Outfits of the Day in Weeks.

I haven't been sharing my outfits lately, so here are my latest outfits with details.

This is a quick and comfortable outfit. I just took one of my many James Dean shirts and paired it with black high waisted pants, a vintage white belt, and vintage style cardigan.

Cardigan: Thrift store, maybe paid $4.

Shirt: James Dean Gallery (Fairmount, IN), paid $13 or $15? 

Pants: Bestemor's closet. 

Belt: Bestemor's closet. 

Accessories: All of my jewelry including earrings and bracelets were passed down to me from my Mum. 

Another quick outfit - I was feeling very simple this day and was lusting after Spring to arrive. 

Cardigan: Thrift store, $2. 

Dress: Thrift store, $6. 

Shoes: Wal-Mart, $5. 

Accessories: Jewelry that was given to me for Christmas. 

This was the day of my Grandfather's birthday, and in memory of him, I wanted to go for a "Western" styled outfit since he had a love for Western films. I really loved putting this outfit together. 

Blouse: Thrift store, not sure of the amount I paid. 

Bolero: My Mum's closet, she bought this in the early 1980's when she was living in Calgary. 

Skirt: Thrift store, $6.

Accessories: Again, all jewelry was from my Mum.

James Dean's birthday outfit. Simple, yet still has that 1950's look. 

Cardigan: Thrift store, $4. 

Shirt: James Dean Gallery, $14. 

Accessories: My buttons were purchased at the James Dean Gallery and were around $1 - $4. My bracelets are from my Mum, and earrings were given to me by a friend.

Another simple outfit - super comfy. 

Shirt: Received by a friend. 

Pants: Bestemor's closet.

Accessories: Received by friends.

This is probably my favorite look so far this year. I wanted to wear all pink for Valentines Day coming up. It was an amazing early 1960's look that I always try to emulate. I felt like a mixture of early Ann-Margret, Sandra Dee in Gidget, and Elizabeth Montgomery in the early years of Bewitched. 

Shirt: Thrift store, am unsure of the price I paid. 

Pants: Bestemor's closet. 

Belt: Thrift store, $2. 

Shoes: Wal-Mart, $10. 

Accessories: Bracelet and earrings from a friend.  

My second favorite look. I went for more of a red look, the day before Valentine's Day. I wanted to try a black sash, and once I did, I loved how it reminded me of a matador. 

Shirt: Hot Topic, $15. 

Pants: Bestemor's closet. 

Accessories: Received from my Mum. 

This was my Valentine's Day outfit. I wasn't sure if I should wear pink or red, but I decided on this new-to-me dress from the early 60's. I've been dying to wear it, so I thought what better than to wear it for Valentines. 

Dress: Thrift store, $6. 

Cardigan: Thrift store, $2. 

Shoes: Wal-Mart, $5. 

Accessories: Bracelet from Icing, $2. Belt from thrift store, $2. Scarf from thrift store, $1. 

January Wedding

Yesterday I attended a wedding. I'm going to be honest and say that it was probably the worst wedding I'd ever been to. The fact that it was in January was a huge factor to why it was so horrible, but the second biggest factor was the fact that it was my cousin's wedding and I had lost touch with him, his brother, and their parents (my Aunt and Uncle) over the past couple of years. I haven't spoken to any of them in close to 3 or 4 years. There are many reasons as to why I lost touch with them, but I was extremely surprised as to why they even invited me. After going to the wedding yesterday, I am still confused as to why they invited my Mom, sister and I. I should probably also mention that it was a shotgun wedding, and my cousin really should have had a wedding next year (they only got engaged two months or three prier to the wedding).

I really wasn't expecting much from this wedding, and I was most certainly right. The room that both the wedding ceremony and reception was in, was FREEZING. You'd think that with it being January, and minus degree weather, that they'd have the heat on? The ceremony was probably the strangest one I'd ever seen...it really didn't make any sense. I had absolutely no idea who anyone was there except for my two cousins, Aunt, Uncle and my Uncle's friend so it was very uncomfortable for the first two hours. There wasn't much food to choose from (it was a buffet), but I didn't mind it. Soon after having dinner, the bride and groom cut the cake; now, maybe I haven't been to a wedding in a long time but doesn't the cutting of the cake happen later in the evening? And the dancing/music happen sporadically throughout the evening? The wedding cake literally came right after dinner - I couldn't digest my dinner before soon enough they're shoving cake down your throat. There was no music throughout dinner or half of the evening for that matter, which was a complete bummer. I always look forward to the music at a wedding...what are they gonna play...am I going to be able to request a song? Nope. Music and dancing happened towards the end of the wedding when half the people started to leave to go home. Another thing that was extremely bothersome were these attendants or workers at the place; not long after eating and having coffee, drinks, ect...they were up at your table trying to take your glasses/cups away from you. Um, I'm sorry but I might still be using that glass....I didn't even get the chance to have a cup of coffee. Everything was so backwards and just way too rushed.

Towards the beginning of January, I asked my followers on Instagram to help me choose a dress to wear to this wedding. I got so much feedback from all my followers, it was awesome. A lot of them who choose their favorite dress out of the four, were saying either #2 or #4...I decided to go with #2. It was definitely the one I loved the most, and would feel more comfortable in (which I did).

Prior to the wedding, I set my hair in my usual foam roller set, two days before. Yesterday, when I took them out, I was really disappointed with the way my hair was coming out of the rollers, and then when I brushed it out, I really hated it. No matter what I did with it; it just wasn't working for me. I didn't think I'd be able to stand it for the rest of the evening. So last minute, my sister decided to put it up for me...and even after that I still wasn't sure it I liked the way it looked. 

I wanted to keep the look simple, elegant, classic.

I paired this look with gold accessories with red accents. Almost everything you see here, belonged to my great grandmother. My dress was hers, the long black gloves were hers, the bracelet that I am wearing was hers from the 30's, the gold purse was hers, and the brooch I'm wearing (which I apologize for not getting a better picture of; but it's a monkey with ruby's for eyes) was also her's. My shoes, as I've said before are from Wal-Mart. 

These aren't the best pictures, but this was my makeup and hair. I still wasn't happy with the way my hair turned out, but it was better than what it looked like before. To be honest, I'm not even sure why I worried about my hair so much when the majority of people that were there at the wedding barely did anything to make themselves look at least the slightest bit presentable. Do people not dress up for weddings anymore? Is it a thing of the past? You wonder how you can be related to some people. 

I am actually really sorry that I even bothered attending this wedding. I've never been really close with this side of my family - I'm much more closer to my family in the States. This wedding just showed me that my Canadian family really could care less about my side of the families well being. Although my Mum, sister and I stood out, out of the all the guests there, I felt invisible. It was quite upsetting. 

Oh, and did I mention the fact that my cousin (the groom), never once came up to my Mum, sister or myself to talk to either of us. Well, neither him nor his new wife came to say, "Thanks for coming!"...nothing. Not even a glance - no eye contact at all. I might be old fashioned, but I thought that it was etiquette at a wedding for the bride and groom to go up to your table and thank you for attending? I mean, we were sitting with his parents...and were in plain site....not to mention the fact that both him and his bride walked past our table (or us for that matter), several - numerous times. 

Goes to show that you can't pick your family. Thank God for my family in the States.

Sincerely, Miss. Voodoo.

Favorite Outfits/Looks from 2014 to Present

I decided to make a post about some of my past outfits that I just adore. Since I didn't have a blog about my style back then, I thought I'd compile pictures of them.

Have a look-see at my style history. How it changed, evolved, and stayed the same or similar.

As you can see my style changes often. I always put myself together differently everyday. I like many styles. And depending on the day, it's what I feel like wearing or what I want to try differently. 

Sincerely, Miss Voodoo.

Tips and Tricks

Hello lovelies! For my first post of 2015, I wanted to do something special. Something that will benefit all you youngster's out there who are itching to find the perfect vintage pieces, without having to pay too much. Therefore, on that note I am going to show you my tips and tricks for finding the perfect 1930's, 40's, 50's, and 60's garments!

First things first; RESEARCH! You must learn the history of fashion, and be aware of what you want to look for in your vintage pieces. When I started looking for those perfect pieces, I most certainly did my homework. You have to be aware of what women or men wore back in those specific era's (or whatever era you plan to emulate for that matter). I don't mean, look these things up on the internet; no sirree, make it fun...watch some films, look at some photographs of what people wore back then, if you have the channel TCM - watch it...that's your homework. Now, I am the type of person that doesn't dress the same all the time. I love all kinds of fashion, from the 1930's to the 1980's, and I'm always dressing up as something different every day. It's never the same with me. But my true era is the 1950's. I love the bright, and bold statements of the 1950's fashion. The big, beautiful dresses, unique hairstyles, and fabulous accessories. I always have more fun finding and putting together clothing from that decade, or at least try and emulate it with modern pieces that still have that 1950's feel.
When you feel that you've done your research and know what you want to look for, try finding a local thrift or antique store in your town, or town that is closest. In my town I have three major places that I like to get my things from and I go to them every week if not every two weeks. They always have something new, and you gotta keep your eyes out! It's all about luck in some of these situations.

Now, back in the summer when I was staying with a close friend, she gave me this box of patterns from from the 1930's - 1950's. I have a fascination in collecting old patterns, so I was more than happy to take them. I wanted to share them with you, because they can give you a feel for what you may need to look for.

Look closely to the pattern of the dresses, analyze them. 

It's important to understand the color, texture and style of the pieces.

Now, I'd like to show you some of my pieces that I have purchased at my stores within the past year. I want you to know what to look for and what not to look for. Tips and tricks on what may or may not make it vintage. I'm going to start off with a shirt that is one of my favorite vintage finds. It's a white knitted short sleeved shirt that is perfect to pare with just about anything. 

Now, here's how I have depicted the fact that this shirt is vintage: One, the design. The detail in the embroidering is a very unique and classic pattern, but the design itself shows that it's vintage - the boxed shoulder, where it just goes straight across the collar bone to the shoulders, shows that it's a 1950's design, as shown in one of the clothing patterns above. Two, the fact that there was no tag on it can also detect that is from this era. Many people in the 1950's and older made their clothing more often than usual (hence, no clothing brand tag), whereas today you barely see anyone who makes their own clothing. My grandmother made her own clothing back in the day, and some designs similar to this one. Three, my final detection is the tie at the bottom of the shirt. The knitted string that is attached to the shirt is meant to emphasize the waist. As you can see in the patterns above from the 50's...it was all about the waist, and making your waist shown. Clothing today just doesn't really emphasize that part of your body, which I find sad, being that your waist is really a best feature of the body (in my opinion). I now will show you what this shirt looks like on me. Bare with me, this is an old photo, and it was my first time wearing this shirt since I purchased it. 

As you can see it sits at my waist. And if I tightened the string more then it would emphasize my waist even better.

Now, onto a jacket/blazer piece that was handed down to me from my Mom, from her grandmother. This red jacket/blazer has one big button at the top and then flares out the rest of the way down. It's from either the 1930's or 1940's, and is in perfect condition. I don't get all my vintage pieces from a thrift store, a lot of the time it's just passed down to me. I guess it's a perk of having a very stylish Momma (or stylish family for that matter). I've sadly never worn this blazer, but to get an idea on what it would look like, there is a jacket in one of the patterns above that is almost exactly what it would look like on. 

When it comes to the tags in these vintage pieces, look at how tattered it is. The material used for the tag, and the design of the tag. There are a lot of materials that were used for brand tags back in the day, but in today's world you get a weird itchy or paper-like tag that's just not that nice.

