Around Here...

I just thought I would post quick and give you fine folks a little update on what's been going on around here...
(if you stalk follow me on Instagram you're in the loop)

The Boy and I drove out to a wedding on the weekend in Lac du Bonnet. No pictures of the two of us (as usual), but I did manage this selfie in the truck from the ceremony to the reception.

The groom and groomsmen made a splashy entrance (no pun intended) by 9 seater plane. They flew over the guests 3 times and then flew low over us and the trees, landed on the lake and taxied in to the dock. Best wedding entrance in history! They almost upstaged the bride it was so good!

We camped on a neighbouring yard (the reception was on her parent's property on the lake - so lovely. Perfect weather on Saturday. They were very lucky!) in a rented vintage Boler. We enjoyed it, but decided that we wouldn't buy one. The Boy is too tall to stand up in it and it felt a little squishy with us and the dog.

We've also been reno-ing and decorating my dressing room. New wall paint (fresh, crisp white), new carpet and today we hung drapes! It's coming along nicely!

We've also been doing some MAJOR purging in the house (our basement looked like an episode from Hoarders!). A truckload of stuff went to Goodwill and I've got some furniture listed on Kijiji. Still working through the house and getting rid of things we no longer need or use. Feels so good!

Plus, I took the plunge and went through my vintage clothing and made a massive pile of things I A) am ready to let go of B) don't fit me and C) were given to me and aren't my style. I have an appointment with a local vintage seller to sell everything next week.

So other than that, things have been pretty low key around these parts. I've been spending most days at home, surfing Pintrest and my favourite blogs, puttering around the house and hanging out with The Boy and Dave. Plus, I've been enjoying the occasional afternoon nap. :)


How have you been enjoying your summer?

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Something a Little More Modern

Sorry for the absence in the last two weeks...someone in my family passed away on the 14th and I've not really been feeling like myself since. The last few days have been better, I'm finally starting to come around. :) Just wanted to let you all know why I suddenly stopped posting after such an amazing run of posts!


As you know, I don't always "dress vintage" and by that I mean a vintage inspired look from head to toe. I moderately follow current trends and incorporate those into my wardrobe that I feel compliment my personal fashion aesthetic. Like peplum tops. I love them. So feminine! They are a great modern take on a retro look, so a few months ago I went on a hunt for one I liked. This beauty from Jacob was the winner. The construction is really great - it fits me incredibly well. The fabric is non-stretch and I really like the side zipper (even though it's invisible) which I feel is a throw back to vintage garment construction (I love me a dress with a side zipper!).

I sometimes get worried I'm sacrificing my aesthetic when I dress in such trendy clothes (the skinny pants, the peplum top etc..) from head to toe, but Jill over at lune totally squashed that idea when I posted this pic on my Instagram.

She said "Very Varla of you"(as in "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!").

Haha! I thought that was awesome! Thanks Jill!

Tortoiseshell Cateye Sunglasses: Rhymes with Orange

Vintage Leather Jacket: Vintage Glory

Necklace: Le Château

Peplem Top: Jacob

Vintage Gold Belt: Ragpickers

Navy Trousers: Jacob

Navy Floral Heels: Forever 21

Vintage Navy Purse: Wildwood Rose Vintage

Lisa.xo

Inspiration: Summer Girls

Love this image. Total summer chic.

source

Lisa.xo

Wishlist: Leopard Print Dress

Like any good vintage/rockabilly girl I love leopard print. I have several leopard print shoes and live in my leopard print scarf in the winter. 

Until very recently I considered this bold print to be for accessories (and possibly a cardigan) only until I bought myself a pair of leopard print skinny jeans! I have since reconsidered this opinion and have been lusting over leopard print dresses in chic lady-like cuts. I want my leopard to be classy!

This Christian Dior dress from 2008 is obviously a fantasy, but look how gorgeous it is!! 

Christian Dior at Couture Fall 2008 Runway

image source

These two 60's dresses found on Etsy are much, much easier on the wallet!

Buy it here!

Buy it here!

Lisa.xo

Liebster Award!

I've been nominated for the

Thank you Frocks and Frivolities for nominating me!! :D

So what exactly is a Liebster Award? Well,

"It's a token of recognition that bloggers award to fellow bloggers who they think deserve more recognition. The terminology "Liebster" roughly translates to "Dearest" from German"

Here are the "rules" (if you will):

1. Answer the 11 questions asked by the nominating blogger*.

2. Nominate 11 blogs to receive the award who have under 200 followers. 

    (Let them know in their comments.)

