Don't be fooled, I took these photos a few weeks back on the last truly warm day...now it is snowing outside!
BLAH!!!
My handmade statement necklace looks like it was meant to be part of this wild dress. The vintage dress (I'm guessing late 1960's - early 1970's) is handmade and originally about 2 sizes too large for me but I managed to take it in on my own without ruining it.
So how do you wear a bold print vintage maxi?
Let's look at some visual suggestions from my bloggy friends...
the Queen of all bold pattern vintage maxi dresses herself...Vix
This woman hasn't met a vintage bold print maxi dress that she didn't like, and all vintage dresses love her.
What did we learn from Vix?
Bold goes with bold...so bigger necklaces, more bangles and definitely faux fur.
Let's see how Curtise styles her obsession with vintage maxis...
Oooh! Vintage tapestry carpet bag alert!
Curtise shows that a little topper, jacket, sweater or vest can break up that bold pattern and give the eyes a place to rest.
Here are some vintage dresses I've worn and how I've styled them.
One thing is for sure...you need to have some confidence to carry off bold patterns.
Strut around like you own the place...
Because darlin's...
in this world the one that leaves the biggest impression
This weekend we went to one of our favourite dances, the Swing Out to Victory dance at the Heritage War Plane museum in Hamilton.
Robert outdid himself with some Clark Gable facial hair. It was fun for the night but I was relieved when he shaved it off the next day. Let it be known...I hate facial hair on my man and on 99% of all other men for that matter.
Robert is wearing vintage cuff links, tie clip, tie, vest, pocket watch, blazer and hat.
I'm 100% vintage except for the shoes and belt.
It just so happened that it was 2 days before our 23rd wedding anniversary so it was perfect timing.
23 years...where has the time gone??? Seems like it was only yesterday that Robert was saying in his thick French accent to the Justice of the Peace, " I want" instead of "I do."
; P
Didn't matter.
It worked for me.
It was fun to see so many people getting dressed up for the event. I had to get a photo of these ladies with all their hats...they were so much fun.
Below are three of the people that won for best costume. This gal on the left with the black hair really did look like she was off of some movie set.
Live music, dinner, dancing, silent auction and vintage war planes...it was a blast!
We've never danced as much as we danced that night. I think we only sat out 3 songs the whole evening.
I just adore these kind of events. They have another Big Band Dinner and Dance for New Year's Eve we are seriously considering as well.
The atmosphere at these type of dances is just so much fun. Especially when people get into character with their costumes.
It was a brilliant way to celebrate our anniversary.
What do I love about my husband after being married for 23 years? The fact that he is willing and excited to dress up and go to swing dances, or take Tango lessons, or basically open to discovering new things together.
Here is to many more years of dressing up and having fun!
Love you babe!
xoxoxo
Are you lucky enough to have a partner that shares your quirky interests?
What makes a person get up super early on a Saturday morning, drive for 35 minutes into the city and then stand outside in line the freezing cold for 2 hours?
An estate sale of epic proportions.
This was just one of the many rooms in this massive luxury mansion filled with new and vintage clothing collected over several lifetimes.
There were over 300 hats.
Many of them were included in an article written about the vintage hat collection which was featured in the National Post. I loved so many of them and held several in my hands...pondering if I should buy them. They were so beautifully crafted...but I talked myself out of buying any and I'm still kind of kicking myself for that. They were only $10 each. I figured though that unlike the Queen of England, a hat for each outfit isn't a requirement. It's a crying shame!
See all the handbags? I was sad because when the doors opened we were back pretty far in the line ...maybe 30 or so, and it was impossible to jockey for a position in front of those bags as 70% were grabbed up in the first 3 minutes of them opening the doors. I did score four beauties though!
If you are wondering where I got the photos from...it wasn't in the melee that ensued when we were let in...it was bedlam in there! These were borrowed from the website of the estate sale company prior to the sale.
There was one entire room filled with boxes that were filled with ties. Literally there were thousands of ties there. Celine, Burberry, Versace, Missoni were some of the brands that my husband picked up...about 20 for $15. Holla!
We were a bit bummed though since we had gone after an Underwood typewriter for my office that looked pristine and once again we were too late...a guy just before Robert had snatched up the 3 typewriters they had for sale.
I'm still mourning the loss of this one. Next time!
What else did we buy?
A long dark brown velvet 1960's vintage coat made in Montreal, that I wore out last night...
A blue jean jacket, a blazer by Theory, 2 vintage gowns (one that I had turned into a maxi skirt), 1 vintage skirt made in Bologna Italy (LOVE) 1 totally rad 1960's maxi and this crazy amazing cheongsam...
