A Post All It's Own

I thought this Lilli Ann suit deserved a post all it's own since you rarely see such a beauty come up for sale. I haven't seen a Lilli Ann suit like this before.  I'm betting it doesn't last long for sale. $745.  Check out the amazing buttons?  Mill Street set up shop on 1stdibs and you can find this suit for sale on there.  Mill Street certainly comes up with some amazing pieces of history.  They are also over on Etsy too.  Oh how I'd love to wear a dress a day from their shop:)

This suit also has just the California label which is also quite rare dating it to the late 40s.  I'd love to see this beauty in person.  Those buttons are just drop the jaw impressive.   Isn't it also interesting about the cut out on the front?  This suit has "ahead of it's time" "timeless" written all over it.


If you are new to my blog,  Lilli Ann and I are best friends.  <smile>  Please follow me on Pinterest (check sidebar)  for updates to my Lilli Ann ads and outfits boards.  I find it fascinating to link actual ads to the current suits so you can also see this here and a brief biography on the designer.  There is also a lot of great information in California Couture.  I highly recommend this book for a peek into vintage California designers.


Image Source: Mill Street, 1st Dibs

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, we headed to Buttermilk Inn and Spa near the Hudson River.  It's a lovely quaint place and although I didn't partake in the "spa" portion we did enjoy a nice brunch and walk of the grounds.  I did have to loosen my belt on my dress after eating a lovely brunch with freshly made food and some of the ingredients coming from the nearby farm.


I bought this dress last year from Etsy.  It's a classic staple dress.  The material is cotton but kind of a thicker type of weave giving it a heaviness and stability which is really nice.   I had planned on a different dress to wear but it didn't arrive in time but this is okay as I'm sure it will make it's appearance in a future post.

The purse I just recently bought and I'm very happy because it also has a zipper compartment.  It is made from Corde (1940s).   It also has a beautiful lucite attachment to the zipper which I didn't quite get an image of.  This is a wristlet type of bag where you can just rest on your wrist area, if you like.

This is the entrance to the chicken coop.  You can't actually go in but the building.  It was very nicely decorated.  The farm area was small in nature but still cute.  

Laura and I walking.

Gel Nails Love Em or Leave Em?

I really do like gel nails but unfortunately, I won't be able to make a habit out of getting them.   They look fabulous and last along time.  I can see why people love them.  It's day 10 and they still look great.  However, I know that getting the polish off is going to be a killer.  I'll have to visit a salon and have them soak the nails.    I've been hearing positive and negative things about them.   The UV light used to apply them also is not that great for you.   If you do decide to get gel manicures, I've heard that applying a UVB-blocking sunscreen to your hands before going under the dryer can help.  This is a great idea.   So, I guess to look at these as a "treat" is the way to go.  I think if I could find a safe non-toxic brand I would like to try this.  There is one I've heard of that is more natural called "SpaRitual" but I'm not sure how easy it is to find.   I guess the conclusion is to use gel nails, for me, in moderation.   I'm certainly going to enjoy the gel nails I have right now.  I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from people saying they love the style.


CBS News Report

Any of you ladies have your nails done with gel or do it with any frequency?  I'd love to hear your feedback.

I'll also be offering up this bracelet in a future giveaway.

On a side note, I was just gently balancing my hand on the tip of the umbrella when this photograph was taken and then the handle broke:(   I've tried superglue but this doesn't work.   I'm wondering if it wouldn't be nice to replace the handle all together with one of those nice Victorian handles.  I'll have to see if there are "umbrella crafters" out there who can fix old umbrellas up.

It looks like there is a nice repair shop right in Brooklyn.   

Deco Accessories

I hope some of you have had the chance to see the new Gatsby movie.  I haven't yet but fill me in what you thought.

I had a splendid Mother's Day.  I'll share these pictures this week.  I first wanted to share with you that I have an article in "Hey Doll!"   This e-magazine is superb.  Guess what, it's free too!  So, no excuse for not clicking on the link.   The wonderful Bunny and Brittany do a fabulous job of appealing to vintage lovin' hep cats like ourselves.  The current issue explores Great Gatsby themes and is right up my alley.  There were so wonderful contributors and I thought this issue was front row clap worthy. Right on ladies!

