Check, please! (outfit #5)

My 1950s green checked (gingham) wrap dress from an estate sale.  The pearl choker is from my late step-grandmother and the brown leather case is from an antique store.  My husband and I drove by this green 1940s car, and like the big nerd that I am, I made him pull over and snap some photos of me in front of it.  I didn't note the type of car that it was, because frankly, I felt like a bit of a criminal.  I'm hoping Santa will put one in my stocking! ;)

The best accessories match your dress!

Too bad, I couldn't actually get into this car.

In front of my mom's 1953 rancher.

Happy Sunday!

Just Keep Swimming (outfit #4)

Early 1960s navy, skirted swimsuit with Serged peek-a-boo seams (thrifted) made by Cole of California! The vintage red umbrella belongs to my stepfather.

Happy Sunday!

Blue Sunday

On the 5th of June, Elowyn will be turning one year old! To commemorate the occasion I bought her this absolutely precious 1940s blue dress at an antique store.  My goal is to buy her a "new" vintage dress each birthday and then record each year with a series of photos.  She's at the age that sitting still and posing for a photo are remarkably difficult.  We had a couple of wardrobe malfunctions while I tried to capture a few cute shots.  Her knees caught the skirt of the dress while she was speed crawling towards me, and tore the seam of her dress! Then I tried to put on the bonnet (she hates hats, headbands, etc) and she tugged it off with such gusto that the ribbon tie ripped off! What a little stinker!  Hopefully at age two, she'll allow me to put on a hat.

Ruffle sleeves!

Button detail at the waist

Lace collar and bodice

The perfect pose!

Bow in the back

Close up

The bonnet that she refused to wear! :)

That yellow frock is almost identical!

Sewing Nook

 I've been hauling "Little Bitch" to the kitchen table whenever I had a sewing project, which meant running up and down the stairs for forgotten supplies, and small children coming to play audience.  It's distracting, and sometimes when I'm already tired, the thought of cleaning up and then setting up the space causes me to procrastinate...and I end up sewing way less than I want.  I wanted a sewing corner somewhere in my house that was organized and ready to go.  I chose this corner of my bedroom:

I framed seven of my vintage sewing patterns and an advertisement from a 1948 edition of "The Farmer's Wife Magazine," entitled "For Winter Sewing."

I made a vintage luggage storage table to hold all my extra fabric, patterns, and notions.  The legs for the table were salvaged off of a mid-century Ottoman I literally saved from being thrown into a bonfire!  I disassembled the cushion, (which was stuffed with hay!) gave it a quick cleaning and then attached them to the larger suitcase.

The bottom case holds my fabric stash, and the smaller pockets contain scraps!

If anyone can find an advertisement for the Samsonite "Miss America" luggage line, I would love to see it!

 I'm thinking of painting the desk.  Should I keep it blond or paint it a fun color?

Acting Dotty (outfit #3)

This is my1950s polka dot farm dress with ric rac trim, discovered at an estate sale! 
The vintage blue picnic tin was a gift from my step-dad.

Happy Sunday!

Atomic House Wares

Long before genetically modified frankenfoods, Monsanto got its start in chemicals and plastics.  It's a pretty logical evolution, if you ask me.  In the late 1940s and early 50s, bright colored plastics were the wave of the future.  Lustrex was touted as a cheaper, more resilient house ware material, and items such as dishes, toys, clocks, and even radios hit the market.

Recognize those canisters? We snapped them up at an antique store!  If anyone happens across the coffee and/or flour, buy it for me and I will love you forever.  They are also available in red:

I've gathered a collection of atomic bar ware.  I purchased 7 small and 7 large orange and gold glasses at an estate sale over the weekend for .25 a piece!

I spotted these black and gold starburst glasses recently, and grabbed 7 of them as well.

Couldn't resist this atomic pitcher!  The gold diamond design looks like the harlequin pattern that was so popular in the 50s.

My favorite piece so far came from a local antique store.  I was courting it for several months, and one day walked in to find it was missing from the shelf.  I felt absolutely sick to my stomach that I had let someone else buy it!  Then, I walked around the corner and saw it sitting in another stall.  Say hello, to my turquoise and gold "chip and dip"!

Alright, now who's coming over for a drink?

Pineapple (outfit #2)

Here is my 1960s, silk, pineapple, wiggle dress (purchased from avalonsisters55).  It's made by L'aiglon and has a matching silk cord belt.  The clip on earrings are little pearl pineapples (a thrift store find!)

                                     1962 advertisement of a L'aiglon wiggle dress.
                                                                    Happy Sunday!