Tutorial: Basic Victory Rolls

You Tube, Ahoy! It took me 3 days but I -finally- figured out how to make a video and edit it.  I decided that a You Tube channel would the best way of doing my tutorials. In video, you can see my movements and you don't have to wait for Pj to come home and take pictures for me! I hope that this You Tube things allows me to do tutorials more frequently. If you get tired of my camera silliness and want the photo tutorials back, just tell me and I'll make that happen!

 Anyways, I did this tutorial over a year ago but my methods have changed a lot since then so I wanted to show you the way I do them now. Since Rhys fell asleep in my bedroom, I had to do record this video in the silent film method. I have a feeling that there will be a lot of that happening when I do my tutorials on the weekdays while Pj is at work.

 This tutorial is done on dry, straight hair. I will be doing a similar tutorial for victory rolls with pin curls soon. If anyone has any questions or problems, please leave me a comment below and I will do my best to help. Hope you enjoy!

NOTE: this video has music to it, so if you're at work or have sleeping kids next to you, be sure to turn your volume down before you hit play! :)

Trivia Night

 Last night, we dropped the kids off with my mama and joined Pj's family for trivia night at my mother in law's church. It's an annual event to fund raise for the youth group's mission trip.

 We had a -really- awesome team for trvia. Pj is a wealth of all kinds of knowledge from movies, military, history, geography, mechanics, science....welll- he's a really smart guy! My brother in law is also amazing at trivia being a huge sports fan and movie lover. Some of the questions involved tasting jelly beans and having to figure out what the exact name of the flavor is. For another round, we had to identify different breakfast cereals. We got to choose a category to get double points in so naturally, we picked the movie category. I'm so glad that we did because we got all 10 questions right, thanks to Pj and my brother in law.

Oh, today is Pj's birthday so last night, his mom brought him a tiny birthday cake. We're going out for sushi and arcade games tonight to celebrate.
We all had a blast playing and by the end of the night, our team won!! We are still in disbelief but we have our balloon trophy to show for it!

 

I wore one of my new dresses from Donnaland and bracelet sent to me by Jesse Anne Designs. It matched my new dress perfectly. Thank you, Jesse! 

Outfit

Vintage 50's dress- Donnaland

crinoline- estate sale

belt-thrifted

white cardigan- thrifted, salvation army

flats-target

vintage necklace- from Great Grandma Alma

bracelet- Jesse Anne Designs

p.s. I'm working on my first YouTube tutorial but YouTube is being a pill so I'll post it as soon as I can figure out what I'm doing wrong!

Friday Fashionistas: Lana Turner

"A successful man is one who makes more money than a wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man." - Lana Turner

The Lady

Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner was born in Idaho on February 8 1921. As a girl, she loved going to the theater, especially to admire the beautiful costumes of her favorite silver screen starlets. One night, her father was robbed and murdered after a night of gambling. Very poor and in bad health, her mother moved herself and her daughter to Los Angeles. At age 16, she went to The Top Hat Cafe to buy a coke and was spotted by a publisher of The Hollywood Reporter. In admiration of her beauty, he referred her to a local talent agent.

Lana in "They Won't Forget"

The Legend

“At what age does a lady become a legend? For me it was fifty-four.”- Lana Turner

Lana Turner was cast in the 1937 film "They Wont Forget" and due to her tight, alluring sweater earned the nickname "The Sweater Girl". The sweater girl look of a fitted sweater over a pointy bra was popular from her debut to the 50's.

Lana often said that if she wasn't an actress, she would have been a fashion designer. She adored fashionand at one point, owned 689 pairs of shoes.
From lanaturner.org, "Once a fire broke out at her apartment, forcing her to evacuate. Naturally, Lana grabbed only the essentials: lipstick, eyebrow pencil, and a hairdryer."
She wore many incredible costumes throughout her acting career. Probably the most notable was her sexy all white ensemble in The Postman Always Rings Twice.

Get the Look

Lana loved that old Hollywood glamor. Luxurious, fitted sweaters, fur accessories, sparkle and white are all Lana trademarks.

Lana Turner by pga99joinourgroup featuring pearl stud earrings

Lana Turner by pinkinkbydesign featuring a red ring

Heartbreaker

This dress was one of those heartbreakers. When you see it, you fall in love before even touching it. It's a dream of a dress but you know before looking at the tag that it's way out of your price range. It happens to me all the time and I usually just pass by to avoid the disappointment. This time, it happened to me at Donnaland. I saw it hanging on a rack, looking pristine and adorable, with its little matching belt. It was my size and everything.



