Hey, what's going on?

I am snuggled up in bed with a trash bin next to me filled to the brim with tissues. Glamorous, right? Husband got sick and as is the usual, I took his cold away from him. He is now quite fine and I am feeling like death. Of course, there are always pluses to being sick - like snuggling my puppy and watching movies. Or in my case, searching youtube for a bunch of random different how-to videos & vintage goodness.

I stumbled upon this video & have came across this site before, but haven't seen this video until now.

TURBANS issue title is WAYS AND MEANS

I am now in need of getting a bunch of gal pals together to have a turban fashioning date. I doubt I'd ever sport one in public but it'd be fun to try them out. Ohhh ladies, I don't have enough of them in my life.

The other night, I finally watched the 1931 version of Dracula. Have you seen it? Have you have you have you? If not, go watch it now! Run! Hop! Skip! It was brilliant. The feel of it, the music that played through most of the film (Made it feel like a silent film at times), Bela Lugosi!! Beeeautiful.

Grand-maman

These days have been a mix of snow and warm weather and rain. Mother nature has decided to have many mood swings this year, it seems. On some of the colder days, I decided to look up some patterns for knitted headbands/turbans, as I don't really have a hat that keeps the cold out - kind of a problem, I'd say.

So I found this pattern online but I thought to myself, hey now - do I really need to purchase it? It seems pretty straight forward. I am nowhere near being a decent knitter, but I know a simple ribbing pattern when I see it. Toss in a few increases & decreases & you have yourself an ear warmer. I decided to give it a try and after scribbling on a paper for a while, I figured out where to place my increases (The time it takes me to do simple math is rather embarrassing, but I blame my left handedness!)

After watching a few wonderful how-to videos on how to hold my yarn (Errr...No, I haven't been knitting like a child would up 'til now...) my ear warmer was knit up rather quickly! I wanted to murder the seaming process (I made 4 attempts, by jove!) and learned a few things from my mistakes. Can't tell if I should keep it or just make another attempt at it. Thoughts?

Camera one...

...camera two (Wayne's World references, anyone?

Don't mind the drab face. I feel awkward staring at a camera if nobody is taking the photo.

In other news I have begun to watch Downton Abbey. Am in love so far, but holy moly does it have to be so damned emotional?? I'm certain it's sponsored by tissue companies, all the tears that fall when viewing the show have to be caught and cleaned up somehow! I don't actually even cry when watching it...but if I let myself...yikes.

For now,
G xx

1960s Dreams

"Valley of the Dolls", have you seen this film? If not, go watch it, now! Especially if you have a love for all things 1960s outfits, makeup & hair. To be a girl in that time, how did they have such perfectly voluminous hair? It's magic, I tell you. The movie is rather terrible with a lot of overacting on Patty Duke's part (Urgh, her acting as a whole is just...not...good...although I really loved the bit where she goes on about boobies). I laughed a little when I found out that her son is Sean Austin (Samwise Gamgee!) because let's face it, he's not a very good actor, either (Although I do adore him in Lord of the Rings, because I am a huge nerd like that).

I fell in absolute love with Sharon Tate...what a beauty she was. Wow, wow, wow. I am seriously crushing on women these days. It's kind of lovely to be able to appreciate another woman's beauty without feeling the need for jealousy, etc. And where better to get hair and makeup tips than from old films? Even if I can never really recreate the looks.


I also watched "The Stepford Wives" which yet again, was wonderful to watch for the two main ladies. I loved their attitudes & their independence; their unwillingness to fit a gender role. The lack of makeup and casual clothing was also a treat. It made me realize, being a lady is a pretty lovely thing if you don't get caught up in all the silliness of it all (Competition, unrealistic weight goals, la la la...) These thoughts all sort of tied in to my goal of not buying any clothing this year. I want to be comfortable with who I am, and I want to reinforce that who I am is very independent of the clothing I wear/buy!

So Christmas part two is done, I had a marvelous time playing with my niece and nephew all night, to the point that my husband's uncle couldn't stop commenting on how good I was with children. Is it true? Or am I just a big kid? Hrrm..regardless, it was sweet. However, my face is all blotchy and pimple-y and screaming, "NO MORE CHOCOLATES!!!!" So, starting tomorrow, it's all water and fruit and veggies and a diet that consists of other things besides chocolate and peanut butter toast.

Love and vegetables,

G. xxx

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas darlings!

May your holidays be filled with piles of chocolate, cheese, breaded goodness and more chocolate. I can feel my body becoming more round but tis the season to be jolly!

Last night we celebrated Christmas Eve with some very special friends. The host made empanadas and I am ashamed to say it was the first time I'd ever tried them! They were one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten in my life (Ground beef, olives, chopped up egg, spices, fried outer goodness!) Oh man oh man. I need to learn how to make them some day. Or maybe not, they could become a very bad habit.

While it doesn't exactly feel very Christmas-y this year, I enjoy spending the hours with good conversation & good friends! And with Danny Elfman...boy oh boy can he make a good Christmasy soundtrack to a film (Ahem, Family Man anyone? That movie makes me teary every time).

Happy Christmas!

2012 Goal

So I'm making this promise to myself, as crazy as it is, to try to do something for all of 2012. That crazy plan is this: No new clothing (Unless somehow sent to me via magical fairy!) for the entire year (Minus necessities).

I have done a really poor job at limiting myself over the years and I am rather disgusted with myself. There's so much sadness in this world, so many people that don't even have clothes to wear, and there I am scouring the internet for that "perfect velvet dress" or that "perfect coat" but really, it never ends...it just keeps being replaced. There's always something more that I want. So what better way than to cut myself off entirely? I need to learn how to value what I already have. I am so lucky and am nowhere near lacking nice things. It's just that I tire of them so quickly, but maybe that's why. I have too much. I don't appreciate the clothing I do own. People in the past had only a few outfits and took such good care of them. I want to take pride in the things I own and not take them for granted. I know that may sound absurd, but I'm tired of this disposable world we've grown to accept and be part of. My grandparents were both tailors, made all of their/our outfits by hand and would always reinvent them if ever they grew tired of the style. I hope to one day be like them (A lot of sewing classes are needed, but they can wait!)

For now, I'm going to practice being a new me. A person who appreciates what they own, and who realizes the difference between "Wanting" and "Needing" something.

Do you have any goals for 2012? I have a feeling that a great year lies ahead :)

G xxo

Zit Remedy

                                                           betty, originally uploaded by Stephane and Stephanie.

More Betty dresses, more smiles. The 1950s have consumed me, all I need is an apron and I'm set for baking and cooking the days away.

(Points up: Zit remedy! Remember Degrassi High? You know, the original? Am I dating myself here? Probably...)

So it's winter here in Canada only it's not, and I'm gloomy. The days have been rainy with one brief glimpse of snow. I'm supposed to be living in "The Great White North" but there's no white fluffy goodness to be found. It feels like that scene in Home Alone 2 when the family goes on a Christmas vacation only to be greeted with rain. Boo. I forever will be a five year old when it comes to Christmas, and am having a hard time getting into the spirit of things when the weather is warm and wet. For now, I will have to live my snowy days through Christmasy desktop wallpapers. Keeping it classy...

SO LADIES...I have a question for you regarding SKIN CARE! Has anyone used "Rosehip oil" for their face? I hear it works wonders but have yet to try it. Am looking for opinions, though! My face has been so wonky lately. Red marks, pimples that won't go away, an overall 'old' look to it. What happened to the shiny face of my youth?! I shouldn't complain as it's not horrendous or anything, but I just find that nothing I do works these days. Any tips, loves? I'd be most grateful!

With love and more,
G

My god, there's people coming out of your butt!

Higgins dressed for the weather (Just for the record, I loathe his collar and plan to buy him a new one for Christmas. He looks like he belongs in the Village People!)

A virtual hug for anyone who can tell me what that line *Points up to title* is from.

Hi chickens (This term sounds much cuter coming out of the mouths of older women),
How is the month of November treating you? I am snuggled up in bed and still cold (And it's only six degrees outside, something tells me I will be crying once the "minus" temperatures make their little way over here).

Recently I've watched the documentary "Grey Gardens". Anyone else get sucked into the lives of these two socialites turned recluse? It was absolutely depressing how little Edie went back home to take care of her mother, abandoning all her dreams. You can see photos of the women here. I felt awkward after I watched it, but now I find that I end up saying things like Little Edie (That accent of hers is just too good). She was a fashionista, I'll give her that. Made me want to want to wear a man's shirt as a skirt and then as a cape afterwards if it tickled my fancy (Seriously, just watch it for her. You won't be disappointed).


Brother bear & I in the corn maze, husband being a creepy shadow. It was so bright that day, and my eyes would tear up when it was facing me! Also, sun washed - I am not that snow white!
In non fashion news, husband, brother bear & I went to a farm to get lost in a corn maze one day before Halloween. It was a lot of fun, even though I trailed along behind my brother and husband while they searched for the clues on the map. They were both geniuses at directions while me? I just filled out the clues on the sheet once we found them. After we completed the maze, we went to the bakery shop on the farm and bought coconut, maple, pecan and toffee tarts. Mmmmm. Then we drove our tired selves to a Chinese restaurant, gobbled up spicy food & hubby & I ended the night with a viewing of "Horror of Dracula". Christopher Lee as Dracula is a beautiful thing, we really loved the feel of the film, the music and well, the clothes.

Sherlock Holmes-ing


Hoooraaay, we didn't die!


Documenting more findings about vampires stylishly in a full piece velvet suit with a pinky ring. This is how all note taking should be done.


What's that? You love my perfectly poofy velvet cape and fur muff? Why thanks, I like your velvet, too.


Something doesn't feel right here but at least I can take comfort in the fact that I look amazing.

In fashion news, my gal pal Cat is having a 20% off sale at her shop, Aiseirigh Vintage. Someone please buy this dress so I can live out my Betty Draper dreams through you.


Aiseirigh Vintage dress.


Hello bum! I wasn't kidding when I said I had an Armenian bum, thanks grandma. Am learning to embrace the curves and not rely on potato sacks to dress me anymore.

Love and hot choco (as the wee cutie pies say in Korea!)
Gbear xo