Hat's Entertainment

I just looked at the calendar and realised opera season is about to begin. Film Streams carries the Met simulcasts, which is nice. The local opera company has an interesting programme this year, though they have considerably less money to work with than the met. I was secretly hoping Danny would be over it  by now, but eh, whatever. it would be far worse spending my Saturdays watching football...

...er, I mean...Go Big Red! (Shhh, I don't want to be exiled from Nebraska for admitting I don't like football).

This dress looked better before the hem started falling down. That happens with vintage, but I do honestly feel it is worth the constant repairs to wear something I enjoy. I don't find much enjoyment in jeans and fleece pullovers even if they are more practical.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage rayon dress-Fairytail Costumes (RIP)
Faux lamb jacket-Goodwill
Belt-Goodwill
Vintage handbag-a thrift store in Western Massachusetts decades ago (it is starting to show wear)
Shoes-American Duchess
Vintage hat-Hand-Me-Ups
Brooch and beads-both yard sales
Earrings-K Mart
Fragrance-Lentheric Miracle

 I swear the hat didn't look that lint covered in person!

I'm torn whether to polish the brooch or leave the antiqued patina. As I'm a lazy person, I'll probably leave it alone.

"Did someone say, Squawk-tober?"

 Nature has been putting on a show as the days are shorter and cooler.

The sorrel the dragonfly is perched on was cut back ten days ago. I've never had anything grow as well as this sorrel. It overwintered in a large bag bed covered with a fleece, and at the first signs of spring was off and growing. I need to plant the winter garden this week (Spinach, kale, purple sprouting broccoli, etc.) but the insects have been so vicious I don't dare go near. We have these itty-bitty beasts called, "Pirate bugs" that are biting/stinging midges. They show up when the corn comes down and man, are they ever aggressive. I'm covered in welts from them. One more reason to look forward to a good, hard frost.

Anyone else do a winter garden? I'd love to hear what you're growing. 

Autumn Hues

Picture Heavy Post warning.

 We're having a brief return to summer with heat and humidity better suited to July, but I know too well that it won't last but a few days. The evenings have been cool, which makes sleeping pleasant. I do enjoy this time of year, still having opportunities to wear lightweight items as well as the woolens. Layering is definitely a good strategy.

 The jacket lasted about five minutes outside, but went back on as soon as I stepped indoors. This is my, "Don't fuck with me" pose, also known as the, "Clean up your shit, or it is going in the bin" pose. Depends on the circumstances.

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you because my ears are already full of excuses. Try again later."

Outfit Particulars:

Dress-God knows. It is so old I forgot when I bought it. 

Jacket-Hand-Me-Ups

Kate Spade bag-Goodwill

Clogs-Hand-Me-Ups

Sara Coventry earrings-Garage sale

Brooch (on dress)-Hand-Me-Ups

Lippy-Wine With Everything (More like, "Whine" around here lately)

Fragrance-Vintage formulation Cabochard

Tuesday brought a bit of paisley x 2 with the addition of a scarf. 

Not that I required a wool scarf, but hey, matching! I don't judge how you get your thrills, okay?

Well, maybe I do...a little.

 These beautiful vintage clip earrings were .25 cents at the Sarpy County Museum Garage Sale.

 Outfit Particulars:

Vintage Willi of California Dress-Goodwill
Vintage wool scarf-Hand-Me-Ups
Brooch-Yard Sale
Clamper bracelet-gift years ago
Other bracelet-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage earrings-Sarpy County Museum sale
BCBG-Goodwill
Belt-Goodwill
Vintage handbag-Goodwill
Fragrance-Maroussa

Oh look, another brown handbag. I'm consistent, if nothing else.

The vanity in the powder room is much higher than the upstairs. I didn't have any trouble getting my leg up, but down was another story! 

Thursday was, "Dress like your Nana Day" so I dug out this frumpy spotty dress and a checked vintage Handmacher jacket. It wasn't really "Dress Like Your Nana Day", but had it been, 

I was ready with appropriate attire. I miss Clara more and more as I get older. I made a prune plum torte this week and almost cried that I couldn't share it with her. No one loved prune plums like my nan. Anyway, this is exactly the sort of combination she would have worn, though with considerably less pattern mixing. 

