Elva Fields Blog
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Why Vintage?
It's no secret that I'm a fan of vintage - my love and adoration of all things old is a major reason I started Elva Fields in the first place. (Those childhood flea market and antique shop adventures with my mom definitely shaped my preferences and inclinations later in life!) There's very little that gets my heart fluttering quite like discovering beauty and goodness during the thrill of the hunt at an early-morning flea market jaunt.
I had such fun collecting pieces for our most recent vintage edit; from bags to bangles, each item was selected especially for you all to enjoy this fall season and, hopefully, for years to come. Even if "vintage" isn't really your thing, I'd encourage you to consider the possibility of incorporating just a touch of something old in your every day. Why? Well, a few thoughts on why vintage is so wonderful:1. Vintage fashion, like the jewelry and accessories in our Fall Edit, keeps these beautiful items in use and out of the landfill. I'm hearing more and more about sustainable fashion (especially in light of pretty horrific reports from documentaries like "The True Cost" and books like Fashionopolis) and it's vitally important for me to, at the very least, consider the effects my fashion purchases may have on life on this planet - from a human rights AND ecological standpoint, among others. By choosing vintage, I'm prolonging the life of an item that might otherwise end up being thrown away, and I'm supporting a small business (from the tiny, often home-based vendors from whom I source these items) and you, in turn, are supporting a small, female-owned business (with a mindful, minimal impact on the environment and who pays a living wage to her assistants) rather than a large factory corporation without thoughtful, sustainable efforts in place.
2. Vintage fashion offers an opportunity for unique style. If you're hoping to show up NOT wearing the same thing as someone else at the party, vintage is a fantastic way to do it. I love incorporating vintage elements in my outfits (or, better yet, wearing a vintage outfit, too) because I find such joy in individuality and uniqueness. A touch of vintage - especially through accessories - shows your OWN particular style, not the handbag you've seen 982 people wear on Instagram. I collected our Fall Edit items especially for the woman who likes to stand out stylishly, who isn't afraid to mix up her tried-and-true denim with a stack of brilliant and bold bangles from the 60s or her basic LBD at work with a 1970s woven leather clutch to head out to an event right after office hours. Vintage allows me to express MY style confidently in bold or subtle ways, telling an interesting story that isn't a repeat or over-told tale.
3. Vintage fashion is quality fashion. The phrase "They just don't make 'em like that anymore" comes to mind - and, rather than sounding like the old lady I may be, it's completely true! I'm endlessly impressed by the craftsmanship and quality of the vintage goodness I find and collect. The jewelry, the purses, the scarves - all of it was made with a set of values that emphasized and cared for craftsmanship, design, and legacy. The vintage items in our Fall Edit were not only beautifully-crafted and thoughtfully-designed in their own time, they are to be enjoyed today and for more years to come - and, because they are so well made, they can and will be. It is truly my hope that these fun finds (that each likely have a very colorful tale to tell from their previous experiences!) enjoy a new life with the beautiful customers who choose them from our collections, and are perhaps handed down as new/old family heirlooms one day down the road. History and style on repeat...and we're back to number one on the list, it seems.
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Reading List
The Nix by Nathan Hill - Sometimes painful to absorb, other times incredibly funny, yet always deeply insightful and provocative, the various threads and storylines (including settings as varied as the 1968 Democratic Convention and a present-day video game chat room) show time and again how the events and experiences of the past play a rich and significant role in our present.
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles - I started this one as an audiobook on a road trip with a friend and tried to be patient in listening again, waiting until my travel buddy and I were together, but I finally had to ask if I could proceed on my own because I couldn't wait to find out how Katherine Kontent makes her way through 1930s Manhattan with style, wit, intellect, fun, and integrity. (And...the writing is phenomenal - I relished nearly every line.)
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel by Mary Beth Keane - Another one through which I plowed quickly as I worked away in the studio, this is a story of young love that tests loyalty in one another and the families that surround the couple, bringing up challenging themes of forgiveness, understanding, compassion, and trust.
Invincible Summer by Alice Adams - Maybe because I graduated not long after this quartet of friends did and have experienced some of the same highs and lows along the way as post-college life unfolded in my 20s, and then the unexpected twists and turns in my 30s and now 40s, I wanted to know how it all played out for these four. Though it provided plenty of predictable love triangles and losses, I enjoyed the lack of saccharine happy endings and the emphasis on the idea that life rarely turns out the way we think or hope it will, but that there is beauty, still, in what shows up.
Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams - I snagged this from the library not knowing it was part of a larger series, though it stands alone and is a page-turning story-within-a-story that needs no background or introduction. Truly, I was in it from the start and happily along for the ride between 1930s Europe and 1960s South Florida and coastal Georgia, learning delightful and captivating details about the lives of two dazzling women brought together by a remarkable vintage Mercedes roadster. -
Giving for Good
This joyful day of giving sponsored by the Community Foundation of Louisville kicks off on September 12th, and last year saw over $5 million raised for local non-profit organizations. There are so many wonderful participants hoping to raise money this year, and we've picked a few of our favorites from the line-up of agencies, companies, and groups (and to see the entire line-up, click here!)
- Louisville Public Media
- The Healing Place
- Prodigal Ministries
- Anchal Project
- Kentucky Refugee Ministries
- Down Syndrome of Louisville
- The Backside Learning Center
- Schuhmann Social Service Center
- The Louisville Free Public Library Foundation
- Cabbage Patch Settlement House
- The Morton Center
- Hope Scarves
- Token III Club
- The Berry Center
- Kentucky Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
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Everything is Awesome
Great news for those of you who may have missed our last few Elva Awesome sales on Instagram...you'll have TWO chances to join the fun this month!
Wednesday, September 18th / 9 pm EST
Awesome Leftover Sale
~ No sloppy seconds around here...nothing but stylish staples! A slew of previously-unsold goodies from past Insta-action will be up for sale in this closeout flash fun, with most items priced at under $25.
Wednesday, September 25th / 9 pm EST
Elva Awesome Sale
~ Our latest vintage finds, market favorites, and handmade designs, in our regular monthly(ish) flash-sale format!
Hope to see you there, friends!
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Start of Summer Sale!
