Thursday, March 31, 2011

Vintage Simplicity #1620


1950s Sundress

Fabric: From Joann's last year.
Pattern: Simplicity 1620 {you can buy this pattern in a size 12 on Etsy}
Year: c.1956
Notions: invisible zipper, bias tape
Time to Complete: A couple of hours last Friday & Saturday.
First worn: March 31, 2011


- Pattern Review -

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, though I sort of did my own thing. =)

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, I adore vintage pattern instructions when I do use them. I only used the instructions for the first three steps. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love how easy this pattern was to whip up. Plus this dress came out really cute!!

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I enlarged the pattern on the sides to fit me better. Used two rectangles of fabric for the skirt instead of the pattern pieces included.    

Would you sew it again? Yes!!! 

Would you recommend it to others? Yes, this is a very easy dress pattern to sew.


Well girls, here is my new "vintage" dress that I made this last weekend. How do y'all like it? I didn't wear it totally vintage today, I'm saving that for the Nancy Drew fashion week, instead I styled it more modern.  I love the colors of this dress and it's very fitting for today. If any of you are baseball fans, you will know that today is opening day. And guess what? My dress is in my favorite team's colors - the Detroit Tigers.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Nancy Drew Event Starts THIS Friday...


Are you ready? I just hope it warms up where I live, because most of my vintage-y clothes are for Spring & Summer. =D Plus, I'm simply dying for warmer weather. Because guess what? It's snowing outside right now. How I wish it was rain instead. =)  

Anyways, I created some Polyvore sets for y'all for some Nancy Drew fashion inspiration.
Nancy Drew 2










Calling all Nancy Drew fans! You have to check out Bess's blog, Nancy's Notebook. It is a great resource for Nancy Drew fans. :)

Also check out the post I did last year on Nancy Drew's Style

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Lilla Rose Flexi Clip Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}


Way back in early February, I was asked to do a product review of the Lilla Rose Flexi Clip. I thought about it, looked over the website and decided to do it. I've just taken a long time on my part on getting this review going. Sorry about that.
After pouring over the website trying to pick the clip I want to review. I finally decided on the pink fairy. Let me tell you girls, it was so hard to choose just one. They have a wide selection of clips, one for everyone's style; which is wonderful!

I picked the small size, though I should of picked a smaller size for the way I fix my hair. I didn't realized how thin my hair was until I tried this out. I can still use this and I LOVE it!!! I love that the pin is attached to the clip. Meaning you won't be loosing pieces. If you are like me, I'm always loosing things, so this is great.

I wanted to have pictures of me wearing my flexi clip, but my photographer, A.K.A. Gabrielle, came down sick this weekend. :(

But, I do have wonderful news!!! Jennifer Allen, who contacted me about doing this review also wants to give one of you the flexi clip of your choice!!!

How to enter the giveaway -

  • Visit Lilla Rose and tell me which is your favorite flexi clip and what size you want. (Watch this video to find out your size.) {Include in your comment some way for me to contact you. Email, or blog will work. If you don't want your email published, leave a separate comment with just your email and a note.}
More ways you can enter {Please leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do, thank you!}:
  • "Like" Lilla Rose Clips on Facebook
  • Follow Jennifer Allen {Lilla Rose Clips} on Twitter
  • "Like" Bramblewood Fashion on Facebook
  • Follow Bramblewood Fashion 
  • Blog, Facebook, or Tweet about the giveaway. {Leave a link in the comment. You can do all three just leave a separate comment for each one.}
This giveaway is only open to those in the USA. The giveaway will end on April 3rd at 11 PM {EST}. The winner will then be chosen at random, using random.org, and announced the next day. 


Monday, March 28, 2011

My Vintage Creative Weekend

My weekend has been very vintage. 

Friday - I started sewing a 1950s sundress. I used one of the patterns I won in Atlanta's giveaway. Thank you, Atlanta for hosting the wonderful giveaway!!! I dearly love the patterns!! :D


This is the pattern I used. Isn't it simply darling?!?! While sewing the dress I watched episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show on hulu.com. What fun! 

