Finding Vivian Maier

I love documentaries!  I think it's because it incorporates two of my favorite things: history and film.  So when I read about Finding Vivian Maier I knew I had to share it with you guys!

You can read the whole story HERE, but basically a guy bought a lot of undeveloped film at an auction and discovered something beautiful.  The movie follows his search for more information on Ms. Maier. Can't wait to see this film!

Sweater Season and a Product Review

This past weekend I saw two movies I had been dying to see; Pirate Radio and Coco Before Chanel. Pirate Radio was spectacular!!! If you love 60's music and 60's British fashion, I highly suggest you check out that movie. It was super funny and tells a great story. I was less satisfied with Coco Before Chanel. I definitely prefer the Shirley MacLaine's version. I felt that version was a bit more entertaining and showed more of the fashion side to Chanel's life than Coco Before Chanel. However, if you are interested in Coco Chanel I would go see it, the french countryside cinematography was quite beautiful.

I saw Pirate Radio on Friday night and it inspired my Saturday evening look. I got this sweater over the summer at an estate sale for $3 and I have been patiently waiting until colder weather to wear it out.

Saturday I also tried out my Hot Sticks for the second time -- the first time did not go so well. After seeing this video and this video I decided I needed to purchase these and try them out for myself. I got mine through Walmart.com for only $15 (and that's the link if you click on hot sticks above). I did the site to store and it was really nice, and I do recommend that process if you don't need the item ASAP. My second attempt at using them went better, and I probably will get better over time. I did find that they can be a bit difficult to roll your hair on. I think this is because they are so small in diameter and don't really have any groves to help grip the hair and possibly because the rollers get pretty hot in the centers. I also found that my hair got much more frizzy with the Hot Sticks than they do with a wet set. The set I have is a 14 count and does work well, but I would probably recommend the larger 20 count set for girls with longer or really thick hair. The set that I did the second time around lasted over night and into the second day -- which I was really impressed with; especially for a hot roller setting. I think it lasted longer because I sprayed some Lotta Body setting lotion into my hair before drying it and used a little bit of hair spray on each section before rolling. Overall, I give Hot Sticks a thumbs up!! If you use Hot Sticks, leave a comment for any tips or tricks to using them!!

Emily

Sweater and Earrings: Estate Sale

Jeans and Shoes: JC Penny

Tank Tops: Target

The Redford and "Dial M for Murder"

Yesterday a good friend and I went to see Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder" at the Redford Theatre. This theatre is my absolute favorite place to go and see movies. It opened its doors in 1928 and has been showing movies ever since. The picture above is from the Redford's website and it shows what the inside of the theatre looks like. During the time the theatre was built, Asian and Oriental themes were really popular. Many theatres from this time period have hints of this theme in their decor. The Redford has its original organ and is on a system that makes it rise and fall with a touch of a button. A half hour before the show begins, a volunteer plays the organ and then again at intermission. I really enjoy the intermission, it really makes you feel like you are back in time.

I was really excited to see this film. Hitchcock is my favorite director and I love murder mysteries. I have seen this film many times and couldn't wait to see it in 3D. Here's a little history about 3D movies in the 1950's. During the 50's, many families were able to afford television sets in their homes and television stations were obtaining the rights to old films to air on TV for extremely cheep. Both of these events combined caused box office sales to drastically drop. The film companies needed a way to draw back in moviegoers. To bring back high box office sales, films were now being shot using 3D technology and Panavision as gimmicks to draw in audiences. In my opinion, this tactic worked well and still does today. Case in point, my excitement in seeing a movie in 3D that I had seen many times before.

Anyways, I'll leave you with a picture of my outfit. I was really pleased with how it came together, as I was running late and didn't have much time to try out a lot of different options. I really love the blouse I am wearing, there is a funny story behind it. About seven years ago, I found out about Mother Fletchers and have been shopping there for vintage ever since. In all my seven years of shopping there, I have always wanted this shirt. I have no clue how it managed to stay at the store and not go home with anyone. On my last trip to Mother Fletchers, I decided that I had been admiring it long enough and I needed to just buy it, so I did!

