Claire Coffee Weds Chris Thile in Xtabay Wedding Gown

Claire Coffee at Blackberry Farm in her 1937 lace wedding gown from Xtabay. All images of Claire and Chris are courtesy of Viera Photographics .

 Claire wearing vintage fur, veil and shoes from Xtabay Vintage Bridal Salon.

When Claire came in looking for a wedding gown we were more than just a little excited. So excited in fact that Xtabay owner (that's me) made a major public faux pas that had to be immediately remedied in order not to spoil anything. Whoops. My tail is still tucked between my legs so if you want details we can privately discuss what NOT to do before someone gets married. Fortunately Claire has the most loving and forgiving spirit and didn't cast any evil spells on me. 

In fact Claire may be the kindest and loveliest person the Xtabay has ever had the pleasure of working with (...other than you, of course). She lights up the room wherever she goes and brightened many a day up in our vintage bridal salon. 

 She fell in love with a light as air lace wedding gown from 1937 that still had part of the original hang tag attached. The dress featured long lace sleeves, sheer gored panels of silk net and delicate buttons up the front. It was a gown we'd had for awhile and it was hanging up high in the back room.  I had always feared the fate of that dress, it was so delicate and small that like Cinderella's glass slipper, if the wrong person tried it on it would instantly break.  Claire was the Cinderella the dress had been waiting for. It fit her perfectly and for the first time in 76 years it was worn down the aisle. 

Her wedding to musician Chris Thile has been all over the news since it happened on December 23rd.

 Here's what People magazine reported: 

"Grimm's alluring villainess wed her Prince Charming – musician Chris Thile of the Punch Brothers – Dec. 23 in an intimate Smoky Mountain wedding, PEOPLE confirms. 

The duo tied the knot at Blackberry Farm, a rustic luxury resort in pastoral Tennessee, after two and a half years together.

The couple made it a decidedly small, family-oriented affair.


"[There were] 20 people in attendance TOTAL," Coffee tells PEOPLE. "Our immediate family and grandparents, plus Chris's best friend Rob Moose [of Bon Iver], who played Bach on violin for my walk down the aisle." 

Coffee said her sister Abbie officiated the ceremony, which they wrote themselves, aside from the traditional Irish vows they used to swap "I do's." 


The bride, 33, tells PEOPLE she wore a 76-year-old vintage lace gown, purchased alongside her vintage veil at Xtabay Vintage Bridal Salon in Portland, Ore., where Grimm shoots. The groom, 32, donned a dark brown wool suit custom made by Against Nature in New York City. After the ceremony, the just-married couple and their guests dined in the resort's award-winning wine cellar. 

The hard-working newlyweds don't have time for honeymoon, Coffee shares, but "we spent Christmas with our families at Blackberry after the wedding." 

It was presumably there that she first discovered one of the fringe benefits of marriage. 

"Forcing @christhile to listen to the new Beyoncé album in its entirety because as his wife it is now legal for me to do so," she Tweeted earlier in the week. "

To Claire and Chris, we wish you all the love and happiness in the world! Thank you for letting us play a small part in such a beautiful, sacred occasion. 

Love,

 Liz, Margot, Erin, Rachael, Emily and Stephanie. 

Thanks to http://www.vieraphotographics.com/blog/category/weddings for the images. 

End of year SALE starts now!

Chrismas Cookie Party and Sale Tomorrow!

 This Saturday (that's tomorrow) we are having a Christmas cookie party and sale! 

I've been feeling really nostalgic lately and missing the days when ladies would host holiday cookie exchanges. I remember growing up and our house being filled with odd assortments of delicious and sometimes bizarre Christmas cookies. Every neighbor had their signature cookie- Roni made Bourbon Balls and Aileen made spritz. My mom made lemon bars and chocolate in-betweens. I loved it- it was a chance to see what the glamorous neighbor ladies were wearing and to eat their cookies.  In essence, this event is really just a ploy to hang out, shop and eat some cookies. Even Liz Gross is making cookies.  

