To Tiki or not to Tiki

Hello My Lovelies, 

Yes Spring is in the air and your friendly neighborhood Swag Queen is here with a large question!!! I have been itching to do another how to for clothing, and because its spring why not a lovely play suit to ring in the new weather!!! Here is the fabric in question, this used to be a sarong I've had for some time and instead of throwing away all this good fabric I thought why not turn it into something amazing! So what do you think? I think a really cute sweet heart neck line skirted top with some high wasted shorts? Are you in to it my lovelies tell me what you think! Yes its that age old question....'To Tiki or not to Tiki'.....O the uncertainty in my heart! 

Skin Care, the Sun, and Me

Hello my Lovelies,

How are you all this fine spring day? Your Swag Queen Cherry here.....Well its sunny out and spring is knocking at my door and I have to say that I am extremely happy for some warmer weather with all those beautiful swing dresses in my closet calling my all a twitter name. Taking the change in the seasons my skin care regiment as far as the home made scrubs, bath additives, and masque have changed as well. As I've talked about in my "Quick Tips" post, I still lotion before my skin is dry after a warm bath or shower and I have to say its been a while and it is working out very well I now have baby soft skin from head to toe. In the summer and spring months my skin is more exposed to the harsh elements of the world or more to the point the sun's rays and the dry heat of the California valley summers.

Now I am a great believer that everything in moderation and I would never tell someone that lives their lives out in the sun to cower in the shade, but for me and my easily burn to a crisp skin the sun is not my friend. That is not to say that there aren't some great many perfectly swell things that the sun gives us for instance our dose of vitamin D is provided by the sun. what I do know is that the sun can age your skin prematurely if you have consent exposure and for me that is a major deal breaker, besides that I have naturally tanned skin so I dont really need help in that area.

One of the things I do to stay out of the sun will.... seem a bit odd to those who dont live the vintage lifestyle out loud as Lolita  or I do but..... here it is I carry a parasol. yes I know what it sounds like and yes my parasols are very pretty I'll review the site I purchase them from some time.... but there you are, I go no where with out one in the summer to protect my fussy skin from the sun's rays. More or less its a great way to always have some shade in an other wise none shady place, and people respond in really great ways sometimes.

The next thing is very simple but the one thing people always find bothersome to keep up with and that is good old sunblock, I use the highest spf I can possibly find. yes I slather the stuff on before I leave my house from head to toe, I dont just use it in the summer or spring I use the stuff year round. I go through bottles and bottles of the sensitive hypoallergenic stuff in the summer, and I cant tell you how important this is because if you want your skin to stay healthy the sun beating down on it isn't the greatest way to do that. as of late I have taken to smaller strapped dresses so, making sure I am protected all over is a large issue for me. now I know that some very high sunblocks are just as good as a lower spf but I say nay to that....because I know that for me when I was trying different levels of sunblock the lower ones felt more like lotions and did nothing for my skin. Remember I have fussy skin LoL!

Well because our bodies consists of approximately 60% water it is no doubt that staying hydrated is one of my big must haves in any season. I try and drink a few bottles of water a day, Once I stopped for whatever reason and noticed that my skin suffered. over all I just looked very tired and worn out, so I started up again slowly with a bottle a day then two. now I try to drink three or for smart water bottles a day, yep drinking water helps you stay looking refreshed and awake. Now I know that some people dont like to drink water, they just dont like the plan taste. I would say that women do some pretty unpleasant things for healthy beautiful skin, they inject toxins into it, they have harsh chemicals scrub off the first layer of skin, they do so much just to have great looking skin so I say to them is drinking some water too unreasonable?

Well this next thing I do is rather simple again and that is staying inside as much as possible, unless there is a specific reason for me to be out like a cars how, special engagement, pick-nick or photo shoot I am usually inside the house. I keep busy with my art work, photography and this lovely blog, there is very little reason to subjugate my skin to that much sun in the first place so with that said I dont get out much till the sun is down and gone for the night. Because I have classes at night I have become some what of a night owl a new habit that keeps the sun away because its not even out, this is better for me for another reason as well. I Unfortunately have asthma and during the warm days the air quality isn't so good so I have to stay in any who!

In the end I believe people will do as they please this is just how I deal with the sun and all it's nerve testing moments, moisturizing and staying moisturized is really the one thing I am compulsive about...well besides the sunscreen...and carrying around a parasol....LoL any way stay safe and remember that you only have one body with skin on it so take care of it as best as you can!!!

As always keep it classy!!!

DIY Fun!!

