I ♥ Thursday {no. 20}

I'm in love with Dior's 2012 Spring collections {Both Haute Couture & Ready Wear}. It looks like the Dior house decided to take a cue from the 1950s this season.

I'm really loving Elizabeth Olsen's style. I wouldn't mind if some of the clothes she wears just appeared in my closet. *grin*

Kelly Green + Navy Blue = ♥

What are y'all loving this week?

Q&A Session

Kelsey asks, "Where did you get the idea to start a modest fashion blog?"

Bramblewood Fashion was started in August of 2009. When BF first began, it was just a random place filled with mostly sewing posts & patterns that had just came out. Oh, yes. And my High-School graduation gift - a trip to London, UK with my mom. In January of 2010 I made the decision to have the focus of BF be more of a modest fashion blog. {Back then there weren't many modest fashion blogs out there.} I wanted BF to showcase my everyday style and encourage other girls/ladies to dress modestly. To show that you don't have to dress frumpy to be modest. And that you can in fact, follow the trends and dress modestly - it is all about adapting the trends for your standards & style.

Lilic Bud Girl asks the following questions, "When did you first begin sewing historically/vintaged clothing?"

My first two articles of clothing I ever made was a pioneer dress {this was my first project & I made it out of an old 1970s sheet that was plaid}, and a costume I copied from Felicity: An American Girl Adventure {once again made out of a sheet}. This was in January of 2006. I was fifteen and a half at the time. I didn't sew any modern clothing until July of 2007.

Here is my first article of clothing I ever made.

The dress on the left is my first formal I made back in March of 2007. It was a 1800s regency dress. While the dress on the right is my 17th birthday dress {July 2007}, the 1950s walk-away dress.

Left dress is a 1914 afternoon dress that I made while on vacation in Florida back in Dec/Jan of 2008/09. The outfit on the right is one my Jamestown 400 costumes from June of 2007.

  My first 1860s outfit I made back in either 2006, or 2007.

"What is the craziest thing you have ever done?"

Maybe some of my food combinations. Like I adore Panera Bread's cinnamon crunch bagel dipped in Amy's mac-and-cheese. Yum. *grin* Oh, another crazy thing I've done is go to bed at 5 o'clock in the morning and then wake up at eight o'clock in the morning wide awake when I was 16.

"What is your very favorite thing to eat?"

Pizza, ice-cream, fried chicken, peach pie, buttermilk biscuits & gravy, coney dogs, milkshakes, pork tenderloin, rosemary rosted potatoes, whole chicken with lots of herbs. I could go on, but I'll stop for now.

Marie asks the following questions, "How did you learn how to sew?"

My mom taught me how to sew the basics. Hand sewing when I was about 5. Embroidery when I was 7 or 8. Then she showed me how to use the sewing machine when I was 8 or 9. I learned to sew clothing mostly from books, tutorials on-line, online classes given by Mrs. Chancey, and just by doing it.

My first sewing machine that received for my ninth birthday {1999}.  It was a Kenmore and I adored it until it blew up {2007}.

"What is your favorite era?"

I don't have one favorite era. {You will notice that whenever you ask my favorite I give a whole list.} *grin* But I adore the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s {and not just for the fashion, but everything}.

"How did you get into blogging?"

Back in 2008, our mom came up with the idea that us three older girls {Gabrielle, Hanne-col, and myself} could run a blog with her. It was called, Vintage Home Life and was hosted on Wordpress {the blog is no more, by the way}. Except, I was the only one who would blog on it. It was a good experience for me to learn the ropes of blogging, as not many people read it. In August of 2009 I started, Bramblewood Fashion and stopped blogging on Vintage Home Life. Then in October of 2009 I started, A Girls Guide to Home Life {it is the basically like how Vintage Home Life was}.

"What are your favorite blogging tools?"

Google Analytics, Google Alerts, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Picnik....I think that it is all of my favorites.

Madeline asks the following questions, "Where do you find sewing inspiration?"

Period Dramas, Old Hollywood movies, TV Shows, Pinterest, Historical & Vintage fashion, Online Catalogs, and other Designers.

"What kind of camera do you use?"

