DIY Pin Up Shoot!

I decided to take some pin up style photos of myself...by myself! I set up a white muslin with some clamps, and used three lights (umbrella, shop light, and an exposed bulb) as well as my flash on a medium setting. I set my camera on its remote setting, and started posing! Super easy. Most of the work was in the editing process. Here's what I came up with:

Try it!

pin up wednesday

I ventured out to the Art Museum today to take some photographs. I managed to get a few before a security guard shooed me away. Also, wearing a corset really makes a difference with 50s style dresses!

Dress: Thrift store purchase, only $5!

Shoes: Retrospect

laura vs. the high waisted shorts

Thankfully I am not alone on this (my mom and several stylish friends agree)... I'm really tired of this "high waisted denim shorts" craze going around. Everywhere I turn on the streets, my gaze is met with this madness. Some are so distressed that they are literally falling off. Please, somebody explain to me why dressing like moms from the 1990s is a thing.

source: fashionising.com

source: weheartit.com

source: inthemoment.moderndestiny.com

Then again, I don't even really like shorts all that much. 

Here are some pretty high waist short alternatives that I'm enjoying at the moment.

source: styleonthecouch.com

source: oldfashionedpretty.com

What are your views on this craze?

blogger meetup!

I was lucky enough to meetup and work with fellow blogger and vintage lady, Aubrey from 

KEEP VINTAGE CHEAP! This girl has amazing style! Check out her way hip mod outfit...

Instagrammin'

Setting up a camera and a tripod to photograph your ensemble every day is such a pain. I really should start making it a habit, but I'm always rushing to take out my pin curls or find shoes that match what I'm wearing before dashing off to work or wherever I'm headed to next. Thankfully I always have Instagram handy to prove that yes, I dress vintage every day. Like a pro, I might add. Also, it's fun to see all the weird places I take daily Instagram self-portraits. These are all from the past week or so.

Out running errands in my bright red shades...

Hair all up in pin curls for a photo shoot...

Heading out for dinner...

Waiting for the subway...

Taking the scenic route to Salvation Army...

Hanging out at home with my favorite IKEA pillow...

One giant pin curl mess...How did I sleep with all these pins on my head?

Me, in my natural habitat...Book Trader.

Forever waiting for the subway...

If you find this at all amusing, you're welcome to follow me on Instagram.

@ ukuleleladyy

Ladies, just a reminder...

Shapewear really makes a difference with vintage clothes! Also, it makes quite a fancy outfit, as our dearest Bettie Page has taught us! Look how fancy she looks! 

This is just a reminder that I am hosting a giveaway sponsored by Vedette Shapewear! It's going to end soon so hurry up and enter!

ENTER HERE!

hats hats hats!

I am scarily obsessed with vintage hats. These are all hats I've picked up from Retrospect earlier this week. I have been ogling old hat advertisements from the '30s through the '60s and decided to style some photos for my own little hat show.

Check out the post about these hats I did for Retrospect HERE!

Brian Jonestown Massacre at last!

So, I forgot to mention that I went to see Brian Jonestown Massacre on Thursday night at Union Transfer. I was surprised that it was such a good show! As always I showed up in all my pin up glory. 

Dress: Buffalo Exchange

Shoes: Retrospect Vintage

Flower: H&M

Here's a little BJM:

So...Trechikoff

I am madly obsessed with the artwork of Vladimir Trechikoff. When I was snooping around at work I found loads of pink vintage '40s and '50s Oriental style blouses and it made me think of the ladies in his painting. I scooped one up and I am so in love with it!

Vintage 1940s Oriental blouse: Retrospect Vintage

Earrings and flower: H&M

Pin Up Friday!

I rocked some mad pin up glam at work! 

Bustier top: Urban Outfitters

Vintage pleated skirt and black shoes: Retrospect Vintage

Check out Retrospect!

More Rain, More Plaid

I went thrifting like a crazy person today. I mean, it's Wednesday...half off day at Salvation Army!!!

Here's what I wore today...

Dress: Vintage via Salvation Army

Stockings and shoes: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Garage Sale

Sunglasses: Buffalo Exchange

Also, how amazing are these fake tattoo stockings from Urban Outfitters???

Giveaway Winners!

Thank you to all of you who entered the Vedette Shapewear giveaway that I posted ages ago!

I would like to announce the three lucky ladies that won! Winners were chosen at random.

Congrats to...

DANIELLE VILLANO

LYNN MONTONE

AUBREY LOFTUS

Winners will be contacted shortly!

But don't worry ladies! If you didn't win you have another chance to win as I am hosting a second giveaway!

rainy day pleats

So, like I said last time I've been really busy. I started my new job and I love it so far! Here is today's rainy day outfit post. This is what I wore to work this afternoon.

Tulip Sleeve Blouse: H&M

Vintage Owl Necklace: Garage Sale

1950s Pleated Wool Skirt: Vintage via Philly AIDS Thrift

Socks/Belt: H&M

Lace Up Leather Oxfords: Willits via Buffalo Exchange

I am absolutely in LOVE with these Willits shoes. 

summer sewing!

Hey I'm back! I've been on a little hiatus for a bit. I went down to the Jersey Shore a couple weeks ago and since then have been apartment hunting and...I got a new job! Needless to say I've been busy. But I have a new project to show you all! 

The pattern was based on the Burda Magazine Bustier Dress with Draped Detail Pattern #122 . However, I decided it needed a little makeover to go with what I had I imagined. So, I made a totally new variation to fit this vision.

I had been coveting this gorgeous vintage silk 1970s fabric that I found at an estate sale last summer. It had been begging me to turn it into a gorgeous long gown for some time.

I started making the dress using the bodice pattern as a base, but adding an extra layer over the bodice to cover the bustier, and then created a lengthened wrap skirt instead of the original skirt with the detail. I added large gold eyelets to the front and back of the bodice so that I could add black and silver metal chains as straps and an exposed gold zipper, giving it an edgy look.

The overall dress was inspired by Brigitte Bardot vacationing in Saint Tropez. I wanted a breezy, sexy style that could transform from lounging by the pool by day to sipping mojitos and dancing the night away.

My lovely friend (and Bardot look-alike) Aubrey modeled for me! I photographed her using a wide angle lens and a silver reflector. Unfortunately I had to be my own photo assistant and hold a 5’ disc propped up on my foot while taking photos. I’m sure I was an amusing sight.