Tag: 1960s

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Instagram and Black Friday!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There’s the food, the family, the official start of the Christmas season…and Black Friday sales. I celebrated with some fun vintage-inspired items from Pinup Girl Clothing and Kate Spade, several of which I was able to share on my brand new Instagram account.

Black Friday Haul
Black Friday Haul: Odds ‘n’ ends.

Yes, I caved, and you can follow me as Instagram user “magicskyway.” Among the odds and ends I’ve deposited there are some collages of my Black Friday haul, which included 1940s-style Rita pumps by Remix, Kate Spade bow flats, a Pinup Couture Jenny skirt featuring a vintage Venetian scene, the Laura Byrnes Madeline dress in green plaid with matching bolero (finally!), and more.

Black Friday Haul
Black Friday Haul: Madeline dress and matching bolero.

That’s my Black Friday story for this year. What’s yours?

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Vintage Milestones: Emma Domb, Alfred Shaheen, and FUZZY SWEATERS

Emma Domb Dress Label
Emma Domb Dress label.

I’m at this really transitional point, bodywise. I’ve been too small for most dedicated plus lines for years, and yet, I’m only just now finding awesome designer vintage that really fits me ( at 42-32-48″). Luckily, I managed to find two beautiful late ’50s/early ’60s designer pieces that fit me perfectly!

First is a gorgeous coral lace Emma Domb gown, vintage size 16. It’s floor-length with a crossover bodice.

Most people are familiar with Emma Domb’s famous mid century prom dresses and elegant evening wear, but I was a little surprised to learn that the Domb label came out of San Francisco, which essentially makes this dress local to me!

Continue reading “Vintage Milestones: Emma Domb, Alfred Shaheen, and FUZZY SWEATERS”

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Midcentury home plans and other lists I make: Paint & Wallpaper

I’m a “list” person. I wasn’t born organized, so I had to develop mechanisms to keep on top of everything. Lists help me remember exactly what I need to do and when, but they’re good for more than that! They’re a way to brainstorm where I want to end up, and how I can get myself there!

Since I moved into my 1963 Jack-in-the-box house last summer, I’ve been busy taking care of the obvious things: taming the back yard, sorting through my junk, and making sure the house is clean and functional. Now that most of that is out of the way, I can think seriously about what I call Phase II – The Paint & Paper Chapter.

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Vintage bridesmaid dress styles for retro weddings

Pinup Couture Ava Dress
Pinup Couture’s Ava dress is available in eight sizes and ten colors.

So you’re having a vintage-style wedding and you want some pretty mid century styles for your bridesmaids. If you want everyone to wear the exact same dress, it’s tricky to find a style that will fit everyone and comes in a color you like. If your choice is basic black, or red, you’ll be able to find something easily in one of the better-known pinup and retro lines. But if your wedding colors are a little more esoteric, you may have trouble.

I’ve found two popular styles that come in an array of colors that are perfect for bridesmaids: Pinup Couture’s Ava dress and the famous 1950s halter circle skirt dress by Vivien of Holloway. Both come in dressy satins, and the Vivien of Holloway halter dress comes in cottons and prints for a more casual day wedding.

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Vintage Home: 1960s shadowboxes, 1950s atomic lamps, and side tables…oh my!

Lamps
Lamps!

So I’ve been in my house for over a year, and I’m only just now getting to the end of my long list of intended improvements and additions. Most of the work has been in the back yard, but I’ve also collected some home decor items I’ve been craving!

First, my preciouses; new vintage furniture!

My new (old) mirrored shadow box is stamped 4-30-62, a year before builders completed my home! I’ve filled it with my great-aunt Alice’s knickknacks, as she’s the first person I knew who had a mid century shadow box in her home.

Continue reading “Vintage Home: 1960s shadowboxes, 1950s atomic lamps, and side tables…oh my!”

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More pinup by Angela Morales!

Kali by Angela
Kali by Angela.

Being back at work is a drag, but photo shoots aren’t. Earlier this year, I shot some fresh pinup pics in Los Angeles with photographer Angela Morales – one of my favorites! – and makeup and hair guru Angel Jagger.

This set’s got a sixties vibe going, with the jet-setting, uber-modern hotel surroundings and all. And even though I’m fully covered from armpit-to-thigh with a longline bra and high-waisted girdle, this is technically a lingerie shoot. Hah.

Anyway, it was fun and I think the pictures turned out great!

Continue reading “More pinup by Angela Morales!”

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Outfits of the Season: Blue and white wiggles!

Custom Mad Men dress by Morningstar84.

While not as comfortable in super-hot weather as their swing-skirted cousins, wiggle dresses can still look sharp in summer colors!

My current favorite is this stunning version of the blue and white linen dress worn by Christina Hendricks as Mad Men‘s Joan Harris, created for me by Esther of Morningstar84 on Etsy: Continue reading “Outfits of the Season: Blue and white wiggles!”