tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80196092723208257882024-03-13T05:50:08.450-07:00Quaintrelle LifeI'm a designer, a maker, and a girl who loves to live loud and fancy! Quaintrelle life is a blog and site about living a life full of vintage (even antique!) glamor and decadence. It's fun to take the best of the past and the best of the present. When it comes to quaintrelle life we can have our cake and eat it too!Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-8407332960116617222014-02-07T14:19:00.002-08:002014-02-07T14:21:47.074-08:00Pinwheels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LYsiozXRJJI/UvU3kJObC0I/AAAAAAAABQU/tk9WAGR8u5Q/s1600/pinwheel_tutorial_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LYsiozXRJJI/UvU3kJObC0I/AAAAAAAABQU/tk9WAGR8u5Q/s1600/pinwheel_tutorial_1.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
My fella is in Austin right now where apparently it's even grey, cold, and sucky there. The groundhog gave us a big "F U" for waking him up and pointing him at early risers buy saddling us with 6 more weeks of winter, so I'm not expecting the sun to swoop out any time soon. But I need Spring already gad dammit!<br />
<br />
Trying to shake off the dark moods that have been haunting me lately as well as the weather by making fun little useless things. like pin wheels!<br />
<br />
I get a stupid grim on my face every time I check in on my Animal Crossing town and my hubbies mayor hands me a pinwheel, so I figure the other day when I woke up maybe it would be fun to give making one a go? I'm told most kids make these in school or at parties, but apparently I was a deprived child and never did. It looked pretty much to be a square of paper cut most of the way diagonally into triangles, then literally pinned to a stick. I had paper, pins, and sticks, so now I have pinwheels!<br />
<br />
<br />
It started with just the one <span style="font-size: x-small;">(red, green and gold one of the left)</span>, then had such a blast making it and watching it twirl, I used up the rest of my ancient origami paper and wooden dowel stash on the other two. They now sit in a mason jar with some rice on top of my tea cabinet. To me at least they honestly look pretty sunny up there<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I also occasionally pull one out and take a few turns round the living room with it for fun)</span></span> I kinda think with a bit of matching bunting over the tea nook they would be perfect. Maybe if I throw a Spring tea party later...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KPUtZ8q_ag/UvU3kBdNW2I/AAAAAAAABQg/7L71a4hrHG8/s1600/pinwheel_yo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KPUtZ8q_ag/UvU3kBdNW2I/AAAAAAAABQg/7L71a4hrHG8/s1600/pinwheel_yo2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Added a couple of tutorials on how I made these for fellow deprived kids of yore who never learned to the Q<a href="http://www.quaintrellelife.com/diy_pinwheel.html">uaintrelle Life website</a>. there are some paper patterns to print out too for anyone who hasn't been hoarding a half empty packet of origami paper for 5 years.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7iItugDGbk/UvVLZiE9yGI/AAAAAAAABRQ/yMPNrO4aBTE/s1600/pinwheel_go.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y7iItugDGbk/UvVLZiE9yGI/AAAAAAAABRQ/yMPNrO4aBTE/s1600/pinwheel_go.gif" /></a></div>
Might not be a picnic under the sun but might be just the colorful distraction we all need right now! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I'd love to see any pinwheels you guys make too if you give it a go)</span><br />
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-33406131420696570912013-12-06T13:57:00.001-08:002013-12-06T15:00:08.901-08:00Drawing of an Old Era Rolling up my sleeves and using a few personal obsessions to start chipping my through a personal fear.<br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span>
The obsessions: a love of early 20'th century illustration. More specifically the racy kind of tricolor proto pin ups that would appear in magazines like "La Vie Parisienne" or "Le Sourire" during the late 1910's-early 1920's, and of course all things rococo,<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (something those illustrators were pretty obsessed with as well, vive la panniers! ).</span><br />
<br />
The fear: Drawing again after not having drawn anything of any scope in a good few years.<br />
<br />
See I have a background in fine art. Got my degree in it, been studying it most of my life. But as drawing became a smaller part of my job, I fell into a lapse. Then after few years, became almost deathly afraid of what I would see on the page when I finally put a pencil to it again.<br />
<br />
This past week though like I say, I finally plucked up the nerve and the pencils to see just how much rust was sticking up my drawing gears, and I started drawing up some stylized pin ups to get back into figure drawing, and something I love.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Nerd note:) </span>The backgrounds were loosely based on 18th century pleasure gardens like Vauxhall and Ranelagh, and the names from breeds of roses.<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_bBlAl9gOo/UqJWRVBNlaI/AAAAAAAABQA/h4SF_EjtDGY/s1600/soliel_dore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_bBlAl9gOo/UqJWRVBNlaI/AAAAAAAABQA/h4SF_EjtDGY/s1600/soliel_dore.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuZjyj3p660/UqJWRZixkkI/AAAAAAAABQI/kSDnm2fpoWk/s1600/blue_moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuZjyj3p660/UqJWRZixkkI/AAAAAAAABQI/kSDnm2fpoWk/s1600/blue_moon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qUFgi-4Znq4/UqJWRUOlfsI/AAAAAAAABQE/NYkJpPH34SU/s1600/maidens_blush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qUFgi-4Znq4/UqJWRUOlfsI/AAAAAAAABQE/NYkJpPH34SU/s1600/maidens_blush.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So obviously the rust is showing, but it wasn't quite the cack handed scrawl II was expecting. things are already starting to free up within just these three. The lines flowing better and becoming more elastic, and things started to become more comfortable. There is hope after all!<br />
<br />
Next demon to hopefully be banished by frothy frolicking figures I guess will be painting. The biggest "sucking at stuff I used to rock at" specter of all... Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-60544569185864602022013-10-31T07:05:00.000-07:002013-10-31T07:05:30.493-07:00Halloween Dolls<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJv5pvNx0Rg/UnFzsTaiHlI/AAAAAAAABMM/LxFxmr2wITg/s1600/pumpkin_dal_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJv5pvNx0Rg/UnFzsTaiHlI/AAAAAAAABMM/LxFxmr2wITg/s200/pumpkin_dal_1.jpg" width="146" /></a><br />
Been doing a whole lot of real life stuff lately, but at the same time got to play with some dolls again too! <br />
<br />
First up in honor of the season is the Halloween Dal a good friend asked me to make. She gets a new doll every Halloween and this year wondered if I could customize one into a cute spooky lolita girl. She wanted something slightly casual, and I maaaaay have gotten a little frill happy, but wrapped her up with a wooly scarf and earmuffs to make her a little more cozy looking. Dal dolls always look so grumpy, I figured she's the kind of charachter who wouldn't suffer the cold just for a bit of candy.<br />
<br />
I was sad to see her go but happy she went to a great lady with a great home. Snapped a few photos before shipping her off still.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-Y3lOcm0q0/UnFzre0tKII/AAAAAAAABMI/WjrqJ_vdB1g/s1600/pumpkin_dal_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-Y3lOcm0q0/UnFzre0tKII/AAAAAAAABMI/WjrqJ_vdB1g/s1600/pumpkin_dal_4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Doll number 2 is still Halloween for me! I know a lot of people will want to hang me for saying this, but as a rule I find anthro dolls kinda terrifying. I don't know why, they just typically aren't my bag. That is until of course I ran into Pinkie Cooper. Somehow that peppy little spaniel won me over. <br />
<br />
I have the London Pinkie sitting pretty just as she came out of the box, but something in my head snapped and I had to customize another Pinkie into Isabelle from animal crossing new leaf. So I did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rj0nC2kFjis/UnF8Wwu3opI/AAAAAAAABMk/vQbPasWv-dY/s1600/isabelle_doll_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rj0nC2kFjis/UnF8Wwu3opI/AAAAAAAABMk/vQbPasWv-dY/s1600/isabelle_doll_h.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Something a bit different. I love painting her big eyes and making her tiny clothes. Just before I had her finished a friend said she needed a pet gyroid so now she has a little Lloid the gyroid to keep her company.<br />
<br />
That's about all the sugary horror i have for now, but there are more photos over on Dolly Daydream for anyone needing an extra fix.Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-82419898262402432542013-09-27T13:11:00.000-07:002013-09-27T13:45:08.133-07:00Cute as a Garter Button<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9hpNVWwEcA/UkXe8C6UvQI/AAAAAAAABL0/jz3wzXbB0Rw/s1600/647edb812d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9hpNVWwEcA/UkXe8C6UvQI/AAAAAAAABL0/jz3wzXbB0Rw/s320/647edb812d.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Frippery du jour over here at quaintrelle towers <span style="font-size: x-small;">(ok duplex)</span> is garter buttons! You probably know the things I mean... Little silk covered buttons printed or painted with sultry eyed flapper faces from the 1920's.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
New styles and new hosiery had lead to girls rolling their stockings and holding them tightly in place with either rubber like bands or adventurous garters. Above the knee if you wanted to play it safe or bellow the knee if you were feeling sexy and wanted to let your knees do the taking! Fashionable girls could display their modern and irreverent attitudes with these flirty faces peeking out from under<br />
