Tea with the Vintage Baroness

Close Up on Coats, One

2012-01-28T09:12:00.000-05:00

With the chilly winter weather swirling outside, it's inevitable that we Canadian gals sometimes put as much thought into our outerwear as our indoor outfits! To this end, some 30s catalogue images of coats, some not unlike my 'new' pretty, worn in the last post (and likely to appear in future blog posts :)).

More 30s catalogue coat images over at Wearing History

Tea with the Vintage Baroness & Matt Deckard

2012-01-23T09:54:00.001-05:00

Some snaps from Tea with the Vintage Baroness & Matt Deckard event at Toronto's Windsor Arms Hotel, attended by my lovely new friends Jacqui, Jennifer, and Catherine!

Galoshes Galore

2012-01-21T18:14:00.000-05:00

Boy, have I been getting a lot of wear out of my vintage galoshes this winter. Looking back on ads for galoshes from the 20s, I'm not sure which I love more: the overbooties themselves or the advertisements!

Tea with the Vintage Baroness Event Update

2012-01-16T20:41:00.000-05:00

This post is for those of you who RSVP'd regarding the upcoming Tea with the Vintage Baroness & Matt Deckard event in Toronto's Windsor Arms Hotel tea room. Please note that when confirming reservation numbers, I had to change the time of the event to 3:30 PM on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012. Apologies in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. The hotel just advised me of this change. Send me a convo in my shop if you have any questions. Thanks!

Sonja Henie: Cutie Pie on Ice

2012-01-16T11:37:00.001-05:00

Now that winter-like temperatures have actually hit here in Canada, I am eager to lace up my blades and hit the outdoor ice skating rink soon. What to wear? Looking to 30s skating sweetie Sonja Henie for some cuteness cues (click photos for image sources).

Wearable Vintage Fashion Book Pre-Order

2012-01-16T09:16:00.000-05:00

So, I'm pretty excited to announce that the book I'm featured in as a 20s/30s vintage fashion enthusiast, Wearable Vintage Fashion, by Jo Waterhouse and Clare Bridge, is now available for pre-order on Amazon! I am thrilled and honoured that I was asked to be a part of this text, which promises to be a fascinating read for those of us who seek to integrate vintage fashion into our everyday lives. Visit HERE for more info on the book and a few page mock-ups or go straight to Amazon to pre-order!

Beautiful Brevities, Part Two: 1930s

2012-01-14T14:10:00.000-05:00

Ah, the 30s...when gowns often looked like lingerie and lingerie was so beautiful it could (almost) be worn out of the boudoir. Case in point, I just LOVE this 30s peach & ecru lace silk bias-cut night-gown I added to the shop. Somehow, I think Harlow would approve :)

Harlow in Bombshell (1933)

1930s peach silk night-gown

Harlow in Dinner at Eight (1933)

Beautiful 'Brevities' Part One: 1920s

2012-01-13T21:52:00.003-05:00

Since Valentine's Day is but a month away and I have been adding some fun vintage boudoir goodies to the shop, thought I do a post or two showcasing these beautiful 'brevities' (a term I borrowed from here). First up, a peek at a newly listed 1920s pale pink silk step-in, accompanied by a sweetly saucy 1920s video showing one in action. Not sure what a 'step-in' is? Check out Dear Golden's post devoted to this garment.

Source: Maudelynn

Backwards, Baby

2012-01-13T11:19:00.007-05:00

Since today is Friday the 13th, a day known amongst the superstitious as one during which things have a tendency to go sideways or backwards, as the case may be, I thought I would share a little blooper I noticed in relation to a Jean Harlow gown which I had had the pleasure of seeing in person when I had visited the Hollywood Museum in L.A. back in November. The short of it is that, recently, I came upon a photo of Harlow in the fur sleeved velvet gown and noticed something which the curators of the Harlow exhibit apparently had not: the gown was worn by Harlow with the v in front, not in back! As further evidence, by sheer coincidence, I found a newsreel clip of Harlow in that very same gown (see below). To add insult to injury, as I was composing this post, I noticed there is yet another photo of Harlow in the gown displayed right in front of the actual gown in the Museum (see my photo just below). Clearly, the curators are displaying Baby's gown backwards. Oops?

Source

To be fair, 30s gowns can sometimes be tricky in relation to determining which is the front and which is the back, often due to the fact that it was quite common to have a gown dip lower in the back and inset goring that modern wearers might want emphasizing the rear were designed to highlight the hips and so forth. How to avoid such glitches?

Look for any bust darts. This will tell you which side is meant to face front;
Look for side closures (in my experience, button/snap/hook/zip plackets typically sit on the left side waist of garments from the 30s);
Lay the gown flat or put it over a dress form if you have one and see if you see a difference in hem length (often the back hem will dip lower).

Sometimes, none of these clues will be there. In such cases, what's a gal to do? Try it on both ways and wear it how you want!! Btw, if any other 30s lovers have tips or tricks on this topic, I'd love to hear 'em!

Roberta (Revisited)

2012-01-12T15:04:00.000-05:00

In anticipation of the upcoming "Tea with the Vintage Baroness," I was planning to do a little post about 1930s afternoon dresses and I may still do, if time permits. In the mean-time, some of you may find The Painted Woman's post informative and illustrative of possible tea table garb. I also thought I'd re-post a video clip from my absolute favourite 30s fashion-centred films: 1935's Roberta. Yes, Fred and Ginger are as swoon-worthy as ever in this flick, but it's the Bernard Newman-designed CLOTHING that keeps me hitting pause, rewind.

Check out the Suits, Hats, & Coats:

Drool-worthy Dresses Night and Day, with lots of stripes and bows

Tea with the Vintage Baroness & Matt Deckard

2012-01-09T17:55:00.000-05:00

Source: ipernity

In an effort to help foster the vintage community in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), I would like to invite interested parties to afternoon tea at the historical Windsor Arms Hotel at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 (high tea or afternoon tea service options available...high tea ordered in advance). This event is co-hosted by Matt Deckard, of Matt Deckard Apparel and the Fedora Lounge. As we would ideally like to give the Windsor Arms staff a fairly accurate sense of the number of people attending this event, and groups of 10 or more must pre-book tables, please let me know if you are coming ahead of the event. RSVPs sent through my etsy shop, Adeline's Attic Vintage, by January 15th, 2012, would be greatly appreciated. If you prefer email, leave your addy in the comments section and I'll email you shortly. As for dress code, vintage or vintage-inspired attire is not required, but always much admired ;)

