Valentine, Outfits, Purchases, Giveaway

Happy Valentines Day followers!
I hope yours is wonderful. I accidentally wore my valentines colors today (sunday). I didn't even plan on it and then when the hubs and I went to the grocery store and saw all the displays of flowers and chocolates I was like "oh yeah...hey look, i'm wearing pink and red." I wore my bakelite boat brooch for the first time today as well. Its made from a broken button or something of the like..

Dress: Raleigh Vintage
Cardigan: Vintage, Thrifted
Brooch: Upcycled Vintage
Plaid Flats: Payless

I also got my knit dress in the mail today and played around in that. I really like it but its got rhinestones and such so its a little fancy for every day wear.

Dress: Lady Moon Vintage
Eyelet T-Strap Pumps: Ebay, bought for my wedding

I also got to play with a new prop I bought for the shop...I'm not sure if it works...but it sure is purdy.
I intended on taking new pics for my blog..buuuuuuut I'm not so sure I like the light dress in black and white so I may have to try for pics wearing my black knit dress instead.

I also bought these adorable 60s bird wall hangings..you may remember a week or so ago I bought a wall hanging for myself as well as a few times before that. I love these 60s floral wall hangings. I even bought some for my brother in law for his new family..
just like the ones Joan has hanging in her room
I've been wanting them for a while and when I saw that joan had them it just sealed the deal... not to mention I found some for under $20 with shipping..and considering that I saw a set on etsy for $45...I'd say that is a darn tootin steal.

Also my hubs bought me flowers today for the first time in the almost 9 years we've been together. It was very sweet and they're all my favorite flowers.
He's pretty great sometimes :)
And one more thing before I go...I'm hosting a giveaway on the blue butterfly vintage blog, you can enter to win a small vintage jewelry box and handmade brooch in valentine colors. perfect for travel!
You have until Feb 22 to get your entries in, there are lots of different ways to earn entries so head on over.

Tumblr?

Yes, I jumped on the band wagon so to speak and got a tumblr account...I've actually had it for a while but had no real idea of what it was for....I'm using it as a place to share pretty photos...my page says "things I like, and you may like too" and I think that is exactly the direction I'd like to take. I may also be including outfit post pictures once the weather actually turns nice...which of course it is today..because I have nothing to photograph..typical pacific northwest weather. Yesterday it snowed and last night it was soooo icy and today the sun is shining and the sky is bright blue.
I DID wear that wonderful knit dress from my shop on Sunday...I decided to pull it...at least for a little. I enjoy wearing it and my hubs said I was "lookin' good" so BONUS..hehe. I wore it with a necklace I intended on selling (oops) and a pair of bright pink nine west flats like these and these...I LOVE them. I have 2 pairs in 2 colors and when i find them in my size I buy every pair I find...since i have two, you can tell how well that is going. But yes, I thought since I've been such a slacker I would let you all know I HAVE been doing something...just not anything that interesting.
Also, I suck at tumblr...so if you could help me snaz it up...i have no idea what i'm doing..i don't even know how to add a link to my page...oh wait...i think i just figured it out. LOL well anyway...maybe follow me..you'll get to see things I like...and you may like too :)

In the Beginning..there was Bettie

Ok, tonight I'm going to reveal my (not so secret) obsession. Bettie Page. I love her! I collect her photos! I have over 6000 of them and they're all organized by outfit...I may have OCD...LOL

Well today I randomly came across a Tumbler feed of Bettie Page Photos called "Bettie Page is all the Rage" it is a collection of some of the rarest photos I've seen...so of course I added them to my collection.
In truth, her adorableness is what really got me into things from the past; pin up, rockabilly and luckily vintage housewares and styles. I fell in love with the lingerie and the clothing.
Sweater dresses, kitten heels...
play suits, bathing suits...
satin, lace and KITTENS!

I always wished I could have hair like hers...I still do. If I'm lucky and if I ever have a little girl she will end up with my husbands hair which is just like Bettie's complete with perfect "fresh from the box barbie hair" waves. I'm so jealous and he knows it...tee hee. As you can guess I named my shop after her and at one time (about 50 lbs ago) I used to look like Bettie...people would ask me if I had a tattoo of myself on my leg...ok, for one who gets a tattoo of themselves? and for two she is still way cuter than me.

Her style inspired me to take the plunge to dark hair and bangs...if you can believe it, I'm naturally blonde...not platinum anymore but still what I like to call ashy-uglified blonde. So, yeah. Bettie is a big part of my life and I love everything she has brought me...without her, there would be no BBV, no pin up, no vintage ad collection and no vintage swimsuit collection and I wouldn't know the first thing about what a bullet bra is other than Madonna.

So yeah, I'm excited and THANK YOU BETTIE for all your inspiration. I wouldn't have done it without you.
P.S. if anyone knows where I can find a suit like this...I need to know! I was thinking of having one made since Bettie made all her own suits (fun fact) I doubt there is another like it.

Also, I have added a TON of new items to the shop 29 to be exact. Lots of cold weather wear. Coats, sweaters, wool skirts and hats. And there is plenty more where that came from!
As you can see there are lots of new sponsors as well so check them out.
GIVEAWAYS ARE COMING SOON!

Not Much to Report

Well I am sad to say I don't have anything exciting to report today. I reduced 25 of the items in my store. Today I got to wear my sailboat necklace from Land Pirahna Vintage (with my jumblelaya dress of course) and found a few things for the shop on the treasure hunt. I did make some cute treasuries today though if you'd like to check them out.
I am selling the seashell dress on ebay right now. I'm thinking of pulling it and sending it to vixen vintage for some pics. I just can't get it to look right on the mannequin. I'm also thinking of sending her a couple other dresses if she'll let me ;)
I always love with friends buy things from me. I recently sold this amazing Jantzen bikini to Twila Jean (of Mysterious life of the Metropolitan Housewife and exquisitebones) and it looks amazing on her. I caught some candid shots of her on facebook wearing it. Its perfect for her!
Oh and I'm bidding on another Jumblelaya dress (seen below)...someone has already outbid me so I'm thinking its not going to go well but she said that she has a dress she will list on Tuesday that is right up my alley so I'm pretty stoked for that.
Well I guess I had more to report than I thought.

Oh also ArtDecoDame on Etsy is donating 20% from her sales this week to this wonderful 26 year old woman with breast cancer...yeah. It really hits home for me since I'm turning 25 in a couple months. You should read her blog "I am NOT my breast cancer". You never know what life with throw at you! Please take time and check out her shop and purchase something, you're not just helping Des reunite her family but you're helping a young woman with cancer pay her medical bills.
Sorry this picture of me is terrible but it cracks me up too...i think its a very "Bettie Page" lookobviously we take ourselves VERY seriously!

Vintage Reproductions

I know this is kind of a sore spot for many of my readers but today we're going to talk about vintage repro clothing, the best sites, best prices and some plus and minus points for each one.

There are probably 100s of reproduction clothing companies out there..especially with the "vintage craze" that is hitting right now. I can't in good conscience say you should only wear vintage...sometimes you just can't find the dress you want in your size without waiting a few years. However, reproduction dresses/pants/tops are sometimes made with thin, inexpensive material and they don't last very long and they tend to cost more than vintage items. But you do get the advantages of spandex and standardized measurements instead of custom or handmade vintage pieces. I have quite a few reproduction dresses because I don't like to rob the vintage world of an amazing dress that is just going to sit in my closet because I'm too afraid of getting it dirty. I only have 3 vintage dresses:
#1: I just bought, the Jumblelaya dress
#2 from fabgabs that has 3/4 sleeves so I will have to wait for cooler weather to wear
and #3 is an 80s shirtwaist dress that is too long but its one I wear all the time..it so comfortable (hey look the scarf from the giveaway)
and I have several reproduction dresses. I'm not going to post them today but if you want to see them I can do a post about them in the future.

I'd like to help you find some reproduction dresses, pants, tops that you're not afraid to wear (if you save vintage for special occasions like me) So here are my favorite sites, what they have and some of my favorite pieces from the sites.

Vintage Dress Outlet
Plus: Prices! Lots of Search Options
Minus: Small Selection, Only carry Dresses
I'm actually thinking of purchasing this dress
Its only 44.95 which is about 40 less than I've seen at other sites!
Excellent bargain for this peek a boo skirt dress, its just 29.99
Adorable "hot for teacher" look for just 29.99
This dress is in the clearance section for 29.99...i would totally pay that!

Stop Staring Clothing Co.
Plus: Lots of selection, lots of sizes, lots of styles, made of good quality materials
Minus: Price
Spring dress with darling bow, on clearance for $120
Sailor romper! On sale for $105
"blondie" dress with leopard trim, $178

MOD CLOTH
Plus: Tons of Variety, tops, bottoms, shoes, bathing suits ect.
Minus: For more "trendy" vintage style
Adorable brocade dress, simple "vintage" lines $217.99 (one of the most expensive pieces on the site)
Really sweet cut out dress with button detail $69.99
Super cute full skirt with pattern. $64.99
Bright yellow cardi with red leaves 67.99


HeartBreaker Fashion
Plus:Well Priced, Cute Dresses
Minus: Expensive separates
Sweetheart bust cherry print dress $84
Top only $42, I think the pants are from Bernie Dexter Clothing
Adorable sailor polka dot dress $84

Bettie Page Clothing
Plus:Lots of options and sizes, animal friendly (no fur or leather)
Minus: Expensive, site annoying to navigate
V back dress in polka dot with button detail $160
"Lucy" top $60 shown with pencil skirt (WANT!) $90
Simple teal wiggle dress with cute details $70

Vivien Of Holloway
Plus: Lots of sizes, patterns, variety in patterns
Minus: Not a lot of different styles, I can't afford 1 of everything

Gorgeous halter sarong dress with bolero £89.00
I love these suspender trousers, £49.00 Vivien has a fantastic selection of pants and skirts. Not a lot of styles, but you really only need the classics.
The "signature" halter circle dress, this is what VOH is known for. This dress comes with the matching bolero for just £89.00
40s sarong style dress, tons of prints for this one and such a good deal at only £35.00 for any of them!

Pin-Up Girl Clothing
Plus: Lots of styles, great shoes, tons of selection
Minus: Almost always sold out, some of the stuff is "trashy"

Darling striped sailor blouse $38
Satin pumps with chiffon frills on the back $126
Adorable sailor swim set top $56 bottoms $56
Love the direction this dress is going, great for the office $108

Other sites of mention
Red Dress Shoppe

Daddy-O's (this site carries a lot of the same inventory as the others but it has men's as well)