Outfits: I'm Outside! And a 'New' Dress

I'm thrilled to have taken today's outfit post outside (beneath the shade of the pine trees in our backyard to be exact), courtesy of my new tripod!

I also excited to show you the newest addition to my vintage dress collection from Dear Golden. I showed you the etsy photos a few weeks ago, but had to take it to the tailor to have it taken up and in a little. I'm a bit short waisted so I have to have many of my dresses taken up in the waistline in order for them to fit properly. I also had about 2 1/2" removed from the hem of the dress. Now it's perfect!

I clearly need to get used to taking photos outside...my camera settings need some tweeking I think...

I just realized I'm wearing an item from each of my grandmother's in this outfit! My Glasses are from my Grandma Cotton and my belt was a given to me by my Grandma Nelson! Awww! That makes me smile..

My sandals are new too. I never liked really those strappy gladiator style sandals, but this newer, simpler version that is trendy now is perfect. I knew I wanted a metallic pair to wear with dresses during the day. I found this pair at Winners for a song. I love the warm rose metallic colour - they go with everything and are very low key. I almost look barefoot in these photos! And I couldn't resist the filagreed metal (yes - it's metal!) detail on the toe. 

Dave (our 4 year old Boxer - for new readers!) really enjoyed running around the yard like a maniac while I took these photos! haha!

50's Cat Eye Glasses: Were Grandma Cotton's (new lenses from Osborne Spectacle)

50's Cotton Atomic Print Dress: Dear Golden via Etsy

Purple Leather Braided Belt: Was Grandma Nelson's

Green Beaded Necklace worn as a Bracelet: Le Chateau

Sandles: Zigisoho, Winners

This weekend is the Canada Day (July 1st) long weekend and I've got 1 1/2 days of work left! Things are looking up! 

What are you up to this weekend?

Lisa.xo 

I Feel Like a Real Blogger Now!

After over 5 years of blogging (and procrastinating) I finally bought myself a tripod for my camera.

I've been taking outfit photos with my camera sitting on top of stacks of books (and occasionally enlisting The Boy to play photographer - much to his chagrin) for as long as I've had this blog and never set aside any funds for a tripod.  

I've spent many hours envying bloggers who take photos outside and with nowhere to put my camera, I have not been able to...until now!!

Last week I decided enough was enough, logged onto my Amazon account and bought myself this little guy - a 42"Polaroid Travel Tripod. 

I picked the travel tripod so I could easily bring it with me in my purse or suitcase. At only 11" when collapsed its small size also means it fits into a drawer at home and doesn't take up room elsewhere. It also came with a protective storage bag. The price was right at $19.99 CAD plus shipping and arrived in less than 5 business days. 

Both my Canon cameras fit on this model and I am able to set it up for horizontal or vertical photos. I've used it twice now and so far I have no complaints! 

Lisa.xo

Follow Me on Instagram!

Better late than never (I always seem to be slow to warm to new things..), but I am becoming obsessed with Instagram and have started an account.

Follow me on Instagram! lisa_butterfliesanddaisys


I'm also looking for more feeds to follow. Leave me a comment with your feed name and I'll add you to my list!

Happy Wednesday!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Aloha!

Summer has arrived in Winnipeg and I couldn't be happier! I saw Modcloth's 'Coastal Break' Retro Playsuit Set via Pintrest months ago and was instantly smitten. If you remember I have been wanting a matching playsuit set and this one is exactly what I was looking for! 

I feel like I should be on a tropical island in this outfit - Hawaii would be perfect!!

I'd never bought anything from Modcloth before - I find their stuff cute, but pricey - I'm much more inclined to spend that much on something vintage rather than new. I couldn't resist though and decided to splurge. I'm so happy I did...how cute is this outfit?!?!

Despite loving the look of these pieces, I have mixed reviews of my purchase. The quality, cut and design of the set is great! Exactly as it appears on the website. The sizing on both the top and skirt, however, both run big - particularly the skirt. Thankfully it was nothing my trusty sewing machine couldn't handle. Rather than return my items I decided it was just as easy to alter them to fit me. 

