Darling 1940's Felt Hat

A stylish 100% wool 1940's hat. This hat will not only be a classic addition to your wardrobe but also a practical one! Size sm with a wire in the rim so you can style it any way you want! Made by Lee Bury of Dallas company for there Miss Eileen collection.

I just love the photos from this shooting session. Models by my dear sister, I think the poses really make her look like a 40's movie star! Only the pale blue shirt (hey look it's Emma Peal!) jars the image. We should have probably dressed her up in a grey flannel dress suit to match.... but I'm sure she would have draw the line at that .... there is only so much one can get their siblings to do for money. 

If your a 1940's fashion wanabe or just someone with refined tastes this is a great buy for you! Check out our Etsy listing: Lovely Felt Grey Wool 40's styled Hat

Oriental Fusion Fashion

For my senior prom the theme was oriental, I had initially planed on wearing one of the Chinese dresses that my dad got for me when he went there for business. But after some consideration I realized that it would be nearly impossible to dance in. I was certian that I would have to make something or not dress acording to theme (but that's no fun!) After doing some research on oriental clothing I came up with an idea how to renovate a modern formal dress into a hanbok/kimono cross. I had obtained an old bridesmaid dress from a friend of the family with the intention of remodeling it into a Victorian ball gown (which was later determined impractical because of the low back). I used this for the skirt. I modified a pattern I found at a fabric store for the kimono jacket (or if you prefer to be correct in your terms it would be a gi, but kimono jacket sound so much more elegant) and picked out some pretty oriental fabric for the obi (a.k.a. the sash) all tied up with the gold cord.

Oriental Fusion Formal Dress

Literary Heroine Blog Party - 2012

I decided that it might be a fun way to relax (since I don't have any school today,yipee!) to take part in this blog party hosted by Miss Kellie

Introduce yourself!  Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

A little about me ~ I am a senior/freshman in high school/college homeschooler! (wow that kinda  got away from me) to further explain I am a highschooler who is now taking a my first year of college a year early. I am majoring in animal science and hope to eventually go on to Vet school. Besides my fondness of all living creatures, I am also a complete any-thing Jane Austen Nut, (not to mention, Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Anime Nut(oops! how did that get in there?)). Besides my somewhat bizarre likes, I am the happy middle child of a large Catholic Family ( ten kids, composed of seven boys and three girls) and enjoy spending much of my time with them! I am a stolid believer in the right to life, and the dignity of every person! Now that's over I can move on to the other questions.

What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? 

I can't exactly say, would I think be different for everyone. I suppose in essence it would be anyone who longs and fights for the truth. Not someone who is perfect but despite their faults peruses perfection. Someone who overcomes their fears and becomes better, and is willing to be saved

Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. 

Amy Dorrit

Jane Eyre

Ester Summerson

Five of your favorite historical novels?  

Jane Eyre

North and South

Bleak House

Little Dorrit

Wives and Daughters

Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why? 

Jane Eyre - My favorite character would be Jane. I love how she sees the world, though she has experience very little love or kindness, she still is a good person who does not resent the people who where unkind to her. 

North and South - My favorite character is Margret. I admire her strength, how she takes care of everyone around her, how she stands firm even in tragedy.

Bleak House - My favorite character is Esther. She is probably the kindest creature alive! Can't be matched in her humility or gratitude.

Little Dorrit - My favorite Character is Amy. She has such fortitude, and patience, she is always affectionate and caring. In her quite way she watches for out for all those who are dear to her.

Wives and Daughters -  I love little Molly, she such a lovely character, so believable. 

Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? 

Jane Eyre - Mr. Rochester, he adds an interesting element to the story, being almost the exact opposite of Jane. There conversations together are quite intriguing!

Bleak House - I just love the character Mr.Woodcort, though he is not much in the book, the point in which you do read about him, make him unforgettable!

North and South - Mr. Thorton is quite the interesting character, adding much to the story in way of intellect and an objective view of what it is like on the other side of the industrial revolution

Little Dorrit - Mr. Clements is quite the hero, I love his quite gentleness to everyone, especially to little dorrit.

Wive and Daughters - Roger the steady gentle Roger. Such a interesting character!

If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? 

My dream is to eventually travel to either the UK (including a round tour of England, Ireland and Scotland) or to go to Japan. For the UK trip I would visit all the places that my favorite Authors lived, and go to see the country side. In Japan I would probably mostly visit historical sites and learn more about their culture (which I find fascinating!)

What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 

Depending on the culture, for England I prefer the from Regency to early industrial revolution. For Japan I prefer the Baskumes to the Meiji era, but more Meiji.

I like the English culture mainly because of the books written in it history and though the culture is very interesting I suppose I have been getting a little tired of it. My newest fanaticism is the Japanese culture, which is quite different from the other oriental culture once you start learning more about it!

You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of? 

I would probably would recite a very dark or dramatic poem or selection, that or play a song on my violin.

If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? 

