Sunday, October 20, 2013

Love in the Shadows of WWII; A Brief Reunion, Part 1


June 5, 1943

 

 To my darling husband.
  As I write this it all feels so unreal.You've been in Georgia, at Fort Benning for the last three months. Only three months and yet, it seems like forever. I guess I should be used to being without you, after all we have only been married for six months and you've been gone for three. I've spent most of my life without you, but it wasn't until we found each other that I ever felt complete. You are my other half and I miss you like crazy! 

It is strange to be living with Mom and Dad again now that I'm a married woman. We made the right decision though, keeping an apartment just for me doesn't make a lot of sense. We can save the money for a house once this horrible war is over and you come home for good. God willing it won't be too long.




I cannot wait to see you! It feels like a dream, I am almost afraid to believe that it's real, that I will soon be able to hold you in my arms again, though it's only for a short time. We will make the most of the time we have, and be glad we have any at all. Lots of couples never get to see each other once officer training is over. I love the pictures from the day you left for Georgia. I love the one of us and the one of you. I keep it on the nightstand and kiss it, wishing I was kissing you, every night. You look so handsome in your uniform, better looking than any movie star I've ever seen and, best of all, you're mine!
  
I've never been to Detroit before. I wonder why they chose Detroit as your stop over point? It seems a strange way to go from Georgia to New York. I was hoping you would have time in New York and I could meet you there for a day or two (you know I've always wanted to visit New York!), but, the Army has their own schedule so Detroit it is. It's much greener and prettier here than I expected. I don't like the humidity much though, everything always feels damp. They tell me this is nothing, too, I should try it out in July! I'll never complain about the fog off the bay in the morning again!

                                                                 Getting here has been pretty exciting. I love traveling by train, I feel like a movie star! It's the longest trip I've ever taken. I rode the Challenger, I caught it in Oakland. Going through the mountains was so beautiful! Even the desert was amazing, it was a full moon and if I hadn't known it was salt and sand all around I would have sworn it was water. I went to sleep watching the desert out the train window. We should make that trip together, once you're home. I kept thinking about how romantic it would have been if you were there. 

I was a little disappointed that Salt Lake City just looked like another city, except for their temple building, which was very pretty but I didn't really get a very good look at it. The people looked pretty normal too, at least from what I could see. After going through Nebraska and Iowa though, I think I've seen enough cornfields to last me a lifetime. Chicago looks like a very exciting city, it's another place I would like to visit someday.

 
Detroit, 1942, Google Images
I've been here in Detroit for three days now, staying with my mother's cousin Eileen. I didn't even know my mom had a cousin Eileen until I told her where the Army had you stopping over on the way to New York. Mom called her cousin right away and they insisted we stay with them. Obviously I've never met her before, but she and her family have been so nice. 

They don't have a big house, it's much smaller than Mom & Dad's and your folks house too, but it's nice and very well kept with three bedrooms. Her husband, George, is in Insurance. Their children are all grown up, but their daughter-in-law, Martha, and three grandchildren are living with them right now, so they don't have any extra space. 

Martha and the baby, he's nine months and the cutest, chubbiest little guy you ever saw, are in one room. Her two girls, four and seven, in the other. I'm staying in one of the girls' beds and she's sleeping with her sister. I feel badly for putting her out of her bed but Martha said she (the oldest, Mary) thinks it's exciting and both girls are having fun.  It's true, they really don't seem to mind. It was very nice of them to put me; us, up out of the blue like that, I guess that's family!

Their son Terry is in the Navy, he's a Seabee. He was one of the first to enlist, right after Pearl Harbor, about the same time you did. He's already been overseas for three months. I guess they ship the Seabees out and train them in the Pacific. Martha doesn't know where, exactly. 

photo from http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/topics/war/v_mail.shtml


She's only had a few letters and all the names of places have been blacked out by the censers. She showed me and there's hardly anything left to read that hasn't been blacked out. I hope they don't do that to your letters too. I've been talking to Martha a lot, about what it's like, being left behind while you're husband is away, fighting in the war. How it feels to be so proud and so scared at the same time.



We could have stayed at a hotel, I know it would have been more private, but there wasn't any graceful way to say no after they were so nice to offer to keep us. I'm really thankful they are here though, it's been nice, having family around I'm g.lad I got here early to get acquainted with them. Is it terrible of me to be glad that it will give us more time alone together since I've gotten to know them better?

