Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Youtube: Audrey Hepburn


I just adore Audrey Hepburn! She has such a cute chic look and looks amazing with short hair! I think I've finally cracked her style from Sabrina.






Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

What Real People Wore

It's quite easy to get wrapped up in the frilly party dresses and high fashion couture of the past and to forget what real people wore in their everyday lives. Today's outfit is not the most flashy or exciting but I feel it makes a great everyday outfit!


Last week I rotated my wardrobe and packed away most of my winter pieces so I went for layers on this chilly morning.


Outfit:
Blouse: me made
Cardigan: Ann Taylor
Skirt: 40s vintage
Hat and brooch: vintage


Can you believe that until recently, I had not one single basic white blouse?


Fabric: white rayon
Pattern: Du Barry 5909
Year: 1940s
Notions: 4 vintage buttons
First Worn: April 2012
Wear again: Yes! I imagine this will get a lot of wear!


I also added a vintage pin to my outfit! I really want to start wearing brooches more often but I have difficulty knowing how to wear them.


And of course, a hat is a must!


My husband got some new camera equipment recently and he decided to snap a few shots of me helping clean up at church after lunch.

 
 
I've really come to the realization lately that in order to really wear vintage all the time, I need more practical garments. Ordinary people didn't wear fancy or frufru all the time. They had to run errands and clean house and do all of the other day to day things that we do.


This outfit was quite practical and still cute!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Sometimes you just have to accept reality

As much as I wish I could live somewhere like southern California or Florida where I could wear pretty summer sundresses most of the year, I do not. I live in the midwest and it gets cold! And the weather is often uncooperative.


What happens in March is that the weather will be gorgeous for a few days and then go back to cold and rainy/snowy for a few weeks. At this point in time, I was so over winter especially since last winter was super mild. In an attempt to combat the winter blues, I set out to sew up a chilly weather appropriate dress and promptly purchased two lengths of corduroy from Jo-Anns (on sale too!)


This dress is the result of one of my fabric purchases! It's short sleeved so it won't be good for the dead of winter but it's going to be great for spring and fall days that are chilly in the morning and during early winter.


Fabric: 3 5/8 yd red corduroy ($4.50/yd), 2/3 yd black wool blend crepe (leftovers from another project)
Pattern:  Simplicity 2851
Year: 1949
Notions: Buttons (from Costume College $1), zipper ($2), belt is from a previously made dress
First worn: April '12
Total cost: ~$20
Wear again? Yup, I love it! It's very comfortable and much warmer than my summer dresses. I love the length and flattring late 40s silhouette. The only thing I don't like is that it's a lint magnet! 


I really want to make up this pattern in the other view in a more summery weight fabric but this dress is just perfect for posing in front of the old red storage barns!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Youtube: Ginnifer Goodwin

Today's hair tutorial is inspired by the lovely Ginnifer Goodwin in Mona Lisa Smile. It's a cute 1950s do with bangs!



And it's my birds Rachel and Leah's birthday! They are 1 today!


Happy Birthday birds!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Spring, Spring, Spring

I just love when it starts to warm up at the beginning of spring! I'm sure there will be a few more chilly periods before spring really takes hold but I took advantage of the nice weather to show off my legs!


I just love this circle skirt! It's one of the first things I ever made. The fabric has started to fade a bit but it's still wearable.


These shots were taken at an outdoor mall. It's one of my husband and my favorite palaces to hang in the summer. When it's hot out, the fountain behind me is on.


I had planned on waiting to cut my bangs till later in the summer but they got the chop last weekend and I've been loving them.


And my hair is finally long enough to pincurl without too much difficulty. Woot!


Purple peep toe wedges! I took style notes from the 40s and matched my accessories to each other instead of sticking with just the colors in my outfit.


And it wouldn't be a trip to the mall without some shopping! Mostly we just went out to enjoy the weather but I love window shopping too!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Youtube: Hats-It's not what's in your head, it's what's on it.

I adore hats! I know a lot of you too so I decided to share some of them! I have posted about my wall of hats before but I got a few new ones to show you!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Petals for Easter

I love any excuse to get extra dressed up! I didn't end up making anything special for Easter but I thought my pink velvet 50s suit would be perfect!


It's bold and sophisticated and not what you'd usually think for an Easter outfit. I like being a bit unpredictable.


Plus it was a bit chilly so I stayed warm!





The peplum is so fun! I think it looks a bit like tulip petals.


The shape it gives me is super sassy. Plus I wore my waist cincher for some extra curves.


Hope you all had a lovely Easter!