Personal Style: Retro Secretary

This outfit is mostly thrifted. I was planning on cutting this top up to refashion with a dress, but I just love it too much to cut. The fabric has a lovely raised texture, yet it's so silky too. I am usually against pairing silky blouses with cotton type skirts, but I felt that with the addition of the silky sash from my last dress that it would somehow work. Perhaps the bow and mega ascot ruffle is too much, but I sort of like semi-ugly fashion, and I don't have any belts that fit with this skirt.

For my hair, I'm trying to make a teeny 2 inch ponytail look styled, b/c there is no way I'm flat-ironing every time I go out. I let sections air dry in a slight fingerwave style and used maybe 4 pr 5 bobby pins on my ponytail in the back to muss up into a messy micro bun. I pulled out random sections on the sides and back as well for a soft effect.

I'm a tad lucky that my hair has a natural wave pattern. To get a similar look, Blythe Hopes Vintage has an incredibly easy youtube tutorial on a simple finger wave. Hers is a very subtle and modern wearable finger wave style that would even translate nicely into a updo for longer hair. The finger waves we had to perfect in cosmetology school had very distinct ridges and wrapped all around the head, a style that is more appropriate for formal events and period styling.

Autumn Rose Earrings: made by me, Jeweled Ambrosia
Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft, thrifted
Skirt: H&M, thrifted
Sash: from a Forever 21 dress, thrifted
Shoes: faux snake print, Target

*Linked to Clothed  Much's, Rule Breaking Monday post.

Personal Style: Clown to Beachy Waves in a Single Day

I changed about 100 times on Saturday. I had on a 'professional' outfit for a facepainting gig in the morning. Came home, changed to go to my son's soccer game. Came home, went through a billion steps to get into clown for another little party doing face painting and balloons. Came home. Got ready to go out to the movies with friends and the family. Came home. Put on my comfy work out clothes. Passed out after listening to The Gregory Brothers for like hours. (And I'm seeing them on my birthday this week... weee!)

I'm looking a little tired.

 
My hair was majorly kinky from pinning my hair up to wear under my wig. So, I decided to basically tease the junk out of it and loosely pin a small section back on one side. I suppose I could have put it in a bun or ponytail, but it feels like that's all I've been doing lately. So, for me, these beachy type waves worked in my schedule.

 

(No matter how hard I scrubbed, I couldn't get all the redness off from around my mouth. And even though cooking oil is suggested for cleaning off pro clown make-up... I just can't bring myself to do it. So, I just embraced the hot pinkness. I'm looking a bit like a crazy person here.)

Yes, this is the back of my head... I'm including it to illustrate those semi- loose knotted twists can turn into somewhat pretty kinky waves after a few hours of setting in dry hair... especially if you have embraced the asymmetrical mismatched layers like I have.

To do them, just twist your hair into sections, being careful to maintain your natural part, like I did in the photos. Twist and twist until they form little twisty balls and pin them against your head, criss crossing bobby pins help them hold. I don't even have them that tight. I had them in for about 4--5 hours, and got fairly loose kinky waves. If you do them very tight and leave them in all day, you will get a more crazy and pronounced wave.

For more classic curls, be sure you tuck the ends in and you do a snail shell like and uniform pattern while twisting. Mine are more haphazardly done, some are much smaller and tighter, while others are larger and looser than others. This helps create more movement and texture in the end wave. Now, I could go on and on about doing wet styling or classic old Hollywood glamour finger waves, or pin curls but that's a little advanced for this messy look I'm doing. You can see plenty of video tutorials online however.

Sometimes, they are cute worn alone too. If you decide to try these twists, I'd love to see how they turn out!

Love. Paper. Moon.

Oh handmade vintage weddings, how I love you. Especially the ones in autumn.

Seriously, if I could be a glamour bride for Halloween, every single year, I would.

 

 

So, I bring you Ebony and Andrew's 1920's art deco wedding as seen on Vintage Glam. Ebony also has an Etsy shop of similar  handmade art deco inspired goodies, Madame Chapman (at bottom of post). Wedding photography by Marzena Wasilewska

 

 

Ebony hand painted her teacups as wedding favors for her guests, Andrew hung the garland frames, and Ebony hand embroidered and arranged her art deco cascading bouquet. I truly adore their paper moon they made for their photography prop. Also, the beautiful bride's flawless finger waves and bridal wear is amazing in itself. Truly a stunning, yet simple wedding. I am now considering making a paper moon for the boys room...hmmm. What wedding type elements can be incorporated into your life today?

 

 

 

lost in her eyes print of hedy lammar by the bride, ebony (madame chapman) 

 

custom keepsake portrait hand embroidered brooch by madame chapman