Blue and Green Dresses

After much searching and agony I found the blue and green patterned dress of my dreams. Everything I found was too long, too big, too small, too expensive, or a weird fabric...but lo and behold, this baby is mine:



I haven't gotten it yet, so hopefully it lives up to the hype, but I'm hopeful. I love blue and green together, especially on vintage pieces. And no colours seem to usher spring in better; with promises of green grass and blue sky mimicked in the lovely patterns I feel a warm breeze just looking at it!

Since I already found my needle in the haystack (hoping and praying), I offer you some of my favourite finds that while not quite perfect for me might be your ideal frock.



from heidihodge on Etsy



from
AstralBoutique on Etsy



from peaceandloveck on Etsy



from 1stlove on Etsy



from SmallEarthVintage on Etsy



from FabGabs on Etsy



from craftycrowvintage on Etsy

Huge Slubird Vintage Update

Mustard Cozy Cabled 60s Sweater, Teal and Auburn Striped Dolman Dress, Hunter Green and Navy Plaid Dress With Velveteen Trim



Indigo Blouse With Allover White Venise Lace Detailing, Pleated Olive Wool Evan Picone Knee Length Skirt, Black and Gold Floral Party Faux Wrap Sweater



50s Maggi Stover Red and Black Plaid Bombshell Dress, Blue Mod Shirt Dress with White Stripes and Pockets, Black with White Pinstripes Double Breasted Long Sleeve Shirt Dress



Creme and Cocoa Tribal Patterned Kimono Sweater, Handmade Green Velveteen Cocktail Dress, Scallop Neck and Sleeved Dusty Rose Blouse



60s Black Lace Wiggle Cocktail Dress, Chocolate Brown Pumps with Gold Filigree Detailing Size 8, Jungle Green Pencil Skirt Knit Dress with Pleats

Lots of great party dresses and cozy sweaters! I really adore that pinstripe dress, red plaid bombshell dress, mustard sweater, and green velveteen dress especially. If only they fit me better! My loss is your gain, check out the shop! I might add a sale section soon, need to clear out some things. I also already have a few things to list (figures, eh?) especially these HATS I keep forgetting to. I have 4, all completely different styles.

I am lucky to be featured in these great treasuries at the moment: For The Love of Plaid, Treasury Name! (haha), Every Day Is Like Sunday, Purply Passions Punctuated, Like Ice Cream In Winter. I also made one, Dreams of Spring. It expires tomorrow so be sure to check out everything and leave me a comment! I get so excited making these, already cooking up themes for the next ones.

And, finally, I was featured on Etsy's front page Tuesday morning!



Exciting! Okay, I swear, my next post won't be about Etsy, haha. It's been consuming my life lately. Ahhhhh.

New Treasury, Layout, and Some Family History

My new treasury! Femme Fatale. This one was really fun to do, and I've got another fun one coming that I hope to do some time in the next week. Please check it out and leave me a comment!

Also, I totally redid the ole blog, take a look and let me know what you think? The photographs are all the stylish women of my family (all on my mom's side, not saying my dad's is less stylish I just didn't have any photographs handy!). L>R 1st row: aunt Pam, my grandma; 2nd row my cousin Amy, my mom, my grandma again.

My grandma, Betty Lucille (we all called her Betty Lou) was one stylish lady. When she had my mom, her youngest, she was 44 and rode to the hospital in a leopard print dress in a Convertible with the top down. She was born in 1908, so when I was 17 I was so jealous of her being 17 in 1925. Quel glamoreuse, n'est pas? Here are some more pictures of Betty Lou:



far right, I think she looks absolutely stunning here





on the left, I love her suit



Every time I see Pammy she swears I look just like her, but I don't think I'm nearly as pretty. I do dress like her, though, and every time I find a photo of her I want her clothes! She lived to be 81, quite a feat, but unfortunately I wasn't even 3 when she died. I know she and I would have been great friends, my earliest memories are actually of seeing her before she died and she was still as spry and crazy as ever. I never tire of hearing stories about her, too.

Wardrobe Remix for 11.15.09

champagne sweater - thrifted
black high-waisted jeans - H&M
black leather belt - thrifted
brown boots - thrifted

This outfit is kind of an equestrian-meets-glam look. Just imagine Alison Goldfrapp wearing it as she sings "Ride A White Horse."

I notice on and off how heavily 80s my look is. But not in a tacky neon-acid wash way, but in the retro-modernized 1940s way a lot of well made 80s pieces look. It's no secret there's a lot of 80s-does-40s stuff at the thrift store and why that speaks to people. I think I like it best because it has a lot of the style points of 1940s attire I love- classic pieces and cuts, high waist, just a touch of elegant drama in the sleeves or collar- but in the 80s it was made more accessible. I don't wear heels every day, and neither did women in the 80s. It's nice I can wear a skirt that's 40s inspired but only hits my knees so I can wear flats and not look matronly. And while I love 50s and 60s looks, especially for their comfort and ease, I always find myself drawn to 80s-does-40s pencil skirts at the thrift store (my closet is full of them, wool to thin rayon, every colour of the rainbow), a fitted high-waisted sweater, a lot of cozy neutral knits, classic flat shoes, and for the colder months in particular.

Are there styles you feel drawn to? Why? Do you associate with cyclical fashion like I do? (I also really really love 70s-does-Edwardian but that rant is for another entry.)

Peplum

I was a bit apprehensive about this trend at first. When I started seeing it last spring, it mostly showed its face in too-short neon dress form. Instead of me thinking neo-'40s! I thought '80s hooker! But now that fall wardrobe is all over the place and peplum is still here I am finally able to see it in its classier form, and I am starting to develop a bit of a crush.

To preface, I have never tried on any peplum clothing myself. However, as a short, top-heavy girl who wants everything super fitted except around my lower stomach, this style seems ideal. I think that, since it's tailored but not allover snug, this is a style that I can imagine looking good on every body type. It's certainly a welcome change of draping to the pregnant-looking sloppy empire waist on so many shirts!

To begin, here are a few finds with a classic '40s vibe. Some of these are vintage (but from the '70s and '80s), and the newer items really adhere to the neutral/tailored variety.



Peplum Knit Skirt. $13.80, Forever 21.



Vintage EMMA Tan Black Peplum Dress. $40, brownbagvintage on etsy.



Vintage 1970s Mustard Autumnal Boater Dress. $45, greatestfriend on etsy.



Austin Reed Plaid Peplum Jacket. $169, amazon.com

What follows are some modern takes on the peplum silhouette. I like the unconventional colours/patterns and neat little details, such as the bows, buttons and pleating that make these look fresh.



Geometric Vintage Crescent Moon Dress. $32, lovesmenot on etsy.



Polaire Vest. $118, Anthropologie.




Cafe Peplum Sweater. $34, Forever 21.





Tie Front Sweater Dress. $32, Forever 21.

There were even more peplum styles on various garments I found; from subtle curves on a jacket to a long, exaggeratedly draped skirt. They are everywhere now, and since you are bound to find something in this cut in your price range and style be sure to look around.