The On the Prowl Vintage Blog

2010-11-24T02:49:00.003-05:00

Guess what time it is!?! Its time to stock the store up with holiday and party dresses. For the next week expect to see velvets, sequins, and black! Yay! Well I best be getting to the bed, tomorrow will be a busy day of families. Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall Floral Minis and Grandpa Cardigans

2010-11-23T02:37:00.000-05:00

I put some darlin dresses and cardigans in the etsy shop this week. I’ve been behind on my blog posts because I am in the process of listing 200 items in the ole ebay shop. So all this week everyday you can check over there too, because I’m selling tons of stuff on the cheap. So stop over this week and check it out!

H&M Lanvin

2010-11-20T04:35:00.003-05:00

I’m currently debating about going to the Lanvin H&M opening today. It starts in approximately 4 hours. The only problem is the closest one is about 3 hours away. I plan on getting the red necklace to add to my jewelry collection. If I happen to run across a pot of gold on the journey there, I will get that black sheer blouse jacket too. I’m not sure if I’m going to go yet. I really really want to, but since I don’t drive I have to con someone into taking me. Me and my Mister are celebrating our 8 year anniversary of being together on Monday… so I’m hoping maybe just maybe I can play my cards right and not only get a way up there, but get the necklace as a gift too. Miracles happen.

Hopefully I will see you soon, amazing red necklace... and blouse.

Ralph Lauren Blazers

2010-11-16T20:10:00.000-05:00

I just added a bunch of fantastic Ralph Lauren Blazers to the shop. Such a fall and winter essential, and perfect for layering.

Onesie, Two, Three, Four, Tell Me That You Love Me More

2010-11-12T03:55:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I spent the entire day on the couch sick. Thankfully it was only a 24 hour thing, because today I had a lot of non-productive stuff to do such as shopping and lunch and dinner dates. I got some great stuff for me and some great stuff for the stores too.

Sometimes on these "sale holidays" I feel a little bit sad. I don't know, today is supposed to be about veterans and not sales. I think next year I will do something more Veteran day like (for at least the first half of the day anyway). When I was little My Dad and I would always go to cemeteries and museums, or Mass. He's very sentimental like that. So today I at least said prayers for the 3 important veterans in my life: my late Grandpa Sorokowski, my Grandpa Bruns, and my old boss Larry.

Tomorrow I'm spending the day helping my mom set up for her craft show. She's a florist by day and a jewelry designer by night. So if I get home early enough I will list these Onesies. When I was moving my studio and shut down the store, I got some email requests for these. So enjoy!

Shop the Store

Move to the head of the Sass.

2010-11-10T04:13:00.001-05:00

I've been spending the day painting away. I bought a bookshelf that is from the late 30s but I wanted it to be yellow...so that's what I did. I'll post the before and after photos when I'm all done. Hopefully magazines will look good in it, because that is what I plan to use it for.

Oh and p.s. when I was on my shopping trip the other day I got some really gorgeous velvet dresses for the winter months, everyone always requests those, so I know you'll like.

Well, here's what's in store for the shop Thursday morning!

90s Street Talkin

2010-11-08T03:25:00.004-05:00

Amazing and effortless 90s maxi pieces are in the process of being stocked! This is definitely my favorite vintage trend of the moment. Instantly Chic, no? I'm going to try and add these pieces to the etsy store tomorrow night. I say try because in the morning I leave for a day long buying trip, and when I get home from these things I usually am so beat I just want to dive head first into the couch and Mad Men it up. But I'm going to make a diligent effort to :)

Weak In The Knees For : Thomas Paul

2010-11-07T05:38:00.001-05:00

It's only natural to crave dishware adorned with antique storybook whales. Correct? Man oh man, do I feel like my mind was read. How did he know I've been needing that... and a lion pillow....and a bird rug. Not only does New York Textile designer Thomas Paul have me wishing for a money tree, he has me wishing for a chair upholstered with illustrations of money trees.

You know, I really think my Apt should have a birthday. I'm going to plan this. And after I do all this hard work planning, and eat the cake, I will reward myself with the glasses case and smart phone case (How could I just pick one?)

His collections include everyting to little stuffed plushes to shower curtains, and his trademark - pillows. And my christams list starts.... now.

http://www.thomaspaul.com

Autumn Skirts

2010-11-06T00:07:00.002-04:00

This weekend I'll be adding some oh so lovely high waist vintage skirts to the etsy shop. Perfect textures, colors, and patterns for the season!

Have a nice weekend!

Happy November!

2010-11-05T18:06:00.000-04:00

Only a few more weeks for inspiring colors and pretty cardigan wearing weather. Hard to believe its almost time for Winter and Christmas. These fall photos make me want to appreciate the last few days of such a beautiful season!

When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you

2010-10-31T15:32:00.006-04:00

From my Laboratory to yours...

Etsy Favorite Finds: October

2010-10-27T22:53:00.009-04:00

Sources, clockwise from left: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Hope everyone is having a scary week! :)

Monday Morning Inspiration: Franz Marc

2010-10-25T14:22:00.008-04:00

Franz Marc, A German Expressionist, created his paintings (often animals as the subjects) with convicting and dramatic markings and colors. His love for Van Gough and Nature is evident, and his mind seems to race with energy and emotion at every bold line, smear, and shape.

In a letter he once wrote: I am trying to intensify my feeling for the organic rhythm of all things, to achieve pantheistic empathy with the throbbing and flowing of nature's bloodstream in trees, in animals, in the air.

He is known for giving his colors meanings and portraying a sense of understanding of the world around him.

He died young as a result of World War I.

