blog full of jelly

outfit post - so I went out

2012-01-28T14:26:00.003-05:00

Yes I finally went out last night, like a big girl all by myself. I just hadn't gotten around to it yet. Next time I'll actually try to stay out. Single & new in town is kind of a hassle. Especially when I'd rather be home working on drawings and stuff. But a girl's gotta leave the house and socialize once in a while, if only to justify future purchases of nice clothes. This is what I wore -

deadstock 60s boys tux jacket, Harajuku Mini/Target jeans (girls 16 is like a women's 4)

and now for something of historical significance

2012-01-25T10:52:00.005-05:00

I used to do picture framing, and often we'd find weird things in the backs of frames. Once I found a crazy creepy double exposure photo of naked little girls with crosses burned on their foreheads inside a SEALED new cheapo frame a customer brought us from Kmart. I'll try to find that one for you.

This is the most interesting thing I ever found though. There's another example of this antique Robinson Crusoe wallpaper online, in the V&A Museum collection. They date it 1875. You can also find it available reprinted in miniature for dollhouses. Keep in mind that this is nursery wallpaper when you read the captions...

Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday

Robinson Crusoe finds footprints in the sand

Robinson Crusoe and Friday firing on the savages

Robinson Crusoe going out shooting

Robinson Crusoe at dinner with his family.

Robinson Crusoe rowing from the wreck

thrifted

2012-01-23T16:30:00.004-05:00

Thrifted some good stuff up today -

Plaid sequin jacket

Have I shown you these shoes proper yet? Final clearance at Marni in Vegas. Vegas is the best window shopping on earth. Everyone was friendly and helpful. In Tom Ford they kept bringing me velvet cocktail dresses to try on, even though I made it clear I couldn't afford any of it. Still if you're into construction it is worth trying on as much of the good stuff as possible. Balenciaga and Lanvin had amazing things as well. And Marni had a sale...

But I digress..
Today I also found these suede pants

Thrifted wool tie & white shirt. I should have big curly doll hair w this but it's soaking in Argan oil today.
The shoes are perfect with all of the wide-leg trousers in my closet. I need some cool textured socks though.

outfit post - red pants

2012-01-22T19:22:00.003-05:00

1970s red wool trousers, t-shirt from Legoland, Marni velvet platforms, Luella/Target circus tent stripe jacket

pics

2012-01-21T10:25:00.003-05:00

Jenn took some pictures with her phone when she came to visit the other day -

We found this at the Architectural Salvage. I think it's a knife-throwers target. I'd like it for my headboard please.

red pictures

2012-01-20T12:33:00.005-05:00

According to the EXIF data I haven't taken red pictures in 7 years. It has been a weird 7 years I must say. The original ones (at the bottom of this set) were done with my hand over the flash for a blood red filter. This set was just shot in front of red neon.

studio 01

2012-01-20T08:17:00.007-05:00

The garage is only half done, but the wheel is here so I'm starting to work anyway. Had a little party for 2 (me & Cornfed) out there the other night to break it in. It's a good little space with great acoustics. Good work/hanging out vibes.

I didn't move many of my paintings with me, but these 3 are special to me.

It rained a bit and was just so pleasant out there.

Corny enjoyed hanging out too and didn't try to escape at all. I think we'll be very happy out here.

When it's all done and tiled and got furniture I'll do a before/after post. Probably be a few weeks on that one though..

movie inspiration: the spanish cape mystery (1935)

2012-01-13T22:32:00.006-05:00

The Spanish Cape Mystery (1935) should be great - it's Ellery Queen and the costumes (gowns by Lettie Lee) are really very good.. but it sucks. Like watch-in-fast-forward-for-the-clothes-alone sucks. What you should watch is the Mandarin Mystery (1936) even though it is the absolute stupidest mystery ever. Eddie Quillan as Ellery Queen is just so flipping charming. Almost as charming as Ray Milland as Bulldog Drummond, though little has ever in the universe been quite that charming. Anyway watch Mandarin Mystery if you can find it, then go ahead and watch the Big Sleep again so's you can't say you didn't have any meat.
But you want to see the dresses... I know.

Bias-cut silk satin with surprise criss-cross back. Major neckline - I think that's part of the dress and not a necklace.

Taking bets on what color it is. I'm going to say emerald green.

silly frilly shoulders over sweeping black velvet

...with another surprise back. I'd love this dress.

Of course when you walk to the water with a gentleman you go ahead and shimmy your shoulders on out of there -

OK so there's apparently no natural way to stand in this but I do love a good nuts jumpsuit.

Yeah that looks natural.

moschino

2012-01-11T15:55:00.002-05:00

I only took one outfit pic in Vegas? Apparently so... but it was a good one.

thrifted Moschino dress, Old Gringos

Help identify this fruit

2012-01-11T12:51:00.002-05:00

Is anyone familiar with this tiny citrus fruit? It has faint stripes at the blossom end (more pronounced on the immature fruit) and a light orangey scent. My neighbor thought they were tiny lemons but I'm not so sure.

Sasha here isn't sure either.
++EDIT++
I cut it open - orange citrus flesh, about 8 little pips, BITTER orange flavor. I wonder if I can candy it like a kumquat.

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movie inspiration: shag

2012-01-08T18:06:00.011-05:00

This is one of the very few modern movies you'll get an inspiration post on here - Shag was a huge influence on me when it came out in 1989. Melissa and I watched this a gillion times - like enough to actually learn how to Shag. (The dance, pervert. We were 12.)
It's mostly about the hair-

I mean if you're going to bother doing your hair, you might as well...

it's also a little about the glasses

I was really into this cigarette pants/skirt thing

OK it's obviously mostly about Phoebe Cates' eyes.

Vegas videos

2012-01-07T12:24:00.003-05:00

The first video was shot around 10PM on New Years Eve. The second one is the tumblers at Circus Circus.

the rest

2012-01-03T20:21:00.006-05:00

Here's a bit of everything else that I shot in Vegas.

Here's the crowd on New Years Eve

I gambled a total of $3 in 5 days - lost promptly but funly. I did, however, find 3 pennies and a credit slip for 5 cents, so I wasn't totally unlucky.

These few were all shot from my hotel room window -

And lastly-

This is now officially a lucky dress - I wore it to see Penn & Teller. At one point in the show Penn instructed Teller to take some video of the audience to project onto a big screen on stage. He panned around a bit and zoomed in on me. Highlight of my life, hands down. I think you're cute too Teller.

All the rest of my Vegas pics are posted here.

circus circus

2012-01-03T19:55:00.006-05:00

Circus Circus was by far my favorite thing in Vegas, if the number of photos I took there is any indication... The mezzanine is packed with vintage arcade games and there are acrobats. They even still have the balloon clown game that was in Diamonds are Forever. I could take pictures in this place for days.

