Mmmmmm...McCall's

Campbell's Soup may be "Mmmm-Mmmm Good" but vintage McCall's are "Mmmm-Mmmm Better"!

March 1952
The cover is so beautiful! What I wouldn't give to look like her!


April 1955
See the pretty girls on the cover? The article is titled "The Eleven Bustiest Models". I can't wait to see if their dimensions are listed as well as any fashion hints for the curvier amongst us!



May 1958
Maybe '58 is my year? I sure do seem to acquire issues from this year.


...and no, I don't think these are NSB approved. Let's just think of them as "research" or "learning materials". Education is always a smart investment! ;)

Just Shoe'T Me...

As you all know by now, I'm participating in NSB. The concept of No Spender Bender has been tweaked a bit for my goals and dubbed the No Stupid Spending experiment for March. Shoes are definitely one of my green light items. I can't wear any of my vintage purchases until I get myself some shoes. (...and I'll be damned if I let my fabulous Freddies collect dust!)

First up, UGG "Mar" espadrilles.

I love espadrilles, but having heavier calves (genetics and 20 years of standing in retail) the massive amounts of tie wrapping doesn't flatter me. I'm hoping this single ankle tie will do it. Loving the peep toe and the peep heel! Oh, and won't the girly cousins, my juniors by 20 years, think old cuz Skidoo is oh-so-cool to sport UGG! LOL

Next up, a basic pair of black peep toe sling-backs.

Okay, so it's just your basic, nothing-fancy sort of shoe. That's exactly what I need! I took a risk with the size and the heel. I used to wear an 8M in this brand all the time so that's what I ordered. I even tried on an old pair to be sure. If the new pair don't fit then I know to bump to the 8.5 when I order the other pairs I have my eyes on. The heel is 3" so my body is going to have to recall how I used to get about in these things, lol. I almost wimped out for a closed toe and lower heel but I knew it wasn't going to give me the right look/line. I also think this pair will work with my black Dofan handbag.


***As an aside, my shoe shopping effort has brought back all sorts of fun memories shopping with my Gram. She always wore those ugly old lady peep-toe, ankle-strap, damn shoes and I always told her how ugly and old lady they were. Little did I know those shoes were the epitome of chic in her era. Isn't it funny that those same shoes have me drooling these days? Isn't it a shame she's not here to go shoe shopping or to say "I told you so"? Oh, the damage we girls could do! Me and my Gram and a shoe store! Love you Grammy...and thank you for teaching me about hats/gloves, shoes/purses, what fork to use, how to clean a house and all those important lessons...oh, and for helping me cut the bottoms from my burnt cookies and pretending they were delicious anyway.

A REAL Pin-Up Kitten...

My little naked Pin-Up Kitten for your viewing pleasure!

Believe it or not, they make sweaters for these little guys and gals because they get chilly with no fur to protect them. So, she really could be a Sweater Girl! Hmmmm...Pin-Up, Sweater Girl, Bombshell. I will have to keep these in mind for her registered name. Still working on her call name though. Prunella, Sabrina and Harlow are on the list.

If you'd like to drool over even more Sphynx kitties, visit Tracy's site at NoCoatKitty.

Dude, what's your BASIC?

NSB = No Spender Bender

Since I'm actually trying to build (rebuild) an everyday wardrobe, I do spend. I just try to focus my spending and pull the reins in just a little. So, in Skidoo world, NSB = No Stupid Buying

Alas, this means the two gorgeous party dresses I'm stalking are sort of off limits. I did give myself a free pass to indulge in one useless-for-my-lifestyle party dress, but ya know what? I don't feel like using it. (Victory is Mine!)

So, what's my BASIC?

Ship N Shore Plaid Blouse (Me thinks she works to the Freddie's)



Ship N Shore Yellow Blouse (Love the Peter Pan collar)




Carol Brent Summer Dress (Not quite everyday but better than taffeta and rhinestones)



Handknit (so they say) Cardi (to cover the upper arm phlab when wearing dress above)



White Knit Cardi (versatile and too cute to pass up)



...and now, just some random thought for today because I don't want to post three blogs in a row. It won't decrease my rambling, just makes me feel better to say I only posted twice, lol.

Today started off really sucky! I found one of my holy grails (a very specific 1940's compact) that was in great shape and nobody but me was interested. I got up at 7:30am just to keep an eye on it. Some (be nice Skidoo) collector just had to have it and spent the last few seconds of the auction driving me to my max bid. I could have fought, I could have bid more, but piss on it. I'm not breaking the bank on something that will sit in my vanity drawer or stay tucked in my purse. I decided I'd rather have the dough for REAL clothes...so I was able to buy the Carol Brent dress with what I didn't spend on the compact. Go me! Go NSB!

Two of my purses arrived. The satin formal Koret, to-die-for! Plus, it came with a GEN-U-WINE blue tissue from the era and a couple of hair pins AND a freaking folding comb that the seller didn't know were in there or didn't care. The white leather Koret, on the other hand, is pretty filthy. I used a little spit and it does clean up, but I don't know how to really, safely clean it. The spit works, but I don't have that much to clean this puppy. I think it was from the same person who owned the satin bag because it was hiding a few of the same hair pins AND one wicked pointed metal nail file in a plastic sheath. Talk about self protection! All I can think is that the bar scene must have been really rough for a decked out dame in the 50's and 60's! I'll bet nobody pinched her ass twice and lived to talk about it. :)

I finally found time to open some Pre-NSB packages. My new Blue Bird Pillowcases are gorgeous and feel so so good. I <3 worn muslin! My 1950's hat and purse pattern came. I was going to make my very first sewing project the 1950's night gown pattern I purchased but I think I might go for the hat/purse first as it's small enough to hand stitch. Not sure how that will go. I do remember sewing a Barbie dress as a kid, accidentally stitching it to my PJ leg and crying...no whailing when my Mom had to break out the seam ripper. Even back then, I was the type of willful (control freak?) perfectionist child that just sort of figured fuck it, it's ruined and I want NO part of it now. Common' Mom, would it really have been so bad to have Barbie clad in her new dress hanging from my PJ's? You wouldn't have to yell at me to clean up my toys.

Speaking of PJ's...OMG...I scored a pair of Tom Girl 1950's short sleeve pajamas in a little blue rose bud print. I love Tom Girl PJ's but never find them in my size. (I love them so much that I even hesitate to mention the label so there are more for me...pardon me whilst I cackle and wring my greedy hands) PJ's are actually NOT on my NSB approved list but hey, what am I gonna do, scold myself? Aren't they too darling in that straight, good girl next door, Sandra Dee sort of way?

Freddie's of Pinewood...PG Rating!

*Photos from the Freddie's of Pinewood website!

FREDDIE'S OF PINEWOOD

Who knew when you ordered from Freddie's of Pinewood, famous for their vintage repro denim, that you'd also get a free side order of TOURETTE'S! You know, that neuro syndrome that makes people cuss uncontrollably. (Uh...not that I need a syndrome to inspire me.)

First, I looked at the return address on the box and muttered, "What the Hell did I order from Texas?" Then I opened the box and my Freddie's slipped out. I stripped faster than I would for Cary Grant or George Clooney! It took me a second to figure out where the zipper was, but I had my Classic Relaxed Fit Freddie's on on a flash. Damn! Denim is cold when it sits on your porch this time of year! Anyway, I jumped up on the bed so I could see them in my vanity mirror. (I don't have a full length mirror so I have to stand on the bed to see anything below my waist.) That's when it started...uncontrollable F-Bombs and Explatives. French this and French that! Where the French is my ass? Where the French is my gut? Holy French Balls, I think I like this high waist! Frenchity, French-French-French, these jeans feel goooooood! Next, I tried on my Dungaree Dolls and the highly colorful superlatives continued. Needless to say, I am seriously pleased with my purchase! I hope I can add the Utility and maybe try the Pedal Pushers some time.

Curvy Girl Alert:
I'm 5'4" 42 bust, 37 waist (34 if I suck it in), and roughly 47 inch hips.
I ordered the Classic Relaxed in 38/48 and the Dungaree Dolls in 38.

Classic Relaxed: Waist is a teensy big but good for tucking in layers. Belted, it should be just fine as it isn't so big that I'll have a ton of excess fabric bunched up or gapping when I sit. The hips were perfecto! They are actually a little roomy which allows for a nice drape and a clean, no bump, no buldge line. I do have a little pooch of fabric under the tummy and above the crotch (you guess where THAT is, lol) but I think that is a combo of the loose fit and the way my tummy directs the fabric. A little support garment probably wouldn't hurt, but it's not worrisome enough to really make me grab for a girdle. The legs are more than roomy enough even for my thunder thighs. I only rolled them up twice at the hem and it's not a huge cuff either so I won't be looking to hem these at all.

Dungaree Dolls: Waist is more fitted than in the Classic. Below the waist is a good fit, not too tight, not too loose. The legs are roomy plus. I will say, as others have, that I need to move the buttons on the straps. I criss-crossed them and still have about 2 inches of extra lead. I didn't roll these when I tried them on so I'm not sure if they need to be hemmed a bit or not. I do know I will wash them prior to any alteration as some of the Vintage Dolls on FL have mentioned they shrink a little in length. These make me want to run SCREAMING to find a Red Snood!


Bottom line: I am beyond pleased! Both with the product and with the level of customer service from Freddie's of Pinewood. (Remember, I used to be a retail manager so if somebody drops the ball on service, they're toast in my book.) I really can't believe the difference in how I look and how I feel in vintage cut vs modern jeans.

I'd post pics of me in the Freddies, but I don't have any tops or the right shoes! Suggestions welcome!

I need a HOLIDAY!

Northeastern Pennsylvania or NEPA (neepa) as we lovingly call it, is covered in the cold stuff today. It started yesterday around 5am and it's still snowing nearly 36 hours later, but it's coming down lightly now.

I need a HOLIDAY! A Jerry Moss HOLIDAY to be precise!





Needs some TLC to cover the wear damage along the edges, but I don't mind. I've been stalking this purse for weeks, months. Jerry Moss' Holiday bags don't seem to be in abundant supply, or maybe I just don't know where to look. The few online examples I've seen all have one thing in common...structural design that makes a vintage purse lover weak in the knees.

I'm going to enjoy my HOLIDAY with Jerry!
Seriously...did you think it would be about anything but a purse today?

Apologies, Monsieur Dofan!

I forgot to mention my French beau, Dofan!
I haven't been able to find an association with a singular person. Perhaps he is to be my elusive accessory lover?

Read more about Dofan here:
http://bagladyemporium.com/BLU/index.php?n=Main.DofanHandbags

NAVY LEATHER DOFAN BAG WITH DOUBLE BRASS HANDLES


BLACK LEATHER DOFAN BAG


As an aside, the Koret wicker purse is the most expensive I've purchased at $40. This last, black Dofan was $32. The rest range from $22 down to $9.99 (I'm not kidding and yes, we can "high-vintage-five on those!) I see so much variation on handbag prices. Naturally, there are some features and design years, even within the same maker, that command higher prices. A $300 purse is just not in my budget no matter how rare or dreamy delicious it may be. So, I thought I'd share what I paid so other newbies know that good purses, in good condition, can be acquired by those of us whose last name is not Astor...or Rockafeller!

Happy Hunting!