Costumes For Halloween

Some historical drawings from the NY Public Library. The Magpie dress is so darling, I'd love to make a copy of it, but in a wearable daytime version.

Outfit Post - Jeans That Finally Fit!

I bought these jeans from Forever 21 like forever ago and I could barely get them on. Why would I buy something too small? They've been sitting at the end of my closet making me mad for over a year now. I tried them on this morning and they did up without complaint! Unfortunately my mum brought over a box of doughnuts and 10:30 last night. nice. I bought this collar chain on ebay for $4. My boots are Fluevogs, from the Fellowship line. Their website has some super cute shoes on sale right now.
 

Outfit Post - Another Polka Dot Skirt

How many polka dot skirts does one need? I have so many jammed in two closets I am unable to count. This skirt is just a cheap stretch cotton job by JKLA, but it is nice and cool. My shirt ties with a big bow at the neck and is from the Limited. My favourite sweater ever, is from Forever 21. I have a polka dot bow in my hair that my boss sure noticed, I don't know wether it was good or bad.  I felt a little like Lydia at the end of Beetlejuice when she is leaving her school. I know she has a plaid skirt on, but still.

Conneaut, Ohio Graveyard

On my trip to Ohio, I had originally wanted to go to Champ Chase Confederate Cemetery in Columbus , but ran out of time. Instead I stumbled upon a Cemetery in Conneaut, located conveniently enough next to the Dairy Queen (they had mint dilly bars!) . It seemed pretty well tended, but they had some anomalies I've never seen before:

Broken stones piled together & one upside down! The upside down one worried me a bit. I'm sure Mary would not approve!

Some lovely, thoughtful graves.

 

Revolutionary soldier and a super nice font.

There were several that looked like they hadn't always been flat, and now were being eaten by grass. The one on the right was so lovely, it could have been made by Tiffany.

DDay Ohio!

I just got back from my trip to Conneaut Ohio. Words cannot describe the fun & food I had there. For a history lover like myself, living entirely in the 1940's for 3 days was heaven. Also, being around people whose dedication and attention to detail rivals my own was amazing. Some highlights: riding in a motorcycle side car, getting hit on by a Nazi (although that was more of a nightmare), eating in a mess tent, meeting wonderful people, toting around my M1 carbine out in the open, swing dancing with a 87 year old WW2 vet & seeing a great lake for the first time. It was strange/scary seeing people dressed as Nazis, but you get used to it when you talk to them. Without them, there could be no battle. The men of the 29th division, 115th regiment, C company were the absolute best, though. Next year I'll be dressed as a boy and storm the beaches with them!

Looking over the battle site.

Reading in my tent.

Visiting the Canadians.

Eli & I in camp.

 The French Resistance! They were so nice!

 A German general. I was scared to talk to him, but he was super sweet.

 Ready for grim business before the battle.

 A German guard, he would not let me go!

 In front of the Allied Headquarters.

 A German and I with stick grenades.

 Dancing at the USO. It was like 90 degrees and 100% humidity there.

Various weapons.

Revolutionary war soldier's graves. A first for me.

Off To D Day Ohio!

I am off to Ohio tomorrow! For some reason, when people have asked where I am going on vacation, and I answer Ohio, they look at me like I must have had a recent concussion. But to Ohio I am going - to a reenactment of D Day on the shores of Lake Erie. I've got all my vintage 40's dresses ready, been practising my hair styling and taking swing dancing lessons. Unfortunately, it is like 98 degrees there, so I am taking my parasol!

By The Way:
Have you seen the Disney Dream Portraits? Check out this one of Gus, Ezra & Phineas, the three hitchhiking ghosts from the Haunted Mansion. It's Jack Black, Will Ferrel & Jason Segal. It's awesome!

King Vintage Museum

If you love vintage clothing and are in the mid-California area, the King Vintage Museum in Oakhurst is a decent enough place to visit. They have some lovely vintage clothing that is decently displayed. What will make you visit less than pleasurable are the ladies who work/volunteer there. Overenthusiastic,  less than knowledgeable and unable to take a hint that you might already know what they are talking about and just want to be left alone. My step-mum saw how frustrated I was getting with this woman glommed to my side, she called her over and asked her inane questions the entire time. The women reminded me of quilters-of-a-certain-age in Joanns who push in front of you or give you unwanted "help" when you can sew circles around them.

Outfit Post - Striped Skirt

My skirt is from one of those factory shops in LA's garment district. Its just ok, I should make a better one. My shirt is from Forever 21, as well as my cardigan. I hope Forever 21 gets some normal clothes again, ethnic prints, high-low hemlines and cropped shirts are just so dreary. My necklace has my childhood cat's whisker in it, which I cast in resin. It makes me very happy wearing this, Chickie Baby's always with me!
 

Funeral Hearse

I went to the funeral of a firefighter at The Victory Memorial Park in White Rock. I did not know this person, but went with my mum to keep her company. I felt a bit creepy going, like Harold & Maude, because I really wanted to see a funeral with pomp & ceremony. My mum said he had a perverse sense of humor and wouldn't be offended at all... so I went & ogled. There were cops & firefighters lining the driveway, which was something I have never seen before. BUT, what was really interesting was the Victorian hearse in the back hall. It was made in Ontario in the 1870's and beautifully restored. My mum and I tried to be discreet taking photos, but someone always kept coming around the corner! If only I had worn my 1880's mourning gown!

Outfit Post - Polka Dot Skirt & Luckenbooth

Ceud mìle fàilte! My lace shirt is from Old Navy, but I bought it at a thrift store for $1. It was a size XXL, but I brought it in a made it fit. I made my skirt, copying my Rue 21 one. I made it from a plus size caftan,  also bought for $1. It is silk, so it was worth the effort. I am also wearing my silver luckenbooth pendant from the Bellingham highland games in June. I bought a little thistle there too. Feasgar math!



Outfit Post - Skull Blouse

My new ASOS skull blouse arrived yesterday. I was so excited and now, I'm not. It fits fine everywhere, expect it just happens to be 3 inches too small in the chest! Ugh, another blouse I have to wear a camisole underneath. I'd like to wear a tie with this one, but since I can't do it up to the neck I am out of luck. My skirt is from when Isaac Mizrahi was at Target and my buckle shoes are from Ross.

my view at work today

Olympics & Too Much Colour!

I've been watching a lot of Olympics coverage late into the night. It's been making me think about when I got to go to the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, especially watching the opening ceremony. Unlike most people who entered the lottery for tickets, I actually got some, like to 15 events! Some conflicted with others, so I sold them and ended up going to all my events for free! Months before the game I started making things to wear, namely jackets for my mum and I. Mine is vintage 60's from a thrift store in Oxnard and hers I bought at the Goodwill for $1. I sequined felt for the maple leafs and Canada on the backs, and made a hood for my coat out of the cut out pockets from my mum's coat. I also made the scarves and my purse, the other side says "eh?". For the first week I wore red & white ribbons in my doc martens, then Ronson's came out with these Olympic rain boots. I think it was the most colour I've ever worn in my life, even as a child, but it was so much fun, I'm glad I experienced as many things as possible.

                                      outside the speed skating oval                                                         ready to watch the closing ceremonies at BC Place

our backs, outside of the hockey arena and in front of the flame

Outfit Post - Bows!

For Sophistique Noir's bow theme for August, I chose this outfit. The sweater is from Forever 21 and my decklace is from Target, when Dominique Cohen had a collection there. My skirt has a bow at the back too.