Dial V for Vintage

2B Cosmetics Mega Colours Nail Polish in '81'

2012-02-20T15:47:00.004+01:00

It's been ages since I did a nail polish related post so here we go! This is what I am wearing right now: 2B Cosmetics Mega Colours Nail Polish in the shade 81. I always like polishes with a cute name, but a number will do just fine. 2B Cosmetics is a cheap drug store brand, I have to admit I love cheap make up! The bottle is tiny (and it comes with an even tinier brush... it's not very handy, you'll have to get used to it), but I think it's just enough if you want to try out some new colours.

Now, for the colour... I will try to describe it, as you can see in the bottle it's quite metallic. At first sight it's grey/silver with sparkles but depending on the light, it looks purple and greenish. This shade is a bit out of my comfort zone but it's nice to try out something different. It needs 2 layers though because it's a bit sheer.

Dress Inspiration: Dead Reckoning (1947)

2012-02-16T15:45:00.000+01:00

Directed by John Cromwell

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Lizabeth Scott

Let's plunge ourselves once more into the fabulous world of forties fashion, more precisely the costumes from the film noir 'Dead Reckoning'! A former soldier (Bogart) is tracking down a colleague of him, but his investigation leads him straight into the arms of the possibly fatal singer Dusty (Lizabeth Scott)!

The movie features some glamourous clothing, but also lots of daytime suits. First up is this long and slinky black gown, with a deep V-neck and sparkly embellishments. The kind of dress you'd wear to perform in a fancy nightclub!

The next ensemble is daytime-proof and is packed with lots of details that make the outfit stand out: the hat, the little bow, the gloves, the bracelet. Styled to perfection!

From daytime to nighttime: how amazing is this white dress? The details on the armsleeves and the belt are exquisite, and notice the tassel!

Lounging in the sun in a sundress/playsuit (I'm not sure). Very cute! Humphrey is looking great in a classic white shirt and black tie.

During the intense finale of the movie, the femme fatale adds a bit of a French twist to her outfit with a black beret. It looks very cute and innocent... but is that also how she really is? You'll have to watch the movie to know!

A Cruel Taste Of Winter

2012-02-12T13:16:00.005+01:00

I braved the cold and the snow to make some outfit pictures for you! The cold was actually bearable because my photospot was windstill. But after 5-10 minutes I was happy to get my layers and coat back on!

So after more than a week, the snow is still here. I've been wearing my snow boots non-stop, and I'm glad I did because they keep my feet warm! Also, I don't have to ruin my other shoes, the salt and snow makes your shoes really dirty.

I am wearing my red and black checkered vintage dress (it has been featered on my blog before, last year!). This dress has been altered by me before I had my blog, I remember the sleeves being huge! I added a black satin ribbon for fun, it's actually one of those straps they attach to tops to prevent them from slipping of the hanger! I always cut them off and use them for other purposes.

Dress: Vintage, altered by me.
Coat: River Island
Boots: Forever 21
Belt: Thrifted

Stay warm!

Current Project: Corset Belt

2012-02-09T15:46:00.003+01:00

I've been wanting a corset belt/waist cincher for a while now, but as you know real corsets are very expensive, and they are usually too big for me. I saw this second-hand 'corset' (it's from H&M) for a cheap price at a shop and I thought I'd try and make my own corset belt.

I'm thinking of removing the top part (at the seam) and taking it in at the sides so I can properly cinch it in and adjust it to my size. And maybe I'll replace the plastic bones with steel ones, if I can find steel bones!

Close Encounters of the Feathered Kind

2012-02-06T15:29:00.001+01:00

Here comes the snow...

Friday afternoon it started snowing over here, and the world has turned white.

So we put on some more layers of clothing and braved the cold! I finally got the chance to wear my snow-proof boots I bought specifically for snowy days. I wanted a pair of combat/sturdy boots because I am absolutely terrified of slipping and falling over when it has snowed or when the pavement is slippery from the ice.

