Vintage Fashion | Shireen's Favorite Things

Everyday Vintage

When I first walked into “L.A. Boudoir Miami,” (snuggled into the back of Via Verdi restaurant in the MiMo District,) it was as if I had accidentally stumbled onto a quaint and charming movie set. There were beautiful nicknacks everywhere, old fashion appliances and a smattering of shabby chic furniture. The most unique and inspiring vintage handbags, hats and clothing also lined the walls. Curio cabinets dazzled, too, with delicate broaches, earrings and necklaces.

Everything in the store seemed to have a special place and a special story, because its owner, Lauren Arkin (hence the L.A. in the store’s title,) makes it that way. The avid vintage collector (she’s been at it since she was a young girl,) designed her store to entice the senses and evoke a feeling of privacy.

Lauren explains it best: “I wanted it to feel like a giant closet” and it does (hence the word Boudoir in the store’s title.) I would even go so far as describing it as a Parisian-style loft with a pure Rachel Ashwell-type of energy. (Rachel is a famed English home decor designer who coined the term, “Shabby Chic.”) “L.A. Boudoir Miami” means something, too. At least, it does to me.

In a world where social media shopping, big chains and malls consume our time and interests, this boutique is a refreshing change. It’s shopping intimacy at its finest, with personal attention and a genuine understanding of its customer. The store definitely resonates with the Magic City, being voted one of the “Best of the Best” by Miami New Times, Conde Nast Traveller and Racked Miami.

It’s a solidifying accolade, especially in the now hyped-up, uber competitive world of “lightly used” everything. Over the last few years, the word “vintage” has been tossed around like a gigantic rag doll, everyone (from store owners, collectors and investors) uses it differently to suit their specific needs. As a result, it’s become one of the fastest growing fashion trends in the country, making loads of money and sometimes confusing people about how best to shop, enjoy and incorporate it into their lives.

Some people think “vintage” is “expensive couture fashion,” other says it’s “junk” or as my Deco Drive co-host, Lynn Martinez lovingly calls it: “Cool old stuff.” Actually, while there’s a bit of truth to each aforementioned description, technically speaking, it’s a reference to a “period of origin that something was made or its length of existence.”

Read the rest of the blog at www.WSVN.com or shop the looks at www.laboudoirmiami.com.
Twitter: @BoudoirMiami
IG: @laboudoirmiami
FB: La Boudoir / Vintage Store

Twitter: @ShireenSandoval
IG: @ShireenSandoval
ssandoval@wsvn.com
www.shireensandoval.com

Photographer: James Woodley
Twitter: @BritFloridian
IG: @BritFloridian
www.James-Woodley.com

Hair & Make-up: Odette Hernandez
Twitter: @Odettehernandz
IG: @O.D.E.T.T

Styling & Assist: Jackie Kay
Blog ideas: jackie211@yahoo.com

Editor: Matthew Auerbach
MattAuerbach@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 2, 2015 Shireen's Favorite Things James Woodley Photography, La Boudoir Miami, Vintage, Vintage Fashion

The Desk Diaries (based on my recollection of true events)

When I first received the handwritten letter from my father, I didn’t quite understand its meaning. Matter of fact, it would be years before I actually did. Nonetheless, I studied the envelope carefully, which had come wrapped in a clear Ziploc bag and then cautiously opened it, unfolding the piece of paper that would change my life forever.

A few weeks earlier, my dad had left on a business trip; he traveled a lot for work but as of late, he was always gone and my mother seemed especially despondent and sad about his latest absence. She, too, along with my brother and I, also received a letter. For whatever reason, perhaps instinct, I knew the situation wasn’t a good one.

The three articles of mail, which came in a larger tattered manila envelope were hand-delivered to our front door on a lazy Sunday afternoon. A family friend, who was one of my father’s co-workers, seemed reluctant to hand them over, but eventually he did and then left us to our day and our letters. The thing is…

When I was growing-up, I never really knew exactly “what” my dad did for a living. So, I couldn’t even begin to tell you what his co-worker did, either. I did think it was odd, though; he’d made the house call without my father there. It may sound strange, but all the mystery surrounding my dad’s job and his co-workers made perfect sense to me at the time. Mainly, because whenever I inquired, there were always a myriad of answers provided without hesitation.

