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Much needed post-VLV 15 post!

Yours truly holding up a 1950's gold lame' "Mr. Blackwell" jumpsuit. Can you say- killer?!

So, it has been awhile since I got back from Viva Las Vegas... I felt that it's time I did a little wrap-up post about it. I managed to take a bunch of pictures, of which you can see on my Flickr here.

That's the best part about going for me, taking loads of pictures. I just love to see what people are wearing. This year, I was fortunately enough to meet allot of my international customers from the UK and Australia, which was such a treat! Everyone that I met was super sweet and so lovely- it made me feel so good to have such wonderful and appreciative clientele.

I wasn't totally into any of the musical acts this year; it would have been cool to see Duane Eddy at the car show, but we skipped it. I don't think any Viva performance can top Wanda Jackson on my birthday 2 years ago. That was the ultimate. We did however catch the burlesque show on Friday and 2 Charles Phoenix slideshows, so that was cool. 

Charles Phoenix and I have met before, we shared a dressing room a few years ago at Tiki Oasis here in San Diego and he introduced me before I performed burlesque. When I first met him, he was wearing a neon pink raw silk suit- needless to say, it was love at 1st sight. He is one fabulously sassy man and if you're a fan of vintage kitsch, you need to catch one of his slideshows. Here's a pic of when I first met him, and then a pic of us at VLV this year. Check out that Easter suit! (He loved my lame' outfit by the way, and wanted to know all about it.)

I'm not a big gambler, in fact, I didn't do any gambling this year- but lord knows I blew enough money as is! Between shoppin', drinkin', and a whole lotta eatin', this weekend is no joke on my pocketbook! :-) But hey, I got to wear outfits that I will never get to wear again all year, so that's worth it, right?

So basically, I recommend just look at my pictures on Flickr to get a feel of the whole weekend. That's more fun than me rambling on and on about this and that. You'll get to see my obsessive wardrobe changes, killer outfits on others, and all around crazy vintage weirdness/goodness.

Homemade Bikini Bonanza!

I made another one. This design was inspired by a vintage 1940's "Catalina" bikini that I own. I love how it turned out, it fits perfectly. It's a little more risque than the Catalina, but hey- that's ok. It's "cheeky." Haha. Anyhow, I named it "The Sultry Savage" as an homage to my old burlesque troupe. :-)

Here it is on yours truly:

If I do get any spare time one of these days, I will start taking custom orders. They take me about 3 hours to make total, sometimes less. Not too bad, I guess. I'm already working on another.... ;-)

Well good Lord, I gone made myself a bikini!

Yep, I finally made a bikini. I designed, sewed, and slaved over it 100% by myself. I have been wanting to make my own bikinis for yeeeeears, I'm so glad I finally actually did it. My inspiration has always been the old suits that Bettie Page used to make for herself. They had so much character and personality, and they looked super flattering on. When making mine I didn't use a pattern or anything, I just went for it, eying measurements, etc. I'm really surprised it actually turned out as well as it did- let alone wearable! :-D

Here's the finished product on me, and of course my camera battery had to die just before I could take a back view pic. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Outfit of the Day: I'm a Human Fly

 

 

 

 

So what the heck am I wearing? Ok, well....

• 1950's cotton New Look "Fly" novelty print sun dress with matching belt. I scored this gem off of Etsy. I jumped on it right when the seller listed it, it had to be mine. I mean, seriously- tiny flies all over? How creepy, weird, and fantastic. And it has stick-out hip pockets that go into points. I get more compliments on this dress... it's nuts.
• 1950's black leather "Frederick's of Hollywood" stiletto "Spring-o-lator" mules. Scored these at Decades on Haight Street in San Francisco a few years back. The heel is so high, at least 4 inches. I adore them.

A nice outfit for a chill day of running errands at the mall with my mother.

Hope everyone is having a wondrous weekend! I promise a better post coming soon, I have been super busy getting the Butch Wax Etsy stocked up with gems, gems, and more gems! Check it out!

Outfit of the Day: Stormy Weather

Outfit for a rather chilly and blustery 58 degree San Diego wintery day. Brrrr!

What a goof.

So, what the heck am I wearing? Well....

• 1940's Hand Knitted Sweater - For sale on Butch Wax Vintage's Etsy here!!
• 1970's Classic Black Velvet Pencil Skirt - A true staple to my wardrobe. I wear this a ton.
• Vivienne Westwood Clear with Gold Glitter Rubber Sling-Back High Heels - I love these to no end, I wish I would have gotten 2 or 3 pairs. Fairy Princess shoes for sure.

 Here's a closer look at what the shoes look like. LOVE!!!

• 1950's Brown Chiffon Scarf in my hair - My hair is so gross today, like seriously, y'all. I had to special order my hard-to-find hair dye and I've been waiting on it. I have huge roots and it's just a mess. So a scarf is an easy fix for me. Presto-bad-hair-begone-o!
• Faux Gold Clip-On Hoop Earrings - A recent buy from the swap meet this past weekend.

 I thought you all might also enjoy seeing some recent little scores of mine...

A darling mint-condition 1950's hand painted Mexican circle skirt for a child! It's marked a size 2 and it has a "Tel-Art" tag! So cute, I just had to snatch it up. And now my Mexican prostitute doll can model it. I scored this for $26 at a local second hand boutique.

2 wonderfully aged-wood framed vintage Native American painted pictures. I love the bold colors and simplistic nature of them. They're signed too, which is cool. I scored these both for a total of $20 at the swap meet.

Happy Birthday Nana.

Nana working at Tower Records in San Diego, circa 1940's.

Today was my Nana, Mrs. Lily Lee's, birthday. Lily Lee, no middle name, born Lily McGraw in West Virginia. Her sister was Ruby Jewel McGraw, later Ruby Jewel White (married to a White of West Virginia... sound familiar?). ;) Lily Lee was married to my Papa, a painfully handsome sweet Texan named James Maurice Lee- Reese or Jim for short, in 1947. They were married in Yuma, Arizona on their way out west. They had 3 girls- my mom Jimee Gae, and my 2 aunts Melinda Blanche and Betty Jean. Good southern names.

She passed away a few years ago on October 25th; it seems like yesterday. She was my most favorite. She was a total firecracker. Sharp as a wit, super talkative, super funny, such a lovely person. You could always find her on the phone gabbing to her friends with her "L" coffee mug in hand. She had big hair. She had long painted nails. She cussed when she needed to. Haha. She taught me so much throughout our time together. When I was little, her and my Papa would watch my cousin and I everyday while our parents worked. These times were priceless. She would tell me stories of her with her big crinolines in the 1950's and how everyone in Texas would look at her like she was an alien because of her flamboyant styles. She taught me that it was ok to be an individual, to celebrate it.

Anyhow, today I have been missing her especially much.

Nana in Balboa Park, San Diego, circa 1940's.

What a cute sun suit!

 

I love this picture of my grandparents.

 

So adorable! My Papa was such a string bean! I love his hair curl in the front!

Nana was a tiny lil' thing.

Pregnant with their first child, my mama around 1949-50.

Their 1st house in San Diego on Polk Avenue.

 

So cute!

I love this picture to no end.

 A trip to the snow. Love!

My Obsessions: 1950's "Ceeb of Miami" Jumpsuits

 

 An old Ceeb ad. DROOL.

 Me performing with my band, The Amandas, in my one and only Ceeb suit. I scored this baby online for a mere $98!!

 

 A friend of mine's private collection. I know, I know- couldn't you just DIE?

 

 2 lovely pieces from Where It's At Vintage.

 Some vintage Ceeb tags. The top is from a mens cotton shirt, the bottom is from a jumpsuit.

Everyone Loves a Cowboy.

An ode to America's most beloved cowboy character, Hopalong Cassidy! Yeeeeee haw!

 

Awesome vintage Acme boot ad! One in every style in a size womens 8, please. ;)

 Great vintage Hopalong themed clothing items from the 1950's. I have the blue sweater, but I really want a brown one!

This little buckaroo wore the sweater as an infant and then as a toddler! Obviously a dedicated fan.

More great vintage Hopalong items. Etsy is a great place to find these treasures.

Find of the Week : Thriftin' Love!

So this week while running some mind-numbing pointless errands, I drove by one of my local thrift haunts, and, well- of course you know I just had to stop in. What? It's like I have implanted magnets in my body that pull me to them! ;) So, what did I find, you ask?

BOOYAH!

There it was, hanging there, calling to me. This delectable sky blue silk chiffon, iridescent sequined, crystal beaded, tulle skirted, mermaid gown confection! Needless to say, I flipped my lid. I snatched that thing up like grease lightening. So, I get it home, try it on, and it fits like A GLOVE. Amaaaazing thank ya good Lord Jesus God damn!

For those of you going to Viva, you'll probably be seeing me teetering around in this with one of those giant boot drinks in my hand. Ya know, cause I'm a lady like that. ;)