This week’s vintage lovin’ mama is owner of the wonderful shop Salvage Life. Her booming shop has really taken off since one of her finds was worn by Taylor Swift. Ain’t that an honor? So please say hello to Beth and learn about her love for vintage…
Hi, I’m Beth Giles and I scour the land of Southern California for the best vintage that is relevant to modern trends. My daughter Ruby, is my little assistant, she carries my purse, “oooh’s” and “ahh’s” at dresses and keeps me company on the road. When we find pretty things, we put them in our online shop, Salvage Life. You can read more about Salvage Life and our adventures on our blog. Thank you for having us, we are so happy to share about what we do.
Q: When did you start wearing vintage and why?
A: I think the first piece of vintage I wore was a flannel from my grandpa in junior high.That’s pretty funny considering the feminine style I’m into now. In high school, 70’s style came into fashion and while everyone was buying new bellbottoms, I found used ones at a vintage store along with a polyester shirt that had butterflies on it; it was my favorite shirt that year.I had always loved thrifting with my mom, but that’s when I started realizing that I could wear vintage that was relevant to the trends.
Q: What do you look for in a piece when you’re shopping?
A: First off, quality construction is a must, the item needs to be able to last another 50 years in case I decide it’s my favorite and wear it every day!Secondly, it has to be in line with what people are wearing, but different enough.I never want to look like I am wearing a costume. My lastest vintage obsessions are full-skirted dresses, worn leather bags and capes.
Q: Favorite vintage find to date?
A: A watch inherited from my great grandmother, I wear it on a necklace almost every day! It inspired the watch necklaces I sell in my shop.
Q: What is the one piece that got away or may have broken the bank?
A:
Oh, so many! When you shop vintage for a living, you have to let a lot of things go because the price or size isn’t right. Luckily, nothing particular comes to mind, so I guess I made the right choices.
Q: How do you style your daughter(s)?
A: Well, the days of picking out her outfits are coming to an end as her preferences increase. I try to give her appropriate choices though, so she feels like she made the decision, but doesn’t end up wearing jeans to a wedding.I like when she wears vintage dresses with mary janes and I love that she likes hats, lately she’s been wanting to wear one every time she leaves the house.She looks so cute when she layers random things too, people always comment on how “I” dress her, it’s hard not to take credit.
on Beth: 40’s dress, rob’s vintique. tights: free people. 40’s shoes, elsewhere vintage. necklace, salvage life.
on Ruby: 40’s silk dress, american vintage. tights, Beth’s when she was little. patent mary janes: gap via ebay. barrette, vintage via ebay.
Thank you so much Beth! I am in love with your whole ensemble (can I borrow your shoes?) and your little Ruby’s (love the name!) ensemble too! If you still haven’t checked out the Salvage Life shop (and blog), you definitely should! This lovely gal is here in southern California, so it gives me hope that one day I will find goodies just like her! Though, if those pretty goodies fit me, I may have a hard time putting it up in my shop!!!
Stay tuned because tonight because Rachel and I will be sharing our own “vintage here, vintage there” featuring “what’s in our (vintage) bag” and next week we will be sharing another vintage lovin’ mama! If there is another vintage wearin’ and lovin’ mama you know of and would like to see featured, leave us a link to the lovely lady and we will see is she would like to strut her stuff for all of you!
We got around to making some fun accessories together and here is what we came up with. It is inspired by the starlette crown by giant dwarf. Okay, it was really more like them picking out the colors and me sewing it together, then them modeling it for the camera. They love it and kept it on all day long.
I just used some silver leather I had on hand, cut out stars, backed with some pink felt, and put on with some elastic for True's and a clip sewn in for Brave's. Not quite as cool as the real deal, but good enough.
Oh how I love my little starlettes so much, but I must admit that they drive me crazy sometimes! That's normal, right? Lately, I have been feeling I am too uptight with them and I just need to let loose and let them be kids. I really ought to take a chill pill. Anyone know of someone who could prescribe those for me?!! I get so caught up in the busyness of things, I don't do enough hugging, loving, and teaching. I know it seems all fine and dandy here most times, but um... behind the scenes there is yelling, tantrum throwing, time-out fighting, tears streaming from all of us!
Ben and I are also talking about a fourth... just talking people, just talking (well, you know what I mean). I want one, but don't know if I could handle it, if we could handle it. All my kids are so, so close in age. I feel all my hair would fall out if I had a fourth. At the same time, I know children are such a blessing from God and though there would be more fighting and frustrations, there is also a lot more joy and grace. Can't forget about God's grace. Any tips from anyone who has 4 or more? How is it to make that jump from 3 to 4? If we were done, would we look back one day and wish we just went for the fourth?
And... I can't forget my little Soul. She is our baby! I can't imagine her not being the baby. Don't mind the bit of my thinking out loud. It's all in God's hands anyways, so we will see.
Thank you for this lovely interview!
Amazing interview, Ruby Ellen I love your blog more and more each day!
yay! beth is amazing. love that girl and her sweet business.
i love beth. she seems like an incredible mom. and that dress she's wearing is exquisite.
Wow, what an amazing dress. Ruby's T-bar shoes are so adorable. I loved this post and I love the dresses Salvage Life specialises in.
I am in awe!
X
I feel honored to share a name with such a stylish lady 🙂
I really like this vintage here, vintage there feature. I hope it never ends!! 🙂
LOVE Beth! She is grand!
beth's style and shop is great, isn't it?!!