Hostess gifts are infamously boring—there are only so many times you can give/receive candles, jam, wine, dishtowels, etc. (ok, wine is never bad). But how fabulous would it be to show your gratitude, not to mention impress the party, with these stunning hand stamped vintage silverware sets? We’ve mentioned the stamped settings trend before, and it’s only growing. Scoop up a set for serving your Thanksgiving feast, or spread holiday cheer with the charming reindeer names set from BeachHouseLiving on Etsy. Next on my list: the amazing My Ice Cream/Your Ice Cream spoons! 

Vinyl record sales jump 55% this year in the UK, reports Retail Gazette. Last year, vinyl sales were up just 14.2%. No data from the US has been released, but UK buying patterns may hint at a similar trend occurring on these shores. Now that CDs are long gone and digital reigns supreme, this surprisingly sizable jump in record sales indicates that vinyls still have a significant niche in the market—and maybe an increasing one, at that.

The persistent sales of an “outdated” technology could be fueled by one, or all, of the following: a holdover from nostalgic older Gen X, a resurgence in the desire for vintage-esque vinyls in today’s Gen Y consumers, or possibly because cutting-edge bands have been pushing vinyl releases. Why release costly vinyls? DJs prefer vinyls, music aficionados insist the sound is better, nostalgia continues to propel sales, and frankly, the design of Radiohead’s King of Limbs is nothing short of stunning. The causality of this trend is debatable, but the numbers are in and vinyl sales are up.

We have been seeing the trend of flattened and imprinted flatware all over the place- from wedding invitations to garden stakes, but this is by far my favorite take on it. I love silverware that doesn’t take itself seriously, and feel like dinner parties are on the precipice of having a comeback- potentially because of adorable decor like this. 

source: etsy store vic&albie

Filed Under: Let’s Adventure Back Into Time

I’m absolutely in love with the fashionable backpack trend and would love to go back into time and grab each one of these off the fresh backs of the stylish gents wearing them.

(Source: , via anchordivision)

An original accessory for women? Those exist?! Yup, thanks to the quirky genius of Madelyn Somers, creator of Tycoon Neckwear. This collection of bow ties for women made from vintage men’s ties gets a boost from chains, buttons, tassels, jewels, and other unique adornments. There are no cheesy prom or stuffy grandpa ties here—the unexpectedness of a bow tie over a crisp shirt for summer has an understated sex appeal to it. Annie Hall may have swapped her necktie for the bow tie, had Tycoon been around. And while you’re exuding confidence and feminine empowerment in your fabulous bow tie, you can also be proud that a portion of proceeds go to Women for Women International. And at around $50 each, you won’t get a bigger fashion bang for your buck.

LA-based Tycoon Neckwear is available at vintage outposts Gentlemen’s Breakfast and In Residence, and also on their website.

I am not photogenic. I love being behind the camera, but not in front of it. And as my friends take their customary, corny commencement pictures, I can’t help but cringe. I’d rather go full-cheeseball, because aren’t portraits inherently cheesy anyway? And I tend to do that in every photo, much to said friends’ dismay.

Not surprisingly, these throwback glam shots caught my eye—ironic, tongue-in-cheek, perfect in that not-too-perfect way. Right now, humor > trying too hard. So, is it a high school senior picture from Ohio in the ’70s? A Sears shoot in Nowheresville? Nope, it’s the totally awesome (dude) portraiture of Robbie Augspurger. This creative but pragmatic photographer recently scored client Wieden + Kennedy for a corporate shoot, and his first book is due this year. And in case you haven’t already guessed, yes, he is based in Portland.