A Sony Cybershot DSC-H10 8.1MP

Caroline asks, "What's your favorite place to find vintage jewelry?"

I buy all of my true vintage jewelry at Antique malls & stores. But I can also find vintage inspired jewelry at stores like: Forever21, Kohl's, J.C.Penny, Claire's, etc....

Lauren asks the following questions, "What is your testimony concerning your journey to the modesty standards you have today? Have you always held the same standards or has it changed, and why?"

Alright, I always struggle with how to answer this question when asked. As I've always had ingrained in me to dress modestly & do what God desires - even at a young age. I remember my mom talking to me about modesty & clothing when I was really young, about 5 or 6. We as a family have gone in phases of different standards. But we were just growing in Christ. Like there was a time I wore pants, shorts, dresses, and skirts all the time. Then we switched to only wearing pants on weekends and after church. There was also a phase when we only wore dresses & skirts. Now I wear skirts & dresses during the "school & work" week. Pants & shorts on the weekends & I'l wear them during the week when we are on vacation, or if the day calls for it. Also, I sometimes wear my more dressier pants on Fridays.


The one standard I've always kept is that if I don't feel comfortable about wearing something either out of the bathroom, or around my dad & brother. I know that it is not modest at all on me.

"How do you balance creativity in fashion with contentment with what you already have?"

This one that I struggle with right now. As I've had most of my clothes most of my teen years. And my style has changed a lot since then. So, I'm slowly changing out my old clothes with stuff that is more my style right now. Now next year, or even this fall will be a good time to see my answer to this question. As I'm almost done redoing my fall/winter wardrobe. Next up is my spring/summer wardrobe.

"What's your favorite era of fashion, and any special tips on achieving that look in real life?"

Like I said above, my favorite eras are the 40s/50s/60s. One of my tips on achieving a vintage life in real life, is to pick out clothing that has the same basic look/lines as the era you are wanting to replicate. For me, it is all about capturing the look/mood/feel of the era when copying vintage styles.

Maren asks the following questions, "What sparked your love for everything vintage? Or have you just always loved those styles?"

You know what, I grew up watching old TV Shows {50s/60s/70s} and old movies that I just fell-in-love with their clothing at a young age. So, I guess I've just always loved these styles.

"What are blogs YOU love to read? What do you recommend?"

  
Gosh. I read too many blogs to list all of my favorites. So I'll just list some of my weekly "must reads."

• What I Wore
• Someone Like You
• alltumbledown
• Kendi Everyday
• Marie Loves
• What I Wear, What I Do and Why I Did It
• Eager Hands
• Mrs. Amber Apple
• Elegant Musings
• Dreams of Frippery
• Virtuous Girlhood 
• The Pink Powder Room
• Marie-Madeline Studio Blog
• AmandaBeth Online
• Genuine Beauty

I ♥ Thursday {no. 19}

This video of Andy Williams, Bobby Darin, and Eddie Fisher singing Do-Re-Mi is hilarious!!

I've also been watching this video of Jimmy Durante & Bobby Darin a lot this week. {When ever I see singers snapping their fingers I think of Jimmy Durante and what he said in this video.} *grin*

Wearing chambray shirts under sweaters....

 This adorable vintage pink ruffle fabric from Marie-Madeline Studio. {I can't wait for it to arrive in the mail & I can make a ruffle skirt.} *sighs* Oh. I also can't wait for spring and summer. *grin*

I adore this aqua velvet sofa!!

What have you been loving this week?

Do y'all have any questions for me?

I would like to do a Q&A post next week {and the most commonly asked questions will be posted on my brand new about page} but first, I need y'all to ask me some questions. Just so you know, I may or may not answer all of your questions. {I'll do my best though. It depends on how many questions I receive.}


So go ahead leave your questions either in the comments below. Or, you can email me your questions @ bramblewoodfashion{at}hotmail{dot}com {Be sure to leave your blogging name, or blog in your email so I can credit you!}

I ♥ Thursday {no. 18}

I'm really being inspired by chiffon, lace, and more girly-girl styles lately. I can really see my spring/summer wardrobe being inspired by these looks.

1. Decades of Style #5004 2. Decades of Style #5003 3. from this etsy shop 4. Beignet - Colette Patterns 5. Madeleine - Victory Patterns 

This is a mood board of my current, and hopefully, upcoming sewing projects for the coming weeks/months.