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More to come!

back from Vegas

2012-01-03T14:12:00.008-05:00

Hey gang! Happy New Year! Sorry for the radio silence here this past week, but (you know if you follow my twitter) I've been in Vegas with my folks ringing it in proper. I'd never been there before, nor to a desert, nor surrounded on all sides by mountains. It's like a fake movie panorama backdrop behind everything. Totally amazing. I took hundreds of pictures of course. I'm culling through them now and will be posting little batches for you here, with the full sets coming up on flickr.

First up are these hazy pictures of the area just around The Strip. These were shot from the monorail that runs to the Sahara, and a cab from Freemont St.

Many more to follow!

movie inspiration: gentlemen marry brunettes

2011-12-27T11:21:00.008-05:00

Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955) is one where I like the costumes better than the movie, though I do really like Jane Russell in this. Showgirls in Paris in the 50s, plus some 20s flashback scenes. These are some of my all-time favorite pieces. Costumes by Travilla.

The stand-out best for me is this green & white outfit-

Striped jersey off-shoulder column dress with waspie-waist overskirt. Absolutely genius. I need to find/make this . It will happen

Dolce&Gabbana-esque leopard dresses -

I do love dance outfits, especially vintage warm-up rompers.

The straps at the leg cut-outs are brilliant.
And this is the absolute best little striped jersey dress ever. Get in my wardrobe now
please.

Velveteen bow silhouette sticker on the shoulder. Where do I get these?
We also have these slightly more formal audition rompers -

The one on the right is how I want to dress all the time. With a velveteen bow sticker on my shoulder.

There's a shopping spree scene with some real gems from 1955 as well -

There's even a stand-out hat - pink pagoda with pearls-

I left out a lot of really good pieces. It's definitely worth a rainy day watch.

christmas gator

2011-12-24T06:51:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve

pest

2011-12-21T09:55:00.006-05:00

Do you see him?

p

This bastard ate my entire giant basil plant in a day. I've tried to find out about him online, but no luck so far. I photographed him extensively - you know, for science. Scientists should click the pictures to view them fullscreen.
The leaf-shaped body is actually wings - yeah he flies. And yeah, he's dead now. I couldn't do it. I know it's just an insect, but after photographing him I felt it was kind of like killing a bird. But it had to be done. My old Ukrainian neighbor did it for the sake of all of our gardens.

++EDIT++

Dawn is right, it's a katydid. I will admit I thought a katydid was a kind of bird.

Cute dogs being cute - Cornfed & Sacha

2011-12-16T19:33:00.004-05:00

Playtime with neighbor dog Sacha. They're in love.

I got a ton of pics of them. Superfans can see all 55 good ones here.

day-glo

2011-12-16T11:41:00.002-05:00

This is one of the dresses I thrifted in Philly. It goes well w the super-blonde hair I think.
70s polyester halter dress, B/W docs, Luella/target motorcycle jacket

Treasure

2011-12-09T19:43:00.001-05:00

This house is from 1924 so I suspected there might be good stuff buried around the property. Today i found the remnants of 6 prohibition era bottles out in the garden. Most are broken, but one still has its cork and liquid inside.

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giraffe

2011-12-07T17:28:00.006-05:00

I took pictures of other things at the amusement park today too, but I only really have eyes for this giraffe.

We're getting married you guys.

More pics here.
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little tree

2011-12-05T13:51:00.005-05:00

I have the little tree up in the corner of the dining room. It's dressed in 30s chenille candy canes and 20s-30s glass bead garlands. Then there are the 4' tall 1950s department store candles - Lithographed aluminum with original flame bulbs. This is the first year I've actually used them. I think they really make the little tree

Also, check out what I got at the auction yesterday -

It's a repro of the Panton waterfall lamp. No one wanted it, but I decided it went all too well with the sequined circus elephant drapes on the tables to pass up.

nightstand (and a collection)

2011-12-05T09:16:00.003-05:00

I scored this late 30s Life Savers counter display a few weeks back at the auction. No one was interested in it at all! People are weird. I repainted the inside and put some loose tiles in the bottom shelf since it was a bit rusty, but I love the 3d rolls and worn color graphics down the front. I've narrowed it down to about 1938, since we have Stik-O-Pep but no Choc-O-Mint. Yes that's how you date this sort of thing.

It came with a pic of the store it had been in and some rubber stamps from the store as well.

It's handy bedside. And it has plenty of room for my collection of a few hundred knitting needles & crochet hooks. I like groups of things.

tree 2011

2011-12-04T16:26:00.006-05:00

I have a fairly large collection of vintage Christmas everything. This year I did the big aluminum tree with pinks & blues, 1930s pastel striped clear glass, 30s pink&blue mica, and small dark violet balls. All vintage. No lights on the tree itself, just the colorwheel. It's pretty hypnotic. I'll shoot a video of it.
There's another little matching aluminum tree in the other room done all in 30s glass bead garlands. Pics another day.

fabric, finally

2011-12-02T17:55:00.005-05:00

I went to Jomar when I was in Philly and went a little crazy. There really isn't anywhere around here that has great fabric for $1-$2/yd. I spent $70, but i got 5 yards of good suiting velvets ($9/yd) and a lot of other great stuff.

the dot taffetas will be a 3 piece suit. not this blouse I think, but something frilly in the yellow sheer nylon with blue jacket and red skirt

This gold velvet will be a 40s style pantsuit, but shorts - like tap pants.

chenille on silver tafetta playsuit. I have some vintage teal silk satin in my stash for the bust fins.

Finally something really good for the Mary Quant romper - gold/copper glitter on black velvet. Can't decide if it should be the short or long version..

I got the last 3 yards of this printed velvet. I'll be doing a 70s 3 piece suit - wide leg pants, fitted vest and matching blazer

This pastel corduroy was too cute to leave behind for $1.yd. I'll do this 50s crop top again

So Jomar always has something you don't expect since they get odd lots, leftover stock, vintage stock, etc. This time it was a lot of applique pieces. At 29 cents each for most of them I basically got 1 of each - the best of which being these early 1980s embroidered denim pockets - Sneaker Cat and some really radical stars

I think I did pretty well for a long-term stock-up.

vintage from Philly

2011-12-02T09:12:00.002-05:00

I got some really good things at the warehouse - if you're near Philly and love vintage you should be going there. Mon & Sat 12-6.
I bought the least practical things ever. I also had a pile of great day dresses and separates but I never went back for them. I hope a few of them are still there when I go back.

1960s sheer bright lemon yellow maxi dress - new years in Vegas, right? It's not sequins - it's ribbon with iridescent tinsel woven in. With heavy black undergarments it's very good. Fits just right and the ruffle collar stands up. Once it's been cleaned it'll be even brighter.

