Checking in, seamed stockings, and blog contest!

Yes, I am still alive in case any of you were wondering. I am taking a moment to come up to the surface to grab some air and to check in and say hi. I have been pretty darn busy these days.

I know I have been promising a blog contest for a while now, just as soon as I hit the 100 mark, I have been hovering between 90 and 92 for a month or two now. I can do it I know I can! I have wonderful things to give away - make up and a beautiful vanity set.

Also I scored a whole box full of about 20 pairs (my size) never been worn vintage (nude color) stockings half were seamed and half were unseamed which is great because I wear both. I was pretty stoked about this because the few pairs I did have were not going to last forever!

Photo by de Santis Photography

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.