Twenty percent off sale going on right now at Pinup Girl Clothing!

While there is no denying that wearing genuinely vintage clothing is a rewarding, stylish and extremely enjoyable act, sometimes – for a myriad of reasons – we need (and/or want) to shop for modern pieces that posses a high degree of vintage style. One place (that is familiar to many old school style clothing fans) to source a wide array of such pieces is the online shop Pinup Girl Clothing.

I will happily admit that over the years I’ve spent my fair share of time daydreaming about clicking my way through a wild shopping spree at this terrific site, but alas, such fantasies remain just that. In the meantime though (“meantime” I suppose pertaining to before I somehow find a way to become grandly wealthy ;D) it’s a lot more realistic to imagine scooping up a beautiful piece or two from this store from time-to-time, especially when they send emails my way informing me that they have a sale going on.

One such email was waiting for me in my in-box this afternoon. Pinup Girl Clothing is currently offering their customers 20% off all purchases (including items which are already on sale/marked down) when you use the code ccjul709 between now and July 18th.

There is never – and I mean never – a shortage of items from this site bouncing around on my wish list (hmmm, has anyone else ever noticed how their wish list never seems to get smaller, it just increases in spades each month?), some of which I’ve highlighted below (please note, all prices are in US dollars). Do these items get your pulse racing too?

♥ ♥ ♥



{“The Netti” dress in blue gingham poplin with red trim, $68.00.}



{“Nanjing Navy” vintage sailor style jeans in dark blue wash, $158.00.}



{“The Sarah Top” in houndstooth with red trim, $42.00.}



{“The Jackie Gold Las Vegas” purse with rhinestone brooch, $248.00.}



{“Happy Bows” 40s style chiffon day dress, $106.00.}



{“She Means Business” white satin button down blouse, $89.00.}



{Large white feather fascinator, $62.00.} http://bit.ly/w6whD



{Black and white two tone Mary Jane style pumps, $46.00.}


{“Annalise” swing dress in black with blue swallows, $109.00}


If pieces like this hot little numbers like the ones above aren’t enough to convince you to pick yourself up a little treat, it’s worth knowing that Pinup Girl always offers free shipping on US orders over $150 and on international orders above $250.

Are you a fan of Pinup Girl Clothing? Have you bought from them before, or like myself thus far, have you just lusted after their items from an adoring distance?

Perennial favourite: lightweight knits

Whether it’s July or January, twenty above or a bone jarring twenty below, one of the first wardrobe staples I reach for is lightweight knits. While there is undeniably something cozy – one might say akin to a bear hug – about slipping on a heavy, hefty-duty winter sweater, on my petite frame I often find that I look little more than a head trying to clamour its way out from a quicksand pit of wool. While everyone (who lives in a climate that gets near or below freezing) should own an Alpine worthy sweater or two, for most of the year there tends to be more practicality – and I’d be willing to bet more variety – when it comes to the beautiful world of lightweight knits.


{In this strikingly pretty black and white photo from the 50s, a group of gorgeous ladies wear a wide selection of elegant, evening appropriate lightweight knitwear. Via Myvintagevogue’s Flickr stream.}

A lightweight knit is exactly what it sounds like, a woven garment composed of light, generally soft, flexible material (such as cashmere, cotton, wool, silk or linen) that can be fashioned into virtually any style or cut. While there are items such as knit skirts and dresses on the market, this post focuses on lightweight tops such as sweaters and cardigans.

To my mind there is something about delicate, often feminine sweaters and knit tops that instantly invokes vintage styles of the past. A sort of Sandra Dee, girl-next-door meets alluring secretary-slash-bombshell aesthetic. Lightweight knits often sit close to the body, embracing – but not suffocating – the wearer’s curves, thus making them subtly, sweetly sexy.