One of my favorite things to look for in thrift's are cardigans. I'm going to show you two different cardigans that I have purchased at probably the same store. The first one you'll see, is a yellow cardigan. Again, this cardigan has no tag. The design, material, and pattern used are indicators that it's a vintage piece. The second one is a baby blue cardigan that has very delicate and unique material, that really isn't something used for cardigans today. 

The detailing on this cardigan alone made me jump at it. Cardigan's are just not made like this anymore. Also the cut, material and color give me that indication that it is a vintage piece. This sweater does not have a tag, which also gives me an indication. 

This cardigan was something that I needed when I first laid eyes on it. When I saw the tag as well, I knew right away that it was a vintage cardigan. If you ever find a piece that has an tag on it and looks something like this Winkelman's tag, try looking it up...you might find out some very interesting information. 

Now, for my absolute favorite pieces to find...lingerie. I have this one little thrift store in town that I love to visit because they have a section in the back that is filled with vintage slips, nightgowns, bed jackets, and more. I'm going to show you two pieces, one of my favorite nightgowns and one of my favorite bed jackets. 

This mint green nightgown screams vintage. The material: delicate, soft, and cool to the touch. It just so happens to have pockets, and the detailing on the sleeves and neck collar are a dead giveaway of it being vintage. As well as the stitching on the inside, can be a way of telling that it's vintage. 

Closeup on detailing.

This soft pink bed jacket is probably my favorite bed jacket that I own (and I own quite a bit). The soft, delicate material is lovely. The detailing around the collar, sleeves, and all around the jacket is a piece of artwork. Again, the tattered and vintage tag says it all. 

When it comes to skirts, and dresses I find it a lot harder to come by. I usually find modern pieces of clothing that have a vintage-style to it. For example, I have this beige pencil skirt that I wear often. It's tight in the waist (again, a must have!), has a high waist, and is long enough to go past the knees (another must have for the authentic 1950's look).  I have some pictures from a photo shoot I did this past summer and I was wearing this specific skirt. It's much easier to visualize when seen on. 

Photographer: Kristi Fox.

When it comes to accessorizing such as hats, belts, shoes, and jewelry, it's simple. For hats, you want to look for those Jackie Kennedy box hats...but to be honest, if you do your research you'll be able to tell what hats are vintage and what hats are modern - believe me. For belts, I keep it simple, tiny and thin, opera belts are also a go-to belt as they were popular in the 50's. For shoes, it's very very hard to find an authentic shoe from the 1930's, 40's, or 50's, because women had such tiny feet back then and I have never once found a shoe from either of those era's. I'm a size 9 or 10, depending on the shoe, sometimes an 11. So yeah, I have huge feet. I get all my shoes for low prices at Wal-Mart because, why not? They have cute shoes for affordable prices! Or you can go to a Payless Shoe Store or any 'ole shoe store, and look in their discount section. For the type of style of shoe, if you want a high heel, look for a rounded toe heel, not a pointed one (I don't think I've ever seen a photograph of a woman wearing a pointed toed shoe in the 1950's or older). Maybe a heel with a tiny bow on it, or even an open toed shoe (like in the photograph above), with an ankle strap. You could also go for a simple black flat, or tennis shoes, or even a nice boot with a thick heel. I'd love a pair of saddle shoes, but I've never found a pair in my size. Finally for jewelry, look when it comes to the 1950's, you can wear a lot of bracelets or very little, or a thin strapped watch, or a thick metal bracelet. Never over do it. You want it simple and chic. Rings are simple, just a gold band with a few ruby's in it would be fine. Earrings, go with something small, and light - just a pearl earring or something to that effect would be fine, I never really worry about them anyway. My favorite piece of jewelry to wear are brooches - I cannot leave the house without one on me. You can find all kinds of neat brooches online and at an antique store. 

