This week's tutorial will show you how to tie a 1940s turban. They are a great style for those hot humid summer days. In this video, I also share a great tip to keep slippery scarves from sliding off of your head.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Vlogging: Downtown Disney
This weekend, the hubby and I went on a little day trip to Downtown Disney and I took the camera along for a vlog! Hope you enjoy it!
Monday, June 1, 2015
Pink Pink Pink
Now that I've started to fill my wardrobe with great basics, I've realized that so many of my outfits are just perfect for one particular accessory- the brooch! Alas that's the one accessory that I have not yet conquered.
Thankfully, I'd already been challenged on the brooch issue earlier this year with the 40s Calendar Challenge. Not only did I wear a brooch, I made it and it was large and loud!
So when I pulled out this great pink 40s dress, I needed to add a brooch! The great thing about basics is that it's so much easier to add accessories.
I really like this brooch because it contains lots of great colors including chartreuse which is one of my favorites to wear. Plus it's got a bird on it. Biiiiird! :)
There's one other part of my wardrobe that I've been trying to puzzle out and that's my hair. Pin curling is out of the question as the high humidity of Florida has made it not worth the effort for several months now.
I was originally planning on wearing my hair in an updo all summer. But it's not long enough yet. I can do a pretty good pony tail but that's about it.
So I decided to try a snood instead. Of course, my hair isn't really long enough to fill out a snood yet either but I was able to pin up some of the excess so I don't have any empty snood.
See! Tiny snood! I also have stumbled upon another option which you all will see later this week.
The dress is Simplicity 3583 and I'm not sure why I don't wear it more often because it's super cute. Maybe it's because I've been a bit anti-pink lately. Not sure why as this is a lovely color on me.
It's got lots of great yummy 40s tailored details. I love the 40s for some of these little details. Plus there are tons of great practical and comfortable styles.
Guess it's time to put this dress back in heavy rotation!
Thankfully, I'd already been challenged on the brooch issue earlier this year with the 40s Calendar Challenge. Not only did I wear a brooch, I made it and it was large and loud!
So when I pulled out this great pink 40s dress, I needed to add a brooch! The great thing about basics is that it's so much easier to add accessories.
I really like this brooch because it contains lots of great colors including chartreuse which is one of my favorites to wear. Plus it's got a bird on it. Biiiiird! :)
There's one other part of my wardrobe that I've been trying to puzzle out and that's my hair. Pin curling is out of the question as the high humidity of Florida has made it not worth the effort for several months now.
I was originally planning on wearing my hair in an updo all summer. But it's not long enough yet. I can do a pretty good pony tail but that's about it.
So I decided to try a snood instead. Of course, my hair isn't really long enough to fill out a snood yet either but I was able to pin up some of the excess so I don't have any empty snood.
See! Tiny snood! I also have stumbled upon another option which you all will see later this week.
The dress is Simplicity 3583 and I'm not sure why I don't wear it more often because it's super cute. Maybe it's because I've been a bit anti-pink lately. Not sure why as this is a lovely color on me.
It's got lots of great yummy 40s tailored details. I love the 40s for some of these little details. Plus there are tons of great practical and comfortable styles.
Guess it's time to put this dress back in heavy rotation!
Friday, May 29, 2015
Some New Basics
Some occasions just don't call for a skirt. Normally a holiday event like a Memorial Day BBQ would call for an appropriately themed dress but this year is different. Since moving to Florida, we've had to reinvent all of our holiday traditions. Not only is the weather markedly different but we also no longer have both sets of parents close enough for visits every holiday. So we're on our own now!
This year we celebrated the unofficial start of summer with a BBQ with some new friends. It's already been feeling like summer for quite some time here in Florida but hopefully the rest of you got some lovely weather this past weekend.
The events scheduled for the day were swimming, grilling, eating and board games (though I have to admit that I got worn out and went home before the games came out) so casual was key. I've really been leaning towards more and more casual pieces in my wardrobe.
And my outfit choice may have also been influence by the fact that I finally got these vintage pants to fit and also just finished this black shirt.
Speaking of outfits, let's take a closer look at what I'm wearing. The capris are vintage 50s or early 60s and they were my last vintage purchase before leaving Ohio. They were a steal at $10 and I knew I'd get loads of wear out of them in sunny Florida.
But they had two issues. 1) I didn't have anything to match them hence the new black blouse which we'll get to later. 2) The waist was a bit too big which caused some excess bunching of fabric in the crotch area when they sagged down from my actual waist. So I took them in at the waist a bit. Fitting of high waisted bottoms is a bit tricky. You need a lower crotch and a bit looser fit (especially if you are using a nonstretch fabric) so you can actually sit in the garment but it can feel a bit odd compared to modern pants.
I've been in need of a basic black blouse for a long time. So I ordered up some lovely black linen cotton blend. It's quite yummy and light. I used Butterick 7328 c. 1955 which I've made a couple of times before.
It's got this great yoke and gathers detail that I just love! I also love that the sleeveless version has the little parts that cover the top of the shoulder. That area of skin is really delicate and I burn pretty easily so extra coverage is always appreciated.
I finished the blouse with some small metal buttons from my stash. They give it a bit more personality than plain black buttons would have. When you are making an outfit out of basics, these little details keep it from being too boring.
Accessories also help make basics more interesting and add variety to your wardrobe. These two pieces are new great basics and I've also been shopping for some accessories which I hope to show you soon.
What did you do for Memorial Day Weekend?