Cousin Eileen and George are giving us their bedroom tonight, isn't that nice of them? They told me we should go out to dinner too, somewhere nice. Eileen said we shouldn't have to make conversation with strangers when we just want to be with each other. Isn't that sweet?  

They gave me the names of some nice restaurants. We can just drop your bags off at the house and spend a few minutes chatting while you meet them.They don't expect us to spend any of your precious leave time with them, they are so understanding. They are very determined to give us privacy for our last night together for God only knows how long; we'll have to leave it in His hands, I know.  

I am grateful that we get this final 24 hours together before you ship out. I have the day tomorrow all planned. There's a lovely little park not far from here, I thought maybe we could spend some time there before we leave for the station, which I am trying not to think about. Actually, though, I don't care where we go or what we do, as long as we're together.

You might wonder why I'm writing you this letter, when I'm actually going to be talking to you this afternoon (I can't wait!). I have to write it, to say all the things I know I won't be able to once you are actually here, standing next to me. I'll probably babble, you know how I do that sometimes when I'm feeling emotional or really excited. All I'll be able to do is hold you, kiss you; love you and bask in having you here! Be warned, I plan on lots of kissing! 

More seriously (although I am very serious about kissing!), I want you to have something tangible from me that you can hold. I won't give this letter to you until right before you leave. I want you to carry this with you, always, so you'll never forget how much I love you. You are my life, my love. 

My emotions are a tangle. I know it's what you want, to be over there, in Europe, actually fighting the Nazis. I'm proud of you, more than you will ever know, really I am. I understand why the Army wants you there, why they need you. They need the best and you are the best. All the people suffering because of that evil need you and I am glad and so proud that you are standing up for what is right. Another part of me though, the selfish part, is terrified. I am so afraid of losing you, forever. I can't help it. I have nightmares. They scare me, because I know my nightmares are now reality for too many women like me.
                                                                                  
I shouldn't say it, I know, I need to be brave for you and be supportive. I know you are going to be in places and experiencing horrors that I cannot even imagine, soon enough.  I know you need me to be brave, and I will be, I am. I do support you and I am so proud of what you are doing. 

                                                                      They need you, I know. You speak French like a native and you're so smart! I remember how romantic it was on our honeymoon in San Francisco at that fancy french restaurant.  I'll never forget the look on the face of that oh, so superior waiter when you ordered in French! He was astounded, and then he fawned over you like a puppy dog for the rest of the night! Remember how we laughed about it later?


Please don't be angry, I have to say it. After this, I won't ever say it again. We promised we would never lie to each other though, about anything, so I have to get it out once. It still seems so unfair to me that they've changed your orders and you're going overseas after all. I was secretly glad when they assigned you to the Fourth Field Army and said you'd be in San Francisco for the duration. 

You were disappointed and upset, I know. To me though, it seemed like the best of both worlds; you would be serving your country, not too far from home and, best of all, safe. I would be able to see you when you had leave.  It was perfect. I would know you were safe and that you were coming back to me once it was all over. It was selfish of me, I know, but I still felt it and a part of me wishes it hadn't changed.

Now, it's all so uncertain and frightening. It's the same situation thousands of other couples are in, I know. We are not unique. I know what you're doing is important and right. I know that our country needs you, that you are doing your part to protect freedom. I know it's true. Knowing all of that just doesn't help though. The thought that something, the worst thing, could happen is the horrible thought I can't get out of my head, the thing that wakes me up at night and you haven't even left American soil yet. I can't stand it, I couldn't stand it if anything were to happen to you, so please, promise me you'll be careful. 


You are always in my thoughts, in my prayers, in my heart. I've enclosed a copy of that photo of me that you like so much, the one you took that same day. I'm in the blue flowered dress that you say is your favorite for me (you'll be seeing me in it for real again, too, soon!). Keep my picture and this letter with you and we'll always be together. 

You know how bossy I can get. Well, I plan on living a long, long time with you beside me. I want us to get old, wrinkly and crotchety together. To bounce our grandchildren on our laps, to sit outside on the patio with a glass of wine and watch the fog roll in across the bay when we're old, old, old. So don't you dare to let anything mess up my plans!

I need you to come back to me, my darling. I need you, I love you, you are my heart, you are my breath, you are my life and I love you, always and forever. 

 

Your loving wife. 