 
Hello Lovelies, 

Yes your DIY diva Cherry is here ready to over haul a dress that you previously saw on our post "A Thrift store Romp!" Often you will find few dresses with fabrics that are interesting but the dress may need few nips here and there. I know, I know its a lot of work and frankly for something you are spending your hard earned chips on you dont want to work that hard on it, well I say that its the nature of the beast when buying vintage and Trust me I am with you and most of the time but sometimes its little things such as sleeve extraction, hem, or taking in the waist. as stated before these things are part of shopping in thrift stores or buying vintage in general, it wouldn't be worth it if it where easy right? Now a little disclaimer, I am not a professional tailor, therefore, the major work or the things that are impossible for me to handle are done by a professional tailor with whom I enlist to help. But that does not mean that I can not do little rehabs on a dresses here and there that needs my attention, that is where my handed down sewing skills come into play.

 For instants, lets put our focus on this dress. This is not the style I would prefer for myself but I fell in love with the print. It must have been made in the late 80's early 90's no doubt someone's mother or grandmother loved this little number, that's the fun with buying any vintage there is alwaus a story to be uncovered these garments have history and I love that aspect of it. I saw some potential in this dress for example, the pleated skirt is just heavenly when it falls around a well positioned petty-coat. There wasn't a whole lot I had to do to make it suitable to my specific needs, I removed the shoulder pads to compliment the dress better. After making this change, I tried the dress on to focus better on what I liked and disliked about the dress.

 I figured if I remove the sleeves and maybe the dress would look better sometimes less is more and in this case, less fabric in the arm region balanced out the dress better.   

The picture on the right indicates how the dress looks like after the alteration.  After the alteration I tried the dress one more time and to my amusement it did the trick and the dress looked so much better that I decided nothing else had to be done. Sometimes, just a simple adjustment can do the magic and the dress may look like its new again. Since I do not like to waste any left over fabric I always try to find a way to recycles these materials that could mean making a hair accessories, perhaps a bow of some sort or maybe I'll send it to my friend at "Rambunctious Creations" to make me something special. I will keep you posted!!! I know! I know! It does not look like much on the hanger but check out the finished products here!  

Hu? Did I tell you or what, a  fabulous dress right? Even though the sleeve area was the only place that needed some major work, the dress holds up don't you think?  I personally feel like I need a bigger pettie coat to make it poof a little more but all and out I think it was a great find and it looks great. Then again I'm bias because I just love the darn thing, now I thought I would do a simple rehab before I do something more challenging with a more tricky problem dress with redeeming features. This is just to show you that not all the dresses are jem's but with a few redeeming features, a little elbow grease, creativity and know how these dresses can be something great again.  

Well that's all for now my Lovelies and as always keep it classy!! 

 

 

A Little Glassware Obsession!

Hello My Lovelies!!

Your friendly Caption Cherry here with a little confession....I Bad Luck Cherry have an obsession with glassware...yes its true every time I am in the thrift store I cant resist the call of home decor and especially the call of something shiny and gracefully shaped...I have amassed quite a collection that I absolutely love and my significant other wishes I would stop bringing home, but I say nay to him and if I have the wampum to do so then I shall cash in my chips and get that bowl or whatever I cant live with out. these are just a few of my favorite pieces and how I have incorporated them into my life.

Now just a brief history, glassware has been around since the 3500 B.C.E in Mesopotamia; the word "glass" was coined in the Roman Empire. In the 19th century many different styles of artistic glassware became extremely popular, especially with the Art Nouveau movements and the wonderful use of glass. There has been many different movements in the world of glass from the French to Louis Comfort Tiffany with his colored glass panels in the famous Tiffany's lamps. Different companies sprang up with industrial improvements and innovations offering their glassware to the masses. The different styles have gone and continue to go in and out of fashion but one thing remains the same their beauty.

Okay now with that said here are my top favorite glassware in my collection, this pieces that I scored at a rummage sale in my town that happens once every other year, this time my bestie Lolita went with me and I found this pretty crystal apple. its a container that I keep my cotton balls in on my vanity, I nearly leaped over someone to nab it so it's got a special place in my heart. 

The next one is actually a sugar dish with a matching lid, I don't know where its from only that I've had it a really long time. I think its from my grandmothers china cabinet and she let me play with it as a kid (Can't understand why) but I always loved it and kept it nice. Nowadays it's life is spent on my vanity holding cotton pads right next to my apple, They add something to the vanity that I really can't explain...a sort of elegance. This is a really pretty Fan dish that I use to keep my nail files on and the nail polish of the moment, I am forever loosing nail flies and the polish I'm using so I put it front and center. 

 

This is my ring holder, this is something else that I have had since I was a little girl. I can't remember if it was my grandmother's or my mother's, I do remember seeing it on my mother's dresser holding her beautiful rings it just enamored me as a young girl. When my mother put it in the cabinet I took my chance and have had it ever sense. The next is well its not something that's on my vanity but it was a gift, its a punch bowl with the matching cups. my friend Linda bought this for me for Christmas and I squealed with joy after getting it. 

The last few aren't something that I got in a thrift store, one was a gift the other few I bought at a really good price on amazon. These are my beloved Egyptian glass perfume bottles where I keep my perfume oils, this needs a little explaining. I do wear regular perfume but from day to day it can get very costly, we are all about being glamorous on a budget so why not economize with out compromising quality! Well that's why for everyday I use perfume oils, they stay on your skin longer and don't wear off till you shower. Still I find the scent lingers a bit but I find the scent of vanilla or jasmine is not so disagreeable to linger about (More on my perfume oils later). 

This one was the gift from my mama Mona, to me its the most special and I love it dearly so I put a sweet smelling oil in it and as you can see I use it the most. I have to say buying them was great but getting glasswere as a gift is even better,

Well that's it for this post my lovelies catch you on the flip side!    

Quick Tips!

Hey there My lovely readers, 

your friendly neighbor hood Swag Queen Cherry here with a fast and easy tip to baby soft skin!!! Yes, you heard me right, baby soft skin in a matter of a week, provided you do this religiously. I know, but what's a little work for something that will have people talking? Anyhoo, here is the helpful tip that I was given the skivvy to by my instructor extraordinar  Ms.Misty.... and according to her, instead of toweling off right away after a shower or bath, lightly pat yourself dry so your not dripping wet, and while still damp start to put on your lotion. Now it will take some doing because your still technically wet but trust me my little chick-a-dee's, it works like a charm! 

Yes, after hearing this little tip-o-la I went home and gave it a go for a week, and I have to say my skin is so soft you wouldn't believe it! My skin not only feels more hydrated, its over all appearance is much better as well. Not only that, my skin stays hydrated longer. Yes, after two weeks of this wonderful new habit I have baby soft skin all over....from my head to my toes, yep, yep!!

Now I know what your thinking, my bathroom routine is already lengthy and time consuming, and this little additive will set you back at least three minutes on top of everything else. But I say to you, what's three minutes when you think of how baby soft and healthy your skin will be as a result! And really, results are all I really ask for and its free....well as far as you dont have to buy anything new, just the lotion you already use....details, details.... catch you lovelies later! 

And as always keep it classy... 

A Thrift store Romp!

Hello Our Lovely Shipmates!!

Happy New year! We are coming to you today with our first of many Thrift store romps! Yes your friendly neighborhood  captains where mosying around town and did a little shopping for your enjoyment. now this first trip we  thought we would show you our favorite place to go for all the flashy budget friendly digs you know us for! that place is Superior Thrift Store! this place is the bees-neez and our go to spot where we never leave empty handed, its by far the best place to go for something amazing. 

We walked in with the flexable rules on our minds,

• We set our budgets

Your Swag Queen Cherry started with a budget of : 6$ 

Your Swag Queen Lolita started   with a budget of: 17$

naturally we where off from there, shopping with in the confined of a budget isn't the easiest thing to do but again it forces you to see the real need in your decor, wardrobe, or what ever you are there for. but we did manage to have fun with it all...there is Lolita striking a pose in the dressing room, believe it or not her doing silly poses between the too small dresses was historical. yes we laughed at how some dresses didn't fit us both and here is the picture of all the fun we where having! Even though countless dresses stroke out or just didn't wow us  there was swag to be had! we came away with a few little treasures that where worth the trip.

This was one of our lighter trips, we thought that we should take it slow this first go around. Though we took it easy this was in no means not a fruitful trip, there was much to be said about the discriminating eye of a girl with tight purse strings.