The adults around me would say things like “He’s a handyman” or “He’s a jack of all trades” or “He fixes things” or “He helps people that are in trouble.” Eventually, though, the job title that ended up sticking was: “He’s a roofer.” That’s because…

After one of his many business trips, my dad returned home pretty worse for wear. He was limping, his left arm was in a cast and he was beyond tired, sleeping and resting more than I had ever see him do. When I asked what was wrong, I was told that my dad had fallen off one of the roofs he was working on and he needed time to heal. And…

That was that. Twelve-year olds have a tendency to believe what you tell them. After his fall, his trips grew less frequent and my mother grew more content, but alas, business always needed to be tended to and my dad packed his things and took off. This time, during his longer than usual absence, the letters came…

Read the rest of the blog at www.WSVN.com or shop the looks with the credits listed below.

The Scarlet Letter
www.thescarletletterstore.com
Twitter: @scarletlett
IG: @thescarlettletterstore
FB: The Scarlet Letter / Shopping & Retail

Wardrobe Provided by: La Boudoir Miami
www.laboudoirmiami.com
Twitter: @BoudoirMiami
IG: @laboudoirmiami
FB: La Boudoir / Vintage Store

Twitter: @ShireenSandoval
IG: @ShireenSandoval
ssandoval@wsvn.com
www.shireensandoval.com

Photographer: James Woodley
Twitter: @BritFloridian
IG: @BritFloridian
www.James-Woodley.com

Hair & Make-up: Odette Hernandez
Twitter: @Odettehernandz
IG: @O.D.E.T.T

Styling & Assist: Jackie Kay
Blog ideas: jackie211@yahoo.com

Editor: Matthew Auerbach
MattAuerbach@yahoo.com

Wednesday, June 24, 2015 Shireen's Favorite Things James Woodley Photography, La Boudoir Miami, The Scarlet Letter, Vintage, Vintage Fashion

Sweater Weather

Shireen Sandoval, Shireens Favorite Things, Fashion blog, sweater weather, winter, cold, stylist, koko and palenki, shoes, wsvn, deco drive, photoshoot

“She’s my person. If I murdered someone, she’s the person I’d call to help me drag the corpse across the floor.” I absolutely love that quote from the television show, “Grey’s Anatomy,” and it’s exactly how I feel about my stylist, Shari Bloch.

She’s my person. The one I’d call if I got arrested in the middle of the night; she’d style my mug shot with ease and then bail me out of jail. She’s the one I’d depend on if I had to flee the country at a moment’s notice with nothing to wear. She’d insist on pulling looks for my life on the lam and remind me to always buy quality and classic as she kissed me goodbye.

She’s the Thelma to my Louise and if I were ever to drive my car off a cliff (like they did in the movie,) she’s the one I would want in my passenger seat, holding my hand, screaming, laughing, crying and seeing me out of this world as well-dressed as possible. It wasn’t always that way, though.

When I first came to Miami as a young entertainment reporter, I struggled to fashionably fit in and felt very self-conscious, even inadequate at times. Especially as I started to frequent Los Angeles and New York City for my job. My clothes were cute, but conservative and nothing special. My style was, well, to be totally honest, I’m not sure that I had one, but it wasn’t from lack of trying.

I spent a lot of time roaming around the Aventura Mall and local boutiques perplexed on how to harness the sex appeal of South Florida fashions, but at the same time, balance and blend them with the class and sophistication that the movers and shakers of Hollywood and Manhattan expected. That’s how I met Shari…

I bumped into her at an upscale boutique where she was working at the time and I fell in love with her immediately. She was affable, fun-loving and full of light and love. What’s more, she knew her fashion and was incredibly astute. She noticed something about me that NO ONE ever notices. I’m related to someone incredibly famous and there’s a very subtle clue about me that gives it away. Shari caught on immediately, but had the class and decency enough not to mention it in a room full of people.

