Happy Weekend!

This week's Five Faves are kind of inspired by Mad Men: bright and full of the '60's. Enjoy the weekend, everybody!

Row 1:Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chair, Kodak Duaflex III

Row 2:Forest Green Silk Tafetta Dress

Row 3: Vintage Fold-away Glasses,Dorothy Draper Regency Style Bench

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend, everybody! This week's Five Faves are themed around my mom;) I don't know what your mom is like, but these things remind me of mine! I won't be able to spend this Mother's Day with her, but I hope she gets the gift I sent in one piece;)

Row 1: 60's All Else Confusion Dress, Abbey Road iPhone Case

Row 2: Vintage Cat's Eye Glasses

Row 3: John Lennon Art, Vintage 60s Gogo Boots

How about you, dear readers? Have plans to spend Sunday with your Mom?

Happy Weekend!

By this time, there's a new Princess in England;)

That's right, this week's Five Faves are all themed around the Royal Wedding (which I couldn't watch, as I had to be up for work at 5am!) Congratulations to Wills and Kate!

Row 1: Kate and Wills Hand-Cut Royal Wedding Card, It Should Have Been Me Needle-Felted Royalist

Row 2: Processional Map of the Royal Wedding

Row 3: Royal Wedding Plate, Royal Wedding Heart

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend, everybody! This week's Five Faves are themed around Things Small and Cute. I think the theme speaks for itself, really;)

Row 1: Spirit of the Forest Totoro, Tiny Morpho Terrarium Necklace 

Row 2: Library Quote Brooch

Row 3: Free Hugs Robot, Red Breasted Robin Tweet

Think of me this weekend as I wade into the car-buying forest, fending off wild car salesmen in their natural habitat;) Hope your weekend is more fun than mine, dear readers!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend, everyone! I'm feeling the Springtime vibe, so this weeek's Five Faves are all about the Spring festival: Bunnies and Eggs!

Row 1: Buttercup the Giant Spring Bunny

Row 2:Antique Bronze Sparrow Bracelet, Ivory Eggs in a Dark Brown Nest

Row 3: Egg Cup with Mustache, White Rabbit Blue Shibori Fabric

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend, dear readers! With the Royal Wedding nearing, my Five Faves focus on the British Mania starting to seep into every corner of the world. An Anglophile myself, I'd proudly wave a Union Jack (or throw it on a pillow;)

Row 1: Keep Calm and Fake a British Accent Print, Union Jack Fascinator

Row 2:Hand-painted Union Jack Dresser

Row 3:Royal Doulton Union Jack Bulldog, Margaret Vintage Suitcase

Cheerio, everyone!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend, dear readers! I'm certainly looking forward to it; it's been a loooong week;)

This Friday's Five Faves are all jadeite, one of my very favorite types of glass. Jadeite became popular in the '40's and '50's, as it was particularly hear- and stain-resistant. First produced in the 1930's by McKee, Anchor Hocking would produce the most popular kind: Fire-King. I love the glassware for it's milky green, slightly translucent quality, and eventually I want a kitchen full of it;)

Row 1: Fire-King Mixing Bowl, Jadeite Bowls and Plates

Row 2: Jadeite Oval Platter

Row 3: Bird Cupcake Stand, McKee Jadeite Tea Canister

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend, dear readers! Now that I'm settling in at the new job, I'm starting to turn my mind to decorating my place. So my Five Faves this week are things I wouldn't mind having:

Top Row: Shabby Chic Turquiose Stand, Vintage Cubby Display 

Row Two: Chevron Curtains

Bottom Row: Doily Clock, Vintage Turquoise Cart

Happy Weekend! Five Faves . . .

Keep Calm and Sew Stuff Stamp from skullandcrossbuns

Happy Friday! I've decided to start up a new weekly post, featuring five themed faves from around the web. I think I'll work easier than featured Tuesdays, but give me some feedback and tell me what you think;)

This week's theme: Blue and Red (one of my favorite color combos!)

Eat Recycled Wooden Sign from WillliamDohman

I love William Dohman's work, and as soon as I humanly can, I'm ordering one of his signs!

Joel Dewberry Deer Valley Architechtural fabric in Sky from FlourishFabrics

I love Joel Dewberry fabric, and this needs to be a cushion cover;)

Blue Feather Infinity Scarf from WhiteMoth

Crushing on this infinity scarf right now.

Amy Butler Morning Glory Fabric from ThreeDollsFabric

I already have a fat quarter of this, and I think it's going to become a pillow cover soon;)

Enjoy the weekend, everybody! I'll be sewing and watching movies. Next weekend is the Grand Victorian Ball, and I can't wait!

Velorbis is Danish for Cool . . .

I saw this on a blog this morning, and couldn't resist sharing. As many of you know, I used to have a trike, a blue three-wheeler that had a huge basket in the back. I rode it all over New Orleans during college, but Chicago was less friendly to my three-wheeled transport, and I eventually got rid of it.

Now, as I prepare for the big move to SoCal and contemplate getting around out there, I find this sweet little number, the Mobii from Velorbis. Each one is individually produced so it's fully customizible, and you can lug everything from cargo to children in it (there are seatbelts in the basket in front). Sure, it's pricey, but cheaper than a car by far. Now, if only I could peddle 2,000 miles in it . . . .

What about you, dear readers? What's the coolest form of transport you ever took to get from point A to point B?

Covet Thursday . . .

Bard Over Boot by Kenneth Cole Reaction

I am onboard the tall boot bandwagon in a big way; only with such a ridiculous trend can you clomp around pretending to be Jack Sparrow 24/7. Flat or stilletto, leather, suede or anything in between, I love me some over-the-knee boots.

