A Gift To My Readers!

A few posts ago, I mentioned that I would be planning a baby shower this week with a few friends and would love to serve them espresso using this great looking cup and saucer set while we were sharing ideas about how to celebrate with the expectant Mom. I thought this pretty color palette would give us a little color inspiration for the event, since we know the baby is a girl. I notified the on line shop owner of Hemp Seed and Honey of my inclusion of her set on my blog post and I received the nicest response back from her! She is offering to you, my dear readers, 15% off your entire purchase of marvelous merchandise from her store until Valentine's Day!

This really is the most delightful little store, with several of her table linens listed with free shipping, so there are wonderful deals to be had, like this pretty pink vintage table cloth with lovely open weave detail. Although it is perfect for our event, I also love how fresh it looks photographed on this outdoor table suited to a beautiful brunch when the weather warms.

These ivory cotton napkins are trimmed in a soft wavy pattern in one of my favorite color combinations of pink and grey.

She even has the most adorable three -item centerpiece package! She suggests filling the tin with flowers, tying balloons to the handle of the sweet little cup and allowing guests to gift money in the bank so the Mother can purchase gifts of her choosing! Plus, the centerpiece could be an additional gift to help adorn the nursery with gently used decorations to remind her of the day!

Please check out her sweet store and let her know I sent you over! If you decide to choose something from her, the coupon code you will need is FMPBLOG for your discount. Be sure to let me know what great things you find and how you'll use them...I'd love to know!

Have Fun Shopping!

--Lee Ann

Three Lovely Things!

Just because they are pretty...

...I wanted to share them with you!



Weiss jonquil pale yellow rhinestone 4 piece parure.
Glitzy Things.




1960's handpainted Vera Nuemann silk butterfly scarf.
The Lucky Fish.




Christian Dior gold leather shoulder bag.

Loving Lola.


Here's to Hoping Three Lovely Things for You Today!

--Lee Ann

Linking to Frenchy's French Obsession Party!

Looking Ahead to a New Week!

There's lots to get accomplished next week...

...and I've found some of the nicest things to help me check them off my "to-do" list!

SUNDAY...

Is there any nicer way to start a Sunday morning with your sweetheart than a leisurely breakfast in bed? This pair of vintage bed trays presents you with a greeting of the prettiest floral bouquet on which you can serve the simplest of meals and still feel decadent! From Past To Present Vintage.


MONDAY...

Simply French Vintage offers quite a few options for wonderful quality T-towels in her shop. I've been vowing to replace my threadbare ones and this week seems like the perfect time to do just that. This particular style was part of a brides trousseau and features hand worked monograms.



TUESDAY...

I have always wanted to start a collection of vintage issues of Vogue, even before I saw Miss Charlotte Moss's massive collection which she has had bound in lipstick red binders filling the shelves of her office. This issue, from August 1961, happens to be of particular interest to me, since it contains a feature piece on Jackie Kennedy inspired fashions. It's from a shop called Friend of Quentin.



WEDNESDAY...

Looking for a statement piece to boost your weary winter wardrobe? I know I won't find this piece as I wander through the shops today on my regular Wednesday mall run. The Mesa NY on etsy is the only place to get this one of a kind creation made from a 1930's suit collar of genuine cheetah, freshwater pearls,and Swarovski crystals and roundels. Even the clasp is a vintage Chanel earring!






THURSDAY...

I'm having a few friends over to help me plan a mutual friends baby shower, and I know they'd love to be served espresso in these gold rimmed demitasse cups and saucers. All six sets are in varying shades of mauves, browns and pinks...I love this color combination, don't you? Available from Hemp Seed and Honey.






FRIDAY...



A dear friend is turning 50 this year, and his wife is throwing a surprise bash for him tonight! It's all very casual, with fun Mexican fare on the menu. Although it's not really my usual style, I'd love to wear this festive vintage top with jeans and black boots. From Kaleidoscope Vision, this brightly embroidered blouse is from the 1930's or 40's. Bring on the Margaritas!