1970s day-glo polyester halter maxi. The bust has rubber cup inserts that have hardened so I have to replace them, but this thing looks great on, especially with the super-blond hair.

and an early 60s silk satin party dress - handmade really well.

All boned and wired and fits me perfectly. It has some stains, but that just means I can wear it and not worry about it. I like to pretend stains just happened. ooops.

tree 2011

2011-12-01T18:03:00.002-05:00

The first of many Christmas tree pics.

This year I did the 6' tall 60s aluminum tree with the colorwheel.

outfit post - never too old

2011-11-16T12:07:00.002-05:00

Yet another reason I'm glad I never really developed a whole lot in the boob region - kids party dresses have the best proportions. And training bras cost about 1/10 what anything at Victoria's Secret costs...

I apologize to the 12 year old I have thus deprived by buying this dress by Gwen Stefani/Harajuku Mini for Target. The collection is really good - I tried on the plaid pants & jacket too. The jacket fit and was super cute, but the biggest pants were about 4 inches too small in the waist. The legs and length were great though... so very close to the best suit ever.
Plaid sneaks by Ralph Lauren. Way into multiple conflicting plaids these days.

Since I'm not doing ceramics for a minute I can actually do my nails. Drawing with ink kind of requires something go over the top - the waterproof stuff is tough to get out from under. These thin black plastic french tips are ideal. They just glue onto the very ends and are much easier to maintain than any other home mani I've attempted. They make them in white too. I got mine at Sally Beauty Supply for $15/box with enough to do 3 full sets.

It's such a nice change to have nice nails for once.

outfit post - polyester dream

2011-11-15T15:58:00.002-05:00

It's finally cool enough here to wear polyester! I've had this beauty for ages and this is the first chance I've had to wear it. Love the border print and vast expanse of white.
Oh and the glitter flamingo shades.. these'll get more mileage when I go up north - they're a little too on the money here in Florida.

thrifted 70s dress, Halloween store shades

outfit post - rykiel

2011-11-14T10:42:00.002-05:00

Sonia Rykiel for H&M le sac sweater, vintage plastic hoop earrings, Bass loafers, Nixon watch

Unpacking

2011-11-11T13:59:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year - I get to have 2 trees this year since I have 2 livingrooms.

Also, if you follow me on twitter/instagram you'd already have seen these pics. I use it a lot and post things you'll never see here on the blog, if you're into that sort of thing.

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outfit post - dinner w parents

2011-11-09T16:47:00.002-05:00

50s Catholic school dress, Furla Jelly bag, Nixon watch, vint 80s version of 50s shades, Edelman flats.

This dress is the most subversive thing I own. Totally covered and proper, but just a little bit dirty, because you know.. The general consensus seems to be that this thing really does it for gentlemen of a certain age. If you're into that.

fox II

2011-11-07T17:39:00.000-05:00

on to foxes

2011-11-06T19:35:00.002-05:00

ink
10x7"

I've never lived anywhere that has foxes. I'm quite fond of them.

Shop my closet

2011-11-05T12:32:00.005-04:00

New for you on ebay - it's closet cleaning time!

Fuzzy pink faux fur jacket - purchased in 1996 in the train station in Munich -

Norma Kamali for Everlast silver foil bubble skirt -

Anna Sui Deco peacock print dress -

Vintage 90s Dior blazer with giant matte gold buttons

and last but certainly not least - Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Winged Rockinghorse Platforms

They are labeled size 6 but best fit a 6.5 - 7.
Everything is in like-new condition. Help me make some room in my closet for winter wear!

knitting

2011-11-04T14:17:00.003-04:00

I've had a nasty head cold the last few days, so in order to keep myself in bed but busy I knitted myself up a big stripey cardigan. I used giant no.35 needles and a lot of different yarns from my stash (including some gorgeous hand-spun yarn from Fabulosity - thanks again Joy!) and managed to finish 48 hours after I started. I hadn't done any knitting an a couple of years - I usually crochet but hadn't done that even in at least a year - but once I got into it everything went pretty fast and easy. It's just 2 long scarves stitched together up the back, then stitched at the sides up to the armhole area. Easy, and if you use all different yarns it's a great way to clear out your stash.

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first time

2011-10-26T16:57:00.003-04:00

A hunt through the Swatch archives turned up my first ever Swatch watch from 1986 - Vasily. Golly I miss this thing! If anyone out there has one of these with a weirdly melted back it was mine. I spilled nailpolish remover down my wrist.

findz

2011-10-25T16:28:00.004-04:00

I've been hunting for wide-leg jeans and found these today on an outlet outing. Dries van Noten no less! I like them better than other wide-legs I've tried on because they have straight wide legs, not wide flares. Plus they were a steal despite being a really high-end designer - like equivalent to Gap jeans priced.

I also could not resist this Comme des Garcons long black skirt -

Amazing fit and cut and volume. It dips down at the front hem and has deep pockets, and it billows a bit at the knee. So strange/good.

Both of these are going right into the suitcase for my next trip. Not sure where we're going actually - the plan was Cozumel this weekend, but there's a hurricane there. Maybe Nassau? Somewhere beachy and warm anyways..

collection: disney sweatshirts

2011-10-22T15:01:00.006-04:00

3 of something is a collection, right?

Bambi by Patterson J. Kincaid for Disney - this is the cutest piece of illustration ever. All the Kincaid/Disney stuff is really cute, but the prices are ridiculous. The sweatshirt was the only thing substantial and practical enough for me to justify getting. I was bewitched by the soft sketchy drawing.. look even the tag is crazy adorable -

worn w Ellin Tracy wide leg jeans from the outlet and Doc Martens wingtips

Then there are the vintage ones..

I love his expression like he doesn't know what he's jumping into - Trepidacious Mickey.
worn w skinny jeans from Zara and 80s flats by Magli -

one of my best thrift finds down here yet.

Finally, Lady Liberty Minnie with rhinestones in the fireworks -

worn w skinny jeans from Zara and thrifted 60s flats by Pagano

And as you can see I finally got my hair the color I wanted! It only took 4 tries. I love it - it was way too natural the first 3 times. I feel like this is the grown-up version of dying my hair pink. When I go to have the roots done I'll probably have them take it down even further toward white.

Both of the vintage sweatchirts came from the warehouse that I used to work at - there's a whole box of Disney sweatshirts there. Golly I miss that place... If you're in or near Philly go to 2438 Coral St. in Fishtown on a Monday or Saturday between 12-6. And tell Amanda that Sunshine says hi!

Legoland, FL

2011-10-20T18:20:00.004-04:00

We had a lot of fun at Legoland today. It opened last week so we had to check it out.
This Lego Grandpa made snoring sounds.