rising hemlines.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUO7-q1vGXg/UkXejzkZdaI/AAAAAAAABLs/TpgHuDMh7S8/s1600/garter_girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUO7-q1vGXg/UkXejzkZdaI/AAAAAAAABLs/TpgHuDMh7S8/s320/garter_girl.jpg" width="212" /></a>Created by the ribbon companies at the time, they seem to have been printed on long ribbons, then cut and shaped into various whimsical buttons. Some were left simply as printed faces, some adorned with further ribbons and frills, and others went further with cheeky sayings like "You'd be surprised" or my personal favorite, a police man proclaiming "Stop go no further!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Not wholly found on garters, they could also be seen on other flirty items such as powder puffs, and mirrors, all the various ribbon covered items in a true coquette's arsenal!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can often find them for sale on places like easy or ebay, but as a girl who likes ribbons it seemed like a fun thing to make from scratch. </div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Currently still just buttons here are a few of the faces to come off my work bench this week....</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7DTMAWBIIs/UkXeS__Qs_I/AAAAAAAABLo/mTDi7jj2_yM/s1600/IMG_1184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7DTMAWBIIs/UkXeS__Qs_I/AAAAAAAABLo/mTDi7jj2_yM/s1600/IMG_1184.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Their destinies will be another post later on, but for now, anyone else wanting to say it with buttons might want to check out the <b><a href="http://www.quaintrellelife.com/garter_buttons.html">quick tutorial over on the Quaintrelle Life website</a></b> and make some too! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What do you think your knees might want to say?</div>
Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-84880769156242745852013-09-19T11:23:00.001-07:002013-09-19T11:23:24.366-07:00Dream Deco TeacupOk, my teacup Embargo hasn't been going well. I had said "I just need one Paragon teacup" but now I've also got a 2nd one. But hear me out!...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYaKvUC-yQs/Ujs5TBeOIfI/AAAAAAAABKw/H8WmgSz54j0/s1600/deco_bloom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYaKvUC-yQs/Ujs5TBeOIfI/AAAAAAAABKw/H8WmgSz54j0/s200/deco_bloom5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedgwood Deco Bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
When I first started collecting teacups I was just looking to pick up the cup and saucer from each design. Since then however I've been trying to pick up trios instead with the matching side plate as well as the saucer. Some times it's easy, sometimes not so much, either because a pattern is discontinued, or because it never had a matching plate to begin with. This was the road block for me when I was looking to add a super art deco cup to the fold.<br />
<br />
See, I fell in love with the "Deco Bloom" cup from the Wedgwood Harlequin collection. Since the line launched they've <br />
adding extra pieces like side places to the collection for some designs like my spiffy polka dot set, but sadly Deco Bloom wasn't one of them. I wrestled with the fact it was my perfect dream cup, but that it would never be a full place setting. Then something amazing happened! An identical cup showed up on Ebay, complete with side plate! Uncanny right? The crazy thing was the auction cup wasn't Wedgwood.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWzAGlWqho8/UjtAjTkkcwI/AAAAAAAABLM/YyqdZJBRuSA/s1600/deco_bloom7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWzAGlWqho8/UjtAjTkkcwI/AAAAAAAABLM/YyqdZJBRuSA/s320/deco_bloom7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Paragon Pink Hydrangea Trio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Wedgwood's Harlequin collection is based on old designs from their design archives brought back to life, but this old auction trio was by Paragon.<br />
<br />
The Paragon china company ultimately became part of modern day Royal Doulton, It's old pattern books presumed lost. I wonder if some of those books or later ones found their way to the good people at Wedgwood?<br />
<br />
No matter how it happened it was a dream come true when this vintage trio made it way into my hands!<br />
<br />
I dug around looking for more info on the pattern, just stamped with a number on mine the design sometimes pops up as "Pink Hydrangea". I've seen a few pieces show up on auction sites as part of big lots. The cup and plate shape was used with a few other designs from Paragon for any other deco china fans. My little set is also marked as being a replica of a service made for the queen, though I couldn't find any information on the pattern's royal provenance they way I could with my <a href="http://quaintrellelife.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-paragon-of-teatime-fancy.html">other Queen Mary set</a>. Royal or not though it's amazingly pretty, amazingly deco and amazing that I was able to get this dream setting after all!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4_e-TqnjtY/Ujsu1bL908I/AAAAAAAABJ8/1LQk-sbFLPA/s1600/deco_bloom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4_e-TqnjtY/Ujsu1bL908I/AAAAAAAABJ8/1LQk-sbFLPA/s640/deco_bloom1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-28387305663347955442013-09-16T13:24:00.001-07:002013-09-16T14:24:02.902-07:00Faking the Frippery<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ac6z8Cko2xk/Ujdad7b_LnI/AAAAAAAABJY/5Nmm_6dgHz8/s1600/green_deco_parure2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ac6z8Cko2xk/Ujdad7b_LnI/AAAAAAAABJY/5Nmm_6dgHz8/s400/green_deco_parure2.jpg" width="277" /></a>It's possible that one of my favorite things to design and<br />
collect in the world is costume jewelry. Growing up I used to scour my favorite antique shops for their sparkiest pieces. I'm a die hard magpie and costume jewelry could always transform an outfit and make me sparkle like a duchess!<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (but not like a princess because that's too much of a pain)</span><br />
<br />
We rather take costume jewelry for granted these days, but the decade we can really thank for it for starting the fervor for fakery is the 1920's...<br />
<br />
With styles changing fast after WWI, and a growing spectrum of women finally able to participate in fashion, the inherited gems of the aristocracy could no longer fill our thirst for baubles, and it was time for paste to make a come back.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://d.hprints.net/md/30/30129-dusausoy-jewels-1923-j-g-domergue-art-deco-style-doll-elegant-hprints-com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Dusausoy (Jewels) 1923 J.G Domergue Art Deco Style Doll Elegant" border="0" height="320" id="img_30129" src="http://d.hprints.net/md/30/30129-dusausoy-jewels-1923-j-g-domergue-art-deco-style-doll-elegant-hprints-com.jpg" width="246" /></a>Used by Coco Chanel as a means to complete a woman's costume and unify her vision, fake gems were a must have for the wealthy woman looking for a little frosting to co-ordinate her pristine new outfit for the night, and for the average gal on the streets it also allowed women of more modest means to enjoy wearing "jewels" of a less modest design. Jewelry designers also got to let their imaginations run wild without the constraints of precious material costs creating all kinds of whimsical designs.<br />
<br />
I love vintage jewelry, real and "fake" from the 1920's for it's unique designs. There were a lot of interesting mixes of sparkle and colorful geometry. They also loved their pearls, and long time blog followers know what a soft spot I have for pearls!<br />
<br />
I've been craving some deco gems to ad to my wardrobe lately, and despite being seeing some amazing period precious stone pieces, I just don;t have a Christie's budget, I'm also concentrating a great deal on sharpening my skills in the jewelry area so it felt only natural<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>to turn my hands at designing and making a little costume jewelry set for myself, ready for when I get that deco feeling!<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIOks5F-KAQ/UjcdNOJxTBI/AAAAAAAABJI/Q2pgvOpiO-g/s1600/green_deco_parure1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIOks5F-KAQ/UjcdNOJxTBI/AAAAAAAABJI/Q2pgvOpiO-g/s640/green_deco_parure1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I went with a bit of Nile green and tried to capture the long lean lines of my favorite 20's jewelry pieces. Something with the hard geometric shapes, but in a softer pallet to go with my usual wardrobe of pastels. They've proved quite versatile together and separate, and something I'm going to get a lot of millage out of.</div>
<div>
<br />
I love working in costume jewelry using a lot of techniques I was taught to work with in fine jewelry, and I always give a big "thanks" to the 1920's for setting the ball rolling!</div>
Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-92224658643806727052013-09-11T10:13:00.000-07:002013-09-11T10:13:46.842-07:00Deco Month<span id="goog_1146316988"></span><span id="goog_1146316989"></span>I've been all psyched up for the return of Boardwalk Empire. Coupled with knuckling down to finess my 1920's dress making techniques, I'm all swept up with an art deco fever this month! I figured I cant be alone in all this so I'm dedicating this month's blog posts to the 1920's. Got some tutorials on the way, some recipes, clothes, and who knows what else. For right now though here's a 1925 photo of a girl with an infinitely more picturesque sewing space than mine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ylePAeUHbqc/UjCjcr3iJnI/AAAAAAAABI8/puy7HJNdQn0/s1600/deco_month.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ylePAeUHbqc/UjCjcr3iJnI/AAAAAAAABI8/puy7HJNdQn0/s1600/deco_month.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-77434232571689055222013-08-02T10:55:00.000-07:002013-08-02T10:55:40.123-07:00Bumbury Bound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwZdODPcx6g/UfvalzQEVSI/AAAAAAAABHc/sHCifk2UnnA/s1600/bumbury_town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwZdODPcx6g/UfvalzQEVSI/AAAAAAAABHc/sHCifk2UnnA/s640/bumbury_town.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZPguucseX4/Ufvareu0zGI/AAAAAAAABII/nbL3VfjTCx8/s1600/bumbury_cards_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZPguucseX4/Ufvareu0zGI/AAAAAAAABII/nbL3VfjTCx8/s200/bumbury_cards_3.jpg" width="149" /></a>I've managed to get it under control<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (ish) </span>again, but I'm crippled with a long term Animal Crossing addiction. <span id="goog_246942150"></span>I've been shaking down trees <span style="font-size: x-small;">(suck it tree), </span>and digging up fossils since the 1st game came out in 2002. But the newest incarnation, Animal Crossing New Leaf has left me useless. I mean this time around I'm the mayor you guys! I can't sit back and expect Tortimer to take care of things, I'm dragging the town of Bumbury from forest squats to forest splendor! I... I... I have a problem...<br />
<span id="goog_246942149"></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joJY-YRD0w4/UfvarqXFVcI/AAAAAAAABH4/mhPDfypGZPs/s1600/bumbury_cards_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joJY-YRD0w4/UfvarqXFVcI/AAAAAAAABH4/mhPDfypGZPs/s200/bumbury_cards_4.jpg" width="149" /></a><br />
So yeah this game came out over a month ago, so old news. But I've been playing<span style="font-size: small;"> since then</span> so where was the time to blog about it going to come from? <span style="font-size: x-small;">(That's right it wasn't.) </span>After chewing my nails waiting for this game to come out for what feels like a lifetime, it ended up one of those great moments in life where fulfillment totally lived up to expectations.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRDHQA-DcoI/UfvarZbqnuI/AAAAAAAABHs/EJm6j15SB3E/s1600/bumbury_cards_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRDHQA-DcoI/UfvarZbqnuI/AAAAAAAABHs/EJm6j15SB3E/s320/bumbury_cards_2.jpg" width="320" /></a>This time around there are so many things to do. Muck about on a tropical island with actual real life friends <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I still have those if they pay animal crossing too), <span style="font-size: small;">play hide and seek with my townies,</span> <span style="font-size: small;">build stuff, </span></span>make clothes, and there are squeaky hammer toys! Yup finally a game that fully captures all the chores of my daily life in virtual life! <br />
<br />
Most of all I'm really enjoying customizing my town. Making my own little world to run around in, and clothes for my alter ego mayor Lady☆Bro, and pals, you have so much more control to make the game personal in new leaf. <br />
<span id="goog_246942185"></span><span id="goog_246942186"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USmG_lw2lpU/UfvglkJQauI/AAAAAAAABIU/soobgdlSCcE/s1600/bumbury_cards_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USmG_lw2lpU/UfvglkJQauI/AAAAAAAABIU/soobgdlSCcE/s320/bumbury_cards_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Also happy to have the game back on a portable platform too<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (pre-ordered the limited edition DS to enjoy this life suck in style!)</span> it just seems like the most natural fit for the game. It's also kinda social now too. You can collect the houses of the players you pass in the street through street pass, and the device connects to various social media to share photos and bitch about townies building their houses in the middle of your carefully planned grand avenue<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (don't even try it guys!) <span style="font-size: small;">with other borderline shut ins too.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So anyone else an AC mayor too? Maybe one day we'll streetpass from across a crowded room.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
I started a little archive of animal crossing QR codes over on <a href="http://www.vivcore.com/dolly_daydream/animal_crossing.html">Dolly Daydream</a>, and Tumbling my adventures on my little <a href="http://bumburytown.tumblr.com/">Bumbury Tumblr</a> and with the <a href="http://vivacheetahgang.tumblr.com/">Cheetah Gang</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(all of whom are hilarious!).<span style="font-size: small;"> And of course you can take a peek at my town in the dream suite if you like houses with lot's of pink. </span></span><br />DC: 5700-2203-2275<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHMfKmywmyg/UfvyNbgGXqI/AAAAAAAABIk/5Q5o5DCQt7Q/s1600/playing_acnl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHMfKmywmyg/UfvyNbgGXqI/AAAAAAAABIk/5Q5o5DCQt7Q/s640/playing_acnl1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Right guys, I have an illuminated heart dedication ceremony to attend, I mean work to do...</span></span>Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-21317794213518525422013-06-26T07:51:00.001-07:002013-06-26T07:51:54.840-07:00Tea is Always Greener<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3m0ZInOFkGc/UcoUn0Ir6RI/AAAAAAAABGc/xXG-z1W5Mvw/s1600/yunomi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3m0ZInOFkGc/UcoUn0Ir6RI/AAAAAAAABGc/xXG-z1W5Mvw/s400/yunomi1.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
There was a time when I had more than enough teacups. Then it came to my notice that perhaps the cups and saucers also needed small matching plates to complete the setting? Now I have enough pretty trios to perfectly host a good old English afternoon tea. But what if the tea I'm hosting isn't terribly English? What if it's my latest wagashi treats and a perfectly brewed Japanese green tea with them? What then!? Well, we could go with my regular English and French bone china, or... we could start exploring another avenue of tea wear, we could try drinking from a small amount of Japanese tea wear, just a few setting for just a few guests...<br />
<br />
And it's that kind of thinking that can get a girl into trouble. It's that kind of thinking that can lead to this, my first Japanese teacups, and a whole new world of gilded porcelain and lacquered woods.<br />
<br />
To start off with are these two, <span class="st">meoto</span> yunomi, or married couple cups. The big one for the fella, the little one for the girl. I'm guessing you're thinking what I was thinking at first too "sure give the man the lion's share!" but the size is actually an ergonomic consideration. Since the cups have no handles, how they feel in the hand is an important consideration, and since ladies on average have smaller hands than guys, the girl's cup is slightly smaller to fit more comfortably, and the boy's slightly bigger for the same reason. I have to admit, first drink I went for the big one, because "no one will tell me how much tea I can or can't drink!" but yeah in the end, the smaller one really does feel better to hold and drink from. I have to hand it to the wife cup! Different teas usually have different specific cups/bowls to go with them. Yunomi like these are taller than they are wide, and a less formal cup you can use with just about any tea.One of the reasons I liked them as a first Japanese teacup.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fWTV7R1qlwY/UcoY3-1XUzI/AAAAAAAABGs/1K6r1bg7I6c/s1600/yunomi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fWTV7R1qlwY/UcoY3-1XUzI/AAAAAAAABGs/1K6r1bg7I6c/s640/yunomi2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Another big difference between western and Japanese tea settings is that in the Japanese setting, all the pieces aren't expected to match. They are expected to compliment, but not be identical. I rather like this approach. It opens up for so much more creativity and personal taste. Not to mention greater possibilities for laying out the pieces you have to be different each time!<br />
<br />
So obviously to start I also picked up these neat little plates for serving the sweets that accompany the tea, and to go with my lovely little cups.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exOagJ2ZA4I/UcoZKTxg8RI/AAAAAAAABG0/KxHZR36wvlI/s1600/strawberry_daifuku_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exOagJ2ZA4I/UcoZKTxg8RI/AAAAAAAABG0/KxHZR36wvlI/s320/strawberry_daifuku_1.jpg" width="320" /></a>I hoped the rich wood grain shining through the warm colored lacquer would play well with the tones in the teacups, and that the small gold pine needle would echo the pine motif on the cups as well. I'm not sure how good a setting they might make to someone who grew up with this type of tea wear, but to my maybe overly English eyes they work well. One of the main reasons to enjoy nice tea wear is the good feelings it brings to the flavors you've brewed. The happiness these items bring me mean in that aspect at least they work.<br />
<br />
Still saving up for the perfect saucers to accompany the 2 cups (got my eye on <a href="http://www.hibiki-an.com/product_info.php/cPath/23/products_id/702">these 2..</a>.)<br />
<br />
Been doing more research, and started to pull in other pieces to the set. It's big subject, and it's always good to have more to blog about. So I'm going to go get a quick cuppa right now and write more about my latest teaventure next time!Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-70672751068075258012013-06-21T11:40:00.001-07:002013-06-21T11:44:53.442-07:00High Society Dressing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOD2wjVp8Nc/UcSadok8ogI/AAAAAAAABEs/er1dPi_PECc/s1600/grace_kelly_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOD2wjVp8Nc/UcSadok8ogI/AAAAAAAABEs/er1dPi_PECc/s400/grace_kelly_1.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
One of the perks of my job is getting to work on <a href="http://store.vivcore.com/pages/custom-salon">interesting custom pieces</a> I don't usually get to tackle. Recently one of my most stylish clients asked for something a little bit different, a re-production of a Grace Kelly movie dress she had fallen in love with.<br />
<br />
