Outfit of the Week 7: Glamour Snapshot

On a sunny and warm, late summer day, I imagine the actress, Jessica Lange, playing a character named Irene. She, and her younger sister, Dee Dee, played by Rachel McAdams are driving through a mid-western countryside in an updated, classic, late-model, 1955 sweet-pink, Ford Convertible. They have just won big at the horse races and are on their way to meet up with their boyfriends for a celebration picnic, before they head home. Dee Dee is charmingly attired in modest black dress with white pearls and black sandals. Irene is dressed in the elegant and glamorous outfit below. 

Irene shields her eyes from the sun and asks Dee Dee where she put her sunglasses.

Dee Dee replies, “Irene, you’re always losing your glasses. She leans over the back seat. “I don’t see them, but here, shield your eyes with your beautiful black hat with the grosgrain ribbon woven throughout. You always look so pretty in it like a Southern Belle, except you come from Wisconsin.”

Irene smiles.

Vintage Vendor: Awesometownvintage

******************************************

“Irene, aren’t you a little bit hot with that scarf  around your neck?” asks Dee Dee. 

“No, it’s sheer enough to let the warm breeze keep my neck cool as we speed down this highway to meet up with the guys. Besides, this elegant scarf keeps my neck from tanning and keeps the wrinkles at bay.”

Vintage Vendor: TotallyScarves   SOLD!

*************************************

“Irene, I sure do like your drop waist, lemon-yellow dress, you’re wearing. The sprigs of leaves remind me of the tall grasses swaying back and forth on the gentle breeze back at home.”

Irene looks at Dee Dee,”Girl, I wasn’t thinking about grass when I bought this dress. Where do get these ideas from?” She wipes away a smudge of lipstick from the side of Dee Dee’s face. “I bought this dress because the softly gathered pleats at the waist show off my lovely figure. Besides, the dress is Luke’s favorite. His eyes always light up every time he sees me in it.”

Vintage Vendor: Paperdollvintage      SOLD!

*************************************

Irene removes one hand from the steering wheel, “A lady down the street from me makes such wonderful jewelry. This bracelet has genuine black swarovski crystals. It is so divine. Look at the detail of the silver bead accents.”

“It’s a lovely design,” replies Dee Dee.

Jewelry Designer: FindingCharm   SOLD!

*************************************

“The tiny metal studs on these platform, peep-toe heels match the bracelet quite well,” said Irene. “Did you know these heels have a back zipper?” She laughed, ” Makes me think of – “

“I don’t want to hear it,” interrupted Dee Dee. “You’ve got that weird twinkle in your eye, and I know what that means, besides, pull over there, the men are right under that willow tree.”

Irene follows the direction of Dee Dee’s arm and turns the ignition off. She jumps out of the car and runs over to Luke and throws her arms around him, laughing. She calls out to Dee Dee who is still in the car.

Vintage Vendor: BetaBoutique  SOLD!

**************************************

“Dee Dee, bring my tote, will ya? I packed a big lunch for all of us. Dee Dee pulled the tote from the back seat and nearly stumbled out of the car under its weight. “Goodness, she must have brought the entire contents of the fridge,” said Dee Dee, as Cal, her boyfriend, easily shouldered the heavy tote.

A bright yellow butterfly on the tote caught her eye. She admired the contrasting grey butterflies and floral print. The cheery yellow ribbon reminded her of their mother, the one Irene most favored. She grabs Cal’s hand and smiles up at him.  They walk over to Irene and Luke who were already relaxing on the blanket covered ground.

Tote N/A Designer: HautTotes

The Gentleman’s Vest

One day while filling in as a temporary worker and in between telephone calls, my eyes wandered to the Twilight Saga calendar. The pin-up vampire for the month of July was Laurent.

Sexy Laurent. His blood-red vampire eyes gazed back into my chocolate-brown human eyes and…then I noticed he was wearing a gorgeous renaissance vest with a silk scarf edged in lace, a rhinestone studded belt, black jeans, and a linkchain inserted through a button-hole of the vest.

Sorry Laurent, fashion calls. Maybe next time I will indulge your gaze and…then  I returned to studying the embroidered flower motifs on the vest, emblazoning the design into memory, for when I had a chance to surf through Etsy.

Feast your eyes upon beauty, upon skill, upon six ornate and tailored vests each with its’ own style and character. Gentlemen, you can wear the vest alone without a shirt underneath, as Laurent did, and show off your muscular arms, as Laurent did. Or, you can wear a shirt underneath and put on a tuxedo as a groom or a groomsman. Either way, you will be as sexy as Laurent.