I passed over it about 3 times and finally gave in right before we left.  Donna had just bought it from a local lady's collection and gave me an amazing deal on it. For that, I proclaimed her to be the Goddess of Vintage. It's one of my new favorite dresses. I wore it last night for the first time. I feel like a million bucks in this dress!!
  Please excuse my blue fingernails. Olivia and I did mommy-livvie manicures the other night and she insisted that we have matching nails. I kind of like it. It takes me back to my middle school days of glitter, huge pants and blue hair.  Rhys needed some snuggles while I was in the middle of taking outfit pics. He's a major cuddle bug!

Vintage Dress-Donnaland
Shoes-thrifted by Mudd
Sterling airplane earrings-St. Charles Antique mall

Blog of the Month: Diary of a Vintage Girl

The first blog of the month for 2012 is the fabulous Diary of a Vintage Girl, written by pin up model, writer and vintage socialite,  Fleur de Guerre.

 I've been reading and loving Diary of a Vintage Girl for years. I love her classic 40's style, her candid party pics and fun-loving personality.  Read on for some not-so-well-known facts, tips and musings from Fleur de Guerre...

 Thank you so much for this interview. It's such a pleasure to have you here!
One thing that really made your blog stand out to me is that you work as a part time pin up model. I'm sure that it can be very intimidating work.  What is your best piece of advice for ladies who want to become a vintage/pin up model?  What is your best pin up tip?

Know your best angles! People always giggle at me when I'm being snapped by friends at events and so forth, but that's because after many shoots I know how to pose so I look my best. For your first shoot you definitely want to hire a pro who will give you posing advice as well as know the art of the pinup photo. After that, you can take your skills and use them with less experienced photographers. Those are my top tips!  

For many of us fashion bloggers, our passion for fashion goes back to our childhood. Did you play dress up as a girl? If so, what was your favorite thing to wear?

Of course! My favourite thing ever was a flamenco dress that was in my granny's dressing up box. I can't even remember what colour it was, but it was polka dotted and ruffly. This explains a lot about my taste in dresses now!   

We love reading about all of your parties and events with The Vintage Mafia. Can you give some advice about how to find events or organize meet-ups in our hometowns?

Organizing events is stressful but rewarding. I love putting on the sorts of events that I love to go to - not too costumey and not too purist, somewhere right in the middle. In London it's so easy to find like-minded folks, but in smaller towns I guess you just have to turn to social media and use it to seek others out. As for putting them on, the best thing is to find a venue run by a friendly and nice person, who will let you host parties and only take money on the bar rather than hire fees. Like so much in life, it's all about networking! 

The fabulous Vintage Mafia via The Vintage Mafia

 With your posts on fitness and everyday glamor, you have really inspired us to carry on and be fabulous even when we're feeling our worst. What is the one thing that always perks you up, no matter what?

Seeing friends, hugging my cat, watching my favourite comedy shows on TV (or reading funny sites). When your hair turns out perfectly (usually when at home and not seeing anyone else)! 

Weather you're dressed to the nines or relaxing in trousers and a cardigan, you always look so flawless.  What is the most important part of a 1940's look?

The hair! Not even the makeup and certainly not the clothes. I manage to look 40s when I'm in 21st century clothes and with no lipstick on, and that's because my hair is usually done in the style. 

Thank so much to Fleur for the lovely interview. Pop over to read more about her and her fabulous vintage life at Diary of a Vintage Girl and at The Vintage Mafia

*photos from Diary of a Vintage Girl and The Vintage Mafia*

Giveaway Week Winners!!

I hope that everyone had fun with giveaway week. I spent my non-fashion time cleaning house, sewing a dress for a friend and playing with my kiddos, which is always wonderful.

 Anyway on to our lucky 7! I used a random number generator to choose each winner and here they are....

winner of 5 PDF patterns from Mrs. Depew- Zannukene from My Small Life

winner of snood and fridge magnet from Arthelia's Attic-The Black Pinafore

winner of gift certificate/surprise from Jesse Anne Designs- Ruby RockOla from Caught the Rockabilly Fever

winner of vintage jewelry set from Art Deco Dame- Adarhysenthe from Adara's Dollies

winner of ace of clubs earrings from Amourx - Isis from Fashionable Forties

winner of cook book, apron, special surprise from Vintage Curve-Swell Dame's Parlour

winner of vintage rhinestone earrings from Long day Arts-Charlotte from Sew far Sew Good


Congratulations to the winners! Please email me at va_voomvintage@yahoo.com with your mailing address and email address. Your contact info will be forwarded to the sponsor, who will then send your gift to you.

