving - especially Pop, who never thought of himself as a hero.

Pop.  22 years old.

I miss him every day.  

Yesterday we went to the parade downtown, saw good friends, and watched my sister's boyfriend perform with the Marching Chiefs.

A few years ago I had the pleasure of being Rosie the Riveter and riding in an amazing WWII jeep - I even carried a small photo of Pop with me!

I'm not sure about a lot of things, but if there's an "up there" for him to be, he's definitely there.  Probably wondering why I don't polish my pots and pans more than I do and scolding me for wearing yoga pants on a Wednesday afternoon.

Thank you to everyone for your service.

xoxo,
Eliza

~ mom and pop ~

It's funny how memories can pop into your head from the littlest things.  I can't eat chocolate without thinking of how much my grandfather loved it.  I think of my grandmother when I wear lipstick or curl my hair.

The sound of crinkling tissue paper reminds me of spending Christmas morning with my grandparents, putting the finishing touches on the tree, eating my grandfather's famous oven toast, playing Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald and slow dancing around the living room.

My mom and I shared lots of memories, stories, and laughs when we unpacked the family ornaments.

Decorating the Christmas tree has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember, but one that has been packed away now that my grandparents are both gone.  It was so nice to unpack both the tradition and the ornaments!  I could hear my grandfather's laugh and smell my grandmother's perfume as soon as I opened the cardboard box.  

I can remember my grandmother patiently teaching me and my sister that we had to carefully unwrap each ornament and how to choose the best place on the tree.  She was so loving and kind in everything she did.

I don't know what happened to the tree that they always used, but this year we decorated a pink one from Target!

Mom and Pop, I hope you love the tree.

xoxo,

Eliza