Doing an Authentic Cut ~ 1940s The Middy Plus

The other day I went to my hairdresser to get a trim.  Initially I was planning to get my usual cut done, but at the last minute I found a diagram of the Middy Plus cut and popped it on my phone, just in case. 

I have been thinking about getting that cut for a while, but when I asked my old hairdresser{whom I love, but she went to the coast to set up a new salon}, she pretty much said that she didn’t want to do the cut like that because she thought I wouldn’t like my hair being that short.  All well and good, but I sort of wanted to try it anyway!

So when I went back to the salon to have my first haircut with my new hairdresser I bit the bullet and rather haltingly asked her if she would do this “retro 1940s haircut for me because I sort of like to wearing vintage-y style outfits and I know it’s kind of random, but it’s fun and….”  Yeah.  I was embarrassed ~ particularly after last time! But she was super sweet and loved that I had brought in an actual hairdresser’s diagram to show her.  {I took page number 3}

 

 

I won’t lie; when she made the first cut into my hair, I died a little inside….  I hadn’t realized just how short 41/2 inches at the back is!!  Still, I reasoned with myself that my hair does tend to grow quickly to a certain length{and then it just stops… : P } so if I really hated it, it would grow out.  Anyway this is the finished result:

I didn’t use any pin curls or rollers; just my natural curl with a bit of wax combed through it while it’s wet to control the frizz.  Overall I am happy with the cut, but there are some downsides to getting the authentic cut.   Here’s my list of pros and cons.

~  Deciding on a Vintage Authentic Cut  ~

Pros:    

1. It’s very easy to look vintage with your hair out.
2. It’s super quick to do a pin curl set, or rollers.  And a lot easier!
3. It’s cute and it’s different.
4. It helps to keep era-ambiguous outfits period correct.  What I mean by that is that even though back in the 1940-50’s there would have been fashion cross-over, you can look a bit ‘muddled’ if you don’t try to stick fairly close to one era when you dress vintage now a days.  Fleur de Guerre once commented that vintage styled victory rolls was her best accessory for looking vintage and I agree.  Get your hair right and the rest follows ~ little things like correct make up, shoes, etc, don’t tend to matter as much then. 

Cons:

1. You most likely will need to learn specific techniques for updo styles. I don’t know how to style my hair, besides wearing it out.  I think I need to see if I can find some instructions on 1940’s short hair updos.  The Middy Plus is supposed to be “a convenient length for updos” but I really haven’t found that yet!!
2. It’s short.  As in really short.  I can’t pull it into a ponytail which is a bit frustrating.  I have heard that a way around that is to ask the hairdresser to add length to the cut, so for instance, if the Long Length Femme Fatale cut is still too short, ask them to do the cut but add 4” all around, making 6” at the back 10” long and the 3” at the side 7” and so on. 
3. If you don’t want to look vintage, it’s a bit hard.  An authentic cut will vintage-ize any outfit.
4. Sometimes you think you look like a grandma….  And in an old way, not the good way.

So that’s my experience so far ~ I am writing this two weeks after my trip to the salon and I think I like the cut a bit more now that it’s grown out a touch.  Still, I am not sure if I want to let my hair grow out completely and then try a Long Length cut.  For now, the Middy Plus is working for me most of the time and I do like it….  I guess if I can figure out how to put it up then I will be totally happy with it.  : )  We’ll see.

xox,

bonita

Playtime! ~ Outfit Sixty

Valentine Bow  ~  Best&Less   Hearts for You Cardigan   ~  JayJay’s    Sail-by Navy Striped Top  ~  Thrifted    1940’s Sailor Style Jeans  ~  Freddie’s of Pinewood   Red Splat Flats  ~  Best&Less 

~ * ♥ * ~

Finally I’ve gotten around to snapping some photos of my lovely Freddie’s of Pinewood reproduction jeans!  I have been wearing these jeans around like crazy and I looooovvveeee them!  They are easily my top go-to item of clothing when I need to just throw something on and go. 

I knew that they would come in handy for this little ol’ vintage lovin’ mama and I was so right.  At the moment, any time I want a comfortable, casual outfit I am definitely in my blue jeans.  The great thing about them is that I still feel like myself when I wear them ~ all classic and vintage.  Also, they look great because of the super flattering cut, and I love how they are comfy, but still have that old-timey, chic vibe.  Yep, I think I already said that I loved them, didn’t I?  I repeat ~ I LOVE them!  I am seriously saving up for another pair and probably a pair of the dungarees as well ~ they are so cute!

Oh, oh, and did you notice?  I got my hair cut!  I’m going to do post on the pro and cons later this week so keep your eye out if you are interested to see whether an authentic vintage cut is for you.

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ Embroidery 101

This post from Kristin of Sew Techincolor is a wonderful guide if you are just getting started with your embroidery, plus she has some really pretty pieces that she’s stitched.  You can read all about it here:

Embroidery 101 {sort of}

In case you haven't noticed, I've been a bit obsessed with embroidery lately. :) And as I've been stitching, I've been thinking about the things I've learned since I first started.

When I was a kid, my grandma taught me the basics of embroidery (both of my grandmas embroidered and sewed, so I like to think I'm helping to carry on the tradition :). She gave me some embroidery floss and a hoop, and I worked on some of those little samplers that have the pattern printed on the fabric, and you just stitch over it. Apparently I didn't fall in love with it then, because I didn't embroider any more until just over two years ago.

Every once in a while I get emails from blog readers about my embroidery. They usually ask how I learned and if I have any books or websites to recommend. I do, and I'll share them at the bottom of this post. But for now, I give you...

8 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I First Learned Embroidery
{aka, the longest list title ever}…

xox,

bonita

Youtube Tags & Rambles

Okay, so this a tag video that just goes through some stuff about me!  I did it mostly for my Youtube channel’s subscribers{wow, I actually have some of those!} so feel free to skip it if you find rambling talking heads boring…  ; P

I had fun recording this meme.  It’s kind of interesting to find out what you think about some things ~ I sort of surprised myself with some of the answers.  And I thought it was funny how you could hear all the trucks in the background once in a while ~ yes, there’s quite a bit of traffic around our house.   > <

Incidentally, what do you guys think about commenting?   I like to reply to the comments I get on my blog, but I’m not sure that anyone reads the replies…  Should I keep replying or not bother do you think?  I personally used to not like it when I read a blog and the blogger never seemed to answer the comments, but now I sort of understand why they might not choose to do that.  Still, for me the whole point of blogging beside the enjoyment of it, is the community and friendships you form.  I tend to think that if you don’t reply to comments that dialogue is cut off.  What do you think?  Any advice on this would be appreciated.    ^ ω ^

xox,

bonita

How to ~ A Quick & Easy French Manicure Tutorial

Hi everyone!  Today I want to show you a cool trick I used the other day to do a French manicure by using a rubber band.   It’s really simple, and makes fiddly French tips sooo much easier!   To do this tutorial you will need:

• Nail polish ~ I used BYS Nail Enamel - 02 French Pink, N.Y.C. Color – Blue Bird, Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Top & Base Coat and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat.
• An elastic band; I personally think that a thin rubber band is better than a thick one, but that’s up to you.

Really simple right?  So let’s get started.

   Step 1:  Prepare your nail base.  I wanted a two-tone manicure, so I painted my nails pastel pink first.  Make sure your polish or base coat has dried thoroughly before proceeding to Step 2. 

   Step 2:  Stretch the rubber band over the top of your nail, placing it where you want the French tip to end.

  Step 3:  Holding the band in place with your other fingers, paint the tip of your nail. 

   Step 4:  Release the rubber band one side at a time and take it off your nail being careful not to smudge the wet polish.  Rinse and repeat. 

 
Extra Tip: The pinky nail is the hardest one to do, so here are some pictures of how I held the band down.  Also, I found that if you accidentally made the tip too short, you can re-lay the rubber band down lower on your nail and paint the tip again.  It works really well!

 

Step 5:  Coat your manicure with a top coat for extra protection and enjoy your cute nails.  ᵔᴗᵔ

xox,

bonita

P.S.  ~  I used a toothpick to dot a heart on the bottom corner of my thumb nail.  Just in case you were wondering where it came from.   ; 3

Quick Share ~ Kitties to make you LOL

And now to resume our weekly episodes of cuteness to make you squee and lol ~ I present to you:  Opera Cat!

Adorbs in a fur coat… I love it.  I also love this next one ~ it made me laugh so much!   ^ U ^

Hahahahaaaa!   Epic!

xox,

bonita

Lady of the House ~ Outfit Fifty Nine

Pearl Drop Earring  ~  Parklea Markets, Sydney    Pink Daisy Wrap Dress  ~  Etsy     Lace Butterfly Broach  ~  Bruges, Sweden    Pink Gloves  ~  Love Vintage Show   Black Court Pumps  ~  Thrifted

~ * ♥ * ~

New dresses make me happy and this one is no exception!  It’s pink!  It’s got daisies on it!  It’s a wrap dress!  Love, love, and love!

I bought it to wear to my youngest sister’s engagement party ~ it didn’t arrive in time, but it didn’t matter; I just wore another dress instead.  I still can’t believe my younger sister is getting married at the end of the year though…  Gosh, it makes me feel old sometimes. 

It’s the little{or big as the case maybe!} thing like that, when combined with some of my very old fashioned sensibilities that make me feel like I’m turning into a grandma!  You know, those little moments when you have that handkerchief ready in your purse, or you find yourself wishing that you could explain to someone how not to make the mistakes you already have, or when you think that all the kids in uni are exactly that – kids that belong in high school; not university! 

It’s funny, ‘coz I finished my degree two and a bit years ago now, and going back to visit my sisters{yes, all three of them are at the same uni I used to be at studying various degrees in science} on campus never fails to make me feel old.

I was thinking the other day though ~ maybe it’s partially how I dress as well?  Don’t get me wrong ~ I do love my vintage clothes, but I don’t really ever feel youthful when I wear them.  Just sophisticated and, well, grown up. 

*sigh*  I suppose I might as well face the facts.  I AM a grown up now.  Gah.   When did that happen I ask you?!  I certainly don’t feel any older.  Except when I’m at my old university.  And when I am lugging around a ton of stuff to be prepared for anything.  And when I think house cleaning tips are interesting…  And, oh help!

Do you find vintage makes you feel old sometimes?  Or just different?   Maybe you can figure out why I am in a mini age-crisis at the moment… 

xox,

bonita

A winning entry…

Hey guys – guess what?  I am so excited ‘coz my photograph “Foggy Nights” won third place at the Royal Canberra Show over the weekend!  I totally didn’t expect to place, but I am thrilled that I did.  ᵔᴗᵔ

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ Conquering the dreaded knit!

Oh my goodness you guys ~ I just had to share this post when it popped up in my feed reader!!   You might not know, but I have tried sewing with knits before and at the end of my little experiment I swore I wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot barge pole until I was a better seamstress. 

Well, this gem of a post by Lauren of LLadybird has stirred the itch and I am thinking that with her good advice in hand, I might try some knit sewing this year.  Knits are super comfortable and can look really cute as Lauren shows!  Check it out here ~

Conquering Knits: A Self-Help Guide

So you wanna sew some knits, huh? Maybe you picked up the Renfrew pattern and haven’t worked up the courage to slice into the pattern tissue yet. Or maybe you’ve been romanced & wooed by all the amazing printed knit fabrics out there. Or maybe you’re just ready for a new challenge that doesn’t involve zippers! Whatever you reason, it’s time to talk knits. Get a coffee and get comfy, this is gonna be a long ‘un.

First off, let me say something very important.

Knits are not scary or super difficult to work with!

I don’t know who is responsible for freaking out millions of sewers to be afraid of knit fabrics, but I wish I did know so I could stick some needles in his (or her!) face. Knit fabrics are actually MUCH easier to work with than a basic woven fabric. Yes, you have to pay special attention to the grain line, but aren’t you doing that anyway with your other sewing projects?  ; )  Yes, knits do curl up – but they don’t unravel! Yes, you have to use a special stitch & needle to keep your seams from getting too wavy and/or snapping – but what’s so scary about that?

Here is what is so awesome about knits. I made you a list….

xox,

bonita

P.S. ~ One tip that I picked up is to start with a knit fabric that doesn’t curl much at the edges.  That means that it’s less stretchy which also means that it’s easier to work with.  Works for me!  : D

Cryin’ at the Discotech ~ Outfit Fifty Eight

Bow Hair Clip  ~  ??     Aqua and Pink Flower Sprinkle Dress  ~  Ebay   Stag Broach  ~  Acorn and Will    Rose Bracelet  ~  Diva   Lacy Party Socks  ~  Best&Less{I added the lace to the existing ruffle}   Tuxedo T-bar Heels   ~  Payless 

~ * ♥ * ~

I like this dress, but unfortunately I think it’s far too 70’s for me to feel comfortable wearing it that much.  I bought it off Ebay and I can’t remember what era I thought it was from, but I probably wouldn’t have got it if I had of realised it was from 1970-something. 

However, I have plans to fix that problem.  The main issue for me is the sleeves.  I just don’t like the loose, bloomer-type sleeve that much and it really doesn’t work for me with this dress.  I also want to change the collar, so I am going to commit that terrible crime that I rant against and chop up vintage.   Mind you, I hardly count the 70s as vintage – it’s more retro to me, which is not really my cup of tea.

Still, what do you think about upcycling/remaking vintage clothes?  In my case, I’m sort of downcycling the dress to look more old fashioned, but I am not sure that’s a good enough excuse!  Particularly as I have been known to get really hoppin’ mad when I see gorgeous 40s or 50s frocks getting chopped off at the same, barely-there length that most retail wear seems to be at these days.  Warning – rant ahead/   I mean, since when is an oversized shirt classified as a dress?  Why would you bother to cut the dress up to look like something modern and off the racks?  What’s the point?  Is it just so that you can say that you wear vintage?  How does that even count when the only thing left that looks even remotely vintage any more is the fabric and even that’s in tatters??   *sigh*  /end rant….

I guess the reason I feel so strongly about this is that hems don’t actually need to be cut to be taken up, and all these once-gorgeous, “remade” dresses will only get worn for as long as vintage is in fashion, then tossed out in the rubbish heap.  Whereas if they were left mostly intact, they could probably get passed onto someone who doesn’t care what’s in fashion but just wants to wear a pretty, well-made frock.  

But all that said, I will still make over the sleeves on my dress, because hopefully I’ll end up wearing it more often then what I have been!  Especially as I do like the bright, cheery aqua and pink colours of the fabric.  I think it makes it a lovely spring/Easter dress ~ don’t you?  Also, yay or nay to making over vintage?  Feel free to tell me that I am completely wrong and there is nothing better than modernized vintage; I’ll be happy to agree to disagree.  ; )

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ The Cat and The Commode

…And while we are on the topic of cats ~ I just had to share this cute little post I found at Grey Horse Matters.  Enjoy!

How to clean a toilet

This was simply too much of a time saver not to share it with you.

1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.

 

2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.

 

3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid.  You may need to stand on the lid.

 

4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds.   Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.

 

5. Flush the toilet three or four times.  This provides a 'power-wash' and rinse'.

 

6. Have someone open the front door of your home.  Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.

 

7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift the lid.

 

8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.

 

9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.

Sincerely,

The Dog

xox,

bonita

Queen of Hearts ~ Outfit Fifty Seven

*Warning*  Picture heavy post.

You know when you just find the perfect spot for the perfect outfit and you have one of those perfect shoots that turn out far too many good photos to pick from?  Well, here’s one of mine.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!  > ω <

Red Flower Clip  ~  Made by me     Knit Top  ~  Thrifted     Vintage Apple Broach  ~  Love Vintage Show     Red Rose Belt  ~  Dotti     Circle Skirt   ~   Made by me     Glitter Shoes  ~   Restricted via Modcloth

~ * ♥ * ~

I actually wore this outfit on Sunday, and didn’t realize how perfect it was for Valentine’s Day until I was working on my blog post.  So even though Husband and I are not doing anything special to celebrate on Valentine’s Day, here is my outfit celebrating V Day none the less!  Yay for ticking the good blogger boxes!

We actually had our ‘special’ date this last Friday night, with a baby sitter and all.  He took me on a “blind” date; where I had no idea what we were doing, or where we were going{or what to wear!!! 
O . O’}.  It was super fabulous though, as he surprised me with tickets to see Justice Crew which are a local{ish ~ if you count Sydney as local!} hip hop dance crew ~ some of whom I knew from before they were ‘famous’.   : P 

I met the boys in person when they came to the dance studio I was at one night after class.  I got to chat to them and watch them practise which was really cool.  Of course, they would have no bloomin’ idea who I am, but I am totally psyched that they have made it to the ‘big time’ and I got see them on tour! 

Oh and speaking of psyched ~ how fabulous are my glitter shoes!!!  I squee’ed over them in the haul video I posted here: What I got in the mail but seriously, in reality, wearing them is even more fun.  If that is possible!  > U <  ~ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

They make me so happy every time I slip them on my feet because they are always sparkling and glittering like crazy which so. totally. rocks.

“All things that shimmer, and sparkle and glitter/  blingtastic, fantastic; there’s nothing prettier/  Shiny and gleaming, it catches my eye/  for inside this girl’s just another magpie…”   This little ditty is sung to the tune of “My Favourite Things” from The Sound of Music naturally…. 

And to top it all off ~ I couldn’t resist sharing this photo of my gorgeous boy.  If it is possible to be made even more happy while wearing glittery, sparkling shoes, then the sight of his darling smile is just the thing to do it…. 

The only thing that could top it would be this:

Yup, that’s the Husband, my super-duper photographer up a light pole.  My family is seriously the best thing to celebrate on Valentine’s Day ~ I love them so much I swear I’m gonna pop sometimes!

I hope all of you can also share this special holiday with friends and family that you love.  Do have a fabulous day everyone!!   ᵔᴗᵔ  ~ ♥

xox,

bonita

The Next Dress ~ Plotting, planning and scheming!

Start with one vintage pattern ~ Advance 9785.

Add a dash of floral fabric ~

And one excited me…

And you have my next dress project in the wings!

It wasn’t long after finishing my last dress{The On My Way Dress} that I began to wish I had another project to do.  Then I was digging through my stash trying to find fabric and a pattern that went together before I knew it.   The McCall’s I sewed up last time was obviously my first choice for a pattern, being the easiest and newest of all my patterns{most of which are vintage} but I simply could not find a fabric that worked for what I had in mind.  So I picked the biggest length of fabric that I cared the least about, a vintage pattern that seemed easy enough for me figure out using logic and decided to go to town!

 

This is my attempt at draping the fabric on Elizabeth, my dress form, to figure out whether this stripy flower pattern will work.  I only found out while tracing the pattern that the bodice is cut on the bias whereas the skirt is cut on the straight grain…  I think it will look alright, but it’s going to take some really careful cutting to match this up nicely!   : S   Eeek!  Scary stuff!  So tell me, am I being stupid tackling stripes and bias at the same time?  Keep in mind that I have never matched patterns before and I have only sewn one dress to date! 

That’s another thing ~ is it easier to start pattern matching with small or large patterns?  I sort of feel large might be easier, but I could be so wrong about that, it’s not even funny….  : \   On the other hand ~ how cute is Veiw 2 with the chevron bodice?  I am planning to do View 1 with the long sleeves as I felt this fabric has a more autumn/winterish feel to it, and Veiw 2 gives me a fairly good idea of how this might look in the end.

Oh, I am so excited to start sewing this up ~ I have to do the muslin next and after a tricky FBA that didn’t seem to work, I wonder how it will turn out….  Don’t worry, I’ll let you know if it’s a win or a fail!

xox,

bonita

Quick Share ~ Funny cats

Kitty's like O_O *runandhide!*

WHERE’S MY STRING???!

And just ‘cause it’s cute ~

*omnomnomnom* MINE!

One day, the cuteness shall be mine, all mine…  > x <   I’ve been asking for a kitty for a while, but I think we have to wait for a bit longer because of the dog and various things like that.  So I live vicariously through all the kitties on the internet.  And then I force you to watch *cough* show you some of my favourite videos of teh awhsome kittehz! 

xox,

bonita