Mothers Day Eve

We're on the cusp of another Mother's Day in Australia & I couldn't help but think of this very cute satirically captioned image that lives on my hard-drive & my desk. I see the humour & love it to bits.

x

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

Shopping online; Retro inspired nautical dress

Following on from last week's post about a cute Nautical look...

http://www.getgoretro.com/Fables/SailorPearl.htm

$115

x Sianne

Retro recreation; Nautical dress with bow detail

I'm just putting it out there that this nautical outfit is gorgeous.

I love the silhouette & the oversized bow at the front.

I'd like to recreate the look & have found an abundance of nautical reproductions that can be purchased on eBay. Partner one of these with an authentic high-waisted skirt, red or navy heels & perhaps a refreshed over-sized bow & you're set!

White w/ navy detail
$22.99 plus postage

Navy w/ white detail
$22.99 plus postage

The view from behind!

Little navy wiggle dress.
Recently made famous by Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl.

Screen shot of said Gossip Girl character Blair.

Anyway, the dress is ultra cute as an item but I imagine it would look even more special with a skirt for added length, cinched in belt & a few red accessories.

x Sianne

Photo inspiration; Pretty lady in beige

Stunning dress with gloves, clutch, earrings, bracelet & necklace topping it off.

x Sianne

Photo inspiration; Victorian Fashion Plate

Ooh la la..

There is something about the decadence of Victorian era fashion.

Victorian Fashion Plate
Circa 1874

Claude Monet's 'Women in the Garden' c. 1866

I don't have too much of an urge to collect clothing from this era of clothing.. but I do own a fair few reproduction cameo's that I adore.

x Sianne

Adore; The Audrey dress

There is a certain type of dress that every girl should have in her wardrobe.. the Audrey dress.

It's just the perfect cut & the perfect length.

It helps of course if you have an ultra cute hat & shoes to match too.

Love.

Photograph from Funny Face, 1957.

Photo inspiration; Model wearing Mollie Parnis dress

Model posed with cigarette, wearing dress by Mollie Parnis and gold & diamond necklace & bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1953

Out of the slump & back on track

Hello again!

I've been in a bit of a slump for the past few weeks, mainly because I haven't a dollar to my name and therefore had a self-imposed ban on online shopping until I started work...

The good news is that I'm now working again & therefore have the right to go crazy on eBay tonight.

First of all I want to share a very cute store that I've had success with recently called Snow Outlet. This was the first dress I purchase with it's darling neckline and uber cute print.

Floral Butterfly dress
Purchased for $8.50 + $13.50P/H

The quality for $21.50 cannot be disputed, the dress is well made with a light cotton and the skirt is fully lined. I'm hoping to have at least a years worth of wear out of this one! All dresses from Snow Outlet are of course in the 'vintage style' which is their main appeal.

Here are a few of my other favourite designs - all of which are priced from $17.80 including postage via Auction & Buy it Now methods.

There is absolutely no shopping in Alice Springs, so I'm ordering the purple & black geometric dress next... very excited!

x Sianne

Have your cake & eat it too; Skinny girls are not glamour girls..

A little while ago I stumbled across this picture on Tumblr... Apparently it was an advertisement pulled from a New York newspaper in the early 1950's..

It not only made me smile, but it also gave me a bit of food for thought... I often wonder whether why the mindset around body image has been altered in the past few decades. Why are women obsessed with being thin to the point of being unhealthy? And why is that attractive?

The diet crazed plastic surgery obsessed messages being broadcast in the media are disgusting, which is why I generally choose not to read such garbage as 'celeb' news or watch MTV. I'm much happier without that rot & I'd much prefer to keep my curves that be mistaken for a pre-pubescent boy, thank you very much!

As I question that niggling urge to 'lose a few kilos', I am inspired to take a look at some modern curvaceous screen sirens & entertainment icons to ensure that I'll bake my cakes and eat them too this year.

Katherine Heigl

Kate Winslet

Christina Hendicks

Meryl Streep

Beyonce' Knowles

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Dita Von Teese

Nigella Lawson

Now to bake that cake...

x Sianne

Photo inspiration; Ladies in Dresses with love from Russia

Photo inspiration; Model wearing Brigance, 1952

Model standing in a courtyard in Olhao, Portugal,
wearing a halter and skirt by Brigance, 1952

Photo inspiration; Joan Crawford, Montana Moon 1930

Unfortunately I can't find this movie on DVD..

Joan Crawford, playing Joan Prescott, in Montana Moon 1930.

x

Photo inspiration; Turquoise Lanvin-Castillo dress

Gold embroidered turquoise Lanvin-Costillo dress
Theatre of King Louis XV Versailles

First day of summer! Beach queens of yesteryear

Today, the 1st of December, is the first official day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Temperatures are reaching well above 35 degrees (celsius), winds are non-existant and the humidity is reaching 90% upwards.. perfect beach weather!

It's also the perfect time to take a gander at some beach and poolside queens of yesteryear..

Beachside picnic model photoshoot 

Polaroids by the pool

Model in the pool

Model photoshoot with balloons

Marilyn Monroe

Bettie Page circa 1960

'Sea Siren' pinup

Couture Allure advertising campaign

Couture Allure advertising campaign

Couture Allure advertising campaign

x

Pick of the pack; Ruffles from Etsy.com

It's now been one week since my birthday, and I wanted to share with you one of my more recent passions (and a sneaky present to myself), the fabulous ruffle collared dress.

I've most recently purchased this dreamy number, at an absolute bargain, for my birthday dinner and subsequent party. It's a beautiful silk / rayon blend and the original floral lace detail is in immaculate condition. It arrived in the mail from Texas just 3 days after posting (who knows how!) and is a perfect fit!

The Birthday-girl dress

The birthday girl in said dress, with charming boyfriend.

The ruffle collar can be incredibly flattering to a pear-shaped figure, which I happen to have, and conveniently covers the arms enough without leaving too much to the imagination or making one appear bulky.

I have one other handmade ruffle dress in my wardrobe, of a more modern design, and I have a feeling I might be buying more online through Etsy.. check these five wonders out;

Yellow Broderie Englaise ruffle dress, now sold

Pretty in pink lace ruffle sleeve dress
$20USD from florasvintagecloset

1970's floral ruffle maxi dress
$22USD by fancypantsvintage

White chiffon ribbon nautical dress
$42USD by fluffypinkbunnies

Navy & white polka dot dress
$31USD by vintagesensibilities

Orange peach swiss dot formal ruffle
$15USD by anotherseason

Until next time x