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!
Up to this point, the bullet bras I have reviewed have been more of the 1950s and 60s nature. But now there is a bra for the 40s lover… Today on The Bullet Bra Revue we have What Katie Did‘s CC09 1940s Satin Bra.
What Katie Did has slightly modified an original World War II era bra pattern to accommodate for modern cup sizes, as well as the comfort we modern gals have come to expect from our bras.
The CC09 has a soft curve, and is obviously less bullet-y, yet not as “globe” or “melon” like as modern bras. This bra still creates the lift needed to meet the darts of vintage garments.
One thing that I noticed with this bra in contrast to the Mairtresse and Padded Bullet was the band fit. The CC09 bra lacks the small bit of elastic between the cups that add a tiny bit of extra stretch to the bra. A tiny bit that I felt I actually needed for a certain comfort level, so I put a bra hook & eye extender at the end of the bra, giving me the less than half inch I needed for a more comfortable fit.
The CC09 bra is $50.00, available only in “Peach”, made in India and of polyester with matching adjustable polyester straps (so no stretch) and elastic near the hook and eyes.
More Bullet Bra Revues
The Maitresse by What Katie Did
The Padded Bullet Bra by What Katie Did
The Fully Support Bra by Exquisite Form
Okay, so this isn’t really a must have for all vintage-loving gals. But it is for those who love the 1940s. Today’s vintage must have is a snood…
Snoods have a history dating back to the Renaissance, had a revival in the mid 1800s, and came back into vogue during the 1940s due to World War II for rather practical reasons. Women entered the war effort in full force by working in factories, which required them to keep their hair out of the way and snoods were the answer. But soon snoods found their way into everyday fashion during the 1940s and early 1950s.
One of my favorite bloggers really knows how to rock a snood, please check her and her equally fashionable husband on their blog Lost in the 50s.
Most snoods are simple and of this crochet design I am wearing. However there are loads of patterns to make beautiful, stylish and complex snoods to go with your outfits, such as this pattern available on Etsy. So if you know who to wield a crochet needle, you can make some yourself! There were also fabric snoods as well. As snoods became more of a fashion accessory as opposed to a working girl’s staple, many milliners began to incorporate snoods of either the netting kind or fabric kind into their hats.
Snoods can be worn with various hairstyles in the front; pompadours, victory rolls, and look great when paired with a hair flower too!
I buy most of my snoods from April’s Bag. She makes wonderful snoods and sells them at really reasonable prices. Arthelia’s Attic is another stellar Etsy seller dealing in snoods, including the beautiful deluxe snoods.
Outfit
Snood: April’s Bag
Sweetheart Necklace: Gift
Sweetheart Charm Bracelet: Pieced together from various shops
Earrings: Expo
Sweater: Bombshell Vintage, Portland
Skirt: Buffalo Exchange, Portland
Vintage Stockings: …who knows…
Shoes: TJ Maxx…I think
The other day I went out with my friend Sarah, who is a stellar hot rod photographer, in addition to working at Antique Alley. We both had some clothes to sell and we stopped in at Buffalo Exchange and Red Light, which have an abundant amount of Halloween costumes out. Most vintage gals know that Halloween is the best time. Many stores hoard loads of vintage as well as other “odd ball” garments to put out for Halloween…and it is on a Halloween rack that I found this…
Yes, it’s a romper, but it has an American Red Cross Military Welfare patch on the left sleeve, as well as ARC buttons. The inside only has a small size label of a size 12. That size, combined with the fact that the garment has shoulder pads as well as the construction leads me to believe that it is from WWII.
The thing is, I can’t seem to find a single darn thing about an ARC romper on the internet, even on the ever thorough Blitzkrieg Baby site! I’ve tried “playsuit”, “gym uniform”, “exercise”, and “physical fitness uniform” as well, since participating in physical activity is the only time I can imagine this sort of outfit being worn, due to how casual it is. I do know that the ARC Clubmobile branch wore trousers, however this bares a “Military Welfare Service” patch.
Updated October 23, 2012. I joined the forum at Blitzkrieg Baby where I posted images of the playsuit and Katy answered my question! “This is an ARC playsuit which was introduced during the summer of 1944 and issued to all domestic and oversea recreation workers clearing for tropic regions. Other recreation workers could purchase it at own expense (if considered necessary by the field director in charge of their activities). The playsuit also included a skirt which was buttoned down the front.”
Image Courtesy of Katy of Blitzkrieg Baby, who received the image from authentic ARC material, compiled by Shirley Powers, ARC Volunteer-Historian.
As many of you speculated, it did come with a skirt! So now I either have to either track down a skirt or make one! I’d still love to see a photograph of an ARC gal wearing one! That would be nifty!
Not sure how you spent your weekend, but I spent mine shopping with my pop. There were two antique shows back to back down south, combined with visits to various thrift stores. Plus, putting the finished touches on the 1960s rickshaw we purchased awhile back and seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark on the really big IMAX screen!