Skirt: Vintage
Woolen cardigan: H&M
Blouse underneath: Vintage
Boots: Forever 21

On one of our snowwalks we encountered a little robin. He was sitting in the bushes very close to us and wasn't shy at all.

Look, there he is!

Hello, little friend.

At one point, he hopped onto the border of the path we were standing on, he was so close! He was less than a meter away from us and was still comfortable. Small birds are the best!

Sub Zero

2012-02-03T09:54:00.003+01:00

All of a sudden, the temperatures have dropped dramatically below zero and the winter frost has taken over the country. Everybody is complaining but hey, it's winter, it should freeze at least a couple of weeks.

Our mere -5 degrees Celcius is a joke compared to what people are experiencing in Eastern- and Northern-Europe: I've heard on the news about places where -27°C is no exception! Stay warm!

This was my outfit to battle the cold a few days ago: a flannel (yes, flannel!) blouse, woolen skirt and thermal tights (highly recommended). Not visible in the pictures but very present: a thousand layers of t-shirts and tops underneath my blouse and an extra pair of socks.

Blouse: Strawberry
Skirt: Vintage
Belt: Vintage
Shoes: Vintage
Tights: Veritas (gift)

This is, of course, not the complete outfit. When I go outside, I add:

1 extra woolen cardigan
1 extra knitted cardigan
My coat
A scarf
Gloves
A hairband to protect my ears from freezing off.

The more layers, the better! Do you have any tips to keep warm?

Thrifted Thingies!

2012-02-01T17:15:00.000+01:00

Nothing beats a rewarding trip to the thrift stores, and it's even more fun if you find things you were looking for or just simply lovely stuff!

This cute picture with deers and tree silhouettes caught my attention, it's my second deer-themed frame/picture, this time in black and white.

A black glass vase, or drinking glass, I'm not sure but I think it can be used any way you want. Would look nice with some flowers or maybe filled with wine! This was only a few eurocents so I couldn't leave it behind.

I also bought some clothes, and I was very happy to find this white shirt bodysuit! It's a coincidence because I was actually looking for one like this in the high street shops. I think they sold similar ones in COS but they were around € 50-60! Fortunately, I didn't buy the COS bodysuit (the fabric was weird anyway) and lucky me found this thrifted one for a mere € 1,60. I'm thinking about changing the buttons for black ones, not sure yet!

This basic black shirt from H&M was also included in my shopping spree, I always find great basics in second hand shops. Usually this is sold at H&M for € 10 or € 15 but I got it for less than € 2!

A typical outfit for winter

2012-01-27T10:30:00.004+01:00

Well, that's what I thought when I put on this outfit: a green woolen skirt and a woolen top with embroidery. Now all I need is a fireplace to sit in front of and sip hot chocolate. Anyway, the temperatures have finally dropped a bit over here so I can wear my winter clothes!

I've been busy with a new (temporary) job but I promise I will make time this weekend to read and visit all your blogs!

Top: Courtesy of Vinties
Skirt: Vintage
Tights: H&M
Boots: Vintage

Sales Shopping

2012-01-22T14:22:00.004+01:00

It's been a while since I showed you my latest shopping spree results, so here we go! I went to the sales and bought a few things that were reduced in price. Turns out, they're all black. I guess the coloured garments just didn't speak to me.

Anyway, the pictures aren't what I was hoping for because the weather has been so dark lately (of course, when I'm typing this, the sun is shining! A bit too late for my pictures, better luck next time!)

I visited H&M and I left with two dresses and a lace skirt. The fabric of the first dress is very flowy, and it features some kind of wrap effect on the front. Very nice for in the daytime or work, and easily to glam up for the nighttime, I think.

A girl can't have too much little black dresses, right? This satin dress with a pencil skirt is also from H&M, I love the lace details and the cut.

And here's the skirt, I fell for the lace because I simply can't resist black lace. I narrowed the waist a bit so now it's a high-waisted skirt.

My usual high street stop during the sales is Mango, but I couldn't find anything nice in the shops this time... Apart from a cute (black, again!) dress, but when I went back a couple of days later to buy it, it had disappeared from the shops, although there were still plenty of dresses on the rack the previous time!

