Outfits: I'm Outside! And a 'New' Dress

I'm thrilled to have taken today's outfit post outside (beneath the shade of the pine trees in our backyard to be exact), courtesy of my new tripod!

I also excited to show you the newest addition to my vintage dress collection from Dear Golden. I showed you the etsy photos a few weeks ago, but had to take it to the tailor to have it taken up and in a little. I'm a bit short waisted so I have to have many of my dresses taken up in the waistline in order for them to fit properly. I also had about 2 1/2" removed from the hem of the dress. Now it's perfect!

I clearly need to get used to taking photos outside...my camera settings need some tweeking I think...

I just realized I'm wearing an item from each of my grandmother's in this outfit! My Glasses are from my Grandma Cotton and my belt was a given to me by my Grandma Nelson! Awww! That makes me smile..

My sandals are new too. I never liked really those strappy gladiator style sandals, but this newer, simpler version that is trendy now is perfect. I knew I wanted a metallic pair to wear with dresses during the day. I found this pair at Winners for a song. I love the warm rose metallic colour - they go with everything and are very low key. I almost look barefoot in these photos! And I couldn't resist the filagreed metal (yes - it's metal!) detail on the toe. 

Dave (our 4 year old Boxer - for new readers!) really enjoyed running around the yard like a maniac while I took these photos! haha!

50's Cat Eye Glasses: Were Grandma Cotton's (new lenses from Osborne Spectacle)

50's Cotton Atomic Print Dress: Dear Golden via Etsy

Purple Leather Braided Belt: Was Grandma Nelson's

Green Beaded Necklace worn as a Bracelet: Le Chateau

Sandles: Zigisoho, Winners

This weekend is the Canada Day (July 1st) long weekend and I've got 1 1/2 days of work left! Things are looking up! 

What are you up to this weekend?

Lisa.xo 

Well Overdue...

Remember this ancient post from two years ago where I proclaimed that I would be getting prescription lenses put into my Grandmother's old glasses? 

Well...almost two years later I finally did it. And I keep asking myself why I waited so long...

Ah well, better late than never I guess.

These cuties add instant vintage flair to any outfit in .25 seconds. Bam! Vintage. Just like that. 

I'm just grubbin' around the house today and look how cute these glasses make me look! Love 'em!

I think my poor eyeballs will be getting a much deserved break from my contacts now. 

For those of you who live in and around Winnipeg, I got them done at Osborne Spectacle Centre (204.477.1636). 

It cost me $149 and it took less than two days for them to put my prescription in the lenses. A lovely gentleman with a serious passion for vintage specs named Ken helped me. 

Lisa.xo

Grandma's Pearls

Unlike last year, I have not yet done a round up of my Christmas gifts. And I don't plan to...I would, however, like to show you the best thing I got for Christmas this year though.

My Grandma Cotton's pearls.

My Mom inherited these pearls when Grandma passed away and I have always coveted them. My Grandfather bought them for her as a gift and I think they are just beautiful.

I was never even allowed to wear them when my Mom had them. I knew one day I would call them my own, but I always imagined that day to be much further in the future.

the clasp - so pretty!

I was so surprised and touched when I opened them on Christmas morning. I wore them for a week straight. Thanks Mom! Love you lots! xoxo

Lisa.xo

How to Clean a Ring with Toothpaste

This was my Grandma Cotton's family ring. It has my Mom's, my Aunts' and my Uncle's birthstones in it. It was given to my Grandma by my Grandpa...well I'm not quite sure when... (Mom? Do you know?)

When my Grandparents passed away (I believe it was about 8 or 9 years ago now) no one in my family claimed it. My Mom inherited most of my Grandma's other jewellery, so she took this home too and asked me if I'd like it.

I have worn it every day since. I feel naked without it.

It's looking a little grungy these days. I only take it off to sleep, to shower, to apply hand lotion, when I'm baking or cutting raw meat. And I can't remember the last time I took it to a jeweller to get cleaned.

The front of the ring is dirty too, but the camera wasn't showing it as well as the back.

I went out for coffee with my Mom the other night and asked her where I could take it to get it cleaned. She replied "Clean it at home with toothpaste and an old toothbrush". What?! Won't that hurt the ring? She said "You clean your teeth that way and it's not like you're doing it every day."

So I tried it! And it worked like a charm!! Thanks Mom!

