Albino Farm Legend





Since today is Halloween, I thought I would share an adventure photo shoot that my friends Chelsea, Evan, Jacob and I went on last Sunday.

It takes place.... at the albino farm.  Let me share the Springfield lore with you, for you won't find it in any of the guidebooks:

This large parcel of forested land in southern Missouri was once the home of a well-to-do family.  In the early 1900s, the family built a large mansion made of stone, and there were stables, silos, fields, and walking paths through the gardens all over the estate.

Sadly, most of the family died off, perhaps during an epidemic, leaving only two older sisters living on the place.  They hired a groundskeeper, an albino man from the town.  He ran the place well until the older ladies died, leaving the estate in the care of distant relatives who did not care to live in the old mansion.

The albino groundskeeper decided to move his family onto the land and away from town.  His family, also albinos, were cruelly ridiculed and mistreated in town for their different appearance, so the father hoped that moving out to this farm would offer respite and safe haven from the cruel world.

However, the cruel world would not leave the albino family alone.

The estate was constantly plagued with pranks from teenagers, trespassers, and every malicious encounter drove the albino groundskeeper further and further into himself and  away from the hard world he had begun to hate.

Two teenagers decided to go to the estate and mess around, perhaps to play pranks on the family or get into trouble.  Their bodies were found on a bridge nearby, killed with a hatchet.

Finally, the last straw occurred in the late 1970s when someone set fire to the old, beautiful mansion.  The fire department arrived to find the old stones toppled and crumbled on top of each other, the house nothing but smoldering, smoking ruins.  But there were no albino family members to be found, and no remains in the ashes.

Some say that the albino groundskeeper has hidden his family in the woods and used the house fire as an excuse for their disappearance.  It could have worked; it could have been assumed that the family died in the fire, except there were no remains...

Some say the albino groundskeeper lives there still, lurking in the woods.  Is it a coincidence that two townspeople that strayed into the area were found murdered on a bridge nearby?  Perhaps the groundskeeper holds a vendetta still, silently gliding under the canopy of trees at night, ax in hand, looking for the townspeople that so cruelly terrorized his wife and children.  Perhaps he sits at the ruins of the fireplace where he once had cozy, kind memories and vows to take vengeance for its ruination.  Perhaps he stands in the wild, overgrown fields next to the silos and yards once green with lush, trimmed flora and remembers the peaceful afternoons in the sun before "they" came.  Perhaps....















Mysterious Prune

Flashback Summer: Mysterious Prune- 1940s vintage outfit/ Mary Kay Mystic Plum/ beret/ autumn/ fall

The other day I wore this outfit, my first time getting to wear a real coat this season!  It's becoming pretty cold here now, so that's pretty exciting.  I just keep thinking, "Baby steps to Thanksgiving break, baby steps to Thanksgiving break..."

I felt that bright red lipstick wouldn't quite go with the cloudy skies and more muted color palette of my outfit, so I ventured down the hall of my dorm to see if I could borrow a different color.  My friend Emily (whom you saw in this post) recommended this purply-red amazingness.  It's a lipstick from Mary Kay called "Mystic Plum", but the French translation of the name looks an awful lot like "Mysterious Prune" to me, ha!

My friend Laura also gifted me with a lovely raspberry scrub, just because!  How nice is that?!  It was just a purply sort of day, complete with matching body scrub.  If you'd like to know, I'll be doing do a write up of it and the lipstick soon to give you more details!

And a P.S.:  I need to resew a couple buttons on this coat, but I just haven't had time!  Anybody else need a mending day as badly as I do?!

Outfit Details:
beret and stockings: estate sale
earrings: gifted
shirt: handmade from Simplicity 4750 via Miss Betty's Attic (Etsy)
coat: The Sarah Marie Shop (Etsy)
shoes: Payless
skirt: handmade
lipstick: Mary Kay True Dimensions Mystic Plum

Flashback Summer: Mysterious Prune- 1940s vintage outfit/ Mary Kay Mystic Plum/ beret/ autumn/ fall

Flashback Summer: Mysterious Prune- 1940s vintage outfit/ Mary Kay Mystic Plum/ beret/ autumn/ fall

Flashback Summer: Mysterious Prune- 1940s vintage outfit/ Mary Kay Mystic Plum/ beret/ autumn/ fall

Flashback Summer: Mysterious Prune- 1940s vintage outfit/ Mary Kay Mystic Plum/ beret/ autumn/ fall

Flashback Summer: Mysterious Prune- 1940s vintage outfit/ Mary Kay Mystic Plum/ beret/ autumn/ fall

Flashback Summer: Mysterious Prune- The Body Shop raspberry body scrub

One Year Anniversary Giant Giveaway Winners!

I HAVE THE WINNERS FROM THE GIANT ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!!!

I've already emailed them, so if you're a winner you should know!

Well, I'll pretty much just cut to the chase here and announce them!
Craft Pack - Lisa Moya!
Etsy Shop Coupon Pack - Jessica Cangiano!
Unders Pack - Kim Campbell
Hospitality Pack - Emily (of Emily's Vintage Visions)!
Blogger Pack - Helen Mae!
Seller Pack - Anna White!
Sewing Pack - Chelsea Smith!
Vintage Accessories Pack - Christen Weitz!
Shopping Pack - Nicole Hart!

Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans

Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans- 1940s, retro, sweater, outfit, vintage

With the onset of fall and winter coming, I really wanted to make myself another pair of vintage-style jeans.  I have one pair now, but they're a 50s-60s pedal pusher style, and I didn't want to have to worry about chilly ankles.  

Thus, I set about making a 40s, baggy, farmgirl sort of jean.  I took inspiration from the Freddies of Pinewood styles and vintage photos, and I'm quite pleased with the results!  (Though in these photos they're a bit wrinkly from sitting in class all day.)

Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans- 1940s, retro, sweater, outfit, vintage

I used the top down to the apex of the hips from the pattern pieces of Butterick 9779, but from there I went rogue and did my own thing.  I widened and lengthened the leg, added belt loops and pockets on front and back, finished all the seams inside, and put in contrast stitching over all of it.

I used a dark denim, and it works quite well for this.  It's not too thick, so the pants are easy to move around in, but they're thick enough to tromp around in a cold forest.  I also added quite a bit of length in order to cuff the bottoms, and I chose red for the contrast stitching.  I figured it's a bit different from the norm, but red still goes with a retro look and lots of my wardrobe pieces.

Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans- 1940s, retro, sweater, outfit, vintage

Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans- 1940s, retro, sweater, outfit, vintage

Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans- 1940s, retro, sweater, outfit, vintage

Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans- 1940s, retro, sweater, outfit, vintage

Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans- 1940s, retro, sweater, outfit, vintage

I then wore these jeans to a GYRAD event (Get-Your-Roommate-a-Date) with my dorm floor at a local pumpkin patch.  I would have more photos, but by the time we got there it was already dark, and having fifty photos of me screaming like a mimi while walking through a haunted corn maze and clutching Jacob's arm would get old fast.  (Terrifying stuff, haunted corn mazes.)  We did finish with fire and s'mores though, and that was great!  I love fall.

Outfit (above) details:
shoes: Payless
jeans: made by me!
shirt:  ummm...
belt: The Buckle via thrift store
sweater: Eddie Bauer via thrift store

P.S.  Don't forget to enter the giant one year anniversary giveaway!  It's still going on until the 25th!  Be a pal and let your peeps know, too.  There are lots of prizes to be won!

Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans
Jessie "Bon Kue Kue", me, and Jacob
Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans
Here's some of the group with their dates! 
Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans
This is Rico's first hot cider!
Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans
More of the gang
Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans
My awesome suitemate, Danielle, and her date
Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans
Olivia and her date
Flashback Summer:  Pumpkin Patch GYRAD and a New Pair of Jeans
Me and my man!  Wooo!

GIANT ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!

This giveaway is now closed.  The winners were announced here.


To celebrate the one year anniversary of the Flashback Summer blog, I have a giant giveaway for all you readers to say thank you for all of your support on my blogger journey.  This first year has involved new friendships, new discoveries, and a whole lot of learning, and I so appreciate all of you!

