Dressing 50's at 50 ~ Featuring Heart of Haute

So the joke around Muse Cottage is that I am now officially Mid Century, and well I dress Mid Century. I guess it takes the sting out of officially turning 50. Honestly I do not 100 percent mind turning 50. I look relatively young for my age, especially with my magenta hair, even with my silver locks that I now have, my face does not look it's age.... my body perhaps. I do have a larger tummy now after having a hysterectomy, I have noticed the firmness of the skin on my neck and my eye lids is more crepe like and I have far more cellulite on my upper arms than I have ever had. I have a bit of extra padding in places, and less in others... weight maintenance is harder, and the list goes on with changes. I have noticed my fibromyalgia and arthritis has advanced a bit in the last couple of years as has my anxiety, both social and situational, but that might not be age related...just life experience related. 

Photo taken in vineyards outside of  Clarksburg Ca.

Aside from all that self nit-picking and observations of my aging body, as I said I do not mind turning 50 as much as I thought I might. It is truly just a number right?? It does become a bit tricky tho being my age, "mid century" and dressing well, mid century. I feel on some levels I am walking the line between what can look silly on someone my age and well if being inspired by those wonderful ladies of Advanced Style, rather dialed back. Most people however seem to respond very favorably and so this seems to be my own self doubt, anxiety and self esteem or rather lack of it trying to rule the entirety of my life and style.  Daily I struggle with if I should let my hair be and grow it back to the salt and pepper or dye it a natural and neutral color , on if what clothing I wear seems more like a costume etc etc... I am sure you can imagine the voices in my head. The truth of the matter is, of all the styles of fashion I have worn throughout my adult life, dressing in the 1950's style is my all time favorite and where I feel at home in my skin, despite the voices in my head ( imagine that cartoon from Pixar that had the "feelings" ...yes I believe it to be a real thing!) . I love the beautiful dresses, the fuss that goes into planning such outfits, and creating an over all look. I enjoy wearing the undergarments, and feel incomplete most times without a petticoat and a some form of retro or vintage jewelry. I truly do feel so much prettier in the hair styles and makeup, tho I am comfy without make up as well as long as I am dressed in the style. 

One thing that has come with age is that I have realized that I deserve the best that I can afford...hard for me as I am very budget minded and like to get the most bang for my buck! I of course still shop sales, but I have begun replacing my cheaper made purchases, be it clothing made from at home seamstresses with Etsy shop, cutting out the middle man or overhead, or the company from which the dress I am wearing in these photos, Heart of Haute. It is true I just became one of their affiliates, but I did not get sent this dress, nor are they paying me to write this review. I actually bought this beautiful dress last September and this was the first time that I have had a chance to wear it. I thought it was the perfect example as well as how you can dress with a 1950's flair at 50.  

The day was a beautiful Saturday afternoon along the area known as The Delta here in Sacramento. We had driven down to Clarksburg, and stopped first for some wine tasting at Scribner Bend Vineyard's along the way. Technically still part of Sacramento, the beautiful and relaxing grounds of Scribner Bend was the perfect place to take photos for this blog post and it did not hurt one bit that they also have some really good wine. It was our first visit there and from the moment that we turned into the drive and could see the grounds ahead of us, I knew we had made a great pick at least for photos and the hope was that the wine would back up the grounds....as mentioned they did not disappoint! We stepped into the small but tastefully done tasting room and were greeted with a smile and friendly regards. Outside, though we choose not to partake, the regularly happening, as weather allows, sounds of the live music and scent from the stone oven baked pizza, wafted in through the open doors. We spent a leisurely and truly enjoyable time there sipping wine and discussing the particulars and left with not one, but two bottles, with the promise and intentions of returning.  Then it was time to move on down the road and get some lunch.  Next stop was Clarksburg and our favorite little spot for a nice juicy burger, some amazing fries and onion rings and a chocolate shake. 

Now just a bit about the dress! I know it must have a name, most dresses do in the pin up/ retro world, but it is unknown to me. It is a lightweight cotton, slimmer cut to the skirt than most of my regularly preferred fuller skirts and fuller skirt dresses...so no petticoat was required, (though a slip was required as it is not lined) , but perfect for a warm Summer's day. The floral print a lovely mix of sky blues and grassy greens, one of my most preferred color combinations. The dress zips up the back, which I like a lot and has a matching sash belt. I bought the small and it fits like a glove to my 34b/26.5/38 measurements, not too tight under my fuller upper arm area. I am 5 foot 2 , barely, and the skirt falls to the point just below my knees. It flowed in the breeze and even without a petticoat I felt I could twirl and swish about in my pretty HOH dress and feel beautiful in it. Worth the cost right there, but better yet, the construction is top notch as well. So though I am an affiliate of HOH, it is not for that reason I recommend clothing from this company, but for the reasons above, anything I am sure, is also worth the cost to own something from HOH. I mark this Ruby's Musings Approved! 

The Photos.....

Doing my best Vanna White...
Dinky Diner, but nothing dinky about the flavor!

Dinky Diner in Clarksburg Ca. We love this place for lunch on a pretty day.

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