As you may have noticed, this blog post is a bit different. This is the fist part of a series chronicling the brief reunion of an officer in the US Army and his wife between Officer Training and leaving New York for Europe after the outbreak of WWII.

**This is an entirely fictional account. All characters, names and stories come from my own imagination.

This series of WWII Recreations is dedicated to my Grandparents and the 800,000 other American men and women who gave so much for so many. 

This past August I collaborated with Shirley Lessner, photographer extraordinaire; on a 1940's themed photo shoot. We basically did it because we wanted to. The photos are brilliant and as I was going through them, a story line started forming in my head.

My grandfather served in World War II, leaving behind a young wife and a tiny daughter (my mother). The story was repeated hundreds of thousands of times as ordinary Americans gave their all to defeat evil and protect freedom.

This first part has only a few of the photos, and the letter written by the wife to her husband as she is anticipating their brief reunion before he goes off to war. I hope you enjoy it, I will continue the story of their short reunion in my next post.

Photographs: Shirley Lessner; http://www.shilessnerphotography.com/
Styling: Shelley Walker, http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageLifeandDesign
Hair & Make-up: Krystin Walker
Models: Austin & Kathleen
Shot on Location at Palmer Park, Detroit, MI and the Historical Howell Depot; Howell, MI

I set this story in June of 1943 on purpose to fit my storyline. For those wondering, the events in this short snapshot of time are taking place before the Detroit race riots. That is another story entirely. 

 As always, thanks so much for reading this blog!

If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories - yet another way to re-use, recycle and re-purpose while looking fab. At my store you will also find some fashion originals (always made with vintage fabric!) and the odd costume item. I hope to see you there soon!

www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com

For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!

www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com

Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and/or vintage dreams. Also, if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know.

Email:  shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com

Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife











































Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Vintage + Animal Print Pumps = Fashion Fabulousness!

Animal print, what to do with it? Always a challenge, isn't it? You so don't want to be that person who doesn't know where to stop, goes overboard and looks ridiculous, with animal prints or vintage. Although, an entirely vintage outfit that looks fab is definitely doable and the same can't be said about animal prints, where moderation is the word to live by.


A perfect way to incorporate the animal print trend, especially if you're just testing the water, is with accessories, especially vintage ones!

Yeah, I know. It's been a while, again. Just too much to do and not enough time to do it in, I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, or, er, change my spots? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Back on topic now, vintage rocks! For example, check out this pair of gorgeous designer vintage calf-hair pumps:

1980's Via Spiga




 These pumps, with their mid-height, stacked heel and square toe are so versatile they could practically go with anything. Mix it up a bit!


Here are a few photos where these vintage pumps would be an original, and fabulous addition!


Photo from Chictopia



Here a pair of modern animal print pumps are paired with a print vintage dress. Using vintage pumps instead with a more modern dress would also work well.


They key to mixing and matching the prints is to make sure they don't try to outdo each other. Is it eclectic? Sure, but if you have the confidence and fashion savvy, you can totally pull it off. So go crazy, experiment!







Photo from Bazaar




Here, actress Michelle Williams rocks a pair of animal print pumps with a vintage inspired red lace dress. Fabulous look with retro elements that is totally modern!









Photo from Chictopia




Go shorts! This outfit would work with lower heel animal print pumps as well. You could also trade out the leather jacket for a blazer or long cardigan and it's a totally fresh, similar to the photo below, where she's wearing ankle length skinny jeans instead of shorts.


Mix up your vintage animal print pumps with prints, solids and layers, dress 'em up or dress 'em down. Express your own unique style and personality, which is what vintage is perfect for!






Photo from Chictopia






Below she's paired a cropped jean jacket with a flared skirt and animal print booties. Scratch the booties for the animal print vintage pumps above and it still works perfectly.


Photo from Chictopia




So, if you are lucky enough to find a fabulous pair of vintage animal print pumps, use your imagination! Incorporating vintage into your wardrobe is easy, fun and ensures no one else is ever going to show up in YOUR outfit!





As always, thanks so much for reading this blog!


If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories - yet another way to re-use, recycle and re-purpose while looking fab. At my store you will also find some fashion originals (always made with vintage fabric!) and the occasional costume item. I hope to see you there soon!

www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com

For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!

www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com

Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and/or vintage dreams. Also, if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know.