At Urban Outfitters I bought another black dress from the brand Kimchi & Blue, it was highly reduced, I think by 75%. It actually looks better in real life.

So, did you find some bargains during the sales?

Home Sweet Home Inspiration: Coco's Apartment

2012-01-18T19:10:00.000+01:00

I recently came across pictures of Coco Chanel's apartment, and I fell in love immediately. It's packed with antiques and curiosities, mirrors, chandeliers, books... I'd love to live there!

I found all the images on The Coveteur.

Dress Inspiration: The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

2012-01-13T14:41:00.000+01:00

Directed by Orson Welles

Starring Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, Everett Sloane

Now, if you can appreciate a good film noir and if you want to be dazzled with wonderful outfits, 'The Lady from Shanghai' should do just fine! It features super stars such as Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles and the suspense will keep you glued to your seat until the end. The outfits worn by Rita Hayworth are all amazing, from cute day dresses to glamourous gowns. Let's take a closer look!

This polka dotted dress is just perfect for a summer night, and I love the neckline!

What to wear on a yacht... a captain's hat and blazer perhaps? You can easily put it over your swimsuit and still look fabulous.

Now, if you were waiting for an elegant and super glamourous dress, how about this one? That little collar and little cape make this gown really stand out!

Rita looks great in this black dress, the cut is perfect on her.

I'm very intrigued by this necklace, is it a snake?

Rita wears this suit to court, paired with an interesting hat. She sure looks fabulous, and innocent (or perhaps... not? Watch the movie to find out!).

A black suit, a pearl necklace and a fur coat, I think she must be the most stylish femme fatale ever!

Blue and grey

2012-01-10T11:30:00.002+01:00

It's january and we still haven't had a proper winter yet... the seasons are messed up and I am not sure I like it! It feels more like autumn these days. My wool skirts stay in my closet, I haven't had the chance to wear my winter-proof stuff this year. I love cold but sunny winter days with a bright blue sky, somehow I don't think the weather gods will grant us one of those this winter.

This outfit is one of my typical work outfits: a pencil skirt and a blouse. An easy way to look a bit more 'dressed up' and still casual enough to wear a whole day. I really like that vintage icy blue blouse with its frilly collar!

Blouse: Vintage
Skirt: Mango
Brooch: H&M
Shoes: Vintage
Coat: Vintage

Featured on Little Girl, Big Eyes!

2012-01-07T19:32:00.002+01:00

Exciting news! I was recently contacted to do a little interview about my blog for the website Little Girl Big Eyes. So if you're interested, you can always check it out here!

Easy DIY: Make your own hair donut!

2012-01-04T16:46:00.004+01:00

I want to share a very simple tutorial with you to make a hair donut, one of those nifty things that help you to create perfect hairdos. I had been looking in all kinds of shops but I couldn't find them anywhere... So I decided to make one myself (I think I once read an article about this on a blog but I can't remember which blog is was!), it's very easy - and cheap! You can also buy them online, but what better way to start the new year with a DIY!

Dial V for Vintage

2B Cosmetics Mega Colours Nail Polish in '81'

Dress Inspiration: Dead Reckoning (1947)

A Cruel Taste Of Winter

Current Project: Corset Belt

Close Encounters of the Feathered Kind

Sub Zero

Thrifted Thingies!

A typical outfit for winter

Sales Shopping

Home Sweet Home Inspiration: Coco's Apartment

Dress Inspiration: The Lady From Shanghai (1947)

Blue and grey

Featured on Little Girl, Big Eyes!

Easy DIY: Make your own hair donut!

Happy 2012!

The Christmas Special

A Very Merry Christmas

Inspiration: Party Dresses

Force of Evil (1948)

Blue Victorian

Home Sweet Home Inspiration: Part 2

The same jacket, with a belt!

Dress Inspiration: Alphaville (1965)

Finished Project: Black Jacket

Inspiration: November's Doom and Gloom