Shameless Picture Posting

Saturday we had an Easter Egg Hunt to attend, and as usual I procrastinated setting my hair in pin-curls. I ended up doing a dry pin-curl set and sprayed it with hair spray. I was sure when I took the pins out it was going to look like garbage, but much to my amazement this happened:

This hair style will go down as one of the best happy accident hair-dos ever. It look fantastic, up until the rain came and washed it all away. On another lively Easter weekend note, my new sunnies came in the mail! Here I am wearing them while Mr. Bogust models along with me...
My son, lives and breathes in that hat... twenty four hours a day. Thus, his hair generally looks like that as well.
Well, enjoy your Easter weekend! I will be back this week with more gratuitous image sharing.

The Stuck-Up Do

I was feeling very down and cross yesterday, after some incredibly hateful remarks were made on this blog. I am glad to see that day is over and here we are with a new post! What could a girl do to cheer herself up? A fancy hair-do of course.
Sometimes I find that the only thing that keeps me sane through certain days is having a really fun coif. So I pulled out my hot sticks and went to work to remedy my foul mood.
One. I pulled the hair up to give it lots of volume and curled (most) of them under.
two. It basically looked like this, I dont think it needs to be fancy or well wrapped to pull this style.
three. I waited about an hour and pulled the sticks out, and looked like a lunatic! fun!
four. I wrapped all the hair into little rolls all over my head. I basically made a ton of small victory rolls.
I wore this hair to a kid's birthday party a few weeks back, its a great style if you will be running around and active, as its up and out of the way, but still vintagely stylish.
If you want more loopy, rolly, swirly hair inspiration you should check out Solanah's post featuring many of our favorite bloggers.

Back in the Saddle

I am mostly healed from my tooth extractions, and ready to hit the keyboard again. I am sure you all missed me dreadfully over the weekend? Haha.

Today was an eventful day with my ever-favorite real-life blogger buddy, Solanah. We hit the thrift circuit and scored many great dresses for our Etsy Shops. Then we popped over to Hippo Hardware, to look at things I might need to restore my 1941 Bungalow. Hippo Hardware is an amazing salvage shop, full of wonderous old junk and delicious deco decor! Sinks, tubs, lights, door knobs, everything you need for your old house.
Of course while we were out and about we thought to stop and get some in action outfit pictures.
I am wearing my Grandma's fur cardigan, and the 1930s knit dress we thrifted. I pulled my hair into some victory rolls and faux bangs, as this has become my quick hair staple. I was complimented on my hair several times today, so thank you world for the ego boost!

If you are wondering what is going on in the bottom picture, I am standing under the giant hippo, of Hippo Harware. I sometimes get smushed by giant hippos, call it an occupational hazzard.
There you have my highly unusual outfit post du jour. One can't get to secure in one's surroundings, you never know when a giant hippo might appear!

30s Style Hair - You Can Do It!

I tried a new style for my hair today. I used Lauren Rennell's Vintage Hairstyling Book for a quick recap on how to finger wave. I finger waved the front section of my hair when I got out of the shower this morning. I then used Hot Sticks (two rows, curled UNDER) on the back. It was dry/cooled in about an hour. This hair style would work wonderfully in the morning if you have time before work! I think it turned out nicely, I will have to perfect it though...
Here is a quick video explaining it a bit more:


And here are a few before and after pictures, to give the full effect.
Hope you liked it, I will re-do a better more thorough tutorial soon, but my webcam is giving me the run around at the moment.

Insanely Busy, That's Me!

This weekend was such a whirlwind, I can barely remember parts. I had a wedding, a benefit show, a impromptu trip to the desert, and somewhere in there I was able to fit in a few hours of sleep.
The wedding went well, I got to wear a fancy Little Black Dress from the 50s, and some funky rhinestone jewels. After the wedding we headed to a benefit show in Vancouver at the BRICKHOUSE. A bunch of rockabilly bands played, and there were some amazing outfits floating around the room. (and some hideous trainwrecks, but hey! let's not judge.)
My friend Jessie was able to get a few snaps of me, being silly. Sadly this is all I have to document my amazing LBD and great hair-do.

I don't even know this guy, but we were having a Mustache War. I won, clearly!
Me, and the ladies. Oh, and my delicious Bloody Mary!

As soon as I woke up the next morning, I headed to central Oregon with my sister in law and her husband. Its a 3 hour drive to the desert, but well worth it for amazing thrifting. I brought along my little-uns and we stayed the night and scored some great dresses at local thrifts and op shops. I will have many new items posted in my Etsy Shop this week!

Stay Tuned...

I received my copy of Vintage Hairstyling 2nd Edition today to review it for you lovely readers of the Metropolitan Blog!
It is written by Lauren Rennells who also pens the Bobby Pin Blog. She really out did herself with the 2nd edition of her book, with huge full color images and step by step instructions. I can safely say I highly recommend this book to the novice who wants to learn more about hair styling, and likewise the advanced artist who is looking for new ideas.

Please look forward to before and after pictures on select styles from the book, as well as guest appearance posts from beginners who try the styles out for the first time.
At that time I will also include my full detailed review, so stay tuned for all the details.


