Le printemps est arrivé! Bien sorte de ...

Spring has sprung! Well, sort of.

It's freezing here, and they are talking about more snow this weekend! For the love! I just want to be warm! Thankfully I leave for Viva las Vegas in 4 days. With this deadline fastly approaching, but the warm weather not, I have decided to turn over my closets anyhow! I don't know about you be but I don't have enough closet space to keep all my winter garb and summer lovelies in one place. So, around this time in the spring I do a massive clothing swap. Although this is a tedious process, it keeps down the clutter, and prevents me from keeping things I never wear. If I haven't wore it once in a season then it either gets seriously evaluated, donated, given to girlfriends or thrown in a box to sell around that season the next year.

I haven't talked any about viva, because there is so much chatter about it on so many other blogs. I can't hold it in any longer though! I am sooooo EXCITED! I have never been, but have wanted to go for the last 3 or 4 years but it was never the right timing or I had to pay in for taxes due to being a subcontractor. This year I decided hell or high water my fella and I are going! It also happens to be his birthday weekend so it was added fuel to the fire to make it work. I have bought several new items including a couple vintage swimsuits, play suits and cocktail dresses. I can't wait to wear, but I also have some things still in spring storage that I need to dig out in order to pack them for my trip. I stopped for a break and some fresh air. My fell snapped a couple of pictures of me in my cleaning garb. I just pick up these dungarees last week. I don't own many pairs of Jeans but I am really enjoying these.

Dungarees- Tatters

Judy Brown button up shirt- Corner Store

Snood-Poohkttt ebay store

Hope you all have a great weekend! I will be packing up a storm!

Au Revoir

End of the 2 min burger

This post is a little late, but better late then never I guess.

A week or so ago one of my favorite summer past times closed it's doors. Not because of a failing economy or lack of interest, but for a "business deal". Porky's, an iconic Drive-in closed it's doors after being open since 1953. This was one of the last real gems for retro lovers in Minnesota.

When my boyfriend and I started dating(many moons ago), one of my favorite dates we would go on would be cruising down University in our 62' Galaxie 500, stopping at Porky's for a burger, malt and the best onion rings around. My mouth waters just thinking about them. To end the evening we used to drive out to one of the two remaining drive-in movies and end the night under the stars. We used to have said dates a few times a summer, more if my fella was trying to get on my good side. With sadness those are now just fond memories.

We decided on the last night it was open to go down and do it up right, just like we would have this summer if it was still open.

Here is my handsome fella keeping it cool as we sat in bumper to bumper traffic for over a half hour waiting to get close.

I don't have many pictures of us cruising around in "Alie" the Galaxie. (She is called Alie because when we dug her out to the farm field in Northern Minnesota she only had those remaining letters on the back trunk lid from the full word GALAXIE. She now has all of her letters but the name has still stuck.)











When we got there most of university had already been dug up for a new lightrail system to be put in. This construction made it impossible to get into the parking lot. I was saddened the most by this fact. Normally (at least a few years ago), the parking lot would be full of vintage cars and their owners hanging out and enjoying some food and chatting it up with other car owners. It's own night car show, if you will. To see it empty but this old Porky's truck was super sad. I had never seen that truck before, or that Chicken!!
Anyways, here are some photos of the building. The line for food was two blocks long for over 6 1/2 hours. So, I  never got any of those delicious onion rings. There are rumours of opening a Porky's at the Minnesota State Fair. Which is another interesting event that happens in MN, people anticipate all year. I'll post about that event after it happens.




Towards the end of the night it became total mayhem. The cops were staying away from the block allowing for burnouts and drag racing down the block in front of Porky's. It felt just like the older days, when I first started spending my summers at Porky's. The whole end of the evening felt so serial and mildly post-apocalyptic. There was all the smoke from the burn outs and the cement tore all up.

As we drove away and I looked back to take a picture I had perfectly timed it for the sign to give me a wink. That is the way I will always remember Porky's, hot summer nights and a friendly neon sign that winked at you as you said Goodbye!

