14 September, 2011

Schoolboy Blazer Makeover

I made a quickie pooh pit stop at the Crew today in between running around trying to find the litter brand the Ti-Babes demand prefer, a rec'd dry cleaner, Wickles Pickles and window cleats to thwart Lolly's attempts to hang herself via the blind cords...

When I mentioned wanting the Schoolboy Blazer a couple of weeks ago, regular commenter Patsy offered up a geeenious idea; swap out the brass buttons for some shmancier ones...

Well, I immediately hightailed it to eBay where I bid on and won these vintage, early to mid-twentieth century Fox Hunt buttons from England...

I've already scoped out a tailor and, tomorrow when I head out to find Home Depot, a paint store, B³ and resume my search for Wickles, I'll be dropping off my li'l custom job request...

I'm so excited with the idea, I'm toying with also nabbing the Schoolboy in grey...

And, headin' back across the Pond by way of eBay for another set of vintage buttons. Right after I locate those d*** Wickles!

*FYI...Crew's Schoolboy Blazer has two front and three working sleeve buttons. Since my vintage haul only has a total of four sleeve buttons, I plan on leaving the spot closest to each wrist empty. No biggie since I probably wouldn't button those buttons even if I had them. All the better to eventually spy the Hermès double tour H face watch at Richard's I've been losing sleep over...

Kindness of Patsy for sharing her fashionably clever idea with Moi. This ranks right up there with the epiphany I had to have the Cobbler saw off a pair of tart height sparkly stilettos to a more Allie friendly kitten heel...XXOO

34 comments:

  1. I need to know more about the kitten heel makeover. I can never find kitten heels--do tell us how you found a cobbler, and what you asked for, and how they turned out.

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  2. Don't know if they have these in Greenwich, but I get my Wickles at the Cost Plus World Market.

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  3. I purchased Wickles at The Fresh Market in Westport.

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  4. I hava fallen into a swoon, what a brilliant idea, the fox buttons are perfect, tally ho!

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  5. love those buttons. when you are in the city, pop in to tender buttons. hmm. next time I see wickles - I will think of you.
    pve

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  6. We usually get our Wickles at Safeway, Cracker Barrel or Walmart.

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  7. You could try Balduccis if you haven't found them yet. On post road in Riverside. Best place for cat supplies - Pet Pantry.

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  8. Absolutely BRILLIANT idea (which I am totally stealing)!

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  9. Now that you're almost a New Yorker, try Tender Buttons at 143 East 62nd St. Huge selection of new and vintage buttons of all prices. Beautiful store.

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  10. Love the buttons! Very Middleburg! I hope you have a Wickle's stash to get you through until you can find more. I can't imagine a day without Wickle's and pretzels.

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  11. Love those vintage fox buttons,
    Hope you can snag the running fox ones. Could you please tell the kitty litter brand you use? I had
    never heard that clumping litter was not good for them. I lost my dear Kirboo in June and am trying to take special care of his sibling who is left. Thanks.

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  12. Wickles can be found in Stop and Shop

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  13. I did the SAME thing to my schoolboy blazer. It had just navy buttons. BORING!!! I swapped 'em for gold. Your buttons are TDF!!! Xoxo-BLC

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  14. K, shoes: They were a pair of glitter encrusted no-names that happened to go perfectly with a pair of B² black velvet palazzo pants 'butcept for the 4" hooker heels. I just took them to the jo shmo Mall cobbler and he literally took the rubber end cap off, lopped 3 of the inches, reapplied the end cap et voilà.

    litter: I use regular ole Fresh Step. There are plenty of other litters better for your ti-babes and the environment but, they're all pretty, ahhh, unique and, kitties are not fans of unique.

    Wickles: Not at the Stop and Shop in G'wich! I went in with a full list and left with paper towels. But, super excited there's a Fresh Mkt in Westport, my fav, and appreciate all the other intel. Also, a dear friend is a big wig with Whole Foods and she is going to look into carrying Wickles and O-LIVE evoo. Woot woot! XXOO

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  15. When you get your school boy blazer back from the tailor's will you please show some pictures of you wearing it? I have one that i adore but never know quite how to style it so I don't look like a boy.

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  16. I will but, chances are I will look like a tomboy cuz I'm likely to pair it with Lacoste polos and oxfords. An Hermès shawl may save me :)

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  17. Love this idea. Love your kitchen! Can't wait to see the final product.

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  18. Can't wait to see the finished product!

    You've taken it to a fabulous level, I just used old mongrammed buttons of my husband's......may need a new blazer as well!

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  19. There used to be (and probably still is) a great hardware store on the main street through Greenwich. It's on the Saks side of the street and you have to go down steps to get to it. Lots of great stuff and so much more interesting than the big box stores.

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  20. Yup, was there yesterday. Outta small brass cleats and they'd take a week to order. I'd be choosing Lolly's kitty casket by then :(

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  21. cleaver girl! I esp. like them 'cause I have a thing about Foxes (my middle name is Fox). I really wanted the orange (ish) one but have been hymning and hawing about it, is the color of the moment? Hard to decide. I have the light summer one in blue...

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  22. 1) Skip the tailor and buy yourself a spool of buttonhole thread and a needle and you'll be wearing your jazzed up blazer(s) tonight.
    2) Yes, you must go to Tender Buttons...always on my list when I go to New York City.
    3)Non-clumping Fresh Step is my cats' litter of choice too. Don't even think about any type of clumping litter as it can be deadly to your cats.
    4) Allie, please share your kitten heal conversion/cobbler secrets!

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  23. I forgot to mention Fairway Market in Stamford, a lot of great gourmet food items including your yogurt.

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  24. use Dr. Clothes instead of Ted the Tailor for your alterations! I wished someone had told me that before having my black tie dress altered :(

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  25. Adore these vintage buttons, they are perfect and really make a difference!! Bravo!!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

    Come and join my Giveaway from the Jose Estevez Collection at Interieurs!

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  26. Is that a butler's pantry in the first picture?

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  27. That is genius. Now you just need some buttons that showcase the Summer faves, bikinis, diet Coke, etc:). Wait, it is Coke, right? Or Pepsi. Oh god. Old age memory or lack thereof.

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  28. Love the blazer idea! Did you see Monday's post on the Atlantic Pacific blog--"Black Watch"? She paired a plaid J.Crew blazer with an Oxford, skirt, and scarf...I could def see you rocking a similar look :-)
    ~HMC

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  29. Um, no I did not! Blackwatch plaid, swooon...Now, I def gotta hunt down some more buttons! Merci :)

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  30. Excellent vintage buttons for your blazer.........I've always picked up matching sets of old buttons to exchange for the plastic ones on my clothes.
    Kathi

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  31. You must be sooo excited to have a B&M J.Crew in your hood! I love the look of blazers and need to get over my issues w/ feeling constricted and rock one this fall! xx

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  32. Love those buttons! Make me think of Foxfields, Sweet Briar, And the Fox Mask. Really fab vintage find!

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