Vintage Eyeglasses

I've been neglecting my need for vision corrections. I wore glasses most of my teen years and then stopped wearing them about 8 or so years ago. I got contacts after my daughter was born but never wore them regularly. Since then I've been squinting. I promise I have not been a danger to the public. I've always passed my DMV vision test. I had an eye exam on Saturday and the Dr told me I would no longer pass the DMV vision test if I were to go in today! Yikes. I knew I needed to get glasses so I started researching vintage inspired eyeglasses right away. I wanted glasses that went with my style. I was happy to find that more and more designers are catering the vintage/retro style. A few people pointed me to Coastal Contacts and I found Frames Direct and Eye Bobs after a quick google search.

Most eyeglasses in the 1940's were more round in shape and very simple. In 1947 the style, Browline was invented and designed by Jack Rohrbach for the Shuron eyeglass company. The name Browline seems like an obvious name because the design at the top of the frame mimics that of the eyebrows. Browline eyeglasses gained popularity in the 1950's and are still made and sold by the Shuron company. I am ordering these brownlines made by Shuron! My optician said she would put lenses in a pair of vintage frames if I found some I liked! Make sure your Optician will do that because some will only work on frames you buy in their office. Ebay, Etsy and some other online stores have lots of original vintage frames for sale. I'm going to keep an eye out for vintage frames the next time I go thrifting or antiquing.

Shuron Nusir Royale Eyeglasses

I am so excited. They are having a 40% off sale on all prescription glasses until Nov 18, 2011! 

The famous Cat Eye frames! Order a pair at Frames Direct or Coastal Contacts.

source

Besides today, I think the 1950's and 60's was the most popular time for wearing eyeglasses. The frames became more fashionable and fancy.

(Both of these vintage inspired frames can be found on Frames Direct!)

These round frames remind me of the pair John Boy from The Waltons wore. You can see this type of eyeglasses in late 30's early 40's movies. Usually worn by a geeky boy or girl. Funny how they stereotyped eyeglass wearings with intelligence back then too.

 

 

Favorite Finds

I came across a Youtube video about "press on nails" and decided to try them out because they looked amazing!  I bought the Broadway Deception nails in the short length. This style has a more subtle french tip and even has the half moons at the top so they look amazingly real. These worked great for me because of their shape. These have more of a flat shape for the nail bed instead of the extreme curved shape that a lot of the other fake nails have.  I cant grow my nails long because they break very easily so glue on nails are a great option for those of us who don't want to spend a lot of money on semi-permanent nails from the salon but want nice nails for special occasions.  I would like paint these to see how they look in red!

Party Inspiration

While researching birthday party ideas I came across some very useful websites.  Catch My Party and The Sweetest Occasion have unlimited amount of ideas when it comes to decorating and planning a party. There is so much to look at that I'm sure it will take me awhile to go through each party. 

Catch My Party categorizes the parties my theme which is very helpful since they have tons of parties to go through.  I can't help but to notice many of my ideas which I thought were original being displayed on Catch My Party and The Sweetest Occasion.  It is so weird to see the ideas you have dreamed up on other people's websites. I ask myself, "How in the world?!"

{Fairy House by Enchanted Gardens}

For Amelia's Fairytale birthday party I want rustic and "realistic" looking fairy decorations instead of the commercial looking party decorations I see for fairy/fairytale themes. Real or silk flowers and natural materials. My local Micheal's craft store has most of their Spring flowers and greenery on sale for 50% off! I had to take this opportunity to buy as many as I could so that I will have them for Amelia's party decorations and for making fairy crowns and clips. So far I see my color scheme being dark blue, yellow, purple, greens and pinks. I may add in some teal.  I spotted a moss table runner and place mats which will add a nice texture to the tables but I'm holding off on those for right now. I seem to always add butterflies to every party I throw. My wedding, Amelia's 1st and 2nd birthday parties. I adore butterflies!

  Since I love adding lots of elements to my parties I have to be on the look out for bargains. I was so pleased to come across a website properly named, Save On Crafts. So many awesome things at great prices. Oriental Trading is always full of fun stuff too.

{$2.99 each! Save on Crafts}

{Moss Sticks $2.99 by Save on Crafts!}

{Roll of Moss $24 by Save on Crafts! Cheaper than Micheal's)

{These are so FUN! There are wild flower seeds in the natural paper! I want to fill these with small party favors and then after they are emptied the guest can plant them in the ground or flower pot and watch them grow.  I am so excited about this!! By Save on Crafts}

{Or I can fill these Jute bags with favors!}

{Or these burlap bags!}

Ideas, Ideas! My head is spinning right now.  I am most definitely leaving my backyard and patio decorated with the Fairytale theme when Amelia's party is over. Kill two birds with one stone.  

I do enjoy going to the Renaissance Faire when it comes to town. One particular decoration that I noticed everywhere were the fabric and ribbon garlands. So beautiful. I want to pull a little from the different whimsical elements that can be found at a Renaissance Faire.  It has that Pixie Hallow feel to it especially when the music is playing. I think I'm going to buy inexpensive muslin fabric and dye it different colors, then cut them into strips. I can then tie the strips onto jute twine and hang them all over the backyard and patio to give the party a whimsical feel that I love.

I better come back to reality for now! lol I could go on and on for hours about all of my ideas.  I have to save something for the actual reveal which won't be until July!

Fairytales and Little Girls

I have always loved Fairytales, princesses, fairies, elves, and such. I used to tie a shoe lace around my Barbie's waist and swing her around so she would fly like a fairy. I love fairytale movies and books. They make me happy.  Now that I have a little girl all of my fascination for all things fairytale has doubled. Amelia is obsessed with Tinker Bell and so am I. I get to play with fairies and princesses with Amelia and have honeysuckle tea parties. I find myself buying way too much stuff for my little one! lol I think I'm buying it more for me than her.

I bought some flowers and materials to make Amelia a fairy crown and hair accessories. I am also making a pixie dust pendant necklace which Amelia keeps asking for. I have to order some tiny little bottles and then pick out some pretty beads to make her special pixie dust necklace. I might just make me one too!

A fairy door is next on my list. I may just buy one of these beautiful fairy doors. Attaching one to a tree in the backyard would look so cute!

{claybykim}

{LovingLeeCrafted}

{NothinButWood}

{HiddenWorlds}

{HiddenWorlds}

This Fairy Mound is adorable. 

{Fairy Mound by TheFaeryWatcher}

I came across this blog, Pixie Dust Miniatures and it is absolutely amazing! She hand crafts whimsical miniatures. Aren't they adorable?!?! She has another blog called Hummingbird Miniatures where you can find her miniature pastries and foods.  I am in awe of her talent.

I am a big planner so I have already started to plan Amelia's 3rd birthday party which isn't until July 27th! I want to have a fairytale theme filled with flowers, pixie dust, handmade fairy crowns for all of the little girls and maybe gnome hats for the little boys. I think some of the moms may even wear a flower clip in their hair.  I'm so excited just thinking about decorating the backyard with lots of flowers and paper lanterns.  I need to be creative about the food.  What do fairies and gnomes eat? Berries??

Favorite Finds- Charm Bracelets

{Marilyn Charm by Tamar}

I LOVE charm bracelets and charm necklaces for that matter. I especially like this new take on a charm bracelet. It seems more grown up and elegant compared to the dangling ones we had as children. These gorgeous charm bracelets are made by one of my favorite jewelry makers, Tamar from Nest Pretty Things. Her work, as well as her new kids line can also be found on Etsy, !

{Rose Charm by Tamar}

The Classic Aga Stove

I fell in love with AGA cookers a few years back. There is just something so "Old World" about them. They have the look of a wood stove but the convenience of gas, kerosene, bio fuel or electricity. They come in so many colors and several different sizes. AGA cookers were developed in 1929 and are still widely used in England. I love the way they look and I hear their cooking abilities are amazing.
I love the set up for this AGA featured in the movie Practical Magic. I adore this kitchen!

Here is the smallest version of the AGA cooker.

Below is a video of Martha Stewart showing how easy it is to cook a full meal on an AGA cooker.

Favorite Finds- Nest Necklace

I LOVE birdies, nature, robin's egg blue, etc so I was excited to find this beauty in Pinking Edge Design's Etsy Shop. My husband remembered that I was drooling over it and bought it for my birthday! So sweet he does listen! hahaha

Favorite Finds

Wouldn't you love to drink a cup of coffee from one of these?! I love coffee and tea and the idea of drinking from one of these makes me happy! You can find them at Cath Kidston

Favorite finds

I found Tamar on Etsy.com and fell in love with her jewelry! She is so creative. My husband bought me a pair of earring made by her for my birthday this year. I hope every birthday brings a creation by Tamar. She can be found here and here.