I bought a medium in both items. The top was definitely the right size for my bust, but I had to shorten the straps about 1 1/2". 

The skirt was quite big on me. I probably should have bought a small - I always have this problem. Apparently I'm smaller than I think I am - but I always tend to buy a bit big and alter to fit. I had to take the skirt in a whole 2". Modcloth's website says a medium should be a 27-28" waist, which is exactly what I have, so I thought I'd be ok this time...ah well...good thing I've got skills with a sewing machine. 

So after a painless 20 minutes of pinning and sewing I've got this cute ensemble! I received many compliments when I wore it out and it's so comfortable and cool! Win! I am imagining all sorts of summer outfits for these pieces -together and separately.

I did wear a short slip under the skirt so it didn't stick to my legs too much, but the skirt has a wonderful fullness without a crinoline due to the stiffness of the cotton. 

Unfortunately, Modcloth seems to be sold out of the skirt, but the top is still available. They do seem to have other playsuit separates for sale right now though here and here. I can't vouch for those ones specifically, but I know I adore mine and despite minor issues in sizing, would recommend them! 

White Hair Flower: Ricki's Sample Sale

Retro 'Coastal Break' Playsuit Set: Modcloth

Bangles: Thrifted

Vintage Bamboo Purse: Thrifted, Value Village

Denim Espadrilles: George

Lisa.xo

Goodbye Google Reader

We all know Google Reader is meeting its untimely demise at the end of this month. 

So here is my obligatory post (along with every other blogger on the planet..) to remind you to follow me elsewhere so you don't miss out on any future posts. 

I would highly recommend following me on Bloglovin! Click the link to get on that! :)

Thanks peeps...see you on Bloglovin! RIP Google Reader.

Lisa.xo

Outfits: A Mix of Eras

I really adore this dress. I rescued it from the scrap pile about 10 years ago when I worked at Ragpickers. It was in such terrible shape. The fabric was stained, the hem had fallen, it only had two of its buttons left on it and several seams were split. Despite all of these flaws I was uncontrollably attracted to this dress. There was something about the soft pink colour, the cute novelty print and the softness of the fabric that I couldn't resist. 

I brought it home and it hung in my closet for years. I carefully spot removed all of the staining and fixed the split seams. A couple years after that I pressed and pinned up the hem, but never sewed it. Eventually I found enough matching vintage buttons in the right size to replace the lost ones and finally sewed them in place and tacked up the hem. Better late than never right?! 

And the result is this beautiful summer dress! It's early 40's by my reckoning - the novelty print and colour says 30's, but the simple sleeves and lack of embellishments says 40's to me. Either way, no part of me regrets saving this dress and restoring it. 

I rarely wear this dress any other way. I just love the brown accessories with the cotton candy pink. The hat is 60's, the dress is 40's, the hot pink clutch is 80's and the enamel brooches are 50's or 60's. Mixing eras is my favourite way to wear vintage. I am rarely interested in dressing period specific from head to toe. 

Here's the print close up. I wish I could show you how soft this fabric is! It's heavenly!

60's Brown and Cream Hat: Thrifted, Goodwill

Vintage Slip: Thrifted

40's Novelty Print Day Dress: Ragpickers

Bow Belt: Forever 21

Vintage Porcelain Flower Brooches: Thrifted

Brown Leather Peep Toe Pumps: Kensie

80's Hot Pink Clutch: Thrifted

Lisa.xo

Inspiration: Vintage Styled Pink Hair

I am and always have been totally obsessed with pink hair (examples of my pink hair lust here and here). If my hair was not almost black I would have pink hair.

So in lieu of dying my own hair I just gaze adoringly at lovely ladies with pink hair on Pintrest.

Here are some of the images that are inspiring me right now:

unsourced via Pintrest

source via Pintrest

unsourced via Pintrest

source via Pintrest

*Sigh* if I was younger and more foolish I would totally bleach out my hair - ruin it - and dye it pink. Now I'm waaaay too sensible...too bad..

For more Vintage Inspired Hair (not all of them pink) check out my Pintrest Board. 

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Black is the New Black

Lamest post title ever...yup...I'm ok with it. But really, you just can't go wrong with all black. Ever. It always looks chic and classic. 

I feel a bit like Dita Von Teese running to my car after pilates in this outfit! lol! 

The photo below inspired this outfit. I discovered it online ages ago, saved it and vowed to re-create this look for myself. I bought my top with thoughts of this image in mind and when I found this pleated silk skirt at the Johnston Terminal Antique Mall at Debbie's shop (review in the works - stay tuned!) I couldn't leave it. I knew it was the piece I'd been waiting for to complete my look. 

source via Pintrest

Black Jersey Knit Top - Le Chateau

Black Pleated Silk Skirt: Debbie's Vintage (Johnston Terminal Antique Mall)

Mexican Silver Bracelets: gift

Tortoiseshell Cat Eye Sunglasses: Rhymes with Orange

Green Leather Purse: Claudia Firenze (Winners)

Black Flats: Joe Fresh

Lipstick: Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede in 'Finale' (095)

Lisa.xo

My Favourite Daytime Lipsticks

For a special event or for an evening out, I love a red lip. But day to day I feel a red lip is sometimes a little much. So I've found a few vintage-look friendly alternatives I'd like to share with you. 

In no particular order, here are my favourite go-to daytime lip colours:

Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain layered with Benefit Lip Balm

I love Benefit Rose-Tinted Cheek and Lip Stain! This is the product I use daily as blush and occasionally use on my lips as well. 

As a cheek stain it's unstoppable! Nothing looks more natural and has more staying power in this application. As a lip stain, it's got its issues - it tastes terrible, it is not long lasting and it tends to stain the  inside of your lips with much more pigment than the outside of your lips. However, with a little help - and this is where the lip balm comes in - it is great! 

The stain acts as a base, giving the lip balms' colour more depth. The result is a rosy pink, slightly glossy lip that works well with any look - day or night. 

And the gloss by itself is also lovely, just a more subtle hit of colour on the lips. 

Both of these products are a bit pricey - The cheek & lip stain at $30 and the lip balm at $20 (the Benefit website doesn't seem to be selling the lip balm anymore!! I hope it's not discontinued! I just bought a new pot recently at my local pharmacy..), but they last forever! I use the cheek and lip stain every day and buy only 2 bottles a year.

Here is the stain on my lips before the lip balm. I recommend careful application here. Take your time and concentrate the colour on the outer edges of your lips. 

You can see how icky it looks...it settles into the fine lines (eep!) around my lips and looks blotchy..

This is after the application of the lip balm over the stain. You can see here how the lip balm hides all of the imperfections of the lip stain and the result is very pretty!

And my mug with the stain and lip balm. It's a hint of red, but not in your face like true red lipstick. 

MAC Cyndi Lauper Viva Glam Lipstick

I love this lipstick. I would marry it if I could. And what you see in this picture is all I have left people...   Waaahh!! And it's a discontinued Viva Glam colour. I went back and bought another after I bought this one and kept it in my freezer until I was ready to use it I loved it so much after I bought the first one. 

I've heard there are good 'dupes' out there for this colour and I will shortly be searching the universe for them.. I will bring back my findings. 

For $16 this lipstick is amazing! It is a beautiful coral pink colour (very vintage friendly). It is creamy and has incredible staying power. It looks good day or night and with any manner of outfit. 

I didn't want to waste any by putting it on to take photos for this blog post, so I an providing a picture of me wearing this lipstick from another post. 

So, unfortunately friends, you can't buy this one, but if you know of any good substitutes or you love this colour as much as me and want some company to whine with about it being unavailable please talk to me! 

