Community Forklift - YEAH!

Community Forklift is a non-profit that salvages and sells building materials. We can't believe it has been around since 2005 and only now is it a part of lives. Why are you people keeping this a secret?! Is this the sort of place that cool carpenters keep to themselves? We must come together and support this place. You can buy, scavenge, and donate!

This place offers so many elements architectural salvage. We found some very cool antique doors and industrial table legs on the CHEAP. Walking around it was very inspirational, seeing how all these parts that were once a part of something could be reused and remade into something totally unique, stylish, and functional. And you can find used practical stuff you really need like screws, exit signs, ceiling lights, toilets, and sinks. It's basically the home improvement version of a thrift store and it has given our shop's renovation the boost it needed.

love the yellow stained glass and the antique frames!

how beautiful is this wood ? instant fab coffee table anyone ?

can't get enough of marble and CF makes it affordable.

An Origami Wardrobe Would be Rad

This is by far the best Origami paper I have found in this city, at Hana Market. Check out the patterns! Aren't they delightfully pretty? I wish I could make a wardrobe out of these patterns and wear them on my boat on a breezy day. Also, I wish I had a boat.

Record Fair with Chuck Brown

People! Vinyl fair this Saturday 10-4 at Warehouse Next Door, hosted by our future neighbor, SOM Records, with Chuck Brown! Sounds like a fun way to spend a Saturday.

Better as Beach Pilgrim ?

Karen Walker via Gargyle

Ylla gave a "hell naw" to ten gallon cowboy wear mingling with her everyday sensibilities. But does beachwear maketh this look more acceptable? And the verdict is?

Second Story Gets Spruced Up

I went by the newly renovated Second Story Books in Dupont Circle last night, and jump back - it is so well-lit and organized now! In reality, it is the same fab collection of used books, prints, and music, but with more handsome displays. I could spend hours in there leafing through the old art books.

Fresh Finds

Fresh Finds is back for 2009! This weekend, Mercedes Bien Vintage store will be open Saturday-Monday for your last-minute Inaugural and party dresses and accessories, along with our usual treasure trove of goods...

"Mur Elen" chunky all wool kimono-sleeved cardigan, Women's, M or free size, Listopad

Silk Cropped jacket with beautiful oversized buttons, Women's, M, Listopad

Rockin' tweed high-waisted skirt with wide leather band, Women's, S/M, Listopad

Alfani Classic Italian Leather Loafers w/tassel detail, Men's, Sz 9, Listopad

Japanese Snacks from Space

Another sign that DC is evolving for the better - we got ourselves a Japanese market! Prince of Petworth is on this so we aren't the only ones foaming at the mouth with excitement. Those who have traversed the U st corridor are familiar with the Japan Associates travel agency offering flights around the world, by plane or by rocket (dreams!). Now this uber Japanese space has mostly been taken over by "Hana Market," a Japanese alternative to all the good Latino/Korean-oriented bodegas. It's probably the only Japanese market DC has and the only other ones I know of on the east coast are the Sunrise Marts in NYC. Not only are goods wide-ranging for such a small space (there is even a small selection of produce and sushi-grade tuna!), the owner Yoshio Tanabe is very amiable and funny, and the prices are comparable to those at H Mart or Lotte in the 'burbs (I don't understand the economics of this but I want to find out). Let's have more like this!

We'll miss the signs. But this is a good trade.

Men's Pocky: " This combination of crispy pretzel and smooth dark chocolate brings a whole new flavor to fun." Why wouldn't you want to eat this? But does the bitter chocolate make it for men only?
$1.40/bag of frozen edamame blows Trader Joe's and Whole Foods out of the park!
Enough mochi offerings to fill a bathtub. Kewpie mayonnaise - essential for creamy+sweet Asian potato salads.
Furikake seasonings - it's the stuff that Teaism puts on their rice to make it xtra special (try the light green one in the middle).

Now I am going to start daydreaming about a noodle bar and Asian pastry shop...

Fresh Finds

We are busily preparing for our Napolean event, but wanted to share these fun clogs with you -- they are BOOT CLOGS! And they are roomy enough for any pant leg. Available at Listopad at Mercedes Bien.

Supple Brown Leather Boot Clogs, Women's 12 or Men's 10.5, Listopad

Fresh Finds

Freshen up your cold days with flashes of bold color and patterns! Here are our newest in-store offerings from Mercedes Bien Vintage and Listopad's pop-up shop!

