Dolled Up In My Glad Rags

I went to an evening showing of “Oklahoma” at my local theatre a week or so ago, and obviously I dressed up to the nines!  I wasn’t sure about wearing my one-and-only vintage hat, but I am glad I did as it really finished off my outfit.  Plus, I don’t get to wear hats that often, so any chance to pull them out amIright?

Although my sisters think that my hat looks like brains…  Cute brains, but brain nonetheless!  ヽ(≧0≦)ﾉ  I just pretend that I don’t know what they are talking about, even though I kind of have to agree with them!  Ah, the first world troubles ~ when your fashion sense comes across like a cosplay!

Also, I do have to apologize for the lack of smiles.  Apparently I was much more tired than I realized, but hey, that IS kind of what happens when your new baby is kickin’ around with bright blue eye that just. won’t. shut. until 11:00pm or later every night.  (-_-‘)

Speaking of, I have to say adieu and tuck my family into bed.  Goodnight!   ♥ ♥ ♥

xox,

bonita

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~
Vintage “brain” Hat  ~  Love Vintage Show, ‘11    Fab Faux Fur Swing Coat  ~  Winter Canberra Vintage Show, ‘12    1940’s Darling Day Dress  ~  Etsy    Black Gloves  ~ Etsy    Cream Cable Stockings  ~  ??Old   Swingin’ Kitten Heels  ~   Thrifted

To Dress a Vintage Bump

  



 

Busy weekends with so many things to do!  We had an engagement party on the Saturday, and a family BBQ Sunday afternoon.  Our silly season is off and racing, and I haven’t even thought about Christmas yet. 

What is even more crazy is that all our running around started in the beginning of November…  Whew! No wonder I’m tired already ~ : P

So I’ve got a little secret.

I wore this same 30s inspired outfit two days in a row.  …> >…

Shh!  Don’t tell!  But seriously, two different parties, two different crowds.  No one knows except my hubby and the little one, and they aren’t going to say anything, so we are all good right?!

xox,

bonita

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~

Picnic Straw Hat  ~  Gift from my Mom    30’s Inspired 70’s Vintage Dress  ~  Thrifted   Cream Buckle Belt  ~  Thrifted    Santa Cruz Beach Heel  ~  Modcloth

Wild & Windy Spring Days

It’s the last week of winter here, but honestly spring still seems so far away with all the wet, wild and windy weather!  All the tiny splashes of purple about my feet beg to differ ~ we’ve had our violets blooming in profusion.  I do so adore violets, and I love the fact that we have so many growing around our home that you can actually catch a whiff of their delicate scent as you walk by.

That and the blossoms are coming out everywhere!  Now if only these dark clouds that I’m seeing out the window will blow away, taking their sleet and hail with them….  Mind you, the 2 meters of snow at Perisher is nothing to be sneezed at ~ the hubs and I have been enjoying our season passes this year for sure.

Now, I don’t know if you have at all been curious as to why I seem to have disappeared for so long, but I promise I have a good reason. I just can’t tell you what it is yet.  Hopefully, I’ll be able return to a more regular update schedule in the up coming weeks, and I promise that when I can, I’ll tell all.

xox,

bonita

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~

Netting Snood  ~  Made by Me, ‘12     Blue Danube Cardigan  ~  Made by Me, ‘12    Cherry Picnic Brooch  ~  Frock It Up Canberra, ‘12   Back in Black Top  ~  Thrifted    Red Rose Belt  ~  Dotti   Seeing Spring Skirt  ~  Thrifted    Black Knee Hi Socks  ~  ??  Can’t remember…   There’s No Place Like Home Heels  ~  Rivers

The thrill of the thrift

I was so excited to find these vintage items while I was out thrifting the other day ~  it was really a case of hidden treasure!  There aren’t big baskets of fabulous sewing notions, or the $1.00 Bakelite bangles casually hiding amongst the plastic junk ~ no, true vintage pickings in Aussie thrift store are very slim to say the least. 

Actually, I’ve noticed that this seems to becoming an rather alarming trend.  Less vintage & poorer quality items + inflated prices seems to be hitting other charity shops overseas, not just here on my home turf.  A couple of UK and American blogs I read have commented on the increasing difficulty in finding decent stuff for a reasonable price at the local thrift store.  I don’t know whether it’s all the vintage sellers to blame; are they scooping up anything and everything remotely saleable and leaving us with the scraps?  Or is it the vintage trend, meaning that more Jo Blowettes are shopping around leaving less merchandise to browse from?

Either way, it’s rather hard on those with vintage style aspirations and slender pocket books, and I really wish things would change, but I hardly think that that is going to happen anytime soon.  So in the mean time, I will enjoy what treasures I do manage to dig up. 

And to be fair, I suppose that’s part of the thrill of the chase!  It does make thrifting a lot more interesting when you never know if you are going to find anything good or not. 

What do you think m’dears?  Can you still discover good finds?  Any tricks for hunting down the best bargains?  I am always on the look out for a good thrift tip!

xox,

bonita

Link Love ~ The Refashioned Boxy Blouse: One Size Fits All!

This super cute refashion from Sunni of A Fashionable Stitch looks like a darling 1950s blouse to me and even better ~ she give you instructions on how to make your own version!  This is a really simple project and looks great for beginners or someone who is short on time {*ahem*}.   Hop on over to the post and Sunni will breeze you through it in no time.   : D

the Button Up Refashion Swap

… I opted to make a box blouse, basically two rectangles sewn together with room left for your arms and head. Yup. It’s so easy, you might just chuckle. Seriously. Amy from Yellow Bird gave me the idea, which by the way, she’s made several and you should head on over to see them because then they’ll give you ideas for what to do if you want to make yourself one.

Now here’s the thing, I wanted to keep this simple. I wanted this project to be something you could really whip up in a jiffy and all without the use of a pattern. Something that WILL fit you, because box blouses fit everyone! Got it? Yeah. That’s exactly the idea. So let’s just start with the Box Blouse formula…

xox,

bonita

Clicky~Clack, my baby’s come back

Tortoiseshell Alice Band  ~  Sister gave it to me    Hearts for You Cardigan   ~  JayJays    Stitch Me Black Top ~ Thrifted   Red Red Beads  ~  Hong Kong, ‘08   Tie Up Belt  ~  Old fabric  Mad for Plaid Skirt  ~  Thrifted   Dotty-Spotty Tights  ~  Target   Deck Wedges  ~  Thrifted

~ * ♥ * ~

Golly, there’s an icy wind a’ blowing up from the south!  I had to forgo my coat for these pictures, but in reality, I really would have liked to be wearing it.  Still, my lovely thick tights helped to ward off the worst of the chill.

I found these the other day in Target and I was really stoked.  Most of the time the thicker, knit-type stockings are only in children's sizes; you don’t seem to find them much for women. These however, were full sized, plus had an added bonus of a cute dotted pattern.  This is a win for grey and gloomy winter days.  : )   It makes me happy.

What also makes me happy is the date planned for tonight with my ever handsome Husband!  I am excited as we are going to go to dinner and then to see ‘Brave’, the movie I mentioned I wanted to see.  He is so sweet as he planned this date, knowing I wanted to see it. I have the best man in the world! 
Love you sweetheart!  > 3 < ~ ♥ 

xox,

bonita

Bohemian Hipster vs. Parisian Chic

Be Mine Beanie  ~  ? Can’t remember!    Pearl Headband  ~  Equip     Fuzzy Friend Cardigan  ~  Thrifted    Classic Top  ~  ?  Can’t remember   Louis Bird Brooch  ~  Acorn & Will    Plaited Belt  ~  Thrifted   Seeing Spring Skirt  ~   Thrifted   Maroon Socks  ~  Local Dollar Shop   Bow White Flats  ~  Tightrope

~ * ♥ * ~

Dressing for playgroup is an interesting experience.  On one hand I don’t wish to stick out like a sore thumb amongst the “mom uniform” wearers {y’know, the jeans/track pants + t-shirt/hoodie}, but on the other, I feel like I should remain true to myself and my style even though I know that a dress and heels {and stockings!  *gasp* > 0 < } is TOTAL overkill for playgroup mornings. 

Throw in the fact that you need to be able to crawl around on the floor or grass with your baby and possibly get smeared with some unidentifiable substances {and identifiable ones, like mashed banana, or toddler snot!} and you have a recipe for some rather random outfits on my part.  Like this one ~ it’s not totally me, yet it sort of is.  And I can’t decide whether it’s bohemian hipster or Parisian chic style!

The good news is that my style or not, everyone liked my beanie and I got to hide my deplorably bad hair day.  I’d call that a win all-round.   > U <

xox,

bonita

To Bee In Pink ~ Outfit Fifty Five

Hair Bow ~  Some dollar store    Hazy Daisy Earrings  ~  Acorn and Will; Hazy Daisy Earrings   Broach ~  Acorn and Will; Hazy Daisy Broach    Lilac Polish  ~  BYS – 05 Light Purple    Pink Cardigan  ~  SES Dress ~  Thrifted   Belt  ~  New Look; UK    Shoes  ~  Too old to remember

~ * ♥ * ~

This is one of my easy, just throw it on outfits ~ I love that I feel like I can be a little more ‘rough and tumble’ with this dress.  That’s the problem about buying precious vintage clothes!  I do worry about ruining them when I am wearing them, so I tend to be more careful where and how I wear them.

