A Case of the Blues

This is the first vintage find that I ever purchased, almost 8 years ago.  This dress is near and dear to me, despite the fact that I repeatedly tried to get rid of it or sell it!  I guess I just couldn't make it work before, but now with practice wearing vintage clothes, it's one of my favorites.  My talented mom basically took it apart and put it back together, replacing the weak seams and making it fit better on me, too.  (Me + sewing machine = disaster.  I call mom instead.)  Now this is one of my favorite party dresses, perfectly comfortable and flattering at the same time.

Dress: Vintage, thrifted

Shoes: Target

Bag: a gift from my mom

Getting to Know: Brittany from Va-Voom Vintage

With vintage and retro styles at the peak of a resurgence in popular culture, and with so many fashion blogs to follow, it can be hard to know where to start.  Brittany at Va-Voom Vintage has a distinct voice among many vintage bloggers, and her blog is a wonderful source of content for ones just starting out in vintage or those who have been collecting it for years.  She is a seamstress, a stylish housewife, and is always eager to both learn and teach about vintage fashion and lifestyles.  She graciously took the time out of her busy life to talk to me a little about her inspirations, the amazing women in her family's history, and her plans for the next year.

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk!  First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Thanks for having me! I'm Brittany, I'm 30 and I'm a housewife and mom from the suburbs of St Louis. I'm raising my little boy, Rhys, and my girl, Olivia, in a little 1930s house near the Missouri River. I wear vintage style clothes almost every day and I love to sew, garden and do crafty things. 

How did you originally discover vintage clothing?

 My first vintage piece was a lavender winter coat from the 1960s. I bought it at a shop in the city while I was shopping with my aunt. I didn't start wearing vintage full-time until I was much older. After my daughter was born and I became a housewife, my grandma and I were talking about what housewives were like when she was a girl. The things they did, the things they wore and how they lived. I had been sitting around in pajamas, basically all day, which is no way for a girl to live! I decided to try to do things the old fashioned way. My husband drove me to the city one afternoon and I bought my first few vintage hats and dresses. I looked for comfortable things that I could wear while I was home cleaning house and taking care of my 3 month old baby girl. Once I realized how easy and comfortable it was to wear vintage, I started wearing it every day. I started my blog within weeks, to document my love of vintage fashion. 

Were you influenced by any particular classic films or icons?

          I get a ton of hair and accessory inspiration from old movies. I think Betty Grable is my #1 hair style icon.  I love her iconic poodle curls, perfectly placed victory rolls- oh and she's a Missouri girl too! I love to recreate looks from old films and get inspiration for my sewing projects. I often sit and watch old movies and just watch the background extras! There are so many fantastic outfits and hairstyles that have been overlooked but they're there, just past the starlets! 

(Click below for more!)

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

My friend Jessica over at Jessica's Vintage gave me an award over the weekend, and I must thank her!  (She's a lovely girl with a great blog, so I recommend you go check out her site.)

Apparently the way this works is that I will forward this on to 10 people and give you all 7 facts about myself.  Whoever I award this to will then go on to do the same, if they so please.

So, 7 facts about me....

1. I wasn't always into vintage.  I generally used to walk around in combat boots, studded belts, and spiked jewelry.  Ahh, youth...
2.  My fashion heroine used to be Audrey Hepburn, and while I still believe she's (probably) the most beautiful woman to ever live, I'm smitten with Myrna Loy right now.  She could pull off a wide range of different styles and always look stunning and gracious and perfect.
3. I was vegetarian and then vegan for 3 years.  The diet didn't fit my lifestyle too well, and while I applaud any who can eat like that daily and stay healthy, I am now happily back to being an omnivore.
4. I started doing CrossFit about seven or eight months ago.  It's helped me build up stamina for simple things (like carrying laundry up the stairs!  Ha...) and also to shed the dreaded extra 15 lbs. that afflicts newlyweds.  I love showing up at the box in pearls and with painted nails and then doing deadlifts and back-squats.
5.  After a good fifteen years of hating pink, I am a definitive 'girly girl' now.  Nine year-old me would be so disgusted.
6. My dream job is to sell vintage, but I can't bear to sell off any of my finds.  (Hence why I have a random 1950s nurse uniform in a box somewhere...)
7. I love to draw and sketch, and I'm currently working on a small series of greeting cards and bookmarks featuring ladies of the past.

Now, my winning bloggers!...

•  Miss Tallulah Porkchop.  She's on a blogging break right now, but she is a very sweet lady and always puts together wonderful ensembles!
• Dashfield Vintage.  Always inspiring and a breath of fresh air.
• Highball Emy.  One of the first bloggers I spoke to when I started, and her blog has morphed into a great site about cooking and such.  And, hey, I love food just as much as clothes!
• Sweetheart of the Rodeo.  She has a great sense of style and is always sharing something new.
• The Fiercest Lilliputian.  Emma is always adorable, and looks like she comes right out of an old movie!
• The Dressing Parlour.  Alison is totally glamorous and modern as she shares her adventures.  A must-read.
• Pretty Little Things.  The Art Deco Dame is always putting together cute outfits and sharing parts of her vintage-style home life.
• Vintage At Heart.  Harlow Darling always has a fresh, fun take on vintage style.
• Chronically Vintage.  A delightfully stylish and honest blog by a truly lovely lady.
• Q's Daydream.  Such cute style and a nice breezy feel to the blog.  Plus: vintage girls with short hair, UNITE!!!