Thoughts on The Grass is Greener (1960)

One of the things I was looking forward to most this year was getting back into the swing of watching old movies again. Classic film is probably one of my earliest if not the earliest passion in my life, but with so much quality television shows on the air right now (Mad Men, Game of Thrones, The Americans, etc) it has been really hard to fit movies into all of that.  What can I say, I am always going to be a Cinema Studies student at heart.  :)

So in January, I accepted the challenge to watch 10 classic I haven't seen before.  So far, I have watched three of the ten films and I can't wait to get through the list.  It has definitely reignited my love for classic film!

Having little expectations for it, I started with The Grass is Greener (Cary Grant was really the only draw for me).  The premise sounded pretty funny and I was immediately even more interested after seeing Christian Dior's name on the credits for supplying Jean Simmon's wardrobe. 
It was a delight to see many of Dior's early 60s designs modeled on the beautiful Simmons and really made the film worth watching, if only for the amazing fashion.  However, I think the best part of the film is during the above scene, when a split screen Grant and Mitchum are both on the phone.  Grant has such great comedic timing and this scene certainly highlights that.

LV Rating: *** See it for the clothes and Cary Grant is always dreamy!

Mad Men Season 7 Fashion Week

The wait is nearly over for Mad Man fans -- season 7 is almost here!!  

Until the big season premiere on Sunday, I'll sharing TONS of 1969 fashion inspiration from fashion magazines, catalogs, and the like; as a way to forecast where Mad Men is going and to get into a swingin' 60s mood.

Check back tomorrow for a look into 1969 via the Spring Penny's Catalog.

Mad Men Week: How to Make Betty Draper Francis' Earrings

One of the things I love most about Mad Men is how costume designer, Janie Bryant, reuses pieces of the main character's wardrobe.  One of my favorite pieces on the show this season was Betty's earrings she wore to a formal event with Henry.  While watching one of the behind the scenes videos, I realized that Betty wears these earrings in Season 3 (Souvenir) as well.

These earrings, which were quite popular during the mid to later half of the 60s, are pretty easy to make.

Here's what you'll need:

1.  jewelry wire cutters (I used mine as needle nose pliers too)

2.  earring posts with a loop for dangling attachments (I found some vintage ones at the thrift store, but new ones are readily available at your craft store)

3.  head pins with a bottom large enough to hold your bead

4.  large round beads (Betty's are pearls, I chose rhinestones instead)

5.  fine silver chain

-optional-

needle nose pliers | jump rings | crimping beads

Thread your bead onto the head pin and mark where you want to cut it, leaving enough room to make a ring (about a half inch or so, depending on the size of your bead).

Cut the head pin.

Measure how long you want your chain to hang and cut.  Mine is about 1.5 inches.

Bend the top of the head pin to create a loop.  Place your chain inside and secure closed.

Open the loop on the post.

Loop the chain through and secure closed.  Repeat for matching earring.

If you buy your findings on sale, this project will cost you about $10 or less.

This project not your cup of tea?  Here are a re few pairs for sale right now on etsy:

1  |  2  |  3  |  4 

ALSO!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a Joan worthy scarf!

CLICK HERE to enter

What's New

I'm so excited about the new stuff that has hit the shop in the last two weeks!  And, I'm even more excited about beginning to offer vintage menswear.  For now, there are just going to be a few pieces scatted in throughout the regular ladies offerings, but if it does well, you can expect to see a whole lot more!

                                        50s White Sequin Skirt                                                  50s Plus Size House Dress

60s Mens Suede and Wool Sweater

                                           60s Mens Shirt                                                           60s Mod Sundress

40s Yellow Platform Heels 

Like something you see?  Readers can save 10% with the code: READERS13

Pumpkin Pickin'

70s Dress: Regeneration / Boots: Target / 40s Bracelet: eBay

This past weekend, the boyfriend, my brother, and I ventured out to the pumpkin patch to select some pumpkins.  One of the perks of living in the Midwest is plenty of orchards that allow you to pick your own berries, apples, and pumpkins.  I try to check out a different orchard each year, however, I was very pleased with the one we went to this year and might have to patron it again. 

The orchard provided wagons to cart around your selections.  This was especially nice since it was top priority to find a pumpkin large enough to do this:

Pumpkin in a pumpkin!  I've been pining to do this since we named our puppy Pumpkin.  Well it only took nearly four years to do so, but I am glad that I finally did it.  I am biased, but I think it came out pretty cute!

Playing Catch-Up

I can't believe it's September already!  Where has the time gone!?

Now that I am no longer a student, I find myself really missing back to school time. In order to remedy this situation, the purchase of a vintage globe is in order to make my home office feel more like a classroom. 

The one thing that is reminding me of fall and all the related activities is the Ferndale DIY Street Fair, which I am currently preparing for. It will be my second year being a vendor and I couldn't be more excited!

This dress is what I wore nearly two months ago on the 4th of July. It's a DeWeese and I scored it for the small sum of $5 a few summers ago. Since then, it's become a summer staple. And, if Michigan keeps up this hot and sticky weather, I will be pulling it out a few more times until the lovely cool fall weather arrives. 

Emily

60s DeWeese: Royal Oak Garage Sale

Butterfly Flip Flops: Kohls

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A Recent Thrift Find

Last week, I used my 50% off coupon for Value World to score this cute dress for only $2!! (Originally $4) It's a late 60s number from Sears made out of a heavy cotton. I must really be into the tent shape right now because this is at least the second dress that I have purchased in the last month that is in this shape. I debated on whether or not to belt this dress, and the non-belted look won out. Isn't the flower print darling?

