Put a bird on it! (outfit #35)

This is a lovely 1950s, velvet and taffeta dress with a built in crinoline and a scattering of rhinestones.   I think it's the perfect frock for a holiday party, and has the right amount of sparkle for ringing in the New Year.   I purchased this dress on Etsy for a mere $18!  My hat, was a Christmas present from my mother from a local antique store.  I spotted it over the summer and couldn't get it out of my head, so she was kind enough to go and pick it up for me.  I believe it's from the 1940s, and it has the most adorable little black (raven?) perched on the brim.

Happy Sunday!

Dinner party dress (outfit #34)

This green rose pattern, 1950s, L'aiglon dress and matching bolero jacket were purchased from ebay.  The fur hat, is made by The Hat Box, and was discovered at an estate.

Happy Sunday!

Wrapped up in a bow (outfit #33)

I found this darling 1960s red wiggle dress at a thrift store.  I love the two bows at the waist and the faux fur cuffs.  It reminds me of something Joan from Mad Men would wear to a debauchery filled holiday party.  My pearl, grape cluster, clip-on earrings were thrifted.  The Brownie "Holiday" camera is from my collection.  These cameras were produced sometime between 1953-57.

Happy Sunday!

10 Goals for 2013

1. Master wearing a beehive!  The clothing of the 40s and 50s is really my cup of tea, but I can't help loving the mod look of the 60s.  Bright colors, ascot collars, knee-high boots, winged liner, and the ever amazing beehive.  There's a certain amount of backcombing and hairspray that is going to take some practice.  2013 is my year to master this style.

2. Craft some retro inspired accessories. 

 vintage headband, bow belt,  pearl collar necklace, and simple birdcage

3.  Take a family photo.  No, I'm not talking about the type of photo where we all have matching sweaters and we're sitting strangely in front of aspen trees.  I want an artfully done, funny photo that expresses who we really are as a family.  I'm looking for an excuse to dress the whole family up vintage and find an amazing backdrop.  It's going to take some planning, but I'm determined to make this happen in 2013.

4.Learn to cook the perfect Indian chicken Korma.  After many practice rounds, I figured out how to make a delicious chicken Tikka Masala (in the crockpot no less!)  Now, it's time to find a simple, lovely Korma recipe.

5.  Buy a bullet bra!  Yes, that's right.  Every vintage loving girl should own one.  I'm amazed I've made it this far without one.

6. Finish my nine year old son's bedroom and blog about it.  It's by far the most difficult to decorate for someone who has opinions about their space, especially when they are contrary to my own.  He's got his own interests and it's certainly been a challenge to meet his needs, and create a space we both like. He's very interested in history, just not "my" particular decades.   Stay tuned...

7.  Open my Etsy store.  I've already picked and registered the name.  Now I need to create some listings and link up my blog.  I'd love to hear some tips on maintaining a successful online shop, if anyone cares to share.

8.  Finally reupholster that amazing "atomic wing back" chair I purchased from the thrift store.  I spotted the coolest turquoise chair.  It was clean, had amazing lines, peg legs, and was only $12!   I got so excited, I forgot to sit on the damn thing.  It was only later I realized that the springs in the seat are not level and it's not comfortable.  I've been afraid to attempt to fix it, so it's been taking up space in my basement.  This is the year, friends.  (similar to this chair)

9. Sew some clothes for the baby girl.  There are plenty of free patterns on the web, as well as some cute vintage ones I've collected.  I'm going to get motivated and make her some pretty things.

 vintage heirloom dress,  reversible circle skirt, romper, and  nurse

10.  Go on a trip with my honey.  It's sometimes really difficult to just get away and go somewhere with my husband.  There's always some force plotting against us, like busy schedules, finding reliable babysitters, and of course money (or lack thereof).  It is so worth it though!  Couples have to dedicate time to try and connect.  It's fun to get to fall in love all over again.  Even if it's just one night away, I vow to make it happen.

What are your goals for the new year?

