This Dress Needs Love

In my early days of collecting I would often buy pieces that had some serious flaws. I did this partially because I just wanted vintage - any vintage - in my closet and buying less than perfect vintage fit my university student budget much better.
These days I rarely buy vintage that is severely damaged. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to minor flaws, that's just part of the deal with clothes as old as I like them, but I NEVER buy things that have serious flaws.

Today I made an exception for an exceptional dress I believe I needed to rescue.

I know what you're about to say. That this dress looks fine. And from the front it does. However, the back of this dress is ripped. The bodice buttons up in the back (It's missing one button) and the entire skirt is ripped. So you can put this poor dress on like an apron at the moment. I'm not showing you the back because I'm not really keen on showing my underwear to the internet, so you'll have to use your imagination. 

I believe I can repair this dress. I bought it for a song at Vintage Glory today. It spoke to me. It's not my usual 50's style, but I love it. I'm going to try and sew the split in the back shut. I'm hoping the pattern is busy enough it will distract from the seam. Failing that I will make this into a peplum blouse. 

I also couldn't help but think of Sara from Lilies and Remains' guest post on By Gum by Golly: F***ed but Fabulous. It's all about loving and wearing vintage underdogs (go read it!).

Well, this is mine. :)

 

40's Rayon Novelty Print Dress: Vintage Glory

40's Black Suede Peep Toe Pumps: Vintage Glory

Lisa.xo

Outfits: 60's Blue & Green Border Print Dress

I bought this dress from Patti at WildWoodRose Vintage in the Exchange Uporium - a pop up shop in downtown Winnipeg featuring Winnipeg Etsy sellers. 

I was on my self imposed "no shopping fast" when I fell in love with this dress on the rack and instantly knew I was destined to cheat on my rule before I even tried it on. It has all my favourite colours (I mean, really...check out my house for proof). It's my favourite style: 50's/late 60's cotton sundress with a full skirt and it fits like a glove. Sorry rule...I had to have it. 

No regrets. Look how freakin' cute it is!!!!!!

The funny thing is that I already own a blue and green cotton sundress. I try not to buy too many similar dresses, but this one is juuuust different enough that I let that rule go too. Plus I knew I had many killer accessories (interchangeable between dresses) to go with this beauty.  

My hair is getting CRAZY long isn't it?! I need a trim - August, but I also wonder if it's time to get it cut shoulder-lengthish...probably not gonna happen yet. I'm not ready.. 

60's Blue & Green Border Print Cotton Sundress: WildWoodRose Vintage via Exchange Uporium

Green Butterfly Brooch: Ricki's Sample Sale

Bracelets: Thrifted

50's Bamboo Cage Purse: Thrifted, Value Village

Blue & Green Wedges: Kenneth Cole Reaction 

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Pre-Birthday Dress

Tomorrow is my birthday. We're just about to round up the dogs and head to my Mom's for dinner.

It's a ridiculous 40 degrees Celsius with the humidity today. That might bother some people, but I love it. The hotter the better! And I knew just the dress to wear.
This dress was a serious impulse purchase.  I was browsing through Etsy on my phone during a show I was stage managing last winter. It popped up at $30 and I knew it would be perfect for summer. And at that price I couldn't go wrong. After shipping I paid less than $40 for this gorgeous dress and I couldn't be happier. It's in incredible condition and it's perfect for hot summer days like today.

Late 40's/Early 50's (I can't decide which it is!) Purple Vintage Cotton Dress: Etsy (can't remember the seller)

Purple Flower Earrings: Ricki's

Purple and White Flower Brooches: Ricki's

White Vintage Belt: Ragpickers

White Peep Toe Wedges: Le Chateau

50's Bamboo Cage Purse: Thrifted, Value Village

Lisa.xo

Confessions of a Vintage Addict

Yup. I bought some clothes. *sigh*

It was a little relapse...ok, two little relapses...one leading to the other. 

I'm back on the no shopping train again. For reals this time. 