Some local sights

Ybor City

South Beach

I especially liked the fountain in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza

These giraffes and elephants are life-size

massive Einstein

They have a lot of the Las Vegas strip - the Luxor, Mirage, New York, etc. Out front in the desert part there is this little vulture over a dead body.

see the whole set here on flickr
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halloween store win

2011-10-19T20:06:00.005-04:00

If you follow me on twitter (push the button on the left - you know you wanna!) then you know I scored some really good stuff at the Halloween shop. It's actually a bit late in the season for this sort of thing - ours is out of a lot of the best swag.. but there's still some gems to be found. My best score was these Cleopatra nails (if you want you can find them online for cheap by googling "cleopatra nails".) If you see me in public at any time in the future I will likely be wearing at least one of these. I already lost one of the pinky nails, so I invested in real nail glue today. I'm going to make this set last as long as possible.

Gold french tips. This is really the only manicure I ever need to do as far as I'm concerned. Some folks always have a red nail, some always have a classic french mani.. I will just always have gold tips and one Eye of Horus. When I was in high school this was the tattoo I wanted - on my hand. Turned out I wasn't really all that hardcore - still no tats. Commit to that young ladies!

As stated on the box these are indeed "dazzling and sexy!"

I also snagged some crazy costume shades and a pair of skeleton tights. Stay tuned...

movie inspiration: the fifth cord

2011-10-19T10:28:00.003-04:00

Warning - this is not a very good movie. Well, it's only OK.. This is one that I should have included in my fashion week/Italian suspense movie week, but it had so little impact on me I forgot. It's a little sexy and Franco Nero is in it. But the sunglasses (for fall, not summer) are really really good -

The Fifth Cord (1971)

craft night: pompon sweater

2011-10-18T09:17:00.002-04:00

Need a new favorite sweater? It really is just this easy.

I've had this Old Navy sweater for years but have never had as much love for it as I do now. I sewed my puff-balls on, but fabric glue would be quicker. Unless you spend an hour looking for the fabric glue and have to sew them on in the end anyway like I did. This way you can take them off next year, or switch out the colors, or rearrange them if you decide you want a diamond pattern instead of a grid, or if one too many cocktails during craft-time rendered your grid a bit wonky the first time around.

I learned it's best to start with the first puff right below the v-neck at the center and work out from there. My puffs are 3 inches apart-ish. Do the shoulders last, since they probably won't really be on grid, but it looks unfinished without them.

worn with my newly-thrifted 60s men's straw hat (stamped inside "From Hatman Jack's Wichita, KS.), Marc Jacobs cords from the outlet, Bass tassel loafers

an old favorite

2011-10-17T16:25:00.003-04:00

I made this top and skirt a couple of years ago when I first got my serger and it is still one of my all-time favorite outfits.

I don't really wear brown - this one outfit is the exception. It's a really good batik print paisley knit jersey from the discount fabric outlet in Philly. It's the kind that they print on a giant inkjet printer so the repeat is huge - much bigger than any actual garment could be.
Worn with high-heeled docs.

remade: knit

2011-10-16T14:18:00.002-04:00

I've had this 70s intarsia knit poncho-like thing for ages. It was sort of a long knit rectangular sandwich-board with ties at the sides from "Sears Jr. Bazaar" (sorry no before pic). Of course I ruined it by washing it - the ties got all tangled and unraveled and a few of them fell off. But the knit was too good to just trash - it has llamas on it. It's taken me a while to figure out what to do with it, but inspiration struck today and here we are!

I made mittens with the bottom half, and cropped the top to a nice, somewhat sexy, level.

Of course I won't be wearing them together any time, but it is cute in pictures. The mittens will go great with my new coat and my old motorcycle jacket and lots of other fall/winter options. I'll be headed north next month for the holidays and they'll be sure to get a bit of wear up there.

Worn with long perma-pleat skirt from the outlet about 10 years ago, Bass black tassel loafers, and a Sarah Coventry tassel necklace from the 70s.

fixed: rodarte

2011-10-15T13:25:00.009-04:00

I know it's not really Rodarte since it came from Target, but it's as close as I'm ever going to get.

I got this dress when they did the re-releases from the designer collections last year. It photographed really nicely on a lot of people online. Unfortunately in person it didn't hang right. The tulle layer is unhemmed and not heavy enough. It would get caught up on itself and snag on everything. I knew how to fix it when I bought it - it just took me a year to get around to it. Yesterday morning I ran out and grabbed a roll of gold-tone chain from the craft supply and hemmed the edge with the chain running through for weight. Special thank you to the lady in line in front of me who gave me her extra 40% off coupon! The 7 yds of chain would have been $10 without it.

I happened to have a roll of matching vintage silk thread

with high-heeled docs and my Wells Fargo coffin plate. I need a rugged old flannel I think. Yeah today is gonna be a thrift store day.

The chain is really pretty hanging in there, and it makes a lovely sound when I move and spin around. In case you want to fix your own dress or something similar - I used a wide zig-zag stitch right along the folded-up edge. The zig-zag straightened out since the tulle is stretchy. Put one hand stitch through the first link & the tulle when you start, and then again one through the last link at the end so it doesn't slide around freely. It's a 20 minute project in all and can make a cheap tulle skirt from F21 or H&M into something really rad and expensive-looking.

beach

2011-10-15T09:29:00.002-04:00

I went to the beach for the first time in more than a month yesterday. The water is cold finally. It's still not really fall here yet. Cooler in the evenings and mornings, but still near 90F by midday.

foil shorts

2011-10-13T12:42:00.002-04:00

I was running through the imaginary list of things that would look awesome with my new coat when I decided I had to make some blue foil shorts right away.

I wanted to do some flat-front trouser shorts with a zipper and waistband and everything, but there's only so much you can manipulate this foil stuff so the simplest pattern would have to do - Simplicity 6020 from the mid 80s. I kind of want to get some wide black ribbed edging and make the sweatshirt out of this stuff too.

and I was right, they do look awesome with the coat.

with gold kids shoes from Target. They have them through size 5 and they run big with a wide toe-box, so a 5 is almost a ladies 8. They have them in red glitter like Dorothy shoes too, but I restrained myself.

allow me to introduce

2011-10-12T12:54:00.003-04:00

the most ridiculous thing I own - Comme des Garcons multi-arm coat from spring '11 rtw. Vishnu is green with envy.

We all know that fashion is no longer about denoting class or wealth. It is all about making me laugh. Yes, this coat now tops the mutton JCs as the funniest thing I own - yet it is totally classy at the same time. Exactly right-on.