Being a lover of color, emotion, and animals, well, its pretty easy to see why I chose him as an inspiration. I have this one, 2 Cats, above my mantle.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

TODAY

2010-10-24T15:34:00.002-04:00

For those who have asked, the Etsy Shop will reopen on November 1st, and ebay actions will be shortly after that.

From then on out etsy updates will be daily.

I have a new lil' studio. It is a fantastic and darling space. It is in a house that was built in 1915 and it was pretty much built for me. Once everything is unpacked (including my camera, hehe) and in its place I will post some photos. I even - get this - have a desk (ksjdfdkljd).... I still for some reason prefer to work on the floor though. In about 30 years my back will paying for my mid-20s bad habits... but thats what your 20s are for, right?

Looks like doctors have found a long term medicine that is working for my illness. I have been off prednisone for 2 months and feel better and better each day and am starting to feel more like myself (and look it too). I have a long long way to go before I will be my old self again, but in any case things are lookin up.

I actually feel pretty good about where I am in my life right now. Funny how things fall into place when you feel so far away from any positives. I have the big man upstairs to thank for that.

I take one day at a time now. I think I like it better that way. I don't make these giant future plans anymore, I don't agonize over what I should be doing next month, next year, ect. I spend so much time planning and thinking about the future, I miss out on today. I take time to enjoy life now, and feel less guilty about taking time for myself. I have this friend that is always playing it by ear, lets the wind blow her where it may. She's free from pressure and time. I admire her for that. I feel sometimes we get in the habit of caging our own true desires and become victims of our own demands. I'm in the process of making more of an effort to be free.

First Week of spring!!!!

2010-03-29T04:34:00.002-04:00

Like every other person here in the US, I am counting down the days until the warm sun is a permanent everyday thing. I have had such a bad case of cabin fever and can not wait to go outside and start shooting mini dresses and skirts for summer! I have a lot of reconstructed items that I can’t wait to show you guys. I have been so inspired lately too (which hasn’t happened in 5 months! I think some of the treatment drugs are starting to finally wear off!). Anywho I am so sick of taking pictures with that gray studio paper. I know many of you prefer the studio shots when shopping, but sometimes I just get so bored with it. This is the first season I am doing this full time, so I am excited to see all what happens. I am crossing my fingers and hoping I don’t get any more sick so I can actually put my whole mind and body into Prowl.

With that said, I am also working on building a new website, thank god. Its been in long need of an over haul and being updated to 2010. I am super slow and stupid when it comes to building websites, so don’t expect anything until at least the summer, but just know I am aware of how outdated it is, and have started working on it. I thought about (and still kinda considering) hiring someone, but I am so picky about what I want, that I’m afraid by the time it takes me to explain what I want, I could have just done it myself. So we’ll see.

Along with the website I am making my first video! I’m totally in love with all these designers making video lookbooks, just thought I need to take my own little stab at it. I have everything all in order and ready, (Its even getting its own song specially written and recorded for it!) Now I just need a hair and makeup person and some lovely weather! I can’t wait. I’ll probably have it synced up with launch of the new website.

As for right now I’m back on track in the Etsy store after getting sick again. So I put like, what.. 4 weeks of stuff up in one week.... Phew. So much stuff in there! A little overwhelming, but its worth looking through everything. A lot of super cute stuff and great items for spring.

As for eBay, I am still enjoying my break from that place. But I’ll put some new items up there again, maybe starting in April. I’m starting to think that a lot of my international fans still prefer eBay, which makes sense, so don’t worry, I won’t be gone from eBay forever. However, right now I am still on my eBay vacation! Let me know if you have an opinion on this, if you prefer Etsy over eBay or vice versa and why. I am still trying to decide where I should put my focus, or split it equally.

One thing I’ve been learning as this blog starts to grow, is people get really mean and almost vulgar when I don’t post anything new on here. I’m sorry guys! I didn’t think anybody really cared, but apparently there are some people out there who do, and who are not afraid to express their anger at me. Haha. I never meant for my blog to be an everyday thing, just updated when there was something worth while to say, but I’ll try and find some time to put up more stuff. I’m flattered that people enjoy it enough to get mad at me when there is nothing new, but this a one woman show, so I‘m doing what I can. I told my brain that its needs to get into super woman mode and channel some blogging powers. I have, however, gotten some very nice and sweet feedback, so thank you!

I just added a fun little sidebar link section called Model Behavior. Check it out! And promise me you will definitely check out Claudia’s flickr (who took that stunning and ever so popular photo of Rebecca as well as the self portrait) because that baby is jam packed full of beauty, inspiration, and magic. Seriously I want to live in a Claudia Susana Photo. You’ll know exactly what I mean when you see them. They are their own land. And a lovely little land at that.

Well right now it's all rainy and yuck outside, but thats ok, at least its not snow!

Our First Ever Etsy Update

2010-01-22T19:38:00.004-05:00

Come and get it.

2009-11-26T06:20:00.002-05:00

Ebay Store. You know what to do.

auction time!

2009-11-24T23:00:00.001-05:00

Collections!

2009-11-24T02:36:00.002-05:00

I am so excited to tell you about my newest project. Each season I will be featuring an exclusive vintage “collection”. My first collection will have about 300 pieces in it, and it will even have a catalogue do go with it. (in print and online). Each piece will be one of a kind, and there will be some handmade accessories and reconstructed vintage pieces too. Most items will be able to be purchased through etsy, and a few things on ebay. And for those of you in the Cincinnati I will have some of the pieces at the Brush Factory!!! (But more on that later)

This first collection is a lot of fun. Lots and lots of silky slinky mini dresses, strong shoulder blazers, glam tops, secretary blouses, tons of sequins pieces, party dresses, trousers and chain necklaces. Very 80s sexy chic themed. Bold color scheme in reds, purples, blues, teals, and of course black and white. Its quite the project but it has been keeping my mind of my illness (which in the past few weeks has been taking over my body as well as my life. It has been very hard and I feel hopeless that recovery will come). But none the less, it won’t stop me from my Prowl!

