Carmine & Hayworth

I've always had a huge interest in costumes throughout the decades, but the costumes that interest me most are those worn my burlesque dancers & strippers.  I love the glitz, glam and overall craftsmanship that is shown.  Below are a sampling of some of my favorites that I've acquired so far! Many people have asked me how & where I purchase these items. All I can say is that it's a mix of luck and laying in bed late at night and scouring auction websites ;) 1960's Bali Bow Bustier 1950's Burlesque arm bands 1950's Rhinestone Crown 1950's Hand Beaded Belt 1960's/70's Harem Burlesque Costume (Not Pictured: Chain Belt & Pants)

I'm not going to lie, there are some days I just lock the door to my closet & play dress us to relieve the stress of the week. Lately, I've pretty much been LIVING in my favorite Vintage Shop in Fargo called "Revolver".  It has been my escape from anything I've been wanting to get away from the past week. I don't know about you, but when I step into any antique shop or vintage store, I really do feel like I step out of my life for a moment... I highly recommend it :) Here are some purchases that relieved my stress ;P 1970's Maribou Feather Bridal Cape (the wedding dress is equally as stunning but too petite for moi :) Cape via Revolver Bustier via Le Bunny Shoppe on Etsy This 1940's/50's Fox Fur Wrap came with a Mother of the Bride ensemble. HOW STUNNING IS THIS COLOR?! Wrap via Revolver 1950's Bali Bow Bustier via my collection  I bought these online & one can easily tell I have an obsession! I'm a collector of Lady...

How can it get any better than this???  Those who know me best, know I'm an all or nothing person, so when I saw this BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, AMAZING 1950's Burlesque Headdress for sale I HAD TO HAVE IT! Some people invest in Real Estate, the Stock Market, Shoes, etc, but I see the value in investing in history, especially when it comes to pieces like this.  The fact that this has lasted 60+ years and STILL looks new, has me awestruck.   Though my head is too big, my love for this is still strong :) 

I can't quite figure why, but recently I've been gravitating towards bold & exaggerated fashion choices.  Case in point, the outfit below :) The more fabric there is to a piece the more attracted I am to it.  This tulle neck ruffle will definitely be coming out to play more :)  In less interesting news of the day, I'm in the process of packing up my entire apartment and I didn't realize until now how many things I have.... I could probably furnish two houses with all the crap I own.  Just in terms of clothing alone, I could wear a different outfit everyday for a year with no overlaps. That, my friends, is not necessary :/ We bought a house that was built in 1927 and I know that those old pantries and storm cellars will be packed to the brim with my faux fur, feathers and lingerie : ) Neck Ruffle via Opium_Den on Instagram Lace Blouse via Forever 21 This is a drawing my talented boyfriend did of my collar above :) Check out his work @bonejac...

Words cannot express how oddly excited I am about this Blouse / Tee I recently purchased from ASOS. The weird mix of Cotton V-Neck Tee and Pink Chiffon ruffles shouldn't work, but they just do. I have the oddest inclination to walk by people and try to hit them with my abundance of ruffles. Try it, seriously. It's a huge stress reliever :) The last three pictures are not the best quality, but I was too excited to share myself drowning in the pink goodness.  The comments I've had on this blouse/ tee have been very mixed.  I've heard, "Ooohhh I love how unique it is!" or a blank stare accompanying, "Wow.... there's a lot going on here.." Either way, no one can take away my thrill when I walk really fast and let the glorious ruffles hit my face on the way :)

This particular Wednesday I'm definitely feeling my mood for vintage nudes. There's always been something so beautiful and fascinating about their style and magnetism. Below are my collection of Jumbo Sized Playing Cards that I'm DYING over! I'm happy to be able to post this photo here since it was twice removed from Instagram :/ This day I couldn't be bothered to get out of my 1960's Nightie :) My Ivory Satin Whirlpool Bra <3 1960's Red Sequined Burlesque costume, plus my favorite ladies :) 

I don't know about you, but I feel like everyday should be a day to dress-up, wear weird things, or just be a different style version of yourself. My style is not fluid by any means.  I wear what I want and there's usually never any rhyme or reason.  I go through spurts where I will wear nothing but Black for weeks on end, or I'll wear the most ostentatious vintage blouse or dress. Weird looks and stares are usually waiting outside the door, but as Mae West said, "It's better to be looked over than over-looked". Or at least, that's my motto. Lately, I've decided that if I want to wear a 1950's bathing suit out and about, I'm going to. I don't live near any lakes or pools, but it's nice to pretend like you do :) 1950's Bathing Suit w/ a 1960's Bed Jacket I'm quite a big fan of Vintage Bed Jackets and it's one of the many things I hoard (collect).  I found this GORGEOUS & PRISTINE Deadstock Bed Jacket from "...