Found at the outlet for less than 1/4 of its original price. They had a few variations on this theme, and they had the motorcycle jacket with the wide black band across the front too. I wanted to love that one, but it actually wasn't a practical garment. It didn't zip up all the way, and the band bound the arms to the bodice so you couldn't drive in it or even hail a cab if you wanted to. It was cool lookin though. As soon as I slipped this one on I knew it had to come home with me - it's a good classic lined cotton car coat that just happens to have a few extra sleeves - 6 in total, only 2 of which are functional. They aren't leather. They are a funny stiff industrial sort of rubbery plasticky stuff. They hang uselessly from the shoulders like vestigial bird wings.
Now if the season would just change here already...

Also, you can't really tell in these pics for some reason, but I am blond now. It's much lighter than it appears here. Before you say "but your hair was such a nice color" let me say I agree with you, and it can be yours too - it was Feria Caramel Kiss. I have been coloring this mop for more than 20 years now. Naturally it is a sort of mousey dishwater color, which makes me feel almost as attractive as that sounds. I've been wanting blond since I moved back to Florida. Actually whenever I see a blond girl dye her hair red I always think "why did you do that to yourself?" so why I've been dying mine red for decades is a mystery.
I used the John Frieda foam color two nights in a row to get the shade I wanted. This is the best stuff I have ever used. I'm very happy that it didn't turn out one solid color like a cheap wig. It has some depth and variety. It was easy to apply, there's more than enough in the bottle for a full head of long hair, and it didn't feel like thousands of tiny Satans stabbing me in the head with their cute little pitchforks. Highly recommended.

jean jacket

2011-10-10T15:08:00.001-04:00

I went through a serious cabbage rose phase when I worked at the warehouse. This cropped early 90s jobbie had to be mine.

score!

2011-10-09T17:11:00.003-04:00

I had a bit of a hangover this morning which almost kept me from the mid-century furniture auction. One too many cocktails with my movies last night... But I rallied and got some emergency pulled pork sandwiches and fries and stuck it out for the whole thing. So much cool stuff! Some good things went for a steal. Some went for a mint. I almost got a small white tufted leather couch that folded flat into a bed, but I backed off when it started to cut into my art budget. I had my heart set on this Charley Harper Bulldog print - signed & numbered from 1975:

This is my first legit piece of art actually! Aside from oil paintings of clowns by unknown artists and the stuff I make. I figured he'd go way out of my budget but he has a spot of water damage. I so don't care.
And I really wasn't going to leave without this little metal sculpture of a clown playing pinball, signed & dated 1984 -

No one else really seemed to care all that much about him. Weirdos.

vibez

2011-10-08T11:36:00.002-04:00

I got the vibe hard this morning. I knew something was calling out to me from the thrifts. I knew which place too. Sometimes it's easy like that.

It was these circus headpieces -

and another clown oil painting -

I have to rearrange everybody in the kitchen for him.

I think relocating to a circus town was the right move.

for you on ebay: paisley docs

2011-10-07T16:42:00.003-04:00

UK size 3
Gently worn paisley floral Docs. Vegan canvas, Made in England. Oil, fat, acid, petrol, alkali resistant bouncing soles. Little to no wear. Super clean.

I got these when I moved down here but they are just a smidge too small for me. You know you want them.

Click the pic to jump to the listing.

seen in venice

2011-10-06T14:04:00.004-04:00

the Missoni python coat from this month's Elle - we wandered through the upscale designer section of town at 9 o'clock on a Sunday, so I couldn't get my grubby hands on anything in person - probably for the best - but I did drool at a whole lot of amazing things through a whole lot of glass.. my noseprints are all over that town. (sorry Prada, MiuMiu, Missoni, Versace, Cavalli, Bvlgari, etc., etc....) The Missoni pastel python boots were the best thing I saw actually, next to the coat of course...

souvenirs

2011-10-05T17:42:00.004-04:00

funny Greek slippers from Athens

phallic Satyr bottle of Uzo

tiny Venetian glass mirror. I love these - this was the biggest one I could afford.

pearl & ruby ring handmade in Corfu

Murano glass dip pen. This is the best pen I've ever used. Look how much ink it holds - that's one continuous line! And it doesn't scratch the paper like metal nibs. You can find them online from Italy for about $60 and from this Etsy seller in Thailand for about $30.

venice

2011-10-05T10:01:00.006-04:00

Sunrise when we arrived in Venice

works by Giuseppe Veneziano at the Contini Gallery. We were there on a Sunday so I couldn't go inside, but there is a virtual tour here.

Dog at the Doge's Palace. There's a cat too -

I think he's eating a bunny.
You can see all of my vacation photos here. Click slideshow at the upper right.

mykonos

2011-10-04T17:43:00.004-04:00

It's kind of impossible to take a bad picture here

Athens II

2011-09-23T10:24:00.001-04:00

More Athens pics -

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Athens graffiti

2011-09-23T06:59:00.003-04:00

Hi from Athens! So many pictures to share already. They have a pretty great graffiti scene here-

They also have a pretty great street cat scene here..

Lots more to share - stay tuned

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

asphalt

2011-09-19T16:23:00.003-04:00

An outfit post! I know this is what you really want..

Betsey Johnson corset top, thrifted boys suit pants, 60s deadstock saddleshoes, Betsey Johnson shades

I got my first manicure since highschool today - Shellac Asphalt. Love the color, but dudes one nail is super wrinkly! The nail tech said this happens with the flat colors sometimes but the pearls and glitters don't do it. She didn't even offer to redo it! Another has a little wrinkle that I can live with, but my index finger is really raisiny. So I can either live with it for the next 2 weeks on my vacation, or find someone else to fix 2 nails tomorrow...

They're much shinier than this pic shows. Really I am very happy with 85% of it. Anyone else had this problem? I read a ton online about Shellac before I sprang for it and nothing at all said anything about wrinkling.

DIY hermes

2011-09-16T11:36:00.003-04:00

Why didn't anyone tell me Hermes has a DIY papercraft Collier de Chien on their website?! Of course I'm dying for the real thing - any color will do but I think white is the ideal - but rather than a knock-off from Target at least I can have almost a real one from the real Hermes. [Click on the world of Hermes link, then use the orange grid (upper right corner) to scroll over to the middle left of the screen. Look for the white bracelet with the scissors and click to download the pattern in a bunch of different color options.]

I chose the ink splatter version (of course!) and used photo paper, packing tape and E-6000 to make it as sturdy as possible. But the folds aren't crisp like the ones pictured on the website. S'ok by me. The plaid one is pretty great too, but I'm out of red printer ink.

I'm thinking of using the pattern to make a giant upholstered one for the livingroom. I'll let you know how that goes.
I wish more high-end companies did this sort of thing! I'd love a papercraft Vuitton Speedy or Chanel 2.55...

movie inspiration: black belly of the tarantula

2011-09-14T18:52:00.004-04:00

Finishing up Italian horror movie/fashion week I've got screencaps of Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971). Gorgeous interiors and furniture. Apparently it was inspired by Argento's Bird with the Crystal Plumage, which was available a few weeks ago but is gone now...

