Dressing up the House

Decorating your house is like dressing your body. And I am as obssessed with decorating as I am with fashion.
There are days where I just can't think about fashion because all I can think about is my house.

Right now I'm in house mode.

So I'd like to share with you a few of the small subtle ways I've infused some Christmas spirit into our living room and dining room.

This is our drop zone at the front door (you can see the horrible colour of the walls here. Actually, this photo makes it look ok, but it is horrible, trust me. We have yet to paint this wall. The Boy calls this colour "dirty old bra"! haha! It's a pinky, grey, yucky colour.) The tree was from the dollar store, I added the sliver bow to tie it into my decor and the reindeer was under $15 at Canadian Tire.

This is what's living on our dining room table. (Literally!) The Boy bought me some fish and we put them in one of my large vases instead of a regular fishbowl. I quite like it! Especially with the turquoise beads as gravel which co-ordinate with my colour scheme. Oh yeah, and you can see the smaller cylinder vases with faux greenery and tiny ornaments in them. The table runner is a pashmina I had in my closet.

I made this wreath last week for less than $10! It's some faux garland I wrapped into a wreath shape, then all I did was attach the "Noel" ornament with some wire! Add ribbon to hang: Voila!

I've also started wrapping presents. I found this awesome metallic wrapping paper, ribbon and bows at the dollar store. I think it looks quite chic! And a little retro! And it reflects the light from the tree in a really nice way.

As you can see I'm all about decorations that are simple, easy, on a budget and don't scream "cheesy Christmas" too much. How about you? What is your holiday style? Chic? Or do you love the cheesy Christmas stuff?

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Wearing Trousers

Another wintry outift. I wore this to work yesterday. Skirts and dresses, in my opinion, just can't happen every day in the winter here. The wind was really chilly today, so pants were in order and I wasn't in the mood for jeans (which are my usual go-to pant). So I wore these great cotton sateen trousers from Jacob.

I'm trying to keep my outfits simple these days. I'm really loving and feeling inspired by more classic looks right now, so my outfits are feeling more pared down than usual. I'm trying to keep it simple with touches of my vintage pieces.

I don't know why I look so serious in these photos. It finally stopped snowing and was sunny and bright out!

Black Faux Pearl Necklace: Ragpickers

40's Blue Blazer: Hoopers

Cream T-shirt with Tulle Rosettes: Joe

Grey Skinny Belt: Joe

Grey Cotton Sateen Pants: Jacob

Black Satin Ankle Boots: The Bay

Lisa.xo

Insert Witty Tree Pun Here

I'm not usually one to put my tree up before December (I've had it up for a week already!!), but this year I was particularly excited because The Boy bought me a tree with lights attached last weekend! I just couldn't wait to put it up and decorate it!!

As I was decorating it became quite obvious that I did not have enough ornaments to cover my new tree. My old tree, which I plan on keeping, is much smaller. My grandparents bought it in the 60's. It was the tree my Mom grew up with and was the tree I grew up with as a kid! Vintage!! :)

Anyway...the ol' tree (and by 'ol tree, I mean the new tree) was needing some more ornaments and some pizzaz! I was on the hunt for something green or turquoise (I'm one of those nuts who loves to have their tree co-ordinate with their decor.)

I made these ornaments with some chandelier crystals and some vintage ribbon.

But the best part of my new tree are these:

Aren't they just gorgeous??!! I bought them at Pier 1. I saw them on the website and just had to have them.

I also bought some green ball ornaments at Canadian Tire for some green colour.

I bought some of the other blue and silver ornaments at Kmart last year on clearance after Christmas.

I have one vintage ornament. Just one. I would love some more, but they're so trendy right now I'm just too cheap to buy them. Maybe a trip out of town to a rural thrift store would be the trick...

Here's my tree in all it's pretty glory!!

Anyone else crazy like me and had their tree up early?

Lisa.xo

Wishlist: Marc Jacobs Knit Sweater and Shorts

It's been a really long time since I posted a "Wishlist" post! I guess that means I'm totally spoiled and get everything I want right? haha!!!

Ok...enough delusions of grandeur. I'm here to tell you I've been drooling over the Marc Jacobs matching knit sweater and short set in the new December issue of InStyle.

Feast your eyes on these beauties:

So adorable right? I just love nautical clothing. And I am totally in love with the seahorses! Not your typical embroidered anchor! I love it!!

Ok. Can I afford it? And where do I buy it?

Lisa.xo

Inspiration: Wintry Outfits

My last outfit post got me thinking about some of the photos I've got saved on my computer. Here are some photos that have been inspiring my dressing these days:

This photo is from calivintage. I think it's the combination of the delicate blouse paired with a vintage fur collar that I love so much. Open toed shoes are out though. I would need to add boots to this outfit and a blazer or sweater for warmth. But overall this is on the right track for me!!

For the life of me I can't remember where I found this photo! Help me out if you know where I got it! EDIT: Elina helped me out with this one! She suggested it's from Hell LOOKS and she's so right! Thanks Elina!!As you can see, I'm a little obsessed with fur collars right now. I love the belted jacket and I totally want a purse like that! Again, bare ankles is out of the question, but a pair of taller boots would be my solution.

This outfit is just adorable!! This photo came from here. I'm not so sure about the flats, but I suppose if I were guaranteed to be somewhere where I might not find myself ankle deep in snow it might do. Again, please note the fur around her neck! Obsessed I tell you!