Here's a rare photo of both grandmothers sitting together without fighting (at least long enough for the photo). Alice is on the left, Clara on the right. Alice was more fashionable, but Clara was more stylish. I probably dress a bit like both of them on any given day. That's not a bad thing as far as I'm concerned.

The band has yellowed, but the watch itself is in nice condition. I have two identical watches now, so perhaps I'll try replacing the band on one and see how it looks.

I was afraid these Italian made earrings would catch my hair horribly, but to my delight, they didn't.

Outfit Particulars:

Dress-Goodwill

Vintage Mario Forte for Handmacher jacket-Hand-Me-Ups

Shoes-Goodwill

Earrings-Sarpy Museum Garage Sale

Sara Coventry brooch-Sarpy County Museum Yard Sale (.50 cents!)

Mod vintage watch (the centre spins when wound)-Sarpy County sale (I found two!)

Spanish tapestry purse-Salvation Army

Fragrance-Vintage Formulation Samsara (still makes me sneeze. Bummer)

 Finally, I dug out my very favourite autumn skirt for the first wear of the season. In the sun, the coppery colour shows better, but even on a dull day, I still feel like a (recently discontinued flavour) Quality Street. I'm not really a toffee person myself, but I do adore this skirt (Really people, Christmas isn't ruined forever. They've changed the flavours before, the Earth still turns, life goes on).

 Anyone for an absurdly over-priced French handbag? I didn't think so. Mine was NWT at the Goodwill for a fiver. This isn't my typical style of bag, but it was so nicely made, and brown (always a selling point for me) I bought it anyway.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage jacket (part of a suit)-long gone vintage shop in Brookline, Massachusetts
Skirt-Goodwill
Shoes- K Mart a few years ago
Purse-Goodwill
Vintage polyester crepe blouse-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Bangles-all over
Vintage earrings with seashells and flecks-Sarpy County Museum Sale-.25 cents
Vintage brooch-Mum's
Fragrance-Vintage formulation Opium

Whew, that was a lot of outfits. I apologise for the mega-posts, but life has been so upside-down lately I don't know if I'm coming or going. You could be worse things than busy though, so I'll not complain too much. 

I'm headed to an Alpaca farm tomorrow. I'll be wearing old shoes. 

Hope you're having a splendid weekend.

At the Art Supply Store

There's a young woman working at the art store with a bit of an attitude. Standing in the aisle of ink, I said to Danny,
"I hope she's not working today, I'm not in the mood for her bullshit."

I heard the gasp before I looked up, and saw a mother and daughter that could have been Honey Boo Boo and Mama June. The mother quickly clamped both hands over her daughter's ears as she steered her by the head past us as quickly as possible. The father followed after, avoiding looking up.

It took about five seconds before the teenage couple standing next to us started laughing.

"Oooh, the lady said a bad word."  the boy giggled.
"That's sort of mild for my mother." Danny added.

I shouldn't be as pleased with myself as I am.

Needs a Nice Cutlas

Somehow, I think a belt this size requires a sword. As I tried to accessorise, I came to the conclusion that a sword, and perhaps pirate boots are the only possible things that would work here. The big earrings and Ceil Chapman brooch seem too out of place. Unfortunately, the costume shop closed (and right before Halloween!). I'm going to miss that place-they had the greatest selection of vintage in town, at prices I could afford. What's more, the employees were the best. There aren't many places I go that I leave in a better mood than I arrived. RIP Fairytail Costumes-you will be missed.

What the photo doesn't show is the brushed nylon trim on the neckline and cuffs of this dress. I suppose the designer was going for a suede look, but it doesn't quite achieve it. As early 80's dresses go, it isn't terrible (and worth the .49 cents I paid for it) but I think I will cut off the top and turn the bottom into a skirt. I might be able to salvage enough of the neckline for the waistband. I don't know why, but brushed nylon, and the wrap of the top just makes me think, "Bathrobe." Still, "Teal is teal" and I do love teal. Sometimes I make exceptions for a nice colour.

Outfit Particulars:

1980's nylon dress-Goodwill
1980's belt-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage Ceil Chapman brooch-yard sale
Earrings-Can't remember
Shoes-Goodwill
Vintage handbag-Goodwill
Fragrance-Parure

I found this scrawled on a box at a yard sale! I really wish I knew the story. I'm an old lady, and love a bit of gossip.

I gave myself a haircut this morning. I long for a proper haircut, but can't escape the feeling I'd be paying someone to do a worse job than I manage myself. I see a lot of chopped-up looking hair walking around on heads in Omaha, and I suspect that look is deliberate. A bob isn't difficult to do but I've yet to see anyone sporting one I'd want on my own head. Every six months or so, I give it a cut with my crappy shears. I am *this close* to giving myself a pixie and being done with it. 

Outfit Particulars:

Ann Klein dress-Goodwill

Vera Bradley quilted purse-Goodwill

Cut-out lace-effect jacket-Sequels thrift store

Shoes-Thrift World

Bangles-all over

Necklace-Et Cetera

Vintage Sara Coventry earrings-Garage sale

Fragrance-Vintage formulation Vent Vert

We ended up skipping the Apple festival due to the fact the orchard ran out of apples (kinda makes an hour drive pointless) but I did make it to the Sarpy County Garage Sale at the museum. It was great! I came home with so much costume jewelry I'm not sure where to put it all. At between .25 cents and a dollar it was worth stocking-up. I think that will require a separate post. It was loads of fun, and I can't wait to do it again next year.

 Finally, I was looking through a cooking magazine from 1975 when I came across this ad. For all you avocado newbies, here's what Americans were doing with them in the mid-70's.

I've never run across Snap-E-Tom.  All we got in Chicago was V-8 or Clamato.

Well, what do you know? We made it through Monday. Onward!

Winner!

Violetlene has won the State Fair cookbook. Congratulations! Please send your name and address to me at cornmotherne at yahoo dot com.

Apple Time

This weekend is the annual Applejack Festival in Nebraska City, Nebraska. I do enjoy a visit to the orchard in autumn, and with the additional activities around town it makes for a pleasant way to spend the weekend. Nebraska City has a particularly good Civil War museum with a small but well selected collection. This weekend they will be offering help tracing Civil War ancestors in your family (well, not in mine of course but Mr. ETB's family have been here since Colonial times). There will be quilt shows, car shows, arts, crafts, antiques and all sorts of apple-related foods to enjoy. Can't make it to Nebraska City in time for this year's events? Start planning next year's visit. We'd love to see you.

Over the years I've accumulated several apple-themed pieces of vintage. The glass necklace above was purchased some years ago, but the earrings were something I picked up last year. I have some faux apples purchased at the craft store so there's a good possibility there will be yet another hat made this year. I have a glue gun-and I'm not afraid to use it!

 The other event on this weekend (Friday and Saturday) is the annual Garage Sale to benefit the Sarpy County Historical Society Museum. This is another gem of a museum we're lucky enough to have nearby, and I always enjoy a visit to see what they've added. The garage sale features donated items and in recent years I've been fortunate enough to come home with vintage sewing notions, lamps, brooches, shoes, and books. It is always best to get there early on the Friday for the best selection, but there's always something good on Saturday as well (no idea if they hold out items for the second day or not). It is a cash only operation, but worth the trouble of planning ahead-and the prices are so low you won't require much to fill a bag or two with great items. I'm planning to go Friday, then spend Saturday and/or Sunday at the Applejack festival-but of course I've learned not to set plans in stone.

Outfit Particulars

Vintage back neck-zip nylon polo neck-Thrift World

Vintage JC Penny Towncraft Jacket-Thrift World

Vintage denim skirt-Goodwill

Socks-At least 20 years old, can't remember

Vintage shoes-Thrift World

Vintage Valdrome shoulderbag-Hand-me-Ups

Belt-Shop Ko

Brooch-Hand-Me-Ups

Glass Apple necklace-Goodwill(?)

Apple basket earrings-Et Cetera, Seward

Enamel bracelet-Filene's (about 25 years ago)

Fragrance-Habit Rouge Dress Code (as flankers go, it is rather good)

 Let's be honest-nylon isn't the most forgiving fabric for a pair of 36DD knockers. I either need to invest in better bras, or keep the jacket on.

Well, not keeping the jacket "on" in the traditional sense of course as we discussed yesterday, the new way to look like an idiot wear your jacket is off the shoulders. Like so. I give this fad until the first frost when people come to their senses and pull up their coats in a nice wind-blocking defensive gesture. 

Hope your weekend is as exciting or dull as you'd like it to be.