Read the rest of “Sweater Weather” at www.wsvn.com or shop the look at www.kokopalenki.com. Remember, if it makes you happy, wear it!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014 Shireen's Favorite Things Bay Harbor Islands, Cold, Deco Drive, Hollen & Jen, Koko & Palenki, Shoes, Stylist, Sweater Weather, Vintage Fashion, Winter

Winter Vintage

Shireen Sandoval, Shireens Favorite Things, Fashion Blog, Winter, Vintage Fashion, Holland and Jen, Bay Harbor Islands, FL

(based on true events) …

I didn’t hate Dr. Lee Scanlon per se, but I was incredibly scared of him. Our first encounter was beyond humiliating. What’s more, it was in front of a room full of people. I was so embarrassed, I nearly passed out (I’ll get to that in a minute.) Even though I despised him at that very moment and frankly, in a bunch of other ones, too, he is indeed the man responsible for my success in television.

Matter of fact, he single-handedly beat some sense into me, toughened me up and then, did what most college professors do: sent me out into the big ol’ world with a daring dream and an indelible sense of determination. His secret to helping me succeed was pretty simple. At least, it seems that way now; when I was a junior in college, not so much.

You see, Dr. Scanlon believed in me so I, in turn, believed in myself. That self-confidence was hard-won, though, and started the very first day of his Broadcast Journalism class, when I was sitting in the back of the room acting nonchalant. He must have smelled my fear from a mile away because he quickly called on me to come to the front of the class, introduce myself and tell everyone why I wanted to be on television.

My face turned beet red, as I shuffled front and center and introduced myself like he asked. “You didn’t say WHY you wanted to be on television,” he snapped in a disparaging tone. In response, my fellow classmates started laughing and heckling me, which made him bellow: “Shut up, people! Go on, Shireen.” I grew woozy and sweaty being in the spotlight. I took a deep breath and quickly blurted out: “I want to be a writer. Someone who tells stories and inspires others. If I can do that, then I want to be on TV.” The room fell silent.

Read the rest of “Winter Vintage” at wsvn.com or shop the look at www.hollenandjenshowroom.com.

Twitter @Hollenandjen
IG @Hollenandjen
FB Hollen & Jen Showroom

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 Shireen's Favorite Things Bay Harbor Islands, Deco Drive, Hollen & Jen, Vintage Fashion, Winter

Shireen’s Spotlight: Hollen & Jen’s Vintage Showroom

Hollen & Jen's Vintage Showroom

What: Hollen & Jen’s Vintage Showroom, 1177 Kane Concourse Suite 201, Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 33154

Why: Not only is it some of the best vintage in Miami (because the pieces they sell are always in mint condition,) but it’s run by two BFF’s whom I adore. Fashionistas by nature, Hollen Rosenberg and Jennifer Sazant combined their friendship and love of all things beautiful (clothing, jewelry, handbags and shoes) to create an amazing store called “Hollen & Jen’s Vintage Showroom.”

I’ve worn some of their uniquely gorgeous garments to red carpet events around the world and to interview some of the most famous people in Hollywood. The duo doesn’t sell ‘consigned’ items. Matter of fact, everything in their charming little boutique is something they themselves have purchased from estate sales, vintage shows or treasures they’ve unearthed from some of the most decadent and couture closets in South Florida.

When they sell something, they actually have a hard time parting with it and really, isn’t that the way it should be? Whether it’s a look of days gone by or something you’d see in Vogue magazine, this showroom has its pulse on the past, present, but more importantly, on all things pretty.

Where: The showroom is off of Kane Concourse, the main boulevard that runs through Bay Harbour Village. It’s housed on the second floor of a pretty office building with big, bold white shutters. I love the area. It’s one of the few parts of Miami left untouched by the bustling tourist beach life.

When: Tuesdays & Thursday 10am-3pm or by appointment.

www.hollenandjenshowroom.com (website coming soon)
Twitter: @HollenandJen
Instagram: @HollenandJen
FB: Hollen & Jen Showroom

editor: Matthew Auerbach
producer/writer: Shireen Sandoval
photographer: Tod Phillip

Thursday, October 2, 2014 Shireen's Spotlight Hollen & Jen, Vintage Fashion

Shireen's Favorite Things

Everyday Vintage

The Desk Diaries (based on my recollection of true events)

Sweater Weather

Winter Vintage

Shireen’s Spotlight: Hollen & Jen’s Vintage Showroom

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