My Vintage Holy-Grail WishList for Santa

 Since it's *BLACK FRIDAY*
and the masses are out buying Christmas gifts for all the people that they love.

I was thinking about what would *I* like. Of ANYTHING in the world, what would I like Santa to bring me? There are a couple items that I've been searching all over the world for in vintage land. And I have as of yet, not found. Or... to be more clear I have not found a version of it that has fit *me*.

So Santa, if you're listening... And if I've been good, which I probably haven't, bring me these SUPER HOLY GRAIL ONE IN A MILLION VINTAGE ITEMS!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!

1. A 1960s/1970s Jumpsuit

Specifically I would like a button-up one with a spread collar and wide legs and pockets, exactly like this. And I know what you're all thinking, "This is a pattern! Get the pattern! Sew it!" No, I want it in real *of the era* fabric, I want it to have had a previous happy life on someone else's body.

I know that's weird, but that's part of it for me. 

I love this one. The way that this girl is modeling "Charlie's Angels" style is CRACKING ME UP. I love her. Maybe that's why I want one of these, I want to FIGHT CRIME.

Jill Munroe knew how to work a jumpsuit. Look how glamourous this is. Even with a gun and a dead guy on the floor.

I found TONS of jumpsuits while vintaging. I'd say 100s. But each and every one has been too short in the legs, too short in the torso, never fitting right. I found a Christian Dior one about 6 months ago that I wanted to fit me so badly but the hem stopped at mid calf. I cried.

2. A 1940s playsuit that has a matching top and bottom that reveals a sliver of midriff

 Look at Betty Grable here. Looking adorbs. It's such a cute, cheeky combo. While vintage hunting I've found one part of a playsuit like this, but never the pair. I think since the torso is split, I actually would have the chance of fitting into one of these right off the peg!

 How cute is this! Tiny baby poosie skinnsie Norma Jean in her playsuit at the beach! I like the skirt version here. Great pattern.

 But this one is my favorite. I love the short sleeve, the tie front, the silly candy-striper print. If I could only find you, my proverbial white whale.

3. Vintage Waitress Uniforms

I do have 2 of these, but you know, they're like potato chips you just can't have a couple, you need a MILLION.

 If I ever found this one (1940s, above) I would literally die.

These uniforms are so incredibly kitschy, ALWAYS have amazing color schemes, great piping details.

The nipped waist silhouette and full skirt is so flattering on the body. I bet those babes made some MAJOR tips.
For some reason I always love a zip-front too. I have about 5 dresses with zip fronts in my vintage corral, and there's something about them that's so cool, and interesting.

Such cute cuffs and pockets on this!

Also in the realm of uniforms in 60s/70s "Air Hostess" gear, which I have NEVER SEEN FOR SALE in all my years of vintaging.

I'll never stop looking for you, my loves. But Santa please hook a sister up. 

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am grateful for you guys and all your support! I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Please enjoy your day!



"beauty is a lifestyle"

10 Last Minute Gift Ideas

Hey guys! Here's the lastest Enzine Article!

The holiday season is here! There's no better way to express love and gratitude than with a gift. These 10 engravable gift ideas are perfect and will impress even the most selective person to buy a gift for. In many cultures around the world the social value of giving is recognized and in some aboriginal cultures gifting is an elaborate and complex ritual in which entire village is engaged. Gift giving strengths bonds with family, friends and these stocking stuffers are sure to warm the hearts of those you love.

10. Cosmetic Bag Set
The make-up goddess you know will enjoy the beautiful satin water repellant cosmetic bad set. Personalized and sold as a set of 2 this bag is available in your choice of hot pink, shimmering and white.

9. Kids Canvas Height Chart
Your little one will adore this personalized kids height chart canvas to track their progress. Available in a number of playful designs this chart is kid friendly and will make a great addition to their bedroom or playroom wall.

8. Personalized Fitness Fun Tote
This bag if for the fitness fanatic! Ideal for the gym, this spacious bag is engravable with up to seven characters available in black, blueberry, cerise red or green apple. This tote is great for a leisure day at the beach or an afternoon of running errands.

7. Personalized Spa Chic Soap Set with Loofah Sponge
The fresh scent of green tea and olive oil is a delight in this personalized spa chic soap set with loofah sponge. This set comes with a beautiful custom packing in an attractive box that includes two personalized bars of soap and a handy sea sponge with a rope. A practical gift that is used daily.

6. Personalized Laguna Cooler
This unisex cooler will have you parting OC style! Take this spacious personable cooler to backyard gatherings, to the beach or a lakeside gathering. This three initial monograms cooler has enough space for a few six packs.

5. Bamboo Puzzle Cutting Board with 2 Wine Glasses
Wine enthusiasts will admire the personalize bamboo cutting board that comes with 2 white wine glasses.

4. Personalize Champagne Glitz Pen with Swarovski Crystals
For the one who loves glitz and glamour this personalized swarovski pen resembles a little bubbly. This stylish pen comes in a pretty white box with a keepsake drawer, a handy pocket holder and polishing cloth.

3. Personalized Leather Desk Caddie
This curvy personalized leather desk caddie is uniquely designed. Keep your pens, pencils and paper clips neatly organized which helps to prevent desk clutter. This desk caddie is great for student, a teacher or the executive.

2. Personalized Silver Plated Jewelry Box with Raised Heart
Store your jewelry in this cute petite jewelry box! This keepsake box is engravable and made of brass with a silver plated for shine and durability.

1. Personalized My Favorite Tote
This attractive bag will accommodate all of your daily necessities. The comfortable double strap makes it easy to carry on your shoulder and is available in perky pastels with decorative brass hardware and accents.

Wednesday Inspiration: Josephine Baker

                                    

"Things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains." Josephine Baker





"beauty is a lifestyle"

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ssnqjb ssqnnaThe things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/josephine_baker.html#7VlIBroLe1OzLHj8.99

Make Up Tips By Drew Barrymore

                                                   


Happy Tuesday!!!

I stumbled across this awesome video with actress Drew Barrymore (who's expecting her second child by the way) with a make up tutorial demonstrating how old Hollywood make up artist would use their hands to apply make up. I found this video fascinating and I was impressed to see Drew Barrymore with practically no make and very pregnant! She's a brave soul and I believe she's recently launched her own make -up line. Click here to watch the guide!




"beauty is a lifestyle"

AMA 2013 Fashion

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing weekend. So lets get right into it. Who wore what at the AMA and who wore it best. Lets start with  Jordan Sparks shall we?



She's amongst one of the tallest women in the biz. At 6'0 tall and with her dramatic weight loss Jordan Sparks looked lovely in the gold beaded halter top with what appears to be a velvet material dress. I love her fresh face and youthful approach to make-up. Well done.

Zendaya. What a beautiful name and its fitting for this young lady as she scrolled the red carpet in a sexy but classy all white off the shoulder ensemble. The look was accessorized with bangles a clutch and seriously straight hair with a center part. A goddess indeed!

Probably one of may favorite looks of the night. Who doesn't love Kelly Osbourne's style as its so authentic and eclectic. She rocked purple hair with a silvery Alice in wonderland checkerboard 60s inspired gown. This was just fun and that's what the AMA's are about.

The Jenner sisters looked hot!

Looks like Rihanna received more attention for sporting a doobie wrap than receiving The Icon award. Rih rih sure knows how to get tongues talking!!


"beauty is a lifestyle"

AMA 2013 Red Carpet Best Dressed!

Ooooooh, you know I love Awards Show Fashion & the American Music Awards are always so much fun. 

A lot of the ladies were bringing solids this year, especially a lot of black, white & red. 

Low cut necklines, keyholes, AND high necks were all over the red carpet. 

I thought these ladies did it EDGY, ROCK N ROLL, MUSIC-FABULOUS. (and just right now I realized every dress I picked was black, LOL)

1. Ciara in J. Mendel

 Holy Crap is she beautiful. It's unreal. I love this dress on her, it highlights every perfect inch of her, and I think that she looks better in the gown than the runway model! (below)

2. Katy Perry in Oscar de la Renta

 I generally do not like what Katy Perry wears. Yes she is a gorgeous young woman, but I feel that usually she goes for too-tight, over the top cleave, without ample support for her girls.
This dress looks like something Scarlett O'Hara or Maria from "Sound of Music" would make from their curtains, and for me that is a good thing, and I fully appreciate this look. *slow clap*

3. Kesha in Michael Costello

( PS- I am refusing to use the dollar sign in her name, that is just not happening.)
At first I was like, "who is this?!"
KESHA!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Usually she looks like she crawled out of an hourly motel after a 48 hour meth binge/rave.
Some fashion friends of mine were critical of this look and said they like the "Crazy Kesha" better. But I like this.
SHOW THAT QUADZILLA, KESHA! I always do. You earned the right, sister.
You look beautiful, poised and healthy. Bravo.

4. MC Lyte!

 "Hello, my name is MC Lyte, I am 43 years old and I look better than bitches 20 years younger than me." BOOM.
She's just a radiant beauty, and it's hard to believe that her hey-day of fame was SO LONG AGO!
I mean, the LEGS, the MAKEUP, the HAIR, i love her.

5. Naya Rivera in Michael Kors

 I love this hair, I think I used to do this hair, and now I miss it. :-(
The styling is on point. I love the gold cuffs over the wrists of the dress.
This girl is a great comedic actress, she is drop dead beautiful, I always think she should be a bigger star.
The mermaid silhouette is so dramatic, she just looks like a million bucks.

