Saturday, June 29, 2013

Sailing, Cars and Sewing

Hey everyone, this weekend is busy. Last night I went out on a sailboat around Seattle, it was beautiful, I have some pictures:
Gorgeous view of Seattle.
Another  beautiful Seattle skyline.
Me on the Sailboat before we took off.
There was a car show in greenwood on the same street as my Swimsuit class at Made Sewing Studio so I was able to look at some of the cars. There were some really nice ones bright, shiny, colorful cars for a mile. All vintage from the cars in the 1920s to ones int he late 60s. I spotted a cherry red 50s convertible that was to die for. I can't dive, but if I could, it would be in that car (sadly I didn't get any pics of it, it was extremely crowded) 
Pink car--Love it!
Great shiny black car!
Nice convertible.
Anyways I started my swimsuit class at Made Sewing Studio today from 12-4. It was really fun, the teacher and owner, Carisa Brunner, was a great help and super nice! She sells a variety of unique patterns including vintage ones. Its super casual kinda set up so people can come in and use the machines or tables and surgers  and she gives you advice if you need it. To use the space and machines it is $10 an hour. My only concern so far is making sure I get a lot done.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Cupcakes


Hello everyone, so I recently baked these cupcakes (vegan and gluten-free) from a recipe in the flying apron cookbook I got from their shop in Fremont. The Flying Apron is delicious vegan and gluten-free bakery. This was the cardamom spice cake with the chai butter cream frosting.
 So, if your wondering why these look like little cupcakes covered in melted curry sauce, the recipe called for palm oil, I used red palm oil, and I realized I should have used regular palm oil, or white palm oil or something. So they turned out yellow. Also I wasn't very patient and ended up putting frosting on the cupcake and it ended up melting a bit. I'm not even joking, this was the prettiest one. But looks can be deceiving, this was the most delicious cupcake I had ever tasted (that was vegan and gluten-free) The spices mixed amazingly, the frosting was creamy and the cake was moist. LOVE this recipe.
Here is the cake recipe, with our notes made to it.
And here is the frosting recipe. Sorry all the spots on it, when your hands have batter on them and you need to turn the page, things get messy. 

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Bias Tape

Hey everyone, so for my swimsuit top I needed to make some bias tape.... It was a challenging process because swimsuit fabric doesn't iron well. I figured out a technique that works pretty well though.
                 First, I cut out the strips into 2 inches thick, then cut those in half into 1 inch thick strands. Next, I grabbed the handy dandy bias tape maker. I had never used one before, but I think once you get them into the machine its great.  However it took me about 10 minutes just trying to slide my slippery fabric into it before I could start ironing. But when I finally did my next step was to pull it through, and I gotta say, this machine is pretty amazing how you push it in on one side and the next side is perfectly folded.
        Once I pulled it through I could use the iron to spray it down heavily with water and iron it. (I had my iron on the highest level, or the one used for cotton) After that I pinned it into place and continue with the rest of the strip, until the whole piece, which was like 4 yards long, was pinned into place. While it cooled I did another 4 yard long piece. This took very long, but it was worth it.
        After the first one was cooled I then ironed it in half again and pinned it into place. Finally after it was all over, I did that to the other one was well. Last, I took pins out and wound it around this piece of cardboard.
I started around 10:30, finished around 1:30....Phew! That was pretty exhausting and I burned my wrist with the iron, I would suggest (as long as you are not doing swimwear) using only cotton or buying the pre-made cotton ones because it actually stays when you iron it, unlike my swimwear fabric.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

My Besame Comsemtics Arrived!

Hey everyone, I recently ordered the compact refillable packets which you refill the compacts with. This time I made sure to get the lightest color they had, porcelain. I am pale and last time I ordered light thinking I might get some color to my face in the summer. It worked ok, however it didn't match me that well, so this time I figured I'd get the right shade. Also I ordered the 1930s mascara, and this mascara is the greatest mascara I have ever owned! First of all, it smells AMAZING, just like honeysuckle. No joke. I would wear it as perfume if I could. In the little information packet it explained that it is made with very natural ingredients and the smell comes from the ingredients. I decided to put it on and test it out. It is weightless and far from clumpy like some cover-girl mascaras, comes off easy too. Loving this mascara. Also, I noticed that Besame has a new foundation, a cream foundation, called souffle foundation. I wouldn't go for this because my skin often gets oily, however if you have dry skin this is probably better than the traditional powder. It says "It leaves your skin silky soft. Available in five shades, packaged in vintage style cream glass jars. Lightly scented with tea-rose." Sounds great, for dry skin! I highly recommend this product.
This is the refillable packet, packaged perfectly. They also come in a red bag, yep pretty smancy!
This is what it looks like when you open it! It has a great brochure of products on the top.
That's all for now guys! This weekend I am sewing my swimsuit with  class at Made Sewing Studio afterwards I plan to do a photo-shoot, so pictures to come! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Vintage Shopping

Hey guys! Last Sunday I went vintage shopping at two of my favorite spots in U-district, Lucky and Redlight. Here is what I got, I bought a lovely pair of 1940s leather shoes at red light for just $15, (on sale) Who wouldn't buy them! The leather is just great, they are already nicely broken in.

And Here it is, my Lucite purse. I got this at Lucky for $28 (Lucky is more expensive) It is a nice bag though, and as you all know, I really wanted one. I might end up making a satin bag to fill the Lucite purse because it is see-through.
Next, I bought this lovely 1940s plaid dress. I had to do some minor alterations to make the bust fit, but other than that it was in good condition, it was $40 at Redlight. I also got some small plastic hair clips for $1 at Lucky and are little purple bows. I got a 1940s sweater as well for $16 it was hand knitted in blue with poofy shoulders. I am in the process of replacing the buttons right now so that is why it is not pictured. After shopping we went to go have some vegan and gluten-free pizza, at Pizza Pi.
 Here is my review of this place: The bread sticks were just pizza crust with seasonings, but quite delicious with the garlic sauce. Now these were just the gluten free version, I saw somebody else get served cal-zones which were just vegan, and those seemed to have better dough. The pizza was kinda bland and too much spinach kept pulling the cheese off. But if you are gluten free and vegan it can be hard to find places where you can good pizza, without cooking. But seriously guys, this was only $10 for bread sticks and pizza! We had leftovers too. Here is the verdict: If you are vegan this is a great place to get cheap, organic and delicious food, If you are gluten free and vegan you might be better off rolling out your own dough by hand.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Edith Head

Hey guys, today I am going to talk about my favorite costume designer, Edith Head. Edith Head was the costume designer at Paramount for many years, then worked with Universal Pictures. She had a chance to work with many famous actresses like Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn Ginger RogersSophia LorenBarbara StanwyckShirley MacLaine,Grace Kelly, and Natalie Wood. She also won 8 academy awards!
Here are some of my favorite's of her designs: 
Of course the dreamy gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.
As well as the one worn in Sabrina.
And this lovely little number worn by Elizabeth Taylor in a Place in the Sun.
Who could forget this dress made for Grace Kelly in To catch a Thief. 
Next time you watch an old movie,be on the lookout for her name in the credits, because you will find the most memorable costumes of old Hollywood. 

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Bobby Socks

Bobby sock girls or bobby socks, were girls who wore short socks with their oxfords and saddle shoes, originally as part of a school uniform, but then if caught on. Thus creating the classic bobby sock style.
 
But anyways, bobby socks were worn by girls from a young age until they traded them in for stockings once they got old enough, such as age 16. Like in the Popular 1950s song, "Bobby Sox to Stockings" sung by Frankie Avalon in 1959.

Lucite Purses

Ok everyone, are you ready for the coolest and most unique purse of the 1950s! check out these great purses made of Lucite. They are really great unique purses.

Gotta say I'm loving the one on the end, cute design on the top. Not sure about the one in the middle though.  Clear purses are cool, but make sure you are ok with people seeing what you have in your bag. Here are some more cute ones with unique shapes. 

OK, I'm officially in love. I'm gonna look on Etsy and vintage stores! I tell you all if I get one. Gosh isn't that pink one on the lower left hand side just darling! Ugh so cute!

Snood

Hey everyone, school is officially over! I am glad I can now focus on what I love,sewing. Anyways, I'm here to talk about the snood. What is the snood? Well, it's a great 1940s accessory, like a hair net. Here is what they look like:
I haven't actually bought one yet,but I think I might. I curl my hair every night, and if it's raining my hair goes completely flat, so if I had a snood I could just pop it on and it would be cool but also cover my bad hair. I found a place where they sell some, here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtheliasAttic?ref=pr_faveshops she hand knits these out of rabbit hair or nice yarn. They come in a variety of styles and colors.
Vintage Retro Pinup Hair Snood in Buttercup Yellow Crocheted from  1940's DesignThe Vintage Bunny Hair Snood in Sky Blue Mohair Crocheted from 1940's Design  Retro PinupVintage Retro Pinup Ribbon Tie Hair Snood  Crocheted from  1940's Design
Just one other accessory which can really help you create a 1940s look while keeping your hair dry, or out of the way. I'll let you know if I get one!


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Cosmetics

Hey Everyone! Today I'm gonna talk about cosmetics. I recently discovered my favorite brand of cosmetics, Besame (here is a link: http://www.besamecosmetics.com/home.cfm) Besame makes vintage inspired, environmentally friendly makeup. This makeup was seen in many vintage films, like The Artist

You can see the small compact, next to the small container of lip balm, as well as the lid to her cream rouge to the right of it. Here are the products besame sells:

Their cream rouge is just great, I have one myself. However it is quite concentrated so you only need a small finger tip to touch the rouge than you can start rubbing it into the apples of your cheeks. Since I naturally have quite rosy cheeks, I don't use a lot of it I don't want to look like a clown. So I often use it as lip stain. I works great, I just take a small brush and paint it onto my lips. If you then put a bit of powder over the top, it stays all day. Here is another great product:

It is their Violet Powder! This powder is great it works well if your skin has cool tones, like me. I sometimes use it under my eyes or on spots. It works great, and it is made of real violets, so it smells divine! I love walking around thinking, my skin smells like violets. These are refillable as well, you just order the refillable package online, and when they ship it to you, BAM! Easy as pie to pop in the little packet. Plus, it comes with a cute little fluffy sponge to apply it with.

Here is the greatest of them all, the compact. It comes in a velvet bag, and this compact is engraved with flowers and just gorgeous. also, you get another a sponge to apply it with.These also are refillable, and just plain adorable.  Great to pop into purse for touch-ups or to do lipstick with. Speaking of lipstick:

Besame offers so many different shade of lip stick including all of the above, and they come in little golden bullet style tubes. They also show you how to find your perfect red based on your skin tone, or offer to give you a sample kit to try they out and find your perfect shade. Besame has many other products as well such as, lip balm, eyeliner, lip liner, mascara, lip gloss, and a makeup history book. I defiantly recommend this shop, cause it really creates an authentic vintage look. Check it out!