Recent Purchases and a (Lazy) Outfit

Gosh, it's been nearly a week since my last post. I hate when that happens! Oh well. Anyway, even though I've been trying my hardest not to spend any money, I've still been buying things sporadically. So, these aren't exactly recent purchases, I suppose...but take a look, anyway.

This amazing dress from Twila Jean (here on etsy) arrived, yesterday. I uploaded a twitpic of myself in it but don't have a proper shot, yet, as it's not really the right weather, here, for this dress.

I know I mentioned that I couldn't afford any Heyday pants at present, but I got some money for a bit of work I did and decided it ought to go to good use. So I bought these!

Yesterday, I happened to be near Dangerfield and noticed a couple of things I'd been eyeing for ages were on sale. So, I took the only logical course of action and bought them!

I have a penchant for leopard print...I used to have all sorts of things in it but I mainly have handbags now. This is the latest addition to my collection and was marked down from 35$ to 20$.

This was nearly half price (I wouldn't have paid its original price of 88$) and it seems to be fairly good quality. I'm taking it out for a test drive, tonight. 

I also bought these pants from Mary Deluxe (they're a little tight but I have put on weight due to some medication I was on, but no longer need...hopefully they'll fit after that), which came with a lovely card and some extra goodies - getting that parcel certainly brightened up my day! And I bought this dress a while ago, but haven't been able to wear it, yet - I replaced the buttons but I still need to fix the hem.

As an added bonus to this post, here's an outfit shot of the sort of thing I wear when I'm too lazy to get dressed 'properly':

Whenever I just can't be bothered I put on my Freddies and put my hair up in a scarf and I'm set to go! (Oh dear, I just noticed that Freddies now have ladies' shorts!! Eep.)

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Outfit(s): See My Vest...and My Cardigan

I've been feeling rather tired, lately, so I've mainly just been recycling old outfits (and wearing trousers an awful lot) which is why I haven't done an outfit post in a little while. Well, the first outfit is mainly recycled but I added a couple of different things since the last time I wore it...

As you can see I'm still living in my saddle shoes! I picked this vest up at Salvo's the other day for only 3.50$! I nearly didn't get it but I figured it was cheaper than knitting one myself.

Here's a close up so you can see my hair...and you can also see my cute little brooch. I got this from Hero Vintage a few months ago.

And now for the second outfit! When I was complaining about not being able to find cute knitwear the other day, I probably ought to have mentioned that my wonderful mother was knitting me up a sweet little cardigan, shouldn't I? (And perhaps, then, not complained quite so much.) She finished it last night and I took it for its first outing today.

(I'm also wearing the trousers she made for me.) Isn't it just a lovely cardigan? It's from an original 1940s pattern booklet that I bought a while ago and it's made with Patons Classic Totem yarn. If I still had a scanner I'd scan in the booklet for the knitters who read my blog. Alas, I do not. Sorry!

Here's a rather terrible shot but it shows off the pattern really well...

I absolutely love my new cardigan. It's actually meant to be for a woman who is slightly bigger than myself (Mum even used larger needles than suggested) but it only just fits me the way it is meant to. But I love it just the same. It's very warm, too! Now to get back to my own knitting...

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Musical Interlude {Nik Kershaw...no, really}

Quite a while ago I asked you all for some suggestions on things I could blog about (just to mix it up a little) and I think Jenny of Yesterday Girl said I could maybe write a little about things that I liked growing up that shaped who I am. So, today, because I am too lazy to get around to blogging the kazillion other things I want to, I thought I would share a music video with you. (I wasn't really sure what to use as a title for this post so I just stuck with my 'musical interlude' theme).

(You have to wait about 20 seconds before the video starts).

I would watch this over & over - I had two VHS tapes with videos my sister had recorded from the TV in the mid-late 80s. The second lot of music videos were on the end of a tape that had Rocky Horror Picture Show and some episodes of Family Ties on it. This was my favourite of all the videos on there. I loved the story of the video but I mostly loved the costumes (in the first half) - the not-exactly-accurate-but-very-colourful 1980s take on 50s and 60s fashions really caught my eye. 

My favourite movie as a child was Grease (actually, it was tied with Rocky Horror Picture Show)*, so I suppose it's only natural that something like this would please me. I would watch the video, rewind the tape, watch it again over & over. I'm surprised the tape hasn't worn out! (I still have it). I'm not sure how much it shaped me but it does, at least, show that I've always had an eye for vintage-style fashions (even though I didn't realise they weren't accurate as a little girl - though there are a couple of girls in there with rather amazing beehives I'm a little bit envious of!)

What music videos, pictures, movies, etc., did my lovely readers like growing up that may have contributed to their love of vintage now?

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

*I say 'as a child' but they haven't actually changed since I was 5 years old.