The dress, shoes and bag are all vintage purchased at estate sales. Although I'm wearing vintage head to toe I think this is a brilliant example of how to dress in vintage but still look contemporary.
I had to get this taken in quite a bit which was difficult because the zipper is on the side. In the end I put a few extra darts of my own in the back in addition to having it taken in and then one day later I think I gained 3 lbs because it was a bit snug. I curseyou PMS!
Here I am doing my best Angelina Jolie imitation.
This dress looks like it was handmade by a skilled seamstress. It is in delicate condition. I'm going to have to hand stitch a fair amount of the inner lining as it has started falling apart and some of the trim is fraying. I couldn't leave it behind though.
There are slits on either side...thank heavens because otherwise it would be hard to move.
This is the reason I love going to estate sales or shopping at thrift stores...you just never know what you're going to come across.
Forrest Gump would say it is the "box of chocolates" way to shop, and you know I love me some chocolate!
What about you? Do like the thrill of discovering hidden gems via thrifting, consignment stores or estate sale hunting?
This is the first time I've ventured into the park in my neighbourhood alone with my tripod and the intention of taking photos.
It really was a beautiful day. I went mid afternoon...during the week when I was sure I wouldn't run into anyone.
Ha!
Just as I was entering the park with my tripod, who should I almost walk into, but my neighbour from right across the street. The one that told me when they first moved in that since I worked from home she would be sure to come and knock on my door and use me as her fail-safe babysitter. Word to the wise people, unless someone offers to look after your kids, don't automatically assume they want to. Needless to say it has been a little "awkward" between us ever since. There is a reason I don't have kids, and it's not because I'm saving myself to look after other people's kids. Just sayin'.
We smiled at each other. She exclaimed,
"It's a perfect day for...ummm...taking photos of yourself in the woods."
"Yep. Just perfect." I agreed.
I told you.
Awkward.
So much for no one being there.
I didn't let her deter me though. I'm stubborn dedicated like that.
I stuck it out and fended off several other dogs searching for a good place to pee as I staked out my little corner of the forest... all so I could share this wonderful moment of me
mostly alone
in the dog poop beautiful Autumn colours
desperately clinging onto relaxing and savouring the hardest hue to hold...the golds of Fall.
Overall I like how the photos turned out. The boots do have 3 inch heels...but you can't see them in the carpet of leaves. I wonder what real photographers do...sweep them away?
There is definitely a learning curve to this self photography. Especially when trying to use the manual function on the camera. I can't focus correctly because I have no idea where I am in the shot. I feel like I need to be carrying a life sized mannequin or blow up doll around with me so I can set up the photo.
That'd work well...just me, all dressed up, my blow up doll and tripod under my arms...out for another mid-day stroll.
Hat and Vest - vintage, Trousers - Samuelsohn Shirt - Eton, Bowtie - Brooks Brothers, Shoes - Brunello Cucinelli
Robert picked up the vest from a consignment store for $5 I think it is from the 1970's. The hat is from the 1940's.
One of the many pairs of wonderful men's shoes in my husband's collection that are inspired by the funky colours of the 1930's.
Every time I see my husband dressed up like this I think he was meant to live in a different era. He would fit right in on Boardwalk Empire. If you haven't watched this show it is brilliant. Currently in its fifth and final season, the acting is superb and the writing is brilliant but honestly it is a bit like MadMen, I'd watch it strictly for the fashion porn. Such fabulous styling and art direction!
I think it is worth noting that my husband chose this entire outfit on his own. Very French eclectic.
I probably should have worn more vintage here, we look like an odd pair. Oh well...the hat is vintage.
And of course I'm vintage.
Does it look like Robert is going to expire holding me like this? LOL
Your eyes are not deceiving you. I had to pixelate part of that image. The idea of being swept off my feet is 100% romantic but the visuals of the actual feat is 100% X rated hilarity.
And yes...I always have one leg kicking out behind me.
It's my blogger trick twitch.
My husband brought home an edition of Elle for Men tonight. I have yet to look through it but it is a good indication how men's style, grooming and fashion have really come to the forefront of what used to be a market dominated almost entirely by women's fashion magazines.
As promised here is the wonderful 1950's sequined wiggle dress. I'm dressed entirely in vintage, except the sunglasses (those were consignment). Shoes are from an estate sale, dress and bag from Bungalow vintage and earrings from a vintage sale in Hamilton.
Yes my bangs are far too long here. Thankfully I made it to see the hairdresser today.
I snapped these photos just before we left for a wonderful evening out.
Or so we thought.