Thank you again to all of our fantastic sponsors for the beautiful prizes and to all of you lovely readers for stopping by my blog. Please be sure to follow each of the sponsors for updates on their future promotions and pretty things.  I have some vintage fun and beauty tutorials coming this week and next so stay tuned, sweeties!

Ended-Giveaway Week: Long Day Arts

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your entry!
All giveaways will end tomorrow so if you haven't entered some of them, enter before Monday! :)

Our final giveaway this week is sponsored by Long Day Arts

 The lady behind Long Day Arts is Chastity, a new wife, painter, blogger and jewelry designer. Her shop is an ecelectic collection of her art, jewelry and newly added vintage items.

 

Today, Chastity is giving away these elegant rhinestone drop earrings to one lucky winner.



 To Enter, leave a comment below with your favorite item from Long Day Art

 Stay up to date on Chastity's giveaways, features and new art pieces on her blog, Long Day Arts

* all images from Long Day Arts

Ended-Giveaway Week: Vintage Curve

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your entry!

Today's giveaway is sponsored by Vintage Curve

 Vintage Curve fills a void in today's vintage market,  specializing in plus sized clothing from the 1940's and 1950's in addition to fabulous retro accessories for every shape and size.  Denise is such a doll and was kind enough to put together a fun prize to fit every girl.

 One lucky winner will receive a vintage sheer lilac chiffon apron, and a 50s cooking booklet entitled "dishes men like".
Denise says, "although I suppose if you are the type of person who wears sheer aprons to do the cooking, you yourself will be the dish men like :) "
The apron is generously proportioned to fit a variety of sizes, not one of those tiny vintage ones you usually find.
Denise is also throwing in a 25% off coupon to Vintage Curve and a secret surprise for the winner! 

To Enter: Be a follower of my blog and visit Vintage Curve to tell me what's your favorite item from her shop.

 The winner will be announced on Monday, January 23rd.

Ended-Giveaway Week: Amourx

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your entry!

It's day 5 of giveaway week. Don't forget, you can enter every giveaway this week until Monday! Today's giveaway is sponsored by Amourx

Amourx specializes in handmade modern and vintage inspired jewelry and accessories. Each design is as sweet as the last. I especially love the fat little bunnies!

 Colleen is giving away this adorable pair of acrylic ace of clubs earrings. "2 Acrylic cut clubs have been securely adhered onto quality surgical steel earring posts and comes with matching butterfly backs."

To Enter Be a follower of my blog and visit Amourx to tell me in a comment what your favorite item is.

 The winner will be announced on January 23rd. Stay up to date on her newest designs and listings by "liking" Amourx on Facebook. More giveaways are coming throughout the weekend!

Ended-Giveaway Week: Art Deco Dame

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your entry!

Today's giveaway is sponsored by Art Deco Dame

 She's a blogger, momma, etsian and vintage enthusiast. You can see her on her blog, Pretty Little Things and in her etsy shop, Art Deco Dame. Art Deco Dame sells vintage clothing, accessories, home decor and whimsical kitsch for the home.  Today, she's giving away a vintage jewelry set to one lucky winner!

She says:
"Such a fun set! The beads are beautiful and full of sparkle.The end of the double strand has rhinestones in the bar.Total length is 18 and 1/4 inches and can be shortened to desired length.Earrings are clip on and are 1 and 3/8 inches tall."

To enter, visit Art Deco Dame and tell me what your favorite item is in a comment below.

The winner will be announced on Monday, January 23rd.

 For shop updates, kitschy home decor, fashion love and vintage fun, be sure to follow Pretty Little Things.

It's not too late to enter my other giveaways posted this week. All giveaways close on Monday.

Ended- Giveaway Week: Jesse Anne Designs

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your entry!

Today's giveaway is sponsored by Jesse Anne Designs

Jesse Ann is a creator of lovely artisan jewelry. Happiness, whimsy and pure sweetness is what you'll find in her shop. I love her hand painted necklaces, resin cuff bracelets and adorable nesting doll earrings.

 Today, Jesse Ann is giving away a $10 gift certificate to her etsy shop and a special secret surprise to one lucky winner.

