Blogmas 20: A Very Merry Vintage Time Lookbook

Hanukkah, Christmas, winter, holidays...whatever your particular turn of phrase you use for this time of year,  it's a time of year for festivities and feasting and family and friends. Whether you like it or not it tends to lend itself to reflection, Christmas is the pre-drinks to the sobriety of New Year as Advent is the calm before the Christmas storm. 

I suggest it is a time for wearing something special and spending some of the bonus time you have to dress up, do your makeup, spend longer on that bathroom routine, or all of the above. This might also give you time for that reflection that seems to be in at the moment. Considering a change in the new year? Will the new year bells ring in a new look?

If it's a major life change or a simply swapping your go-to lipstick, have a ponder while trying out some new looks with some old inspiration. In the form of looks of vintage Christmas pasts, I give you Cashmere and Cushions merry vintage time lookbook!

A classic little black dress moment with Miss Audrey Hepburn

Go Loretta Young for full-on 1950's glam

Big floppy hat, big oversized coat, overdone red lips and you are ready for anything the season throws your way.

Vintage pinafore

A cute little girl dress or short dungarees in the right material and you're done!

Femme fatale - Belinda Lee

The original bunny girl outfit revisited for Christmas...for those Bridget Jones moments. Just be wise when choosing the day for wearing this one!

For the child (or Shirley Temple) within you, that wishes to conjure up the lore of Christmas Eve

Proving that simple, chic pyjamas can look great at any age.

Season's Greetings for every one of my lovely reader's, whether or not you have stuck with us for nearly 4 years or not!

Carpe Diem xx

Vintage Spring Style: Natalie Wood

Welcome back to blog! I've been going through my wardrobe, making a few purchases and getting inspiration for the spring/summer fashion season from vintage photos. Classic film stars of the 20th century are extremely useful when taking a elegant, vintage style and updating it with a 2014 twist. 

Born Natalia Zacharenko in 1938 San Francisco, the film star died an untimely death in 1981, at the age of 43. Her death is still shrouded in mystery - she was found drowned in deep water - and her star is largely outshone by the likes of Marilyn and Audrey, but her style is timeless. The 5'2 actress has a lot to give in terms of outfit inspiration, so whether its Natalie or other stars of the 40s, 50s, 60s, get out the vintage clobber and work it.

Happy Weekend!

Carpe Diem xx

Spring 2014: A Book Haul

In celebration of the beginning of spring in the UK, here are four books that I have acquired recently; two at the new year and two last week. 

Ian Fleming - Octopussy and the Living Daylights (Vintage):

At a mere 123 pages I don't think this one will take long, so I hope to get to it soon. Part of the James Bond vintage collection that I treated myself to at the beginning of the year. It contains four short stories based on James Bond's time in New York.

Ian Fleming - Casino Royale (Vintage):

The first of Fleming's 007 novels, Casino Royale is also part of the James Bond vintage collection. In this adventure Bond is desperate during his last chance to bring down SMERSH agent Le Chiffre. As this is the story behind the 2006 film of the same name, which made me fall in love with Daniel Craig, I'm putting this one high on my priority list.

John Williams - Stoner (Vintage):

Originally dismissed when it was first published in 1965, Stoner was so-called 'rediscovered' by the art and literature academia and republished in 2012. Stoner tells the story of quiet teacher William Stoner, through whose life the 'conflicts, defeats and victories of the human race that pass unrecorded' are recognised. As a trainee teacher and recent graduate with a passion for classics, this is a must read.

Hannah Kent - Burial Rites (Picador):

A thrilling crime novel, Kent's debut. A page turner composed of the plot of the last execution in Iceland. I've been eyeing this one for a while, so I can't wait to get started!

Carpe Diem xx

Sunday Spree: A Collective Book Haul

I mentioned a few blogs back that I had been on a book buying spree. A few weeks ago I realised that I wasn't making full use of my spare time and that I needed to be reading more, in particular catching up on the classics that I have never read (which is a lot!). So here are four of the books that I have accumulated in the past month:

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee:

I first read To Kill A Mockingbird as a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl and much of it went straight over my head, so when I saw this beautiful 50th anniversary paperback edition by Arrow I decided it was a chance to right some wrongs and give it another go.

Christmas Books by Charles Dickens:

This is a Wordsworth Classics edition of collected Christmas stories by Dickens, which of course includes A Christmas Carol. Can't wait to read it for the first time nearer Christmas time.

I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith:

This new Bodley Head hardback edition of the classic was just released on 7th November 2013. It is beautiful and was so happy to get it in the post after pre-ordering it a month before. Unfortunately it doesn't come with a dust jacket, which I think lets it down slightly.

