Custom Hat(s) Made To Order!

This is one of my favorite "go-to" hats when I want to wear a hat but don't want to be over-the-top.  

I also love that (like the dragon cloche), it's short enough to wear while in the car (unlike my fabulous faux bird hats, which are so tall that I have to take them off before getting into a vehicle).

I am now offering the Dragon Cloche as a custom order hat: you choose your felt color, dragon color, and fire color!

Finally, I was lucky enough to purchase an amazingly rare lot of 7 vintage faux millinery birds!  I am going to be taking custom orders for tilt topper hats (or any other hat design you like!) utilizing these striking decorations.  Please contact me through the Etsy store for details and prices.

Another Finished Hat!

As you may recall, I created a fabulous little dragon cloche hat to match my also-fabulous 1940s beaded dragon dress.  Well, I had such a positive response about that hat, that I decided to begin creating it as a custom order in my Etsy store.  The only problem: finding a dragon.  The dragon used on the original hat was a one-of-a-kind piece that I could never hope to replicate.  So, I decided to make my own dragon appliques out of vintage sequins and seed beads.  Here is the result...

Newest Frankie

I'm in love...

 

again...

Puttin' on the Ritz!

Just another Sunday...

Heading out to a wedding in grand vintage style!

Stepping Out with STYLE!

Yes, I realize I've been awfully quiet lately...I won't bore you with the details.  Instead, I'll scintillate your senses with pictures of my latest millinery endeavor!:

The Dragon Hat

I purchased the most A-M-A-Z-I-N-G 1940s black rayon dress with silver beaded dragon design from Magpie in Portland while on my vacation last October.  I had been meaning to make a hat worthy of this dress ever since, but could not find a dragon decoration that I liked!  Finally, after ages spent trolling the internet, I came across this adorable little silver embroidered dragon (I am pretty sure it came off of an antique tapestry).  I used curled and dyed peacock tail feathers as the "fire," and (using a piece of ~1940s black wool felt) constructed a sculpted cloche.  I hand-beaded the cloche's sculpted ridges with silvery seed beads.

Saturday night was my friend's Bachelorette Party. I decided this was a perfect excuse to "Premiere" my lovely dragon hat as part of the complete vintage ensemble...

Almost Forgot!...

I don't know why I didn't post these pictures sooner...? 

  

 

In any event, here is an entire outfit purchased on our vacation!  

 

The 1940s black velvet turban was a score found at Seattle's Goodwill "bins" (I think I paid 49 cents for it).  The very late 1930s/1940s dress was a lovely little find in a hole-in-the-wall antique store in Astoria, and I only paid $24!  

Finally, (and oh!  Finally!) I discovered my beloved Juliana book piece necklace & earrings set at a little store in Lincoln City.  Be still my heart!

Latest Vintage Hat Scores!: French Faux Birds, Famous Faux Birds

Ok, I actually purchased these right before we left for our vacation.  The past week has been SO ridiculously busy, I haven't had time to post about them until now...

French Faux Birds

This exquisitely unique 1940s open-crown hat was miscategorized (and I find a great deal of irony in this) as a doll hat!  The style is a first for me - I have never seen anything like it!  I almost want to call it an "up-do hat," as I feel I should wear my hair up somehow to accommodate the structure of the hat...?  It was created by the legendary French milliner, Solange de Fabry, and I am told that it is rare to find her creations outside of France.  

 

The hat is a circular band, composed of white feathers/birds glued over a buckram frame.  The band is thicker in front, and decorated with rhinestones.  

In back, the band thins out and forms little faux bird heads (with rhinestones for eyes and chic rhinestone collars!).  

The detailing on everything is amazing!

Famous Faux Birds

This fabulous little 1940s tilt hat is my 2nd Caspar-Davis faux birdie hat!  Caspar-Davis was a milliner for the Hollywood movie stars, and it definitely shows in the quality of the worksmanship.  The hat is a bit moth-eaten, but still structurally sound.  

The tail feathers of the fake bird come down to caress the cheek of the wearer!

Trip to the Coast: Faves & Raves

After three tortuously long years, Ryan and I finally took a much-needed vacation!  We briefly visited Portland, then headed up for a few days to Seattle, and finally spent the last couple of days of our trip slowly meandering our way back down the Oregon coast.

Here were the highlights:

• Best Place to Stay in the Portland area - 

Nob Hill B&B, Casablanca Suite

• Best chowder (and seafood lunch!) in Astoria (or pretty much anywhere...ever!) - 

Charlie's

• Best Tuna Appetizer -

"Poke" dish at Clemente's, Astoria, Oregon

• Best Place to Eat Lunch - 

Rockfish Bakery, Lincoln City, Oregon.  

Everything is made fresh, and locally-sourced.  AMAZING FOOD!  And incredibly economical prices!

• Most Relaxing Inn - 

 

 

Tyee Lodge, in Newport.  

 

Ocean view rooms, 

complimentary wine, 

 

 

and a path leading down to the beach...

what more could you ask for?

• Most Terrifying Adventure - 

 

 

164 feet up in the Astoria Column in Astoria, Oregon!  

 

Those stairs just keep going up...and up...and up...

• Most Beautiful Lighthouse - 

Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport, Oregon (also great whale-watching location!)

• Happiest Seals - 

 

 

Aquarium in Seaside, Oregon

• Best Place to Buy Crabs - 

Historic Bayfront in Newport, Oregon