Graduation Day

Today was my 5 year old son's preschool graduation! I tried to get my blog pictures in before hand so I didn't have to pose with tear filled eyes. I am wearing a fabulous new dress I just picked up at a local shop, with bright pink flowers all over it. I am on the fence about keeping it or selling it, I just can't seem to decide.





And now for a true inside look at how I obtain my blog pictures. I call this series: "Little Kids Who Won't Stay The Hell Out Of My Pictures." Follow the progression of children who don't seem to understand the term "please go stand over by Toma while he takes Mama's picture"
(Note: No children we actually harmed in the making of these images.)




After the agony of getting some outfit pictures, I took several hundred pictures at the graduation ceremony, cried a lot, and ate some cake. I am mind blown that a kindergartener belongs to me. I am so proud of that little squid! Oh dear, I am tearing up again...


Happy Graduation Day Auggie B!

A Witchy Woman

The darling and lovely Sandra of The Witchery Vintage was kind enough to gift me a fabulous dress for my up and coming birthday. I had been eyeballing this dress for some time, but when money got tight, I took it off reserve and gave up the hope of owning such a beautiful piece. I was amazingly surprised when I got her message that she would in fact be posting it to me!
Sandra has been a fairly long term sponsor of this here blog, and so I would just like to give her a huge shout out. If you haven't stopped in on the The Witchery Vintage lately you need to peruse, as she has gotten some fabulous 50's frocks in lately.
I promised Sandra I would snap some shots of the dress in action, so I spent a few days thinking up a plan and enlisted Toma to do my shooting. My plan was shot all to pieces when the camera battery died. Then our back up analog plan fell apart when we left the film at home. So the location changed a few times and its not my initial vision, but I share with you.... My trip to the market / walking across bridges / dangerous wall climbing: A Photographic Montage.

(All photos taken by Toma Amendolara)

The dress is simple white cotton with black flowers all over it. Rhinestones are the bodice, and the cap sleeves hang just off the shoulders. I think I have found my new "go-to" dress for summer. Thank you Sandra!!!

Rooted

I am sure you remember the places you went as a teenager. The places you probably didn't want your parents to know about. It strange to me how tiny insignificant things can trigger whole floods of memories. I remember staying out too late, with too many friends. I recall bonfires, and music from car stereos echoing through the fields. The spooky tree is one of those places.
I went there today and after reading signs about live gun-fire and target practice during open season I couldn't help but be amazed we all came home alive.

Let's see, how can I tie this into vintage? I don't rightly know, but I am sure teenagers of the 1950s had plenty of secret places to hang out. So there is the correllation. It's not a good one, but it is what you get.

Of course, you are seeing a reappearance of the shoes.. I really must get a pair in a different color, so you might see some diversity on this here blog. But for now, I will continue to build entire outfits around them, like my favorite brown 50's wool skirt, and black cardigan.
For those who don't know I am a complete sucker for sweater clips. I don't like to button cardigans. Why would I when I can have cute little clasps holding my covering together?

I also think it's about time for a bang trim, why must the grow so fast?

Of Crinolines and Children...

A few weeks back my darling sister-in-law-ish-person Sharon Svec asked me to model for a website she was building for an electric bike company called Pedal In Power Out. My part in the shoot, was being a lady at home getting her groceries delivered on the electric bike. That photo is live on the website I believe. My kids refused to participate during the actual shoot but the photographer Kelly Goode of Capture Photography caught a lot of fun shots before we had to move on to the next location.




Kelly even blogged about the shoot with some more images of me (and my legs?) over here at her blog, Cameras and Light. Everyone who worked on this project was super sweet, and at the end we shared some pizza, beers, and apple juice for the kids. I am happy I got to have a little fun and take part in this, plus I get to have these amazing photo memories of the tiny's and Me.
Thanks to everyone who was involved and if I missed any links, let me know so I cant make that happen.

