The Vintage Project: This Charming Dame

Showing posts with label This Charming Dame. Show all posts

Showing posts with label This Charming Dame. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

This Charming Dame Lesson 10 - Walk the Walk

"I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot."
-Marilyn Monroe

I have very distinct memories of trying on my mother's heels as a little girl. Doing so always made me feel so glamorous and I would dream of the day that I would be old enough to have heels of my very own! Many, many years later, I am still a huge fan. To me, they're absolutely magical!

While getting my hair done a while back, I was flipping through a magazine and came across an article: '10 Things Every Woman Should Have' by Oscar de la Renta. One of the items on this list was A Confident Walk. The quote that accompanied this was "You have to walk like you have three men walking behind you." Some of my friends were offended and/or upset at this assertion, stating that the sentiment was sexist, kinda creepy, and just plain wrong. While I can see where they were coming from, when I read this quote, I immediately knew what de la Renta meant by it. There is something about a woman who inherently knows how to walk in heels. She exudes a certain something. A power. A confidence. She has an air about her that not only men, but women as well, can quickly identify and most certainly notice. Quite simply, she casts a spell.

Coco Chanel once said, "A woman with good shoes is never ugly." I disagree. Marilyn Monroe also had a love affair with the heel and at one point said, "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." but that's only half right. The other half of the equation is a woman's ability to REALLY walk in them! A woman who stomps around or wobbles like a newborn calf in heels is not powerful or sexy - no matter how fabulous the shoe. Can every woman live in heels? No. Can every woman pull off a stiletto? Absolutely not! Is there anything wrong with that? Again, I would say no. You do whatever it is that you CAN do.

Audrey Hepburn made the Kitten Heel her trademark. If she wasn't in ballet flats, you could bet she was in a Kitten Heel - and it is widely accepted that she is one of the most glamorous women of all time. The lesson with a high heel is this: if you can, go for it. If not, find whatever it is that works for you. (Perhaps that's really the lesson when it comes to most things.) It's best to avoid the heel altogether if you find yourself unable to feel safe and comfortable and ESPECIALLY if you are not one of those women who feel like a million dollars in them. Because I've been wearing them for so long and have a lower center of gravity due to my smaller stature (translation, because I'm short), I won't give a pair of heels under 4-inches a second look. I'm steadfastly a 4 to 5 inch heel kinda girl! Manolo Blahnik has said that "the height of a heel should depend on how dangerous you are feeling." So, by that logic, I suppose I'm always feeling pretty ballsy!

"People walk differently in high heels. Your body sways to a different kind of tempo."

-Manolo Blahnik

So, what do you do if you have simply never given the whole heel thing a proper try? Well, I'm glad you asked! Years ago, I was in Z Gallerie, arguably the happiest place on earth (for me). For many, it's Disneyland, for me it's Z Gallerie. Just thinking about it makes me happy! They always have so many gorgeous, glamorous things and a truly fabulous book selection to boot! Their selection consists mainly of novelty or coffee table books. I LOVE going to someone's home and finding books stacked or strategically placed, you get such great insight as to who they really are. Wow - I have REALLY digressed....

So, long story long...I found a super fun book at Z Gallerie many years ago entitled How to Walk in High Heels: The Girl's Guide to Everything. It pretty much covers it all - from how to get ready in 5 minutes to how to deal with a bad hair day, hangover, or locking yourself out of your house to how to catch a mouse, hang wallpaper, or feng shui your home to the MOST IMPORTANT thing (and also most relevant to this conversation) - how to walk in high heels! Bet you didn't see that one coming.

This little treasure covers every aspect of learning to walk in high heels from starting at the grocery store using the cart for balance and leverage to the type of heel that is right for you to how to walk on varying surfaces (ugh, cobblestones are "the HORROR of all HORRORS"!) and how to navigate stairs. I do not agree with every point the author makes - for example, I would disagree that investing in a pair of Manolo Blahniks is necessary or even possible for most women, but by and large there is some really great information here to ultimately get you to the point of strutting in your stilettos - it truly is an art!

Something else to keep in mind - while I can spend all night in a pair of 5-inch stilettos, I know my limitations. There are simply some things that most women will NEVER be able to do in heels. Running down the street à la Carrie Bradshaw is one of them. I have made peace with the fact that I am one of these people that will never be able to pull that off. And you probably should as well. If there is only ONE piece of advice that you take away from this post, let it be this: most people will never be able to run in heels without falling down or breaking something (and doesn't that really defeat the whole point of a fabulous shoe?). So take comfort in knowing that if you've got a great strut, one where your hips sway gracefully and confidently from side to side, a walk that you indisputably own, one that makes you feel powerful and beautiful, taking a little bit of extra time to get where you're going is totally worth it - and the added time gives those around you more of an opportunity to appreciate your ability to navigate in a great pair of heels. Everyone's a winner!

Ladies, OWN your walk! Learn how to do it right and make sure you've got the right shoe. Like Dita Von Teese has said, "Heels and red lipstick will put the fear of god into people." But carrying your shoes home (and potentially stepping on something and contracting some weird foot disease) will not.

So for all that is good and holy, do NOT be this girl. You're better than that.

If you still need some more help, consult Google. There are TONS of YouTube videos that will teach you how to walk in heels and I've also seen classes on the subject. You've got options to help get you there!

Happy Strutting, Kittens!

XOXO!!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

This Charming Dame Lesson 9 - Bring Yourself Flowers

"I must have flowers, always, and always."
-Claude Monet

Flowers.

What woman doesn't love getting flowers? There are few things so simple that can brighten up your day and remind you that someone is thinking about you. Unfortunately, while the custom of giving flowers dates back hundreds of years, a man bringing a woman flowers today is happening less and less. (Hell, getting a man in my generation to be upfront and ask a woman out on an honest-to-goodness date as opposed to suggesting 'hanging out' is pretty rare these days.) There are probably a myriad of reasons that the majority of men are opting to forgo bringing a lady flowers. Many men may find it cheesy. They may think it makes them vulnerable, not want to spend the money, or only be interested in one thing when taking someone out... Though single women are not the only ones who don't always get flowers.

But, Ladies, there is no reason to go flower-less. None! I have been buying myself flowers on almost a weekly basis for years now. Having fresh flowers should not depend on a man bringing them to you. Yes, looking at gifted flowers can give you some butterflies, make you swoon a bit, and definitely work wonders when it comes to a man getting into your good graces, but why deprive yourself of that splash of color and the scent of fresh flowers if you aren't lucky enough to have someone in your life that understands the importance of the practice of gifting flowers? We've all heard that we should love ourselves and date ourselves, so why not also bring ourselves flowers?

A flower arrangement as grand as the one in the first photo is something that most women simply dream about. The smaller one below more closely resembles the size of the arrangements most of us are familiar with. And Bette Davis proves that something a little less showy can still be pretty glam!

If you've been paying even a modicum of attention to the photos on this little blog, you may have already guessed that my flower of choice is the red rose. Some might say that they are cliché, but I see them as classic. Not that I don't like other types of flowers, but I always find myself drawn back to them. And the next thing I know, they've made their way back home with me.

Port also seems to like them.

I often remind myself that there are so many other flowers and that I should probably deviate from my floral signature every now and again, but most of the time that there are other flowers on my table it's not necessarily my own doing. No, those instances usually coincide with the times I've been lucky enough to be the one to get the centerpiece from a wedding. Coincidentally, that's also where many of my vases have come from.

This centerpiece from Karl and Katrina's wedding was PERFECT and still incorporated my beloved red roses! PS - black square vase?!?!? There was nothing that I didn't love about this.

This colorful floral trio was courtesy of Marko and Lauren's wedding. There was something so luxe about the three arrangements of varying heights that was simply gorgeous!

A few months later, Marko's brother, Zoki married the lovely Karen and this beautiful hydrangea and cabbage centerpiece came home with me.

And how fabulous is this rounded vase??

It actually inspired me to pick up this hydrangea, lily, and rose arrangement not too long afterwards.

Port liked this as well.

The moral of this story is that not only can flowers bring beauty and sentiment to your tabletop, but they can also provide some pretty epic inspiration.

"Perhaps I owe having become a painter to flowers."
-Claude Monet

So the next time you pass a flower shop while you are running errands, a flower booth at the Farmers Market, or even the floral section of your grocery store, grab a bouquet and see just what flowers can do for you, beau or no!

Sometimes, Lovelies, you really should stop and smell the roses (in your own home).
XOXO!!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

This Charming Dame Lesson 8 - Wrap Your Packages

Gift Giving.

Unless a truly terrible gift giver is involved, the act of giving and receiving gifts makes everyone happy.

While we participate in the act of gift giving all year round, there is no time like the Holidays to shine a light on this practice. Obviously. And beyond the gifts themselves and whether or not you have deep-seated beliefs or perhaps even some rage about the commercialization of Christmas and the Holidays, as we all get older, there is a certain joy in simply receiving a gift. Sometimes what's in the box is irrelevant, someone took the time and effort to get you something. And if you're REALLY lucky, it's been wrapped up in pretty paper.