Seamstress: Gentlemansjabot      SOLD!

*************************************

Seamstress: Dashandbag   SOLD!

*************************************

Tailor: MacheteNSons

*************************************

Seamstress: Manicmom55   SOLD!

*************************************

Seamstress: CreativeEnds

*************************************

Vest N/A Seamstress: KellyFarrow

Outfit of the Week 6: Classy Cook

Who cooks in heels?

“Not I,” said the butterfly.

“Not me,” said the bumblebee.

Ok, someone needs to grow up.

About three months ago I went to a Pampered Chef Bridal Shower party.  The hostess had everyone write a relationship tip for the bride-to-be based upon our own personal relationship experiences.  What I wrote doesn’t seem all that important now. What I wished I could have written, well, I wouldn’t have written it simply because I did not think about it until I had pared down my choices for this week’s outfit. I also wouldn’t have written it because the feminist inside would have screamed, “Cooking for a man is icky and cooking for man in heels, well, off with our head.”

After reading a couple of blog posts this week on the sensuality of food, I tucked my feminist side in for a nap and looked at it from a different perspective.

Cooking in heels with a pretty apron over your clothes would be a romantic way to love your mate.  You need not cook in heels all the time, but if you really love to cook and cooking for someone shows you care about their well-being and for them as a person, then by all means, cook in heels. Even if you don’t love to cook, wearing a pretty apron, heels with shoe clips, and earrings might add a little more spice to your motivation for cooking.

Cook up a storm in this pretty reversible floral print apron. With a white floral print on a black background with red trim on one side, and a bed of colorful assorted flowers on the reverse side who could resist your cooking when you’re wearing this apron?  SOLD!

Apron Designer: Daffodillies

**************************************

Dress up a pair of pumps with a pair of charming red, black, and white floral shoe clips. Perfect for an evening dinner date with your mate.

Shoe Clips N/A  Designer: Marszy

*************************************

Sparkling red stones and delightful black agate cubed earrings add the spicy dangle to the ear.  N/A

Jewelry Designer: Poonika

Stuff in the Tote

Mom.

On the way to see “Inception,” with my parents last Sunday, my mom noticed my pink tote that I had bought from an Etsy vendor last year. She proceeded to comment which went something like the following.

Mom: Why are you carrying that bag?

Me: No answer. Since we had already had this fruitless discussion a couple of days before, I was reading the scroll of answers streaming forth on my frontal lobe, trying to figure out which answer would be the best answer.

Mom: What’s in that bag?

Me: Still reading my frontal lobe scroll.

Mom:  Why do you feel the need to carry everything with you? Oh, I know why…

Me: Scroll reading.

I wasn’t ignoring my mom. Actually, I was making squeaking, incomprehensible protestations while I was reading my frontal lobe scroll. However, sitting in the movies in a bad mood over the insides of my tote and why I felt the need to carry everything with me was an argument I was trying to avoid. Invariably, my answer would not be good enough for her, hence the squeaking on my part.

Earlier that day,  I had found a tear in the seam on my favorite carry-all green and brown purse that I had bought from Goodwill last year. Preserving my purse for another season was the motivating factor for the change.

Stuff in the tote is what I carry. Initially, I bought the tote to carry groceries home from the store. It was made from canvas and would be sturdy enough to carry my stuff, and, it held much more than my purse.

So, yea, I probably over-stuffed it which of course caused me lean to one side which in turn prompted my mother’s probe. Am I starting to sound combative?

Tote Designer: Julssewcrazy

*************************************

Tote Designer: PurseNmore

*************************************

Tote Designer: SewMuchFabric2010  SOLD!

*************************************

Tote Designer: LilyBellesGarden  SOLD!

*************************************

Tote Designer: ButtermilkCottage

*************************************

Tote Designer: SewMuchFabric2010

*************************************

Tote Designer: NancysGarden  SOLD!

Outfit of the Week 5: Ruffles A Go Go

Since starting the Outfit of the Week series, I find myself noticing different clothing styles everywhere I go.  I have even found that my style of dress has stepped up a notch from the usual baggy jeans style I have adopted over the past summer months.  Also, I am stepping away from wearing the same colors over and over and over again. My favorites are blue and green and pink and green.

However, the latter part of this week, I took a detour from baggy jeans and those two color combinations.  I wore above the knee Capri’s on Friday and Saturday and changed my color combinations to red and blue, and, black and goldish-yellow.  Seemingly, I did not break into a thousand pieces and I felt like air was coursing through my expanding style wings. Tonight, I am wearing the goldish-yellow top I wore on Saturday and my faded olive-green Capris. This week’s post, therefore,  is a bit of a style detour from my previous posts.

