Ann-Margret Anyone?

The moment I first laid eyes on this dress my mind immediately went to Joan from Mad Men and Ann-Margret.  I thought automatically of a 1960s bombshell.

It's only fitting that I broke out my Grandma Charlotte's sunglasses from that era also.  And why not wear my hair up like Joan and throw on some gloves?

The sweet bow detail on the shoes, though not vintage, I thought was a perfect touch for the look.

I really had fun in this outfit even though I'm more of a 1940s/1950s girl.  I do appreciate a lot of the style from the early-mid 60s but then past that I stop caring for it as much.  Most of the styles on Mad Men currently?  No thank you, I'll pass.

 Outfit Details:

vintage dress, vintage gloves, belt, vintage jewellery {thrifted}

vintage handbag {gift}

vintage sunglasses {belonged to my Grandma Charlotte}

backseam stockings {eBay}

It's hard to think of the 60s when my mind is focused on the 20s and The Great Gatsby.  I definitely want to start integrating more of that style into my wardrobe.

Want to see what photos didn't make the blog?  Head over to Facebook for a look-see.

My (Past Two) Week(s) According to Instagram

I am so, so, so sorry for being a very bad blogger.  But in my defense, I had (still have) a horrible sinus infection.  So here is what happened in my life the past two weeks; though most of it is from two weeks ago and not this previous week.

My mum and I went to New York City for a day trip as it is only three hours away from us.  We had a lovely day strolling through Central Park and just enjoying the perfect weather.  I finally got to see the Alice in Wonderland statue.  It was really special because that's one of those stories from childhood that stick in your memory.

It was another hard week because after losing our dear Golden, we had to put down my kitty, Midnight.  She was the very first pet I ever had.  It was very hard to say goodbye to her.  She was a part of my life for almost 18 years.  That's over half of my life that she was in it.  I had good intentions on doing a post for her like I did for Harley, and I still would like to do one even though it's been a few weeks since she's passed.

My mum's cousins came down to visit from Maine last weekend.  Karen stayed with my mum and Kathy stayed with me.  It was wonderful having them around and the place seems a bit empty now that it's just me and Smudger again.  When they arrived Saturday we just hung around my mum's house.  Kathy had brought down a box of old family photographs and other neat things.  There was this amazing old records book that a family member kept of all the transactions he made from the 1800's.  It was beautifully bound in leather with yellowed pages and curvy quill ink script.  It was the neatest thing I ever held in my hands.  When you close your eyes and take a big whiff, you can smell the crackling fire it must have been written next to and almost imagine yourself back in that time.

Sunday we went to the Renaissance Faire.  I have loved that place ever since I first went there on a school trip.  I'm very thankful to have it so locally to me.  Kathy went with us last year when she visited but this was Karen's first trip down.  We dressed up in period costumes and had a blast (despite the cold and rain).  Then enter me getting sick from the dampness and the rain.  No fun.

1. Overlooking a lake in Central Park.

2. A gorgeous old bridge in Central Park.

3. Alice in Wonderland in Central Park.

4. Imagine Circle in Strawberry Fields (you guessed it, in Central Park.

5. Loving the new season of Once Upon a Time.

6. A hot air balloon on the way home from New York.

7. 1963 Barbie case from the side of the road!

8. Rainy days mean headscarves.

9. I wish nowadays were as glamorous as this photo.

10. Holding my kitty for one last time.

11. Saying goodbye to my beloved Midnight.

12. Girl crushing on Christina Hendricks.

13. The oh-so-lovely Rita Hayworth.

14. Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White.

15. Outfit photos in the rain are no fun.

16. The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.

 17. A gorgeous frock for sale at the Faire.

18. Dalek + TARDIS = best souvenirs ever.

19. Waiting for the Mud Squad to start.

20. Vintage-inspired nails and reading Sookie.

I've been off of work all week and got some good use out of my telly and DVR.  I ended up having to go to an urgent care place today because on top of the sinus infection, I had severe chest pain.  I thought maybe it was pneumonia.  Good news/bad news.  It wasn't pneumonia, I just still have a very bad sinus infections.  My chest is so congested that that is the reason it hurts whilst I breathe.  And the fluid in my ears isn't draining correctly, which causes me to be lightheaded, dizzy, and off balance.  Again, no fun.

The only good thing about being off again, is that tonight is the season premiere of The Walking Dead.  You may not get it just looking at me, but I am a big zombie geek.  I love all things horror and I've been a faithful fan of The Walking Dead since it first aired.  It's definitely one of the best zombie related things I've seen.  Another thing about me: zombies and I are in a love/hate relationship.  I love them but they hate me.  I get the most horrific, intense, realistic zombie nightmares.  I wake up in a sweat, scared out of my mind.  Now when I tell people this, they tell me, "Don't watch it then!"  Well, this happens even when I haven't watched anything and don't have them even on the back burner in my mind.  So you know what?  If it's going to happen regardless, I'm going to watch and enjoy!

Is there anything in your life like that?  Where you like something so much but it has bad repercussions?

My Week According to Instagram

Wow, time flies...  So this past week was the Emmy's.  I didn't get to watch it since I had to work, but that didn't stop me from admiring the fashion!  There were some really stunning dresses there, below I document some of my favourites.

It was a bit of another tough week.  Yesterday was a week since we had to put Harley down.  Then I found out my cat, Midnight, has cancer.  The 26th was the 21st anniversary of my grandmother passing.  I went to visit her on Friday when I had off which was very emotional, but I felt like I needed to do that.

I do have some things to look forward to this coming week.  I'm taking a trip to NYC tomorrow.  Then, this weekend I have some family coming down from Maine for a visit.  We will be going to the Renaissance Faire around here.  It's really swell.  Sort of raunchy, lude humor, but still a blast.

1. Holding Harley's paw

2. Emmy time! Here are my favourite dresses: Kat Denning

3. Ginnifer Goodwin

4. Tina Fey

5. Zooey Deschanel

6. Kelly Osbourne

7. Sarah Hyland

8. January Jones and Jessica Pare

9. Christina Hendricks

10. Whitney Port

11. Michelle Dockery

12. My kitty, Midnight

13. My grandmother's necklace from the 1940's

14. My grandmother wearing said necklace

15. My grandparents shortly after they were wed

16. A Renaissance painting

17. Friday photoshoot

18. Fall weather at last!

19. Visiting my grandmother's grave

20. Smudger after a bath

21. Handmade velvet pouch

22. Watching Mad Men and girl crushing

How was your weekend?  Anything interesting happen?

Pretty in Pink

Being a ginger, I'm always cautious of the colours I can and cannot wear.  Certain shades of pink and red aren't always the most complimentary colour for my hair.  I used to shy away from pink entirely.  But as I grew older and more confident in myself and in my style, I find myself expirementing and becoming more brave.

 

 Outfit Details:

vintage 1960's dress, vintage shoes {thrifted}

vintage handbag {from my maternal grandmother}

vintage jewelry {from my paternal grandmother}

I fell in love with this dress when I first saw it at my local Goodwill.  Most of the time vintage dresses in my area are too big for me and I have to belt them to make them look good.  Not this dress.  It fit like a glove.  There's something about when a piece of clothing fits you so well that instantly boosts your confidence.  I felt like Ann-Margaret or the lovely Joan Holloway/Harris.

Want to see what photos didn't make it onto the blog?  Head over to my Facebook and take a peek.

My Week According to Instagram

So another week has passed...

This week hasn't been the easiest of weeks for me, as you may be able to tell by the single update I made.  On top of not feeling well, I also got injured at work on Thursday.  As I may have mentioned, I work as a Patient Care Assistant (or PCA) at a hospital on the medical surgical floor.  That job in and of itself is stressful enough at times.

But then on Thursday a patient fell and landed on top of me, making me fall in the process.  I landed on the feet of the IV pole, against a chair, and against the corner of the cabinets.  Not very comfortable.  I now have a strained back, banged up ankle, and various bruises all over my body including a horrible one on my bum and a nasty one on my hip.  So suffice to say, I've been trying to take it easy the rest of the week.

 1. Watching the Notorious Bettie Page

2. Girl crushing on the lovely Christina Hendricks

3. Cuddling with my dear Smudger

4. My tickets for Celtic Thunder came in the post!

5. My dream man, Robert Taylor-they don't make them like that anymore

6. Getting excited for the new series of The Walking Dead in October

7. Watching High Society with Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, and Bing Crosby

8. Scratched up by a volatile patient

 9. Had a romantic dream about Mike Wolfe (American Pickers) and Jonathan Scott (Property Brothers)

10. The nasty bruise on my hip from falling-I'll spare you the one on my bum

11. Dreaming of the 40's

12. All out 1940's mood

 13. This completely opened my eyes, it was quite fascinating

14. Tucker begging for a tummy scratch

15. Today's outfit

16. I love this skirt

I almost got rid of that green top because I haven't worn it in years.  I'm so glad I didn't because it looks great with a skirt and has a certain vintage vibe to it.  How has your week been?  Hopefully better than mine...