Just a quick Friday skip around the magical internet, where I’ve found some things sure to amuse you this chilly Friday.
First of all, fitting with the approach of Halloween next week (hope you have your candy ready for the little ones!) are these ads for a Danish men’s clothier featuring Christopher Walken as a rather unusual tailor. Of the three, the last is my favourite:
And every seamstress laughs, saying, “If only!” (Pressing is my least favourite part of sewing, by several miles at least.)
For my fellow design buffs are these gorgeous and carnival-coloured examples of chromatic wood type from 1874’s Specimens of Chromatic Wood Type, Borders, Etc., featured at Bibliodyssey (those following along on Pinterest have already seen a couple). Blogger Peacay has posted several of these confections for the eye, and I’m sure you’re going to enjoy looking at them.
Luscious colours, aren’t they?
From the very sweet and lovely Jessica at Chronically Vintage we have a sort of niche-interest post, but one I think is worth sharing both because as a woman who “dresses vintage” daily I agree with her, and because of the thoughtful, genial conversation happening in the comments (a rare thing on the internet, even amongst those simply discussing fashion).
My face is tear-stained and haggard—it was our final day at our beloved home in WV before moving to Ohio for Hubby’s new job—but here I am in an 80s-pretending-to-be-40s dress. Having the right dog adds to the vintage style, too!
The post is about “1980s does 40s & 50s” fashion, apparel made during 80s that was very clearly inspired by the WWII and postwar years (told you it was niche!) and the advantages of the more recently-made pieces.
As she notes, there is actually some snobbery about this, but unless you sit around looking pretty all day, newer items made in a vintage style make a lot more sense. As someone who spends her weekends dragging her hem in the dirt while shooting classic cars and being chased by ticks through abandoned motels, I agree 5,000%. Also, once a gal knows her style and what’s era-appropriate, she can even occasionally find brand-new dresses that fit her favourite decade. Far better to ruin something new than an actual, and often expensive, piece of wearable history. I’ve a few frocks from Dress Barn, of all places, that people mistake for real vintage all the time! (Or sew from vintage patterns. There are all kinds of ways around the increasingly high price of vintage clothing!)
You also get to see some of Jessica’s own outfits that look “true vintage” but are actually just 80s vintage—she does such a great job, and as I pointed out, it’s not just the accessories but the manner of the woman dressing that lends or destroys a sense of authenticity. Obviously not everyone cares how “authentic” they appear, but food for thought.
That picture of me at our old home with its 50s wonderfulness and overflowing garden I’d worked so hard on makes me sad even if it does fit the story, so here: Me, with none other than Will Rogers, in Claremore on 66! That is the Dress Barn dress Hubby insisted I buy. Probably not an accurate colourway, but I like it. (Also: It doesn’t wrinkle, making it PERFECT for road trips, perfect!)
That Will Rogers sure is a nice fella!
Finally, do you find yourself unable to take a holiday this year? Fear not: You can vacation vicariously through your stuffed animals! No joke.
The Japan-based travel service is operated by 38 year old Sonoe Azuma, who came up with the idea after running a blog based upon the imagined lives of her own stuffed animals. Her reasoning behind the strange travel service? Living vicariously through inanimate objects actually makes you feel like you’re on a vacation yourself.
…a 2009 Cambridge, UK medical study concluded that living vicariously through others can actually be as satisfying as completing a task yourself.
Unagi Travel offers the stuffed animal vacations for prices that range anywhere between $20 and $55 depending on the destination, and toy travelers have so far visited destinations as varied as Boston, Hollywood, and London.
Another brilliant idea I ought to have come up with myself. (Though we’d probably have to send a few collie and kitty toys, not having any stuffed animals ourselves that I know of.) There’s even a Facebook page where you can see how other people’s stuffed animals are enjoying their vacation.
Speaking of cats, now we have a fair idea of how cats see the world. And since it is almost Halloween, I know many of you will find this article about taking good pictures on Halloween very helpful—it’s a good read for any low-light situation, really.
I hope at least one of these links made you smile today, setting you up for a great weekend.
Victory Rolls and V8s 