In the movie High Society Grace Kelly wears an amazing sky blue and white stripe dress by <span class="st">Edith Head as her character Tracy Lords sweeps into magnificent room to dazzle the reporters from Spy Magazine. Big sleeve, big skirts, and big glamor!</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">At first glance it seemed a fairly simple construction, but a <span id="goog_467246564"></span><span id="goog_467246565"></span>glimpse at the back, and a showcase at the V&A showed a more complex meeting of solid and sheer fabrics that Ms Head was famous for. On top of that tracking down a strip silk in just the right size stripe, and just the right shade of blue took some serious supplier sleuthing. Fortunately I contacted a silk supplier in NYC the week they happened to get in the perfect fabric!</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">The project took a lot of experimentation to get the right drapes and translucency, as well as more than 17 yards of pure silk!</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f00bbAXF504/UcSa1ec9ZGI/AAAAAAAABFY/HIozUm7huH8/s1600/high_society3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-hQuqoGsUg/UcSa1Yo8BCI/AAAAAAAABFA/mw8fN_OZJC8/s1600/high_society1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-hQuqoGsUg/UcSa1Yo8BCI/AAAAAAAABFA/mw8fN_OZJC8/s640/high_society1.jpg" width="442" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RB0xZcaMsVo/UcSa1uueKpI/AAAAAAAABFU/CPBjx8nW1yQ/s1600/high_society6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RB0xZcaMsVo/UcSa1uueKpI/AAAAAAAABFU/CPBjx8nW1yQ/s640/high_society6.jpg" width="399" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f00bbAXF504/UcSa1ec9ZGI/AAAAAAAABFc/wUkni1sN1xw/s1600/high_society3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f00bbAXF504/UcSa1ec9ZGI/AAAAAAAABFc/wUkni1sN1xw/s640/high_society3.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
A few changes here and there to fit the lady who would be wearing it, but certainly an enjoyable challenge, and one I was sad to see leave the studio! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The waist on the dress is actually much smaller than the display mannequin, hence the gap on the over skirt band)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='500' height='375' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MxozXTM0GCo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-87603247446753061052013-05-28T05:37:00.000-07:002013-05-28T05:45:18.440-07:00Crafting meets Cooking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orFWq8Fsz-g/UaPNDwOllZI/AAAAAAAABD0/0bv-KTrsuMY/s1600/making_tea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orFWq8Fsz-g/UaPNDwOllZI/AAAAAAAABD0/0bv-KTrsuMY/s400/making_tea2.jpg" width="255" /></a>This weekend was my birthday! I got dressed up, got some books, ate some great food, and got lots and <br />
lots of tea! (lots of tea). I love tea, I love drinking it, serving it, making pastries to go with it, and when it comes to English tea I have it pretty much down. This year however I'm looking to play out more with green teas.<br />
<br />
They still work well with my usual tea service, but felt like it would also be fun to try bringing in some new tea traditions to the party. On the way are some first pieces toward a small Japanese tea set (and people thought I had run out of tea-wear to collect!), and today I started taking a few baby steps into the world of wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets, often made specifically to go with green tea. Something a little different from my usual cream tea with killer scones and home made clotted cream every now and then.<br />
<br />
A while back we were lucky enough to try a few different kinds of wagashi from a wonderful shop in LA, and some others from Minamoto Kitchoan in Mitsuwa to get a taste for them. While I' await a big old book on the subject to drop on my doorstep, this weekend I took to the internet for some recipes and got my hands sticky trying to make a type of wagashi called nerikiri.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIPIowaGJCM/UaO41DFdYPI/AAAAAAAABDU/KhCLAeKdpp4/s1600/pink_nerikiri_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIPIowaGJCM/UaO41DFdYPI/AAAAAAAABDU/KhCLAeKdpp4/s320/pink_nerikiri_3.jpg" width="320" /></a> The first step was to make a batch of<a href="http://blog.wagashi-net.de/2010/05/shiroan-english/"> sweet white bean paste,</a> the second, to keep half the bean paste for fillings, the other to <a href="http://kokonuggetyumyum.blogspot.com/2006/12/nerikiri-recipe.html">create the nerik</a>i, a kind of marzipan texture dough which shapes and colors like a dream. The result just like my first scones was a little spotty, but life is all about practice!<br />
<br />
The whole process took somewhere over 3 hours, so it's not something to whip up the day you plan to serve them, but the bean paste and dough are freezable, so possible to keep on hand for faster making when the mood hits.<br />
<br />
Typically served with matcha ( powdered green tea), the sweetness of the cakes is to play well with the bitterness of the tea, so if you go towards the top end of the sweetness scale from the online recipe, it's dialed right up to one hundred. In the future for full leaf green teas like I usually drink, I think I'll dial the sugar back a little.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNalFdDWCBA/UaO4zohuHfI/AAAAAAAABDM/5lf2XbniJ08/s1600/pink_nerikiri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNalFdDWCBA/UaO4zohuHfI/AAAAAAAABDM/5lf2XbniJ08/s320/pink_nerikiri.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The big thing with wagashi is they are supposed to be a treat for all the senses. Silky textures, good flavor, and candy for the eyes. Shaped to match the seasons, wagashi specialist's sweets look like perfect works of art! Mine, so far, maybe not so much. Had a go at hand shaping some like the pinks currently gowning in my front garden, and experimented using a petit four mold in place of the traditional wooden <span class="st">kashigata to see how that went (not brilliantly).</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Certainly looking forward to learning and trying more when my book comes. It would be smashing to bring a bit of the surroundings to the tea plate this summer drinking tea outdoors. Next up "jelly" type wagashi. The retro hostess in me can't resist a pretty treat that wobbles!</span>Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-10501240045198277502013-05-02T09:25:00.000-07:002013-05-02T09:25:00.457-07:00Tiny Tree Take Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-liTYJ6uuXvg/UYKCt4HCDoI/AAAAAAAABB0/q7pi05HdrOo/s1600/apple_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-liTYJ6uuXvg/UYKCt4HCDoI/AAAAAAAABB0/q7pi05HdrOo/s320/apple_1.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r93T8LqNgpA/UYKCuxPtKkI/AAAAAAAABB8/iWTlMDACCvo/s1600/apple_1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
Every year right after the cherry blossoms fall, the apple blossom tree in our back garden bursts into life! Spreading a white canopy over my outdoor tea spot, it's one of my favorite couple of weeks during Spring. I'll admit it, I've hugged that tree, and the thought of leaving it behind when we move is one of the things that makes the idea of picking up sticks that little bit harder. <br />
<br />
I might not be able to take the whole tree with me, but maybe, just maybe I can take the son of apple blossom with me?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OVjs_nOU7Q/UYKCxO8w7jI/AAAAAAAABCM/lP5RPhF6ta8/s1600/apple_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3OVjs_nOU7Q/UYKCxO8w7jI/AAAAAAAABCM/lP5RPhF6ta8/s640/apple_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LaKbHuMlpdE/UYKCv4GDzUI/AAAAAAAABCE/YSiKsWUEXI0/s1600/apple_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LaKbHuMlpdE/UYKCv4GDzUI/AAAAAAAABCE/YSiKsWUEXI0/s320/apple_2.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
Out and about town this past week with my sister and her awesome fella, we stopped by the national arboretum to take in the spring blossoms and <a href="http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/site/index.html">national bonsai museum</a>. Tucked in one of the twists and turns of their bonsai collection (which is breathtaking by the way!), was this incredible little apple blossom bonsai! Perhaps fate? I've always wanted to grow a bonsai tree, and what better way to take my favorite tree with me? Right now I have a few cuttings lined up around the house, and going to also try growing from seed once the big tree produces fruit, as well as some late summer cuttings further down the line.basically I;m trying everything for the best chance of there being at least one that will make it to become a tree.<br />
<br />
A great site my sister's fella, out pal and bonsai enthusiast Martin put me onto is this one <a href="http://bonsai4me.com/">bonsai4me.com</a>, it has some great information of just about every stage. Beyond that crossing my fingers for tiny tree success, just think of the decorative and DIY possibilities in this amazing living art form?<br />
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-85814633989218997942013-03-15T10:54:00.001-07:002013-03-15T10:54:31.561-07:00Go Go Ghoulia!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9wdtyv-TuQ/UUNfYVepwrI/AAAAAAAABAk/O0WoYS-hDYY/s1600/ghoulia_home.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9wdtyv-TuQ/UUNfYVepwrI/AAAAAAAABAk/O0WoYS-hDYY/s400/ghoulia_home.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I
love my vintage, I love my Ghoulia, and I love to keep the 2 things as
close together as possible! When Monster high dolls first came out, each
character had such a strongly personal style. Ghoulia was my instant
favorite (I was late to the game and got into them around the same time
the wave 2 dolls were dropping) I loved her 60's Night of the Living
Dead's Barbara style, and Thriller 80's touches. It seems the designs
tend to go back and forth between the 60's and the 80's but as a vintage
girl it's always been her 60's flavor I loved the best!<br />
<br />
A
while back I did a couple of custom monster High dolls dressed up in
real world versions of their fashion influences,. A proper, elegant,
lolita Draculaura, and 2 straight 60's Ghoulias. The 2nd one with black
gingham trousers I sold, this dotty darling I kept!<br />
<br />
She's
found her way into my heart as one of my current favorite dolls, but I
hadn't really had chance to photograph her until this week.<br />
<br />
I
recently acquired a giant printer/scanner for work, and aside from
being great for digitizing my pattern drafting, it also prints out at
the perfect size for Monster High doll backdrops. This little set of
photos is the first with my printed backdrops, and one I hope really
captures the retro geek chic of the lovely Ghoulia!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPU01ADkzc4/UUNfgJ3MyZI/AAAAAAAABAs/ge1n1mHbP_4/s1600/ghoulia_home4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPU01ADkzc4/UUNfgJ3MyZI/AAAAAAAABAs/ge1n1mHbP_4/s640/ghoulia_home4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-frlJQ-VxoSQ/UUNfgDb7ewI/AAAAAAAABAw/nIw2fFBgkQI/s1600/ghoulia_home6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-frlJQ-VxoSQ/UUNfgDb7ewI/AAAAAAAABAw/nIw2fFBgkQI/s640/ghoulia_home6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There are some more photos from this set over on the main <a href="http://www.vivcore.com/dolly_daydream/go_go_ghoulia.html">Dolly Daydream site...</a><br />
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-23758918928247836812013-03-05T11:28:00.000-08:002013-03-05T11:28:04.074-08:001957 Beauty AdsYou might remember an age ago me<a href="http://quaintrellelife.blogspot.com/2011/09/catalog.html"> talking about collecting vintage catalogs</a> (and now also magazines) for work research. I love pouring through the different styles from different decades, and figured you guys might as well! So I'm slowly starting to scan in bits of the collection.<br />
<br />
One of the latest bits of dusty old paper to come into my hands is a vintage hair stylists magazine from 1957, Pretty much everything is of course black and white, except for a few choice ads. I love the bright pops of colors with the monochrome illustrations, as well as all those delicious typefaces! Have to admit, I feel especially bad for the chick with crocodile hand.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh_fR0k-CzE/UTZFBLrPhKI/AAAAAAAABAU/25voUSulkuM/s1600/American_hairdresser_1957_ads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh_fR0k-CzE/UTZFBLrPhKI/AAAAAAAABAU/25voUSulkuM/s640/American_hairdresser_1957_ads.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJvGtdSOrR0/UTZFBe7iZyI/AAAAAAAAA_8/hv94ZdvYsug/s1600/American_hairdresser_1957_ads2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJvGtdSOrR0/UTZFBe7iZyI/AAAAAAAAA_8/hv94ZdvYsug/s640/American_hairdresser_1957_ads2.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tEXLRCc4UOk/UTZFBazjZwI/AAAAAAAABAA/SuUjvbx0Pt0/s1600/American_hairdresser_1957_ads3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tEXLRCc4UOk/UTZFBazjZwI/AAAAAAAABAA/SuUjvbx0Pt0/s640/American_hairdresser_1957_ads3.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NzSWDUPlDU/UTZFBgg_TbI/AAAAAAAABAI/dmFUtytfIjc/s1600/American_hairdresser_1957_ads4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NzSWDUPlDU/UTZFBgg_TbI/AAAAAAAABAI/dmFUtytfIjc/s640/American_hairdresser_1957_ads4.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-25500117012198328982013-02-15T08:30:00.001-08:002013-02-15T08:42:30.352-08:00Faking the Fringe<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZgXap2zfMo/UR5hTXK9fdI/AAAAAAAAA_E/6hTRRpkvfDk/s1600/QL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZgXap2zfMo/UR5hTXK9fdI/AAAAAAAAA_E/6hTRRpkvfDk/s320/QL.jpg" width="320" /></a>You probably didn't know that before there was a Quaintrelle Life blog, there was a Quaintrelle Life site! Blogs can be tough to brows when you are looking for a specific tutorial, how to, or feature, so I've been collecting and writing more in depth pieces over at <a href="http://quaintrellelife.com./">quaintrellelife.com.</a> Though left untouched for a while, a few months ago I gave the site a facelift ready to start updating again, and today the first new tutorial went up!<br />
<br />
I have a long time love of Bettie bangs, i think they are just the right mix of retro sexy and retro cute. I don't however really have the hair to pull them off (they are always gappy and thin, yuck!) and a also suffer greatly from commitment issues with hair (which you'll notice if you follow the link in a second...) So obviously I'm going to have to fake it if i want to enjoy the style! And fake it I do. It is possible to buy clip in bangs, but if you, like me have awkward colored hair, or are OCD about every tiny detail, then going DIY is the best option!<br />
<br />
I made myself a set of clip in bangs in a Bettie page style, and now have a tutorial up on the <a href="http://www.quaintrellelife.com/bettie_bangs.html">QL website </a>for anyone looking to do the same! making them is super easy to do, and because you'll have hair wefts left over, less expensive than buying a set pre-made (more tutorials for the left over hair weft to follow) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yOxDzn_ETXY/UR5lK8yXH4I/AAAAAAAAA_c/CfsnAYrtcYQ/s1600/fringe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yOxDzn_ETXY/UR5lK8yXH4I/AAAAAAAAA_c/CfsnAYrtcYQ/s640/fringe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The clip ins are the secret of how I managed to get from this 1st style to the 2nd in 5 minutes instead of 5 months!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.quaintrellelife.com/bettie_bangs.html"><b><br /></b></a></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.quaintrellelife.com/bettie_bangs.html"><b>Try out the tutorial and start faking the fringe yourself!</b></a></span><br />
<br />
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-22125286463144457262013-02-01T12:00:00.002-08:002013-02-01T12:00:35.454-08:00Kanzashi Romance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfJPyP0P_Pg/UQwetpIbneI/AAAAAAAAA-k/Kxt4YxY_NUc/s1600/valantines_shop2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AfJPyP0P_Pg/UQwetpIbneI/AAAAAAAAA-k/Kxt4YxY_NUc/s320/valantines_shop2.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
I've been busy with kanzashi making the past few months, but trying not to spam up the blog too much with them. I love making the traditional geisha style kanzashi, and that's been building up into quite a collection! I also love the chance to do something a little more creative with designs as well.<br />
<br />
I recently made up a batch inspired by vintage valentines cards and corsages for<a href="http://store.vivcore.com/collections/kanzashi"> the shop</a> perfect for valentines date outfits or valentines gifts. I made a decent name for myself back in the day making quirky kanzashi and loved trying some new things out with these like making rose bouquets and pansies.<br />
<br />
Also been adding little traditional mini monthly kanzashi for those interested in collecting a full calender of the flowers like me, without totally blowing the bank! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xt4JQnmVKQ/UQweOBrImpI/AAAAAAAAA-c/wMqC8Rd0ynY/s1600/mini_geisha_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xt4JQnmVKQ/UQweOBrImpI/AAAAAAAAA-c/wMqC8Rd0ynY/s320/mini_geisha_2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Another thing I'm slowly working on is features on how to actually <u>wear</u> kanzashi since a lot of people seem to have fallen in love with them as objects over the years, but no-one seems to have much light to shed on how to use them! I started on the first steps to fixing that this week with some retro looking fashion plates featuring some of the kanzashi available in the shop worn in a 1930's inspired hair do.<br />
<br />
Plans in the works for hairstyling tutorials to go with them too in the future. In the mean time if you are looking to buy some there are some rather nice<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (if I do say so myself )</span> traditional and retro designs in the<a href="http://store.vivcore.com/collections/kanzashi"> Vivcore shop</a>, and here are some kanzashi in action!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvPEvVwY1Fk/UQvd0c4COjI/AAAAAAAAA9w/mbEi86N_b54/s1600/taisho2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dvPEvVwY1Fk/UQvd0c4COjI/AAAAAAAAA9w/mbEi86N_b54/s640/taisho2.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWv6tfs8BZk/UQvd0XmuW9I/AAAAAAAAA9s/Y7iTQjM69yE/s1600/taisho3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWv6tfs8BZk/UQvd0XmuW9I/AAAAAAAAA9s/Y7iTQjM69yE/s640/taisho3.jpg" width="471" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lS6GDBCqmdw/UQvd0KBZNHI/AAAAAAAAA90/wrGeYGCDlmg/s1600/taisho1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lS6GDBCqmdw/UQvd0KBZNHI/AAAAAAAAA90/wrGeYGCDlmg/s640/taisho1.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-45658087356443511212013-01-16T05:16:00.001-08:002013-01-16T05:17:55.973-08:00Boudoir Darlings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fnr0CIZntWY/UPXQWXkz0CI/AAAAAAAAA5o/OH-_jTK7NuY/s1600/constance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gktB0xs3uFA/UPXa_AFSqII/AAAAAAAAA7M/03JMWb5z8ss/s1600/marie_boudoir_doll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gktB0xs3uFA/UPXa_AFSqII/AAAAAAAAA7M/03JMWb5z8ss/s320/marie_boudoir_doll.jpg" width="255" /></a>A few months ago I discovered, and became really interested in 1920s boudoir dolls. I love them because they had such a short run, just though the 20's and 30's, and are so perfectly frivolous!<br />
<br />
For any one as late to the pary as me, boudoir dolls came about as part of the many crafts coming into Paris from Russia at that time. Relativly simple cloth bodies, painted faces, and at the time more Russian style costume. They became more and more popular and soon they were being made in fantastic18th century inspired costumes, as fashionable flappers and seedy undesirables. Women would drape them around their bedrooms and personal spaces. They represented the style of the times, and also the fantasies and daydreams of the young women holled up in these rooms. The dolls weren't only restricted to the house, some daring flappers would carry their dolls out for a night on the town. More than just a fashion doll, they were dolls as fashion accessories!<br />
<br />
You can spot them quite often in old movies, and they show up fairly regularly in photos of film stars and flappers through out the 20's and 30's. <br />