I'm not quite sure the last time I used a gift bag, but it's safe to say, it's been a few years. A while back, I decided that I wasn't going to take the easy way out anymore. That I was actually going to WRAP my presents. Gasp! I know! WHY make more work for myself?? Well, to me, there is something infinitely more special about a present that someone has taken the time to actually wrap as opposed to just stuffing it into a bag. After wrapping a package and tying it up with some ribbon, it not only makes the recipient feel good to get it, but their reaction and the the fact that you are giving them the experience of untying the ribbon and actually unwrapping the package is like a little bonus. The whole process adds to the whole experience and, selfishly, it makes me feel good to be able to do that.

Don't misunderstand, whether they are on or under the tree (the different versions of I'll Be Home For Christmas don't always agree), truly any gift is appreciated.

Be it large or small, on the beach or in a living room, in a box or in a bag...

Also a pile of wrapped boxes just look so much more polished than a pile of bags. And can be easier to transport.

Here are just a few of the beautiful packages I've gifted this year. How polished do these look?? I was quite proud of some of these! (Alright, I might be tooting my own horn just a little...)

I just gave this one in our department gift exchange at work. I thought that it turned out quite well, but was truly impressed with myself when everyone thought this had been professionally wrapped. That wouldn't have happened with a bag...

And having some help is always nice.

When you take the time to actually wrap something, it's so nice to receive a wrapped gift yourself. How cute is this owl wrapping paper on my Christmas gift from my friend Kim??

Your packages don't have to be overly elaborate with pine cones and pieces of shrubbery and handmade ornaments. Some nice paper, carefully wrapped, with a ribbon is more than fine. You're already not taking the easy way out, no need to go overboard!

When was the last time you wrapped a present? Perhaps you'll consider doing that the next time you reach for a gift bag...

Happy Holidays and Happy Gifting!
XOXO!!!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

This Charming Dame Lesson 7 - Wear Pajamas

Pajamas? How dreadfully outdated. Boring even. Oversized T-Shirts and sweat pants or boxer shorts...now that's the ticket!! Right? Wrong!

Oh Kittens, I don't know why it's taken me so long to write this post, because this one idea - the idea of pajamas - was one of the main drivers behind starting The Vintage Project. I'm not sure how many pairs of pajamas I am personally responsible for being sold in the last year, but I'd say it was rather significant. All through the fall of 2012, I was waxing poetic about pajamas to anyone that would listen and I was pretty surprised when other people were getting excited about pajamas as well!

Now that we're FINALLY getting winter weather in Southern California, it's only fitting that I mention pajamas here. Are pajamas strictly for cold weather? No. But the majority of the ones I own just happen to be. This might have something to do with the fact that I had my Grand Pajama Revelation in the fall and immediately went to my dresser and threw out most of my T-shirts and pants I'd been sleeping in post haste and began purchasing pajamas. Yes, I was one of those people that had lost the inclination to dress nicely for bed once I began living alone. Since no one was going to actually see me, I didn't give much thought to what I was sleeping in. Ashamedly, I had regressed to wearing ratty old T-shirts and sweat pants full of holes to bed. And whenever I saw myself dressed for bed, I felt terrible about myself. Even if you don't have company in bed, knowing that you take absolutely no pride in what you're sleeping in is pretty detrimental to how you feel about yourself as a woman.

Classing up your nighttime ensemble is an easy way to feel better about yourself. There's simply something romantic and classy about the idea of sleeping in actual pajamas. But somehow, I had just associated them with a different time, and I know for a fact that I'm not alone. How foolish are we? To think that pajamas, of all things, are out of our reach! I'm not sure exactly how the shift happened for me, but I'm incredibly embarrassed that it took me so long to get the memo. Le sigh...

Kittens, what have you been wearing to bed? Perhaps you aren't as terribly lazy as I was, but ask yourself, are you happy with your ensemble choices when you turn in? You don't need to go as far as matching pajamas with your significant other - although, how cute are Lucy and Ricky?!? (PS - a man in pajamas?? That's the ticket!!) No, you can (and in my opinion, should) be pulled together all on your own. If you still aren't on board with the idea of pajamas, these incredibly fabulous ladies might bring you around to my way of thinking!

See, Lucy doesn't need Ricky for her pajama set to be fantastic! (She probably didn't even need Fred the puppy, but he certainly was adorable!)

Jean Harlow looks divine - even amongst all the mess!

Carole Lombard's geese approve of her plaid pajamas.

Sophia Loren does a little reading before bed!

See how fabulous the pajama set can be? I picked up four pair last winter while Victoria Secret was having a pretty spectacular sale which included free slippers. Yes please! The leopard print and polka dots are The Dreamer Flannel Pajama (though neither of these designs seem to be available this year), the black is The Afterhours Satin Pajama, and the grey is The Sleepover Cotton Pajama. While the Sleepover pajama is ultra light-weight, most of my light, summer pajamas have come from Target and I LOVE them, so you don't need to spend much on your pajamas if you don't want to.

If full pajamas aren't quite your thing, there are plenty of night shirts out there for you to chose from. Or you could always pull a Holly Golightly and simply wear a tuxedo shirt!

With her sleep mask and fabulous tasseled ear plugs, Holly is super glam while sleeping! You can either accessorize like her, or you can simplify like Marilyn.

While it may appear that she's sleeping in the nude, she's not. She famously told reporters, "What do I wear to bed? Why, Chanel No. 5 of course."

Really, the choice in what you wear to bed is your own, but please, do something for yourself and toss out the T-shirts and sweat pants riddled with holes. You'll be glad you did!

Wishing you a beautiful night in beautiful pajamas!
XOXO!!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

This Charming Dame Lesson 6 - Always Have a Bottle of Bubbly On Hand

"Always keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge for special occasions. Sometimes the special occasion is that you've got a bottle of champagne in the fridge."
-Hester Browne

Can I interest you in a glass of bubbly, Kitten? Yes? In that case, I think it's safe to say that we can continue this beautiful friendship of ours.

I am a huge fan of bubbly, or sparkling, if you will... I am one of those annoying people who refuse to refer to everything as simply 'champagne'. Champagne is a very specific term for sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region in France. Most of what Americans consider 'champagne' merely because it has bubbles is really sparkling, or as I like to refer to it as 'bubbly'.

Whether it hails from France or Italy or Spain or California, it's always a good idea to keep at least one bottle on hand. You know, for emergencies or special occasions or impromptu celebrations. Which brings me to the much anticipated and long overdue sixth installment of the This Charming Dame Series. An integral aspect of incorporating more glam into the everyday is always being prepared for a toast.

There is something quite magical about bubbly and it is well-documented that many people have had quite the love affair with it for a very long time. From authors to designers to winemakers to actors to economists to Presidents to Prime Ministers to Emperors to monks and even Royal Mistresses, there has been an intoxication of the senses by and a fascination with a glass of sparkling wine.

"There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne."
-Bette Davis

"My only regret in life is that I did not drink more champagne."
-John Maynard Keynes

"Too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right."
-Mark Twain

"I'll drink your champagne. I'll drink every drop of it, I don't care if it kills me."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald

There are quite a number of reasons to pour yourself a glass of bubbly.

"I only drink champagne on two occasions. When I am in love and when I am not."
-Coco Chanel

"In success you deserve it and in defeat, you need it."
-Winston Churchill on champagne

"I drink champagne when I win, to celebrate...And I drink champagne when I lose, to console myself."
-Napoleon Bonaparte

"I drink it when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes, I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and I drink it if I am; otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty."
-Madame Bollinger

Whatever your personal reasons for keeping a bottle or two or however many you like on hand (I'm SO not judging you), make sure you always stop yourself from consuming the bottle(s) you keep around for unannounced company.

I've also found it quite a good idea to keep some frozen orange juice in your freezer as well, just in case your company is in the mood for a mimosa. I do not drink juice on any type of regular basis, so while it's not fresh squeezed, it will most definitely work in a bind!

One more thing that I've found to be helpful is belonging to a sparkling club. I belong to South Coast Winery's Sparkling Club in Temecula and I love it! They offer eight different types of sparkling ranging from the classic Brut and Blanc de Blanc to more unique sparkling varietals such as their Pinot Noir Rose and their Ruby Cuvee which is a sparkling Syrah. Sweet but not too sweet...it's heavenly! Two weekends ago, I went down with my family for a wine pickup and tasting day, so in addition to the bottle of Mumm I already had, the June and August selections which I was picking up, and two additional bottles I purchased, I'm totally set!

But I will share more about my Sparkling Club at a later date... Right now, I will simply share what I consider to be the three best California wineries for bubbly - in case you are new to the magic that is sparkling wine. I don't think you can go wrong with Mumm and Chandon from Napa, or South Coast from Temecula (though you will want to stay away from their Sparkling Pinot Grigio, their Sparkling Gewürtztraminer, and their Diamante Spumante if you are not a fan of super sweet).

Though I wouldn't suggest trying all of them one right after the other...you might end up like Tallulah Bankhead, drinking out of your shoe. Unless you're into that kind of thing, in which case, have at it!

