A Downton Themed Tea at Barnes & Noble!

Hello!

 

This weekend I attended a Downton Abbey themed party at the local Barnes & Noble bookstore. It featured tea, cookies, trivia, as well as a hat and costume contest! I had a wonderful time with all the other ladies that attended and had fun bonding over all things Downton. I had fun putting together my ensemble for the event, trying to match the upcoming season, which is the early 1920's.

 

 

Though not necessary, I tried to make my look as accurate as I could. I chose to wear a black dress with black embroidery and a black cloche with a felt flower. I accessorized with a long peach colored pearl necklace and my peach beaded handbag. Because my dress hem was above my knees, (unacceptable in these circumstances!) I wore a black skirt underneath the dress so my hem was at an acceptable length, mid-calf. Another benefit of the skirt underneath was that it gave the dress a tiered effect, which was somewhat common at the time. When we chose the nominees for the contests, I was lucky enough to win the costume contest and a trivia contest! It was a tie with another woman with a fantastic outfit. She also won the hat contest, which was well deserved. For the prizes, I won a photo album and canister of tea.

 

The costume contest winners

 

 

Ivy

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a great time with their families and friends. I'm thankful for my family, health, happiness and all of you wonderful readers!

 

 

Ivy

Katharine Hepburn: Dressed for Stage and Screen Exhibit

Hello!

This past week, I went to an exhibit featured at The Trout Museum of Art in Appleton, Wisconsin with my mom and brother. This exhibit featured several articles of clothing and accessories from Katharine Hepburn's film and theatre career and personal estate, spanning from the 1930's to the 1970's. Including a few pairs of slacks; a major part of Katharine's signature look.

I had a wonderful time at this exhibit and loved all of the items collected and preserved. Seeing the wear on some of the pieces and repairs made on them, quite possibly done by Katharine herself, was quite special. Being able to get close to the garments without being restricted by glass was so nice, especially when you're interested in historical and vintage clothing and sewing like me.

Since I was at a museum, I chose not to take pictures for the sake of respect and preservation. However, I did scan the pages of my exhibit brochure and took some pictures of my Katharine Hepburn inspired ensemble. Here are scans from my brochure.

Here are some pictures I found online of my favorite dresses in the exhibit. You can find pictures of most of the costumes that are featured on Pinterest.

 

A very pretty dress Katharine wore in Stage Door, 1937

 

 A gorgeous black dress worn in Adam's Rib, 1949

A stunning wedding gown worn in The Lake, 1933

A beautiful dressing gown worn in State of the Union, 1948

When I saw this magazine on display in the exhibit, I was happy to see that her makeup on the cover kind of resembled my makeup for the day!

via Pinterest

Here is what I wore to the exhibit:

Hat: Thrifted (flower accessory from Forever21)

Cardigan: Target

Blouse: Forever21

Slacks: Homemade by me

Shoes and bag: Target

Photos taken by my brother.

If you ever get a chance to see this exhibit, I highly recommend it!

Ivy

September Purchases

Hello everyone and Happy October!

Here is what I purchased in the month of September.

Louis Chair (DIY project)

Medicine Cabinet

Yellow Calla Lily button card

Set of 4 Art Deco buckles

Assortment of 10 vintage buttons

Cosmetic ads from Holland's magazine (See the Vivaudou talc below)

Mavis Talc by Vivaudou and small jar, given to me by a friend

Sheet music

Portrait of unknown woman

Set of three 2⅝" drawer pulls

2 Post war button cards made in U.S. Zone of Germany

Oil portrait of "Irma" (but strangely looks just like me)

Not pictured:

Secondhand fall coat from Old Navy

Ivy

I'm Sewing, Sewing and Sewing.

Hello reader,

 

This September has gone by quickly. It's been full of organizing, cleaning and sewing. I've mostly been hemming pants for my mom and brother, but I did make a fantastic navy blue skirt for myself out of my Simplicity pattern #3688. I desperately needed a blue skirt. I have light brown, black and light grey. I consider a navy blue skirt a staple in vintage fashion and any vintage gal needs one in their armoire! Don't you agree? Here is a navy blue polka dot blouse I bought recently at Forever21 (along with a sleeveless navy blue blouse with bow). It has a bit of a peplum effect, so naturally, a skirt would look best. But I realized I didn't have a skirt to match. So, I got out the pattern, started tweaking, adjusting, and this is the finished product. I think the skirt turned out pretty good. Here are the photos. (P.S. note the mums, a true sign of fall!)

 

 

Have you sewn anything lately?

 

Ivy

 

August Purchases

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a splendid August. Where I live, it's been hot and humid. I want to get out of the house, even just on the patio would be nice. However, I find myself outside for no more than 5 minutes and wanting to go back into the house with it's refrigerator-like air. And if it is nice enough to open windows, there always seems to be some prick farmer that is spreading crap on his field. The joys of living in the Midwest. Anyway, lets see the pretty things of August, shall we?



Vintage blouse from Saving Grace Salvage

American Eagle Oxford Heels from Payless

Hudnut White Heliotrope Sachet Powder from Saving Grace Salvage

Vintage gardening book

Vintage Le Chic navy blue button packs

 Butterick pattern #1321

 Superior pattern #9766

 Simplicity pattern #4757

Advance pattern #7873 

Simplicity pattern #1799

Advance patterns booklet April 1936

 Large vintage mint napkin/towel

Small vintage salmon napkin/towel

Frontless Needlecraft magazine June 1929

Hope you all have a great September!

Ivy