Probably Jane Eyre because I look very much like how that character was described. Plus I just love the costume of that time!

What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? 

Fine for an occasional treat, but not exactly my favorite.

Favorite author(s)? 

Elizabeth Gaskell, Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, Watsuki Nobuhiro, and some others that I can't think of right now.

Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land? 

My sister, a dictionary in that langue, painting supplies, a pack horse or two, swords, two wool cloaks, and walking staff.

In which century were most of the books you read written? 

Victorian mostly...

In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… 

Besides Kenshin (which might not be included as literature) not anyone I can think of off the top of my head.

Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

A place in deep in the mountains of some distant land, a delightfully ancient house filled with books, old papers, maps, and paintings. A stable is a must. 

Sum up your fashion style in five words. 

historical, old-fashioned, colorful, creative, and quaint. 

Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? 

Yes, in Mansfield park I wish the main character had any name except Fanny, such a horrid name!

In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... 

the villain in Bleak House, Mr. Tulkinghorn!

Three favorite Non-fiction books? 

How to grow Bonsai

Medrick Veterinarian Manuel

Diary of Anne Frank

Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? 

Horse back riding, painting or reading.

Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 

elegant sophisticated and NO HAT! If I must wear something over my head probably a long flowing veil.

Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. 

Probably starting college a year early, it has been interesting to say the lest, but not exactly as challenging as I thought it would be.

Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

My favorite is and probably not a original choice but it is one of my favorites:

For the plan He has for you are for your good, not evil, life not death, to give you a future and a hope.

~ Jeremiah 29:11

Fashion Challenge ~ Day Six - Fall Fashions 2011

Day six already?! Today's Challenge was to wear the fall fashions of 2011, and I chose to do a combination of two, western and plaid. As you may notice, I like strong colors. I heard a theory that people with dark hair prefer darker/bolder colors and people with lighter hair prefer lighter/paler colors. So which to think I am? Dark hair or light hair?

Plaid Shirt: Target

Pink shirt: Old Navy

Jean Skirt: Route 99

Cowboy boots: Thrifted

Fashion Challenge ~ Day Five - Poka-Dots!

             Good morning everyone! Today's challenge was to wear poka-dots, and seeing as I only have one outfit that has poka-dots there wasn't too many options to chose from.
             Have you ever been envious of the little girls clothes that you see in a store? Theirs is always so bright and playful! Manys the time when I've thought "Why can't they make nice clothes for older girls? We like bright colors too!" But no were stuck with the greys and blacks! So I decided to modify an old Easter Dress of mine and made into a very cute skirt, if I do say so myself!

Skirt: Modified from girl's Easter dress

Blouse: Thrifted

Sequined Sweater: Coles

Necklace: Target, dollar section

Shoes: Target

Fashion Challenge ~ Day Four - Vintage Favorites

Good morning everyone! Today's challenge is to wear an outfit from the past! I picked a time around the 1950's, and my dress is an actual vintage dress from the 1950's! So are the shoes and also the necklace!

 I feel like I just came from the 1950's, we see if it will effect how I talk, by golly!





 These pearls where my great-great grandmother's pearls, so I have absolutely no idea how old they are but I can guess that they are from somewhere in the 1950's.

A very interesting print, not one that you would see today! I still rather puzzled as to what it is a print of....

Still it works out to have a pretty nice effect on the dress!

I just love how these shoes look with this dress, even though they do hurt quite abit to wear! We'll see how long I last in them. I believe that are from the 1930's or somewhere around then, still they are pretty old! They knew how to make shoes back then, the shoes that I have, usually wear out within the month!

Shoes: Thrift store - Vintage 1930's

Dress: Thrift store- Vintage 1950's

Pearl: Great-Great Grandmother's pearls

Fashion Challenge ~ Day Three

Hi everyone! Today's challenge is Bold tights! Challenging certainly, but I manage to dig up some bright pink one. Completed by the dashing striped sweater, result - an outfit that will wake the dead!

Sweater: Gap

Tights: L.L.Bean

Jean Skirt: Casual Corner

Flats: Faded Glory

Can't wait to see what the rest of you are wearing today!

Fashion Challenge ~ Day Two

Day two already?! Today's challenge is color combination that don't usually go together. I did a combination of a navy shirt and a mint green cardigan crocheted with love from mum, its great to have parents who love you!

Cardigan: Handmade by mum!

Shirt: Wallmart

Jeans: Wrangler

Flats: Faded glory

Feather Broach: Thrift store

Fashion Challange ~ Day One

I'm a little late in the game but better late then never! So here it is a fashion challenge from Bramblewood Fashion and I've decided to take up the challenge. Here are the challenges:

Sunday - There is no challenge for this day. You can do what ever you want.

Monday - Black & Brown/ Red & Pink / any color combinations that don't normally go together.

Tuesday - Bold Tights {color, prints, patterns, lace-y...}

Wednesday - Dress like your favorite era. {1910s, 1940s, 1970s, etc...}

Thursday - Polka dots. {If you don't have polka dots, you can do another print you own.}

Friday - Your favorite Fall trend. {I have a post on the Fall trends here.}

Saturday - Wear a hat. 

