Friday, February 24, 2012

Getting Ready for VLV 15!

In just under 40 days, VLV 15 will begin in Las Vegas, Nevada! I am so excited! This will be my second event and for those of you who are going as well, I would love to do a few meet-ups! The event is HUGE and meeting people by chance is pretty much impossible. Last year, I had the honor of running into Holly twice from Temperamental Broad blog!  I also wanted to meet Dolly (aka the Rockabilly Socialite), Kim Bombshell, and Barbara from Moxie Tonic! Alas, I did not have the chance. Therefore, a meet-up is a must!

Nevertheless, I am looking forward to April 5th for sure! I am now creating a packing list and in doing so, I am taking into consideration a few lessons I learned from last year.

Since last year's VLV was my first, I had NO idea what to expect and as a result, what to pack/wear. Even though I wear vintage every day and feel like I have a good grasp on what to wear for specific circumstances, I look back on a few outfits I wore and wish I could have done things differently.

For example, at the car show, I wore an ill-fitting, yellow cotton Old Navy peasant top with a 40s gingham skirt. The skirt was fine but the top (seen in the picture above) was too big and made me look frumpy. As I walked around the rows of cars, I felt my look was lackluster in comparison to the other girls. Their looks whether it was sexy cheetah print wiggle dress-hotness or 50s sun top and shorts-clad cuteness, I just wanted to change!!

But, this year, I plan to wear this 50s cotton-blend sarong dress I bought on Etsy for this year's car show:

This dress embodies the perfect fusion of vintage purist meets figure-flattering excellence!

In the evening, my circle dresses were appropriate but as I looked at the gals in their satin and sequin dresses, I felt a desire to spice up my wardrobe. Sure, my look was fine but I wanted more than "fine." I wanted "wow factor!!" So, this year I bought this beauty:
 I bought this dress before the holidays and wore it on a recent cruise but I am wearing it again for VLV evening!


When it came to shoes, I played it safe. I wore a lot of black shoes at night and wedges during the day but I left behind the epitome of vintage-awesomeness in my closet! My silver Polly of California shoes:
I bought these from Remix Vintage in 2008! They are so comfortable and look amazing with everything from dresses, pencil skirts to capri pants and rolled jeans!

Speaking of rolled jeans, I just ordered these blue denim pedal pushers from Freddies of Pinewood!
Last year, I wore my original indigo Freddies of Pinewood jeans when I went to the Neon Museum:
I love both styles of jeans but the pedal pusher style will be fabulous for late night dancing!

During the day at VLV, I plan to do a little shopping on the Strip (hello, MAC Pro Store and Sephora!) and visit the Neon Museum. So, if the weather is sunny and warm, I am going to wear sundresses like this one I bought in January:
Another must-visit I missed last VLV is Frankie's Tiki Room!

http://www.frankiestikiroom.com/

I plan to go to Frankie's this year for sure and if I am going to sip on tiki drinks, I am going to do it in vintage tiki style:
I bought this dress from FabGabs on Esty.com last July and it is made from a lovely polished cotton!

In conclusion, I am going to have fun with my wardrobe and have fun at VLV! Regardless of clothing, the intent of VLV is to dance, meet other rockabillys, enjoy a few drinks, see the sights in Vegas, dance some more, shop the vendors, take in the auto show, and JUST HAVE FUN!

So, are you going? 

38 comments:

  1. Really looking to reading all about your adventures at VLV! I have been hearing so much about it on the Pinup Girl Clothing FB page that I am really quite jealous of all you girls in the US who have the chance to go, it sounds amazing :D

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    1. If you have an opportunity to go to VLV at least once, do it! It is soooooo amazing!

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  2. Oh I wish I could go, I haven't been for years now. In fact I haven't been so long it was still at the Gold Coast when I last went :o( You'll have a ball, lots of people are coming from the UK as ever, just not me...

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    1. I wish it was still at the Gold Coast! The Orleans is so big so the event can be a bit overwhelming! I prefer a more intimate setting but I guess VLV is just too popular!

