Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Shop update


These pieces are new in the shop as of this evening! The images are linked.

Monday, February 27, 2012

VPL Lingerie



If I owned one of these bras, I would wear it outside my shirt.  I mean they are gorgeous! So sexy and sophisticated.

Images courtesy of VPL Lingerie

Friday, February 24, 2012

Just eight weeks ago . . .


Just eight weeks ago, I was very pregnant with this little guy. And now he is so big - drinking coffee and everything! Ha ha just kidding - neither he nor I are drinking coffee. But he is getting pretty big, right around 13# now I think. Happy two-month birthday Severen! It is so nice to have you here on the outside.

P.S. Who forgot to clean the mirror before taking those first two pics? Dammit! Oh yeah, that would be me. 

P.P.S. I'll be posting our birth story here next Friday!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Three of a kind


Of all the jewelry that tempts me, I find glass pins to be absolutely irresistible. Especially little ones that look like candy. You'll have to pry these three beauties out of my cold, dead hands. And the glass is rose cut to boot! Do you think there might be an orange or green one out there in the world somewhere? I hope so. Just one more reason to love the 1920s . . .

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Carry me


Do you remember what it was like to be carried when you were little? I think about that now as I carry Severen around all the time. I know he won't have any memories of these super early days but I hope he will remember being small-ish.

I have one very vivid memory of being carried, probably from when I was three or four years old. I fell off the swing-set in our backyard. Maybe it was a face plant, maybe it was a tumble. Whatever happened, I got hurt and my dad scooped me up. I remember being up high, peeking over his shoulder, and walking down the driveway (backwards, from my perspective) and into the house. He was moving faster than normal (I think I had a bloody nose) so I was kind of bouncing. He was wearing an old gray sweatshirt, like the kind you wore to the gym in the 80s. His neck smelled good. I felt so safe.

And that is it - less than 5 seconds of actually memory, but such a special one. These photos make me really happy, too. My parents are so young here! My mom is probably 26-years old in this photo.

Friday, February 17, 2012

This is what bakelite heaven looks like


My friend Amber has an absolutely amazing collection of bakelite jewelry. Just look at those colors! Those towers of bangles! I think the best part off Amber's collection is that she actually wears the jewelry - it's a part of her every day life. That is super inspiring to me. Can you guess what the most valuable piece is here?

Thursday, February 16, 2012

For you cat people


So, I myself am not a cat lover (allergies prevent that) but I have enough friends who are that I couldn't resist sharing this. Now, if you put a doggie - preferably a cute little mutt - on that little swing I'll head to the checkout lane with this necklace lickity split!

Image courtesy of Creatures of Comfort

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Guest Post || Teresa of Bess Georgette


Welcome to Teresa of Bess Georgette for today's guest post! Teresa is a self-described "tea drinking, skirt wearing, graphic designer with a huge passion for vintage clothing." You can see her sweet mug and read all about her in this great interview. You can also follow her adventures on her vintage blog (she just moved to Hong Kong!) and shop her sweet, mid-century styles here. Thank you, Teresa! ♡ Duff


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I love losing myself in the various online archives of fashions past and the incredible Jalou Gallery has the entire L’Officiel de la Mode available for our viewing pleasure. It is a fabulous adventure in the world of fashion magazines and is a treasure of fashion printed and published. Dating from the 1920s, each issue can be viewed in its original layout (complete with images). You can even print them if you wish!

With such a fantastic resource at your fingertips one can be forgiven for not knowing where to start but I thought where better than the 1920s? Duff always has the most spectacular pieces of jewellery from this wonderful era and it seems only fitting to begin our journey there.

In issue 40 in 1924 we are shown a collection of beautiful dresses by Brandt. Swooning from the coppery velvet of the 'Frivole' to the navy blue charmelaine of the 'Frimousse' and the classical elegance of the 'Zig-Zag'.


Moving on to issue 46 in 1925 and I am completely in love with the beautiful illustration of a Molyneux hat and bag ensemble. Oh, and how gorgeous is the illustration of the lady sitting on the bench underneath?!


Yet another stunning illustration, this time of Miss Mabel Boll, 'The Queen of Diamonds', is found in issue 69, 1927. So whimsical! Did you know that Miss Boll was quite the American socialite and who was known for her great atlantic flying aspirations?


This really is a fantastic inspirational source for vintage fashionistas and designers alike, and it's one I plan on visiting extensively. Now that you've had a little peek I'm sure you will be hooked too!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The ways to my heart


It is Valentine's Day and I've been thinking about love. I realized that there are a few direct paths to my heart - things I find so endearing that they are sure to win me over every time. In no particular order (and by no means exhaustive!):

Bake me homemade cookies, preferably shortbread. This is a good recipe.
Be a good doggie owner / be lovey to pets / kiss your pets a lot.
Brew me a perfect cup of coffee, like an Americano with warm cream.
Tell me that you love the movie The Three Amigos (an impression earns you extra points here)
Share an amazing music mix with me.
Gift me a scarf, like this one or this one or this one.
Keep a bunch of old family photos in your house and know all of the people in them.
Collect something old, like dishes, jewelry, ephemera . . . anything that shows a love for the past.
Dress like Annie Hall and/or wear cool (prescription) glasses.
Donate to a charity in your community, like a food bank or the Humane Society.
Admit that you wish you were from Iowa or wear one of these t-shirts.
Talk about how much you love the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Invite me to stay in your cabin on the North Shore of Lake Superior (I know you have one!)
Visit your grandma/grandpa/older relatives if you are lucky enough to have them in your life.
Be an adorable, sleeping baby (like Severen!)

Do you have a list like this? What is on it? I would love to know!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Necklaces for the Crawley Women






Watching Downton Abbey last night made me think about the accessories on the show. They are starting to change now, with more sautoirs and fewer choker-length, Edwardian necklaces as they approach the 1920s. Can you imagine how marvelous the jewelry box for the show must be? I'd like to go pawing through that, oh yes. 

I've had several necklaces in the shop over the last couple years (yes, it is almost my 2-year shop-versary!) that are Downton Abbey-worthy and I had fun paring them up with the Crawley ladies today. Not to match their dresses in these photos of course, but just to go with the lady and the era. In general, I think I've enjoyed Edith's accessories on the show the most (she almost always has a fantastic hair ornament!) with Her Ladyship coming in a close second. 

Note: All of these necklaces have found new homes except Lady Mary's, which is in the shop now.

Images courtesy of ITV

Friday, February 10, 2012

Six weeks and a gift


I got a package in the mail last week from my friend Susannah and this was inside. Isn't it fantastic? I love how she used a bark motif and birds, since those are both things we have in the nursery (and Severen adores birds). It is such a thoughtful gift, and something that our family will enjoy for years to come. Thank you, Sus!

Our little fellow is six weeks old today. He is able to smile now! It is interesting how affirming I find his little grins, like he's saying, "Good job, Momma. I am a happy boy!" In reality, I'm sure he is saying, "Wow, you look very tired and pale. Did you always look like this? Yikes." I haven't captured a full-out smile on film yet, but I'm working on it.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Something for your hair

           

The fern collection by Conroy & Wilcox is quite nice. The hair ornaments are my favorite.

Images courtesy of Conroy & Wilcox