If this lesson made you thirsty (and I can't blame you if it did) here is a diddy for you while you pop your bottle of choice. If you are unfamiliar with Champagne Charlie, I highly suggest you spend the three minutes and get yourself acquainted:

To see my inspiration for the 'This Charming Dame' series, please visit Quite Continental Charm School.

Cheers Kittens! Just make sure to save a bottle for company!
XOXO!!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

This Charming Dame Lesson 5 - Wear an Apron

Kitchen aprons. Very June Cleaver, I know.

For the past few decades kitchen aprons have been symbolic of old fashioned patriarchal values and feminists have railed against these ideological symbols of women being confined to the kitchen. The idea that a woman is only capable of contributing within the home is something that feminists started fighting against in the 1970's, and not surprisingly the kitchen apron fell out of vogue. It was vilified. It was the perfect symbol for the role that many men were trying to keep women in. And the ideal that so many women were fighting against.

So, what originated as a functional article of clothing turned into a feminist symbol of oppression, of making a woman's role (and subsequent contribution) very clearly defined. Up until I did some research for this post, I had always referred to myself as a 'soft core feminist', but I hereby reclassify myself. I realize that what I truly am is a Third-wave feminist. I do not feel the need to burn my bra since I have a penchant for feminine undergarments. I do not feel the need to buck old societal conventions of the woman's main contribution being that of a homemaker by not setting foot inside the kitchen since I enjoy cooking and entertaining. In my mind, reveling in my femininity does not strip away my ability to be a strong, independent woman. And it does not change my expectation that a woman's body be her own business and that she should be treated (and compensated) as a man would be in the workplace.

Third-wave feminists 'embrace contradictions and conflict, and accommodate diversity and change.' To me, this means we've finally found a way to have our cake and eat it too. As women, we have the option to do things that fall within traditional gender roles because they are our choice - not because they are being forced upon us. So, I chose to wear a fucking apron. Because A - I feel like it. And B - it will keep my clothes clean. Really, what's the dilemma?

I found a fantastic Huffington Post article that encapsulates the apron issue perfectly - I suggest you take a gander.

So, without the pressure of an apron representing anything sinister, we can now embrace them as a chic, retro way to glam up our time in the kitchen and we can allow ourselves to have fun with them. And there is definitely no shortage of sites to procure incredibly fashionable, cute, and even sexy kitchen aprons.

Stephanie and I prepping for her 30th Birthday. How fab are we in our aprons?

The word 'apron' comes from the old French word 'naperon' which meant 'little tablecloth'. The existence of the kitchen apron can be credited to the fact that women typically did not own many pieces of clothing and laundering these items was incredibly time consuming. Rather than soil the few articles that you had while cooking or cleaning, it made much more sense to cover them with a large piece of fabric that was cheap, easy to construct, and easier to clean. Because I am not typically wearing fancy ensembles to make dinner, I tend to forget that I have a few aprons hanging in my hall closet, though I will be making it a point to start pulling them out on a regular basis. In case you were curious, these are a few of the aprons I have been neglecting.

I believe this was the first apron I received as an adult. This fantastic wine apron was a gift from my mother and I think it's fabulous!

This is the first apron I purchased for myself - Cost Plus World Market always has some fabulous aprons. They even have matching towels and potholders!

Last, but certainly not least, is this super fancy apron that I received from Stephanie for Christmas two years ago. Most fabulous apron I've ever seen...have you ever spied one with a broach? Didn't think so.

The resurgence of the apron in the last few years focuses more on the apron as a fashion statement rather than focusing solely on its functionality. There is just something special about wearing an apron - you feel more pulled together and like a more legitimate cook (or at least I do). Because I've found some adorable aprons online, I think I might be ordering a few more - you know, in case I ever have 14 people cooking in my kitchen at the same time. It could happen!

Aside from big retailers like Anthropologie, Cost Plus World Market, and Pier 1 Imports, there are many apron retailers that you can find online. The two aprons below are from Rain Collection and Flirty Aprons respectively. Click on the photo captions to visit these sites.

If you want to go a little more retro and purchase hand made aprons, Etsy is overflowing with some amazing aprons right now. Below are some fabulous ones that I found during a quick peruse. Click on the photo captions to visit the Etsy shops.

What do you think Ladies? Have you jumped onto the Apron Bandwagon? Do you find that they class up your cooking a bit or are you of the opinion that they emphasize negative gender roles?

Have a lovely evening, I have a pie in the oven that requires my attention!
(Alright, there's no pie. But there IS a bottle of wine that isn't going to open itself!)
XOXO!!

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