Bound for Billetproof

This weekend we loaded up the kids and headed North to Billetproof. Chehalis, Washington hosts this huge gathering of hot-rods and bikes every year. Texas, Michigan, and California also host Billetproof once a year, so if you live near by I suggest checking it out.
It was very hot, and supremely bright out, but worth every hour of visiting good friends and hanging out with cool cars. I even ran into local blogger Atomic Redhead!
I brought my camera along and took tons of pictures, which I was going to share with you, but photographer Mark Coffin said it better than anyone could, so I guess I will share his shots instead!
Mark is amazing, not only did he nab some killer snaps of my little daughter dearest and I, he got some fabulous shots of all the amazing cars. Many of us wandered the fairgrounds with umbrellas and parasols to hide from the glaring sun, even Margaux Jean.
The Husband drove us up, and my son was also along for the ride. Here he is driving grandpa's Salt Flat Rat with Dad to the right and Margaux as a pin-up passenger.
All in all it was a wonderful day, with tons of family and friends. I love car shows and cant wait til Hotrod-A-Rama, and Jake's Birthday! Hopefully our 27' T will be running by then and we will have something fantastic to drive up in.

Rained Out.

On Sunday Solanah and I attended a friend's wedding in a lovely botanical garden. Sadly, here in the Pacific Northwest the month of June is quite unpredictable weather-wise, so the wedding was a bit chilly, and a hair rainy.
When we arrived, (an hour early...) we decided to wander around the gardens taking some pictures. Solanah snapped a few of me playing on a trail.
The wedding had a strict all black dress code, so Solanah and I were of course matchy-matchy, although I am convinced that we can not hang out and not match. Before the numptuials began we snuck some food in a corner (my shush face picture explains,) because we were starved. Cue bridal procession...
We made some lovely friends at the wedding, one of which took a few snaps of us, our hats, and the umbrella we shared during the damp vow exchange.
The reception was fun thanks to our new found wedding friends, who shared a table with us. And of course, every wedding gets better with...

WINE!

All in all, despite the wet conditions, it was a lovely ceremony with fun people and tasty treats to eat. And the cake was BEAUTIFUL! (but I was too full of wine to eat any. *sad face*)
Ahhh... wedding season, seems it will be a busy summer.

A Very Beige Sundress

Yesterday I began sewing up a cute little sundress, which you may remember from this post. The pattern came cut on vintage fabric with all the original notions! Now, because of this I didn't get to choose the fabric, so its a very light beige, but quite cute, and has dark brown bias for the trim.
The darts in this dress are amazing, and the back of the skirt has a lovely little fish-tail godet. This pattern is a relatively quick sew, and easy to follow, I recommend it if you are a new sewer looking for a cute sundress! My daughter woke up during the sewing, so you can see her snuggling in the background in the above shot.
The dress is actually a bit further along than these pictures, but after a bobbin mishap yesterday I decided I needed a time-out from it. I am going to try and wrap up sewing it today or tomorrow, so I can move on to making it in a more flattering fabric. I picked red dot fabric and trim last night, and can't wait to make this dress again.
On that note, when trying this dress on, it became very clear that beige is not my color. It works against my skin tone completely. So if you are a 26" waist and interested in a McCall's 4001 sundress, I am probably going to throw it up here for sale!

Dungarees to Dig In

Sunday, was lovely and bright here! I spent the morning wandering around the yard, looking at all the flowers popping up, and playing a little soccer with the kids. I set up my little metal table under a tree out back, I can't wait for summer so I can have breakfast outside with the family.

(click to enlarge.)

By some strange turn of magical events my husband decided to built a box around my garden plot. I was so happy when he arrived home to build it for me today! Tomorrow, if we are blessed with more sunshine, will be planting day!

(click to enlarge.)

Is my head scarf not the funniest thing ever? I had no idea it had come so untied and poofy. I look like Minnie Mouse. A riot!
My dungarees are, of course, the Freddies Of Pinewood 50s reproduction jeans. I adore these jeans, and they make gardening a very stylish affair. If you don't own a pair yet, you should order some... garden season is here!

