Summer Muse: Lolita and QsDaydream

In my last post I shared one of my Summer Muse Contest winners. Here is the second winner, Quincy of QsDaydream! Quincy's inspiration came from the 1997 film Lolita, which is full of fabulous 1940s fashions! I couldn't find a good photo of the dress she loved so you will have to watch the movie! The dress has  a peekaboo bodice and is a blue-green color in the movie but Quincy decided on pink and I love it! She has a darling daughter named Hazel and I couldn't help but make a mini version for her hehe.. 

Summer Muse: Sophia Loren and The Sixties Twist

Last summer I hosted a "Summer Muse" Contest. Participants shared their style inspirations and a "dream dress" they would love to own. I chose two winners and worked with each to create a custom made summer dress! One of the winners was Liz of The Sixties Twist. She was inspired by Sophia Loren's bombshell look. I love the inspiration she chose and she looks so beautiful in the dress I created for her. Thanks for sharing these photos Liz!

That Sentimental Feeling

I haven't blogged in ages! I've been a bit lazy I guess, just sharing outfits on Instagram. I just had to do a quick post on this amazing 1950s shirt dress that I thrifted yesterday though! I get this "feeling" sometimes that something is waiting at the thrift store for me so I always follow my intuition and sometimes my thrift store search is fruitless but often I score something awesome! This dress was an exciting find...I don't come across pieces like this in thrift stores very often but this dress is proof that if you search long enough you will find something!

Finding Flipper

Nate and I just got back from a trip to Charleston! We did the usual beachy stuff but we also tried something new this year- a dolphin tour. It was so much fun! We rode a boat on Folly River to Morris Island. Along the way we saw water fowl, "pluff" mud(used in mud masks at spas) and of course bottle nose dolphins! I've always loved dolphins...if I could be a sea creature I would be a dolphin for sure. From Morris Island you can view a historic lighthouse and beachcomb- lots of shells and driftwood to be found! The island was full of so many beautiful, interesting textures. If you are looking for something to do in the Charleston area, I highly recommend this tour, done by Flipper Finders.  It is well worth the price.

Top and shorts: made by me

Sisterhood of the Traveling Dress

I hosted another vintage party this morning! We had a swell time...I wore this beautiful 50s/ early 60s dress to hostess. I received it as a gift from my lovely friend Quincy of QsDaydream. She  received it a few years ago from her friend Aya of Strawberry Koi! I love that this dress has traveled from one vintage loving gal to another! Maybe someday I'll pass it on too.

My party sale is still going on! Through midnight tonight all vintage items in my shop are %30 off.

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday!

xxxSarah

Polka Dot Dolly

I've been waiting not so patiently for the weather to warm up so that I could finally post this swimsuit from Red Dolly Swim! In an earlier post I shared Heather of Red Dolly wearing a black playsuit I made for a trade with her. Well, this is what she sent me! I'm in love with this suit! The fit is perfect...it feels secure and form fitting without being uncomfortably tight. Red Dolly also makes a one piece version as well as maternity and baby swimwear! And Heather is such a sweet person. Check out her website for your summer swimwear needs.

Photos by my husband

Designer Spotlight: R and K Originals

For my next designer label spotlight I am choosing R and K Originals! 

R and K was established in the late 1930s and was based in New York City on Broadway. The company produced fashionable but affordable clothing for women and used the slogans "Personally Yours" and "For the Girl Who Knows Clothes". The company was a division of the famous Jonathan Logan brand(another post on this later!) until the Logan brand was sold in the 1980s. The R and K label is still in production today.

The labels are so fabulous!

I have a few R and K Originals for sale in my shop right now:

One is this classic black 40s dress.

The other is this darling 50s gingham set(which sadly did not fit me!!)

xxxSarah

Bomb Girls

I recently started watching a series called Bomb Girls! It's set in WWII and follows the story of several girls working in a bomb factory. The plot is a bit ridiculous at times but I don't care! The clothes are just fabulous. I was inspired to try a bomb girl factory worker look today. The series is on Hulu so if you can give it a watch!

Romper: made by me

70s does 40s blouse: thrifted

Headscarf: thrifted

Designer Spotlight: Van Raalte

I've decided to start a vintage designer spotlight series so that I can share some of my favorite vintage brands! This week I am featuring Van Raalte. I came across a beautiful nightdress and peignoir last week by Van Raalte and while researching the pieces I fell in love with this brand!

The Van Raalte company began in 1913 and produced fine quality ladies gloves, stockings, and lingerie. The company blended luxury with practicality and used  the slogan "Because You Love Nice Things". It was bought out in 1970.

The boudoir set below is very similar to the one I found! 

Every advertisement I've come across is so charming!

Hope you enjoyed this!

xxx

Sarah

My Love Affair with Lemons

I have a thing for lemons... I love to cook and clean with them! Yesterday I read an  article that inspired me to try even more uses with lemons so I thought I would share my favorite uses for them!

1. Cooking (of course!) My favorite recipes involving lemons are:

This delicious risotto from Martha Stewart (photo via Martha Stewart)

http://www.marthastewart.com/953796/asparagus-and-lemon-risotto

And of course lemon bars (seriously I can eat an entire pan in one sitting...)

2. Natural beauty treatments

Lemon juice can be gargled for fresh breath, massaged into the scalp to treat dandruff, and rubbed on the face with a cotton ball to treat acne.

3. Cleaning

Lemon juice can be used to clean countertops and floors and to freshen sink drains and refrigerators. Not only does the juice clean, it also repels insects!

4. Drinking

Lemon water is so good for you! It energizes and detoxifies your body. I slice up a lemon, throw it in a pitcher of water and refill it for a week before starting over with a fresh lemon.

I usually juice a bunch of lemons at once and keep the juice in a mason jar...if you don't have one of these citrus juicers invest in one...they make juicing so quick and easy!

After I juice I rub down my counter tops and sinks with some of the rinds and throw the rest in a pan of simmering water to freshen the air in my house.

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful week!

xxxSarah