i spy: smartly dressed women, mid century graphics and a glowing opera house

What's inspiring me lately?  Smartly-dressed women of the past and present, mid century graphic design, gorgeous old opera houses, and the evolution of Don and Peggy.  (And yes, I'm still pining to return to Germany and Austria!)  See more on my Tumblr and Pinterest.

clockwise, l-r:

*found photo "mit Trudel in Hildenbrandseck" dated September 6, 1936.  I'm loving their collars and the belt on the black dress. | Back Then Photographed

*Young woman in Vienna wearing a Reform dress, 1923. (© Beatrice Eipeldauer) | Vintage Vienna

*Markgräfliches Opernhaus Bayreuth - Logenränge, photo by Pierre Schoberth | Wikimedia

*Detail of an Elizabethan embroidered tunic, from English Embroidery by A.F. Kendrick, 1913. | archive.org

*Scenic French wall panel, ca. 1930-1940. | Cooper-Hewitt

*Spring Evening During the Ice Break, Hugo Simberg, 1897. | WikiArt

*On the street...Piazza del Duomo, Milan.  I feel like I could wear this outfit every day of my life and be perfectly happy. | The Sartorialist

*Hungarian-English tourist dictionary, 1964. | Jell-O Biafra Says

*Fiona, Helsinki Street Style.  A neo film noir vamp! | Hel-Looks

*Two beautiful screenshots from one of the last episodes of the first half of the last season (ugh) of Mad Men.  I just started re-watching the series from the beginning, something I highly recommend to fellow fans of the show.  A lot has happened to these two characters, and it's been easy to forget all the crap that Peggy had to put up with as a young secretary in 1960.  (Seriously.  Go back and watch the first few episodes if nothing else.)  It's been nice to see these two working together again, and to see Don full of both pride and admiration for her. | source appears to have removed her original post, but it was the Tumblr Omiero

xo

K

shop preview: tulips, roses, windmills and wild grass

Embroidered tulips and purple roses, Dutch windmills and Tahitian fisherman, sheer blush pink pleats and grass-printed linen . . . all these and more coming to the shop over the next week!  The first few items are already in the shop (and one has already sold).

1950s Dusk Garden floral print cotton dress by Helen Whiting (in the shop!).

1950s Dutch Windmills novelty print skirt (sold!).

1960s Tulip Fever embroidered chambray dress (in the shop!).

1960s plaid blouse with Peter Pan collar.

1940s Far Country paisley print cotton day dress with lacing details by Kenrose.

1960s green and blue Tuscany print linen dress by Bobbie Brooks.

1970s pink and green ribbon stripe wrap skirt, The Red Mill Collection by Karol Lynne.

1950s daisy and chrysanthemum print cotton dress with ruffles on bodice.

1950s blush pink sheer nylon pleated and floral embroidered blouse by Le Charme.

1970s floral embroidered sundress, trimmed in satin ribbon and crochet.

1950s Fishing in Tahiti novelty print cotton skirt by Adrian Tabin.

1950s Shadow Flower print silk dress by Cay Artley.

1960s modernist fish print sleeveless blouse with pockets by Ship 'n Shore.

1970s heraldic birds novelty print dress.

1950s Wild Grasses print linen sundress and bolero set.

1950s turquoise cotton skirt with giant button pockets.

1980s Neu Werkstätte print linen sundress.

xo

K

shop accessories preview: leather bags and silk scarves

Coming to the shop:  leather bags in a variety of shapes and sizes, ikat and tapestry purses, and charming silk scarves!  All items arriving in the shop starting today.

1950s chocolate brown leather barrel bag.

1980s pastel ikat purse with leather trim.

1960s floral needlepoint tapestry bag by Kadin.

1960s russet brown leather purse with metal studs.

Extra large 1970s brown leather and suede shoulder bag, made in Spain.

1950s silk Carnevale dancers scarf, by Baar & Beards.

