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    Showing posts with label wrapup. Show all posts
    Showing posts with label wrapup. Show all posts

  1. Stylish shenanigans in Olds

    Sunday, March 25, 2012

    As I mentioned in my last post, Bee and I headed to Olds for an All-Alberta Vintage Blogger Meet-up in Olds to hit up their antique show with Krista Dee and Cee, both from Calgary.

    To sum it up, it was a hoot! My sides still ache from all the laughing we did.

    The Olds show was way smaller but (in my opinion) much better than the Edmonton one. More variety (but no clothes) and better prices. I picked up this mint (my favourite colour) radio from the 1950s. It still works and only gets AM, plus it will go great in our new kitchen (somewhere) so we can rock out to CKUA.

    RCA Nipper XI radio, $35


    Moving sidenote: we pick up our keys on Tuesday! We plan to go in, take a second look, take some photos and also take measurements so we can do a bit of a floor plan before moving day next Saturday!

    I (well, Cee pointed them out to me) also found these two knitting booklets from $5. The Monarch (orange) is copyrighted 1946, but the Beehive (B&W) has no date, but judging by the hair I'd date it from around the same time.

    Knitting booklets are not only great resources for knitting, but for hair inspiration too!


    I love, love, love this sweater. 
    We met a very sweet older fellow named Fred - nicknamed by us as Sing It Again Fred  - from Sylvan Lake who told us all about the steam trains he has sitting on his acreage. Do I smell another road trip in the future?

    The antique show was held at the Olds Legion, which had a display case of mannequins dressed up in military uniforms. Very awesome.

    I love their cute but sensible shoes.



    Then, as we were about to leave to meet my sister for lunch, we noticed there was a tank outside. So, of course we clamoured on it - but not me or Cee, we were too busy capturing the moment. I don't have any group photos of us sadly, but I know the other girls do!





    I'm pretty sure these two were separated at birth. Their similarities were bordering on scary.
    I think our foursome overwhelmed the show a little bit. At one point, Krista had about 5 women crowded around her as she showed off her seam tattoos and more than one vendor wanted to take our photo. Then, when we were leaving the restaurant the Progressive-Conservative candidate for Olds asked if he could be in a photo with us. I declined, since as a journalist I want to remain completely neutral when it comes to politics. I guess he wanted the whole package or none at all because he didn't take a photo with the rest of the girls either.

    At lunch Mac gave me a Titanic book! I've always been fascinated with Titanic ever since I was a little girl; I can't believe she remembered. She's so sweet and smart too - we celebrated her earning yet another scholarship for school over lunch.



    I bought this 1960s house dress from Cee that I had been eyeing on her Etsy page (and there were lots others I wanted to take home but I was trying to be sensible) and then she gave me a few more clothes.





    I have some very sweet friends. She also gave me a tea set for a housewarming present, but it's still in the car as I am just going to drop it off at the El Mirador on Tuesday.

    Phew - I think that's all! Now I'm off to pack up some more trinkets and maybe some clothes. I can't believe next Saturday is moving day. Expect some radio silence from me for a little while, but when we're all settled I'll give you a tour.

    XO Laurie

    Posted by Laurie Callsen at 1:57 PM | Labels: , , , , , , , , | 1 comments | |

  2. Post 100: A few of my favourite things

    Friday, January 27, 2012

    I can’t believe that this is my 100th post!
    To be honest, I didn’t think I had it in me. I’ve done the blogging thing before but it was never engaging enough to keep me at it, let alone to keep readers coming back. To all those who comment here, follow my blog or who have found me through strange Google search terms, thank you!

    In the spirit of 100, this will be a blog post of my 100 favourite things.  Don’t worry, it’s broken down into sections but this may take a while, so grab some tea or coffee and get cozy.

    My 20 favourite vintage blogs
    This was a hard list to make. Originally I wanted to do 10, but I felt like I was leaving out too many great blogs. I follow 134 vintage blogs (at last count), both “famous” and relatively unknown and love them all to bits!

    100. Retro Chick
    99. Diary of a Vintage Girl
    98. His Girl Friday
    97. The Mariposa Chronicles
    96. Casey’s Elegant Musings
    95. Vixen Vintage
    94. Living in the Past
    93. Alternatively Lovely
    92. Esme and the Laneway
    91. By Gum, By Golly
    90. Land Girl 1980
    89. Mrs. Amber Apple
    88. Spiffing Sporadics of a Vintage Girl 
    87. Sweetheart of the Rodeo
    86. The Freelancer’s Fashion Blog 
    85. The Rockabilly Socialite
    84. Tuppence Ha'penny
    83. Va-Voom Vintage
    82.Of Steel and Lace
    81.Twila Jean - The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife


    My 10 most popular posts (by pageviews)
    80. Show 'n' Tell: The Middy // Posted Sept 9, 2011 // 3 comments // 674 Pageviews


    79. New York: Day 4 - Stocks, Sailing and Statues // Posted Aug 24, 2011 // 1 comment // 501 Pageviews


    78. What to Wear: Dinner with Friends // Posted Jun 3, 2011 // 0 comments // 458 Pageviews


    h 77. Style Icon(s): Criminal Minds // Posted Nov 18, 2011 // 1 comment // 353 Pageviews


    76. What to Wear: Help me get dressed for a wedding // Posted Jun 23, 2011 // 12 comments // 280 Pageviews


    75. How-to: Transition summer clothes to winter // Posted Oct 20, 2011 // 0 Comments // 213 Pageviews


    74. Wrapup: Proper football and greyhounds // Posted May 23, 2011 // 1 comment // 205 Pageviews


    73. New York: Day 3 - Around the world in 50 city blocks // Posted Aug 23, 2011 // 2 comments // 156 Pageviews



    72. Finishing School: Fit (and retro swimsuits!) // Jun 21, 2011 // 0 comments // 150 Pageviews


    71. Wrap-up: a dance and a giveaway! // Nov 11, 2011 // 5 comments // 147 Pageviews


    My 10 favourite beauty products


    70. Motions Foaming Wrap
    I haven't done a lot of experimenting with setting lotions, but I can tell a big difference between using Motions and just water. My hair is fine, thick and straight but with Motions my curls last longer (even though I still have to set my hair every night), are bouncier and soft. I was shocked and amazed to find it in my local Superstore in the ethnic section. I may venture to Sally Beauty and find Lottabody when this runs out though, just to do a comparison.

    69. Garnier Fructis Hold and Flex  Hairspray
    As you will see, I use two different types of hairspray. This is my taming fly-aways hairspray. It keeps my hair soft, brushable and crunch-free but still holds my set in place.

    68. TIGI Rockaholic Hairspray
    This is called flexible hairspray, but it falls into the sticky, crunchy category. I wouldn't use it for flyaways, but I do love using it for rolls and pompadours. When I take my bobby pins out of a roll out at the end of the day it is still perfectly in place because of the hairspray. It also smells really good, kind of sickly sweet (which I like).

    67. Schwarzkopf got2B Defiant Pomade
    Ha, according to the got2b website, this is a men's pomade. Which makes sense, since G bought it and then I stole it. No matter, I love it. This is the hair product I found that works the best for me. Waxes separate my curls too much and I hate the texture of gels. This pomade is shiny and smooth without being goopy. When it's in the container, it's bouncy (it even goes 'boing' when you tap it!) and I also love the smell, which is like oranges.

    66. Nivea - Happy Time Cream Shower Bamboo Milk and Orange Blossoms
    This is my go-to body wash. It's creamy, suds up really nicely and doesn't dry my skin out (and I have really dry skin). It leaves my body soft with a orange scent without being too overpowering. I also like it because the scents line up with my orange hair pomade and my tropical body spray - there's nothing more harsh than competing scents.

    65. Mary Kay tinted moisturizer
    I have fairly decent skin, so I find what works best for me is light layering of a few different products  Since this is a moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation it works triple-duty, something else I love

    64. Mary Kay mineral powder foundation
    I use this as my finishing touch after using the tinted moisturizer, then concealer and under-eye concealer. It smooths out my complexion, layers great in places I need extra coverage and doesn't dry my face out or get cakey.