Minnesota Naughty

Last week I attended a forum at the Minnesota History Center. It was called "History of Hip: Minnesota Naughty!" The forum explored Minnesota's racy side through two of their finest risque exports, pin-up artist Gil Elvgren- the Norman Rockwell of Cheesecake- and Munsingwear- Minnesota's claim to underwear fame.

Susan Marks was there as the first speaker of the evening. She has written a book called "In the mood for Munsingwear." She talked all about Munsingwear's being one of the first company's to use live models for there advertising.Something that was just not done in the late 1800's. Munsingwear was also known for their controversial ads, with numerous ads flirting with homosexuality. Munsingwear wasn't only known for their ads but for their Union suits. George Munsing, the father of itchless underwear, came up with a revolutionary and ingenious way to plate silk onto wool. Creating warm but non irritating unders.

  

This book has wonderful knowledge of undergarments and history of women's foundations. I am so glad that I purchased this book after the lecture, and as an added bonus Susan signed it for me. If you are interested in checking it out you can find it at your local book Barnes and Noble or Here. They probably have it at your local library as well. Give it a look.


On to the second part of the forum! Elvgren!









Gil Elvgren is one of my favorite pin-up artists. Although not as popular as Vargas or some would say Petty, I still like his girl next store images. She is always active getting herself in all kinds of trouble, but still cute as a button throughout the whole ordeal. These are the two originals they had on display:


Sara Murphy was the speaker and owner of these originals discussing Elvgren. Elvgren was raised in Minnesota and after high school attended Minneapolis Institute of Art (Which is about 5 blocks from my house). he later moved to Chicago where his studio was. He was known for often using neighbor ladies and friends as his models. As Sara explained, he was the type of man biographers hated. He was a quite man who loved his wife and was a wonderful father. (BORING!! Just kidding. I think it is refreshing!)
All in all, My best gals and I had a wonderful time. The photographer from the History Center, Bill Jolitz took these photos of the group of us gals and a few of me. He and I are going to do a photo shoot next month. I will be sure to blog about it after it happens.




And lastly, I leave you with my Elvgren. I found it at the thrift store for $7.99. A steal! I have it hung in our bedroom. Whenever I wake up and see it, it makes me feel whimsical. In my opinion one of the best feelings to have in the morning!

"Teeter Taught Her"

Au Revoir!

Sew what?

Hello again! I am sorry for my long absence. I bring to you a sewing post, as promised.

I found this fantastic vintage inspired fabric. It reminds me of parasols or umbrellas. I have been longing for the days of spring. With it just snowing another 5 inches of snow last night, I guess I am going to have to wait a bit longer. ugh. This new skirt lifts my spirits though. Can't wait to wear it outdoors!

I decided to mix three different patterns instead of just winging it like I normally do. I figured I'd be a little rusty, and I might as well use a guide. I am happy to report all went pretty smoothly. Well, I guess you can see for yourself.

The only little snafu I had, was I didn't buy enough fabric. I forget that it takes 3-3.5 yards to make circle skirts. Luckily, when I went back to the store they still had the same bolt out, so I just had them cut me the same amount. Now if I want to make a bolero, I now have enough for that too. You can't really tell from the photos, but this skirt has a pocket. Almost every dress or skirt I sew has pockets. For me I am a women that finds them a necessity. I hope you agree. 

I made another circle skirt today, just needs to be hemmed. I also cut out two different tops out of that same fabric. I can't wait till I have some time to finish them. I will share those pieces too, when they are finished!
Hope you all have a great rest of your week. This is how I will be spending the rest of my evening.
 Au Revoir!

light side

Just wanted to do a quick outfit post. Thought that would help lighten the mood a bit. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will be sewing up a storm!

Powder blue, flower cardigan- Salvation Army
Brown wool skirt- Tatters
Shoes- Steve Madden


 Next post will be about my latest sewing endeavorers.
Until then, Au Revoir!