Source: Moth Girl Wings

Fashions of 1934

2012-01-08T11:32:00.019-05:00

I've been asked before what inspires my vintage style; while I love to pore over 30s magazines the way many modern women devour Cosmo, I will admit I particularly love to go back over 1930s fashion moments in the movies. One of my perennial favourite fashion-centred films is the aptly named movie, Fashions of 1934. While it's rather frothy in style and content, I do love that this is a movie that deals (albeit in a rather screwball manner) with a problem still prevalent in the modern age: idea plagiarism....in this case, design theft in the form of fast fashion makers producing cheap unauthorized knockoffs of designer originals. Without giving too much away, one of my favourite scenes in the film involves William Powell's con artist character employing a hidden camera inside a cane to snap pics of Parisian original fashion designs with the aim of using them to produce cheaper knockoffs. Anyway, some of the fashion is simply SWOONSVILLE! Emily of Livin' Vintage screencapped some of the other Orry-Kiely designs appearing in this movie :). On the subject of plagiarism, I think Vintage Vixen's recent blog post about citing online sources of images, ideas, and texts is an important little discussion (not only because I've come across images of myself or from my blog/flickr/shop used without my permission or without attribution). At the same time, I'll admit to sometimes not being as meticulous about source citation as I should be, so, one of my resolutions is to be more vigilant about clearly and properly crediting and linking to sources appearing on my blog that are not my own (Bette Davis stills are from here, btw!).

My Vintage Year

2012-01-06T10:50:00.056-05:00

2011: A year filled with personal introspection, transition, revitalization, relocation, re-direction, and now retrospection! Outfit-wise, a peek back at my year in vintage.

WINTER

30s Schia inspired snowsuit

30s Persian Lamb jacket + 30s plaid scarf & 30s knitted skirt and crocheted cap, outside Whitehern House, Hamilton, ON (scarf, skirt from Top Tottie)

30s plaid scarf again (this time with matching cap), at the Bronte Creek Maple Syrup festival

SPRING

30s flutter sleeved dress and green re-mix shoes for St. Patrick's Day Social at my dance school

30s pale blue gown + capelet set at Casa Loma Big Band Dance Night

30s knit/crochet-wear (hat, flutter sleeved top) + 30s skirt and shoes for the spring cherry blossom season

SUMMER

30s navy & white dress at Palais Royale (also wore this for the ADSLA Cocktails in Historic Places in L.A. in Nov)

Punchy 30s floral dress from Dorothea's Closet Vintage for the Niagara New Vintage Wine Fest

Ethereal 20s chiffon floral dress + straw cloche for Spadina House's 20s Garden Party

My summer go to ensemble: 30s peasant blouse, 30s style skirt by nudeedudee

Feigning Deauville in the early 30s with Nudeedudee striped top and wide legged trousers from Heyday

More 30s resortwear: cute gingham 30s beach pajamas

Faked a 20s bathing belle bathing suit to go with real 20s bathing shoes

FALL

Amazing 30s crocheted dress

Glammed up for the Queen Mary Cocktail PJ Party with Trashy Diva evening jacket and repro 30s lounging pjs from Time Machine Vintage

30s sailor collared floral organdy day dress

Cocktail sparkle with my gorgeous friend Patricia Lynn of Lady By Choice (I'm shown here in a 20s Schiaparelli-inspired black velvet illusion bow dress which I'm actually selling along!)

MORE 30s knitwear, worn whilst enjoying the "Roaring 20s" shoe exhibit at the Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto

Once again living it up in L.A.; 30s cotton floral dress from Denise Brain

Back to winter with my fave 30s Persian lamb jacket + skirt set, accessorized with 30s dickie, 30s hat, and 30s galoshes.

Looking forward to more adventures in vintage for 2012. Stay tuned!!!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a fabulous NYE. I hope to do a 2011 outfit retrospective at some point. For now, HAPPY 2012!

One Minute to Midnight

2011-12-29T19:33:00.000-05:00

For kicks, I thought I would share two of the most magical 1920s dresses I've ever spied: if I had the means, I would gladly wear either for New Year's Eve. What would your dream NYE ensemble look like?

Source of Images: Old Rags

Stunning Subtleties

2011-12-28T10:19:00.000-05:00

As much as I adore the dramatic effect created by the stark contrast of black vs. white on many 20s and 30s pieces, I must confess I am rather entranced by a subtler pairing of tones that I've noticed on several garments from the earlier 30s (including the beauty below, which is in my etsy shop): seems pairing rusts and browns with reds, burgundies, and mauves was rather popular? Stunning in a subtle yet sultry way, non?

Early 1930s dress: Adeline's Attic Vintage

1930s Dress, sold on ebay

Christmas Morning with Mr. and Mrs. Charles

2011-12-25T10:26:00.003-05:00

Black Christmas

2011-12-23T21:46:00.000-05:00

"New" 30s dressing table + "new" early 30s dress = Merry Christmas to greedy little meeeeee. Happy holidays, lovelies!!! Yes, that's my little cavi spaniel flattened out on the bed haha. He wishes you a Merry Christmas, too!

Chalet Chic

2011-12-23T10:42:00.000-05:00

More cold climate vintage chic: this time in the form of early 30s designer skiwear (with images taken by my favourite photog, Madame D'Ora. Swoon! Images derived from the L'Officiel archive (by way of Giant Pants of the 30s and Back to the Ole Five and Dime on tumblr :)).

Maggy Rouff

Vionnet

More Bomb Girls

2011-12-22T21:32:00.000-05:00

Some more promo stills depicting what may perhaps be a more accurate reflection of the costumes from the upcoming tv series Bomb Girls.

Cute, Cozy Cowichans

2011-12-22T20:28:00.000-05:00

Since the thermometer mercury is starting to drop, I thought I would post about some cozy vintage clothing. Today's subject (inspired by stylish Cowichan wearers Dakota of Sweetheart of the Rodeo (below left) & Tasha of By Golly, By Gum, (below right), among others: Cowichan Sweaters.

Although some may more often associate them with The Dude in The Big Lebowski, the Cowichan sweater has long-standing roots in Canadian West Coast First Nations history and culture (being a Canadian who lived on the West Coast for ten years, you can see why I'm partial to the subject). Apparently, after sheep were introduced to the Cowichan Bay area by settlers, missionary sisters (The Sisters of St. Anne) shared with local Salish women their methods wool production and knitting.

Cowichan Knitter

Late 1920s(?) Cowichan

According to one Cowichan Bay history site, "Mrs. Jeremina Colvin instructed them in the art of making Fair Isle patterns learned in her native Shetlands," so traditional Cowichan sweater construction may be said to bear this influence. However, as has also been pointed out, "The Cowichan people quickly adapted their own designs to the knitting they learned from white settlers." This is reflected in the fact that "many sweaters have traditional Salish motifs on front and back, often killer whale, salmon, eagles or deer. Traditional Cowichan sweaters were known for their water repellancy thanks to the wool yarn used. They typically have a more muted colour scheme consisting of cream together with grey and/or oatmeal and/or dark espresso browns.

