Love these 60s Fashions... Where Can I Find Them?

Every time I watch the Mad Men television series I can't help but admire the women's clothing. Should I ever find something similar in the stores, I would most definitely be interested in purchasing these items.

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ABC News has a post featuring some of the fashions. For each star of the show there is a picture of them dressed for the show (on the left) and another featuring their modern clothing (right). In my opinion, they all look better in the vintage fashions.

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Maybe I need to score some of these vintage patterns and whip up my own versions of these fabulous clothes. I like that they are form fitting to show off your curves, but they are also modest in their fabric coverage.

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These are pretty cute too, a little less form fitting and fabric! This was how my Barbie was dressed.

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This one reminds me of classic Jacqueline Onassis style; just switch out the leopard for a solid color.

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I like the green dress on this McCall's pattern. The skirt on the white dress would not be flattering.
What do you think--do you like them and which one is your favorite? I like the orange one at the very top the best. What I really want to know is... have you seen them in a store?

 

Vintage Silver Casserole Use Ideas & Share the Love Wednesday Link Party # 59

Welcome back to Share the Love Wednesday! This is a link party where you can share whatever you have a passion for and blog about. It's a great way to find new blogs and find some new followers for your own blog as well.

I have a new use for those vintage silver casserole dishes you see in thrift shops to share today. When I first bought this piece I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it. I had just started to enjoy vintage silver and the price was right. Before I knew it, I found lots of ways to use it around my home.

Using it as a base for a large glass candle holder is how I've been using it lately. It sits in my family room and I like the contrast of the silver against the matte gray painted table.

I have been trying to clear out the clutter in my decor, limiting tabletops to just three or four decorative items at most. Keep in mind that around the holidays, this rule does not apply! Just a small tray of favorite catalogs and magazines (hello Flea Market Style!) and the candle are my choices for this table.

The glass candle holder fits right in the base of this casserole. Check out the tarnish on the bottom. It doesn't bother me a bit! I like the patina and the depth it adds to the carvings on the cute little chubby legs and the rim.

If you're looking for more ideas on using a piece like this, click here to see how I used this same silver casserole in early spring.

Featured this week
Let's kick off Share the Love Wednesday! This link is from a blog called Holiday Sparkle. I have to admit, the blog title sounded like a place I definitely wanted to visit.  These are some gorgeous handmade trees. When you visit Chris' blog, you'll see that she has made these trees for just about all the holidays, including some fabulous pastel Halloween trees that are really unique. She has an Etsy shop, and there is a coupon code for 15% off on her site right now.

Holiday Sparkle

Take a few beautiful things, style them pretty, take a good picture. Those are the basics for what makes for a great blog post! Stop over and visit Linda over at Delight to see more gorgeous pictures and ideas.

Delight

This next link is from Carol's Picture Blog. The post features her favorite flowers to grow from seed and there are some gorgeous pictures of Carol's flowers and garden. If you have ever wondered if seeds are worth your time, this post will show you that they are!

Carol's Picture Blog

Share the love and show off your blog with the linky tool below. After linking up your post, if you see a blog post that inspires you, invite the author to join the party. I love to see new blogs and ideas and I know you do as well. Please include a link back to the party either with one of the party/blog buttons on my sidebar or a text link.

Link up to this week's party

Linking with:

White Wednesday on Faded Charm

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground


Mod Vintage Life

Time to Hurry Up and Catch Up!

IMAGE BY JOSIE FRASER VIA FLICKR

Sometimes life moves so fast it's hard to keep up! Sorry to have missed posting a new link party this week. I've reopened last week's link for those who would like to link up something new. To add your link, click the button below. The features will be posted next week.

The Ultimate Bar in an Armoire

I have a thing for vintage armoires. I love the details in their construction and the flexibility to use them in so many different ways.

Now I'm pleased to be able to add to my idea files this fabulous bar in an armoire by Bryann Batt. In his book, Big Easy Style Creating Rooms you Love to Live In, there are tons of great ideas but perhaps my favorite is his version of transforming a vintage armoire into a gorgeous bar.

This picture is a closeup of the right interior wall. There's small shelves to hold barware on the right and spirits on the left. He's had the bar fitted with a beautiful bowl sink, refrigerator and icemaker to make it truly functional. Didn't I tell you this was the ultimate bar in an armoire? The vintage mirror hanging in the back is pretty fabulous as well, an unexpected touch of glamour along with the silver serving tray when the doors are opened. This bar is so pretty you probably would not need to ever close the doors.

Detail is everywhere in Batt's room designs and in the styling of the photos in the book. Some books you just like to flip through for the pictures, but his text is enjoyable as well.

There are more great ideas and decorating inspiration in this book as well. A magnificent fireplace sets the stage for this pretty seating area complete with vintage crystal chandelier and an antique chair recovered with a leopard print. This mix of contemporary and antique pieces is something you'll find throughout the book.

For more inspiration on making a bar from an armoire, click here. For tons of ideas on using armoires around your home check out my Pinterest board dedicated to armoire repurpose.

Check in with me on Facebook and find more inspiration on my many boards at Pinterest!

Disclaimer: All links will direct you to the author's website or links to booksellers from that site. There was no compensation for this review or any book sales generated through this blog.


Linking with:
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Vintage Mother's Day Card

Here's a sweet vintage children's mother's day card illustrated with a kitten, duck and bear. That's a whole lot of cute in one card!

This one comes to you straight from an Iowa City antique shop, now in my collection of vintage cards. It has  a few more images besides the one on the front. A bear serenading a little duck with a violin adorns the inside cover.