The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde:

I have definately trumpeted the genius of Fforde's work on this blog before, so again, I was tempted to add to my collection of the Thursday Next series with this, the third in the set.

What have you been reading this month?

Carpe Diem xx

Thrifty Crafts How To: Make Bowls from Vinyl Records

In thrifty times a perfect craft that reuses old, unused materials can be a great way of 'filling your house for free'. Vinyl records can usually be found amongst family, friends or thrift and second-hand stalls, so why not turn them into a pretty and practical storage container in less than 10 minutes?

To melt a vinyl record into a bowl shape first heat an oven to 100-120 Celsius or 200-250 Faranheit. Then place a small glass mixing bowl (the kind you might make a cake mix in) on top of a baking tray. Put the record on top of the upturned bowl. Heat in the oven for 4-8 minutes, checking regularly. When out of the oven the vinyl should be floppy and fold into a flower shape over the bowl. 

Leave to cool for a minute to allow the bowl the set into shape before releasing the vinyl. Turn it upright and mold it into shape as it sets on the baking tray.

Alternatively, melt a vinyl by pouring boiling water from a kettle over it repeatedly. Be careful of the heat! This usually creates a shallower bowl.

Perfect for chip and dips, crisp bowls, a jewellery container or a catch-all for your front hall junk!

Carpe Diem xx

Vintage Makeup Collections, Compacts and Coming of Age in the 1950s

Collecting vintage compacts and cosmetics can be an exciting and fun way to bring social history and beauty together in one hobby. The history of the cosmetics industry as well as women's social history can be told through the cosmetics and packaging that have been sold to us. 

1950s post-war Britain saw a boom in the production and marketing and cosmetics and specifically handbag-friendly lipsticks and compacts. The glamour of a red lipstick or a flawless powdered complexion doubtless helped Britain and other countries on their feet after the austerity and trauma of war, during which much cosmetics production was given over to war paint. This is the Marks and Spencer mirror and powder compact that my granny was given when she turned 21 in 1953.

Have a look at Lisa Eldridge's 2-part interview with vintage makeup collector Madeleine Marsh on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBbAqfIxUNM

Have a read of my review of Madeleine Marsh's 'Compacts and Cosmetics', a guide to the history of cosmetics and vintage makeup collecting http://cupcakesandcosmeticsbyclare.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/back-to-bloggin-title-tuesday-compacts.html 

Or check out the book on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=compacts+and+cosmetics

Carpe Diem xx

Alternative Makeup Collection Organisation and Storage Tips

Reuse and recycle vintage tins and containers, or new pots and jars with pretty designs on them, as holders for organising makeup brushes and tools. Aesthetic, practical and free! 

What more could you want?

Keep a collection of travel size makeup and beauty products and tools in a safe place. Build up a collection from freebies or products you just haven't gotten around to trying yet so that you have them ready to go. Use a clear plastic cosmetic bag or zip-lock sandwich bag so that you can put it in you suitcase when you're ready to pack for that special holiday.

As we all know, airlines are sticklers for liquid allowances now. So be prepared and keep clear plastic 100ml bottles and jars ready to decant shampoos, conditioners, shower gel and moisturisers into. I got mine, with the cosmetic bag, from Boots.

Vintage and retro tea cups and saucers can be a great solution to compartmentalizing your makeup and beauty storage on the cheap. Not only saving you the trouble of going out and buying a load of clear plastic containers, but also adding a touch of glamour to your collection.

Have fun and get creative!

Carpe Diem xx

Makeup Monday: Time Travel in Beauty, George IV and Travel Makeup

Imagine...it's 1830 in the south of England and King George IV is on the throne. You're a wealthy lady about to go travelling. You have no makeup bags, cleansing wipes, eyeshadow compacts...

So what do you pack?

Ok, so it isn't 1830, this is 2013 we're talking about here. However, yesterday this amazing rosewood ladies travel box came into my possession and I'm in love with it, and chances are if you were a lady in the 19th century this is the kind of thing you would have taken travelling with you. 

With secret compartments and bottles for your various lotions and potions this box is completely of another era, very Harry Potter! The box not only has bottles and sections for beauty products and tools, but also a section for a sewing kit, a writing compartment, and a jewellery drawer. I'm trying to work it into my makeup storage and organisation because I'm that in love with it.

Some things are worth cherishing forever.

For more on the box check out my family history blog at:

http://dayswiththedead.blogspot.co.uk/

Carpe Diem xx

1960s Vintage Polka Dot Girls Dress

Handmade white polka dot yellow girls dress:

My mums from the sixties :)!

Do you have any vintage clothes stashed away?

Carpe diem xx