Top 10 vintage wishlist for my wardrobe

I've spent a great deal of time recently, perusing vintage magazines, and "window shopping" online.  I decided to jot down a list of essentials for both my home and my wardrobe, so as not to be tempted to buy every cute thing that comes across my path.  I swear, if I had the resources, I might become one of those ladies who has a different pair of shoes for every day of the month!  Today I'll focus on my wardrobe, and then dedicate another post to my home.

1. A Lucite handbag.  I've dreamed of owning a Lucite handbag ever since I saw one in an antique store when I was 16.  I've bid on a couple on eBay  but they always elude me.  The really spectacular ones can go for a couple hundred dollars!

2. Vintage reproduction 40s style shoes in green.  Okay, this is really specific.  There are certainly more practical color choices than green, but I'm loving these shoes so much that I actually dream about them!  There are some really fabulous ones over at remix, but they are out of my price range.  I need to find a more affordable options, or perhaps they will go on sale with my size still in stock.  A girl can dream.

3. A wide brimmed sun hat, preferably made of straw.  The icing on the cake would be, if it had a ribbon tie under the chin.  I'm a size 23, which I think is big even in modern sizing.  This is the burden of being 5' 10''!

4. Thanks to the Robot Exchange, I have about 4 pair of darling 1950s pedal pushers (some of them deadstock), as well as two pairs in denim that I bought on eBay.  What I really long for now, are some 30s or 40s  inspired full length pants. I'm especially fond of the sailor style button detailing.

5. A vintage knitted novelty sweater, the kookier, the better!

6. I have a little growing collection of vintage 50s-60s bathing suits.  What I'd really love to own is a two piece, high waisted cotton playsuit

7. A 1950s Paris themed novelty circle skirt.  I'm a total francophile, so a fun French or Paris themed skirt would really be amazing.  Tiny poodles, Eiffel Towers, mini baguettes....ooh la la!

8. An eye catching, conversation starting, Bakelite brooch.

9. Saddle shoes, spectators, two toned oxfords, call them what you will, but they are a darling staple of the vintage wardrobe.  I looked everywhere to find a pair of white and pink, which I now own and love, but I would like a pair in a more standard color combo.  Classic black and white or tan and white would really be the most versatile.

10.A vintage 40s or 50s puff sleeve, peasant style blouse.  These are so versatile and feminine.  I love that they pair well with so many options.  They are so flirty and fun!

Here's hoping all our vintagy dreams come true!

xox, Hannah

Atomic baby

Today is my daughter's 2nd birthday.  In addition to having a very cool mathematical birth date 
(6-5-11), it also happens to be one of the most amazing and inspiring days of my life!  Elowyn was the first one of my children to be born at home with the assistance of a midwife.   My mid-wife still describes the event as "one of the most oxytocin filled births" she's ever attended.  It really was a relaxing, almost blissful event.  My contractions weren't even really painful, which actually had me worrying that I wasn't really progressing.  My contractions caused no more then a wrinkled brow, and it wasn't until the last 10 minutes before she was born that I ever stopped being polite. No other experience has given me as much confidence in myself and my body. 
   It was so perfect to give birth, and then after we were both cleaned up, to be in my own bed.  The first couple of nights were actually restful and peaceful as we got to bond with our new baby girl.  We love being the parents of little boys, but finally getting a daughter really was one of the best gifts I've ever received.  I'm so thankful for this little family we've made, and I can't wait to see who this wonderful little person becomes.  We love you, Winnie!
  Outfit details: a 1950s, copper, atomic print dress from Scotland
want to see the one year old dress photos? click here

Happy Wednesday!

Cowboy and Indian birthday party vignettes

Today we celebrated 3/4 of my children's birthdays with a cowboy and Indian themed party.  I  sewed a tee pee out of vintage bed sheets, made a cardboard cowboy fort, created lots of handmade decorations , and even sewed a couple of feather headdresses.  I've got this concise kid's birthday party planning down to a science.  Our celebrations are always intimate, with just close family and friends, which keeps us from getting bombarded with too many toys.  This way my kids can focus on what is really important, spending quality time with their small group of extended family.

My baby girl is obsessed with kitty cats, so I bought her an adorable 1950s pinafore with tiny green kittens.  Isn't she precious?  The kids had a wonderful time, and the weather was mild and perfect.  We are very blessed, indeed!

Wrapper's Delight (outfit #52)

Today is my darling son's 7th birthday!  He is one of the most kind-hearted, handsome, and lovable children I've ever met, and I'm so proud that he's mine.  My husband and I taped streamers over the entrance to his room so that he would have to break out on his birthday morning.  I found him sitting in the sandbox this morning, and I asked him how he liked the doorway.  "It was really nice mom, but I'm sorry that I accidentally broke the bottom when I was trying to crawl out."  I explained that breaking through it was sort of the point and his face lit up.   We went inside and he ran through the streamers and yelled, "yay, seven!"  I made some chocolate mint cupcakes and we plan on taking the kiddos to the drive-in tonight (one of only 2 drive-ins left in Colorado!)  Next weekend we are having a big shin-dig to celebrate three of our children's birthdays, since they are all grouped together in May and June.  I only wish that he would have agreed to pose with me, but he's feeling self-conscious that he just lost a tooth.  Happy birthday, sweet Emery, we're so lucky to have you in our lives!
   Outfit details: 1950s wrap blouse, pencil skirt with beaded pocket detailing, and 1940s rhinestone "victory" brooch which is holding my top closed to ensure my modesty ;) are all from ebay.  My bakelite earrings are from an Antique store in Florence, CO

Happy Sunday!

Love you a latte (outfit # 51)

Happy Mother's Day to all you fellow maternal gals!  I got this sweet 1950s wrap, house dress from one of my favorite vintage shops, the Robot Exchange, for Mother's Day.  The dress is a bit looser on the top, so it's super comfy to wear.  I just can't get over those cute coffee cup pockets!  The dress was deadstock, so in addition to being irresistibly cute, it is also pristine.  Love that!  It's going to be a fun week with the kids, because my husband's mother is in town from Florida, visiting for the first time in over two years.  We plan on lots of playing, swimming, and hopefully getting a rare date night to see the Great Gatsby.  Enjoy your week, lovelies!

Happy Sunday!

xox, Hannah

Retro laundry room

I've been flipping through some late 1950s magazines recently, namely Better Homes and Gardens and Life magazine.  I love looking at old advertisements for cosmetics and clothing, but the adverts for household items are beyond amazing.  It's no secret that the color pink was especially popular in this era.  After about four ads for pink appliances, I became smitten with the idea of a pink laundry room, with a blush colored washer and dryer, of course!

Pink chevron ironing board cover, metal coin laundry sign, and vintage 1950s Presto irons

Atomic Abstract Sky fabric for curtains, and an amazing DIY painted concrete floor with laundry theme

 Retro wall plaque, vintage aqua plastic containers with free printable labels, and

vintage Dreft detergent box

Homemade pink laundry detergent: recipe here

DIY light fixture made from an up-cycled washing machine drum, and a lovely array of candy colored, stacked linens and luggage by Cath Kidston

 Free printable vintage style laundry instructions, and wooden cursive laundry sign

What do you think? If I owned that iron, I might actually offer to iron shirts for my husband!  Stranger things have happened.

XOX, Hannah