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.

 

 

New Hair Cut!

I finally went for it! I went back and forth for months trying to decide if I wanted to cut my hair. I was originally growing it out. My goal was waist length.  I was a few inches from reaching my goal when I started to get the itch. The itch to cut my hair. I loved my long hippie, Renaissance hair but I also missed my 1940's hairstyles. After Casey from Elegant Musings cut her hair in a modified middy I knew right then that it was time for me to cut my hair again. I decided to get a modified middy as well since I wasn't ready to commit to a true middy cut. I asked for my hair to be cut in a U shape with the shortest part of the cut to reach the top of my shoulders and the deepest part of the U to lay a few inches below my shoulders. Lots of layers were cut in. About 8-9 inches were cut off of my length. I haven't had my hair this short since 2001. My stylist kept asking if I was sure and I assured her that I was. My hair grows quickly and every time I get home from getting my hair cut I usually regret not cutting it a few inches shorter. This time I was serious and have yet to regret cutting it this short.

The next day I used hot rollers instead of sleeping in pillow sponge rollers. I think the hot rollers gave my hair cut a nice relaxed 50's look. Very Elizabeth Taylor.

I prefer setting my hair in pillow sponge rollers with a little setting lotion. I bought Lottabody setting lotion and a small spray bottle. I followed the direction on the bottle to dilute it with water. The small spray bottle is perfect.  My hair is so thick I couldn't imagine how long it would take for me to pin curl my whole head!

I'm glad my husband doesn't mind me going to bed with my hair in curlers and a scarf around my head. ;-)

The more hair I put in a roller the less tight the curls. Obvious right?

 

I clearly used more curlers in the picture below. My curlers were tight and lasted all day. The next day my curls were just right. I could easily get three good hair days from one setting!

Link Show and Tell

1. Adelaide shares pictures of an adorable Hobo Wedding! The details make the theme concept beautiful and fun.
2. The "Bad Twin" over at "Good Twin Bad Twin" whips up an amazing ruffled sleeved dress using a 1940's dress pattern. She comes across some helpful tips for working with vintage patterns.
3. Aubrey gives a little insight into the daily life of a 1950's housewife. I wish I could be more like them. I would like to find a vintage housewife manual if such a thing exist!

Fall Decor and Caramel Apples!

 The first couple of weeks of Autumn have been hot in the Bay Area. I'm kind of glad because it gives my late growing tomato plants time to keep producing. Sadly my huge tall heirloom Box Car Willie tomato plant broke in half from the weight of the heavy tomatoes. I never knew how much heartache a failed crop could bring. I will have to figure out a better staking system next year.

 I prefer the heirloom pumpkins. The silver-blue ones, white ones with stripes and the Cinderella pumpkin are so pretty! The rich reddish orange color of the Cinderella pumpkins make them my favorite!

  I love the Autumn berry garlands that Micheal's carries. I wait till they are 40-50% off!

 

 I just bought this Autumn leaf garland for 50% off! It's a really well made garland too.

 More Autumn berries. A friend gave me this cute pumpkin mug last year.

 Amelia and I made caramel apples yesterday! It was so easy and fun.  Especially when you buy the bag of caramels specifically made for apples. I've made caramel apples from scratch before and although it was nice and yummy it does take time and isn't always ideal when a little one is helping you.

 I toasted walnuts and then chopped them up for dipping the bottoms of the apples in and then Amelia got to help decorate them with Autumn sprinkles. The caramel sets up quickly once it's on the apple so I helped Amelia by tilting the apple a little and gently pressing a handful of sprinkles onto the sides. 

 I love the toasted walnuts compared to peanuts and the sprinkles add a nice crunch too.

 

Wordless Wednesday- Pumpkin Patch 2011