Paisley and Flannel-Not Just For PJ's

We've had a bit of a cold snap, and so it was Danny discovered none of last year's clothes fit. At not-quite thirteen, he's now taller than his mama and weighs about the same. He has no problem lending me his clothes but for some reason the child is completely uninterested in wearing mine. I suspect it is the polyester. Anyhoo, off we went today seeking shirts with long-enough sleeves (harder than it sounds) and trousers that don't look like they've been slept in before being worn (also a bit of a challenge). I will say that I'm lucky having a son that is completely indifferent to fashion. He likes checked shirts and jeans without a bunch of crap on the back pockets. As teenage style goes, his is blissfully plain. Danny requested a denim jacket, which we bought, and a puffy ski-vest to keep his arms free when out bird-banding. Two hundred dollars and an hour later he had the jacket, vest, three pair of trousers, four shirts, a dress shirt, and something else I've forgotten. I'm going to be sad when K-Mart goes under (the death knell is already sounding) because you can't outfit a teen in a winter wardrobe for $200. at Target. 

My dress cost .99 cents at Goodwill, but I'm easier to dress and don't have long arms or legs. Hard to believe I carried that kid around in one arm. He was such a little thing coming into the world just over six lbs. His dad is 6'4 so I think this might be a yearly shop sort of thing for the next few years. 

You can see the leaves starting to turn on the street behind me. the large maple behind our place hasn't started changing yet, but soon I'll be outside doing a daily sweep of leaves off the patio. I loved raking leaves as a child, even if it gave me terrible allergies. We didn't burn them as my mum once ended up in hospital after inhaling god-knows-what in the air from a pile of burning leaves. Understandably she was reluctant to repeat the experience. We didn't burn them on the farm either, but we didn't have that many trees outside of the windbreak.  I still like bringing home interesting leaves from my walks, and I always have a basket of pine cones for decorations. Oh, I know you can go to Big Lots and buy silk leaves for decorating, but I prefer the real ones when possible. 

Anyway, all this babbling is my way of saying Autumn has arrived, and it is being reflected in our wardrobes. For my part, it wouldn't be autumn without paisley. 

Outfit Particulars:

1980's rayon dress-Goodwill

1990's bolero-Goodwill

Carole Dauplaise necklace-Goodwill

Brooch-Sarpy museum sale

Vintage crocodile handbag-Hand-Me-Ups

Shoes-K Mart (years ago)

Fragrance-Norell (thanks, Emily!)

Lippy-Estee Lauder Maplesugar (my standard autumn lippy)

 It wouldn't be autumn without some flannel either. This 80's does 50's number is perfect for a day that isn't quite cool enough for a jacket.

I do feel a bit more casual in a fabric intended for sleepwear and outdoor work clothing, but somehow I resisted the urge to go back to sleep (or cut down trees like a lumberjack). I think the velvet boots helped 😀

The boots might look familiar as I own the same pair in black leather (well, vinyl, actually). I bought these at the end of last winter at K Mart and I regret not buying another pair. The rubber heel is deeply grooved and provides excellent traction for a high-heeled boot. I'm of the mind that velvet boots go with everything, and I plan to wear them quite a bit. I hope you don't get tired of seeing them.

 Outfit Particulars:
1980's dress-Goodwill
Vintage handbag-Thrift World
Belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-hand-me-ups
Leaf brooch-can't remember
Vintage necklace-Hand-Me-Ups (has matching earrings and bracelet)
Boots-K Mart
Fragrance-Vintage Revlon Moon Drops (well that was an expensive trip down memory lane for something I'd describe as, "Meh").
Lippy-Wine With Everything (if only that were possible!) my "Other" autumn lippy

We're down to our last three apples from the visit to the orchard. Just in time too, as the pears are now ready for harvesting. I'm going to bottle some mini Seckle pears in brandy this week so they'll be ready for Christmas. Yep, it is time to start thinking about the holidays. Sorry.

Hope you're having a good week so far.

Pissed Off Debutante

Scrolling through today's photos, all I could think was that I look like a  debutante that will quietly have her name removed from the social registry after pursuing a career in roller derby. I wasn't trying to look badass...

...some things just come naturally.

I find it difficult to accessorise these 80's-does-50's dresses as they don't quite work with a crinoline or a wide belt. Still, when I spotted this last weekend at New Life Thrift for $1.97, I knew I was bringing it home. The cotton is very nice, and the bodice is lined (though the skirt is not). There are snaps to hold your bra in place, and all the features I would expect in something made for Talbotts-but then they put in a cheap, flimsy zipper! If I keep the dress, I will replace it, but I'm not sure this is really my style. I seem to be on a quest to buy clothing that is unflattering for my body type. The skirt could be shorter, that's for sure. It is probably obvious by now that I favour the 70's fashions but I'm willing to wear (just about) anything. Why not? At a couple of bucks each, I can afford to experiment. What's the worst that will happen...looking out of the ordinary? Good heavens, that's a bonus!

 If I'd sewn this, the bust darts would be in the right place.