3. Post 11 new questions for them to answer.

4. Link back to the blogger who nominated you.

*This is meant for fun, please by no means feel obligated to participate if nominated, but it is a fun way to get to know some other bloggers out there with similar interests. If you have done this before and want to do it again then do or post a link to your previous answers. If you are not interested in participating then no pressure or hard feelings...I look forward to reading your answers if you choose to do this I would love it if you would leave me a comment with a link to your post!

11 Questions Asked of Me:

1. What are your blogging goals for this year?

It was a bit of a slow start this year, but I'm well on my way to achieving some of my blogging goals. I always strive to post with more frequency (which can very difficult at times with my demanding job in theatre) and this year I fell off the blogosphere for a month or more in the spring due to work. 

But the big goal for this year was to purchase a tripod and start taking my outfit photos outside. As of last week I can tick this one off my list! Feels good to be moving forward and accomplishing goals!  

2. Who are your biggest influences?

In terms of blogging, my influences are currently Chronically Vintage (Jessica posts with incredibly regularity without sacrificing content),  Esme and the Laneway (I love love love her photos. They are always beautiful) and The Vintage Valley (this girls style is so simple and chic. Plus her blog is beautiful).

In terms of personal style, Dita Von Teese tops my list. I love her polished vintage look - how couldn't I? It's perfection. Stylin' rockabilly girls - like Vintage Vandalizm - influence my casual looks. 

3. What was the first blog you read on a regular basis?

Sally Jane Vintage and the now defunct Lulu Letty. I'm sure there were others, but those are the ones I remember. 

4. How did you get interested in vintage?

I've been wearing vintage since I was in high school. My Mom had a friend whose style I loved. Well, it turned out that she bought most of her clothes second hand. I asked her if she would take me sometime and she did! I learned the thrifting ropes at the tender age of 14 and never looked back. I wore vintage in the 90's when it was very uncool. I would often have people in school ask me where I bought my pants/shirt/jacket and when I told them it was second hand I was usually met with disgust at wearing "dead people's clothes". High school found me wearing a lot of 70's wide leg pants and vintage printed tee-shirts and loud button up shirts.

I refined my style and found "my era" in university working with my best friend in Winnipeg's best known vintage shop Ragpickers. My love for vintage, knowledge and personal collection grew in leaps and bounds while I worked there. 

Blogging has also really helped me feel more comfortable with my unusual personal style (Winnipeg is the North American capitol for sweatpants I think - it's such a casual city!!). I am not afraid to dress a little more out of the box these days. I know that despite the fact that there is little to no "vintage subculture" in my city that it abounds elsewhere and that I am not alone. Blogging has helped me connect with people who are passionate about vintage in the same way I am. 

5. What are your favourite topics to blog about?

Even though this is fashion heavy lifestyle blog, I really love posting about my work in theatre and truly hope my readers enjoy it too. I have such an unusual job that I love sharing my work with my readers. No one has complained yet, so I'll keep posting! lol!

6. What would your dream vintage piece be?

Vintage Dior or Chanel dress from the early 50's. 

7. What is your current favorite piece in you own closet?

Tough question...It would have to be a dress - I have a serious weakness for dresses....

Today, it's this one:

You can see more pics of this dress here and here. 

I bought it at Ragtime in Ottawa. I was there stage managing a show for a festival two years ago. Everything goes with this dress and I can wear it dressed up or dressed down. 

8. If you had to pick one type of vintage item to collect what would it be? (purses, shoes, hats, jewelry...)

If I could only collect one vintage thing it would be dresses. I love vintage dresses. I can usually resist any kind of vintage treasure, but vintage dresses are my achilles heel. Gotta have 'em and I will never have enough of them. I think it's a sickness really...

9. What do you find most challenging about blogging?

Posting when I'm working. I do my best to stockpile posts in draft and schedule, but sometimes I just fall behind the eight ball. Thankfully I'm not a pro blogger...so I try to forgive myself for my lapses in frequency. 

Sometimes I also have nothing to say, but have an outfit to show. In these situations I usually feel some sort of weird guilt about not having anything witty or interesting to say expect "Hey! Look what I wore the other day! Isn't it great?"

10. What do you enjoy most about it?

Like so many other blogger, what I love the most is connecting with my readers. I love reading comments and especially love getting emails. I've also made a few great acquaintances and online friends. 