To Enter

 be a follower of my blog and leave a comment telling me what's your favorite item from Jesse Anne Designs.

The winner will be announced on Monday, January 23rd

 For updates on her latest listings, favorite etsy finds and beautiful, inspiring things, be sure to follow the Jesse Anne Designs blog. and like her on facebook

*all photos from Jesse Anne Designs*

Ended- Giveaway Week: Arthelia's Attic

This giveaway is now closed. thank you for your entry!

Today's giveaway is sponsored by Arthelia's Attic

  Arthelia's Attic is known for their gorgeous, high quality 1940's snoods, which have been featured in Victory Girls Magazine and worn by all of your favorite pin up girls. They are crocheted by hand, using the perfect yarn to give you a historically accurate drape and to prevent slipping. I have one of her beautiful snoods in sage green and cannot stop raving about them! You can read all about how much I adore her snoods here.

 Naomi is giving away one of her 1940's snoods to one lucky winner (in the winner's choice of available colors) and an Arthelia's Attic 2012 calendar photo fridge magnet.

 To Enter: Be a follower of my blog and "like" Arthelia's Attic on facebook

The winner will be announced on Monday, January 23rd

for updates, be sure to follow Arthelia's Attic on Twitter

Ended-Giveaway Week: Mrs. Depew Vintage

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your entry!

Okay, it's time to kick off giveaway week in celebration of 1,000 followers!

Today's giveaway is sponsored by Mrs Depew!

 Anna is a fellow blogger, vintage sewing enthusiast and etsian. In her shop, Mrs Depew Vintage , she carries paper and pdf vintage patterns, fabric and vintage fashion booklets.  Some of her most popular patterns include her vintage lingerie and swimsuit patterns. She recently added some of the cutest

She is offering 5 of her fabulous PDF patterns to one lucky winner!

To Enter, follow my blog and visit Mrs. Depew Vintage and leave a comment with your favorite item from her shop.

The winner will be announced on Monday, January 23rd!

For shop updates, sewing adventures, tips, sew-a-longs and fashion fun, be sure to follow Anna's blog, A Few Threads Loose and see her on facebook

Stay tuned for more fabulous giveaways all week!!

1,000 Follower Giveaway Week!

I am so thrilled to announce that Va-Voom Vintage has reached over 1,000 followers! I can't believe it!

I've said it before but I cannot thank you enough for reading my blog. Every comment, email, new follower means so much to me. I have been so inspired by all of you. This year, I hope to really focus more on blogging with loads of tutorials and wonderful things that we all love.

 To celebrate this amazing milestone, I've requested the assistance of some wonderful sponsors to bring you an entire week of giveaways! Giveaway week begins on Monday.

How to Enter
Each day, I will post a new giveaway, which are open to followers of my blog. You will have all week to enter the giveaways. All  winners will be announced on Monday, January 23rd.

To be kept up to date on the giveaways, follow me on twitter, facebook and of course, here

Thank you to all of the wonderful sponsors for their generosity and thank you to my dear readers for your encouragement and inspiration.

Friday Fashionistas: Marlene Dietrich

"I dress for myself. Not for the image, not for the public, not for the fashion, not for men."

The  Lady
Marlene Dietrich was born in Germany in 1901. As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a professional violinist. During her early years, she took on many theater roles during the 20's but it wasn't until her 1929 role in The Blue Angel that she really got noticed and was able to get a contract with Paramount Pictures .During the time of high fashion, feminine dresses, Marlene Dietrich cultivated her own style with her sultry look and androgynous wardrobe.

Her Legacy
She was oddly beautiful, exotic, alluring and one of the highest paid actresses of her time. On screen, her costumes were very outlandish, with beading, veils, top hats and tail coats but in her real life, she often wore comfortable menswear. Dietrich was the first Hollywood actress to wear trousers in public. "Her masculinity appeals to women and her sexuality to men."said Kenneth Tynan, a film critic.  She was known for her epic bone structure, her bedroom eyes and above all, the legs! She was certainly a woman ahead of her time, scandalizing the world with her sexual comments, rumors of bisexual love affairs and that undeniable Dietrich mystique. Weather shocked or excited, no one could take their eyes off her.

Get The Look 

"Don't ever follow the latest trend, because in a short time you will look ridiculous, don't follow it blindly into every dark alley. Always remember that you are not a model or a mannequin for which the fashion is created."-Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Deitrich by rachel1965 featuring polka dot tops