Newly Listed: TheSparklingCocktail

I have listed some new handmade items in my Etsy store, The Sparkling Cocktail! Retro looks for cocktail hour and beyond...

Black Veiled Headband Fascinator with Feathers and Large Gold Button-$25

Burgundy Feather Fascinator with Black Beaded Feathers and Mink Fur Rosette- $30

Vintage Finds of the Week: Vintage Bathing Suit Patterns

A few weeks ago I bought the vintage bathing suit pattern above from Pattern Peddler. In today's world I would wear it as a little romper with my wedge heeled espadrilles. I have already bought some red and white gingham ruffled elastic trim to go around the leg holes and some cherry print buttons! I still need to buy fabric and am open to suggestions, perhaps a white terry or cotton pique? In the meantime, here are some vintage bathing suit patterns for you, as my vintage finds of the week. If we get started now, we can have them finished in time for the hot weather! 1960 Vogue bathing suit and skirt- $10- Vintage Jubilee

Vintage 1969 Swim Bathing Suit and Cover-up Beach Dress- $7- Bonton Vintage


Gidget Era Swim Suit and Beach Cover-up- $10.99- Pattern Peddler

1963 Vintage Sewing Pattern- Bathing Suit and Skirt- $9- Selvedge Shop

Mid-Week Inspiration: The Conformist

I hate to be redundant but the fashion in the film The Conformist had a huge impact on me. Yesterday I wrote a post in my other blog, Fashion Playlist, about the gorgeous style in this movie and today I am still inspired. Here is my link to that post. http://fashionplaylist.blogspot.com/2009/03/cinema-style-conformist.html

Vintage Finds of the Week: Rhinestone Necklaces

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend but when times are tough rhinestones will do just fine. I recently purchased the vintage rhinestone necklace above from Vintage Fabulous and I just love it! It looks really great dressed up for a night out on the town or with a simple tee. My vintage finds of the week are affordable ($35 and under!) rhinestone necklaces found on Etsy that are worth checking out. Enjoy!
Emerald Cut White Rhinestone 50s Vintage Necklace- $15- Junee Moon Vintage

Clear Rhinestone Necklace Or Choker- $29.99- Glam Stones

Vintage Emerald Cut Rhinestone Necklace- $14-The Peacock Feather

Vintage Weiss Rhinestone Necklace-$35-Rae Of Light

Newly Listed: Femme Fatale Vintage

Newly listed this week in my Etsy store, Femme Fatale Vintage , are these two wonderful items!

Vintage Gold Confetti Floral Black Plastic Clutch- $19.50

MOD Vintage 1960's Geometric Floral Scooter Dress- $ 39.50

Mid-Week Inspiration:Stardust-Vogue Italia

Steven Meisel shot a retro inspired spread for the Sept. 08 Italian Vogue featuring model Viktoriya Sosonkina. The shots are very Classic Hollywood, reminding me of Bette Davis, Marlene Deitrich, the Hitchcock blonde and more. Katie from Old Hollywood Glamour posted the complete spread a month ago and the two photos above are my favorites. Thank you Katie for finding these!

Vintage Finds of the Week: Buttons

I recently bought the buttons pictured above from GS Boutique for a wonderful vintage Lilli Ann jacket I scored for $12. Unfortunately the jacket is missing some of the original covered buttons so I had to search for replacements. When they arrive I will stitch them on and show you. Until then here are some other buttons I found for this week's vintage finds. Not right for my jacket but maybe for a project of yours. Enjoy!
Set of Vintage Sears Roebuck Fancy Brass Buttons - Original Card - $9 Heartfelt Handiwork

Vintage Dressy Glass Buttons With A Sparkly Rhinestone Center- $6.25 Forsythe Company Store

Amazing Black Grooved Vintage Buttons x6 Set- $6.20 -Spare Button

Vintage Celluloid Button- $4.50- Grams Vintage Buttons

Mid-Week Inspiration: Lanvin Fall 2009

Alber Elbaz is always a genious but his Fall 2009 Ready to Wear collection for Lanvin has me weak in the knees. This collection is for a modern day femme fatale straight out of a film noir. Even the runway looked like a wet sidewalk. I love the draping and folds on a simple sheath silhouette paired with gloves and pumps. I am also inspired to make more feather headbands!

Vintage Finds of the Week: Vintage Patterns

Since I love to make my own patterns, I have very rarely used commercial ones. But lately I have found myself looking at vintage patterns, not only as a source of inspiration, but also for new projects. So I just purchased the very simple but elegant vintage 1940's Sear's day dress pattern pictured above from Pattern Peddler and I can't wait to test it out. I found a lot of other day dress patterns that I want to try. Tempting as they are I can't buy them all. So they are this week's vintage finds. If you scoop one up, let me know how your project turns out!
Vintage Jumper and Blouse Pattern- $10.00- Firefly Vintage

Sassy Saddle Stitched 1947 Misses Summer Dress Pattern- $10.99- Kallie Designs

40's Dress Pattern with Terrific Pockets- $10- Empress Patterns

Silk Spectre

I am not a huge comic book or graphic novel fan. I don't know much about all of the super heroes and such but I do love a good dark and visually stunning film, like The Watchmen. I took my BF yesterday to see it for his birthday and I really enjoyed it. Of course, I loved the the look of the 1940's group The Minutemen and Silk Spectre. I loved her super hero outfit, and her glorious pin-up hair. There were a lot of flashbacks in the film showing some great vintage looks from the 40's onward to the mid 80's. The costumes and makeup are great and worth checking out alone. But the story line, killer fight scenes, and suspense had me just as intrigued!

Retro Looks From Milan: Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2009 RTW collection was a lot of fun and showed a lot of retro 40's and 50's inspired pieces. Some quite literal like the 50's style prom gown with Marilyn Monroe's image silkscreened all over the poufy skirt. And other's with a twist that would make Elsa Schiaparelli proud, like the gloves used as scarves and belts. My favorite is the top picture! Glam!

Retro Looks From Milan: Moschino

Moschino never let's me down. The Fall 2009 RTW collection has my heart a flutter. The retro inspired looks are flattering and feminine. I love the rolled bangs, patterned tights, and Mary Jane shoes. Pictured above are my favorite looks. Delicious!

Mid-Week Inspiration: Erdem Fall 2009

One of my favorite collections from London fashion week was from Erdem Moralioglu. The beautiful large floral print paired with black in a long 1940's gown style and the poufy mini dresses with black lace overlays on red duchess satin got me swooning. He is heralded as the Christian LaCroix of London, and it's obvious why.

Vintage Finds of the Week: Quilted Hostess Robes

I love lounging around in glamourous nightgowns and robes instead of sweats or yoga pants. It makes me feel feminine and dressed up even when my hair is a mess and I have no make up on. With the recent blast of cold weather and snow we've gotten here, I want to do nothing but cuddle up in some warm quilted robes. Here are my vintage finds of the week!

From top to bottom:

Suzy Home Maker Tasty Minty Green Vintage Qulited Vanity Fair Robe- $13.50- 11karri

Stunning 1940s hostess robe-$48- Mel's Vanity
Vintage 50s EVELYN PEARSON ORIGINAL Indie Housewife Robe-$12-Green Market Vintage

Vintage 1940's Quilted Satin Bath Robe-$20-Bayside Boutique