Emily

Blouse: Mother Fletchers

Sweater: Target

Pants: Simply Vera Wang

Shoes: Kate Spade

Purse: Estate Sale

Earring: Royal Oak Flea Market

Bracelet: From Lana Turner's Estate

Family Gems

My Great-Grandma and my Grandma Margaret

I can't believe how long it's been since my last post. For a while there I was on a roll!! This weekend kept me super busy. Saturday I ran errands, the dry cleaners and the leather goods repair man. I had to get some of my latest vintage finds dry cleaned and a purse repaired. I pick them both up tomorrow, I am so excited!! I can't wait to blog about them. :) Sunday. I spent the day with one of my good girlfriends. We went to an estate sale and a flea market. I found some goodies at both (pictures in a future post). I also saw "Public Enemies" and I really liked it A LOT. I really enjoyed the 30's style clothing and it is inspiring me to search out some 30's clothing to wear.

Anyways, tonight's post was inspired by today's episode of "Antiques Roadshow." I just love that show, I have been watching it for years. I remember watching it as a kid, it probably aided my already blooming curiosity for old things. The last item appraised tonight was a set of jewelry that was simply gorgeous. I love when jewelry shows up on the show because it is one of my biggest collecting passions. I have been extremely lucky to inherit some lovely pieces of jewelry from the amazing women in my family. The bracelet above was hand down to me from my Grandma who received it from her mother. I think it is the most beautiful costume bracelet ever and plan to wear it on my wedding day as my something old if I ever get married.

These are two of my favorite rings. The wedding set was my Great-Grandmother's. She was married in 1912, so these rings are almost 100 years old. I always feel like a million bucks whenever I wear them. They were a special gift from my mom on my 21st birthday. The star sapphire ring was my Grandma's. I have the fondest memories of seeing my Grandma wear this -- it was her "every day ring." She kept her most precious rings for special occasions only and she still does to this day.

My hope is that some day I have a daughter so I can pass these lovely family heirlooms down to her to enjoy for the next century or so!

Emily

A Movie and a Giveaway

First off, I want to thank you all for the great feedback and wonderful comments I have gotten on my daily outfit posts. It is so nice to have your support!! There will surely be more to come!

Second, The Glamorous Housewife is hosting her first giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be entered. She is giving away a beautiful set of vintage earrings!! If you are interested check them out and good luck!

Lastly, about a week ago I discovered this wonderful movie, It Happened on 5th Avenue. It escapes me as to why I have only now discovered this lovely film, but I am so glad that I found it while surfing netflix trying to round up some old movies I haven't seen yet. I won't give too much away about the plot, as my reason to posting about this film has to do with the costumes. It Happens on 5th Avenue is set around Christmas time and was made in 1947. This film has now made it up there on my list of feel good holiday movies, which includes classics such as The Bishop's Wife, Christmas in Connecticut, and It's a Wonderful Life. I highly recommend this movie, not only for its uplifting story but the fabulous costumes as well. After watching the movie, I fell in love with the leopard coat and hat set the lead female wears towards the end of the film. Needless to say I have been scouring eBay and etsy for something similar. I hope I find one before the cold Michigan winter, because it will sure complete a vintage girl's winter wardrobe!

Emily

So Bummed....and What I Wore

Today was quite a busy day. My mom invited over my great aunt and cousin to visit with my Grandma and my mom and I. I'll post more about this visit tomorrow, including some vintage photos of my Grandma and her sister. After they went home, I made my way over to Mother Fletchers. I had liked a dress there when I traded for the one I wore yesterday, however I didn't get it. One I got home I realized it matched my new wedges so well that I had to go back and get it. So, I did; luckily it was still there!!

One I got home, I got ready to go to the movies to see Julie and Julia. I have been dying to see this film since I saw the trailers months back. Well, about 45 minutes into the movie, the theater went pitch black and the projector stopped. After about 15 minutes of waiting around not knowing what was going on, a staff member came and told us the power went out, there was a tornado warning and that the power wasn't going to come back on and we could pick up vouchers on the way out. I was extremely bummed!! The movie was going soooooo well. The costumes for the Julia Child part were amazing, done by Anne Roth, (which is no surprise as to why they are sooo good). The dresses, suits, and hats were to die for!!! Needless to say, I can't wait for my class to get out tomorrow, because my mom and I have a date to see the rest of the film!!!

Above is my outfit from today. I decided to start doing these posts because I have been inspired by so many other bloggers and their daily outfit posts. I love to see other vintage outfits, so I thought I would share mine. Today I put on a light-weight 40's house dress and paired it with a little sweater. I find myself wearing these little flats that are really tennis shoes. They are super comfy and remind me of a pair that Lucy wears in many episodes of I Love Lucy.

**Please pardon my hair. It was horribly humid outside and my hair style went flat and frizzy**

Dress: Estate Sale

Sweater: Target

Shoes: JC Penny

Emily