It's really all about finding that perfect piece...search, search, search!!! I also find that lady luck has a little something to do with it. But once you find that perfect vintage article of clothing or accessory, well you feel like a winner. I know I do. Sometimes I even feel like I won the lottery. I hope some of you out there who have read this, have found this to help you out a bit and are eager to go searching for your perfect vintage piece. 

If any of you are having trouble or I didn't cover something that you'd like to know more about, or just have any questions at all, feel free to comment below! I'd love to answer and help you out with anything. 

Sincerely, Miss Voodoo.

Holidayz

Another year is coming to a close, and I have a lot to be thankful for, this year. I'm not going to go into detail or anything, but I feel very lucky to be alive.

Even though the Christmas holiday is over, I want to share with all of you, my Christmas eve, and Christmas day outfits. I would have uploaded them after Christmas, but I have been busy and too tired to post, so here goes!

For Christmas eve, I didn't want to wear something too fancy because I wasn't heading out anywhere, and my family friends were arriving. I wore a simple vintage white and red stripped sweater, and black pants. I had a vintage brooch from the 1950s/1960s, that has holly on it an is a cute little bell. I had my hair done, having pin curls in my hair for three days, and accessorized it with one of my homemade Christmas hair pieces, which I showed you guys in one of my last posts.

For Christmas day, I wanted to share some of the goodies I received. I don't ask for much, because I don't like telling people to get me things, but when you have family that understand you and knows what you like, well I got spoiled. 

I finally received something from Pinup Girl Clothing, which is something I've been lusting over for a very long time!

Left to right: PUG Jenny skirt in red and chocolate brown harlequin, This Property is Condemned  soundtrack with Natalie Wood, four lovely paintings which my sister painted for me of Ann Margret, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, and Natalie Wood, and then finally an Elvis pillow which I have also been obsessing over for some time now. 

I couldn't wait to put my new skirt on. I wore it Christmas day, with a black v-neck, black cardigan, black flats, a vintage pink opera belt which matched perfectly, and I also have a vintage wreath brooch that has pink stones in it. For my hair, I put it up in a sort of vintage-style, and of course, put one of my hair accessories in. 

Now, I see a lot of people who review their new PUG pieces, so I figured I'd do it anyway, since I just love this skirt so damn much. 

When I put this skirt on, I was a little disappointed on the fact that it was a tiny bit too big, and sits above my hips. It's a size medium, but the last time I measured my waist I was a 28 or 29 inch, thus why I assumed it would fit snug, being that's the size for the waist on the PUG size chart for M. It's been awhile since I measured my waist, so maybe I've gone down. I just worry that the next time I try getting a PUG piece that its too tight, if I get a small instead....I guess I'll just have to go to the Pinup Girl Boutique in Burbank, Cal. and try stuff on. Not sure when I'd be able to get down to California. I suppose every piece is different. Anyway, besides the size mishap, I LOVE this skirt. It's the most beautiful skirt that I own. The color is stunning, the fabric is lovely, the pattern - oh, that harlequin!!!!!!! I just looooooooooooove it! I was also really quite happy with length of this skirt. I like that it goes a little below the knee, because in my opinion, it makes for a more authentic 1950's circle skirt. I never ever want to take this skirt off. 

I cannot wait to get me another PUG piece. I want all the Jenny's!!! I can't get over this color combo! I love that I have a lot of shirts and accessories that will go perfectly with this. I have lots of black (a heck of a lot; aka my entire wardrobe), pinks, reds, and soft whites. This skirt gets better and prettier each time I wear it. Beware: I will have many outfit's in the new year with this skirt, so keep an eye out! 

I've had a pretty good Christmas, and pretty good year. I can only hope that 2015 will be positively smashing! I have a lot to look forward to, and can only wish for the best. I've been itching to share with everyone my goals and ambitions for the new year, but that will just have to wait until the new year comes. 

See you all in 2015~ Have a happy New Years, much love.