Throughout the forties and fifties some Hollywood starlets such as Jane Russell, Marylyn Monroe and Lana Turner became so well-known for wearing especially skin-tight, thin knits that the term “sweater girls” arose to describe those women who opted to accentuate what nature gave them with the help of lightweight, form fitting cardigans and sweaters (this buxom look was sometimes aided by “bullet” style bras of the era).


{Actress Mamie Van Doren wears a form fitting sweater as she chats away in this black and white photo, that would definitely garnered her the title of “sweater girl”. Photo from phheww’s Flickr stream. }

Pinup art of the mid-twentieth century was ripe with pretty, generally scantily clad gals in all-but-painted-on sweaters as well, which only helped to boast the sensuality of this seemingly simple fashion basic. For many women though the idea was not to emulate the ultra skin-tight looks of the silver screen, but instead to use thin knits as an extremely versatile wardrobe staple.


{“Miss Sweater Girl” by pin-up artist Peter Driben, 1950. Image via lacasahassel.net}

Paired with everything from blue jeans to full length evening skirts, over top of bathing suits or atop a cotton blouse, lightweight knits offered the wearer an item that could just as easily stand alone as it could be used as a pretty and practical layering piece. It is this jack-of-all-trades element that has made lightweight knitwear an endearing favourite to this day.

Obtaining a vintage inspired (or straight from the source, if you’re fortunate enough to come across vintage knitwear) sweater look is quite simple really. Look for knit pieces that that fit close to the body, have timeless cuts (such as a slightly tapered waist and round or slightly scooped neckline), and that never appear oversized or “sloppy”. Fit and cut are imperative to pulling off the sort of sweater or knit top style the instantly invokes thoughts of 1940s or 50s.


{What was this smiling woman thinking as she leaned against that beautiful car? Perhaps she was relishing how wonderful she looked in her short sleeved sweater and plaid skirt combo :).Photo care of anyjazz65’s Flickr stream.}

I personally adore thin sweaters and cardigans and have many of them in an array of colours, from Kelly green to violet, dusty coral to jet black. I toss them over dresses, camisoles, blouses and t-shirts, never tiring of the many ways these cozy, lovely sweaters can be dressed up or down, as the occasion warrants.

Always on the prowl for more delightful lightweight knits to ad to my closet – or at least admire longingly from afar – I’ve gathered together ten of these fantastic tops – each one of which I feel has a sweetly wonderful vintage feel to it – that I hope strikes a chord with fellow sweater girls everywhere.


{I swooned in my seat the moment I first saw this absolutely gorgeous, navy blue, button front cardigan. From the charming bow to thin band of white around the hem and wrists, this is the sort of top would be worn day-in and day-out if it resided in my wardrobe. £40.00 (UK pounds) from Monsoon.}



{This ivory hued, short cap sleeved, crochet top with scalloped hem and tie waist would make for the perfect top to wear out on a summer picnic or trip to the flea market. $18.99US from Charlotte Russe.}



{Bright as a tomato and just as tasty, this stylish knit bolero would make a marvelous topper for sleeveless dresses, halter tops, and t-shirts alike. $36.00US from Pin Up Girl Clothing.}



{This black and white polka dot knit top, complete with cinched sweet heart necklines, is absolutely wonderful! I love the mid-arm sleeve length and generously – but not 60s mod sized – proportioned dots. Currently on sale for $49.99US (down from $68.00) from Urban Outfitters.}



{Pretty as a cream hued rose, this delicate knit sweater with subtly puffed sleeves would work extremely well year-round as the sort of go-to staple one can never have too many of. €34.95 (Euro) from Vero Moda.}



{Absolutely perfect for the warmer months, this adorable red and white stripped cotton/spandex knit top comes adorned with a lovely little bow and would make for a fantastic piece to wear while at the beach, the backyard – anywhere! $29.99CND from Sears (Canada).}



{Embellished with not one, but two, lovely satin bows, this mustard hued short sleeved knit top surely stands to brighten up any day with its sunshine like shade. $29.00US from Forever 21.}



{Something about the soothing colour of oatmeal brown always conjures up thoughts of 1930s clothing for me. A neutral shade, the hue of this scoop neck, pocketed sweater would pair well with everything from peach to coffee, raspberry to mint green. £35.00 (Euro) from La Redoute.}



{I can close my eyes and practically sense how elegantly lovely this cropped, satin lined, fuchsia hued sweater must feel on one's skin. Sophisticated and ageless, I’d wear this beautiful rose button adored any chance I got! £35.00 (UK pounds) from Laura Ashley.}



{Available in four colours (white, grey, black and fairly light green called “turf”) this ribbed but still lightweight sweater with three button detailing at the neck is named for one of the most famous pin-ups of all time, Bette Paige. $33.68 CND from Overstock.com.}


These are but a smattering of the incredible – and relatively budget-friendly – lightweight knits I’ve encountered recently. Because fine knits can be worn year-round they have the added bonus of being readily available at a wide range of price points and in a diverse number of cuts, styles (don’t forget about twin sets) and colours.

As well as the sources in this post, I also recommend shops such as Old Navy, Banana Republic, Dorothy Perkins, Suzy Shier, Jacob, Smart Set, and of course etsy as good places to find an array of modern knits (or in the case of etsy, actual retro or vintage knitwear) that can easily and seamlessly work their way into your favourite vintage looks. As I admire each of the ten knits above and I can effortlessly imagine weaving them into my wardrobe, which is exactly the element that makes these kinds of pieces so amazingly useful to keep on hand.

Twenty five percent sale on for the next two days at Babygirl Boutique

Nestled amongst the new emails in my inbox this morning was one from vintage/pinup/retro online clothing shop, Babygirl Boutique, informing me that until midnight on June 11th, all of their wears will be sale at the discounted rate of 25% when you used the coupon code “Junebug” at the checkout point of your transaction.



While it hasn’t been too long since their last sale, I couldn’t let the possibility of shaving 1/4th off the sticker price of Babygirl’s fun, beautiful pieces slide past without sharing it with you all.

While I’ll just be virtual window shopping this time around, if I was going to pick up some of their delightful pieces, the following are a selection of items that I’d be hard pressed to pass by. (Please note all prices are in US dollars.)



{Bernie Dexter for Babygirl 1950's Black and White Polka Dot Strapless Bustier Top with Boning, $49.00}



{Lucky Loo Loo Jewelry Sterling Silver Plated Filigree Heart Locket Earrings with Sparrow Birds, $49.99}



{Broad Minded Clothing - Marilyn in Monaco White 1950's Bombshell Pinup Style One Piece Swimsuit, $82.00}



{Rockabilly Navy Blue Ribbon Hair Clip, $9.95}



{Queen of Heartz Clothing - Blue Swirl Gingham & Stretch Denim Swing Dress with Very Full Swing Skirt, $165.00}



{Dayna Black Patent 4.5" Cork Wedge with Tattoo Embroidery, $53.00}


If you love a good sale (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), be sure to shimmy your way over to Babygirl Boutique either today or tomorrow and take advantage of this terrific discount!

The divine beauty of pale pink {Monday Muses, June 8th}

Perhaps it was the rose bushes that laced the fence in our little backyard growing up, maybe it ties back to the gentle hue of strawberry ice cream eaten on the beach, or it could have to do with the adorable little sundresses my mother placed me as a child, whatever the reason there is something about the onset of June that always makes me think of the softer shades of pink. Those sorts of hues that call to mind a kitten’s nose, antique bedspreads and Gooseberry patterned Pyrex.


