Monday, December 31, 2012

Have A Very Happy New Year To All!!!

    I thought I would share with every body a few wonderful old time new years post cards.




   These post cards are incredibly sweet, are they not?


Also here is one of me! Wishing you the very best New Year ever!!!

xo

Brooksie

Monday, December 24, 2012

Hello and Happy Holidays!

This is my kind of Christmas (Image from Google)
I am still in the midst of unpacking, cleaning and organizing from my move (I know, the worst time ever to move right?). I have not been able to find my camera yet but I will someday! Because of this I have not been able to take cute Christmas pictures of the quaint little town I now live in which also means no pictures of our red, white and blue Christmas tree! (we decided to go patriotic with my sweetie having just retired from the navy a couple of months ago now. The tree is flocked - which is white and looks like snow - with blue and red  glass Christmas tree ornaments and multi-color lights, I think next year we will have to go with white lights).

Instead I will give you some excerpts from my book: It's a Wonderful Christmas - The best of the Holidays 1940-1965! This fun little book was one of my Christmas gifts last year.


A Very Eisenhower Christmas -
During their years in the White House, the Eisenhower's did Christmas on a grand scale. For the 1958 holiday season, Mamie arranged for carols to be piped into every room. Miles of greenery were wrapped around every column, indoors and out, and over two dozen trees were decorated in classic 1950's style, with glass balls, electric candle lights, and waterfalls of tinsel.

Elvis The Giver -
Elvis bought his beloved Graceland in the spring of 1957. His mother Gladys, received a kitchen full of new appliances and a cashmere coat. During his last Christmas in Graceland, 1976, Elvis donated $1,000 to the local police station and an additional $52,000 to various charities. He gave several cars to friends and a few to strangers he'd never met.

Shirley Temple Said -
I stopped believing in Santa Claus when my mother took me to see him in a department store, and he asked for my autograph.

Ladies Home Journal, December, 1952 -
The punch bowl glistens, conversation sparkles, and your buffet party succeeds! Serve crisp cheese wafers, potato chips, and peanut butter dip.

Mamie Eisenhower -
During her eight years as First Lady, she not only personally shopped for gifts for the White House staff but wrapped each one herself to save money.

During this time period the average American family spends 4% of its annual income on gifts.

Also during this time period 10% of American households leave milk and cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

Well that is all for now if you want more I guess you will just have to go out and buy the book!

xo

Brooksie


Sunday, December 16, 2012

Checking In

I thought I would give you all a little update so you know why I have been away for a while. I am in the process of moving to small town USA which is about 30 miles west of the big city. Moving is never easy especially at holiday time. I will miss living in the city but this little town is kind of cute and is growing on me. I really would love to take some pics of this little town all decorated for the holidays and post them on here but I am not going to guarantee that will happen because my hands have been pretty full with this move. However after the new year I will be giving my blog a makeover and making my "vintage fashion inspired by the movies" themed posts a regular monthly feature (right now these posts have just been kind of sporadic but what I have found is that they are some of my most popular blog posts). Plus I have some other things up my sleeve for my blog for next year. I would love some input from my readers: what would you like to see more of from me? More outfit posts, craft ideas, pictures of vintage finds, home remedies, recipes or product reviews? None of the above or all of the above or do you have some other idea please let me know.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my humble blog!

xo

Brooksie

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

On the Runway!

On October 20th 2012 I had the opportunity to do a fashion show. I am very excited to say this was my very first time doing runway modeling! I am just now posting because I just finally got the photos the other day.

Here is the whole group of us including Danielle the fashion knit wear diva/designer (in the middle with the aqua hair and orange scarf).
Photo by Eric Donaldson Tworivers
Here I am with the vintage Anastasia crocheted cap and upcycled rabbit fur knit poncho.
Photo by Eric Donaldson Tworivers
 
This was for the ReUse Fashion Show during the ReUse Expo 2012 that was located at the Double Tree Hotel in Portland. I had the honor of modeling my friend Danielle's wonderful creations which incorporate a lot of recycled materials. She has a small business by the name of PoorGirl Couture, she is a knitting & crocheting genius (at least I think she is!). You can find PoorGirl Couture on face book: poorgirl.couture. Danielle is greatly inspired by the works of Erte' from the 1920's (you gotta love that). If you want to learn more about Erte' please visit a previous post of mine here: erte-display-at-pittock-mansion. I also want to share that Danielle is very creative, I really love seeing and reading her posts on face book everyday. She motivates and inspires my creativity all of the time, I will admit to you that not a lot of people that I know personally make me feel this way but she is one who does. I really had a lot of fun and a great time doing this show!

Photo by Eric Donaldson Tworivers

Until next time!

Brooksie

Monday, December 3, 2012

Fashion Inspiration From The Movie The Changeling 2008.

All photos from Google.


I got this movie some time ago from the library gift shop where they sell gently used DVDs at a greatly discounted price. I had heard that the Changeling was a good movie and the costuming was quite fabulous so I had to get it and have a look see.

The film was directed by Clint Eastwood and staring Angelina Jolie. It starts off in 1928 and ends up in the 30's. It is about a woman who's young son ends up missing. The movie has some twists and turns, it is also based on true events so it is worth watching.

Now the part you are waiting for, the lovely outfits:


Most fabulous coat with fur collar and look at those wonderful shoes with the buckle! Plus the perfect finger waves!
The picture perfect cloche hat and a beautiful face.
Look at that absolutely gorgeous sea foam green silk chiffon dress!
Nightwear in pretty soft colors and sheer, silky fabrics.
Nice but very much forgotten touches such as the corsage or silk flower lapel pin.
Most of the costumes were various shades of greens and browns which makes matching and putting together outfits a dream.
Always the perfect pin curled set. What a wonderful hat (very much a Casablanca type of hat from the 30's, I am very happy to say I have one like it AND look at the green wool suit!).
Nice little patterned apron for all of the domestic every day house hold chores.
Last but not least another great outfit.
Ciao my Bella's!