The Second Annual New Year's Bucket Wish List 2017

It is that time of year again! 

So it is a new year! HELLO 2017 !  So far, it has been much the same for me as 2016 was just days before. I have either been in workout clothing or in a variety of P.J. styles. I wake up late after a night of tossing and turning ( pain issues, busy brain etc etc) , I brew my tea, an entire pot, a much larger one due to the cold and rainy weather. I put my bread in the toaster, take my supplements with a glass of diet OJ, which is pretty much the only reason they get taken, and I turn my phone on and begin the task, and yes at times that is what it is, of checking the various social network platforms to see if I need to attend to anything such as answering comments etc. I then settle on the couch, and by this time it is late morning, with my pot of tea, my buttered toast and jam and turn on the Young and the Restless and I partially pay attention as I try to eat, continue to troll through Instagram and Facebook and see what Jack and Victor are up to on the show. Before I know it, it is 3 p.m. and it is Dr. Oz and I am still in my PJ's and no make up and currently my hair does not need much work, so it does not look too bad, and so my day goes. I often will make another pot of tea, drink a few glasses of plain water, and will grab a late day shower and then change into new PJ's. Then hubby comes home. On a good day, which for me lately does not happen often as I would like, I change around noon and do my weight work out, stretches and tummy exercises. I have goals, I have motivation, I simply do not have the energy. It is not a secret that I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, arthritis, anxiety and depression, which is more like a chronic case of the blues ( a life long struggle) , it just seems as if it has been in very high gear since coming off my artificial hormones over the summer. It was a slow slide down , but now that I am here, well...... BUT ENOUGH OF ALL THAT! This post is NOT about that subject yet again , no, this is about my lust list. 

So what is a Bucket Wish List? Well it is a combo of a Bucket List, meaning things I want to own at some point in my life...you know instead of the typical "what I want to do" which is the typical Bucket List. and "Wish" added to it , well it might be redundant, since a "what things I want to own" Bucket List is basically the same thing, but this is my blog and that is what I call it.  LOL Anyway, I do not write or abide by resolutions. I realized long ago that those goals and resolutions etc. go right out the window very quickly for me. I can not dictate what my body or mind will or will not let me do. Oh sure, I can have will power, I can be determined and have motivation, but as mentioned if my body says "no, not today" there is often I just can not fight it and I have to go with what is achievable that moment, that hour or that day. Maybe it is getting up, eating, a few chores, or it could be as simple as changing my clothing and swiping on some lipstick. When you are in pain be it chronic or something that will eventually go away, comfort is key. Now most of you reading this see me all dressed up.  Confession, sometimes it is only from the waist up....thank goodness for selfies! I have a large amount of skirts, dresses, I have a small amount of pants and a couple pairs of jeans and of course tops etc , but none of my more casual clothing, unless it is my work out clothing, which feel like PJs , but can be termed "getting dressed", is what I would say all that comfy, either due to fit or constriction etc., so this years Bucket Wish List is about items of clothing  (and a few honorable mentions in the accessories or undergarment department) that I would love to purchase this year, of which I feel that I could wear around the house, keep my retro style intact, be comfortable and even if I do not feel good, I could look better.... maybe even into the category of  decent and stylish enough to be seen by the mail man. Last year I wrote my first Bucket Wish List, it was a lot of fun and actually I managed to get quite a  few things off of it. I think really only one vendor , a brooch company is lacking from what I managed to purchase. I would be over the moon if I could make even a portion of this years appear in my wardrobe! So let's get started! 

The first is actually not clothing. It is cosmetics. Last year I had Besame on my BWL and over the year I managed to get my favorite colors, some of the brightening powders, blush, mascara and even perfume. I am a HUGE fan!! The company and customer service is top notch. However if you know me, I have an addiction to lipstick. So when I learned about Julie Hewette and that she created makeup for the stars and had a tie in with a couple of famous pinup gals, I knew I wanted to check it out... and lucky me she has a line of matte lipsticks, a must try for any retro gal, but she has a full range of cosmetics on her web site. In fact, the slogan on the front page is " Classic Hollywood Staples Created on Set by Makeup Artist Julie Hewett." The prices are pretty average for good quality,  yet not overly expensive.  A good combo in my book.

photo is of the matte collection, and not my property,
all credits go to the Julie Hewett web site. 