I've been getting frustrated with our local big name fabric/craft store lately. They never have the zippers I need. Be that color, or size. So for the past couple weeks I've been seriously looking for other resources to buy my zippers. Enter Zipit an Etsy shop that sells zippers in 36 different colors and in different sizes. Jennie, the shop owner, also ships really fast. Like I ordered some zippers last Friday, they arrived on Monday. Or, Gabrielle ordered zippers on Tuesday, they are supposed to arrive today. I'm going to be buying all of my zippers from Zipit from now on. {For shipping reference, she is located in WI & we are in IN.} 

When I told Jennie I was going to be blogging about her shop today, she graciously offered to give y'all a coupon code for her shop. For 15% off your order use the following code: BRAMBLEWOOD. 

What has been inspiring you this week?

Top Ten Popular Posts for 2011 on BF

I thought it would be fun to share what ten posts were popular this year on Bramblewood Fashion {not all of these posts are from 2011}.

1. DIY Vintage Hairstyle's {Achieving a Vintage Look Part 3}
2. Who Inspires Me (Fashion Wise) - Grace Kelly
3. 1940's Make-Up {Achieving a Vintage Look Part 2}
4. Nancy Drew's Style
5. Who Inspires Me (Fashion Wise) - Audrey Hepburn
6. 1939/1940 Fall/Winter Sears & Roebuck Catalog
7. Tissue Paper Pom-Poms DIY Tutorial
8. "Anne of Green Gables" Style for Today
9. Who Inspires Me (Fashion Wise) - Judy Garland
10. 2011 Fall Trends

What was your favorite post{s}, outfit, blogging series, idea, event, etc... on Bramblewood Fashion this year?

I ♥ Thursday {no. 13}

First off, the winner of the necklace & earrings set. 

Congratulations, Rachel! I'll be getting in touch with you soon! I might not have time today, because it is my dad's birthday and I have a huge dinner to cook for him. =)


Now, my favorites for this week.

My number one love of this week has to be Kate of The Small Things Blog. If you don't follow her already, you must go follow her now. Why? She is a professional hairstylist. Is very sweet and helpful! And has the most helpful hints and tutorials for styling your hair on her blog. She has one of those blogs were you always check to see of they wrote a new post. 

Essie nail polish. Love the colors, brush, packaging, and everything about it screams girly to me. l.o.v.e it! My favorite colors right now, that I own and are shown in the pictures, are a list & carry on, respectively. 

What is your favorite Essie color? Which one should I try next? ;-)

http://pinterest.com/pin/206761053/

I'm loving this color combo right now. black+yellow+fuchsia =awesome! In fact, my outfit for today is this look. I also found out, I don't own one black cardigan or long sleeve shirt. Must put these items on my black Friday shopping list. Yes, I'm already making a black Friday shopping list. 

http://pinterest.com/pin/207127154/

There is something about this outfit that I love. Might be the skirt, boots, or jacket, or just the overall look. Not sure what. But I sure do love it. :)


Good News {1947} with Peter Lawford & June Allyson - My favorite dance number? The Varsity drag. But then again, any of the scenes with Peter Lawford dancing and singing are my favorite. {do you see the darling flowers on the girls heels? <3}

What have you been loving?

I ♥ Thursday {no. 12}

Today is Thursday! Meaning it's time for I ♥ Thursday. Where I show y'all what I'm loving this week. 

Command Performance Radio Show {which you can download on internet archive} - A radio show which aired originally between 1942 - 1949. The program was broadcast on the Armed Forces Radio Network to the troops overseas {only the the troops could listen to this radio show!}. I just listened to my first show today and fell head-over-in-heels in love with the program! It is hilarious! My favorite episode so far stars Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Margaret O'Brien, and Bing Crosby's kids.  Oh. My. Y'all must listen to this one first. I'm thinking it aired in 1944, based on the movies and songs it mentions. So everyone is really young. It's great! 

