Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

I LOVE Tim Burton. Love more than most things in this world. I was discussing with some people the other day how excited I am for the Tim Burton exhibit at The Museum of Modern Art in NY (opening this Nov 22nd) and they tried to act like Tim Burton wasn't the greatest thing since sliced bread. I know I can be a bit much in my adoration, but sometimes it just takes some reminders for people to understand his greatness. Sure, maybe you hated the new Willy Wonka (it wasn't his finest hour) or you can't stand how he always uses Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter lately, but seriously - check the list and try and tell me you don't love at least some of his movies? I bet you even forgot he made a bunch.

Some of my favorites:

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Ed Wood
Batman and Batman Returns
Mars Attacks!
Beetlejuice
Edward Scissorhands
Big Fish
Sleepy Hollow
James and the Giant Peach
The Nighmare Before Christmas
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure


ANYWAYS - this post isn't about my love, but my excitement. I've been hearing about Alice in Wonderland for months, and now I just finally saw some pictures online. I might have nightmares, but here we go!


Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter




Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts


Tweedledee and Tweedledum



Our gal Alice




Alice in Wonderland sneak peak provided by ABC News. To see more go here

The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife: Give Away! Give Away!

There is an amazing give away going on right now over at The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife! I've been pining over this Vintage Hairstyling book for weeks now thanks to constanting posting over at The Bobby Pin Blog. Plus she's giving away wave clips, a hair flower, and other goodies. I'm pretty good at doing my hair since it's been undergoing years of daily abuse on my behalf, but man what this book could teach me! I don't ever have good luck, so maybe I'll just have to keep fingers and toes crossed for this one!



You can get to the give away posting above, or by clicking here

Governor's Island Jazz Age Lawn Party

I've been super swamped lately with work - sorry about that! - but I'm back to my usual self. I mentioned before the Jazz Age Lawn Party presented by Michael Arenella's Dreamland Orchestra that happens twice a year on Governor's Island in NY. Well the pictures have been pouring in, so here's a little handful of them:


I had total clothing crushes on all these people:

With my lovely lady friends.... I am of course second from the right in my grey and white shorts that my mom sewed for me based on ones Drew Barrymore wore in the recent Grey Gardens movie.


With my lovely red-headed friend Jeanie:



I was also interviewed by Time Out New York regarding my hair

If you go here:
Time Out New York Hair Special
I am on pages 154, 155, and 156. If you click the picture it leads to my interview, where I'm happy I got to give a shout out to one of my favorite NYC vintage shops - The Family Jewels. I also love they asked me if I dress like that everyday. I guess we looked odd?...

What I Wore today

Technically what I wore Friday, but who's counting?


In this one you can see my shoes. I LOVE them and will I'm sure do an entry about them soon. They're Worishofer and SOOOOO comfy!


Better view of the faux bangs with scarf. Vintage sweater and black jodphurs


Close up detail of the sweater and my little bow/milk stone brooch.

Jazz Age Picnic at Governor's Island

My lady friends and I brought out our dingiest sheets and best picnic recipes for this last year and had a wonderful afternoon surrounded by amazing clothes worn by true vintage enthusiasts and some of the best music to be found in New York.  If you're in the area (I'm aware it's already Saturday) then bring out your dancing shoes for the Jazz-Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island!

Full description courtesy of Dreamlandorchestra.com:

Under a shady grove of centuries-old trees, caressed by fresh sea air, a sprawling green surrounded by historic officers’ quarters and 18th century naval ramparts becomes the setting for a true Gatsby affair.

Widely anticipated by flappers, sporting gents and tiny tots alike, this event has been featured annually by The New York Times and the Sartorialist.

A wide array of music, food & drink, activities, games and contests are open for all ages to enjoy:

* A delightful variety of refreshing summer cocktails, wine, prosecco and beer are available and will be served by expert mixologists.
* Picnickers are welcome. There will also be gourmet coffee and a yummy assortment of sandwiches, salads and other treats available.
* Vintage ’78 records spun on 1920s Victor Credenza phonograph machine by Matthew Hinson
* 1920s Motorcar Exhibition - take a spin around the island in a genuine rumbleseat; hold on to your hat!
* Vintage clothing dealers and boutique milliners including Ellen Christine, Cassie McGregor and Leigh Magar of Magar Hatworks. They will all be peddling wares, so be sure to tuck some cash into your garter.
* Special literature/ephemera booths and readings by the Dorothy Parker Society & F. Scott Fitzgerald Society
* Horseshoe Toss
* Tug O’ War
* Parade Of Hats (Sunday Only)

Bakelite

I'm not a huge fan of bakelite on myself, but on other people I love it. I just don't think it works with my very monochromatic and black-centric wardrobe. I saw a picture of a girl on the Fedora Lounge yesterday that just seemed so perfect. Black curly hair, cats eye glasses, and an arm full of multi-colored bakelite bracelets. It looked so effortless and chic that I thought maybe I should get past my crap and try and branch out. I see it often in vintage stores around NY, and sometimes flea markets though I'm sure those are usually lucite, but they're always a little pricey for what to me is essentially a colored, somtimes carved, bangle. I decided to try first looking online and see if there are any deals floating around, and I'm astounded by how much the price can vary! I know that cheap pieces can easily not be bakelite (it seems real hovers around $40-$100), and actual bakelite is so much better than the fake thing, but really - from $10 to $1,200? For a bracelet?

See for yourself - all claimed to have been tested for authenticity:

$29.95

$165.00

$295.00

$1,250.00!?

I read the wikipedia article on Bakelite here, but I still can't understand why it sells for so much. It's not rare at all -maybe for the suburbs it is and that's just the New Yorker in me talking - so why does it cost so much?