Weekend Getaway

I've been so busy with work lately, and things are finally beginning to lighten up a bit. After about a month of so many things to do at the office, I finally have a chance to relax a little bit. This calls for a weekend getaway! My boyfriend and I will be jetting off to Amsterdam this Friday.

It is still March, so it will still be chilly and the trees won't be green like they are in this photo. But the city and its beautiful canals and buildings are always there. I'm so excited! It's not my first time there, but I haven't been there with my guy, so it'll be fun to explore the city with him.

But there is one thing that may surprise you that I have not yet done in Amsterdam: Vintage Shopping! I would love to hear any Amsterdam vintage shopping tips you may have...or anything else, for that matter! Where are your favorite restaurants, sights, museums? All tips welcome!

Burlesque Night!

Last month I went to a burlesque show for the first time! I was really excited as I'd heard so much about these shows, but just never had the opportunity to see one.

Luckily for me I'm friends with some very creative Danish ladies across the Sound over in Copenhagen, and one of them, Miss Mia (Denmark's hula hoop queen!) was producing a burlesque show starring the American group Cabaret New Burlesque.

All dressed up and ready to go!

Finally, an excuse to bust out this beauty! A 1950's pink and black knitted wiggle dress with rhinestone buttons! I snapped this one up from Portland, Oregon's Xtabay Vintage on Etsy.

And the tag is adorable - "A Mademoiselle Juliette."

I had a vintage hair clip that my mom gave me that was just perfect for this outfit. I mean, what goes better with burlesque than copious amounts of sparkle? Thanks mama!

And another shot just for good measure:

And then I was off to Copenhagen! 

The show was just as sparkly and jiggly and fun as I had expected. The coolest act was probably the one where a girl gradually crawled into an already inflated balloon. There was even a male performer who stripped while riding a pogo stick!

I didn't get photos during the show in that dark theater, but I did get a few snaps of the after show, where my friend Miss Mia performed an awesome hula hoop number. Here she is in action!

An after-show photo op with my friend, the ever-sparkly Pia of Storms Magasin, next to the cutest little radio and victrola set up by the dj booth. 

And finally I wrapped the night up with some cocktails with these glamorous Danish ladies: Mia, Pia  and Rikke. Thank you ladies for a wonderful evening!

Milan's Oahu Vintage Picks: Tin Can Mailman

 On the south shore of Oahu lies the capital, Honolulu, home to Hawai'i's Chinatown.

There you'll find Tin Can Mailman. 

  

 Over the years, Chinatown has played many roles in Hawai'i's history. It has been an immigrant enclave, sailors' stomping grounds, a bustling shopping district and more. More recently it has undergone a cultural renaissance, blossoming into a cosmopolitan arts and culture district while still remaining the home of Oahu's vibrant Chinese culture. 

 

A reminder of Chinatown's seedy past: Club Hubba Hubba was once the number one burlesque venue in Honolulu in the 1950s and shut down in the 90's. All that's left today is the sign. Totally tacky, but I just love it! I always look for it whenever I'm in the neighbourhood.

Anyway, here we go into the shop:

A wall of Hawaii-themes record sleeves cover the wall near the entrance.

Oodles of jewelry!


I'd been following their instagram page for some time and decided that this past trip was the time to head into Chinatown and find them. If you're anything like me, plan to spend at least an hour in there.

I spent a good deal of time poring over their bakelite collection. The shop assistent I spoke with hand restores the bakelite himself. I didn't go home with anything, but next time I'm home I'll be sure to visit again...and who knows, maybe I'll finally get a bakelite bracelet!

This place is chock full of midcentury Hawaiian treasures. So much to look at!

If I lived in Hawaii I'd definitely be buying some of their lamps or bowls, but getting that back to Sweden would be such a hassle. Guess that just means there's more for you, Oahu people!