Oh so patriotic.

Today Sam and I went to Portland and I got to stop in Buffalo Exchange. There were some great vintage shoes there, a lot of size 8, but I'm a 7. I did spy these amazing 1940s low heels and knew they were going to be mine, so comfortable and cute! I tried on a few things, among them this red, white, and blue dress, which may have looked a bit better if I didn't have it on backwards....

I also picked up this darling 50s dress for my shop, a bit too small for me though. I'm considering dying it, since I am not a fan of white, and it may get lost in the studio backdrop. Perhaps pink or blue? I'd like to keep it fairly soft, anyone have a suggestion?

*Ok, update. Dress will not be dyed, it's sold :)

I underestimate the lovelyness of white....

Swiss miss

I've been waiting for my hair to be long enough to do Swiss style braids and was happy it worked today since I didn't pin or rag curl my hair last night. I think the two braids are supposed to tuck into each other more, but mine just kind of sat on top of my head, so I covered up the bobby pins with a partial floral crown.
I love this skirt but its a bit too big, the colors are great to work around though, cotton broomstick skirts are defiantly something everyone should have for warm weather, very flattering and fun ;)

Polka dot

I got to work and didn't like what I was wearing. So I put on something else! Ah the beauty of working in a big vintage closet.
I've had my eye on the sweater for a couple of weeks, it's only from the 80s, but looks so late 30s early 40s. I'm especially fond of the length, it's so hard to find sweaters that hit at my waist, since I'm absurdly high waisted. The skirt is also from the 80s, but is perfectly cut to look 30s, I kept both of them, and the brooch and hat stayed in the shop. Speaking of 1930s outfits, my dress is almost done! I've made a few variations with it, and all thats left is the hem and side fastenings, hopefully it will be warmer soon so I can wear it.
Here are also a couple pictures of my home, the mantle, and my dresser area. As you can see I have hats anywhere they can perch :)

Getting started.

Yesterday I went with Sam's mother to Fabric Depot, a huge fabric store that has a great selection of 1930s feedsack cotton prints. After considering many other options (kittens? cherries?) I found this perfect bow print. Soooooo cute. I cant wait to get started on it, but I am without an iron, plus I really should list some things in my shop.
We also stopped at a nearby Goodwill. I haven't been to an actual store in a long time, it really has gotten quite expensive, as Daddy Likey expresses in this oh so true "letter" to them. But I did find some things I really liked, like this giant floppy sunhat I think will go well with my 30s dress, a couple of jars for buttons, and spoon with an "M" on it. Or maybe a "W"...
I also found a fabulous shiny brite ornament still in the box, but missing the top. I've been ecstatic about vintage shiny brite ever since my aunt, who pretty much got me started on vintage, said she loved the cute little ornaments, and I think she has some lights too. Lucky Ducky. I also found some great items for my shop, but those pictures went to my mailing list, you'll have to wait until next week if your not on it :)

First pin curl attempt.

I tried out pin curls for the first time last night, which were actually not uncomfortable to sleep in as I thought they would be. When I first took them out I thought I did something wrong, I just looked like a swamp monster. But after brushing and mouseing is tamed to something I liked. Kind of an average 40s look. A woman at work asked "is that your real hair?". I suppose that is flattering, but is that really the kind of question you ask a complete stranger? What if it wasn't and I was self conscious about it? Hmmmm. Think on that lady. Think on that.

On my way to work I stopped by the optometrist and asked if they could pop out the lenses in my vintage glasses. I thought I would have to get the lenses totally replaced, something that costs quite a bit, so not planning on it anytime soon. At Magpie the other day all of their vintage frames besides the sunglasses are just frames, no lenses. The owner was actually wearing a pair of just frames and I didn't even notice, so I was convinced all I needed to do was have them popped out. The lady had to do something special to them to get them out, apparently the older glasses were very well made (surprise surprise). But she didnt charge me, which was nice :) Sam pretended they were a moustache. Silly Sam.

Speaking of moustaches, my friends Kendra and Irene opened a shop on Etsy with some fabulous vintage, check out fingerstaches soon!

Its hot!

It was hot today. Sam and I made it to the bins a little earlier than usual which turned out to be really nice because most of the other vintage dealers and hipster girls were not there yet, so very little competition. It's torture to walk by some smelly middle aged man with an armful of 50s sundresses and kick myself for not finding them first. They all just list them on ebay with shabby photos and high prices, or sell them to other dealers with shops. I'm the only female there that is a serious vintage dealer too, but like I said, the hipster girls my age are always lurking around searching for 80s stuff. The bins are quite a cast of characters.
Anyway, I came across this pile of adorable 60s swimsuits, (actually I think one is 80s but looks older). My favorite is the blue, it's just perfect I was so excited when I found it. I also found the best Laura Ashley dress, it has a sailor collar and looks so 1930s, even Sam thought so. I will be listing that next week though, so if you want a sneak peek, my mailing list participants get first look :)
I also decided I really need to sew that 1930s dress, so I borrowed Lisa's sewing machine for a bit and then Thursday we are going to the big fabric store where they have rows and rows of reproduction feedsack prints. Yay!

Embroidery craze.

I've started to do a bit of embroidery here and there. A nice productive project to do while watching tv. I'll be opening a new shop on Etsy soon called Velvet Needle of just reconstructed vintage and probably now a few embroidered pieces. So far I stitched a bird on a pretty blue skirt (The color!), and am working on a dress which only has the pink bow on the collar so far. No sure what I'll do next, I'm tempted to sew on some detailed pockets. Today Sam and I went to Portland and traded in some books at Powells. I'm still on the search for the ever elusive glove book, which was not there, but I did look through the needlework section of the store and was delighted to find a vintage needlework book full of embroidery, knitting, crochet, monograms, tatting, needlepoint, and smocking. It has everything I want to learn, and was even more excited when it was only $10! I specifically wanted to learn from a 50s or older book as I find they have more simple instructions and diagrams. Plus they are cuter. Am I the only one who understands vintage instructions better than modern ones?
We also went to one of my favorite vintage stores "Magpie". I was in search of something 1930s or 40s and did try on an adorable 30s dress with little stars and a sailor collar. So cute! But out of my price range, so now I really feel the need to make a dress from that 1930s pattern I got a while ago. I did however find these really cool 1960s sunglasses. They have so many great frames to choose from, and the sales girl and owner are always really nice and helpful, if you are ever downtown Portland I highly recommend stopping by.