My name is Mary and I run the online vintage clothing and home goods shop Millay Vintage. It’s a job that I absolutely adore, and I spend my days curating wares that evoke a sense of romance and adventure; wares that celebrate smart, creative, and unique women. The shop is named after my favorite early 20th century American poet—Edna St. Vincent Millay—who was a pioneer for women in literature, politics, and fashion. She serves as the muse of our boutique and challenges me daily to underscore the importance of equipping women to feel both lovely and empowered, beautiful and bright.
Oh Boston, I truly love living here. Each building has a story to tell, and our little apartment is much like most in this town: old and full of character. I love each corner of this abode for that very reason, but the room where the most time is spent hands-down is our “living room” (slash office, slash inventory processing room, slash order packaging room, etc. etc.). This space is relentlessly multi-purpose for us: on any given day, there are vintage garments galore getting processed and repaired, shipping supplies spread out while I package orders, and the handsome fella I’m married to strewn on that sofa with our pup Gazpacho getting his own work done. Because we spend so much time in here, this room is the best meld of my own taste and my husband’s, and I try hard to make it feel fresh and inspiring each day by bringing in plant life, playing favorite tunes on the record player, and lighting a divine candle or two. I am a big believer in letting a home organically come together, finding pieces here and there that we love (like that sofa and that ratty floral chair that I would grab on my way out were there ever a fire in this building) rather than feeling pressure to go buy a whole room at once. That way each piece has a purpose and a story of its own to tell, and I allow myself to acquire and purge things that I find on my hunts. So this room is never “done,” but that is precisely what I love about it — the potential to continually transform and grow.
I am so glad I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Mary here in Boston – I have social media to thank for the introduction! Her online shop is filled with beautiful vintage pieces, you all must check it out. And yes, she always looks as cute as the photo above!! 😉
Thank you Mary for sharing your beautiful story + favorite space with us!