Partridge family

This Swirl dress was in a big ol' lot of vintage clothes my sister in law Amy gave me, although at the time, I didn't know what a Swirl was, I just thought it was cute! It seems to have little partridges hanging out all over, and best of all, huge pockets!

Swirls are wrap dresses most popular in the 50s and 60s, that started out being sold as aprons, but come on, they're just too cute to stay at home! They seem to be quite in demand now, and I see why, they're the perfect "just throw on" dress. And in this case, a "hide a gross scaly sunburn" dress.

And of course, little cousin Dottie wanted in on the photos. She blows you a kiss, and wishes you all a happy weekend!

Photos by Ruth

Dress-Gift from Amy

Spanish Trails Hat-Courtesy of Modcloth

Anne Fogarty dress

While in Ohio I visited Revival a vintage/local clothing store in Akron. They don't have a huge vintage selection, but I always seem to have luck there. This time I found the most amazing striped quilted dress designed by my imaginary friend, Anne Fogarty. Remember her? She wrote Wife dressing in the 1950s, which I can now say is one of my favorite style books.

Now quilted circle skirts are a lovely little novelty I adore, though I don't actually own any (I know, I know, poor me.), so a quilted dress? With stripes? And pockets? By Anne Fogarty? For $20?

Jackpot.

It's fantastic to own a dress where I know a little something about the designer, and her thoughts on dressing. Like, why choose these colors? Was it designed with an event in mind? Did she ever wear the design herself? How would she have accessorized it? What would she have to say about how I styled it?

One thing is for sure, she would have worn petticoats! And four is better than one ;)

Anne Fogarty dress-Revival Vintage

Petticoats-Urban Eccentric Vintage and Antique expo

Hat-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Necklace-Inherited from my great grandmother

Swedish Hasbeens-Courtesy of Modcloth

Sunny days and giant hats

I got a new lacy petticoat last week, so thats how this outfit started. Playing around with it, I realized it was like a circle skirt, perfect for layering, something I haven't done before. So I put another red petticoat underneath and voila! Extra fluffy. I can put more under too, but that will have to wait for a circle skirt.
Then came the dress, a fabulous frock from Fab Gabs, I put on to model and didn't want to take off. So it came home with me.
And while looking for a hat, I saw this wonderful Christian Dior from Xtabay and knew it would be perfect.

Perfect for an unusually sunny and warm Saturday. I would like more of those please.

What's old is new again

Back to bangs!

I feel more like myself now. I'm keeping them longer this time, more Chuck and less Bettie.

Also, something I don't think I've ever mentioned before, bloomers! I wear them every day with skirts or dresses, you never know when a gust of wind will attack, so they're good to have. I've seen way too many knickers on girls who don't know how to wear a dress, better safe than sorry!

Later edit: I had a feeling some people would overanalyze my words, perhaps this is the reason I am a quiet person when I'm not behind a computer? I did not mean to offend anyone, when I say "don't know how to wear a skirt" I mean sitting with legs spread open, bouncing up stairs to the point where skirts spring up, revealing everything, things like that. These, and more, are all situations I've unintentionally seen, and I like to learn from mine, and other people's mishaps. So I started wearing bloomers for modesty's sake. Some people wear shorts, shapewear, slips, or are simply just self aware and careful, but at work I'm kneeling down, climbing up ladders, sitting on stools, and don't want to accidentally show a customer anything other than my knees. Bloomers are a security, one less thing to worry about, so I wear them. Do I think people who don't wear bloomers are less stylish or modest? Of course not. I simply mentioned them because I know a lot of girls have issues with wearing dresses because there can be little mishaps, and mannerisms you have to get used to. I thought it might help someone know that you can still wear a dress and not have to worry about silly little things. Thats all.



Dress, shoes, socks, and petticoat-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Bloomers-The Red Light

Hat-don't remember, it's ooolllld.

Fruit basket

I got this dress a while ago at Ladybirds General Store for nearly nothing since they sold it to me off the repair rack. It was in baaaaaad condition, it had been taken in with crooked stitching, had open seams, holes, the zipper was puckered, and worst of all had been "hemmed" (again, crookedly) with iron on hem tape. I can't tell you how much I hate that stuff. Most hems should be hand stitched, not machine, and most certainly not set with sticky iron on strips. After time the tape deteriorates, or just becomes sticky goo, and can ruin the fabric.

Do. Not. Use. Hem. Tape.

So I spent about a week restoring the poor little thing to it's original state, and it turned out quite nice! And when I picked up this fantastic cherry hat last week at Lodekka I knew just what to wear it with!

Dress-Ladybirds General Store

Hat-Lodekka

Shoes-Gift from Twila Jean

Breakfast for one

Last thursday I turned the ripe old age of 22 (don't worry, they're putting me in a home soon), and just happened to have my first photoshoot scheduled with the lovely Lara Blair. She contacted me a few weeks ago wanting to do some fun vintage style shoots, and as the weather improves, I'm sure you'll see many more!

These were taken at Je t'aime bakery, a place I frequent for soup and pastries. At the recent expo I found this amazing amazing 1940s bird hat, and a belt to match! I found them at the same vendor, so maybe the woman who owned them in the 40s wore them together too :)

Say "Jodhpurs" aloud. It fun.

I don't know when I started a teeny little equestrian obsession, but at some point it happened, probably from a collective of costume dramas and the Dior 2010 spring collection.

Downton Abbey has been airing here in the U.S. this month, and last week involved a very picturesque fox hunt. Inspired by all the pretty tailored outfits, I decided my jodhpurs needed to see the light of day, even if it was a very cold day!

They made me feel very sporty in a 1930s way, even if at first they seem kind of ridiculous. Now if only I had a horse and a mansion in the English country. Or just the mansion.

Jodhpurs-Fab Gabs

Blouse-Flashbacks, San Diego

Hat and boots-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Mr. Foxy-Gift from a friend

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve my family meets at a restaurant on the river for brunch. The view is very entertaining for the little ones, I'm sure they'll have lots of fond memories of the tradition. Even though I am lucky enough to see my family often, it's nice to get together with everyone all at once and share a meal and some laughs.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, can't wait to see what other bloggers have to show!

1950s suit, hat, and purse-Urban Eccentric Vintage

Coat-The Red Light

Shoes-A gift from Twila Jean

Brooch-Forever 21

Christmas shopping

I found a funny little hat to match my coat, isn't it cute? Honestly I think it's a bit silly, but so are the best hats. It was a hit while shopping downtown today though, I had no problem getting attention, even with the holiday rush ;)

At one store in particular (can't say which, christmas presents!), a number of men left their counters to assist me with one small purchase, boys are so funny when a well dressed girl walks through the door!

My mother and I had lunch at Jakes, as a gift from my grandmother. It was a wonderful, cozy lunch, complete with dessert and tea. Afterward I just wanted to curl up next to the fireplace and take a nap, a sign of a really good lunch :)

Hope everyone is having a nice holiday season, I've still got some presents to make!






Coat-Fab Gabs

Hat-Ebay

Shoes-Chie Mihara, from a garage sale

Purse-Urban Eccentric

Gloves-A gift

Pretending it's spring

The other day it was so bright and sunny out, heavy wools seemed unnecessary. It was, of course, still cold, but hey, it was like a little winter break. Or spring break?

*wooo!*

Aaaand, it was finally dry enough to wear my new shoes, aren't they lovely? I feel so dainty in them ;)

Dress-Buffalo Exchange, Portland, Or

Shoes-Courtesy of Modcloth

Brooch, and hat-Gift from mother, brooch from Decades Vintage