Needle and Thread

Here is my Singer Circa 1960's sowing machine. I know she is a little thing. Though even she is modest in size, she works like a speedy train!

Several years ago, I took the biggest project ever, and that was to re-upholstered my sofa. I had a basic understanding of doing it, though I didn't know how tedious it was going to be. So a dear friend kindly helped me with my project. She not only taught me how to sew and re-upholstered my sofa, but she gave me this cute vintage sowing machine as a gift, which to this day I thank her so dearly!

And you know what? We re-upholstered my entire sofa using my Singer! This machine is not only fast, but she is tough! She was able to sow thick fabric with pipping and all. I am telling you she is a tough cookie!

There are a lot perks about my Singer machine. The first thing is that it is small and easy to carry. And for a petite delicate person like myself, I don't carry or lift anything that is 5 pounds heavier. Though there are times, that my back will not permit me even to take her out of her box. So that is when super hubby comes to the rescue.



This Summer I have taken a new hobby of doll making! I have a friend that used to make dolls for a living. And she is teaching me basic techniques. As you know I am a sophisticated girl that have a passion for fashion. So when I brought these silky materials to my friend's house she said, "Oh, you don't want to use your best fabric for your first doll. It will take you several tries until you get your doll perfected."

I have yet to finish my first doll. I can't wait to see how pretty she will turn out to be. And even if she turn out looking a little funny or even a little ugly she will be my precious baby!




Have a nice day!


Chao,


Carmen

My Paris Room

I love to share with you some pictures of my Paris Room! I totally love my little retrochic corner, because is where I can retreat from my hectic activities and be myself. The main colors of my room are: butterscotch for the walls, golden green fabrics for sofa and curtain. I decided to decorate my Paris room with colors that where calm and yet elegant and glamours. I so love the lovely effects!



Here is my circa 1940's vanity next to my brown clothes organizer. My vanity is where I do my hair and makeup. So I decided to put my vanity right near the window. That way, I will have enough light, for when I get dolled up. Eventhough my Queen Ann antique stool did not come with my vanity, it was still a perfect size. I covered the stool cushion with a luxurious pillow cover. The old cushion fabric was pretty much tattered.



My Paris room is where I also have my retro brown clothes organizer. I don't own a lot of clothes. I always believed in having a small wardrobe that have a few classic pieces that I love and fit me well, than having a lot of clothes that soon will be out of style. On top of my closet are some of my hats. I so love the size of my closet, because it is petite like me!




Here is my vintage mannequin standing towards the right side of my vanity. Having this mannequin reminds me of my goal that one day I would want to make my own clothes. I do know how to reupholstered furniture and make pillows and curtain. Though I haven't yet made a wearable outfit that I could wear outdoors.




One of my favorite accessory of my Paris room is my Art Deco mirror! I bought this mirror from a lovely elderly neighbor, who gave me a good price for it. I love the classic Art Deco style of this mirror with it's silvery flowery motif. This mirror makes my Paris room so feminine and sophisticated!



Here is my butterscotch Futon-Bed. My Paris room is very small. So I didn't want to overwhelmed it with a big bed. Having a Futon-Bed is a great solution for a small space. Also as you can see I have covered my Futon with a luxurious comforter, that is elegant and soft to the touch! The comforter set came with small pillows, regular size pillow covers and a bed skirt. Like I mentioned previously I had use a pillow case to cover the stool cushion. I accessorize the Futon with the smaller pillows. And I use the bed skirt for a curtain.


And viola, my Paris room is complete!

My Traveling Luggage

Here is my circa 1940's vintage luggage that I own! I had bought my luggage at my favorite thrift store back in January before heading to the 2009 Art Deco Festival.



I have been wanting to get a vintage luggage that was sturdy, elegant, and 40's looking. I was thrilled that it was exactly the kind of luggage that I was looking for!



There are so many pluses about my vintage luggage. When I traveled to Miami Beach with my luggage, I was confident that she could handle toughness. Besides being nice and sturdy, she is in great mint condition and she came with a set of keys, which makes it so more secure for traveling. Can you believe that she only cost me $11, yes very affordable! And last but not least, when I started to pack my things, she was able to accommodate my clothes, hats, and purses perfectly!


I just love a great vintage find!


See you next week!


Chao,


Carmen

Miss Vintage Lace

Meet Miss Vintage Lace. She is one of my favorites vintage dresses that I own!



I bought my black vintage lacy slip dress at an antique shop several years ago. This dress is soft, pretty, and very feminine. My mannequin is the one that always gets to wears this dress in my Paris room.




Excuse me miss! Here I am trying on my lovely dress. So you can see how it looks on me. Not too bad for a 60 year old dress! When I try on this dress I always make sure that my finger nails are properly filed. That way I won't accidentally pull any threads.




One of my best feature of this dress is the bateau neck line top. You can never go wrong with a bateau neck line dress, which will always be a classic look. And it is very flattering for any girl to wear!




Here is my whole ensemble!

*Black vintage lacy slip dress ~ Antique shop.
*Black pencil skirt ~ Gap.
*Black and white t-strap shoes ~ Newport News
*Black vertical stripe stockings ~ Sock Dreams.
*Vintage gold lace clutch ~ Friend.
*Vintage style black earrings with rose buds and three faux diamonds,
from my sister. Priceless!


After my photo shoot I had to dress my mannequin back with her dress.

She is such a lady!

Vanity & Fair

This is my brand new circa 1940's vanity! I got this vintage beauty as a surprise gift for my wedding anniversary! My hubby knew that I had an eye on this cutie when I visited my favorite thrift store. So a few days later, my wonderful husband came back home, I opened the garage door and ta ra! There it was, my vanity was home! "Oh sweetie, thank you! You got her! Thank you so much! I love you baby!"

As you have noticed my girly vanity is small and sweet. It is not the glamorous vanity that you would see in the old Hollywood movies. But like a delicate ivory pearl she is pretty in her own rank. And being that I am a very petite woman, it is just the right size for me!

My vanity mirror opens upward like an old school desk and it could be tucked away whenever I want to use it as a writing desk, which is my favorite feature. The middle part is perfect in keeping my jewelry. Also it has two drawers, one on each side, which is where I keep my hair stuff, makeup, and my planner.

My vanity is made out of wood. The top layer is made of a veneer Formica. For the most part my vanity is covered by a lacquer ivory color paint. And this is when I realized that my vanity was not only pretty, but she was darn delicate! Here I was in my garage spraying my vanity with Pledge the multi-surface formula. The top Formica part was nice and clean. The problem developed in the surfaces where the lacquer was, which is pretty much my whole vanity!


The wood had started to bubble. And the paint was starting to peel off the surface. I almost past out when I saw my vanity aging before my very eyes. I immediately got a dry towel and started to dry her up. I couldn't believe that I used this water based and not an oil based wood cleaner. I should have known better. I have been studying for the past several years to become an interior decorator and I should have known the correct way in cleaning an antique. I sure learned my lesson well!

After all have been said and done, my vanity is standing tall and pretty like a delicate and fair lady. Just like me!

And I just love it!

P.S. Oh by the way just to let you know, my vanity is in my Paris room. What Parisian girl doesn't own a vanity?