Lounge like a retro goddess!

This is Jean Harlow and she lounges like a goddess.

After spending a week's vacation at home I am ready to better my loungewear game. I spent the last week in nightgowns, leggings, pajama pants, boyfriend sweaters, and Snuggies. I let my skin breathe, I cleaned house in a pony tail, and I watched more Netflix than I ever thought possible. It was great for me but not so great for Mr. Anachronistic Style who is used to a lot more primping on my part. Mid-century women excelled at the art of lounging, wouldn't I feel so much better sitting around the house in a beautiful nightgown and bed jacket with pin curls and lipstick? I spend hundreds of dollars on clothes a month yet I can't bring myself to drop a hundred dollars on a nightgown or two! I will arguably wear these lovely frocks more than anything else in my closet so maybe these lovelies would be a better investment?

How lovely is this Soma lavender nightgown ($89) with embroidery and cascading ruffles? I adore the modern cotton fabric with the retro details.

I ask for this Secrets in Lace ostrich-trim chiffon robe ($139) every birthday and Christmas but have yet to receive it. I think hubby is scared of the feathers and sees Big Bird instead of Jean Harlow!

I recently fell in love with the satin pajamas from Victoria's Secret ($69.50.) They are perfect for lounging in warm and comfortable style and come in all kinds of prints and three different lengths to fit a variety of sizes! These pajamas toe the line between sexy and demure with a strong menswear twist, what's not to love?

How frilly and fabulous and yowza is this bed jacket!? This babydoll top from Secrets in Lace ($49) is perfect for covering up from the waist up. A bed jacket is a cropped robe so that the bottom does not get ruffled while you sit in bed, or in my case on the couch with a soft blanket.

What is your favorite retro loungwear?

Retro Education: How to put on fully fashioned stockings

Thanks to the people at Secrets in Lace here's a great tutorial on how to wear a garter belt and stockings.

Weekly Expense Report: The Cheap Edition

In the midst of life-altering financial commitments and new beginnings I've come to the conclusion that I spend too much. Like a good 50s housewife I surround myself with a material dream-world to distract from the ugly parts of life but my bank account is truly suffering for it. I'm preparing posts on financial commitments and how to prepare for the future while living an anachronistic lifestyle but in the meantime I am scaling back my spending and trying to convince myself that saving money is the way to go. Shall we see where I've pinched my pennies this week?


I finally indulged my curiosity with Margarita Bloom's Fairytales and Folklore Luxury Milk Bath Soak ($22) in Sweet Dreams. Described as "buttercream and snickerdoodle...sweet cream, caramel, nutmeg, praline, cocoa and vanilla" I am looking forward to this delicious bath! I usually use LUSH products at $2.50-$6 each bath but this 10-ounce jar will give me twenty baths for just over $1 each bath! I don't mind saving money with that cute packaging!


I had to pick up the Joie de vivre Luxury Treat Bag ($14.50) as an introduction to the brand. This baby is filled with random samples so I can try a full range of products before I invest more money! Oh, and did I mention you get 20% off with the code BEAUTIFULYOU?


I decided to scope out Maurices for some cheap fashion thrills. I found this awesome two button faux fur coat ($20 in-store) on sale. I'll be pinning my new rhinestone cherries on this one! The material is cheap but for a white occasional coat I can live with it.


My other cheap splurge is this grecian-inspired colorblock top ($26.) I love the 1930's styling and I can wait to rip off that cheap belt and add a sparkly rhinestone one. The tight bottom half of the shirt is perfect for tucking into my high-waisted pencil skirts for work! The material can be washed a thousand times and will never show wear so I feel like I got a sound investment on this one!

Weekly Expense Report: Vintage Shopping

Mr. Anachronistic Style and I spent a snowy day in downtown Delaware, Ohio trolling through the antique stores. We had lunch at Bun's before visiting three antique stores and one vintage clothing store. We rounded out our day with Babycakes bakery and coffee at Choffey's where I kicked Mr. Anachronistic Style's butt at penny hockey. Good day.



I found quite a few treasures at DPS Antiques and collectibles. I couldn't go home without the pink feather plume pen I scored for only $9 and Mr. Anachronistic Style found some old photographs of infinitely stylish people for only $1-4! I found quite a few bobbles, my cherry pin was only $2 and the green clip earrings and pin set were only $7.


The $3 tray above was also purchased at DPS antiques for my vanity and I couldn't resist sneaking my plume pen in there again. The candy-colored necklace was scored at Sandusky Street Antiques for only $10. I also found some amazing vintage lingerie--peach tap shorts and a romper that would have come home with me if they had fit.



We visited Captain Betty's Vintage and I was very impressed with the selection. Betty herself though is a loon and I may have left a bad review at the link above. *cough cough* I scored the pretty art-deco bauble pictured above with my McQueen-esque scarf for a cool $38. Since she had men's vintage I snapped Mr. Anachronistic Style in his new $6 vintage tie.


After an hour at Betty's I was ready to order my first Vivcore dress set ($132). I love the fact that I can get a vintage look while enjoying the pleasures of shopping new (and actually find my size!) I have so many outfits planned already for these separates.

Margarita Bloom's: Retro Vintage Beauty & Skincare

I've been on a virtual shopping spree for hours, delighting in the website design and hundreds of beauty combinations offered by Margarita Bloom's. The site is comprised of classic paintings, inspiring quotes, and delightful illustrations. Angelfood cake scrub, french milled soap, raspberry lime pinktini soak, and rich drizzle body oil have all made it into my imaginary cart. I'll be imagining opening my parcel and delighting in the scents and packaging that is Margarita Bloom's until my next payday. Has anyone else tried this lovely brand?

Weekly Expense Report: Black Friday/ Cyber Monday

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Last Black Friday and Cyber Monday I was left trolling the sample sales and door-busters online without a penny to my name, pining over sales unpurchased because it's Christmas and I should buy for others. This year I planned better.


The sequin circles cardigan in navy ($98) from Banana Republic is even more gorgeous in person with iridescent beads and holographic sequins. This is going to be my go-to Holiday topper.


I also have an eight-year anniversary this December. The dark peacock silk ruffle front dress ($140) is the dress. This fits and flatters my curves (unlike the model above.) It feels so luxuriously 1930s glamour!


A silver glitter belt ($40) highlights my waist and makes dresses that come with those cheap black vinyl belts look a little more luxe.


I finally bought the BR Mad Men Collection Stefani glasses ($98) that I've been pining for since fall. So 1960s chic!


I needed a black ballet flat with silver instead of gold hardware. The BR Brynn bow ballet flat ($110) came to my rescue!


Sugarpill always has a great Black Friday sale so I scored all these Chromalust loose eyeshadows ($12) for 30% off! I purchased from left to right, top to bottom--- Tiara, Asylum, Junebug, Darling, Starling, Royal Sugar, Magpie, Weekender, & Stella.



Shoedazzle was having a double style points sale so I scored Zahara and Rhoda ($40). I love how Zahara is a bootie that is very of-the-moment, I can mix it with my retro style to modernize the look. Rhoda is green. Seriously, that is all the reason I needed!



kate spade had a sample sale so I took advantage of a few good deals. The hot pink carnation garden scarf ($79) is so festive and girly, the perfect topper for the collarless coat I see in my future! It also looks great over a crewneck or something strapless as a necklace. I also purchased the walker park colorblock hat ($59) because I fell in love when I saw it in Lucky magazine a few months ago. I chose the teal version because I asked for this teal coat for Christmas!

Glamour Daze: An Archive of Vintage Fashion

Glamour Daze's blog is another great way to kill an hour (or more!). Explore the tags for backlogged Vintage gold including fashion and beauty from 1900-1960s. I especially love the transcripts from old videos like this one...

Marc Jacobs Fall 2011

Marc Jacobs put everything that I love about fall dressing in one collection--polka dots, velour, lace--and infused them with 1930s style and some S&M couture. The result is retro perfection.





If you like the look The Limited pulled a lot of their fall inspiration from this collection (and Jason Wu's) just as NY&Co channeled Gucci. Happy shopping.

NY & Co does Gucci!

These promo pics from NY & Co's Fall campaign has me so excited. They're pulling heavily from Gucci's Fall 2011 mobster chic collection and I'm in love! Those hats, those gloves, those jewel tones! You can bet I'll be hitting them up in the accessories department once this stuff hits stores!

Louis Vuitton Resort 2012

A collection inspired by Sophia Copolla that combines fashion from the 1930's-1960's is the only thing that can get me looking forward to next summer. Each piece belongs on a rich young ingenue, the kind of girl who rolls out of bed looking fabulous. Who doesn't want to be that girl? Pay attention to the careful use of cloche hats and bright accessories.

Mobster Chic

Now that Summer is in full swing I'm already lusting after Fall's cool weather, jackets, and leg coverings. Gucci's Fall 2011 collection gave us color and mobster chic. I will be channeling my inner Bonnie Parker with a fur stole and swinger hat in just a few months. I find these color combinations wildly inspiring!

1930's Glamour with Jason Wu

The designer Jason Wu, a favorite of Michelle Obama, created a beautiful collection for Pre-Fall 2011. I'm in love with the dropped-waist flapper style dresses, ironic menswear, and 1930's-inspired gowns. The color palettes here are great inspiration and you can bet I'll be pairing purple, peach and beige this fall as well as gold and sapphire blue.