Tag Archives: 1950s

Portland Vintage Guide

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Over the time that I’ve had this blog, I’ve received multiple e-mails asking where one should go for vintage shopping while visiting the City of Roses.  And often I find myself having to actually take the time to create a list instead of just being able to pull one out of my pocket.  I’ve decided to change that routine…So here is the Atomic Redhead’s Guide to Portland!

Please note that I have not included every vintage shop or antique mall in Portland.  I have selected ones I enjoy shopping at.  However, I have also included a handful of other shops that I don’t often visit, but those seeking very high-end vintage garments or furniture may wish to visit. Additionally, I have listed some other Portland places you may want to visit, as well as places to grab a bite to eat or a drink.

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Bakelite & Bowties

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This morning a group of us vintage gals, and guys too, got together for brunch at one of Portland’s swankest restaurants, Gracie’s.  As always, we had a theme…today’s theme? Bakelite and Bowties.  I’m loving that we’re coming up with more co-ed friend;y events.  It’s so nice to see men all dapper…even if we only had three.

We enjoyed brunch while basking in the glow of crystal dripping chandeliers as we chatted while our bangles clicked against each other.  It’s so delightful getting together with people who “get” things such as Bakelite.  Like Solanah of Vixen Vintage toted a gorgeous very wide carved piece that she paid only $60 for! How amazing is that!? And all of us oo’ed and aww’ed over such a steal, while the average person would say “You paid $60 for a hunk of plastic!?” So, needless to say, I adore my vintage crowd. Thanks for being in Portland, ladies!

Outfit
Dress: Bombshell Vintage, Portland
Sweater: From a Toby Berman sweater set, Buffalo Exchange
Hat: Don’t recall…
Purse: Flea market
Bakelite Oranges Necklace: Birthday gift
Bangles: Various
Bakelite Ring: Hattie’s, Portland
Vintage Stockings: Expo…I think…
Shoes: Gosh, I think Payless, like six years ago…

Patrick’s Outfit
Cal-Anita Expressing for Miller’s Jacket: Thrifted by my dad!
(New) Dress Shirt: Nordstorm
Bowtie: Flea market
Cufflinks: Expo
Pants: Who knows…
Shoes: Allen Edmonds by way of Living Thread’s Vintage

Style Me Winner!

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Thank you so much to all of you who entered the Style Me Vintage: Hair book giveaway! But sadly, there can only be one winner.

And the winner is…

Screen Shot 2013-05-16 at 10.08.34 AM(1 is the earliest comment made and 63 being the final comment made)

Which looks like Joanna of Dividing Moments! You have until Saturday evening at 11:59 pm PST to contact me with your mailing information for me to send you the book, otherwise I select a new winner!

To those who didn’t win, don’t feel discouraged!  You can purchase the same exact book here.  The Style Me Vintage series also has a book focusing on make-up, and another on clothing, but they bundled all three (hair, make-up and clothing) into one book! So if that sounds more appealing you can buy that book!

Thank you once again to all who entered! And be on the lookout for another giveaway!

Anatomy of a Vanity

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When I wrote my review of Red Apple Lipstick, I got a comment or two on how some were distracted (I assume in a good way!) by what was going on in the background, so I figured it may be a good time to share a few pictures of my beloved vanity.

Hope you enjoyed!

Simply Vintage

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Just a few weeks ago, Portland was blessed with a new vintage store, Simply Vintage Boutique.  The gal slinging out the vintage? Some of you may already know her! She’s Sarah of the Etsy shop Stutterin’ Mama!

Sarah’s shop is a vintage lover’s dream come true.  Lush and elegant vintage garments hang from plush satin hangers on buttery yellow walls and nearly every piece in her shop could be the prized dress in any retrophile’s closet.  Sarah has carefully hand selected each and every item in her shop.  There are many beautiful dresses as well as a wonderful range of separates.   Another thing that is wonderful about Sarah’s inventory? A lot of really wearable sizes.  People often complain about vintage being tiny, but at Simply Vintage, that’s not the case.  I found plenty of gorgeous items that were too large for me, which, while a bummer on my part, I knew some other gals were going to be thrilled because finding “plus size” vintage is always a little tougher.

Sarah also stocks menswear too! So there’s something for your man as well.  Simply Vintage is strictly for the hard-core vintage lover or even collector – Sarah has some stellar, very high-end items.  Lovers of the 1940s and 1950s will be in pure heaven here, because true vintage is all she stocks. Her inventory extends only into the 1960s, which is like a giant sigh of relief.  It does get tiresome to go to a “vintage” shop, only to have to sift through rack of 80s.

You can visit Simply Vintage at 3640 SE Belmont St. Mondays and Wednesdays through Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm.  “Like” her page on Facebook or learn more on Yelp.

Style Me Giveaway! **CLOSED**

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Hey Hiddy Hey! It’s time for a giveaway!  Today I’m offering up the swell Style Me Vintage: Hair book by Belinda Hay, which is part of the wonderful Style Me Vintage series!

I have used this book to great success (the Poodle being my favorite! I would never have known if it weren’t for this book!) and highly recommend it. It includes wonderful step-by-step instructions and images to get you looking like a movie star from the golden age of Hollywood.  The book will get you used to terms, phrases and tools for styling your hair.  It’s a great launching pad for understanding how hair works and will give you the confidence to go forward with other styles you’ve seen and maybe some of your own invention as well!

What I love about this book is that most of the styles include instructions for doing your own hair.  This is something I struggled with Vintage Hairstyling, which is still a swell book, but more if you wish to learn how to do hair on other gals.

The Styles

-Finger Waves & Pin Curls
-Forties Wave (The Peek-a-Book)
-Victory Rolls
-The Poodle
-Fringe Roll aka Bumper Bangs
-Fifties Set (The Marilyn)
-Quiffs (The Pompadour)
-Beehives – The Joan and the Bridgitte
-Bouffant (The Jackie O.)
-Barbarella

The Rules

1. “Like” Atomic Redhead on Facebook or follow me on Twitter, whichever your preference is.
2. Comment below with which style you would look forward to learning the most.
3. You are allowed to enter only once.
4. Cross your fingers!

The giveaway ends Wednesday evening at 11:59 pm PST.  The winner will be selected using Random.org and announced Thursday!  The winner then has three days to send me their mailing information for me to send them the book.  Failure to do so means I select a new winner.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the author or publisher of this book. I have not been approached in any way to do this giveaway. It is of my own choice.

Real Fashionable Ladies

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One of the main reasons I think many of us are drawn to old photographs is the fashion.  While old movies and patterns are great insight into periods of interest, photos are the perfect looking glass because they reflect real people in real clothes.  So here is a sampling (with more to come!) of some of the fashionable ladies I have collected…

I adore this woman in her pantsuit! It’s pretty crazy fantastic!

I hope you enjoyed!