Winter Re-Inspiration

I’ve had the winter blues…I decided I needed to reinspire myself, sartorially of course, for Winter. Because all I keep doing is thinking about pretty Spring & Summer clothes.  Unfortunately, when looking through wintery images I found I was most inspired by cute 1940s knitwear. Which is impossible to find vintage and practically impossible (with the exception of Rocket Originals, it seems) to find repro! I have been knitting myself but it’s a very slow process and I’m an impatient kind of gal (I need to take photos of my projects).

Knitting from vintage patterns is also rather difficult – it doesn’t help that I’m a complete newbie and all of my patterns are Australian so finding information on the different types of yarn, etc. (when it doesn't mention the weight) seems to be impossible, so far. Though if anyone has any great resources to point me to I’d be incredibly grateful. Luckily, my mother has been knitting for about 50 years so she’s been helping me a lot – although she said she never really paid attention to yarn suggestion or even to the tension gauge and everything she’s ever done has worked out really well.

But enough of that – here’s some images of things I’ve been drooling over (luckily not literally or some of my patterns would get a bit soggy):

I can't remember where I found this - if it's yours, sorry!

I scanned this myself. And it's the lady's cardigan I've been drooling over...not the fella. ;]

Again, if this is yours let me know!

...And again.

Scanned myself, hence the terrible quality.

from wishbookweb.com

I suppose it isn't that hard to find vintage inspired cardigans...but they're all inspired by the heavily embellished cardigans of the 50s and I'm just looking for simple knitwear (or knitwear that has the pattern knitted into it). 

I think I’m equally inspired by plaid. I like plaid best in winter and gingham best in summer. 

I know there's only one plaid shirt but I would still wear everything on this (except for the ice skates). So adorable! Source.

Source.

Oh. One other thing? Trousers. Wide legged trousers, to be exact.

So far, I think I’m most drawn to these from Heyday! I will have to save up for a pair, methinks.  Damn you, GBP! You are the bane of my existence (or, well, not really). Though perhaps beige would work better in slightly warmer weather? Perhaps a darker pair first, then. I also love the trousers from Vivien of Holloway, Big Beautiful Barbara Brown and reVamp.

I seem to be drawn to things that are a little bit, well, cute rather than glamorous lately. And also things that are a little more practical. Isn’t that such a nasty word? But I think when you’re limited in funds you’re probably better off buying things that will work well in many ways, than something that can only be worn on certain occasions (unless it is so amazing that you know you will regret not buying it for the rest of your life – bit dramatic but you get my point). Plus, I’m a sook in winter and would rather look warm and cute.

Although, in the spirit of not being practical I haven’t even though about hats, coats, gloves or scarves!  I don’t generally need anything too heavy over here but coats are still a necessity. Just something super simple like this (but in navy blue):

from wishbookweb.com

So, I suppose the conclusion I’ve come to is that I’m plenty inspired for winter…but knowing what you want to wear is different from having what you want to wear. I need to go through my wardrobe and see which things might look good together – find new ways to wear what I have. That's always fun!

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

And the winner is...

I decided to let an impartial third party draw the winner* - let me introduce you to my rocker pal, Frankie:

Hup! Hup! Huzzah! Congratulations to Miss Patti Darling of The Horror Homemaker. I've left a comment on your blog asking you to drop me a line. 

Thanks to everyone who entered (followers old and new) - I just wish everyone could win! If you missed out this time, don't worry...hopefully I'll be able to do another giveaway soonish. And, of course, a VERY big thank-you, once again to Adeline's Attic for hosting the giveaway. <3

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

*Note: Just to clarify, I did pick it out myself, but Frankie is looking a lot cuter than me today.

Musical Interlude {Cliff Edwards}

I can't remember how I first came across Cliff Edwards but I know that I haven't been a fan for very long. I suppose I must have come across him when I first started playing ukulele - he was also known as 'Ukulele Ike'. If you want to read anything about him there's a mini-bio here, and one on wiki, here. As much as I love to see anyone playing ukulele, I have to admit (but it's probably obvious) that I best love uke players of Cliff's era.

Here's just a few songs...there are so many up on youtube, I didn't really know what to pick. The first two are clips from movies Cliff Edwards was in (he was in many films, though I've not seen any of them) and the last is just audio.

This a gorgeous song (though I have a nicer version that's just Cliff on his uke).

This is one of my all-time favourite songs...I think I need to start collecting more versions (I have at least 3 or 4, so far. Anyone have a favourite version?) The solo you can hear is Cliff's own voice; an excerpt from the first site I linked to has a little explanation of it:

While singing in the saloons he began to accompany himself on the ukulele and developed a style of improvised singing, which he called "effin". "Effin" sounds a lot like the human voice imitating a hot trumpet or kazoo solo. 

Some of you, who haven't heard his music before, may still recognise his voice as the original voice behind Disney's Jiminy Cricket.

You can find a lot of his recordings available for download at archive.org. Somewhere on one of those pages (if you follow the link to archive.org) is the version of Night Owl that I have (I would embed it but it's on a page with a lot of other songs and it seems you have to embed them all).

This was rather a lazy post, I apologise, but I've been a busy bee today and am very tired, right now. Hopefully, though, it was enjoyable. Perhaps some of you have discovered something new, and I'm sure others of you are already acquainted with his music. For those of you who are already fans, what's your favourite song?

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

P.S. There's still a little bit of time to enter the giveaway! I'll be drawing the winner tomorrow.

Video Post: A New Ukulele Video

Today I was going to do a Musical Interlude post on Cliff Edwards...but I decided I feel too lazy so you get to see me playing one of my favourite love songs (on uke), instead! (Partially because I don't really have anywhere else to blog this, too).

Enjoy! (I hope). I'm still rather nervous about filming myself. Eek!

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

P.S. Go enter my giveaway, if you haven't already.

Blogiversary Giveaway

The other day I mentioned I had a lovely surprise in honour of my blogiversary...and here it is! An amazing giveaway sponsored by the even more amazing etsy shop, Adeline's Attic, run by the lovely Vintage Baroness.

Up for grabs is this lovely collection of a WWII era corde purse; bobbypins on original card, also WWII era; vintage Vera red and white silk/rayon scarf. All for one lucky person!

To enter all you need to do is visit the shop and leave a comment here telling me what your favourite item is. I would like to stress, just for clarity's sake, that it is not to win something from the shop, but what is pictured here. The giveaway is open to all followers of my blog, worldwide. I also need some way to contact you (either leave your email address or a link back to your blog/website if you don't want to leave your email publicly).

For an extra entry blog or tweet about it (but please make sure to leave a separate comment to tell me you have done so, with a link back to the specific blog entry or tweet).

The giveaway is open until next Wednesday 14th of July, midnight (that's Adelaide time which is GMT+9.30) and I will draw the winner sometime next Thursday, 15th of July.

Good luck to all entrants!! Hurrah.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

P.S. I hope blogger has stopped eating comments! Eep.

Outfit: Sunday Afternoon Tea

Yesterday I went down to Glenelg to meet up with my lovely friends Abi and Erin; I finally got to wear this dress, which made me happy to start with.

Outfit details: 1940s hat - etsy; faux pearls - North Adelaide Vintage & Fashion Fair; 1940s dress - Exclusive Vintage; brooch - ?; gloves - Salvos; stockings - Love Kylie; shoes - Big W.

I haven't been wearing heels much, lately, so walking around all day in these was slightly uncomfortable.

It was very lovely to spend the day with these two ladies, not least because it’s nice to be with friends who have as much fun dressing up as I do!

Erin & Abi together

You can kind of see how short I am in these...

even though I'm wearing 4inch heels.

And a photo, or two, to prove that we were near the sea! (I don't often get that close to it.)

We got a lot of compliments as we were wandering along – one lady even asked if we were going to break into song, which was a little odd. We assured her that we weren’t but I think she’d rather have liked it if we did. I had a very lovely day, indeed, and would love to do it all again.

Also, as a postscript to my Wanda Jackson post, here is a picture of a very awesome & talented lady, Tracy. I forgot to take a photo of her at the concert so I got a shot of her in her outfit for Molly’s hillbilly hoedown themed 21^st (I wasn’t feeling 100% well so I didn’t take any other photos).

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

A Year of Blogging

I’ve been going through another uninspired patch – I seem to go through them every few weeks, or so* – but today is my one year blogiversarsy so I thought I should really post something!

Source unknown.

I can’t believe this blog has been going for a whole year already – sometimes it feels like I just started it yesterday (and sometimes it feels like I’ve been blogging forever); I’ve had a lot of fun blogging and I’ve made some fantastic friends. I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t do rather well for my ego, at times, too.

After posting outfit images on wardrobe_remix for a while I thought I may as well give blogging a go – I thought of it as another creative outlet for me and a good way to document my outfits and share things I love with others – that is why I started the Silver Screen Sunday posts and I hope to start doing them again soon. And it’s basically been a whole lot of fun, too (repeating myself, aren’t I?)

I never expected it to get so much attention and I’m grateful for every single person who follows and comments on my blog. Even though I’m rather lazy about replying to comments each and every one means a lot to me! I don’t want to blabber on too much, but I wanted to take the opportunity to thank my readers. I also have a lovely surprise in store in honour of my blogiversary but that will have to wait just a little bit longer.

I was going to look at my favourite posts, perhaps, but I thought it might be a little too self-indulgent (read: I'm actually too lazy to do anything more reflective than what I've already written) but feel free to tell me yours, if you have one. Hehe.

Image from Silent_Screen_Queen (but I added the 'one' text)

* I actually have a lot of ideas for posts, right now, it’s just a matter of finding the motivation to do them properly – I don’t like to go into them half-heartedly. And I’ve come to accept that one will feel uninspired every so often and, as I started blogging for fun, it’s best to let it come naturally (or as naturally as it will). 

Thanks again, everyone! Here's to another year of blogging fun.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

P.S. Remember my We Love Colors post? Well, I forgot to mention they're offering free shipping to Australia and NZ for orders over 30$ until the end of August - the promotional code is WELOVENZAUS.