Still, I'm generally more interested in the clothing than how it makes my body look. If I limited my wardrobe to only that which makes me look tall or slender it would be a rather boring activity getting dressed each day. Skinny jeans and oversized jumpers get boring-quickly! That's practically the uniform around here for women my age (perhaps adding in yoga pants and big tee shirts in summer) *Shudder*.

Outfit Particulars:
Talbott's 80's dress-New Life Thrift
Old Navy Shoes-Goodwill
Bamboo bangles-Hand-Me-Ups
Other bangles-all over
Venetian glass earrings-retail, decades ago
Necklace-Goodwill
Purple leather belt-Goodwill
Purple straw 70's handbag-Goodwill
Purple ring-K Mart
60's enamel flower brooch-Hand-Me-Ups
Fragrance-L'Air du Temps

 Wow, that is one pissed-off debutante.

"I'm going to get out of here and be a big star in the roller-derby. You'll see!"

The plant in the pot at my feet is a bay laurel. This is the second laurel we've owned (the first one died after a few years) and so far (fingers crossed) it seems happy being outside for the spring. This has to be the most practical plant we have, as bay leaves are always called for in soups, sauces, and the like. Being able to go pluck one from my small plant is a real treat. Supposedly, insects don't like it so having bay leaves in your house helps protect from clothes moths and carpet beetles. I guess it couldn't hurt to stash a few leaves in the pockets of winter coats.

The book sale was great, and we all found something interesting to read. They had a good crowd as it was raining buckets and the downtown summer arts festival was probably a less attractive activity. We're under the threat of severe weather again this evening, but I do hope it misses us-the nasturtiums have just started to bud! Nasturtium tempura, anyone?

I hope your weekend is treating you well.

Great Plains Weather Symposium 2014

Shit. If you're outdoors the advice is to take cover in a ditch or a culvert. That's the end of this dress.

Lightning is bad too.
Messes up your hair something awful.

The event was less exciting than in past years, though they did have a room full of television weather broadcasters letting people have a try at the green screen which was fun. The students from the entomology department were out there with exotic insects to hold (hissing cockroaches, anyone?) and the various emergency services were handing out pencils, but overall it was kind of dull. I suppose if you go every year, it all gets a bit familiar.

We hit a couple thrift stores in Lincoln, and raced back to Omaha for the last few minutes of the monthly Friends of the Library Sale. Lincoln is only about 50 miles away, but it feels like such a long trip.

Outfit Particulars:

1980's does 1950's flannel dress-.98 cents Thrift World
1960's French handbag-Goodwill
Shoes-Barney's New York, circa '93
Charm Bracelet-years ago
1950's crystal earrings-thrifted
Rhinestone bowling brooch-Goodwill
Belt-can't remember

Hey, I'm being photo-bombed!

We'd better get out of here.

 

 

80's Does 50's Dress

I went to the Seed Share in South Omaha today, so it seemed appropriate to wear some flowers. Buttons:

In my hair:

On a brooch:

This isn't the sort of dress I usually go for (because I remember having dresses like this when I was first working)but I thought it had potential with the right accessories and jacket.

The seed exchange was held at the Sheet Metal Worker's Local, and they had some pretty impressive examples of their work on display:

 

I thought that was pretty neat. There were tables set up with seeds to choose from. We brought some flowers, melon, and corn taking in exchange some rocket and two varieties of spinach. Our library system has a seed bank where you can check out up to six packets per season, and bring back the seeds you harvest for next year. It is a pretty fantastic thing.

 

So many great seeds to chose from. There was plenty of oddball stuff too, but we have limited space now.

 

Outfit Particulars:

Jacket-Thrifted

80's dress-New Life Thrift (a buck, I think)

Shoes-New-ish, K-Mart sale

Brooch with bakelite beads-Hand-Me-Ups store $3.99

Rhinestone Brooch-old, can't remember

Niello bracelet-Goodwill $2.99

Coro Earrings-Thrifted

Belt-Thrifted

Hair flower-Tiff and Tam

Rings-Thrifted

Handbag-Goodwill

 

I really looked like hell this morning, but after a little caffeine, I came round

Ahhhhhhhh

Need to do a better job on the manicure though.

OK Dearhearts and Gentlepeople, you know the drill

Happy Weekend.

Ultra Suede Circle Skirt

This is the ultra suede skirt I wrote about a couple months back. I have yet to decorate it, but I do think it could use some fabric paint, or an embroidered border. It was however the perfect thing to wear on a day that started at 37 degrees F. and ended near 65. Still too beige for my tastes though. At least the child was dressed colourfully...and the trees had on their fiery best.
(Click photos to enlarge)

 Outfit Particulars:

Ultra Suede Skirt: Goodwill $3.59
Jacket: Thrifted (about) $5.00
Boots: Thrifted several years ago
Yellow Cashmere polo neck-From my collection of Marshall Field's Country Shop cashmere sweaters 80's-90's (I went kinda nuts for these when I was young and had money)

 Make a funny face for the camera...OK?

Time to chunk 'yer pumpkins! Danny tells me if you miss the dumpster, and it splats on the pavement that's called, "Pie-ing" it. I guess this is a competitive sport in some circles.