 In Cherry's Basket of goodies: 

• A Vintage Night gown set complete with gown and robe for 1.99$ 
• A dark red dress, with pleated skirt and long sleeves prime for a little rehab (more on that later!) for 1.99$
• A Wicker handbag for 99 cents  

 In Lolita's Basket of goodies: 

• A Floral sweetheart top for  1.99$
• A white vintage slip & a navy vintage slip for  99 cents a piece.
•  A Hawaiian top for  2.99$
•  A col bolt blue high waist skirt with side pockets for 3.99$

• A Black scarf with stars and crescent moon's (that Lolita said reminded her of sailor moon) for 1.99$

On target and under budget, we where pretty spot on with Lolita being the under budget winner in this trip. There you have it lovely readers our first Thrift store round up, more on the rehab of efforts for some of the garments if needed. Cherry promises to do a rehab tutorial's for clothing and other things we find handy in  thrift store...yay for DIY fun! 

we will catch you later!!!     

  

A Thrifty Review!!!

Hello My darling Ship mates!

Are you one of those people that want to shop in thrift stores but by some magical situation you can’t find one? Well look no further because have I got the scoop for you! The Thrift Shopper is this amazing site that if you place your postal code in the little box on the front page lets you know about the thrift stores near you. I have been using this site to locate new places to shop to further my scope of where to get the vintage goods. 

The site is owned and run by Michael and Cookie, a couple of self proclaimed thrifting addicts from the Sunshine state of Florida. There is also a forum on the site where people can trade ideas and let others in on where the great swag is buried. What’s very admirable about their directory is that they only post thrift stores that are charity driven so that we know that our contributions are going to a good cause, just another reason for me to get the warm and fuzzies when I buy a new vintage dress from a place that is all about a good cause. 

They welcome any additions to their directory and their staff is welcoming and friendly. It’s really a great tool for finding new places near you. Places you might just pass by with out thinking twice, I know if it weren’t for this site a lot of swag wouldn’t have been had so for that I am raving about this place. 

So my lovelies there is the scoop take a look at the site and start searching for new places near you, and if you have any additions for their sites as far as new thrift stores that aren’t listed please don’t hesitate to contact them Here!!! and fill out the little form on the page. 

                       Thanks as always for reading Dolls!!

Rockabilly T-shirt DIY

Hello my lovely ship mates!!!

It is I, your friendly neighborhood Swag Queen, Cherry, with my first attempt at a tutorial. Bear with me you gorgeous D.I.Y. babies, this is my first try, and I promise I will get better with time.
First of all, I am calling this “My Boyfriend’s T-shirt” because I didn’t actually buy these shirts, no, my Honey took care of that already. If you are like me, you have a guy with great tastes in t-shirt prints, or you see an over-sized men’s t-shirt that you absolutely cant live with out, or he is throwing that great shirt away, then this is for you. Now, first you have to save the shirt from being thrown away, like me. I rescued a few shirts so there will be more tutorials coming.
Here is an ever so easy way to turn that Boyfriend’s T-shirt into a cute sweetheart neckline tank top for those casual days! So here are the A.B.C’s  on how to make it!
What you will need:

• A T-shirt
• Pins
• Tailors chalk
• Sowing sheers
• An Iron and Ironing board 

Step A:

• First you want to take apart the shirt at the seam’s to survey how much material you have, basically taking stock of the surface space you have to work with.

Step B: 

• Next, take the side with the pattern on it, or the front, and mark the pattern you want. I did this using tailors chalk. (If you don’t trust yourself to do this free hand then you could use a pattern from the store as long as it is fits on the short space.)

Step C:

• Here I marked the back of the pattern.

Step D:

• Here I took a peace and marked the facing for the sweet heart neckline.

Step E:

• Here I cut the ever so important straps.

 Step F:

• Here I sowed the straps together using my trusty sowing machine I named “Trudy”.

Step G:

• Here I put a safety pin at one end to better turn the strap inside out so wrong sides are facing and the seam is clean on the outside.

Step H:

• This is what they look like after you turn the seams inside out.

                          Have a break at this point trust me

                                                                     your nerves will thank you! 

Step I:

• Here I pinned the facing I cut out to the neckline.

Step J:

• This is where I added the straps to where I want them to hit me on the top front.

Step K:

• here I drew a line so you know where to sow.

Step L: 

• Here I pressed the edges down.

Step M:

• Here is where I marked the back strap to the facing in the back. (Okay this is rather tricky because you have to feed the strap through the bottom in order to have it flush and not sown on the wrong side, I assure you this is not the right way to do this but it was the way I was taught LOL! So I suggest a little trial and error, which I had to do to get it right)

Step N: 

• After that is all squared away, sow the side seams and you are all done. (the beauty about jersey material is you don’t really have to finish your seams at the hem because it does not fray!

That is something this lazy girl loves!
The Optional step:

• This is purely something you can to at your own leisure; I gathered the neckline just at the bust to further promote the sweetheart neckline.

 And here is the end result!!