I am currently shooting each piece and working on the catalogue. I’ll post a few sneak peak pages on here in a few days and you can tell me what you think!

Keep our gal at number 1 !

2009-11-23T05:41:00.003-05:00

Hey guys! Our figures collection model, Brittany, is competing for Forever 21’s Faith 21 full figure model search contest. She’s keeping her stance pretty strong at number 1 but it would be wonderful for you to show your support for her by taking a sec and casting your vote.

I know many of you are her fans on ebay, and she probably wouldn’t have pursued modeling if it wasn’t for all your sweet, kind, and encouraging words. Really, you guys are the best. Those comments really make my days (and hers!)

So get over there to forever 21 and vote vote vote for our Brittany Pittman!

http://www.forever21.com/faith21contest

Brittany wears:
Dress: Faith 21
Jacket: Faith 21
Fish net stockings
Shoes: On the Prowl Vintage

It's the time of the season when the love runs high

2009-10-07T01:25:00.003-04:00

While it doesn’t look like much is going on over here, there’s tons of stuff going on behind the scenes here in prowl land. We’ve been photo shooting our hearts out for our Fall Etsy Collection, which will consist of about 300 pieces that will seriously make your heart melt. I’ve scoured boxes upon boxes in my storage space and been to every little shop in every little corner of this town to find you guys the best vintage fall dresses, jackets, blazers, blouses, bags, and boots.

I’ve also been working on getting some items up and ready for ebay. Some great deals at just 14.99 will hit the store in the next two weeks.

We also have some pretty hip news that I can’t wait to tell you all about… but I’m keeping these lips sealed for now. Just know its going to be pretty damn exciting.

What do you get when Cosby sweater makes love to Branche Devereaux sweater?

2009-10-01T23:09:00.002-04:00

Oh the 8Os, how we love thee.

This babe-a-licious top and more coming to the ebay store sooooon.

Oh little fawn, you can follow me home, just follow me home

2009-09-08T02:32:00.002-04:00

Vintage Styling: Oversized Cables

2009-08-24T01:27:00.004-04:00

Erica wears:
Sweater: vintage oversized cable knit jacket (for sale in the ebay store now!
Jeans: models own
Shoes: Vintage 80s nude peep toes (contact to purchase)

You heard the bird say: Everything will be fine.

2009-08-17T04:40:00.003-04:00

Vintage Styling: 80s secretary

2009-08-16T09:04:00.004-04:00

Ashley wears:
Dress: vintage 80s secretary dress cut into a tunic mini dresss (please contact to purchase)
Glasses: vintage frames with lenses punched out
Necklace: vintage 70s chandelier necklace (please contact to purchase)
Socks: cream knee highs - thrifted
Shoes: Vintage 60s heels (stylists own)
Ring: models own

Picture Picture

2009-08-16T01:49:00.003-04:00

IN LOVE with miss ericas expression in this shot. and the mood. (did we mention that little bow number is in the ebay store RIGHT NOW.) yes. yes

My Photo of the Week

2009-07-07T00:41:00.004-04:00

Pretty. I love summer.
Models: Laura and Erica

Vintage Styling: 60s Plaid

2009-06-18T23:08:00.002-04:00

Erica wears:
Dress: vintage 60s schoolgirl shift dress cut into a mini (please contact to purchase)
Glasses: vintage frames with lenses punched out
Hat: vintage 50s wool fisherman day cap
Socks: Textured Knee Socks By HUE
Shoes: Vintage 80s heels - models own

Who we Heart: Catherine Servel

2009-06-14T16:30:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite photographers is hands down Catherine Servel. Her images always have such a dreamlike nostalgic feel. Her textures and hues are beyond breathtaking. (Gosh...I’m such a sucker for the crinoline and cat mask image) These make me want to go out right now and shoot in the thunderstorm that is outside my window. She always always inspires me.

Make sure to check out her amazing vintage inspired shoot in the latest issue of DANSK. I know this magazine can be a beast to find, but I tell you, it is worth it!

http://catherineservel.com/

Vintage Styling: 60s Dolly dress

2009-06-14T05:51:00.003-04:00

Ashley wears:
Dress: vintage dolly dress (please contact to purchase)
Hat: 40s wool bonnet
Socks: Leggings bought at a costume shop and cut into knee socks
Shoes: 70s sling back wedges

Coming Soon to an Ebay near you:

2009-06-13T17:43:00.010-04:00

It's coming!

2009-05-21T09:40:00.008-04:00

There’s a new kid in town, and I’ve named her Brenda the dress form. She’s going to be helping us out on our etsy shoots. We will be including mannequin pictures so you buyers can get a good image of fabric’s color and texture, and this will allow us to have tons more fun during our editorial shoots! Sunday we will be shooting this batch of dresses on one of our fab models, and we can’t wait. Dresses will only cost $9.99 plus no extra cost of shipping on multiple purchases! And of course we will be posting the shoot right here on the blog! But right now you just a get a sneak peak with Brenda…

What’s up, buttercup?

2009-05-14T22:31:00.002-04:00

I am really excited right now, and when you hear what will be happening this month and next, you will be too. First off its almost the end of May. That means summer! Whether this means no school for you, vacation time, fun internships, or just nice weather to enjoy on your way to work it’s a great great time. Now I know we have a lot of pals down under, and we haven’t forgotten about you, so we will also be offering fun fall stuff in the STORES. And this leads me to where the core of my excitement is coming. Here’s the lay down.

1. Next week we will be having our last ever humongous ebay update. Now before you start sniffling or yelling obscenities at your monitor, we want you to know that we will still be having ebay auctions, they just won’t be 100 item updates like before. Instead we will be having weekly updates with 20-30 items. Now our last big ebay update is going to be jaw dropping. We really outdid ourselves. 150 items. Yes 150. And we got some real heart breakers in the mix. We will even be offering a gorgeous selection of footwear since you all keep asking and asking. It’s gonna be sweet. Tons of ankle boots, oxfords, and woven leather pieces.

2. Thank you thank you thank you for all the kind words you said about our Figures Collection. I never ever anticipated such a positive response. It was so wonderful to hear that you appreciate our hard work on this project, and thank you for all your kind words about our figures model, it made our days! So we are planning a fantastic figures shoot editorial and its going to be a lot of fun, so keep your eyes on our blog for the photos and updates when the pieces will be for sale.

3. After out last big ebay update we’re going to be showing the world our fabulous clothing via etsy. We’ve been big fan of the loving etsy community for a while now, and we’ve had a lot of requests to sell via this online grass roots marketplace, so were going to give it a go. To celebrate our first swim into the Etsy waters we are going to have a giant grand opening 9.99 sale. Once we get the full swing of things we hope to updating our etsy store daily, so you’ll want to get in on that action.

4. Our Webstore. Starting in June we will be a real legit online business. What this means for us? More government taxes. (can we get a what what) What this means for you? Hottest vintage clothing every single day with tons of fun giveaways, free bees, contests, and discounts. It will be the begining of something I’ve wanted for a long time.

Phew. Told you there was a lot. (sometimes I think I do these blog entries so I know myself what the hell is going on around this place).

Anyway the point is, get ready, cause this **** just got real.

Facespace

2009-04-26T10:35:00.001-04:00

We finally got ourselves a little facebook page.
So if you wanna keep tabs on what we're doing and what not go ahead and become our "fan" on facebook!
It'd be greatly appreciated.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/On-the-Prowl-Vintage/93863255086

Check check check it out.

It's Earth Night

2009-04-23T05:06:00.001-04:00

I just spent like 7 hours trying to figure out CSS code out for the webstore… and I got absolutely nowhere. I’m not meant to do this kind of stuff, if I have one more night like this I’m hiring somebody to create this webstore. Yikes. So to keep myself from punching someone I headed over to the grocery store (that’s what normal people do at 3 in the morning right?) In celebration of earth day I bought all organic vegetarian. Usually my bill comes to about $40, today it came to $55, I think that’s a small price to pay for feeling good about choices. And dude if you haven’t tried organic ketchup yet you are missing out! It actually tastes better than regular ketchup and there is no high fructose corn syrup in it!

Anyway, even through all the aggravation I’m still super stoked about the new store. I want to put up the photos so damn bad, but I’m going to try and restrain until its launch in the end of May. (haha probably next May the way things are going over here!!!! Hahahah). Here’s a darling little pic that I love that will be a part of the new shop! God I love spring!

2:48 AM

2009-04-19T02:51:00.004-04:00

I’m sitting in my hotel room. My two accompanying friends are sound asleep, some Will Ferrell movie is on, and I’m editing pictures for our next ebay store update coming up the first in May. I should be sound asleep too, for I have another big day in the morning of buying stock for all you lovelies out there.

Today was a wonderful spring day. I can almost actually say it was… hot… out…. maybe? And I am not complaining. My grunge 90s floral revival mini dresses, high waist skirts in bright colors, and summer rompers are ready to come out and play. I found a lot of fun stuff for you little prowlers out there too. Lots of sequined 80s meets 20 flapper dresses, sheer lightweight floral blouses, and bold bandage minis that'll make you wish 1989 never really ended.

So I’m off to bed. (at least I’m going to try too, I find it almost impossible to sleep when I don’t have my Cada-Cat next to me :(... ) But the sooner I go to bed the sooner I can wake up, and the sooner I wake up the sooner I can get a veggie burrito at Qudoba (that I’ve literally been thinking about since 2 weeks ago when we planned this trip. )

I’ll leave with a beautiful photo I took yesterday of Erica in a vintage 70s ruched dress that will be for sale when our webstore launches this summer! Have a nice day!

We're taking over

2009-04-16T17:13:00.001-04:00

Check it out!

One of our girls is featured in a fashion blog wearing some of our goodies!

http://diarista.blog.de/2009/04/16/lookbook-nu-picked-the-best-no-5952779/

Amazing.

And don't forget... we've still got loads of gems up in the store just waiting for you to place your bid.

Last night we hit 1600 friends on myspace
Let's keep that going!
www.myspace.com/ontheprowlvintage

Love
OTP

Spring Is In The Air

2009-04-14T23:54:00.002-04:00

Hello my little prowlings
Thanks for sticking with me through all this sickness and health. It's almost like we're married.
Anyway, the spring updates have arrived!
http://stores.ebay.com/On-the-Prowl-and-Hot-to-Trot

If you have not checked them yet, I highly suggest you do so and get your bids in while they're still low low low.

ALSO
We've expanded our takeover to twitter. So tweet at us?
Twitter.com/ontheprowl

And just because we love you so much, here's a little preview of what's up on the ebay right now...

On the trail of a cotton tail.

2009-04-12T02:56:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to leave you all with a photo from our first spring shoot that we did today. I’ll post some others later this week. Monday we’ll also have a 80+ item update in the ebay shop. It’s going to be glorious.

And have a beautiful Easter day!

I hear you've got a pocket full of words that you keep in the garage

2009-04-09T03:23:00.005-04:00

Hey everyone! I’ve been so so sick! I have Vertigo, and if you or anyone you know has ever had it, you know it’s like the worst thing ever. It feels like you are dying. I’ve never ever felt this sick in my life and for this long of a time. I get pockets of energy and health, so when those times hit I’ve been doing my best to work on spring items to keep the ebay store semi-open, maybe next week I we can finally have a 50 item update.

