Downton Abbey Season 1 costumes

Here's a little Downton Abbey inspiration for those of you participating in Titanic events this year.These screencaps are from the first four episodes of season 1, closest to the sinking of the Titanic, the event which the family has a connection to and opens the show. 
My favorites are the hats, both wide brimmed and cloche, and the many tailored jackets Lady Mary wears. Where's a custom tailor when you need one... 
Anyone in the Portland area can buy tickets to my Titanic Tea here
source 

At the Governor {part I}

Monday my mother in law Lisa of Light and Shadow and I decided to make the best of a rainy day and have a photoshoot (or two) just for the fun of it. I really should take her up on photography offers more often! Thanks to my brother in law holding the flash we got some dramatic photos inside The Governor Hotel, a fabulously elegant hotel built in 1909. They were very accommodating and just let us shoot wherever!

You might recognize this suit from my latest Expo finds post. The only thing better than a perfectly tailored suit is a perfectly tailored suit with a full skirt. Although this outfit looks quite a bit like the imaginary outfit I pieced together a few weeks ago...

Anyway, enjoy part one of this photo set, I have another set in the hotel, and a completely different look in a  cafe!

1950s suit-Expo
1950s hat-Urban Eccentric Vintage
Shoes and gloves-Thrifted
Bow brooch-Gift from my brother 
All photos by Light and Shadow Photography

Doris petticoat pics

Doris Petticoats are my favorite makers of modern petticoats, because not only are they pretty, but they're soft. I featured one in this post when the weather was sunny and bright! They just shot this darling Alice themed shoot and I wanted to share, that's my petticoat in the middle! And I'm a sucker for bright red hair, so these are my faves :)

Head Pieces: What Katy Did Next 
Vintage China Hire: The Whistling Bunting Travelling Tea Party 
Photography: Sally Thurrell Photography 
Hair & MUA: Beautiful Bride Makeovers 
Venue: Riding Farm Cottages 
Clothing: Alexandra King – Make Me a Dress 
Petticoats: Doris Designs 
Cupcakes: Daisy Cupcakes 
Reception Stationary: Vicky Trainor 
Lace Rabbit Ears: Talulah Blue 
‘Eat Me/Drink Me’ Tags: Through the Cottage Door 
Steampunk Brooches: Christopher Ainsley
Sponsored by Doris Petticoats  

K.M.A. Radio Sewing Book

Sometimes I'm pretty sure all these vintage treasures find me instead me me finding them. This book was buried behind a bunch of other needlework books at a local antique store, and I almost didn't open it up. But then I got curious as to what a "Radio Sewing Book" is. Upon seeing it was full of sewing tips and tricks I knew it had to go in my little collection. There's no date, but from the look of the picture inside it's about mid 20s. It's a compilation of advice discussed on a radio show, and here's a few things I want to try out. ~~~ Corn meal will clean lace that is badly soiled. Rub lace and meal together between the hands. Then shake well. Use white meal for white lace and yellow meal for ecru lace.
~~~
 Mildew stains can be removed from white goods by boilling in water to which 2 tablespoons of peroxide have been added for each quart of water. Will aslo remove other stains.
~~~
 Apply corn starch to wrong side of silk dress on armpit stains, when fresh. When dry, brush off. ~~~When sewing bring the work to the eyes, not the eyes to the work. (Posture!) ~~~Sponge armpit stains on woolen goods with diluted vinegar, then wash in warm water. ~~~Never starch linen that is to be stored away or it is apt to crack. ~~~When sewing garments, take a piece of each material and put in a box. Call this your patch box and you will always find a matching material. ~~~Press silk under tissue paper-wool under damp linen cloth (Just make sure that tissue paper is colorless acid free)~~~Sponge pleats with a weak solution of salt water and press under a cloth. Pleats will stay in longer. ~~~If your initial is B try making handkerchiefs or tea napkins, etc., with a little bumble bee instead of the usual initial. (Oh how I wish my initial was B) ~~~

Expo outfit pics {and giveaway winner!}

And the winner of the Custard Heart $50 giveaway is...Killing birds is not art! 
 Contact me at solanahraquel{at}gmail.com for details 

Here's some photos of Marjorie Mink and I before our antique expo adventure. Marjorie was visiting from out of town, and I can barely believe this was the first time we met! We clicked at once, and chatted the whole time, about vintage, husbands, cooking...
Luckily she brought her camera, because I forgot mine! So these photos are thanks to her. 
It was an absolute delight spending time together, and you must check out her post on expo, if not just to see the amazing mustachio strongman.   

30s/40s dress-Purchased day before at Antique Expo 
1940s hat and Mr. Beaumont-Urban Eccentric Vintage 
 1930s shoes-Fab Gabs
Bakelite-Various antique expos

Antique expo finds

I usually have a little mental list of things I want to find every time I go to the Antique expo. And while I always leave with bags of goodies, it's rare to find exactly what I want. But this time I got everything! Friday I went to early admission with Twila Jean and Rhiannon and picked up the suit, green dress,and acorn sweater. I went the next day with Marjorie Mink of Reviving Vintage, and we had a blast!
    

I had a red acorn accessory on my list to match the sweater I got Friday. At the beginning of the show I found this cute little squirrel pin and thought it would go with my acorn sweater very well. But at the end, as I was waiting for Sam to pick me up I browsed a bakelite dealer and saw the perfect red acorn necklace. It was way out of my price range, but I chatted with the dealer and told her about my sweater, and she cut over $100 off of the price because she loved the fact that I was dressed up and that I had a sweater to match the pretty necklace. Wow! She said "it's been with me too long, and needs a good home."


This green dress is fantastic, late 30s, early 40s, with side button closure and a bow belt! 


This was in a booth full of hats, under a table! It was calling me. I was so excited to find it, this style of hat has been on my list for ages, and it's just so perfect! Even the label is cute!



Sweet little 1940s lovebirds pin 

Also on my list for years have been brown leather driving gloves, for all that driving I do. 

A beautiful New Look suit, with nipped waist and full skirt! Who could ask for more?
 
Two bakelite bangles.
 

A fabulous 40s face framer with pheasant feathers. Say that five times fast.
 
This is a "Hollywood Head Topper" but I can't quite figure out how it ties. I have it tied just fine, but that little triangle is just so random I can't make it work. Yet.  
This beauty was a gift from Marjorie, isn't that sweet! Can't wait to accessorize with pink and blue.
 
Something recent on my wish list was an Edwardian corset for The Titanic Tea. A tall order, and one I honestly didn't expect to fill, but while we were in a booth looking at a girdle the vendor asked if I was looking for a Victorian corset. Read minds much? I replied I was on the lookout for an Edwardian one, and she pointed to a corner, and lo and behold, there it was! Even better than I could have asked for. I'll have detail photos of it soon!