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

Outfit Post - Deja Vu All Over Again

This dress is a favorite in my wardrobe.  It's extremely light and sheer, so it works well as a layering piece.  (You can also see it styled differently here.)

Sometimes I wear it layered over a skirt or a slip, sometimes I wear it with funky bright purple tights and a long cardigan, and it even transitions well into winter under a dress like the one shown below.  I just unbutton a few buttons on the bottom so the dress can peek out!

Vintage 1940's Button or Zipper Front Simplicity Pattern - Etsy

Hugs and Smooches,
D

ConstantlyAlice is off to Brimfield!

Ever since discovering the Brimfield Market a couple of years ago, I anxiously look forward to it's return each year.  Honestly.  It's Ah-MAY-zing.

That's right..those are all antique vendors.

This year I will be going in September with my wee Mum, my best pal and my sister-in-law (can you imagine a better group of gals to travel with??  No you can't!)  We decided we could not possibly see everything we needed to in just one day, so we are treating ourselves to a stay in a lovely local inn as well.

Stay tuned for some photos of our adventures and finds!

Hugs and Smooches,
D