A Mirror World

     Have you ever noticed that the world you see in the mirror looks more appealing? Maybe it's just me, but when I was little I would lay on the ground and stare at the reflection of the room in the ceiling fan. It sparked my imagination, and I loved to make it come to life. I would imagine all sorts of things, and wish I could go through to the other side. When I read "Into the Looking Glass", I felt like they had it wrong. Things in the mirror are not skewed and wrong, they are beautiful. Seeing things in a mirror makes you take a new perspective and see with fresh eyes.
     I really want this blog to be a fun place for people to visit. I know that there are blogs out there that are too standoffish, and don't feel personal, or blogs that get a little too personal, and both of these are bad things. I think I may be erring on the side of standoffish. I want this to be an interesting blog that has some depth to it. I want it to be about beauty, life, love, and everything that is good in my life. Not that my life is perfect, but I like to look at the good side of things. Whenever I catch myself starting to get overwhelmed or depressed, I remember to look at the big picture; it is good to put things in perspective.

     Spring Breakg was this last week for my school. My sister and I, with a friend of ours, were able to go home. There is nothing like being home for a week, without homework or responsibility. Of course, home is not always like this, but a small break like this is an excuse for laziness. 

     There is nothing like good, homecooked food. This meal was so pretty that I had to take pictures of it. My Mom made salmon (which my Dad kindly de-skinned for her), a quick bread, and I made the spinach salad. Afterwards we ate lovely little lime cheesecakes which Rachael made. I forgot to take a picture, we just started eating them!

     I'm back at school now, but I can still remember my beautiful home, and appreciate my second home as well; and I can still let the beauty of God's creation seep into my soul, just like I did with the reflection in the ceiling fan. The second half of this semester is going to be even better than the first.

Lots of love to all of you! 

Love is in the Air

Sorry about my weird, skill-lacking, selfie-ish photography. I don't have a very good camera, and I am not a good photographer. Perhaps someday this will change. Also, sorry about all of the serious faces, I am concentrating on not shaking the camera. I mostly just want to show you some of my world. 

     Valentine's Day is such a sweet holiday. Even if you don't have a sweetheart, it is still lovely to see all of the adorable couples who are so happy to be together, and I find that I can't be envious of their joy. Plus, there is almost always chocolate.

      Last night I decided to wear pinks and reds in honor of this day, and this morning I completely forgot (I was running late to chapel). Instead I am wearing blue; the sheer number of people wearing red today makes me glad that I 'decided' to be different (though I did wear my red trench coat). It is blustery outside, which means absolutely butchered hair (not that I do much to mine, but I consider bangs standing straight up as butchered). It doesn't bother me personally, but I feel bad for the girls going on dates tonight for whom nice hair has become a hopeless case. I suppose that hats and scarves would be useful...

      I am in love with my new tights, they are so fun and practical. This color goes with most of my wardrobe, and I feel like they are dark enough to not stand out too crazily.

      This blouse hasn't shown up yet (indeed, I've only worn it once). It was the only item that I managed to finish over Christmas break. I was really pleased with how nice the construction is (it is from a vintage pattern). The print was a little bit louder than I expected once it became a blouse. However, I still like it. It is not a flower print, as it may look. It is a Blue Willow China print, which has always charmed me. My mom has a small collection of this type of China, and I think it is absolutely lovely. Anyway, that is why I bought the fabric. The construction was very simple; the sleeves were cut in one with the blouse and then a cuff was added. Also, it is fitted below the waist line. I love details like this in vintage patterns. Whereas most modern blousy patterns/blouses would make the entire blouse full, this vintage pattern is made specifically for wearing tucked into a skirt or pants. The practicality is simply marvelous.

     These shoes haven't shown up either (that I can think of, at least they haven't been spotlighted) and they are some of my favorites! They are so very practical for cold days, walking across campus, rehearsing (in fact, I will be wearing these for my part as Nelly in the school play, "Oliver Twist", this semester), etc. All that I really need to do is water proof them and get some nice, cushy inserts for them. I found them last Spring semester at Plato's Closet after looking for shoes similar to this for months. They are a size too big, but it really doesn't matter in this style at all.


      I am thrilled to announce that I will be able to show you some sewing projects soon. I volunteered to help sew for the play, and I was just given my projects today. I will be making several silky red petticoats, and 10 orphan tunics, as well as an apron, and possibly some other projects. As you all know, I have been complaining non-stop about my lack of sewing machine, but that ends now! I don't want to be all negative and complainy, anywhere, but especially here! I am absolutely giddy about getting my paws on some proper sewing materials, it kills me to be so un-creative (in a non-negative way...)
Lots of love!

My Vintage PenalJo Spectator Heels

     Well, to begin with here are a couple of pictures that show my bangs off better.

