Tag Archives: vintage events

Fur & Feathers

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This afternoon I joined some of the most marvelous fellow vintage gals in the Pacific Northwest for the annual Fur & Feathers Luncheon as hosted by Julie of FabGabs Vintage.  (You can view last year’s event here!) So get ready to see some amazing fur and feathered concoctions on some even more amazing ladies in loads of pictures!

I know, you’re probably tired of seeing Algernon, especially if you’ve been participating in the rather heated fur debate on his debut entry. (Please visit the entry to read my views regarding fur). But it was the first time I was able to take both him and his brother Earnest on a little outing.

Everyone giggled and chatted as we took up a whole corner of the dark restaurant and several people even took our pictures. But who can blame them? We looked marvelous…just look for yourselves!

Solanah of Vixen Vintage looked stunning with the most darling hat and brown mesh (yeah, I know, crazy, right?) dress!

I wasn’t the only gal who brought along a little fox buddy. Fellow blogger Sara of Lilies & Remains brought along her fox, named Tod!

Also I finally got to meet Sarah of Stutterin’ Mama’s! Who had the most delightful hat!

And I nearly died when I saw the skirt that Jennifer of Jumblelaya was wearing!

It was a fantastic afternoon, and our fur actually got a very positive reception.  Multiple people commented on how lovely we all looked and praised us for our no-fear attitude. Although one gal did say she loved our “costumes” … *sigh*

Outfit
Algernon the Fox Stole: Antique Alley, Portland
Earnest the Fox Muff: Anniversary present from Patrick (but I know he bought it on Ebay)
Hat: Expo
Helen of California Suit: Brownsville Antique Show
Stockings: Oh, who the hell knows!
Shoes: Remix by way of Ebay
Nail Color: Skyfall, part of the OPI James Bond Collection

The Ladies of Frank Sinatra

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Last night AlexSandra of AlexSandra’s Vintage Emporium and Union Made Bride hosted a fabulous fashion show themed to the Ladies of Frank Sinatra at Tony Starlight’s Supper Club.

While there were quite the shenanigans behind the curtain, we all looked lovely and proper on-stage…

AlexSandra “cast” each of us as one of the many ladies of Frank Sinatra’s life…from Bobby Soxer fans to Ava Gardner to Nancy Senior and Junior to Lauren Bacall to Mia Farrow.  I was in love with so many of the garments all of the gals were wearing, especially the silvery gown Pearl wore, as seen in the upper right corner.  By far my favorite bit of the evening was the wiglet that two of our models wore, visible in lower left and upper right…which was actually a Build-a-Bear wig that Kristen styled! Amazing! I think I’ll make an attempt at it myself in the near future, and offer it up as a tutorial.

Meanwhile, Expo is tomorrow! I am quite excited! You’ll be sure to see all of my finds after the weekend! Have a lovely weekend!

1938 Picnic

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Today I traveled with Angelica to Vancouver to join in a little 1938 themed picnic with some of our fellow vintage loving friends.  We sat in the shade of the trees surrounding the army barracks of Fort Vancouver and giggled over the jitterbuggin’ slang book Jessie and Julie of Fab Gabs brought, and drooled over the 1937 catalog that Rhiannon of Garb-Oh Vintage brought along as we noshed on our lunch and maybe drank a little hooch, courtesy of AlexSandra!

Rhiannon brought along her spiderweb purse that she just recently finished crocheting herself from a 1938 pattern! Isn’t it fantastic? She then added a perfect little Bakelite spider brooch.

Solanah of Vixen Vintage made her darling dress, with even a bow on her hat to match!  You can’t go wrong with red, white and blue!

I also had the pleasure of meeting new company, including the very talented Anna of Anna in Technicolor.  Her blog is full of her glorious sewing projects, including some superb 1800s garments!

Of course everyone was wondering what themed event would be next…maybe pumpkin picking in our farmer’s daughter best, or suits for an afternoon of shopping followed by drinks.  You’ll just have to wait and see!

Outfit
Dress: Gift from Alicia
Hair Flowers: Fabric Depot
Charm Bracelet: Alicia’s case at Antique Alley
Shoes: Chinese Laundry, TJ Maxx or Marshal’s…who knows…
Peacock Parasol: …er…maybe The Clothes Horse, Eugene…

Gingham Gals

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Themed parties are the best parties, don’t you think? Me too.  Which is why I was thrilled when Rhiannon of Garb-Oh Vintage hosted another themed party (you may remember the floral party not too long ago).  This party’s theme? Gingham!  Shockingly enough, I only own two gingham dresses, neither of which I was too proud of…so I spent the weeks leading up to the party in search of the perfect party dress, but to no avail.  My rantings of course were reiterated on Facebook, and my friend Angelica came to my rescue offering up a fantastic gingham print dress for me to borrow!

Isn’t it fantastic!? It’s like gingham zebra stripes!  I told Angelica to keep me in mind if she were to ever think of getting rid of it, since I really did fall in love.

