The Baby Cut- Part Three

This is my third (and more than likely final) post detailing my saga with the Baby haircut. My stylist gave me the cut about a month ago and so far, I really like it! I had some trouble with styling in the beginning, but now I have finally started to get the "hang of it."

I have found that pin curls done on mostly dry hair and/or hot rollers are the best methods. If I shower at night, I blow dry my hair using a small 1 inch barrel brush and then I pin curl using proper pin curl clips. I secure pins by wrapping a scarf around my head before I go to sleep. In the morning, I simply take the clips out and fluff with a wide tooth comb first and then smooth the look with a barrel brush. I spray my hair with a light hairspray, like Elnett or Sebastian Zero, put in a few bobby pins and a hair flower, and I am out the door.

If I shower in the morning, I blow dry and then use hot rollers. Temperamental Broad recommended Remington's Tight Curls set and I am so thankful for her amazing suggestion! Even though Remington discontinued (of course) these rollers, I found them on eBay.

When I use the hot rollers, I roll the front and sides of my hair (forward from my ears), towards my face and I roll the rest down from my part. With the curlers in, I make breakfast, iron the husband's shirt for the day, feed the kitty, and make lunch to take to the office. After 45 minutes or so, I take the curlers out and I brush my hair with my barrel brush. I secure my look with hairspray, bobby pins and complete the whole enchilada with one of my beloved hair flowers.

So, this is how it looks now. The following pictures were taken last Thursday at home after a long day at the office.

The front:


This is how it looks in the back:


A side view:


I am enjoying my vintage hair and I cannot wait until it grows out! I want to have a Middy Plus one of these days but my hair grows slow. I also would love to do a pony tail and have faux bangs.

What are your preferred styles and styling methods?

Cute Shoe Find! Red Wedges

These cute, red wedges can be found at Mod Cloth and retail for $34.99 USD! Here is the link:
http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Shoes/Picnic+Pinup+Wedge

I really like the cute bow accent and the ankle strap is a great vintage touch! I already have a pair of red wedges so I wish this came in other colors. If these were in yellow, I would grab them so fast!

So, if you are looking for red, vintage-looking wedges that won't break your wallet, maybe these beauties are for you!

How to Make Atomic Housewares Tutorial!

This white vase sits on my mantle. I decorated it myself using paint pens I bought from AC Moore! The design was inspired from my Salem North Star cup and saucer set like this one:

How did I do it? I used DecoColor paint markers. The colors I used were black, gold, and teal. Each marker retails between $2.99 and $3.10 USD. I also bought the white vase at AC Moore for $4.99. Before I decorated the vase, I practiced making starburst-like designs on paper with a pencil. When I was ready to begin, I needed to "activate" the marker.

Simply shake the marker back and forth. Remove the lid and gently press down on the marker tip itself using scratch paper, and let the paint flow towards the tip. When the paint has completely saturated the marker head, draw a faint line to ensure paint will not streak. Now you are ready to create!

Should you make a mistake or you do not like your design, use turpentine and a soft cloth to remove the marker. Once applied, the marker will not come off! It also dries quickly! I do not recommend using DecoColor for items that are intended to serve food or drink. The paint will fade and chip with repeated washing and I am sure the chemicals are not food safe. It is best to use DecoColors on decorative-only items!

DecoColor comes in many colors, finishes (creams, metallics, pearls, and glitters), and also comes in different size marker tips like extra fine, fine, broad, and bullet. I normally use fine and broad.

Here is a simple, blue glass vase I decorated using a gold marker:

So, if you want to give your vintage house a retro touch, you can do it yourself. Sure, finding atomic beauties on Etsy and at antique malls are what we prefer in most cases, but now we can also make our own Eames creations!

My Vintage Home Part Two

Recently, I submitted a post featuring views of my vintage home. Finding the right look and searching for housewares has been a long process. I also know completing this transformation from the modern hodgepodge style to the vintage abode is going to take time and that is what makes it so fun. Even though there is a part of me that wants everything immediately, I have to be patient. I know my atomic/Eames era goodies will find me when the time is right!