     I promised I would show you my exciting thrift store find, and here they are! These shoes just make my heart flutter. I am having issues dating them, because I do not have much experience with shoes. They are labeled 9N, which, from what I can find, would place them in the 70s since earlier shoes would have been labeled with an A-D system instead. However, I think that they could easily have come from earlier. I know that they were made in Taiwan and they are real leather with a man-made balance; and that is the extent of my knowledge. If anyone has any further information, I would love to hear! Again, I haven't researched shoes nearly as much as other garments.

      Even though I usually like to stay before about 1965 or so, I think that these shoes are absolutely timeless. Based on appearances only, I thought they might have been from as early as the 30s. This is not the case, unfortunately; but I am not turning my nose up at them just because they are from the 70s! Every time that I wear these shoes I get a big grin on my face. They are just so perfect in every way; my only problem now is to keep them intact and not stress too much about actually wearing them! Oh, and did I mention that they were only $4? I will love these shoes forever.

     Now I just need to find some saddle shoes and some proper black flats to keep my shoe closet sensible! My present life as a student has been rather hard to come to terms with, since so many things require me to be sensible, especially as a theatre major. It is hard for me to wear these shoes very often, since the first time that I wore them the company label completely came off (along with most of the interior lining, which was leather); it all flaked off and got stuck to my socks. However, the inside was already flaking when I bought them. I almost didn't buy them because of this, not realizing they were vintage till I got them home; observant, right? Anyway, the outside is in absolutely flawless condition, so I shouldn't worry too much.
     I have been spending a lot of time drooling over pretty vintage frocks on Pinterest lately, and I think that I am going to go stir crazy without the ability to make anything new. I was definitely on a slightly lethargic, I-just-don't-care streak for a while there, since I am so busy. I guess, I have been remembering why I fell in love with the 50s to begin with, and I am dying to fatten up my wardrobe some. The sad thing is that about 800 miles away I have tons of fabric, patterns, and a sewing machine just waiting to be made into pretty things. My closet is nothing short of irritating to me right now. I have one skirt that I feel I can really wear (I overdo it on summer sewing, cotton is just so wonderful!) and not many dresses. I have been wearing jeans way more than I would like. This wouldn't bother me so much if they were at least vintage style. Fortunately the Spring semester always goes super fast!
Lots of love to all of you!

Howdy Do, and a New 'Do!

     Well, I promise I haven't abandoned you again! I am fighting a cold, and therefore spent the time I would have used on Wednesday to write a post sleeping. Dreadful, I know; only not really. I am feeling much better now though!

     I was so excited last week to finally have my hair trimmed (I hadn't done it since the first week of July, yikes!) and I finally got the bangs I wanted! I had set my heart on them over Christmas break, but didn't have the opportunity to do it, so I was thrilled when my friend next door offered to do it for me. She did an excellent job, too. I know this isn't the best picture, but I will be coming back with more soon. I wanted some fringe that could work for an Audrey look or a more modern look; that could be worn straight across my forehead, or pushed to the side. My basic stipulation was to not end up with thick, heavy bangs; I have too many bad childhood memories of those.
     I am feeling the need for color, lots of color, right now. It is dreary and dreadful outside, and I am dying to put on my summer garb and go prancing around, but that is out of the question. The real need is for more winter skirts. I will be devoting myself to sewing skirts over the summer; skirts and blouses. I will have to force myself to keep away from sewing pretty summer dresses. I have plenty of those, and I wear them far less than I do my warm clothes. I am also looking towards starting an Etsy shop when summer (and therefore my sewing machine) come back around. Stay tuned for more details about that! My next post I will be sharing a very exciting thrift shop find!

Lots of love!

   

Living in Vintage

Note, although I have the best intentions written in this post, I actually wrote it about two weeks ago. Yeah... Anyway, I really am going to do better now. I have my schedule all worked out so that I have Wednesdays open, so I will hopefully write at least one post a week from here on out.

     Well, I am back at school now and busy with homework already. I am also going to be in the school play, and I have a job, so pretty busy! I honestly think though, that I will be able to keep up with blogging better than I did before. My New Years Resolution (though it's pretty casual, since I've never really done New Years Resolutions) is to be more disciplined in life. This may seem like a strange one to people who know me, because I always get done what must be done and am very driven and busy. But the thing is, I don't do the other stuff. I don't take the time to read my favorite book, blog about what I love, sew, or spend time in the Word. I sleep in as late as I can, so I don't have time to try something new with my hair; it has to be the same-old same-old. I want to make the time to still be alive, even with deadlines!
     I am a huge advocate of vintage the way it was actually worn. I love seeing photos of ordinary girls wearing casual, everyday wear. It is still beautiful clothing, but it shows me how to dress in a real life way. The problem with this is that people often say things along these lines to me, "I know you like vintage, but you aren't like such-and-such; she wears it all the time." and I cringe. It irritates me. The problem is that the clothing I am wearing is very timeless. Sweaters and skirts are never really going out of style, neither are blouses. I was expressing this frustration to my mom, and she said something that has really stuck with me, "That means you have succeeded, you don't look like you're wearing a costume. You look like you are wearing your clothes." and she was absolutely right. It has always been my goal to wear what I love without making a big show of it. People will compliment me, but they don't say "I love how vintage you look!" they say "You always look so nice!" I realize now that that is the compliment worth gaining. And deep down, I know that I am vintage. People around me won't necessarily understand what all vintage means. Since it is such a fad right now, people think peter pan collars and lace make something vintage, which isn't entirely false. But they don't know about the everyday, average girl that actually used to live. I just have some extra information, and I can be happy with that.
     So, if you find yourself becoming irritated by people who haven't done their research, just stop and realize that you have succeeded. You are wearing your closet, which happens to be vintage, and people see you first. That isn't a bad thing!
     Here are a bunch of pictures of a few of the outfits I have worn recently. Hope you enjoy!