This nightgown is just the prettiest

and this necklace -

That table and chairs has indentations for the plates and silverware - so genius. I'm sure it's by a famous designer but I can't figure out who..

Love the painting and fur bedspread. And that funny cloud thing next to the bed is a lamp

"A waste of time Signora - the moustache is in."

missoni

2011-09-13T14:41:00.005-04:00

I hit 2 Targets this morning before 9AM to see what looked good from Missoni. Maybe it's all the early 70s Italian horror movies I've been watching this week but everything looked pretty great. Well, what was left of everything anyway. There was plenty of household stuff - no one seemed all that interested in that. And absolutely no one was looking at childrens wear - which is how I scored this stripey twinset:

worn w patent leather skirt by Tahari

Kids XL is bigger than womens XS. Also kids size 4 shoes (at Target anyway) are about a womens size 7. This colorway is more suited to me than most of the adult selection, and there were no small anythings left for grown-ups. I don't really wear brown (caramel is not brown!) so most of the adult stuff was immediately out of the running for me anyway.

I was on the fence about this skirt until I got it home and wore it around. It has pockets and is super comfy and does go with pretty much everything.

But my favorite score by far is this black & while marl dress. With bright patterned tights in winter it'll be perfect.

worn w real vintage saddle shoes

From the household selection I did fall in love with the glass bowls -

So pretty! They had a giant plate too but I'm about to go to Murano so I figured it might be best to wait. These bowls were $10 in the store, but are already going for $100 on ebay. If you're one of the bidders keep in mind that these are small - like smaller than cereal bowls. I may regret not grabbing one of the quilts too for resale purposes - they are going for a mint online. I also skipped the socks/tights/sleepwear. I had to draw the line somewhere. The woman in line in front of me at the SuperTarget bought $800 worth of stuff - all Missoni clothing and all for herself.

If you're dying for something I'd be happy to check what's left tomorrow at the crappy Target that I'm sure no one is shopping at here. Plus I think more will go out. We didn't get any of the swimwear at all - dudes it's still summer here and we live on the nicest beach in America! And there were other things that were noticeably missing, plus I saw carts of merch that hadn't gone out on the floor yet.
I completely forgot to look at the bike. Give me a reason to go back!

movie inspiration: suspiria

2011-09-13T07:49:00.008-04:00

Suspiria (1977) isn't my favorite Argento movie story-wise, but frame for frame it is the most stunning picture.
I want to live here -

I could have taken hundreds of pictures, but then you'd just be watching the movie real slow..
Sometimes it's on Netflix instant, but of course now that i make a post about it they've made it unavailable.

movie inspiration: cat o nine tails

2011-09-12T14:34:00.006-04:00

Cat O'Nine Tails (1971) is not the best Argento movie ever, but the story is good enough to have been stolen by every modern cop/courtroom show out there. And this chick wears nothing but insane slash-work polyester jumpsuits and dresses throughout - totally worth it for them alone.

I have no idea how you do these sleeves up by yourself..

floyd

2011-09-12T14:04:00.004-04:00

I was thinking about this poster the other day and had that little 'whatever happened to that' panic that I get a few times a week since the last move. After an hour of hunting through boxes of ephemera in the garage I finally found it. From a park somewhere in France in 1994. I had just graduated and I was on one of those tours where you're in a different country every day or two. Pink Floyd was also on tour that summer, but they were a day ahead of us for the whole 7 weeks. I never did get to see them (and of course never will) but I did see countless parks across Europe absolutely demolished the day after they played. This was taped to a pole at one of them and I took it as a consolation prize. It's finally got a frame now and a nice place to live in the front room.

movie inspiration: deep red (1975)

2011-09-11T17:08:00.004-04:00

This is a movie I actually used to have years ago, but I lent it out and never saw it again. Lesson learned - never lend out a movie by Dario Argento. The print I had was terrible though, and it's now available instantly on Netflix in really pretty resolution.
1975 was a great year for Italian horror films, Italian fashion and probably everything else in Italy. But the key thing in this movie is the house - art nouveau perfection. I can't find anything online about the actual house though. The other key thing is the music - performed by the Goblins. Best. Film score. Ever.
Apparently this one is known in Japan as "Suspiria 2". Hilarious - it has nothing at all to do with Suspiria. I have screencaps from that one for you as well, even though it is not my favorite Argento film at all. It is pretty though. There's actually 2 of his movies on deck for you.. this is fashion week/Argento week here.

t

one pattern 2 ways version 3 - butterfly wings

2011-09-11T16:59:00.004-04:00

My own little fashion week continues here with the same dress in yet another fabric. I went to Joann to try to get more foil but all they had worthwhile was this metallic butterfly wing stuff.

It is pretty nice, but foil still wins. So up to Hancock I went for more foil (it's about 1/2 hour from here - not too bad.) I snagged acid yellow and blue.

one pattern 2 ways version 2 - 90s roots

2011-09-09T10:57:00.005-04:00

Highschool me approves of the crushed velvet, but really nothing will ever be as good as the foil version from yesterday. I'm going to grab 2 yards of every color foil they have so I can stare at a rainbow of them in my closet.. or hanging over my bed.
Actually highschool me would want this to be about 6-8 inches shorter, and now me thinks the bottom half should come in a bit more and hug closer.. maybe I can fix that.
I actually photographed this with different shoes and HATED it. These weirdass things make everything better. Walking is a bit clunky in them because they have thick wooden clog soles, but I don't care. I'm breaking them in and practicing around the house so I can bring them on the trip. This dress is coming too since it's easy to pack and won't need ironing. Plus I can probably pull it off for day with sneakers and my denim shirt thrown over.
I think I chose this color panne because of this pic Erin took at the marine lab when the girls were here.

one pattern 2 ways version 1 - insane

2011-09-08T17:30:00.004-04:00

In honor of NY Fashion Week I usually do my own little fashion week at home. Yesterday I finished the 50s dress (which actually took me a month to get done) and today I'm doing 2 quickie but goodie dresses. From a modern pattern even - New Look 6000. I snagged it yesterday when I went out for another baggie of crystal beads to finish the other dress, and I ran up to Hancock for fabric this morning. Fabric selection down here is woefully poor. How I miss my beloved Jomar! Thank goodness it's Halloween season and there's at least a few interesting things out right now - like this amazing orange foil.

This dress makes me feel better than anything else I've ever worn! I misjudged the stretchiness of the fabric though and it is like a Chinese finger cuff to get out of. Don't know where I'm going to wear it yet, but it'll be someplace special for sure. I may go back for the lime yellow version of the fabric too and do another with a little more wiggle room. This color is really gorgeous though, and I may have enough here to cut it again.