Cozy Native Print Union-made 3/4 length Skirt (great for layering!), Women's, M/L, Listopad Petite + Pretty Red Silk Dress, Women's, XS, Listopad Mod Patchwork Leather Pumps, Women's, 6/7, Listopad Double-knit Marimekko-styled Mod Dress, Women's, S/M, Mercedes Bien
Soft and Sophisticated "Lucchese" Cowboy Boots (dark brown goes with everything), Women's, 7.5, Mercedes Bien
March in Style with a Vintage German Soldier Hat , Medium, Listopad
Well-Crafted Lumberjack, Men's, M/L, Mercedes Bien

Fresh Finds

Problems overcast and rainy weather cause - slippery shoes and awful lighting for photos. I tried to take a photo of this adorable and versatile vintage tan knit St. Johns dress with pockets from Mercedes' collection but failed miserably. Hopefully, I will be able to photograph it for next week's post. Also worth mentioning - Mercedes has added a new jewelry case of lovely vintage goodies for your holiday gift-giving consideraciones...

Audrey "Inaugural Party-Worthy" slim black dress w/bow, Women's, XS, Listopad

Japan "Floating World" Tapestry Handbag, Women's, Listopad, SOLD

Fresh Finds

This week finds me travelin' so I am neglecting the Mercedes Bien portion of "Fresh Finds."

In the vintage queen's store this week, though, you can find these Listopad Fresh Finds and many more:

Red satin-bowed wool overcoat, Women's, M/L, Listopad

(This one reminds me of Michelle O and her cute daughters - yup they are already way up high in our style stratosphere).

Fitted Striped Handknit Dress, Women's, XS, Listopad

"Osbourne" modern Neige Warrior Hat, Unisex, Medium, Listopad

Sleek Tan "Cobbies", Women's, 7.5, Listopad

Fresh Finds

We have many cool weather treasures rolling in during the weekends to come at Mercedes Bien!

Lovely grey wool lined dress w/pockets, Women's, S/M, Listopad, SOLD Perfect felt pillbox hat, Women's, Mercedes BienEmpire-waist lined camel coat, Women's, S/M, Listopad
Leather + Linen Etienne Aigner oxfords, Women's, 6.5, Listopad
Carroll Travel perfect travel companion/tote, Listopad
St Croix grandpa shawl cardigan with sueded detail, Men's, M/L, Mercedes Bien, SOLD

Style Warranty

LL Bean? Maybe you haven't perused their catalog since your mom ordered your last initialed backpack in the 8th grade, but you've been missing out. The men have it pretty good with awesome jacket after jacket after jacket, but there's some hunting-chic in there for the women too.

From grandpa's cardis...to aristocratic jackets, they're guaranteed for as long as you live, so you can keep updating your wardrobe ad infinitum.

Woolrich for Life

It's getting cold and we want to help you brace the elements full on. How about some American classics to keep your toes warm? If you can find vintage Woolrich items (which Listopad has been known to offer), they have been made in the USA since the 1800s. Even the hip kids are picking up on the influence and collaborating with the company. I'm not so sure about the current output's nation of origin, but here are some greatest hits from the web catalog:

The woman's berber robe with American Indian motifs is kickass and the sweater stone is a must, but the men really have it good at Woolrich. This shirt, in washable wool, is a winter staple-



Yes, this shirt has elbow pads and you need that--



And a top layer worthy of any army navy store--



Of course, these pieces would also be perfect for your very own androgynous lumberjack look if you are girl--but you knew I was going to say that.

Failing Economy, meet your fashion match

Great news pieces as of late...Robin Givhan puts the Republican party in its place and the NYT remembers that well-made, beautifully designed classics are forever.

On a similar note, did you know that Fashionista alum Faran has been penning the fashion posts on Mad Men's blog? What is old is new and all signs point to buying vintage. ;)

Get To It

Get graphic today: a cheeky Alice Temperley dress on Net-a-Porter - or, if you're a member, on Gilt Groupe; these Betsey Johnson peep-toes on Zappos; Abaete's colorblocked-and-pleated symphony of neutrals from Saks. (Bonus: they're all on sale!)

The only TV shows that Listopad officially endorses are Mad Men and America's Next Top Model, but we should remind you that the season premiere of Stylista will grace your idiot box on Wednesday. Prior to the show, cast member Johanna was a suit-by-day-DC-fashion-blogger-by-night; we must root for one of our own!

Thursday, head north to the Ottobar to catch Ponytail (and others) play a benefit concert for Jawbox and Channels frontman J. Robbins' son Callum, who has spinal muscular atrophy and one of the cutest little mugs this side of the Mason-Dixon.

The Baltimore Women's Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday.

Saturday, Comet Ping Pong hosts a Halloween Party! Transcendent, locally-sourced foodstuffs and drunk people in costumes? Yes please.