Suffragette Sally

I just had to share this ensemble put together by the lovely 16 Sparrows over at Behind the Curtain. She was inspired by the Gibson Girl / Suffragette look of the 1890's... [click on her link for outfit details]:

Of course, the Gibson girl and the suffragette were quite scandalous, so the only other thing this bad girl needs to complete the look is an Eagle Bicycle [how did people ride these?] Click here for an interesting little article on how the bicycle liberated women.

Suffrage literature and the history of women's suffrage is one of my areas of interest, as well as fashion history [particularly 1890's-1930's]. So, I thought I would post a few images to continue the theme -- just for fun...

Some more scandalous suffragettes and their cycles...

An 1890's sporting/riding costume with bloomers...

Some dressier ensembles from the 1890's...

[Les modes parisiennes : Peterson's magazine. 1890's]

The Crunch of Leaves under My Feet...

I am always amazed at how my mood and preferences change according to season. Warm, cozy earth-tones with a bit of foliage-inspired accessorizing just seem so appealing right now... suedes, worn leather, and soft, embellished knits are just right for keeping the cold at bay and celebrating with family..and don't forget the pumpkin pie!

Fall Favorites by Nothing Elegant

1. Manoush lace-patch cardiagn, net-a-porter.com.
2. Pumpkin Pie ultra rich body wash and shampoo, philosophy.com.
3. 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent drape-back tunic, net-a-porter.com.
4. Forever 21 Autumn leave slouchy beret, forever21.com.
5. Mini turnlock purse, urbanoutfitters.com.
6. Seychelles Cypress platform, urbanoutfitters.com.

I Wear Books on My Head Like a Hat

I would actually walk around with books balanced on my head when I was in grade school, because I read in an etiquette book that it would give me good posture (and thus, make me more attractive somehow...) Was that strange? Yes. Do I have good posture? Yes I do, as a matter of fact! And it is all thanks to books! If I still felt the need to wear books on my head [or if I simply wanted a fabulous-looking bookcase], I would choose a statement-making volume with a bit of vintage flair, like one of these perfectly-patterned special edition classics by Penguin and Virago:

Waterstone Exclusive Penguin Classics

Virago Modern Classics Little Brown Book Group

This makes me smile...

...not because I care about weddings, or even wedding dresses, but simply because I give this lovely lady props for wearing this bat-sh*t crazy, off-beat gown at her wedding. It totally looks like a Barbie dress I had in the 80's. I would so wear this! Why can't there be prom after 30??

[from Offbeatbride.com]

It definitely comes in at a close second to my favorite wedding dress -- the red, frothy number worn by Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice...

I love you...even though I hate you sometimes [random weekend rant...]

I have come to peace with the fact that I wasn't raised in the most exciting, diverse, or cosmopolitan place on this big planet. Nonetheless, I love where I am from. I have lived in many other places, yet, here I am again --back in Oklahoma...

[Image uploaded from Cowboy Ampersand]

Since the recent elections, however, I have been feeling a sense of shame and embarrassment about my state (you know, that funny-shaped state right in the middle that lit up bright red on the map before the election results were even counted...) I don't want to feel this way about the place where I was born! But, how do I come to terms with the fact that I am living in a place that is proud to be more conservative than Utah (the land of 15 yr. old wives, bigamy, alchohol bans, and film censorship)?? ...

...how do I deal with knowing I live in a state whose senator doesn't believe global warming exists and whose congressman is trying to make birth control pills more difficult for college girls to purchase when they need them...?

I never intended to use this blog as a political platform, but, in the midst of all the happiness and celebration over our new President-elect, I can't help feeling a little sad -- feeling that despite the broader excitement, I am living among folks stuck in some sort of strange 1950's time-warp, where foreigners, women, and African Americans are always suspect... where instead of feeling hopeful and grateful, people are down on their knees praying out of fear...

...so, I wanted to try and find something beautiful about my home, despite my recent negative emotions. Because there are many beautiful things about my state...and many warm, kind, intelligent people. And I suppose that is what this blog is about -- the things I love and appreciate... even if they are small and rather personal...

[That said, hope you lovely readers will forgive my non-clothing/shopping/art-related rant!! ]

So, here are some things I love about Oklahoma...as flawed, and crazy, and old-fashioned as she may be:

1. Beautiful sunsets and wide, open horizons.
2. The livin's easy [i.e. cheap]
3. Friendly, open, talkative people.
4. Cheap vintage finds and great thrift store shopping!
5. Lots of gorgeous lakes.
6. Chicken fried steak, fried okra, fried pickles, and fried mushrooms.
7. Drive-in burger joints and drive-in movies.
8. Gorgous art deco buildings [from the oil boom of the 20's]
9. No traffic and lots of parking.
10. Distinct seasons.

And of course, my friends and family, who I love!

[Polaroids from flickr.com]

Manhes Massun's Love Song to Frida

"The art of Frida Kahlo is a ribbon around a bomb." -- Andre Breton



My love for Frida Kahlo is boundless. So, of course, I adore the images from Manhes Massun's recent show at Mexico Fashion Week, which featured vibrant colors and Frida-esque hair accessories and jewelry. I always seem to enjoy the runway collections from Mexico and Brazil even more than the European and American collections. I admire the notion of retaining and re-interpreting folk costumes and traditions, and the work of Latin American designers often [admirably] look beyond trends and turn, instead, to their unique culture for inspiration.

[Manhes Massun for Mexico Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009...and some Frida]:








[Mexico Fashion Week Images from coutorture.com]

Doctor Prescribed Footwear?

These shoes by designer Gwendolyn Huskens are so creepy, yet somehow fabulous. I am strangely drawn to them...





Gwendolyn Huskens is a designer studying at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, in the department of man and identity. At the recent graduation show, she presented a set of six shoes called 'medic esthetic'. Aiming to reveal the taboos associated with physical deformities, her collection of cream and skin-toned footwear for women is made from medical materials and supplies such as plaster bandages, steel and band-aids. The result is a line of functional and oddly stylish shoes.