The happiest place on earth

My brother and his family went to Disneyland this weekend and took some awesome pictures that made me want to fly down there even more. But then again when don't I want to go to Disneyland.

Crisp fall morning

My inspiration for todays outfit is my new favorite shop Great English Outdoors, discovered via Frolic!. Ever since watching Miss Marple I've had daydreams of the English countryside. If anyone ever invited me to their rustic yet elegant English estate I would know exactly what to wear :) These boots would be in my suitcase, so perfect and sitting in my basement the entire time I was searching for a pair just like them. I thought they would be too big, and was going to sell them in my shop. Sorry guys ;)

A couple of weeks ago I picked up this Pendleton scarf (Wrap? Tartan?) at work and have fallen in love with its versatility. It's small enough to wrap around my neck, and big enough to belt like a dress! I'm sure you'll see it often ;) I just love Pendleton, vintage especially. When I was in school I got to take a trip to the wool mills and saw how the wool gets dyed and woven, and thought the old, small factories with aged bricks and wool fluff everywhere would make a terrific setting for a photoshoot.

Dress-Proenza Schouler for Target

Seamed tights-Macys

Boots-Thrifted

Plaid scarf-Pendleton via The Urban Eccentric

Fun new stuff!

See that blue dress? Yeah, I could have modeled that all day. The chiffon scarves are like a dream!
The victorian tunic is so neat, I can just picture a stylish young lady pairing it with boots and a big ol' cameo. You know who you are stylish ladies.
There's a bit of lingerie this time around too, a Barbizon slip (with a zipper!) that feels like butter, and a dressing gown in 1930s style, but made with synthetic fabric, so made later and much less delicate than if it were the real thing. As always email me with any questions!

xoxo

I'm in a magazine!

I was more than excited when Sandra D contacted me about being featured in Todays Vintage Magazine. And on the same pages as Bernie Dexter too! A big thanks to the lovely Sandra for thinking of me for the vintage style feature, and if you can, then I would recommend picking up the magazine, it's full of terrific articles and events for vintage guys and gals. You can read the entire article here.

Thanks again Sandra!

My best dress

Besides my wedding dress, I think this is my most treasured dress. My friend Kendra gave it to me, it was her grandmothers, and it is one of the best examples of needle skill of the depression I've ever seen (certainly the best I'll ever own). Its made of silk, with a paneled skirt, and top that is stitched in a way so the seams kind of come out from the bow on the front, if that even makes sense. It even has a matching jacket, with little weights at the front, so it hangs properly. My favorite part though are the sleeves. They are amazing! The shoulders are smocked with tiny little individual stitches, and it billows down to a tight buttoned cuff. You certainly won't see sleeves like that anymore.
Needless to say I was kind of terrified when I wore it, as it's about 80 years old, and if I ripped even a little seam I'd feel so bad. But what's the point of having it if it just sits in the garment bag?
Sam and I took advantage of the beautiful fall day (all fall days should be like that) and walked around 23rd street, where Moonstruck Chocolates has their annual pumpkin pie truffles. They are sooooo yummy.
Lately I've been on a skirt shortage, they are either too small, or too big, and none of them 30s so I've been searching for the perfect sewing pattern to make what I want in every color. Last night I finally found it! Plus the pattern has a blouse, or you can make the pieces into a dress, which is fantastic. I find it much easier to make period clothing from original patterns than to wear the original stuff, because I'm just so on edge about ruining things that have lasted so long.

Dress-A gift from a friend

Hat-Thrift store

Brooch on hat-A gift from a friend

Shoes-Department store

Purse and scarf-The Urban Eccentric

And the winner is...

Rose!

Rose, just email me at solanahraquel@gmail.com with your address :)

Congratulations!

And thank you to everyone who entered, there will be more giveaways to come for sure!

xoxo

My fall sweater!

I finished me sweater! Quick I know, it seemed to take over my life a bit, as when I finished I went "my house is so messy!"

But thats all fixed now.

This sweater was more of a "I want a brown sweater now" than "This will be a nice project and eventually a nice sweater". Next time I'll make something thats more of a hobby than it was this time. Sam wants a scarf, and after that I want to do a short sleeve sweater. Watching Miss Marple the other day I noticed one of the characters wore a short sleeve sweater over a long sleeve blouse and it looked so cute! I always reserve short sleeve sweaters for spring and early summer, but that look can carry well into fall and even winter.
I think this one turned out pretty well, but I did do a bit of modification. For one thing I shortened it to sit at my waist, then I left out the cable stitching on the sleeves. As for the buttons I went back and fourth with different types, but finally settled on these I found in my button stash, they just felt right. If you are interested in making the sweater, you can buy the pattern here from a very lovely and helpful seller. She has lots of very pretty patterns, including some 30s knit dresses I would LOVE to make, but that really would take a while, perhaps something for spring? We'll see ;)

If anyone is wondering what happened to those hat posts I promised, I just want to let you know I haven't forgotten! I keep getting more and more ideas and inspiration, so I'm actually planning a "hat week" with lots of tips, and even a project. Stay tuned!

xoxo