Chinese Laundry Kingdom Boot

These are under $100! Please, bank account? Can I have them? Pleeease?

Anthropologie Ternate Boots

Skinny jeans? Check. Oversized cowl-neck? Check. These boots? Yes, please.

  

Aldo Imming Boots

Yep, the heels on this make it pretty impractical. But, practicality in boots is like carbs in LA: incompatible.

Joie Over the Knee Pirate Boot

I heart this trend, and I hope I can find a (cheap) pair before the winter is out. I may be clomping around the snows in Chicago, but in my heart I'll be on the high seas;)

What about you, dear readers? What fall/winter trend are you coveting?

International Blog Action Day!

Every October 15th, bloggers around the world unite to get people talking about one of the important issues facing us today. This year's issue: Climate Change.

I am pretty passionate about this, people. In less than 10 years, the North Pole will have an ice-less summer. We are seeing multiple degree changes in the temperature every year, countries having hotter than normal summers, colder than normal winters, and extreme weather events like super storms, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and tornadoes. Whether you're Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative, few can deny that the world is changing, and human beings are the ones mostly responsible for that. We can bury our heads in the sand or shout at the rain, or we can choose to do something about the damage we've done.

A few easy tips:
-Save money and save the planet: Switch your lightbulbs! It sounds like it wouldn't make much difference, but consider this:
Most electricity in the U.S. is produced by coal-fired power plants. The problem is that for every kilowatt hour of electricity generated by a coal-fired plant, the EPA estimates that 1.43 lbs of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. By switching to energy-saving CFL light bulbs, you lessen greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. CFL bulbs use 65%-75% less electricity than regular bulbs. (onebillionbulbs.com)
-Buy less bottled water and carry a reusable non-BPA bottle. Consider these statistics:
Americans use over 50 billion disposable plastic water bottles a year
The average American consumes 167 bottles of water a year
Only 23% of these get recycled.
In 2007 we spent $16 billion on bottled water. That's more than we spent on iPods or movie tickets.
90% of the cost of bottled water is due to the bottle itself
24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles
Plastic bottles take 700 years to begin composting (weather.com)
-Finally, buy recycled, upcycled, and eco-friendly products. Not only do they look cool, but they promote more recycling; it's supply and demand, people!
Some of my favorite eco-friendly shops:
Gaiam
Seventh Generation
Viva Terra
John and Kira's Chocolates

Welcome to all my SITStas!!!

We Heart It

I am so excited! I just found out I'm the featured blogger today on The Secret is in the Sauce! Yay! Welcome all my SITStas; please relax, pull up a chair, and welcome to my world (cue slightly maniacal laughter).

I'm an actress and historical costumer by trade, so a lot of my posts have to do with my costuming projects and analyses; do a search on my blog for "dress diary", and you'll see what I mean. I also post often about my favorite stores and products, and have been known to do the odd review or two;) On top of all that, I love baking, and every Friday I post my favorite recipes. But, I decided to feature posts today that cover some of my regular rantings and musings; I sometimes post about politics, current affairs, and musings on my life and experiences. I know not everyone will agree with me, but I love to get my opinions out there!

I talk a lot about body image and struggling with my weight, and this is a post trying to bring some sanity into the debate:
http://seamstressofavalon.blogspot.com/2009/04/some-words-on-skinny.html

This summer had a lot of wonderful moments for me; I played a faery at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, and the character is not what you might expect (nary a glitter tutu or nylon wing in sight!):
http://seamstressofavalon.blogspot.com/2009/08/tiny-moments-of-grace.html

This season at Bristol meant a lot, I learned a lot about myself, and I wanted to share my powerful experience with y'all:
http://seamstressofavalon.blogspot.com/2009/09/final-thoughts-on-season-passed.html

Please stay and look around at my other posts, if you like! Also, be sure to click on my blogroll, which feature my favorite daytime reading, and remember, when you see the SITS icon, don't forget to comment!

Chocolate, Autumn-y Goodness . . .

Godiva is evil. Well, no, not really. They just want to sabotage my diet.

I stopped into a local store yesterday for my free sample (free chocolate, people! no downsides!), and, of course, while I was there, I was convinced to buy more chocolate. Godiva has just introduced its fall line, including Pecan Pie, Black Raspberry, Cinnamon Pear, and Pumpkin Pie.

Yum. That is all.

Rockin' the Booties . . .

I am all about the fall trend of booties that hit at or just above the ankle. Paired with tights, capri leggings, or skinny jeans, they are too cute for words. Right now, I'm wearing my new Whitney Cuff Boots from Payless; you gotta love a suede boot for under $40;) Now, I just need an oversized plaid tunic . . .

Monday morning covet . . .

Source: We Heart It

It's a rainy, gloomy sort of day here in Chicago, the kind of day I would love if I were at home, cuddled on the couch watching DVD's with my cat and listening to it storm. Alas, I am here at work, damp and wishing it would brighten up. It does get me to thinking, however, about how much I love a lovely umbrella;)

Source: Raindrops

This Guy de Jean Can Can Black Umbrella/parasol reminds me so much of a victorian carriage parasol, but this has the added bonus of being rainproof! Wish it wasn't sold out, but you can still get it in other colors . . .

Source: Bella Umbrellas

I love pagoda style umbrellas, and this shop lets you customize the handle color and material: too cute!

I guess rainy weather is good for something after all;)

Someone was going to have to set a bad example . . .

So, I just picked up my calendar for 2010, and it's by the same artist as my 2009 calendar. I couldn't resist, really. If you aren't familiar with Anne Taintor's work, you should be; her sweet vintage pictures paired with acid-tongued captions are comedy-gold. Enjoy.

These are me all over; I like my vintage with a side of snark;)