Advertise on Livin' Vintage this April!

After battling the Polar Vortex for the last several months, I can't tell you how excited I am for springtime and warmer temps.  The change over of seasons always has me bursting with ideas, many of which I am delighted to be sharing in the following weeks here on Livin' Vintage.

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Sometimes Bigger is Better: Vintage Ear Climbers

Part of working in any segment of the fashion industry is keeping up with the latest trends.  And, while I am not selling current fashions I am selling them to modern women, some of which buy and wear vintage fashion for its excellent construction, relative low cost, and to fashionably blend in the modern world.  So, I like to be mindful of what's hot in current fashion and try to mix a few of these "trendier" items into the shop.  

The other day I stumbled onto a segment about ear cuffs on The Fabulist (full disclosure: I'm not a frequent viewer of this show, it just so happened to be on while using the tv for background noise).  I found it very interesting that one of the host of the show, Orly Shani, makes the claim that these are a totally revolutionary thing and a cool new accessory alternative.  It's clear that she, and her cohorts for that matter, lack a general knowledge of fashion history, which is further pointed out in the next segment on hair scarfs.  Really, that's here nor there for this post -- although I could write an entire post on that very topic!

While the ear cuffs that are being marketed today aren't exactly like their vintage counterpart, they are the same concept.  During the late 50s and into the 60s, ear climbers -- a type of earring made to fan or cascade up your ear -- were very fashionable and are extremely reminiscent to what we are currently seeing on the runways. 

1  \  2  \  3  \  4

I found several pairs on easy, but these four were among some of my favorites.  The rhinestone pair at the beginning of the post are one of my most loved pair of earrings.  I thrifted them for around $5 or $6 and I always feel like a Golden Age starlet when I wear them.

I always find it fascinating when and how vintage fashion trends make a comeback.  What are some of your favorite fashion comebacks?

Spring Wardrobe Planning with Adele Bee Ann Patterns

Michigan still hasn't gotten the memo that it's suppose to be spring (we still have SNOW in our forecast!), but that doesn't mean I'm not thinking about warmer temps.

This month, Susan from Adele Bee Ann Patterns joined the Livin' Vintage sponsors and what a perfect time too!  With many of us starting to look into our spring closets and with Lucky Lucille's Sew for Victory sew along, there are so many reasons to be shopping for vintage patterns right now. 

Here's three I am really loving:  

1950s Simplicity 3384

1940s Vogue 5708

I love a good apron dress and this 50s Simplicity pattern is just adorable!  I really like how full the skirt is compared to my Swirl dresses -- sometimes a girl just needs a big puffy skirt.

Can we just stop for a moment to take in the sleeves and neckline on this 1940s Vogue pattern?  I could see this dress being made up for either day or night wear.

1949 Simplicity 8238

This late 40s Simplicity patterns pretty much sums up what I love about vintage fashion: cute details, ladylike, and matching jackets.  Plus the semi circle skirt and slight peplum on the jacket is a really flatter combination.  And those buttons on the shoulders!!

Check out Adele Bee Ann's blog

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What are you all planning on sewing for spring?












*Adele Bee Ann Patterns is a sponsor of Livin' Vintage*

Rust Belt Vintage Clothing Pop Up Shop Round Up

Two weekends ago was the Rust Belt Vintage Clothing Pop Up Shop -- my first show as founder and organizer.  It was a pretty big undertaking, but I am SO glad that I did it.  While I absolutely love my home state, Michigan doesn't offer many opportunities to sell vintage clothing in person; something I am working on changing!

I had ten fabulous vintage clothing vendors that offered a wide range of vintage.  From women's, mens, children's, 1940s to the 1980s, we had you covered!

The show took place in the event space, a large open room, at the Rust Belt Market.  My goal was to create something similar to many of the other vintage clothing shows I see taking place around the country: a large open room with lots of vintage dealers with no dividers other than clothing racks.  I feel I was pretty successful in creating that kind of environment and couldn't have been happier with the way everyone's booth turned out.  The room looked great!

Much to my relief, the show was a success with several of the dealers asking to do another one.  I'm so excited!  And, am already starting to think about the summer show!  

March Madness / Pre Viva Sale

It's that time of year again!  Livin' Vintage Shop is 15% off for a full TEN days for my second annual March Madness Sale.

SHOP THE SALE

Get your closet set for spring/summer or nab that last piece of your VLV outfit.

Shop with Livin' Vintage in Person

This weekend I'm setting up shop in Ferndale, MI with eleven other fabulous vintage clothing dealers from the Metro Detroit area.  We will have a little bit of something for everyone with clothing from the 1940s to the 1980s for women, men, and kids too!

If you live in the area, come shop for your spring closet and say hi!  Mention this blog post and receive 10% off your Livin' Vintage purchase.

Looking Towards Spring: a gardening tray from the 1950s wordless workshop

A few years ago, I bought a HUGE lot of vintage magazines from a local estate.  In the lot were several "What to Make" magazines put out by Popular Mechanics and it wasn't until the other day when organizing all my periodicals that I rediscovered these gems.