We all had a lovely time chatting about vintage shops, time travel, and how we handle non-vintage oriented parties.  And we all giggled when we realized that everyone arrived in either black or red gingham.

Rhiannon’s dress I think really took the cake.  It was a stunning 1930s number with elegant, almost vest-like detailing.

Many guests had adorable accessories to their gingham dresses.  Cassandra of Dear John Vintage wore an adorable wood and Lucite kitty brooch, and Jennifer of Jumblelaya wore a darling necklace of apples.

I was also pleased to spend company with Teresa who I did many of AlexSandra’s fashion shows with, the ever lovely Solanah of Vixen Vintage, Sandi of Lorrel Mae’s Vintage (that’s all her bakelite there) and Christine of Living Threads.

Outfit
Hat: Estate Sale
Dress: Borrowed from Angelica
Fruit Basket Earrings: Gift from Alicia
Bakelite Bangles: Christmas presents from my dad a few years back
Purse: Flea market
Shoes: Thrifted

Patio Pretties

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It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the “squaw” (also known as “patio” or “fiesta”) dresses and sets or western or Mexican themed items in general.  (The fact of the matter is I dream of having a room dedicated to black velvet matador paintings, taxidermied jackalopes and Zorro memorabilia)  Popular in the 1950s, these dresses or two piece top and skirt sets were reminiscent of the wild west and dazzling golden age of old Spanish California.  A recent conversation in the wake of the floral print party, my friend Angelica and I discussed having a party where each person would wear one of these patio ensembles, and so we did, leaving Casa Del Matador in, as Angelica put it, “a haze of rickrack”.

I had a very lovely and relaxing evening with Angelica, her friend Candice (who made her dress, I might add!) and her husband, as well as Teresa (with whom I did many of AlexSandra’s fashion shows with) and Jennifer of Jumblelaya.  It was simply fantastic seeing the various takes on the “squaw” outfit, and no two were alike.  We talked about movies, art, travel and of course vintage, all while sipping away at margaritas.

Outfit
Dress: Fashion by Robert Black, Scottsdale, Arizona
Belt: Bohemian Vintage, Portland, Oregon
Hair Flower: Fabric Depot
Silver Bell Earrings: Private Sale
Bull & Matador Scatter Pin Set: AlexSandra’s Vintage Emporium
Mariachi Band Charm Bracelet: Gift from my dad
Tooled Leather Purse: Expo
Shoes: Thrifted

Floral Fun

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Yesterday I joined many other of my well dressed vintage friends for an afternoon Garden Party filled with treats and sangria at the lovely home of Garb-Oh Vintage owner Rhiannon.

Prior to my ride over to Rhiannon’s, I took some pictures of my full ensemble.

This late 1950s or early 1960s number is another from my dear friend Alicia.  I feel so honored that she passes along her past treasures to me.  I simply adore the composition of this dress with the large bouquet burst in the bodice and cascading flowers throughout the skirt.

It was a lovely afternoon, despite the scattered showers. Oh, Oregon…

Also in attendance (although I failed to capture their beautiful dresses) were Lulu of Portland’s shop, Lulu’s Vintage and Jennifer of Jambalaya Vintage.  Rhiannon was a gracious host and let us dig through her as-is pile, and many of us took home multiple garments.  Hannah was lucky enough to score some 1940s shoes! In white! I brought home some blouses.  And I even received a present from Solanah! She gave me her Grand Canyon blouse! Since it was embroidered with what appeared to be jackalopes and I simply adore jackalopes. I am so very honored!

Outfit
Dress: Gift from Alicia
Hat: Urban Eccentric, Vancouver, Washington
Necklace: Was my mother’s
Bracelet: I am pretty sure Forever 21, circa 2005
Ring: The Clothes Horse, Eugene, Oregon
Vintage Stockings: ???
Shoes: Aerosoles via Buffalo Exchange

Titanic – 100 Years Later

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Unless you live under a rock, you’re aware that today marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  I’ve been interested in the Titanic prior to the 1997 film, and it is this interest that spurred my desire to attend Solanah’s tea commemorating the sinking.  Earlier I blogged about the dress I was making for the event.  Well, I can now proudly present it!

Dressed to the nines, we all met at the Grant House along Officer’s Row in Fort Vancouver area for a lovely sit-down tea and gossip of course.  We had the whole house and grounds to ourselves and we were able to explore, and, of course, take pictures…

I hitched a ride with Rhiannon, of Garb-Oh Vintage, who dressed up as an Edwardian child in this adorable sailor inspired outfit.

Julie of Fab Gabs attended in an amazing dress she actually picked up from Rhiannon!

The lovely Margorie of Reviving Vintage, who I met at Expo, also attended with her friend who is into the regency scene.  There is an event planned for June at the Pittock Mansion that Solanah and I may get together and sew some outfits for the event.

After the tea we had a lovely stroll around Officer’s Row, enjoying the sun.  I had such a wonderful time, and was so pleased to meet other like-minded people, and of course play dress up.  It isn’t often we get to dress in fashions pre-1920…