I have several prizes available, and you can DEFINITELY enter to win more than one!  The options for entering may be slightly different from prize to prize.  (Just check the ways to enter on each prize and they'll show you what's available!)

9 Prizes to be won:
Etsy Shop Coupon Pack | Hospitality Pack | Blogger Pack | Unders Pack | Seller Pack | Craft Pack | Sewing Pack | Shopping Pack | Vintage Accessories Pack

Details on how this giveaway works:
- Some things, like being subscribed to Flashback Summer, can only be done once but will give you an entry for every prize pack.  Go ahead and use that to your advantage!  It's perfectly fine to only subscribe/follow the blog once and use that to gain an entry in every prize pack.
- Other things, like pinning to Pinterest, must be different for every entry.
- Pinning can be done every day of the giveaway for more entries, as long as it's a different pin every time!
- Prizes with physical items are open only to North America residents, but other prizes (like blogger pack and Etsy shop coupons) are open to everyone!

The giveaway ends 25 October at 12 am Central (US) time!

If you need any help or clarification, please feel free to leave a comment or email me!

Good luck everyone!!!



Etsy Shop Coupon Pack
25% off and free shipping at All Ginned Up
$20 voucher to Gunstore Daddy Vintage
20% off coupon to The Sarah Marie Shop
10% off at A Vintage Parcel
$20 off a $50 purchase at Love Dove Trading
$10 off a $25 purchase at Castellocasa
(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)




Hospitality Pack
a large green tablecloth | 4 corduroy leaf placemats | a crocheted centerpiece | leaf-shaped accent dish | hibiscus tea from Egypt | your choice of reusable "paper" towels from Anne Riggs Designs
(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Blogger Pack
Flashback Summer Facebook | Vintage Perfect | Pinterest
(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Unders Pack
1960s bullet bra | 2 pairs vintage nylons | vintage magazine
(I have several sizes of deadstock nylons and bras.  I will talk to the winner and find sizes she would like to keep or have for another reason!)
(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Seller Pack
Flashback Summer Facebook | Vintage Perfect | Pinterest
(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Craft Pack
vintage and antique paper ephemera | buttons | 10 vintage matchbox covers | 5 pretty divider folders
(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Sewing Pack
5 vintage zippers | 3 vintage dress patterns | 2 vintage hankies | buttons
(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Vintage Accessories Pack
3 vintage hat pins | a pair of gloves | a vintage cuffs and collar set | a hand-knitted scarf (made by Hannah of Vintage Perfect!) | (not pictured) a vintage brooch from Gunstore Daddy Vintage
(to share this giveaway as a widget, use this link)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Found at Last, Found at Last!

As some of you may have discovered in this or this post, I love mixing vintage with my love for the Middle East.  Now, thanks to a tip from Jessica (THANK YOU!), I have a skirt reflecting this love!  Check out the amazingness:

Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab

Look!  It has little mosques and buildings and turbaned men and a little market scene!!!

Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab

(Now mentally prepare for a picture-heavy post.  Aria just did a flippin' awesome job with our mini photo shoot.)

While I'm not usually into the poufiness of 1950s styles, who can resist a swishy crinoline now and then?  This skirt is quite full, so I borrowed another crinoline from my friend Hannah and stacked them for extra pouf.  While I don't think I'll be wearing this style all the time, it most definitely has a New Look/ princess/ glam feel about it!  In fact, I'm more motivated to consider these fuller skirt/dress styles more often and to look into getting a proper crinoline!

Also, I realized just now that this skirt print is actually a color variation from another Middle East novelty print skirt I originally posted about.  (I like my color combo better!)  How crazy is that, huh?!

Outfit details
skirt: farmhouse vintage (ebay)
sweater: American Eagle
shoes: Payless kids
bangles: gifts from Honeytalk Vintage and my grandmother


Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab

Doesn't Aria have a cool style?  I sure think she does.
Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab

Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab

Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab

Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab


Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab

Flashback Summer: Found at Last, Found at Last! - 1950s middle east novelty print skirt, new look, vintage outfit, arab
This is me reenacting the face a girl gave me as she walked by, no exaggeration.  And that, of course, is Aria.