Emily

60s Sears Tent Dress: Value World

Sandals: Michael Kors

Bracelet: Grandma's

Hawaiian Florals

When I bought this dress at the Salvation Army a few weeks ago, I bought it with the intention to shorten it, since I loved the pattern but wasn't too sure about the maxi length. Well, I have a hard time altering vintage, so I left it alone and decided to try and make the maxi work. I have to say, I am in LOVE with this dress. Even though it's a poly blend, it's surprisingly light and has such a lovely drape to it.

Tonight, since it is Cinco de Mayo, I am hoping to make it down to Mexicantown and wear one of my new Mexican inspired 50s dresses. :) How will you be spending Cinco de Mayo?

Emily

60s Hawaiian Maxi Dress: Salvation Army

Shrug: Target

Sandals: Michael Kors

Another Vintage Coat Post and a Reminder

Well, the girl just can't help herself..... She's got an addiction and at least she knows it.....

In all honesty, I have had this coat for a year or two and just have never shown it on my blog, but it is among my coat collection that seems to be multiply when I am not looking. I found this one on eBay and just had to have it because it was yellow and it zipped up the front. I love the dolman sleeves and I think the yellow/grey contrast is wonderful. I feel very "mod" every time I wear it. The backcombed hair doesn't help.... ;)

Oh, and just a few reminders. Thursday is this month's Nasty Jello of the Month day. Can't wait to see what other readers find! Also, I am only 7 more followers away from holding my 200th follower giveaway. :)

Emily

60s Coat: eBay

Tights: Gap

Boots: Uggs

P.S. I swear I wear other shoes than these UGG boots. The are just so warm and cozy and even though they are not vintage or really that stylish on their own, I feel accessories can really do a lot.

Posh Frock Friday

Kate over at Scathingly Brillant hosts this weekly feature, or internet soiree rather. Everyone is welcome to join in. To see everyone else's fabulous outfits click HERE.

I love this dress and jacket set. I know it's more of a spring piece, but I just couldn't wait until then to wear it. What I love most about it besides the fabulous jacket that goes with it, is the pleats at the waist, which make it stand out a bit there. One of my readers, Amanda, sent it to me. I visited her and Brittany in St. Louis last April.

I am so excited for this weekend!! The local old movie palace near my home is showing Arsenic and Old Lace!! What are you all doing this weekend?

Emily

60s Dress& Jacket: A gift from Amanda

Shoes: eBay

Coro Jewelry Set: Grandma

My Winter Dress

Last week, on a trip to the thrift with my beau, I came across this great double knit dress. It has a nylon zipper and unfinished seams, so I am dating it to the late 60s early 70s. I feel like the cut of it, which is hard to tell in the photo, also evokes this era. What made me fall in love with it, other than its incredibly low price of $3, was its softness and wonderful cut. Even though it's from a later time, I feel it echos back to the 50s, with its full skirt and cute collar. After I took these photos, I remember I had these awesome pair of red plaid heels that would have looked much better than the black ones..... oh well. I'll have to remember for next time.

This dress is SO warm and I am now on the hunt for more knit dresses like this. I have declared this my go to winter dress and know I will be wearing it many more times before all this snow and cold weather leave Michigan. (Just as a side note, my hair looks pretty bad in the photo, but it was the best one out of the set. The little girl I am a nanny for took the photos for me. For a 4 year old, I think she did a GREAT job!)

These are the scatter pins I paired with the dress. I got them a year or two ago and never seemed to find the right outfit to wear them with. I distinctly remember buying them because they reminded me of novelty print fabric of the 40s. :)

I also want to send a big thank you out to Midwest Mama and Eunice of Red Lips and Corsets for gifting me with the Stylish Blogger Award. I know the rules state that I am suppose to tag X amount of other bloggers, but I would like to direct my readers to check out a blog in my blog roll and/or the blogs that I follow that they may not have read before. Thanks again gals!!

Emily

P.S. Thank you to everyone who commented on the new look of my blog and the nasty jello of the month feature!!! You guys rock!!

Late 60s Dress: Salvation Army

Vintage Pins: Royal Oak Flea Market

50s Heels: Ferndale D.I.Y.

A 60s Summer Night

Today I was feeling in a 60s mood. It could have been inspired by my last trip to my favorite Salvation Army where I scored this fantastic dress, along with some other really great finds; those of which I will be posting about soon!

Tonight I headed over to the Redford Theatre to watch Rear Window, which is a fabulous Hitchcock film and if for some odd reason you have not seen it, you should do so immediately!! Hehe!!

The weather has finally cooled off just a bit here, so I was able to pair the sleeveless shift with a little cardigan. By the way, is anyone else having a hard time finding cardigans this season? I can't seem to find them anywhere in the colors I need. Any and all suggestions would be welcome, since I have pretty much clean out all the Targets in the area.

Emily

60s Shift Dress: Salvation Army

Cardigan: Target

Headband and Vintage Earrings: Not a Clue!

Purse: Estate Sale

Shoes: Wet Seal

1961 PJs

One of my really good girlfriends is moving to Arizona in a few weeks to teach second grade. While she is really excited to start her new job, she is definitely bummed out that she will be so far from all her closest friends. She decided that a good old fashioned slumber party would be a great way for us to all get together and have one last hurrah before she leaves.

Until today, I didn't really own any real pajamas. And, knowing me, I couldn't go to a slumber party without the proper attire, so I decided VERY last minute to whip up a pair from a vintage pattern that my mom and I just pick up at an estate sale for a mere 10 cents.

With the help of my mom I made a few changes to the pattern, opting for a simple elastic waist, snaps instead of buttons, and shorter pants and sleeves, but I love how it came out. I used a vintage bed sheet that I got on my trip to Canada two summers ago. If you haven't used a bed sheet before, I would certainly recommend it. My jammies are super comfy!!!

Emily

Vintage Pajamas: Made by Me from a 1961 pattern