Fashion Throwback: 1950s

If you haven't figured it out yet, I have a sick obsession with pretty vintage things. I'm interested with the 1920s-1960s, but I have a soft spot for the '50s. I can't figure out what it is about that decade that I adore so much, but whatever it is has grabbed a hold of me and won't let go. And I'm okay with that.

Last weekend, I finally pulled the trigger and purchased a couple vintage 1950s day dresses from two different shops on Etsy. Some days, I just feel like wearing a pretty dress when we go out, and I only have a few things I can wear. Once I receive both dresses and get a chance to wear them, I will write a review and give the shops a shout out so you can check them out too. 

My absolute favorite thing about 1950s fashion are shirt dresses. The medium heavy cotton fabric, the circle skirt with a crinoline underneath, the fab collars... ahh!! They can be fancy and worn for a night on the town. Accessorized with pretty white or lacy gloves, a diamond necklace, stilettos, and a clutch, a girl could dress to the nines! They can also be dressed down, casual, lighter weight fabric, no crinoline, some cute flats and a handbag, and a girl could be ready for a day of shopping or a day at the park. I prefer my dresses to be about knee length since I have a toddler son. I can still reasonably play with him and not have to worry about what my dress is doing.

I would definitely wear each of these styles.

That square neckline on the right!! 

This one!! I wonder if she still has it? I'll find it.

I would LOVE to have this beauty in my closet!

I'm loving that collar/sleeve combo on pattern number 2.

I'm obsessed with the skirt on this one! 

Lucy Ricardo frequently wore a shirt dress. That's probably why

we get along so well. Yes, we're friends.

Yes, you can run away now.

I'd understand.

I also enjoy a good circle skirt. They are about the same style as a shirt dress, the same shape and flow, but you can mix and match tops! 

Audrey Hepburn in a circle skirt minus crinoline. Simply lovely.

This pattern is amazing!! The perfect length.

The bottom right is a perfect example of what a light

slip can do for a circle skirt.

Girls of all ages can easily pull of a circle skirt! This catalog is so cute!

I also have a love of 1950s style one-piece swim suits. As a mom taking a toddler to the pool, I have more to worry about and focus on than wondering if the appropriate body parts are staying covered.  While the bikini was invented in the 1940s, still pretty much the only women to wear them were some movie stars in the 1950s like Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner to gain publicity, and they weren't really widely accepted until the '60s. The one-piece style is classic. Esther Williams, a swimming prodigy turned movie star, made the one-piece style famous. 

Three bathing beauties.

Aren't they just precious??

Obsessed with the glamour in this photo! 

The million dollar mermaid, Esther Williams. So cute, right?

Yep, even Marilyn wore this style of bathing suit. 

These are just a few of my favorite things. I have so many other vintage styles that I love, but these 3 are absolutely at the top of my list.  My dream closet is full of pretty vintage dresses! My real closet is not, however. Please tweet me, email me, or comment on this blog post and tell me what your favorite vintage fashions are! Or you can request a topic!! I'd love to hear from you! (All of my information is at the top of the page under 'Contact') 

♥Rachel

**All photos used on this blog post were found on Google Image search. If they belong to you and you do not wish for me to use them, please email me!**

Slacker, that's me.

I may have been a bit lazy this week when it came to blogging. We have been fairly busy in other aspects, so it's okay. Right? Thank you for excusing me from my absence.

Last weekend, Holden got his first haircut. I finally got brave and decided I was tired of looking at his shaggy blonde locks. We took him to a place called Sharkey's Cuts For Kids, and inside, they have fun themed chairs to sit in, movies on TV, and lollipops to distract the little ones! Sharkey's choice of chairs are Lightning McQueen, a pink Barbie Jeep, and a blue Mini Cooper. For the older kids, they have just a regular chair the kid can sit in and play XBox games, and for the older girls, they have a little "tween" room with vanity lights and pink walls. 

Look at that stringy shaggy hair! He was watching Cars on TV

and playing with the buttons on the steering wheel.

Now keeping happy with a blue DumDum. Of course, they had

to give him blue, the messiest of all colors.

Here, Mama. All done. 

I am the trash lady.

About this time I'm freaking out that she would cut 

it too short. I don't really want him to look like 

a little boy.

He needs to be a baby!

Finishing touches.

Oh so handsome!! He gets so embarrassed

when I tell him he's handsome.

So haircut day was on Saturday. Sunday we got together at our friends' house to celebrate H's birthday with a Mexican dinner and some cake & ice cream. Baby H always enjoys going over there because there are plenty of trucks to be played with. He lives for trucks. Every other word every day is truck. Truck, mommy. TRUCK!! 

Sorry. Back to dinner. It was to be a non-cheesy Pirate themed evening, with a Pirates of the Caribbean cake to finish off the theme. However, lovely Vons still has the cake displayed in their book of cakes they can make, though they told me it was discontinued when I asked for it. I had to settle for stupid Spongebob pirates. Totally killed my vibe, Vons! Not cool. I forged on with my life, deciding cake is cake and delicious cake it was! 

Ugh, go away Spongebob. Does anyone like you still?

Gotta blow that candle out!

Success! Daddy may or may not have helped.

(He did.)

He pretty much picked at the ice cream. And the

frosting. Obviously.

A pirate's life for me!

But not for me.

Yesterday, he had his 2 year check up with the doctor. Basically, H is tall, skinny but solid, and right on track with his developments. 

Oh, and he's ornery as ever.

He's nothing like me.

♥Rachel

Gettin' a little bit vintage.

This week's edition of Throwback Thursday is dedicated to one of the major loves of my life, Elvis Aron Presley. What brings on this post is the kick off of Elvis Week 2013 at Graceland in Memphis. Elvis Week is the gathering of Elvis fans from all around the world, and as Elvis Radio DJ Argo tells me, fans started the tradition themselves on the 1 year anniversary of the King's death in 1978. EW13 starts Aug 10 and runs until the 17th with events all around Memphis, and specifically Elvis' home, Graceland. Events include Elvis Tribute Artist performances, George Klein's Memphis Mafia reunion, movie screenings, and a candlelight vigil & memorial service on the 36th anniversary of his death. 

So today, I just want to throw it back to the start of an amazing career.

With his father, Vernon, on July 4, 1956.

A beautiful colorized photo of Elvis. Peep that pink jacket!

Flipping through a magazine with his mother, Gladys Love.

Hanging with fellow Sun recording artist, Mr. Johnny Cash.

(All photo credit goes to the respective owners. Please advise if you do not wish for me to use these photographs.)

Please check back next week for a throwback to my Graceland trip in 2008! 

As always, thank you for reading!

Until next time,

♥Rachel