Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

We'll be on hiatus here at Secondhand Star until the new year, but in the meantime, we wanted to give you a chance to win something really special for the upcoming, new year.

We morphed a vintage shirt into a throw-jacket. It's a truly special piece, with such exquisite detail that can be worn by several sizes and in several different ways. From the above shot where our model rocked it with nothing beneath, to lustrous and loose thrown over a casual tee, skinny jeans and heels.

Want a shot at winning it to start off January 2011 with a sequined bang? Well stay tuned for your chance!

You may remember our Chain Gang Swap posts here and here... well, we're gearing up to do another, this time with six bloggers all styling one item several different ways! It's so much fun and you can be in on the game too! Stay tuned...

See you in the new year!

Love, 

Noa B & Tanya D

From prissy to Pucci: Before and After

Hi Friends,

We're back from our holiday, Etsy promotion, and revving up for holiday renovations...

Like this little number! I've always liked the look of bright, brash prints, (even though my own wardrobe has a tendency towards the more "demure" tones.) But when I found this adorable dress at Out of the Closet for 9$, I knew there was a little gem waiting to be born.

I tried it on and found it roomy in the waist, and a bit too old fashioned in both the hem and sleeve length. But there was definitely something cute and fresh and totally salvageable about this number.

My goal was to convert this from a semi-house dress with a rad pattern, to a fun, Pucci-inspired, mini dress.

 I shortened the hem by about 8 inches and took up the sleeve from a frumpy 1/4 length to a petite cap. (As seen pinned above). Lastly, I took in the waist from the back by a good three inches or so.

And here's the result. A little less mumu, and little more rock n' roll!

A little sixties-love, a little spiked heel, and Voila! Now, what's your holiday inspiration?

Love,

Noa B

Vintage Hat: Regeneration, Detroit

Spike heels: NYLA

Studded Belt: Zara

Dress: Out of the Closet, Vintage

Frayed vest equals sexy best!

 Ladies,

Do you all remember this adorable vest we created from a linen coat at SHS this past summer?

We love the frayed arms and funky, pleated back!

So if you love the idea of roughed up linen for that holiday mini, look no further!

Find it here at our Etsy store and see what else we've got to offer.

Love,

Noa B and Tanya D

Cap sleeve retro-glam

There's nothing like a mandarin, cap sleeved dress. This vintage number was a delectable item I procured recently, and it just screams, holiday party!

For those of you who love an Asian print, here's your chance to grab a fabulous, accordion pleated number, hot off our Etsy store here.

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 This dress has loops to retain a belt of your choice, a mandarin collar and satiny cap sleeves.

We love the pattern details, and how often do you find dresses like these in mint condition?
If you like what you see, come browse our Etsy store and get yourself on the vintage road to holiday glam!

Love,

Noa B and Tanya D

Festive color blocks for sale

Hey Ladies!

Remember when we brought you this adorable, mini dress yesterday? Well now you can have the longer version seen alongside it.

This vintage, poly-blend is also available for sale on our Etsy store along with its adorable counterpart here, so come take a peek!

Buy it now, before it's history.

Love,

Noa B and Tanya D

Tribal Buys

Hy Ladies,

Remember this charming little number we showed you a "before" and "after" of? This is still one of our favorite, Secondhand Star redesigns. The knitwear, vintage, tribal dress.

 Tanya rocked it over the 4th of July, but we think it screams winter party frock as well.

Visit our store here and grab this cute, vintage number before it's gone. We love it's chic, boho-meets-tribal flavor and you will too! Get it while it's hot!

Love,

Noa B and Tanya D

Gold duster and lotsa luster

 Hi Ladies,

With the holidays rapidly approaching, we all want that standalone dress that enters a room and stops traffic.

And what better way to do that than with a little lamé? This beautiful, vintage 70's duster length dress is a tribute to '54 culture and a cinch in the runway ode to gold!

Find further details on sizing and grab it now at our Etsy store here, cause once it's gone, it's gone!

Happy Thanksgiving weekend all!

Love,

Noa B and Tanya D

Babydoll shirt redefined

I love this chic, silk-chiffon shirt I found in a vintage shop for a buck.

It's super cute, but there's something just too big and flouncy, and a little matronly about it whenever I try to pair it with a sleek, fitted bottom.

So I think I'll hack off the arms and take in the side seams just a little, to give it that babydoll, 60's edge and then couple it with a wintery mini. I want to keep the slits, so I can only take in a couple of inches. But a few inches all around can make all the difference! Voila!

This hounds-tooth mini is a vintage find I scored last winter. It was a super long, librarian skirt that I hacked up and took in to make a "mod" mini skirt. It's a classic pattern and shape. It was just waiting for the right top.