The general census is that Vertigo seems to last for a month, so that means I’m half way through it, I go to an ear specialist this week too. I cannot wait to get back to normal and a can see and hear like the good ole days. I miss both the outside world and the interweb world! (oh and I tried to twitter. I am already failing at it.)

I did however manage to escape the confinements of the house last Saturday (with the help of my very darling friends, which there would be no way in heaven or hell I ever could have pulled that off without their help during all this, so thanks guys!) we set up shop at Grass Roots market. This was the first time anything like this was done at our home land in Cincinnati Ohio and it was tons of fun. The day was summed up the best by Clark Wellington in his blog Forget the Midwest: http://forgetmidwest.blogspot.com/2009/04/grass-recap.html (and check out the amazing event photographer Scott Beseler's photo set from grass while you're at it!

I met so many so so many great talents and new friends and I can’t wait to start featuring them via blog. Perhaps you will even see some of their work make some appearances in our upcoming photoshoots :) Yes? Yes.

As for now I am going to go rest, study schoolwork I’ve missed, and pick out some goodies for our first spring shoot coming up this Saturday with our little Erica. We also have a brand new model too that we are wayyyyy excited about! She’s from Germany and she’s fabulous. I can't wait! Everyone meet Laura:

And while we are on the topic of fabulousness, Erica is now an offi-ci-el lookbooker, so go Hype that shiz up people! She consistently and continuously makes us so proud!
http://lookbook.nu/user/32461-Erica-T

Have a nice spring day!

-Bessi

It's a trunk sale!

2009-04-04T02:02:00.000-04:00

It's not just a U2 song

2009-03-29T01:25:00.003-04:00

Our lil Prowl president is sick sick sick. So sick she can't even watch Sex and the City DVDs. Bessi has been having a lot of problems with her head and eyes for the past couple weeks and now is experiencing vertigo. Needless to say, store updates are temporarily on hold. Please keep her in your thoughts as we all hope she gets better sooooooooooooooooooooon!

A Fresh Approach

2009-03-20T14:09:00.004-04:00

It's 11AM on a Saturday

& mondain Floyd Freshdaily Johnson is unpacking two speakers from his dufflebag in the corner of a second-floor Clifton apartment...

keep your eyes peeled & those browsers hot to catch the shenanigans that ensued when we teamed up with Floyd to put together an irresistable Spring 2009 Lookbook, but without further adieu - let's get to know what makes him tick and talk:

So Floyd, you’ve made quite a name for yourself as a

Mover & Shaker of the Cincinnati youth social scene, and now were getting to know you as notable photographer. How would you describe the vibe of your snaps?

Back in 06 (I think) I became a fan of Mark Hunter’s – thecobrasnake.com. This was around the time I first started throwing parties locally as well. I was immediately blown away the minute the site finished uploading. The way he documented the L.A. party / fashion scene with his photos was something I had never seen before. Partying + photos have been an interest of mine after seeing his work.I can’t put a finger on the vibes that I communicate through my snaps… since a lot of them are mistakes. Its one of those things, when you do everything wrong, you sometimes get your best work. Either I didn’t set my shutter speeds appropriately or didn’t adjust my aperture correctly…but it’s all good. I enjoy the mistakes…

And now the inevitable and cliché follow-up question to the former: what / who inspires you?

Always on the go I’m vastly inspired by many things. Ranging from how people react and adapt to their surroundings to great photographers such as, Ryan McGinley, William Eggelston, Shaniqua Jarvis, Terry Richardson, Cass Bird, and Nan Goldin only to name a few. I consider all these people geniuses in my book. Each artist conveys a certain disposition that I am tremendously inspired by. Maybe it’s the aesthetics or maybe it’s the disorientation. Whatever it may be I’m all about it.

Future aspirations, hopes and dreams…got any of those? Thought so. Bring the heat.

Get better at this photography thing.

Work for Terry Richardson.

Get some work published.

Continue to help people out & continue to make things happen.

Make Grippos a national potato chip company.

This one’s cut-throat: Describe your idea of the perfect sandwich:

You Ready? A medium philly cheese steak w/ extra mayo, light onions extra bell-peppers,extra mushrooms-(I like mushrooms ) with vinger on the side from Penn Station.

If you could sit down and across from anyone, living or dead and devour this sandwich- who would it be?

Biggie Smalls.

What is one thing not many kids know about you?

I’m almost 25 and I laught about it.

I work at an insurance company.

Style influences?

Tough one. I don’t have any at the moment…. I’m all about putting on what’s on the floor & what I can afford. I just picked up a couple cool vintage Dior Mousier jackets from the thrift though.

What are you listening to...

On a Saturday night:

Rich Boy- Throw Some D’s

Drake ft Santogold & Lil Wayne- Unstoppable

Hot Chip- Over & Over

On a Sunday afternoon:

Isaac Hayes greatest hits

Curtis Mayfield

Radiohead

On a Monday morning:

Empire of the Sun- Walking on a Dream

Rich Boy- Throw Some D’s

The Whitest Boy Alive - Golden Cage [Fred Falke remix]

As a 513 fixture, what’s your favorite spot around town?

Cincinnati can be a playground at times- I’m everywhere when I’m home... I’ve been traveling for the past couple years and no city or place compares to what we have here. Of course it could be better, but it’s going to take people to wake up and realize what we have at our fingertips and make things happen. Were losing too many talented Cincinnatians to New York, L.A. and now Portland…I say we create our own powerhouses.

What would you do with five dollars?