Liebster Blog Award

A strange thing happened yesterday.  I checked my blog stats (for the first time ever) to find out how people find my blog.  What keywords refer them, which sites link them, etc.  I noticed a handful of hits from another blog and clicked over to investigate.  I was excited to find that the lovely lady over at Ravishing Rita, nominated me for a Liebster Blog award.  So sweet!  The Liebster award, is sort of like the chain letter of awards, and is a way to link into the network of other bloggers in the vintage loving community.  It's a really nice way to find other blogs, get followers, and get some insight into the blog author's brain.  I'm so glad I got the random urge to check my stats, or I would have never known. :)

These are the questions that Katie asked me:

1 - What is the one piece of clothing you could not live without?

2 - What does your most used handbag look like?

3 - When did you first become interested in vintage?

4 - What is the best deal you have gotten on a piece of vintage clothing or a vintage accessory?

5 - If you were to be able to have a shopping spree at any store, which would it be?

6 - What is your favourite band or musician from before the 1970's?

7 - What is your favourite perfume?

8 - If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?

9 - What is your favourite flavour of cupcake?

10 - If you could visit anytime in the past, when would it be and why?

11 - What is your favourite accessory?

1. A crinoline!  A 50s dress with a form fitting bodice, cinched waist, and full skirt is my favorite type of vintage dress.  I think they are so incredibly flattering to any shape, but a crinoline really takes the whole outfit from adorable to amazing.  

2.  I love vintage beaded clutches, but my favorite feature on a purse has to be a Bakelite or Lucite handle. swoon.

3.  I've been picking out vintage pieces since high school, but I hadn't really committed to any era or style.  It's been in the last five years that I really honed in on what it is that I love about vintage, which styles flatter me, and it's influenced my whole aesthetic outlook.

4. I am a champion bargain hunter!  It's really about having patience and enjoying the thrill of the hunt.  Most people shy away from sorting through disorganized racks or piles of clothing at an estate, but that's where the best treasures are hidden.  At a particularly abysmal church rummage sale I found three vintage star burst Christmas ornaments and an adorable 1950s yellow sundress, I spent .75 cents total!

5.  If I could have a shopping spree anywhere I'd probably choose Modcloth.  I have a lot of luck finding authentic vintage on my own, but I'm 5'10" and have NEVER been able to find vintage shoes that fit my feet.  I'd probably buy at least 20 pairs of shoes!

6.  This is a tricky question and I could spend weeks debating about my favorite band.  Let me just say that right now, my favorite album to listen to on vinyl is Ella Fitzgerald (1945), followed closely by a Supremes album full of Beatles covers (1964).  Ask me in a week and it might be different.

7. I don't generally wear perfume, but when I do, I prefer rose or lilac oil.

8.  Right now, I'm dreaming of a vacation to Bali.   Perhaps it's because it was -7 degrees this week, but I would love to go somewhere warm and exotic.

9.  My friend made chai flavored cup cakes with pistachio frosting last year for my birthday, and they were pretty amazing.

10. If I only had a day of time travel then I'd probably attend a party hosted by Marie Antoinette in Versailles, while the people still favored her, of course.  If I had more time and could bring things back, then of course I would go to the 1950s, and that is where I would have my ultimate shopping spree. 

11.  My favorite accessories are hair fascinators.  I'm always on the look out for a fabulous hat, but I find it nearly impossible to find one that fits my head.  Fascinators are a nice alternative and can be so versatile.

     The five blogs that I choose are:

A Cat Among the Pigeons

Atomic Redhead

Tutti Frutti Vintage

Two Squirrels Vintage

Retro Fashion is my Passion

To claim your award follow these steps:

Follow the person who awarded you.

Blog about the award.

Award 5 other bloggers, preferably ones that have less than 200 followers.

Answer my 11 questions and give your own 11 Q's for the bloggers you award.