Up next is a company who happened to be one of my sponsors from my blog tour this past September Heart of Haute , I own not one, but two of the Estelle bow tops, an adorable blouse that has flutter cap sleeves and comes in a variety of prints and solids. I also own one of their circle skirts, dresses and a knit pullover Lilly top. What I would love to add is one n( or more) of their sleeveless blouses, the Ella,  that is like the Estelle, but without the sleeves ( obviously) , I feel they would be a great addition and layering piece, as I now have hot flashes, layering is a must, you never know when you will need to strip off clothing. 

This is the Busy Bee Ella blouse, photo
is not mine and is property of HOH 

Next we have something in the cosmetics department once again, and well let's face it, tho not clothing, one can be in a pretty robe perhaps, have their hair done, a swipe of lippy and then if we were to add a few let's say faux lashes, we could look a little more put together, but I fail at application of lashes, enter the Flirt Cosmetics  Lash gun !  An easy way to add individual lashes with supposed ease. 

Image found on pinterest.

Getting back to clothing, next up we have Freddies of Pinewood, which if I can recall made it to last years list, but I did not end up getting anything. Like many small retro companies, their stock is limited and because they have quality product, it sells out quickly and often my size is one of the first to be sell out. So I am once again adding a few items to the BWL and we will see what happens.  I am really in love with everything they have, but as I try to keep more in the 1950's to early 60's with my style, it narrows things down. and as I already have a pair of high waist jeans from another site, tho if given the chance to own a pair of Freddies....anyway,  I concentrated on some of the tops and maybe a pair of capris. *photos are from the Freddies web site and all copyrites belong to them. 

How cute is this top... It is a sweater girl style, but is a
a heavy knit, and has a true vintage piece insert! 

This is the "Boyfriend" , I think it is darling,
who does not like stripes?

This wrap top can be worn over or under the waistband of
a skirt or pants. I adore wrap tops! 

I really enjoy having red pants as part of
my basic wardrobe, but recently I my
Old Navy pair of Pixie Pants got a stain
on them. 

Now I have a few honorable mentions before I move on to the next round of clothing , a couple of items would not be comfortable until I get my pain levels under control , but I am adding them to the list anyway! Now while I was on my blogging tour, I managed to go to the U.S. division of What Katie Did , and bought my black bullet bra. I would really love to own one of the peach tone bullet bras, as well as some of the underwear, maybe a corset and some stockings. Even with my fibro I can manage to wear such things for a few hours to help retro clothing look more authentic. I would also love to own a few items from House of Satin and I truly want a long line bra from Rago Shapeware. 

The last item in the honorable mention section , is something I have wanted for awhile now. I have bought cheap versions, mid price versions and am not happy with either and am kicking myself for not purchasing them when I was shopping on Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank back in September.  That would be hoop earrings from Pinup Girl Clothing, they happen to be 50.00, but they are the perfect size and replication of the style of earrings that Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe wore... what I like is that they are not too big or small and like I said , good quality, tho I am sure that like a lot of things on PUG the price is a bit elevated....I mean for 50.00 I could have a new top or something else on my wish list. But darn it, I really have wanted them for a while now. 

Legacy Hoops
photo is from PUG and not my property

Continuing on ,  next on my wish list is quite a few things from Vivian of Holloway. Just this past few months I have had the opportunity to purchase one of their Raglan blouses, two of their Slash Neck tops as well as one pair of their 1950's style pants AND three skirts, not to leave out a few accessories such as berets and jewelry.  Every time hubby got a bonus I asked for money to buy an outfit.  Like I mentioned above because of quality and limited quantity (and my size or color choices or both, selling out pretty quick), often I have tried to purchase from this great retro company but haven't had the luck on quite a few things. The list of what I desire from VOH is pretty long at this moment, but a few things would be more of what I already have, just in different prints, solids and before you say it, YES, I am one who if they like something and it works, I buy several of that item. I would also this year add a few solid color pencil skirts or perhaps a print that catches my eyes..something that is missing in my wardrobe. * photos are from the VOH website and not my property. 

