The Sour Parts

Recently I worked with Sourpuss Clothing to produce a shoot along side my daughter wearing a newly release set of items. We got to strut our stuff on the river side in the Bee Mine dresses for both Mama and daughter. Margaux is quite the diva and was incredibly hard to shoot... but all her unrealistic demands aside we managed to capture a few great shots that I truly treasure.














It's been hot as Hades here and these pinafore style dresses are super lightweight material so they have quickly become go to staples in our summer wardrobe. But honestly my main obsession lies in the cute little bumble bee cardigan that pairs with the dress.  The little bows at the cuff??? Are you kidding me with this cuteness! Margaux loves the sweater too, but she is going through a princess phase at the moment and only wears dresses and proclaimed to me "Mom! Im a rockabilly princess!" Ha!
The whole thing reminds me of the mid-50s Family Circle magazines, where the fashion ads always featured a mother in a fabulous dress with her daughter donning matching threads. I think its a trend that would be lovely to revive!

Dismantled Fashions, and Me.

I am excited to share my pictures from Vorpal Images for Dismantled Fashions. I had so much fun doing a retro style shoot, where I could be...myself. Normally when I model I steer clear of vintage and retro styled shooting, but I realize now how much I love just being me.
I had fun playing around with my my vintage accessories and styling it with Dismantled Fashions. I hope you like them I am in love!

You can click to enlarge to see the full view on any of those images.

To give credit where credit is due, the dress and bolero are by Dismantled Fashions.
The clutch wallet is by Trophy Queen.
The Hair clip is by Lucky Cupcake Hairclips.
The red sweater is mine, and the sweet shades are mine, purchased from Bombshell Bettie's.

Meet Nicole Katherine Designs...

Here in the US, we have a problem. I don't know if this problem applies to countries abroad, but here all of our working class, blue collar jobs are being shipped overseas. What used to be American jobs, paying a living wage, are now jobs that children and adults of china(or other..) work for pennies a day. This subject is very important to me. We spend a lot of time here in the Metropolitan House buying products still made in the USA, or fair trade foreign companies.
I encourage anyone I meet on the street, to buy from your own country, keeping jobs and living wages flowing in your own country. This has spurred a vintage, buy "locally" series in my mind.

The very first thought that came into my head for this series, Nicole Katherine Designs. Nicole makes wonderful vintage inspired pieces with a rockabilly flair, and employs sew houses here in the States. She says someday she may consider Foreign markets, like Mexico, but would like, "to participate in a community building program by giving jobs to a community in need and then making a donation to help add something positive to that community."

I emailed Nicole to see if she would share some insight on the world of fashion, clothing manufacture, and juggling a busy schedule. Below is what we got in return!

Nicole, what got you into the world of fashion design?
Believe it or not, I grew up in Montana. The major demographic of Missoula, Montana-- outdoorsy types, many with forestry jobs, or retired hippies and the children of the retired hippies-- you have very limited selection when it comes to shopping. So, given that the style in this region is lacking, plus I'm short and curvy (or used to be) I decided to start making my own clothing.

I learned how to sew from one of my aunts and my grandma. When I first started sewing, I would buy patterns that had a similar silhouette to a dress or outfit I'd seen in a punk or indie magazine and I'd make alterations to personalize the pattern to look similar to what I wanted to imitate in the magazines.

I enrolled in the Art Institute in Seattle for the fashion design program. Unfortunately, I dropped out after about 2 quarters, went on to major in three things after that and eventually got my BA in Writing and Literature. But, designing and sewing stuck with me.
I kept designing, practiced pattern making until I nailed it with near perfection and I started a small clothing line called Betty Buccaneer in 2003 or 2004. I moved to SoCal and my small clothing line Betty Buccaneer became more popular... Since I wanted to become more serious about taking my line into a professional direction I returned to FIDM to major in Apparel Manufacturing Management, and I changed the name of my line from Betty Buccaneer to Nicole Katherine.

What are you reasons for staying Made in the USA?
First and foremost, to ensure that human rights in the workplace are being upheld. If they're in question, I can call someone to check up on it to make sure that I'm not having my clothing produced in a work environment that is exploiting it's workers.
Most Americans don't understand just how horrible work conditions are in other countries, and the lengths some of these factories go to get cheap labor.
There's a reason that tshirt only cost $.50 cents to produce... either the workers that made it are working 12 hour days and are being paid below a livable wage (even for their country), children were basically sold to a company to work off debts... or the workers are not getting paid at all and are victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking is NOT limited to the sex industry.

Secondly, I love my country and I want to support its workers and do my part to contribute to rebuilding our economy.
did a lot of research to find the sewing contractor that I currently work with. I won't lie, I wish that the prices were cheaper, but at least I have a clear conscience knowing that all labor laws are being upheld and there are no exploited workers producing my apparel.

How do you juggle all the stress and work that must come along with owning a clothing line?
I honestly don't know. I have to take it one day at a time. ere are days that my business drives me to tears and I think of throwing in the towel and doing something else, anything else...
But, in all honesty I couldn't do it without the help of my family and the grace of God. I've also been fortunate enough to make friends with some very incredible people who have been a major source of support.
I know that I'm doing a lot, but for some reason it doesn't feel as overwhelming as it should. It does take me longer to do things than, say a company with several employees, but I'll get there eventually. I think most people got their start the same way that I did. It definitely takes sacrifice.

I think I'm one of the lucky few that can say that I feel complete in my career, family life, and spiritually. And, considering I'm a mom, that says a lot. I don't know many mom's that are blessed enough to juggle career and family to the extent that I've been able to do it. But, then again, I took only one week off after having a baby and my son has been part of the chaos since his first week of life!

Where can we buy your stuff?
Well hopefully within the next year my clothing will be available in more shoppes... but, for now the main place to buy is www.bettybuccaneer.com.
The sailor outfit, Armada Belle, is available at My Baby Jo in Culver City, CA. They also have a website www.mybabyjo.com.
There are also dresses for sale at Pinup Parade in England. They also have a website, www.pinup-parade.com.
And you can find my clothing at Minuteman Aviation in Missoula, MT for sale in their shoppe.
***


You can also keep up on all the Nicole Katherine news on Myspace and Facebook!

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.

A Sailor Summer! Vintage Inspired Nautical Finery.

I have been meaning to share Fables By Barrie for some time now, so here it is. Vintage inspired (heavy on the sailor style) clothing for any pin-up at heart.
While I tend to shy away from things that fall into the vein of "pin-up" or "rockabilly" I just adore these designs. There summer line this year is so fun and flirty I cant get over it!
Above is the Sailor Romper, which runs $120. How much fun would that be to wear to the carnival or a car show. I want to get one to save for a photoshoot someday, as I think it would be perfect for a 4th of July type shoot.

You can even hit the sea shore with a darling naval swim suit! The Sailor Swimsuit will also run you $120, but for this high level of hotness I dare say, It's worth it! I would also suggest finding a matching hat like shown above for extra cuteness.


To top off the terribly adorable sailor cake, I suggest the Sailor Dress which also runs $120. I don't know if its just me, but would this not make an adorable summer bridesmaid dress? Regardless of where you wear it, its going to be adorable and you will likely get a compliment.


So there you have it, today's vintage inspired line Fables by Barrie. You can order direct from the website and they are also on myspace so add them!

Sharing Some Love

Recently I was given the opportunity to become a model for a lovely lady from the blog/etsy world. Emily, of Dismantled Fashions (web) and Sass, Sin & Fashion Design (blog) is the seamstress behind some seriously killer kustom kouture!
I will be working with Vorpal Images on this project to get some amazing shots for her line!

She has some great rockabilly styles for any car show, pin-up contest or even a photoshoot!
Her lovely designs are perfect for every day wear too, I mean seriously, I would rock this Catie May Dress everyday:

(this photo is from Dismantled Fashions . Com and is not of me!)

So check back soon (I hope!!!) for some pictures of Vorpal and I rocking some Dismantled Fashions!

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.

The Queen of all Trophies

If you are into sweet hot rods and/or cool old motorcycles then you will love my most favorite of "Kustom Kulture" handbags and accessories, Trophy Queen.

I got a heads up email from  Elia of Satellite Kustoms that she will be offering 15% off all IN STOCK Trophy Queen products until June 19th. You can email Elia directly at SatelliteKustoms@yahoo.com for info on what she has in stock.

If you are a follower of Trophy Queen you know that it does not go on sale often, so I am glad I get to share this sweet deal with you all.

If you have never heard of Trophy Queen, you should check out the Satellite Kustoms page and read up! They have everything a Hot Roddin Mama needs to complete the look, Kustom Couture, for sure!

They have Check Book Wallets, Diaper bags and changing pads, carry-on luggage (Hello Viva Las Vegas?) and Simple handbags for everyday use.

If you are in the Portland metro area, make sure you say Hi to Elia at the Trophy queen booth during the Rose City Round-Up, I will be there too!

But Trophy Queen  prices will be back to normal by then!