Pinup, vintage fashion, vintage home, Jane Austen's Emma, and Miracles from Molecules!
Australian company Wheels & Dollbaby is known for exquisite vintage-inspired fashions for women, especially its famous Dita Cardigan. The Dita is a design collaboration with contemporary burlesque queen Dita Von Teese, perfect for ladies who like a bit of girlish glam in their cool weather wardrobe. These usually sell out fast, so we’ve been anxiously awaiting this season’s options for months!
Continue reading “It’s back: the Wheels & Dollbaby Dita Cardigan!”
Summer’s hot, but that doesn’t mean you’re comfortable baring lots of skin. Whether you dislike your arms, like to maintain modesty, feel like every outfit deserves a finishing touch, or simply want to avoid sun damage, there are ways to top your sleeveless and strapless looks without going all wool crewneck on yourself. Personally, I’m a fan of lightweight cotton cardigans and boleros, but shrugs are another good option for folks looking to maximize ventilation without going sleeveless. Here are some of my favorite options (almost all are available in plus sizes, too!):
Continue reading “Cool casual summer outfit toppers: cardigans and boleros!”
Here’s one more quickie! It’s a 1950s cocktail gown from Relic Vintage in San Francisco. The lining is a pleasant peach color, overlaid with black flocked organza with sparkles. No label, but it fits wonderfully over my Goddess longline bullet bra!
Continue reading “Outfit of the Weekend: Vintage cocktail dress”
I like labels, but I’m happy to buy something homemade if it’s beautiful and fits well. This bubblegum-pink vintage sun dress – purchased last year on Etsy – totally fits the bill! The fabric is incredibly unique, with its vast harbor scene and vibrant color.
Here, I’m wearing it with a white patent belt by Deadly Dames and white “Polly” style slides by Bordello. Perfect for summer!
The earrings and brooch are vintage ivory from Japan.
Continue reading “Summer Vintage Preview”
A few months ago a mentioned some of my most-anticipated spring clothing items, among them Pinup Couture’s Jenny circle skirts and dresses.
I’m pleased to report that the Jenny items are vibrantly colored and very full. The cotton sateen fabric is thick enough to stay crisp, yet lightweight enough to help you stay cool in summer heat. The skirts are very nearly a complete circle, and look very authentic over crinolines. They are also tea-length, while the Jenny dress comes up just a bit higher.
Continue reading “Outfits of the Season: Jenny skirts, Jenny dress, and ye olde Vamp tops”
I have a summer of home improvement planned. I want to paint my bedroom, kitchen, and upstairs bathroom. I want to shop for more vintage furniture at Midway Antique Mall in Sacramento. I want to fix up my back yard.
If I’m lucky, I’ll complete one of these tasks. Yes, I’m that kind of person. However, I am proud to report that my mother and I successfully cleared and planted a flowerbed along my back patio. Baby. Steps.
Continue reading “Springtime at home: Flowers and a new-old buffet”
I’ve got some post-projects lined up for this spring and summer, running the gamut from fashion to home decor! Please stay tuned while I finish up my work for this semester…
Meanwhile, behold the backside of North America! One of my photos of the Unisphere from Corona Park…
Okay, so it’s a poor play on “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” but I’m obsessed with dots, gingham, and the song, so it kinda works. More importantly, I just bought a great vintage cotton dress that features gingham polka dots – that feeds two birds with one ball of seed!
It’s got a Kay Whitney label and a super double-layered pocket on the front right. Mega late ’50s style; in fact, my mom saw it and immediately informed me that she and her friends had several dresses like this back in the later 1950s and early 1960s.
And here’s “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” as presented by the Chet Baker Quartet: