Coming Soon...

Recently I have gotten rather interested in vintage hair styles.

From the crisp bob of the 1920's...

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To the Victory rolls of the 1940's...

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To the pageboy hair of the late 1940's and 1950's...

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To the Bouffants and beehives of the 1960's...

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I love it all!

I have been teaching myself how to do some of these hair styles, and next week I am going to do a Vintage Hair style week. I will try to write tutorials for a couple of them, because I know it can be confusing sometimes. Look for these next week!

Makeup

For the past few days I have been rather unmotivated and have not done myself up. I worked extra hours, early hours, so I often felt too tired to try to put on makeup. This morning, however, I did my makeup, as I normally do, and really enjoyed it. I had forgotten how much I love getting ready in the morning.

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I don't think I need makeup to be beautiful, but I love the ritual. Powder, eyeliner, mascara, brows, blush, lips. It is this routine that makes me feel like I've started my day. I had been feeling off for the past few days, and I think now I know why. I hadn't been indulging in this ritual.

There is this vintage makeup ad that I run into frequently, and it somewhat upsets me.

 

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It implies that you need makeup to be beautiful. "You'd hardly believe that the same face could become so beautiful, would you?" I think the woman on the left looks just as beautiful as the woman on the right. In the 50's and 60's especially, but even now, women were considered not dressed until they had "on their face". That is one of the reasons makeup is so vital to the vintage look, because everyone wore makeup, but that is because society told them they had to.

What I am saying is, if you like makeup and you feel it makes you look better, wear it proudly. If you don't think you need to wear makeup, go out proudly. If you are like me, and love the ritual, then indulge in the ritual. You don't need to wear makeup to be beautiful. Everyone is beautiful. Accept it in yourself.

"All that Glisters is not Gold"

On thanksgiving my Aunt let me raid a basket full of costume Jewelry that belonged to her mother (my grandmother) and her husband's mother. She said that whatever I didn't take would probably end up at Goodwill, so I took almost everything. There were only about 4 things left when I was done. This is going to be a long post with many pictures, because I got so much!

Some of these items were Christmas, which made me so happy because I don't really have much wonderful retro Christmas jewelry:

 The first picture shows things that look like they were handmade, by my uncle's mother. The pin on the top right has a twin in green, unfortunately I don't have a picture. The second picture is a pair of screw on earrings with matching brooch from the 1940's! My great aunt labeled everything, and thank goodness too, because it helps me know how old things are!

I got several sparkly ones too! Silver pins with rhinestones galore!

 These aren't the greatest pictures, but as you can see there are man, many brooches! The first picture is a set with brooch and earrings (or possibly shoe buckles. Once I figure out for sure, I will update) from, what I could tell, from the 20's or 30's. These I think were my grandmother's. The second picture has: earrings (top left), buckle (bottom left), star pin (top center), floral rhinestone brooch (center), and two rhinestone pins (bottom center, one is oblong and one circular), a crown pin (second from right), and a starburst brooch (right).

I got several gold toned pieces too:

First things first: Those are earrings, beautiful earrings. All of them are for pierced ears. The second picture has three brooches. Unfortunately two didn't have much information: the giant chain buckle brooch and the one with the tassel. The flowers, however, did have a lot of information. It is from the 20's, and is made of silver coated in rose gold. I was not going to leave something like that behind! Not only is it truly old, it is wonderfully beautiful! The third is simply an earring/brooch set, nothing special. The fourth picture has fake cameo jewelry: a pin with matching earrings, and a locket. It is so lovely, and I can't wait to find someone's picture to put in it. The last picture has some of the most beautiful jewelry in this set. It is a brooch and earrings. It is hard to tell, but it has purple and green stones, along with pearls. I don't think any of it is real, but it makes me think of Italy and wine.

I also got some almost hippie-like floral jewelry:

There were two pairs of earrings with the bracelet. One that actually corresponds with it (top), and one that just looks similar (bottom). Some of the flowers have fallen off the bracelet, but it still looks good. It is hard to tell from a distance.

I have two more things to show you, but one is significantly more fantastic!

There is a lovely pair of blue earrings (though they almost look black in this picture), and a gold-toned bracelet....or is it?

It is a watch! I was blown away by this. It looks like a gold chain bracelet, but it has a hidden watch! It needs a new battery, but other than that, it is in perfect condition.

Okay, now to the title of the post. This is a quote from The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare. What it means is that just because something looks beautiful on the outside doesn't mean it is beautiful on the inside. It is meant to be talking about character, but I took it loosely to pertain to costume jewelry. Most of this is costume jewelry, and just because it is beautiful, doesn't mean it is real gold.

That is all I have, I say that like it isn't much. Getting jewelry that used to belong to family members makes me so happy, because I get to continue the legacy.

I hope your thanksgiving was wonderful!

