Gracious

note: all of these lovely images (in pink!) are from online vintage shop owner, Thrush.
Being gracious is certainly one of the attributes that I immediately thought of when I started devising the content for this series on being a lady. The term, of course, refers to kindness, politeness, and esteem.

When I think of graciousness, I immediately picture the women from Jane Austen’s novels--at least the heroines (because goodness knows there were quite a few malevolent vixens in her novels as well). They were always complimentary, seeking to be of service, ready to be kind.
This behavior, fortunately, is not extinct. In fact, I’d wager that you are all highly gracious, or at least try to be that way most of the time.

But there is one area of graciousness that I think we as ladies often do rather poorly, and that is the art of graciously receiving from others. I hadn’t thought of this until an acquaintance and friend of mine recently brought it up. Since then, I’ve noticed this fault on numerous occasions.What do you mean? you ask. Well, I’ll give you a scenario:

girl 1: Oh, I love your outfit today.
girl 2: Ugh...thank you...I just threw it on this morning. I feel so fat today that I hardly even care what I look like.
Sound familiar? If not, consider this scenario:

guy: Babe, you look great today. Did you do something different?
girl: What are you trying to say--that I don’t look good normally?

Is that closer to home? And how about this one:

boss: This project turned out great. You did a wonderful job.
girl: Thanks, but I can’t take the credit. So-and-so did so much of the work....It was really more of a team effort.
Do you see what I mean? We deflect esteem. We dodge favor. We pass off compliments to others. We are often self-deprecating to a fault.

So, if any of those scenarios sounded familiar to you, I’m assigning some homework, which is to practice this:

friend: Hey--you look nice today.
you: Thank you. That’s kind of you to say.
THEN...resist the urge to: a) make a snarky comment about the size of your thighs, b) complain about how much your outfit cost, c) avert attention from yourself by talking about how fabulous someone else looks, or d) saying “well...I’m no Heidi Klum, but...”

Instead take a deep breath, and graciously receive the esteem, because that is what a lady would do.

Glossary of beautiful vintage clothing/jewelry by Thrush:
1. vintage 1970s goldtone necklace
2. pale pink box blouse
3. pale pink mini dress
4. vintage 1950s pink shimmer holiday party dress
5. bowtie secretary blouse
6. vintage 1960s holiday ruffle dress

Lessons from a Master

Few people demonstrate the art of being a lady like Audrey Hepburn, and so when I was preparing for this series, I naturally decided to pull out my copy of Breakfast at Tiffanys and take a few notes.

And thus here is what I've learned from a master:
#1: Big hats will Always cover up bedhead and bad hair days with none the wiser.
#2: And big sunglasses will hide bags under the eyes and a sour attitude. Plus--like mascara--they never go out of style.
#3: Ladies need unexpected skills, like waxing poetically with a guitar on a warm evening so that gorgeous neighbors are drawn to the window ledge to hear the melody...

And as an aside, ladies look lovely even with towels on their heads, although perhaps we should all leave that one for Audrey.
#4: Ladies Do Not sleep in hobo sleepwear (ahem...you know what I'm referring to...), and even their ear plugs have jeweled dangles.

I would, for the record, really like to know where I could get my hands on a set of ear plugs like that. Anyone? Tips? Thoughts?
#5: Ladies are skilled in the advanced art of twisting their hair magically on top of their head and securing it with invisible aids.

It might require a little practice...
#6: Ladies have fabulous coats for all occasions, which can cleverly hide even the frumpiest of gym wear and old collegiate sweatshirts. And ladies get bonus points for hiding post-workout ponytails discreetly under chic hats, too. (Although, for the record, ladies Do Not get points for wearing their sneakers with this get-up. It would ruin the whole look! Consider yourself warned.)
#7: Ladies knit. Need I say more?
#8: Ladies are not afraid to waltz down the street wearing formal attire on a weekday afternoon...
...wearing elbow-high gloves
...and a jeweled tiara.
#9: Ladies look put together even for an evening of lounging around at home in a sweater and pants, although perhaps you might prefer a real sofa to a bathtub--but we won't judge Audrey on that tiny discrepancy.
#10: Ladies even look good in their bathrobes, although there might be some leniency on this one. We can't all be Audreys 24 hours a day, for crying out loud! (note: please, oh please, where can I find a sparkly gold telephone like that?)
#11: Ladies Always eat breakfast, because it is, after all, the most important meal of the day.
#12: And finally, my most favorite lesson of all: pink dresses with matching pink trench coats are perfect for everyday--just don't forget the giant pink tiara.

She's a girl after my own heart...

Happy Wednesday!
love steph

On Being a Lady...

