The Gut

Every year in the city I live in, there is an amazing classic car cruise called "The Gut." It covers a one mile stretch of Downtown Vancouver and brings out masses of people and more importantly, their cars. Traffic moves at a snails pace up and down main street, with thousands of onlookers lining the street. I work on main street so when I got off work, I just walked out the door and into the action. I bought a dress of Solanah's out of my own booth to wear at the event. Its a cute 80s does 50s pink dress with black bows. I am in LOVE with it.





As it has been the past two years, this year was a major success, with tons of cars and even more people. I can't wait for next year and hope to see many more people out cruising the gut.

Sweater Weather

It's June, in case you don't own a calendar... Here in Washington that means, it's still very cold and threatening to rain a little at any moment. Today I didn't mind because I got to wear my new 1930's sweater I got on the cheap from Solanah's work the Urban Eccentric. Its a little too *ahem* small for me, so I just tramp it up a little and leave the front unbuttoned.




The rest of my outfit is less exciting, just a plain red 40s skirt, and some jewelry bits. In case you are wondering, my closet is nearly 100% black, white, red, and teal(ish) colored items. I should really branch out a little...

Pattern Drafting for Dummies

That title should really read something like, "Dummies who are pattern drafting." Solanah and I spent the afternoon dismantling some 1950s shorts to make them into a pattern. I must say, for all our mishaps in sewing, this went rather well. We even sewed up some muslin to determine fit, which only needed to be slightly altered!

(click to enlarge.)

All in all, the pattern is super simple, and I am very excited to start making some when I get moved to the new house. I want to have a few pairs, so summer will be filled with playful pin-up shorts!

Beat the Heat

If you happen to reside in the Pacific Northwest, you know that this week has been a record breaking heat wave. In fact, yesterday's paper said it was hotter in Vancouver, WA than it was in Cairo, Egypt. That is insanity!
I have had such trouble finding clothing to wear in such heat, and forget about hair! My styles melt as soon as I pull the pins out. I am so glad today has been cooler, at a nice crisp 94 degrees F.

To hide out from the heat we took the kids up to Grandma & Grandpa's house, which is sitting on a creek. We have played in the water and ate dinner at the creek house all week.
I finally got a good chance to wear my Esther Williams swimsuit I bought over at MyBabyJo.Com two years ago! By the way I highly recommend My Baby Jo for swimwear, but as an FYI the Esther Williams Sheath Suits run small, I am an XS, and the small is TOO small for me. Buy a size up!

Well on to some pictures of me and the metropolitan kids in the creek


In case you find yourself smack in the middle of an outrageous heat wave and need a lovely swim suit check My Baby Jo for different variations of my red one.


It comes in many colors of polka dots, leopard print, or solids.
They even have a few 2 piece suits as well.
Most are priced at $72.00
Click Here
to see the details on this lovely suit.

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: