Hammer Time!

Just a bit of shameless self promotion.
New vintage patterns are now up at Sew-Retro.
Those 80's hammer pants can be found here.

70's Caftan

Jumpsuits here, here and here



They are making me nostalgic for shag rugs, swingers parties and Harvey Wallbangers.

In My Mailbox

This was in my mailbox yesterday.


A Christmas package from an on-line (hopefully IRL someday) friend.
Cool, huh?
Here is how it looks with the office.


Nice and cushy and great when my back begins to hurt.
I luvs it.

Vintage Tablecloth

Look what I got.
Cute.
Still in its original package.

Open Tabs

Let's see, this week Angie posted a video interview filmed at Dorothea's Closet, her vintage clothes store in Des Moines Iowa, from 512 Magazine.

Kim got a bird zombie in the the mail.

The Smoking Gun finally got a copy of that Van Halen Rider with the "NO brown M&M's".

Carol over at Dandelion Vintage is having an end of year sale.

Jodi at Couture Allure always has the most interesting links. This one is to the Morris Museum which is presenting an exhibit on outerwear; "Stepping Out in Style: Outerwear from the Past 150 Years".

The VFG Blog featured vintage jewelry this week. Look, one of my items made the cut:



Fun post about adding a bit of Burlesque to your life.

What Mamie Wore on Mrs. O.

Not Quite Nigella...Luxurious Rocky Road...heaven.

Vintage Airstream Home

I want some of these "vintage" hairpins from Cara Lyndon.
(I don't think they are really vintage, but vintage "look".)

This was a new one for me. Lotion Candles...candles that burn at a low heat and when melted you can massage the "wax" on as a skin lotion.

Muwahahahahaha

More ways to collect the minions.
I am now on Twitter.
Yes, you too can now follow my every movement (not really, I won't waste money texting to the damn thing) because my life is so fucking exciting.

Followers

Seriously?
I have a follower!
I had no idea, I didn't even know about this "follower" stuff.
I feel like I have a minion (sorry no t-shirts or hats involved)...if you want to follow me just click on the thingiee on the right side.

Weekly Pattern(s)

This week I am featuring both a pattern and pattern book from the estate of a woman in LA who was a clothing designer in the 1940's. Both are auctions from oncillakat who told me she will be listing more interesting patterns from the estate all week.


My GOD is this not an awesome Ceil Chapman design?
No the normal draped look, but instead a sexy, tailored number that can be worn for both a dinner date or cocktails.

The other item is a "Patterns by Originator" catalog.


Oh, I noticed she also has a great 1930's McCall pattern catalog too.

And now shameless self-promotion time, nothing as awesome as the above, but I am pretty partial to this Modes Royale pattern:

Vintage Purses

1940's Lucite Purse:



Gold 1950's Hatbox Style Handbag:

Oprah, Please STFU

Please.
Just stop.
Have you any idea how tired I am hearing about your weight?
So you gained some weight back.

Jesus, you act like the world is coming to an end.
Let me ask you somethin' are you still amazingly rich?
Are you still a self made businesswoman with a scary amount of power?
Still got Stedman?
Still got Gail?
Still got the dogs?

Then STFU.
So what if you weigh 200 lbs?
I have a feeling that your body is supposed to be soft and lush and curvy.
Revel in it.

Is your self worth really based on your weight?
Hell, I think you are looking pretty damn good for a woman over 50.

Stop worrying what the scale says and live a lifestyle that makes you happy....not one you are a prisoner to.
And stop making it sound like being overweight, even obese, is something we have to be ashamed of or apologize for.
In a society that in so many ways claims our self-worth as women is directly related to how skinny we are, it would be nice if women like you would just STFU when it comes to your weight (you too Queen Latifa) and instead prove that being sexy, powerful, sucessful and happy has NOTHING to do with your BMI.

Great post by Kate Harding on Oprah and her weight gain.

Because I Hate My Cat....