I also got some midnight blue crushed panne velvet to make a slightly more sane version - I'm thinking it'll be very Contempo Casuals ca. 1992. I'll try to get that one done today too, but it may be more like tomorrow. This one was easy because there's no facings or hem. The panne velvet will take some serging and a few more pattern pieces. You'll see as soon as it's done!

finished - 1952 party dress

2011-09-07T15:00:00.005-04:00

Butterick 4919

Man this one was a huge bitch to finish. Actually it's still not finished - needs hemming and a hook & eye - but after hand-stitching my little fingers to the bone all morning I rewarded myself with a try-on. I do love the dress, but the pattern is super difficult. It's a repro pattern and I think they simplified the original instructions by leaving a few of them out. There are two little flaps inside that I can't figure out what to do with. And there is just as much hand-stitching as machine sewing on this one.

Little garnet Swarovski crystals along the zipper. My only complaint with them is that I sprung for the real thing thinking that the holes would all be a consistent size and fit well over a beading needle. Wrong. Half of every packet was useless. Glad they were on sale.
The fabric - black cotton blend with shiny red threads - was on clearance at Hancock for $2/yd. I was having a really hard time figuring out what to do it in until I saw this. There was also a super bright magenta silk shantung that I loved, but at $20/yd I wasn't about to spring for the 5 yards I needed. Maybe next time.. what am I saying? I am never making this pattern again, and don't recommend it at all unless you absolutely love the dress. And hand-stitching. And new callouses.

packing

2011-09-07T09:34:00.003-04:00

Dad saw my moleskine and said that my neurosis has finally surpassed his. It's full of tiny thumbnail drawings of what I plan to pack on various trips. I feel like if he was a girl he'd understand..

i

Packing for vacation is one of my favorite things. Drawing and getting dressed are also pretty high on the list. This way I can see that I'm bringing appropriate stuff and enough of everything. I can see what I need to get/dry clean/sew/fix and I'm sure not to forget the little things. Ok maybe it's a little/super neurotic..

vacation recommendations?

2011-09-06T12:50:00.003-04:00

It's been many years since I got out of North America, but I'm finally heading out soon for a little/big family vacation - ports of call to include:

Athens, Greece
Mykonos, Greece
Korfu, Greece
Katakolon, Greece
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Koper, Slovenia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Venice, Italy

Any suggestions you may have for must-sees/ must-eats/ must-buys in any of these places would be greatly appreciated. Arts/history destinations, and fun nightlife things (especially in Athens & Venice) would be great too. I will of course be taking tons of pictures and remote blogging when wi-fi is available.

Also, I am finally tweeting again - determined this time to actually do it with some sort of regularity. Click the follow me button to the left <<< to keep up!

elephant drapes

2011-09-01T13:37:00.004-04:00

I posted a while back about my vintage Mummers costume hanging in the bedroom. I've been looking for something to bring a bit of that circusy vibe into the rest of the house. Enter these vintage circus elephant drapes! At least that's what I think they are... found at the Architectural Salvage of course. Hundreds of giant silver paillettes hand sewn onto shiny satin. One now lives on the diningroom table, and the other is under the sewing machine for now.

They have a few more at the shop in red, violet and turquoise. If you're interested in one and aren't near Sarasota let me know and I'll try to hook you up!

comme

2011-08-31T19:02:00.004-04:00

Erin and I had a few hours to kill before she had to get on the plane so we headed to the outlets, where I found the BEST shoes - Comme des Garcons pumps. White leather, white wooden platform heels, square throat, tiny nailheads holding the uppers onto the base, subtle graphic black suede stripes. Cartoon perfect. Effing poetry.

beautiful giant Japanese cruise ships for my feet

worn w stripey Target dress, vintage gingham shirt, Indian trade bead necklace.

chowda

2011-08-29T08:50:00.005-04:00

We made crawfish chowder the other day. It's one of those things I never make for myself, but with a houseful it's always a hit. Erin, of food blog No Love More Sincere, took pictures.

Frozen crawfish tales from Louisiana

the shrimp were for snacking. Corny loves seafood!

The recipe is Martha Stewart's summer corn chowder, with crawfish added halfway through the chicken stock simmer part.

waves

2011-08-28T12:15:00.001-04:00

Lido Key, Florida - East Coast Hurricane Day 2011

There's never this much action at our beaches. The riptide was serious.

animale

2011-08-26T08:13:00.006-04:00

My girls from Philly came to visit me this week, swiftly skirting the hurricane. In fact they may even have to stay a few extra days! Super psyched. I still don't know much of anyone here in Sarasota yet, so it is really nice to be with people that I know and love.
We hit the amusement park yesterday - Busch Gardens Tampa. It's way different than when I was a kid, but it's still pretty great. So many animals in nice non-zoo settings. And the girls had each other to ride all the rollercoasters with (I don't do them anymore.) I'm more the picture taking, bbq eating, squirty water ride type.

Silverback Gorrila -

Erin got to feed flamingos!
Their feet are pink too.

growl roar
White tigers -

Sorry the rest of the east coast is getting serious weather, but we definitely lucked out here.

new dress

2011-08-22T10:58:00.003-04:00

I actually bought a dress! It was too cute to ignore, plus was on the sale rack at Betsey Johnson. Heart-shaped pockets and elastic smocking around the middle, and it's entirely made of cotton - including the lining - so it's actually comfortable in all this heat. Although I did break a sweat taking these pics. I was outside for 4 minutes and came in completely drenched. I'll get used to it yet..

grilled cheese funnel cake

2011-08-18T19:53:00.004-04:00

Sometimes I am an evil genius...
Case in point - my recent hankering for grilled a cheese sandwich enrobed in funnel cake, topped with powdered sugar of course. [disclaimer: I was completely sober when I decided I needed to do this!]

Start by making a grilled cheese sandwich.

I use Bunny brand bread because it has the cutest packaging. And because it "stays fresh longer." I don't want to know how.

Then go online and find a funnel cake recipe. Any old recipe will do.

Pictured mojito not required, but it is a lovely accompaniment..

Then quarter and coat your sandwich in the batter. Take pictures while the oil is heating up.

Fry baby fry!

Coat liberally with powdered sugar. The pictured delicacies do NOT have enough sugar. Really go to town with it.

Now heartily enjoy! And please don't tell your cardiologist I told you to do this.

County Fair here I come!! So much better than deep fried butter on a stick.

pecky cypress

2011-08-16T17:19:00.003-04:00

I finally found a desk! I fell in love with it at the Architectural Salvage (where else?) and jockeyed all the furniture in the house around to accommodate it. I have a real weakness for worn antique green paint.. and it's got lots of nooks and crannies for all my art supplies and sundry junk.