When I die, it will most likely be due to my entire collection of vintage lingerie falling on top of me.  I don't spend a lot of money on my nails, spas or anything like that. Just the holy goodness that is lingerie. Here are a few more I've added recently.... 1960's Pink Ruffles 3 piece Bed Set Edwardian 1920's Corset Cover 1950's Bustier by "Lily of France- Bonwit Teller" Look at this STUNNING detail!!  I'm now in the process of finding more suitable storage for my vastly growing collection.  My little trunk has more that burst at the seams! 

Here's a quick little update on what I've been wearing  and collecting lately! I'm pretty sure I've mastered the art of getting highly stressed / anxious and channeling that into buying cool shit :) I may have a slight, manic addiction.... !940's Nightgown via SadRosetta on Etsy Bali Bow Bustier via Ebay Zipper Pull via SadRosetta on Etsy 1940's Beaded Asian Inspired Gown via Ebay Chartreuse Dress via Off Broadway Vintage on Etsy I honestly feel that this is saving history.  The quality of designs in these pieces are second to none.  Any vintage lover knows that not only does this get you closer to the golden age of fashion, but it makes you really feel that you're a piece of the history of fashion too.

I've made my love affair with vintage lingerie the focal point of my life, as of late, but I've recently decided to dip my feet back into the world of new lingerie.  Any person who buys a piece of lingerie knows that you have to sift through hoards of pieces to find what you're looking for especially when it comes to sizing! You may find the style you want, but the band sizing or cup size is all wrong.  Or the fit can be PERFECT but the style is a bit too.... well cheap.   I knew that if I wanted to incorporate new pieces into my collection I needed to go to brands that didn't mess around.  First off, lets talk about Playful Promises line "Bettie Page Lingerie" and their new line of Circle Stitch Overwire bras / bustiers. The construction of these bustiers is IMPECCABLE and the color ways are just right! I love the attention to details especially the padding where the boning is, something I find to be a must!  Blue Eyeshadow a la "The Love Wit...

Witch-Wife She is neither pink nor pale, And she never will be all mine; She learned her hands in a fairy-tale, And her mouth on a valentine. She has more hair than she needs; In the sun 'tis a woe to me! And her voice is a string of colored beads, Or steps leading into the sea. She loves me all that she can, And her ways to my ways resign; But she was not made for any man, And she never will be all mine. ~Edna St. Vincent Millay

I don't know about you, but Winter, for me, is soul crushing.  I have a hard time with the early darkness, subzero temperatures and the overall feeling of gloom. By that, you would never know I grew up in the Midwest, raised in these conditions.   I've said it time and time again, but I always need to come up with different ways to boost my spirits until Spring comes and I don't have to feel like, as The Smashing Pumpkins would say, a rat in a cage.  Luckily, my boyfriend is more that willing to work with me on this. He's what I would call a humble photographer.  He's really great at it with an amazing eye, but he doesn't see it that way.  I figured why not dust off the good ol' camera and have a little fun. If you can't already tell, we don't do subtle :) I was on my way to a holiday party, a very delayed one I might add, and I thought, why the hell not! As a side note, my cat, Dante, needed to upstage me. I feel that this is a good time to...

I don't know about you, but January has COMPLETELY harshed my vibe..... it seems like your mind has to work overtime just to make you feel normal! I've had to get creative and find pleasure in the little things :) Mi Casa  This little corner, in my livingroom, has to be one of my favorites.  My only wish is that I could properly lounge in the corner sectional, but sadly, for me, my cats have christened it as their area and the fur left behind is INSANE. When the items in your home start to look like you ;) 1950's Baby Pink Nightie by "Artemis" as found on eBay Photo done by "BoneJack Designs" on Instagram Do you ever get that second wind, at the end of the night, right before bed where you feel compelled to do something creative? I have a mini photo studio, in my home, for my Etsy page so me and my boyfriend had the inkling to set up a little spotlight and shoot a picture. Normal people things, right? I'm wearing a 1950's bustie...

It's no secret that I'm OBSESSED with vintage lingerie! I've always been fascinated by the construction and the attention to detail in each piece. The latest one I've aquired is so unbelievably ethereal it has left me almost breathless! Nemo Bra by Lilly Dache via lebunnyshoppelingerie on Etsy! I mean COME ON! Just look at the little hand sewn, Daisy details and ruffles! This perfectly mixes girly/ feminine flair with demure and virginal elegance. It doesn't hurt that is fits perfectly :) I've said it before and I will say it time and time again, they really don't make them like they used to! 1950's ad for the Lilly Dache Nemo Bra I also couldn't leave behind this little piece of nostalgia: 1960's Avon Perfume "Pretty Peach" As a little backstory, my mother has been an "Avon Lady" for as long as I can remember and anytime I see something like this I have to have it! I've always loved to collect litt...