Tales From A Vintage Wardrobe

Fresh Flowers Make My Day, Week, Month, Year, Lifetime...

My neighbor Debbie hosted her daughter's al fresco bridal shower last weekend, tent(s) and all, and she showed up a few days later with a load of goodies, including this lovely bunch of fresh flowers.  The scent of that peony alone has made all the difference in the world for my desk, and for me.
 

Party Like it's 1955

A family reunion on my DH's side late last summer found me plunked on a weathered picnic table bench digging through boxes and boxes of vintage family photographs.  I'm certain I proved to be the obnoxious in~law in my attempt to find out who was who, when was it taken, who was behind the lens, and the most dreaded for those who have no appreciation for preserving the past:  "Don't you WANT this????!!!!"  I carried on, undeterred, a woman on a mission to preserve the past....upon finding this mini~album I dared to ask yet one more time.  The answer:

"I think that was New Years Eve, maybe, then again, it could have been just another typical basement bar~room bash....we did that, back then, you know.  We had bars in our basements...."

  

 

 
 
 
My grandparent's had a basement bar...I remember it well. 
 

A BRIDE & A GROOM

Attending a FABULOUS wedding this afternoon, I just love Friday afternoon weddings...look for photographs next week! 

"I DO"

 

This week we are celebrating our nine~year wedding anniversary (you may remember this post a few years ago) and part of my ritual is to look at our wedding & honeymoon photographs.  It's pure nostalgia~~not to mention we were younger, thinner & kid~free (for a little while, anyway!)

 

But I have found
marriage, like wine,
gets better with age.

 

SUCCESS!

 

We did it!  The Red Velvet Shoe tied for third place in the annual  "Lulu's Vintage People's Choice Top Ten Vintage Clothing Sites" contest!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

to everyone who took the time to vote for me and for the wonderful comments & support along the way!  And thank you to Lulu for hosting the contest and doing all the work involved to award us this great honor!

I'm off for some champagne!!

xoxoxo !!

VINTAGE WEDDINGS

As I've stated before, I love weddings. . .and since I won't be attending one until late summer I decided I would share some lovely photos I found of vintage or vintage~inspired weddings. . .can you tell which are which?

(Photo credit:  Tales of an American Wedding Planner in Paris )

 

 

(Edited on 04 March 2011 when it was discovered the links to the other photos posted were broken.)

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A SUMMER FEAST FIT FOR A KING

We came back ashore to attend a great 25th Anniversary Party for some good friends, here are a few pictures from it. . .just try to ignore the barefoot beach bum kid who snuck over from next door!!

Now you see why we had to be here!!  There is nothing like dinner at dusk by the water with candles, wine, great food and great friends. . .well worth the trip!!

HEMINGWAY & THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS

What does Hemingway have to do with a little black dress?   I know that's what you're thinking!   While that could be a loaded question I will simply tell you there are two matters I am very excited about having to do with my Post title~~so here we go. . .

 (One of my favorite photos of this handsome gent)

The first is to tell you about a great event to be held in KEY WEST:  THE ANNUAL HEMINGWAY DAYS CELEBRATION JULY 15~20,2008!

 The event includes look~alike contests, readings and presentations, a three~day marlin~fishing tournament & a short story competition!   Sloppy Joe's Bar is where the Look~Alike Contest takes place~~and also is a great place to find one self a refreshing libation!  Check out the website for some great photos and more information~~what a great final destination for that road trip you've been wanting to take!!  Or if you have some frequent flyer miles to use up~~here you go!! 

http://www.hemingwaydays.net

 

As far as that Little Black Dress thing goes, I had the thrill of coming into the possession of an absolutely GORGEOUS Little Black Dress~~not just any LBD, though.  This is a HARVEY BERIN by KAREN STARK original.  The house of Berin opened in 1921 and his designer was Karen Stark.  Stark looked to the latest Parisian styles as inspiration for her work.  And my Vintage Dress is a perfect example of French Chic!! You can find out more about Mr. Berin and Ms. Stark at www.vintagefashionguild.org. .

This Vintage Collectible will be available soon in my boutique~~if you are already interested in more details feel free to contact me. 

Michelle

GRADUATION GIRL

June. The month for brides and graduates. . .and in this house we have a

. GRADUATE!!!

Our little girl graduated from Kindergarden last Friday!!  I don't know what has happended to me but I have turned into the biggest mush bucket on the planet!  Can anyone out there relate??  I have resorted to stashing mini packets of tissues everywhere & to purchasing water proof mascara~~aka tar for eyelash enhancement!

You keep smiling sweetie, only 12 more years to go!!

Sorry about the photo quality~~the lighting in the school gym left little to be desired!!

Daddy's so proud!!

Followed by a visit to JOHNNY ROCKETS to celebrate!!!

Thanks, Mom!!

Next, how about a bit of SHOE SHOPPING??!!  And a visit to Brown University Book Store??!! 

 Now you'll have even more time to read!

CONGRATULATIONS PUMPKIN GIRL!!  NOW GO PLAY!!

A GIFT FOR SOMEONE

This month is my one year anniversary in blogland and for my on~line Boutique The Red Velvet Shoe and I would like to send you all a great big THANK YOU by inviting you to participate in my first ( of hopefully many!)

                    VINTAGE BLOG GIVE~A~WAYS!!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be entered in a drawing for this sweet little collection of Vintage Treasures:

It sort of adopted a Spring Bridal theme along the way~~but even if you are not among the "soon to be betrothed" you may know of a Spring Bride or perhaps have a beautiful daughter or neice who has an appreciation for Vintage Goodies who may someday walk down that long aisle. . .or if you are a sentimental romantic like me who still looks at Wedding Magazines you could treat yourself!   

All of this came from my "stock" at THE RED VELVET SHOE!  Just another example of goodies I have waiting to find their way to new Vintage homes & wardrobes!

Here is the box of treasures our happy winner can expect in the mail:

A)  A vintage powder blue jammy jacket with lace frills and ribbon ties. . .

B)  The sweetest vintage "For The Bride" album~~the drawings seem to be from the 1960's. . .

C)  A vintage 1967 McCall's pattern for bridal head pieces~~very mod & retro. . .

D)  One darling floral chintz vintage apron with two pockets and lots of cabbage patch roses. . .

E)  A lovely piece of decorative beaded trim. . .

F)  A beautiful pair of white Vintage gloves. . .

G)  A dainty silver necklace with matching earrings and crystal  embellishments. . .

H)  A pair of vintage glass travel toiletry holders. . .

I)  A book of poetry for the Bride. . .BRIDAL BOUQUET~~Penhaligon's Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose. . .

J)  A roll of beautiful Bridal Ribbon with images of the classic 1920's Flapper bride. . .

K)  A blush pink vintage silk purse. . .

L)  A pretty vintage paper theme sewing box for the new bride!

If you click on the photo above I think you can get a closer view~~and here are a few more close~up shots:

Thank you to whoever stops by~~be sure to leave a comment! 

The only reserve on this is that I can only ship to the continental US due to high shipping costs, but if you do happen by here please say hello, I would love to hear from you!

THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN ON SUNDAY, THE FIRST OF JUNE!!  BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL!

MICHELLE