I'm looking back at this last year and wondering what it all meant. Wondering how the choices that I made will play out in the coming days. Wondering if any of it will matter this time next year.
I've made some great decisions (go ahead and start that business) and followed them with some not so great ones (why did I think I could strain that through pantyhose?).
Many of you have followed me through this journey on this blog and the one I closed in the middle of the year. I thank you for sticking with me through the changes. Some of you were just bored and others couldn't look away...kinda like a train wreck. Admit it.
So...what am I really thinking? Well, what were the best things I learned in 2012? Here is the list:
You cannot strain home made hair setting lotion through control top pantyhose.
It is totally possible to stick your eye shut with eyelash glue.
Small dogs do hold grudges.
Bandaids still fix everything (even a broken hearted 16 yr old).
Sometimes, a good cry is all you really need.
Red lipstick makes you invincible.
Walking with a cane is hard but, not walking at all is far worse.
My husband can totally tell when I substitute even a pinch of sugar with Splenda...and he hates it.
Getting my degree was awesome...getting the next one will be epic.
Being me is not as bad as I once thought.
Wine makes everything better.
The meaning of life boils down to two things, bobby pins and butter.
So, this list seems pretty trivial, huh. I've learned many more lessons. The best though is this:
As long as I stay true to myself and speak the truth with love, everything will work out in time.
Not an easy lesson to learn, but one that I think is important.
Thanks for hanging out with me this year.
I plan to blog more, hit the thrift stores hard, and open a vintage hat store. 2013, you are going to be a busy year!
So today was my 6th anniversary! I'm thankful to be married to a wonderful man. Even more thankful that he still loves me in my present condition. That condition, besides the ankle issue, is fat. I got fat. No two ways about it.
So, I'm a huge advocate for being comfortable in your own skin. Yes, I love me the way I am but...I know I could be a better me. So here it goes. I've made the choice, done a huge amount of research, and I'm on it.
What am I talking about? Beachbody. Wanna find out more? Well, check out this link: click here.
Is is going to work? Well, just watch me. I'm so totally committed to this that I actually posted my current picture...a horrible, fat roll revealing one. That, my friends, that will be my before. Just wait until you see my after. I'm doing Slim in 6 and using Shakeology. Check it out. What have you got to lose...maybe some love-handles?
So my family is a little odd...ok we are very odd. My sisters and I had the privilege of growing up over seas and the customs there that surround the holidays are quite different. Well, so were/are we.
The anticipation of Christmas was almost unbearable. Counting the days until Christmas eve. Wondering what Santa would bring. (Yes, we believed in Santa but we knew the true meaning of Christmas). Sometimes, things are just too hard to wait for. We had to have reason to be excited for the days before Christmas. Christmas eve was a big one. Woo hoo! It whas THE night! Well, we felt that we needed to have something more the day before Christmas eve.
Children have an interesting perspective. We thought of the build up in a linear, orderly fashion. What came before eve...ADAM! No concept of the word not being a name. Kids, their brains work on a totally different level. So, out of our excitement, Christmas Adam was born.
Every year it is a competition to see who will be the first to wish the family a Merry Christmas Adam on December 23rd. Weird? Yes. Tradition, it sure is in this family. I sent text messages to my sisters this year and called my mother. I won. Last year, my youngest sister beat me to it.
My kids understand Christmas Adam. The fully embrace the fact that their mom and their aunts are weirdos. It's Christmas, Christmas Adam to be precise.
My weird and wonderful family wish you the very merriest of Christmas Adam's and hope that the holiday season is filled with love, laughter and light.
My sisters and I in the "pool" Sometime late 70's Korea
What the heck is a pomander? This is a pomander...and orange and clove one. It smells fantastic and lasts for ages.
They aren't difficult to make. Stud an orange with whole cloves. There are so many variations.
The scent is lovely and lasts and lasts. This easy little craft will keep your home fresh and is a lovely home made vintage touch!
What vintage touches do you add to your holiday decor?
Hello again! It's been a little while since I last posted. So many things have happened in the last weeks and I've been trying to wrap my head around them. Today, I'm not posting anything vintage or vintage related. I need to speak from my heart on the events of the last few days.
I have stepped away from my personal page on Facebook because I really got tired of all the whining and negativity. I'm active on the fan page and one other page I moderate. I haven't turned on the news, just music to keep things upbeat. My stress levels have been at an all time high causing my pain levels to follow. So, that being said, I was spending a lovely afternoon editing some video for the Youtube page when my sister called to tell me to turn on the news. There had been a shooting at an elementary school and she wanted me to pray.
I turned on the news and saw what most of us around the nation and the world were seeing. I had no words. With my sister on the phone all I could repeat as she spoke was "Jesus, Name of God". No, not swearing. Calling on the name of my Savior.