In the 40s and 50s, Cowichan sweater styles were taken in a different direction by producers of "novelty" sweaters with kitschy or sporty motifs. While fun and often cozy, these sweaters are often made of cotton and/or acrylic yarns, making them less water resistant than authentic Cowichans.

1950s novelty 'Cowichan' style sweaters, Beyond Retro Vintage Clothing

The Right Stripes

2011-12-21T18:38:00.000-05:00

Going back through my archives of garments I've sold in my shop or ogled on etsy before they sold, I noticed a little trove of images of wonderful garments with holiday stripes. Mmm, like wearable candy canes!! Sorry to tempt you with vintage deliciousness that is no longer available, but maybe they will inspire home sewers? Le sigh.

30s striped viyella dress sold by Adeline's Attic (by way of Top Tottie)

Irene Rich

30s/40s striped suit sold by Adeline's Attic Vintage

Myrna Loy and William Powell in The Thin Man

30s/40s dressing gown, seen on Dress-a-Day

Dolores Del Rio

Dress sold by Petrune

Bomb Girls

2011-12-21T11:59:00.006-05:00

Just got word that a show about Canadian women munitions factory workers during WWII called "Bomb Girls" is slated to drop on January 4th. Have a peek at the trailer for more (feels like a wartime version of Pan Am??).

Holly Jolly Dolly

2011-12-18T16:14:00.000-05:00

So, I *finally* think I'm feeling the festive spirit. The recent arrival of this 30s frock, which I've dubbed the "holly jolly dolly" dress, due to its slightly Christmas-y print and colour scheme and its sweet little collars, may have something to do with my yuletide mood. It's really too cold for my little open-toed green remix 'Anita shoes, but sometimes attempts at colour coordination take precedence :).

Deco Droolery

2011-12-17T18:36:00.002-05:00

I am such a fan of 20s and 30s garments with black & white (or ecru/off-white/ivory) elements. Some deco droolery in my image folder: items that have long since sold on ebay or the net. Le Sigh!

1920s coat with crocheted trimmings, The Way We Wore

Dreamy 20s/30s zigzag modern chevron dress: ebay

Early 30s Contrast Collar Jacket: ebay

Traces of The Thin Man

2011-12-15T07:58:00.004-05:00

Love the look of the fashions in the Thin Man movies? I sure do. Some last-minute holiday gift ideas for the Loy and Powell lovers in one's life:

The "Powell" Fedora in tusk, Deckard Headwear

1930s Dressing Gown (which I think combines the charm of Nora's striped gown in the first movie with the ease of her lovely lounge and boudoir looks in more than one of the films in the series): Raleigh Vintage

Oh Boy, Myrna Loy!

2011-12-13T16:27:00.000-05:00

Every year around this time, I re-watch The Thin Man. Every year, after seeing Myrna Loy in the famous Xmas shopping scene (screencapped below by Casey over at Elegant Musings), I dig my favourite Persian lamb trimmed 30s skirt suit out and try a sartorial homage to the lovely Nora Charles, Loy's character in the film. If it was a little warmer out, I would totally wear this ensemble around town whilst doing my winter holiday errands.

1930s hat: ebay

1930s suit: ebay

30s/40s galoshes: Jaws Antiques (what luck that I found them, in my size, the day after drooling over Patricia's over at Lady By Choice!).

1930s satin rayon dickie: for sale in my etsy shop!

Oh, Anthro!

2011-12-11T17:36:00.001-05:00

These days, it is rare indeed when a modern garment catches my eye and gets me opening my wallet. However, I must tell you that I ADORE this 30s-inspired silk flutter sleeved Flori dress that I got at Anthropologie on sale for $49.95 (regular $228.00)!! Really, this garment is a two-in-one deal because it consists of the sheer silk floral overdress AND a black slip that is that PERFECT mid-30s length (as we 30s lovers know, these slips are getting SO hard to find!). I love that the dress even has the period-authentic strings-and-snaps details inside the shoulders to hold the slip straps in place! All in all, this was a great investment. I'll try to snap a pic of me in the actual garment shortly. In the mean-time, I thought I would also mention another 30s-inspired garment my friend Sara brought to my attention the other day: the Gabriella. While it is clearly a knockoff of a 30s NIGHTGOWN, the Anthro site is calling it a slip. Oy! Still, the colour, the fabric, the lace detailing channel the elements of 30s lingerie I find quite swoon-worthy. Too bad about the price ($198.00 USD)...still, it might be worth watching for it on the sales racks?

Great Gatsby: Great Scott or Hot Mess?

2011-12-09T06:44:00.003-05:00

Riding on the coat-tails of some discussions I've been engaging in on other social networking sites, I thought I would share some more stills that have emerged depicting the costumes for the upcoming Baz Lurhmann Great Gatsby movie. My thought (without having seen the movie, of course) is that, at least sartorially speaking, Lurhmann seems to be more interesting in using the 1974 Mia Farrow-Robert Redford film as the "primary" source he is adapting for 2012 audiences, rather than offering a direct translation of the original Fitzgerald novel into a film. This seems particularly evident when one compares Carey Mulligan's lavender ensemble with one worn by Mia Farrow (and of course Mulligan's hairstyle has often been compared to Farrow's [but in other films]).

Similar echoes of the '74 film are apparent when comparing DiCaprio's get-up with Redford's

Now, as for which era/text they are channelling with Tobey Macguire (as Nick Carraway, at right in second image, in a mishmashed sweater look) or Isla Fischer (as Myrtle, directly above), I have NO idea. To be blunt, both looks seem a mess to me, and, on the whole, I find myself wishing the costumes had a more straightforward 1920s aesthetic. What do you think?

Les Feuilles Mortes

2011-12-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

On my holiday last month, I forgot to snap some pics of this fantastic two-piece 30s dress + jacket set (Dear Golden) that I wore for an evening, so I thought I would take some today in the backyard, since its hues match the late autumn leaves littering the ground.

Everything

2011-11-30T17:27:00.000-05:00

Thought I would share this wonderful video I discovered, pairing Fred & Ginger with Canadian crooner Michael Buble's song, Everything. May it be a mid-week perk up!

Cranberry Dressing

2011-11-26T15:50:00.004-05:00

Hope my American blog friends enjoyed their Thanksgiving dindins! Cranberry goes well with more than turkey, y'know. To whit, I think the cranberry details at the neck and sleeves of this 20s silk dress work rather well. Gobble, gobble!

1920s dress: Dear Golden

30s crocheted purse: etsy

1960s-does-20s shoes: etsy

A River Runs Through It, II

2011-11-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

Here are couple of stills of Jessie Burns from A River Runs Through It, including a peek at the lovely ensemble that inspired my last outfit and a dreamy deco knit ensemble!

