beauty

With summer here and being in a 50s mood fashion-wise of late, I have been wearing my hair in a pompadour ponytail style for weeks. It’s really easy, gets my hair off my neck (which has officially reached “mermaid hair” length… it’s at my mid-back now! Part of me wants to chop it off, and part of me is curious to see how long I can grown it! It’s just a pain for 40s ‘dos! Not impossible, but poses more challenges…), and is a look that goes well with lots of my vintage frocks. I posted this video tutorial earlier in the week on YouTube, and thought I’d share it here as well!

What are some of your favorite summertime hairstyles?

July 14, 2011 · 18 lovely thoughts
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05.27.11 | 40s working girl hair

Am continuing my break from the domesticity posts I usually do on Fridays (truthfully, I haven’t felt very inclined to do anything brilliantly new in the kitchen lately…). But, I have another little video tutorial for you today! I warned you I’ve been feeling really inspired lately, hence the deluge of tutorials. This time it’s for a variation on the 40s headscarf look, and something I first saw in an illustration in one of my vintage magazines and in photos of women factory workers during WWII (hence the “working girl” title). The scarf almost acts as a snood in the end, and this tutorial also includes how I did the rolls in the front. Hope you enjoy!

May 27, 2011 · 46 lovely thoughts
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Two tutorials in one week?! What is the world coming to?! lol. I did warn you recently that I have been feeling really inspired and creative lately, which is part of this. But the real truth is far less exciting and more along the lines that when I’ve had the time, I’ve been recording video tutorials in batches. Which makes things easier for me, and hopefully means content along these lines more often for you. A win-win sitatuion, right?

This hairstyle is one I’ve been sporting a lot lately (although I’ve suddenly done a complete 180° this week and gone running back to my beloved 1940s), and I think is especially fun in the springtime. Inspired by the looks of the early 1960s, but not too perfect–just a little messay (a la Bardot)–it’s really an easy look to master. Plus I think it’d work slightly shorter/medium length hair, so it’s not quite as long-hair specific as some of my others.

Speaking of hair… After putting off getting mine chopped for months, I think I’ve finally hit that point where if I don’t get it dealt with soon, I really am going to try to do it myself. Which would end badly, I just know it. (I have a vague memory of trying to cut my own bangs/fringe as a child, and that was bad. What do they say about learning from history, or being doomed to repeat it?) I think this time I’m going to go for a longish middy-style cut and retain a bit of the length, since I really do like it long over short. But considering my shortest layers used to be chin-length and are now grazing the bottom of my collar bone, it’s quite overdue. lol.

Enough hair-rambling! I hope you enjoy this tutorial, and let me know if you give it a try!

May 18, 2011 · 33 lovely thoughts
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As I mentioned last week, at the moment with the computer situation (being taken care of at this point!), things are a little spotty on the blogging front. Which is kind of killing me, because I’m feeling super chatty and inspired lately and have loads I wish I could share! Hopefully later this month, right? In the meantime a few little things for you…

08.05.09 {1920s inspired tutorial}

Firstly I was honored to be featured once again on Kathleen’s blog Grosgrain as part of her Free Pattern Month. I shared an oldie, but goodie: a 1920s inspired chemise blouse. I posted this originally in 2009, but it’s one of those things I thought worth revisiting–especially with summer just around the corner!

You may have seen my little note on Facebook Tuesday about having a new hairstyle for you! The fact is I managed to record two videos recently, both hairstyle tutorials, and will be sharing the other next week. This one is for a side bun updo I’ve been sporting a lot lately that is inspired by the romantic looks of the Edwardian period (again!). It’s insanely easy and quick–even with my rambling in this video it clocked in at under seven minutes! So perfect for a quick weekend ‘do or something when you’re trying to get out of the door with minimal fuss.

Hope you’re having a lovely Thursday, dear friends!

May 12, 2011 · 35 lovely thoughts
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I don’t know what it is about this braid configuration, but it seems like the perfect ‘do for a day you’re wearing a pretty sundress and off on a picnic! Which I think is something I need to put on my summer to-do list. This hairstyle may look familiar to those who watched the Romantic Braided Updo video; it’s a similar style and essentially a variation on that. However, I got a lot of requests after sporting this ‘do a few times in outfit photos, so I hope you’ll enjoy! (Just remember to tuck all the ends in… I missed a couple! Yikes!)

I also posted an everyday, vintage inspired make up tutorial last week on my YouTube channel as well. I’m sure you’ve already seen it, but if not I’ve added it below. I have gotten many, many emails from busy moms and students pressed for time, wondering what I consider the “essentials” for a vintage make up look. This video includes the few steps and products that I think are key for conveying that retro/vintage face, without spending loads of time on applying products. It’s also the look I sport most days–as much as I love playing with makeup, I don’t always have the time!

I hope you enjoy these! I’ve been recording a few new tutorials here and there the past week as I finally got my video camera up and working and have access to a newer version of my editing program. It’s making things about a hundred times easier and my inclination to actually record these has shot through the roof! lol. I’ll be posting some more throughout the next month, including a little crafty how-to (hopefully!).

What hairstyles have been catching your eye lately? If you have found any pictures that are inspiring you, I’d love to see them!

April 27, 2011 · 20 lovely thoughts
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