In the hours that followed I have found myself on my face on the floor weeping and pouring my heart out in prayer. No words, I don't even know what to pray, but my heart has cried out in a way I don't think it ever has before not only for the families in Newtown, but those in China who also had an attack on little children only five hours before the tragedy in Newtown.
Thankfully, I'm still staying Facebook free as far as my personal page goes, except for posting my support and prayers for the families. I knew what was going to happen next, People would lose sight of the real tragedy and focus on agendas such as gun control.
This isn't about gun control. Talk about that later. This is about grieving. This is about the families that will have an empty stocking hung on their mantle in the coming weeks. Unopened presents under the tree. An empty place at the breakfast table. This is about arms reaching out to hold a child who isn't there and will never be there.
I cannot begin to imagine the emptiness, the pain. I know, in my heart, that the last thing I would be thinking of today is gun control laws. Only the devastating silence that replaces the voice of a slain child.
I don't want to talk of gun control.
I want to pour out my soul and my heart to these families. Tell them I cannot know what you are going through. I know the words "I'm sorry" are empty and useless. I have no words. I will grieve with you. I will hold you sacred and hold your name in my heart when I go to prayer. I will pray that in time, you will find peace. That somehow, the sting of death will ease and you will only remember the good times and place the pain away only to be visited in times you seek comfort. I pray that no matter what your faith, you will be comforted by the Great Comforter. Healed by the Great Healer, held by the Everlasting Arms.
I pray for this nation and for the world. A world that seems to be crying out for help and for hope. How can we effectively change things when we go about change with anger and confrontation? I choose to love and to understand. To embrace the differences and know that the common bond in our world is not love, it is pain. We all hurt. Then we must enter into this world, this nation, this neighborhood with love, light and healing. Through tears, I choose to be the gentle voice, the understanding heart, the listening ear.
I cannot undo this agony. None of us can. We can, choose to love and focus on being that love.
Natalie Grant sang a song that I will link here that says it so much better than I ever could. "We are asking, why this happens, to us who have died to live, it's unfair. This is what it means, to be held, how it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life and you've survived. This is what it is, to be loved, and to know, that the promise was when everything fell we'd be held."
My heart is shattered. Even so, it is nothing compared to those of the families directly affected. I'm not going to focus on what should have, could have been done. I choose to focus on sending love, hope, and prayers to those who are so broken.
I posted this on my Facebook group today and wanted to share it with your here....
It's
Thursday again! The weeks are flying by! Not too long now and the
Holiday Season will be in full swing! The happiest time of the....what?
Who said that? Well they lied. We, as women, know that the holidays
mean STRESSSSSSSSSS. You know what? Most of it is stress we bring on
ourselves. If you didn't nearly kill yourself this year making
everything "perfect" what would happen? Well the world would come to a
screeching hault, that's what. WRONG! Let me tell you a little
secret...If you don't spend 40 million hours planning and prepping the
perfect holiday feast complete with all the obligatory decor and
instead, set a simple but lovely table and gather your family....nobody
is going to say "wow, the food was great but where were the 32 origami
elf napkins and the reindeer ice sculpture that has a gumdrop fountain?
gee...Christmas is ruined." I promise. We need to cut ourselves
some slack. Things do not need to be magazine cover perfect. If one
of your knives doesn't match...nobody will notice...only you...and you
will freak...for what??? A non matching knife? Oh that everyone's
troubles were that severe. This isn't the season of perfection. I
read the book and I'm telling you, it says NOTHING about things having
to be perfect. Wanna know what it does say...here goes: There were shepherds. (These guys bathe once a year, even if they think they don't need it).
There were wise men. (These guys took forever getting where they were
going because they wouldn't ask for directions but hey, they did have a
star). There was no room at the inn. (The no vacancy sign was flashing hard). There was a stable. (Not the lovely cleaned ones you see on movies and on tv). There was a manger. (Those things are covered in horse/cow/grazing animal slobber. They really are.)
There was perfection. THAT was perfection. That was where the Prince of
Peace was born. He isn't asking for tinsel and perfect center pieces.
He looks at the mess you are and says, this is where I want to be.
Stop stressing. Stop putting unrealistic goals in your own head.
Perfection isn't the perfect decoration or the perfect wrapping on a
store bought gift. Perfection is easy. It is stress free. It is the
beautiful mess that is and was and always will be where God chooses to
meet us.
Now, go start your holiday madness...but remember...the Prince of Peace was born in a manger.....not a palace.
Those of you who have been following me for a while know that I love all things vintage. Well, I want to share a fantastic shop with you where you can pick up something vintage and delicate and lovely for your home. Let me tell you about it.
LizzieB Vintage makes my heart smile for so many reasons. Firstly, the shop is located in Northern Ireland. My mother was born and raised in Northern Ireland and I have a very large family there. Anything from "the old country" feels like home to me.
Secondly, just look at the items!!!!! Sometimes you come across a vintage store that sells nothing but garbage. Not this time boy! These items are such good quality and so beautifully presented.
Thirdly, THEY SHIP INTERNATIONALLY!!! That is a huge deal to me. Sometimes I get to a shop that says "no international shipping". This makes my heart very unhappy when I've found something I just MUST have. This shop really makes my heart happy.
So who and what and where? Well, lets start with what she has to say on her facebook page:
Isn't this lovely!
"Welcome to LizzieB Vintage. We make and sell a wide range of vintage,
antique and shabby chic items including; Vintage china, jewellery,
linen, baskets & homewares and so much more. Our ethos is to
rediscover the beauty of vintage. As Granny always used to say "they
don't make them like they used to". We believe that vintage is timeless
and our gifts will grace any modern home with a charm and beauty that is
synonymous with the classic quality of yesteryear. NEW Studio open
Tullynacross Road, Lambeg, Lisburn Northern Ireland. Open Friday 9-12,
Saturday 9-1pm and Sunday 1 - 5pm. All other times by appointment only.
Please call 07872163272 for details x"
Really, could it get any better? Oh but wait...let me show you what she sells...
Um yes please!
Lovely vintage lace!
So much more to explore. Folks, please, please, please check out her shop. Honestly, she has some of the most lovely things I have seen in a while! Check her out on facebook and go to her etsy shop as soon as you can...like now...go on...I'll wait.
Nope, I'm not in any way affiliated with this shop, not charging for blogging, I just love, love, love what she has. Have you got a vintage business that you would like me to check out? Drop me a line. I'll check you out and blog about it. For now, treat yourself to something vintage from LizzieB Vintage. You are worth it and you will be so glad you did!
I noticed a few things about my youtube and blog this week. As most of you know I had a combined give-away with Katie. We both had a huge influx of subscribers and were rather shocked by that. Well, the contest ended and I see several people have "unsubscribed". Hey, no problem. It's to be expected. The other thing I noticed is how many stayed! Far more people have stayed than have left and I want you to know, that is such a great thing. I know that many of you are really supportive and have really interacted with me both here and on youtube. My loyal followers are so important to me and I just want to say thank you. In fact....I am planning a give-away that will only be open to current subscribers in the very near future. Something exclusive just for you, a way for me to say thank you.
Stay tuned and after the holidays, I will announce what I'm going to be giving away. Who knows, I may get someone else to collaborate with me and it could be a bigger prize!
Again, all my love and thanks. You guys make my day so much brighter!
Milk of magnesia, it is not just a laxative any more. Seriously, do you have makeup that goes shiny half way through the day? My foundation does that and I hate it. Constantly having to "powder your nose". Well, I have found the solution! Check it out! I also want you to check out the original video that I found this tip from. The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmeYRJL4Uug
Let me know what you think and again, much love to you!
xoxo Sharon
Ladies, I want to extend an invitation to you to join Lambda Nu Alpha Sorority. We are currently recruiting in the US only. Hopefully we will be able to open it up Internationally very soon! Please check out the video!
Face masks. You can buy them almost everywhere. They are made of mud, clay, oats, polymers, almost anything you can think of. Well, I have one that I absolutely love. It does the trick on any skin type. I find it firms and moisturizes just as well as the ones you buy in the store.
Here is what you will need:
A towel
Hot Water
Olive Oil
Honey
Oats.
Check out the video and see how easy this is to make and try for yourself to see how well it works.
Hello lovelies! I just wanted to post real quick and let you know that I will be back up and running after the holiday. Thanksgiving requires so much prep! Whew! I'm beat...although all we are doing is having dinner made for us and brought in this year. I'm unable to stand for more than five minutes at a time so my darling husband is having dinner brought in. Gotta love that man.
Anyway. There are a few days left to get in on the give-away! Make sure you run over to my channel and check it out. Here is the link.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and good luck in the give away!
Hello darlings! Glad you stopped by again! Today I'm going to go over a tip I blogged about a while ago, lip scrubs. I love lipstick. It's my favorite cosmetic product and I hate when it sticks to the little cracks and chapped skin on my lips. Half the time I think my lips are are in good shape only to find out they aren't when I slap on some gorgeous red. Well, here is how to combat that.
I've decided to do a series on things you can do at home to look younger. Just little things that make a real difference.
Today, I'm posting part one. Younger hands!
You will need:
Salt
Hand lotion
A bowl
A spoon
A towel.
Here we go!