Pick up a bottle white zinfandel, drive over to Mt. Arbrun and catch up on the times with my Uncle Charles. This guy’s conversations are incredible.

Anything else you’d like to add Mr. Johnson?

Never stop dreaming. The world was constructed and continues to shaped by dreamers. You don’t need degree to make it happen or to do it. Keep your hustle tight. No slacks! Live above mediocrity, you own the sky! Thanks again to Bessie & the Prowl for giving me the chance to work with them. I greatly appreciate it.

Be Peace.

Photo of the Week

2009-03-07T14:45:00.002-05:00

Erica wears our 40s sailor day dress.
Dress Status: Sold

Must… Spill…. Beans

2009-02-25T05:11:00.002-05:00

Ok just some of the beans! If you personally know me, you know that I can not keep a secret for the life of me. So while I’ll refrain from telling everything, I’ll let you in on some big news. Later this spring we will be offering a whole new Prowl shopping experience. Don’t worry, our beloved ebay auctions still will be as big and bad as ever, but now you will be a able to shop our online auctionless store. So if you are not a fan of ebay, start doing jumping jacks now, cause you’re in luck. We also know that not every week we have auctions on ebay, so this will be an alternative to get our goods every single day, every single week, every single month. We will also accept money orders at our online store since Ebay won’t let us take those anymore, so if you can’t get a paypal account, you can still shop with us! We’ll be stocking tons of vintage accessories like bags, hats, and jewelry, and of course your favorite - dresses. So save those tax returns now ladies - you are gonna need them!

xoxo - Bessi

Change is all the Rage

2009-02-23T07:32:00.005-05:00

The store is very, very, very, very empty. Although I was hoping to fix that this weekend, just too much happened that it didn’t quite happen. So I got a small batch (30 items) to add either Wednesday or Thursday night.

On a much happier note there is a TON going on behind the scenes lately at Prowl. Lots of news and very exciting stuff coming up. We have some awesome editorial photo campaigns coming up, including a collaboration with a hot hot hot photographer that is taking the fashion photography world by storm. And there’s more: our blog (among other things) will be taking on some exciting changes and prowl is going to bigger and better than ever. We are so stoked!

But we aren’t going to spill the beans about everything just yet. Let’s just say we are on our way to being something big in the ole online vintage world!!

I’ll leave you with some delightful photos of our lil McKenzie we shot just mere hours ago. (Gosh isn’t she just so figgin adorable?!) These delish vintage duds will be up in the store soon as well as much much more !

-Bessi

Stay Tuned!

It won't be long, yeah

2009-02-21T08:18:00.002-05:00

We had another amazing prowl shoot this morning. Even though I was running on 2 hours of sleep and had a needle go through my middle toe before I could even brush my teeth, (oh my life) the photos came out great and I can’t wait to get everything up in the store in the next couple of weeks! Its shaping up the be a great spring!

Photo of the week

2009-02-18T04:27:00.003-05:00

Erica wears our 60s puff sleeve leaf Maxi dress.
Vintage Felt hat: stylists own
Dress Status: Sold

You’ll have to speak up, I’m wearing a crown. (What I Can’t get enough right now)

2009-02-10T00:53:00.002-05:00

Crowns. Crowns. Crowns. More. More. More. Flower crowns to be exact. The kind you would see in the 60s on flower girl hippie goddesses. Worn with long maxi empire dresses. Worn with summer halter tops and high waist cut offs. Worn with little 70s airy cotton tent minis. I’ve always had a thing for flower crowns (I wore a fresh flower crown for my 8th grade graduation, ha!) And one of my all time favorite songs is San Francisco by Scott McKenzie... so tonight I decided to ebay my way into heaven and buy my little heart out. (By the way I hate the new eBay lay out. They switch everything up all the ef time and I hate that! I’m a consistency is comfort girl for goodness sake!) Anyway I always try really really hard not to buy stuff for myself but I rationalized these beauties because a) I’m going to editorial photoshoot the hell out of these this summer, and 2) they are little pieces of art made by loving creative hands, and that I just can’t say no to that. It was a hard hard decision but I narrowed down to these 3:

This one is really unique with that Daisy Buchanan 20s feel.

And check out that winter flower hat! Oh my. I want it to snow again just so I can grab one of my muse darlings, slap on some long mod eyelashes, and frolic through the snow.

Now that hippie headbands and feather hair pieces all the rage, flower hats are the natural summer progression. At least in my little prowl world!

Expect to see those yellow ones this summer in our photoshoots! Is it June yet?

Oh and I’ll be doing more of these “What I Can’t get enough right now” post every couple weeks! yay! :)

Yellow floral wreath and flapper headpiece were made by Kathy : http://stores.shop.ebay.com/ForeverFlowers52__W0QQ_armrsZ1
Winter garland head wreath made by the amazing KCFairy : http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=kcfairy

No more Blog Hiatuses.

2009-02-09T00:50:00.000-05:00

Promise.

A Natalie Sandwich.

2008-12-01T16:18:00.003-05:00

Today while I was doing some much needed photobucket cleaning I came across these wonderful little scans of Natalie. They were scraps from one of my very first photo projects a 1,000 years back, when they still taught you in the darkroom! I remember so well the listening to Mando Dio and Interpol (my favorites of the time, and on a cd player no less!) and developing my heart out. I’ve never missed working in the darkroom (you can’t beat doing all your photo work in pjs and sitting on the floor with Conan O’Brian in the background) but when I saw these I started to miss the process. I miss the mystery of not being able to instantly see the shot, I miss the apprehension and excitement as I would clumsy pop the lid of my film container and roll it in complete darkness. I was always so nervous when I turned the canister to develop my film, hoping to god I didn’t screw it up. And then the hours spent in the darkroom with friends are still unforgettable memories.

