A Very Vintage Christmas

This is my entry for Super Kawaii Mama's The Perfect Vintage Christmas competition.

The setting...

One warm summer evening, somewhere in South Australia, a young woman sits in her living room. The only light in the room comes from the coloured light wheel sitting beneath the silver Christmas tree, turning the room into a rainbow.

Tree and colour wheel found here.

The presents that couldn't fit under the tree are stuffed into hand-made Christmas stockings.

Found here.

The costume...

Dress found here.

The perfect accessory is a nice cold bottle of Coca-Cola, great for a warm Australian Christmas (if, like me, you are not a drinking kind of gal). Image found here.

The soundtrack...

The laughter and chatter of her family gently blends into the sounds of novelty Christmas music softly playing in the background.

I couldn't resist - this is my favourite Australian Christmas tune!

So, (an early) Merry Crimble to you all and good luck to everyone else who entered!


Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Silver Screen Sunday {The Seven Year Itch}

Today's edition of Silver Screen Sunday can be seen as my plea for Summer to return (the heatwave can stay away, though - that was horrible!) so I have picked one of my favourite summer movies: The Seven Year Itch directed by Billy Wilder.

As it's such an iconic film I had a difficult time looking around etsy and other places to find appropriate clothes...I did find a reproduction of the white dress, though, on Big Beautiful Barbara Brown, which is lovely.

In lieu of the usual amount of clothes and things, I have screencaps of my favourite outfits from the film

Helen Sherman's travelling outfit is just too sweet - I love the details of the gloves and hat.


See the woman on the right with the red hat? I covet her dress. The buttons up the back are fabulous.


It might be a little difficult to see but I love the feather in this woman's hat!




This lounge suit is the perfect shade of candy pink.


Some of the best outfits are seen in Richard's fantasy sequences - this sequined get-up is one of my favourites. It's spkarly and it's red! How could I not like it?


I wish I could have got a better shot of this one. Never mind, though - I think this is a perfect summer outfit. It's glamorous yet still casual.




Could I really go past including a shot of that scene?


And I just love this cute nightie - isn't it sweet?

I thought I might finish up with a few quotes that I think are great (as well as some good pieces of advice)

"When it gets hot like this, you know what I do? I keep my undies in the icebox!"
My mum actually does this sometimes (ssshhh, don't tell her I told you). I've never tried it, though.

"Until you are able to commit a simple act of terror, I strongly advise you to avoid anything as complex as murder."

"Your imagination! You think every girl's a dope. You think a girl goes to a party and there's some guy in a fancy striped vest strutting around giving you that I'm-so-handsome-you-can't-resist-me look. From this she's supposed to fall flat on her face. Well, she doesn't fall on her face. But there's another guy in the room, over in the corner. Maybe he's nervous and shy and perspiring a little. First, you look past him. But then you sense that he's gentle and kind and worried. That he'll be tender with you, nice and sweet. That's what's really exciting."

If anyone hasn't seen this film, I highly recommend it. Here's a trailer to give you a bit of a taste.

I hope this has still been enjoyable even though it's slightly different than the others.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Wednesday Night Tiki

On Wednesday night I went along to Lucky Seven's Tiki Night at the Adelaide Casino. It was held outside and, unfortunately, it rained but I suppose it was wet like a beach, then! That's some consolation, right? Luckily, there was shelter so I didn't get wet at all.

I'm wearing one of the Tikis I bought a couple of weeks ago and my Mahjong tile bracelet which, of course, isn't on theme but it is the Lucky Seven bracelet so I think it's fitting.

A rather poor photo I took of the band. I need a better camera. Note the pith helmet.

I think there should be more Tiki themed events. Tiki culture is so much fun! For those of you in London, Fleur de Guerre is hosting a Tiki night - I think it is tomorrow night...it would be tonight if it was in Australia but I think the time difference makes it tomorrow for London...too confusing! - which I wish I could attend but it is a little too far to just pop over.

And a little piece of Exotic music to get you in the mood, perhaps...(This certainly wasn't the kind of music Lucky Seven were playing)

Quiet Village by Martin Denny.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

P.S. I seem to have a mild case of blogger's block. I have plenty of ideas but nothing's coming out, at the moment. So, I thought I might take a leaf from Solanah's book and see if any of you have any questions for me until I can get my brain back into gear. Anything at all that you might want to know about me and I'll try my best to answer.

You're getting to be a habit with me

So, yesterday I did some more shopping! Gasp. What a shock that must be to you all. I really need to stop spending money for a while! Mum and I went to Glenelg and looked at a few of the vintage shops down there. My favourite is Tangerine Treasures as it's mostly stocked with 30s and 40s clothing but, alas, too expensive for me at the moment. I ended up picking up a couple of dresses from Rewind, though, which is a shop I'd never been to before.

This is definitely 1940s style but I can't date it as 1940s for sure. The label (pictured below) definitely looks old enough to me but some of the stitching looks quite modern (although, I will admit, I don't know a lot about sewing and all that jazz). I just looked it up and it seems that this company made nursing uniforms and it made blue and white ones from 1968 until 1980, so this could be one of those. I'm going to try to find out a bit more information but I still think it's super cute!

This dress is probably early 1960s and I just fell in love with it. There's something very sweet about it, yet there's also an element of 'bombshell' to it, too, don't you think?


I added a picture from the back because I love the details.

Plus, here's an outfit (I wore it to my Lindy class the other night) -

Outfit details: blouse - Cotton On; belt - gift; skirt - Target (op-shopped); shoes - KMart.

I still have a couple of other things to blog about but, right now, I'm going to relax and watch some television.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Shop-Shop-Shopping

Hi all! I'm afraid I've not got the time for Silver Screen Sunday again, this week. I was doing some finishing touches to my course work on Sunday and was exhausted by the end of it and then, yesterday, we had a family emergency which also left me exhausted. If I have time, I may do a mid-week version, tomorrow, but if not I shall leave it until it is actually Sunday again!

Instead, have a look at what I bought today -

My guess is that this suit is late 40s or early 50s and it's made from Moygashel by Atrima, which I can't find anything about on the internet, really, except for a few auctions with dresses by the same label. I picked this suit up for 52$ from Clubhouse Lane Boutique and I think it might have been a bit of a bargain. I don't usually go into that particular shop as they mostly stock vintage of the 70s/80s variety, which is lovely but not my style. I'm so glad I took the chance today, though! As you might be able to tell from the way I'm standing in the picture, it needs a little press-stud or something on the jacket as it's a little too revealing for my taste.

I mentioned the other day that I was on a mission to find a white frock for the Swing Sesh White Christmas Ball. I was beginning to despair that I would find something to my taste but I went to Red Ruby Vintage, today, and the first dress I tried on was quite perfect! Perhaps a little difficult to breathe in but a girl can sacrifice such little things for something as pretty as I found. Here's a sneak peek -



I feel like it may have been a Debutante dress but it's also not full-length so perhaps not? Either way, it's very pretty and I feel like I should be wearing a wrist corsage but buying such a thing for one's self feels a little depressing, in a way. I can't wait to find some nice accessories for it, now.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

A Grey Dress for a Grey Day

Yesterday, Mum and I set out early (for a Saturday, anyway) to a vintage garage sale but I ended up only coming away with a parasol, which is better than coming away with nothing, I shall admit. However, on the way home we decided to pop into Exclusive Vintage at Prospect so I could have a little look around for a white frock for the Swing Sesh White Christmas Ball.

I didn't find a white frock but I tried on a 1940s strapless sundress, which, unfortunately, wouldn't zip up all the way, a silver cocktail dress which I wasn't too fond of and a 1940s crepe grey dress, which I ended up buying. Fern, who owns the shop, said that it was very small but, if I wanted it anyway (maybe even as decoration) she'd be willing to sell it for half price, which came to 25$. So, I toddled off to the change rooms and tried it on and, to my surprise, it fit almost perfectly.

As you can see it's a wee bit too small in the bust and, you can't see this, but it needs a little bit of mending (some of the seams need fixing). I was a bit anxious to wear it, though, while the weather would allow (our heatwave has been replaced by rainy, grey days) so I popped it on when I got home and wore it to see The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, which was rather an enjoyable film.

I always seem to look a little miserable in my outfit shots, lately, so I thought I had better throw in a smile.

And this one's for Casey, to show off the bag I won from her! It's absolutely lovely and fits everything I need plus more in it!

Outfit details: 1940s crepe dress - Exclusive Vintage at Prospect; hat brooch - The Way We Wear Fair; velvet bag - giveaway prize, won from Casey; stockings - Love Kylie; shoes - KMart.