Death and Taxes

With a heavy heart I had to lay my grandmother to rest on today. She passed mid-day on March 2nd. This fall/winter season has been a rough one for my family. We laid my uncle to rest the week before Thanksgiving, now my grandmother and my other grandmother just entered hospice care. From my experience hospice care isn't a long road. Unfortunately, this is not going to be an uplifting post, but this blog is about my life and this is a big thing(s) that is happening currently in my life.

My mother's mother who passed last week suffered from chronic depression. Her doctors never really figured out the best mix of meds, which is heart wrenching to think about.  The only memories from my childhood are of her in almost a catatonic state, blinded by her sorrow.  She had such a hard life, which makes honoring her memory very difficult. I have had death in my life from such a young age with three schoolmates, two very close dying. One in elementary and the other in high school. Those deaths have really molded how I deal with crisis and death to this day. I am a "calls it like I sees it girl", which makes my grandmother's death so difficult.  I want to be authentic but at the same time I don't have very happy memories to share. It tears me up inside to say that aloud, however, it is the cold hard truth.  I guess my favorite memories are of meeting with my grandmother's brothers and talking about family. When my mother and I clean out my grandma's apartment 6 months ago, we found all of grandma's photo albums. That started, for me, the quest to know more about my genealogy. I have learned so many wonderful things I never knew. Then when I would visit grandma I could ask her more about them. Who so-in-so was and what their business was. Sometimes she would play along and sometimes she would get cranky and say "I thought I told you that already, aren't you writing this down? I'm old, I don't like to repeat myself" I always smile and chuckle to myself. She was an old kook!

Here are some old photos I found from her and my grandfather's wedding day. They are so wonderfully 50's I can barely contain myself. Please Excuse the numbers on the photos, these are their original proof. I haven't had time to edit them on photo shop yet.

I was given a dress of her's a couple of years ago. I decided to wear that dress to her funeral. It is made of 100% felt. It has pockets too! Everybody at the funeral just loved it. They all thought it was wonderful that I would honor her by wearing a terrific outfit. She was know to be a fashion plate back in there prime. This dress was also the insperation for one of my dresses for my fashion back in September. My grandmother liked my felt dress better and was flattered that I would make something inspired by something of hers, and to top it off she was able to see it. Her's is the green one and the one I made the black one.

I promise my next few blogs will be a little more upbeat. February was a rough month, but it is over and it is time for spring and a re-birth of all things living! Until then, I bid you au revoir.

Lovely Saturday

When one of your favorite vintage stores has a two day 50% off sale, it tends to be a cause for celebration! This year it snuck up on me, I usually have the dates on my calender and budget to spend a pretty penny. This year I was driving to work when I happened to see the sign in the window, thank goodness. Luckily, I had a short work day and headed directly there after I closed up shop.  I didn't want a repeat of the previous year, where a girl with my same measurements beat me to a whole rack of dresses. Literally, she took 30 some dresses in the fitting rooms and bought everyone. I ended up taking myself out for whiskey old fashions instead with my unspent cash. I was bound and determined to not let that happen again. If you are ever in the Minneapolis area I highly recommend checking Tatters out. It is ridiculously reasonable.

I only got a few pictures because it was nuts in there. I ended up getting two great staple wool skirts, one it black/charcoal and a mahogany one. We still have 2-3 more weeks of winter, so I will at least get to wear them a couple times.

Later that night, I met up with a few of my pals to see Al's Rockabilly Quartet play a few sets at a local bowling alley. My permanent dance partner was feeling a little under the weather, so I left him on the couch watching movies and drinking hot toddys.  Sometimes, I love just a night out with the pals. One of my favorite fill in dance partners was there, minus his wife, so lucky for me I got quite a bit of dancing in. Of course, typical me, I brought my camera and it never left my hand bag. However, I did get a quick photo before bed of my new skirt and favorite broach.

Before I go, I just wanted to let you all know two things. The first, the sewing room is clean!!! Secondly, I started sewing again. YAY! Not with the same gusto as before, but at least it is a start. Baby steps, I'll get there again hopefully, but for now I am just glad to "be back in the saddle again". Look for sewing posts in the future.

Au Revoir