Early Spring Cleaning

Over the past few months I have been working on a major closet overhaul, as my clothing collection has been bursting at the seams for some time (read: years) now. Though it has been hard to part with some pieces, I've been trying very hard to look at each item with a more critical eye. Mind you, I'll never be a fashion minimalist, but I have come to terms with the fact that I can't keep it all!

When I first began collecting, the thrill of the vintage find had me snapping up every article of clothing from the 1940s and 50s that I came across, regardless of whether the item in question was a flattering color or style. In addition, taking up a regular exercise routine three years ago changed my figure rather dramatically, and items that once fit (or styles that once suited me) were simply no longer flattering. This left me with a rather large pile of clothing that I never wore, and I decided it was finally time to do something about it. I've sold quite a number of things to my best gal pals, which is nice as I still get to see some of my beloved vintage now being worn and enjoyed :-) I also recently consigned a large number of pieces with the fabulous seller denisebrain. She has started adding some of my collection to her Etsy store; currently she has a pair of 1960s gold loafers, a pair of 1940s chocolate brown platforms, a 1930s black rayon crepe dress (featured in the picture above), and a 1940s double breasted suit jacket for sale her in Etsy shop. I thought I'd give my readers a heads up, as she will be listing a number of 1930s-50s clothing soon—everything from cocktail and evening frocks, to day wear, and shoes. I'll be sure to give you an update once the other items are listed!
  xoxo,
Amanda Lee

I recently modeled this dress in a recent photo shoot for Vee Vin Tage.  The beguiling yellow and black roses were too much for me to resist, and so now this dress has a home in my closet!

Vee Vin Tage is taking custom orders for this fifties-style dress, which features a fold-over neckline, wide straps, and a floaty skirt.  I cannot sing enough praises for this mother-daughter design team—no detail is overlooked in any of their creations!

These photos were taken by my friend Matt Carson on a lovely Sunday afternoon in the town of Jerome. 

xoxo,Amanda Lee

Join the Space Rangers!

Just a few "recruiting posters" from a project Doug Monce and I are working on--we'll be filming a short video to go along with this retro space look!

The costume is another amazing design by Vee Vin Tage.  Seriously, this creative team can make anything you can imagine!  This outfit was based on a 1940s pattern and made up in the super space age "liquid lame."  The boots I'm wearing were a F21 impulse buy from a few years ago--I had to have them but had no idea how to style them.  Now that I have my very own space girl outfit I finally know what to wear them with!
xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Happy Holidays from Blue Velvet Vintage

And Atomic Age Pictures and me!

For Blue Velvet Vintage's holiday page, I modeled the glam Honey dress by Trashy Diva. This swing dressis very aptly named, for it's one honey of a dress! Fashioned in cherry red stretch cotton, it features a spectacular--and very Marilyn--shirred shelf bust that will turn your assets, whatever their size, into one traffic-stopping silhouette! Draped straps and a higher back allow you to wear this dress with a regular bra (always a plus, I think) and the circle skirt is perfect for swirling on the dance floor (and I guarantee that you'll be bombarded with requests to dance when you wear this dress.)

Stop by Blue Velvet Vintage and snap up a Honey dress for yourself!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

The Secrets of Matilda's Vintage Closet

Atomic Age Pictures visits Matilda's Vintage Closet and shows us the magic that goes on after hours!

We had a blast collaborating with friends Rose (co-owner of the shop), Veronica Kelly, and Lana Flynn for this one! Matilda's Vintage Closet is definitely a vintage lover's dream, with fabulous clothing and accessories from our favorite decades--you'll find all the things you are searching for along with plenty of items you didn't even know you needed!

A big thanks to Doug for doing such a wonderful job putting this together :-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

She Wore Blue Velvet

Or in this instance, black jersey from Blue Velvet Vintage!

The next frock I modeled for Blue Velvet is Trashy Diva’s Mansfield, a killer, curve-hugging jersey dress plucked right out of the wardrobe of a 1950s bombshell. This is an elegant frock that would be right at home in the office (it’s just enough “sexy secretary” without being too much), as well as on the town. It features a fabulous ruched cummerbund, a wide, double-breasted collar, and a knee-length sheath skirt. It’s made from a soft knit that is heavy enough to suit colder climes, and as a bonus, this fabric resists wrinkles quite well (making it the perfect dress to toss on when you’re rushed in the morning—you’ll look put together and polished in seconds flat .) To me, the Mansfield embodies what made 19 50s-60s fashion so great—it’s a figure-flattering, versatile piece with plenty of eye appeal, and is both ladylike and glamorous all at once.

Stay tuned for the Blue Velvet Vintage holiday special!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Summer Fashion--The Patio Dress

I'm a huge fan of patio, or squaw, dresses, and have collected quite a few over the years. I can't resist the bright colors (tropical turquoises, eye-popping pinks, and garden fresh greens) and I'm a serious sucker for metallic rick rick--the more the better! Patio dresses tend to be made from cool, airy, and wilt free fabrics, which makes them perfect for hot weather, and I find myself reaching for them all summer long.

I found this coral and silver number with its original belt at a vintage shop in Jerome. It's been shortened at some point in its past life, and I'll probably let the hem down again, but it made a festive choice for a recent shoot with Matt Carson. These photos were taken around Jerome, one of our favorite shooting haunts.

xoxo,

Amanda Lee