Antique Expo!

Three times a year, Palmer and Wirfs puts on a huge antique show at the expo center in Portland. I try to go every time with Twila Jean every time, but the last few times I didn't, so for this one we went all out and dressed as nurses. 
 Why? 
 Because we both had vintage nurse uniforms and figured this was a good time to wear them. Doesn't everyone have a vintage nurse uniform laying around waiting to be worn?
 However, every man over 60 we passed said "Oh! I'm feeling fain! I need a nurse!" and thought that was the most clever, original thing we'd ever heard. Needless to say, we're becoming quite the novelty at these things. 

I walked away with a black princess coat, a hoop skirt (because I need a hoop skirt. Of course.) and eleven bakelite bangles.

I went the next day with my friend Lulu where we ran into Hannah (right) and her friend Sara (middle). I know Hannah from facebook and such, and it was so nice to finally meet her! And Sara was a delight. We all bumped into each other multiple times at the show, and showed off our purchases and chit chatted about this that and the other. 

I really fell in love with this GIANT metal wall flowery-thingy. It was about four feet tall, and the flowers are lights! IT LIGHTS UP!!! But I had to leave it behind. It it something I will eventually need in my life though. I just need a house to put around it. 
And here is a pic of Lulu and I! (Notice the mini Hobbes on my sweater...). Lulu got some cute household items and Christmas presents (smart girl), and the second day I got a couple more bangles, a pink 49er, and a fabulously witchy 40s stetson, which you can kind of see me holding. All will be in future outfit posts ;)

Bewitched

Witches photoshoot with Twila Jean.
  1940s dress borrowed from Urban Eccentric Vintage 
 Photos by Toma of Dolara Designs 
 Happy Halloween!

49er

The other day I posted on Facebook and Twitter something about wearing a 49er, and got so many questions as to what on earth that was! So here's the explanation: 


Pendelton has been a source of northwest pride for nearly a century, famous for Native American motif blankets, and classic plaid shirts. In 1949, they introduced the first item for a womens line, the Pendleton 49er. A simply tailored jacket with big patch pockets, and six large mother of pearl buttons, it's been a Pendleton signature ever since. Very collectible with vintage gals, they're fairly easy to find here, and the company has even re-introduced them into their modern collection. Though my biased vintage opinion is that they're not nearly as high quality as the originals ;)

That being said, I have one Minnesota woolens jacket of the same design (they became very popular with many designers and home seamstresses), and this one is an actual Pendleton, beat up and frayed, this must have been someones favorite jacket! I just couldn't pass it up though, all those amazing colors! I could easily have an addiction to these things. So far I've only got the two, but I see more in my future ;) 



Early 49er jacket-The Red Light 
Pants-Ralph Lauren, thrifted 
Cashmere Cardigan-Barneys New York, thrifted 
Rachel Antonoff for Bass Kissing Hearts Flats in Plaid-Courtesy of ModCloth

That's the hat

I love finding items in my closet in old ads or photos. I picked this hat up in Kansas City over the summer, and am really excited the weather is crisp enough to wear it! Flipping through a reproduction 1940s Sears catalogue recently, I found a very similar style from 1940.  

And if you ever have as much trouble as I do keeping your blouse tucked into your skirt, try tucking it into your girdle instead, won't slip around!
 Blouse-Urban Eccentric Vintage 
Skirt-Thrifted 
Shoes-Chie Mihara at a yard sale 
Hat-Re-Runs Vintage 
Mr. Foxy-A gift 
Gloves-Thrifted

What I would wear if....

...I were going to have hot apple cider under a bright red tree... 1940s Plaid dress, Mustard hat, Autumn leaf necklace, Squash dress painting, Cranberry Spice shoes, 1960s glasses case
...I were making cocktails before going out to cocktails...
 Brocade party dress, Cocktails for two apron,
...it might rain on my way to sushi...
Green a-line dress, Plastic rain bonnet, Home sweet home purse, Leopard heels, Red lace necklace 
Don't forget to support the people who support me! All items in shops who sponsor Vixen Vintage, and many are even offering discount codes for you lovely loyal readers!  Dear Golden {15% off, enter "VIXEN15" at checkout} Through October 31st. 
Jess Amity {15% off, enter "vixen15" at checkout} Through October 31st.  
Ms. Tips {20% off, enter "VIXENTIPPY" at checkout} Through October 31st. 
Lauren Maurer artwork {20% off, enter "VVSAVE15" at checkout} Through November 31st. 
Branchbound {10% off purchase of three or more items, enter "MULTIPLEITEMS" at checkout} Through October 31st. 
Zwzzy {15% off, enter ''KITTENS" at checkout} Through October 31st.  
The Witchery {25% off, enter "BLACKCAT" at checkout} Through Oct 28th.  
Jojos Retro and Vintage {10% off, enter "VIXEN10"} through December 31st.  
Fanciness {15% off, enter "VIXEN15" at checkout, cannot be combined with other discounts} Through October 31st. 
Alice's Closet { 10% off, enter "VIXEN10OFF" at checkout} Through November 10th.  
Revolving Styles {15% off, enter "Vixen11" at checkout} Through November 5th. 
Custard Heart Vintage {Free shipping when you enter "FALLVIXEN" at checkout} Through November 30th.

You can buy me this kitchen if you want.

Don't usually post on weekends, but there were too many pics to post on Facebook :)Sam and I went to an estate sale late in the day, where we ran into my friend Dana, and both swooned over the mid century kitchen with the most fantastic oven I've ever seen. These pics really don't do it justice. 


The itty bitty fridge! Love. They had another full sized fridge from the same period in the garage.
The buttons for the stove.
Even the dishwasher was cute.
I left with all these fantastic 40s and 50s belts, only 50 cents each! The benefit of going to an estate sale late is they usually have a "half off" type thing going. My favorite is the red studded belt, and the one on the far right is Whiting and Davis!  And these darling little strawberry blossom spoons. Not sure exactly what they are, drink stirrers? Too cute whatever they are. I also got a pretty 40s tweed suit that's now at the cleaners. I wanted to get a 60s tweed suit with matching shoes, but the suit just wasn't all that cute. Dana got a darling plaid suit with matching hat though! Gotta love estate sales. 

Doris Petticoats

I get asked quite a bit where I get my petticoats. Unfortunately I can never really direct readers to a specific petticoat place, as I buy them at various vintage and antique stores. But a few weeks ago Doris Petticoats contacted me to try out one of their petticoats, how could I refuse? :)
 Made from 39 yards of soft chiffon nylon, it's one of those super fluffy petticoats that invite swirling and swishing every five minutes. And unlike tulle petticoats, it's not "itchy", a complaint I hear often, these are very soft and lush. I got the 21" length, which works under shorter vintage skirts, not the longer "new look" lengths. 
If you like to wear petticoats as skirt (as I did in high school), they have cute satin bows as an added bonus. How darling is that? The only downsize I can see is that there is no plus size option, which I'm sure would be very welcome! 
 So final review is I'm very happy with the petticoat, it's well made, comfortable, and if I had a daughter, I'd totally get her a matching one, as they carry children's sizes as well. Another feature to note is that the elastic waistband is adjustable, with a hidden button fastening and two buttonholes that can be easily changed. I think these are a great product if you wear shorter full skirts. The one I paired with it is 24" and they worked perfectly together. 
Thank you Doris Petticoats!  
 Sweater-handmade by me 
 Skirt-Estate sale
 Petticoat- Courtesy of Doris Petticoats 
  About the Benjamins shoes-Courtesy of Modcloth 
 Socks-Estate sale 
 Coral beads-A gift 
 Purse-Micheal Kors