Email:  shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com

Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife
Tumblr: too much of a good thing . . . . 
Stumbleupon: shelleysvintage
Chictopioa: ShelleysVintage












Friday, June 14, 2013

Vintage Photo Shoot, Marilyn Style

Styling a vintage photo shoot is so much fun! Take fabulous vintage clothes & vintage accessories from Vintage Life & Design, an accomplished hair & make-up artist and a terrifically talented photographer and it's Vintage Glamor Extraordinaire! I've finally forced myself to sit down and get another post done, LONG overdue, I know, but I've been busy.

 If you are in the market for photos but want to do something original, individual and fun, think about a Vintage themed photo shoot styled by Vintage Life & Design. Engagement pictures, Senior Pictures, Family Photos or any group or individual shots - it's all about having fun and being creative.

Krystin, from the "Marilyn" styled shoot. This one is a Shi Lessner Original pose.



My daughter decided she wanted to recreate famous photos of Marilyn Monroe for her senior pictures - so much fun! The talented photographer I work with most often, Shirley Lessner  of  Shi Lessner Photography - www.shilessnerphotography.com/ - did Krystins' Senior Pictures at her studio. For anyone who wants wonderful, unique and memorable photos for any occasion, Shi does an incredible job, her photos are works of art.

Following is a small peek at one of our collaborative photo shoots, the Marilyn themed shoot for Krystin. I've also included some of the original Marilyn shots, so you can see where we got our inspiration! All the Marilyn photos came from Google Images, I don't know who took the originals but they are easily and widely available online.


I recreated the iconic pink dress made by phenomenal costumer Travilla  for Marilyn in  "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and gathered accessories to recreate the look as well. Unfortunately I don't have any digital images form our shoot with this dress yet. Have to be part of another post!




For this shoot, we recreated famously iconic photos as well as improvising period appropriate shots, all of which turned out beautifully! It was a long shoot and done almost entirely in the studio, with one exception. In our version (reality, winter in Michigan!), it was snowing and about 20 degrees, so not exactly a beach day. We made do with a snowy field.

We used this photo as inspiration, however,
it was snowing in Michigan, so we did it in the snow!
I don't have a digital image of ours yet. 


Step one: Identify the theme, consult with your stylist and photographer and set up a date. Plan to book a minimum of three weeks out, schedules vary.

For this shoot, there wasn't a lot of research involved. There are so many iconic Marilyn photos that it took longer to choose the ones to recreate than to find material to choose from.

Krystin is curvy with naturally almost platinum blonde hair so she already has the looks to make the Marilyn look work. She did her own hair and make-up, which she does frequently for commercial shoots for me and others.

So have you started thinking about the era you would like us to recreate for your own vintage photo session? If you need some ideas, we can help figure out what will be fun and flattering for you.

Step two:  I spent about three weeks gathering, altering and sewing the clothes for the shoot. This varies a lot, depending on the subject matter. As it happens, I didn't have any Marilyn outfits in stock. Once everything has been acquired, created or made, it's time for it all to be ironed/steamed, spot treated or whatever is necessary to make sure each item is photo ready.

Gathering and pairing accessories, organizing it all is another full days work. Then, there is transporting it to the studio and it doesn't stop there. For a large shoot, prepping the models or photo subjects, making sure all the details are right and the right accessories are on at the right time, no runs in tights, etc. Styling a photo shoot is a hands on job, and it is work.

Often people don't realize the prep time involved in a professionally styled and photographed shoot. It doesn't happen overnight, folks! It takes time and work and lots of it.
 


Marilyn, duh.
So here's where you get the sneak peek. This is the original  "Marilyn" photo on the left, below is our version.  Shi used her lens baby to give the photo a softer look. We also have one that isn't soft focus, but I don't have that one digitally yet.

For the photo below Krystin wore a corset and a tulle petticoat  made by Vintage Life & Design (me!).

Krystin
Marilyn
Another things people often don't realize. After the shoot is over, the stylist (me, in this case) goes through all the items used, notes any repairs or cleaning that needs to be done and does it. Everything has to be put away and, when it's not personally owned, cataloged. Depending on the size of the shoot, that can take anywhere from one to three days. When shooting for my site, I also have to measure each piece before storing it.









                                   
Krystin. Dress by Vintage Life & Design.




Photographers often take several hundred photos at a shoot in order to get the right shot. That's a lot of memory space. Shi took over 900 shots for the Krystin/Marilyn shoot.