It started with a yard sale last weekend in my neighbourhood. The cardboard sign with the words written in black sharpie scrawled across it reading "Vintage Sale" was too hard for me to resist...it was only 3 blocks from my house. I resisted that sign for 3 days and on the fourth day I submitted to the urge and went. At first I was relieved to find the house (the sale was inside) full of housewares - those I admire, but easily resist. Then I got talking to the couple hosting the sale. I asked if they had any clothes for sale, they said "no". I was secretly relieved. Then one of them said "Oh! but wait, we have some hats in the basement". All I thought was "crap!" 

So they brought up a box full of lovely hats and a pair of amazing full length lurex glove. I had $17 in my wallet, picked my favs and offered him the sum. 

This is what I came home with:

A 50's turquoise and brown sequinned Juliet cap, a 50's turquoise feather headband and, of course, the lurex gloves!

I forgave myself the purchase, considering the bargain and decided that would be the last of it - one tiny little slip. But like any good addict, these accessories were only the gateway to a larger purchase I made yesterday at the grand opening of the Echange Uporium Pop Up Shop. Patti Henderson has her incredible wares on sale there and again I couldn't resist. 

I broke down and bought another dress. 

Incredibly light cotton early 60's floral border print dress. Fits me like a glove. 

The adrenaline rush after shopping was palpable. Followed by a strange, heady mix of guilt and excitement over my purchase. 

Hello, my name is Lisa and I'm a vintage-aholic. *sigh*

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Finally Fur

I always get excited for fall dressing. Cozy, warm layers and especially fur. I'm not picky either, I'll take faux or the real deal.

This cardigan happens to be of the faux fur variety. It is an oldie, but a goodie. I bought it new from Ricki's when I was in university and even though it's fallen out of rotation from time to time I've never ever been able to give it away. It's a great example of high street fashion mimicking great vintage style.

It's starting to get noticeably dark here much earlier and I'm so glad I opted to paint my dressing room white. It's making taking outfit photos indoors much easier at night.  

50's Cat Eye Glasses: were Grandma Cotton's 

Faux Fur Collar Pink Cardigan: Ricki's

Rhinestone Key Brooch: Rhymes with Orange

Black Jersey Dress: Buffalo

Black Plaid Tights: Ricki's 

40's Black Suede Peep Toe Slingbacks: Vintage Glory

Best Purse in the Entire World (goes with freakin' everything!): thrifted, Value Village

Need more daily outfit inspiration from Butterflies and Daisys? Follow me on Instagram! I post there almost daily!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Spots for Opening

My show opened last night to a sold out house. Best of all, I was able to premier the newest addition to my vintage dress collection. 

I bought this beauty right after I wrote my wishlist post this summer for a leopard print dress. I found this dress on Etsy in a great little shop called Fabstract while looking for wishlist inspiration and couldn't pass it up. The seller Val was so amazing and let me put the dress on layaway for the summer despite the fact that her shop doesn't offer layaway. Sometimes you just know when something is meant to be right? I knew this dress had my name all over it. 

Gold and Silver Brooch: Opening gift from cast of Tough Case

50's Leopard Print Dress: Fabstract

Brown Leather Belt: was Grandma Nelson's

Nude Peep Toe Patent Pumps: Le Chateau

Lisa.xo

Halloween Haul

It may seem a little early to be mentioning Halloween, but this is the best time of year to shop for vintage.

Thrift stores who deem anything vintage a "costume" flood the rack with beauties from bygone eras for low prices. I'm in a thrift store at least once a week this time of year.

I ventured out yesterday and brought home these goodies.

Three amazing dresses. The pink one and shiny one don't fit me, but the black and white one fits perfectly!

I bought the men's western shirt to sell, but I'm thinking about making the kimono jacket my new housecoat. It's a large, but looks kinda cute belted on me. We'll see...

The embroidery on the men's shirt is in perfect condition!

Perhaps the best haul of the day: a tooled leather purse! I may also sell this one as I have one I love already. The bamboo clutch I'm keeping for sure though. It's amazing! 

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Ice Cream

The title of this post doesn't refer to my outfit so much as the occasion on which it was worn.

After slaving for 7 hours on my computer doing prep for my latest show today I made dinner for The Boy and I, then suddenly had an insatiable craving for ice cream.

It's been +40 Celsius with the humidex this week, so I suppose that craving is well warranted.

I changed out of my "work clothes" (jeans and a tee-shirt) into this. The weather won't be this hot for too much longer, so I might as well wear these lovely dresses now before it's time for tights and sweaters.