Peddle Pushers , I own purple in these,
but would love to own basic colors such as
black and navy. I like that they are a fuller
cut pant and not super tight, but also
look quite nice on with a good fit.  

Pocket Pencil Skirt , this is in the wool flannel
I would not mind owning this Ruby version,
but if they came out with a lighter fabric in
solids I would be all over it! 

The new Swagger Coat... isn't this green amazing?
I am pretty sure this will not land in my closet as
they are selling rapidly, but my oh my this would be
a stunning piece to own. 

This is one of two Slash Neck knit tops I own.
I love how it looks like a heavy, chunky sweater knit,
but it is actually a print on a thick jersey knit. A
fantastic basic, and like many ladies, I would love on
in just about every color for the cooler months. 

The Raglan blouse in black is in my wardrobe.
You can see it in recent holiday photos on FB & Instagram,
again it is a great basic and I would like to add to my collection.
I recently wore it with a thin sweater under it, but could see it on
it's own of course or layered with a Slash Neck or even a colorful
tank under it.

The very last store on my BWL is Lady K Loves also out of the UK. I have long admired quite a few items on their website, and I actually own one pair of their jeans and they fit like a dream, tho I would like to have them hemmed and have the rolled up cuff be a tad bit smaller. They were my first pair of high waist pants and they fit like a dream, plus a year later and a few washes, still look new! But I am recently obsessed with their Splenda wrap top and Wendy as well as the May 1950's style pants. LUCKY ME I won a contest that was being run via Miss Lark Bahr's blog and Instagram feed, and will have 50.00 euros, which ruffly equals about 52.00 in the exchange.  I am hoping to get one pair of Wendy Pants and a Splenda top, unfortunately due to the fact that they are sale items and a lot are sold out in my size, my choices are limited. Now I could simply get one pair of the May pants, and there is still a lot of choices, but I do like to get more bang for my buck. *photos are from the LL web site and rites do not belong to me . 

The Becki Top 

The Wendy pant 

The Splenda top 

The Say Yeah top 

So that is my 2017 Bucket Wish List .....it will be fun to see if I can add even add a couple ( over the Lady K Love items since I won the contest so that is a given) of the items to my wardrobe and build my casual/daily wardrobe. Do you make resolutions or goal lists in January or do you just wing it? I would love to hear from you in the comments below, or find me on FB on my fan page or on my Instagram feed and tell me all about it! 

Embracing Going Gray ~ Turbans

Turbans available Lacey Rose Creations 

Recently I shared needing to cut off my hair due to health issues and not being as comfortable with the look as I once was, especially in my retro look lifestyle... even tho Jean Seberg once made a similar crop very chic to have after she cut her hair off for Joan of Arc, as well as actresses like Audrey Hepburn and Leslie Caron to name a few who also went short, but not quite as drastic as Jean or myself. Health was the driving force, but I could have left the hair a bit longer, but was just not wishing to deal with the "skunk stripe" , especially with being in the public eye. I did not even consider how I would feel with a "buzz cut" however. So here I was, 90% of the colored hair was gone, but so was what was to me, a retro style identifier...but that is just rehashing my last post. I shared then that I was now wearing scarves and true turbans, and that even my entire family had not seen my hair. That continued for a week, even after revealing my new cut via my latest YouTube episode; they really do not watch. I finally decided to unveil it to them and it was a mixed reaction, not bad or negative, just maybe taken aback. I still have not posted photos to Instagram or FB, so unless you have seen my video.... OH and just two days ago I shortened the fringe so that it would be less whispy and it removed even more of my faux color, leaving me with just a tinge of blue black on the top. I am now obsessed with berets, scarves, and turbans even more! Especially during the colder months and well I am not ready to unveil to my nail gal either...sometimes it is easier to hide than explain. 