And while you are waiting, add Vintage Hairstyling 2nd Edition to your amazon wish list! Or buy it and try it out with me.

If you want to submit your hair style pictures that you created with your copy of the book, I will add them to our full review along with your small blurb about how easy/hard it was to follow!
Submit yours to: exquisitebones (at) gmail (dot) com

A Tale of a Topper

I went to the Urban Eccentric and fell in love with this hat, so much so that I went home and dug through my drawers and hat piles. Once I had suffcient trade items I headed back down and traded my wares for this wonderful hat that I absolutely had to have.
Now I am happily in love with my new favorite hat. Its the sweetest mustard yellow 1930s topper ever.
I wish I would have gotten a full body shot when we went to the Fiesta for Tim's Grandma's 80th birthday. Alas, I only got these shots below. I did wear a lovely bright teal skirt with a black top and a funky little flower brooch.
I was a walking carnival of intense colors.

Tim's Uncle's Car... and flower pot?

Me and My Silly Husband (and my sweet 1940s umbrella!)

Look forward to seeing much more of this hat, as I never ever want to take it off my head again.
I must continue to hunt for a few more like this in other colors to complete my collection.
You too, should top your top with a topper!

Work, work, work

Today is my "monday" and so I am back at work at the baby boutique I own here in Vancouver.
Boomba Toomba, which is a silly nickname for my son, is what consumes my work week.
Sadly, this is a rough economy and I don't really make any money owning a brick and mortar shop, so I sell on ETSY to make spending money, a.k.a. money that goes to bills.

I should actually get some work done today, so I am off. I will however, leave you with an image of my hair du jour, whilst sitting at my desk at work. I am queen of the working slackers.
Sorry for the cruddy webcam quality, and the wonderful flourecent lighting we have in the shop.
I hope you all are enjoying your work week, or week off, how ever it may be.
And do remember the clock is ticking on my Give Away for the Vintage Hairstyling book, so enter soon if you have not already!

And! If my give away is not enough, check out Dismantled Fashions awesome $20.00 Gift Certificate giveaway... It must be give away season! CLICK HERE to go to her giveaway.

Quick Vintage Up-Do

Due to my lack of enthusiasm in life this week, I have been having a hard time pulling together a decent vintage look. Heck, I have been having a hard time pulling together a decent look period.

Today, I forced myself to put on a dress. I picked out a dress, put on stockings, but alas, my hair was straight as a board.

I went with my fall back "vintage-esque" up do for warmer months, and thought I would share it with you. Its quite similar to a "simple" hair style I showed a few months back, only the whole thing is pinned up instead.

(Click to enlarge.)

There you have it. 6 Bobby pins later and you have a quick and simple hair do.

I was headed to work and in a hurry with 2 children in tow, so I am sure your hair wont look nearly as messy!

One a side note: we are only 7 followers away from one super awesome give away here in Metropolitan Land, so stay tuned!

My Husband Calls Me a Crazy Lady

My son held his very 3rd birthday party on sunday. Like any self respecting mother I was running around frantic tying together loose ends all the way up til the first guest showed up.

Leave it to me to wait til the day of to bake a cake and set my hair! Oh what was I thinking?

In between making pasta salad, frosting a 2 layer cake, and trying to drink a cup of coffee, I was parked under my bonnet dryer desperately trying to get my curls to set, which as you can tell by pictures did not work. I ended up with Faux bangs and rolls, with pigtails.

I tell you ladies, don't procrastinate on birthday parties, it ends with un-curled hair!

So I present to you my "daily outfit" complete with apron and sponge rollers:

I forgot to share that Miss Rosina Lee presented me with a Blog Award! So here you have it darlings, someone out there things that I have "One Lovely Blog"

Sweaty Betty

This past saturday I had the pleasure of modeling for my friend Jessie Pavia. Jessie is starting a new clothing line of vintage/rockabilly inspired work out clothing for all you dames who like to look good while you bust your buns. She also makes awesome vintage inspired hair accessories and kustom jewelry!
The line is called Box Wine Betty, and will be hitting the streets very soon. The website is still in the works, but look forward to yours truly being a small part of it!
You can check out Jessie's Box Wine Betty on MYSPACE! (which also has a massive amount pictures of the new duds.)

Here is a quick shot or two from the shoot:

Photo by Kathy Carlisle

Photo by Amy Hall

The top and shorts (with an anchor on the bum!) are by Box Wine Betty, and the glasses are my own possession.

Riding the waves.

Trolling around the internet last night I came across an old post from the livejournal group, Vintage Hair.
Its a pretty solid tutorial on finger waves, which I have always been so-so at accomplishing.
I thought to myself, why? Why don't I fingerwave my hair more often? It fits the era I love perfectly.
So began my testing stage:

Clamp those babies down with Wave Clamps:

Grab a glass of wine, a bonnet dryer, and a book with 30s inspiration pictures
(alter this step as needed):

I pincurled the bottom and the back of my hair, so I brushed those out FIRST
then I patted the finger waves smooth with my hand. NO BRUSH!

All in all, the evening before (the wine andthe book) the waves turned out like rubbish, so I had to re-set it.
The "after" picture was from today, on the way to the farmers market!
I had a date with my son and he looks quite pleased over the whole event
I also forget every time I post, to share with you fine friends, my very first pair of high waisted shorts.
I dont like shorts, I have not worn a pair of shorts since I was somewhere near 10 years old. It's still taking some getting used to, but I am loving the high waisted wonderful-ness of it all:

Get your party hat on

A quick picture post, to let you all know it's my sons very 3rd of birthdays.

He has chocolate cake all over his face, and we are stuck here at work taking pictures with the new laptop webcam. 

So vintage ladies, feel good, smile, and laugh at these silly faces you are about to witness:

and one of my hair-do today, which was set with hot rollers (yuck)

Moms and Grads? Er, Dads?

Saturday night was my mother's college graduation. She is in her mid-40s so its kind of a big deal for her.
She received a bachelor's degree. I was pretty excited for her!
I did my hair in pincurls and half of them fell out, so at the last minute I had to use hot rollers on the other half of my head. What a sight I was to see. The end result worked out ok I guess.
I think it turned out slightly late 30s, which was silly, as my dress was late 50s. Oh well!


And last but not least, a terrible picture of my Mother and I at the end of the very long night.

fast hair for the vintage girl

I am often crunched for time with my 2 kids, small business, and vintage selling on the side.
I thought I would share with you, my fast hair when I have not had time to pin-curl.
I think this style likely works best if you have a longer fringe, not "bettie bangs" or whatever those are called these days. But you may be able to back-comb shorter bangs into the side part.
Basically, I do a deep side part and use bobby pins to pin both sides back.
I then take hot rollers, (a curling iron will work too.)
and curl the bottom of my hair upward.
Hair Spray, and you are ready.
I think it turns out nice and simple, and fits well with vintage dresses even if its not entirely authentic.

Dont I look really sad in pictures? I am not sure why, but I always look like I am going through a bitter break-up in pictures.

Ebay and What-not-ery

meh.

Confessions of an Irish Catholic?

Here is a quick sampling of my St. Patty's day outfit.
Its not really anything too fancy, as I had to work all day.
The Blouse is the green blouse I made a few months back.
The Skirt is the beautiful black 6 gore skirt I ordered a week ago.

I made sure to top the outfit off with victory rolls, seamed stockings (with a run, argh!) and my favorite pair of shoes..
My black I. Miller peep toe sling backs.

Hope you had a lovely green day too!

Silk Worm

I know for a fact this has been up and down the blog-o-sphere. But I have 2 kids, and seldom leave my house, so we just now went to the theater to see "WATCHMEN"
The movie was good, Tim read the "graphic novel" so he was a bit more into it than I was. The movie was quite visually stimulating, if you can ignore the massive amounts of male nudity. Ha!
I got all dressed up, and wore my new dress I got at the Urban Eccentric the other day.
Its darling, and I will post a better picture of the whole thing soon.
My hair, magically did not curl last night, so I had these olast minute pin-curls in my hair hoping to save it.
I think the end result worked out rather nicely.
And look at that perfect bang roll?!?! I cant believe that.
We grabbed some dinner, and everyone I walked by made comments about Old Hollywood. That is always so nice to hear.



Ok, Back to the movie.
Oh-Em-Gee. Silk Spectre. I know, I know, everyone has blogged about it.
But how darling, how exquisite.
I think, nay, I know I can re-create that hair do when my hair gets longer, and I plan to do it!
Her finger nails, her lip-stick, her sassy attitude. Fantastic! She was hands down my favorite part of the movie.
Silk Spectre II did nothing for me. I think the gratuitous sex scene killed her character for me. bleh.

grandmothers.

My great-grandmother, was a mean-spirited little German woman, who my kind-hearted Grandpa met while driving tanks in WWII. She was cranky and strict, and drove my grandmother nuts. I am hard pressed to find fond family memories about her.
When she died, my grandmother put her jewelry box away, until I was old enough for it.
I was giving a handful of this jewelry this year. All of her jewelry is pre-1965 and she had, for the most part, rather fantastic taste. Most of it is darling and very art deco.
One piece is this gold Trifari set, which is really quite beautiful. I would love this piece, except for one small problem. I dont wear gold. I never have and I never will. So I sent it over to ETSY, someone else will love it more than me.

Gold Trifari Set

In other news of the night, its been a while since I got to really play around with photoshop, which used to be one of my favorite past times. So I nabbed a picture of me yesterday, and added a little "midnight sepia"
I think it turned out rather charming.

Welcome to Niagra Falls...

The other day, I had the fun chance to do a shoot with a girl from my town.
She rolls under the name Bright Ideas.
It was the first shoot I had done in a while, and was way laid back. I even got to have a beer and hang out in between shots! I wore several of my favorite dresses from the past. Including my favorite green 50s cocktail dress. It felt great to be doing it again, and I am booking shoots for the next few months!
Anyway, on to the fun here are some shots from this valentines weekend.





By the way, I later ate that apple, and it was delicious.