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.

Re-exploring Mad Men

Yesterday felt like two days. I woke up early to vote, then went to an appointment. I was done before 11. I sat in my apartment for a while, when, finally I decided to finish repairing my Christmas skirt (which will be revealed later). When that was done I went out to get Christmas decorations and did up the living room of my apartment. So much, but so little was done. I mean, so many things that took so little time.

So, after re-watching something I have re-watched too many times to mention, I decided to go back into Mad Men. It is so luxurious.

Suits, classic skirts, beautiful jewelry, hair and makeup done to perfection. I had forgotten how much I loved it. It makes me want to get all done up just to go to for a walk. I am working today, so that may cause some problems. Though, I won't lie I have worn a wiggle dress to watch the girls. I want to put on a dress like this:

and head to work. Betty could watch children and keep house in a shirt dress and crinoline, so I can too!

I love Mad Men because of the fashion, but also because of the history. It portrays a time period that is coated in a golden sheen, a time of harmony, as it really was: a time of social turmoil. Women were either housewives or secretaries looking to become housewives. Men were business men who had to go to work every day, and turned to loose women in order to feel more fulfilled.

I have always been interested in the history of the 50's and 60's. So much change went on socially, and this change is often muddled because the people who were alive then, who are alive now, were children at the time, and children always think their childhood was golden. Sorry to go on a long rant, but I love history! Especially mid-20th century history.

I encourage you all to look into the show, it is really enjoyable. It is visually beautiful, the plots are interesting, and the characters unique. And...Christina Hendricks and Joan doesn't hurt:

Votes for Women

Today is election day, and a very important election takes place for me. I am a Virginia resident, and am voted for the Governor, Sheriff, Attorney-General, and a few others this morning.

I am very passionate about voting, especially as a woman. It has been less than 100 years since women have gotten the right to vote. My great-grandmother Blanch Ipock could not vote when she turned 21. By the time she died she could vote, and she voted in every election that she could. My mother was taught that women should vote in every election by her grandmother, and mother, and now she taught me and all of my sisters.

Women suffered to gain this right. They were persecuted, put in prison, and insulted. They were portrayed as emasculating, poor mothers, and crass. All that these women wanted was equality. And, you know what, feminists are described like this today. They are portrayed as man-hating lesbians. That is not universally true. Feminists just want all humans to be equal. Okay, rant over.

So, all women who have an election today, go out and vote, even if you don't know the politics and have to write someone in, even if you don't want to take the time, vote, if just because your grandmother, great-grandmother, or whatever, knew a time when women were not equal. Vote because your daughters (which may not yet exist), or nieces need to be taught of the hardships that women suffered in order to gain what we take for granted today.

For good measure and a little bit of fun, take this quiz too. And watch this video.

Preemptive Christmas!

Alas, Alack, my camera is not working, and I am unable to upload the pictures of my costume from last night! I was an Agatha Christie murderess, and my roommate was Poison Ivy. I wore a 3/4 length royal blue silk dress, and a matching blue cloche hat. I procured a long knife for the photo op, but didn't carry it with me to the party, because it was a college event. It was what I wore to see the Great Gatsby (sans knife) and I got the wonderful pickup line: "Can I be your Gatsby for the night?" It was amusing, to say the least.

So, since I have no pictures from last night, today I am going to discuss my preemptive desire to get into the Christmas spirit. Last night I began listening to my favorite Christmas song: The Christmas Waltz, By Doris Day. I love Frank Sinatra's version too.

I love Christmas. I always go all out in Christmas attire around Christmas, I do not care about being tacky. Recently I bought a handmade Christmas circle skirt from The Second Hand Rose, featured on my shops page. A while ago, my friends and I got together for a Christmas party, and this was the result:

From left to right it is: Me, my friend Abby (above), my older sister Joanna (below), my dear friend Leslie, and my younger sister Ruth.

This picture is just the tip of the iceberg. Every Christmas we all do this. We bake Christmas desserts for everyone and in massive quantities. My favorite dessert, however, is the classic French Christmas dessert, the glorious Buche De Noel.

There are many variations, but I make a chocolate sponge cake roll, filled with mocha whipped cream, frosted with dark chocolate buttercream frosting, and garnished with meringue mushrooms. I use crushed candy canes to create the illusion of snow. When I make it this year, I will post my recipe.

I hope I could get you into the Christmas spirit, too, even though it is a little early. The Christmas spirit is about giving, loving, and spending time with family and friends, a spirit that is never out of season.

Happy Early Christmas all!

All Saints Day: Costume 2

Last night a few friends and I gathered together to party-hardy. We all got in costume, and made massive amounts of food. I mean six people made food enough for 20, but only about 15 showed up, maybe less. It was still fantastic though, we had an array of costumes:

Mary Poppins and Burt, my friends Jessie (one of the hostesses) and her fiance Ian!

Starfire from Teen Titans, my wonderful roommate Heather!

The Black Widow, Joyanna, a hostess!

Edgar Allan Poe, sans mustache, my roommates twin Randy!

A soldier, my friend David!

From a Roman Carnivale, a hostess and friend, Brianna!

Red hat society lady, a hostess and long-time friend, Morgan!

She was kidnapped by Fairies, my friend Summer!

Rosie the Riveter, my friend and coworker, Madeline!

A sexy cat, my friend Rachel!

And, me, a Monarch Butterfly! You can't really see it, but I was wearing a crown.

So many costumes, so many friends, and I did not show all of them! It was magnificent, all of the food was wonderful, from pigs in a blanket, to pumpkin dip with ginger cookies.

I broke out all of my serving gear, and if you look in the back you can see copper leaves on a tiered server. That is my newest addition to my chic fall hostess gear.

Tonight, my college is having yet another Hallowe'en costume party. I plan on wearing a less elaborate costume for this, because I am too tired to come up with something too extreme. Tomorrow I will do a post about that with pictures of me and my friends!

The photo credit goes to Morgan Leary (she was the Red Hat Lady). She took pictures that were so much better than mine, I had to use hers. Thanks Morgan!