<br />
I design clothing and accessories for a living, but also make and customize dolls pleasure, so these have so much appeal to me as dolls and as accessories.<br />
from cute but beat up to "I can't believe it stayed so clean for so long!" Trawling through listings and photos I found myself more and more wanting to make my own so that it could be just as personal as some of the dolls that appeared to be to their owners in the old photos like the one above.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjXFspEGgFA/UPXQWdyShZI/AAAAAAAAA5s/uh3OozJltWY/s1600/boudoir_doll_making.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjXFspEGgFA/UPXQWdyShZI/AAAAAAAAA5s/uh3OozJltWY/s320/boudoir_doll_making.jpg" width="239" /></a>It took a while, but after getting my hands covered in clay, and clothes whited out with dust, I finally managed to steal some time the other day to finish off my first boudoir doll! She looks like a Constance so that's what she's called.<br />
<br />
She went from a creepy head on a stick to a <span style="font-size: x-small;">(apparently still creepy)</span> well dressed girl, swimming in ruffles, ribbons and art deco styling!<br />
<br />
She has a little floss wig, picture dress, and lots of little ribbon trimmings, right down to mini knee level garters! <br />
<br />
There's whole line of projects to work on using this doll, and it's got me started making old style dolls which is something I've been wanting to do for a while.<br />
<br />
A few things I might do differently next time around, but over all she makes me smile, and a great starting point for bringing yet another new old thing into my life :) More photos over on<a href="http://www.vivcore.com/dolly_daydream/constance.html"> Dolly Daydream</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(including the dolly garters!!!)</span> along with a lot of the other dolls I've made and customized over the years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OXXp4a-Lbw/UPam6y67o0I/AAAAAAAAA8M/eW1AN-tgLoo/s1600/boudoir_doll9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-frfi78lSmfk/UPXZamNpdNI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/EB-NbnIO7TI/s1600/boudoir_doll7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-frfi78lSmfk/UPXZamNpdNI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/EB-NbnIO7TI/s640/boudoir_doll7b.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hl2_GAaEBIY/UPXZaruwFCI/AAAAAAAAA6g/QW1f3ZyFqzM/s1600/boudoir_doll8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hl2_GAaEBIY/UPXZaruwFCI/AAAAAAAAA6g/QW1f3ZyFqzM/s320/boudoir_doll8b.jpg" width="224" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl16ZRXvc2Y/UPXZahUjuvI/AAAAAAAAA6U/lyQA4xQluCs/s1600/boudoir_doll2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tl16ZRXvc2Y/UPXZahUjuvI/AAAAAAAAA6U/lyQA4xQluCs/s320/boudoir_doll2b.jpg" width="224" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Q0McRfZn0M/UPXZbSYg6vI/AAAAAAAAA6c/j_dGYiZfKNg/s1600/boudoir_dollb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Xkz0Sxj2jw/UPXeW3LaADI/AAAAAAAAA7s/cmDZPo3vWmw/s1600/boudoir_doll_crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Xkz0Sxj2jw/UPXeW3LaADI/AAAAAAAAA7s/cmDZPo3vWmw/s640/boudoir_doll_crazy.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PG-LwWj8aiI/UPan25l2O4I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/tpIDXwaI9Yo/s1600/sayco_dolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PG-LwWj8aiI/UPan25l2O4I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/tpIDXwaI9Yo/s320/sayco_dolls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-34533715008254229752013-01-08T10:18:00.002-08:002013-01-08T10:20:37.277-08:00Tropical Fancy<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_9rU_oHxsdA/UOxiY8sBOfI/AAAAAAAAA5E/43bgUZc2vqU/s1600/tropical_fancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_9rU_oHxsdA/UOxiY8sBOfI/AAAAAAAAA5E/43bgUZc2vqU/s400/tropical_fancy.jpg" width="325" /></a>After being faced with jello shots I couldn't enjoy once again at a party over new years I've been back on my vintage housewife jello kick again. This time playing out with making a layered dessert using DIY flavored jelly. The flavor was inspired by sticky rice and mango, and destined to be kicked up a notch with the addition of a coconut rice pudding layer in a future variation. This one how ever takes no time at all and is easier than pie!<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>Tropical Gelatin Fancy</b></u><i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Ingredients:</i><br />
Top Layer:<br />
<ul>
<li>1/2 cup mango syrup</li>
<li>2/34 cup chopped mango pieces</li>
<li>1/2cup Water </li>
<li>1 Envelope Knox plain gelatin </li>
</ul>
Bottom Layer: <br />
<ul>
<li>1/2 cup coconut milk</li>
<li>1/2 cup water</li>
<li>2 tbs sweetened condensed Milk</li>
<li>1 Envelope Knox plain gelatin </li>
</ul>
<i>Method:</i><br />
<ol>
<li>Make the bottom creamy layer 1st</li>
<li>Sprinkle gelatin over 4tbs water in a small sauce pan and leave for about 5min</li>
<li>Heat water in larger saucepan to make a water bath, float the
smaller pan of gelatin in the water bath and heat gently till gelatin is
fully dissolved. Shake occasionally but do not stir to avoid bubbles.</li>
<li>Once gelatin is dissolved mix in your coconut milk and condensed milk along with 1/2 a cup of water and stir gently to combine.</li>
<li>Pour mixture into a bowl or mold.</li>
<li>Leave to set for approx 30min till set but not firm. </li>
<li>Repeat steps 2-4, this time mixing in the mango syrup and water with the gelatin, </li>
<li>Add in the chopped mango to this mixture</li>
<li>pour over top of your earlier layer and leave to set for 3 hours</li>
</ol>
If you're going the easy dessert route then pretty bows like these make a great serving and setting vessel, If you want to be fancier however set it in something flatter so you can turn the set jello out and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter for booze free tiki party jello shots or tea party treat!Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-26392491610110922372013-01-05T08:14:00.001-08:002013-01-05T08:14:25.848-08:00Shifting the Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xch0fljPkWc/UOhP9EblVvI/AAAAAAAAA38/AW-yJ3vqg3U/s1600/hamster-wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xch0fljPkWc/UOhP9EblVvI/AAAAAAAAA38/AW-yJ3vqg3U/s320/hamster-wheel.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<br />
Every year I make the new years resolution to improve my shape, and that means that after every year I haven't really succeeded in that resolution. This year like all the years before I intend to make this new start different, and count!<br />
<br />
I'm doing a few things different this time around, 1st of all I'm keeping my gym membership but not making that the main focus of my efforts, and second of all I already started on this journey at the end of last year!<br />
<br />
For me if losing weight was a good enough motivation, I'd have done it already. Focusing on weight gives me the promise of a thinner me in the future, but apart from that isn't filled with a lot of enticing promises. This year I'm focusing on dance. I want to get myself on the fast track to earning my point shoes and that is my main goal. I hope to reach the end of the new year stronger, fitter, more graceful, with new skills and accomplishments, and oh yeah, in better shape, but really that's a side effect.<br />
<br />
Going to the gym for weight loss has always been a bit of a failing proposition for me because it's not something I enjoy, I can not hate being there, but I never love going. The only result I'm looking for is few inches here and there, and the only progress I can expect is being able to lift more or go faster at the same things. With dance (and in the past martial arts) Every effort I put forward helps gain me a new skill and tool to use creatively, and opens the door to more complex skills and wider possibilities. It's also something where I can see results right away, because I'm not looking at the scale/measuring tape which has a mind all of its own, I can leave each effort, and each week of training with new accomplishments that I can enjoy instantly. And while nothing can take away the joy of completing my first pirouette, in the past my yoyoing weight has always managed to derail my weight loss motivations and made the journey an emotionally fraught one.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vr7UVoo3jg0/UOhPCwGVvGI/AAAAAAAAA3w/DQ0TXAmdKJg/s1600/tumblr_mg10u9CZoQ1s135dxo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vr7UVoo3jg0/UOhPCwGVvGI/AAAAAAAAA3w/DQ0TXAmdKJg/s400/tumblr_mg10u9CZoQ1s135dxo1_500.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want do be able to do this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I love my ballet classes, they are a highlight of my week not a chore I have to drag myself to. I want badly to keep up and be a valuable member of the school and can't wait to see what comes next as I move along. Finding a physical activity you love is the very best way to get fit. It makes you want to sneak in practice whenever you can. I practice while I wait for the kettle to boil, stand in a stretch poses while doing certain work tasks or brushing my teeth. <br />
<br />
<br />
Since shifting my focus this way I've been infinitely more motivated
to do even the classic workouts too. I want to go to the
gym to get stronger so my body can keep up with my head in ballet class,
and I've been able to target specific physical weaknesses and find ways
to improve on them to get the the next level. I also have an at home workout plan I've started following for this end....<br />
<br />
<b>Start Instantly!</b><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZtjljhLWro/UOhQ_O2mDBI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/bMZn-Kbs9nw/s1600/BoP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZtjljhLWro/UOhQ_O2mDBI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/bMZn-Kbs9nw/s320/BoP.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;">Through the ballet tumblrs etc I follow I ran into <a href="http://backonpointe.tumblr.com/">Back on Pointe</a>.