Here is part of my kitchen counter. The two vintage, metal canisters were bought off Etsy. I paid 10.00 USD before shipping! My coffee pot is modern but I adorned it with an atomic rub-on decal! The decal came on a large sheet I bought from Michael's Craft store and the sheet itself cost about 3 bucks! The red tin canister was also purchased from Michael's and I also gave it an atomic look using another decal from the same set!

These are my kitchen curtains I just made last week! I made them from Circa 50 fabric that I bought off Etsy! The pattern has little starbursts all over it! I love it. I am also sorry about the ugly spider web in the lower section of my right window. A creepy arachnid has taken up residence recently and I am too afraid and too sad to kill him/her. We had a hail storm that broke a section of screen earlier this summer and I need to have it replaced.

Here is part of my den. The TV and fireplace is to the right. I have painted my mantle and brick facade white but the paint needs to be redone in certain spots. Also, the weird, furry lump on the wood floor is one of the cat's catnip toys. She just loves dragging it around the house.

This is one view of my sun room. I plan to recover the cushions with hawaiian barkcloth fabric. The whole room has a tropical feel but I want to give it a "tiki-room" makeover.

Another view of the sun room. Again the couch and cushions are going to be re-covered or replaced with more of a Hawaiian style theme. I think the couch is best suited as a solid color. I also need to replace the floor rug. It is too country-looking!

Yet another view of the sun room. I do like my wicker-type, tropical furniture and once I re-cover all the cushions with barkcloth, I think my tiki room will be well on its way.

This is a partial view of my foyer table. I made the small Eames-like print table runner. The pattern matches my living room accent cushions and dining room table's runner. The seafoam green glass dish is from the 1950s. I bought it at an antique mall last week while I was visiting my parents.

I need to replace the upstairs carpet and repaint. I also need to replace the tile in the master bath and paint. And when those things are done, I will be pretty much finished with the 'major' issues and then I can further transform my home into a vintage sanctuary!

You Have to Be Kidding! Overpriced Vintage Site of the Day

Over the course of the last few weeks, I have been trying to find a vintage bathing suit in excellent, if not mint condition, with a price tag that won't 'break the bank.' During my Internet searches today, I found this website and this lovely 40s suit costs $499.99 USD! Wow, *only* 500 bucks, huh?

The bathing suit's description goes on to say that despite the musty smell and the fact the suit looks like it was crushed in one spot, it is in excellent condition! I am speechless. Like Temperamental Broad stated on her blog a few weeks ago, vintage clothing is still USED! So if an item is vintage and used, why in the 'H-e-double hockey sticks' would I pay 500 dollars for a musty suit? I want to know what is going on in the heads of the vintage retailers who think it is acceptable to charge these insane prices.

Here is the link for the website:

http://www.glamoursurf.com/womens.html

What do you girls think?

My Trip to Bygones in Richmond, Virginia

Last week, I went to visit my parents in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. I stayed for three days while the husband was away on business. I do not like being home alone (especially at night) so I figured a nice visit with Mom and Dad would be a good way to spend the time.

During the visit, my parents kindly indulged my vintage obsession. On the first day, we went to an antique mall where I bought a 50s era glass dish to display on my foyer table. It is a light seafoam green swirled with shades of blue and teal. I paid just over 15.00 USD.

The next day, we visited the historic Westhampton district and walked along Grove Avenue. We also ate at the famous Phil's Continental Lounge for lunch. Phil's has been a Richmond institution since 1934. The food is standard diner/pub fare and they make fantastic french fries. After eating lunch, the three of us browsed a few antique shops that carried mostly china and furniture. I saw a lot of Victorian and Civil War era items. I did not find anything that 'jumped at me.' Due to the oppressive heat and the lack of vintage goodies, we decided it was time to go home for a well-deserved cool down and a cocktail.