I also love sharing my love of vintage. Most of my "real life" friends don't wear or collect vintage and I enjoy being able to geek out on my blog about the vintage things on my mind I can't connect with them about. 

11. What is one thing not vintage related that you love?

Nature! I love the outdoors! Walks, hikes, bike rides, boat rides, snowmobiling...nature is my happy place. 

My Nominees (I have tried to include as many Canadian blogs in this list as possible. :

1. Bella’s Boudoir - This girl has a serious passion for making and wearing costumes - which I can totally relate to (having worked in two costume shops in the last 10 years). And her "Expectations/Reality" posts crack me up every time.
2. Doll in a Sugar Coma - This girl has wicked retro style and beautiful images on her blog. 

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Another lovely UK lady with impeccable 40's style. I am very envious of her beautifully styled hair. 

4. Grey Lashes - A local Winnipeg blogger. I love her thrifting posts - she finds great stuff! 

5. Leopard and Lipstick  - I love this girls outfit posts (she has beautiful style!), her inspiration posts and her taste in housewares. I never miss a post!

6. My Twelve Cents Worth - Another Canadian! This lady hails from Edmonton. I enjoy the posts of her outings with her vintage loving friends. 

7. Paige Virginia - This girl is adorable! Disney and Disneyland are a common post theme here - so much fun!

8. Past Perfect Vintage - This blog is full of beautiful vintage eye candy. It usually features items from the Past Perfect Vintage Online shop and often contains great information on eras and vintage designers. 

9. Retro Reporter - Another Edmonton blogger. She has super cute style and her posts are always a good read.

10. Three Cats Vintage - What's not to love about this blog. Pretty images, a beautiful etsy shop and her outfit posts are always lovely.

11. Miss Bee Vintage - Another Edmonton blogger (clearly I've got some vintage gf group envy here! haha!). A burlesque dancer, thrifter and homemaker (check out her post on how to pick the perfect pot roast!). All around good stuff here. 

11 Questions for my Nominees:

1. How long have you been blogging? What made you start?
2. Where do you shop for your vintage wardrobe? Mostly online? Or local?
3. What was your first vintage clothing purchase? 
4. What do you do for a living? (be it school or work)
5. City girl? Or country girl? Why?
6. How important - or not - is having an authentic vintage look from head to toe to you and why?
7. What was your best vintage buy ever? 
8. Do you own a vintage car? If not, what is your dream car? 
9. Any other eras of interest to you (other than the one that informs your fashion)?  
10. Heels or flats? and why?
11. (I'm reusing a question here because I liked it) What is the one thing non vintage related that you love?

Nominees: Please let me know when your answers go live on your blog! I can't wait to read them!


Thanks again for the nomination Frocks and Frivolities!


Lisa.xo

Raising Eyebrows

I have a little secret...ok, well it's not really a secret, but I don't like people to know, or see.

I'm building this up way more than is necessary...

I have some brutally patchy eyebrows from over-plucking in the 90's. I pencil them in every day. Otherwise they look scraggly and bad...at least I think so.

Here's the pictorial evidence. And naturally, I've uploaded this photo and am thinking "Well they don't look that bad..." Cripes. I swear they look worse in person... really.

I finally decided to take some action last week and take care of them. I've only got foundation on in this photo, but my eyebrows (and eyelashes!) are looking halfway decent because I had them tinted at the salon last week.
Normally my eyelashes are non-existant without mascara and my eyebrows are much much lighter. The tinting darkened some of the lighter eyebrow hairs and have made them look fuller - which has helped in the patchy department. Now if I was a good blogger I'd have remembered to take before photos of my brows before the tinting...ah well...

Now here is the next big step in conquering my embarrassing brows (I can hardly believe I've posted this picture...I NEVER leave the house without filling in my brows and don't like people to see them) is this:

RapidBrow. It was recommended to me by the esthetician who tinted my brows. I literally left the salon and drove to a drugstore to pick some up. I set me back $40, but I'm hoping it'll be worth it. It claims to improve the look of eyebrows by 108% in 90 days. It's a mascara-like wand and a clear gel like substance that you sweep over your eyebrows twice a day - morning and night. You can use it over tinted brows (mine have been fine) and after it dries I'm free to pencil in where it's still patchy. Love that.

