Shopping online; Retro inspired secretary dress with bow

This sweet 1950's style reproduction dress is made custom to order at just $100USD plus postage.

The 'Selena' Dress
$100plus

So very cute & perfect for Winter weather in Australia.

x Sianne

Original pin-up girls; Before the paintbrush

Aren't these comparisons sweet... From the original picture to the iconic painted transformation.

I've seen advertisements online to have these types of treatments done to your own pictures..

Definitely something to consider!

x Sianne

Photo inspiration; The Andrew Sisters; Patty, Lavern & Maxene

The Andrew Sisters
Patty & Laverne & Maxene
1950s 

x Sianne

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello there & a very 

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Today I have for you a fine collection of old Valentine's Day cards.. I have my own little collection but ran out of time to scan them! 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful day with friends, family & partners!

x Sianne

I must admit, I adore Mark Ryden

Ryden in his West Coast studio.

For a number of years now, I have been eagerly following the creative works of Mark Ryden. His art tickles the fancy of every surrealist lover whilst provoking argument with the use of subject matter brimming with cultural connotation.

One day I intend to start a collection of his prints.. the main issue is selecting which pieces to purchase first! Here are three of my favourites from 'The Gay 90's Show' collection...

The Grinder (#95)2010

Omnibus
2010

Incarnation (#100)

2009

.... Perhaps I will start my collection sooner rather than later. Prints are available from http://www.porterhouseart.com/ as well as selected art galleries.

x Sianne

Sweet valentine's; Blast from the past romantics

Excerpt from magazine, 1954.

Excerpt from magazine, 1953.
 

Model with cupids bow & heart

February 1952

Photo inspiration; Model wearing pinstripe blouse with umbrella

Model wearing pinstripe blouse with umbrella

x Sianne

Photo inspiration; A couple's embrace on Valentine's Day

A couple's embrace on Valentines Day, 1920's.

I'm unsure of the origins of this picture, but it's adorable nonetheless... I'm very much looking forward to spending a day out exploring in the desert with my boyfriend - this will be our fifth Valentine's together & is always a great excuse to get away for a weekend.

x Sianne

Too cute! Valentines Day cupcake bouquet

It's just 3 weeks until Valentines Day & I'm already getting rather excited... 

Check out this beautiful red rose cupcake bouquet is by L.A. Bakery, a custom company in the UK, serving Hertfordshire, London and Essex, via Flickr. 

This idea is just so cute, I might need to give it a go myself!

I found this picture on the 'Cupcakes Take The Cake' blog - check them out too!

x Sianne

Adore; Cyndi Lauper

I've been listening to a fair amount of the wonderful Cindy Lauper lately. She is a true icon of not just the 80's, but also of the great success female artists can achieve for themselves by breaking the mould & retaining their individuality... just my thoughts anyway.

I take a lot of inspiration from Cyndi's eclectic sense of style & often think about her zany outfits when I'm getting ready to leave the house for a night out.

Whilst born in 1953, she is still so freaking cute today!

Lauper & Lady Gaga

If you haven't yet heard this lady sing, please get onto Youtube immediately!

x Sianne

Etsy lovin'; Lovely collage paper card

Out of the woods collage card

$7.35USD from StoriesDivinations on Etsy

I just love this sweet little card from StoriesDivinations on Etsy. Here is what the artist has to say about the product.

Out of the Woods - Out of the oppressive gloom and into a place where gigantic zinnias bloom...

A very special blank 5" x 7" handcrafted and lined collage notecard with a reproduction of one of my collages made with recycled vintage illustrations and music; hand-trimmed and mounted with care (and acid-free adhesive) and wrapping around luxurious, thick stationary with four deckled edges created in Italy by Cartiere Magnani.

Last year, Cartiere Magnani celebrates its 600th birthday. Among their customers have been many of Europe's reigning families and governments. Other notable customers have included Napoleon Bonaparte, who selected the mill to produce a special watermarked paper for the announcement of his wedding with Maria Luisa D' Austria. (The original mold is still held at the mill.)

Each card is enclosed in a clear resealable packet... Lovely to frame, to give with a gift or as a gift itself...

Just so sweet & also would be a fun craft project...


Sianne x 

Vintage reproduction; Contortionist in tuxedo

Reproduction of a vintage Magica Theatre Poster
$16.98 AUD

I adore this little print of a contortionist in tuxedo jacket top hat and tights performing surrounded by other performing contortionists. It's a reproduction of a Magic Theatrical Poster from Delaware... found in the eBay store, Delwoman's Treasures.


x Sianne

Book love; How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

Hello there!

This post has been a long time coming - as I read the book in October of last year - but finally I have had the time to write my review of this wonderful book, How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World,  by Jordan Christy (Aug 2009).

Book cover - linked to Amazon

As most of you know, one of my very few idols is the lovely Audrey Hepburn. This book focuses on praising ladylike (Audrey-like) behaviour and shuns the lifestyle choices of celebrities like Paris Hilton... & rightly so. This book is timely and oh so needed right now. Young women are struggling with mixed messages and signals from the media and from society at large. This witty little number is the perfect birthday gift for any girl - as a refresher course or an introduction to proper living! 

To give you a taste of Christy's style of writing, this is how the cover reads;

"In a society driven by celebutante news and myspace profiles, women of class, style and charm are hard to come by. The Audrey and Katharines of the world continue to lose their lustre as thongs, rehab and outrageous behaviour burn up the daily headlines. But, despite appearances, guys still want a girl they can take home to their mother, employers still like to see a tailored suit and peers still respect classy conduct. So is it possible to maintain old fashioned virtues in a modern world without looking like a starchy Amish grandma? Christy shows women how in this guide to glamorous style, professional success and true love...the classy way. Full of fun assignments, notable names and real-life examples, Christy offers a new look at seemingly 'old fashioned' advice. She covers diet, speech, work ethic, friends, relationships, manners, makeup and fashionable yet modest clothing, showing modern ladies how they can be beautiful, intelligent and fun while retaining values and morals."

Christy reminds readers on the graces of being a lady. She reminds us that when it comes to make up the key is looking natural. Our behavior, our manner of dress, our language all work together to give others a perception of who and what we are. The makeup hints are outstanding. Many of them I already use, and for readers like myself this book provides a fun revision course and a good few laughs. 

I've passed this book on to friends of mine & it's on the list for a few birthday gifts this year too! It's simply a must & why wouldn't it be? Which of these ladies would you prefer to have for a friend or a sister or a niece or a cousin?

The lovely Audrey Hepburn

The notorious Paris Hilton

You know what to do!

x Sianne

Dreams Poster  by Seb Lester - Available at Soma Gallery

Etsy lovin'; Cute 'Wallpockets' from KitchAndKaboodle

Over the last few days I have spent a lot of time on both Ebay & Etsy to kill some time and list some clothes and accessories in need of a new home.. I've stumbled across quite a few awesome buys & I wanted to share these ultra cute 'Zanesville Wallpockets' featuring little flying ducks.

They don't match my decor, but I hope someone will give them a new home!

Much love! x

Happy New Year!

I wasn't entirely sure what to post for the turn of the year, but I've managed to find a wonderful set of calendar images from 1947, painted by George Petty. 


They're incredibly kitsch but I love them so.  These paintings are wonderful examples of masterful use of the airbrush.. I'm sure you could find a similar calendar in production now.

Please note that all of these calendar beauties are curvaceous and full figured.. so have your cake & eat it too - I haven't dared to think about the calories in my martini's these past few weeks.

Miss January 1947

Miss February 1947

Miss March 1947

Miss April 1947

Miss May 1947

Miss June 1947

Miss July 1947

Miss August 1947

Miss September 1957

Miss October 1947

Miss November 1947

Miss December 1947

Hope you have all kept safe over the holiday period, I know I have more cocktails to consume!

x