Eeeek! Nature!

Mondays serve as mine and Sams weekend, as we both work Sunday, then go do Etsy stuff on Tuesday, and the rest of the week at least one of us is working at one time or another. So Monday is our day off together. Last night we watched one of my favorite films, Amelie, so today her style was my inspiration. I couldn't find an outfit photo of her so you'll just have to see the film if your interested.
We drove to Portland and ate lunch at a cafe we had never been to before, Ross Island Grocery (its a bit of a grocery store too, but must have been more so in the past). I had the best grilled cheese, it had bacon in it! Yum yum.
We walked around the area a bit and looked at all the pretty houses, they are painted so colorfully, I love that.
We didn't really know what to do after lunch (and didn't have to be anywhere) so we followed a road that lead us through the Lake Oswego area and into West Linn. We turned down an random unmarked road and it just happened to wind to a state park!

It was very pretty and green, so we followed a hiking trail down to the Willamate river, where there was a little lagoon with rocks and wild flowers.

There were bees, and tiny little fishies, and birds, some that made funny noises. Also beautiful spiderwebs everywhere, and as long as they stay in their webs and not on my bed, we can be friends. Have you ever watched a spider spin a web? It's spectacular.

It was a beautiful adventure for the tail end of August, next up, September!

Ruffles and bows

Although this dress is from the 1950s, it has a 1920s feel to it with thin airy cotton and layered tiers. My hair was a bit of a mess today so instead of wearing a hat I opted for a black scarf tied in a bow and let my locks lay as they will.
Since all my garter belts are unusable I've been rolling my stockings lately, a look popular with young girls of the 20s, so scandalous showing off ones knees! But thats just the kind of girl I am.

Dress: Hatties Vintage

Shoes: Meier and Frank

Trained Seal

Tonight after work my mother and I went to the Italian Festival in Portland and ate some yummy pasta and watched people dance to Italian tunes :)
Downtown there are these little iron statues of animals I just love. I figured the seal would be the perfect buddy for me in my circus dress, isn't he cute!

Thanks everyone for your encouraging and informative comments on my last post, I am going to try out lots of things because I would really love to master this in oh, 50 years or so ;)

I may have to push the wedding post I promised to early next week if I don't finish this weekend. But I am working all weekend so don't count on it ;)

Dress: Handmade by me from a 1930s pattern.

Purse and 1930s hat: The Urban Eccentric.

Fingerwave attempt #1

It turned out...alright. Good enough for my very first try but not fantastic. I think I need to use more hair product, and perhaps learn to use wave clips. My grandma said she might have some old ones, but if not I'll buy some. Any tips?

Dress: April Cornell

Shoes: The Urban Eccentric

Necklace: Garage sale, then altered by me.

Feedsack bow: handmade by me.

Me and my shadow.

I'm blocking the door. I know it says not to, but I'm just such a rebel.

I've been wanting to wear this hat for a while but had a tough time incorporating it into an outfit without feeling a little silly. I think the vibrant color in most of my closet clashed with the sharp lines of the hat, so last week when I found this little strappy dress at work I knew the two would be a match made in heaven. It's 80s, but has such a 30s feel, don't you think? To soften the look I added a lacy sweater blouse, it's not super frilly as to distract from the rest of the outfit, but not plain and sharp, otherwise I would look way too masculine. Balance, balance!

Walking back to the house I snapped a photo of my shadow and good friend Mr. Tri-pod. He makes most of my photos possible ;)

Dress and hat-The Urban Eccentric

Blouse-Estate sale

I'm considering trying out fingerwaves tomorrow since it's a home/grocery day, so at least if I mess up terribly no one has to see (grocery store fashionistas don't count).

New goods!

Clockwise from upper left: 1950s rayon dress with yellow embroidery $64, 1930s embroidered apron $22, 1950s floral dress $36, 1970s blue ruffle blouse $26, 1970s corduroy high waist pants $28
Here's some fun things going in my shop this week. As always if you would like a reserve or more information before an item goes up just send me an email or convo on Etsy. That black and yellow one is my favorite, it would look divine with a yellow wool swing coat over it, and a big ol' bumble bee brooch ;)

Topsy Turvy Hatties

To say that millinery is dead in these drab modern times, is to assume you have never seen a Topsy Turvy hat. And once you do there is no turning back.
I stumbled upon Kim Dyes shop a few months ago when browsing Etsy for hats, stunned at the pure dreamlike design each one holds. Her designs are a flirtation of lush materials and vivid imagination, making you wonder why on earth people don't wear hats anymore. They're too pretty not to wear.

Her Shien hat inspired me to go all out for that 18th century hat a while back and I love The Beaux thanks to the mix of wings and wild ribbon wrapping about. Just recently have I seen her Flickr account, full of pretty photos of the modeled hats in fantastic settings, and also tons of happy customer pics that make me say "hey, where was I for this fun costume party?"

If you are looking for that stunning addition for a Halloween costume (it's right around the corner) then there is nothing better than a Topsy Turvy hat. So go on and pick one out before September 15th and you'll have it for your oh so fabulous costume. I also saw some fantastic bridal photos featuring the hats, which would be so great!

And since Kim is such a sweetie, she's offering Vixen Vintage readers 10% off your order between now and October 31st 2009. Just send her a little covo on Etsy letting her know Solanah sent you and which hat you want ;) She's more than nice to work with, and even if hats aren't your cup of tea she offers a variety of pretty clips and headbands.

Etsy shop

Website (you'll want to check it out, it's way cute).

Flickr