The wordless workshop was a regular feature, depicting a ridiculously easy project that required no written direction to make.  This feature seems to echo what many vintage seamstresses are very familiar with: the lack of detailed directions due to the general knowledge most people possessed back then.  Like this feature, many vintage sewing patterns have little construction direction, banking on the fact that most people already had training in these areas.

This gardening tray, while lacking directions, still seems to be a relatively simple project even by today's standards.  Now if it can just stop snowing so I can start planning my spring garden!

What I'm Loving Right Now: Paint By Number

| metal paint by number letter holder |

One of my favorite vintage things to collect is anything paint by number related.  I am especially drawn to the Oriental theme ones, as well as anything with a forest landscape.  The bright colors and crude lines make me flock to these do it yourself artists kits of the past.   

I can't wait until I am in a place where I can paint a PBN wall mural.  I've seen people do it in nurseries, dining rooms, and bathrooms -- the possibilities are endless!

Want more paint by number inspiration?  Check out my new pinterest board! 

Free Pattern Friday: a St. Patricks Day Craft for the Kids

Isn't this guy cute?  I just love all the cute projects featured in Jack and Jill magazine.  I used to really enjoy playing with these things when I was kid. 

DOWNLOAD THE DANCING LEPRECHAUN

The only change I would make to the directions is to print this out on heavy card stock, skipping the step to glue this to cardboard.

As with all Livin' Vintage free downloads, this is for your personal use only.  Please do not repost, redistribute, or sell this download in whole or part.  Do feel free however to pin this and share the link.  Enjoy!

my journey back to vintage

Some of you may have noticed that I don't post outfit pictures anymore.  And, today I want to come clean.  For the last year or more I have lost my battle with staying in shape and along with it went my ability to wear a vast majority of what hangs in my closet.

I've never been a twig; I have always had curves.  I was very active in high school -- being on the dance team kept me in shape and allowed me to eat pretty much whatever I wanted.  But like so many women, after high school it was hard for me to stay that thin.  

For most of my adult life, my weight has yo-yoed and for a while I was very comfortable with where I was at.  That's when I started this blog and began my journey on becoming who I always knew I was: a vintage loving girl trapped in the 21st century.  I had always had a passion for vintage fashion and the styles of the 1940s & 1950s, but lacked the courage and confidence in myself to wear more than a coat, purse, or piece of jewelry.  When I finally decided to shed this insecurity, a whole new world opened up to me, one I instantly loved and knew would be with me for the rest of my life.

For the last year I have dreaded getting dressed, going out, and was just overall unhappy with where my body was.  I had lost the ability to outwardly express who I was on the inside and was on the fast track to becoming someone who lived in comfy clothes.  

Nine weeks ago that all changed.  I decided that I no longer wanted to live a life of unhappiness due to a part of my physical appearance that I could actually control: my weight.  After having success on the program before, I decided to join Weight Watchers to help me reach my goal and so far, I am really enjoying the results.  I have a long way to go, but I am so glad I am on my way.

While I have had this post in the works for some time, I haven't felt quite ready until now to share it.  Admitting to myself (and others) that food is very much like a drug for me has been a huge step forward in my "recovery."  And I can't tell you how excited and motivated I am to be able to get back into all my pretty dresses.  Vintage will always be apart of who I am and I am so thrilled that I am back on the road to it.

a glimpse into the 1951 academy awards

I just discovered this feature in one of my vintage fan magazines and thought what better and more fitting time than now to share it?

I wish these were better quality, however, most fan magazines were printed on cheap paper and meant to be read once, then tossed. 

I have to admit, I don't really watch the Oscars much anymore, but I do like to check out the red carpet specials.  My pick for best dressed this year goes to Cate Blanchett or Catherine Martin -- loved both of their dresses!

These images are property of livin-vintage.com (Emily Schwartz).  Feel free to pin them or share the link to them.  Please do not repost or redistribute these without permission.

6 favorite looks from best actress oscar winners

Tonight is a big night for Hollywood, and while the past few years red carpets haven't really impressed me, that doesn't mean there weren't some great looks over the past 85 years.  Here are six of my favorite best actress winners looks:

Joan Fontaine, 1942 

| won for Suspicion |

Reese Witherspoon, 2006

| in a 1955 Christian Dior; she won for Walk the Line |

Greer Garson, 1943

| won for Mrs. Miniver |

Bette Davis, 1939

| won for Jezebel |

Olivia de Havilland, 1950

| won for The Heiress |

Jane Wyman, 1949

| won for Johnny Belinda |

Also, if you haven't seen this illustration of all the best actress winner's dresses, I recommend checking it out!  Here's hoping tonight will supply some beautiful looks! 

advertise on Livin' Vintage this March

With a growing readership/follower base on both livin-vintage.com and my social media outlets, now is the perfect time to grab an ad space!

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