Jazz Fest is in Toronto and we noticed there was a venue that offered live Tango music with dinner at a tapas bar.
Sounds fun right?
We got all dressed up.
Drove downtown and found parking right in front of the bar. That is kind of like winning the lottery in Toronto. I was happy since this was the first time I wore these heels and wasn't sure how far I could walk in them.
The bar was...how can I say this in the nicest way...like one of those places you stumble across in NYC that looks like a hole in a wall that no one knows about but has the best live music and best food ever.
Well that is what we told ourselves.
We looked like we just came from the Opera and everyone else looked like they had just stumbled out of bed after an all-nighter.
The place was packed. Which is normally a good sign...
right?
Yeaaaaah...not this time.
It took a mere 30 minutes just to get a menu.
It took an hour to get our drinks. No water and no bread was offered. Secretly I think they were hoping tables would leave because they were obviously overrun. And tables did leave. But we stuck it out. We kept being positive. We weren't giving up.
Robert ordered a Corona and the lime wedge was too big to fit into the bottle. Rookie mistake.
Two hours to get the first tapas. It was good...but small and guacamole isn't that hard to make people. It doesn't take 2 hours to scrape out an avocado and throw in some tomatoes.
By this time we were worried wondering why the music hadn't started. I had seen musicians going upstairs with instruments. Turns out the music was starting at 8:30 was upstairs, not where we were eating and required another $20 cover charge to squeeze onto wooden fold-up chairs in a tiny congested room. This was not what the flyer we had seen had advertised.
We were still waiting for our other two tapas plates to arrive when the music started playing...upstairs. It sounded nice. Well what we could hear anyhow.
In the meantime customers were getting mad, leaving, or just standing around the bar trying to get service. There were 3 people working in the whole place. One bartender, one waitress and one cook. Notice I did not say chef. This person was merely a line cook trying to do his best, which was dismal on the last two dishes.
We ordered Yucca...just to try it out.
The Yucca was just like the name...very Yucka. No taste at all. We could have been eating cardboard. Actually I think cardboard would have tasted better.
In the meantime one of the teenagers sons of the family across from us that been waiting for 3 hours for their meals was slowly and methodically picking something out of his paella. I assume this was an insect of some sort. His father put it on a separate plate and went up to tell the waitress. Funny enough...the whole family kept eating their meals. I think they were starving by that time. Even a dead rat wouldn't have put them off. Personally I was starting to freak out.
The musicians were already taking intermission by the time our final tapas arrived.
It was called gambas... or prawns. As soon as my husband saw them he declared, "I know gambas and those are NOT gambas!"
They were very small overcooked shrimp swimming in what looked like garlicky soap water with two slices of what might be soggy white bread but could have been an old kitchen sponge. We took a half a bite each and left.
We figured we might try to go and see the second set of live music but all the seats were taken so we resigned ourselves to total failure and left.
As soon as I got in the car I unzipped my dress.
Not because we were so horny we couldn't wait to get home...(that's what you were thinking right?) because I was having a hard time breathing the dress was so tight around my ribcage. I do not know how women wore corsets. I now think I need to take the dress to a tailor and have it taken out a bit. Either that or lose 1/2 inch from my ribcage. Maybe just get a rib removed?
The sexy straight jacket dress forced me to have the best posture of my life...but sometimes you feel like taking a real breath...not just a shallow gulp.
Now I know why Marilyn sounded like she was whispering all the time,
her dresses were too tight.
So...in the end it was a very disappointing evening out.
1. You never truly appreciate your health until you no longer have it.
2. My parents were right about a whole lot of things.
3. There will always be people that don't have a clue how to drive. Pass them.
4. No matter how organized, my closet will always seem too small.
5. If you spend your whole life trying to change someone you will have wasted your life.
6. Life isn't always fair but complaining about it doesn't change a damn thing.
7. As long as you can laugh you're still okay.
8. My best memories aren't always about the best times in my life.
9. The height of the heel is equal to the number of martinis you will need to drink after 5 minutes of walking in said heel.
10. There is exactly one being you can rely on in life no matter what.
Your dog.
This was my birthday over a 2 day celebration : ) ...thus the different outfits.
First day was a surprise facial and dinner at Langdon Hall.
Second day Robert surprised with me a trip to NYC!!!
After a busy day of shopping in Soho, eating at The Spotted Pig and then the broadway show, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, we decided to catch the subway to get back to The Hudson. Great place to take a photo right?
Ha!
; )
Fooled you!
They are actually filming in downtown Toronto again for some movie and obviously it is taking place in NYC as this was a faked out Fulton Street station they had set up on Bay Street.