She's a girl trying to get back into dancing fit form, and has neat
monthly calenders you can follow at home, and right this second! I've started <a href="http://backonpointe.tumblr.com/post/39331725932/new-year-new-calendar-welcome-to-january-2013"> following along with January</a>,
and so far its been easy to make time for and feeling the effects each
day. She doesn't tell you how to do each exercise, but I've been googling
the ones I don't know. There are different options for each daily focus so you can find one that best fits your needs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666;">Having a defined plan laid out is a help in getting
done a useful amount each day, and for the most part all any of it needs is
a bit of space to work on. I've been doing a little on a morning as
part of my shower, teeth, face routine, and again at night. It's been
easy to slip into my routine, and hopefully something I'll be able to see
results from since there is nothing to stop me doing it each day (no
cost, no commute, and easy to find time for)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">So if your previous gym relationship has been as tumultuous as mine perhaps you just need a more creative outlet to get in shape. I swear you'll be amazed at the activities you can find close to your house! Google things you think you might be interested in to find local classes. Look into classes held by local parks an recreation services, adult education programs and rec centers. Even here in the burbs there are a billion Tae Kwon Do schools, my dance school, even a gymnastics school no more than 5 mins from my house!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;">Most importantly of all <a href="http://quaintrellelife.blogspot.com/2012/09/dance-of-dressmaker.html">don't let fear or embarrassment getting the way of being an adult beginner</a>! Find a way to get active that fits your life, fits your interests and that can become the thing you look most forward to every week. You'll get fit that way without the gloom!</span><br />
Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-46519194510183470762013-01-03T10:58:00.000-08:002013-01-03T10:58:00.819-08:00Start Today!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH9e9rDyNPs/UOXUf5J9aHI/AAAAAAAAA3U/tCZyjkwUgEg/s1600/new_years_trash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH9e9rDyNPs/UOXUf5J9aHI/AAAAAAAAA3U/tCZyjkwUgEg/s400/new_years_trash.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tip of the mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Looking back at my new years resolution list from last year, I was a little sad to see I didn't really hit any of them. Some I came close on, and certainly improved in most areas I wanted to, but nothing to a point I felt I could say "yeah! Tick that off!"<br />
<br />
The trouble I always face with new years resoloutions is usually two fold. One is that the 'heck yeah new year!' feeling fades before I can really capitalize on it, and the second is that it's usually a lifestyle/situation issue causing the problems I want to resolve in the first place. That's why I decided before making a long term resolutions this year, I chose a big new years action! I still have long term personal goals, but seeing they are the same this year as the last few, just gonna file them under "life" and channel my beginning of 2013 of January motivation into something I can have finished in the 3 weeks it takes most of us to quit the gym. That action? Reclaiming my basement!<br />
<br />
With this new space will come <u>the ability to be</u> more organized (every new years resolution box one), give me the space to work on bigger projects (box 2) and through improved organization give me extra time to exercise more (box3). In short when the clock struck midnight and 2013 rolled in, I was still the same person, in the same place as last year. I'm doing something big to make this year start off in a truly different, and once that domino falls hopefully so will the rest.<br />
<br />
I'm also working on the usual "lose weight" "get fitter" resolution it seems everyone else makes this time of year, and been focusing on weeding out the problems that stumped me last year. But that deserves a post all of its own.<br />
<br />
How about you guys? Is there something you can dive right into short term as part of the new year to help set you in stead for the next 11 months?<br />
<br />
Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-70219272879673195362012-12-19T07:49:00.001-08:002012-12-19T07:52:44.685-08:00Quaintrelle Gifting<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sk5vWFtNL4E/UNHhkOqrEcI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/KDrr_MQzf4k/s1600/patches_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sk5vWFtNL4E/UNHhkOqrEcI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/KDrr_MQzf4k/s400/patches_new.jpg" width="400" /></a>Quaintrelle do everything in style, even last minute gifting! For anyone looking for a last second holiday gift we have some new designs for patch boxes in at my online store, to go with <a href="http://store.vivcore.com/products/les-mouches">our popular velvet flocked beauty spots.</a> Little mirrored porcelain boxes with golden hinges just like the antique patch boxes of the 18th century. They were a popular gift in bygone days and make a lovely little gift in these modern times for vintage girls (and dandies too) <br />
<br />
Our patches come in a selection of colors, and in a mix of shapes like rounds, hearts, moons and stars, just like rococo court ladies, 1920's flappers and 1940s trend setters!<br />
<br />
I'll be shipping any holiday order for these by noon tomorrow which still leaves time with priority mail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eAvwsUuIA4o/UNHhs9i2EjI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/Ug43v3P3IxA/s1600/face_patches_1920s_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eAvwsUuIA4o/UNHhs9i2EjI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/Ug43v3P3IxA/s320/face_patches_1920s_b.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxHpkDe5fn0/UNHirazOopI/AAAAAAAAA2k/hfElEL4vhgc/s1600/patches2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxHpkDe5fn0/UNHirazOopI/AAAAAAAAA2k/hfElEL4vhgc/s320/patches2.jpg" width="260" /></a>Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-53290199096418106002012-12-12T05:09:00.000-08:002012-12-12T05:09:01.964-08:00A Paragon of Teatime Fancy <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-44jj7VTqlXw/UMedKyjBvII/AAAAAAAAA0o/5gihBOD-Is0/s1600/paragon_cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-44jj7VTqlXw/UMedKyjBvII/AAAAAAAAA0o/5gihBOD-Is0/s400/paragon_cups.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted Paragon Teacups</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I drink a lot of tea, tons of the stuff, decaf or I'd die amounts of it, and when I'm sitting down to a cup properly, I like to drink it in style! Starting with an ironic teacup buy back in high school<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Old Country Roses from my days working in a fancy glass and china department)</span> it's built into something a bit more opulent and a straight up obsession.<br />
<br />
I've had to slow down acquisitions due to lack of space and fear the collection might get (ok has got) out of hand. I still have a "to get" list though for cups that fill a particular hole in my collection, and cups that are just plain "like woah!". One cup recently ticked from that list was "<a href="http://www.heirloomsantiques.com.au/paragon-a-38.html">vintage Paragon teacup</a>".<br />
<br />
I love Paragon cups for a few reasons. First, there are so many unique designs, second vintage flavor, and third and most importantly a lot of their cups were crazy over the top! Gold, gold, cool colors, flowers, more gold, and a lot of the time inside the cup designs. Which is a great opportunity for more gold more flowers and they look smashing shining up through a non milky tea, with of the band of the saucer showing around it like pool of amber awesome <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Can you tell I love these things? You should probably just go and add "a vintage paragon teacup" to your list of stuff you need to have too)</span>.<br />
<br />
So yeah, paragon cup was on my list, and yeah, I'd been hunting, but like I say limited teacup real estate remaining, and so many designs, it was hard to chose just one! Till I ran across this cheeky little thing....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGm8ygwWeoQ/UMevVhe_tGI/AAAAAAAAA1M/on1p5uotOzM/s1600/queen_mary_paragon_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="603" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGm8ygwWeoQ/UMevVhe_tGI/AAAAAAAAA1M/on1p5uotOzM/s640/queen_mary_paragon_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xB-k0AsF_s/UMevXBUyqFI/AAAAAAAAA1c/LPor3Wsgu6I/s1600/queen_mary_paragon_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_xB-k0AsF_s/UMevXBUyqFI/AAAAAAAAA1c/LPor3Wsgu6I/s640/queen_mary_paragon_4.jpg" width="616" /></a></div>
<br />
It had all the design elements I wanted from my Paragon cup, bold use of gold, hand painted flowers, in cup designs, cobalt blue (another thing on my "to get" list) and to top it off it was being sold as a trio! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I found more cool cup and saucer combos than trios, and the fact they didn't often name their patterns makes tracking down a matching side plate tricky)</span> I was already sold on it when I read on to find this pattern is actually a re-production of a design they made for Queen Mary back in 1913. ROYAL TEACUP!<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Royal teacups are a special love of mine and covered by the "like woah!" clause)</span><br />
<br />
According to the Paragon International Collectors Club the Queen Mary
Pattern (# 8902) was first designed for a service presented to Queen
Mary on a visit to the Paragon (then Star) factory in 1913. The pattern
was then re-issued in the late 20's to the public, with is where mine
comes from (the stamp on my set date it to between 1930-1933)<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><br />
Turns out I got a pretty good deal on my little set, and that this is one of the few paragon patterns out there that came in a ton of different pieces and is relativly easy to hunt for (Paragon replica queen mary X). For me I don't need extra pieces, just the trio, but for anyone looking to collect a matching set (and who has deep pockets) it's perfectly possible with a little patience to collect a full vintage tea, or even table service fit for a queen!<br />
<br />