I've been using it now for almost at week (the pic above was taken on the first day). Have I noticed a difference? Yes. A little - there are small hairs growing where previously none were and have been since I was 14. I'm eager to see the middle of my brows fill in a little more. I've got a long way to go, but I'll post an update once I get one month in.

Anyone else try this product? Or something similar?

Lisa.xo

Outfits: More Pink

I go through phases...last year I couldn't stop wearing blue (I do own a multitude of blue dresses...in my defence..). Pink seems to be this summer's colour of choice. Maybe it's my new hot pink clutch...

I donned this favourite on Monday to run some errands. I really love this dress. I bought it at Vintage Glory with a number of other dresses that belonged to a woman whose husband was a tailor. The fabric on this dress is pretty much the coolest thing ever...no really. I am in love with the endless swirl pattern - which is a bit raised - over the faint pink and turquoise stripes. And the pockets...can we all just stop and admire the adorable pockets on this dress for a moment please?

I can't believe that this dress hasn't been on the blog more than once seeing as though it has heavy rotation in my wardrobe. I even wear it in the winter with tights and a sweater.

I'm afraid our yard needs a little a lot of TLC. We've lived in our house for 4 years and barely touched the backyard. We knew it needed a major overhaul so we've left in alone until we were ready to dig in. 

And this summer is the one! We're cutting down the many overgrown and partially dead trees and bushes in our back and front yard, grading up the ground around the house, building flower beds in front of the house, replacing the front sidewalk, demoing our old, broken deck and building a temporary patio (major deck building to come in a few years!) and building a fence!! Phew! That's about enough for this summer, but will only be a start on all the work this neglected (by the previous owners and us now. lol!) yard. 

Black Plastic Rose Earrings: Claire's

Fabric Rose Brooch: Smart Set

Vintage Day Dress: Vintage Glory

Elastic Belt: Le Chateau

Black Peep Toe Canvas Flats: George (Walmart)

Hot Pink Clutch: Thrifted

Lisa.xo

Monarchy - Disintegration ft. Dita Von Teese

Found this music video featuring Dita Von Teese last week. Love it!

ps. it deals with sexually explicit material. I don't recommend watching this one at work!!



Lisa.xo

Yesterday...

I had a great birthday yesterday! Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes here and on Instagram!

We went to Hermanos for dinner with two other couples. None of us had been before, but I heard it was good. We were not disappointed! Our service was impeccable and our food was absolutely delicious!! There was a band playing live music and when our server found out it was my birthday she brought free champagne to our table! We had such a good time!

After dinner we went to a club around the corner for some more drinks and dancing! It was a great evening!

Lisa.xo

31

source

It's my birthday today! I turn 31.

Last year I spent an entire week celebrating turning 30. This year feels much more low key. I am neither elated nor am I bummed out by turning a year older. I don't want to say "It's just another day", because that's not how I feel at all...birthdays are special. This one just feels comfortable. I feel good in my skin. And that's a good feeling.

Here's to many more just like this one!


Lisa.xo

Outfits: Pretty in Pink

No such thing as too much of a good thing right? Yesterday, pink was good and I dressed in it from head to toe.

I also ventured away from my house for the first time in BDV history to take outfit photos. Thankfully working in theatre has got me used to people staring at me. I've heard other bloggers say how uncomfortable they are taking photos out in public...now where I took mine was a pretty quiet place, but there were still stares from the vehicles driving by. I decided not to care and actually had fun having my little photoshoot.

My 31st birthday is tomorrow and I've got some low key plans with a few other couples - mainly dinner out and some drinks. I'm sure The Boy and I will head out to do something in the afternoon as well.

Other than that I'm gearing up to paint my dressing room and keep cleaning our basement (it currently looks like it belongs on an episode of Hoarders...yikes!) and generally enjoying not working for the summer. Life is good. :)

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

50's Pink & White Striped Dress: Ragpickers

60's Pink Enamel Floral Brooch: Rhymes with Orange

White Plastic Bangle: Thrifted

80's Hot Pink Clutch: Thrifted

Sandals: Zigisoho, Winners

Lisa.xo

Winnipeg Vintage Reviewed: Rhymes with Orange

Rhymes with Orange 223 McDermot Ave
Facebook
204-946-5212
rhymeswithorangevintage@gmail.com

**** out of 5

source

This review is long overdue. Rhymes with Orange has become one of Winnipeg's most successful new vintage shops.
It is co-owned by Vintage Glory's owner Doug Shand and two lovey ladies Stephanie Hiebert and Erin Theissen.

