My Goodness What a Year!

I know that many of you would have given up on me ever returning to the blogging world and I feel terrible for having neglected you for so long....

My world has been rather a whirlwind of late. It may have had something to do with the following arrivals within 14 and a half months:

Yes, I have been rather busy kittens!

I have two beautiful additions to my family - which means that vintage clothing has been hanging, unworn in my wardrobe for some time. Oh, how I've yearned for the waistline to be able to fit into my vintage dresses again.

However, as my latest arrival is only 14 weeks old, you will understand that I am now in possession of some extra curves on my already established ones! But I live in the real world too, so I'm not overly concerned and in the mean time, I've "made do" with this gorgeous number by my new favourite dress maker: Grace of Autumn

So my promise to you is to update more regularly, share my latest handmade, vintage or wonderful new discoveries as I am even more exposed to them now I am officially a Vintage Style Mamma!

Christmas kisses, Kittens!

xx

The Sweetest Thing

Hello Kittens - Just a quick overview of my life during the last 7 weeks:
The only load of washing I will ever get excited about:

An amazing experience as I meet my daughter for the first time:

So many outfits, so little time:

My little Cheeky Chops:

Fashionable Foundations

Hello Kittens

Thank you all so much for the lovely well-wishes in relation to my last post! I was pleased to read that you are still interested in how I am going to move through this next exciting stage of my life whilst trying to remain somewhat stylish.

Let me tell you - it's been a bit of a challenge (but more of that later...)!

But first things first darlings. I am happy to report that I am embracing my changing shape and revelling in my newly acquired curves.

Now as every stylish gel knows, the secret to looking great and feeling comfortable is great foundation garments.

I've found the perfect solution to VPL during pregnancy. I give you:

Spanx Power Mama Panties! (click to make image larger)

No VPL under clingy jersey dresses and a special panel to allow your bump to grow.

You can purchase online here.

Now I admit, they're not particularly alluring. In fact, they are rather frumpy to look at, but that is the point. They are virtually invisible under your clothes and therefore perfect. It's not as if I am in any danger of a Bridget Jones moment of a new paramour discovering them whilst fumbling around during a passionate encounter...

However, I do have the appropriate solution for that kind of situation:

In the not-too distant past, pregnant women were not seen as glamorous - heaven forbid anyone consider them as sexual human beings (ponder the irony....)!

I give you maternity underwear for women who like to look good in their trousseau:


Hot Milk:



Likely to get any Valentine's heart racing...

My Unplanned Hiatus Explained.

Hello Kittens!

Happy New Year. I hope your festive season was full of laughter, love and happiness.

Now I know I've been a very naughty girl by neglecting this blog. I am sorry if you thought I had abandoned you, but, to be honest, there has been quite a lot going on in my world and you all deserve an explanation.

I've been hiding a little secret:

I am going to be a mamma!

At present, I am 18 weeks along. It has been a bit of a bumpy ride as this is not my first pregnancy since my wedding back in May last year, but we are now all happy and healthy and looking forward to a little bundle's arrival in early June of 2010.

So now you understand my lack of outfit posts - nothing in my vintage wardrobe quite fits anymore and alas, it may be a while til I regain some semblance of a waistline! While I have always loved the glamour of vintage, I am finding that this unfortunately didn’t extend to maternity wear styles of yesteryear!

So I put it to you, darlings - what would you like to see here on Vintage Verve in 2010?

I don't want to bore you with baby or pregnancy related things (there are so many other wonderful blogs out there that cover these topics), unless you are interested in how I am going to try and translate my personal style around my ever-expanding.... well..... my ever-expanding everything!!

Your comments and suggestions will all be read and taken into consideration so please do leave your thoughts in the comments section of this post.

xx VV

Some helpful links:
Miscarriage Information
SANDS

Friday Blog Crush - Lady Melbourne

I thought I'd share with you some of the wonderful blogs that initiated my own interest in blogging and continue to inspire me.

Lady Melbourne is a fabulous mix of style and fun. Not only is she in tune with what's happening in my gorgeous home town (and her namesake) but with her fashion writing and connections she's also across the movers and shakers here in Australia and Internationally.

From the Lady Melbourne blog:

Phoebe is a freelance journalist with a background in fashion design. She hails from her namesake city but has travelled the world and lived in Sydney and London. After running her own label for 7 years, she now focuses her time on the pages you are about to read, and freelance writing assignments.

LM does all her own styling and photography, is generous with her time for other bloggers and her readers too. Plus she really knows how to find a bargain and style it all so perfectly.

If she isn't already on your must read list, I highly recommend you follow her today.

Have a gorgeous weekend, Kittens!

Spring Racing Advice - Keep Yourself Nice, Kittens

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is in full swing Kittens! I just love this time of year.

If you are lucky enough to be heading to the track this year, I have some advice to help get you through the long days and subsequently long festive nights in tip top shape.


Rule number one Kittens: Nightclub wear is NOT appropriate race wear. Decorum and etiquette go hand in hand. Remember, this is a day time event - try to head more in the feminine, pretty direction, rather than man-eating vamp direction. Less is definitely not more.



2. Colour is your friend. There is nothing wrong with the classic black and white ensemble (after all, B&W is the traditional theme for Derby Day), but this is a great opportunity to to let colours show off your skin tone:


Sigh. I just adore Nicolangela dresses (above).


3. Be prepared! Keep bandaids, Hollywood tape, tampons and aspirin in your purse. Generously offer them to others 'caught short' during the day.


4. Check the weather report well in advance. Don't freeze to death for the sake of fashion and for heaven's sake - wear sunscreen all over lest your shoulders and back end up matching your garish hat/sash/shoes:

(I have nothing nice to say regarding these ensembles, so I shall remain silent...)


5. (and this is a big one) EAT as well as drink. Imbibe H2O as well as the free flowing champagne.

You'll not only feel better the next morning, but you'll also avoid scenes such as the wreck below:

Not a good look Kittens. Not a good look at all.


Finally, rule 6. Think about your shoes. Try not to trial brand new ones that slice through your tender tootsies after an hour's wear. Wedges are ideal for standing on grass and there are many choices available this season. If you cannot get the right colour to match your accessories go for a neutral or nude colour - these will go with everything in your wardrobe and keep you looking nice long after the last race is run and the last train home has pulled away from the station.


What are your tips for keeping your self nice during the racing season?

The Way We Were - Vintage Magazines

A little while ago, I came across quite a magnificent find: an original copy of The Australian Home Journal from 1954! (click on the images to make them larger)

I just adore real vintage magazines. They are a true snapshot of not only the fashions of the day, but of the societal attitudes and cultural norms - so fascinating!

This one edition contained so many interesting stories, articles and advertisements that I want to share with you, kittens, that I have decided to do a series of posts on the "Way we were" topic.

The magazine was also a reinforcement of the fashion cycle theory - that past era styles come back into fashion every so often and that some are always in vogue (and thus, 'classics').

For example: The shirt dress:

First seen in the 1940's the shirt dress has been a staple fashion classic ever since. Above, we see the 1954 take, including the belted waist and flared skirt, as well as a more tailored look.


Here are two examples of the modern shirt dress, from Spiegels in the US and Dorothy Perkins from the UK.

What styles do you think never go out of fashion, Kittens?