Day 6: Municiple Elevators and Indispensable Accessories

Today was sunny. Not just sunny - gloriously sunny. Living in Oregon, it's easy to forget the sun exists sometimes - you just carry on an umbrella and keep pressing on in the rain. But the start of spring here is strikingly beautiful, and worth stopping life to enjoy the first precious days of sun and warmth. One of the first signs of spring here is people finally bringing their beautiful vintage cars out of the garage. Jesse and I went past this Ford on our walk.



Although I basically consider myself a Portlander, as I grew up in Portland, I live just outside the main metro area in a town called Oregon City. We're the only city in the United States with a Municipal Elevator. And it is fabulously mid-century. The view of the river from it is fantastic. It's centered along a grassy, hilly promenade that separated upper Oregon City from the lower downtown district. It's one of my favorite picnic spots.







My favorite accessory by far is a well-matched vintage gent. Of course, you can't see his 1950s Hollywood waist fleck shorts in our silly self-portrait, but they're pretty badass. I won't steal his thunder by showing you - he wants to blog about them.





It's almost amazing that I've posted for six days in a row and you haven't seen this purse yet. It's actually hard for me to choose others - this is my magic purse that gives away a million business cards and brings good luck. Aside from Jesse, it's my second most indispensable accessory! These all-metal picnic baskets purses are getting murderously hard to find. I've acquired three similar that I'm saving for the website launch, though!





When you date an acrobat, you can be set up in tree branches that are way up high above the ground! A note on the necklace. I love this piece. It's a favorite - and shockingly, it's a designer piece from the 80s. It works perfectly with so many 40's and 50s ensembles!

Sweater: 1950s, Estate sale, a million years ago
Circle Skirt: 1950s, Bombshell Vintage
Necklace: Louis Feraud, 1980s from the Glamour Gallery (now defunct)
Shoes: Delman, Ebay purchase
Shoe Clips: 1980s, gift from a friend.
Bakelite: Various, as always. The blue are polished in this manner, found on Vixen Vintage's blog.

Day 5: Casual Day and Favorite Boots

Today was casual day - after the gym, Jesse and I hit up the McMenamin's Kennedy School soaking pool. It's sort of hard to feel dressy after hours of warm water, so I threw one of my most comfortable, cute takin-care-of-business outfits. I couldn't decide if it was better to show you a clear photo with my eyes closed, or a fuzzy one with them open, so I'm including both - Jesse had me in stitches.

I think every vintage gal with a taste for western wear has a favorite pair of boots. My favorites are these 50s Acme double eagles that have been worn into the ground. They were a little prettier when I bought them at an estate sale, but not much. The thing is - when I put them on, they felt like they had been broken in JUST FOR ME. A perfect fit, perfect comfort. I used to try to keep them up with polish, but have given up on it. They aren't "going out to a honky tonk show" quality, they'd cute cleaning the house or running errands utilitian shoes.


I will keep them until they one day fall off my feet.

The dress is a 50s homemade number, nothing special to it, really, but it is cute and comfy. The waist is shirred and elasticized, and I wear it with a sturdy 60s leather belt most days. Dress: Thrift Store Purchase
Pendelton 49'er: Estate sale find
Boots: Estate sale find
Bakelite: Various

Day 4: I Eat Detectives for Breakfast

Oops! Sorry this is so late. We were out until the Wee Small last night - my makeup was melted and I was tired of my girdle when I got home - I went straight to bed!

The 1940s is really my "home" era for style - it is just what I'm most comfortable in. Collegiate, to Kate Hepburn casual, to noir femme fatale. For evenings, I love the reserved glamour of a high-necked evening dress that has defined curves, but no exposed skin. It's the uniform attire of the 1940's Black Widow.



(P.S. YES - I know. It's terrible, I need a good camera. All in good time, my pretties.)

The hat has a chiffon chin strap, and although it looks somewhat awkward here - I see it had slipped slightly - I like it best worn forward and slightly to the side. What you can't see is the attached matching black chiffon snood. Yes, I love it.





Dressed like this, of course one is headed out for cocktails. My partner in crime? "The Other Vintage Julie" in Portland. We have remarkably similar tastes. She's recently lost a lot of weight, and is wearing the size I'm aiming for! Here she is in one of my dresses that I just can't wait to wear again. It's navy rayon with white pique, and I've owned it for the better half of a decade. I'll never, ever sell it.



The background is the lobby of the Hotel Deluxe, outside the Driftwood Room where we were decadently spoiled, as always, by the incredibly talented bartender Mike. If you come through Portland, stop in for a drink. The atmosphere and service are impeccable.

Dress: Ray's Ragtime
Hat: Flea Market
Bracelet: 1940s Mexican silver, estate sale purchase
Gloves: Thrift store find
Shoes: Thrift store find

Navy Blue Dress: The Urban Eccentric