All Hallows' Eve

I know, I know, we are still nearly 2 months from Hallowe'en, but it's my favorite holiday so I get excited quite early. I have been brainstorming and musing my plans of attack for a costume this year. I am attending a "Witches Night Out" spook fest for ladies only where you must come, as the name suggests, dressed in Witches Finery.

There are lots of ways to go about this, as you can quite easily blur the lines between Witches, Vampires, and other ghouls of the great abyss. No one will pay that close of attention any how.

SO, like any vintage mind would, I turned to the likes of Vampira, Morticia, and Lilly.
Classic ghoulish gals from yesteryear.

(click to enlarge.)

The next train of thought I fall captive to, is 16th century dame Queen Elizabeth. I think she could quite easily take a witchy form with her captivating style. Similarly I love the beauty behind 17th century style, and we can see from Sleepy Hollow, it makes for very convincing witchery!
Costumes seem to be readily available in these categories, but require a sizeable coinpurse.

I am contemplating sewing from scratch once I decided which muse to go with. Its so tempting to do them all. I hope this gets you in the mood for All Hallows, and if you need some more inspiration for costumes and such, check out these links:

AnnaLadyMoon: ETSY shop, corsets and spooky themed handmade apparel.
Spooky Kitten Couture: ETSY shop, with AMAZING victorian style costumes, for a pretty darn good price!!!!!
Haloween Express: *some* cool historical costumes, similar to etsy pricing, but probably made of lesser quality materials, and manufactured in China. Still, some cool stuff.
Baby Girl Bouttique: Some, sort of period inspired costumes, in the leg avenue vein of "sexy halloween" (which I dont quite understand myself, plus its COLD on Halloween haha.) But, some very nice pieces are scattered through out.
Costume and Prop Shop: Seems to have quite a few different styles and eras to choose from. I think it may before theatre, but bears similar prices to an average halloween costume.

I hope your spooky wheels are turning now!

Billie Jo Retro - Vintage Inspired Fabulousness

I am in a promoting mood. Due to the awful economy I have been forced to close my Brick and Mortar baby store, Boomba Toomba.
Because of my depression and anxiety over this, I have been trying to spread the word on many of my favorite small companies who are vintage inspired in hopes that they might live on!
Today I would like to mention my current favorite of the reproduction lines: Billie Jo Retro.
BJR is a 3 woman company based here in Portland, Houston, and New York. The economy has hit many small clothing lines hard, so I hope you will think to the little guys when you are hunting for a good repro this year!
BJR is set to have a whole new line out in 1-2 months, (I CANT WAIT!!!) but for now there are still some great staples on the website.
Here is a small array of lovely items she has to offer either now, or very soon. (click to enlarge.)



And this is just a small sampling of all the lovely items Billie Jo has to offer and of what will be coming so very soon!

You can check out Billie Jo Retro on their Website and also chat them up on Myspace.

If you live in portland you can score some amazing prices on the biggest clearance sale in the NW www.bargainhuntingPDX.com.
60 local designers and boutiques will be there including Billie Jo Retro selling their wares for up to 80% off! what a deal. (HERE is what BJR will have on sale!)
The sale is August 16th 12pm-5pm at the Crystal Ballroom.
If you make it to the sale make sure to say Hi to me as I will be there making the thrifty rounds and taking lots of pictures.