After the shoot, the photographers work is just beginning. The photographer goes through every image, choosing the best. Then the retouching starts, an incredibly detailed and time consuming process. 

So next time you have photos taken by a really awesome photographer, be patient! A great photographer might require a little more time to get the photos ready, but it will be worth it when your photos are beautiful, artistic keepsakes that you and your family will treasure.




Krystin, dress by Vintage Life & Design (me!).
Marilyn  





















Marilyn.

Krystin, in the tulle again.
Marilyn

















Finally, the iconic "blowing dress" shot. On the left, obviously, part of the original shoot with Marilyn.

Below, our version, dress by Vintage Life & Design (me!).

Krystin







The mirror shot, Krystin. Vintage slip. 






Marilyn Mirror Shot

















So if you find yourself dreaming about having your own Vintage photo shoot, contact me, Shelley, at Vintage Life & Design. I would love to help you make your dream a reality! Shi would love to shoot it, too. We both adore working with fun, creative people who think outside the box, so if that's you, get in touch!

As always, thanks so much for reading this blog!

If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories - yet another way to re-use, recycle and re-purpose while looking fab. At my store you will also find some fashion originals (always made with vintage fabric!) and the odd costume item. I hope to see you there soon!

www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com

For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!

www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com

Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and/or vintage dreams. Also, if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know.

Email:  shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com

Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Keeping Christmas Green, Recycle for Gorgeous Gifts - not Procrastinating, Preserving the Planet!!

Have you procrastinated taking down the Christmas decorations? Ignored the piles of stuff in the living room, accidentally missed trash day because the holiday schedule was weird? Yeah, me too. I love Christmas, but taking everything down and putting it away afterwards, well, kind of a downer, isn't it? So, now that the craziness of the Holidays is over, are you looking at all the decorations you have to take down, sighing and wishing you had a magic decorating/clean up elf? I do it every year.

When I picture my magic decorating/clean-up elf it always looks suspiciously like Hermie the Misfit Elf from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Yes, I watched many, many animated Christmas specials a lot as a small child, which may or may not have anything to do with my elf fixation. They are real, ok? We just can't see them! I believe!

So wait! Stop! Before you clean up your Christmas detritus, take a good look at your trash! Yes, I'm serious. Instead of lugging bags of garbage to the curb or the dump, see what's in that bag that you can re-use and keep out of the landfill. It will decrease your trash haul for years to come. Really, there's more than you think that you can do to have a beautiful Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa (insert holiday of choice here) and take easy steps to lower your carbon footprint at the same time! Do not, under any circumstances, throw out those old Christmas cards!

Take a moment and pat yourself on the back for waiting until you read this before you clean it all up. It's not procrastinating if it's good for the environment, right? That's my take on it and I'm not budging, so congratulations and welcome to creating beautiful gifts while being environmentally responsible!

By the way, if you do actually have a magic decorating elf (which I continue to believe exist somewhere in spite of all logic and previous experience to the contrary) or you are one of those amazingly organized folks who had all decorations down, put away and everything else in the house perfect by the end of the day January 1, read no further. I have nothing for you, so just go away. Seriously. If you have a magic elf I'm jealous 'cuz I really want one. If you're the horribly organized type you're making me feel inadequate and I don't like it, so go organize your sock drawer or something. 


Presents! Yeah!

Presents! Who doesn't love to get presents, right? Whether it's for ___ (again, insert holiday of choice!) or no reason at all, we all love 'em and the prettier the better. Think back to when you were a little kid if you don't believe me. No matter what the occasion, it was so much more exciting to unwrap a beautiful package than for someone to just hand something to you, right? It's part of the magic. A part, unfortunately, that can be really bad for the environment (anyone ever cleaned up after Christmas without at least one great big bag stuffed with paper, tape and packaging? Didn't think so.). Not only is there the trash leftover after the event, but every time we buy new wrapping paper, boxes, bows or whatever, we are increasing the chemicals and energy required to produce and ship these items. No, I will probably not be getting Christmas cards from the manufacturers of these items.

Obviously, one of the easiest things to do is recycle the paper - if it's the right kind that is. My Depression Era relatives used to save used wrapping paper as well. I've done it on occasion, but it's hard to keep previously used wrapping paper looking good unless it's a big enough piece to roll around another paper roll. I don't do it often.