We'll see how I do as far as getting them done on time but any way here is my first outfit.

It is a family rule that we can't post picture of ourselves on the Internet so on top of this challenge I also have to think of creative way of taking pictures of clothes without actually wearing them.

Wool Skirt: Mummy's old skirt

Pink Sweater: Thrift find

Shoes: Merona, thrifted as well

Ooo I found out that I can post thing in the PAST! Isn't that exciting? look it says that I posted this yesterday, when I really posted it today! Yes! Time travel is possible!

Manners, Culture and Dress of the Best American Society

One of my strange interests include old time etiquette, and this one I find very interesting. I am concocting at this moment some devious ideas of a ball (oh wait its only ball if you have at least a hundred couples, anything less is just a dance) I mean dance according to these social rules, it would be quite interesting! Anyway we shall see, if you want to check out this delightful book of Manners, Culture and Dress of the Best American Society free on Google e-books. Quite the interesting read if I may have an opinion.
Also since I don't have anything else to talk about here is my latest find for music, it called I am stretched out on your grave, a nice cheery little ditty as you can tell by the title. Following true to my taste of depressing music and fondness for Irish ballads. So I present for your entertainment

Dress from Sabrina

I am in the process of making a replica of the dress from Sabrina, which I hope to enter in the Historical Inspiration Festival. I am using this pattern from simplicity's new vintage collection



I wasn't able to find the exact fabric that they had for the original dress but I found a very nice brown a teal plain which I will look very nice

I finished making the bodice and am now working on the darts in the skirt which is very tedious work. I hope I can finish it before the contest, and I will have to do a photo shoot (I've got the exact same style of bike, which will make for a pretty awesome photo shoot prop!) Till next time, don't forget to check out the latest post at the church basement!

Elbow-length gloves

Have you every made a dress for an accessory? Well I am. Last week when I was visiting my Grandma, I bought a pair of elbow length black gloves for only four dollars! The antique dealer was so kind!

So I have decided that the next dress I shall make is an evening dress to go with them, as I have been meaning to make one, but I could never decide on the color. So I think the best color that would go with the black gloves would be a dark wine color. Which will also go nicely with my long brown hair. I can't wait to start! I envision the dress to look something like this only a different color

It would multitask as my evening dress and dancing dress, so that I can justify making it. But I have to finish my other dress first, which is a plaid brown/teal jumper. Anyway I probably won't get to it until summer, still it's nice to have a project to plan for. Anyway I should go back to school work, oh wait, that right I'm done for the week! YES! *smiles smugly* That meaning I start sewing my jumper! I will post an update and pictures on that soon.

Spring Formal ~ 1920's

The homeschool group that I belong to is have a spring formal, and this year I am on the planning committee we decided that the theme is going to be a 1920's theme. I had suggested that we do the theme on the1800's but no such luck. Anyway, the 1920's  isn't so bad, it was an interesting time and some of my favorite authors are from the 1920's (such as Agatha Christie) When we had decided on that theme, I was thinking how on earth am I going to find a 1920's dress? After the meeting I was looking on the web for some ideas and patterns. I decided that I really don't like the style of most of the dresses (the fashion of 1920's dresses mainly was drop waisted, which is a style I don't prefer) but of all the dress styles I preferred the style of dress which is called a fishtail which looks something like this:

I really couldn't find anything in the way of a pattern under a hundred dollars, but as it turned out I didn't have to make a dress at all! The Saturday after all this my mother was out thrift shopping, and she wasn't even looking for a dress for me (since we had determined that I would have to make the dress.) She found the perfect dress, and it was also a fishtail! It is completely made of silk, and it only cost four dollars! It is truly amazing that even in the small things God is looking out for us.

         Now all I have to think about is the accessories. I am going to try and find some shoes from that style they will hopefully look something like this and won't kill you to dance in 

I also have some ideas as to what I can do for my hair. The style from around that time was a very short bob, not exactly friendly for the girl who has roughly three feet of long brown hair, but I have a couple tricks up my sleeve rather then cut my hair for the dance. As far as other accessories maybe a long string of glass bead or pearls, maybe a feather in my hair who knows? It should be a very fun night.

Victorian Chatelaine

       What is a Chatelaine? Well its a type of jewelry that was worn by women in the Victorian era. They were  useful little trinkets that also doubled as jewelry. They could be almost anything, a nail file, small notebook, pencil, match case, scissors, needle case, anything that would be useful to a lady of that time. They would look something like this

They would be worn at the waste or at the neck. While I was looking for a picture I came across this cartoon from Punch magazine 1849,

Which makes me think where they really all that helpful? Well, probably not as much as they could have been, but they also had to be pretty and lite so that they could double as jewelry. So far as fulfilling their purpose as being useful and pretty (which is a very hard thing to put in to one object, completely)  they do rather well.