Lauren here…. ….here in Reno, and not in the UK where I have been and would like to still be. 😉 For the first time in years (and for the first time…
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Costuming Books from Christmas 2014
I know we’re well into 2015 already, and Christmas is a distant, fading memory, but I forgot to share with you the books I received as gifts and also found in England:…
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Christmas Tea at the Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV
This past Saturday good-sized group of us Great Basin Costumers invaded the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, for their afternoon High Tea. There was no set period for costume, just a…
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V343: Costumer’s Christmas Swag
Some of the lovely, lovely items I received for Christmas… Costume books! The one beneath is an illustrated shoe reference guide – good stuff! A lovely beaded 1920s style purse. I’ve been…
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V336: The Geneva Hand Fluter – Experiments
Last to arrive from my round of eBay acquisition was the Geneva Hand Fluter, a ridged iron that was used to flute, or crimp, all kinds of things, like cuffs, collars, ruffly…
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V276: Review: 18th Century Bath Products from Litttle Bits Clothing Company
A little while ago I received some lovely 18th century beauty products from Litttle Bits Clothing Company, and I have had the chance to test out the bath products. I was really…
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V265: Vintage Haul of Random Things
I should have known when I popped down to Junkee Clothing Exchange (one of the coolest stores in Reno-Land, choc full of all manner of sweet costumer swag, from hot pink ostrich…
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V248: 1772 Colonial Spice Tea by Litttle Bits Clothing Company
This morning, with the power out and no internet to eat my soul, I had a chance to slow down and enjoy a fine cuppa new tea I got from Alicia of…
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V184: My First Real 18th Century Shoe Buckles
Ebay is such a wonderous place. I won an auction for these awesome 18th century shoe buckles – only $35!! They were quite brown when they arrived from England, but a little…
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V171: A Vintage Button Hook
We’ve all seen these funny little tools. What are they for, even? We no longer wear button-up shoes these days, but back in the 1920s and prior, this was an essential tool…
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V158: Pocket Trash
What is Pocket Trash? I first heard this term used by the lovely Miss Emily Waterman and her Doctor, in regards to items carried on your person, while re-enacting, or dressed in…
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V106: Titanic Memorial Tea, Reno
Yesterday, like so many of you, us ladies and gents up here in Reno held our Titanic Memorial Tea at The Isles Tea Shoppe. After many pots of tea, a parade of…
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V63: Georgian Miniature Portraits
Mrs Oakeley, by John Smart, 1780s Happy Saturday! Here are a few 18th century miniatures, a lovely little (literally) art form that began life in the 16th century, and was known as…
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V48: Reno’s Vintage Motel Signs
A few days ago I took a wander around Fourth Street in Reno, not the best place for a girl to be wandering, but I had on me the 1950s Zeiss Ikon…
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V44: Sacramento Antiques Vintage Haul
Victorian boots. I didn’t buy these, but they’re cool to look at. You thought I was going to miss today’s post! I’m exhausted after the all-day shopping trip over-the-river-and-through-the-woods, to Sacramento yesterday.…
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V28: Preparing for Presentations on Historical Accessories
I’m quite excited to tell you that I have been asked to give a talk on historical hats at the Churchill County Museum in Fallon, NV, in March. Time to study up…
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V11: Sewing Tool Binge Day – Thing You Never Knew You Needed
So …. I might have gone on a bit of a bender at JoAnn’s yesterday … It’s Hallie Larkin’s fault. Hallie wrote an article on her blog, “At the Sign of the…
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Regency Tea and Country Dance Masquerade, Tennessee
Burdett’s Tea Shop was a delightful, old-fashioned place in Springfield, TN. It was absolutely packed with lil’-ole-ladies who took great delight in our party when we arrived. I’ve been in Tennessee this…
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New Vintage Toy – Brownie Camera, 1946
This past weekend in Alameda, I couldn’t resist visiting one of my favorite antiques shops, where I found this Kodak Brownie camera for $25. It’s a Brownie Target Six-20, made in 1946.…
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Pretty Victorian Creatures – New Photographs, and New Old Photographs
Holy Fritatas, I’ve been been busy. The Victorian Steampunk Ball is this Saturday and I kinda went off the deep end and decided to make new costume pieces for it…with two days…