You might also be used to seeing cups like these pop up on Pinterest, Tumblr etc all the time, now you know they're Paragon china <span style="font-size: x-small;">(seems to be nearly always Paragon or Royal Albert in those things).<span style="font-size: small;"> If you're a vintage lover, tea lover, or just plain fan of fancy things</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>I heartily recommend adding one to your wish list, you just have to find the cup that suits you best!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DUERIYTxtP8/UMe0A6f00bI/AAAAAAAAA10/pRtqfVoUBMs/s1600/queen_mary_paragon_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DUERIYTxtP8/UMe0A6f00bI/AAAAAAAAA10/pRtqfVoUBMs/s640/queen_mary_paragon_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-18489378080288570262012-11-13T06:04:00.000-08:002012-11-13T06:54:55.261-08:00Don't Fear the Flapper (dress)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Lm_MsJDtqI/UKJdbF5H6iI/AAAAAAAAAz8/VL0JF6ROwWc/s1600/marilyn1-640x432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Lm_MsJDtqI/UKJdbF5H6iI/AAAAAAAAAz8/VL0JF6ROwWc/s320/marilyn1-640x432.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen of curves Marilyn Monroe as Clara Bow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I decided to face a bit of a vintage fashion fear and obsession head on these past few weeks. That love/fear for me has been the 1920's. I love that period for style and decorative arts. One of my all time favorite designers is Jeanne Lanvin, and even as a period of history, it's fascinating! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRG52_2uLVw/UKFVtHjuldI/AAAAAAAAAyg/PTJokjsL8cw/s1600/flapper_figure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRG52_2uLVw/UKFVtHjuldI/AAAAAAAAAyg/PTJokjsL8cw/s200/flapper_figure.jpg" width="127" /></a>As a fashion though it be daunting to wear. It's so counter my usual way of thinking. These were women throwing off the corset and the tyranny of the tiny waist. hemlines rollercoastered, and it really was the decade that set the pace for modern clothing. But me, I'm not all that into modern clothing. I love my corsets because for us they are a choice not a mandate, and my waist is one of the few things about my body I actually feel comfortable with. I know how to handle it and use it to my advantage when dressing. To wear the 20's I'd have to be willing to let my waist go <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(become invisible not actually physically go)</span>, and that scared the heck out of me, but still I recently set said on a voyage of flapper self discovery!<br />
<br />
20's dames weren't all ultra skinny, and not necessarily ultra tall, something I always felt a person would need to be to pull the look off. Keeping that in mind I decided to pull my first 1920's dress into my closet and challenge myself to try wearing this decade to see how it felt.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GKejtUBJu88/UKJc32CJviI/AAAAAAAAAz0/4JcYMuE7T78/s1600/1st_flapper_dress_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GKejtUBJu88/UKJc32CJviI/AAAAAAAAAz0/4JcYMuE7T78/s320/1st_flapper_dress_5.jpg" width="320" /></a>My 1st dress is this one. A dropped waist (scary!) Nile green Charmeuse straight style dress with lace and ribbon roses for accents. When worn I was kind of shocked at first to see a straight figured person looking back at me, but found that the waist kind of reveals itself in movement, and all the motion in the dress has a surprisingly playful feel as a garment in action. The freedom of movement was the nicest part of wearing the 1920's. Though I did still pull on my long girdle to keep my line as smooth as possible it was very freeing to poddle about in.<br />
<br />
I'm a pretty full figured gal, and really very short (just 5'0") but the style was more forgiving than I had anticipated, and I'm now largely over my fear of the roaring 20's as a look!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bigbsn6A9w/UKFT9rnKuqI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/VW66yhOQz0U/s1600/1st_flapper_dress2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bigbsn6A9w/UKFT9rnKuqI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/VW66yhOQz0U/s640/1st_flapper_dress2b.jpg" width="424" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrAFdBQRk_g/UKFTeZ0ZdTI/AAAAAAAAAx4/pSIOe6pLyk4/s1600/1st_flapper_dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrAFdBQRk_g/UKFTeZ0ZdTI/AAAAAAAAAx4/pSIOe6pLyk4/s640/1st_flapper_dress.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yiLHJPmy70M/UKFiOOXaZxI/AAAAAAAAAy8/xITK0fIr9Zg/s1600/1st_flapper_dress3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yiLHJPmy70M/UKFiOOXaZxI/AAAAAAAAAy8/xITK0fIr9Zg/s640/1st_flapper_dress3b.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I'm loving my first 20's style flapper dress. I don't think I'll be hanging up my waist cinchers and petticoats for good <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I learned to love my 1920's lips but can't give up on my 1950's hips!)</span>, but I do think I'll be bringing more 1920's outfits and looks into rotation from time to time. I hope this helps a few more of you feel confident to give this look we love a try too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xqYJjA4aYXM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-10651656934691139582012-10-30T10:24:00.000-07:002012-10-30T11:34:58.787-07:00Goldilocks<span id="goog_683921026"></span><span id="goog_683921027"></span>I have kinda crazy tastes, and sometimes that leads me to style awesome, and sometimes to style horror. A little obsession that's eating away at me right now that could fall either way is the 1920's bullion wig. I just can't decide if they are crazy cool or crazy bad.<br />
<br />
I mean I remember wearing a tinsel wig in the 80's and that was decidedly crazy bad, but for special photoshoots, shows, events etc, the bullion flapper wig unusual super hit hit or terrible terrible miss?<br />
<br />
Not sure what I'm taking about? It's these glittery beauties/beasts....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NxS7Ahbmmk0/UJAI6Ar0voI/AAAAAAAAAww/7HWZBoDS418/s1600/bullion_wig1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NxS7Ahbmmk0/UJAI6Ar0voI/AAAAAAAAAww/7HWZBoDS418/s400/bullion_wig1.jpg" width="334" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.timelessvixen.com/products/index.php?mode=detail&prid=688">Timeless Vixen Vintage</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hz4P0fuG_BM/UJAJeB0bIsI/AAAAAAAAAw4/q5r6cGu6VO8/s1600/flapprgoldhairclochsddd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hz4P0fuG_BM/UJAJeB0bIsI/AAAAAAAAAw4/q5r6cGu6VO8/s400/flapprgoldhairclochsddd.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.antiquedress.com/item3871.htm">Antique Dress</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raB7LECf7c0/UJAJ__FeboI/AAAAAAAAAxA/JxEobII-cyg/s1600/2008BU3514_jpg_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raB7LECf7c0/UJAJ__FeboI/AAAAAAAAAxA/JxEobII-cyg/s400/2008BU3514_jpg_l.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O230119/wig-unknown/">V&A Museum </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sometimes referred to as wigs sometimes as cloches these unusual and distinctly 1920's headdresses are somewhere in the middle. The great <a href="http://sydneyflapper.livejournal.com/18888.html">Sydney Flapper on Livejournal </a>was able to shed some light after landing both a bullion wig and article on the article from the seller! The 1922 newspaper clipping did indeed talk of them in terms of wigs so I guess wigs thy were? Made kind of like a hat with real metallic threads for hair they could actually be made from silver or gold!<br />
<br />
I can't help but wonder though, with their style all puffed up once again (times seems to have been hard on most examples and flattened them out considerably) could they be strikingly cool and glitteringly deco and glam? I know I love them as art objects but are they equally lovable as fashion objects?<br />
<br />
I've got a mad desire to make one, but hesitant about spending the $$$ on something that could be doomed to be a sparkle disaster from the get go, though undoubtedly the making journey would be an interesting one!<br />
<br />
How do you guys feel about the bullion wig!? Bring it back or let go?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Rw0-dGHa1E/UJAM5qECacI/AAAAAAAAAxc/75ad4fxy0TM/s1600/Michelle_Harper2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Rw0-dGHa1E/UJAM5qECacI/AAAAAAAAAxc/75ad4fxy0TM/s640/Michelle_Harper2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle Harper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8019609272320825788.post-6853405762327778012012-10-28T06:50:00.000-07:002012-10-28T09:43:44.821-07:00Soda Streamline<span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday was Sodastream shopping </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (RIP original Sodastream, you served us well over the years buddy)</span>, and after being in a bit of a fashion funk lately a perfect excuse to get all dolled up and head to the mall like all the cool kids do.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPAoP1WAVIs/UIxfwpFCJGI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/QYrj_kp5Umc/s1600/DECO_PATNTS3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPAoP1WAVIs/UIxfwpFCJGI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/QYrj_kp5Umc/s320/DECO_PATNTS3.gif" width="219" /></a></div>
Been in the middle of a serious 1920's-1930's kick lately, I've always loved the styles, but found my equal love of all things 50's a more natural fit for my body type, which has had me shy away from earlier vintage styles. In the middle of my usually super mid century style wardrobe <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(which I realize I haven't been photographing much lately)</span>, this little outfit has been my main outlet for earlier decade fashion fixes! Mostly from a new collection coming out in a few weeks with other goodies it was nice to wear something new from my little studio again. Really excited to get some earlier vintage styles into my life, Not sure a lot of 20's 30's fashions are a super natural fit for what nature gave me, but I love playing out with them so who cares!<br />
<br />
<b>Outfit Rundown:</b><br />
<b>Blouse & Trousers:</b><a href="http://store.vivcore.com/"> Vivcore</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(coming soon)</span><br />
<b>Pearls:</b> Vivcore<a href="http://store.vivcore.com/collections/jewelry/pearls"> Society Pearl</a> necklace in Navy with the white bracelet as an extender<br />
<b>Lipstick: </b><a href="http://store.vivcore.com/products/classic-color-lipstick">Besame Merlot</a><br />
<b>Hair: </b>A bit of a quick messy attempt, but curled on hot sticks and pinned under for a faux bob look<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (never enough commitment for the crop!)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6iAbdFrfoM/UIxf1M0U02I/AAAAAAAAAwY/Z0N112w5ejU/s1600/DECO_PATNTS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6iAbdFrfoM/UIxf1M0U02I/AAAAAAAAAwY/Z0N112w5ejU/s1600/DECO_PATNTS2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Vivcorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00236594170919857464noreply@blogger.com6