SATURDAY...



Back in the olden days of the late 1970's when I first met my sweetie, backgammon was all the rage. I remember many romantic evenings of enjoying this then-glamorous game with a bottle of wine and the Commodores crooning on the cassette player. Even after all these years, we still love to spend time together doing just that and enjoying each other's company! This is a lovely vintage set from Debbi Does Vintage.


What Do You Need To Accompish This Week?


--Lee Ann


Linking to Frenchy's French Obsession Party!

From The "I Have Nothing To Wear" Style Files...

My dear friend is celebrating the grand opening of her new chic boutique with an outdoor ribbon cutting and I need something warm and smart to wear, yet a great look underneath for cocktails inside afterward.

Let's start with the fun stuff first, shall we? Shoes!


Ooooh! How about these patent leather Christian Louboutins? Right on trend, this nude color is everywhere in the fashion magazines for making your legs look like they go on for miles! From Annie Bear Vintage.





Wrap dresses are another way to lose 10 pounds in 10 minutes! Done in this fun leopard print, this would be great for going from day to cocktail hour. The longer sleeves keep it from being too bare since it is still quite cold, and the V-neck is flattering for anyone, too. Available from Highwire.




I am always up for winter white! I think it gives you such a lift during the cold season, and I'm crazy over this double breasted one with it's pretty princess seams and tab detail at the waist. It's vintage 1960's Saks Fifth Avenue, and perfect for early Spring days when the weather has not really warmed up yet. Even though this one has some military influence, there is nothing that is too masculine here! From Created and Collected.





Glitz 1 offers this genuine alligator handbag in their large etsy shop, just full of great things! Made by Sterling USA, this is a stunning addition to your accessory wardrobe, and because it's vintage, you won't see your friends toting the same bag! They'll just envy yours!





I am a big fan of hats and love an opportunity to wear one for a special event like this! Made of 100% wool felt, this winter white fedora from a delightful shop called The Marabou's Finery, is embellished with the most divine grosgrain band and bow!



Make Every Day an Event to Attend!



--Lee Ann


Linking to Frenchy's French Obsession Party!

Hat Glamour!

Can you think of a prettier way to frame a glamorously made up face than with a halo of a hat...

made of the most luxurious fur?



Starzstylista offers this exquisite turban style, Russian mink number in the yummiest mahogany brown! So Lara in Dr. Zhivago! It's vintage, satin lined and has the most delightful little splash of white fur toward the back giving it unique character. J'adore!

Wear Your Favorite Hat Today!

--Lee Ann

Making A Beautiful Exit!

Here's some food for thought...or should I say, fashion for thought...

How often do we really think about how we look from behind? Is the look flattering? Does it make a dramatic statement of delightful surprise when we are walking away? I think this look leaves them wanting more even after you've left the room...like a lovely lingering fragrance!




This Christian Dior wedding gown, available from Maison Lilac, certainly does just that! In my years of working with brides who worry about their weight during this time more than any other, I found that they sometimes thought an accent placed here was unbecoming. Although sometime wide, horizontal bows can create width just were we don't want it, pretty detail at the back can add feminine and unexpected loveliness.




Leave Them Wanting More!


--Lee Ann



Linking to Frenchy's French Obsession Party!

A Pretty Portiere!

Although the drape you see here is more for mere decoration and drama, the original concept of the portiere (French for door curtain), was more about controlling the temperature from room to room of drafty air currents. It also aided in the separation of the home's public and private rooms.

I just think they are glamorous and mysterious!




This is a length of fabric that is just about the right amount to make your own perfect portiere! The exquisite Mariano Fortuny cotton is really a showstopping textile, hand woven and hand dyed in Italy, in the most stunning cobalt blue with an irredescent yellow overlay. It was originally purchased by the owners grandmother in the 1920's or 30's, and is in excellent condition. This is really a textile collector's dream and is available on etsy from Hold The Wire.

Add a Little Glamour and Mystery to Your Home Today!



--Lee Ann


Linking to Frenchy's French Obsession Party!

Looking Ahead To A New Week!

THE PAST WEEK HAS FLOWN BY...

...and now it's time to plan a new one!


SUNDAY...Mimosas with my Sweetie to start the week off right! I might serve them in these sparkling Waterford Crystal champagne flutes. The orange-hued libations would be so pretty with the ribbed stems and platinum rims in this retired Carlton Platinum pattern. From Living Vintage.




MONDAY...

Reorganizing and refreshing my chest of drawers is on my list of things to do this week! I absolutely can never get enough of fresh lavender's fragrance...so soothing and clean! These sachets are filled with it, and are handmade from handwoven linen and vintage ticking from France. This one is embroidered with a simple one-letter monogram, and even though it's not my initial, I would love one in every one of my dresser drawers! Ludwigas Linen.



TUESDAY...

Reading through old gardening books is one of my favorite ways to get through cold winter months. Planning what flowers or herbs to put wear and just dreaming of Spring's warmth makes me feel better. This set of gardening reference books would keep my busy for awhile, don't you think? They are from the appropriately named Morning Glory Vintage.




WEDNESDAY...

Meeting the girls for coffee and a little shopping today, and I thought this adorable black chenille jacket would be perfect to dress up dark jeans, a black cashmere turtleneck and vintage black Chanel ballet flats. This versatile piece has a gorgeous mink color for a little extra glam and would be wonderful over just about any cocktail dress, too. Twin Hearts Vintage.



THURSDAY...

Buying a baby shower gift is on the agenda this week...and since we know it's a little girl, we might as well get her a pair that all the other girls in the nursery will covet! These are vintage sample shoes with the prettiest lace and flowers, and are perfect for her to wear on her first special occasion. Available from Hats To Flats.




FRIDAY...

My Sweetie will be going out of town on a very important business meeting in a few weeks, and maybe I'll surprise him with this handy travel bar. The "Executair 707" will make him feel as cool as James Bond, and would be great to take on our weekend getaways together, too! A-hem Vintage.




SATURDAY...

We're serving a casual dinner to a pair of friends this evening...Lobster Bisque in these amazing vintage crocks, a loaf of crusty bread, a green salad, and I'm set! They bring the wine and dessert! This adorable set from My Mid Century, and good company, makes for a perfect winter weekend supper!

What Are You Doing This Week?

--Lee Ann

Fabulous Fur Find!

Regardless if you choose to be a "fabulously faux" or a "real-deal" girl, you can't deny that the look has been everywhere this season, from the runways to the streets! You can wear it Bo-Ho Chic with jeans. You can wear it Old Money with a wool crepe Chanel pencil skirt. You can wear it with ski pants while sipping hot buttered rum in front of the fireplace at a ski resort!

If you are going to wear real fur, however, may I suggest you do it with a vintage piece? I know everyone has an opinion on this, but there are so many great vintage options available out there, we don't even really have to have this conversation! You can have the luxury of genuine fur, and still be kind to our animal friends!

Look what I found...

This vest really does prove that everything comes back in style if you hang on to it long enough! This is a vintage 1960's Revillon Paris for Saks Fifth Avenue piece in beautiful beaver fur, silver tipped in color with a golden base. For me, this is the way to wear fur! From Antique Dress.

Have FUN with Fur Today!

--Lee Ann

From The "I Have Nothing To Wear" Style Files...

Hold on, my lovelies! We still have a little while to go this winter season! But don't worry, there are still some wonderful items around to get you through this time looking like the sexy sweater girl you are!

Look at all the fun stuff I found!

If you saw recent red carpet shots of Anjolina Jolie wearing the most luxurious ivory Versace sweater gown, you'll understand why I think that a long sleeve, seemingly safe, knit dress can be so stunning! When it's a style with a plunging neckline, flattering waist, and fits the body like a glove, it can be drop dead sexy! This cable knit is from Clova's Vintage Shop, and is in the softest shade of honeysuckle pink.

This amber and brown vintage torsade necklace from the 1940' s or 50's is a wonderful estate piece that would fill in the neckline of the V-neck dress perfectly! The many strands of beads make it to luxe and full. It's available from BJ and Lill's Vintage.





You can get this genuine alligator skin handbag, vintage 1960's, from Moi Vintage, who has several fabulous designer bags in her store. The rich brown color on this classically shaped purse is just delicious!




I'd punch up the handbag in one of my signature ways to accessorize by tying a beautiful scarf like this one around the handle for a little interest. This beauty is a vintage Adele Simpson in the prettiest color combination of browns, pinks and cream. From Antique Grrl.

Vintage Gucci. Suede. Boots. Is there anything else to say? LeGrenier Sinclair on etsy.


Wear a Sexy Sweater Today!

--Lee Ann

Gifts Galore!

Writing this blog has rewarded me with many gifts! Meeting lots of new friends, some who write blogs, some who don't, some have on line store that I have featured in my posts!

Now, another gift has been given to me, not once, or twice, but three times in the last couple of weeks!


I have been so honored to have received The Stylish Blogger Award from three blog sisters that I have been privileged to get to know. They are all stunningly stylish themselves and beautiful souls, too! I hope you will visit each of them and get to know these ladies who all have interesting and diverse lives to share:



Fay at A Melange et Moi...



Lisa at LesaPea Musings...




And Falling Off A High Heeled Life!




Thank you Fay, Lisa, and HHL!

To receive the award I am to reveal 7 things about myself...here goes!








1. I save anything sentimental...my grown son's schoolwork, cards from friends and family, anything with a memory attached. I even saved the love letters from my sweetheart I received at 19 never knowing that he would be back in my life after 27 years of no contact. You can imagine how precious those letters are to me now that he's back in my life...4 years now!

Vintage Love Letters from Reginas Studio.








2. I am extremely phychic. Maybe it's the reason for holding on to the afore mentioned letters. I experience deja vu often and have had MANY strange encounters that cannot be explained.

Upcycled Vintage Crystal Ball from Pug Pink.















3. I despise "slap bows"...you know those awful peel and stick kind that come in a 50 count bag for 2.99? I have been collecting ribbons for years now, and love to put as much thought into the presentation of the gift as the gift itself.

Vintage Satin Ribbon from Fini Ribbon.

4. I cannot stand asparagus! I can get physically sick just thinking about the taste and texture. Ugh! I do, however, love how pretty it can look as a decorative piece!


Majolica Asparagus Soup Tureen from Behind The Pagoda Door.








5. As a little girl, I loved playing "The Flying Nun". I even wanted to be one for a short time until I found out I couldn't have a boyfriend and had to wear the same thing everyday. 'Nuf said.




The Flying Nun Paperback Book from Polly Doodles Co.











6. I used to dream of being a professional ice skater. Although I have only been on ice skates one time in my life, at age 5 and on these kind of double blade skates, I would dream up whole routines in my head, choreographing twirl and glide, as well as the costumes and music that I would perform to...thanks to one Miss Peggy Fleming! I still love to watch it on TV!

Vintage Girls Ice Skates from Little Red Mercantile.











7. I love to learn about family history. I am lucky enough to know quite a bit about both sides of my wonderful and interesting family. These are most likely not my ancestors...I am a proud descendant of German pig farmers, two of which weighed over 500 pounds!

18th Century Oil Portrait from Once Upon A Time.









Now here are 10 AMAZING blogs I've found recently that deserve this award way before me...please visit them and follow if you can! I know they would love to hear from you, too!



1. Cupcake Caramel


2. The 'Thank You' Project


3. Casa Bella



4. Carla Loves Photography



5. Cafe Fashionista



6. Now So LA Vintage



7. My Passport To Style



8. Retro Chick



9. Coco Coterie



10. The Greedy Seagull



Just to recap the award rules;


1. Thank and link back to the person that awared you.


2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 10 great bloggers that you've recently discovered.



Have Fun Visiting New Blogs Today!

--Lee Ann