Finals Week

So, this is the end of my first semester at OSU and finals started yesterday. Ugh. >,<

I had 2 finals yesterday, but luckily my first one was not til 6, so I had most of the day to study. I told myself that the more I tried to look nice, the more confident I would feel, thus helping me do well on my finals. Pipe dream, I know. Studying is really the only thing that helps.

 New favorite cardigan. Well old cardigan. Same thing.

Dancing on tables at the park is one of my favorite spare time activities.

I find myself wearing velvet again. Well, actually it's velveteen, but still.

It's just perfect for chilly weather. Plus, I am a really tactile person, so I like textures and soft things. And I just want you to know that after I typed that sentence I pictured in my mind a giant bowl of chilli filled with marshmallows  and kittens. Because chilly and soft things. LOL. Sorry, my brain is being dumb because it's trying hard to not fail finals.


Outfit

50's black velveteen dress and 50's cardigan ~ Thrifted
Flats ~ Kohl's

Reaching Goals

A while back, I ordered a dress on Modcloth. It was actually almost a year ago because it was a fabulous winter clearance sale and every thing was like 50 or 70% off. There wasn't too much that I liked included in the sale (or left in my size) but an adorable raspberry number caught my eye. It looked like a modern 50's prom dress, so I went ahead and bought it and plus it was only 30 bucks! I looked at the sizing info and it said it ran small, so instead of getting an L or XL I ordered a 1X. I figured I could always take it in if was too big. After waiting on tenterhooks for a few days my dress finally arrived and I was so excited!!

That excitement was pretty short lived.

The dress was too small! Which is entirely ridiculous because I am usually between an L and an XL. The zipper would not even go up past my waist. I was really upset, but put it away in my closet pondering if I would ever be able to wear it. Well, I decided to get it out of my closet the other day and what do you know, it fit! I suppose losing 20 pounds is what did it. I was so excited that I will be able to wear it now. I thought it was funny that most college freshmen gain wait (you know, the dreaded "freshmen 15") but I somehow managed to lose 20 pounds. I think it is probably because I still live at home and pack my lunches.

Anyway I am super happy. I am, however, upset with the company that makes the dress. I mean seriously, I had to lose 20 pounds to fit into a dress that should have been too big on me! I am thinking that it was mislabeled or something because that would be the most ridiculous sizing in the universe.

So yay! This dress makes me feel half Grace Kelly and half Elizabeth Taylor which, I think, is a delightful combination. I need to go to fancy places more often, I have too many fancy clothes (well, actually there is no such thing).


Dress ~ Modcloth (Rock Steady)
Shoes ~ Kohl's
Necklace ~ Made by my sister

Veterans Day

Veterans day is, of course, very important to all of us because it's a day commemorating people who so selflessly defend our freedoms.

My father served for 27 years in the Army, and my brother Micah is currently overseas. I am so proud of both of them!

Today I thought I would share some vintage photos of some of my family members who served in the military.

 My Great Grandfather Charles who served in World War I

My handsome Dad. About 1973.

 My dad's father, Jack. Served in the Navy during WWII

 My Grand uncle Jim. 

 My aunt Irene and her husband Bill. 

 Irene and Bill again...how cute is her outfit?!

One more... My cousin said I look like her! I don't really see it, but I take that as a great compliment, she is beautiful!

Witchy Woman

Happy November y'all!


Halloween has come and gone. I am not huge into Halloween, but I did attend a party that was pretty fun. In case you are curious, I was a "Vintage Cigarette Girl", only I didn't have enough time to make my little tray, so no one really got it. Oh well. These things happen.

Over the past 2 months or so I have become increasingly infatuated with velvet. I am not talking about that horrible stretch crap that was super popular in the 80's and 90's, but real, honest to goodness soft, delicious velvet made of rayon and/or silk. Every time I go to the thrift store I keep my eyes peeled for velvety stuff and have begun amassing a collection for myself.

I wore two of my newly acquired velvet items the other day, and it ended up looking very late 30's film noir-y.

Please excuse my face in that one.

I am super obsessed with this miraculous fabric. It's incredibly soft an delightful and wonderful and amazing. You know what I would absolutely and entirely love? 1940's style pajamas made out of silk/rayon velvet. I know you're probably thinking, wow that sounds incredibly hot (as in temperature) and uncomfortable. Well, no, it's not. I accidentally fell asleep wearing this skirt which is nearly full length, and I slept wonderfully and woke up in a state that was neither cold nor hot. It was just right.