{Gathered from the pages of Flickr, each of these marvelously sweet, serene, beautiful images inspires me and instantly enlivens my mood. 1. Pink dress and turquoise shoes, 2. pink tuesday..., 3. pink dress - detail, 4. 05.04.09 {birthday fun}, 5. a ribbon addict, 6. i <3 girly and sparkly things, 7. Pink vintage millinery dress form, 8. my little favorite corner, 9. ooo, 10. ♥ 1950's Pink Rose Print Day Dress w/Tiny Lace Details ♥, 11. 50's Pink Junior Dress, 12. 1950s Pink Embroidered Dress, 13. PINK White Gingham Check 50s 60s Corset Tie Dress - View 1. Click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information.}

From weddings to sunsets, pink suddenly seems to flourish this time of year, as if brought back to the world through a kiss from the sun. As such soft shades of pink are my Muses this week, inspiring me to send letters on floral print stationery and reach for the gentlest shade of pink in my lipstick arsenal. The following are an array of images and items, each imparted with the graceful beauty of pale pink that have made my heart flutter lately.


{Lovely as the cosmetics in this vintage ad from sugarpie honeybunch’s Flickr stream are, I think it’s the models ever so gently pink satin gloves that steal the show here for me!}


{Skip a pricey trip to the salon for a manicure and opt instead to give your nails the loveliest hint of pink at home with this subtle shade of Essie polish. “Not just a pretty face”, $8.00US.}


{Strikingly realist looking, this stunning silk rose clip from Flowerclip.com – which sells for $34US – would add an incredible dose of elegance and summery beauty to any outfit.}


{While I tend to favour the modesty (many) one piece bathing suits provide, the incredibly cute, itsy-bitsy polka dot pattern on this pale pink, vintage inspired swimsuit would be exactly what I’d reach for if I was in the market for a bikini. If you’d like to add one to your summer wardrobe, you can do so for $134.99US on Mod Cloth.}


{Whether you want to stay cool during the day or heat things up at night, this fun pink feather fan (that measures 20 inches when open) from the Red Hat Society’s online shop is sure to bring a smile to your way. Pluck one up for $12.00US.}


{Black flowers dance across a sea of pale pink and white gingham on this wonderful 50s style halter dress from Vivien of Holloway. One of which can be yours, if you so fancy, for £59.00 (UK pounds).}


{Dusted with light peachy-pink accents, these charming vintage looking heels from Mod Cloth would work extremely well with everything from skirts to slacks, bathing suits to garden party dresses. A pair can be yours for $49.99US.}


{A deeply pretty example of the perfect shabby chic, pink injected kitchen, discovered via Just a Gal’s wonderful pages.}

The mere sight of pale pink as the mercury rises somehow seems soothing, relaxing, and enticing. I want to cloak myself in the tint of a blushing carnation from head-to-toe, meander through a garden of salt water taffy pink flowers, and conclude each meal with pale coral coloured meringues.

Don’t the items and photos above seem to positively burst with sweet, summertime joy, thanks to their cheerful pink hues? I certainly think so! Do you associate June’s ushering in of summer with pink or another lovely shade?

Five extremely helpful vintage related YouTube channels worth following

Over the last few weeks of spring I’ve probably watched more YouTube videos than I did in the past year combined. What spurred on my clip viewing frenzy, you might ask? A desire to better hone my vintage hair and make-up abilities. While I don’t feel like the novice that I did as the lone vintage wearing teenager in my high school, I have no problem admitting that I have more confidence in my “modern look” make-up and hair skills than my forties and fifties ones.

While I’m not sure if I’ll ever reach the level of mastery that some of the deeply talented ladies on YouTube (and within the vintage community as a whole) have, I definitely feel that through watching clips from the five channels below, I’ve both learned a lot and improved some of my skills.

I’ve highlighted one video from each stream and also linked to the video creators’ respective channels. Should, like myself, you be looking to improve, brush or beginning learn from scratch the secrets, tips and techniques of gorgeous vintage make-up and hair experts, I can’t recommend these channels highly enough!


{The vintage hair and make-up looks Casey produces in her extremely easy to follow, detailed videos are every inch as lovely as her vintage blog – which I also recommend you rush over and check out!}


{Sweet as a button and wonderfully skilled at reproducing classic hairstyles (and make-up looks) from everyday life and movies alike, Aya of Strawberry Koi is a huge vintage inspiration of mine.}


{A whiz at forties and fifties hairstyles, Ashley’s video stream (LisaFreemontStreet) is a treasure trove full of fantastic vintage hair styling tutorials.}


{With her beautiful voice and excellent instruction giving ability, Super Kawaii Momma is a joy to watch. Not only is she a masterful vintage blogger and dresser, but she’s an expert on achieving old school hairstyles.}


{Iris of the romantically titled ilovegerardo channel knows more than a little about hairstyles of kinds, but it’s her stellar series of Pinup tutorials that really have me hooked on her helpful videos!}


I want to take a moment and extend my heartfelt thanks to each of these five amazing women. You’ve each helped to boast my confidence on the beauty front and provided me with oodles of inspiration. I hope, dear readers, that they’ll be able to do the same thing for you!

Inspired by pin-up model Duh Manda's beautiful look

One of my favourite daily (or thereabouts) emails that I receive from a website is that of PinupPost.com. Several times a week the site’s creator (known affectionately as “Irish”) posts modern day pin-up photos that highlight a selection of well known models, up and comers, and photographers with a passion for this craft (from time-to-time there are also entries devoted to pin-up artists who are churning out some very titillating drawings).

A few days ago one of PinupPost’s entries in particular caught my eye. There was something ravishing, playful and drop-dead gorgeous about the way the model was styled that I just couldn’t get over. Too pretty to simply keep for my own viewing pleasure, I wanted to share one of the loveliest modern day pinup photos I can recall seeing with you all!

I realize that the fuchsia lipstick may be slightly more modern than the rest of the 50s aesthetic in this shot (or not, period make-up experts please let me know if this shade was around during the mid-twentieth century, too), but it’s the rhododendron hue of her lips paired with those bouncy, up-swept curls and charming pink jewelry that all seem to jive together so uniquely well. I feel the look of this shoot was excellently styled and certainly works, packing a wallop of inspiration for those who enjoy sporting bombshell or pinup looks. In the hair and make-up department that certainly includes yours truly, so I’m sure that once I find a suitable match for that vibrant shade of lippy, I’ll be trying a variation of that face on myself.

Without further ado, care of photographer Cathy Settle’s submission to PinupPost, I present the stunning Duh Manada to you!




Are you as captivated as I am by all of the elements in this photo? Would you have changed anything about it? Would you rock a similar look yourself?

Babygirl Boutique 20% off Memorial Day sale on now

Good morning, dearest vintage lovers, I just had to run over and tell you that Babygirl Boutique, online sellers of some awesome vintage and bombshell inspired looks, has a 20% off sale on all their merchandise going on right now through May 25th. In order to take advantage of this sale you'll need to enter the coupon code Memorial-09 into the check-out when you're ready to pay.

Babygirl’s inventory tends to run the retro gambit from full-on rockabilly to pinup to sweetly 1950s girl-next-door, meaning that among their wares, chances are most people could find an item – or twenty! – that really catches their eye.

If life was like a game of Monopoly and I could get $200 for passing Go every now and then, I’d definitely be tempted take advantage of this terrific sale and splurge on some of Babygirl’s delightful pieces, such as the beautiful ones below (please note all prices are in US dollars).


{“Life is a picnic” red and white gingham print wrap dress, $115.00}


{Pinup sailor girl peep toe pumps with 5” heel, $46.95}


{Pinup girl swimsuit with red anchor embroidery, $96.00}


{Red and white polka dotted stretch peasant top, $32.00}


{Linen cotton 1950s print swing dress, $145.00}

If you’re looking to add some new additions to your summer (or year round, depending on the piece, and whereabouts in the world you live) wardrobe, be sure to pop by Babygirl’s site and have a gander at the items there. If you find anything that makes your heart flutter, I’d love to hear about it! :)