Ruffles are not only back in style, but they are the focal point of this lovely off-white vintage blouse with gold stripes. A lacey detailed pattern accentuates the ruffles at the neck, torso, and cuffs. You and the blouse will be a hit at the office…or at the club.  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: MillsDesignCo

*************************************

A sheer vest with a lacy, scalloped design of sequins will dazzle the eye of all those who glance in your direction.  Seed beads accent the scallop design and a silver hook closes this sheer delight of a vest.   SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: RecollectionClothing

*************************************

Stop traffic in a good way with these cute black and orange striped, high-waisted shorts with five pockets. The fifth pocket is on the right side above the front pocket with just enough room to hold the phone number of the guy you danced with on the floor.  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: Nemres

*************************************

Silver and gold metal twists turn this one-inch stylish skinny leather black belt into tiny squares about the waist. A silver front buckle adds an air of chic simplicity to this ornate styled belt.

Vintage Vendor: OpheliaVintage

*************************************

Go Go Boots! Can you feel the beat? Add a little bit of psychedelic flare to your feet, and dance in your seat, or dance in the street, or dance the night away.  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: SassySisterVintage

*************************************

Elegant earrings swingin’ at your ear.  A perfect dangle of antique gold and black with a blackstone bead for the accent.

Jewelry Designer: FindingCharm

*************************************

Beauty and character describe this  “on the go” shoulder bag with a top zipper. Look closely, for embellishing the front pocket is an ornate geometric design.  A black strand of dangling beads add the shimmering shine.  SOLD!

Purse Designer: JayelleDesigns

Impromtu Celebration

Have an impromtu celebration and invite your two best friends to share in the wonderful news of ________, you fill in the blank:

Great new job during this awful recession, just found out your application was approved to adopt a daughter from China, your article was accepted by a top magazine, you got into a great school, you received a full scholarship, your children moved out during this awful recession because they got great jobs, vacation starts now, you met someone new, you won a contest for the biggest cantaloupe, the guy you like just told you he liked your smile, the girl you asked to marry said yes, you had the best bike ride of your life, you finished your book, you’re alive…you just want to uncork a good wine and relax with friends.

So, uncork the wine, gather your two best friends around the patio table,  pour the wine into the decanter, bring the goblets, get the appetizer plates, light the candle, unbag the grapes, and cut the cheese because celebration begins now!

French Corkscrew

Vintage Vendor: Jacklynn4

*************************************

Best Friends Pendant  SOLD!

Jewelry Designer: Flapperdoodle      

*************************************

Wine Decanter  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: MilkasTreasures

*************************************

Goblets

Vintage Vendor: Southernladysvintage

***********************************

Appetizer Plates

Vintage Vendor: Tresorsmarche

*************************************

Fused Glass Leaf Candle Holder   SOLD!

Fused Glass Designer: CDChilds

*************************************

Wine Bottle Serving Tray  SOLD!

Fused Glass Designer: CDChilds

*************************************

Embroidered Napkins

Vintage Vendor: Southernladysvintage

Outfit of the Week 4: Flower Stem Green

Today I am wearing faded olive Capri pants, an apple green top, and a metallic green hair clip.  I have worn green all week, except when I had a job interview and wore a lavender suit.

One day I thought I would switch to pink, but in mid-thought changed my mind and chose green. Why green power all week-long? Well, it was in anticipation of the Outfit of the Week 4: Flower Stem Green. 

A  flower stem green “1960’s Original Knit Sweater Dress” commences this week’s outfit. Step outside and glide down the street in this elegant dress on a cool autumn day. Along the edge of this dress is a pretty scalloped hem. Decorative flower buds run along the hem as well as at the arms and neck. Two flowers, one at the shoulder, and the other at the knee also adorn this lovely dress.  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: LAUDYMSCLAUDY

*************************************

Add a pair of sexy, head turning earrings and start a dreamy conversation with someone new or captivate the same one now.  Sterling silver wire wraps encase apple green turquoise beads, while avocado green beads and swirly silver beads add the accents.  SOLD!