On my final day, my mom and I traveled to Richmond's indie darling, Carytown. Dad stayed at home. I think he needed a break! Carytown has been known for its shops since the late 1930s. However, in 1928, the historic Byrd Theatre was opened and has been in continuous operation since. Next door to the Byrd is Bygones Vintage Clothing. As Mom and I walked towards the shop, we were greeted by a lovely blue and white polka dot Trashy Diva dress on display outside the entrance. The lovely lady in the photo is my wonderful mommy!

Upon walking inside, I wanted to just die. The layout of the store along with its hefty cache of merchandise made me want to go get a loan from my bank. I could totally see myself buying everything here from the 40s and 50s.

Bygones not only carries vintage clothing and accessories, it also has vintage reproduction items from Trashy Diva and Esther Williams. I was impressed with the vast selection of Trashy Diva dresses but I do not feel comfortable shelling out $148.00 USD for a cotton and/or rayon frock. Yes, I do love Candace Gwynn's stuff but her prices are too high for this gal. Besides, I found a black cotton, 1950s shirtwaist dress for $58.00 USD instead! It has a ruffle placket down the front and a cute, peter-pan collar with a little red rosebud embroidered on one side. The dress was in stellar condition and came with its own matching belt. When it comes to vintage clothing, I would rather have the real deal anyway. Maybe one day I win the lottery and then I would buy myself some Trashy Diva. But until I hit the jackpot, I will refrain from the 150 dollar, repro dresses.

One of the most impressive features of Bygones is their jewelry case! Their bakelite selection is awesome and like most bakelite, it's expensive! Most bangles on display cost anywhere from $18 (the thinnest) to $130+ (thicker and beyond). I did buy a red accent bangle for $18. It is about 2.5 millimeters thick on its edges and 5 millimeters wide across the surface. I tried on a red, floral-carved bangle that was $110. I quietly slipped it on, sighed, and politely put it back on its display form. Oh, to be rich! However, I have seen a ton of good-quality bakelite lately on Etsy that cost so much less. When payday comes this week, I am going to browse for some goodies!

I know I stated that the jewelry case is Bygones most impressive asset, but I have to say that the actual best element is the staff. I had a fabulous experience with Tina, one of the vintage gals working here. She was such a joy to talk to and so wonderful when it came to helping me pick items. Tina was not only kind and patient, her knowledge of vintage was quite amazing. She recognized my Re-Mix vintage wedges too and was also wearing Re-Mix wedges herself!

When it was time to wrap up my shopping (Mom and I were hungry for lunch), I bought a pair of back-seamed stockings, a chiffon scarf, the black cotton dress, and the red bakelite. My total came to about 105.00 USD. I could have bought more but I am trying to be more thrifty these days. (My house needs new carpet upstairs and I am saving for some Hawaiian barkcloth fabric to revamp my tiki-themed sun room).

Overall, I really enjoyed my Bygones Vintage experience. Yes, the prices for most items were high. The store is right on Cary Street and I am sure the rent is not cheap. As a result, each price tag is going to reflect this. Despite the higher costs, I loved visiting a proper, well-stocked vintage boutique staffed with people who wear vintage daily and have a passion for it just like me. It just reminds me that I am not the only vintage enthusiast in this modern world!

So, if you are ever in Carytown, be sure to make a trip to Bygones part of your visit!
http://www.bygonesvintage.com/

Back from a Little Hiatus

I have been away from the computer for about almost two weeks. I have been working, traveling, spending time with family, and dealing with the glass repair issue on my car. Now that I am back, I have lots of great posts and topics in the works. I have a vintage clothing store review on the way, a "vintage home part II" coming up, a post on bakelite, a lipstick review, a 'how-to-do Atomic/Eames era' tutorial for housewares, and a vintage hair update. I am looking forward to sharing all of this with you girls!

In my absence, I have missed writing and reading your comments. I truly enjoy the feedback from all of you! I especially enjoy hearing your insights and wisdom regarding all things vintage! I have been learning a lot! And for that I thank you, girls!

And without further ado, here come the new posts!