Holidays in Lavender

These are old-ish snaps are from our Christmas holiday to South Australia ~ taken in various locations.  The tumble-down Victorian mansion is just outside of Rutherglen, Victoria, and the amazing pink hydrangeas are in a garden in the bottom of a sink hole in Mt Gambier, South Australia. 

I wore this lovely lavender 1940’s maternity dress quite a bit while we were away, but unfortunately the stitches keep breaking in the seams, so I have to keep on mending it.  That’s one of the problems with vintage wear, although I must say I haven’t had as much trouble with my other vintage pieces as I have with this one.   : /  

Of course, then I don’t want to wear it as much, even though I do love the colour!  That’s one of the challenges of wearing vintage while having small children, but I’ll keep pegging away at it.   It makes me even more keen to sew my own vintage clothes, because then I don’t have to worry about them being ruined. 

Speaking of…. 

That will be my next update ~ I’m finally able to show you the dress I made before we went away.  Yay!  There’s a bit of a story as to why it’s taking me so long to post about it, but I’ll keep that for later.

xox,

bonita 

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~
Lavender Lace 1940’s Dress  ~  Etsy   Painted Floral Broach  ~   Thrifted   Dot Flats  ~  Way too old!

If I look hot and tired….

Well, that’s only because I AM hot and tired!  Outfit posts seem impossible in this sort of heat, you’ll be lucky if I manage to get half dressed…  *side eye*    So I leave you with some Instagram shots of life around the blue house at the moment.

     
~ *  A colorful rainbow mobile that Theodore loves:  Busy with more cold porcelain clay!  I’m having fun making my little charms.  * ~

    
~ *  Joey says hi! Boy, I love this horse.  He keeps me sane.  :3 :  Theodore plays with sticks while I enjoy a cool breath of twilight air.  * ~

Not much else is happening…  Unless you count the fact that there’s nine weeks until little Bump is supposed to be joining us out in the wide world.  Eeep!  Nine weeks!  That’s so close!  That’s so far away!  I have a million things to do!!  ….   > . >  …

Yup, I’m now in that delightfully torn frame of mind a woman feels when the baby’s time draws near.  Don’t worry, I’m sure that it will only be a few more weeks and I will be all like “Get this thing out, or so help me!…”     ._____.     Ah, life with a pregnant lady.  It’s interesting, even for me!  

xox,

bonita

How to ~ Crochet a Hand Towel Ring Holder

Materials List:

~  Wool {I used left over scraps - I think it was 4 ply}

~  4.5mm/5mm hook

~  Needle for sewing in ends

Gauge:  N/A   Hook & yarn chart if you are not sure what to use, or if you wish to make a smaller/large holder.

Abbreviations:  

ch – chain
st - stitch
sk - skip
sc - single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st - slip stitch
mc - magic circle
* – repeat

The Pattern:

Using two strands of wool at once to make your sts thicker, create a large magic circle loop.

Ch 2, dc 38 sts around mc.  Sl st to join and start the 'top' of the holder.

The aim is to create a triangle shape:  Sc 7 sts across the top of your dc.

Reverse.  Sk 1st sc, and sc 5 across the top.

Reverse.  Sk 1st sc, and sc 3 across the top.

Chain 8, and sl st to the other side of the triangle to form the hanging loop.   To re-enforce the loop you can sc across it.  Sl st to join back into the main piece.

{Optional} Picot Edging:

To do a picot edging ~

Ch 3 and sl st into the same st.  Sc 1, ch3 and sl st into same st* all the way around until you reach the other side of the hanging loop.

Sew in ends and hang your towel up!    (✿◠‿◠)ﾉ

Ta Da!

xox,
bonita

Sailor Me Away

I’ve been hankering for a nautical inspired outfit for a while, and this 70’s-does-a-little-late-30s/early 40s maternity dress fits the bill nicely!  It’s been my outfit of choice for the past few weeks ~ easy to slip on and go as the dress does a lot of the work so it doesn’t need much in the way of accessories and fancy do-dads.   Yup, do-dads is a word.  I’m sure of it.   ~ _ ^

During this insanely hot summer weather, the less fuss the better! 

