Retro Looks In The Modern World: Brief Encounter

As much as the modern fashion world looks forward it also continually looks back in time. This feature from February Vogue features the wonderful retro-romantic theme of train travel. Shot by Annie Leibovitz and starring Diddy and Natalia Vodianova.

Shop News...This Just In!

The focus this past week in my vintage shop, Femme Fatale Vintage, was lingerie!Perfect for Valentine's Day! Here are some newly listed goodies:

Ice Blue Vintage 60s Nightgown with Pink and Blue Floral Embroidery-$32

Temptation Tempress Vintage 60s Ivory Leg Shaper with Garters-$40

Lady Marlene Vintage 60s Black Lace Corset-$55


Gossard Goddess Vintage 1920s/30s Pink Cotton Corset NOS-$110

I also am still destashing a TON of vintage sewing patterns! I listed 7 amazing ones from the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Click on the pattern image below to go to the vintage pattern section of my shop!

And don't forget...you can get great vintage deals and help Haiti! 100% of the proceeds from my CLEARANCE section will be donated to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund!
My handmade shop, The Sparkling Cocktail, is still open. New items will be listed again as soon as my hand is fully healed. Instead of sewing I've been going to physical therapy and doing my hand exercises. I miss sewing and blogging about my projects so I am working my hardest to get my skills and hand back in working order!
Be sure to follow me on twitter @BobbinBombshell or @femmefatalevtg for instant updates!

Weekend Reading: Links a la Mode

The Love/Hate Relationship With Fashion

Edited by Debutante Clothing

I’m always complaining about going out to fashion events by myself – I just don’t have many friends that are into fashion. While some people think fashion is frivolous and contributes nothing to the world, others are curating museum exhibits featuring 20th century clothing. This week’s links made me think about the love/hate camps in fashion. Starting with Grit and Glamour’s post on bloggers getting backlash from fashion insiders, Houndstooth + Tortoiseshell’s refreshingly funny admission of Tavi envy, or Fab Lab’s hate of people who hate. But there is some love in sight – British Style Bloggers reminds us to look in the mirror and love ourselves. Enjoy!

Note from Editor : Please be sure to check out the IFB Conference at NYFW : Evolving Influence

Links à la Mode: February 4th

• A Dress & A Bike – Why breaking the love of one particular brand has been good for my personal style


• British Style Bloggers – Some gems to remember


• Debutante Clothing – Going to a Vintage Show? Insider Tips & Interview


• dirty hems – lacroix by lacroix


• Fab Blab – Why I Hate People Who Ostracize Fashion


• fête à fête – Review of Guerlain’s Spring 2010 Cherry Blossom makeup & the new Rouge G Le Brillant lipstick


• Friend in Fashion – Luxe Vintage


• grit and glamour – Fashion’s Knickers are in a Twist


• hello beauty! – Benefit Stay Don’t Stray: An innovative new primer to lock down shadows AND concealer


• Houndstooth + Tortoiseshell – Young fashion blogger incites curiousity, envy


• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Get Out There : How To Cover Events Without Feeling Like an Idiot


• Lillys Roses – How to DIY your own Chanel Jade nail polish


• Mariel's Castle – Haute Couture 101


• Model Max – MAT GORDON: The ModelWatch Interview


• Oranges and Apples – Top websites for ethical shopping


• Retro Chick – Ethical Design Spotlight – Junky Styling


• Styletastic – To fur or not to fur?


• Stylist Diva – : Are Fashion Bloggers taking over the world?


• Tatiana Supports the Arts – Etsy Window Shopping: Queen Elizabeth I Roundup


• the brooklyn posh blog – He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, red hot


• THE COVETED – Pretty Dresses at the VioletvilleVintage.com launch


• White Rabbit – The inspiration behind my Merlixa Designs millinery collection


• [the3st] – Interview with Amy Smilovic of Tibi

My Projects: Hand Update and Mittens!

For my newest of readers, I used to have a section on my blog called "My Projects". I really miss writing those posts on various sewing and knitting/crochet projects I was working on. As you can imagine I miss working on the projects even more. Since my hand surgery, last November to fix tendon, nerve, and artery damage I endured from an accident, I haven't been able to do much of anything. To keep you updated, the bandages are off, the scar is healing, and I am slowly gaining flexibility and strength back in my hand through a lot of very tiring and difficult occupational therapy and exercises. I dream at night about expertly applying make-up and knitting huge scarves but in the meantime my excitement comes from being able to pinch a little harder than I could yesterday! I have put away my sewing and knitting projects that were left out, but not forever, just for a while.

But all is not lost and when something steps back, other things step forward. I have many interests and can type extremely well with my left hand. Luckily I can still write this blog.

I have also received such wonderful help from truly wonderful people. After stating on Twitter that I desperately needed mittens, as my swollen right hand does not fit in my gloves, a wonderfully talented lady stepped forward to knit me a pair of custom mittens! Being that I am currently a designer that can no longer execute her designs, this offer made me instantly happy! That lady is Heather from Sugar Plum Ferret Knits.

Heather is a fellow vintage lover and directed me to a site of vintage knitting patterns. I chose the mittens pictured above and requested to add dangling pompons coming off the wrists!

Within days (she is not only talented, but also extremely fast) my custom mittens were done!

Here I am after receiving them this morning. So thrilled! They look fantastic with my fox earmuffs and vintage red cape I've been sporting all winter. And my hands are toasty warm!

Thanks Sugar Plum!! xoxo

To have your own custom knitted item or these mittens made be sure to visit Heather's Etsy shop Sugar Plum Ferret Knits or on twitter @SugarPlumFerret

Mid-Week Inspiration: Patterned Hosiery

On my hosiery wishlist:

Vintage Finds of the Week: Winter Whites

As much as I love to sell vintage on Etsy I also love to shop! Every week I feature a theme of vintage finds I have discovered that I wish I could buy, wish was my size, or just may go ahead and treat myself to. Who knows! The point is there are great vintage items to be found! This week I have found vintage clothing and accessories in that perfect transitional shade of winter white. Who cares what the groundhog saw today! With items this chic, we can get through the next six weeks of winter.

Vintage Mohair Cape Jacket-$28-vintagepetals

Vintage White Faux Fur Winter Hat 1960s- $20-vintagous

Late 50s/60s Winter White Gold Jersey Cocktail Dress- $60-glamourpussparadise

Vintage Beaded Clutch with Sequins Pearls by Emson- $38-calloohcallay

Vintage Rabbit Fur Coat- $96-allencompanyinc

Retro Looks In The Modern World: Slips

As much as the modern fashion world looks forward it also continually looks back in time. Slips are not an everyday item as they once were but they are still relevant and sexy.

Steven Klein. Vogue February 2010.

Steven Meisel.

Marion Cotillard wearing Dior at the Golden Globes.
Her slip is part of the dress that cleverly peeps out.