Here's the deal- everything in the store will be 10%off...but if you bring us some cookies we will give you 20% off! 

The sale starts tomorrow at 11am and we will be serving up Mimosas and a TON of Christmas cookies.  

All of us at Xtabay just want to thank you for a fabulous year and wish you a very happy holiday season. We love you.  

  Besides cookies, here is a little peek at some of the beautiful things you will find in the

 store tomorrow...

1950's cherry red satin party dress, waist 25"

1950's California Originals black velvet and tulle party dress, waist 27".

Super sexy rhinestone studded 50's Sandra Sage wiggle dress, waist 28".

Toby, king of Christmas sweater mountain.

and us....Happy Holidays from all of us at Xtabay!

these are few of my favorite things....

The Xtabay is all decked out for the holidays! The tree is up, the garland is strung and all of my favorite holiday dresses are priced and ready to go. These are just a few....

1950's velvet halter neck party dress with red flocked tulle ballerina skirt. Waist 25".

1960's emerald green brocade party dress, waist 24".

Perfect with a triple strand crystal necklace...

1950's iridescent fuschia pink ball gown, waist 26". 

Perfect with our oversized pearl cluster necklace.  

The Jungle Sleeps Tonight 1950's wool felt novelty print set, hand-made and wonderful. Waist 26".

1950's Golden Galaxy dress with metallic dots, waist 26".

Perfect with golden pearl and rhinestone necklace.

Late 20's slipper satin and lace art deco wedding dress. 

Available exclusively in the bridal salon...

1960's pink pleated chiffon cocktail cutie, waist 26"

Sexy 50's wool jersey bombshell dress with options...waist 28".

This sexy and sophisticated cocktail dress is made from a vintage pattern exclusively for Xtabay. Available in size small, med and large. I myself have one and it's fabulous!

Holiday dresses galore! Let us help you find the perfect one. 

New Arrivals

Black 60s feathered cocktail dress, sold. 

1950s couture gown by Frank Usher, waist 24".

1980s does 20s Poison Peacock gown is perfect for a Gatsby party! Size 8-10

1950's Snowflake prom dress, SOLD.

1950's silk Op-Art print dress with full circle skirt, waist 28.

1970s silk evening gown by thee Bob Mackie! Waist 26".

1950s Herbert Sondheim silver satin party dress, waist 26".

1960s Garden Tapestry print chiffon dress by Jr. Theme, waist 26".

1950's Stardust tulle evening gown, waist 24".

1940's striped taffeta formal gown, waist 25".

1950's black lace over emerald green party dress by Fred Perlberg. Waist 25".

Pristine 1940's Black Vamp rayon crepe evening gown with silver sequins, waist 28".

So I wasn't able to get it together this year to put on a fashion show. I had every intention and even stashed away some fantastic fashion show worthy (see pics above) dresses, but just couldn't do it. So much has been going on my brain feels like it's been permanently scrambled. 

As some of you may know I have adopted two things into the Xtabay family- one being a 1'5" red head male named Guy (ghee) and two being a thriving local bridal boutique in downtown Portland called The English Department.  The process has been an exciting yet nerve wracking endeavor. 

   I wasn't out looking to buy a new business. Elizabeth Dye, The English Departments' founder and fashion designer approached me towards the end of the summer and asked if I might be interested in adopting her store. You can read how it all went down here.  Besides being incredibly flattered that she would pick me it was an opportunity that was just too exciting to resist. You mean go to New York for bridal fashion week? Stay in a nice hotel and look at beautiful dresses? Um... yes please! 

So don't fear, my heart forever belongs to Xtabay. It's fun to spread my wings a little and try new things. I am so incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful and capable staff at both locations. Thank you Erin, Margot, Emily, Rachael, Stephanie, Dianne, Chelsea, Ragen, and Britta. 

 And that reminds me! Shop at small businesses this holiday season, the money you spend  goes right back into the community.  Trust me, just ask the folks at New Seasons, Dot's Cafe, Powell Blvd Vet Clinic, People's Food Co-op, etc....:)