Victorian Dinner Party #19

I thought it was about time that I showed you what I wore for the Victorian dinner party. This amazing blouse was given to me by a dear friend when I was a teen and probably dates back to the 40's or 50's. It has the most amazing ruffled and lace trimmed jabot and cuffs.

The fitted tapestry jacket with black trim was a thrift shop score just a week or so before the party.

The skirt too was a thrift-shop find.

I found a dress that had a ruffled skirt that I made into a sort of bustle. Luckily the colour in the top stripe matched the teal of the jacket.

I padded the bustle to make it stick out a little.

A view from below.

And underneath the skirt was a pair of real vintage bloomers with lovely lace trim.

And lacy tights, because you can never have too much lace!

And to complete the outfit, a pair of lace-up leather boots that I have owned for over ten years. They were perfect for the occasion.

Victorian Dinner Party #18

The decor for my Victorian dinner party extended to the main bathroom of our home. I hung a makeshift clothesline over the tub and hung a collection of vintage children's clothes.

Airy white cotton embroidered baby and toddler's chemises and dresses were hung with old fashioned clothes pegs.

Lots of exquisite embroidered details are there for those who take a closer look.

Clothes Swap and Tea

Just held a spring/summer clothes swap and afterwards, served an English tea with loads of treats: a chocolate chai cake, and vanilla rose cake, meringues and of course scones with jam and Devonshire cream. Clothes swaps are great fun and a wonderful way of recycling clothes and accessories. After all, who doesn't like to have new things (to them) in their wardrobe and not spend a penny!

Vintage Clothing Show

This year's Vintage Clothes Sale was held at the Convention Centre, rather than the sumptuous and highly  nostalgic ballrooms of the Chateau Laurier Hotel. You can't stop change, but you can certainly lose something in the name of progress.  Still, the lovely vintage clothes and accessories still have the power to make the heart skip a little faster.

And some of the vendors definitely have the knack of displaying their merchandise to its best advantage.

Pretty pink shoes placed just so and an ivory pillow with ballerina flounces.

Adorable bunnies made from vintage fabrics.

A hat plumed in the most delicate shades of feathers.

More hats of all descriptions, from pert and perky to flowery extravagance.

A table filled with handbags.

A profusion of flowered tapestry handbags to choose from.

But let's not forget the clothes...

Beautiful cottons and linens with embroidery and lace.

Delicate concoctions from days gone by.

High Style, Low Price

How do you like my bargain outfit? I dropped by the local Nearly New on my lunch hour and they had everything marked down to half price as want to clear everything out before they close for the summer. I found these capri pants ($3.00), a Rodier t-shirt ($1.00) and sandals ($1.50). Total cost was $5.50! And look how nicely everything coordinates.