The Mother's Day message printed on the inside of the card is pretty sweet as well. They don't write them like this anymore!

And if that's not enough, there's one more illustration. A cheerful rooster appears on the back.

Enjoy!


Linked to 
The Vintage Farmhouse - Creative Things
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground

Share the Love Wednesday Link Party!

Welcome to another Share the Love Wednesday link party! Seems like time has flown by since last week's party. Holiday weeks will do that! I was lucky enough to be able to take a day off of work and visit my daughters at college last weekend as they couldn't make it home for Easter with school and work schedules. Everything seems a little behind this week, including starting the weekly link party!

Jody at Thyme for Home made over this $20 bargain desk into a royal beauty! The blue and gold is gorgeous!

Thyme for Home

These sweet peat-pots were dressed up for Easter with a tissue paper printing technique I hadn't heard of until reading this post over at My Heart Song. Change up the graphic and you can use this idea for any occasion.

My Heart Song

One more Easter idea I'm saving for next year are the chalk-paint eggs over at Thoroughly Modern Me. They are really unique and how fun they would be for little hands to decorate!

Thoroughly Modern Me

I hope you'll join the party this week! Link up your projects below and please include a link back to the party with a blog button (from my sidebar) or a text link in your post. Let the links begin!

Check in with me on Facebook and find more inspiration on my boards at Pinterest!

Easy Easter Table Decoration Ideas

Looking for some last-minute Easter table setting ideas? Here's a few of my favorites from around the web. Gather your silver, crystal and a pretty napkin along with some wheat grass from the grocery or nursery for this idea. The pale pink-beige color of those eggs is so pretty.

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If you'd like to add a touch of whimsy to your table, try this simple bunny shaped napkin folding idea. Plain white or pastel napkins would work well.

marthastewart.com

If you are lucky enough to live in a climate where you can entertain outdoors, here's some gorgeous inspiration. I could actually see some of these ideas used for other occasions as well. Birthday parties, baby showers could make use of the color palettes here. A few yards of fabric ripped in strips and tied to the chairs make this table a standout. I bet they're even prettier blowing in a mild breeze!

Party-wagon.com

Country Living

Country Living

Stack up your serving platters with a goblet (and some putty to keep it steady) and layer with eggs, Easter grass and a bunny figurine. Instant centerpiece!

Dining Delight on Flickr

Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter!


Share this on Facebook and find more inspiration on my boards at Pinterest

Find my link party

 

THURSDAY PARTIES
WEDNESDAY PARTIES
What's it Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants
A Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday on Tuesday
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
The 36th Avenue
House of Hepworths
FRIDAY PARTIES
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Tatertots & Jello
The Charm of Home
Freestyle Friday @ Happy Hour Projects

Vintage Birthday Cards & Share the Love Wednesday Link Party!

I'm sharing a sweet vintage birthday card with you today at STL Wednesday. The card is one of my favorites, with sweet little birds on it.  Aren't they adorable? Together with the pansies, it's the perfect spring card.  I have one more vintage card for you! Stop over and check it out on my new Facebook page. Be sure and check in with me on Facebook for more Very Merry Vintage Style.

For your personal, non-commercial use

I'm featuring two links from last week. I love this egg craft from Ellen at Creative Passage. It sounds so easy and the butterflies really complete the look. Made from another set of old eggs, this set definitely will look great any time of year! The full tutorial is on her blog.

Creative Passage

This pretty red table started off as with a problem many of us have had... children with markers! A marked up white table was the reason for breaking out the paint and in such a bold way. With dark wax, it's really gorgeous, don't you think?

Life at 2810

I hope you'll join the party this week! Link up your projects below and please include a link back to the party with a blog button (from my sidebar) or a text link in your post. Let the links begin!

Check in with me on Facebook and find more inspiration on my boards at Pinterest


Linking up to:
WEDNESDAY
Faded Charm
THURSDAY PARTIES
Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Transformation Thurday @ the Shabby Creek Cottage

A New Favorite Home Decorating Book: "Patina Style"

I have found some fabulous decorating books I want to share with you. Keep in mind that I don't buy many books. I work at a library and bring home lots of books each week to read. So when I find a book that is home library worthy, it's got to be something special.

The first book is called Patina Style by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti, a husband and wife team of interior designer and architect. Neutral colors, vintage furniture and accessories with texture and a patina only time can bestow.

Unique ideas like this small closet turned into decorative showcase are an example of what you'll find throughout the book.

Image photographed from the book Patina Style by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti

The colors portray a mostly neutral palette. I've been slowly painting and decorating my way to this type of a palette in my.own home and the book is a great guide. When items of bold color are used, they are easily moved accessory pieces, placed where they can truly shine.

Image  photographed from the book Patina Style by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti 

This room above combines a small dining table and generous amounts of furniture for seating.  Everything is gorgeous, vintage and artfully placed. The picture looks better in the book, I was photographing it near a window and there's a bit of a reflection on the page.

Image  photographed  from the book Patina Style by Brooke Giannetti and Steve Giannetti

The above photo is Brooke's office. Isn't it gorgeous? There are many layers of beauty to each room. I went back to different pages many times and discovered another new beautiful element I didn't see the first time. I hope you get a chance to look through the pages of the book yourself. 

For more inspiration, if you haven't discovered it already, check out her blog, Velvet and Linen. Here's the link to purchase the book on Amazon.



Disclaimer:  The link to Amazon for the book that appears above is the same link that appears on the Velvet & Linen blog by Brooke Giannetti. There has been no compensation for this review.