Obligatory Family Photo

So, Christmas happened? Right? Ok, well I suppose I should post our family photo even if it is a little late, and running behind my new years post. You might remember from this post, while road tripping through Idaho I scored my vintage Aluminum Christmas tree! So here she is in all of her glory, and the best I could get of all three of my kids in one shot. Merry whatever you celebrate!

three outfits later

Everyone is doing their christmas recap posts this week, so I will keep mine short and simple and filled with pictures of my outfit changes. My hair wouldn't work with me, so it changed 3 times. My shoes didn't match my epic christmas present, so those had to change too...

So onto several different things that all happened in one Merry Christmas day. (Oh, and lots of clip on ties too!)

In this post I got to wear not one, but two pairs of Bordello's by Pleaser! The red and white lovelies were my gift this year from Toma, and the leopard platforms were last years present! I hope to continue to get more bordello's each year for the holidays, my collection is growing rapidly!

A note about the amazing mustard coat with dyed rabbit fur at the very end. I wanted that coat more than anything, and threw a fit when I wasnt home to make a final bid on ebay. I even emailed the seller asking if the bidder fell through to let me know so I could buy it! Turns out the bidder was my mother, and she had this for my Christmas gift all along. Anyone who knows my mother, knows she can't ever trick me or pull things like this off. This year she did. I love this coat so much!

Seasons Greetings

Obligatory holiday post here. We decked our tree this year in a lovely mix of red and turquoise. These are my two most favorite colors, and since then I have added quite a few presents wrapped to match the tree. I bought several vintage shinny brights off etsy this year to fill in my tree! I love old glass ornaments. Sadly I didnt get to have my aluminum tree, as it sold from my work before I could afford it. It must not have been meant to be. So here is our tree and family picture. Take note at how cheery the men look...





Hope you all have a lovely holiday! I am off to finish my shopping, and get ready for the crazy weekend coming up.

An Agonizing Christmas Story..

My family celebrates Christmas whenever we can get around to it. This year it happened to fall on Christmas Eve. I made a completely non-traditional dinner of Salmon Chowder, with anti-pasto and artisan breads. I did however bake a pumpkin pie, to keep with the holiday spirit.

This will go on record as one of the most painful weeks of my life, due to an awful tooth ache I had for the 3 days before and during Christmas. It was a blinding pain that no amount of medicine seemed to dull. My mom captured this shot of me cooking soup in the kitchen, looking worn out due to excruciating pain.

The following morning I did start to feel better, and opened my gifts from my husband. He didn't buy my gifts til 2 days before Christmas so I didn't think I was even getting anything. He impressed me with Mac's Ruby Woo lipstick, Mac false lashes, and a stunning blue-green rhinestone necklace and earrings set. Here they all are in use:
I am so happy that the Holidays are over and we can focus ourselves on getting into the new house and decorating! We are aiming to close in about 4 weeks. I can not wait to have a home that is our own, and enough bedrooms for everyone.

Hope your holidays were pleasant and peaceful. Now lets get ready for 2010!

An Heirloom Xmas

As promised, here at the pictures of our tree completed. We always use ornaments sparingly. We always decorate with red and silver, with a mix of vintage and modern glass balls. The Stockings are hung by the chimney with care... Stockings handmade by me! I made them last year out of wool felt, and I love the way they came out. I really feel that making your family stockings, is a simple way to make an heirloom piece that will be remembered for many years.
I still have the stocking my great grandma made me as a baby. My grandma has the one she made her as well, (circa 1955!)

I found many cool resources online to make my own stockings, and just kind of blindly jumped in and went for it. I think they turned out quite festive!

(click to enlarge all images!)

The following morning we set up the wooden trains on the coffee table, and when I came back in the room Margaux had climbed into the center and was going Godzilla on the poor wooden people. It made for a lovely picture though.

Stay tuned! Tomorrow holds a post about our new house. The inspection was yesterday, and the appraisal is next week! I have pictures of us hanging out for the inspection of our 1941 bungalow. It's all extremely exciting. See you tomorrow!

Hunting the Elusive Noble Fir

I know a lot of you likely do the Aluminum tree thing, as that is pretty retro, and well, we are all pretty retro. I however, love the thrill of the hunt for the perfect tree, that fills my house with a aromatic pine scent. It feels especially christmas-y in my house at the moment, the new tree is by the fireplace with stockings and ornaments.

We took the kids up to the mountain where there is a delightful tree farm with a warm bonfire blazing, and hot cocoa for all. We picked our tree and the kids had cocoa and candy canes by the fire. I kicked the mud off of my high heel shoes, while all the mountain ladies looked at me like I was pure mad for wearing a skirt & petticoat to the tree farm. My hair was once in victory rolls which started to fall out when we got there, but you get the idea...

(click to enlarge.)

The full tree in decorated glory, and home-made stockings post will be up tomorrow. Sorry friends, you are going to have to wait. For now, enjoy the sassy little kids and my lopsided victory rolls!

The Fancy Lady's Gift Guide

I know that men might be just a little bit hard of hearing when it comes gift-y hinting. My husband is no exception. I hint to my favorite things every year and every year I get some thing else. Sometimes the gifts are wonderful anyway so I don't care. Other times he has given me some odd items, that end up in his garage for him to use? Regardless, this year I gave my hint, going so far as to email him a link to the website. The Metropolitan house was hit with some pretty bad blows this year financially, so I made sure to ask for only one reasonably priced item which I am sure to not receive...

A gift voucher to What Katie Did. Yes, this is number one on my gift guide of wonderful things to give to someone you know and love. Who does not feel better in decadent lingerie? (And if I have any male readers? This gift is mutually beneficial if you ask me!)

Of course no vintage gift guide would be complete without Lauren Rennell's Vintage Hairstyling instruction book. This is a must read for many vintage dames, or girls who want basic help with styling.

If you have a friend who is into old clothes or modern fashions, the Bésame Cosmetics Voluptuous Lip Colour Set is a great pick. Perfectly paired items with a lip brush included. And whats best, if you are posting it out, they offer gift wrap! How thoughtful.


Of course, who could say no to a pair of Trousers from Vivien Of Holloway. Not me that's for sure. In fact I am a 26" waist *wink wink* I kid, I kid! For sure this will light up any vintagette's eyes when she finds it under the tree!




Basically any dress from the Bettie Page Clothing Co. will work in your favor as a gift item. I am not huge into reproductions, but If I were going to buy repro it would be from Bettie Page Clothing. The truest forms of vintage style dresses, they have the most delightful character.

Lest we forget the stocking stuffing! My Baby Jo offers some lovely hair flowers, barrettes, and bows to adorn Victory Rolls. Check them out Here. There are many to choose from and look to be of high quality.


So readers, the trick to making this all work, is leaving this page open on the computer screen and when you fella is ready to check his my-twit-book he will see this, and know exactly what to get you this holiday season!