"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!

Holiday Hostess: Thanksgiving

It is a couple days before Thanksgiving, and I am starting my cooking! My aunts are making the bulk of the meal, but I have been asked to make the pumpkin pies! My mother doesn't cook, but she knows how to make a pumpkin pie.

First thing first, I called my mother and got her recipe:

 I copied it onto a card from my recipe box, so that I wouldn't forget a step along the way. I had to make three pies, so I got to work right away, in order to not stay up all night! After about 45 minutes of cooking each pie filling separately, since I didn't have a bowl big enough. I popped them in the oven, now to just wait. They came out perfectly!

This pumpkin pie recipe is different than most, because you cook the filling partially before putting it in the crust. Here is the recipe:

2 Cups pumpkin (approx. 1 can, though I prefer fresh)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
4 Eggs
Pumpkin pie spice and vanilla to taste
Pie crust

Combine all of the ingredients but the vanilla in a bowl.
Cook over double boiler until thick. This gets out excess liquid.
Add vanilla, then pour into pie crust.
Bake at 350 until a knife can be inserted and come out clean, about 20 minutes.
Let cool, serve room temperature or chilled, with whipped cream.

This recipe is nostalgic for me, because it was something my mother would make every year. Most years we would visit extended family, and the one thing that my family would bring was the pumpkin pie. I wanted to get into the part too, when making the pie. I put on one of my shirt dresses and hostess apron. I felt like a housewife from the 50's prepping for her big event. It was lovely.

I hope you all can be inspired by your childhood to make something wonderful this year. I probably won't be posting again until after the holiday since I work and then travel tomorrow for Thursday, so, Happy Thanksgiving!

Egyptomania

About one week ago I discovered the documentary section on Netflix. I went straight to the history section and started devouring all of the documentaries on the 20th century. Eventually, though, I ran out of those, so I resorted to documentaries one Egypt. Boy, did I go crazy with those. I watched every one that Netflix had.

Egyptomania started in the early 19th century, with the discovery of the Rosetta Stone. Once the hieroglyphs were able to be translated, archaeologists flocked. This resulted in the public becoming obsessed. They went to Egypt and shopped at the markets. Sellers would rob tombs to find trinkets for tourists. It died out a little over the century, but never went away completely.

In the early 20th century there was a revival. In the 20's King Tut's tomb was found!

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Then, there was his curse. Egypt was in the spotlight! This influenced fashion, Hollywood, and literature (Death on the Nile). Eventually films were made, ultimately Liz Taylor's Cleopatra.

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The discovery of Tut's tomb reignited the love of the ancients. This influenced makeup (winged eyeliner).

Right now, I am obsessed. I write Murder Mystery Parties, one for Christmas and summer, so, this one is set in Egypt. It is inspired by Death on the Nile and Murder in Mesopotamia, and the David Suchet adaption of Appointment with Death.

Anyway, this is my current inspiration. I hope it can inspire you some!

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!

Christmas and Pancakes (As Promised... UPDATED)

As promised I will debut the CHRISTMAS SKIRT! I got it in Petersburg at Second Hand Rose, the address and information is listed on my shops page.

It is debuting today because my university is doing a Pancake Feast, which will involve Santa, and prizes for the most festive outfit. So, without further ado:

This is the day I fixed it, so I am just wearing a slip. I love the pinup look of it. Not to mention the perfection of the red crinoline!

And this is it with the shirt that I bought to go with it:

 

Borrowing the Christmas tree of a friend. Photo credit to Morgan Leary for this one.

This skirt is handmade from the 50's. It was gotten from an estate in Petersburg. I mentioned to the owner of Second Hand Rose that I was looking for circle skirts, she mentioned this, and I just had to see it. She got it specially out of storage for me, and I snapped it up on the spot!

I hope everyone is having a perfectly wonderful holiday season!

 Happy Christmas!

After I had published this post, I had to go to class, and then I got to eat my pancakes! I added a couple accessories to the ensemble, and have pictures to add!

Sorry they're a little blurry!

But that turtleneck is a dickie. I found it for a dollar last year and said, why not?
Happy Holidays!

The End of an Era

This isn't about vintage, but it is about one of my lifelong adventures that I have been on in the past.

Last Wednesday the final episode of Poirot premiered in the UK. I lost track of time, and when I discovered this, I promptly watched Curtain with my sister. We have yet to see Dead Man's Folly and The Labours of Hercules, but since my sister and I are only together every now and then, we had to watch the final one together.

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At the beginning of 1989 the first episode of the show with David Suchet premiered, introducing the jovial Captain Hastings, the fumbling Inspector Japp, and the orderly, though plain, Miss Lemon. It wasn't until about 10 years later that my family watched the show for the first time, by then more than 40 episodes had been produced. I would never forget that theme song...

Ever since then, Agatha Christie's Poirot is the only show that could get my entire family of seven in the same room at the same time. This is a feat, because we all have very diverse interests (from artist to engineer). Over the next few years, as all of us children went through teenagehood we lost touch with the show. When I was about 14 or so, my younger sister and I re-explored it together. This is when I began to read the books.

I became obsessed. I have yet to read all of the books, but I have read dozens over the past several years. Sometimes I take a break, because I feel that my mind is starting to over analyze every day life to see if a murderer is in my midst. (I suggest you go to Jeannie's Book Store on High Street in Portsmouth, right after Frederick, and just before London, next to the Goodwill, if you live in the area).

I began writing Murder Mystery Parties, casting each of my friends as characters that I had written expressly for them, choosing my murderer wisely. I would cook up a 5 course meal for 10-15 people, play the part of a servant, and let the games begin. There were times when I would even play the part of Poirot, casting my younger sister as Hastings, my older sister as Japp, and my dear friend Leslie as Miss Lemon.

 

My wine was poisoned and I collapsed on the stairs.

 I was not afraid to stuff my shirt for the role of Poirot!

Poirot has been a part of my life for over a decade and a half, and has been around for almost a decade longer (the television show). The era has ended, and the most luxurious portrayal of murder on television is gone. No one will ever be able to play Hercule Poirot as well as David Suchet, no one ever has. Not even on Murder on the Orient Express. His version strays from the book, but satisfied the true nature of Poirot. Poirot would never have let someone get away with murder; it is completely out of his character, but that version made it work.

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The final episode culminates with the perfect solution to the perfect crime, solved by the most ingenious of all detectives. Goodbye, my dear Belgian friend, and all of your helpers!

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Grease Lightning!

Since yesterday the thrift store trip was a bust for Christmas decorations, we went back to a thrift store that had closed just 10 minutes before we got there. It was like in the old movies where the children look in the window in awe at the Christmas display, knowing they could not enter.

I felt particularly in the mood to vamp up my look when I woke up, and since it is a typical 70 degree November day in Virginia Beach, I put on a sweater vest from the 50's and a black leather pencil skirt. My hair was flat, so I did up a beehive, enhanced with a headband. I looked like one of the Pink Ladies:

I wore my Rago 3/4 length Longline bra with it, and, boy, did it make me feel like bursting into a group dance, or singing "There are worse things I could do". I also had a pink blazer in case it got chilly in the store, which made the look even more Grease!

I discovered a couple wonderful dresses, and FINALLY found the perfect shirt to go with my Christmas skirt. Look for that debut Thursday.

One of the dresses is my Thanksgiving dress, so I won't post about that until then. I hope everyone is having a wonderful time getting ready for the second big Holiday of the season! Happy Holidays!