The Stratton Story {1949} - Starring: James Stewart, June Allyson, Frank Morgan.... - I taped this movie on a whim the other week off of TCM. I thought it looked good. It's a baseball movie (always good). Jimmy Stewart is in it (huge points). And boy was it a good movie. (If you are a baseball fan, you will like to know that Bill Dicky also plays himself, just like he did in The Pride of the Yankees.) It is a very sweet, encouraging {Jimmy Stewart's character loses his leg} movie. Definitely one of my favorite sport movies. I highly recommend it! *smiles*

I've also been loving pumpkin empanadas, apple cider, and homemade hot chocolate.

What have y'all been loving this week?

Last Day of August

My last day of August was very Fall like (but only in spirit. as it was in the 90s) today. I made homemade hot cocoa and pumpkin empanaditas. Wore a fall-ish like outfit today (inspired by a picture I found on pinterest). And to top the day off, a bunch of vintage little girl patterns arrived in the mail today. What was your last day of August like? Are you sad that fall is coming? Or are you excited? 

Chambray Tunic St. John's Bay {J.C.Penny}/ Mustered Pencil Skirt Made by Me/ Brown Belt Unknown/ White Tank St. John's Bay {J.C.Penny}/ Brown Wedges Payless/ Dangle Earrings Forever 21

inspiration for today's outfit.

I just look at the original post for the inspiration for my outfit and guess what?!? We wore our hair the same way! I can't believe that. And it's not a normal ponytail, but a wrapped ponytail! What are the odds of that happening? 


I must tell y'all about my wedges. I bought them two days before our trip to LA this summer for only $4!! They are normally $30 shoes. Payless was having a big clearance on their summer shoes, AND giving out $3 off coupons. So when I found these for $7 I knew they were mine. Who can pass up $4 shoes that fit AND are cute!!! Not me. *laughs* I actually found lots of cute clothes on clearance when shopping for our trip. Everything I bought was $10 or less. I even bought a pair of dressy Maurices jeans for $10. It was pretty awesome.   


I'm sorry I haven't been doing many regular posts, or any vacation posts. I've been not in a real blogging mood lately. But I have so much to blog about that I have to get my mood back soon! And I'll be having three giveaways in September. Isn't that lovely? Well, I better get going. Talk to y'all later!

Bramblewood Fashion's 2nd Blog Birthday!

Guess what everyone?!? Yesterday was Bramblewood Fashion's 2nd birthday. It marks the day I came up with the name, Bramblewood Fashion and I started this blog. How exciting! Maybe to mark the occasion I should buy a vintage magazine off of Etsy. ;-) But then again, Etsy, Amazon, iTunes, and Target are awful for my wallet. :p Those four stores tempt me like no other stores. Unless you count fabric stores & antique malls too. *laughs* If you really want to know. I'm just looking for a really good reason to buy some magazines I found on Etsy yesterday. 


Back to Bramblewood Fashion's birthday. You can read my post for the blog's first birthday here. Or maybe you would like to see my two first posts back in 2009. {post 1. post 2.}


Within these two past years my blog has grown by leaps and bounds. Why only last year I had 158 GFC followers. It is amazing how many of you read my blog. I have been able to meet so many people through my blog. It has also open the doors for me to meet and become friends with some of my favorite people in the blogging world {as we have met in person and are real life friends now}. Two of them are Emily Rose & Breezy Brookshire and the Long Ladies.  


It has been great getting to know you all these past two years. I look forward to getting to know more of you in the coming year. Also this coming year for my blog I have lots of fun, and new things planned for y'all! I'm pondering the idea of doing a sew along (I love these!), or maybe even doing a sewing class online. If you have any ideas on what you would like to see on the blog. Let me know in a comment below. =) 

Random Thoughts...

This evening I'm sewing myself a new skirt. It's in the yoked style. 

Just like the one below. :)

I'm hoping to wear the skirt tomorrow. That is if I hurry up and write this post. :p

While I'm sewing {um, and writing this blog post} I'm watching Lark Rise to Candleford {I'm only on season 1} and bits and pieces of a baseball game. 

This afternoon I bought some things from Forever21.com. This hat is one the things I bought. :)

I adore this wall print! I'm hoping to win it in this giveaway. :)

Did you know that there are some new things in my Etsy shop?

I just added some new items yesterday. :) Go check them out!

What have you been doing?