I don't know any songs about gloomy Saturdays but I'm listening to Billie Holiday so Gloomy Sunday will have to do (besides, it's Sunday now and still grey and rainy).

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Andi B. Goode in the Conservatory with the Candlestick

When I started this blog my intention was never to blog about my art. However, most of my art ties into my love of vintage, anyway and, having mentioned my ardour for Cluedo, I thought it would be nice to share a couple of images from my latest project with you all.

I basically turned myself into four different characters of a classic murder mystery (but I'm only sharing two with you, because these are the best two) whilst keeping Cluedo in mind.

Let me introduce you to Ms. Tweed. She's an amateur detective keen to solve her first case. But is her presence at the crime more sinister?

And this is Madame Noir, your classic femme fatale. Surely she wouldn't live up to the stereotype and turn out to be a murderess...would she?

Whilst we're on the subject of art, I also got a lovely package full of beautiful art which I won from DeerFace in the post, today. It made a long, boring day absolutely wonderful! If you're not familiar with her work, you should go take a look. It's utterly lovely.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

A Hat and an Outfit

I haven't been blogging all that much, lately, because I've been desperately trying to finish all of my assignments (I only have two days left of my entire degree!!) and it has left little time, and energy, for blogging. However, I've written a few ideas down for when I have some more time. For now, here's a new hat and an outfit -



1940s/1950s straw hat, 15$ (was 20$ but I got it for 15$ on account of being me) from Red Ruby Vintage. I think it would be a great hat to take on holiday, as it's totally flat! Alas, I can't see any holidays in my near future but hopefully one day I'll be able to take this hat on a trip somewhere.


And here's a rather poor photograph of me wearing it. Are my eyes looking slightly wild? I think the stress is finally getting to my head. Wibble.

And I look utterly miserable in this one! I was on my way to my Lindy Hop class, too. No one ought to look miserable when they're on their way to dance! Oh well. I was too lazy to change out of my lounging clothes and decided this was good enough to dance in.

Outfit details: scarf - Salvos; earrings - Diva; dress - church op-shop; socks - ?; shoes - KMart.

Also, I've just realised I now have 200 'followers' (that really does sound far too cult-ish for my liking). Thanks to everyone who has read/supported this blog thus far. It really means a lot to me!

Love,
Andi
x

Silver Screen Sunday {Picnic at Hanging Rock}

Seeing as the weather is heating up (quite the understatement, I assure you) I thought I would take a little look at some summer movies for Silver Screen Sunday. The first, Peter Weir's hauntingly beautiful Picnic at Hanging Rock, takes me back further than I usually go, with its setting, to the end of the Victorian era. I mentioned the film quite briefly a little while ago but I felt it deserved a post of its own.


The film is based on the novel of the same name, written by Joan Lindsay, which I have actually started to read just recently. I think this summary from imdb.com is perfect:

Three students and a school teacher disappear on an excursion to Hanging Rock, in Victoria, on Valentine's Day, 1900. Widely (and incorrectly) regarded as being based on a true story, the movie follows those that disappeared, and those that stayed behind, but it delights in the asking of questions, not the answering of them.

The cinematography by Oscar winner Russell Boyd is absolutely divine. It's dreamy and Romantic and, along with the beautiful score by Bruce Smeaton, certainly creates the eerie mood of the film.

The costumes are also quite lovely, I think, although I couldn't imagine wearing anything like them in the Australian summer! I took some time, yesterday, to screencap the film and you can see the full set here, but I've selected a few for this post -

And I've also picked out some items that I feel capture the dreaminess of the film starting with these three gorgeous dresses.

Found here at etsy.

I'd actually quite like this one for myself. Alas, I am too poor...found here at etsy.

Found here at etsy.

A hat is essential to keep the sun off of your head, and they're all quite darling.

Found here at etsy.

Found here at etsy.

Found here at etsy.

One thing, in particular, I loved from the film was the abundance of parasols. I definitely need to get one for this summer.

Found here.

Found here.

Found here.

I was also quite delighted by the excitement of the girls' when they could finally remove their gloves!

Found here at etsy.

To anyone who hasn't seen it, I urge you to do so! Here's the trailer, which will hopefully convince you (although it's much darker than the actual film, unfortunately) -

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x