My questions:

1.  What is your favorite clothing era?

2. If you could be any vintage starlet, who would you be?

3.  What's the biggest vintage clothing splurge you've made?

4. What's your best kept secret for finding deals on vintage?

5. Do your friends and family wear vintage?

6.  In what way does your home reflect your vintage style?

7.  What's the best show on television?

8. What was the best vacation you've taken?

9. Do you have any hair and makeup tips?

10.  What's your favorite accessory?

11.  Do you have a goal for the new year?

thanks for participating, xox!

Hopin' and Wishin'

My kitchen progress is coming along, slowly, but surely.  Finding all the right pieces takes a lot of patience, and of course budgeting for some of the more expensive changes has to be accomplished one improvement at a time.  This year, we painted the cupboards peacock blue, created a chalkboard refrigerator and added to our collection of colorful 1950s housewares, including our pastel ceramic Monterey dishes.  My goals for 2013 are: finding the perfect retro oven (it has to be one of the harder to find 30" models), replacing the light fixture above the dining table, and re-tiling the back splash.  Maybe by 2014, I can think about new counter tops?!?

Bold indicates items that I covet, the rest is already in place. (From left to right): Our Peacock Feather blue cabinets, chalkboard fridge, white subway tile for the back splash,  vintage Pyrex, yellow wooden "eat" sign, Airstream kitchen hand towel,  1950s Wedgewood stove,  Yellow Lustro Ware canisters, "Why, yellow Gorgeous!" kitchen hand towel, mint green shake mixer, "Make Lemonade" printable,  aqua Lustro Ware reamer, gold star burst clock, pastel ceramic dishes, Amy Butler fabric in Coreopsis, George Nelson Saucer light, & mint green rotary wall phone.

What's your perfect kitchen?

XOX

All that glitters is gold (outfit #32)

I scored this adorable 1960s, green striped shirt waist dress at a thrift store.  The label says something like, "Jean Sutton Casual" but it's hard to read since it's starting to unravel.  My gold belt and clip-on starburst earrings were also thrifted, and my gold Sanita clogs are from ebay.  I loved finding this disintegrating brick alleyway.  Someone has randomly hand painted the bricks, but neglected to tuck point or fix the mortar, so I pretended to hold up the wall.  I hope someday they properly fix this wall, or my favorite trivia bar is going to collapse on its patrons! 

Happy Sunday!

Sofa dreaming

  It happened again.  Another person told us their grandmother/aunt/neighbor/whatever just got rid of a pristine 1950s-60s couch.  "They barely ever sat on it," or "it still had a plastic cover."  This leaves me wanting to bang my head on the wall and sob.  This must be the third person in so many months to tell us we just missed out on a dreamy mid-century sofa.  "If only we had known you liked that sort of thing", they say.  Ugh.
   So, I'm broadcasting it to the world.  Putting the intent into the ether...we are looking, friends! 
 I found the most amazing aqua blue, 1950s sectional, with rounded corners and peg legs.  I pressed my face against the store window like some sort of deranged stalker.  The store wasn't open.  In fact, the store has never been open in the eight years I've lived here.  I believe it's only a storage space, despite the large furniture store description on the awning.  I went next door and asked the shop owner if he knew the owner and could possibly call him...or at least look the other way while I jimmied the lock. :)  To my delight, he actually had a set of keys for the building, but as soon as I got up close, I saw a SOLD sticker on the sofa.  Damn it all! 
  I've come upon a couple of other beauties "in the wild," but was lacking the confidence to spring.  I've been a bit weary to buy anything in the thrift store.  Since I can't exactly submerge it into some disinfectant, I'd really prefer to know the previous owner. 
   So please dear friends, help a girl out.  Keep your eyes peeled for the sofa of my dreams.

1950s sectionals Love that nubby mint green upholstery

Embossed designs on the backrest

1960s daybed

1960s Danish banana sofa

What's your sofa style?

Check yourself (outfit #31)

I purchased this 1950's shirtwaist dress from a thrift store.  It's made by a company called Pom Pom Fashions.   My red Swedish clogs are from Ebay.   I call this my "market dress."  All that's missing is a sweet straw shopping basket, filled with goodies from this Italian grocery store, which was built in 1921.

Happy Sunday!