A bible for Vintage Fashionista Bookworms

So I stumbled across this book a few weeks ago after I had heard the Queen Street Plaza was having a showing of costumes from the T.V series Mad Men, one that I have watched from season 1 to 4 three times over this past year. I have fallen in love with each character (a small secret-Mr Donald Draper is my phone screen saver, seriously). I have gotten too involved in all the dramas and yearned for a whisky whilst watching each episode. The set, the dashing Draper and beautiful Betty kill my little eyes and I feel like a school girl wanting to be them when I grow up, but alas the one thing that makes my heart tick throughout the whole series is, of course, the wardrobe. Hats, gloves, frocks and shoes. By golly it really is a minefield of glory in my eyes.

Anyway enough lusting, I missed the showing of said costumes which I then found out was a book launch for 'The Fashion File' which is a book on Advice, Tips and Inspiration from the costume designer of the series Janie Bryant. She was also the costume creator of the series 'Deadwood', which was another amazing watch. It's a beautiful book and I have a feeling is going to sit on my boudoir table for months to come.

It's a treasure trove for pretty pictures and also advice and tips on; a perfect colour chart, accessories (a favourite), flattering styles for all different shapes, even how to obtain your measurements for yourself and also how to do your own measures for the perfect fitting brazier.

I love what she has written as a send off at the end of the book:

"What I love about style is, it allows you to express yourself. You can reveal your wit or nostalgia or sense of wanderlust through fashion. And please don't let me ever hear you moan 'But I have no style". It's there, I promise you.
Having said that, I do have a couple of firmly held personal beliefs about looking and feeling great: First and foremost, fantastic style flourishes from a foundation of self-love. Remember those heart-thumping high school crushes that made you walk into walls? Well, now is your time to become infatuated with you. Buy a bouquet of Dutch tulips for your bedside table, dress up on a rainy day just to admire yourself in the mirror. In short, pay more attention to yourself than anyone else for once in a while.
Second, you must always trust your own instincts about style. If you love a certain piece or colour and it makes you beam, wear it. The confidence and exhilaration you exude in that outfit becomes a major percentage of your style.
And most importantly, always have fun with fashion. Look for cultivating your styles as a creative outlet and indulge in your inner fantasies"

Anyway here are some favourite parts of the lovely hardcover treasure trove.

The ever devine front cover of the book & the even more devine January Jones and Jon Hamm, swoon. There has never been a more creamy couple.

A passion for vintage from the 1920's to the 1970's. 

The 1950's being a favourite, organza gowns and gorgeous gloves <3

Followed closely by the 1940's. The War Bride era, seamed stockings, hemlines hit the knee lengths of seamed skirts, and the shoulder pads that helped create a silhouette. What a dream.

The dressing room. The foundations; bras to girdles to garters. Your silhouette starts with your foundation garments. 

Throughout the book it has lovely little checklists and cocktail chatter. 

Cute little tips, ie; devoting an hour or so varying the look of your little black dress with accessories like belts, wraps, add bangles or gloves.

I truly believe with accessories More is More. 

"Wink at yourself in the mirror before you leave the house and add one more accessory"

Ain't that just the dandiest thang.

Defining you silhouette and secrets for dressing your shape

As little girls, we play dress-up because we want to be someone else. Now we play dress-ups to show the world the amazing women we have become.

Ciao Bella.

Island Sundays

So this past weekend was spent (trying) to pack up my belongs to move, watching Broadwalk Empire, exploring the Island I have been living on and hanging with my nephew. I however had a huge burden on my shoulders, being that I had to study and write my speech for my accreditation of a course I attended in Cairns. I am to go back there in a week and anhalf to do this and with all the distractions (see above) it just wasn't getting done at home. So I packed my books in my car and went for a drive out to the side of the Island with all the pretty cafes, in hope of sitting there with a coffee and maybe some sugary treats and no distractions. Once I was there though, being a Sunday and the sleepy town that it is, everything was shut. So it was back home for me to pick up my little friend Batman and have a picnic in the park. So even though I didn't accomplish all I needed this weekend, it was still a blast.

Outfit: This dress I found at the Thrift store on North Stradbroke Island last year, how fitting as well, the sweet Hibiscus flower print, pastel colours, perfect for this Island gal. The belt I also found at the same thrift store and it matches in great, an outfit for under $5 nickels. My shoes I bought in Thailand, at this great market in a temple in Karon Beach (on the island of Phuket) which are only open on Tuesday's and Saturday's, they cost me all of 100bht which is around $3AU, so much love.

Accessories: The earrings I found online in a cute store on etsy : www.etsy.com/shop/belluga So sweet, I'm a sucker for anything nautical or silver so how could I pass them up. The bangles I have acquired all around the place. The red one I found last weekend at my local thrift store for a whole 30cents, the white ones I can't even remember, I think I found them in a pack with some red ones years ago in target, or one of those cheap jewellery stores. There are some great stores online (eBay also) that sell bulk bamboo style bangles that I just have to invest in soon, I have recently found a love for mismatched coloured bangles.

Pout: This is a sweet lipgloss that I wear day to day. It's Chanel 'Brilliant Le'vres shade 67'

How could I not share a picture of the ever lovely batman that I met in the park. This is my darling 4 year old nephew Archer. We sat all afternoon and talked about superhero's and what Danger is. Such a sweet little man. I especially loved how he asked me to slick back his hair like batman, fix his squished little nose from his magic mask and ask me to be his bat woman <3

Ladies who Lunch

So this past weekend I went to Siroment Winery at Mt Cotton for a monthly 'Ladies who Lunch' luncheon where we gorge on delicious foods and random chit chat. It was such a beautiful day weather wise and we were served with far too many platters for a group of 7 and I had way too big a slice of cake, I don't feel guilty though, nope, not one bit.


Outfit: This dress I picked up a couple of weekends ago at one of my dearest friends stores, www.kittendamour.com . It is a piece out of the 'Prim and Proper" range. I have worn it without a petticoat as I didn't want to be too formal at a luncheon, it really is perfect with a few layered petticoat underneath but still sits out nicely without one. Watch out for your bosoms though you big busted ladehs because it really doesn't hide much in that department, not one for the faint hearted.

Accessories: This bag I picked up at a Thrift store I'm pretty sure in Sydney years and years ago, nothing better than picking up a bright little number for under $2.00. My earrings are a hand-me-down from my mother, she said she has had them since the 70's, back in her Sydney living days also. My ring is from Wallace Bishop Jewellers, when my marriage ended one silly thing I missed was wearing my rings, they were so beautiful and having diamonds on your hand just feel so, dainty. So I went out one day and splurged, sure they aren't real diamonds but it sparkles just as pretty and makes me feel just as special, if not a little more because I got it for myself with no guilt, a new kind of special, my very own kind of special. Actually that was a great week, I bought my first car, booked a holiday to Thailand and acquainted myself with a lovely piece of jewellery . The shoes are a gift from my lovely mother again, I think she picked them up at a boutique in Cleveland. See a pair of ballet flats in every colour come in handy, especially when you know you are going to be walking in a garden/winery drinking wine out in the sunshine, shoes with height would not be a smart idea.

Pout: I am wearing a lipstick my late Aunt left me (she left me all her unused makeup and perfumes) many years ago, yes it's probably out of date but it still wears well and isn't funky by any means. It's Estee Lauder All day Beautiful Pink R66, i'd actually love to know i they still make it. Looks like another visit to Myers is due.

Kitten D'Amour