Monday night I was very excited to be invited by Funmi of FO Photography to be a participant in their 2013 | 365 project. FO Photography is run by Funmi and her husband Adrian, who are immigrants from the UK and both engineers by day and wedding photographers by night. I met Funmi at the latest SMBYEG and after a few emails back and forth we met up for a photo shoot in Oliver.

(On a side note, if you're in Edmonton and free in the mornings of the last Friday of every month, go to SMBYEG. It's FREE and I made so many great connections that will hopefully turn into some blog collaborations. Stay tuned...)

As I left work it was pouring rain and very dreary. By the time I got to showed up at Fumni & Adrian's, it was sunny and lovely out. Oh Edmonton weather!

Without further ado, this is the photo that Funmi selected for day 189.


The funny thing is that I had no idea when I got dressed that morning that I'd be a photo subject! Back in my reporting days I wouldn't be satisfied with my outfit unless I knew I could stand running into the premier in that outfit (it happened!), and I still carry that philosophy when I get dressed. You just never know who you'll meet or what you'll be doing. I just thought I was meeting Funmi for some coffee and a chat. I was having a bad hair day, so these are victory rolls that I hurriedly did in the car after running in between the raindrops across the street to my parking spot.

Outfit details: Shoes - thrifted | 1940s skirt - gift | blouse: H&M | camisole: Ricki's | belt: me-made

I'm so glad I we met up! Despite being a fashion blogger and having a professional photographer boyfriend, I'm still not really used to being behind the camera, but Funmi made me very comfortable. I even smiled with my teeth (something I rarely do in photos, much to the chagrin of my mom).

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the lovely comments on my last post! They certainly helped brighten my week. 

Us Edmontonian AVR members Jill, Erin, Bailey and I had a lovely picnic in the park last Saturday at MacKay Avenue school, which was one of the first schools in Edmonton as well as the home to the first legislature, and now houses the Edmonton Public School archives. The archives weren't open on Saturday, but we made due with the bright sun, hot temperatures and the perfect grounds for croquet.

1980s does 1940s does Edwardian sailor dress from Cat's Eye Vintage in Calgary Shoes by BAIT Hat from Imagine Vintage in Camrose

It only took a few (can't remember how many exactly) days to sew up, and these photos are actually the second time I've worn it. I credit my speediness being 1 part getting better at sewing, 2 parts easy-to-understand pattern and instructions and 3 parts a shiny new sewing machine that my great-uncle gave to me.

Dress: Me-made Kwik Sew K3929 | Shoes: Doc Martens Belt: me-made/buckle from Decadence | Bracelet: gift (Stella & Dot)

I definitely should have made a size smaller. I ended up taking a lot in (maybe 3-4 inches) after the fact, mostly in the zipper and in the front seams, which was actually fairly easy. I kept the skirt area larger to have more volume, and I'm able to wear my smaller black net petticoat underneath. It's still a smidge large in the waist, but it's nothing a belt can't fix!


Ian and I took these photos behind the streetcar barns in Old Strathcona, shortly before FINALLY signing up to get library cards. I've been back in Edmonton for exactly a year and worked right across the street from the main branch, but didn't get my card until now. Sad.


On to the details! This dress was very easy to make up, and had all the hallmarks of a perfect dress (at least to me, anyway):

Cap sleeves (this was my first time setting in a sleeve and I think I did pretty darn well!)



princess seams



sweetheart neckline (this dress had sooooo many facings! There are some weird armpit facings that I almost skipped because I just couldn't wrap my head around them. I put it in and ripped it out twice before getting it on the third try. It's hard to think backwards, upside-down and inside-out sometimes)


and pockets (Who doesn't love pockets? Actually, I know of someone, but I still love her).


The cotton is also super comfy and doesn't irons very nicely. Score!

I also did a blind hem for the second time. I don't know how I feel about blind hems on the machine. Perhaps once I'm better at the origami-like folding you have to do I'll like them, but I feel like the stitches are so close together that the hem is still visible.

Now I'm on to my next sewing project...

I've had a fabulous weekend, and I hope you all have had one too.
I went to go see Star Wars Identities with Ian, I finally finished my Datemaker cardigan (which will get its own post shortly), had a great dinner at Miss Bee's abode, fixed my borrowed vintage sewing machine AND will be getting a newer one and had a wonderful birthday tea to celebrate Jill, the proprietress of Adeline's Attic.

I've been following Jill's blog for as long as I've been dressing vintage, and when I saw that she moved back to Edmonton I (being the vintage fangirl that I am) hoped that I would see her out and about on the town. I'm even more excited that we have become friends and that she invited me to celebrate her special day.

The guest of honour

In case you didn't know, March is still winter in Alberta but we all forewent the sensible footwear

As well as some new faces, Charly and Nicole, whose photos I forgot to snap (but they're up there in the group shot) as well as Jill's lovely mother Linda.

I also forgot to take some food photos because I was much too busy eating to take photos. Story of my life. In lieu, please accept this photo of us posing in front of a china cabinet.

My outfit: Scallop dress: a re-buy from Krista Dee Shoes: Rowena Hat: borrowed from Bee

I regret not snapping a better photo of my outfit, as it's only the second time I've worn the dress. It's a gorgeous scalloped dress with pearl buttons down the front. Krista Dee bought it for herself but it didn't fit, so I happily took it off her hands.

