Links Links Links

I've seen some fantastic tutorials and giveaways recently, so I thought I'd share some of my favorite internet finds of the past week:

~ I found this wonderful tutorial for finger waves on vintagehair- it looks so easy! I was so inspired I ran to Sally's and bought wave clips and setting lotion; will definitely be trying this soon.

~ Another great tutorial at Diary of a Vintage Girl showing how she achieves her flawless 40's look with hot sticks-- It never would have occurred to me to use them! Much easier and faster than pin curls, it results in a similar look. Check it out.

~ Lauren at her Bobby Pin Blog posted a link to BooBooGB's photostream on Flickr; a great source of thousands of photos of famous vintage starlets and their amazing style. Browse through for some inspiration for hair styles.

~ Over at the Freelancer's Fashion Blog (one of my very favorite blogs) there's a giveaway for a beautiful BB Dakota Moonstone Blue Flawless Dress from Chickdowntown; all you have to do is post a comment!

~ Last but not least, the adorable Casey at Casey's Elegant Musings is also having a giveaway from Chickdowntown-- the BB Dakota Bubblegum Dress. Just leave a comment telling the story of your favorite summer fashion memory.

Check these out and I'll be back soon to tell of my weekend adventures!
Erin

Oh Dear...

Here's my second attempt at pin curls. I have the basic rolling movement down, but my hair is super thick and frizzy (probably at least partly due to the fact that my hair has been super blonde, black, and green at some point in my life), which makes it really difficult to make the curls neat and tidy. Definitely better than my first attempt though, so there is hope!


My boyfriend's parents are coming to visit today from New Jersey and I'm super excited. I'm taking them to Charlottesville tonight for dinner with my parents, whom they haven't met yet (Even though it's been nearly a year and a half!)

Wish me luck!
Erin

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else but Me)

Summer has officially begun, and so far all I've done is work and sit around, miserable, in my non-air conditioned house. I absolutely love the outdoors; hiking, camping, picnicking, swimming in rivers and lakes. I now have a fresh resolve to enjoy the summer while it lasts. Just to prove it, I'll make sure and post some evidence of my forthcoming adventures. Right now I would love to enjoy a cool breeze before the sun goes down, having a romantic picnic with the bf.

Top Left: Lucy Brooks
Bottom Left: Strawberry Koi
Top Right: Bordons
Bottom Right: Anna Verlet
Bottom Center: Mine

I just gave in and bought a pretty pretty dress from one of my favorite etsy shops, Vintage Takeout.


I can see myself wearing this on a romantic picnic with pincurls and perhaps some white t-strap heels.

To Summer!
Erin

Any Bonds Today?

With July 4th approaching, it's time to pull out some appropriate vintage fashion. In general, I tend to avoid red, white, and blue, but when it comes to vintage clothing, this color combination, typically with a nautical theme, is one of my favorites. I'm not a particularly patriotic person, aside from acknowledging how lucky and privileged I've been all my life, but I do love the romantic notions of WWII patriotism. Here's one of my favorite WWII posters...

Apparently carpooling isn't a new concept, and if this isn't incentive, I don't know what is!

Here are some clothes (vintage or vintage inspired) to wear while you settle down on a picnic blanket with your guy or your pals and watch the fireworks on the 4th

Nantucket Weekender Dress $94.99 at ModCloth

Retro Rodeo Red Scroll Mary Jane's $49.00 at PLASTICLAND

Sailor Girl Skirt $40.00 at Dismantled Fashions

I think I'm going to try to make something like this on my own soon..

Vintage 70's striped Strawberry Sailor Collar Dress $36.00 estatesale's etsy shop

And don't forget underneath!

Sailor Lingerie Set including bra, suspender belt, and knickers from What Katie Did

And finally my own nautical theme inspired outfit

Top: ( I know it's hard to see; the pattern has anchors and steering wheels) Thrifted, refashioned by me.
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: Steve Madden

Enjoy!
Erin

Monday Night Doldrums

So far, I'm not having a particularly inspiring week. I have a few projects I'm going to start soon, including a sewing machine cover and an apron, but I'm feeling kind of discouraged by my lack of ability, my lack of equipment, and especially, my lack of space. The weekend has left me exhausted, but was not without its high points, including my first real margarita.

I have to work a lot this week, but I'll be posting again when I get hit with a bit of inspiration,
Erin

Brazzle Dazzle Day!

