My Dads 70th Birthday and the $8 Wonder Suit

Taken with our 1960s Polaroid 100

Yesterday (Sunday) my Dad turned 70! He's a difficult one when it comes to birthday because frankly, he doesn't like them. Or Christmas. And he's a nightmare to buy presents for. That said, we all wanted to do something special for his birthday that he'd both enjoy and remember, for all the right reasons. Originally, my Mum was going to throw him a big party, but we all knew he wouldn't enjoy it. So instead she booked a meal just for the family at the Petersham Hotel on Richmond Hill. A fitting choice, as it was where they went for the first night of their honeymoon after they got married.

My Dad couldn't have enjoyed it more. He loved every minute of the day. We all did. The food was fantastic and the view over Richmond was lovely (the view over Richmond is actually a 'protected view', no one is allowed to build on the land).

My Mum had told me to 'dress posh'. Now when you tell Adam and I to dress posh we get a little confused, as our version of 'posh' is probably not everyone elses. We're over dressed in comparison to everyone else pretty much 90% of the time! In the end I decided to wear my $8 wonder suit. Aptly named by Adam as I found it in the States in May, for $8. Bam! So I thought I should share some photos of what I wore with you.

To add up the cost of the outfit:

Suit: $8

Hat: Free!

Earrings: Gift!

Shoes: £25 from Marks and Sparks.

Bag: $24

So to sum up, Marks and Spencers is clearly over priced.

 Unfortunately not a full shot. But it's cherry red! And the purse I found on the same day in the same part of michigan in a matching red. Insane. I posted photos of it in an earlier post.

Although it's not the most attractive photo of me I've ever seen, (I look like a lump) it does give you a good idea of the amazing detailing on the suit (click on the photo to enlarge).

At this point it had been a long day and my hair (and me) were starting to look a little tired. But I do like this style. It also gives you a good view of the hat I was wearing, which had a big velvet bow in the front. Originally my hair looked a little neater, more like in this photo but without the victory rolls:

Definitely tempted to go back to having short hair.

A woman in the toilets came up to me and said I looked like the queen when she was my age. I wonder if the queen makes attractive faces like this? Somehow I doubt it.

Michigan 2010 Part 3 - When it comes to vintage, God Bless America

Now for the final part of my Michigan trip post. It's been a while coming, but there's a good reason for that! Over the last year, I've had a little bit of a vintage 'drought'. I haven't bought very much as I haven't really had the spare cash, and some the things I have bought have ended up being a little bit of a disappointment (or too small, in the case of my favourite pair of shoes :( ) However, when Adam and I went over to America we set aside a small amount of cash each in case we found something we liked. Adam has been having a great time this year with vintage, finding some amazing shirts, suits and jackets, so the expectation was that he would be the one to find all the goodies.

But no! Instead I had a hard time choosing what to buy and what to pass up. But I hope you'll agree that what I did end up with is rather lovely...

This beautiful purse I found in a little vintage store in Holland, MI. We wandered into a jewelery store after admiring their front (very 50s brickwork) and got chatting to the owners about vintage. They thought we were bonkers, but sent us down the road to another shop they said had a vintage clothing section at the back. We walked down, only to be informed by the shop assistant that they no longer stocked vintage, and to try another store on the other side of town. So Adam and I, with my very blistered feet (oww), walked over to the other side of the town in the 30degree heat. But was it worth it! I found this purse with all its original accessories still intact, and beautifully lined in deep blue. I love the shape and the lucite handle.

This skirt I found in a vintage store in Royal Oak, MI. I looked at it and assumed it would be too big (I can never find vintage in shops in my size), but was so in love with the pattern I thought I might as well try it on. And it fit! Perfectly! And it matches the pink sweater I bought a few months back too. My favourite part is the glitter on the stems of the flowers, particularly as it's all in such good condition and hasn't worn off over time.

I found two (5 actually, but only 2 I really liked) vintage 50s hats in a warehouse Adam and I used to go to when we were dating. I had a good rummage around the place (it's HUGE) and found the two hats and a Lisner 50s necklace. When we got outside when we were done and spoke to the old lady who runs the place and asked how much she wanted, she said nothing! She let me have them all as a gift. Amazing. It was the first place we visited on our trip and what an amazing start. I really wish we'd had time to go back but alas, no such thing.

And last but not least the chalkware lamp Adam and I found at the same place we found my purse. Adam saw it and without even looking at the price said 'I want it. Can we have it'. Good thing it was only $49 really! Our favourite part is how they pressed real feathers into the lamp shade and base. The little china man is a bit beat up, but I kinda love him all the more for it.

There is one more thing... but I want to get a decent photo of it, as the photos Adam took didn't do it any justice. But I shall be wearing it on Friday most likely, so hopefully I'll get some better photos then!

Ximena x

I do love a good dress...

Now I'm not going to lie, I'll probably never link an item I like that's in my size. Because at the end of the day I'm selfish, and will continue to dream of being able to afford beautiful dresses. However, I'm more than happy to post lovely clothes that I will never fit into. And there've been a fair few that I wish were my size! (or close enough to alter at least). Here are a few that I've been oggling over recently. Click the images to go to the site.

What a fantastic print on this dress - a whole desert scene!

I really love the petals on this one. I'm always on the lookout for dresses with straps as they make dancing that much easier (no having to pull your dress up half way through the dance)

I seriously considered buying this one as it's in my size. But unfortunately there's some damage to the dress. But how amazing is that bust?! I don't think $225 is that bad a price for something this beautifully put together.

This one is great because on the corner there's a huge spiders web! Fantastic for halloween and really unusual. Again far too big for me but a great find.

What I really love about this dress is the pockets and the prints. The neckline doesn't amaze me, but something I love about the 50s fit is those big, oversize pockets. I really like seeing unusual prints like this too.