This was a package sent out for promotional stuff from my friends band. I loved sandwiching negatives, and these photos are dear to my heart. I think I’m going to go see if I can find more of the shots from this series. Maybe scan them and do some digital work to them. Conan will be on shortly!

Chained Melody

2008-11-26T17:57:00.007-05:00

We just listed some adorable necklaces! From owls to fish, to 80s glam, to 60s geometrical pendants a plenty! But hurry these gems are short listings and will be gone in days!

Me want:

http://stores.ebay.com/On-the-Prowl-and-Hot-to-Trot

Items ending tonight!

2008-11-26T17:32:00.006-05:00

Over 30 items leave the store in mere hours. Here’s just a few of what you’ll find:

I want to snatch those up:

http://stores.ebay.com/On-the-Prowl-and-Hot-to-Trot

Stay warm (or keep dry) in super sassy style.

2008-11-26T05:10:00.012-05:00

Getcha little hiney over to the ebay store right away because these ultra sassy and super cute coats are leavin the racks! Right now we have seriously the best two leather coats up for sale, the incredibly adorable and highly coveted reversible whale slicker, and one hell of a mod swing coat. Don’t miss out!

Take me to the store already! :

http://stores.ebay.com/On-the-Prowl-and-Hot-to-Trot

It's voting day!

2008-11-04T20:09:00.004-05:00

Right now I’m sitting with my the TV and computer, working on getting some more items up in the store and anxiously awaiting to hear the results of who our new president will be. I hope all of you Americans voted! This is an interesting election!

Meet Mikaela!

2008-10-28T21:37:00.015-04:00

We have a new face here around our Prowl grounds, and we are super excited to have Mikaela model and represent our clothing. (We just adore her play on contrast with her white blonde hair and her retro red lipstick). Mikaela studies fashion product development at the renowned College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. We are very happy to introduce her to you!

We asked Mikaela our 20 questions. Enjoy!

What do you want to be when you “grow up”: work in the intimates/lingerie industry
Favorite place to shop: forever 21 when i'm broke/ urban outfitters when i have money
Favorite fashion designer: Betsey Johnson by a landslide
The one clothing piece you can’t live without: my skinny jeans
Astrological Sign: Aries
Favorite past decade: 1940's-50's I would pay to live back then
Favorite band: Thrice
First record you owned: DONNA LEWIS
Favorite season: fall
Who or what inspires you: the past
Website(s) you frequent: myspace, facebook, school email, youtube
Favorite magazine: NYLON
What is your current passion: sewing, always
Do you collect anything: nothing intentionally but i do have a pretty obscene collection of sunglasses
Hair/skin/makeup product you swear by: I have recently lost my MAC virginity... the foundation and retro matte red lipstick!
Your Guilty pleasure: putting way more baby powder in my hair than I should... and watching Little Rascals weekly
Favorite celebrity (man or woman): kat von
Leggings worn as pants, ok or no way: ok! whatever makes you feel good
Favorite movie soundtrack: Garden State
If you were an animal, what animal would you be: dog

*Mikaela wears our 70s denim wrap dress, our 60s brocade coat, our secretary high waist ascot dress, our 70s boho prairie dress, and our oversized 60s owl necklace. Look for these vintage pieces in our ebay store coming this November!

B-B-B-B-Buy IT NOW!

2008-10-26T22:06:00.003-04:00

So if you you’ve been paying attention to this weeks auctions you’ve noticed we made the ebay auction craziness, well, just a little bit more crazy. We’ve added a super duper convenient Buy It Now Option. No waiting. And no wanting to take yourself out to the pasture when you loose out on your auction at the last minute. Every morning for the past few months my inbox was filled with requests for BINS. So we’re doing it. I was a bit surprised how well it went over the first week, so we’ll be doing this from now on. The next couple weeks we will even have BINS from our fall collection starting at 24.99! (Yes, our poly brown grid blouse in the pic is included in the sale) Time to get excited!

FALL WINTER '08

2008-10-24T00:38:00.011-04:00

Starting November we will unleash our beautiful fall/winter collection. We are super excited. We are also going to update our blog 2-3 times a week too. We’ll talk about specific pieces in our collection, our vintage inspirations, and of course life, love, and all things old. We’ll also have some updates to the website and a really really awesome Victorian/Gothic inspired vintage collection that will hit our ebay shelves this winter. Tons of great stuff to get you through this windy season!

Change.

2008-09-11T17:32:00.003-04:00

I was in study hall of my Senior year when I found out. I was wearing my vintage blue zip up hoodie. The one with the wrists too big and the arms too long. It was the oddest feeling. A feeling that you can always remember. A few girls started to cry. They worried about their boyfriends or older brothers in the military. I worried about him. Even though I knew he was safe and sound in the building next door, I still worried. I knew he would never go to war, he’d rather kill himself first.

It was a similar feeling to the one I felt during the Tornado in 4th grade. All our little heads against the cold damp hallway walls. He was there. He didn’t look scared at all. I think he made a joke about the teachers being scared. That’s the way he dealt with fear. I cried really hard. I wanted Rainbow my cat to be ok. I was more worried that she would be scared and alone than about myself.

He never got to meet Rainbow. He probably wouldn’t have cared. It’s easier not to.

I remember going to art class in the midst of all the confusion of the towers falling. There was worry about GE, because I think sometimes the news wants to scare you. Our teacher reassured us that we would be ok. I needed to know he was safe. I knew that even if I tried to contact him in such an awful time, he wouldn’t let me. He was the most stubborn person I knew. I tried not to think about him. Our teacher said we could use our cell phones for five minutes. A lot of the girls called their boyfriends. I called my mom. I wondered if he was on one of those plans if I would be his last phone call, or would it be somebody else. Somebody that no matter how hard I tried, I would never be.