The Jean Jeanie

I am not sure how I forgot to mention I finally received my jeans from Freddies Of Pinewood?! They are here, after a small wait, and a few mix-ups they have arrived. They are still not the jeans I ordered, nor are they the back up pair I ordered, but rather a pair I never even considered. But once they got here and they fit like a glove, I decided I would keep them instead of put up a fight.

They are such high quality denim and truly well made. I am so happy with them I could scream! If I had an endless purse I would buy another pair, in the color I actually wanted, because they fit like a dream. While I worried they would look like high-waist "mom jeans," I was pleasantly surprised when they were smoothing and trim. Even my husband likes them, and he hates almost anything involving high-waist style pants.
Oh I suppose you want to see pictures then? Of course you do...
I wore this outfit yesterday, when I assumed I would be doing garden work. The weather thought I would be doing otherwise and sent in a storm instead. I am wearing my new favorite blouse I picked up at a local thrift store! I love a cute tailored blouse, and it matches my favorite hair flowers too.

Today, I was actually able to get some garden work done, so I put them back on and headed outside. We dug out the plot where the garden bed will be, and then tarped it over to kill the weeds. The kids of course wanted to help dig in the dirt, so I let them have at it. It was a glorious sun shining Saint Patrick's Day, and I am thankful for that.

Hope you had a splendid holiday, and that the sun is reaching you all! I know I am thankful to see its bright glowing rays of spring.

Photoshoots and 40% OFF Sales.

Last week I had the chance to model for a local photographer in my vintage attire, in my vintage kitchen. I shot with Mr. T PDX and am super pleased with the little teaser shot I was given. More are on the way, but this is one of my absolute favorites.
The idea behind this shot was a housewife on break and drinkin' it up a bit before the husband comes home. I think it turned out just peachy.

On another note, I am having a clearance sale in my etsy shop, to celebrate my new house and new photo backdrop. The sale section is here, and prices are marked down 40%.

The 30s stripe blouse and 50s shirtwaist dress are included in the sale, as well as many other items. So do feel free to pop over and see if there is anything you need.

Long sunny Weekends

This weekend was so beautiful here. Sunny but very chilly. I spent a good part of the weekend hanging out with Solanah, my kids, and husband. All in all, I was just happy to see the sun, though its gone already.
Solanah shot this picture of me, and I just think its so very wonderful. I think it looks rather close to a real vintage photo, if it were in black and white I guess.

In other news, I had my first Front Page feature on Etsy last night in the middle of the night! I was really excited to wake up and see that. Looks like my new house and backdrop have really paid off! They used this skirt in the feature, and boy have the hearts jumped on it ever since.

Pink and brown stripe circle skirt. Extra Small, found Here for $32.00! What a great excuse to wear a huge Crinoline! I love big, poofy skirts, they excite me so.

The Poof

I love big, bad, petticoats. I was lucky enough to get one from Lisa of Light and Shadow Photography during her moving sale, and its huge! Its a light blue late 50s crinoline, and I am so happy with it.

There is something so fun and girly about wearing a fluffy crinoline. I know in the past I have shared links on where to purchase some petticoats, but as a refresher here are a few more.
Here are some cool colored ones by Hey Viv! on Amazon.
This one is a longer tea length style, but less fluffy over at Unique Vintage.
Here is a mid-length one from Sock Dreams.
There is even one at Secrets in Lace, who knew?

Don't Forget to check etsy, for authentic vintage ones, they are listed quite often and come in a wide variety of styles and colors!

Sunday Stripes

My weekend has been spent in petticoats and spectacular stockings. I am such a sucker for unusual leg-wear, I can't pass it up. The husband was kind enough to buy me a pair of vertical stripe stockings, and I wish I could live in them, they are too much fun!
Here is a view of my weekend attire, stockings included of course.
Outfit details include a red 40s suit jacket, 50s black velvet skirt, 50s white petticoat, vertical stripe stockings, and modern shoes with a vintage flair. Everything about my outfit, except the stockings is 100% thrifted. I am such a Frugal Frannie, I love to save money and wear old clothes.

Hope you all had a splendid weekend! Next up, pictures of our new house. We are moving into the 1941 Bungalow this weekend! Huzzah!