Hooked On...Vintage Textiles

While working in the Historic Costume Collection, I've had the luxury of perusing through all of the vintage textiles and apparel at my leisure. I've pulled a few of my favorites to share with you today. I only took detail photos; I did not take picture of the whole garment, which is a post for another time. I hope you enjoy!

The photo shows the exquisite gold beading down the side of a beautiful pink gown. I love the feminine hem!
We just found the designer for this beauty by researching online. We stumbled across a blue version of this velvet coat with the exact same gold stitching as this beauty!
Of course, I had to include a wedding gown. I love the lace on this one!
The puckering and sequins on this dress is divine. I wish this picture had turned out a little better. It doesn't do the dress justice!
And finally...the earliest piece I'll post about today: this very ornate blouse with several types of lace and bobbles. I love early pieces for their creativity and outlandishness.

Black Book

Have you seen this movie? I watched it last night and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. I'm in awe. We've all heard about WWII, but this movie shines a new (darker) light on Hitler, the Resistance and war in its entirety. "When will it end?" the main character asks. I wonder the same thing as I think about what this country, and the world, is enduring today. I highly suggest you watch this movie, but be prepared for a sense of hopelessness, sadness, and devestation intermingled with an intense desire to do good.

One month Gig

For one month I'll be working in the Historic Costume Collection located on the University of Missouri campus. It isn't a very glamorous job, but I get to work surrounded by beautiful works of art! We even have bridal gowns from the 1800s! Since my job is pretty simple, I day dream about opening my own historic costume museum. I have a really good plan, I'll have to post about it when the plan is more developed. I've included a few pictures of my office...

As you walk in the front door, the first thing you see are these shelves of shoes. I wish I could say I have a unit like this in my closet. haha! To the right of this picture is my desk, so these shoes are located right behind me.
Shelves upon shelves of beautifully crafted hats line the back wall. I really wish hats were still in fashion.
A close up of one of my favorite hats in the bunch. Take a close look at the lining beneath the brim. It is exquisite!
This picture is taken from the back of my office, looking toward the front. You can see my desk in the back of this picture. This gives you an idea of how many historic garments we have in the collection. This isn't even the only room, there are two rooms upstairs as well!
More aisles of clothing, this time from the front of the office looking to the back where the hats are located. You can see boxes on top of the shelves, they are acid-free boxes storing even more garments!

Who for the Joy

I received this email from an old high school friend of mine. We don't see much of each other nor are we able to talk and catch up often. This just goes to show that truly devoted friends are there for life, and I've been lucky enough to know a few of them. No matter how your life is progressing at the moment, these are words we can all identify with. I hope you enjoy.

"A close friend of mine recently shared these Bible verses with me when I was feeling overwhelmed by life. Since then I keep repeating one part of the verses ("who for the joy") in my head, to remind me of God's perseverance, devotion for me, love for me, strength he can provide me, and to remind me of the one "who for the joy" of my salvation, died for me. Bringing this verse to mind has helped motivate and strengthen me when I'm feeling incapable and upset. I feel it is a simple phrase that has so much meaning. I wanted to share this with you because I know we all have hard times and sometimes a bit of love helps us clear the fog in our life and see the light ---figuratively speaking. I hope these words are as meaningful and motivational to you as they have been to me. Have a blessed day! I love you all so much!

(I know we all have different versions of the Bible...but here is the wording in the KJV)"

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
--Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1 & 2

I adore crafty ideas!

If you haven't checked it out already, you should definitely take a look at the June issue of Country Living, it has FANTASTIC decorating ideas! This is my fave:

They created a book shelf out of drawers from an old dresser! Isn't that brilliant? I'm now checking garage sales for CHEAP old dressers that I can paint in pretty pastels and cover with vintage wallpaper. Yes, of course, for my office.
There is also a great nautical-inspired home featured in the issue which I've fallen inlove with. They say you don't have to live on the shore to have a beach home, but I think it would be odd. Of course, that means I need to move to the beach. I'm thinking Charleston, SC. Divine!