So, why do our hands age so quickly? We do everything with our hands. Not all of us can afford to go to the salon for manicures and, we really don't take care of our hands like we should. They show fine lines and wrinkles too! Your hands can really be a dead give-away for your age. Try this once or twice a week. If you feel that the salt is really drying. Rinse them and re-apply some lotion when you are done. Make sure you wear gloves when you wash dishes. Keep your cuticle trimmed and your nails filed. You don't have to be wearing polish as long as you keep your nails clean. Olive oil is a great moisturizer for dry cuticles!
So...it's that time again! I have joined forces with KateXChampane on youtube to do a two part give away! For my part...lipsticks! One winner will get a package of at least 5 lipsticks in shades of red and from Kate...you have to check out her video to see what she is doing. Her video will be uploaded soon.
So, how do you enter? Well, you have to subscribe to both our youtube channels. You have to leave a comment on each. For mine, tell my what your favorite lotion for the winter is. For hers...she will have the details in her upcoming video.
Leaving a video comment gets you entered twice. Subscribing to my blog gets you entered three times! Here is my video with the link to her channel:
The copy reads: A woman needs two deodorants there are certain times when the most fastidious woman feels the need of added protection against offending. During hot weather, after the menstrual period or times of emotional stress, to name a few. A lysol douche gives you protection against the very germs that cause offensive odors. And Lysol is so gentle it won't harm delicate tissues. For the confidence that comes from being REALLY sure, try new Lysol for your feminine hygiene needs today.
I feel the need to puke now.
This one is equally disturbing. I only could stomach part of the copy:
"She was guilty of "ONE NEGLECT" that mars many marriages "LYSOL" helps avoid this."
I'm totally scared for life with this last one:
This is just part of what the copy says: A man marries a woman because he loves her. So instead of blaming him if married love begins to cool, she should question herself. Is she truly trying to keep her husband and herself eager, happy married lovers? One most effective way to safeguard her dainty feminine allure is by practicing complete feminine hygiene as provided by vaginal douches with a scientifically correct preparation like "Lysol"...
Oh the horror! Ladies, be glad we know better now!
So, how do I make it stay on? Lipstick gets on everything but my lips. I finally found the solution but...it was an obvious one. How did I miss this? Blot your lips! It helps the color stay on your lips and not transfer to everything else.
Fur. Just the word is enough to set off a huge argument is certain situations. People have extremely strong views on the wearing of animal hides. Personally, I don't wear new furs. Yes, I said it. New furs. This may cause some extreme reactions. I'm willing to take that chance and to step outside of my comfort zone and make my case.
I wear faux fur. I love it. I love the way it looks, the way it feels and the way people stop and give me that "is she wearing a real fur" look. I've had some rather ugly comments made to me when wearing the coat my husband bought for me several years ago.
When we were first married, my husband bought me a beautiful, machine washable, reversible "mink" and shearling jacket. Totally faux but it was so convincing. Last week he bought me a full length "mink and chinchilla" coat. This thing is the softest and warmest coat I have ever owned. I love it.
Yes, I have had some people tell me that wearing faux is like saying it's ok and that it may encourage others to wear the real thing. Frankly, I don't see it. I think that is like saying "if you eat a veggie burger you might encourage a vegetarian to eat real meat." Ummmm....no.
I also feel that wearing vintage fur is ok. It's here, it has been around for many, many years and if you choose to wear it, it's ok. It is a part of our history. What would you do? Dispose of it? Not me. I will honor it and wear it but will be sure to inform those that want to know that it is an old piece that was not farmed and that it came from a time when we were very ignorant about animal rights and protection. I do not endorse any new fur farming and harvesting techniques.
That being said, I wait for the barrage of hell fire that will inevitably follow. I don't have any vintage furs right now. I don't plan on going out and buying them in the near future. I just understand that there are those who feel the way I do. This is something that happened in the past. I have several friends who own such pieces and have said that taking care of these items and loving them somehow makes them feel as though the animal is remembered. I think that is ok. That is just my opinion.
I love the look. I love the feel. I choose to wear faux. Some of the new faux pieces on the market are so convincing it is hard to tell the difference at first glance or touch. Wow! The technology is incredible. If wearing faux fur offends you, don't do it. Just don't attack those who do enjoy it. I find it odd that people seem to think it is ok to attack others based on their personal choices. The very same people who have had strong opinions about my love of faux fur have also been quite militant when their own lifestyle choices are questioned. They don't want anyone stepping on their rights to eat, live, dress, love, worship. or vote in a particular way. Why then do they feel they have the right to step on my rights? Rather contradictory if you ask me. I don't get all bent out of shape that you don't eat or worship or dress the way I do, what gives you the right to get crazy that I wear fake animal fur and go to a particular place of worship? I'm amused by this, then I'm offended. I understand having strong views and opinions. I have them too. I just don't choose to push them down your throat.
Why am I writing about this today? I suppose I just want to state my case. I want to make my point. I love certain things, you don't have to. The same people who claim to hate bullying will attack others for their choices. That's bullying. I love faux fur, I also have an appreciation for vintage fur. Before you get really ugly with me, stop and think, are you expressing your opinion or are you being a bully? I can and will respect your opinion and your point of view, I won't respect being bullied (bring it on, I'm not easily intimidated and do not respond well to those who try).
It's getting colder. My new coat will make it's debut soon. Love it or hate it, its my choice. For those of you who really love faux...I have some really great news...if you want a full length piece at an extremely affordable price, I know where to get it! Send me a message and I'll shoot you the links. (I said links not lynx so calm down.)
Nope that's not the coat and it's certainly not me. It is a faux piece and it is affordable and it is beautiful. No, I don't get a kick back for showing it. I just think it's lovely.
Whatever your personal choices are today, have a good day. I hope it's warm, soft and beautiful.
Back in the 40's fabric and clothing became extremely difficult to get. The war had everyone on shoe string budgets. Girls couldn't go buy a few yards of fabric and whip up a dress nor could they run to their favorite shop and buy a pretty new frock. So what was a girl to do? Well, you could pull a Scarlet O'Hara and use your curtains...or you could swap clothes!
In some places clothing was rationed!!! Can you imagine? So....what if....we had a swap? I have some pieces, some vintage style and some not. Houseware, clothing, jewelry....how about a trade?
If you are interested, head on over to the facebook page and check out the swap photo album. Seriously, no charge, just postage. If I have something you want let me know. If you have something you want to put up for trade, post it! This could be really fun!
I love finger waves. The problem is that my fingers don't want to cooperate with my hair. When I try to do them with regular clips or pins and my fingers, chaos ensues. How totally annoying! So, in my regular way, I found an easy solution for me. It may not have exactly the same effect but it's close enough for me.
What you will need:
1. Setting lotion. I choose to use the flax seed home made setting lotion. There is a blog post on how to make that.
2. A comb.
3. Wave clips.
4. A few bobby pins
I also use Argan Curl Defining Creme to keep my hair from getting frizzy but you don't have to use that. I will say that finger waves are far easier in curly or wavy hair and this curl defining creme really helps with that. Check out my youtube channel for my review on this product.
I have spent the day at home today, lots of pain and just trying to cope with a whole lot of health issues. I honestly was having quite a pity party for myself. That stopped quick.
My darling husband went to run some errands (he has Friday's off). When he returned to his sniveling wife he came in bearing gifts. Oh the joy! I swear I'm worse than a little kid. Give me a box wrapped in packing tape and I'm yours.
The first box I opened was my Blossom of the Month (BOM) from belleblossoms.com and I have to tell you, these monthly boxes are like getting Christmas every single month. No spoilers here for those of you who are waiting for yours. All I am going to say is HOLY WOW HEATHER! She did it again. Just when I think I could not possibly love a hair flower more, she sends another fantastic piece! How she does it I just don't know. This lifted a whole lot of the gloom and doom from my day.
Box number two...it was obvious what it was because it was something he picked up for me at the store...the lovely, wonderful hair and hair products store here in town....he bought me a hood dryer. You would think he brought me a fist full of diamonds. I have wanted a good dryer for EVER. I hate wet setting rollers at night only to find one or two are still damp in the morning throwing off my "do". NO MORE! I HAVE BEEN RELEASED!
He bought me this one...excuse the poor quality of my excited picture taking:
The high heat setting isn't kidding. It's roughly the temperature of a turkey roaster within about three minutes. The medium setting is fantastic. The timer function is a must AND the cool setting for about five minutes at the end of your time sets those curls in tight!
Of course I tried it. I didn't care that my hair was basically done...even if I'm sniveling around at home....
Don't you love the tiny glimpse of me peeking around the box....Such a great photographer!
Anyway, if you want to see the BOM there is a video of the "unboxing" on the facebook page.
I'm telling you...BOM is addictive.
Turning a bad day into a good one doesn't take much...just a couple of boxes. Both of them delivered with a huge heart and a hug! I really feel like BOM comes with a hug in each box. Thanks Heather and thanks Dave. You two made my day!
I've had a few comments about my videos lately that say some of you are looking for styles for longer hair. Since I can't grow my hair out overnight, I can use clip in extensions.
I love my clip-ins. Currently, I am using Remi Platinum Series 14inch Clip In extensions. They are fantastic. I love real hair extensions, the synthetic looks way too obvious when I use those.
Here is a video on a quick style you can do with longer hair.
I didn't do a fully authentic "Gibson Girl" look. This is modified in order to be quick and easy. Excuse me not having make-up on...you may want to keep small children away so they aren't permanently scarred.