The Day I Discovered Lipstick

I don't remember exactly when it was, but I was 14 years old. My oldest sister was home for the summer from college. This was a pivotal summer for me. My younger sister, my oldest sister, and I went out every Wednesday to tour the city of Norfolk.

I would put on my best clothes. At the time that was a pair of black trousers from Forever 21, a pair of ballet flats with a bow, a plain shirt, and sometimes a blazer that I had gotten after years about 10 of hand-me-downs.

One day, we all piled into my sisters car to drive to Olde Towne Portsmouth, so we could take the ferry into Norfolk. My oldest sister handed me a tube of lipstick, and said "I don't look good in this color. Put it on and see how it looks." Reluctantly I did so, having never worn makeup outside of performing in my life. It was as if my face changed completely. It looked wonderful. I made sure to reapply regularly throughout our adventures that day.

The color was just a nude shade with hint of pink, too plain for me now, but since then, I have developed a taste for bolder and bolder lipsticks.

 Since I love the 60's most of all, I have gained a collection of shades with orange undertones, and pale pinks. Orange was increasingly popular throughout the decade (possibly from Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra), and you can find massive of "Pink-a-pades" ads for frosty pinks on the internet.

Tropical coral, was my first pink-orange shade, and it goes with about 90% of my wardrobe. It is the perfect, 60's neutral shade of lipstick! Just bright enough to show off the lips, but not as bright as Love that Red by Revlon (center first picture, left second).

Love That Red has been around for almost 60 years. My mother, a natural brunette, was given the color by a friend who didn't like it. She tried it, but found it was a little too orange for her, so she gave it to me. As a blonde, an orange-red is perfect for me. It is my dream red lipstick!

However, I have to discuss the most unique shade of all in this bunch, the solid orange: Siren by Revlon. I researched the shade to no avail. Everything said that it was relatively new, but, I know I've worn it since before they said it was released. Anyway, orange is the lipstick color I think of when I think of I Dream of Jeannie. I grew up with the show, and the vibrant colors inspired me. I remember her wearing lipstick this intense with some of her outfits.

People will say, that this orange is too much, but when it is on, it doesn't look like you'd think:

It is super mod. It is a color better suited to those with fair skin. If you are too tan it may make the tan look fake, so it is tricky for a lot of people. I just want to say, that this shade gets way too much flack for being too intense. It is no more intense than a perfect red.

The rest of my colors are the ones I only wear occasionally (with the perfect outfit).

What I want to say, is, do not be afraid to experiment with lipstick. The perfect shade can change your entire face, and even brighten your mood. I know it did for me the first day I tried it!

You're a Mean one, Mr. Grinch

I went to one of the many Goodwill thrift stores by my house today with several friends. We went in search of Christmas decorations. I, as always, was drawn to the clothing section first.

I have a Christmas skirt (which will be debuted very, very soon!), but I don't have a shirt to match. So, I waltzed down the aisles of long sleeved shirts scouring each and every shirt in green, gold, silver, and red. None were the right fit for the skirt. Suddenly, I stumbled across a bejeweled cardigan in Grinch green. It doesn't go with the skirt, but by golly is it perfect for Christmas!

 

You can barely see it in these pictures, but on the left cuff is a little extra embellishment. I have two red pencil skirts that I could wear with it, but the one I chose for this picture I think is the better of the two.

It is the the perfect Christmas sweater. Sequins, beads, and sparkles on a Grinch green sweater. The next time I watch the movie I am wearing this cardigan.

HAPPY EARLY CHRISTMAS!

Diet and Exercise

I'm sorry I haven't had a post in so long. I have been a little under the weather.

If anyone knows me they will say that I am not one for dieting. I love fat. I will eat as much of it as I can: Butter, heavy cream, cream cheese, etc. However, I have, as of late, began focusing on what people ate 50 years ago. This included casseroles made with tuna, condensed soup, an noodles; jello salads; cake's made with shortening; and, of course, Velveeta.

Women were housewives (most of them against their own volition), and the perfect housewife had many things to do: shopping, cleaning, taking care of the children, and cooking. Cooking was important, but it became streamlined with simple, quick, pre-packaged recipes.

Women wanted to be thoroughly modern, so they would use jello in everything: I mean everything. It was the wonder food.

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Jello was quick and easy, though strange things came of it. I once found one that consisted of mixing mayonnaise, velveeta, and gelatin, but I can't find it anymore.

The big thing about the diet of 50 years ago was that people ate less. They found ways to incorporate vegetables into everything (tuna casserole generally has peas), and they ate smaller portions. That's really it. Smaller portions. They walked more, though probably not as much as we imagine. So, they were slimmer. I am not one to ever say that anyone is too fat, but when people say that women were shaped differently 50 years ago, the answer is they were, and that is because they cinched their waists, and ate less.

Now, for exercise. I don't really exercise. I walk a lot, I do the twist every time an appropriate song starts to play, but I have a couple exercises that really help wind down. They are simple.