Actually I love my cat, but I can't resist a cat in a head cone.
We discovered that Nico had some kinda "mass" on her chest and thought, cancer, so I had planned to take her to the vet later this week.
Tonight I discovered that she has licked the spot, now it is a spot with no hair, a hole and infection.
Just an abscess.
She won't leave it alone so we made a cone to keep her away from the sore until I get her to the vet in the am.

She will kill us all when this is over.

May, 1959 Vogue

From the 1959 May Vogue.

Mary Black Chantilly Lace Over Organdy

Vogue Paris Original Pattern by Griffie #1449

Lemon Yellow Silk Polka Dot Dress with Alencon Lace
Collar and Cuffs, Harvey Berin

And really, just because I want this dining room....all of it.
Even the furry rug.
Howell Modern metal Furniture

Ebay...What I Want

I want this vintage rhinestone poddle pin from DeniseBrain.
Come on! How super cute is that?

It is only bid up to like $6 with a day or so to go.....

New at Damn Good Vintage

Some shameless self promotion.

Vintage Fred Perlberg party dress.....





Vintage rockabilly dress....

Open Tabs

Carol from Dandelion Vintage interviewed Marzipan Jones as she tries to live the life of a 1950s housewife. The interview is here on Vintage Bulletin.

Couture Allure reminds us that the Constantiner Collection of Photographs will be auctioned off at Christie's on Dec 16th and 17th. If you live in New York you can go see a preview from Dec. 12th - 16th.
My favorite photograph is this one of a Mainbocher Corset by Horst P. Hors:

The Vintage Fashion Guild is featuring vintage with bling this week.

Debutante Clothing on a chic Dior vintage find.

Hahahahahah, the director of Twilight (ask your kid) may have been canned because she wanted to make the movies better.

Kim is still counting off the 12 days of Christmas in her own cracktastic way.

Lizzie over on The Vintage Traveler is doing a give away! (I mention this because that creepy elf on the right makes me giddy.)

National nightmare is almost over and get over it, Obama is an American and the truth matters. Both from Deus Ex Malcontent.

Big ass pockets on Dress-A-Day.

Weekly Pattern

New Feature...let's see if I can do it more then one week in a row.
Pretty.


Vintage 30s Gathered Bodice Frock Dress w/ Bow Accents Pattern from Miss Helene's.



Self Promotion:

Vintage 30s/40s Sewing Pattern with Great Puff Sleeve Blouse

High Waist Wide Leg Culottes !

Give Them The Money

I'm with Jon Stewart, give the automakers the fucking money already.

"Wall Street lost $7 trillion without selling anything -- at least when Detroit loses money, we get cars. "

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Autoerotic Explanation

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Vintage Handbags

White Satin Reticule 1830-70

Carved Victorian Pouch

12 "Vintage" Days of Christmas

(I'll admit to a bit of a Danny crush in days gone by...too bad he
ended up being such a douche-tool as an adult.)

Kim over at The Girl Can't Help It is doing the Twelve Days of Christmas, vintage-crack style.
Day one:

"You don't have to say it. I know this is quite possibly the lamest picture I've ever had the displeasure of finding on the internets, next in line to the nude picture of Pete "homo-erotic" Wentz that's floating around out there, but do you know that there is nothing great in vintage land to show you for neither partridges nor pear trees? (Unless you find a 1980's Avon partridge in a pear tree collectible figurine with Bonnie Belle gingerbread Lipsmacker lip gloss hidden inside a great vintage score. Then it's your lucky day and I think you may also be mentally disabled from smoking too much of the crack and I will have to say GOOD DAY SIR. (See? Christmas is such a freaking joy already! I'm already yelling at crackheads and it's only day one!)"

She is up to day 4 so far.
I gotta hand it to her, I have a hard time blogging once a week, so 12 days in a row is pretty impressive.


(No, you are right, it really does not take much to impress me.)

Vintage Lilli Ann Suit and Coat

Good LORD!
Look at the cuffs on that fabulous coat.
You would never have to take a handbag with you.
Ever.


