Monday, January 31, 2011

Hello Lover

Cole Haan

Do you ever feel during one extreme half of weather that you entirely seem to forget what it's like to feel the opposite extreme? That is, today here in Toronto it is -18 degrees Celsius out, with a windchill that makes the air feel as crisp and frigid as -25. My mind keeps searching for what it is like to feel hot weather. This past summer Toronto had quite a hot streak, one truly uncomfortable week (as I have no air conditioning unit in my apartment) where temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius (including the humidex). Having said all of that, keep in mind that we don't get the good heat or good cold weather. The air is wet and you feel every degree that is in the air. Summer's air is very humid, while the wet makes winter feel even more cold. Hence, the extremes I mentioned earlier.

Now while I forget what summer really feels like; trying to recall the feeling of merely slipping on a pair of sandals and walking outside with just regular clothes on, or really, just the ease of everything. Since I cannot really remember summer as clear as I'd like, I'm finding it difficult to think shoes that aren't warm boots. Ugh and warm boots, the whole practical nature of them makes me a little ill. I'll fess up, I'm not a boots girl *shock*...To me, footwear is a great pair of pumps. In other words, to me, winter is a dead footwear season. I take no joy in shoes in the winter.

What can brighten my mood? Thinking of great boots won't work; however, dreaming of warmer temperatures and the ability to wear non-winter shoes out will do. No worrying about salt ruining leather or snow soaking through to make your feet wet and cold. Today, my friends, is going to be a celebration of non-winter foot wear. Let us bask in the glory of bright colours, peep toes, sling backs, d'orsays, thongs, sky-high heels and sassy little details. Today is a day I will love footwear again!!

House of Harlow 1960

Anthropologie

Dior

Sergio Rossi

Kate Spade

The forecast for spring/summer shoes? Nude and reaching for the skies.

xx

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The White Dresses

Over the course of many years, these 2 dresses have stood the test of time for me. I never grow tired of them and I constantly feel like if I were ever to get married, these are the looks I would want to choose from.

The runner-up: Elizabeth Taylor as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

The winner: Grace Kelly as Frances in To Catch a Thief

*Le sigh*

xx

Friday, January 28, 2011

Retro Hair - The Essentials - Snood Mania

Originally the snood was a product of necessity to a generation of women taking on the roles of factory and machine workers. The long, flowing hair of women presented a danger as it could get caught in the machinery. While some cut their hair short, others preferred a different route. One that would become a fashion statement. Support the war-effort and keep that long hair by wearing a snood.

In recent years the snood has been making a major comeback! Remember my post about Lauren Rennell's Vintage Hairstyling Book? In it she shows 2 different ways of styling your hair with the use of a snood. In fact, with the resurgence of appeal towards fashion and style from the late 1930s, as well as the 1940s, it was only natural snoods would some how appear back in fashion.

These days you can purchase them in a wide variety of colours and styles. If you are crafty and have talents for knitting or crochet, it's easy enough to find a pattern and to make your own. Otherwise just scour the net for sources of where to buy. Etsy is naturally the first place I look. Arthelia's Attic sells gorgeous ones in a few varied styles:

1942 with Bow {Black}

And in red too

With beaded headband

Their popularity is just growing so you may find it a tad difficult to find the exact style you want. However, soon a favourite hair accessories shop of mine, Belle Blossoms , will soon be selling a ton of snoods! Stay tuned to the site for them...and stay tuned here for when I purchase my own and recreate my own 40s look.

Again, for those crafty chicks out there, here's a little inspiration to get you motivated to pick up those crochet needles!

{Burda Style} - Laura Mae's Blue Silk Snood

The lovely Casey Brown of Elegant Musings has whipped up her own charming snoods as well

1940s Snoods {Elegant Musings}

I keep wondering if wearing one out in public would attract a lot of attention. I cannot recall having ever seen someone in person wearing a snood (other than hair-nets on food service workers). Do I have the guts to try to pull it off? We shall see!

