Shopping...deco style!

So...just got back from a shopping trip and it was a little odd. Usually it's all about THE DRESS....but this one was all about feathers, little beaded purses, jewelry and hats....and deco slips! Pretty excited that Giana (the Greedy Seagull) and I will be flappers for a whole weekend at the Jazz Age Lawn Party.....on Governors Island! We will have a booth filled with 20s dresses, lingerie, feather hair accessories, jewels, hats....parasols...if it's jazz age we shall have it! Here is the booty below from this week's trip, not all for the lawn party of course but the little purses, parasol and hats....yes!
*June 16th-17th from 11am.....

Day off?...not so much.

I always mean to take a day off. Where Etsy emails don't get answered, the shop doesn't get rearranged. Never happens. Here's me yesterday in the little vintage room, and yes I do my shipping on the guest bed! it is the largest flat surface in our place (apart from our bed which just seems wrong), it is often covered with clothes but when I have orders (bless them) it becomes my shipping station. Next weekend is a real 2 days off as the boy and I head away for our 1 year anniversary! no emails! why is that so hard?
*ps the rolling pin is what I hammer nails in with....

Sale!

Have a great long weekend if you are in the States....sale begins midnight the 25th!

Incoming!

It's a bright one...and a blue one! these all arriving in the shop from Sunday onwards....you like something? let me know! have a sweet weekend!

Casting for Jack the Ripper.

Even if something is Victorian and $5 it doesn't mean it needs to be yours. Frankly this dress creeps me out and I LOVE any things Victorian....so, if you know anyone casting a Jack the Ripper play then this dress is free to a good home...I swear The Ripper is waiting in the bathroom for me.

WH at the Derby!

Here are Tess (right) and Rachel of the band The Sweet and Low Down....these talented ladies performed at a pretty fabulous Kentucky Derby party in Brooklyn, hosted by Workshop and sponsored by none other than Etsy! There is nothing like seeing your vintage come to life on ladies that really look amazing in it! Here are the dresses they chose below, Rachel's 1930s pink floral hat and Tess's 1940s hat also from the shop. Thanks so much to Etsy and Jessi at Workshop for involving Wildfell Hall in this Derby adventure...
*photos courtesy of Workshop.

Qs Daydream Handmade...an interview!

Gingham Picnic Playsuit

Hello! am sure many of you vintage lovers out there already know Quincy and read her fabulous blog Qs Daydream ...the best recent news from Quincy is that she just released a truly gorgeous handmade collection, available right here on Etsy. I was kinda fascinated with this collection because it's so lovely...and I was also really interested in how she got it made (sewing more than a button is a mystery to me) So here is an interview with Quincy, she has also kindly offered a $15 gift certificate to be used in her handmade shop also, just leave a comment below letting us know which is your favorite style shown here, easy!

Thanks Quincy!
*the gift certificate winner will be drawn on May 14th, don't forget to leave us your email address with your comment.

Bardot Red Ruffle

How long from when you first had the idea till the collection was ready to go?

I first decided to create my own handmade collection in the Spring of 2011. I really started getting to work on sketches and drafting patterns in the Fall of 2011. So the entire process took quite a few months.

What were your biggest inspirations for the collection? 

Definitely the past. I adore the fashions of the 1940's and 1950's. Also, starlets like Brigitte Bardot, Marylin Monroe, Jean Seberg and Audrey Hepburn. All of my favorite fashion icons.

Who taught you to sew? (and can you teach me ;)

I mostly taught myself. I did take a few lessons years ago from a wonderful seamstress named Betty.

Were there any surprise challenges? things you weren't expecting to be difficult?

Yes! It's funny one of the items in my collection that I thought would be the easiest to construct ended up being the most difficult. I eventually got it all figured out though. ;o)

Norma Day of Play

What are your thoughts on modern clothing construction vs vintage (say, pre 80s)

I think that vintage clothing is generally made better. It's rare for me to buy a new piece of clothing and when I do I make sure it's constructed well. There's nothing fun about getting a new dress and having the zipper break right away!

Did your parents love Elvis? when did you become a fan?

My parents weren't Elvis fans. I always liked older music as a kid, so my Mom would buy me tapes to listen to of music from the 30's through the 60's. One day she bought me a tape of Elvis's greatest hits and I listened to it over and over! Soon after I caught an Elvis movie on TV (Speedway) and fell in love. I was 6 or 7. After taking me to Graceland for the first time when I was 13, my Mom also became a big Elvis fan. I also converted my husband Jonny into a huge Elvis fan. So, you better watch out ;o)

I like putting Pride and Prejudice on to calm my nerves or anxiety, does Elvis

work like that for you? (like a comfortable slipper!)

For sure! Probably 95% of the time I'm working I have Elvis on. He's on now ;o) The other 5% it's Big Band music from the 1930's and 1940's. I adore Billie Holiday. Listening to her always puts me in a good mood.

Do you work on your clothing/blog/vintage full time?

Mostly full time. Three days a week for a few hours I hang out with a 83 yr old lady named Bonnie. I take her to run errands, go to the YMCA, and out to lunch. It's a fun little job!

Anchors Aweigh

Gamine Seersucker

How big is your own closet? do you cull it often or hoard what you can!?

Right now it's big! Though, we're moving in a few weeks to a house from the 1940's and the closets aren't so big. I've been trying to eliminate some of my wardrobe, but it's not easy. So, I'm probably a clothes hoarder.

You seem to have a lovely husband! Does he love old stuff too?

Jonny's wonderful! He does like old stuff. He likes finding vintage shirts and shoes to wear and he loves my vintage clothes. When it comes to entertainment though he's way more modern than I am.

Any sweet plans for Q's Daydream handmade you can let us in on?

I'm constantly thinking of new designs and things. Soonest to come though is probably more fabric selections in the styles I already have in the shop. So, stay tuned!

Thanks Quincy! 

Comin' up!

Some of these vintage goodies are in the shop already...the rest coming up tomorrow! little touch of colour for these increasingly warmer days!