I did an article on assuit shawls and I thought I'd share some other photographs taken at the same time.  I had a lot of fun with this article.  My outfit is vintage with the exception of the shoes which are Re-mix.

Outfit Details

Dress (1920's)- Etsy black silk charmeuse in great condition. Consetta's Closet.

Feather Hair Comb (1920's) -$32 and worth every penny so awesome vintage Etsy YoungRelic 

Necklace (1920's) -I believe I got it from RubyLane during one of their 50% off tag sales

Headband (1920's)- hand-beaded with amazing detail.  Ebay $50.

Gloves -vintage (1950's)  looking back I wish I would have foregone the gloves as in most deco period photographs the ladies didn't actually wear gloves.  Oh, well next time:)

Shawl -Assuit (1920's).  Read the article for more details on these beauties!  Total works of art.

Shoes -Re-mix on sale

Peacock Fan -ebay  (from what I understand peacocks naturally molt and loose their tail feathers in the fall)

Another look at the dress and shawl:

HRF Giveaway

Head on over to HRF, an incredible giveaway in process:))  Who wouldn't like a Besame lipstick and glaze?

Link

1947 Eye Candy...

Adelaar Blouse

Last year fall time, I was browsing through some vintage magazines and I came across the name Adelaar.   So, I went to check out Etsy and came across this lovely blouse.  It certainly speaks 1940's and is made from silk.  If I ever come across the ad that prompted the search, I'll be sure to post it.

Outfit details:

Blouse 40's silk Adelaar

Eisenberg Brooch

A-line 40's 50's wool skirt

Nails are holding in great (Day 5)!! 

1940's Inspiration

Outfit Details:

Wine colored velvet swing dress
Brooch -Eisenberg 1940  (More on the bow brooch below)
Bracelets -Eisenberg
Earrings-Eisenberg
Shoes -1940's peep toe (the first pair of vintage shoes I've bought and also one of my first vintage purchases, fabulous shoes and I'm so glad I brought them out because it reminds me that I must condition them.  I've learned from other shoes that vintage leather still needs a good conditioning every once and a while.
Hat- ebay

Nails- I'm trying the gel nails in a retro color effect, I think they turned out quite well.  I've had gel nails once before and it is a pain to get off but it does last one-two weeks.  I'll keep you posted on the chip effect.  I can attest that if I would have done this regular nail polish it would have been chipped by now.  I've been doing a lot of work with my hands today and it still looks fresh.  The one thing I would have liked is more of an oval effect on the nails.  I guess my nails were either too short or I really need to stress this more in the future.

It's difficult to capture the true color of this velvet in photographs, sometimes it shows up as more of a black but this is a good idea of the color it's like a soft wine.

A little bit over exposed image so you can get an idea of the color.

Ad to Actual Vintage Ad Match


Doesn't this ad just speak 40's?  I agree with the word "Excitement".  I indeed think this when I see these gems.  The ladies hair style is fabulous.   I'd love each and every piece.  It is difficult to find the topaz in the Eisenberg line but I did happen to find the rhinestone bow and it sparkles and shines madly.   I'm thinking it's the same year as the ad but it is possible they also made it later on but the back of the brooch does say Eisenberg Original which could date it to around this time.  This ad is from the Vogue Christmas issue from 1940.  What a grand Christmas present to have?  Wouldn't the perfume be interesting to smell as well?

Which piece would you choose?

You know one other thing about these brooches is that they are heavy in the words of an ebay seller that was a seller of an Eisenberg brooch a few months back,  "This is a heavy buggar."   This makes me smile as these Eisenberg brooches can be quite heavy.  So, it has got me wondering what the vintage ladies did when they had material that may not be able to support such a brooch.  I shall have to research this and see if I can come up with anything.  If anyone has any ideas, let me know?  I'm thinking just a bit of extra material in the back to support the weight.  We all know how much rhinestones the Hollywood starlets wore.

I was planning a trip to the local stroll garden today.  The weather is not coorporating.  I am a bit saddened by this as I'd like to get there while things are still in bloom.  It's a rainy day today here in good ol'New York.