Lovely vintage Valentines dresses that wont break the bank

This little curve hugger is sure to have you wiggling in all the right places. Beware though, your boyfriend or date most likely will transform into the Tex Avery wolf for at least 60 seconds!!!

1950's scarlet bombshell wiggle dress $54, sillyrabbitvintage

Tex Avery wolf, 1943

Sweet as a cupcake in frosting worthy colors.

Stunning open back pale pink 1960's cocktail dress $65 now $55, RevolvingStyles

Sweet handmade 1950's polka dot dress w/ rhinestone trim $35, countryshamrock

Breathtaking (I wish this was my size) 1960's vixen cut out pencil dress w/ matching coat $49, turquoiseheaven

Lipstick red 1950's dress cute bow detail & full skirt with a 40 inch bust $50, littlethingsvintage

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Two more to make your date's heart skip a beat this Valentines day!

A darling 1940's inspired cherry red peplum dress that rivals on those made back then, a sweet score at $39.99 from FiregypsyVintage. Lastly a steal of a deal, this 1940's sweetheart red crepe dress is in great condition and an even more romantic deal for $42 from revivalhouse.

Asking for Bad Luck on Friday the 13th, 1940.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Members of the anti-superstition party walking underneath a bad luck ladder. Notice the umbrella opened, the number 13 twice, a black cat and a sign stating everyone must walk under this ladder.

A man happily breaking a mirror with a hammer at the anti-superstition party of 1940.

I think I will do without all the bad luck and stay away from anti-superstition partys also If I see a ladder I will no doubt walk around it. Do any of you guys give into superstitions? I don't have any problem being a tad bit superstitious giving into a few like if I spill salt, I always take a pinch and toss it over my left shoulder. These guys are just insane!

I hope you all have the luckiest friday ever!

Saving lives and making sweet shoes since the 1880's

Thank you again for all of your lovely comments on my last post, I was smitten by all of the sweet and thoughtful responses. Also I just wanted to point out I have yet to make anything out of those paticular patterns but do not worry, now that I have my handy sewing book to reference I will be diving in to more difficult patterns very soon.

I stumbled upon these beauts via one of my favorite blogs Letters from the Home Front, its so fascinating to own a piece of history, especially from an organization dedicated to saving lives since 1881 like the Red Cross.

1940's Velvet Red Cross Peep Toes $58 Adelinesattic

1940's White Satin Red Cross Peep Toes $38 tigerluxe

1940's Red Cross First Aid Text-Book, 1st Edition $9 TheFancyLamb

WWI Red Cross Pin $4 PassingItOn

Sewing Made Easy, really? Yes!!!!

Sewing Made Easy 1959, yet to be made vintage patterns from my collection.

I love to sew and I am not to shabby but I am self taught, everything I know about sewing I have learned on my own (well there was that week in 8th grade Home Ec where we sewed a snake, weird huh?). Over the years I have been collecting patterns well not really more like hoarding patterns, but any who these gorgeous patterns seldomly get used and that is so very very wrong. Shame on me!

A few of my favorite patterns from my collection.

 

Self taught has made me a master at tailoring ready made, making wicked awesome pencil skirts, sewing my own designs (like my halloween costume) and whipping up accessories but horrible at understanding written directions and terminology amongst a few other important details. So when it comes to getting ready to make most dress patterns and especially suits I am scared out of my wits.

Gosh, I really cant wait to make these.

All my problems have been solved, well in away. Today I stumbled upon something I have been needing for way to long, but did not have the extra pocket cash to pick up via the internet. This book is entitled Sewing Made Easy and that is exactly what it does.

A few more favorites.

My first sewing book and its from 1959 perfect for all of my vintage patterns, best dollar I ever spent! I am no longer scared to make a fancy dress but excited, if I have any questions I can just refer to my new lil sewing bible! Over 400 pages covering all the basics and then some, along with lovely how to's, like slip covers for furniture, curtains, hats, slippers, belts (which I have included a picture of below for you to save or use as inspiration) and turning two ugly dress' into one gorgeous dress.

Click to enlarge. The first is my favorite, using a mans watch chain to make a belt how bad ass is that for a 1950's housewife!!!!

I hope all of you guys have an amazing Veterans Day and even better sewing adventures.

Autumn Amenities

Doris Model 1930's Wool Coat w/ Mink Collar Allencompanyinc

Slate Blue 1940's Swing Coat DearGoldenVintage

1940's Plaid Jacket and Coat Set eldiabloshoes

Scalloped Cuffs 1950's Gray Wool w/ Mink Coat ClubVintage

I am sorry it has been so long.

We are still settling into our new home and sadly we do not have internet just yet. But trust me I am working on that.

I have not found out any history on are house so far but I am still researching. Due to the age of the house and the fact that it was abandoned for two years my boyfriend and I have had are hands full. Aside from cleaning and unpacking we have been extremely busy fixing things, from replacing the original clay plumbing, the foundation, putting in lights, digging out all of the weeds in the front and back yard and turning the soil. We still have so much to do to restore the house to its original luster, for example the garage is leaning a bit and needs to be reinforced, we still need to paint the inside and outside of the house, plant new grass, sand and polish the hard wood floors, rip out the ugly boring tan tile in the bathroom, kitchen, and my sewing room to replace with black and white checkered tile as well as fixing some minor cracks in the inside of the house.

My paint plans for the outside of the house which is currently a horrid light blue with a even worse poorly painted crayola (don't ask me why) bright blue is to paint the house gray with white trim, black details and the front door and back door will be dark red. I am working on a sketch of my plans right now so stay tuned.