A River Runs Through It

2011-11-21T16:54:00.000-05:00

Inspired by the Montgomery Ward ladies in the last post, as well as 20s women's clothing I spied on the character Jessie Burns during a recent re-viewing of the movie A River Runs Through It, I cobbled together a little outfit post. Shoes, hat, and tie are vintage; sweater from the Gap ages ago, and skirt from Puttin' on the Ritz!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2011-11-20T23:39:00.000-05:00

I was planning to post more L.A pics, but right now, my mind is on cold weather vintage garb, so here are some images from a 1925 Montgomery Ward catalogue that I've been eyeing.

La La Land

2011-11-15T22:28:00.003-05:00

Hello, dear bloggers! Sorry I've been scarce. Just got back from a FANTASTIC jaunt to Los Angeles. I have tons of pictures to post of my various adventures, but for now, here's a quick pic of me in my current favourite 1930s dress. I'm posing next to the Elliott Smith Memorial Wall (I am a diehard Smith fan, so this was a special moment for me). Awesome!

The Artist

2011-11-09T12:13:00.000-05:00

On the subject of vintage-y films, I've been hearing great things about The Artist. Take a peek!

Gatsby Garb

2011-11-07T20:00:00.000-05:00

Ever since first hearing of the upcoming Baz Luhrmann filmic adaptation of The Great Gatsby (in 3D, no less!), I've been trolling the internet for some costume sneaks. After all, Fitzgerald did take pains to describe the clothing of his characters and fashion has symbolic function in the novel. My eagerness to see how the costumers would approach the 20s clothing mentioned in the book paid off the other day when I finally found a couple of snaps showing Toby MacGuire (Nick Carraway) and Leo Di Caprio (Gatsby) in their Gatsby garb--well, almost. I take it Toby's sneakers won't appear in the final cut! Anyway, I can't wait to see what the ladies will be wearing, esp. Josephine Baker.

"Recovering himself in a minute [Gatsby] opened for us two hulking patent cabinets which held his massed suits and dressing-gowns and ties, and his shirts, piled like bricks in stacks a dozen high.
“I’ve got a man in England who buys me clothes. He sends over a selection of things at the beginning of each season, spring and fall.”
He took out a pile of shirts and began throwing them, one by one, before us, shirts of sheer linen and thick silk and fine flannel, which lost their folds as they fell and covered the table in many-colored disarray. While we admired he brought more and the soft rich heap mounted higher — shirts with stripes and scrolls and plaids in coral and apple-green and lavender and faint orange, and monograms of Indian blue. Suddenly, with a strained sound, Daisy bent her head into the shirts and began to cry stormily.
“They’re such beautiful shirts,” she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such — such beautiful shirts before.”

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's...the Flying Flapper

2011-10-29T15:43:00.005-04:00

When I saw a particular 1920s costume in a blog post Vixen Vintage did last year related to vintage Hallowe'en, I squirreled the images away with vague plans to devise one of the costumes *this* year. When I scored what appears to be a 20s inspired costume dress on ebay this spring, my plan became clearer: I would go as "the Spirit of St. Louis" (or some version thereof). I made my "propeller" out of a bent wire coat hanger wrapped in tinfoil! Voila!

Golden Boughs

2011-10-28T15:05:00.000-04:00

My autumn outfits have been inspired by the colours the trees are wearing. Today, I opted for harvest gold, in the form of an 80s sweater that, to me, had a slightly 30s feel to it. Skirt is 30s repro. by nudeedudee. 30s shoes from Etsy.

W. E.

2011-10-23T22:00:00.000-04:00

Hullo, dear bloggers! I want to thank you all for your kind words of support as I start a new chapter in my life. Without going into detail, just know that your comments have been greatly appreciated. Now then, I'm so looking forward to seeing W. E., especially after having seen the Vanity Fair costume shoot and this trailer.

2011-10-12T22:42:00.000-04:00

Sorry so scarce, bloggers...lots of personal changes going on over here at the homefront. Not sure when I'll be back to blogging more regularly, so I leave you with this musical interlude until then. Much love xoxo

D'ora Encore

2011-10-05T15:01:00.000-04:00

More marvellousness created by Madame D'ora (most by way of French magazine, L'Officiel)

Breathless

2011-10-05T14:45:00.000-04:00

Madame D'ora's photographs leave me breathless!!

Fabulous Flapper Footwear, Part Two!

2011-10-04T16:04:00.000-04:00

More from the Bata Shoe Museum, starting with some shoes from the permanent collection, followed by more images of the flapper footwear exhibits.

1910s

1920s

1930s

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

More flapper footwear

Fabulous Flapper Footwear!

2011-10-03T10:49:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I had an amazing time with my new friend, Mugsy; we met at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto to take in the "Roaring 20s" shoe exhibit and BOY was it worth the visit, though it was soo cold and rainy out, I had to opt for a 30s knit sweater and longer 30s style nudeedudee skirt (with Re-mix shoes), instead of a lovely 20s ensemble. Anyway, have a peek at what we saw!! Which pair is your favourite? Can you guess which ones I wanted to take home?

Brooding Beauty

2011-10-01T14:26:00.000-04:00

Don't worry, dames! I've got lots coming to the shop for you, too. One of my favourites is this 1920s crepe-backed satin dress. I love its fluttery lace capelet detailing! It never fails: this time of year I really gravitate towards moodier, broodier 20s fashion.

Changes!

2011-10-01T08:49:00.000-04:00

So, lately I've been working on expanding my etsy shop by branching into vintage menswear. This may mean blog posts devoted to men's vintage now and then. Today, I've been researching men's straw boater hats, as I have just acquired a lovely specimen for the Attic, so I thought I'd share some dapper chaps donning said dashing headgear. What do you think: who wore it best?

Harold Lloyd

The Dapper Knapp Chap

Fred Astaire

Friday! Foliage!

2011-09-30T15:47:00.000-04:00

Just a little outfit pic from today. Went to a vintage fair and got some great goodies for the shop! The leaves are just starting to turn now. Delish! In retrospect, I think I wore a bit too much brown, but I wanted the background to stand out. Oh, yes, those ARE the 30s shoes that used to be in my shop. Oops, I stole them back again. :)

1920s Hairstyles

2011-09-28T11:51:00.000-04:00

Midnight in the Garden

2011-09-27T13:50:00.000-04:00

This post was originally going to be centred around this 30s lace gown I'm trying to decide whether to keep or not, but I must admit I am shaken and saddened by the news that Diane, the founder and editor of Zelda Magazine passed recently. She was 31. I never met this kindred deco dame in person (though I had had hopes of attending one of her Club Wit's End gatherings in NYC this winter), but she was the epitome of friendliness and generousity in our online exchanges. Thanks for the inspiration, D. You will be missed, bright, beautiful spirit.

