The Muse: Synchronicity

 I am not someone who gets caught up with matching when it comes to fashion. If I like two things together, and they happen to match, great. I wouldn't not wear an outfit because it didn't match however. I think fabrics, shapes, textures, and a lot of other things trump matching. Even I must confess that when two things match as well as this skirt and top do there is a certain amount of synchronicity at work. Even more so when you think about the fact that the blouse is contemporary (circa 2012) while the skirt is from the late 70's/early 80's, a thirty plus year time difference but still it works. Don't you just love that?

Blouse: Banana Republic
Skirt: vintage, Harrington of Boston, thrifted via Abby's House
Brooch: J. Marcel
Bracelets: gifts
Purse: Bueno, gift
Shoes: Nine West

The Muse: April Showers

Are there fashion occasions you dread? Like baby showers? Me too. I was chastised by my mother for not wearing something more seasonal, but when I left the house it was still to chilly for a light summer sweater. Even in the afternoon when it climbed to the mid-60's it was still too windy to take my sweater off.  Besides I love the shoes and purse that go with this outfit, even if unseasonal. Despite my deep loathing for showers (I once won Gladys Knight and the Pips tickets of the radio for calling in the to answer this question: 75% of women claim that they hate this." Answer: showers obviously.  Stupid games, bad food, uncomfortable small talk with strangers, endless boring hours of watching gifts being opened, excessive inane comments. Its hell. But still we do it for our friends. Its was actually my friend Jolene's second shower (one for both sides of the family) and she felt far worse than any of us. Poor thing has been sick as a dog for her entire pregnancy, so the least I could do was suffer through a three hour shower. She's due on May 30th, so hopefully she and her husband, Nick (who I actually know a lot better than her) will be happily settled with Baby Bianco very soon! As for my outfit I need not have worried, apparently it was a far less formal occasion than I anticipated. Not that it matters, I'm always believe in being well dressed no matter what the occasion.

 Dress: vintage, Lilly Pulitzer, via Wheeler School Clothing Sale
Sweater: INC, thrifted via Wheeler School Clothing Sale
Shoes: Lela Rose for Payless
Purse: vintage, Evans Case (my great-uncle owned the company so we have a lot of vintage Evans, mostly household items like ashtrays, lighters, lamps, etc. If you're interested here's an article about the company, mainly concerning makeup compacts, including a photo of great-uncle Al)

I can't decide if this is clever or creepy. I'm leaning towards creepy.

Jolene holding up part of my gift (this one says 'baby' there was another frame that read 'Bianco' her last name) they don't know the sex and haven't agreed upon the name. The baby's room is gray and yellow. I already made the baby's quilt and curtains which featured the theme which is elephants.

Jolene (in the center obviously) with her two grandmothers (on the ends), her mother Sue (on her right) and her mother-in-law Cheryl (to her left)

The Muse: Working Girl

 We've been stand in substitute teachers this week in the library because one of our teachers who is out had scheduled all five of his classes to do research. The kids have to compare and contrast a topic today with the same topic in another decade (1920's-1980's) then come to a conclusion which is better. For example family life in the 50's versus today, cars in the 30's, or fashion in the 80's, and so on. I was pleasantly suprised how many kids didn't pick today. For example one kid said that boxing in the 1960's was much better than today (who knew?). Regardless, speaking of the 80's I really couldn't escape the fact that I was totally channeling Melanie Griffiths in Working Girl today. This dress if definitely a relic of the 80's even without shoulder pads. It was even worse when it had a row of giant oversized buttons covered with matching paisley fabric marching down the white panel. I took those off, it was a little too dated even for me. I did however sparkly accessories and mile high heels to go with my power suit. The space invader cut of the shoulders is definitely a nod to Galliano. The only concession, I don't have the big hair and I just say no to wearing sneakers for the commute to work and brave the mean streets in my somewhat trashy five inch platforms.

Dress: vintage, Jenny Petites, thrifted via Abby's House
Purse: Target
Shoes: City Lights via J.C. Penny
Necklace: swapped

Good Muse, good movie, great song from Carly Simon (Let the River Run won the Oscar for Best Song that year) and a good day for linking up with Tara at Mix and Match Fashion and Agi at Vodka Infused Lemonade

How do you even get hair that big? I think Joan Cusack may have single handedly put the hole in the ozone layer with her conspicous consumption of Aqua Net. Alas she does have a Hostess cupcake, which are now no more.

I once rode the Staten Island ferry and to be honest I would wear sneakers too, however I doubt they would make it to Manhattan that white.

The Muse: Cherry Blossoms

 Coming to the end of vacation wasn't too much of a burden since the weather hasn't been exactly fantastic. I will confess that spring seems determined to fight and stay, even if its not always that successful. My Flapper 101 Workshop was postponed this weekend until May 5th so i had to think up an alternate activity. I settles for photos in front of the Ladd Observatory underneath the cherry trees. When I was in Japan in 2007 I was there the week of St. Patrick's Day and the cherry blossom time was just starting, and you can't really go anywhere in Tokyo without seeing them. My aunt and uncle had an enormous one outside their dining room window, not a bad view to wake up to every morning.

 I also confess it seemed the perfect compliment to this silk dress with its Mandarin collar. I bought it for $1 at a rummage sale last year and have never worn it because it was cut very oddly and wasn't really flattering. Finally I cut the sleeves off in a last ditch effort to save it, and that helped because it made the mid-section less saggy, adding a belt also improved it but I'm still not sure about it.

Dress: vintage, thrifted via rummage sale
Sweater: INC thrifted via Wheeler School Clothing Sale
Purse: Vintage, new handle added, thrifted via Christ Church Thrift Shop
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik, thrifted via Wheeler School Clothing Sale

After I took my photos I stopped by the Rhode Island Antiques Mall for their semi-annual sale, where everything in the store is at least 10% off, though most everything was between 20-50% off. It was packed! parking was spilling out of the parking lot and down the side streets surrounding the store. They had food trucks in the parking lot and great retro music playing which made for a really fun atmosphere. All the ladies who work there also wore vintage attire for the occasion. Even if you didn't buy anything it was fun just to browse and people watch. Of course I bought something. I included a video touring the mall if you're interested in what type of place it is, it shows what they have and the owners talk about every aspect of their business. They only had a limited amount of vintage when they started, but as the market has gown their selection is expanding.

1.) Vintage makeup case purse: $8 - 20%= $6.40

2.) Vintage leather patchwork purse: $14 - 10% = $12.60

3.) Vintage polyester housedress (no label): $12 - 20% = $9.60

4.) Vintage Entourage ruffle dress: $18 - 20%= $14.40

______________________________________________________

Total: $43