Pinstripe Pinafore (outfit #46)

I have a strange little wishlist of random vintage goodies that I'm always looking to find.  The list borders somewhere between random and bizarre, and I'm not sure exactly where I get the ideas.  Currently on my list is; a horse head brooch (preferably Bakelite), a rooster brooch, a fish themed novelty skirt, a hat with a bird's nest, and pinafore type dress.  I told you I was random!  I started a search for pinafore dresses, and discovered that many on the uniforms from the 40s-50s were made in this style.  I liked the idea of a candy-striper style dress and was preparing to purchase one, when I came across this blue and white pinstipe one on ebay.  I'm wearing it with a cocoa 1960s, cropped blouse, and my Sarah Coventry seagull brooch. My 1950s mustard yellow cardigan is made by a company called Blairmoor.

Nurses uniforms in 1950

Or perhaps a school uniform from the late 40s?

XOX, Hannah

Light fixture DIY

We started with an ugly ceiling fan in our kitchen, which was later replaced with a prettier ceiling fan.  First the fan stopped spinning, and then eventually it stopped lighting up as well.  It was a dusty, non-functioning, eye sore that had to go.  I started looking at suitable lighting to take its place, but the prices were a little disheartening.  Then one day my dad showed up with a glass globe light.  He had an extra that he'd picked up from the RE-store, and it was mine if I wanted it.  The first thing I did, was spray the rusted brass with a metallic silver spray paint.  I felt like it still needed something, but I wasn't sure how to precede.   I ended up going to an estate sale a block away from my house.  It was the sort of sale that said in big, bold letters; "NO EARLY BIRDS"!  I dutifully obliged, and showed at exactly 9 o'clock.  It was apparent that they had started earlier though, because the couple of great finds were already spoken for.... I found a cool Samsonite makeup case that matches a suitcase I bought last year, but not much else.  Then I went into the garage and buried under an inch of dust was a 1950s drum light shade with hand stitching.  They didn't even charge me for the shade, b/c it was trash to them.  The shade was originally tan colored, so I sponge painted it a minty aqua and drew gold stripes with a paint pen.  I love the way the final light turned out.  It has a sort of art deco vibe, and it cost me $4 total (the cost of a paint pen!)

What do you think?

Vintage is for the birds (outfit #45)

Happy St. Patrick's Day, dearies!  This is one of my favorite cardigans, a 1950s Montrose brand Orlon sweater, with pearls and rhinestones.  I found this in the same bin as my $3 Jack Mann 40s blouse (pictured below), and it was also only $3!!  My 50s novelty skirt was an ebay purchase, and it features hens, roosters, eggs, and little straw nests.  I have been looking for a matching rooster brooch, but until I find one, I am wearing a darling little road runner pin that came to me from an antique store.  My Bakelite spacers add a little St. Paddy's green to the outfit    I'm awfully proud of my yellow and blue pinstripe heels, which were a gift from my super cool husband. :)

Happy Sunday!

Birthday suit (outfit # 44)

Today is my birthday!  I feel like I've been celebrating all month long.  I've been able to go antiquing with a friend, have some yummy dinners out, and last night my husband bought me/us a couch!  It's a Kroehler sectional in wonderful condition.  We got such a fantastic deal on it, that I think next year we'll reupholster it in our dream turquoise color.  It's a very neutral beige-y color, but I love the shape!  We are going to have to do some brainstorming about the living room seating arrangement, now that we have a corner sofa.

Outfit details: My 1940s Jack Mann blouse (that you may remember from this outfit post), my 1940s "sweetheart pin", and my newest skirt; a 1950s novelty print with tiny men holding sandwich boards advertising hot dogs, ice cream, coffee, and...haircuts!

XOX, Hannah

Cherry Pi day dress (outfit #43)

Happy Pi day everyone (3-14-2013)!  In honor of this day, I wore my sweet as pie, early 50s gingham print house dress.  It's a "Vicky Vaughn Original" that I scored on ebay.  My brooch is made from a Bakelite poker chip, with glass cherries, and a resin Scotty dog.  My brown patterned, wedge shoes are made by Poetic Licence, and also have little cherries on the top.  This is my newest pair of vintage sunglasses.  I ordered them on etsy for a birthday present to myself.  They have tiny aquamarine rhinestones on the brim, which happens to be my birthstone.  I'm so happy that the weather is cooperating with these outfit posts again.  Between cold, bad weather, and my children getting sick (I should start calling them my little petri dishes!), it's been really difficult to take photos.  In other news, I may have found a couch!  It's the perfect shape, is well cared for, and the price is right.  My only complaint is, I was hoping to find one in a bolder color.  Oh well, maybe neutral IS the way to go.  

XOX, Hannah

Cold weather cooking

Today when I woke up, I intended to do a regular Sunday outfit post, but it was snowing.  In Colorado, the weather can change within the hour, so I went to the grocery store hoping that by the time I was finished, it may have turned sunny.  My mistake!  When I came out of the store, the snow was coming down in big, heavy, wet clumps that felt like spit balls hitting you in the face.  It was hard to see and my hair and clothing were wet and matted within minutes.  I changed my mind about the photos, and instead spent the day cooking and relaxing with my family.  I made one of my favorite cold weather meals, Tom Ka Gai.  It's super fast and easy, and has quickly become one my favorite meals to make.

   My recipe for Thai Coconut Soup (Tom Ka Gai):
Take 2 frozen chicken breasts, cut up into bite size pieces and boil them in 4 cups of chicken broth for 10 minutes.
Add 1 can of coconut milk, 2 squeezed limes, 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 package of washed and sliced shiitake mushrooms, 2 minced garlic cloves, 3 Tb of fish sauce, 1/2 tsp to 2 tsp of red chili paste, 1 tsp of sugar, and 1 inch of peeled and grated fresh ginger
let boil for another 10 minutes, then serve!

It couldn't be more simple...and delicious!

Enjoy

Bond girl (outfit #42)

Another one of my beloved wiggle dresses...a blue silk number, in a watercolor floral pattern.  The dress, corset belt, and teal enamel, clip-on earrings were all thrifted.  As you can see, I've been working on the bee-hive!  I can get some decent height (about four inches) without ratting or hairspray.  It's a work in progress :)

xox, Hannah