The ammo box underneath is where I keep all my little bottles of ink. It's dated 1/69.

chinese checkers

2011-08-13T07:17:00.003-04:00

Found this little gem at the Architectural Salvage the other day - I saw it across the room and knew instantly it was coming home with me.

It really is just the tin lid of an old chinese checkers box screwed onto a stool base.

sorry bert

2011-08-12T08:34:00.002-04:00

When I looked at my blog stats this morning I wondered why there was a huge uptick in the search term "Mae West in Pants" - until I just now watched last night's Project Runway. Sorry Bert, Mae West did indeed wear pants and she looked amazing in them.
xo

fit to be snatched up by a giant gorilla

2011-08-07T15:15:00.004-04:00

I found this 1930s bias-cut silk satin nightgown a few weeks back. It has some spots but that just means I can wear it with abandon instead of sealing it up museum style.

It's a bit warm for this sort of thing right now but I think come fall, with a denim shirt thrown over, it'll be just perfect.

new in the shop - purses

2011-08-06T08:12:00.004-04:00

I've just added a whole slew of handbags to the shop - lots of styles, colors and eras:
[click pics to jump to listings]

60s raffia

50s clear plastic with rhinestones

60s psychedelic needlepoint by Maud Hundley

Coach from 1970

and the early 80s

These few have been in the shop for a little bit - be sure to grab your favorite before it gets snatched up!

Mallard tote

60s plastic covered box purse

60s candy bubble purse

and more!

all-weather puppy

2011-08-05T14:09:00.003-04:00

I made Cornfed a little raincoat. He'll still get a bit wet in a good storm, but he'll be much easier to dry off.

I used a bit of clear plastic from the remnant bin and a few packages of denim bias binding.

I think this one is such a handsome portrait

charcoal

2011-08-04T14:13:00.003-04:00

I finally finished the 1952 sheath dress!

It's certainly one of my classier efforts. It's really the perfect sexy secretary dress.

Hand-picked zipper with little pinky-purple iridescent beads.

new work in the shop

2011-08-03T12:52:00.002-04:00

I've listed a few of my new rodeo bull ink drawings at Bowl Full of Jelly for you.
Enjoy!

eye spy

2011-07-31T06:57:00.003-04:00

something beginning with V.

- a supernatural badguy with vintage Vuitton luggage.
The Golden Child (1986). That has to be the real deal. What I wouldn't give...

jelly

2011-07-29T16:54:00.006-04:00

so super plasticky - Furla jelly candy bag. It was a hard choice between this one and the green (the green was on sale even) but translucent fluoro red wins.

and more

2011-07-29T10:24:00.002-04:00

Last summer the series was circus animals and contortionists. Before that it was predators and their prey and bullfights (sans matadors,) and before that it was roadkill - which are still some of my favorites. This summer it's rodeo bulls.

movie inspiration: caught

2011-07-26T09:24:00.004-04:00

(click the pic above to watch instantly on Netflix)

Just a short movie inspiration post this time - I stopped screen-capping and really got into it. Caught (1949) is the story of a poor model who marries a millionaire (reputedly based on Howard Hughes) and the subsequent shit-show of their marriage. Beautifully acted, and the clothes are gorgeous.

From her poor-girl jeans w satin boudoir slippers - I mean if you're going to wear vintage high-waist rolled-hem jeans you may as well sport fancy satin slippers.. and maybe a flannel shirt tucked in to keep it real..

.. to this amazing sculpture of a dress. I had to get it front and back to show you those shoulders

contrast-lined and flicking up and out just perfectly.

There's a lot more amazing clothing - modeling plus millionaire wife always equals outstanding wardrobe.

more bulls

2011-07-21T15:00:00.003-04:00

quick sketches

Based on pics Dawn took at the rodeo last year (thanks again!) I'm going in the fall to get source images for myself.

you saved $175

2011-07-19T09:14:00.004-04:00

I went to Jo-Ann yesterday to find fabric for the 50s shorts pattern. While there I saw a little sign saying that all Butterick patterns were on sale for 99 cents each. !!! I never buy new patterns because they are so outrageously priced.. you can get 3 dresses off the sale rack at H&M for the price of a modern pattern. Plus, let's face it, modern patterns make ugly clothes. I wouldn't be caught dead in most of the garments they make. But when I started finding vintage repro patterns in the drawer I went a little nuts. The limit per person was 10 patterns, so I had some tough decisions to make. But in the end I think I got everything I couldn't live without. Now let's just see if I can actually make any of these beauties and do them justice.

Yes, Cornfed is going to get an outfit or two as well. He needs a little raincoat, and maybe a Halloween costume.

I'm thinking I'll use a bit of my treasured Peter Max fabric for this little number -

and this gorgeous dress is actually a wrap dress - over the head and the back wraps around to the front and buttons under the bust, giving it a sort of overskirt illusion. I'm thinking I'll make the front knee length to enhance the effect -

Hello next installment of the cruise wardrobe -

the little yellow linen sheath is just ideal.
and I snagged 3 halter dress patterns in all.

and to illustrate just how overpriced patterns are -

The sick part is that at 99 cents each both Jo-Ann and Butterick are still making their money. It's a racket I tells ya.

I also scored patterns for gloves, a poet blouse (been hunting a perfect one for ages now) and cute little historic repro Victorian style jackets. I'll be busy at the machine for a while now.

And the 50s shorts? I found some lipstick magenta denim and it all went just swimmingly -

worn with Diane von Furstenberg lip print top from the outlet years ago, and Edelman flats.

cruisewear

2011-07-17T17:25:00.007-04:00

I'm going on a trip at the end of summer to Greece, Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. I can't wait! In anticipation I have started sewing a little cruise wardrobe. First up is this early 50s crop-top made from an early 50s curtain panel. There was just barely enough of the fabric for this. I'm so glad it worked out.

worn with a thrifted 50s summer-weight wool skirt and rhinestone jellies from Aldo

vintage print of tambourines and flamenco hats

I think the shorts are next.
Pattern from Wearing History.
Also, a big giant thank you to Erin at Dynamite in a Dixie Cup, for the incredible review!

movie inspiration: Lady of Burlesque

2011-07-17T11:39:00.003-04:00

This is one of my all-time favorites. It's a murder mystery written by Gypsy Rose Lee, starring Barbara Stanwyck, and set in a theater in 1943. It doesn't get much better than that.

I really don't need to say anything here, right?
Click the title card in the first pic to watch instantly on Netflix.

t3

2011-07-16T11:24:00.002-04:00

also from 1977
Britannia Rule OK

bull 2

2011-07-14T15:31:00.000-04:00

t2

2011-07-14T11:29:00.003-04:00

1977 The Queen's Silver Jubilee

Yeah, it's the real deal. It's got yellow pitties but I so don't care.