      I wish you were going, Fiona! It would be brilliant to meet you!

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    2. Fiona I also I have not been since it was at the gold coast I wish I was going this year but alas it is not in the cards right now. Tara the gold coast was such a dive I could never sleep if I stayed their and it was yucky in the rooms. I finally started staying at the Rio because it was nicer but was an extra hike when you were already tired from being on your feet all day.
      I hope you have a great time and as for frumpy I think I have a picture of myself from the first car show and I look far worse than you did.

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  3. Yay! This post made me so excited! I have been planning in my head what I am going to wear for each day, and I want to bring the "best of the best" in my wardobe. I have banned myself from buying anything online til after our trip to America, so hopefully I can come up with a few nice outfits :)
    I do need a cute outfit for Frankie's though! Hmm, it won't hurt if I buy meself one little Shaheen dress, would it?! ;)
    x Molly

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    1. Not buying anything is tough! My Etsy "Favourites" list is massive! There are too many things I want!! lol!

      As for a Shaheen, a girl can NEVER have enough! Moreover, there is always a good reason to warrant buying one!

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  4. I'm not going this year, but just a few days ago my husband asked me if I'd ever thought about visiting Vagas and I was like "you know, there is a vintage/rockabilly convention there every year...." So maybe next year! ;)

    Thanks for sharing your wardrobe planning. I think that's be the most stressful part. How could I possibly decide what to bring to wear! lol

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    1. If you have a chance to go to VLV, even if just once, GO!! It is just too fun and hey, it's Vegas! lol

      Planning my clothing list is a bit daunting but I just want to bring what I need and not go crazy! Those airline baggage fees are evil nowadays!

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  5. I am going and I'm SUPER excited...but I have nothing to wear. I usually sew all year with Viva in mind but this year I've hardly done any sewing and I'm running out of time! I'm thinking that I might sew up a few skirts that can be worn for either day or evening and scour the mall for a few retro RTW tops and blouses... Or maybe I'll just show up with an empty suitcase and hit the thrift stores and vendors while I'm there? :)

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    1. I wish I could sew clothing! I can barely sew curtains and pillow forms! lol!

      So far, I have seen some cute items on Etsy that are still reasonably priced. But I know prices will start going up as VLV approaches.

      As for the vendors at VLV, I love Atomic Swag and Allyn Scura! I am fiend for vintage eyewear!

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  6. This year we better meet up! I suggest maybe everyone meeting at Sweet Pea's meet n greet, or the Alligator bar on Friday afternoon.

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    1. Oh, girl, YOU KNOW IT!! I am so glad you are blogging again! You were so missed!

      I would love to do a meet-up with you and the other gals! When Holly told me she saw you, I was so jealous and sad that I missed you!

      Sweet Pea's Meet n Greet, the Alligator Bar, or even Frankie's are all great places! Last year, I stupidly left my phone in DC. But this year, I will ensure that it gets packed first.

      Nevertheless, as VLV approaches, I will reach out to you and the other gals with my contact info so we can iron out the details.

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    2. You are on facebook, right? Find me there (Kim Maestre Smallwood) and we can exchange numbers. I swear we will meet face to face this year!

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    3. I am on FB! This year we will making meeting a priority!

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  7. I'm not going, but I'm always excited to see people's posts about going because it's fun to see people going all-out :D

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    1. Oh, I wish you could go! It is so much fun!

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  8. Oh that black cocktail dress is GORGEOUS!! Now I'm feeling a bit blah about my outfit plans!

    Really hope to get to the Neon museum and Frankies this year - can't believe I've been to Vegas so many times and yet have missed out on both of those goodies! I'll be there for all of Viva this time, so no excuses for not meeting up ;D

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    1. Isn't that dress gorgeous?! I cannot wait to wear it!

      As for your outfits, I bet your looks will be fabulous!! If you do not buy it, you will sew it!

      The Neon Museum and Frankies are a must! Also, the Atomic Museum on Tropicana is a have-to-see! The Neon Museum is so fun and being able to see Vegas' history in person is amazing!

      I am so glad you will be able to do all of VLV this time around! I hope we can do a meet up! I will be doing a post about it soon! I have to meet you this time!!!

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  9. You looked great at the car show! Not frumpy at all! I know what you mean about the outfits though, its a kind of permanent 'see and be seen' kind of show eh? 2 of my friends are going this year, they are super excited! I hope one day I can - but we are in the process of moving this year so all my cash is taken up doing that!! Already looking forward to everyone's VLV posts :)

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    1. Thanks, Clare! My outfit was more farmer's market than car show! Nothing was wrong with it per se but the girls there are fabulous!

      I hope your move goes well! I also hope that you can go one of these days! It would be brilliant to meet you!

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  10. This is my first VLV. I love your advice for outfits as I have not been 100% sure what to pack. Thanks for the in sight!

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    1. You are going to LOVE this event! The daytime events are pretty laid-back but nighttime is all about the vintage glam! Nevertheless, be sure to just have fun!! VLV is a blast and Vegas is so fun!

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  11. I'm sad we won't be going this year, but we just have too much going on. Your outfit ideas look fabulous!

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    1. I know that you have a lot going on with the move and everything! I hope you and Mel will go to another VLV! I have to meet you two!!

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  12. This will be my first VLV too, thanks for posting what you're going to wear cos I had no idea! I'm pretty shy, so if you see a chubby red-head wave at you and run away, thats me... ;)

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    1. This will be my second VLV! You are going to LOVE it! I am shy too but one martini and I will be a chatterbox! lol!

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  13. Hope to meet you this year! We will be at Frankie's one night before viva and Sweet Pea's Hooch and Smooch Thursday afternoon. Also, make sure to see my fiance's band, Blue Collar Combo on Friday at 8:30 on the main stage!

    XOXO
    Dollie

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    1. Dollie,

      When Holly told me that she bumped into you a couple of times last year, I was so jealous!! I am town on Wednesday. I will be sure to drag my husband (ie Big Daddy) to Sweet Pea's event on Thursday!

      That is so great that Zach's band is playing on the main stage!!! I hope the wedding planning is going well!

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  14. Your outfit ideas are great!
    You looked gorgeous on your last VLV amor.
    besios

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    1. Muchas gracias! La falda fue tan larga y la camisa no tuvo una forma buena. Pero, este año, llevará una vestida más esbelta!

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  15. I will be there with my husband next April. It's my second time to VLV. I come from France so it's a long trip! I was already there in 2008.
    I like VLV because it's an excuse to make a US trip and because it's a great place to find vintage but I think that I prefer some UK events like Rhythm Riot or Rockabilly Rave, smaller events but more authentic style!
    I prefer vintage classic cars than crazy custom cars like in VLV.
    I'm amazed to follow girls who will go to VLV, a lot of them have been preparing their wardrobe for months!!! I still don't know what to put in my small suitcase... only a small suitcase for a 3 weeks trip!!!! I will not be able to bring any of mine vintage hats, perhaps 2 purses and 2 pairs of shoes....
    Hope to meet a lot of nice people there!

    http://lostin1950.blogspot.com/

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    1. You will see a lot of variation when it comes to vintage style. Moreover, you are know, VLV is huge!

      As for some girls at VLV, I know that a few will change a few times each night! What it this, the Oscars?! I am packing smart but I will bring lots of jewelry and shoes!

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  16. Oh gosh, small world! I'm Jennie/heartappeal. I'm bit behind, but I've been following your blog for a while now. I'll definitely be seeing you at Pea's bash :)

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    1. Jenn,

      How cool to see you here!! I cannot wait to meet yout at Sweet Pea's event!

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  17. How nice! Love viva posts! And I hope to run into you as well. Love the outfit choices. Wish I could dance...:)
    Ashley

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    1. I hope to see you too! I would be a shonda not to have a meetup this year!

      I can dance okay but my husband, ie Big Daddy, is a bit shy.

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