Being a proper 30's woman, I must have fur, and a hat!
 

I believe this skirt is 18% silk and 82% rayon, and the blouse/jacket is pure rayon. While they aren't a matched set, they look like they could be a suit. Both pieces are pretty modern. The skirt is cut on the bias, and the blouse has really awesome Victorian-ish looking details. There are a ton of pintucks, shirring, it buttons up the front, and has a cool drawstring lace collar. I wore it with really low wingtip heels that look 30's, but are also modern and vintage back seam stockings. Stockings which require a garter belt.

Can I just say that I kind of hate garter belts? I am not a fan. Perhaps it's because I have an ill-fitting one from Victoria's Secret that is really flimsy. Or perhaps it's because I'm tall, so I feel less secure in one. But it's probably just because they are annoying, and take forever to get all hooked into. Maybe I should look into getting another one. After all, I can't really wear back seam stockings without one, and I do love back seams :).

 In addition to these two items, I have also acquired another skirt, 2 jackets, and a pair of wide-legged trousers that are really short on me...drat my long legs! FYI, the pants were originally from Ann Taylor and still had a tag on them and retailed originally for $168!...I got them for $4!

So far everything I have is black, but that's fine because it's a basic color. I would really love to have some deep burgundy or forest green velvet items though.

Anyway, that's an outfit that makes me feel like I could be a really good sleuth. Which is a perfect feeling fitting for a breezy autumn afternoon.


I hope you had a lovely start to your November!

Nautical Dress McCalls 5094

Hi

I am super excited to show you a new dress! I made McCall's 5094. I have always loved how this pattern looked, but thought it might be really unflattering. Decided to give it a try though after my sister made it, and it looked really cute in person.

So, without further ado, I introduce to you my new dress!

I know a white background, nautical themed summery dress is a little silly to make in the middle of October, but I don't care, I love it. I made it at my sisters house and used some of her leftover fabric. I actually didn't have enough of it, thus the contrast pieces. I love how it turned out though! The ruffle and buttons on the bust were my own creation. I just thought it needed a little something extra.

 The pattern was not super difficult to work with, but it was a little more complicated than some. I actually had a ton of fit issues, but I think that's because I have lost weight, and cut out my old size (18). I probably should have gone down to a 16.

All in all, I am quite pleased with my new dress :)



Outfit

Dress ~ Made by me using McCalls 5094
Sweater ~ Thrifted
Shoes ~ Keds

Mushrooms

Hi

So, I know I said I had a dress I made to show you, and I do, I just haven't gotten around to taking pictures yet. In the meantime, I don't want to fall off the wagon again, so I thought I would post today anyway.

About 2 weeks ago, when I got my camera, I went around taking pictures of mushrooms. Why? Because they were everywhere! I think it was the warm-ish and humid weather and the fact that it's October. They are on their way out now, but  about 2 weeks ago they were all over the place.

Cool right?

I started my day going thrifting and wearing something boring. At the second thrift store, I got an adorable little black and floral dress and put it on in the car (no one was looking, okay!). I felt much better and continued on to 2 more thrift stores. After that I decided that I finally needed a new camera, so it was off to the electronic store. I wanted to play with the big, fancy cameras, but the helper guy asked me what I was looking for and I said, "Well, certainly not this, it's way too expensive!" He did not seem amused. So I told him what my price range was and what I was looking for and he showed me all my options. I ended up getting a slightly upgraded version of my old camera (a Sony Cybershot). After I got it, I was eager to test it,  hence the mushrooms photos.

I had my eye out for a red capped one, but unfortunately didn't stumble on any. I did see one about 2 months ago, at a party/adventure thing my mom and dad took me to. It was in a little patch of pine trees right on the shore of a small lake at the back of the property. I wish I had had my camera.

This dress I something I normally wouldn't even give a second glance, but something about it made me want it. And the fact that it even fit probably means it was meant to be mine! It is rather short, but as long as I am wearing "safety shorts" nothing bad will happen. Hahahaha.

Have a lovely day!

Well, Hello There!

Oh hi.

Remember me?

I have good reasons, I promise!  The first reason is, my camera broke :(. It was only a point and shoot, but still! Last week I went and bought myself a new camera, still can't afford to upgrade to a DSLR, but I am glad to be able to take pictures again!

And the second, and perhaps more important reason, is I started going to OSU full time. It's been pretty crazy. Last week I had my second round of midterms. Woo for higher education!

This past weekend I went to Dayton to visit my sister and we went to a local fashion show. It was hosted at a club and was quite fun. Not being 21 just yet, I ordered myself a Shirley Temple at the bar and felt pretty fancy, despite there being no actual alcohol in my glass.

I wore a Pinup Couture dress that my sister found brand new at the thrift store. Score! I don't know why anyone would give away such a fabulous dress without even wearing it! I got a few compliments at the fashion show, which always makes me smile. I felt kinda self conscious in this dress because it is pretty curve hugging, but the good responses made me a little more comfortable. I did feel very Marilyn-ish. Plus, I thought the Keds were a perfect touch. They are so classic. Marilyn was even a fan of them!

So I made a dress this weekend too! I will be posting about it later this week (hopefully). It's nautical themed. I used a pattern, but made some changes, so I am excited to show you!


Hope you have been having a great Autumn!

A Pretty Pretty Petticoat

So I was at the thrift store a few days ago and as I was passing by racks and racks of things, my eyes spotted a patch of lacy glorious-ness in the sea of faded polyester. And behold, it was this wonderful petticoat! It looks rather 50's, but I think it's more likely from the late 60's or 70's. I literally gasped and clutched it close and practically ran to check out and bring it home. Because of the miracle called elastic, it fit! I am now the proud of owner of a gorgeous lace petticoat.

 Fresh raspberries from our garden!

It kind of makes me want to move to New Zealand and become a shepherdess and have sheep.

A Bettie Page Dress to Call My Own

Well hello!

I recently had a post about visiting a Bettie Page store, and guess what? I bought a dress! I have been looking at this baby longingly ever since I first saw her. I had some extra cash, so I went for it!

I completely adore it! I actually sized down because they were out of my normal size (which would be an XL) but the L worked just fine for me! It's so very ladylike and sultry at the same time.

Best for last, the back view!

Let me catch you up to on my life a little now! I am working on a jumper dress right now. It's (the now discontinued) Simplicity 3673. I am making up the full skirt version in a black velveteen. Right now I have everything cut out, and the bodice and bodice lining sewn together. It a rather simple pattern, so I don't know why I am kind of dragging my feet about it!

And in more "real" life (lol) I am trying to make a very big decision. I will be attending OSU this year, and since I live so close to campus, I could live at home. So my debate is either live at home and buy a car, or live on campus. Most people I have asked told me to live on campus...but having my very own car would be totally awesome. I had a truck, but the engine went bad. I am gonna sleep on it tonight, and hopefully I will have clarity come morning.

Anyway, I hope you all have a lovely day!
Til nest time :)


Outfit
Dress ~ Bettie Page
Shoes ~ Kohl's

Back From Vacation!

Well guys, I am back from my vacation!

I did lots of fun things and spent some great time with my sisters and their kids. I would say it's back to the grindstone, but I still have about 4 weeks before school starts and don't have a job as of yet, so it's more like back to doing nothing.

Only have been doing things! I did an art project today!

But first, here are some pictures of me and my new haircut! (Sorry about the kinda blurry pictures...I forgot to wipe the lens off!...oops)

I really like it! I don't even really miss the long hair. I thought I would be going around lamenting my lack of lengthy locks (say that fives times fast!) but that is certainly not the case.

Also, here is a pretty Queen Anne's Lace flower. I've always thought these were underrated.

So anyway, my art project! I saw some really pretty doily art stuff on Pinterest, so I thought I would give it a go! 

I bought some pre-stretched canvas at Michaels and spray painted it aqua blue. Then I hand dyed a bunch of old doilies pink. When that was done I took some spray adhesive, positioned everything, and viola!, art!

I also did some weeding in the garden (found a long neglected strawberry patch!) and made dinner from scratch, using only ingredients on hand! I may share the recipe at some point, as it's quite clever. 

Until next time lovely people!

Outfit

Dress~ Volunteers of America

Apron~ Thrifted

Shoes~ Gift from mum