Sponsored: Nataya Lemon Dress

Disclaimer: I was gifted this dress by Nataya in return for posted content, and this post contains affiliate links.  (Commissions from these links help fund my caffeine and crafting!)

If you're a fan of vintage fashion with a modern twist, the Alexa 1920s Flapper Dress in Lemon from Nataya is a must-have for your wardrobe. Nataya pieces have a romantic 1910s-1930s kind of vibe about them with more modern wearability, so they can be accessorized to lean into several different eras. I went with a summery 1920s look for this dress!

DIY Vintage Table Linens with Stencil Revolution

I recently got a new dining room table, which I LOVE. However, it is much larger than our previous table, and I didn't have any tablecloths long enough. When Stencil Revolution emailed to ask about collaborating, the dots connected and I knew the perfect way to fix this tablecloth dilemma!

I love the vintage stencily/painterly style tablecloths, and I thought it would be fun to give something similar a try for myself. What I love most about creating your own linens is the ability to pick exactly the colors you want.  I knew I wanted something jadeite green and red to go with my kitchen and dishes, but I also wanted to throw in some other colors to make it summery and bright!

Idaho Queen

I don't know about you guys, but I have an irrational need to be ready for formal events. Like, what if I get invited to a ball? What if the governor calls and wants me to go to her New Year's Day brunch? What if I find out I'm a princess and Julie Andrews is my grandmother and I have a coronation to attend?!

How horrifically awful would it be to get an invitation to such amazing events and have to go underdressed because I had nothing proper to wear?!  The HORROR!

Lavender Falls Farm

One of the best parts of summer, in my opinion, are blooming lavender fields.  They don't last long, but while they're blooming they're some of the most beautiful sights to see!  In Missouri there are only a couple lavender farms, and one of them is about 30 minutes from where I live in Clever: Lavender Falls Farm.

PUG Petites - Jenny Skirt & Peasant Top

I'm always glad when companies offer petite sizes.  As a short person, I often find reproduction garments that fit in the bust, hips, and waist... but they're all in the wrong spots.  The waist is below mine because the torso is cut too long for me, the apex of the hips are at mid-thigh because the skirt is so long.  Busts fit but shoulders and necklines are too wide. These things are fixable, but it's often an involved process, and--honestly--not usually worth it to me to do on a reproduction item.

Enter PUG petites!  I am pleased to show you a skirt from their petite line, the Petite Jenny skirt in Yellow Italian Landscape.  I've paired it with the black peasant top.  These are my first pieces from PUG, so I was intrigued to examine the quality and see if the sizing really worked for me.  Admittedly, I'm also branching out for a silhouette that I haven't worn much... but I have to say I felt FABULOUS!

1939 Wearing History Ensemble

As you guys know, I'm a fan of the Wearing History vintage reproduction patterns.  When Lauren, the owner, asked if I'd sew up the 1939 ensemble pattern and photograph it, I was happy to oblige!  She didn't have any pictures of the pattern actually sewn up and styled for the site, so this was a way to help my favorite pattern company and get an awesome pattern in the process.

Tea for One

So it's been a bit of a turbulent time for me as many changes are about to happen.  I just found out yesterday that I'm being offered an officer's commission in the United States Air Force!  I started the application process two years ago, and I am elated to begin this next chapter in my life.  I don't have timelines or details quite yet as to how quickly I will go to training or any of that, but it will undoubtedly change many things in life!

Bedroom Refresh with Minted Art Prints

"Jacob, you know what we should do?  Rearrange the bedroom.  We've lived here for a whole year and we've never changed it around."

"We haven't lived here a year."

"What?  Of course we have.  We moved in in... in..."

"We moved in here last October.  It's been four months."

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?  How is that possible?!  It feels like forever!"

Santa Fe: T-Shirt from Memo Illustration

So you might have seen in my last post the amazing t-shirt I was wearing, and I wanted to share a bit more about it because it was one of exactly two garments I had been saving specifically for my Santa Fe trip.  (The other one is coming up soon!)

Interview with a Blog Husband

"Is your husband into vintage, too?"

"What does your husband think of your clothing?"

"Does he like old stuff?"