My favorite cargo jacket is so soft on the inside, it's like wearing a PJ top. So it was perfect to wear to an early matinee, Thanksgiving movie.

Happy Turkey day all! Whatever you choose to do with the holiday, do it with those you love!

Love,

Noa B

Shirt: Vintage, reconstruct
Skirt: Vintage, reconstruct
Boots: Michael Kors, many seasons ago
Tights: Charlotte Russe
Bangles: Thrift
Jacket: Charlotte Russe, last winter season

Canary suit for holiday cheer!

Hi Ladies,

We all love a little black dress for the holiday season, but sometimes a spot of color goes a long way!
Remember this little reconstructed duo? Well here's your chance to own it girls!

This adorable set yields to fit a size 4/6/8.

Check it out on the stunning Jen via our Model Shakedown Shoot! Because this fabric is stretchy, it will fit several different body types. From long and lean to va va voom!

Find it and other gems on our Etsy store here and grab it before it's gone!

Love, 

Noa B and Tanya D

Leopard Revival

Hi SHS fans,

Remember this adorable little number Tanya wore? Well it's available today for purchase here!

Leopard is everywhere this winter. But we've got a piece that's vintage, one of a kind, and redesigned just for you! To buy it, check in here at our Etsy store to order now.

Belt and necklace sold separately.

Love,

Noa B and Tanya D

See it, Love, Buy it!

Hey Ladies,

We've been hearing from our loyal readers that you'd like to have an opportunity to purchase some Secondhand Star, one of a kind items and killer, vintage pieces. Well we listened. So here's your chance! Starting all this and next week, we'll be bringing you daily blog opportunities to buy great items at even greater prices for the holidays!

Stay tuned each day for more chances to purchase your favorite SHS piece, available through Ebay and Etsy.

Today's catch of the day?

Hand feathered skirt with beading and paillettes!

Click here to purchase this re-worked piece for the holiday season.

And keep tuning in daily to see what SHS has in "store" for you!

Love,

Noa B and Tanya D

From Checks to Sexed - Before & After - Vintage Suit

Well, guys... here you have it. The results of Noa's genius find, turned favorite little suit of mine.

It's hard to believe these pants I was SWIMMING in, turned out to be such flattering, high-waisted little slacks.

I'm also excited to wear each piece separately with other outfits too.

 This giant vest turned adorable shell, will be super cute layered over winter cashmere and easy jeans.

But first I have to get over these pants... I feel a new fave coming on!

It's like having my own personal tailor for the best, most interesting garments! I love my job.

Thanks Noa!!

Make sure to check out yesterday's post for the tutorial.

Love, 

Tanya D xx

Suit - Redesigned vintage for Secondhand Star by Noa Bolozky
Shoes - Vince Camuto Moma's
Earrings - Forever 21
Bangle - Vintage

From checks to Sexed!

This fall I came across a pantsuit I can only dub, "extra's wardrobe". To put it another way, this pique cotton, twin set looked like something the 60's era ladies on the block would've worn in a Tim Burton movie. Can't you picture this number with a bouffant and a cigarette in hand?

However, I'm a sucker for good fabric. There's something really cute about the matching set and the colors. It's so creamy and fall ready. It just needs major renovation. I held onto this baby until Tanya and I had a chance to meet. As you can see, it's a little big. But big means there's lots of room to work and play with the fabric!

The color is really perfect for her porcelain skin and rich hair color. Plus, the pants, (while short on me, were just about perfect on her frame as far as the inseam).

My original idea was to make the pants into high waist-ed shorts, and create a streamlined, lengthy vest in keeping with fall trends. (A look we've both come to adore this season). But then "T" put it on, and she had an ever better idea that was much more wintery and cozy! So we started working on shortening up the vest significantly.

 There was a lot of nipping and tucking. We pinned it more than halfway up the length.

And we grabbed the back of the pants through the crotch and pulled in about 6 inches! But the main idea was to keep the pants long, lean, and high around the waist. Then the big change would be to create a cropped jacket and make this a winter, wonderland suit! Less Edward Scissorhands, more Madmen...

 

So I got to work. After taking in the pants, I hacked the entire bottom half of the vest off.

 I serged the seams and took in the back just a tad. 

Then I hand placed a row of pearl buttoned snaps to keep the "vintage flavor". This is something you don't need a grommet machine to do at home. You can purchase the snaps in various sizes and color, and you only need to employ plyers and a hammer to get them inserted.

 Like so!

The final touch was to hem around the bottom and pop in our new, SHS labels!

Tune in tomorrow to see the results and how "T" styled it!

Love, 

Noa B

Pantsuit: Out of the Closet, Vintage. 1$