Nostalgic Throw Back, a nod to the 1940s (keeping up with Jones')

Dress Up Part One...with Tally. She brought a friend, Lars. 

Tally

Tally- Her own shirt and shoes, lace tights from Urban Outfitters,A vintage skirt, Target headband, and one of my creation/necklace which I named Evacuation to Sea Air.

Lars

  

Lars- Gold thrifted silk Cache skirt, Guess shoes, Fishnet thigh highs (local fetish shop), modified circa 1980s silk shirt, Entienne Aigner clutch with panther pin (thrifted), and a custom necklace made by yours truly newly named In Gilded Chains.

 What a blast this shoot turned into...Magic!

The women of the 1940s supported the war movement by keeping their homes well manicured and their dress classy. Women had to rely on each other to handle what was traditionally considered men's work and to ensure that their friendships were strong, leaning upon the girls, in case their husbands or gents were to come home wounded or their man came home in a box. These were tough times for a lady. Fortunately,  women remained glamorous and sexy regardless how tough things became. Friendships should still be that tight today!

This is the entire pack of ladies (Tally, Lars and yours truly)dressed comfortably after a tough day of work. Fortunately, we're still ready for evening cocktails. I truly enjoy mixed patterns and vintage shoes with the stockings. I did the styling to match the ladies personalities and embellished the look with my jeweled creations. I've recently become interested in styling side projects even if I were working pro bono.


Me

  

Me- Vintage Valentino shoes, nude fishnets (Target), Navy and white striped pencil skirt (thrifted and modified), Charter Club shirt (thrifted), okay ever thing was thrifted except for the jewels and my tights. The new name for this necklace My Grandma's Closet in Brass. The earrings are simple, but they work with the look. I absolutely love my little boys blazer (thrifted).

Sound Track: Woody Guthrie by "This Land"

 

I am Doll Parts

Playing Dress Up Like Courtney Love circa 1990s

A new friend of mine, Tally, allowed me to indulge in a little dress up and photography. We picked a theme and ran with it. We decided upon Courtney Love in the 90s when she still played guitar and looked hot doing so. She invented a style that is so nostalgic when I look back at my junior high and early high school years. Good times.

A ripped slip, plaid, mary janes...what more could Courtney Love wished for when she loved Cobain?

Heroin chic, black eyeliner, bright red, ferocious, vampire (just bitten) lips, and chipped Chanel nail polish. All of this was glitzier with a little help from a few of my jeweled creations.

A little puppy love to go with the naughty thigh high fishnets and feather fascinator.

The studded ballet slippers in all their grungy splendor. I am even emoting my grungy side with teased, greasy hair and no time to take a shower.

Tally looking super fly and so does Long Beach!

I love the beach and the palm tree silhouette behind me. What a lovely evening.

Finally, a reason to whip out the fascinator by Myra Kim of Twigs and Honey I wore at my wedding. Perfection!

Everything is either thrifted or vintage or made by yours truly except for the Prada mary janes that Tally is rockin', the knee socks from Target, and the fishnets that can be found at most fetish stores. Most of the make-up is MAC, Bare Minerals or Laura Mercier.



Courtney Love with Hole "Doll Parts"

I truly miss the old Love prior to plastic surgery when she simply wore plastic clips in her messy hair. She is gorgeous and looks great in designer clothes, but I yearn for the old Love.



Violet

Caprese Tastes and Vino Lunch Experimentivo: recipe included

Caprese Salad: summer infused flavor

I was craving something Italian and my aunt gifted us with some lovely, perfectly ripened tomatoes from her garden. I immediately had to make caprese salad. Best of all, I had everything at home and didn't have to venture out for supplies. Recipe is coming soon if you can wait until the end of the almost edible pictures.

Food...Mmmm!

Black and White for Fun

Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction and Thyme Salt

The Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Ovoline piece of fresh mozzarella sliced thinly

3 Tablespoon of balsamic vinegar reduced until thick

6 Large basil leaves cut into a chiffonade

1 ripe organic, homegrown tomato from my aunt's garden (or Farmer's Market)

Thyme infused salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The salt with fresh thyme is put in a zip lock back in the fridge for as long as you'd like. You can do this with sugar and any other herbs you like. I love the flavor of lavender salt and sugar a lot.

Procedures/Instructions:

1. Reduce the balsamic vinegaron a low tempature. Keep an eye on it and stir often as you cut the tomato and other ingredients.

2. Cut tomatoes into half slices thinly. Place half of them on the serving dish. Sprinkle with thyme salt and grind some black pepper on the tomato.

3. Chiffonade the Basil by stacking the leaves on top of each other, rolling them up and chopping thinly to create long strips. Put half the basil on the plate with the first layer of tomato.

4. Cut the mozzarella in half and thinly slice. Layer half of the cheese onto the plate and salt and pepper to taste.

5. Put half of the balsamic vinegar on the salad.

6. Layer the rest of the ingredients on top and salt and pepper. 

7. Decorate the plate if you'd like with the balsamic reduction (it's delicious and tastes like candy at this point). Make sure to put every last drop onto the salad! And, wash the pan or soak it immediately because the balsamic gets sticky and hard to wash off (helpful hint!).

8. You can add a variation with garlic in it, but roast the garlic first because it is very strong if not cooked a little. I like it roasted because of the sweet flavor bouncing of the basil and balsamic. 

Enjoy!!!