Jewelry Designer: JudysDesigns

*************************************

“Never worn,” amazing, olive-green stiletto pumps. Did I say never worn?  New vintage! The stilettos are “Vintage Jacqueline Designer Originals” between 1940-1950.  At each heel of these simply divine stilettos is a super sexy bow embellishing an open circle surrounded by a gathering of delicious pleats. You could walk on clouds with these stilettos.  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: AntoinettesWhims

*************************************

Sleek and classic define this “Vintage Lime Pocketbook.” Sporting an interior pocket, this 8″ x 11.5″ pocketbook is roomy enough for a hand mirror, makeup, pens, keys, and a small pad of paper. It’s a perfect combination for the above “wiggle” dress. SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: TwirlVintageCo

 

Cat by the Door

Both the cat and I were startled as I unlocked the door to leave. I stopped short of opening the door when I noticed the cat’s horror stricken green eyes staring back at me. What? Had it just mistaken me for the Wicked Cat Witch Woman of the Midwest?

The cat did not run away, nor, did I want it to run. If I opened the door, I knew it would run helter skelter across the street in front of a car. I stared back into its large green, almond eyes and it stared back into my small brown, almond eyes. I waited until two cars passed to be sure of its’ safety when I opened the door.  I counted the seconds, opened the door and held my breath. Had I waited too long between the car sets? In a moment, I would know.

I stepped out of the door and sure enough the cat fled in the opposite direction toward the street. I froze and watched it run into the path of an oncoming truck and my heart sank. I had waited too long.  I would now forever feel guilty if… Fortunately, the driver of the truck had seen the cat and slowed down. The cat reached its destination unharmed. Relieved, I silently thanked the driver for allowing the cat to cross and went home to my cats tucked safely inside.

Waiting White Cat by Eyeshoot   Shop 

*************************************

Original Painting Greek Door by Parrish 

Shop

*************************************

Outfit of the Week 3: U.S.A. Red, White, and Blue

I drew inspiration for this week’s Outfit of the Week: U.S.A. Red, White, and Blue from an outfit I discovered this past spring in my closet. I  searched Etsy for an outfit similar to my closet outfit, but mid-week, I changed my mind.

It’s the middle of the summer, and who wears a suede jacket, a long skirt, and boots? Alright, there might be someone, somewhere, so, I will save that outfit for when the temperature drops.

Yea, I remember I posted an Autumn Crisp Orange outfit just last week. Well, I don’t wanna do a cold temperature outfit two weeks in a row. Besides, it’s the 4th of July weekend.  It’s a time to remember why the US of A  is the greatest country in the world. Ok, I am biased. I haven’t ever lived anywhere else. No, I take that back. I lived in Turkey when I was three years old for a few months. I don’t have any memory of it.

It is a time to remember our soldiers who have fought, who continue to fight and who have died in foreign lands.

It’s a time to celebrate with our family and friends our unique heritage of all peoples.  It’s a time to celebrate our many freedoms, while eating hotdogs, spring rolls, hamburgers, pelmeni, steak, tamales,  jerk chicken, pancit,  crispy fish,  potato pancakes, pork and beans, Polish Meatballs, ham hocks, lentil stuffed peppers, bratwurst, watermelon, anise cookies, and cheesecake, ice cream and apple pie, and guzzling beer, sipping wine, and eating more food before we flop down on a blanket, or fall into a chair, or rest at the window, and watch the dazzling display of beauty in the evening sky.

The U.S.A. Red, White, and Blue outfit starts off with a pretty silver and white metallic, and cottony, sleeveless turtleneck with a defined “squiggle” pattern. It is made of acrylic and is a size small.  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: Afterglowvintage

*************************************

Complimenting the “squiggle” pattern of the turtleneck is a “fireworks” pattern of a 1920’s beautiful and burned silk velvet, vintage cobalt blue scarf. Wear it at the neck, pin it to your shoulder or wear it at the waist.

Vintage Vendor: Souvenirsouvenir    SALE!

**********************************

A dynamic mandala print captures the ethnicity of this charming and poofy, high-waisted red-orange skirt. Although you can’t see it, there is a side pocket.   SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: VonlenskaVintage

*************************************

Slide your feet into a pretty pair of red and white spiraled slingback patent leather sandals. Size 9.  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: Heartsndilly

*************************************

Dangling in elegance from hand forged sterling silver wires are a pair of  gorgeous sapphire blue Czech glass drops with silver tone beadcaps. These stunning earrings look great morning ’til night!

Jewelry Designer: Dorkorama99  is temporarily closed.

*************************************

Like the American Flag, this cute vintage red, white, and blue purse will never go out of style. It has a navy blue handle, red border along the top of the frame, and a cute semi-circle pull tab. The interior of the purse has a see-through vinyl pocket. Carry this purse from the office to the cocktail party.  SOLD!

Vintage Vendor: Bittersweetdesign

*************************************

Happy 4th of July!