Brick by Brick

2011-09-25T20:44:00.000-04:00

Considering Season Two of Boardwalk Empire airs tonight, it seems appropriate that I visited Toronto's Distillery district today. In a word: FABULOUS! Particular favourites: Balzac's Coffee House and Soma Chocolate!!

1930s style blouse: nudeedudee

1930s style skirt: Puttin' on the Ritz

30s/40s shoes: Dear Golden

Sharing the 30s Love

2011-09-21T09:06:00.002-04:00

Hello!! Forgive me for appearing to have fallen into a virtual rabbit hole lately. I've just been feeling a distinct lack of blog motivation. Luckily, several wonderful bloggers have posted some fabulous 30s fashion delights recently. Check out:

Hats: Seeing Double!

2011-09-17T21:45:00.000-04:00

Hello, dear bloggers! It seems like ages since I've posted! Forgive me, as I've had a kind of blogger's block. Oh, well, I have a moment now, so thought I would post about the two Etsy hats I spotted that seem to be the twins of a 30s cap I crocheted last year. CUTE, non?

Tammym 1972

Jane's Vintage

Chocolate Mint

2011-09-13T09:42:00.000-04:00

Before I fell ill at the end of my L.A. trip, I had intended on wearing this little "chocolate mint" plaid jumper ensemble I had had custom made for the vacation. 30s style jumper/suspender skirt by Time Machine Vintage, 30s style blouse by NudeeDudee.

Queen Mary: Focus on Fashion and Friends

2011-09-09T16:12:00.000-04:00

Back from the Art Deco Weekend on the Queen Mary, which was a sight to behold! Unfortunately, I fell ill on the Sunday, so I missed the last day, but still had some very special moments with a dear friend. Now, a quick glimpse at some of the outfits I wore and people I met. I didn't get to wear all my QM outfits, which just may mean future fashion posts starring them!

30s Sailor Style for Day One on Deck

Cocktail party with the elegant Patricia of Lady By Choice.

A glimpse at my 30s style pjs and velvet wrap coat (Trashy Diva), worn for the Deco Pajama Party (divine shoes from Dear Golden)

Beautiful bloggers and friends Beth (V for Vintage) and Lauren (Wearing History)

Sharing a smile with the wonderful Kim of Nudeedudee,

Glitzing it up on Saturday night with Dan'a, an Adeline's Attic Vintage customer.

I'll Be Seeing You

2011-08-30T12:10:00.000-04:00

Well, I guess it's "adieu" until some time next week, my lovelies, as I have lots of prepping and packing to do ahead of a wonderful long weekend filled with Deco goodness, thanks to the ADSLA Queen Mary weekender. Before I depart, I just wanted to thank blogger Honey Kennedy for her wonderful post about my Etsy shop (which, by the by, will be in vacation mode from tomorrow until next Wednesday). Hope you all have a lovely long weekend yourselves and I'm hopeful I'll have oodles of fun photos to share with you upon my return. If you are attending the ADSLA QM events, please do stop & say hi!!! Otherwise, I'll be seeing you!

Photos by George Hoyningen-Huene

Ferragamo Falls for the 30s

2011-08-28T13:42:00.000-04:00

Hehe, either the Salvatore Ferragamo has been reading my blog or my 1930s-resort-fashion-obsessed mind. Check out some of the pieces in the 2012 resort collection: Halter neck tops, beach pajama/palazzo legged one-pieces, sailor stripes & wide legged trousers, oversized floppy hats!

A Stitch in Time, Vol 2 Vid

2011-08-25T13:40:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to blog this for ages. Sweet "behind-the-scenes" look at the making of the A Stitch in Time Vol. 2 knitting & crocheting pattern book, available for pre-order....

A Stitch In Time from Scott Willis on Vimeo.

Hurray for Berets!

2011-08-24T19:46:00.000-04:00

As the weather continues to arc towards crisp autumnal coolness in the evenings, my thoughts continue to linger over cooler weather garb and accessories. One of my favourite transitional pieces: the beret! Of course, authentic 30s ones are scarce. If you knit, they're probably a cinch to make up. If not, I spotted some adorable ones on Etsy; my favourites are the ones over at Bonnie's Knitting and another sweet one in Fiona Timantii's shop. Swoon! What's on your fall list?

Fall-ing

2011-08-21T21:13:00.000-04:00

This evening it was actually cool enough for me to wear my leaf-print 30s crepe rayon dress (with green Re-mix 'Anita' shoes). Wahoo! Fall-ing, yes, I am fall-ing! I just love this stone building with the green door. I think it was once a town hall building in the 19th century, but it now is someone's home! The owners were sort of peeking out the window at me wondering what I was doing, but the green door coordinated so perfectly, I couldn't pass up this outfit photo op!

Deco Dreaming

2011-08-20T11:50:00.002-04:00

As I've noted before on my blog, I think that 30s photographer George Hoyningen-Huene is all kinds of wonderful. My trip to LA for the ADSLA Queen Mary weekend is inching ever closer, so now seems like a perfect time to revisit some of H-H's inspiring fashion images, in the form of this dreamy video.

It's Not That Easy Being Green

2011-08-17T21:57:00.022-04:00

I've been sort of under the weather lately, but I wore my "new-to-me" vintage green cotton 30s dress yesterday, which perked me up a bit. Oh, have you heard Andrew Bird's sweet version of "Bein' Green"? It's so cute!

The Very Thought of You

2011-08-15T19:18:00.000-04:00

Haven't posted any music in a bit, so, since I just found this high res. video of my favourite 30s crooner in the whole world, Al Bowlly, singing one of my absolute favourites, thought I'd share. Happy Monday?

Closer

2011-08-15T16:38:00.000-04:00

By special request, here is a closer look at some of the details of the 30s dress I wore in the last post (sorry, it's not for sale at this time)!

Comfort Zones

2011-08-11T19:31:00.003-04:00

Ahhh, as if on command, the weather has turned more temperate the last few days. Still, it's not *quite* cool enough for me to prance around outside for long in this much desired 30s knit dress that I won after an epic ebay battle. You know me and my knits. I tried to resist, but this was one beauty I couldn't let get away. Once it arrived, I thought: hey, the colours and stripes remind me of the Hogwart's school colours. Magic!