Lots of love,

Christmas and Projects

Rachael and her stocking (full of chocolate) wearing her stocking cap that she just finished knitting. 

     Hello, all of you lovely ladies! I have been enjoying my time without school so much that I haven't even turned on my computer since the time I posted last. Sometimes a break is just necessary (albeit too long...). I had a lovely Christmas, as I hope the rest of you did as well! Since most of my family are in college right now (and therefore poor), we decided to draw names for Christmas presents. I received my Dad, and my brother-in-law received me. Since my Dad is a mountain man reenactor, it is pretty easy to shop for him (unlike most men). I got him a book about Bent's Fort and season 1 of Mountain Men (which I still haven't watched, it's a fairly new series and I had never heard of it until I did a search). I also got him a book of phrases beginning with 'Dad, you're dynamite because...' and wrote some special notes in it of my own, and I got him a CD he has been wanting for a long time. It is one of his favorite groups, Daniel Amos, from when he was young, and they recently released a brand new CD, which is pretty cool.

     Johan (my brother-in-law), got me some beautiful presents! One of which, my sister informed me, he chose without any help from her! A lovely calender full of pictures of hats (they have always been a weakness with me), a thrifted book (written in the 70's) called 'History of 20th Century Fashion', and one of my favorite movies, 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. I had never heard of this movie until this last semester, and I absolutely fell in love. If you like Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, the 20's, and kooky fun, you will love this movie! It is crazy and weird and wonderful. My Mom and Dad still gave us 'Santa' presents. This year it was all of the Narnia books in one.

      I had this lovely, unrealistic goal of finishing a dress for Christmas Eve. That didn't happen, but I am still sewing the dress. I am using a lovely chocolate brown, silky fabric. I decided to line it in flannel to make it warmer and more wearable, and I am so excited to finish it! I think it is going to be very comfortable, and since I don't have many warm dresses, this is needed. I have plans for many more projects while I am at home, but I don't have much time, since school starts again on the 8th. Oh well, I will just have to be a sewing fiend for the next few days!

The lining

Reading and knitting

New purse!

      Now for some cliche stuff! Christmas is a wonderful time of year. I actually really love drawing names for Christmas. I feel that it keeps giving a part of Christmas, but one is not overwhelmed with more presents than they need. My favorite part of Christmas has always been all of the traditions, as well as our Christmas Eve service (which is also a tradition...). I love hearing the Christmas story, it reminds me why we are celebrating. Christmas is a time of celebrating the birth of Christ and spending time with loved ones. It is a time to show love to everyone you come into contact with. I don't need to say that materialism is a problem around Christmastime, because everybody says that. I think that a bigger problem is not taking time to enjoy Christmas. I went to the store a few days before Christmas. When I checked out I said 'hello' cheerfully. The lady at the counter's response was to say that I must have finished all of my Christmas shopping. We then had a little conversation about her children, and it was nice. I felt so sad, thinking about all of the cranky customers she had obviously been dealing with. I encourage all of you to make an effort to smile at people, not just at Christmastime, but all year long. It is amazing the difference it can make in someones day to be smiled at by a stranger.

      I must get back to sewing my dress now, and soon we will be eating. We are having meatloaf and black eyed peas for dinner, and we have sparkling cider for later. So, without further ado, Happy New Years, everybody stay safe!

Lots of love!

A Lack of Inspiration

     Well, I have been completely MIA, and I apologize. The past few weeks I have been exhausted and simply uninspired. I think that part of it had to do with homesickness; but after being home for four days, I am feeling better again. Another issue has been my necessary separation from my sewing machine. Seriously, I'm having withdrawals. I am still wearing vintage (inspired), but there hasn't been anything new or exciting. Let me tell you though, vintage collegiate is very comfortable! Sweaters and my black pencil skirt; that is pretty much what I have been wearing. One of the biggest perks to this combo is that I can wear them to my acting classes.
     I am leaving for home tomorrow, and I am so excited! I promise that I will have lots more to say coming soon. I have lots of sewing in my sights!
Lots of love,