[ click for a larger view. ]
If there is one thing that I love and never tire of, it’s the vintage updo. Truth be told, I wear my hair up in some configuration the majority of days; it’s just easier to have it out of the way (not to mention cooler not to have it against my neck!). Something I have been doing in spare moments lately is scanning through my image files for new vintage updo inspiration! A girl can never have too many ideas for new ways to arrange her hair…
- 01. alida valli, I love this simple, almost Grecian inspired chignon.
- 02. madeleine carroll, a simple wave at the front with a crown (or “Heidi” braid)–so very elegant!
- 03. evelyn venable, a variation on the previous style with a twisted crown braid, rather than a plaited braid (try a hair extension for this one).
- 04. lauren bacall, a casual updo in this context, but just haphazardly piling curls atop your head would look sweet with a more modern cocktail dress!
- 05. joan bennet, another “curl pile” ‘do, but this one is a little more purposefully balanced and arranged.
[ click for a larger view. ]
So many of these are deceptively simple. But even for those that aren’t, just the concepts are good in that they can be imitated with a little hair know-how. Even if you’re not game for doing an updo on a regular basis (my everyday ones are never anything special!), they are great for special occasions that crop up!
- 06. lena horne, a simple center part with a triple layer of braids piled atop the head–so dramatic! (again, hair extensions would be key for this one.)
- 07. jane wyman, a fun idea for incorporating a string of pearls (or any other costume jewelry–chain necklaces, brooches, or even bracelets!) into the hairstyle.
- 08. audrey hepburn, I love this modern, sleek updo; it would go with so many party dresses!
- 09. deanna durbin, when in doubt, add flowers! one can never have too many, imho.
- 10. ginger rogers, a bit more involved than some of the other styles, with a rope of hair hanging down the back. still, an adventurous style for the more hair adept!
November 30, 2009 ·
13 lovely thoughts
posted in beauty tips,casey's musings
· tags: 1940s, beauty, style inspiration, vintage inspiration
[ antique postcard image courtesy suzee que on flickr. ]
Happy Thanksgiving to all my US readers! I think that beside Christmas, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s not so much for the food (though that is a perk!), but rather for the day spent with family. I have such fond memories of Thanksgiving Day growing up: we always spent it at my grandparent’s house. Usually there was a fire going in each fireplace. You could smell the turkey roasting when we arrived and there was always a stash of delicious cherry tarts tempting me!
I have so many things to be thankful for this year; even things I don’t initially think are “thankful things”, but end up being so in the long run! hehe! The thing I am probably most thankful for this year is able to just spend time with Sailor Husband as much as I have; I think of all the military personnel who are away from their families this time of year, and my heart goes out to them. I am also very thankful for you all! This year has been pretty tough for me. I don’t want to go into details, but knowing that I have a bunch of friends–even though I haven’t met many of them–has brightened my darkest days. Thank you!
What are you thankful for in 2009?
November 26, 2009 ·
12 lovely thoughts
posted in casey's musings,life
· tags: holidays
I finally started blogging at Tumblr. Actually, I’ve had the account for nearly a year, I just never did much with it! But I finally figured out how to configure things so I can upload things and then they post daily (meaning I can do a week or month’s worth of pictures easily!). So, hopefully that means I’ll keep up! I follow several Tumblr blogs that I love and am inspired by, so this is a great way to share all the images and stuff I’ve been hoarding on my computer for years. Right now it’s mostly classic movie stars, but I’m sure that’ll expand as time goes on.
Anyway, enough rambling! Be sure to check it out and add me as a contact if you’re over there!
November 25, 2009 ·
2 lovely thoughts
posted in casey's musings,links
· tags: links
This post has been prompted by the many emails I’ve received on the topic of sewing with vintage patterns. Where do I start? How do I use a vintage pattern? What about sizing? Any tips? I really appreciate that people ask me–vintage sewing patterns are something I love working with and enjoy sharing that magic with others. I thought it would be nice to compile my tips and resources all in one post. It’s not that I don’t like the emails (I do!!!), but who wants to wait for me to get back to them? hehe!
Vintage patterns can come off as intimidating to not only those new to sewing, but seasoned dressmakers as well. The instructions look like a foreign language, there are so many steps, and the pattern pieces sometimes don’t even have any markings! I started sewing with vintage patterns about 7 years ago. I didn’t really know what I was doing (and it can be argued I still don’t. lol!), so my learning process has been through a lot of trial and error. I hope these tips will be helpful to those thinking about trying a vintage pattern. Please remember though that my primary area of “pattern expertise” is the 1930s through 1950s; I haven’t worked with many patterns prior to the 30s, and post 1960s patterns are usually similar enough to modern patterns not to warrant discussion.
A warning: this post started innocently with a handful of tips and quickly ballooned into a novel. So, it’s a bit long. However, if you’re brave enough I hope it proves helpful!
{ click here to continue reading this post }
November 23, 2009 ·
31 lovely thoughts
posted in casey's musings,tutorials
· tags: tutorial, vintage sewing
[ one of my favorite pictures from the wedding. I always smile because we were laughing at the fact that I can't dance and our families had finally dragged me onto the little dance floor. I was more than a little embarrassed! hehe! photo by Kate Headley. ]
One year ago I said “I do” to the man who had won my heart before all our close friends and family. I remember how I had been treating it like any other Saturday, and had kept composed up until right before the ceremony: when my dad and I were standing outside the church sanctuary before I walked down the aisle. When we walked in, I couldn’t believe how sharp Sailor Husband looked in his Navy dress blues (or “Cracker Jacks” as their also known). How cold it was that day! I don’t think it got much above 34° that day as we scurried around with our photographer and tried not to freeze. The shyness I felt when our family convinced us to do just one dance together at the reception–I am an awful dancer with two left feet. hehe!
The admiration for my Sailor Husband I felt that day has not waxed or waned–it’s gotten stronger, as has our love for each other. It’s amazing how much can happen in one year; I look back and sometimes feel like a totally different person. Marriage has not only been sweet, but it’s had it’s harder parts too: the things that build character and force two people to become closer. It’s been an adventure and a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade him for the world!
November 22, 2009 ·
33 lovely thoughts
posted in casey's musings,life
· tags: life, wedding