You might remember last year when Bailey, Jo and I went to the Elizabeth's Antique & Collectible Sale at the City Centre Airport and had a blast. So when it came around again this spring (there's also one in November), Bee, Jill and I (Jo has since moved to Calgary and we miss her!) hit up the show bright and early on a cold and blustery Saturday morning to see what treasures we could find.

Once we arrived, people left and right remarked "Oh, you came again! You must have heard Marlene talking about you on the news." Say what?

(fast-forward to ~1:30 a.m. minutes in to see what I'm talking about)



Turns out we made quite the impression last year! Well, I hope our outfits this year didn't disappoint ;)
I neglected to take my camera but the wonderful Sheree Zielke shared some of her photos with me.











I also bought a set of 5 buttons for $1 because I thought they matched some other vintage buttons I had a home. They're the same style, but the colour is off. The one I bought it on the left, my original on the right.

There was another vendor with a TON of vintage buttons and I regret not going over their booth more than I did. Next time.
Other than that, all's quiet on the home front. I am soooo close to finishing this Datemaker cardigan, with about 6 inches left on the belt to knit. Then it's blocking and seam time! Here's hoping I have it done to wear out Friday night.

PS - If you are an Alberta vintage girl and are looking to get in touch about events and what not, join our Facebook group!

Well, after months of saying "We should meet up" and "Let's get together sometime", it finally happened. The Edmonton Chapter of the Alberta Vintage Roses (oooh, sounds so official!) met up for a few cocktails at the Fairmont Hotel McDonald on Friday night.

Nicole, Bailey, moi, Erin and Jill

We were talking about vintage girl groups in other cities, like the Feathers and Fur get-togethers in Oregon or the parties at the Ric-Rac Club by the Vintage Mafia and envying them for their strong vintage communities (and being slightly fan-girlish). But in Alberta, there are about 10(!!) of us vintage ladies, and absolutely no reason that we can't have little get-togethers of our own. We're hoping to make our cocktail nights a monthly thing, so if you're an Alberta vintage girl who wants to come out, please drop me a line via email (laurie [at] retro-reporter.com), on Twitter or through my Facebook page. It's such a great reason to get all gussied up and have fancy drinks, especially when you're at a very posh hotel.

Speaking of posh hotels, Hotel MacDonald is a beauty. Opened in 1915, it's probably one of the oldest hotels in Edmonton, and certainly the most beautiful. We couldn't resist taking some snaps in the lobby and the Confederation Lounge.

What I wore: Green silk dress from Imagine Vintage, Payless Shoes, Great-Grandma Callsen's brooch

Around this point my camera died and I couldn't get individual snaps of Nicole and Jill. Drat!
(Also, can I just mention how much I miss having a real flash for my camera? Pop-up flash just doesn't do it for me. Le sigh).

Of course, you get that many vintage ladies together and there's bound to be a few questions. We were asked what the occasion was (Friday night, of course!), if we were bridesmaids (nope) and why we were all dressed up (because we like it!). People were very polite, and it was nice to not be asked if we were in a play. Also, Jill has been elected/voluntold to be PR for us, she's the best at explaining what we're all about. I usually just say "I'm a vintage girl" and people blink at me.

Addenum: Being asked if I was a time traveller by a few drunken boys in High River is still probably the best question I've ever gotten from a stranger.


In hindsight I regret not getting a photo of just the painting behind us because OMG YOU GUYS it's hilarious. It's a painting of 12 Lords of Strathcona a-leapin'. You know, like in the 12 days of Christmas. We particularly enjoyed the enthusiasm of the Lord leaping over Bee's head.
Go home Lords, you're drunk.


XO Laurie

Important announcement: Retro Reporter is now on Facebook! 

There are two kinds of clothes shopping in the world: The casual 'I'm just going to pop over and see what catches my eye' kind and the 'all-or-nothing, marathon' kind. The latter is not for the faint of heart, but the stress of shopping can be eased when you follow a few key rules.


1. Hair and Make-up

Prime example of my everyday hair and makeup

Wear your hair and make-up to go with the kind of garments you're looking for. If you're shopping for a fancy dress and find the perfect one, you'll feel blah if you're not wearing any make-up or just have your hair up in a pony.
There's been lots of times that I feel an outfit doesn't look right on me, only to realize it's because my hair is up in a scarf or just lying there straight. Just a little concealer, mascara and red lippy with a pair of victory rolls can make me feel fabulous in 15 minutes.


2. Proper undergarments

When you undertake marathon shopping, you likely have a few specific items in mind that you want to look for: perhaps its sweaters and cardigans, work clothes, shoes or a cocktail dress. No matter what you're shopping for, you should always wear the correct undergarments.

• If possible, wear nude underwear, so if you put on a slightly sheer garment you won't be distracted by your black and leopard print bra. The same goes for wearing sheer pantyhose instead of coloured tights. You want to start with a clean slate.
• If you're looking for a dress or blouse with a little va-va-voom, wear your pushup bra.
• If you're looking for the perfect sweaters, wear a bullet bra (and pads!) to see how it fits. 
• If you're looking for something that requires shapewear, bring it along (or wear it if it won't make you too terribly uncomfortable).