In a way, it’s a good thing because my pretty dresses will last longer that way, but on the flip side sometimes it makes getting dressed a bit difficult because I don’t know what to wear!   Sometimes I just don’t feel like wearing ‘fussy’ outfits.  So I put on this lovely pale yellow number and we are good to go…

I think the idea of saving certain items of clothing for certain types of events is quite an old fashioned idea, and I like it, but sometimes I do wish for the convenience of ready to wear where you just don’t care!  Or maybe it is because I actually love my clothes more now and want to keep them forever?  It is an interesting dilemma.

How about you? Do you have special frocks or other items of clothing that you only wear when the conditions are just right, or do you just wear whatever you feel like?   I tell you what though ~ although I would really love an ‘all vintage/vintage reproduction’ wardrobe, like a certain Ms. Von Tease, I doubt that will ever fully happen.  I don’t think that I will manage get rid of all of my ready to wear stuff, simply because it is so handy to have around for those messy days!  > u <

xox,

bonita

Other side of the tracks ~ Outfit Fifty One

Daisy Earrings  ~  Hot Dollar Shop  Blouse  ~  Modcloth via LuluLetty   Bangles  ~  Gift from my sister   Cigarette Pants  ~  Thrifted   Saddle Shoes  ~  Amazon.com

~ * ♥ * ~

Yes, I have officially procured my first pair of vintage trousers…  *squee!*   They are a nice wool blend and they seem to be really sturdy which is fantastic. They also fit perfectly, plus I really like the colour and style.  And even better?  I didn’t pay a single cent for them!!  ^ U ^  

To top it all off, they had a tag pinned to them saying “Tonis RAAF” ~ which I am pretty sure stands for the Royal Australian Air Force.  How exciting is that?  I love knowing a bit about the history of vintage clothes!  It makes me wonder who Toni is though…  And did the RAAF really wear their trousers short back then, or am I just too tall for them?   Questions, questions.

Anywho, though it does feel a bit odd to be wearing pants, I like these, and I am super glad I found them!!  > ω <

xox,

bonita  

Rose Red ~ Outfit Forty Nine

Pearl Hair Comb  ~  Etsy   Pearl Necklace  ~  Antique Shop   Striped Top  ~  Thrifted   Apple Broach  ~  Love Vintage Show   Tulle Skirt  ~  Thrifted   Shoes  ~  Too old; I can’t remember!

~ * ♥ * ~

I have been wearing this tulle skirt a lot ~ which is good because when I first bought it I was a bit worried that it was too formal, and that I wouldn’t get much use out of it.  For some reason, however, it seems really easy for me to wear at the moment.

I think it may be because I do not have to wear a belt with it.  The contrast of the satin waist band does a good enough job of making my waist visible.  I don’t know about you, but I have found that even though I love the high~waisted, Dior’s “New Look” style, it doesn’t really do much for me unless I wear a belt or have something that defines my waist.  If I don’t, my belly looks sooo blobby and I hate that!!

Sometimes dressing seems like such a lot of effort!  Do you ever wish you could just chuck it all in and wear a sack, but still look good?  I do, but then I remember how much fun I have dressing up, and I am all into it again.  ; P   Some days I still like to go for jeans and a simple top though, just for the ease of the throw on, feel good outfit.  I am saving my pennies for a 1950s styled pair{or two or three.. Let’s be realistic here; it is me!} so that I can keep my vintage look, but still be comfortable.

What are your throw-on, feel good, go to outfits?  May be I can gather up a few tips for the days when I just feel like being a mother and not a doll.  > ω <

xox,

bonita

What I’ve found ~ Catwalk Fairy Thrift Haul

Yeah, I know, I know ~ random title, but I couldn’t think of anything better! > . <

~ ♥ ~  This is the only vintage piece I picked up this time, but that’s okay.  And I do like the puppy; isn’t he cute?  ~ ♥ ~

So that’s my latest thrift haul.  I can’t wait to style up some of the clothes for outfit shoots ~ it will be fun.     ᵔᴗᵔ 

xox,

bonita

Beach Blonde ~ Outfit Forty Six

Flower Hair Clip  ~  Equip   Hazy Daisy Earrings & Broach  ~  Acorn & Will   Rose Bracelet  ~  Equip   Vintage 50s{?} Dress  ~  Thrifted     Petticoat  ~  Thrifted

~ * ♥ * ~

So this is obviously what I wore when we went on our Coastal Road Trip not last weekend but the weekend before that. 

I really have no idea if this dress is from the fifties, or maybe the early to mid sixties, but there are a few things that make me believe that it could be actually vintage and not just 70s~does~50s or something of the like.

The first thing is the self~fabric belt that matches the dress, and the twisted thread belt loops that you find in a lot of older dresses.  Plus, the shoulder gathers and yoke seem to me to be a very 1940s style, and add a skirt cut on the bias and I am fairly certain I could date this dress as early 50s; a bit before the new look style really took off.   However, I cannot really be 100% sure ~ do you have any better ideas what era it’s from? 

Whatever the case, I do like this dress.  The cotton/poly blend fabric is really nice and floaty, but I think I might take in in under the arms though.  The bodice is just tad to loose and bulky looking for my taste.  It makes me feel like the dress does nothing for my figure, and naturally I don’t want that!

I do love the soft ivory~blonde yellow colour though, which actually surprises me because I didn’t think that I would be all that keen on it when I first thrifted the dress.  It’s crazy, but my wardrobe has evolved so much since I started blogging.  I always used to go for black, grey or red, but now I am branching out with a veritable rainbow of colours! 

I still have a particular style; rich, deep jewel tones or soft, baby pastels are my favourite shades, but any colour seems to go these days ~ everything except orange…. I still don’t think I will ever like that hue unlike my adoration for pink!  I never thought I’d see the day when my wardrobe would be mostly a variety of colour with a healthy, but definitely minority, section of black/grey.  It just goes to show that anything is possible! ; P

xox,

bonita

Housekeeper ~ Outfit Forty Five

Hair Bow  ~  Diva    Pearl Studs ~  Christmas Present{?}  Pearl Flower Pendant  ~  Valentine's Day ‘11  Top  ~  Thrifted  Belt  ~  JayJay’s   Bracelet  ~  Dotti   Skirt  ~  Thrifted   Socks  ~  Best&Less; embellished by me with the lace   Saddle Shoes  ~ Amazon; you can purchase them here

~ * ♥ * ~

This is a really basic outfit, but I thought I’d show you the sort of look I go for if I am home for the day, and let’s be honest, can actually be bothered dressing properly!  When I don’t bother I opt for the Mom uniform of trackies and a plain top, but otherwise this outfit is my go~to style.  Simple skirt, easy knit top, and a belt for a little bit of extra oomph!{And to hide the mess that is my post~baby belly… > <}  

To be sure, you usually would see me swap out my saddle shoes for my slippers, but I thought that would look just a bit too scruffy, so shoes it is… : P    I thrifted this skirt along with my navy skirt & another purple one.  The three are made out of the same jersey material in the same style and shape and I love them!  I wear the teal and purple one at home because even though you can’t really see it in the pictures they are a bit worn and plooky so they are my around~the~house vintage. : ) 

I am also quite enjoying my pony tail hairstyle as well ~ I think it helps to keep the ‘grandma’ outfits a little more fresh and youthful ~ kind of like a teen 1950’s style.  I know it’s the standard “don’t know what to do with my hair” style, but I think when I am so dressed up anyway it does help to balance out the dressiness.   Which begs the question, is there any point to trying to dress down the dressed up style?  I don’t know.  I really like some of the casual vintage wear I’ve seen around, like cigarette pants, high waisted jeans, bandannas in the hair, etc. 

I haven’t quite got into the sporty/casual vintage just yet as I really don’t have any pants that would work, but I think I would like to try it someday!  *sigh*  If only I could some how acquire ninja sewing skills over night… There is so much I still have to learn!!! = x =’  Anyway, I’ll stop sulking over my decided lack of sewing skills and just DO some sewing!  Husband is helping draft my circle skirt pattern {yes, I am behind, but I didn’t have the materials I needed until Tuesday this week} and I shall hopefully catch up with everyone else next week.  I have to draft my pattern, cut out my fabric and then do whatever Casey has planned the week.  *Whew!*  I really don’t know where all my time disappears to, but it vanishes as swiftly as a footprint washed away by a wave….

The biggest testimony to the swift passage of time?  Theodore!  He is fifteen weeks old as of yesterday, which is 3 months and one week old already.  o___o   It’s crazy how big he is getting, and I am enjoying every day with him.  He smiles whenever I come to pick him up from a nap, giggles and laughs at his dad{and me!}, has tummy time without screaming now and can even roll over onto his back! 

He also has the biggest bald spot on the back of his head and likes to squawk like a strangled rooster now that he has discovered he can pitch his voice, but he is a really happy baby most of the time and that just fills my heart with joy.  And look how cute he is when he’s asleep! 

He looks like a little frog!  > ω < ~ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

xox,

bonita