She's So Unusual

2011-08-09T15:31:00.000-04:00

While I hope we have a few more weeks (or months) of glorious sunshine, I'm not going to lie: I can't wait for the crispness of autumn. Yes, you're probably thinking, "she's so unusual." A key reason why I'm ready to FALL: the clothing! Longer sleeves, darker richer colour palettes, delicious outerwear. Slowly, I'm working on getting my shop in gear for fall...which brings me to the dress below that I'm getting ready to list in the shop sometime soon. I think it's a perfect example of that darling 1960s-does-1920s aesthetic that I occasionally wish I was still youthful enough to wear with any regularity. Still, who can resist channelling the college coed cuteness of the likes of 20s sweeties Helen Kane and Clara Bow now and then? Not I. Ah well, you can take the girl out of her 20s but who says you'll EVER take the 20s out of the girl! For second image, I decided to try on a vintage 20s dress that is already in the shop (excuse the cord that appears to be coming out of my head).

1920s style Helmet Cloche Hat: Bonnie's Knitting on Etsy

Shoes: Re-mix Vintage (bought on sale on Etsy)

Pretty Prints

2011-08-08T15:39:00.005-04:00

By request, some close-ups of the fabrics of which some of my favourite 30s dresses in my collection are made. You know, Victory Fabrics can do custom fabrics from pictures of fabric!!

Cottons

Cold Rayons

Crepes

Farm Fresh

2011-08-07T22:23:00.000-04:00

Took my new portable camera out for a spin to the local orchard/farm bakery. Mmmm, farm fresh! The wind kept blowing the collar of my 30s dress up over my neck! Oh, well!

Cabin Fever, Part Four: Shadow Play

2011-08-01T18:36:00.002-04:00

I'm constantly trying to improve my digital photography skills. Thought I'd share a couple of snaps that I was pretty happy with. There was something about the lighting, shadows, colours, and textures captured that pleased me.

Cabin Fever, Part Three: Seeing Spots

2011-07-30T15:55:00.005-04:00

Inspired by 1920s vintage cartes de visite bathing beauties, I donned a pair of 1920s canvas bathing/beach shoes, a polka dotted bandeau (which matched the lichen-spotted rocks!), and a black cotton tank top + shorts combo that I hope adequately "passes" for a 20s swimsuit :). The beach shoes are destined for the shop, but I just had to try 'em out. FUN!

Cabin Fever, Part Two: Beach PJs By the Bay

2011-07-29T21:36:00.000-04:00

Every time the boat departs from the little marina, I smile at the jaunty colours of the little boat storage "houses" along the shore (see below). This year, I brought my bright red & white gingham 30s beach pjs to wear down by the bay, so I can feel jaunty, too!

Cabin Fever, Part One: Glam-ping, Lady Mountaineer Style

2011-07-29T20:29:00.005-04:00

Hello again!! Fresh from a few days at a lakeside cabin, here are some fun vintage outfit posts. First up, my own attempt to emulate the glam-pers I posted about earlier this summer, with the aid of a pair of vintage riding breeches (As I was wearing this outfit, I was also flooded with memories of the four long years I once spent writing a doctoral dissertation related to women mountaineers in the 19th and early 20th centuries, so this outfit actually is kind of a tribute to the intrepid women I studied--although few of the earlier "lady alpinists" ever wore trousers, at least not in view of the climbing hut or chalet). I digress: The photos below my outfit photo capture evidence of some of the "wildlife" encountered: on the left, huge holes bored into a tree by the most gigantic woodpecker I have ever glimpsed. I caught this avian giant working on the tree after I had returned from a morning canoe ride. Alas, he flew off before I could get my camera, so, the story of Big Red, as I called him, remains a legend to those who didn't see him with their own eyes. At right, a sign spied at a roadside rest stop on the way to the cottage. Thankfully, I didn't see any snakes so there was no need for braking!

I'll Be Back

2011-07-23T20:00:00.000-04:00

Darlings! I'm sorry I haven't done the scarf top tutorial yet. I will try to get my act together and post one soon. In the mean-time, forgive me if things around here slow down to a stand still. I've decided to take a summer break from the wired world for about a week. That means, the shop is on vacation mode and I'm going to force myself away from Twitter, Facebook, email, the works. I hope to come back to you a refreshed and creatively reinvigorated "baroness." :) Happy summer vacation, all! I promise: I'll be BACK....but not until I've had my fill of lake splashing, mini-golfing, book reading, crossword puzzle finishing, etc etc!!!

1930s style Playsuit & Skirt: nudeedudee

My Monday Make Do n' Mend Look

2011-07-18T17:14:00.000-04:00

For months now, I've ben frustrated by my inability to find the perfect 30s style shorts...you know, higher waisted (higher rise), not toooo short in length. Well, since the weather is well near boiling, necessity became the mother of invention today when I took matters into my own hands and turned a pair of repro. 30s style trousers that I just hadn't been wearing because I think I shrank their length at some point), and, inspired by By Golly By Gum's recent jeans-into-shorts conversion, I made what I could not find. Voila! I was on a roll, so I made the halter top out of an old synthetic silk scarf. I got the idea from an earlier 30s issue of the french fashion periodical, Modes et Travaux (apparently, it was really popular to turn tourist scarves into little beach bags and tops. I'll have to share a tutorial or two. Really took me no time at all to whip up the top). Finally, a note on the shoes: I got these for FREE: I took some of my old clothes into this used clothing shop and got these cuties with the store credit my clothes earned! They had these sort of punk rock studs sewn on them, so I cut those off and now they feel sort of like Busby Berkeley 30s beach sandals. In fact, the whole outfit makes me feel like a chorus girl from Dancing Lady or 42nd Street (though the inspiration for the look came from a 30s photo of two ladies on the beach). THERE, that's better!!! Just need the sun hat!

It's a Jungle Out There

2011-07-16T13:53:00.000-04:00

Although the weather outside here is already as hot as the desert and as humid as Hawaii, today involved a visit to an even sultrier place: "Tropical House." It's not very big, but it's actually a really lovely little oasis, with all sorts of exotic plants and flowers blooming, and a neat little grotto for the resident turtles, one of whom (Charlemagne) came out to pose for a picture. Anyway, it was fun little outing and the perfect setting in which to snap my latest vintage acquisition: an adorable 30s novelty print linen overall and bolero jacket set (the style of which is sort of similar to the 30s overall pattern I had previously posted)! Since the lighting wasn't always ideal in the greenhouse, I snapped one more outfit pic in my own backyard jungle....which I had better attempt to tame soon, before the wisteria takes over the house!

Outfit:

30s overalls + bolero set: svintage on etsy

30s carved celluloid bangles: etsy

shoes: joe fresh, thrifted ages ago

Anything Goes

2011-07-14T22:30:00.000-04:00

I had completely forgotten that I had recorded the 2011 Tony Awards, so I only JUST watched them today. Imagine my glee to (belatedly) discover that a revival production of Anything Goes is playing on Broadway. Check out the COSTUMES!!!!! Oh yes, I will see this show this fall if it's the last thing I dooooooooooo!

Candy Colours on the Cote D'Azure

2011-07-14T21:47:00.000-04:00

Black & white photos are great, but I love these colorized early 30s postcards of fashionable beach-pyjama-wearing holiday-ers on the Cote D'Azure (although it's still rather painful to look at the gal in the striped set below--a reminder of the "ones that got away" sniff sniff ;)

Images all from: Pyjamopolis

If These are YOUR striped pyjamas...

2011-07-14T21:36:00.000-04:00

If you are the lucky so-and-so who nabbed these AMAZING 30s striped seersucker pyjamas, you'd better thank your lucky stars (and stripes!!). Aren't they HEAVENLY??? I can totally picture the glamourous lady who strutted down a beach on the cote d'azure in these once upon a deco dream!

Deauville Dreams

2011-07-13T18:27:00.000-04:00

Just can't get Seeberger's Deauville babes (and early 30s resort fashions in general) outta my head, so, on a whim, dashed together a feeble attempt to emulate even one ounce of the chic coolness of these 30s Riviera goddesses. Aww, I was just messin' around!

Trousers: Heyday

Knitted Cap: Greetz from Tiz

Top: nudeedudee

Pretty Peasants

2011-07-10T13:36:00.000-04:00

Thanks to you all for your kind words on my beloved bohemian vintage blouse. If you are looking for similar, here are a couple of lovelies spotted on etsy (I was lucky to snag mine for a very very good deal, but these beauties look like they'd be worth every penny).

Source: The Littlest Sister

Source: Dear Golden Vintage

Source: Posh Girl Vintage

Lovely Bones and a Bohemian Blouse

2011-07-09T21:05:00.002-04:00

ANOTHER outfit post? Yep, I'm a roll here. One of the many things I love about where I live is that I am surrounded by beautiful historical structures. Today, as I was out and about running errands (and gathering some great new items for the etsy shop) in a couple of the nearby areas, I thought about how wonderful it is to see that this part of Canada has done a great job of integrating "old" and "modern." Well, most of the time...a perhaps less well integrated site is the Loyalist cemetary in Burlington, that is really awkwardly sandwiched between a highway and a strip mall parking lot. Very bizarre. Yet, standing under the old maple trees leaning against the outside brick wall that ensconces it, I thought how it really is a wistfully beautiful little oasis of contemplation. I snapped the middle photos while buying from the little butcher and grocery shops in Dundas. I LOVE that, rather than tearing these beautiful old brick structures and putting in a Walmart or other stripmalls, the town of Dundas has clearly put in concerted effort to preserve many of the lovely "bones" or foundations of wonderful old buildings, while revitalizing other bits where needed, so that really great little shops can be housed inside historical facades. I love that. What do you love about where you live? Do you live somewhere that clearly values history and preserves the architectural "bones" of the past?

Details on Buildings in Dundas

Outfit details:

1930s embroidered "bohemian" blouse (wish you could see the details and vibrance of embroidery better): Wildfell Hall Vintage (like my lovely fellow vintage bloggers--including Tickety Boo Tupney, Wearing History, A Cat Among the Pigeons, Tuppence Ha'Penny and others....I am a lover of the 30s embroidered blouse and this beauty is one of those effortless pieces I've been wearing so much this summer. I also love how each of us wears this style in our own unique way!).

1930s/40s wooden bead bag: etsy

1930s style skirt: nudeedudee

1930s style shoes: Re-mix

1930s carved celluloid bangle: etsy

Down By the Bay

2011-07-07T22:12:00.000-04:00

After a little accident involving me dribbling black tea down my white tank, I had to do a quick outfit swap (I grabbed my favourite 30s resort dress that I bought last year), before we headed out for a lovely dinner, followed by a walk down by the shore. Whenever I miss the ocean (before moving to Ontario, I lived out on the West Coast for ten years), it's great to be in close proximity to a Great Lake that has an ocean-like look and feel to it. Anyway, until I saw these photos, I didn't realize how tanned I've gotten this summer--despite wearing spf 45 every day, all that walking in the sun to the post office to mail shop parcels has given me a faux resort-tan. Oh, well, as Fleur and Lolita Starlet and Miss Matilda have blogged recently, at certain points in history, a gal with a tan was the picture of ideal beauty (also as The Painted Woman blog has established tans were a mark of the leisured class in the late 20s to 1930s). The way I see it, Coco Chanel would be proud. hehe.

Outfit: 1930s "life-preservers & nautical flags" novelty cotton resort dress and Haivanas flipflop (not as stylish as the shoes from my other outfit, but these things last forever..I've had mine for three years and very little wear n' tear!).

Music for My Mood

2011-07-06T11:33:00.000-04:00

Music to go with my fashion mood right now. This also makes me want to see Woody Allen's film, Midnight in Paris, that much mooooooreeeeeee.....

Perfectly Prada

2011-07-06T11:24:00.000-04:00

I don't really follow mainstream fashion trends or own much in the way of contemporary designer clothing, but Prada's Spring 2011 and Resort 2011 collections are really speaking to me right now....undoubtedly due to their overt stylistical allusion to 1930s fashion (esp. late 20s/early 30s resort fashion) and to figures like Josephine Baker and Nancy Cunard. Bring on the bright colours, the bangles, and shoes to absolutely swoon for!!!

Back Yard Glam-ping

2011-07-04T16:28:00.026-04:00

After being back home long enough to count the actual number of mosquito bites accrued during our camping trip, I am reminded that backyard glam-ping is the best camping of all :). Besides being virtually insect-free, one can wear vintage (white linen vintage, no less). Erm, okay, excuse me as I go back to trying to create my own little faux-Riviera experience in the yard, with the aid of the new canopied swing & some good reads (including the Land Girl-related book, "Sucking Eggs," alongside the first contemporary magazine I've bought in a LONG time...Elle Canada). Happy 4th of July to my American friends! :) PS: does anyone know why my photos are uploading all pixelated lately? I never had this problem before--didn't change a thing on my computer or camera. Wonder if it's a blogger issue/change??

Outfit details: 1930s linen skirt; 1930s inspired plaid halter top.

Pokey Monday

2011-07-04T08:46:00.002-04:00

Since first hearing of Pokey LaFarge (thanks to SuperHeidi) my summer's been a-jumping! Heard them again on the radio this past weekend! Love 'em!

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay

2011-07-03T10:29:00.002-04:00

I wish I could say I "glam"-ped it up during our short but sweet camping experience this weekend, but I admit I was so into lazing by the lake or reading by the campfire or hiking in the woods or swatting mosquitoes that glamourous outfit shots didn't take much precedence. However, I *did* put on some red lipstick when I went swimming in my vintage inspired Esther Williams swimsuit, and the first day, I *did* run around in my 30s-inspired playsuit (made by nudeedudee). Since we're going to be spending at least a week this summer at a remote waterfront cabin in the woods, I do think I will need to continue to explore outdoorsy/camping-appropriate outfit options, however, so do expect more posts on this subject! :)

More Glam-ping

2011-06-30T10:05:00.000-04:00

Glam-ping on the beach; Three on a match, three in a tent. Two wearing beach bandeaus (more on THOSE in future posts): 0ne in gingham, one in dots. LOVE IT!

