Dreamy window

Here's a window box I decorated at work today. I wanted it to look like a dreamy cloud, with tulle, lace, silk flowers, and rhinestones galore.

Portland antique show.

Today my mother and I got up early and went to the Portland Antique and Collectable show at the Expo Center. I was so glad my new bird hat came (It needs a name) so I could wear it, I just love it. Almost as soon as we walked in I found something, and I wished I had more money to buy all the fabulous things I saw, I actually saw a perfect pink dress to go with those green shoes, but that was toward the end, so funds were scarce.


I stopped and saw Ann at her Lulu's Vintage booth, and she had some fabulous items, along with looking so adorable as always. I bought this darling dressing gown from her which is pretty much spring in a garment.


The green dress I bought to re-furbish. The structure is still great, but there are little dots here and there I think I'll cover with pretty silk flowers. That and probably the girdle will eventually go in my shop. I also found this blue 50s suit that is so unique, but just needs some buttons and a good pressing. The 50s felt skit is adorable! Birds and bows, my favorite, I may wear it tomorrow. And last but not least this fantastic Jantzen swimsuit. Its absuloutely amazing I've never seen one like it. The woman who sold it to me had only two left she bought from the estate of a Jantzen swimwear designer, so this is a sample garment it doesn't have a logo or tags. I cant imagine the treasure that woman must have had. I also got a pair of black high waisted pants, although they are not wide legged, they look pretty 30's/40's.

Boy scout girl.

I took this shirt from Sams closet when he moved, it was hidden in the back and I just love it. It seems I have an attraction to uniforms, as this week I wore the jumpsuit, today I wore his shirt and my red band jacket, and my sailor jacket is one of my favorites. Maybe I like them because I was never required to wear one :)
Yesterday Sam and I were watching I dream of Jeannie, and she was wearing a NASA uniform that was so cute and 60s. A blue collared blouse and high waisted wiggle skirt, but despite its simplicity it was so adorable. Sam has a love for uniforms as well, just the other week he got a great 60s fitted military jacket, and in the winter he'll wear his old European military coat. And of course the peacoat, timeless style.
I got so many comments on my outfit today, a lot from mothers who have or have had sons in boy scouts. The hat I picked up when I got to work, an old boy scout hat, really nice and lined in iridescent silk. I doubt they give boys hats like that anymore. I also got a surprising amount of comments on my hair, I have it like this nearly every day, but I guess the hat was a bit different than usual.
Speaking of hats, I got my new bird hat in the mail today! Its more amazing than it was described or photographed, looks never worn even. Not only is the colorful bird form on the hat amazing, but the actual structure of the hat is very pretty and unusual. I'm going to wear it tomorrow at the Antique show (!), I just don't know what to wear with it. Maybe my blue suit, or I have a great 40s dress to consider as well. We'll see!

1930s pattern

Here is my 1930s dress pattern, of course un-marked. I was trying to do repairs on my machine tonight and couldn't get it working right, so me making something soon is unlikely. But I'll work on it, and eventually it will purr.

WWII Jumpsuit

I cannot tell you how many times I got called Rosie the Riveter today. I am missing the toned arms though.
This outfit actually pulled together pretty well, I had Clark to match the boots and a black 50s jacket with a leopard collar I added on. I forget jewelry due to rushing out the door, so maybe next time a rhinestone brooch, there needs to be some sparkle. It was so comfortable all day, just what I needed, and having all of these pockets is like being a purse. I remember reading in one of the american girl books that the WASP ladies had notepads built into the thigh of the suit for jotting down notes, which is a terrific concept. Especially for people like me who have to write everything down otherwise it gets forgotten.

P.S. My 1930s sewing pattern cam in the mail and its so cute! Now I just need the materials and I can get started.

Jumpsuits.

I love jumpsuits. Its one of those odd style choices that I just cant explain, because it does not fit in at all with the rest of my closet. At work whenever I look through the rack of long dresses and discover one is actually a dress, I get overjoyed as the garment becomes much more exciting. Last year I bought a halter top jumpsuit with a pattern of blackberry bushes and butterflies all over, and can't wait to wear it again. There's even this ridiculous leopard print jumpsuit at work I find myself oddly attracted to, even though everyone seems to think it's just too ugly. I think it's just too awesome.
My friend Jen has a blue mechanics jumpsuit she always looks adorable in, so naturally I felt the need to find a workers jumpsuit as well. I think my love for those can be explained my my dad being a mechanic, and seeing so many photos of women during WWII in jumpsuits, particularly one I had with three women, and they were all wearing them but had great 40s hair and red lipstick.
I went to the bins today and found a few things, and was happy to find this army green jumpsuit. I planned on selling it, since like I said it just doesn't have an obvious place among my other clothing, but then I put it on and it fit so well, then took this picture and loved the way it looked. I'm feeling creative with it, maybe pairing it with something unexpected like high heels, a belt, I'll probably monogram it at some point, and of course red lipstick in the spirit of those hard working yet fashionable ladies.

Adorable military girls from Women Veterans Historical Collection

1930s jumpsuit pattern from So vintage patterns

Shoes of green

Today my mother and I had a hair appointment in Portland, much needed for me, although I just got a trim. Going to the Salon is my time to indulge in gossip magazines and Vogues. The latest Vogue has Michelle Obama on the cover and is filled with pretty things only 0.01% of the population can afford. I saw lots of colorful wingtip shoes for women, something I love, I have a smashing pair in red. Also lots of retro looks, including these from Marc Jacobs and Missoni. The magazine was filled with so many pretty shoes afterward I suggested we go to Nordstoms Rack and see if there were any fabulous spring footwear. I tried on about a dozen pairs and squeeled when I slipped on these super fabulous super comfortable pair. Green as a a sour apple and with sweet little cutouts, they are so adorable! Not to mention the bow. Love the bow. I picture them with a pink dress with my pink petticoat underneath, and a matching green bow in my hair. Now I just have to find the dress and make the bow. Or maybe I could make the dress too! I was so surprised at the price of them, they were on sale for $31! I want to sit in an old chair in my pink petticoat and green shoes and have a tea party. With bugs. A bug teaparty, and all the bugs will wear hats and bowties. Doesn't that sound divine?

Oh, and the chair standing picture reminds me of one from Rebel Angel.