Weather has been awful around here recently. As a result, I've been staying in all day, bored out of my mind. I'm thinking about going home to my parents' later tonight, but it will more than likely be just as boring there. This weekend should be fairly eventful, though. Both my Mom and Dad are entered in the MS150, a 150 mile road bike race around Charlottesville and Crozet to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis. They've done it for several years, and I always try to go and cheer them on. It always amazes me how athletic they both are; it makes me look horrible in comparison, but I'm very proud of them, especially my Mom. The big story this weekend is my Uncle Michael, a colonel in the army, is retiring. There's a big ceremony at the Pentagon Friday and a party at their house in Woodbridge on Saturday. I have a very big family (Irish Catholics...) and I hear that entire side of my family will be in town (just to make a point, there will be 4 aunts, 4 uncles, and 10 cousins). I'm quite nervous; I haven't been around that entire side of my family together for probably 15 years. I don't fit in at all; them being conservative christians and me the outcast black sheep liberal atheist with *gasp* tattoos and piercings! Not to mention the fact that my Mom divorced my Dad and married another woman. I should return with a few interesting stories...

As I said yesterday, I recently purchased my first sewing patterns, and a beginners sewing book. My first attempt was a pattern from the book; the "easy breezy wrap skirt." Not so terribly easy breezy for me... It was definitely good practice, and I did a few things right. Sewing from a pattern actually kind of reminds me of organic chemistry; you have to be able to visualize a 3-D image from text, and how it exists in space. On that point, I had quite a bit of trouble understanding the instructions regarding the ties of the skirt where it says to make a hole to pull the tie through. After reading the step probably 50 times, I gave up and completely ignored it. Also, the tension on my sewing machine was odd, and adjusting it didn't seem to help so the seams are a bit puckered. All in all, though, I don't think it was a complete disaster as I deem the skirt to be wearable (even though someone a bit more girly would probably disagree with me on that point).
The yellow gingham fabric is a bit see-through, so I'll have to get a slip. Also, note the fabulous new shoes I just ordered from PLASTICLAND.



I doubt anyone recognized the reference to the Disney movie Pete's Dragon in the title of the post. This was my absolute favorite movie when I was a kid. At least partially responsible for my love of nautical things, it takes place in Passamaquoddy, fictional town in Bar Harbor, Maine, a place where I vacationed when I was very very little. After looking around town for a long time, I decided to order an old VHS off of amazon. I watched it last night with my boyfriend, John. I even remembered parts of the songs! And it still melts my heart when Helen Reddy longingly sings "Candle on the Water" from the top of the lighthouse, waiting for her true love lost at sea to come back to her.

A few fun facts from the movie:
- It was the first Disney film to be released on VHS
- The song "Candle on the Water" received an academy award nomination
- The movie was actually filmed in California and the crew had to get special permission from the Coast Guard to use the lighthouse so it wouldn't confuse passing ships.
- There's an episode of Family Guy with a parody of the movie (involving Ben Stiller)

Also, I want this------>Terribly Tasteless!
Here's the Pete's Dragon drinking game (created and tested by me)
Drink whenever:
- Someone breaks into song
- Someone CORRECTLY says Passamaquoddy
- You see someone reeaally ugly
- Every time a dragon completely appears/disappears
- Every time the dragon does something clumsy
- Every time someone falls into water/mud/tar
and finally, CHUG when you hear a foghorn

Enjoy!!

Ahoy Mateys!

Hello all! I've wanted to create a blog for some time now and this summer and the lack of hours I'm getting at work have finally given me a chance! So far this summer I've been trying to explore (or discover, really) my craftier/girlier side. For some time now I've really loved vintage style, especially 1940's, and I've been following several blogs written by lovely, creative girls that I know I could never match. Lately, though, I have been making attempts at vintage fashion and makeup/hair. I've even sewed my very first pattern! So, I hope I can amuse you all with my amateur attempts, and perhaps endear you all to me with the effort I've been putting in. I may also post some music (likely of the hardcore punk variety; I know, I'm a bit of an enigma).

I'll start off by showing you my first project of the summer....

Desk thrifted, then painted by me

Also, I'll be posting things I want but can't afford. Right now this fabric (from Runaway Coast) has my heart broken...

Have a lovely day!
Erin