I get a lot of questions about my husband's style and interests, so I thought I'd take a chance to interview him!  Jacob takes most of the photos you see here on the blog when I'm not using a tripod, and I appreciate his help!  So here's some insight from the man behind the camera:

Early 1920s Ensemble & Nataya Blouse

The early 1920s is one of those periods that has some really, really lovely fashions but very little of it is being reproduced.  I especially love these few years in fashion because they begin to embody the comfortable, flowy styles the 1920s are known for, but they're often done in ways that are friendlier to a wider variety of body types.  Many early 1920s dresses have longer lengths, layered styles, and a defined waistline at or right below the natural waist.  

1920s Tennis Dress from House of Recollections

(For some reason my hair looked really red in these photos.  It's not; I didn't dye it.  I don't know what happened, haha!)

While I absolutely love 1920s party dresses, I can't wear them every day!  I do have to wear some more hardy, casual clothing for my daytime, regular-life activities.  I was so pleased to discover the House of Recollections Etsy shop when I was searching for such pieces!

Pre-Tied Turban: Sarah's Doo-Wop Do

I have an exciting recommendation for those of you that love the look of vintage turbans but don't want to have to tie them all the time: Sarah's Doo-Wop Dos!

The Lost Art of Housewarming Gifts

Where has the housewarming party gone?!  I don't know about you guys, but I love the idea of housewarming parties.  In fact, my husband and I just moved into a new flat, and I'll be darned if I won't be having a party when we're a bit more unpacked!

Summer Fun with Temple Towels

One of my favorite parts of summer is being on the water.  Living in Missouri, we obviously don't have beaches, but we do have a lot of lakes and rivers.  Float trips are my absolute favorite, and lounging in the sun next to a beautiful lake vista isn't bad either!

Another part of my fun, as far as lounging goes, is lounging glamorously. We all love the vintage photos of ladies in the sun with their beautiful beach ensembles, and I want to bring more of that into my life.  A fantastic swimsuit and comfy towel are integral parts of that! 

Temple Towels sent me this towel to review and one to give away to you guys.  I wanted to check them out for myself before recommending them to you, and I'm happy to say this towel passes my vintage outdoor glamour test with flying colors!  It comes in a cotton drawstring bag, and the texture!  These towels are some of the softest I've ever felt. They're fluffy as all get out, to the point where I may consider transitioning it to a lap blanket when winter comes.

The particular design I chose is the Ziegfeld Swirl towel, and I like how the design is almost like a mobile photo backdrop.  Now some fun for you guys, a giveaway! 

To find out the details of the giveaway and to enter, check out this post on Instagram.

The giveaway ends on next Monday (July 25th).  Good luck everyone! 

Outfit Details
swimsuit: Old Navy (several years ago)
hat: thrifted
shoes: OLL
towel: Ziegfeld Swirl, Temple Towels

This towel is compliments of Temple Towels, as well as the towel I'm offering as a giveaway for you guys.  The opinions shared are my own, though! For more info you can see my policies page.

Prim Goods Beauty Products

There are few things I love more than buying items I already want and need and knowing the profits go to a good cause.  When people from Primrose Hill contacted a blogger group I'm in to see if anyone would want to review their beauty products, I jumped at the chance!

Primrose Hill is a faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center here in Missouri.  It's special, though, in the fact that it's one of only a very few centers in the country where a mother can bring her young children to live with her in the center for the twelve month program.  Their resources and training are centered on healing and recovery for both a mother and her children.  The family stays in a giant house and works through issues together in a loving environment.

  
Since most of you readers are women, I was sure that you would be like me and appreciate this female-specific type of care.  In many centers, although they do wonderful things, they don't always take family and children into consideration.  This is a consideration that especially affects moms on their way to recovery, and it's wonderful to see Primrose Hill making family care possible.

Prim Goods Beauty Products also play a role in all of this!  You see, the products don't just fund the center, they are also made by women living there!  Each item has the name of the woman who made the product on the label.  Women are taught a trade that they can take with them back home, they grow their work ethic, and they learn to believe in themselves and their abilities again.  How beautiful is that?!  Their tagline is "Made Better by Our Story," and these items are a true reflection of that.

I was sent a complimentary beauty bundle that sells for $38.00 on the Prim Goods website.  It contains chapstick, liquid hand soap, a bar of soap, a body scrub, and body lotion.  I tried each of the items, and they are great!  The body scrub, soap, and chapstick are all made of easily pronounceable ingredients like natural oils and lye.  There are several scents available for each product.

My personal favorite item was the body scrub.  It's a pretty abrasive scrub, but I used it on my winter-dry legs, and it helped remove dry skin and left a coconut oil moisturizing layer that has really helped my skin stop itching and look better.  I have sensitive skin, and none of these products bothered it at all, but Prim Goods also has versions made specifically for sensitive skin, which I'm sure would be really good for those of us with a high-maintenance epidermis! 

Mother's Day is coming soon in the U.S., and spring and summer is the time for bridal showers, new babies, and all sorts of events.  Beauty products like these would make awesome gifts, and instead of funding a giant corporation, you're helping women and children get their lives back after addiction.  THAT is worth it.

- Learn more about Primrose Hill.
- Check out the other Prim Goods products on their website.
- Read some of their stories on their blog.
- Donate to this great cause!

I received free product in return for this post, but all opinions expressed are honest and my own.  For more information about my sponsorship practices, check out my policies page.

Edwardian Jewelry

Edwardian diamond engagement ring in platinum, circa 1920

For many of us, we dabble here and there in Edwardian styles, though many of us probably don't don a corset and walking skirt for our everyday wear.  Edwardian styles, it seems to me, are some of those that are gorgeous to drool over in pictures, but it's a bit fussy to work into everyday life.

However, Edwardian jewelry is an easy way to add the beautiful delicacy of that era into a modern-vintage wardrobe!  The beautiful pieces from this period are timelessly beautiful, so they fit with any era you may be particularly fond of.  For this post I'm using examples of jewelry from vintagediamondring.com, so if there's anything you REALLY love... it's not a museum piece; it's actually possible to add to your wardrobe!

The Edwardian era is named for King Edward of Britain.  His reign began in 1901, and this is considered the beginning of the Edwardian period, with dates ranging from 1914-1920 being considered the end of the period.

Edwardian sapphire and diamond ring set in platinum, circa 1920s

During this time, the aesthetics and morals of the Victorian era were beginning to encounter the progress and change brought about in the early 20th century.  New inventions were changing the world, and there was hope in the air.  Victorian femininity and decorum were still important, and this was reflected in the jewelry.  Many jewelry pieces retained this Victorian sophistication and mixed it with classic motifs from Roman, Greek, French Baroque, and Napoleonic influences that were popular at the time.

Antique filigree diamond brooch, circa 1920s

Classiness and sophistication were the order of the day, so you'll find a lot of Edwardian pieces that feature diamonds and pearls, prized for their beautiful simplicity.  Platinum was also introduced into jewelry at this time.  Being lightweight but strong, jewelers were able to make low-profile, minimal settings that allowed the gems themselves to shine.  White on white or monochromatic combinations were popular.

Scrolls, wreaths, ribbons, and flower garlands in flowing arrangements are common in Edwardian jewelry, too.  Oftentimes there's an overall dainty feeling in Edwardian pieces, sometimes achieved through filigree or other delicate work.

Edwardian pearl and diamond ring in platinum

Do you own any Edwardian jewelry?  What do you think of it?  Do you like the delicate details, or does it seem a bit fussy for your liking?

This is a sponsored post.  For more information about my sponsorship practices, check out my policies page.

9 Ways to Style a Kaftan

Today Regina of Australian online boutique Camilla is sharing a post about styling one of my favorite garments: the kaftan/caftan!  The kaftan originates in the Middle East, but its popularity has spread to other cultures and now similar garments are worn all over the world.  They were especially popular in the West in the 10s, 20s and 70s, and here are some tips for working them into your own wardrobe!

There is no other garment on this earth that is as versatile as a kaftan. From early morning errands to a day at the beach; date night, a formal event or a relaxing night at home, the kaftan is there for any occasion. With so many events where the kaftan can be worn, we thought we would come up with a list of different ways you can style a kaftan so your fashion sense can be as versatile as this garment!

Beverly Johnson in Harper's Bazaar, 1975 (source)

1. The effortless morning look
For a day of errands, turn into a street style queen by wearing a long kaftan with a bold print. You can keep the accessories to a minimum here and let the pattern talk. Pair the kaftan with a sandal and look effortless throughout the day.

Moyra Swan in 1969 Vogue UK, Photo by David Bailey (source)

2. Tie it with a belt
When you want to accentuate your waist while wearing a Kaftan, go for a thin belt or a ribbon and highlight the tiniest part of your body. Play around with the belt or ribbon – tie the belt at the back or make a bow at the front with your ribbon for a whimsy touch.

1960, photo by John French (source)

3. Short & casual
Pair a short caftan or tunic with cigarette pants and kitten heels for a modern-gal-on-the-go look.  Wear a turtleneck underneath to winterize it. 

Missoni in Vogue August 1977 (source)

4. Go for the romantic
There is something very romantic about knitwear when it is paired with flowy garments. Next time you want to channel your inner romantic, pair your long flowy kaftan with an Aran jumper or a soft cashmere sweater and cozy up on those chilly summer nights.

Fortuny stenciled silk gauze wrap, c. 1920 (source)

5. Layer it up 

Layer a sheer kaftan over a more fitted piece for an elegant look, especially if you're worried about opaque kaftans adding too much bulk. You can accessorize it for daywear or evening wear just by switching out accessories and shoes! 

Vogue 1978 (source) 

6. Beach day style
The kaftan is perfect for the beach. Pair a short kaftan with short shorts and flats, with a hold-all bag on your shoulder and bold sunglasses you will be armed for a long day at the beach.

Elizabeth Taylor (source)

7. Take it to the ball
Next time you have a formal event, take out your best pair of heels and that shimmering clutch bag; put on your statement necklace and turn your kaftan into a stunning evening gown.  Elizabeth Taylor did it, so it's gotta be a good style choice.

1970s McCall's 2377 (source)

8. Unbuttoned but not undone 
If it is a buttoned up kaftan you are rocking, then leave it unbuttoned and pair it up with shorts, a crop top and espadrilles for a classic beach or summer look. Bonus points for a tassled hood.

Regina Mode, August 1967 (source)

9. Be bold
If you are as bold as a fashion editor when it comes to style, then don't be afraid of glamorous metallics and embellishments.  The kaftan has never been a subtle garment, so feel free to let loose when choosing one!

Author Bio: A fashion afficianado, Regina empowers women through her writing and fashion tips. If she’s not walking her dog, you can catch her surfing the web for what’s new at Camilla. 

Have you ever worn a kaftan?  How would you style one for your own life?

This is a sponsored post.  For more information about my sponsorship practices, check out my policies page.

6 Gifts That Fit in a Mug

Christmas is looming ever closer, and I'm still working on finishing up the last few gifts.  I love giving people thoughtful gifts that they can use in their daily life.  You know what everyone does in their daily life?  They drink stuff.  This is why a mug is great gift for nearly anyone!  Below I've got six ideas for gifts that fit in a mug (both of these "friend mugs" are c/o Pavilion), and you can tweak them to fit the personality of the gift.  I picked the mug on the left because, obviously... it's so true.  And the mug on the right just states it like it is and sparkles blue and gold, also a win!



1. The Sewist
If you ask nearly any sewist, they'll tell you that nothing beats a delicious hot beverage and a sewing day.  Make a mini sewing day kit for them with bits and bobs all vintage-loving sewists appreciate:

mug + tea bag + vintage fabric + universal sewing machine needles + vintage notions



2. The Naturalist
Think out of the box and create a gift for the plant-lover in your life.  Instead of giving a plain mug, put a succulent, herb, or other small plant in it!  The giftee can move the plant to another container and use the mug or have a cute planter as-is.  Just in case they decide to leave it, put a layer of small pebbles at the bottom to help prevent root rot, then fill with potting soil and a plant.

mug +  pebbles + potting soil + plant



3. The Tea Fiend
Oh, tea lovers.  Those that love tea, REALLY love tea.  And the great part about tea is that one can never have too much!  If you're always drinking it, you will always need more!  Give your tea-loving friend a gift they'll use and appreciate by filling the mug with varieties of tea and little tools to make their tea drinking more convenient. 

mug + tea balls + loose leaf tea + tea bags + infuser ball



4. The Cozyist
Many people warm up to mug-worthy beverages when the weather gets cold, so it's a great idea to pair the mug with cozy winter items.  Create a "cozy kit" with fluffy socks, a comforting holiday beverage like hot chocolate, and a gifted Christmas or relaxing song list from iTunes or Amazon.

mug + fluffy socks + hot chocolate mix + marshmallows + candy cane



5. The Caffeine Queen
Last but not least, a gift for the caffeine lover!  Fill the mug with bags of ground coffee in different flavors, chocolate covered espresso beans, and small squares of nice chocolate or truffles.  Everyone loves a bit of delicious luxury in their day!

mug + ground coffee + chocolate covered espresso beans + chocolate 



6. The Stylist
For that friend that loves to doll up, fill a mug with little makeup bits and accessories she is sure to appreciate.  If you're on a budget, collect makeup samples and artfully arrange them in the mug, or go high-end and include a nice lipstick and a couple makeup brushes.  You can also throw in some small accessories like a pair of earrings or bracelet to complete the gift!

mug + cute washcloth + makeup + makeup brushes + jewelry



I hope these ideas help you finish out your holiday gift list!  Do any of them sound just perfect for a friend or family member?

Click here to pin this post for later!


The mugs in this post were provided c/o Pavilion Gifts, and you can find them here and here! 

5 Tips for Caring for Vintage & Antique Jewelry

Victorian Engagement Ring in Rose Gold with old mine-cut diamonds

Many of us have vintage and antique jewelry that is of the more expensive type.  They may be pieces we've bought for ourselves, been gifted, or inherited from a family member, but they're all investments and fabulous additions to our wardrobes.  They're one of a kind and deserve special care to keep them looking pristine and in good condition.

vintage engagement ring with 1.35 ct natural Burma Ruby, circa 1970's

I asked Flashback Summer sponsor VintageDiamondRing.com to share their top five tips for caring for these precious pieces, and this was their advice:

1. Do the basics to take care of your jewelry.

Take your pieces to a jeweler to be inspected, cleaned, and repaired if necessary.  Try to find a jeweler that has experience with vintage and antique jewelry to routinely check them.

2. Store your fine jewelry away from plastics.

Gems are harder than plastics and might scratch them if bumped against each other.  To keep your celluloid and bakelite safe and shiny, store them separately from your nicer pieces.

1940s old mine cut diamond engagement ring in yellow and white gold

3. Don't wear your vintage and antique pieces during rough or dirty activities.

This one is kind of a no-brainer, but avoid wearing your rings and jewelry during gardening, working out, or other rough times to prevent dirt, damage, and general wear and tear.

4. Store different gemstones in different places.

Rings with emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and semiprecious stones such as aquamarines and garnets are softer than diamond rings.  If they come in constant contact (such as from being loose in a jewelry box drawer), they may rub on each other and get scratched.

Art Deco ring with French cut diamonds and square cut Kashmir sapphires, circa 1930's

5. Seriously consider whether or not to polish antique and vintage rings.

Especially when it comes to antique rings, a patina has built up over the years.  Polishing destroys this patina.  Consider whether you really want your pieces with character to look new, or whether you want them to retain the aged look we love in older pieces.

Vintage and antique jewelry is special and irreplaceable.  Especially if the piece has sentimental ties to family members, an engagement, or other significant life event, it's important to take good care of these pieces for future generations to enjoy.

antique Art Deco ring with .70 old European cut diamond in platinum, circa 1920's

I know I'll be following this advice when taking care of my few pieces of fine jewelry like my wedding ring and two of my grandmother's rings!  Not to mention... I went to VintageDiamondRing.com and drooled for a while... and sent my husband the link.  You know, for future reference. 

Do you have any special jewelry pieces?  Do you have any tips for taking care of or storing them that you've found useful?

Which ring on VintageDiamondRing.com is your favorite?  (I have SOOOO many!) 

This post was sponsored by VintageDiamondRing.com, but the opinions in it are my own!