1. Lay on your back and peddle your legs (like when you were a kid and did it with a sibling or friend) for however long you like. I sometimes count to a certain number, or listen to a song and do it for the duration.

2. Lay on your right side and kick your left leg up and down. Roll over to your left side and do the same with your right leg. Again, I typically listen to a song and do kicks for each leg for half of the song.

That's it. That's all I do. I am not very much in shape, I am not particularly skinny, so these are not "lose weight exercises". These are my way of unwinding (when I listen to an upbeat Ella song, I feel so much better) and completing the day. I do this about 3-4 times a week.

All I have to say is that, in order to maintain a vintage figure, which is about curves and not size, eat smaller portions (while your waist is cinched), go for long walks, learn the 50's dance moves, and, if you like, add on my little exercises.

Like Etta James, I am Singing At Last!

I finally, FINALLY, managed to get my photos uploaded. So, this is a picture heavy post, that will briefly discuss two events. Let's start with November 1st: one week ago.

This was my costume. I was a Murderess from an Agatha Christie story. The knife was something I just held for the pictures. This is also what I wore to the Great Gatsby, with Leonardo DiCaprio.

My roommate was Poison Ivy, and dyed her hair for the occasion.

Now, to the opera. My roommate and I got all dolled up to go see the Magic Flute, which is still playing in Norfolk or Virginia Beach for a little while longer, and then moves to Fairfax and Richmond. You should see it it is divine!

You can see it in the first picture better, but I found a black turban hat with a feather tassel at a CHKD thrift store just two hours before the opera. It was such a lucky find!

This dress I got last year at 360 Vintage and More, it is listed under the shops page. The owner is sweet as sugar and very accommodating!

This is the fur that my mother got me when we were in Fredericksburg. You can't really see it, but the fur is brown black, and so were the feathers on the hat. It was cold out, and we had to walk, so it was just perfect to wear to the opera. But, I would have worn it even if it weren't cold enough. I just love fur!

My roommate and I were completely contrasting, and it was great! She was draped in flowing white, and I was a column of black. We looked like a set sold separately. Adorable!

The Photo credit for all of the pictures with me in them goes to Morgan Leary, a dear old friend.

I am the Teacher from Leave it to Beaver!

I went to the opera last night, and got all done up with vintage everything, from stockings to hat. However, my camera is acting up still, and I cannot figure out why. As soon as I can get it to work again I will have pictures of my last costume and my Opera outfit.

However, I was able to take pictures on with my computer of the new outfit that I bought when out today with my roommate and good friend Morgan. We tried to go to the Goodwill Outlet in our area, but alas, it moved much farther than we were willing to drive, at least today. So we drove around and came across a thrift store called Second Hand thrift store.

While there I got a handmade Christmas wreath, a vintage wool pleated skirt, and a zip-front sweater:

The quality isn't great, but you can see the red and blue of the skirt in the first picture, and some of the detailing on the sweater in the second. (On the far right of the first picture is the wreath, though you can't really see it).

This outfit screams Leave it to Beaver to me.

That is Ms. Landers

I am studying to be a teacher, and feel this outfit will suit me well while working in a school. Most of my wardrobe is like that, at least now. Shirt dresses and pleated or a-line skirts. Once I decided to become a teacher the wiggle dresses and pencil skirts faded out (though they are still a plenty), and the "Teacher Uniform" came in. Maybe it is because my grandmother was a teacher, and she gave me much of her clothing.

Okay, I'm done rambling. Anyway, I have become the Teacher from Leave it to Beaver, and I love it!

Me and Joan

Yesterday I mentioned that I have started re-watching Mad Men. Last year I was so obsessed that I watched the show to see every detail of Joan's wardrobe. I emulated her look daily. I was Joan. I did this for at least a year:

Okay, I had blue hair for a brief period, and I still had to sport the wiggle dress and beehive.

Even when in a Showcase for a Musical Theatre Camp that I taught for I had a beehive and pencil dress (we are performing I'd Do Anything from Oliver!)

Pencil skirt and silk blouse.

Ruffles at the bust while thrifting (sorry it is so blurry)

This is the same dress that I wore to a birthday party.

So, you see, I became Joan. I decided that if I could pinch any fabric, the dress was not tight enough. I mastered the Beehive, the curl set, and the wiggle walk. I bought my own version of the pen necklace, seen in the picture above (it is a row of triangles). I learned the makeup, and eventually dyed my hair flame red. A while of not watching the show, and I stopped dressing this way. I stayed vintage, but let the silhouette become looser and I even started exploring circle skirts.

After getting back into the show I decided to give it another go and break out one of my pencil skirts and shirts with collar details. I did my hair up, and here is me today:

Sorry it is a little green, but you can see the wiggle outfit. I know my hair isn't in a beehive, but I distinctly remember Joan sporting hair similar in season one. This is a Season One Joan outfit, that I just love.

If it weren't for my job I would get rid of everything that is not this tight.