I think my hesitation in writing this review has stemmed from Steph and Erin's amazing online presence and promotion of their shop on their blog Oh So Lovely!. What more could I say? How could I contribute? Rhymes with Orange has become such a huge part of the Winnipeg Vintage landscape that I am suddenly finding it impossible not to give my two cents. 


Rhymes with Orange is more like a beautiful boutique filled with vintage than your classic vintage shop. Steph and Erin have done everything they can to make it pleasing to the eye as well as easy to shop.

The first thing you see when you walk in is the front counter filled with goodies: brooches, vintage glasses, bow ties and many other vintage accessories. And usually Erin or Steph's smiling face behind with a warm greeting (they remember their regulars!).

Before you can shop the women's section you've gotta walk through the menswear. The men's section is stocked by Doug and it easily the best place (perhaps the only decent place!?) to find men's vintage in Winnipeg. Leather jacket? yup. Band jackets? sure. Knitted sweater with a duck on the back? got those. Smoking jacket? got those too.
The men's section also carries a variety of tee-shirts, bowling shirts and western style button ups. The selection and quality that Vintage Glory once had has been carried over to this store. This is my go-to place to buy vintage menswear.

Most of the store is consumed with ladies wear. Hats and shoes are beautifully displayed along one wall  and beyond are blouses, skirts and dresses. The back of the store has a small section of vintage mid century modern housewares.

The thing I miss at Rhymes with Orange is Doug's selection of ladies vintage. Erin and Steph do an amazing job stocking the store with a variety of vintage you can't find anywhere else in the city (they make several treks to Asia every year to shop for the store! so exciting!), I find at times that some of the vintage variety is lacking for my personal taste. Doug's taste in vintage ran a bit older like mine: 30's-50's and I bought much, much more form him at his previous shop. I often leave Rhymes with Orange empty handed because most of the stock hails from the late 60's-70's. When I do find a dress in my era though, I tend to snap it up (I recently bought a gorgeous 40's dress from them that I am dying to wear!!).

I have not let this effect the star rating in this review however, RwO is a great shop with great selection for people looking to get into vintage. Their stock is pretty and right on trend - the girls really know what is in style, what sells and they get in on the racks! I must commend them for that!

I adore their accessories! If you want enamel floral brooches in bright fun colours for less than $30, this is your place! Rhymes with Orange is also the best place in Winnipeg to buy reproduction vintage sunglasses. At 2 pairs for $30 you just can't go wrong. This is where I buy my signature cat eye sunglasses.

And speaking of prices, this shop is definitely easy on the wallet. Prices are reflective of the Winnipeg vintage market - items are priced about 1/2 as much as something would sell online. For example, most day dresses are under $40.

Overall, Rhymes with Orange is a great shop! It is easy to shop and has accessible, easy to wear vintage. It is definitely the first place I bring "non-vintage" shoppers when they want to shop with me. It breaks all the stigma's associated with vintage and thrift stores.



Steph & Erin's online shop and blog:

Oh So Lovely Blog

The Lovely Closet Online Shop



Check out my other reviews: Winnipeg Vintage Reviewed

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Lingerie as Clothing

I have been wearing vintage lingerie as outerwear for years now. My mother will attest to the fact that in high school I wore a vintage turquoise slip as a dress with combat boots (still have the slip!! the boots, however are long gone.. haha!).

These days I've abandoned the combat boots for some more ladylike footwear, but am still partial to the prettiness that vintage lingerie adds to an outfit.

It was swelteringly hot out yesterday, so a cool outfit was in order. I paired my new black (yes, I know...black on a hot day...it's silk...so that makes it cool...right?!) skirt and this beautiful vintage lace camisole. A few accessories (I actually wore two silver bangles during the day that I neglected to put back on when I took these photos after dinner) and a pop of colour in my new favourite purse.

I wore this to the salon yesterday. I was putting #12 of my list "12 Things Happy People do Differently" into practice yesterday and got a brow tint, eyelash tint and a bikini wax. I feel like a million bucks! :)

Cat Eye Sunglasses: Rhymes with Orange

Vintage Floral Brooch: Thrifted

Vintage Lace Camisole: Thrifted, Value Village

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

Nude Patent Pumps: Le Chateau

Green Leather Purse: Claudia Firenze, Winners

Lisa.xo