Yellow Tulips and the Spring Giveaway Winner!

I finished this outfit in the past couple days, and I like it a lot!   I took an old shirt of my  mom's and turned it into this one, then I embroidered some yellow tulips on the front and back.  I really love embroidery on clothing.  It makes it unique, well-crafted, and just beautiful!  It turned out to be a perfect outfit for the day because it was quite warm, but later that night we had giant storms all evening!  It actually worked out though, because most of my hair was in a scarf or pinned down and the 'do was really hardy!

I did not, however, feel the need to iron them.... I took these pictures right before getting in the car to drive for four hours, so I thought it would be a bit pointless.  My friend Teresa and I went to go see her daughter in a theater production.  It was quite fun!

shirt: handmade by me

shorts:  Butterick 9779 (Like I said, I really like this one...)

scarf: Relics Antique Mall

lipstick: Bare Minerals "Call the Shots" (I adore this lipstick.)

bracelets: Mosaic and Kenya

wild strawberries are out!

You know what would go super well with this outfit?
These shoes:

Lovely, aren't they?  Love me some Swedish Hasbeens.

Anyway.... I have also randomly selected the winner of the Spring Giveaway!  

Congratulations, Jessica Cangiano!

I'll be emailing you next, so we'll talk and get your prize to you!

Victorian Blouse Jacket

Last Sunday I went to a flea market because.... I like them.... and I stumbled across this beaut that was hiding in the corner of a random booth!

Look at it!  Isn't it gorgeous?!  (I'll do a legit photo shoot soon.)  It's an important part of fashion history.  I mean, think about it.  This look with the lace, yoke top, large sleeves, high neck, etc. has been copied, referenced, and reinterpreted in nearly every decade of the 20th century.  I just need to repair a couple places where the lace trim is coming off, but otherwise it's perfect!  How crazy is that?  Over a hundred years old and practically perfect.

And check out the gorgeous construction.  It's boned, and just amazing.  Much of it is machine stitched, but all the details are hand done.  And all the lace trim is sewn on with the tiniest whip stitches I've ever seen!  My seamstress heart nearly swooned:

Fashion never dies.  It just gets recycled and reinterpreted!

I need a steampunk party to go to, don't you think?  

Don't forget to enter the Spring Giveaway, going on now!  Just a few more hours!

Don't Forget!

This giveaway is now closed.  The winner was announced here.

Just to remind you guys, there's only one day left for the Spring Giveaway!

There are stockings, a vintage magazine, a 1950s topper, Shabby Apple gift card, and zippers up for grabs!  Don't miss out!

To enter, go here.

Memorial Day

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Today is Memorial Day in the U.S., a holiday where we stop to remember the men and women who have died while serving in the armed forces.

Having many family members who were and are in the military, as well as dating an airman and hoping to join soon myself, this is a significant day.  My country would be radically different if these men and women of the past had not stood up to serve their country.

Have all of the wars America has fought been necessary or "just" wars?  Maybe, maybe not.  Looking back, we have the luxury of being able to see all sides of the story, or at least much more of it than the people living it could see.  Sadly, we oftentimes look at past generations' motivations and actions through our "modern" lenses with arrogance and judgment that is out of context.

Thus, this isn't a holiday justifying or celebrating war.  It's quite the opposite.  It's a day where we suspend judgment and political affiliation to honor the people who worked, sacrificed, and died for a country that they believed was worth fighting for.  They took a stand and they fought for reasons specific to each person.  Family, honor, pay, country, conviction, beliefs, hundreds of reasons.  But the thing is..... they stood up.  They stood at a time when they were needed and stood in the gap for their countrymen.

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painting by Lee Teter

Spring Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed.  The winner was announced here.

Spring is here, and I've got an assortment of vintage and vintage-inspired accessories to help you guys spruce up your wardrobes for the season!

Up for the win this round is:

- a 1950s topper (first vintage hat I ever bought, and you can see a very tiny peek of it on my blog title.  Be a part of Flashback Summer history!)

- a pair of stockings (They're very stretchy stay-ups and have reinforced toes!)

- three zippers for any new sewing projects you'd like to make

- a $15 Shabby Apple coupon code to use in their store (wooo!)

- a vintage "Look" Magazine featuring Joan Kennedy (Ted's wife) and Churchill, full of interesting articles and beautiful graphics!

Magazine sneak peeks:

There are lots of ways to enter, and every thing below is worth one entry!  You can enter as many times as you would like using the ways below, so feel free to increase your odds.

The giveaway will end on 31 May at 12 am (that's at night).  Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hospitality: 5 Ways to Make Water More Exciting

Those long, hot summer days are here!  After all that heat, it's great to sit down and chill with a glass of water.  However, if you're like me..... You don't really like water.

I know, I know, I need water to live.

I get that part.  But I just don't really enjoy drinking water.  Thus, I've thought of and tried some ways to easily spice up plain water for more exciting, but still refreshing and healthy drinks!  You can also include the extra ingredients at your next get-together and display them like a beverage bar!

With all of the following, except the flavored ice cubes, letting the ingredients sit in the water for a while to infuse it will increase the flavor.  You could put them in a cold beverage dispenser or pitcher and let them sit for a bit before serving for the most flavor.  Also, the more you put in the water, the stronger the taste.  You may want to experiment with different amounts of add-ins to see how strong a flavor you prefer.

1.  Cucumber Water

Slice 'em up and throw 'em in!  They have a clean, fresh taste.

2. Limeade Cubes

Take lime juice (either bought bottled at the store or juiced yourself), pour it into ice cube trays, and freeze.  Pop these limeade cubes in when you're ready, and add more to your water for more flavor.  Personally, I like a kind of "pulpy" consistency to mine, so I cut all the meat out of the lime, blend it, then turn it into ice cubes.  As you like!
(Word of caution: lime juice has a lot of flavor.  Either put in fewer cubes for more subtle flavor, or you can water down the lime juice a bit before freezing it.)

3.  Strawberry Water

For a sweet-tart combo, simply cut them up and pop them into your glass.  It has a really crisp taste.

4.  Mint and Lemon Water

Take sprigs of fresh mint and squeeze the juice from a lemon wedge or five (as you prefer) into your water.  Refreshingly light!
(If you want a stronger mint flavor, you have two options.  You can blend a bit of lemon juice, water, and the mint sprigs together to form a "concentrate".  Put a little in your glass and fill the rest with water.  Or, you can also start with hot water and throw the mint into that.  The mint flavor will come out a lot more with hot water.  Then you can throw in the lemon and chill it in the fridge before serving.)

5.  Peach Water
Put a few peach wedges in with your water.  (I used white peaches, that's why they look like apples.  Juicier peaches would work best for this, I think.)

Do you guys have any other ideas?  Have you tried any other water combos that you've enjoyed?