Short hair has me hiding....
*Jean Seberg 

Now when I ordered my turban from Lacey Rose Creations via Etsy, I was not too knowledgeable about them in 1950's or early 60's style, I had seen a few photos, but for the most part I thought of Turbans as a more 1940's style, and of course they were very popular then, they were bigger and elaborate and I often see many of the ladies on Instagram that do the more 1940's look using them to top off their look ....even when I received my turban in the mail in the note card it was mentioned that they were more 1940's. I was curious, so I started doing a bit of research on the subject and collecting images. Now I do not mind rolling in a bit of the 1940's to my look, you have all seen me with a scarf on ala "Rosie the Riveter" , but that seems more accepted and the norm and is done with a  chiffon scarf or bandanna style scarf. I was amazed at how many images I did find that was women from the 1950s wearing turbans. 

Wearing a chiffon scarf ala Rosie
*brooch and earrings from
Housewife Chic by Ruby on Etsy 

  

 

If you are not familiar with the definition of the turban, here is a break down.... The word Turban is a description of a millinery design where fabric is wrapped and twisted and secured to create a turban/head wear that is now closely molded to the head.  It usually covers most or all of the hair. Of course how it looks, how big, be it stuffed, stiffened or adorned depends on the era, or fashion choices or even  ethnic/religious groups that may be wearing one. Turbans have been worn by women since as early as the 18th century, perhaps even further back, and there has been varieties of turbans through to modern day and not just by retro/vintage women or by women forced to cover their head due to health, religious or cultural reasons. 

Examples of turbans over the years in Hollywood

So what about in my style pocket, the 1950's ? Well, draped turbans sbegan to regain popularity again in the mid 1950s .  The Times reported in 1955, upon a ensemble designed by Dior that was  compromised of a sheath dress created in brocaded silk, with a  matching jacket trimmed with sable fur and then as a finishing touch a brocade silk draped turban. Turban styles were adapted to accommodate more bouffant hair styles. There was also a report of  Milliner Claude Saint-Cyr , who was in charge of designing hats for the Queen. One that was mentioned within all my research was a soft "supple" felt turban created in 1956, that covered the ears and rose to a draped peak at the back of the head. Similar if not the one to the one in this photo from 1960/

The Queen with Harold Macmillan in November 1960
Photo found via google search and not owned by me. 

I can imagine that if the queen wore it, it would not be long before a style firestorm would begin and many a woman would work a turban into their wardrobe, much like how women in the states followed the starlets and first ladies to guide how they dressed in their own life. That has not changed, don't we all still look up to those in the public eye to inspire what we wish to look like and how we dress? But I digress. This is about the fact that I am now trying to embrace my grey, but getting started on that path ( yet again) and do it in a drastic way; by cutting off all my hair. The thing is I still want that feeling of being chic and retro ( in my own eyes), and avoid a lot of explanation when I go out and run into people I know, or when I post photos to social media. This is also about me trying to cope with how I feel when I look in the mirror having just recently having had hair and a hair color that inspired others, and was an instant visual that represented to others and even to myself that I was a retro/vintage lady, even if in just a pair of jeans and a T shirt. Having hair this short , although it being something women did have in the 1950's as photos ( all of starlets mind you) I shared in my last post showed , for me , in my eyes, when I look in the mirror does not scream 1950's. Askewed thinking, yes, but it is what bounces around in my head. So turbans and scarves ala Rosie it is, at least for a couple months when the buzzed portion lengthens and softens a bit. At least now know that turbans ARE something that was around and worn quite a bit in the 1950's so I can feel a bit more like myself while I follow this path of embracing grey and my new much shorter hair. 

Once Upon A Time (Dress)....

Where better a place to wear a dress that calls for a Halloween themed setting?! 

A short time ago I received a message on Instagram from a follower by  the handle @lovelyinlilacofficial , she had a proposition for me, in exchange for being seen, posting to Instagram and tagging her I would receive an incentive to make a purchase. Now this is not the norm, usually sponsors send me their products to try out, shoot with, review and promote, but I took a look at what Lovely in Lilac has to offer and I decided that I would agree to move forward...especially after chatting with the woman behind the company. All it took was a few exchanges back and forth and I knew that I wanted to be a part of what turns out to be the very begging of a new venture within the retro clothing world. 