I’m fairly sure that my obsession with Jane Austen is to blame for my ever mounting pursuit of femininity, because I have not always been so girlishly inclined. In fact, I used to fancy myself to be a bit of a tomboy (although this might have been a delusion considering that I was a “tomboy” with long hair and painted fingernails...). And I scorned the notion of being high maintenance or bearing any appearances of prissiness. But beneath my thinly veiled scorn was, in fact, a hidden fondness for ball gowns and french twists and rhinestones. A hidden fondness that started to grow in my twenties, no doubt spurred on by the aforementioned affection for Austen novels and their fantastically feminine (and yet also strong and virtuous) heroines.
And so to ring in the new year, I thought I would just quit all of the pretense and make it official: I want to be a lady. I want pencil skirts and finger curls and thick false eyelashes. I want cocktail hours and tea times and slightly garish costume jewelry. And I want style and grace and all those feminine wiles made famous by Victorian literature and timeless sonnets.
Of course, lady-ness is not all vapid. I’d also like to be, in the words of Darcy, “truly accomplished”--skilled in music and culture, language and thought. And naturally strong in character and charity, too. Lizzy Bennet, after all, was no priss. She had some serious fortitude tucked beneath her corset.

So, for the next several weeks, I invite you to join me in my often frivolous and yet also occasionally substantive pursuit...

...of being a lady.

Five Things I'm Loving this Friday

It is a cloudy Friday, so my end-of-the-summer plans to lounge by the pool soaking up rays while reading books suddenly looks a little gray.

But I'm not worried. I have other things to tickle my fancy. Here are five things I'm loving on this cloudy Friday afternoon:


These earrings, which I'm raffling off today. I love the fresh green color, don't you? They'll be a reminder of summer during the whole year!


These strawberry cupcakes With strawberry frosting. I had a hankering for them when I saw a photo of a similar sugary delight on a blog last week. So I consulted Martha, and found a recipe. After a few modifications and a lot of licking the frosting beaters, I now have strawberry goodness to last all week!


These vintage fashions. Oh how I wish I was born in a bygone era... (for more info and links on these dresses, click here.)


This cardigan I'm knitting with fervor. Yes, it is probably the fifth cardigan I've tried, and yes, all of the others were disasters. But what can I say? I'm shamelessly hopeful that this is the The One that will turn out.


And these socks, which I just finished. Didn't I tell you that summer was a great time to knit--if not wear--socks? They're complete in plenty of time for fall weather!

Hope you enjoy your Friday!

Previous Related Posts:
Creative Hour: Wool Socks in Summer
Crave
Box Store Boycott

Dress Me Up!

I live in Northern Colorado, which means that we have about eight more weeks of warm weather, and even less time for hot weather.

In other words, the days for wearing fun summer dresses are rapidly coming to an end. So, in honor of cute, flirty skirts and vintage patterns, I've collected a few items I'd certainly like to add to my summer wardrobe.


This first dress is perhaps a bit too bohemian for me, but I can't help but be drawn to pink florals. What can I say--I'm a girly girl. This Folk Hawaiian vintage dress by Violet Folklore is indeed short--perfect for hot days. And I'd certainly ditch the leggings and boots in favor of sandals or wedges!


This handmade creation from Modaspia is the Fiji Dress, and I love it. The designer has the pattern in several fabrics, and I confess that I want them all. Every single one of them. Simple, summery, perfect with a red necklace.... It even has pockets. What more you could ask?


This Sweet Jane dress by Econica is made from bamboo jersey. Now, I've never worn bamboo jersey, but it sounds soft and lovely. And stretchy, which is always good for summer. I'm also fond of this fresh blue color, and the band of white just under the bust would flatter almost anyone!

The Sahara Dress pictured at the top of this post is also a creation by Econica. Don't you love the ruffled detail at the top? And of course I couldn't pass up a chance to highlight my favorite color this summer: yellow. It makes me happy just looking at it.


Speaking of yellow, this Chick strapless dress by Bird Apparel is perhaps a bit too short for my confidence, but I was immediately drawn to it the first time I saw it. The interplay between colors is fun and fresh, and I love the bubble hem at the bottom. Perhaps the less daring could match it with some leggings for the fall!


I couldn't resist adding a party dress to the list. This Powdered Sugar dress by Sarah Seven is way too fancy for walking to mailbox (although don't think I wouldn't try--my neighbors see me in all kinds of wacky duds!), but I'm dying for a party to wear this style. I love everything about it--the teasing length, the layers, the sweatheart neck. Does anyone have a gala they'd like to invite me to?...


Finally, no post on summer dresses could be complete without at least a couple wedding dresses! Even though I've already walked my way down the aisle, I can't help but dream a bit about what I'd wear if I were doing it again. Perhaps I'd choose something fun like this Fancy Formal by Ouma. The length is perfect for a summer wedding, and I'd bet the sash at the waist could be customized in a variety of colors.


I also fell in love with this lacy tiered creation by KT Jean Designs.


Pictured in both shots above, I'm crazy about the ruffled dress, and the silohette is perfectly whimsical for an outdoor wedding.

Can I get married again? Probably not.... I'll just have to settle for wearing fun dresses while I still can!

As an aside, I can't help but be impressed by all of these handmade designers out there! Isn't their creativity inspiring? Maybe their talent will rub off on me!

Previous Related Posts:
Soaking up to the End
Creative Hour: Golden Dangles
Box Store Boycott

Box Store Boycott

Now, I have nothing against box stores. In fact, I love Target. Love it. Have-to-keep-myself-out-of-the-store-so-I-don't-spend-away-my-retirement Love it. But...what I don't love about the box store empire is that by tantalizing us with cheap prices and pretty packaging, we've forsaken originality and craftsmanship. Plus, our houses all start to look the same.

So, I thought I would do a little tantalizing today by featuring a few selections from the handmade marketplace, Etsy. Each of these items is either vintage (aka recycled) or handmade. And oh so pretty. For example,


Chakra Pennywhistle is one of my favorite shops. I love the folksy/natural look of this Tulip pillow, and can imagine it sitting neatly on my bed or sofa. I also love the antique moneybag pillows offered in the store, too--they're so charming, and remind me of my days as a banker.


This Smile Letterpress Poster from Roll & Tumble Press is fresh and simple. I love the chunky black frame (not included) and can picture it hanging perfectly in my entryway. And the message is not too cloyingly sweet thanks to the no-nonsense font and retro camera image. You won't find the likes of this letterpress beauty at any box stores, I guarantee!


This is Mrs. B's Yellow Teapot. Hello, Mrs. B. Would you like to come over to my house? Why thank you--you're so kind.
From Modern Nest, this vintage pot is just the shade of yellow I've been craving lately. Check out the rest of the store for other fun retro housewares as well!


I think these Vinyl Kitchen Labels are ingenious. You can customize a set of 6 generic canisters with these stickers in minutes. From Studio JK, they would make a great wedding or housewarming gift for your favorite nester.


Finally, speaking of vinyl stickers, wall decals are quickly becoming all the rage in home design these days. And though I'm still a little torn about them for main living spaces, I do think they're adorable in nurseries. This Safari Animal Stack by Single Stone Studios is so fun, and would make a great baby shower gift for a modern mom.

All together, handmade and vintage stores offer a great way to break out of the cookie-cutter mold and into fresh, fun design. And these five items are just a sampling of the home design alternatives available out there. I hope you're tantalized! Happy browsing!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Previous Related Posts:
Five Things You Need
Plotting More Patina
From Cookie Cutter to Custom

Favorite Things

So, in preparation for the launch of Retro Summer, I thought I would take an informal survey, and ask my subscribers to name their favorite thing about summer.

Simple Things
And as the answers came in, I could see right away that they were varied. And simple. Conspicuously absent from the list of responses were expensive vacations, luxuries, and the like. Instead, the most common favorite things involved enjoying longer days, warm nights, and the company of friends. Barbecuing was high on the list, probably more for the social enjoyment of it than the food, although one person is quite fond of burnt hot dogs (you know who you are...). And of course, school letting out was popular for both moms and teachers. (Remember those first weeks of no school as a kid? They were the greatest, don't you think?)

The list reinforced what I was suspecting, which is that the things we are fondest of when the days get warm don't involve lots of money or flashy gimmicks. Rather, summer days make us nostalgic for a time when things were really simpler. Like when we were kids.

Nostalgia
And that is why, when I was planning out my summer calendar, I kept coming back to the activities that we appreciate from our youth--or maybe even before then. Hence the theme "Retro Summer." The "retro" doesn't necessarily apply to fashion or culture. Rather, it applies to our affection for community, friends, and low-tech fun (like swimming pools and nature and kick-the-can, for instance).

So, I thank all of the readers who responded to my quick survey, and for their confirmation of my "retro" hunch. And I hope to hear from all of you over the summer, as I indulge in some nostalgia, and invite you to join!

Previous Related Posts:
The Newest Gossip (on joining my newsletter)
A Peek into Retro Summer '09!

Get the Look

On many occasions on this blog I have touted praise for Etsy.com, an online marketplace for "indiepreneurs" who want to use their creative/crafty talents to earn some money (see the sidebar for a link to my etsy shop, the beAdornable boutique).  

One of the things that etsy does that I love is to select a theme and pull together from a variety of stores items that fit the theme.  Their selections are always fun to look at, and I am particularly drawn to anything that strikes me as being classically glamorous or vintage (1950's vintage--not 1980's vintage).  

One recent collection was titled "get Scarlett Johansson's look," and I loved every piece they picked (see pics above).  In addition to the good taste, I love how these themes showcase the variety that can be found on etsy, and how fun it is to shop.

Click here to read the "get Scarlett Johansson's look" post, and maybe do some etsy browsing on your own.

Updates about the beAdornable boutique?  I am gearing up to launch my fall collection early September, and can't wait!

This post is part of August's Summer Squeeze series.