Later on that night when our youth group at St. William got together to pray for the country, I prayed for him too.

Whenever I am sad or scared, I think of the people that I love. I wonder if the same people I think about, think about me.

Samantha always says that your core never changes. That, as I think more and more about it, if very true indeed. Who I was when I was 8, is very much like who I am at 24. What is it then, that makes us have hope that some people change. That people CAN change, and WILL. Maybe all people have a good core, but it gets lost in layers of doubt, depression, inequality, and anger. Some days it’s not worth it to tear through the layers, cause sometimes no matter how hard you try, it will never be enough.

I’m thankful for people who change what they can, and who fight the good fight. Who decided to make a change for themselves. I am thankful for people like T. Vaccariello. Who no matter even if they are miles away living in Afghanistan(and god I can’t even imagine) still take the time to send me “I know you are going through a lot of rough times, and I want you to know I’m thinking of you” message.

It’s funny what changes, and what always inevitably stays the same. New York will always be the land of the free, and I will always be me.

Wowie. The 2nd week of September.

2008-09-10T17:41:00.008-04:00

We just love all the items from this week's auctions, and we are sure you will too! From glorious raincoats, 80s sass, and the BEST of the best from the 70s - we've fallin into vintage heaven.

2008-05-04T00:41:00.001-04:00

“So please please please let me get what I want this time”

2008-04-28T04:58:00.005-04:00

Ever like someone so much it hurts?

Well I’m all bruised up. And not only that, but I’ve coughed up 3,567 lungs all in one day. Which probably explains why I didn’t get out of bed until 3 pm. Whenever I sleep that long into the day I always get these very vivid dreams, and today I spent the greater half of the day trying to discern them from reality and fantasy. My dreams are always so much better than what’s really happening - so in the end everything categorized as good went into “must have dreamed it” column. Today was definitely a glass is half empty day.

The best part of today, sadly enough, was watching old commercials on youtube. My favorite was this Polaroid one (of course) but then I got depressed about inhumane zoos in the 60s. But putting that fact aside I loved it. And it features my fav camera!

To top it off it’s 5 in the morning and I can’t sleep. I’m in a mood to work on stuff – ebay, photos, reading, really anything, but I know if I don’t get to bed now, work Monday will be filled with fighting to keep my lids open. At least when I go to bed, today will be officially over with – thank god.

Here’s to a hopeful good week!

The color of a breeze

2008-04-24T03:25:00.004-04:00

Today I went over to my parent’s house and visited all my beeeeeeeeeeautiful kitties. And took an amazing nap. There was a glimpse of excitement when my dad brought out my uncles old SX-70 with film still inside. Packs of 10 usually run around the 100 dollar mark on ebay, and that’s not even a guarantee that it will work - so I got all worked up when he told me that he tried it the other day and that there were still 6 fotos in working condition. But I’m bad luck when it comes to Polaroid cameras, so alas I stood there with full hope and smiled at the camera but nothing happened. So that’s the end of that story, if only I could go back in time 5 years and I could swim in time zero film.

This lead to me and dads argument about Polaroid’s. He thinks I’m ridiculous for buying film and lugging around the hunk and junk when I could do the same thing on photoshop. But I disgress. A lot of the images that come from my land camera are so whimsical, I don’t know how to describe it, and I definitely couldn’t reproduce something so airy and dreamlike straight from my head. The photo below is one of Tarra that I took a few weeks back. It is one of my favorite pictures I think I have ever taken. Its like a painting and everything melts into each other and creates a circle movement around the photo.

I love the milky hues of 669 film. I also like how I don’t have much control over the viewfinder. I always cut off feet. This used to bug me tremendously. But now I desire it. Maybe because I see it a lot done in fashion photography whenever there is a series done with 669. I wonder if they do it intentialy or if they have the same viewfinder issues as me…

Dancin in the Rain

2008-04-23T02:00:00.003-04:00

So I officially have fallen for Photoshop. I’ve been working on all the pics for the website and really exploring CS3 and all that it has to offer for the first time. I don’t have Photoshop at home, but after now – I now know I must have! Darn, I guess that means I’ll need to buy a new computer to run it. I hope my government fun money gets here quick!

There’s so much to learn with Photoshop. It will be neat to have it around. Its definitely seems like a big beast to tame, but I’m sick of not being able to edit my photos the proper, and professional way. I always steered away from Photoshop, but just like the guy you say you’ll never go for - by the end of everything you’re the one doing all the flirting.

I ran into an old photo friend today. Her dream is to start the next Bust magazine, and it turns out a lot of the classes I have left - she has left. So that will be a very fun project to work on…

I always get sad at the end of the semester since all the seniors are graduating and you won’t see them around in the halls and in class. Each year gets tougher and tougher. If I hadn’t changed majors 3 times and transferred I would be moving on to big girl land this year too, but honestly, I am very grateful not to be. I am in no real rush. I want to soak in as much knowledge as possible. Right now I have an amazing balance of full time work and part time school – and I’ve only gotten sick 2 times this year, and at that it is nothing like anxiety sick like before. And its spring! Life is a little hectic, but still good. Maybe baby geese this week?!?

Tonight on my midnight jog I totally got way too involved into my mp3 songs. I mean we’re talking jumping, conducting, dancing, and singing. It was 1:30 at night in suburbia land. So how was I supposed to know there was someone watering their lawn? Who does that? Apparently people who live on Genenbill. I’m not sure who was more surprised.

Ok tons of work to do tonight. I haven’t been able to work on Ebay for like 2 weeks and
my website is due in a week and a half, crap. Craaaaap!

A real time blog!

2008-04-20T03:11:00.000-04:00

Yay! We are official bloggers now. Let the fun begin.