While neither show had much with regards to clothes, I still scored quite a few items. Saturday brought Antiques in the Streets in downtown Albany, and later that day my dad and I brought some fresh items (including the rickshaw! So if you’re interested, you must visit Retro Rejuvenation) into our space at my friend Lyndsie’s shop, Retro Rejuvenation, in the tiny town of Coburg in preparation for the Coburg Antique Fair on Sunday.
Retro Rejuvenation was hoppin’ all throughout Sunday, and Lyndsie had recently got a huge consignment of Bauer ware that drew many people into the shop. Now I rarely talk about items I didn’t buy…but this is too cool not to talk about… I found a perfume spray vending machine…yes, you read right, a perfume spray vending machine. You put in your dime under the cologne of your choice, then, holding your wrist or neck close to the spray nozzle push in upon the plunger to receive the spritz. It was a little rough, but tempting at $65. I ultimately passed, and instead dished out big bucks on a sweetheart bracelet.
In terms of purchases, I picked up this fabulous south of the border themed table runner, along with two Disney magazines featuring Zorro on the cover, and the Zorro plate and bowl that go with the Zorro cup I purchased awhile back at Antique Alley! So now I have the complete set! I also bought this great salmon colored bangle from Lyndsie.
More scores included two Starburst bowls – one berry and one cereal, the previously mentioned sweetheart bracelet and an Egyptian revival brooch.
I also picked up two fabulous 1940s hats! I’ve been craving one of these ladies fedoras for sometime, but never came across one that worked out, until I found this beauty. Then I also got this glorious black velvet number.
And last, but certainly not least, I bought this amazing 1950s desk! The Ikea creation we had when we first moved was planned to be temporary until we found something more suited to our mid-century needs. But finding old desks is quite difficult if you are in the market for something that isn’t a roll-top.
I also picked up the final pieces for my Halloween costume…which I am planning on getting done before the end of the month. I still have so much embroidery to do! I hope you had a lovely weekend!
Yesterday was my birthday, and how did I spend my birthday this year? Patrick took me out for a day of shopping, all on his dollar! For the first time in years, the weather was sunny and warm for my birthday, and I was able to wear a few things I’ve been dying to wear, including this stunning shawl…
In the late afternoon we went to the Twilight Rummage Sale, where I picked up a late 40s/early 50s cocktail dress, a 40s blazer, a ’49′er knock-off, and a fantastic lucite deco picture frame. Once the sale was over, myself and several friends who worked the sale met at Por Que No for margaritas. It was an evening that almost felt like summer…Mexican music, margaritas, a pleasant evening breeze, and good chatter that made the evening fly by.
As for gifts, I just have to share a few highlights…
The beginnings of a WWII sweetheart charm bracelet…
A pink tinted lucite sweetheart necklace…
And, the best for last, a necklace comprised of Bakelite ORANGES!! Oranges are my favorite fruit, and my passion for California adds to my desire to have orange themed bits of jewelry.
Outfit
Hat: Thrifted
Earrings (sterling silver bells that really ring!): Private sale
Necklace & Shoes: The Clothes Horse, Eugene
Shawl: Gift
Blouse: Err…don’t remember. Most likely thrifted or from Buffalo Exchange.
Belt, Thrifted
Skirt: Red Light, Portland
Purse: Bohemian Vintage, Portland
Bangle: Oh, who knows?
Yesterday brought the spring antique expo here in Portland, and I was delighted to attend. For those of you who follow my Twitter and Facebook pages, you may have noticed that I posted that father-in-law passed away. We have been very busy with all of the necessary arrangements, and needless to say, it has been difficult, so going for a full day of shopping with my father was a nice escape.
For the most part, it was a kind of flimsy show. I have such a wide array of interests and I collect a broad range of things, so often I come home with loads of random treasures. This year I saw many things I wanted to take home that my pocket book wouldn’t allow, and instead came home with just jewelry. And purely western/Mexican and WWII sweetheart jewelry at that…
My favorite piece has to be this eagle with photo slip dangle. I immediately came home and printed off a picture of my grandfather (my dad’s dad) to slip inside it.
I also picked up not one, but two of these fabulous plastic little military buddies…I know the sailor boy is missing an arm, I just think of him as a receiver of the Purple Heart. I also picked up this clear Lucite eagle and a small silver “V” pin.
With respects to the western/Mexican jewelry, I purchased two more charms for the western-themed charm bracelet that my dad created me for Christmas, a saddle and a pair of chaps. I also picked up two plastic pins, a man riding a donkey and carrying a jug, and a palm tree, which while two separate pieces, I thought they would make a nice, almost scatter pin-like scene.
I also had the pleasure of bumping into Solanah of Vintage Vixen, and her friend Marjorie Mink who recently started blogged with Reviving Vintage. We chit-chatted for awhile, sharing our treasures, and discussing the upcoming Titanic Tea that Solanah is hosting next month.
I hope the weekend is treating you all lovely!