And my new favourite:
Revlon's Colorstay Ultimate Suede

I saw commercials for this product and am always interested in a lipstick that promises to stay put all day, so I went out and bought myself one. This colour is 'Finale' (095) and shows very true to colour in these photos. This colour is a pretty close match to my MAC Cyndi, but it's a little more coral and less pink. 

This lipstick set me back $15 and was worth every penny! It goes on well and has great pigment and delivers what it promises! It actually stays all day! I do have to reapply once during the day, but that ain't a whole heck of a lot after eating, drinking and the occasional kiss from The Boy! We even shared a can drink the other day and he didn't walk away with lipstick on his face after! Impressive! 

Unlike other all day lipsticks this is a one step application - which I love. And you can wipe it off with a kleenex if you've mucked up. It's not so permanent that you need makeup remover to get rid of it. It does feel a bit waxy after a few hours, but I think that's part of the magic...it never feels dry though. 

Here it is up close and personal:

My only beef with this line is that there is no true red shade. This seemed to be the reddest shade available. I'd be over the moon if Revlon released a true red shade in this lipstick, but I'll take this one for now! 

And there they are! My fav daytime shades.

What are your go-to daytime lipsticks? Do you prefer subtler coral and pink shades like me? Or do you wear red day and night? 

Lisa.xo

Congratulations Laura and Steph!

On Saturday our friends Laura and Steph got married!

I love seeing The Boy all dressed up. And naturally, it's the perfect opportunity for me to pull out all of the sartorial stops.

40's Straw Tilt Hat: Ruby Slipper

Vintage Pearl Necklace: was my Grandmother's (gift from Mom!)

50's Seafoam Pansy Print Dress: Vintage Glory

White Belt: Thrifted

Red Satin Clutch: Ricki's Sample Sale

Suede Seafoam Peep Toe Pumps: Le Chateau

Lipstick: MAC Ruby Woo

Congratulations you two! We're so happy for you! :) Thank you for sharing your big day with us!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Double Bows

I wore this on Wednesday out for pizza with all of The Boy's friends - just me and the boys! :)

It's a bit hard to see in some of these photos, but my t-shirt has a bow on it and my skirt has a lovely little bow. I bought this skirt at Foundre recently. I absolutely adore it - the colour, the pleats, the bow! It's really the star of this outfit - I had to keep everything else fairly simple and let it shine. 

White Bow Tee - Joe Fresh

Vintage Pleated Skirt - Foundre

Wooden Bangles - gift from Tracy

Turquoise Patent Wedges: Le Chateau

Vintage Straw Purse: gift from Matt

I'm working all weekend - 5 shows in 3 days (2 on Friday, 2 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday). I'll be ready for my day off on Monday, that's for sure! What are you up to this weekend?

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Let the Sunshine!

We are having gorgeous weather this week!

I wore this dress out on Tuesday afternoon to do some thrift shopping downtown before going to work.  I have been eager to wear my summer wardrobe and let the simplicity of hot weather dressing begin.

I feel like I've been at a loss for words on the 'ole blog as of late...truth be told there's not much to say apart from work news these days...and I feel like you're all pretty tired of that...or maybe it's just me. It's been a busy season: two school tours, Angels in America: Perestroika (the largest show I've ever worked on), followed directly by the show I'm currently working on: Julius Caesar. Needless say this heavy workload is taking its toll on me. I'm very tired and it seems that no amount of sleep is helping me feel normal. I'm in desperate need of a holiday.
As much as I love my work I am counting the weeks (2 1/2!) until July - which I have off. I am so eager to get out to the lake and spend some lazy days in the sun.

I'll just wear a little sunshine until then. ;)

Yellow 60's Striped Dress: Thrifted, Value Village

Yellow Woven Belt: Thrifted

Bangles: Thrifted (yellow), Forever 21 (coral)

Vintage Cameo Brooch: Thrifted

Yellow Ruffled Slip (unseen): Thrifted

Yellow Canvas Wedges: Thrifted

Vintage Bamboo Purse: Thrifted

Lisa.xo