Nan's Closet Raid

This past weekend I was at my Bestamor's place (Bestamor is Norwegian for Grandma), and she was talking about how filled her closet's are of clothing that she doesn't even wear anymore - I was right there, front and center to see all the goodies. I was in my glory. I love looking through my grandmother's closet's because firstly, you never know what you're gonna find, and secondly, IT'S FREE. Nothing beats getting vintage clothing for free. Since I like to get my vintage finds for a bargain. I'm all about saving money and making sure I spend what ever money I get wisely. Every so often I will treat myself with something a little more expensive but all in all, I like the hunt for cheap vintage goodies.

I mostly go to thrift stores, where they have just about anything for super cheap prices. I don't know of any other place that you can find vintage clothing...for a good price that is. Yes, there are 'vintage' clothing stores around, but every time I find myself in one, I go berserk with the ludicrous prices on things that aren't in that good of condition and should be a lower price. That is why I search for my vintage clothing at my local thrift stores, where they have good deals and even better prices. The hunt for the clothing is what I thrive for...it's butt loads of fun! People are always asking me where I get my clothing from, and I always say, thrift stores; they're all one of a kind purchases!

A lot of the time when you find clothing from the 30s, 40s, or 50s you never truly know if it will fit properly because women were differently shaped back in those days, but I find that when I get my clothing from family members that are from those times, they fit just right! Almost all of my great grandmother's dresses from the 30s that were passed down to me, fit like an absolute glove. But, back to my Bestamor, the majority of clothing she gave me from the 50s or 60s again, fit me perfectly.

I'm not posting all of the items of clothing she gave me, just my favorites that she did.

My first ensemble: I received this skirt from her, which was one of the many she gave me, but it's my favorite and most unique! It reminds me of the 1940s, but I believe it may be from the late 1960s.
The top I got a thrift store and is hand knitted from the 1950s. I like to pair this top with many outfits because it fits so well with many skirts.
The white belt I also got a thrift store and is from the late 1950s. My shoes are from Wal-Mart(not even sorry), and I got them for $5!!

This thing has pockets!!!!

My second ensemble: Is a light pink two piece pleated skirt and shirt that are a full outfit pairing. This has got to be my favorite outfit. The skirt fits perfectly, the shirt is a little big because my Bestamor is a big breasted woman, as I am not but it suits me fine. It is from the 1950s, and is just absolutely darling. My shoes are also from Wal-Mart and I also got them for $5! 

Sorry about the bad quality and wobbly-ness of the pictures, but once I get better at this blogging thing, I'll take better photos, I promise!

My third ensemble: Is a stripped shirt from the 1950's that she gave to me. It's super comfy! The black pants are also from a thrift store - they're semi high waisted but I wear them with just about everything. 

My fourth ensemble: Is another shirt paired with the same black pants. This black and pink striped shirt is from the late 1950's to early 1960's and comes with a black string to tie around your waist. 

This is another super comfy shirt!

My fifth ensemble: Is another pairing with the black pants (sorry for the repeated pants, but I was in a rush). This red and white sweater is so lovely! It has a pocket in the front and is another comfy one - just in time for the Christmas season! I'm not sure what era this one comes from but it looks vintage all the same. 

My sixth and final ensemble: Now this is another super cute outfit. It's a one piece and is from the 1950's. It also has pockets!!! I get excited about pockets. I love this one as well! 

Those are my six favorite clothing pieces that I got from my Bestamor! She said that she may have more vintage pieces for me, but needs to search through some closet that are piled with clothes! I hope you enjoy these pieces as much as I do. A lot of these ensembles are so unique, and I can't wait to share more of my future vintage outfits with you all! Again, I apologize for my picture taking, as I was rushing and had to take the photos on a self timer. Once I get better at this blogging thing, I will have a friend take pictures for me - preferably not in my room. If you like the thrill of searching for vintage pieces or are starting out and want to find the perfect vintage garment pieces, then ask your grandparents if you can raid their closets for clothing they may not wear anymore; you never know what you may come across!!!