    63. Goody Sponge Rollers
    I love these rollers and I think these are the easiest to find - I got mine at Wal-mart for $10 but I've seen them in lots of other stores too. I've never have a problem sleeping on them, they clip in good and try rather quickly, but I have to half-dry my hair first. I use the green (second-largest size) on my top two layers and then the yellow on the bottom if need be.



    62. Pink and White vinyl shower cap
    I got this shower cap in my Christmas stocking but I wish I knew where it was from because I love it! Unlike most shower caps I've seen, this one has a brim and is made of vinyl instead of plastic - two things that allow for better repelling of water.

    61. Covergirl Lipstick in Hot
    This is my go-to red lipstick, even though I've only ever experimented with one other brand (Joe Fresh). I use it with a Rimmel Nude Lip Liner, and boy, does it last forever! Some days it will last through drinking water all day, eating two meals and washing my face, so I really need to make sure it's all off before I snuggle up in my white sheets.


    My 10 favourite outfits
    60. My turquoise sweater with my cream skirt


    59. White polka dot blouse with peddle pushers


     58. Plaid skirt and cream blouse

     57. Little Valley Jamboree shirt and high-waisted swing trousers (no photo)
     56. Dianne Wrap Dress


    55. Pumpkin pencil skirt and blue-white striped blouse (no photo)
     54. Pale pink dress

     53. grey tee and leopard print skirt

     52. Heartbreaker stripe dress

     51. 50s Peter Pan dress



    My 10 favourite memories
    50. Summers at the Lake

    49. Working at Intercamp

    48. My summer at Universite Ste-Anne

    47. the Oasis and Ryan Adams concert
     46. Canadian University Press conferences
     45. Shaving my head at age 14 for cancer
     44. Moving into the Fairmont
     43. My brother's wedding
     42. My first date with G
     41. Our vacation in New York


    My 10 life goals
    40. Be a good homemaker

    39. Keep on knitting and learn how to sew
    38. Stop biting my nails
    37. Make more friends and be a better friend to the ones I am lucky to have
    36. Read more and learn more
    35. Travel around the world
    34. Have a family
    33. Keep doing what I love doing
    32. Love myself and love others
    31. Be happy!


    My 10 favourite books
    30. The Greatest Show on Earth - Richard Dawkins
    29. Elements of Style - Strunk and White
    28. The Fortunes of Prue - Bessie Marchant (my great-great Aunt)
    27. The Guests of War Trilogy, which contains The Sky is Falling, Looking at the Moon and The Lights Go On Again in one volume - Kit Pearson
    26. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
    25. The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton
    24. Diary of Anne Frank
    23. Vintage Hairstyling - Lauren Rennells
    22. How to Sew A Button -Erin Breid
    21. Harry Potter series (that counts as one, right?) - JK Rowling


    My 10 homemaker tips
    20. Use Borax to keep your tubs looking like new!
    19. Clean the house 20 minutes a day
    18. Clean and organize as you go
    17. Use vinegar and water to disinfect
    16. Make a meal plan
    15. Track your monthly spending using Google Docs spreadsheets
    14. Use rubber gloves and aprons to save your hands and clothes
    13. light candles after cleaning to get rid of any chemical smells
    12. line your garbage bin and where you put the garbage can (like under the sink) with newspaper to make it easier to clean
    11. do a cycle of vinegar every one in the while when washing towels to get rid of the stink

    My 10 favourite things about me
    This probably seems like a very narcacissic thing to have, but it's taken me a long time to realize that self-love is healthy and not selfish! If I can't love, respect and be non-judgemental of myself, then how can I be the same to anyone else? You are your own lifelong companion, so you have to learn to love yourself (even thought I still can't stand myself at times).

    10. I have great support people. If it wasn't for my family, friends and G I think I woul be a very lost soul. I have a growing list of people who are always there for me, even if it's just a tweet to say hello now or then or an ear to let me voice my frustrations. You are all amazing!

    9. I like to drive. Maybe not in rush hour traffic in the city, but I love just going for a drive and taking in all the beautiful scenery and listening to my music while getting lost in my own thoughts. I find it refreshing and it helps me clear my mind.  

    8. I am organized and love to keep things neat and tidy. I've learned to live with some mess because G is a more messy-organized while I am a tidy-organized, but I like it best when everything is in its place. This doesn't mean I wash dishes everytime I dirty a cup, but it does mean I stack all the dirty dishes in one spot instead of letting them clutter up my whole kitchen.

    7. I am good at getting stuff done. Sometimes I will put stuff off, but if I have a deadline I am motivated and can do almost anything I set my mind to, wether it's a work assignment, cleaning the house or even shopping.

    6. I love learning new things. That's why I chose the job I'm in, because I am always learning new things and in turn, teaching others. Sometimes I can get really frustrated when I don't understand something, but once I do get it, I'm actually giddy. I love my thirst for knowledge.

    5. I like to relax. I've never been one for going out to clubs or bungee jumping or even amusement parks. While I'm not a homebody per se, I do tend to err on the side of relaxing (although I'm sure some would say boring). I prefer a pub or someone's living where I can actually have a conversation with my friends over a loud club and prefer to spend my evenings knitting while reading or watching TV.

    4. I think I have pretty good style. I have never felt more beautiful and more me than this past year when I've started dressing vintage. I know I'm not as authentic as some, but I feel like I've finally have come into my own style and I couldn't be more happier than taking this leap. It has changed my life. That seems silly, but it really has. I'm more confident and I love waking up in the morning just to figure out what to wear.

    3. I am damn good at my job. Somedays - mostly the days with angry phonecalls or letters - I don't feel like this, but I am a good journalist. I think I am good at breaking down information and giving it back to people so it's easier for them to understand, or simply more engaging. If I am bored by a story, my readers will be bored, so I always try to find something interesting or new about a story. 

    2. I love how I look naked - something I don't think many people can say with confidence. Sure, I have stretch marks and a lopsided boob and a bit of a belly, but I think I look fantastic.

    1. I am beautiful. I have vibrant eyes (blue/green/gray, who knows?), a cute nose and great hair, 90% of the time. I have flaws - mostly ugly hands because of my bad nail care, scars and stubby fingers - but I've learned to love those too.

    Phew!! That was a lot. Congrats if you made it this far and thanks for sticking with me through this long list and for these last 100 posts. It truly means the world to me that there are people out there who read my ramblings.

    XO Laurie

    Posted by Laurie Callsen at 2:18 PM | Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 comments | |

  3. Wrap-up: a weekend away

    Monday, January 9, 2012

    Hello all! I just spent the most relaxing weekend away at the farm in Saskatchewan, doing nothing but visiting with family, reading and knitting (a post updating you on my knitting projects is coming soon!). I feel so great! Here I am, about to embark on the four-hour trip to the homeland. Nothing comfier for driving than loafers and roomy skirt.

    beret: Joe Fresh | blouse: H&M | cami: Ricki's | wool skirt: Imagine Vintage
     loafers: Imagine Vintage | wicker handbag: Imagine Vintage
    I really missed getting to see everyone over Christmas, but it was nice to come home during a random weekend - there was no pressure, no where to go and it was all very quiet! I got to visit with both sets of grandparents too, but I could have been there for much longer than I actually was. I feel that my vintage and historical interests have brought me so close to my grandparents, who were growing up and raising families in the 40s and 50s.

    My grandma Callsen had a few gifts for me. Last winter at this time my paternal grandparents and my parents went to California to settle my grandpa's cousin's estate. Dorothy had a lot of beautiful things, and my grandma is now passing some of those down to me.

    I can't be sure of the date, but this is a silk Christian Dior dressing gown. I wish I had an art deco vanity to sit at every morning to wear this and do my makeup in.

    I meant to do a close up of the label and embroidery. Trust me, it's Dior ;)
    Grandma also passed on this Prada handbag! I know a little bit more about this, thanks to the authenticity certificate inside. Dorothy bought this in January 2002 at Saks Fifth Avenue for $426 (marked down from $610):

     

    My mom also passed down some brooches to me.


    The heart and the lady with the dog are more modern ones that she bought (I think I will pin the heart on a beret, it is too cute!). The Christmas tree was my great-grandmother's and I remember always seeing it in my mother's jewelry box as a kid, while the cameo brooch was given to my mom from my dad's mom (it has a photo of my dad in it). I am just so in love with them - I'm turning into a real brooch person, fancy that.

    Posted by Laurie Callsen at 4:32 PM | Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 comments | |

  4. Wrap-up: CHRISTMAS!

    Tuesday, December 27, 2011

    I hope you all have a marvelous Christmas, that Santa was good to you and you gorged yourself silly on treats. I had a most excellent holiday despite being away from Saskatchewan for the first time (but we have to share!) and do not want to return to work tomorrow. Le sigh....

    Christmas Eve morning G and I woke up and opened the presents my parents had sent us. We were heading to his mom's house later that day and didn't want to haul extra stuff up with us to open (which was smart, because there was a lot to haul home). I'm not going to show EVERYTHING I got (because there was a lot!) but more of the vintage-type things.

    My mom sent us both a gift bag full of our stocking stuffers, as well as another small present - both books - and our main present, a $100 pre-paid Visa.We were spoiled!

    I got the book Vintage Fashion: Collecting and Wearing Designer Classics by Emma Baxter-Wright. I had actually look through this book before at my friend Nicole's house and was excited when I got my own copy. I'm only skimmed it so far, but it's wonderful - it breaks down styles by decade and goes over the hallmarks of each era, as well as shopping, dating and care tips for vintage.

    (warning: photos of me that follow include no make-up and headscarves.)



    I also got a really soft, cozy cowl from my sister in our not-so-secret Santa draw.


    Here's the rest of my loot: I also got a duster, two hosiery hangers (THE BEST THING EVER!, a vintagey-dress form necklace hanger, a knitted headband (very 20s-esque and will be great for bad hair days), bath bombs, a keychain and a new notebook.



    G got a cocktail book, beer glasses and a martini shaker as his extra gifts (among others). He was excited.



    Then after this I went dressed to cover a fire downtown that destroyed a historical building. This sucked on so many levels, but at least no one was hurt!

    That afternoon we drove to Jan and Gregg's farm to spend the next few days with G's family. Christmas Eve was really relaxing, and G made dinner and then we all waited for Santa. And boy oh boy, did he deliver!


    One of the things I got from Santa was this tray with vintage bathing beauties on it:


    I was also spoiled rotten by G. A few months ago he showed me a listing on Etsy of a 1940s cigarette case with the original monogram LMC, which are my initials. I totally forgot about it until Christmas morning, when low and behold:

    And inside was one of the best gifts a girl can get - back rub and house cleaning coupons:


    After I use up all the coupons we are going to design Retro Reporter business cards for me. I'm not sure if other bloggers have cards, but I have been in many a situation where I've been wishing for one!

    He also had slipped down to Twig, one of my favourite stores, and had remembered a dress I had been eyeing up. How lucky am I?

    On Boxing Day the Christmas money had I been given was burning a hole in my pocket and I couldn't take it any longer, so I hit up some crazy sales with Miss Bee.

    First we hit up Mars and Venus on Whyte Ave in Edmonton. There was a small line up to get in because they only have one sale a year and only allow so many customers on the floor, but I like it that way - it was less crowded. I snagged two Heartbreaker items, the Dolly top (~$30 sale price, ~$60 sale price) and the Jolene dress (~$58 sale price, ~$116 regular price).




    Then we went to Rowena's down the street, which was also having a 50% off sale. I bought another Heartbreaker dress ($40 instead of the regular sale price of $80) and a Rock Steady dress with a real cowgirl vibe ($42 instead of $84 regular price).


    (I'm going to ask my parents nicely to keep an eye out for teal cowboy boots when they go to Nashville - I think they'd go great with this dress!)

    Oy vey, I think that's all for tonight. I have a lot of blog post ideas so hopefully I will get to them soon. Until then I think I will toddle off to bed as I have to work in the morning.


    Did you have a good holiday?



    Posted by Laurie Callsen at 8:23 PM | Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments | |