Rural Decline

Some scenes from my little town..

Young and Firm Wave

Who knew an ad for a permanent wave could be so creepy, yet so fabulous?

St. Tammy, Patron Saint of Hair Stylists

I gave you a brief glimpse of St. Tammy when I returned from Deluxe. Now here she is in all her bouffanty glory:



"Saint Tammy, full of style, blessed are thou among beauty operators. Holy Tammy, Backcomber of Bouffants, pray for us now and at the hour of our chemical processes. Amen."



As I ever so slowly hone my amateur Photoshop skills, digital collage is becoming just about my favorite artistic medium. Working in a digital format has really opened up a whole new world for me. I want to create more, more, more!



Speaking of more, ye olde shoppe is fully stocked with Beauty Buttons, including "Chemically Dependent" and "Curl Up and Dye".




Stay classy, Dollfaces.

The Photography of Maynard Parker

I can't remember now where I stumbled upon the photographs of Maynard Parker, the principal photographer for House Beautiful magazine between 1942 and 1965.




The dramatic lighting! The saturated colors!



Head over to The Huntington for a narrated slide show to see these and many other breathtaking images of mid century living.

The Great Okie Stitch Along

I'm beyond excited to be participating in yet another wonderful project dreamed up by the creative geniuses responsible for Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar. Last summer I quietly began work on an embroidered portrait of someone I admire. Well, Sara and I must have been on the same wavelength because shortly thereafter she proposed that those of us so inclined should stitch up a portrait of a famous Oklahoman. We Okies can claim quite a few celebrities as our own. Of course I jumped right on board, laying down my WIP to begin work on the lovely Ms. Wanda Jackson. I'll share some progress when some worth showing gets made.

Already, three public exhibitions have been scheduled in Oklahoma City for the coming Summer and Fall, including the Oklahoma State Fair. But this Okie Stitch Along is not exclusive to those stitchers from the Sooner State. We welcome anyone who would like to render a famous Okie in floss. Still up for grabs are Garth Brooks, Woody Guthrie, Will Rogers, Ron Howard, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Carrie Underwood, Mickey Mantle, and more. Let Sara know who you'd like to stitch, and be prepared to have your piece mailed to Oklahoma City by July 1st.

Even Mr. Sweetheart, a novice embroiderer, has gotten in on the action with a plan to immortalize the inimitable Chuck Norris on fabric. Join us, won't you?

*lovely photo of myself, Sara, and JD by Samantha Lamb

My Mod Victorian Asian Log Cabin...OF DOOM

I've been having a bit of fun lately making "inspiration mosaics" with Flickr photos. Now that I finally have the time to devote to finishing all the house projects that I've been putting off, I've swung into full home decorating mode. As time goes by, I find myself straying further and further from the strictly kitschy/mid century modern aesthetic I used to crave. I'm beginning to gravitate toward a bit darker, quirkier, more eclectic look--kind of mid century mod meets the 30s and then travels back in time to an 1850's Ozark Mountain cabin before ending up in the Victorian Age combined with lots of folky, handmade touches and Asian stuff. Pretty awesome, right? Without further ado, here are some lovely found photos representing a lot of what I'm working with, and some of what I'd like to find to complete my demented vision for our home.


1. Fabric11, 2. Antique Print, 3. Lampshade Heaven, 4. vintage globe, 5. Small tole trays, 6. Jack on the Circle Rag Rug DONE!, 7. New Couch., 8. birthday of Sri Krishna..., 9. Antique quilt, 10. vintage floral circa 40's pillow detail, 11. mirror, mirror..., 12. Heart of concreat and broken tiles, 13. 2007 nichos, 14. statue, 15. Harmony Mccoy in Mist Blue 1961, 16. Window Glass View, 17. favorite souvenirs, 18. Luxe Red and Gold Powder or Dresser Jar, 19. The Great UCM Museum, 20. Vintage Paint by Number, Geisha with Parasol

A Glamorous New Me

Besides a new year and a new decade, the first week of January brings a milestone birthday for me. Tomorrow I leave my twenties behind. I've come a long way, Dollfaces. As I bid adieu to the Aughts, I'm looking forward to what's to come with excitement. I've grown and changed so much over the last ten years, I finally feel like I know who I am and what I want from this life. Like most, I've made a list of resolutions and changes I'd like to work towards, not just in 2010 or "The Twenty Teens", but in this new chapter of my life. First and foremost on the list is to focus more on my home and making it a place of peace and order for myself and my family. Secondly, I plan to take more time for creativity and all that that encompasses for me--art, craft, music, blogging and photography. And last, after falling victim to the trap that snares so many of us mamas, the one where we're so busy and exhausted taking care of everyone else that we don't take time to care for ourselves, I'm going to strive to regain a bit of the old me. The me who got overly dolled up for nights out, and primped, curled, powdered and polished every week. The me who wore vintage seamed stockings and changed her hairstyle with the seasons. The confident Vintage Bombshell me.


I don't know who the glamorous creature in this estate sale photo is, or what the occasion was, but I love the way she simply oozes grace and confidence. And that's something we can all aspire to, whatever our chosen style.