Feb 9
2011
My Life Wish List

During my lifetime I have crafted a mental list of items that I must obtain at some time or another. They are all very feminine things that I feel my life would just be incomplete without.

These items float in and out of my mind, especially when I’m antiquing or vintage shopping, and I’m finally putting them into a concrete list.

I’m sure this list will grow, and some items I actually already own, but making this list now will help push me to complete this goal and maybe even inspire you to make your own.

Folding Screen

I dream of getting dressed behind one while a man lingers on the other side. I’ll hang my beautiful gown and underthings over it (read below). It will be wooden and have an intricate design laced across the front.

Vanity

I will sit on the vanity stool brushing out my pin curls, and then apply my bright red lipstick. Last summer my wonderful boyfriend Mike Thibault surprised me by purchasing a vintage vanity on his way home from Swing Out New Hampshire. It needs a little bit of work to securely attach the mirror, but it is gorgeous. I also need to find a little wooden stool for it. Here is my friend Laurel testing it out at the store:

Silk Robe

This will be for lazy summer mornings or evenings. It fits loosely with a tie belt and the hem hits mid-thigh. The pattern is floral, probably with a lot of red.

Vintage slip

I found this on Etsy two summers ago. It’s a pale yellow and perfect for summer nights. I used it to dress as damsel in distress Fay Wray in our 2009 Lindy Compound Christmas Card.

Birdcage Hat

I’m thinking a black pillbox hat with a short birdcage net. I’ll wear it with a perfectly form fitting little black dress, black pumps and clutch, and seamed stockings.

Emerald Green Gown

I will descend a grand staircase and drink lots of champagne while wearing this gorgeous gown. I’m almost positive that a replica of the dress Keira Knightly wore in the movie Atonement will do the trick. I’ve found people offering this on Etsy for $250-$300. Now I just need an occasion.


My only rule is that I will not purchase the item unless it is exactly what I have been dreaming about. No compromises here.

Hmm… anybody else getting an urge to go thrifting?

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Feb 8
2011
Essential Item: Party Shirts

A few weeks ago I went shopping with one mission in mind: obtain party shirts. I brought three accomplices along with me and after several hours in the mall we walked out with some new clothes and a strong desire to go clubbing.

I realized the need for party shirts when I attended Swing and Soul in December, a dance event focused on dancing to soul music. Many of my lady friends were rocking out in their party shirts and I was in my usual swing dance attire, feeling like I missed the memo.

Sure, I have t-shirts, tank tops, blouses, and even fancy tops, but nothing appropriate for the rare night I might want to hit the town and dance to Justin Timberlake.

Before leaving on our mission, we decided it was important to define the term “party shirt.” After discussing, we decided that a party shirt can be any or all of the following:

  • Flowy
  • Skimpy
  • Low-cut
  • Black or rich in color (think jewel tones, not pastels).
  • Sequined
  • Jeweled
  • Ruffled
  • Look good with dark-wash jeans (the ultimate party shirt pairing).
  • Make you look good when you hold your arms above your head and shake your hips.
  • NOT strapless. I will continue to defend the fact that I cannot party in a strapless top.

Some examples found on Express.com:

I deem party shirts as an essential part of any girl’s wardrobe. Even if you never go clubbing, these work well tucked into high-waisted pants, or paired with a cardigan. Now go forth, don your party shirt proudly, and dance like everyone is watching.

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Feb 7
2011
Hair Flower Tutorials

It’s Floweruary, and I’ve been pretty good so far, wearing a hair flower each day so far this month except for yesterday. I’m confident I can stick it out and continue to put in enough effort to look cute enough to post a picture of myself every day.
What helped me a lot with this mission was making my own flowers, along with some of my girly friends.
It’s affordable, fun, and easy. We even taught a boy how to make one.
Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it. Starting with supplies, then linking to the tutorials we used, and finally telling you what the tutorials left out.

Supplies

  • Lightweight, silky fabric
  • Hot glue gun
  • Spools of wired ribbon
  • Needle and thread
  • Beads/buttons for centers
  • Scissors
  • Tea lights
  • Bobby pins, alligator clips, or other barrettes.
  • Felt or other sturdy fabric to attach flower to hair accessory.

Tutorials

We used this tutorial to make the large ribbon flowers, and this tutorial to make the layered silky ones. Some of the smaller flowers we purchased and glued to bobby pins.

Tips

  • For the large flowers, I used four yards of ribbon for the yellow and purple ones, and two yards for the plaid.
  • I cut the spool of ribbon into four sections so that it was easier to work with. Be sure to burn the edges of the ribbon so it doesn’t fray.
  • When pulling out the wire, be sure to pull from each end of the ribbon so that you don’t accidentally pull the wire inside of the ribbon and can’t get it back out.  Also, tie a little bit of wire around each end when you are done scrunching so that it doesn’t go inside the ribbon while you are making the flower.
  • After creating the center of the flower, the tutorial says to “start wrapping the ribbon around,” but that won’t work. You have to continue making folds as you wrap to make it look interesting. It doesn’t have to be a consistent pattern, but keep the end result in mind.
  • For the silky flowers, be careful when burning the edges. You can easily end up with burn marks on the fabric or a completely shriveled or flower by placing it too close to the flame. It’s surprising how far back you can hold it and still burn up the edges slightly.
  • For the centers of the flowers we used a couple of very small beads, vintage buttons, or simply colored thread. Red thread makes a good center on a white flower or yellow thread on a darker flower.

That’s my advice! It took me about an hour to make a large flower and maybe 30 minutes to make a smaller silk one. I’m excited to hear how other ladies are crafting for Floweruary!

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