clothes: February 2010

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Tomorrow I am off to New Orleans to meet up with some dear friends for a long weekend trip, so I won't be able to post until Monday. I added a few new goodies in the { vintage shop }. Have a wonderful evening and rest of your weekend!

Vintage Interiors Envy: Toile Sheets On an Antique Bed

I have always loved vintage metal frame beds, when I was younger I dreamed of having a vintage metal bed (with a Victorian feel) or a white canopy bed with lavender ruffled sheets. But instead, I had this ugly clunky brown oak bed that had removable railings (horrid). My younger sister on the other hand got a white metal day bed with a romantic scroll head board and little floral painted details AND a canopy (bed envy...) I've already made a promise to myself that if I have a little girl and she wants a princess bed, she will most definitely get one! (Although if she asks for a sensible "will-last-you-a-lifetime" clunky bed, I have to draw the line!)

Sources: Interior design by Stuart Mcintyre as discovered by Desire to Inspire

Vintage Spiegel Catalog Spring/Summer 1956 Scans

Vintage clothing scans from the Spring/Summer Spiegel Catalog from 1956. I just love all these candy colored 50s dresses! Everything is so delightfully sweet!

{ click image to view larger version }

Spiegel Catalog Scan, Spring/Summer 1956

Sources: Scanned by me, you can view more vintage catalog scans in my flickr

Vintage Shop Updates, just in case you missed them...

Polka dots, lace, and bows... these are a few of my favorite things! You can click on each image to visit my little vintage shop or you can simply click: { Adore Vintage }

Currently Loving: Calla Spring + Summer 2010

I love the subtle tones and the soft bubble shapes of Calla Haynes's debut label, Calla. The Paris based designer was a former model and studied at Parsons, her debut collection first showed at Paris Fashion Week. Calla is such a sweet and elegant line and I am finding much inspiration for my Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Sources: Images from Calla.fr

Beauty Inspiration: 10 Vintage Hairstyles I Want to Give a Try

These vintage hairstyles are best suited for shoulder length and longer hair. I would have posted some shorter hairstyles of the late 20s and early 30s, but I'm not quite sure how I could manage the styles since my hair has grown out some.

If you notice, I prefer vintage hairstyles that do not look "too costume-y" and also ones that look easy to manage and replicate. I am wondering how to get the voluminous waves as worn by Rita Hayworth, Veronica Lake, and Lauren Bacall. Hmm... I wonder if their hair was curled then continuously brushed out until the curls are nearly gone.

There are quite a few books you can purchase on Amazon on mastering vintage hairstyles, curling techniques, tips for waves...etc. I haven't purchased any but considering it. For some reason many of them are quite expensive, do they contain a magical potion or secret one will only discover if you drop $80+ on these books? *sigh* I think trial and error will be kinder to my wallet.

Vintage find of the day: Houseware lovelies for your kitchen

Today marked the official first day of my "Spring Cleaning" which means that I deep clean the home (wash the walls, steam the curtains and upholstery, wash windows...) but it also means I recycle some of my older housewares and make room for new home goods! I love everything pictured above so much and wish the Money Fairy would pay me a visit. *hehe*

{ Where to Buy }

1.} Vintage Seltzer Bottles - $64 (ea)
2.} Romantic French Dishes - $20
3.} Pine Cone Sugar & Creamer Set - $18
4.} Milk Glass Compotes Trio - $50
5.} Clover Glass Pitcher - $12
6.} Antique 1880 Staffordshire ABC Plate - $250
7.} Mr & Mrs. Salt & Pepper Shaker - $17
8.} Vintage Milk Glass Holder - $59
9.} Vintage English Cookie Tin - $10

2 Photos of Marilyn Monroe at Tobey Beach

These colorized photos of Marilyn Monroe are so sweet. I love the soft pink bathing suit she is wearing. Her smile is so big and happy, so infectious, don't you think?

Source: { Left } & { Right }

Video Wednesdays: 1940s Fashion, 2 Ladies in their Boudoir

This short little video is so sweet and evokes those happy little flutters I get when I've gotten a new vintage dress and playing dress up. I want to sing to myself "I feel pretty, oh so pretty..."

Source: Glamourdaze via Youtube

Who's Who in Fashion: Charles Frederick Worth, 19th Century Designer

He is regarded as the "Father of Haute Couture" or "the first couturier"... English born but became a household name in France. Charles Frederick Worth was prominent fashion designer in the later part of the 19th century.

He drew some of his design inspirations from historic portraits and used very lavish fabrics and trimmings on his clothing. Nearly all of his designs were one-of-a-kind and made specifically for a certain client.

I really love all the pale and muted colors he uses. I imagine many of his inspirations came from portraits painted by Thomas Gainsborough.

Evening/Reception
Gown by Charles Frederick Worth c. 1890

Paris, France Pale pink and cream satin, machine-made lace, c. 1880

And here are a few Thomas Gainsborough paintings from the late 18th century... lovely similarities, hm?

Image Credits: 1.} Mint Musuem 2.} Victoria and Albert Musuem 3.} Met Museum 4.} Met Museum 5.} Penwith.co.uk 6.} Guardian.co.uk 7.} Olga's Gallery

Independent Clothing for the Shrewd

Now we are well into 2010 and the New Years resolutions are mere whispers in the wind, its time to have a good look around you and enjoy the plethora of fantastic Indie Clothing entrepreneurs. Out in the real world or in your personal shopping directory known as the world wide web. Little Miss Moffet to Spider Women and all strands in between - use your fingers like 8 little legs and enjoy Miranda's Indie Clothing Directory.