Create 365 Update and New to the Shop!

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Some adorable new items have found their way to the shop :)  (I'm especially fond of the deer..soooo sweet!)

In Create 365 news, I'm working on knitting the collar I mentioned in this blog post.  I'm sorry to say I am NOT the worlds fastest knitter, so it may be a few days before it's complete!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

The Reading Corner - The Bolter by Frances Osborne

When I was in junior high, I had a friend (we'll call her "Beth") who was my complete opposite.  Beth and I hung out during the summer months because we ran with different crowds during the school year.  Her behavior fascinated me.  As a confirmed "goody-goody" who walked through the school halls with my nose in a book, only wore dresses and enjoyed spending time with my parents, I was amazed at her fearlessness.  She wore make up, talked back to adults, snuck out of her house and was much "faster" with the boys than I was (which wasn't hard..I barely knew they existed..)

As I got older, I tried a time or two to shake my good girl image, to no avail.  (In fact, I'm 99% certain I could go on a crime spree tomorrow, confess to everything and nobody would believe me..)  Over the years, I have learned to embrace it, but I never have quite gotten over my admiration for women who dare to push boundaries.

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The Bolter is the story of Idina Sackville, as told by her great-granddaughter, Frances Osborne.  Frances' mother kept Idina a secret from her until she was 13 years old because she didn't want her to "think of her as a role model" or have her daughter known as "The Bolter's granddaughter".  This, of course, only fueled Frances' fascination with her great-grandmother.

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Idina was irresistible.  Standing at only 5'3, she was an impeccable dresser.  While she was not conventionally beautiful, she could "whistle a chap off a branch."  And she frequently did..

Married and divorced five times, with countless lovers and a dog named "Satan", she caused quite a ruckus in proper Edwardian England.  (Where you could, of course, have an affair, but certainly MUST be discreet about it!)  In 1919, Idina married her much younger third husband and moved to Kenya where she hosted wild house parties for her friends (known as The Happy Valley Crowd) that usually ended in partner swapping games devised by Idina herself.

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Under the surface, though, there was more to Idina.  She was full of vitality, intelligent and well read, loved freely and was an incredibly loyal friend.  Her friend Rosita, who was interviewed for the book, is quoted as saying "she was preposterously — and secretly — kind."  She was a woman who wanted to be loved.

The tale of The Bolter is masterfully told by her great grand-daughter.  Frances does a lovely job of telling of Idina's exploits without judgement and allowing you to feel Idina's free spirited character. The book is full of insight into who Idina was to her family, her friends and herself.

Whether you are the dashing, scandalous type, or just have an admiration for women who are, this book is an excellent read!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Outfit Post - Channeling Daisy Buchanen

Since cutting my hair short (and subsequently wanting to grow it long again) I've noticed a decidedly 1920's influence on my style.  I'm still in search of the perfect drop waist dress, though!  I may end up having to make one myself.  I did purchase a really nifty 1920's sewing book in my travels last weekend ;-)

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Brimfield 2012!

Beautiful Vintage Dresses

Each year in September, I attend the Brimfield Antique Market and several things happen:

1. I forget to take as many pictures as I'd like to share here on my blog
2. I miss out on at least half of the offerings because the market is so huge and vow to extend my visit the following year
3. I find some remarkable treasures and remarkable people!

1940's Zeigfeld Follies Costume

 I wanted to share some of my favorite interactions from this year with you all.  First up, the amazing train pictured above was more than 10 ft. long and belonged to a Zeigfeld girl.  It was velvet, lined with red silk and covered with tiny mirrors in a pattern resembling a peacock's tail. It was INCREDIBLY heavy, and the girl who wore it said she had to do back exercises to be able to wear it (along with an enormous headdress).

Petticoats!

I also had a fun conversation with a fellow operating a vintage circus items booth.  He stopped me as I was walking by and explained that he was writing a book (a sci-fi/steampunk/circus theme that had a pretty neat story line) and as I walked by he "recognized" one of his characters.  He asked to take my picture for reference, and I gave him my email so he could send me the information on his book.  (How do you like that?!  I could be immortalized in a story :)

Brooches!

We visit the "pin lady" (who's name I have never remembered to ask) every year because of her wide selection of amazing and creative brooches.  I own several of her pieces, including an Aphrodite brooch, several dragonflies, a pretty peach tree with a hummingbird and a cat :)

Bakelite Rings

Can anyone tell me what these are used for?  I just loved the way they looked, but I couldn't imagine their use.  (I thought perhaps belt buckle?)

Goodies!

I ended up coming home with a pretty decent haul that included some wool felt hat forms purchased from a really neat lady who used to design hats for MGM (can't wait to start working on some new hats for the shop!), Several 1950's/1960's dresses that I will be photographing next week, some really amazing costume and fashion design books from the 30's and 40's, a few 1940's sewing patterns, a 1920's Bowler Derby, several hats and blusher veils, a fur collar, hand beaded millinery flowers from the 1930's (which I plan to use on one of the finished hats!) and a few 1920's magazines.

All in all, a very successful weekend!  (And next year, I plan to go down early for the vintage textile show!  *swoon*)

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Movie Review - The Artist

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I had the great pleasure of going to see The Artist on friday evening.  Let me start by telling you, it was a silent movie.  I wanted to go see it for the gorgeous costumes and the novelty of a silent movie, but had braced myself for the potential of being bored with a movie that wasn't a "talkie".

I was SOO wrong.

It was visually beautiful and the costumes were amazing (as I had suspected) but what surprised me what how much could be conveyed by gestures and facial expressions.  I could almost hear what the actors were saying in my mind.  The talent was astounding.

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The basic plot is set in 1927 and follows the story of George Valentin (Jean DuJardin) a silent film star and his struggles as the "talkie" begins to take hold in Hollywood.  You watch as George goes from a man on top of the world to one who is struggling just to get by.  At the same time, Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), an extra in one of George's films and his love interest, sees her career as an actress take off and she becomes a rising young star.

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The range of emotion in the movie is breathtaking.  It's joyful, desperate and passionate all at once.  The music perfectly accompanies each emotion, and "Uggo" the dog steals the show ;) I can't recommend it highly enough.  If you see it, let me know how you enjoy it!

Hugs and Smooches,
D