You can also make your own wrapping paper from recycled and recyclable paper - you can buy rolls of brown paper for under $10 that last forever, are totally recyclable and can be decorated any way the inclination takes you. I have also wrapped gifts in fabric that gets re-used over and over again. The gifts look beautiful and it can be used for anything you want afterwards and re-used year after year. Wrapping in fabric is traditional in Japan (rarely for Christmas gifts, obviously!), which is just kind of a cool piece of gifting trivia!

Fabric Wrapped Gifts

I am admittedly somewhat obsessed with recycling, re-using and keeping things out of landfills (at least my family thinks so), but a saint or an expert, not hardly. Still, I thought I'd share some of the little (and EASY) things we do in our house to keep the trash load lower in case anyone is interested. If you have other suggestions or things you do, please share - I'm always looking for new ways to recycle and re-use!

The main thing we do in our home which is super simple is to re-use stuff. We re-use the same boxes from year to year. Now, obviously this requires some storage space. If you're living in a tiny studio apartment this is more of a challenge and you might be limited to the kind of box that folds flat so you can keep them under the bed, or under a couch or behind a dresser.

I invested some years ago in quite a few beautiful, sparkly boxes which make wrapping a snap! There are others that over the years I have permanently covered with pictures from magazines, newspapers or fabric. It's a small time investment but then the boxes last for years. Our family has been re-using the same boxes for Christmas and birthdays for about fifteen years now and it's great. We pull the empties out and put them under the tree when we start to decorate for Christmas, then as needed people grab the empties, fill, decorate and tag them and they go back under the tree. It always looks festive, which I love.

Just a few of the boxes we re-use in the Walker house every year. I took this photo after Christmas, so they aren't as pretty as they were! After Christmas is over, I throw them all in a giant garbage bag (which has also been re-used for years) and they live on top of the Christmas Decoration bins the rest of the year, except when the odd box gets pulled out for birthday presents or whatnot. These boxes are a tried and true part of our Christmas ritual!

Don't have room to save boxes year to year? Be creative and re-use/recycle in another way. Start to save boxes you get from everyday household activities for a few weeks before the holidays or whatever event you need a gift box for - you would be amazed at how quickly cereal boxes, tea boxes, toothpaste boxes and the like add up. Unconventional, yes, but they work! Cover them with recyclable paper or turn them into permanent gift boxes by gluing on fabric or paper and who will know?

The next "re-use" item in our house also requires some storage space. Behold, the bow bins. Yep, we save every single bow, even the short useless pieces (Why? Hang on, I'll get there in a minute!). Occasionally we get new bows added to the stash when gifts come from outside the family, but mostly we just re-use, re-use, re-use.If you don't save actual bows and just use ribbon you can fold up, it will easily fit in baggies that are easier to store.

Some of these bows date back to our wedding - more years ago than I care to share! They come from our kids birthday parties, gifts from other family members, wherever. Sniff, sniff, family traditions! It is kind of fun and creative to piece together new bows using the remnants of old ones. For us it's a trip down memory lane, kind of like when we pull out the ornaments to decorate the tree. "Oh yeah, I remember when I made that bow for the ??? I got for ??? the year we (got ipods, the pool table, went to SC, went to Phoenix, Nevada, CA, you get the idea)!"

Now, to my favorite recycling for Christmas project, gift tags! All right, making your own gift tags might not actually save the planet, but every little step we take helps. This is where all those Christmas cards you never know what to do with come into play. Some of them are so beautiful I used to hate to throw them away or throw them in the recycling bin. So about eight or nine years ago I had an epiphany (yes, some people see angels, I have epiphanies about recycling).  So we don't throw them out, we do recycle them into beautiful and unique gift tags and now the Christmas cards live forever! Super simple, super easy.

After Christmas I gather up all the cards and make sure I have the addresses I need (not that I ever use them, although I mean to, I promise. Yes, good intentions and all that.), I take them apart, putting the "writing on" part into the recycling bin. The pictures, I throw into a plastic ziploc baggie. I don't do anything with them until next year at that point, but I'm going to skip ahead (or back as may be). Here's what I do:

Ziploc baggies full of cards & gift tags in waiting. The bag on the left has whole card fronts and blank cut-outs, the bag on the right has previously used tags. Yes, we save the tags too and re-use them when appropriate. Also, the fronts of Christmas cards and any cards actually, make great post-cards.



Step 1, a cool card, back removed & in the recycling bin.


Step 2: Scissors, hole punch, ribbon.

Step 3: Cut the card into desired shapes, pictures.

Step 4: Use a hole punch in a corner or along the edge.

Step 5: Using ribbon scraps, thread your ribbon through.
 Gift tags from Christmas or (insert Holiday of Choice) make far cuter gift tags than anything you can buy en mass. No, they aren't quite as easy as the ones already cut out and printed, but it really doesn't take that much more effort to convert your old cards to gift tags and they are so much better!

 So you end up with a really cute gift tag, you can write whatever you want on the blank side. Attach it to your package and, ta-da!

This is why I keep all the ribbon scraps - they are perfect for attaching the gift tags to the packages and bows.
This is the ziploc baggie full of ribbon odds & ends!


















So there you have it, the low down on beautiful gift wrapping that is totally environmentally responsible!  Unless you choose to store un-collapsible boxes and whole bows in bins like we do, none of this really takes up a lot of space. So go nuts, be creative, save the earth while wrapping incredibly gorgeous packages!

One of the old sparkly boxes, recycled ribbon and a tag made from an old Christmas card!

Thanks so much for reading! If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories - yet another way to re-use, recycle and re-purpose while looking fab. At my store you will also find some fashion originals and the odd costume item! I hope to see you there soon!


www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com

For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!

www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com


Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know! Thanks so much for reading my blog!

Email:  shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com

Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife





Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Almost Christmas!

All right, so I'm crazy busy with no time. What else is new, right? Since I am really trying to at least post periodically, here's a quickie about what's up lately.

I am still waiting on the web sized photos from the last shoot, unfortunately. The initial photos I got back are fantastic so I'm hoping to get them all soon!

For me, business as usual, plus trying to get ready for Christmas (not doing very well at it, either, I'm afraid).

So, here are a couple of new items from the store that I absolutely love, plus a mystery that I'm still trying to solve. : )

I love this adorable brooch! There is something about vintage flower pins that just radiates happy optimism to me, which I always need more of!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/118395796/vintage-jewelry-darling-vintage-brooch



When I find fabulous pieces of  vintage jewelry it's always a struggle for me to let them go! However, since my personal collection of vintage jewelry is already far larger than reason dictates, I comfort myself by thinking about the good home my treasures will go to.


The beading on this vintage purse is exquisite! Again, my own personal collection is already quite large, but I'm tempted every time! https://www.etsy.com/listing/118394343/vintage-accessories-gorgeous-vintage?ref=v1_other_2

Finally, a great belt buckle! Pewter and turquoise, quite unusual! https://www.etsy.com/listing/117277009/vintage-accessories-vintage-belt-buckle

So there you have it, the latest additions to the shop, oh, I did promise a mystery, didn't I? Well, here it is.

I came across this antique ornament/clip quite some time ago and have been working sporadically to identify it for about a year so I can list it. It is some type of clip - hook, I am really not sure if it's for clothing or home decor purposes, I haven't come across one like it before. It is quite large, with an elaborate sterling design and an exquisitely detailed Father Christmas in brass attached to the front. The attached hook is also brass and is signed "Cappy," a signature I am unfamiliar with and have not been able to find any information on. So if you have the answers, please let me know!


My mystery ornament!
A look at the back.



















If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories. There are also some fashion originals and the odd costume item! I hope to see you there soon!


www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com

 For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!

www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com

To find out more about Shi Lessner Photography, check out her website!

http://shilessnerphotography.com/

Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know! Thanks so much for reading my blog!

Email:  shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com

Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife



Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Finally, Back Again!

I know, I'm a terrible, horrible, no-good blogger. Good intentions and all that, right? Between working on my shop, being a Mom and trying to keep my house from spontaneously combusting, my time just flies away from me every day. I really, really want one of those time turners Hermione has in the last few Harry Potter books. Yep, I'm a HP geek. Deal with it. I so wish I had magical powers. Really.

I am re-organizing my work room because I got a new computer hutch, which I love. Although I need to refinish it, which isn't going to happen until next summer. I still love it. Getting it into my workroom though, required major rearranging of furniture. Right now I'm at the "pull everything out into a horrendous mess before organizing and putting it back" stage. This is being prolonged because I keep having to actually do other stuff, like work. I really need an assistant. Or a magic wand. Sigh.
This is my work room right now. It doesn't usually look like this, I promise. However, I pulled everything out of every single cabinet so that I could get rid of my old sewing table and rearrange with the new  computer hutch. My old desk is now my sewing table. I moved the furniture around, but haven't gotten to the put everything back stage yet. Has to be done by this weekend though, time to get a Christmas tree and get Christmas decorations up! Yikes - it's almost Christmas! How did that happen, seriously?!!

