I love coming up with brand new ways to wear my favorite things!  I have this gorgeous red dress; in fact I do believe that everyone including red heads, needs a killer red dress in their wardrobe. So, I have this gorgeous red dress and it is just something else. It is a 1950’s full skirted, cord dress. Found for me by the lovely Nicole at Circa Vintage (where it seems most of my money lives) it was one of those heart stoppers that I knew had to be mine.  I watched it on the rack for a day and even encouraged a friend to try it on in the hope that I could get over another obsession. But, happily, it was not to be and this little red dress came home to make itself as one of my all time favorites that is likely to make it into the heirloom collection.

Anyway, back to my original point, the different styling.  To date, I had only worn this dress in a very high contrast, super slick type of manner. Very strong hair, black accessories, shiny shoes.  But on this occasion (shopping and taking a friend to the airport) I wanted something softer.  In a moment of, “oh duh”  I realised that I had not yet created any red and pink combinations with all the things in my wardrobe, so with the help of a new baby pink snood and the BEST jacket from Angel Sissi, this combination was born.

Outfit Details

Jacket – Angel Sissi    Dress – 1950’s Circa Vintage

Snood – Ebay      Cherry clip on snood - My Little Rockabilly

Earrings – Equip Shoes – Novo (about 100 years ago!)

To celebrate the launch of the amazing new Violetville Vintage webstore, the delightful Tina is giving Super Kawaii Mama readers the chance to win a $50USD gift voucher to spend on some of her pretties!

I first came across Violetville and their Ebay store back in 2008, and was immediately impressed by the calibre and quality of the pieces they have on offer. All the things that are rarities, even in the best vintage stores here in Australia. Frothy prom dresses, immaculately tailored 1940’s suits, beautifully embroidered 1930’s evening gowns and highly covetable YSL. I have a small heart attack every time I visit their store from the sheer fabulousness of it all!

I’ve featured my Violetteville crushes here before. Pieces I just fell in love with and had to share.  But today’s outfit is something extra special…a 1930’s Honeymoon gown courtesy of Miss Tina herself at Violeville.

So what is all this about winning a gift voucher to the Violetville store? All you need to do is to add youself to the all new Violetville mailing list and you’ll be entered to win a $50 USD gift voucher to spend in the store! Click here to enter and then just leave me a comment on this post.

Entires close on the 18th Feburary and the winner will be choosen by a random number generator.

You don’t have to do any fancy tricks for this one – just become a part of the stunning world of Violetville!

** This contest is now closed. You are welcome to add yourself to the mailing list, but this no longer consitutes an entry**

Of course I had such a lovely time in this gown I couldn’t resist putting together a little montage for you….

Sunday, a family day. This week I had a huge surprise. I met up with my family and baby brother for dinner on his birthday. My other brother had long since been travelling the world with this girlfriend and had made appearances for family birthday’s via Skype. As we settled in for dinner on Thursday night, who should walk in the door but my brother!  All the way from Italy, right to our table – with absolutely no warning! Both my baby brother and I died of surprise and while his eyes misted over I promptly started blubbing in the restaurant, much to the amusement of the other patrons. Today we continued with the family theme, taking as much opportunity to see him before he has to return. So we all headed out for more food yet again!

The days are still misty spring days. Beginning and ending with a chill, but with the kind of long absent, soul warming sunshine in the middle. Days when you want to be warm and comfortable to stretch out in that sun, sneaking a nap after lunch. So today’s outfit was about stretch, flounce and softness.

The hair was loose and simple, given a bit of punch by.. you guessed it… Bumpits!  I’ve been trialling these for a while now and quite like how quick and easy they are to use. They aren’t yet readily available in Australia, but I purchased a multi pack of black ones via eBay. I have heard that there are “Hollywood” versions available too that give you even more volume for super huge hair.

The bows are the most darling little clips sent to me by an exceptionally clever reader who has started her own makeup and accessories line. I’ll have much much more for you on that topic later on, but if you’d like a sneak peek, head on over to My Little Rockabilly.

Makeup Details:

Eyes – Baked Sugar collection by Physicians Formula

Lips- Aubergine Max Factor Colour Perfection

Nails- Stick on deco nails from Thailand

Outfit Details:

Black lace trim top – Entrace  Skirt – Boo Radley

Stockings – Johnathon Aston  Shoes – Keds

Necklace – Peter Alexander  Hair Bows – My Little Rockabilly

For some time now I have been looking for a nameplate necklace. I’m not talking Carrie Bradshaw imitations here, but something that was embedded with my personality, fun and bright, and perfect for the double take.  Of course I found the object of my desire on Etsy, that beacon of creativity and independent trade.  After  a few emails back and forwards with the artistic lass who created my piece, we had struck on just the right thing for me.

In case you’re wondering, the irony of the Ed Hardy popularity of such designs is not lost on me. However, I refuse to boycott what I love, just because some marketing genius has ruined a perfectly good art form by making it trendy.

What a weekend! As I ease myself into the week needing many hours more sleep and a boat load of coffee, I can tell you it was all worth it. On Friday I got up at the crack of dawn to pack my suitcase, set my hair and get ready to fly to Sydney for the opening of the Vintage Show that evening. It was the sixth such occasion the show has been held, and by all accounts keeps on getting better each time. With around 80 exhibitors it was entirely impossible to get around each one on the opening evening, but like a kid in a candy shop I tried my darnedest.

The crowd on Friday evening was filled with vintage enthusiasts serious about their passion and eagle eyed in their selections. It was at your own peril that you would lay down any item you considered purchasing to rummage in your bag, as before you know it, it would be snaffled in a heart beat. I went with a shopping list in mind, attempting to remedy a few gaps in my working wardrobe.  You wouldn’t be looking for serious high end vintage garments, (think Chanel, Dior) at the show, but I did spot some excellent buys in accessories from these houses. A lovely pair of creamy satin Dior evening shoes with rhinestone buckles AND the original box? $130 please. Not too shabby if you ask me. (Note, I didn’t actually buy these for myself even though they were my size. I uncharacteristically stuck to my list!)

The Friday night saw me laden down and footsore by closing time, but rather pleased with myself and anticipating another day of vintage bliss. When it came to heading back on Saturday to tackle the rest of the stalls, I chose more sensible attire (flat shoes) and carried a large bag for my swag.  It may sound all very consumerist and indulgent, but I confess that I didn’t even spend all the cash I brought with me, such is the beauty of vintage shopping. Day two of the show was filled with lectures, demonstrations and dances.  I took the opportunity to interview a few key participants (just wait till you meet Mistress Christine), and extol the benefits of selling online to others.  After all, I can’t tell you about all this and then not let you know where to find them! It was also a lovely surprise to meet so many readers as I wandered around. I often wonder who you all are, and now I have a few more faces to put to names.

So with a suitcase full of goodies, I’ve made it back home to now to wash, sort and catalogue all my finds. I even found some extra special somethings to add to the Mad Men Competition prize pack! I’ll show you all of these pretties in another post, but for today here is a look at some of the tasty offerings that are to be found at such a show. All in all, if you live in Australia and vintage is your thing, then you had better start making plans to head to Sydney for the next one in October.

Choice picks

From Here to Eternity - I picked up a couple of lovely dresses from this great seller.

20th Century Froxx – Soon to be opening an online store. Currently on Myspace and eBay. I was cursing my ribs for being too big to fit into a stunning vintage Valentino suit dress they had on offer.

Empire 47 – Flash website, stunning dresses and great photography.

Ra Ra Superstar – eBay store. I found some fabulous dresses from these girls. Beautiful quality, excellent prices.

Online Antiques – Huge range of just about everything collectible, vintage and antique.