I love this dress, but am feeling that I need a black woven belt to wear with it instead of this white one -  which is looking very washed out in these photos...still getting the hang of setting my camera properly for the outdoors. Black would be so much better, but I make due with the polka dotted shoes to tie it in. You've gotta work with what you've got. I'm so hard done by, aren't I? lol!!

So, it's back to the grind this week. Emails, piles of paperwork and so much organizing and scheduling.  But it's good. :) It's like going back to school after summer holidays. I'm all jacked up to get prepped and ready for the first day of rehearsal next Monday.

50's Cotton Dress: Vintage Glory

Polka Dotted Bangle: Thrifted

White Woven Belt: Thrifted

Black and White Polka Dotted Shoes: Le Chateau

Trusty Vintage Bamboo Purse: Thrifted

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Blue Streak

The weather in Winnipeg has cooled off early this year and so has my penchant for pink. Back to blues. After cleaning out my collection a bit (both in my hoard and personal wardrobe) I remembered that I have a few neglected dresses. This being one of them. 

It's a mid-century handmade housedress which still bears a few small stains from housecleaning tucked among the pattern. This doesn't bother me a bit - it tells the story of the dress. 

I'm sadly counting down the days until I'm back at work. Two weeks of holidays left. I'm trying to make the most of them and doing some planning for the blog so I don't abandon you all again when I start work (wish me luck!). 

To The Boy: "What do you think I'm doing?! I'm taking blog photos!" Yeesh...

The perfect photobomb. I had my "serious blogger" face on and everything....thanks Dave. lol

50's Cotton House Dress: Ragtime (in Ottawa)

Polka Dot Floral Brooch: Ardene

Vintage Navy Leather Belt: Thrifted

Vintage Tooled Leather Purse: Thrifted, Value Village

Striped Peep Toe Wedges: Forever 21

Lisa.xo

Wishlist: Leopard Print Dress

Like any good vintage/rockabilly girl I love leopard print. I have several leopard print shoes and live in my leopard print scarf in the winter. 

Until very recently I considered this bold print to be for accessories (and possibly a cardigan) only until I bought myself a pair of leopard print skinny jeans! I have since reconsidered this opinion and have been lusting over leopard print dresses in chic lady-like cuts. I want my leopard to be classy!

This Christian Dior dress from 2008 is obviously a fantasy, but look how gorgeous it is!! 

Christian Dior at Couture Fall 2008 Runway

image source

These two 60's dresses found on Etsy are much, much easier on the wallet!

Buy it here!

Buy it here!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: More Pink

I go through phases...last year I couldn't stop wearing blue (I do own a multitude of blue dresses...in my defence..). Pink seems to be this summer's colour of choice. Maybe it's my new hot pink clutch...

I donned this favourite on Monday to run some errands. I really love this dress. I bought it at Vintage Glory with a number of other dresses that belonged to a woman whose husband was a tailor. The fabric on this dress is pretty much the coolest thing ever...no really. I am in love with the endless swirl pattern - which is a bit raised - over the faint pink and turquoise stripes. And the pockets...can we all just stop and admire the adorable pockets on this dress for a moment please?

I can't believe that this dress hasn't been on the blog more than once seeing as though it has heavy rotation in my wardrobe. I even wear it in the winter with tights and a sweater.

I'm afraid our yard needs a little a lot of TLC. We've lived in our house for 4 years and barely touched the backyard. We knew it needed a major overhaul so we've left in alone until we were ready to dig in. 

And this summer is the one! We're cutting down the many overgrown and partially dead trees and bushes in our back and front yard, grading up the ground around the house, building flower beds in front of the house, replacing the front sidewalk, demoing our old, broken deck and building a temporary patio (major deck building to come in a few years!) and building a fence!! Phew! That's about enough for this summer, but will only be a start on all the work this neglected (by the previous owners and us now. lol!) yard. 

Black Plastic Rose Earrings: Claire's

Fabric Rose Brooch: Smart Set

Vintage Day Dress: Vintage Glory

Elastic Belt: Le Chateau

Black Peep Toe Canvas Flats: George (Walmart)

Hot Pink Clutch: Thrifted

Lisa.xo