I couldn't resist a few photos of Dita. I just love this dress. I would be adding tights to this outfit for sure!

Another Dita outfit I would add tights to. You see why I like my leapoard print scarf so much! So Chic!

Carrie: another one of my major fashion influences. I just love her outfits in season 6. Particularly when she's in Paris. This outfit would also need tights to be worn in Winnipeg. I wouldn't be strolling around with my coat unbuttoned either, but I do love the bustier, skirt and boots. I would add a cardigan or blazer for sure.

This is just perfect for Winnipeg winters! I'll take it! Mitts, cute hat, great coat! Sigh.

Hope you enjoyed this little feast for the eyes! I did! I'll for sure be showing you more of my attempts to look cute with a vintage twist this winter.

Lisa.xo

Outfits: A Little More Winter

The snow just keeps falling here. And falling, and falling...
I wore this to work on Thursday. More layers. The oxfords ended up being a mistake in the end. It snowed so much during the day that by the time I got home our sidewalk had completely dissapeared and I was ankle deep in snow trying to get to the house. I had to dry my shoes out when I got in!!

Purple Enamel Earrings (unseen): Thrifted

Seafoam Embellished Wrap Sweater: Thrifted

Grey Jersey Dress: Forever 21

Vintage Lace Cami: Thrifted

Flower Brooch: Ricki's

Purple Tights: Walmart

Purple Patent Oxfords: Bleka

I also broke out one of my winter coats, a hat, scarf and gloves today as well. It's just so snowy outside! Speaking of snowy, Boy and I just bought a new snowmobile last week and I can't wait to go snowmobiling!! So much fun!

Lisa. xo

Outfits: Cute Winter Dressing, Vintage Style

I am constantly on the search for cute, warm, vintage-y looks for winter on the internet. I'm not gonna lie, it's usually tough! Winter in a lot of places just isn't as cold as Winnipeg, so many looks just fall short. Bare legs is not an option! And boots are usually a must.

This is what I wore to work and out to run a few errands afterwards on Tuesday.

It's still "warm" here right now (at -15 degrees celcius) for winter at least, so I wore a lighter coat on Tuesday. I wouldn't dream of wearing this coat in January, but for now it's just right!

Vintage Earrings: Ragpickers

Leopard Print Scarf: Ricki's

Black 40s Style Trench: Stop Staring!

Velvet Blazer: Ragpickers

Purple Flower Brooch: Ricki's

Cream Bow Tee: Joe

Black Satin Belt: Le Chateau

Green 40's Skirt: Ragpickers

Tights: Ricki's

Black Knee High Boots: Le Chateau

Houndstooth Purse: Aldo

As you can see, layers are a real must here in the winter.

You can also see a little of my living room progression here. I sewed both of those pillows on the couch! You can also see my new picture frames leaning against the wall in the corner. I'm printing black and white photos of me, The Boy and Dave to put in them before we hang them on the wall. I bought some new living room lamps. You can see one hiding on the bottom shelf of the end table. Speaking of which, I'm still on the hunt for the perfect side table. I know it's out there somewhere!!

Lisa.xo

New Hat!

I went on a little trip to Ruby Slipper on a whim last week. It must have been my vintage "spidey-sense" because I spotted this beauty when I walked in and couldn't leave her there.
So she came home with me!

I really don't know what era she is30's? 40's?, but I do know some of the larger flowers were added later in her life. But I like them.

What do you think?

Lisa.xo

Outfits: 60's Teal Cocktail Dress

Last night was the Christmas party for Urban Barn (my place of work!). We booked a room at Chop and had a fabulous dinner followed by a little dancing!
It was a lot of fun! The head buyer flew out to join us at the party which was awesome!

But most importantly, here's what I wore:

This is my friend Russel who the the Store Admin at another location (Russel trained me when I got my Admin job at UB!). Notice we're both wearing silver shoes! We were a pair last night!

My setting lotion worked really well! I cooked it up on the stove in the afternoon and let it cool. When I set my hair I spritzed it on lightly before I pincurled the bottom of my hair under my ears (all of my hair generally curls well, except the bottom so a wet set is usually the best bet for staying power!) then I curled the rest of my hair with Hot Sticks. It worked great! My hair had beautiful shine and I didn't have to use a bunch of hairspray to get it to stay in place! I'll use it again for sure!

Flower Brooch (worn as facinator): Ricki's

60's Teal Cocktail Dress: Vintage Glory

Seafoam Snowflake Crinoline (unseen): Gifted

White Stretch Belt: Le Chateau

Vintage Pearl Bracelet: was The Boy's Great Aunt Mary's

Silver Peep Toe Shes: JLo

Lisa.xo

Setting Lotion Part 2!

Photo found here.

After I posted my new Setting Lotion recipe yesterday, Katie from Vintage in a Modern World offered up this recipe that she uses! (The original comment is in the last post, but I thought it deserved it's own shout out!) I'm still going to try the citrus recipe from yesterday as I don't have any flax seeds in my cupboard, but now I'm curious to give this one a try too!

Flax Seed Recipe
1)Add 1/4 cup of flax seeds to about 1 cup of water



2)Boil on the stove until it forms a gel (normally takes just a few minutes)


3)Strain to get the seeds out.


Then I just put it in a spray bottle. It is a little thick so sometimes adding water is needed. Adding some essential oil also helps preserve it (but keep it in the fridge) and makes it smell nice.

Thanks Katie!!

Lisa.xo