Mod 1960s geometric print silk scarf by Ponte Tresa.

xo

K

shop preview: folkloric prints, floating chiffon, lovely beadwork and more flowers

What's coming to the shop?  Some fantastic folkloric prints, lightweight pastel chiffon and cotton dresses, and of course, more florals!  The first three items are already in the shop; the rest will arriving shortly.

1970s Night in the Jungle animal print lounge dress (in the shop!).

1950s Fancy Folk novelty print shirtwaist dress (in the shop!).

1950s Bramble Bloom cotton print blouse, by Shapely Classic (in the shop!).

1950s Folk Heart print cotton sundress.

1950s beaded pink orlon cardigan, by Kerrybrooke.

1960s beaded rose pink linen dress.

1950s lilac smocked cotton full skirt, by Bobbie Brooks.

1950s heart and bird print cotton dress with rhinestone buttons, by Betty Barclay.

1950s palest pink sleeveless blouse with nautical collar detail.

1950s sheer pintucked chiffon dress.

1960s chocolate brown blouse by Ship 'n Shore.

1960s floral print brocade dress by Haymaker.

1970s purple and green tulip print wrap skirt.

1950s gray floral knit dress with grosgrain ribbon trim and bow at waist.

1960s floral print chiffon sleeveless blouse.

1950s embroidered sky blue cotton dress by Kay Windsor.

1970s pink and mint paisley print puff sleeve blouse by Joyce.

xo

K

i spy: dark florals, ladies of mystery, and glowing nighttime scenes

Spring is in full swing here, and the flowers are blooming . . . but I prefer my flowers against a dark background.  Just like I love a small glowing light illuminating a darkened room.  And mystery!

See more by following me on Pinterest and Tumblr.

clockwise, l-r:

*After Van Dongen, photo by Norman Parkinson of Adele Collins wearing an Otto Lucas toque.  Photo was inspired by the 1919 painting "The Corn Poppy" by Dutch artist Kees Van Dongen. | normanparkinson.com

*Polaroid, 2003, Berlin-Mitte, Germany, photo by Sibylle Bergemann | Ostkreuz

*1946 Mallinson Fabrics ad | My Vintage Vogue

*decorated farmhouses of Hälsingland, Sweden (swoon!) | Hälsingegårdar

*Großer Blumenstrauss in einem Holzgefäß (Big floral bouquet in a wooden vessel), by Jan Brueghel, ca 1606-1607 | Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

clockwise, l-r:

*Beim Sekt, photograph by YVA (Else Simon-Neuländer), 1936. | source

*Saint Christopher decorates an archway over a cobblestone street in Bavaria, Germany, March 1974.  Photograph by George F. Mobley, National Geographic | NatGeoFound

*Nächtliches Bankett (“Nocturnal Banquet”) by Wolfgang Heimbach, dated 1640. | Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

*Patricia Highsmith, author of the Ripley books, which I recently read and loved.  I need to read more Highsmith! | Vintage & Anchor Books Tumblr

*Setting for a Fairy Tale, box construction by Joseph Cornell, 1942. | Guggenheim

xo

K

shop preview: striped cotton, bright florals and op art silk

Everything is at last bursting into bloom in Michigan, and the shop is also filling up with bright stripes, colorful florals, light and floating voiles and silks!  All items arriving in the shop starting...yesterday!

1950s Travemünde Strand striped shagbark cotton sundress (in the shop!).

1950s striped red Gal Friday dress, by Justin McCarty.

1950s The Derby equestrian cardigan, by Lee Herman.

1960s floral print linen skirt and blouse set, by Crazy Horse.

1960s sage green voile accordion pleat full skirt, by Miss Pat.

1960s flower embroidered dress with ascot collar and lilac velvet belt, by Lisa Cobb for Serbin.

1960s blue floral print cotton blouse with Peter Pan collar, by Aileen.

1920s-1930s red daisy print cotton day dress.

1970s batik print halter top.

1950s op art print silk dress with scarf collar and black velvet belt.

1950s ticking stripe cotton pleated full skirt.

1950s Alfred Shaheen ikat novelty print tunic dress with high slits at the sides.

xo

K