Within the back and forth conversation I decided that I wanted to do more than just share a photo on Instagram and a tag, but I wanted to tell a story with the chosen dress and more so I wanted to tell the story of how Lovely In Lilac came to be, where it is now and where it is going to be headed in the very near future. Lovely in Lilac's social media presence is run by @lovelyinlavender on Instagram. She runs all the day to day operations and social media promotions. The company/shop was formed with two of her dear friends that she has had since high school, both being social media shy but of important talents to a clothing company, or any small business of any type; one is an arts major in collage and the other is attending business school and are involved with website design and graphics, and they have helped develop the business plan model for the business now known as Lovely in Lilac. 

I asked "Lavender" as I shall call her for the rest of this post, to tell me a little more back ground about Lovely in Lilac.... " I came up with the idea one night while we were all together (I have always had an obsession with quirky dresses) , and asked them for their help... I also agreed to take care of the social media needs since they are social media shy, it has been such a fun experience so far.  This northern California based company, founded earlier this year is still in the soft launch phase, and they are currently featuring "unique statement" printed dresses from companies such as Folter ( which the dress I am wearing is from), Retroliscious ( which has their own website, and social media presence as well as supplying smaller companies through wholesale) , and Voodoo Vixen. LIL has started out with a small stock of designs and offerings and has for now been seasonal, mainly Halloween for obvious reasons, but they are phasing out those prints, again for obvious reasons. They try to keep all sizes and styles in stock and ready for shipment within 48 hours of an order, but some sadly do sell out and are on back order which is out of their control, but they do their best to keep the website up to date. There is exciting things on the horizon for this small business, " in January we will expand to unique accessories and statement purses.... we are also working on the launch of our own house brand dress line, which is almost done with the design phase with the production phase starting this month!" I asked Lavender to expand on what is in the future for LIL, " We are also currently looking for more dress companies that carry the type and style of dresses similar to the style of dress we are going for, with a main focus of trying to stay with 'made in the U.S.A. " I then asked her to tell me about their customer service practices as that is a major thing with me, if customer service is lacking I often will stop shopping with a company no matter how good a product is, and expressing that "Lavender" did her best to fill me in on their policies and goals.... "We want the customer's experience to be an enjoyable one, that is one reason we try to work with them on every level through out the whole process....one way we add to the experience is that we gift wrap all our outgoing orders.  " In reading through their policies and in chatting with "Lavender", they offer exchanges if something is not as the customer expected or if the fit is not quite right, but if that is not what the customer desires then they will happily offer a refund upon the return of the full order in original shipped condition; pretty standard, and you can read the fine details on their web site or email them with any further questions. So what about shipping ? That is always a decision maker when considering online shopping.... " Shipping is free for any order over 100.00 or a flat rate of 7.50 within the United States; we also offer international shipping and it is 20.00." 

This my friends is the "Once Upon A Time Dress" ....

Now let me fill you in, before I share the mini photo shoot I did for a small Halloween slide show that I shared that day, on my thoughts on the process and the dress. First off, "Lavender" really helped me with size, fit and even to directing me to a style that would suit me, alleviating any fears I had from trying a new to me brand. My choice did indeed ship within 48 hours and I received it very quickly, mainly because I only live a 2 hour drive from their home base, but also because of the speedy rate of my dress being sent out. The dress was indeed wrapped up like a present to myself, always a nice and appreciated touch. I tried it on immediately in case an exchange was needed and it fit like a glove, and was even more stunning in person than it had appeared on the website. I could hardly wait to wear it out and about, but wait I did as I had an event that was coming up the weekend before Halloween and I knew it would be perfect for it. So with no further wait, here are the photos from the day that I got to wear it. A little disclaimer first tho, it was windy, chilly and my husband and myself were nearly in a car wreck on the freeway, not once, but twice due to a motor home looking to change lanes and not caring or seeing that we were there and in bumper to bumper traffic, so the stress from a panic attack shows all over my face, so bad timing, but LOOK at the dress, that is the real star of the photos...and be sure you check out Lovely in Lilac, follow them on Instagram AND at the bottom of this post look for a discount code !! 

Visit Lovely in Lilac .....Tell them Ruby sent you!

receive a 20 percent discount code using...

RUBYSMUSINGS