Camping, Glam-ping

2011-06-30T06:41:00.000-04:00

At some point during this Canada Day long weekend, I am pretty sure we're going to be doing some camping. Being the fashion hound that I am, I have to consider my wardrobe options in advance. I'm digging the glam collared-shirt-jodhpur look (provided the weather isn't scorching hot). Who do you think wore this look best: Clara Bow, Joan Blondell, or Bette Davis?

1920s Garden Party @ Spadina House

2011-06-26T16:35:00.002-04:00

Today, the mister and I attended the first annual 1920s garden party at Spadina House in Toronto. I had never seen the mansion before, so it was a fun opportunity to see this historic site while also taking in some Django-esque jazz guitar music, sipping lemonade, and watching the charleston demonstration put on by the Sugar Shakers. All in all, it was a lovely afternoon....though an overzealous tourist treated me like a living photo-prop, physically moving me hither and thither for photos! Given that, aside from the interpreters working at the site, I only saw one other gal in vintage (a cute 60s floral dress), I offer the following challenge: C'mon, Toronto, let's get this event growing and give the American Gatsby Picnic a run for its money in future years. I can dream, right? Alright, enough "banter": here is just a small sampling of the many photos we took of the day. You may recognize the 20s dress I'm wearing from my shop--I "borrowed" it from the "Attic" since the frock I had bought for the occasion never arrived due to the Canada Post strike/lockout debacle (which, by the way, is FINALLY pretty much over now). Anyway, I think I might be keeping the floral lovely. Oops.

The Peach Pit

2011-06-23T20:54:00.002-04:00

No, I'm not blogging about the hangout owned by Nat on the original 90210 (yep, I'm from THAT generation), but, rather, some adorable little pieces of folk handiwork I spied over at Mouse Trap Vintage: little carved peach pit basket charms (example shown in first image)! According to the Mouse Trap listing, these used to often be carved by men for their sweethearts in the 30s and 40s. By sheer coincidence, I saw a clutch on ebay yesterday that has a peach pit closure on it! Interesting!

Fashions of 42nd Street

2011-06-22T15:50:00.000-04:00

Since rewatching 42 Street and drooling over SuperHeidi's handiwork, I've become re-obsessed with 30s jumper dresses and skirts. These beauties look even cuter when worn with a ruffle blouse and beret. Wait a minute, that sounds vaguely like my favourite outfit in the late 80s. Ah well, watch for me rockin' a version of this look later this year (top secret project in progress that I must not reveal until Sept.) :).

Pattern via Eva Dress

Vintage, Vines

2011-06-19T11:51:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, the mister, the in-laws, and I attended the New Vintage Wine Festival, where we sampled some lovely food & wine! One of my favourite highlights: We were driven into (and out of) the vineyard in vintage taxis! Fun! Of course, I had to wear some vintage, too! My new fave 30s dress!

Linx

2011-06-17T09:24:00.011-04:00

Later this weekend, I'm hoping to post pics of a very fun night we have planned for tomorrow (and I will admit that part of my excitement stems from the new-to-me frock I am going to wear. I had had plans on saving it for my fall trip, but I just don't think I can wait to wear it!!). In the mean-time, I thought I would note that I spied some very inspiring scans & images taken from 1930s magazines over at Small Earth Vintage's and Vixen Vintage's blogs, as well as at the charming The Cats & the Berries blog. Nothing like some vintage fashion pages to drool over!

Image via Small Earth Vintage

Hello and Harlow

2011-06-13T10:03:00.002-04:00

Hello!! Just stopping in to say that I'm still around...but busy as a bee, working on my shop, my gardens, and my almost-finished 30s style floral dress. Hope to have some fun pics to share shortly. In the mean-time, thanks to Riikka over at Harlean's Heyday for putting together this amazing video of Jean Harlow's earlier film roles! I almost swooned when I saw Harlow's gown at about 11:30 on. WOW! Happy Monday, all!

Whatta Peach

2011-06-08T14:04:00.002-04:00

Also just listed in the shop: a late 20s/early 30s wedding gown in lace and crepe-back satin, and a two piece peach lace gown and bolero. Hat to be added shortly. Possible vintage bride & bridesmaid dress ideas??

Baby, the Bathing Beauty

2011-06-07T10:11:00.000-04:00

Spoooooky....I had an overwhelming urge to blog some Jean Harlow "bathing beauty" images today. While gathering some pics, I came across a reminder that she had passed on June 7th, 1937. Goose bumps! So, here's to you, Harlean!

Marvelous Munsingwear

2011-06-06T14:47:00.011-04:00

How was your weekend? Mine was a bit quiet, except for Saturday, when I went to a vintage sale and scored an incredible early 1930s two toned swim suit...in my size!!! It was the first thing I spotted when I got into the venue. Initially, when I picked it up and looked at the inner seams (which are overlocked), I thought, "oh, this must be some 80s body suit or something," but then I spotted a label inside in one of the straps and sure enough, it's an authentic munsingwear wool knit bathing suit, patent 1930! The only thing I wish is that it had a modesty panel, as I find it rather racey that the lower portion of the suit is cream, not black. I have no idea if I will ever be brave enough to wear it to the actual beach, but it was fun to paddle about the backyard in (quickly got TOO hot, though). One of the coolest finds ever, though!

St. Tropez at the Palais

2011-06-02T08:14:00.004-04:00

Last night, I finally got to see inside a Toronto landmark, the Palais Royale, during an evening of St. Tropez- inspired cuisine and jazz music on the famous ballroom's waterfront patio. All kinds of famous musicians, from Duke Ellington to Glenn Miller, once played in this venue, so it was pretty great to see it!

Outer front of venue

This way to the waterfront patio! 30s dress, Wildfell Hall Vintage; 30s crocheted purse, Dear Golden; 30s shoes, ebay forever ago

Dapper jazz band (gotta get their name), with fedora-sporting frontman crooning Sinatra tunes.

The mister edging into vintage style, with Gatsby pink and seersucker driving cap. :)

Inside the Palais itself, the walls are lined with old photos. I loved these huge prints of 1920s Canadian bathing beauties.

Moment of reflection with Oscar Peterson

Ballroom floor (apparently, there WILL be dancing here. We WILL be back).

For my dad: ocular evidence that Sarah Vaughan may have once played here?

And...that's a wrap!