Now les’see, I think Bump Watch makes me at 28 weeks in this outfit?  Wow, I can’t believe how quickly the time is flying by!  Not long now and we’ll actually be able to meet little Bump ~ how super thrilling.  : D

Anyway, apparently this heat has sapped any and all witty, intelligent, thought provoking, and extremely interesting post content that is clearly my usual standard of fare to offer, so feel free to insert said writing here:

xox,

bonita

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~
Pearl Earrings  ~  Christmas Gift from Hubs   Nautical Navy Dress  ~  Etsy   White Tooled Belt  ~  JayJays   There’s No Place Like Home Heels  ~  Rivers

Sewing Schedule 2013

I have been inspired by a lot of  vintage sewing enthusiasts to write my own 2013 sewing schedule.  I think that this could help me fill the "gaps" in my wardrobe, as well as help encourage me not to take so long whipping up one dress!

It generally seems to take me four to five months to sew one dress ~ my latest project, a maternity dress, being the quickest at just over a month and a week.  That's because I worked on it regularly, rather than only when I felt like it.  I think it's reasonable to say that if I finish one dress every two months, and a smaller item every month ~ that might be a good rate for me?  I do want to try and get faster at sewing up my own pieces.

So {sew ~ lol} without further ado;

 January:

• One circle skirt w/ elastic waist  {For after baby is born}

February:

• One blouse {1940s style ~ I don't have many tops that look 1940s and I love them, so I want to rectify that.}

March:

• Erm, we'll see.  Baby's due on the 29th.

April:

• Ditto!

May:

• One staple 1940s winter skirt  {I love the simple 4-gore 40s skirt; I definitely need some!}

June ~ July:

• One warm winter dress

August:

• One staple 1940s summer skirt

September ~ October:

• Pattern stash busting!  One summer dress from patterns I have already!!

November ~ December:

• 40's Playsuit?   

And while we are on this role ~ how about a knitting schedule?   As I really only seem to like to knit in the cooler months {Seriously, today it's 37 degrees!! It's been mid-high 30s all last week, and it's supposed to be the week after....  I think you can see why!}, it'll be a shorter list, but that's ok.

April ~ May:

• One short sleeved 40's blouse

June ~ July:

• One long sleeved 40's blouse

And I think that's it!  Do you have any sewing/knitting/crochet plans for 2013?  Do share!

xox,

bonita

Jaunting Around Australia

We made it home!  It was a busy trip, and like I suspected the internet connection was pretty much non-existent, so here’s a brief photo diary of our trip through Victoria to South Australia.  ^ – ^

   
~ *  We stop at Gundagai and visit with The Dog on the Tucker Box: Sitting up the top of Mackey’s Peak in the Grampians.  Still can’t believe I made it up there!  * ~

~ *  A panoramic view of the Grampian Mountain Range.  * ~ 

   
~ *  In front of the old Mt Gambier Post Office, South Australia:  At the Cave Gardens, it’s a big sinkhole in the middle of the town!  * ~


~ *  One of the roads in South Australia.  * ~

   
~ *  Playing around with some photos I took.  * ~

   
~ *  Blueberry macaroon, which tasted like cake ~ weird huh?:  Sunset in Rutherglen, Victoria.  * ~

   
~ *  Peach flip-flops, bought for this trip: A new purse!  ^ U ^  Yay for pink plaid!  * ~

   
~ *  At Olive Hill Estate, Rutherglen:  Some gorgeous park in Ararat, Victoria.  * ~

Last, but not least ~ have a Happy New Year everyone!  I can’t wait to see what 2013 will bring.  ♥ ♥ ♥ 

xox,

bonita

Borrowing Tips from Grace Kelly’s Style

  


 

Easy to wear blouse, Capri pants, cute flats, simple hair and glam sunglasses?  Check, and check!  Whether or not I’ve managed to pull off the ‘Grace Kelly’ look, I do not know, but I do know that I love the simplicity of this outfit!

The vintage baby-doll top I recently purchased is one of the best maternity pieces I have ever laid eyes on ~ it’s the one item in my current wardrobe that I wish I could wear when I’m not expecting.   

As you can imagine, I getting a lot of use out of this blouse.   ; )  It’s just too cute not to wear as much as possible!  And on the subject of cute, how amazing are these repro 1950s styled sunglasses?? 

I think they are simply the bee’s knees, and even better, I could order them with my current script so I don’t have to either a}. Go blind and just wear the sunglasses or b}. Have to wear my sunglasses over the top of my actual glasses.  Which, let’s face it, isn’t an attractive look so that only happens when I’m driving and no one can see what I’ve done.   > o <

Thankfully these sunglasses have arrived now, so my days of dorky glasses-over-glasses can be safely thrown out the window ~ just in time for my family {and extend family} trip to South Australia. 

I’m looking forwards to our Christmas away, and I will try to keep updating, but I don’t know how consistent my ‘net connection will be, so I’ll wish you all “Happy Holidays!” just in case I don’t get to post until I get back. 

xox,

bonita

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~
Repro Glam Up Glasses ~  Zenni Optical    Vintage It’s Plaid Baby Top  ~  Etsy    Basic Denim Capris   ~  Crossroads, this season     Go Glitter Flats  ~  Modcloth 

Link Love ~ Casual 1940s & 1950s Style Inspiration

It’s been a while since the last Link Love, no?  Still, when I saw this post on casual vintage style by Miss Virginia of Retrospect, I knew I had to share it.

Talk about the perfect out-and-about outfit inspiration!  I love the elegant touch of a neat blouse and Capri pants; in fact I’ve actually bought two new pairs of Capris recently that I can’t wait to show you in an outfit post.  In the mean time, however, enjoy these lovely looks from the past, and don’t forget to hop on over for the rest of the gorgeous pictures.

Kelly Casual

~ *  My favorite vintage lady: Grace Kelly naturally…  * ~
  ~ *  I positively adore this outfit ~ I will be trying to replicate it very soon!  Mind you, it might very well be minus the white blouse, as white and toddlers really don’t mix with happy results...  > u <  * ~

xox,

bonita

Still alive and kickin’

   
~ * Little boy fun & we are out celebrating our 3rd year anniversary!  * ~

Between my youngest sister’s wedding, the worst head cold in the history of mankind {on top of nasty hay fever naturally}, and planning for a Christmas holiday in South Australia, I thought I’d better pop in and let you all know I’m not dead!

Just rhhhheaaallly busy.   > . < 

I have pretty pictures to show though, so that’s something right?

  
~ *  Pretty clay creations I’ve been busy crafting; I am particularly fond of my blueberry macaroon & POOOCCCKKKYYY! > 3 <  * ~

  
~ *  Images from my sister’s wedding ~ my sister {and best friend} and I were bridesmaids & a lilac orchid that fell from my bouquet.  * ~

xox,

bonita

P.S.  ~  Check out my Instagram @bdotdepictions if you want to keep up with more daily snaps and pretty pictures.  :3

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

The Casual Sporty 50s Vintage Pregnant Mama

Try saying that five times fast!  ; )




 

So this is my take on a sporty 50s look ~ as you can tell by the title of course! 

I think the pony tail, shoes, socks, and blouse are right, but if I wasn’t 20 weeks pregnant I definitely would have changed my skirt for a classic circle skirt ~ the perfect finishing touch.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any that fit at the moment…
  
Oh, the woes and problems ~ right?    > X <

Like the fact that early one morning, my sewing machine started sewing all by itself…..

And it wouldn’t stop!

*dadda-dum-da!*

Time for eerie music and ghost stories?? 

…No, actually, my foot pedal has shorted so now I cannot work on my new dress.  >: P   

Oh well, it’s not all bad ~ I can borrow my sister-in-law’s foot pedal in the mean time, so I hope to finish my dress anyway.  It’s going to be awesome I think, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see what everyone else thinks to really know.  : )

xox,

bonita

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~

Think Pink Blouse  ~  Thrifted   White Belt  ~  JayJays   Blue Bayou Skirt  ~  Valley Girl   Random Pink Socks  ~  ???    White Tennis Shoes  ~  Thrifted