This year we celebrated the unofficial start of summer with a BBQ with some new friends. It's already been feeling like summer for quite some time here in Florida but hopefully the rest of you got some lovely weather this past weekend.
The events scheduled for the day were swimming, grilling, eating and board games (though I have to admit that I got worn out and went home before the games came out) so casual was key. I've really been leaning towards more and more casual pieces in my wardrobe.
And my outfit choice may have also been influence by the fact that I finally got these vintage pants to fit and also just finished this black shirt.
Speaking of outfits, let's take a closer look at what I'm wearing. The capris are vintage 50s or early 60s and they were my last vintage purchase before leaving Ohio. They were a steal at $10 and I knew I'd get loads of wear out of them in sunny Florida.
But they had two issues. 1) I didn't have anything to match them hence the new black blouse which we'll get to later. 2) The waist was a bit too big which caused some excess bunching of fabric in the crotch area when they sagged down from my actual waist. So I took them in at the waist a bit. Fitting of high waisted bottoms is a bit tricky. You need a lower crotch and a bit looser fit (especially if you are using a nonstretch fabric) so you can actually sit in the garment but it can feel a bit odd compared to modern pants.
I've been in need of a basic black blouse for a long time. So I ordered up some lovely black linen cotton blend. It's quite yummy and light. I used Butterick 7328 c. 1955 which I've made a couple of times before.
It's got this great yoke and gathers detail that I just love! I also love that the sleeveless version has the little parts that cover the top of the shoulder. That area of skin is really delicate and I burn pretty easily so extra coverage is always appreciated.
I finished the blouse with some small metal buttons from my stash. They give it a bit more personality than plain black buttons would have. When you are making an outfit out of basics, these little details keep it from being too boring.
Accessories also help make basics more interesting and add variety to your wardrobe. These two pieces are new great basics and I've also been shopping for some accessories which I hope to show you soon.
What did you do for Memorial Day Weekend?
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Where to Buy 1940s Clothing
Today we're talking 1940s clothing. While I do make most of my own clothes, I'm sharing where I purchase my 1940s repro pieces in case you are looking to expand your 40s wardrobe. Enjoy!
Friday, May 22, 2015
My Current 1950s Wardrobe
After I posted about my 1950s wardrobe plan, I needed to evaluate what I already had in my closet and how those pieces fit into my plan. So here it is!
My main concerns with choosing pieces for the dress category were easy care, comfortable and cotton. Definitely thinking of summer weather! The first three are vintage- blue shirt waist, red and black sleeveless dress, orange and green shirtwaist dress. The last dress with red roses is a new make that I just finished.
Blouses are so key to a versatile wardrobe! I actually have quite a few but really only the blue one do I see working really well in my wardrobe. The blush colored one is vintage and lovely but not a good shade for my preferred neutrals of black and navy. The white sweater is nice but I'm not a huge fan of high necklines. The two printed blouses are fun but a bit loud for me. The yellow blouse is part of my patio set and I love it but it's made of some synthetic fabric and not good for super warm weather. So I have lots, but not a lot that I think will really work.
Two cardigans and two skirts. I love the teal skirt and I'll probably keep it in the mix. The kaki skirt is also nice but I have trouble deciding what colors to wear with it. It seems like all of the colors that would look good are not ones I like to wear too much. So I may make up this pattern again in a different color.
I also have two pair of capris-one vintage and one Freddies of Pinewood. I definitely want to keep the red pair in mind when adding blouses to my wardrobe.
And some possibilities for hats and gloves. These include some of my favorite hats. I threw in the yellow hat and gloves because I'm planning on adding a yellow dress or blouse/skirt combo to the mix. I have another white pair of gloves that I'm thinking of for pair number 4 but they are rather dingy and I'm trying to brighten them up. If that doesn't work, I'm thinking of dying them red. I've always wanted a pair of red gloves!
My main concerns with choosing pieces for the dress category were easy care, comfortable and cotton. Definitely thinking of summer weather! The first three are vintage- blue shirt waist, red and black sleeveless dress, orange and green shirtwaist dress. The last dress with red roses is a new make that I just finished.
Blouses are so key to a versatile wardrobe! I actually have quite a few but really only the blue one do I see working really well in my wardrobe. The blush colored one is vintage and lovely but not a good shade for my preferred neutrals of black and navy. The white sweater is nice but I'm not a huge fan of high necklines. The two printed blouses are fun but a bit loud for me. The yellow blouse is part of my patio set and I love it but it's made of some synthetic fabric and not good for super warm weather. So I have lots, but not a lot that I think will really work.
Two cardigans and two skirts. I love the teal skirt and I'll probably keep it in the mix. The kaki skirt is also nice but I have trouble deciding what colors to wear with it. It seems like all of the colors that would look good are not ones I like to wear too much. So I may make up this pattern again in a different color.
I also have two pair of capris-one vintage and one Freddies of Pinewood. I definitely want to keep the red pair in mind when adding blouses to my wardrobe.
And some possibilities for hats and gloves. These include some of my favorite hats. I threw in the yellow hat and gloves because I'm planning on adding a yellow dress or blouse/skirt combo to the mix. I have another white pair of gloves that I'm thinking of for pair number 4 but they are rather dingy and I'm trying to brighten them up. If that doesn't work, I'm thinking of dying them red. I've always wanted a pair of red gloves!
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Building a Vintage Wardrobe on a Budget
Today we're talking wardrobe building again but this time we're talking budget. Whether you go all out for designer pieces or stalk thrift stores for buried treasures, we're all working on a budget. In this video, I share some of my tips and strategies to help my wardrobe dollars go farther.
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