Ok, so, you who follow this know how atrocious the lighting in my videos is. It's ok, I won't be offended. I know. Its horrible. Not having any experience and just sort of doing this for my own amusement I really wasn't too worried about it. Until now that is. All of a sudden I feel the need to be well lit.
So, I do what every good rookie does and I google "studio lighting" "cheap studio lighting" and a whole list of other versions of the same thing. The same thing that translates to : I am too broke to buy anything more than a tea light so show me how to do this without mortgaging a kidney.
What did I find? Well, there are some lovely sites out there that will sell you a full studio set for the low low price of $698 but they do throw in free shipping. What? I said cheap, not rent payment! So I kept searching. I found a few other suggestions. One of them included lanterns. Yes, paper lanterns. They diffuse light really well, or at least they are reported to because I sure didn't check them out. I would love to but I'm not sure my long suffering husband wants to live in an apartment that looks like a Chinese restaurant where something went horribly, horribly wrong.
I opted for a work light. You know, the kind used by construction workers. They produce a heck of a lot of light. Don't look into the light....seriously. They also heat up to a temperature that is roughly that of the surface of the sun within a millisecond. This is harsh light. Currently I'm playing around with it and have found if I bounce the light of the wall opposite me it works. Another suggestion is to place it behind a frosted shower curtain. Make sure it isn't close enough to melt but it does diffuse the light.
My videos and photos are not beautifully lit yet but, they are a million times better and this alternative was relatively inexpensive. The light cost about $15.
So I'm still working on this. As with all things this is a work in progress. I don't ever intend to be some video or photo professional. I really don't have the desire to make everything look totally professional. This is, after all, my vintage INSANITY.
Some of the bloggers and vloggers I follow suggest a daylight bulb. I found that didn't really work for me. I suppose that may be because I am the same color as liquid paper. Incandescent bulbs...we just won't go there. So far, the good old work light seems to be my best bet. Just must remember that it is HOT.
What lighting do you use? Do you bother at all? Please, don't tell me you have a studio that is flooded with beautiful, natural light. I may say bad words at you.
Lighting...the eternal quest continues...but it's gonna take a pit stop here with my work lamp. I think I will name him Merv.
I know, I know. I've done a pin curl video before. Well, someone, several someones, asked me to do another one and demystify them a little.
Pin curls do seem to be terrifying for some people. My very first attempt had me nearly wishing I had shaved my head. Then, after watching some fantastic "how to" videos by some great gals on youtube, I started to get the hang of it. Now, it's almost second nature.
So what exactly is a pin curl? Lets start with your hair. Your hair is elastic. Did you know that? Ok not like a rubber band or the band in your underwear but it is elastic just the same. If you take one of your hairs and gently stretch it you will see it has some give then goes right back to it's original form. Weird, huh? So if its elastic, we can bend it and form it without kinking or breaking it (unless you have extremely dry hair. If it just snaps or breaks you need to see your hairdresser). So, with the help of some setting lotion to hold the shape we want, we are gonna get some serious curl.
A pin curl is just a rolled section of your hair, pinned to your head and set in place to dry. They look complicated but I promise you they aren't. In the video, I will show you the easiest "cheat" method I have found to form your curls.
I don't worry that my sections are EXACTLY the same or that they are perfectly lined up. After all, this is My Vintage INSANITY not My Vintage Perfection and Order. That, I'm sure, is another blog somewhere. This is the method that works for me and gives me the vintage styles I want. Easy, doable, non-frightening.
You will need a couple of things:
Towel dried hair
Setting lotion of your choice
Smoothing lotion if you want to add a little shine and keep those fly aways to a minimum
Lots of bobby pins
A mascara tube or other such cylinder (not tapered)
A hair net, snood, bandana, or other such thing to protect your pin curls while they set, unless you prefer the free range method
A sense of humor
I encourage you to check out Lisa Freemont Street on youtube and facebook, you need to check out Katiexchampaigne on youtube as well!
Once you have those things, grab some coffee/tea/wine/whatever and sit down with me and let's get pin curling shall we?
(If you'd like to see the comb out/brush out it will be available on my youtube channel.)
So I had a thought. No, it didn't hurt (well not much). Between the blog, youtube channel and facebook page, Vintage Insanity has some great people hanging with me. I thought, now this might scare some of you, but I thought it would be awesome to put together a calendar. No, not everyone is comfortable with pin up poses, heck, my lumpiness sure isn't, but we all rock a vintage, rockabilly, psychobilly, what have you, look. I think they are all beautiful. I want to celebrate that with a calendar. I think it would be so much fun.
What do you think folks? Are you game? I think everyone deserves to be featured in a calendar. I don't want to hear," I'm not good looking, thin, whatever enough". I honestly think we are all perfect in our own way. So again, are you game?
Leave me a comment or send me a message. You can always email to vintageinsanityblog@gmail.com
Yup, I'm gonna talk about underwear. You heard me right. In fact, I'm actually going to talk
about it. Go ahead, don't be scared, watch the video. Yes, it's a long
one, but one you might just like...I show you my girdle!!! Hee hee.
Ok so, if you for some reason can't or won't watch, I'll tell you.
There are times that we really feel like we can't wear ANYTHING nice
because we look lumpy, bumpy, or puffy in our clothes. Well so did
grandma! Her solution? A good girdle. Yup. We need 'em. My
preference is explained and actually shown in the video.
What we need to keep in mind is, we look our best when we are properly
dressed. That means wearing our correct size. WHAT? I just said I
wear a girdle and now I'm talking about my correct size? That makes no
sense...oh yes it does. Girdles, aka "body shapers" are not meant to
make you smaller, they are meant to smooth you out. No lumpy thighs, no
muffin top. Get it? Good. Now, nobody is going to look at the tag in
the back of your dress to see what size you wear. It's just not gonna
happen. AND when you wear your correct size you look slimmer. Nothing
is less attractive than a girl squeezed in to her clothes. Well, I guess
if you like the look of a bursting sausage then....anyway.
Smaller clothes don't make you look smaller, they make you look bigger.
Grab a good body shaper and honey, show off how gorgeous you are!
I ran across this site last night and I am totally in love.. Glamour Daze has some of the most fantastic guides. They are all original and beautifully restored. I had so much fun looking at the videos and getting some fantastic tips. Now I just have to be brave enough to try them.
My biggest challenge right now is dealing with my eyebrows. Hmmm...time to take a chance and try a different shape when I get my next wax.
On this fantastic site is a link to Besame make up. It is definitely worth looking at.
Ok, so we have the hair and makeup figured out. I had to look at clothes, oh and shoes! Well, I have found some fantastic things in the last few days. One of my favorite sites was Blue Velvet Vintage. There are so many more out there! I'd love to hear about what you have discovered.
For the home...oh how I could go on and on. I really am fascinated by kitchen related items. Check out Mid Century Home Style. Decorator refrigerators? How cute is that!
Had to add a Rockabetty bag. They go with everything...even blogs!
I'm thinking I need to create a pinterest board for my vintage dream home. What would you put on yours?
~Sharon
PS: Check out these fantastic hand made bags by clicking here
I wanted to find out what women used to set their hair back in the 20's ,30's and 40's. There were several products on the market but, many of them made their lotions at home. This recipe is one that I decided to try. It is super simple and only needs two ingredients.
To make this setting lotion you will need flax seeds and water.
3/4 C. Water
1 TBS flax seed
(you can find flax seeds in your local grocery store. They usually keep them where the salad toppings are)
Bring the flax seeds and the water to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Strain out the seeds. (I tried using a piece of old stocking and it didn't work well. I bought a sieve). This will keep on the counter for one week or in the fridge for 2 weeks. You can add a drop of essential oil if you want it scented. I would use rose or lavender.
This is day two of my pin curl set. I went with victory rolls. This video features my 16 yr old daughter Abigail. She just kinda creeps through... gotta love it!
Ok so I wet set my hair in pin curls last night. Here is the video that takes you from putting in the curls to what it looked like after work...even through rain and high winds.
Enjoy. OH and I'd love some feed back on this! Anything you would like me to try?
My best friend is the yin to my yang, the light to my dark, the fire to my ice, the...ok you get it. We "complete" eachother (yes you may gag now). Anyway, she is NOT a girly girl. Never has been. She is the take no prisoners, roll up your sleeves and get it done mama. I love her.
Well, Donna has been bitten by the bug. Yes, she has started to get girly, and vintage. You have no idea the joy this brings me! She is also really brave, or she forgot how awful I am, and she sent me step by step photos of her transformation...which are now going to be used against her MUHAHAHAHAAAA lol.
So, she bought some sponge rollers and setting lotion last night and slept in her first ever roller set. I'm so proud! This morning, she decided to send me her step by step hair and make up and here it is.
Step one: Wrap your hair and rollers up to keep it out of your way and wash your face :
Step two: Primer! Donna uses Spackle by Laura Geller too. (smart woman):
Step three: Do your makeup baby!:
Step four: Take those curlers down and brush it out!:
When you look like Phyllis Diller (or so Donna says lol) then you know you got it right.
Step five: Take your fingers and play with the curls until they fall in the shape you want. Yes, really, your fingers, take little sections and reform those curls and lay them where you want them. They won't move. They don't bite.
Hot mama added a hair flower. Isn't it gorgeous?!
Step six: Get your red lipstick going! And TADA! This is my best friend looking like a hottie and I'm so proud of her. See! It's easy! You rock that look Mari...I mean Donna!
Yes, that's what I said. I washed the dishwasher. No, not just the outside, the inside. Have you got any idea what hangs out in the bottom of your dishwasher then gets sprayed all over your dishes? Trust me, you don't wanna know.
So, here is what I did. First, I took the bottom rack out of the washer. Then, I checked out the drain. This is not for the faint of heart. Noodles, weird stuff that I can't identify, and glass...yes glass. Evidently a glass broke in there and not all of it was removed. So, carefully clean around the drain. Now, if you have hard water on the sprayer arm, rub in a mixture of salt and lemon juice. No...don't drink it.
Next, put a cup of white vinegar in the top rack. Yup. Stand a cup of vinegar in the top rack. Just do it. Run the washer as hot as it will run. Half way through, dump the vinegar (and now water mixture) into the bottom of the machine and continue the cycle.
Once it is done, forget the drying, sprinkle 1/4 cup of baking soda in the bottom of the machine and run it again.
You will thank me.
You dishes will come out sooooooooooooooo much cleaner once your machine is clean and fresh!
Ok so I posted barrel curls yesterday after finding an awesome video on line from KoontzFan2 (who I still think is the cutest thing ever). So I felt inspired to do my own. Here it is. I hope you like it!
It's a humid day here. I'm annoyed because I'm still dealing with the pain in my leg from an injury two months ago. So how do I deal with it? Barrel curls! I found the best video on youtube and I decided to play. I can only sit for about ten minutes at a time before I have to move around a little so this look was the easiest and quickest for me.
Check out this fab video! I totally want a vintage hat. Anyone got one they want to part with?
Anyway, isn't she just the cutest thing ever????!!! After watching her last night I had to try it. My hair is cut with blunt bangs and is much shorter than her beautiful locks. This is what I got....
I love food. Cooking is something I pride myself in. I watch the cooking channels all the time and am totally in love with the shows that pit one chef against another.
One of the things I hear quite often is "its rather dated" or " it looks like something that would have been served at a dinner party 20 or so years ago". They say this like it's a bad thing! What happened to the art of cooking? Yes, portions were out of control in this country in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Fine dining did consist of some pretty heavy meals. But I love them. I love the artistry of them.
In the 50's the rule was "The fancier the better". Women spent hours in the kitchen preparing intricate dishes to wow their audience. We don't do that now. Who has the time? Let me tell you, you should do it just once in your life. It's really a rush.
So I don't bake well, ok so I do but not pie crust! Look at these beauties! They take quite a bit of time to make but they are a winning entry from the Pillsbury contest in 1957.
Here is the recipe:
Dough
4
to 4 1/2 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose or Unbleached Flour
1/3
cup sugar
2
teaspoons salt
2
teaspoons grated orange peel
2
pkg. active dry yeast
1
cup milk
1/3
cup margarine or butter
2
eggs
Filling
1
cup powdered sugar
1/3
cup margarine or butter, softened
1
cup filberts, pecans or walnuts, ground
Glaze
3
tablespoons sugar
1/4
cup orange juice
1
Lightly
spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, combine 2
cups of the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, salt, orange peel and yeast; mix well.
2
In
small saucepan, heat milk and 1/3 cup margarine until very warm (120 to
130°F.). Add warm liquid and eggs to flour mixture; blend at low speed
until moistened. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in
remaining 2 to 2 1/2 cups flour to form a stiff dough. Place dough in
greased bowl; cover loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise
in warm place (80 to 85°F.) until light and doubled in size, 35 to 50
minutes.
3
In
small bowl, blend powdered sugar and 1/3 cup margarine until smooth.
Stir in filberts; set aside. In second small bowl, blend glaze
ingredients; cover and set aside.
4
Grease
2 large cookie sheets. Stir down dough to remove all air bubbles. On
floured surface, roll dough to 22x12-inch rectangle. Spread filling
mixture lengthwise over half of dough. Fold dough over filling. Cut
crosswise into 1-inch strips; twist each strip 4 to 5 times. To shape
rolls, hold folded end of strip down on greased cookie sheet to form
center; coil strip around center. Tuck loose end under. Repeat with
remaining twisted strips. Cover; let rise in warm place until light and
doubled in size, 30 to 45 minutes.
5
Heat
oven to 375°F. Uncover dough. Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until light
golden brown. Brush tops of rolls with glaze. Bake an additional 3 to 5
minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheets;
cool on wire racks. Serve warm.
Whew! Almost three hours total but look at the results!
I'm inspired to start making a mid century treat at least once a week. What about you? When it comes to food, are you daring enough to try to copy a mid century masterpiece? Domestic Diva's show 'em what you got!