I always think that "once fill in the blank gets done, I'm going to have more time." It has yet to happen, so why do I continue to believe it will? Seriously - I'm either a ridiculous optimist or I have major delusions when it comes to reality! I have also been refinishing some furniture on the days we get decent weather (always a surprise!) and going through my own closet to clear out the chaff. I have a couple of HUGE bags  waiting to go to Salvation Army. Waiting until I finish sorting through my workroom, because I know I have stuff in here that I can and need to get rid of! So what am I doing? Writing my blog, of course, finally. Honestly, I've been working all day and my brain is fried, so writing for a while is like a break.
I found this old media storage cabinet and saw some possibilities. No, I didn't take photos during the refinishing process, I forgot - surprise, surprise. It was a really nasty, beat up looking cabinet, but it's solid wood. I am tired of the pile of shoes that collects inside the front door, so thought this would make a much nicer place to store them! I took it apart, sanded it down and refinished it in a soft aqua with a burnt sienna wash. Then I, after much searching, I found some antique china knobs that coordinate and I love the way it turned out!

On top of everything else, despite my better judgement, I once again have agreed to do costumes for my daughters' high school musical production. Yes, I'm insane. So stay posted, no doubt I'll have lots of great pics of the Brighton High School production of Beauty and the Beast once the show is up and running. I will try to remember to take pics as we go through the process as well. Fun stuff, but also a ton of work, as anyone who has ever done costuming can attest - the show doesn't even go up 'til the end of April and I'm already spending 10 - 20 hours a week on it, planning and research right now. Yeesh.
BHS Beauty and the Beast, April 2013!

Another thing that has kept me busy lately was another photo shoot the Saturday before Thanksgiving, it went FABULOUSLY! I am getting better at this every time I do it. Good thing, huh? It would be pretty sad if I hadn't managed to learn anything along the way!

I am working with Shirley Lessner, of Shi Lessner Photography here in Brighton, MI - her website link is below, check it out. She is amazing, seriously and the preview photos I've seen so far are incredible!! My daughter Krystin once again did hair and make-up, she is really good at it too! I know they aren't "web ready" yet, but I have to add a few just as a preview because they look so good! I know some of the girls took pics during the shoot, but I don't have any copies of them yet. I once again forgot to take any during the process. I really am a terrible and forgetful photographer. Just ask my poor children who have very, very few records of their existence past the first year. Once I get the photos from the girls I'll post some - it was so much fun!

Model Kirsten looks adorable in a 1960's crochet hat and an 80's sweater.

Shi is doing some fine-tuning on the photos (honestly, I couldn't find anything wrong with them at all, but she wants to fix some stuff she didn't like. This is why she is the photographer and I am not!). I should have them in a few days, so stay tuned! It will take a while to get everything listed, but I'll get going on it asap!

Kathleen is stunning in a 1980's Beaded Gown.
Tegan in an 80's Power Dress!





Once again, I am so fortunate to have so many great girls who are willing to model for me - they are all not only gorgeous, but smart, funny and nice as well!






Tessie in a 1980's LBD - perfect for cocktails or a Holiday Party!


One fun fact I should have blogged about when it happened, but didn't! One of my 80's outfits was bought by the costumer for The Carrie Diaries, the WB show in production right now about the early days of Carrie Bradshaw (Sex in the City, Main Character, in case there is anyone out there who doesn't recognize the name!). I have no idea which character will wear it or even if it will actually end up on camera, but keep an eye out for it - I know I will!

Tegan in the outfit bought by The Carrie Diaries.



Well, there you have it, the latest and greatest of what my days are filled with! Thanks for reading and once again, I will state my intentions to do a better job of updating regularly. Thanks for your patience and feel free to comment! Have a vintage day!

If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories. There are also some fashion originals and the odd costume item! I hope to see you there soon!


www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com

 For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!

www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com

To find out more about Shi Lessner Photography, check out her website!

http://shilessnerphotography.com/

Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know! Thanks so much for reading my blog!

Email:  shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com

Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife