Since August and early September are the last hurrah of hot, summertime weather, I thought it might be fun to do a few posts on summer styles. I’m sure most of you are more than ready to move on to Autumn, but I’m still caught in Summer’s grip! lol.

Lately, I have been rather smitten with the idea of vintage playsuits–especially the ones from the 1930s through 50s. Perhaps it is the current resurgence of the romper-style in contemporary fashion, but I think it has more to do with having liked this style for years, and finally feeling like I could possibly wear it without looking like a total nut case! lol. Years of interest in American fashion during WWII, especially Claire McCardell’s sportswear style, has brought the one (or sometimes two) piece playsuit across my radar more than once. I think they’re definitely a sweet, retro look; albeit something most women (myself included) tend to shy away from.

I’m still on the fence about this style, but lately the 1940s style ones at Stop Staring and Big, Beautiful, Barbara Brown have been catching my eye. Would you wear a vintage/retro style playsuit?

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Posted on Aug 06.08 to casey's musings. Tags: style inspiration. | 5 lovely thoughts »

Not feeling terribly better today, but I think perhaps I have the mystery illness that has been making rounds through the family… Ick! But I do feel well enough to announce the winner of the giveaway, since I don’t want you all having to wait with baited breath any long! hehe. A big thank you all who left comments and such… I’ve had a lot of fun seeing what everyone’s favorite blogs are! Do go check out the post with all the fun links. Anyhow, the lucky reader to win the giveaway packet is…

Congratulations! (By the way… I’m planning another giveaway (or two) before November; so keep your eyes peeled…)

My little episode of illness has allowed me a few hours to just chill on the couch, which meant curling up with some sewing and turning on TCM. (Which was having a fantastic, Marie Dressler marathon yesterday!) As a result, I finished a dress I started a week ago! I bought this sweet, 1940s pattern on Ebay earlier this summer, as it reminded me of several dresses in my beloved vintage Seventeen fashion spreads. I really liked the simplicity of the style as well, and the fact that it was something I could whip up easily. Well, it didn’t go together quite as smoothly as I anticipated (I always forget that I have to alter something on a vintage pattern to make it fit right!), which is partially my fault with inserting the zipper wrong three times. After which I finally gave up doing it by machine and just did it by hand.

Between my camera being a pill today about taking decent shots, and feeling somewhat sick still, all the full length ones didn’t come out. Grr! So alas, I will only be able to tantalize you with one shot that came out. Full length will follow later this week, when I feel better… along with a mini tutorial on creating oversized bows! But I shall leave you with one goodie: 1945 summertime play suits! Perhaps it is the trend this year for rompers, or maybe the 1940s really is going to my head, but lately play suits have been looking mighty fun…

Have a lovely evening, my friends!

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Posted on Aug 05.08 to casey's musings. Tags: giveaway, sewing, vintage monday. | no thoughts...yet »

Sorry for the delay in announcing the giveaway winner! I’m feeling under the weather today, and my energy levels hit rock bottom after I did work catch-up this morning. So no Vintage Monday or terribly interesting blog posting today, unfortunately. Hopefully I’ll have the winner tomorrow!

Hope you are having a lovely Monday, my friends! I’m going to go curl up on the couch with the new Anthropologie catalog…

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Posted on Aug 04.08 to casey's musings. Tags: life. | 2 lovely thoughts »

This post is about wedding cake… I’m just warning you in case you’re anything like me and up for cake at just about any time of day (or night)! hehe! But I thought I’d give a wee update on the wedding stuff, and one of the really fun (and yummy) parts of the planning.

I must admit, at first I wasn’t sure we were going to be able to do anything more than a teeny-tiny cake for just the bridal party. After all, my research into cakes showed that most started at around $5 a slice, and went precipitously up from there. (Then there was the one I spotted in an issue of Modern Bride that was–I kid you not–$20 a slice!) Which even at $5 a slice, for a mini cake, was going to be pushing it; because I just can’t justify spending loads on something that is getting consumed (or smushed into my face as L. has repeatedly threatened! haha!). Thankfully, Mom remembered that one of the gals at church had used a baker in WV last year for her wedding that was reasonable. So I emailed her, and we started discussing ideas and prices and such.

Let me just say that I’m getting a cake big enough to feed my guests and have an anniversary tier, all well within my budgeted amount. The lady who is doing my cake is a writer, who bakes as a hobby. She is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and when Mom and I met up with her last week, it was more like visiting with a good friend than hiring a baker! I always feel so much better when someone blends professionalism with friendliness. It certainly de-stresses me quite a bit! hehe. I showed her a sketch I did of the cake I wanted; something with clean lines:

It’s going to be three, glorious layers of chocolate (with chocolate, raspberry and strawberry filling… one in each tier!), covered with white buttercream (yum!!) and red pearls outlining the edges. It’s very different from what most brides choose, in the sense that it’s very simple. But I fancy it has sort of a “zen quality” in it’s simplicity, which fits with our Japanese-themed reception!

The topper was a bit more work to find. I spotted a vintage, 1930s sailor and bride topper months ago on an antique website, but at $250, it was well out of my price range. I tried finding some nice toppers, though it seems only the Marines have the really good ones! hehe. So I was overjoyed when I found this one on Ebay that was modeled after VJ Day Times Square kiss. Perfect–considering the little pose L. and I did back in May after he reenlisted!

(We definitely plan on doing one like this in November at the wedding!)

And now enough wedding chit-chat! On to the weekly list of inspiring goings about the web…

• ♥ Julie posted a clever tutorial on how to jazz up a plain ol’ clipboard!
• ♥ Nubby shows how to rock your style with confidence
• ♥ I finally got to checking out the Vintage Hair Community–and it’s amazing!
• ♥ Megan Park’s fall collection is truly breathtaking! [ via ]
• ♥ a really fun photo modifier that makes your new images look old
• ♥ some 1950s ”Grace Kelly-esque” inspiration!
• ♥ a really neat group on Flickr of photographs from the 1930s and 40s

Enjoy and don’t forget to enter the giveaway before Sunday evening! Have a lovely weekend!

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Posted on Aug 01.08 to casey's musings. Tags: inspiration friday, wedding. | 5 lovely thoughts »