Fashion Friday--The Shirt Waister

Also known as the shirt dress, of course. This is a classic style of dress that goes way back and seemingly will never go out of style. You know the one: collar, buttons up the front, but then might have a long, full, straight, or short skirt attached. The waist might be fitted and/ or belted or might hang comfortably loose. Fabric? These dresses can be made with ANY fabric at all, and can even be formal. What's not to love?

The web site Textural has a great look at the style, showing the subtle changes through the years to a style that really stays comfortably recognizable. And as Made by Monet points out, any devotee of classic television knows that all the classic moms always wore a shirt dress. Why? Because they're comfortable and flattering to any shape or size. And... They're timeless fashion. The Metropolitan Museum of Art even has a shirt dress in their collections: This ultra suede Halston.

If you'd like to add one or ten to your collection, the beauty is even the most vintage shirt dress will look modern with modern accessories... And the most modern shirt dress will look vintage with vintage accessories. You really can't go wrong!

I have these available in my Etsy shop.

This is a 1950s Candy Jrs.

This is a 1960s Lillian Russell

This is a 1970s Lady Wrangler with tie belt.

 

This is a 1970s wool Pendleton.

 

Donna Reed and Harriet Nelson can't be wrong! I'll be back Monday with a movie... Have a great weekend! 

Thankful Thursday--Little Ash Trays

Thursdays are the days I appreciate the beautiful things that I have in my own diverse collection. 

This week I'd like to share my little collection a ash trays. No, I don't smoke. No, I don't like others to smoke. But... Unfortunately, old smoking accoutrements are just so darned elegant. (But if you add the smell and other effects of actual smoking, well a certain amount of elegance is lost, I must say.)

I have four ashtrays, and they are displayed on a little desk in my front room. Those are chestnuts from a tree in Ireland. The ash tray that started it all is this one:

My great aunt did a bit of a grand tour in the 50s and apparently swiped this little treasure from the famous Cafe de la Paix. In my fertile imagination, Hemingway used this tray while sipping absinthe! See more about this landmark here and here.

The other three I have picked up through the years as I come across them. My aunt wasn't the only one with sticky fingers at hotels and restaurants!

Read about the Madrid Palace Hotel here. Maybe Mata Hare used my ash tray!

And then there are these two:

 

 

 

 

 

No clue. Anyone help me with these?
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Recently I was kindly given this award by Miss Sabrina Fairchild

 

So here goes: Seven facts about myself, and 15 blogs to pass along:

 

1. I know how to weld (arc and oxy-acetylene and just a touch of mig!)

2. I once worked as a wrangler at a dude ranch (the most fun ever!)

3. I am thinking about not dying my hair anymore...

4. I sometimes secretly watch Days of Our Lives (why don't those people age??)

5. I love the move Encino Man very, very much (I can't explain!)

6. My favorite color is brown. Yep, brown.

7. I cannot do a cart wheel. Never could.

 

Do check out these blogs:

 

The Vintage Traveler

 

Diary of a Vintage Girl

 

The Passion of Former Days

 

B for Bel

 

A Year in 1913

 

Bright Young Twins

 

Fashionable Forties

 

Two Nerdy History Girls

 

The Modern Day Flapper

 

My Mom, The Style Icon

 

Sweetheart of the Rodei

 

Kate of the Almshouse

 

My Happy Sewing Place

 

Hat's That

 

Denise Brain

 

And thanks yet again to the kind and supportive Miss Fairchild!

Web Wednesday -- Collectors Weekly

I referenced this web site yesterday and want to reiterate what a great source it is. Collectors Weekly is a great place to browse interesting things up for auction on EBay, to see what stuff is hot, and to find great articles by experts on a wide variety of topics.

If it's not already in your bookmarks, check it out now. It's a great--but addictive!--resource. Have fun!

Treasure Tuesday--playing cards

I'm not a card player, and the very idea of bridge hurts my head! But once upon a time, every house, it seems, had a bridge table or plain fold-up card table and decks of cards. Those two-pack sets are for bridge, but of course there was also various forms of poker, gin rummy, old maid, crazy eights, etc. and the brats in the family always had to "get" a newbie with the famous "52 pick-up"! Preferably not with the "company" cards, though!

This is a set of Sears cards with great graphic roosters in turquoise and pink. I can just imagine a bridge table all set in this theme! (These are available here.)

 

Or this set from the venerable Tiffany & Co. The box makes a little drawer with ribbon pull that opens to reveal the tasteful cards in mint and Tiffany blue. But the real fun begins with a glimpse of the faces:

Check out that king of hearts with his giant jam jar! (Available here)

Or there's these cool cards, also from Tiffany. While these are a little less elegant than the set above, I just love the red and blue drummer boy graphics. (Available here)

Do you have a soft spot for playing cards? I love these little works of art that can lend themselves to hours of social entertainment. Or solitaire! At this point, I could give you the book report on the collecting of such cool playing cards, but instead I'll send you to the place where all the information is: Vintage Playing Cards--Collectors Weekly.

Enjoy the wealth of information about these fun works of art!

Movie Monday--Helen's Babies

I love Clara Bow, so I was thrilled to discover several movies of hers available on You Tube. If you love the 20s or Clara Bow or silent film--or all of the above like I do--check out Helen's Babies. It's the story of Helen and Tom, who decide to take off on a vacation and leave Helen's "expert" brother in charge of their two young daughters. Baby Peggy, one of the original child stars--and brilliant!--is one of the daughters.

Clara Bow has a very minor role as the beautiful next door neighbor Uncle Harry falls for. She is actually barely recognizable in this film, especially with her straighter hair and thin bow lips. She is still adorable, though. Maybe not quite as cute as Baby Peggy, though!

There is no musical accompaniment to this, so you sometimes might need to make yourself pay attention amid the total silence. But there are laugh- out-loud moments. Unpacking luggage has never been so cute ... And frustrating!

Check it out. I'd love to know what you think!

From 1924, it's Helen's Babies: