It's A Girl!

If Liberace and Sid Viscous had a baby it would be these boots! LuLu picked these up over the weekend during a jaunt down to Halsted Street Market Days (at least 10 blogs worth of stories, yikes). These are vintage Doc Martens, never worn, stored away in a stock room for the past 20 years. LuLu had her eye on some new Docs that have a non-sparkly gold finish, so we went on a hunt. I remembered this store from when I lived in the neighborhood 100 years ago. I always imagined musicians would pick up their rock star clothes here. When I told my 29 year old musician brother, Toby about the boots and the store, he seemed quite shocked and said "You took LuLu into an S&M store?" Silly boy, of course not, it's the place where rock stars go to get their outfits! Toby said "didn't you notice the leather masks and bondage stuff?" I always imagined a Judas Priest or a Megadeth tribute band from Des Moines picking those up, I said quite defensively. I simply had no clue! I am so glad I didn't tell the young woman trying on the rubber suit that rubber doesn't breath, and she will get very hot.

It's offical, I have completely run out of things to say.

Here is a post from the archives
8/12/08

Ideas For Lulu

LeSportsac

Swarovski

Tiffany Keys

Kidrobot

I am having a tough time coming up with ideas for Lulu's 15 Birthday. Here are a few of the things I know she has been admiring. Any suggestions?

Norma Kamali at Walmart

Norma Kamali
at
Walmart

I know that Walmart is the ickiest place on earth, but it's time for a visit! Norma Kamali has the cutest line of clothes at Walmart and the prices are crazy low. I outfitted Lulu with $15.00 pants and skirts, and $5.00 shirts! How I wish Target carried Norma Kamali instead, I always have a much more pleasant shopping experience there.
I remember Norma's line OMO from the 1980's, very unstructured, with enormous shoulder pads, I adored it all! I have just about given up on giant shoulder pads and freakishly big hair coming back in to fashion.

Dresses

All dresses from J. Crew
Thanks to our lovely First Lady, I have had such a hankering to go dress shopping. It seems like the perfect attire for our vacation next week. I am hoping a dress, will lessen the schlubby, midwestern, tourist vibe I give off.

More Lovely Illustrations

These are the beautiful illustrations of
Eduardo Garcia Benito, 1891-1981

I want to live in this world!

Don't you love these?

Gorgeous!

I haven't found any of these magazines at the flea market yet! My fantasy is that I am at the estate sale of an old fashionista, and she kept all of her fashion magazines in dry boxes, in a non-weird smelling basement. A girl can dream, can't she?

Marcel Vertes

Snuff was a men's cologne that came in this beautiful glass pipe,

inspired by René Magritte’s painting,
Ceci N'est Pas Une Pipe

I love this vintage collection of Marcel Vertes illustrations for Elsa Schiaparelli. Isn't this a lovely collection?

Marcel Vertes (1895-1961)
" Twentieth century painter, printmaker and illustrator, Marcel Vertes moved from his native Hungary to Paris during the First World War. Living and working in the famous Latin Quarter, Vertes quickly established himself as one of the most important artists of the Paris scene, thus continuing in the footsteps of Boutet, Forain, Toulouse-Lautrec and others. The art of Marcel Vertes was at its peak during the vibrant and somewhat wild decade of the 1920’s. Concentrating upon scenes of Paris street life, portrayals of women and depictions of circus and cabaret acts, Vertes left a legacy of original lithographs and drawings that superbly capture the spirit of 1920’s Paris." kavanaughgallery.com

Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) Italian-born fashion designer who established an important couture house in Paris. She was famous for her Surrealist fashions of the 1930s and for her witty accessories, such as a purse in the shape of a telephone.

How Much?

Lulu bought a pair of Levi's 501 Boyfriends Jeans this weekend. These may be the cutest jeans ever! As cute as they are, I was shocked at how much Levi's cost today, $79.00 for a pair of 501's!
I remember wearing Levi's red tagged 501's when I was in high school, over 100 years ago. On the days I wanted to breath, Levi's were a great alternative to Calvin Klein Jeans. I am guessing that Levi's cost about 15 cents back then. I'm feeling kind of Grampa-ish.

Swim Dress

A belted turtleneck swimsuit...adorable!

Swim tight and shoes, why not?

The perfect swimsuit length.

My swimsuit role model, Esther Williams
Check out some of her cute swimsuits available online

I wonder why the swim dress fell out of favor?

I have to go bathing suit shopping and I am hoping to find something akin to a waterproof kaftan. How I yearn for the days of swim dresses, wool tights and shoes! I'm sure swimming in full dress is not a terrifically easy task, but I'm willing to give it a try.

Wallflower

Isn't this a lovely photo? If you remove the gigantic bow this dress would look perfectly modern today. I am also curiously drawn to the enormous floral print on the wallpaper.
Would design icon Sister Parish approve?

Clara Bow

I decided this morning that I had angry looking eyebrows, they appeared too pointy in the center instead of graceful arches. I went to town on my poor brows and I now have two red stripes where my eyebrows once were. When the swelling and redness goes down, I am wondering what I will do up there. Could I pull off a tubby middle aged Clara Bow look? Nope. During these dreadful economic times I may offer up my former eyebrow space to advertisers.
I just recovered from last weeks beard rash. I tried a sample of face cream last Sunday and developed a rash wherever I had applied it, unfortunately it was on my cheeks, chin and above my lip. I looked like I had a beard made out of rash. I guess it's a good thing that we only have 3 hours of daylight during the winter months.

Irving Penn

I love the coat and she's working those brows!

I could use a little face netting, let's bring this back in to style!

Mama needs a round patent leather purse.

These photos were taken by Irving Penn over 60 years ago. If I did not look like such a schlump, I would try to emulate these styles now, I think they would look so modern today! I am going to get the darkest matte red lipstick and liquid eyeliner first thing in the morning.

What Not To Wear

I am turning my attention to my very pitiful wardrobe this week, it consists of black shirts, black pants and khaki pants. A few years ago I wanted to change things up so I switched from black shirts to gray, that didn't last very long. Johnny Cash would tell me to add a little color to my wardrobe. I recently participated in a marketing project for a department store, I was given a gift card with $200.00 on it and I was instructed to buy something for myself. I know most people couldn't buy a pair of pants for $200.00, I bought black pants,black shirt, black jacket, a little black purse and boots. It was a bit embarrassing to reveal that I could be outfitted from head to toe for 200 bucks! I realized that I never buy quality pieces for myself. I have embraced the dumpy Mom uniform and I need to find style again.

Style Icon

Louise Brooks is the perfect style icon. Cool clothes and that excellent bob, she would look perfectly modern today and this photo is from 1928. My daughter actually has this exact haircut, she is so lucky to have straight hair and a normal size head! I have always had a fondness for Louise's wide leg trouser pants with the waist that starts just under the rib cage. These were in style for about five minutes in the 1980s,
thanks to Morris Day and the Time.
If you haven't seen the silent German film Pandora's Box, you should try to find it. I guarantee you will marvel at her clothes and the beautiful furniture. The added bonus is her cute name in the film, LuLu!!!