The dress is very summery, floral print, and bright! Did I mention the colors on the fabric are the same as my favorite baseball team? The Detroit Tigers. Oh! I even have a 1950s petticoat that I made, several years ago, to wear underneath the dress. What bliss. I can't wait to do a photo-shoot! 


That evening Gabrielle, Hanne-col, our brother, and I watched episodes of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. You can download and watch episodes that are in the public domain on Internet Archive


Saturday - I finished sewing my sundress while watching The Donna Reed Show, once again on hulu.com. Donna Reed has some adorable clothes in this show. I've found many a dress that I want to copy on this show. 

After I finished my dress I made earrings for my Etsy shop. {I don't have them up yet.} They are simply darling and unique. I can't wait to share them with y'all! :D

Sunday - Instead of watching old TV shows from the 50s or 60s I decided to listen to old Radio shows. In the morning {we didn't have church yesterday as some of us came down sick this last week} I browsed around Internet Archive for some good things to listen too while I worked on projects all day. I found sooo many good things to listen too. Here are some things I found to listen too: Dragnet, The Six Shooter, Lux Radio Theater, Screen Director's Playhouse, Tales of the Texas Rangers, Cavalcade of America, Sherlock Holmes, and the Academy Award Ceremony of 1943.

Afterwards, I made a darling necklace that matches one of the earrings I made on Saturday. I also made a pair of earrings for my mom. 


After crafting, I found some vintage patterns in my pattern collection I don't want anymore to sell. The reason being, they are several sizes too large and I will never take the time to shrink them to my size. Meaning they are up for sale in my Etsy shop, right now. 

What did you do this weekend? 

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Shabby Apple is One of A Kind

Dresses from Shabby Apple

I really love the dresses from Shabby Apple. They have so many adorable dresses for you to buy; or to be inspired by for sewing your own. They are also cheeper then most things I feature and they are modest. Which is always great!


My favorite collection from Shabby Apple is the Manhattan Collection. I love e.v.e.r.y s.i.n.g.l.e dress.

 

If you already know the collections of Shabby Apple then you won't be shocked to know that my second favorite collection is 1943. =) You saw that coming, right?



But wait. Have you seen their latest line? It is called, Roamin Holiday. Get it? It's named after one of my favorite movies, Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. Many of the dresses are simply dreamy.




Then they have an adorable apron line called, Boysenberry. It's so 1950s. Their apron line makes me want to whip up a pie and cook in a vintage kitchen. 



What's your favorite thing/collection/line from Shabby Apple?

P.S.
If you haven't yet, don't forget to answer our blog questionnaire. It has been a huge success so far! So don't forget to do it yourself. =D 

Thursday, March 17, 2011

St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day my wee lassies!!! I'm allowed to say that; I have some Irish in me. =) Well, on to my outfits for today.

Mint Floral Skirt {made by me}; White Blouse {Kohl's}; Blue Cardigan {Old Navy}; Tan Boots {Target}; Green Leaf Earrings {AmandaBeth Online}.

 This is the first outfit I wore today. Not as green as my normal St. Patrick's day outfit. I decided to go more subtle this year. I almost got rid of this skirt at the end of last Summer, but decided to hang onto it! Boy am I glad I did. I simply love the way this outfit looks!!! 


As it was so windy this afternoon. My skirt kept flying up. Very bad when trying too do the bow and arrow. So I changed into the following outfit. 

Jean Capri's {Anne Klein via Sams Club}; White Blouse {Kohl's}; Cream Cardigan {GAP Outlet}; Black Flats {Payless}; Green Socks {who knows?}; Green Leaf Earrings {AmandaBeth Online}.

 Today was the first day of the year that I was able to wear Capri's.

So, what did you do today?

Friday, March 11, 2011

Blog Award Time

I figured it was about time I posted all the awards Bramblewood Fashion was given in February and March. Late I know. =)

I have been award the Stylish Blogger Award, three times, The Versatile Blogger and the 7 Facts Blog Award.


Thank you, Shealynn, Nina, Riah, and Amber!! =)

The rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Write seven things about yourself.
3. Pass on to seven other bloggers.
4. Tell the seven awardees of their award!

For the awards I will just do seven random things about myself. As I don't think I can come up 35 random different things. :p 

1. My mom taught me how to sew the basics. But I learned how to sew clothing/costumes on my own through books and websites/blogs.

2. Peppermint is my favorite flavor ever.

3. Growing up one of my favorite TV shows was Liberty Kids. Anyone watch that show?

4. I use to hate dark chocolate and milk chocolate was only ok. I only liked white chocolate. Now it has switched. I adore dark & milk chocolate and dislike white. :p

5. I have been to London, UK. It was for Mrs. Chancey's first Historical Costume Trip. {my posts are here.}

6. I love collecting patterns. I have over 200 right now {modern/vintage/costume}. I also love collection vintage magazines and books.

7. My favorite era for movies are the 1940s.


Thursday, March 10, 2011

My new spring skirt....

What I'm Wearing: Jean Jacket {Christopher & Banks '05}; White T-Shirt {Kohl's}; Green Floral Skirt {Made by me yesterday}; Tan Boots {Target}; Black Necklace {borrowed from Gabrielle, Kohl's}; Yellow Flower Ring {giveaway}; Kate Spade inspired earrings {Etsy}.  

I made this skirt yesterday for spring. Some of you may recognize the fabric from the Taylor skirt I made for my etsy shop. Well, back to my skirt. What pattern did I use? The yoke was already drafted by Gabrielle. And I just used two rectangles for the skirt. Very simple and easy to do. Maybe I should do a tutorial. Thoughts? 

Tuesday I made dinner at our house and I wanted to share pictures and recipes with y'all. :) You don't mind do you?

Homemade Gluten-Free Apple Pie

Filling
5 C. Apples {about 5-6 apples}
1 /3 or 2/3 C. Sugar {depending on taste}
1/4 C. Cornstarch or Arrowroot powder {I use Arrowroot.}
2 tsp. Cinnamon + any spices you enjoy! {I just shake some in. No measuring for me.}
Splash of lemon juice

Add all the ingredients together in the pie crust. Bake according to your pie crust instructions.

Crisp Topping

1 C. Flour {Any kind. For a Gluten-free option, I use almond meal from Trader Joe’s}
1 C. Oats
1/2 C. Brown sugar
1/4 C. White sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 C. Butter {soften}
Sprinkle of salt

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Mix well with a mixer. Crumble crumbs on top of pie.

Pie Crust

For the pie crust I just use a pre-made gluten-free one from Whole Foods. You can use your favorite pie crust recipe, or a pre-made one. Enjoy!

This recipe is my own. =D

Fried Chicken
The one on the left is made with King Arthur White flour. While the one on the right is gluten-free and made with almond meal from Trader Joe's.

1/2 C. flour
1 tsp. salt
some pepper
1 tsp. paprika 
I had 8 legs and thighs pieces and there was enough mix leftover for more.

Put everything in a paper sack and shake one chicken piece at a time. Place chicken on a plate. Heat either grape seed oil or shortening in heavy skillet to the depth of 1/2 inch. When warm add the chicken and fry both sides until lightly browned. Turn pieces frequently. When all pieces are evenly browned, cover and cook slowly 30 to 40 min., or until thickest pieces are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain on plate with paper towel.  

Buttermilk Biscuits
These are so good! We love them so much I made fresh ones for lunch today. :) AND they taste Cracker Barrel's. 

2 C. flour {I used King Arthur White Flour}
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/3 C. shortening
3/4 C. buttermilk

Blend first four ingredients together in a bowl, with a spoon. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles cornmeal. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients; add buttermilk all at one time. Stir with a fork until dough follows fork. Gently form dough into a ball and put on a lightly floured surface. Knead lightly with finger tips 10 to 15 times. Gently roll dough 1/2 in. thick. Cut with a small glass cup, lightly flour first. Place on a baking sheet, greased, close together for soft-sided biscuits. Brush tops lightly with milk. Bake 450 degrees 10 to 15 min., or until biscuits are golden brown. 

Both of the above recipes are from The Southern Cook Book of Fine Old Recipes {1965}. You can buy your own copy here

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...