Happy Friday everyone xx

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Favourite 6 - New Dress a Day

Marisa Lynch of New Dress a Day

Please tell me you have a) heard of, and b) are in awe with the lovely and oh so stylish Marisa Lynch from the incredibly popular New Dress a Day Blog!?

After being laid-off from her job, Marisa refused to sacrifice style! Instead of going out and blowing the money she didn't have, she took a shoestring budget and got super creative. All it took was $365 to reinvent 365 dresses. You heard that right; that's a dollar a day. Now you'd think that the clothing you'd find for mere a dollar could (in a lot of cases) be hideous; where many saw hopeless/ugly clothing, Marisa saw potential for chic reinvention. The results have been nothing short of inspiring!

After sifting through all 365 dresses, I have narrowed down a list of my personal 6 favourite dress transformations! Well, here goes nothing:

6. {Day 92}

Day 92 -Before

Day 92 - After

5. {Day 144}

Day 144 - Before

Day 144 - After

4. {Day 272}

Day 272 - Before

Day 272 - After

4. {Day 267}

Day 267 - Before

Day 267 - After

2. {Day 81}

Day 81 - Before

Day 81 - After

1. {Day 77}

Day 77 - Before

Day 77 - After

I don't know about you, but this gets me even more jazzed to hit the thrift shops and search for hidden treasures!! In fact, yesterday on my lunch I picked up two gems. Ok, so they cost a little more than $1 each, but they were still quite a bargoon for what they were. Stay tuned for befores and afters as I intend to pay homage to New Dress a Day with my own little transformations. Although truth be told, it wouldn't be my first time. Last year I took a dress that was a positively hideous polyester moo-moo and turned it into one of my favourite dresses. Sadly, I didn't take the time to take before pictures, but here's my after creation.

Now when you look at it, picture it tent size and falling all the way to the floor with awkward long sleeves. It's amazing what you can do with a little time, effort and a bit of know-how.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Kitchy Koo

~Kitch ~
"A style of decorative art and design in which ordinary objects with vintage appeal, "old-fashioned" characteristics or banal usefulness feature prominently. Clutter, trite sayings, kitchen utensils and homey objects appeal as "kitchy"." - Urban Dictionary

When I think of kitch I picture pop culture coffee mugs, stacks of tea towels in bright floral patterns, black and white checkered 50s kitchens, cheery aprons, colourful retro kitchen appliances (SMEG, Kitchenaid), retro-style clocks (Felix the cat), gingham table cloths, fridge magnets that 'pop', vinyl booth seating and aluminum-edged diner style kitchen tables.

House of Turquoise

These are the fun little things that will one day make my dream kitchen. A kitchen is (to me) the most homey/family centered room in your home, why not make it scream fun?!

SMEG

A great source for kitch vintage inspired kitchen stuff is Retro Planet .

I just can't get enough, although I think kitch is something that should be used in moderation. There is a fine line between kitch cool and just tacky. The journey getting there and figuring it out is half the fun though!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Let it Sizzle

Which woman doesn't have a place in their heart for Audrey Hepburn? After a really frigid weekend, I think it's time for a little heat. Today I dedicate this piece to the fun film, Paris When it Sizzles!!

Audrey Hepburn as Gabrielle Simpson & William Holden as Richard Benson

Mr. Richard Benson is a famous Hollywood screen writer and for his latest project, producers have sent him to Paris for inspiration. While there, he whiles away his time and falls into a trap we can all become familiar with, procrastination. His project is cut down to the wire, and before he knows it, he has only a weekend to write an entire film!

In comes Audrey's character, the charming transcriptionist Miss. Gabrielle Simpson. The two go on to write and rewrite (countless times) a energetic and cheeky story set in the belle city of lights. And don't forget to be ready for the switch! And the switch on the switch!

Audrey has a handful of adorable, Paris-appropriate outfits she wears throughout the film. I thought it would be fun to find ways of re-creating her looks. Take for instance this look: