Water for Elephants.

Water for Elephants is due to hit the cinemas on April 22, 20011. On the 22nd I have a burlesque show I am taking part in however I do plan to see this movie sometime soon while it is on the big screen. I read the book by Sara Gruen a couple of years ago and I was very excited when I heard they were making a movie about it. I liked the book very much especially because it takes place in the 1930's and it is about a traveling circus (I will not tell too much more about it because I do not want to ruin it for those who have not read the book). Those of you who know me really well know that I LOVE circuses and carnivals especially the ones with an old time flair. I adore books and movies about circuses and carnivals too especially historical novels.

Baby's got some new shoes!

I splurged on my self today and bought a pair of new saddle shoes! (I bought the black and cream, the link is bellow to view them)! I found them at Nordstrom and they are the Miz Mooz brand: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/miz-mooz-hoola-oxford/3144305?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=miz_mooz_'hoola'_oxford:334605&cm_pla=shoes:women:oxfords&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=707DC1EF-2941-E011-997F-001517B1882A.

I have been wanting a pair forever, the shoe is a timeless classic and will go well with so many of my vintage outfits. A couple years ago I had an old pair of Stride Rite tan and beige with a red rubber sole that looked like they were from the 40's but they were a narrow width (I used to wear a narrow width at one time and after owning that pair of Stride Rite's I realized I was no longer a narrow, I now wear a medium).

I have a picture of Louise Brooks in the Louise Brooks Biography book by Barry Paris and she has on a great tennis outfit and the shoes she had on in that picture - I could have sworn they were saddle shoes - however when I found the pic online I realize they were not. I was going to say if they were...wow! Saddle shoes have been around since the 20's. I read online that actually they were but girls did not wear them back then. I guess they have been around since 1906. They became very popular in the 50's for both guys and gals.

Another fashionista that liked her saddle shoes was Audrey Horne the sultry sex kitten from twin peaks. She knew how to rock a pair saddle shoes. Some day I will have to do a fashion post just on the lovely Ms. Horne alone.

The lovely Louise Brooks and her tennis attire. Note her shoes are very similar to a saddle shoe.

The very pretty Audrey Horne from Twin Peaks with sweater, her fab plaid pleated skirt, and black & white saddle shoes.

Blog Contest going on over at ZootsuitMama's blog!

Go on over to ZootsuitMama's blog she has a contest going on: http://zootsuitmamablogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-did-i-miss-opportunity-for-give-way.html

Beautiful new fountain pen.

The other day I went to Oblation Papers & Press (an incredible store in the Pearl District in Portland): http://www.oblationpapers.com/. They use old time printing presses to make invitations and stationary etc... they also have a wonderful assortment of fountain pens. I have been wanting a fountain pen for several months and I finally went and bought one. The one I bought is in the picture above on the far left (all of the pens are named by the maker) and the name of mine is Lava Flow. It is very pretty, it is a dark charcoal grey with an opalescent sheen to it with orange lines flowing through it. I also got a moleskine notebook to carry in my purse to jot down notes or to do sketches when needed. I love to write and I love beautiful writing implements, my new pen has inspired me to journal again and also to make this blog post.

Ciao Bella's!

Brooksie

Super fab give away!

Hi folks! Just wanted to share this super fab blog contest going on over at: Living Vintage! Living vintage now has 200 followers whoo hoo! So go on over and check it out: http://livinvintage.blogspot.com/2011/02/200th-follower-giveaway.html.

Pirate Fashion.

About a year ago I ran across a pirate themed fashion editorial spread, I found it very unique and inspiring. I tried to find it again but I was not successful the only advantage to this is that I can find images and make my own. So here we go:

I love the muted tones and the bird to match.

Ok so they are not all pirate like but somehow this just fits anyway, must be the ruffled collar.

This one has a vintage quality to it that I like.

This one is my favorite of them all, I love the simplicity of it.

Windmill in neon!

Photo by Vintage Roadside: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadside/ you can also find Vintage Roadside on Facebook: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageroadside/ check em' out there are some great vintage sign pics on here!

I was inspired by this neon sign tonight while out and about in my hood. I was making my way home (on foot) from the chiropractors office (at about this exact time of night where the sky looked just like it did in the picture above) I saw the windmill and thought wow that will make a great story for my blog (I find inspiration anywhere and everywhere) plus it goes great with my most recent neon theme. So I found this pic and got permission (plus made a new cyber friend in the process - thanks Jeff!) and then did a little research about the Miller Paint Company:

Ernest Miller was born in Germany, he was a scenic painter and also painted houses, he moved to Portland Oregon in 1885. He was not very happy with the house paints at the time. For one thing paints came from back east and had to be shipped all over "tarnation" (this is a whole other interesting story for a whole other time!) just to get here to the west coast. The quality of the paint was not able to hold up to our wonderful Pacific Northwest weather-now imagine that!

In 1890 Ernest purchased a stone mill and began manufacturing his own paints. His paints were such high quality that other paint contractors asked him if they could use his paints and alas the Miller Paint Company was born! The company remained a family company for many years and generations. It was the dream of Walt Miller - Ernest's youngest son who became the company manager until his death in 1990 - for the company to remain independent and employee owned, in 1999 Walt's wish finally came true for the Miller Paint Company. The company has grown to include 35 stores. Their goal has remained the same after all of these years: To provide the highest quality products available, with extraordinary customer service!

So if it is great paint you are after think of Miller Paint. It has been made in the Northwest for the Northwest since 1890!