Pet Society: Last Call

Hedwig at L'Opera Petulaire
Hedwig at L’Opera Petulaire. She’s good at playing the pipe organ backwards.

Social gamers already know that Electronic Arts will be shuttering several of its popular Facebook titles on June 14. The decision is controversial for a number of reasons, but my primary issue with the decision is very personal. Quite simply, I love my Pet, Hedwig, and her little kitten and unicorn petlings.
Continue reading “Pet Society: Last Call”

Coming soon!

I’ve got some post-projects lined up for this spring and summer, running the gamut from fashion to home decor! Please stay tuned while I finish up my work for this semester…

Meanwhile, behold the backside of North America! One of my photos of the Unisphere from Corona Park…

Unisphere by Kali
Unisphere by Kali.

Outfit of the Week: Polka dots and gingham things

Okay, so it’s a poor play on “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” but I’m obsessed with dots, gingham, and the song, so it kinda works. More importantly, I just bought a great vintage cotton dress that features gingham polka dots – that feeds two birds with one ball of seed!

It’s got a Kay Whitney label and a super double-layered pocket on the front right. Mega late ’50s style; in fact, my mom saw it and immediately informed me that she and her friends had several dresses like this back in the later 1950s and early 1960s.

Kay Whitney summer dress
Kay Whitney summer dress with Deadly Dames vinyl belt.
Kay Whitney dress fabric
Kay Whitney dress fabric.

And here’s “Polka Dots and Moonbeams,” as presented by the Chet Baker Quartet:

Outfits of the Week: Collectif Gretel dress and Whirling Turban wingbust dress

Collectif Gretel dress
Collectif Gretel dress.

For some months now, I’ve been interested in the adorably gingham Gretel dress by Collectif. It’s got everything a gal hungry for summer really needs: red gingham cotton (you know, picnic style!) fabric, heart buttons down the front of the bodice, lace trim, and well-placed halter straps. I know that lots of people aren’t comfortable wearing halter-style dresses, but this one’s different. With a good strapless bra, the ties put no pressure at all on the back of my neck! Continue reading “Outfits of the Week: Collectif Gretel dress and Whirling Turban wingbust dress”

Spring Vintage!

Cat bookends by Lefton Japan
Cat bookends by Lefton Japan.

How’s this for an oxymoron? I’m always on the lookout for new vintage! This spring, I’ve found a perfectly pastel beaded cardigan in Easter yellow, a gorgeous late 1940s A-line dress with an illusion bodice and keyhole detail, and a cute pair of white porcelain kitten bookends by Lefton Japan. Who needs bunnies when you can have cute little white kitties on your bookshelf? Continue reading “Spring Vintage!”

Spring colors and wish list!

While much of the northern hemisphere is still frozen stiff, the roses are blooming in good ol’ north-central California. It’s nowhere near warm, but the light’s changed and our days are getting longer. Spring is almost here, and you know what that means: IT’S PANTONE TIME. Continue reading “Spring colors and wish list!”

Outfit of the Week: Valentine Flowers

Doris Skirt in red floral
Doris Skirt in red floral.

Spring’s not quite in the air, but love’s already in bloom.

One of my favorite pieces is this Pinup Couture Doris Skirt in red floral fabric. It’s relatively easy-care – you can machine wash it cold – and the A-line shape also makes it easy-wear. The cheerful red blooms are evocative of the Valentine’s Day holiday without being too obviously heart-y or anything like that.

I’m wearing the skirt here with the Pinup Couture Laura Top in red.

Outfits of the Season: Black & White

 

The Darling Dames dress
The Darling Dames dress.

Black and white is (are) in this spring. While I’m not really a trendy person (loving vintage style runs kind of counter to the idea), colors, color combinations, and retro-revivals are trends even I can do!

My response to the Spring, 2013 black and white trend includes the Deadly Dames polka-dot wiggle dress and Unique Vintage’s Lovely Lady in Lace reproduction prom dress.

The Deadly Dames polka-dot wiggle dress is designer Micheline Pitt’s answer to the white-with-black-dots dress worn by Traci Lords in the movie Cry Baby. In my opinion, it’s even better than the piece that inspired it! The removable skull brooch and vinyl patent belt are nice little badass touches to an otherwise elegant midcentury-style cocktail dress. I bought the XL, which is my usual Deadly Dames top size. I’m in between the XL and 2x sizes at the hip, but I can normally squeeze into the smaller size.

Unique Vintage reproduction prom dress
Unique Vintage reproduction prom dress.

The Unique Vintage Lovely Lady in Lace dress is kind of a departure for me. I wouldn’t normally spend money on a poofy tulle prom dress, but since this one’s based on a real 1950s prom dress, and it’s on clearance for $48, I figured it was worth a try. I ordered the 2x on the advice of the size chart, and it was a good fit.

Overall, I’m happy with the dress. I love the colors. I love the floof. I love the two layers of tulle and two layers of satin lining. I like how the skirt looks with my white Malco Modes crinoline petticoat. I adore the rows of tulle rufflework on the double-layered bodice.

My measurements are 43-32/33-48.”