The link is on the right...

Where did I get these for such an awesome price?  Click the link for ChicStar on the right hand side of this page...

Plus size VS. fat. For my body, there is a difference.

I've never been a tiny girl.  I've been larger all my life.  I stand 6' tall and have the shoulders of a line backer.  Yes, I am plus sized.  That being said, I can also be fat.  There is a difference as far as I am concerned.
When I am lean, have no extra rolls and just have an hour glass figure, I am plus sized.  Once the flab hits and I have perpetual muffin top (even when not wearing anything) I am fat.  Yes, fat.  Right now, I'm fat.  I'm not plus sized.  I'm super plus sized.  Not cool.

I love to see a woman with curves.  Healthy, beautiful curves.  Some are thicker than I am, some are not.  What bugs me is when they say "I'm not fat, I'm plus sized" when they clearly could lose at least 20lbs and be healthy.  I think we are obsessed with labels.  So, I'm no longer looking at my size as "plus" or "regular" or "miss" or whatever.  My size needs to be "healthy".  Healthy, that's defined by a few factors. 
These factors include my BMI (body mass index) which can be calculated here, my muscle tone, and my general health.  NOT once did I mention the size of my clothing.

So, I'm getting healthy.  I may always fit in the "plus" category. So what.  What I'm most concerned with is fitting in the "healthy" category.  So far, I've lost some fat and gained some muscle.  Want to see how even though I walk with a cane?  Check out the link at the top of my page.  Come get healthy with me.  Vintage looks so much nicer when it's healthy!

Swap!

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!


Our facebook page has a great bunch of folks on it.  Come join us! 


I found this while surfing around youtube.  WOW!  It's got me inspired...

Have a great day!
xoxo ~Sharon

Vintage Fashion and Beauty Archive

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

Mad about Mid Century.

So what is mid-century?  Well, the name kind of says it all.  It is anything to do with the middle of the century. There are those of us who have been fascinated with this style for years, and then there are those who have just recently fallen in love with this style.

I have to say, much of the recent interest has stemmed from TV shows such as Mad Men and Pan Am.  Both of these shows, by the way, I love.  Not for the story line or the content, but for the style.

I've loved old Hollywood for some time now.  Particularly the movies from the 40's.  Those women were the epitome of glamor to me.  Hedy Lamarr for instance.  She was so perfect.  Her hair, her style, I could go on and on.   Moving forward a decade, the space race was on.  Homes became rather "cookie cutter" but they were in love with sleek lines and anything "space age".  I cringe at the thought of some of those gadgets that were used in the kitchens.  If it was electric, it was king.

Clothing changed but not as much as one would think.  Sure, prints and colors became more vibrant.  You would expect that difference.  During the 40's, between the depression and the war such luxuries were out of the question for most women.



  Once the 50's hit, it was time to really shine.  The structure stayed very much the same with a few twists.  Tailored clothing with real structure is the common thread here.

Oh the 50's!

 Toward the end of the 50's and in to the 60's, hem lines went up but the structure was still very much there.  Not so much from the late 60's to the 70's where more bohemian styles were the rage.

Still got that style...just shorter!

So, my pick?  I love the structure of the 40's.  Those lines hugged curves and, to me, a woman was a woman. The 50's brought out fuller "swing" dresses.  I adore those. Nothing says feminine like a full skirt with a fitted bodice.  A little of both for me. 

A little of both.  Gotta love it!

Why the sudden interest in mid century clothing?  Well, I think that we got so wrapped up in industrial and androgynous looks in the 90's that women are looking to be seen as something more feminine without giving up their status as equals to men.  They are wanting to look beautiful again and to embrace their shape.  No more big shoulder pads and almost non existent hips.  We want to be seen as "girls" but girls with a take no prisoners attitude.

What is your favorite?  Leave me a comment!

~Sharon

So you want that 40's and 50's glam...

I've loved the look of "old Hollywood" and "vintage 40's and 50's" for a long time.  The problem was, how on earth to recreate it without feeling like I was wearing a costume.  There are so many sites on line that offer beautiful clothing that evoke the glamor and style of that time but how to choose?!  Well, that really depends on who you are and what you are going for. 

Rockabilly girls had it hard for a while.  There really wasn't much out there.  Not new at least.  Now, you can find fantastic stuff with just a little searching. Vibrant colors, swing dresses and wiggle dresses are available from several places.  One of my favorites is Trashy Diva.  What if you are a little more conservative?  Well, they have what you want as well.  Another great place, one that I find myself pouring over quite often, is ModCloth.

My personal taste runs to the more classic, as I have said before.  I love the strong silhouette and classic tailoring.  I've found quite a few great pieces on ebay and in etsy stores.  The thrift stores are really great for finding dresses for low prices. 

Photo by Angel Bennet Photography.

I found this one on ebay for $3!  Look for the shape you want and go for it!  Comfort is a huge must. If you don't feel good in it, don't keep it.  Check the return policy everywhere you shop.  There is nothing worse than paying for an item and then having it just take up space in your wardrobe. 

I've had several people ask me if I ever feel "weird" when I have people look at me.  Who hasn't? I can honestly say, I'm over it.  This is me.  I love the look and frankly, I get more compliments than I do insults.  Confidence goes a long way. I'm obviously a more full figured woman and I embrace that.  Show off those curves!  

Shoes are important too.  There is nothing worse than having a banging outfit but the wrong shoes.  Find your "go to" pair. I found spectator style heels at ShoeDazzle and I love them.  Seriously, would you wear rain boots with an evening gown? (ok so if you would and you can rock them go for it sister!)

So, what am I saying? 
1. Find the shape you love.
2. Be confident.  You look amazing.
3. Accessorize!
4. You don't have to spend a fortune.
5. Have fun with it. 

6. Embrace your inner old Hollywood diva!

Have a good laugh at yourself once in a while.  This is YOUR style.


*Thank you to Angel Bennet Photography.  You rock girlfriend!

~Sharon