It was still a fun filled day spent partially at Don Mills visiting Anthropologie, eating Italian ice cream, picking up some Miu Miu boots and then off to Richmond Station restaurant where we had the Chef's Table right in front of the kitchen. Basically the same thing as what I'd have done in NY, but with no customs officials giving me grief.
Have you ever eaten at a Chef's Table? They are so interesting!
What is it that makes watching other people slave away while you are calming sipping the best Bloody Cesar you've ever tasted so undeniably luxurious?
I must have been Cleopatra in another life.
What are some of the 10 Things you've learned so far in life?
Day 1 Outfit Visiting family - Promenade des Anglais
I wanted to look a bit dressy for visiting family that I haven't seen in a while but still be comfortable for a casual walk along the Promenade des Anglais where Robert and I often walked when we had a place there.
Simple classic style. That is why I love vintage items. This 1950's cotton dress is perfect.
The big hat? I won't leave home without it in Nice. I need to have my face and head covered when in the sun.
Also doesn't it have a bit of a vintage French vibe to it?
I bought the dress at a vintage market last year. It has become one of my go-to favourite frocks.
Now I'm off to a nice stroll beach side and maybe a light drink...á la prochaine!
Out of all the vintage pieces I own and collect my favourites by far are the dresses.
They are the easiest to find and I think also the easiest to wear.
This is my Mom's 1950's vintage dress and all I've done is add a contemporary belt, shoes and earrings.
1950's vintage gingham dress styled vintage and classic French.
Here I am in my Mom's graduation dress at a 1950's - 1960's dance. (What a BLAST we had!) It's a shame you can't see the back of my ponytail because it is tied with one of those nylon headscarves from the 1950's. This is obviously a vintage look because of the accessories.
Here paired with some yellow accents it creates a more eclectic contemporary look.
I wore this dress to a 1940's Victory dance so I wanted to style it authentic to the era.
Switching out all of the accessories for more modern pieces would update the look immediately.
This 1960's cocktail dress is simply classic. No changes necessary.
This 1960's Gale Mitchell gown is another one that I don't really need to touch much. I ended up making the train removable and styled it like this for New Year's Eve.
This 1950's day dress below was styled classic vintage and then funky artsy.
This is another 1950's vintage cotton dress styled two different ways. A fine example of showing just what kind of impact accessories have on a piece.
As you can see from my examples it is the accessories you choose that will transform a vintage dress from old fashioned to contemporary.
Did this give you any ideas how to style up those vintage pieces with a contemporary twist?
The other day my girlfriend and I were downtown to catch a Tango show.
On our way to the show just across from the Sony Centre as we were crossing the street there was a young gal in front of us at the crosswalk waiting for the light to turn. It was a bit windy and kind of cool out. I noticed that her skater skirt was so short that her thigh high stocking lace was showing. You know...the lace at the very top of the stockings? Well it was showing by about 2 inches. That is how short the skirt was.
I thought, "Wow, that is a bit daring!"
But is wasn't until we actually started to cross the street did I realize just to what extent this 20 something had taken it.
As the wind picked up it swooshed up her barely there skirt and flash her naked (oh yeah) naked ass! And before you ask...no she definitely was not a hooker.
I imagine she was wearing some kind of a thong but I couldn't see from that angle.
My first thought was, "I do not want to sit where-ever she has been sitting!" (germophobe that I am)
My next thought was, "Good God! Isn't she cold?"
Freezing your ass off was taking on a whole new meaning.
Then I worried that maybe some of the cars turning would have an accident as the men cranked their necks around to see the butt flashing. She was a walking car accident waiting to happen.
She didn't even make any real effort to pull down the skirt either. A feeble slight hand gesture towards it was all we got. I mean she must have felt the wind whipping against her butt cheeks.
I thought, "Suzanne...don't be such a prude! She must be on her way to meet her beau and they are planning a super sexy rendezvous after an evening of erotically infused Tango dancing."
I was shocked, shocked I tell you when I saw that in fact it was her parents she was meeting!
WTW?
We were inside by that time so I wouldn't be subjected to anymore cheek flashing unless someone walked by her too quickly.
I will say this, I was very happy not to be sitting beside her. I imagine the whole show she would have been squirming and fidgeting around on that itchy wool seat cover.
{Cringe}
Dress & Handbag- 1950's vintage, Shoes - Miss L Fire Anthropologie, Jean blazer - Reitmans, Flower - handmade
Here I am doing my levitating trick without fear of a wardrobe malfuntion.
What do you think? Are younge women dressing too provocatively now?
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