Quite intriguing, and when I opened it up – the most wonderful set of 1940’s paper dolls!

May I introduce you to Gail and Lenora?

They have to-die-for wardrobes – classic 1940’s.  Don’t you just love the pin-up bathing suits and peep toe shoes? 

Here’s a sample of some of my favorite outfits – all completely accessorized from jewelry to gloves to shoes.  The attention to detail is wonderful.  I  love the way the artist created the “fabrics” for each ensemble – such a great historical fashion reference in addition to being just plain fun!

I’m not sure what my plans are for lovely Lenora and Gail, but I have to admit a growing desire to try and replicate some of their fantastic fashions for myself.  This has certainly been the summer of re-awakening my love for vintage clothing – shoes, dresses, and now these wonderful paper dolls!  I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Have an opulent and stylish day!

This first number I scored while out antiquing with my pal Cindy. 

Aren’t the pockets just adorable?  I love the piping details. 

It zips up the front and is so easy to wear!    The belt and necklaces were  finds during a wonderful previous trip to Austria.  I think they work well with this dress. I did a trial wearing down to my mom’s last weekend and she gifted me her old cowboy boots to wear with it.  All I need are some brown tights and I am good to go for fall!

Next up is one of my favorites.  Don’t you just love this one?  Navy blue with small white dots, smocking details on shoulders and pocket, a bit of piping trim,  a tie for the back and yep, a zip up front again.  I’ve already worn this one twice, once for a meeting at school before the school year started, and also last week for back to school night.  It turns out that Cat over at The Vintage Housewife has almost the same dress (her’s has two pockets to my one)  I LOVE this dress!!!

Here’s one more to share.  Just looking at this cutie makes me smile.  So very “I love Lucy”, don’t you think? Pink with brown and white polka dots!! 

I haven’t worn this one out yet – although the Austria belt is ok and cuts down the “sweetness factor” just a bit, I am thinking I may make a different belt for this.  Plus I need to track down some fabulous shoes!  I picked this dress up at a great vintage clothing store, Venus on the Half Shell, in Frederick, Maryland.  The owner, Jennifer is a real doll that I know back from my own days as a vintage clothing dealer/shop owner.

I have about 9 vintage dresses so far that I am looking forward to wearing at work, maybe going the vintage-ish route once a week.  On a recent trip with  my daughter and her friend to some of our favorite thrift stores  I picked up a few sweaters.  I’m still looking for some cashmere ones (more thrift store trips in the future!!) and want try to restyle them using this tutorial.  They will be great to layer over my dresses – the temps in schools can very from floor to floor.  A final touch – fun chunky jewelry from the 40’s and 50’s -  a touch of rhinestones or  pearls mixed in with some pieces I have made or picked up on my travels . On an interesting side note, apparently the current issue of Lucky magazine features a  whole photo spread on retro dressing for fall.  The pictures are darn cute – be sure to check it out!

Reuse/Re-purpose/Restyle/Retro!

Please stop over and check out her inspiring jewelry creations.  I am loving this  “best friends” necklace….

Isn’t it just adorable?  Congrats Sweet Cindy!!

And what did I get, you ask?  Lovely aqua vintage French rayon velvet ribbon (see photo at top of posting), vintage rhinestone buckles (still on their original cards), pearl drops, glass buttons, and a most awesome rhinestone ring from the 1920’s.  I never leave this shop empty handed!!

Both projects challenged me creatively and made me look at things in a whole new way – which is the point, right?

Case in point, these mules were my first pair of vintage shoes – classy and elegant, don’t you think? I’ve had them forever, since my vintage clothing shop days and just couldn’t part with them.

The next two pair actually belonged to my grandmother and were lovingly given to me by my mom (from whom I inherited my small feet!) OMG – can you say RED gator pumps AND navy suede  peep-toe platforms from the 1940’s!!!!!!  They are the absolute treasures of my growing addiction collection.

I scored these 3 pair while out antiquing recently with the above mentioned Cindy. 

and….

I did leave one pair behind….. but then went back this weekend and found these beauties from the same dealer (I am thinking perfect for the Welcome Dinner at Silver Bella in November!)

Now my daughter has gotten into the act.  She is tall and slender, but sadly her feet are a bit bigger then mine so she won’t be wearing my finds.  What to do but help her start a collection of her own? I found these on eBay and knew they would be perfect for her!

I don’t think I’m leading her astray.  Do you?

have been doing a bit of hand sewing to create items for an upcoming Silver Bella swap,

and have been totally inspired by this new book by Kay Whitt.  You may be familiar with Kay from the dress and bag patterns she creates for McCall’s.  Let me just tell you that this book is fabulous.  I love every single project in it and am really motivated to make myself some new clothes to wear for the fast approaching school year.  I am starting today with this dress in these fabrics, and I will be sure to keep you informed as to how things progress!

(For some reason its easier for me to make clothes for my daughter than for myself, no idea why!)

I did adapt one of the skirt patterns for another project that has been in my head for a while.  Here’s a quick peek at that work in progress. 

All the fabrics, trims, and buttons used came from my trips to Germany and Austria.  They have the most wonderful 100% linens in the sewing shops there!

Have a lovely and creative Wednesday, everyone!

Sue

Since the idea is to use it to ride to the nearby grocery store (less than a mile away), I obviously needed a stylin’ wicker basket for the front (removable so I can take it into the store with me!)  I also added two collapsible wire baskets to the back rack.  They weren’t meant for my kind of rack, but once again my amazing hubby came to the rescue and made it work!

Just looking at this pink beauty has me grinning!

Yep, that’s a crinoline over her long shorts!  She went for a not-so-fluffy one, and I think she totally rocked the look!  I think it’s pretty cool that my girl is into vintage and prefers to shop thrift stores, flea markets and auctions instead of the mall.  Just like her mama!

Have a great day everyone, and go do something courageous!

Other finds during the first week included this awesome felted heart,

antique books and postcards(the one with the birds below is actually hand-painted not a print – beautiful!!)

and some wonderful German scrap pictures!

And here’s my favorite – Snow White!

(Sadly – not a frozen Charlotte to be found anywhere, even though we were right near the purported mother-load where they originate!)

Throughout the  trip I gathered charms (both vintage and new) to create a special charm bracelet memento of this trip.  I’ll share how it turned out, as well as a bit about our week in Austria, in my next post.