A day at the beach

Today our friends invited me and E.B.F. to a beach North of Boston called Crane Beach. The air didn't have a hint of humidity and allowed me to bust out my 1940's bathing suit.


unfortunately this suit leaves really awkward tan lines and needs to be completely unbuttoned (including the straps) for a trip to the little girls room.

It's my party and I'll dress how I want to..

It's my birthday today, the big whatever-whatever and to celebrate E.B.F. took me out to a fine French Restaurant in Boston after my eye appointment. Yes, in less than one week I will be able to see without glasses! Oh, the post-op joy!

So for a fine dining experience one needs to of course wear their best gown, and mine is from the 1920's. No lie. When in Fort Collins Colorado I found a fabulous vintage shop called Wear It Again Sam that specialized in vintage hats and clothing from the Edwardian period to the 1930's *swoon*. So I curled my hair, donned my vintage 1920's ball gown and hit the town.


Much to my utter joy, the moment I reached the hostess counter she gushed about my dress and how she too adored the vintage purchase in ones wardrobe. Various stares and multiple compliments accompanied by the awkward smile came my way during my dining experience. Once finished with my fabulous meal, I notified the girls in the hostess both of the shop and web site I found this ensemble and left the establishment to enjoy a Negroni mixed in my birthday honor.

I LOVE my birthday.

Classy Coasters

The company to which I am employed has gone through some renovations and many people have been playing musical office so when our Prepress director moved I noticed he forgot a few things, one which is this set of coasters from AGFA. Noticing the quirky jazz era themed beer coasters had been abandoned, I quickly snatched them up knowing full well that I will never use them for the purpose they were intended.

Corpse Reviver #1

I love the fact that there are cocktails that have been created specifically for the effects of drinking to much the night before. The Corpse Reviver actually has 3 iterations and they are all numbered for convenience, which is nice when you need the hair of the dog that bit you and you want zombie themed choices.

Looking up this recipe on the internet lead me to some interesting mixes but I'm going to direct you to the below measurements which are from a reputable cocktail book from the 1930's when the drink was actually created.
2 oz Brandy
1 oz Apple Brandy
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine and shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Yum.

The Kamikaze

This is NOT the Bro/Ho version of this classic drink, if that is what you want, find a bar full of popped polo collars. If you are looking for a sour summer sipper I would suggest you try the Kamikaze this way:
1 1/2 oz Vodka
2 teaspoons Cointreau
1/2 oz lime juice
Combine ingredients, Shake vigorously. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.

The Gimlet

I was craving one all day, so the first thing I do after I take off my shoes is to mix my first Gimlet. Great for a summer day. Unless you like tart drinks, if you don't have Rose's and are going to use fresh limes, don't forget to add a bit of simple syrup or you might find your face puckered.

2 oz dry gin
2/3 oz lime juice(fresh or Rose's)
Combine Gin, Lime juice and cracked ice into a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into a cocktail glass. Now you are puckered for life.

The joy of apps.

If you can't go to the vintage, make the vintage come to you and let the laughter ensue. The app is called Old Booth and is for the iPhone. basically it works like those large cutouts on boardwalks and it places you face in a perfectly framed head.

Unfortunately I am not hip enough for an iPhone but and will simply sneak Engineer boyfriend's phone to take a few candid yesteryear photos.

The Aviation

Created in 1916, enough of these and you too will be flying.
2 oz gin
1/2 oz maraschino liqueur
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 tbs of Creme de Violete

The Daiquiri

Unless you are a "Bro" or "Ho", you really should drink a Daiquiri like this:
2 oz light rum
3/4 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz lemon juice
Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Voila!

Party like it's 1929!

1930's Deco Dress from So Vintage Patterns... Probably should have ironed the dress after wearing it all day.

The Tom Collins

Modified from the original, we decided to add fresh fruit thus creating a raspberry/blueberry Tom Collins.
1 handful of berries
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz lemon juice
3 oz gin
Muddle the fruit in a tall glass with lemon juice and simple syrup. Add gin, ice cubes and top with soda water. Stir till mixed.

The Negroni

1 oz gin
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz Campari® bitters
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass 3/4 filled with cracked ice. Add a splash of soda water if desired. Garnish with a half slice of orange.

Bonnie Parker Dress

Okay, maybe not an actual Bonnie Parker dress but I did make it from a sewing pattern from the 1930's. It's the bees knees.

Learning to sew

I am easily persuaded to become... fascinated with new creative hobbies. As a one time student of art I find that my current life in a cubicle like some kind of human veal, I need a creative outlet. I have moved from knitting which I found just took too long and forced me to sit in one place for prolonged periods of time to the art of sewing.

After completing my first two projects I am absolutely hooked. I have been collecting rather affordable vintage 1920's dress patterns to begin with, hell, it's not like there is much shaping to worry about right?


Dress one: The Dust Bowl Dress
Created to save time, fabric and money for those struggling through the first great depression (can you smell the irony?)


Dress two: The Drop Waist Dress
I found that this dress was not as easy as it looked. Next time I make it with less slippery fabric.

Sherman, set the WABAC machine to... Vintage

I longed for the beauty of yesteryear so much that I accidentally became what I coveted. It began with a few 1940's hair rolls to a full on antique wardrobe. Luckily Engineer boyfriend (EBF) finds it to be extremely attractive more than an oddity.

So here I will display all of the things that make my heart flutter in the hopes that I find I am not alone in this passion.