6. Rihanna in Jean Paul Gaultier couture

I think I just have a crush on her and she can do no wrong in my eyes. 

The thing about Rihanna is that no matter how outlandish the garments she wears are, SHE WEARS THEM, the clothes don't WEAR her. Do you know what I mean? 

She rocks her looks with full confidence and attitude. 

Look at her just sitting here, "I know I'm a goddess..."

I do not do worst dressed lists, but there were several wonderful talented young ladies that wore things that they just didn't look comfortable in, like the fabric was standing away from their skin aching to jump right off. That's too bad.

LET'S ALL JUST BE LIKE RIHANNA.

Vintage Fash A-Go-Go

So Friday I went to a charity shop that isn't my usual and found some awesome things! Thanks for the recommendation, Danielle!

She found a GORGEOUS tweed, fur peter-pan collar coat for me there, but Alas it was a Trapeze Cut, like this:

which on my frame, makes me look like a pine tree. I was so sad, I wanted it so badly. 

I did find some other AWESOME vintage stuff there, This Pink Chiffon Dress Set:

 Here's the dress part. It's not quite long enough on me, but my friend Ollie said it would be great hemmed to a mini. So right.

It came with this matching sheer full length jacket with beading and closure at the collar.

And the bodice of the dress had this gorgeous beading detail.

How perfect would this dress be for this fondue party? 

But the dress was $50. So no no no. I don't dig and pick and break into old ladies homes to pay those prices. 

 The next thing I found was this KILLER cowboy shirt.
I have a romance for these, I have no idea why. I just love them. This one was in perfect pretty much deadstock condition. It wasn't priced outrageously either!

 I wanted it for Stonewash, but when I tried it on, it pretty much fit me, so I knew it was going to be a no-go for Stonewash's *MAN-BODY* :'-(

Lastly, I found a totally 80s rabbit fur coat, pretty much exactly like this one, but it fit me like it was made for me.
Giant built-in shoulder pads. It hit right at the belt-line. Soft like a boss. I wanted it.

But it was $60 !! WHAT!? are you kidding me? who is going to pay that for this?

Now let's talk.
I am all about helping the less fortunate. I love that. I want to help everyone. I believe that is the purpose of these types of shops, right?

The items are donated for free, and then the shop sells them to raise money to help others.

BUT YOU WILL MAKE NO MONEY TO HELP IF YOU CHARGE TOO MUCH.

I just think; People, let's move product. You have no wholesale cost to cover for these items. The more you sell, and the more quickly... The more you can help those in need.

Or maybe this is just my *vintage hoarding brain* talking.
What do you think?

Mini Reviews: Three for the Price of One.

This week, due to the high number of films out at the moment that I want to see, I went to three films at the cinema. I know, bit excessive but needs must and all that jazz.

So I though I would do three mini reviews for them, for a bit of a change. Probably spoiler free, no promises though.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland, Francis Lawrence (dir.)

Certificate: 12A (PG-13)

Rating: 9/10

So, as you probably know, Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games, and to all intents and purposes is almost a scene for scene rehash of the first. Obviously some of the plot points are different, but Katniss (and Peeta) is chosen again as Tribute in the Hunger Games. Except this time the stakes are even higher. Not only does Katniss have to try and survive the games, she has to convince President Snow that she loves Peeta. And he's not exactly buying it...

I loved this film. I've read the books and could remember the main points, but didn't remember everything but I feel like they nailed it. The action and tension is non-stop. Donald Sutherland's President Snow really makes you know that he will stop at nothing to prevent a rebellion. There's a bit of Umbridge about him. Jennifer Lawrence, in my eyes, can do no wrong and Josh Hutcherson makes me fall for Peeta again and again. Perhaps my favourite new character was Johanna Mason who is so completely badass, you can't not love her boldness.

Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor

Cast: Matt Smith, David Tennant, John Hurt, Billie Piper

Rating: 8/10

Yep, I went to see this at the cinema when it was simulcast on telly. Definitely worth seeing it in the cinema. The atmosphere was buzzing as we waited, and everyone laughed or gasped at all the right points.

I would try to summarise the plot, but being Doctor Who, I'm not sure I can. But suffice to say, there was plenty of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff, and things that went ding. It was definitely a fitting tribute to 50 years of the Doctor, and I loved how they managed to include all the Doctors, even if it was just a small way. The banter between Ten and Eleven was perfect. I think I could sit and listen to them chatter away for hours. John Hurt only had this episode to establish his Doctor - Eight Point Five - and did it admirably ("Oh! For God's sake!").

I still a bit bemused about what happened with the Zygons. Did they sort themselves out? Also, I'm slightly disappointed that I didn't cry, but I imagine the Christmas special will make up for that.

Fingers crossed for more future multi-Doctor outings, because they are always fun!

Gravity

Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Alfonso Cuoron (dir.)

Certificate: 15

Rating: 10/10

I don't think I've ever felt so tense watching a film as I did watching Gravity. Holy crap. Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Commander Kalowsky (Clooney) are on a space walk when disaster strikes and they are set adrift in space, with no communication with Earth. The story follows them as they desperately try to find a way home in an impossible situation.

Gravity is a visually stunning film. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Earth makes a phenomenal and peaceful backdrop to the action happening miles about its surface. The cinematography, however they managed to do it, is also brilliant. The shot from looking at Dr. Ryan Stone to looking out from her helmet was seamless. I should note that I didn't see it in 3D, but apparently it is every more stunning with that extra dimension. Let me know if you think so!

As the cast is literally made up of Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, they have to carry the film, and they do so very well. In particular, Bullock's reluctant Ryan has you rooting for her so hard. I almost wanted to cheer for her at many points.

The way the story manages to seem strangely plausible is amazing. Each solution to a problem seems to cause another, which keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first minute to the last. The very idea of being adrift in space is utterly terrifying but it makes a cracking film. I will be extremely surprised if Gravity does not win any Oscars this year.

There we have it. My week of cinema overload. I'd love to know your own opinions about any of these three, so drop me a comment below. Until next time!

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Its Friday!!

Happy Friday!

Everyone please have a safe weekend! See you Monday!!



"beauty is a lifestyle"

When Celebritydom Meets A Charitable Cause

Happy Thursday!



                         
                   Beckham tweets pic of shoes she donated to aid relief of Typhoon Haiyan. 


I'm sure everyone has heard of the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines recently. In order to help the with aid relief Victoria Beckham donated shoes to the British Red Cross to help victims.  “Big clear out of my shoes, on sale tomorrow in aid of @BritishRedCross #ShopDrop,” Beckham tweeted along with the photo of dozens of pairs of pumps, sandals, stilettos and boots. This is when celebritydom puts a smile on my face!!




"beauty is a lifestyle"

Wednesday Inspiration: Brigitte Bardot

                                                   
                        "Every age can be enchanting, provided you live within it." 
- Brigitte Bardot

Rihanna's Debuts New Cut On Instagram!!!

                                   


                               
Happy Tuesday!

Yesterday Rihanna debut her new Velma Kelly inspired bob cut on Instagram. One of the most edgiest and stylish singers to hit the scene always gets it right. I love it Rihanna!

"beauty is a lifestyle"

WTH Kim K? Learn to dress your curvy body!

I told myself I'd never do a Kim K post, but here we are...

After seeing this photo of her this morning, I thought, "What the hell is she trying to do?"

This sheer mesh body suit, bra exposed, with 8 sizes too small sheer maxi skirt is not a good look. On anyone. 

Is Kim trying to go the Bai Ling route and wear things so bizarre and unflattering that it will guarantee that she is photographed and will get press?

Or is it that she's wanting to push the image that even though she's had a baby she can still be a sex symbol? 

This givenchy dress, which was "made especially for her"... Although we can see the runway version of it below... Is not a good fit or silhouette for her. and with the tuxedo jacket over top? Why would she do that? If you're going to show off 99% of the goods, you might as well give us the full side-boob too.

 Here's the dress on the runway. Plus, who is the 6'6'' guy that let her borrow that tux jacket that is longer than a lot of skirts she's worn in the past?

No one is disputing that she is a beautiful woman. That's obvious. And she has a KILLER body. But we all know it. So she doesn't need to show every square inch of it every time she does a red carpet appearance.

This bustier top and skirt does not fit her. You can see on the top the opaque panel is supposed to fit the entire front of the bodice, and it's not. Don't be afraid to go up a size, Kim. Plus the cups runneth over with her Amazing jugs, a better fitting (larger) top would make her chest look even better!

And this penchant for sheer just has to go. Entire bra out? Why? Is it for easy access nursing of her new daughter? If that was the case, i'd give her a pass, but I'm betting it's not.

 Let's see some gorgeously curvy celebs that ACTUALLY KNOW how to dress for their beautiful bodies:

1. Salma Hayek

This fit is on point. The waist hits exactly where it should. The top is cut to accommodate her ample chest. It is not too tight. Perfection

2. Christina Hendricks

Bright fun color, amazing shape, NOT TOO TIGHT, FABRIC IS NOT PULLING ANYWHERE.

3. Elizabeth Taylor

Draping to perfection. Ass & Titties highlighted, not garishly displayed as if on a platter.

4. Marilyn Monroe

And the grand dame of all, Marilyn.

So the lesson is, Kim, that you have 10 babillion dollars at your disposal, make them work for you. Dress your gorgeous self to accentuate what glorious gifts you've been given. 

Or be forever doomed to spend the rest of your days known as the richest, worst dressed person on earth.... Well, other than Britney Spears...