Fabric-Of France "Frosted Mohair", A Glorious new fabric by D'Honnechy created only for Lilli Ann....For the most glamorous coat of the year. Violet Mist, Turquoise Mist, Rose Mist with hand cut Austrian jewels....





Lilli Ann costume complete....Wonderful dress, wonderful jacket in finest worsted boucle eith lavish Canadian Lynx cuffs for the jacket and a stunning jeweled ornament to dramatize the smartness of the dress...black only....

Both Vogue, 1954

Jesus On A CRACKER!

My fellow Americans, what the fuck is the matter with ya'll?
Have you lost your minds?
There is nothing that WalMart may have on sale that is worth trampling another human being to death.
Not even that HDTV for $399 Bubba would love to hang on the trailer wall next to the velvet Elvis painting.

So stop making asses of yourselves and embarrassing the rest of us who avoid the "Black Friday" sales like a plague.
Jesus people...think....

I have spoken.

Thankful

Many things to be thankful for....family, friends, our home and jobs.
We are not able to be with my parents this year...no that is NOT a blessing.
Of course that means I get to cook the whole assbasket of a meal.

oh goody....
Turkey
Mashed Taters
Broccoli Casserole
Stuffing
Rashberry Jello and cranberry thingee
Rolls
Pecan Pie and Cherry Pie (cause really it is all about the pie in the end)

What else am I thankful for?
Glad you asked.
I am thankful that this man:



will be our next President.
I plan on doing a Dallas in Jan and pretending that the last 8 years were nothing but a horrible nightmare.


More Obamas to be found here, Happy Thanksgiving ya'll!

Vintage Fath

While I find a nipped waist suit quite delicious, I think these softer suits that showed up in 1954 with their longer cut and bloused backs are the epitome of Paris chic. The jeweled cuff link is a look you can copy with a vintage brooch.

"Back-Bloused Suit: Fath
Gray flannel suit-wearing its blouse outside. This, fitted at front, full at back and centre.
Jewel cuff links; Persian lamb hat, scarf, bag."
Vogue, October 1954



Or this Dior suit from 1952:

I have this suit on my site which has all the style features I like; loose fit, dropped waist, bloused back.
Very chic.

Vintage Handbags

Scans of vintage purses from my desk calender.



Love it!
"Leather basket bag with ruched interior. Roger Model for Elisa Schiaparelli, mid 1930's"



"Tricolor handbag in red, white and black. Late 1940's"

Obviously I have Nothing Better To Do

First, I spend hours in the black hole that is the Life Magazine Archives on Google and now I have been pointed towards Ugly Shit On Esty.

What is the first item up?
A TP Pendant:

Nothing says I love you like a toilet paper pendant.

Harem Jumpsuits are Never a Good Look

Not in 1939, not in the 80's and not in 2008.
Sorry ladies.

Via Jezebel:

Even though Life magazine is no more, the Life photo archive is now available through Google's Image Search feature. There are more than 10 million photos, many of which were never published. About 20% of the collection went online yesterday, and Google will be adding more in the coming months.

A good search to start with?

Dior

My Mother Will Kill Me

Hi
My name is Julie and I am a pie crust snob...or I was until my husband (who does the grocery shopping. i think grocery shopping is a form of purgatory, not unlike bra shopping...plus I spend too much money when I go, I think it is all the bright lights, they confuse me) brought home the roll out Pillsbury Pie Crusts.

Really, they taste almost like homemade, super flaky and so easy.*


You just roll them out.

Tonight I made Chicken Pot Pie.
(yes I know there are no carrots, I had no carrots so I put in potatoes, green beans and corn)
Very yummy and The Boy, who is really picky about food even at almost 17 and still hates all things green, liked it.

The reason my mother will kill me is that I gave her such a hard time when she started using frozen pie shells after a lifetime of making her own pie crusts. It must be genetic since I am probably close to the age she was when she decided "fuck it, life is too short to make pie crusts".

Smart woman.

*The Pillsbury folks are welcome to send me a check for this endorsement....