I forgot how long it takes to unpack, we moved in about 3 weeks ago and we are still not fully unpacked yet. ekkkk! As soon as I get a few more boxes unpacked including my sewing machine I will be able to sew as much as possible each and every day. Its inspiring to have my own room for drafting, sewing, and all of my artwork but unfortunate to not have everything accessible or in working order yet. Currently I do have a bathing suit in the works right now, the fabric is a dark blue art deco one way stretch and the design for the suit is very 1940's and I cant wait to get started on it.

Again I am sorry for how long it has been since I last posted, things are just now finally settling into place. In no time at all I will have plenty of new things I have created and vintage items I have picked up as well as photos of our house to share.

I miss reading all of of your guys comments along with each of your blogs. I cant wait to get Internet in our home and be able to update everyday. We do visit my loves aunt and uncles house a couple times a week, so I will be posting and uploading photos each time we are over here.

We recently rented Cadillac Records which I now have to buy for my collection, and I was delighted by how well the director portrayed each of these legends. The movie revolved around the history of Chess Records and its African American acts who broke the racial musical barriers. Acts like, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin Wolf, Chuck Berry and of course the forever wonderful Etta James. Not only the story but the costumes, sets and cars where incredibly moving.

Girls good grooming guide

(click photos to enlarge)

Some might hate the thought of a morning checklist but to me this would be quite handy (when I wake up I am in a zombie state I barely open my eyes as I drag my feet to the shower) and a check list like this would be sure to instill good habits in any young woman. photo credit

Currently we have been on the road now moving from California to Texas, so if I don't respond to any emails or comments right away I am truly sorry and as soon as the internets up in running in are new home I will be sure to reply. I do have my iPhone but I am not sure how much service I will be getting! Enjoy the auto posts in my absence, take care for now everybody.

Straight from Dita's Mouth

Biggest misconception about burlesque: "That it’s about dancing around in hot pants with feather boas. Burlesque was about the striptease. The stars of burlesque took their clothes off, end of story, period."

Worst moment onstage: "My hair caught on fire. I do an act where I sit on a vanity table that has candelabras on it. Well, there was a lot of hair spray going on. I realized what was happening and put my hair out. The show went on."

Indispensable gadget: "A 1940s phone station. It’s a stand that holds the phone, and you sit in it. You can’t move around. I used to have a cordless phone and I hated it."

Personal hero: "Mae West. There hasn’t been another actress in the world who wrote every line she ever said in a film."

Burlesque memento: "I have an artifact of the famed burlesque star Sally Rand, from 1939. It’s a box that says “Winter Underwear for Men” on it. Inside is a crocheted warmer for a man’s equipment. It’s hysterical."

Extra bedrooms: "I turned one of them into a dark, jewel box of a bedroom. Another is a wardrobe with my dresses, shoes and vintage clothes. The third is devoted to my hat collection and vanity. It’s a real powder room."

Collections: "I collect in a crazy way. I have at least 15 collections. I collect vintage hair combs; vintage clothes; vintage lingerie; hats; jewelry; cigarette holders."

Favorite collection: "My hats. When I look at them I can’t believe these are things that women wore on the street every day. They are dramatic and distinctive."

Obsolete item she can’t bear to part with: "Everything I have is obsolete. That’s the point."

Doesn't she have the most gorgeous hat room, just look at all of those vintage hats, now that folks is what dreams are made of! All of the quotes from Dita Von Teese are courtesy of the New York Times and the last photo, the entire interview may be found here.

Go here if you are interested in prints of Dita, beware you might see some tatas.

Inspiring 1940's hair styles

photo credit

A gift for you.

First I wanted to share this amazing photograph & blog I just stumbled on, the blog goes by the name of Time Warp Wives and is full of list's and tips on ways to improve your life. For instance 20 Ways to Achieving Your Goals!, How to Deal with Rude People, How to Get Along With Your Mother in Law, and also posts like this one Improving Communication With Your Spouse. Its such a lovely and well written blog I can not get over how useful and mind blowing some of these tips are.

Gifts & Giveaways

Recently my wonderful prize that feels more like a luxurious gift arrived, which I won from the Able Grable Giveaway on Miss Matildas Blog. My package was full of vintage lovelies my favorite part would have to be the 1940's sparkly vintage hat which is to die for and I know I will be wearing it over and over. Once we get unpacked I will be taking pictures of my self with my new lovely items to share with y'all.

Able Grable is a wonderful new clothing line, right now they are offering this darling well constructed 1930's inspired polka dot dress. I am enthralled by the glorious detail on this dress especially the back as well as the high quality materials which this true to the time dress is made of.

Lately I have been stumbling on so many great giveaways and I wanted to make sure you guys knew about some of these.

Dismantled Fashions $20 Gift Certificate Giveaway
To enter the giveaway go here, and also make sure to check out Dismantled Fashions Etsy shop, or DismantledFashions.com.

Miss Metropolitan Housewife's Giveaway

Which includes the Vintage Hairstyling Book, an adorable pink flower and more, to enter the giveaway go here.

Grosgrain's Children's Hopscotch Cami's Giveaway

For a chance to win one of two adorable red & yellow jumpers enter the giveaway here.

Retro Housewife Goes Green Enviorsax Reusable Bag Giveaway

To enter the giveaway for the Envirosax handy reusable retro print bag click here.

Waste Not Sak's Giveaway

Waste Not Sak's is offering an adorable Woodland Mushroom Reusable Sandwich Sak, enter the giveaway here.

Grosgrain's Boojiboo Flirty Apron Giveaway

Another great giveaway from Grosgrain, this time it is an adorable apron made by Boojiboo, enter the giveaway here.

I would love to do a giveaway for all of you lovely gals but first I wanted to get your opinions. Would you like for it to be a random drawing where I pick a name out of a hat, do you want me to choose by your answers to a question I ask, or do you want to have a poll and vote for who should win the giveaway. If you have any other ideas or advice leave a comment and let me know.