It's simple, I know you'll have all the "tools" at home and it takes about 5 minutes.

NOTE: 

Be sure to plug the drain in your sink before you begin. This will ensure that your ring doesn't fall into the drain pipe if you drop it while you are cleaning. (I don't have a tutorial on how to take apart a drain pipe! lol!)

You'll Need:

Once rinsed, dry your ring on a clean, lint free towel.

And for fun, here's the before and after:

Pretty awesome right?! And it only took me about 5 minutes! I will use this method again for sure!

Do you have a different DIY method you use to clean your jewellery at home? Do tell!

Lisa.xo

Grandma's Glasses

I am in possession of nearly all of my late Grandma Cotton's glasses, from the late 50's to the 80's.
Some of them are pretty bad and I can't seem to bring myself to get rid of them.

I have a few pairs that are pretty awesome though. So awesome that I'm thinking about have my prescription put into one of them and the other made into sunglasses.

They are, of course, the oldest pairs. Here they are:

Now you'd probably think I'd be making the dark pair into sunglasses, but you'd be wrong. This is the pair I'd like to put my prescription into. I'd like to make the lighter pair into rose tinted sunglasses. Right now they still have Grandma's bi-focal prescription in them and it's pretty hard to see through them! lol!

Everything is about this fuzzy through the bi-focals!

What do you think? Good idea? Do I look silly? Or cute?

Lisa.xo

Family Photos 2: Family and Fashion

Well, The Winnipeg Fringe is up and running, as is our show. And as ususal, the combination of late night shows, work and the odd night closing the beer tent has left me tired.

I thought today would be a good day to share more family photos with you.
Enjoy!

 The young girl in the photo above is my Aunt Louise.

I just love the striped dress. It's so unique.

These ladies' outfits are also amazing!

I adore this photo! I just love the combination of the tailored gentleman under the umbrella reading on the rustic threshing machine. I want to frame this photo.

This is my Grandpa Cotton and my Aunt Louise.

 Another one of my Grandpa Cotton milking. Another photo I love.

Hope you loved the photos!

Lisa.xo

Mom

Today being Mother's Day, I thought I would do a little tribute post to my best friend: My Mom.

Me and Mom

We weren't always best friends. When I was going through puberty we fought like crazy. Oh, and when I was 21 right before I moved out. There was a small spanse of time between these two ages while I was in high school where some peace abounded, but since I've moved out my Mom and I have been really close.

We talk on the phone every morning. And usually again right before dinner. :) We talk about everything. There isn't much I don't tell her.

Mom in the 70's. Isn't she beautiful?

My Mother is an amazing woman! I always say she's like Martha Stewart without the criminal record. She is an amazing cook and baker (going out to eat always pales in comparison to her food) and loves to experiment with anything from gluten-free recipes to making Julia Child's recipes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She also makes beautiful fondant cakes! She gardens, her entire front yard is an amazing English style garden! She decorates and has been known to craft and draw from time to time.

In her gorgeous dining room in front of the feast for my Step-Dad's 60's Birthday Party.

Again, all dolled up for the 60th Birthday Party. This is my Grandmother's wedding suit.

Here's Grandma and Grandpa Cotton. (see the suit?) Same family that all the photos came from.

My Mom is my strength. I find myself growing to be more and more like her every day and I couldn't be happier about it.

Mom and my Step-Dad

I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day! xoxo...

Lisa.

Family Photos

My great-great grandfather was an avid photographer. As a result, my family has a very large collection of family photos from the 1880's to 1940's. They are beautiful.

When my grandparents passed away my Mom inherited these pictures. And today she passed them on to me!!

I spent most of the afternoon pouring over them. The history, the outfits, the patina...they are incredible!

This is just some of the photos! There are more!

My great-great grandfather A.J. Cotton was instrumental in settling the Swan River Valley in Manitoba. There have been books written about him and if you're Canadian you'll know about the "Part of Our Heritage" commercials. Well there was one made about him. He was called the Wheat King. So neat.

The barn in the photo above is still standing. My family does not own the farm anymore, but it's still there!
EDIT: My Mom called me this morning and informed me that this farm *does* still belong to our family! My great Uncle John owns the land. It is another family barn that was built in 1921 (I have photos of it too!) that has been sold. So there you have it. Thanks Mom!

My plan is to scan some of my favorite photos and share them with you. Stay Tuned!

Lisa.xo