Valley of the Dolls or Betty Draper?

I decided to post this feature in celebration of the season premier of Mad Men this past Sunday. Betty was conspiciously absent from the first episode as Don settles down with his new wife. What's in store for the former Mrs. Draper this season? I think this editorial shows a Betty a few years later, twice divorced and downing dolls and alcohol while the kids are at school and greeting the mailman in a Miu Miu coat. The character reference is obvious and the use of shadows are a reflection of Betty's eventual decline from the fresh pastel-loving girl from season one. Brilliant. This "Valley of the Dolls" editorial was shot by Rosie Huntington for Harpers Bazaar UK.

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: A Very Stylish Christmas

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I must have been a good girl this year to get so many wonderful and stylish presents. I will not be listing prices due to the spirit of giving but links are provided for purchasing.


I received the Candy Violet Pretty You 4 piece set in siren red from the in-laws. I can't stop marveling over all the pieces, so cute and easy to wear. The flower pin, hair bows, scarf and bow hat integrate seamlessly into my current wardrobe.


This gorgeous green leopard collar 60s coat is from Asos via my mother-in-law! I love how it looks like the one Andy wears in The Devil Wears Prada.


Mr. Anachronistic Style deemed me worthy of this gorgeous Betsey Johnson tea party satchel! I can't stop staring at it, it is perfect in so many ways. Love the bows, the quilting, the interior. I will carry this for years.


My dream is to have a kitchen full of pink KitchenAid appliances. My wonderful in-laws bought me the first piece with this beautiful 7-speed digital hand-mixer! I will be baking cookies.


Mr. Anachronistic Style's cousin and his wife bought me these mixing bowls to go with my new hand mixer. So thoughtful and much needed!

Tattler Russia's Ice Princess

Winter in Ohio kicks off after Christmas, our Indian summer frosts into full-blown winter with blizzards and ice storms. I love the changing of the seasons and winter holds a special place in my heart as the season of cozy cashmere, fur (faux please!), dazzling sequins, bright tights and cool winter coats. This editorial celebrates my favorite parts of winter with a strong 1920s vibe. I can't get over the liberal use of fur and gypsy accents that makes me anxious to get into the snowy part of winter. I can just see myself scraping the frost off of my car in one of these glamorous looks from Russia's Tattler magazine.

Craving for a Hot Pink Coat!

My obsession with the color pink and their Fall look book has me DESPERATE for kate spade's Cherie coat ($695). It looks like something Chanel would have put out in the 1940s (or any decade for that matter!) I don't own a winter coat and live in Ohio so obviously I should save up for it but 1) Christmas is coming and I should buy for others and 2) my size is already sold out and 3) I've never paid that much for one clothing item in my entire life. Anybody know of a good knock-off?

Daily Dose of Pretty - Kate Spade New York

Kate Spade is one of those lifestyle brands that molds my own personal style--bright, cheerful, and girly with a strong dash of retro. I adore the Fall campaign featuring Bryce Dallas Howard (though I have no idea who she is!) that celebrates all the best luxuries in life--the perfect hand bag, a neon pink coat, vibrant lipstick paired with winged eyeliner, and a perfectly clear martini! We all need a friendly reminder to Live Colorfully!

Donna Karan Resort 2012

Donna Karan, normally known for her expert draping, did a sport and body-conscious collection for resort 2012. I love resort collections since the "summer" theme means the clothes are so wearable. This collection does not disappoint since all the looks translate well into the real world. The full skirt and fitted bodice is so 1950's (just check out that shirt waist dress!) but Donna Karan renders her pieces in modern fabrics and details in my favorite color pattern--red, white, and black. I also love the nod to the 40s with the cocoon coat and skirt suits. The collection is so retrofuturist!

Thursday Movie Review: All About Eve (1950)

All About Eve (1950) is a fascinating film that harkens back to when movies had literary qualities. The subtle psychology behind each actor and the fiery tirades of Margot Channing (Bette Davis) punctuate the film with wit and humor. The title character Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) worms her way into Margot's life and tries to supplant her career and her relationships. The clothes are inspiring and be careful not to miss an early role from Marilyn Monroe's career. One of the movie's themes is oppositions--New York vs. Hollywood, Old vs. Young, married vs. single. One of my favorite scenes is when Margot's boyfriend turns Eve down--"What I go after I go after. I don't want it to come after me." Makes me nostalgic for a time when men had standards. Watch this one with your token-gay-male-friend or an aging fabulous aunt that will quote the movie line by line for you!



Get the Look:

I adore several costume elements from the film but the suit Margot wore to the theater still haunts me. This is the perfect outfit for putting people in their place. You can get this look with the J.Crew Telegraph suit ($306) paired with this New York & Company silky bow blouse ($37). Be sure to add this Vivcore party bow purse ($95) with your basic black pumps. Extra style points for donning a faux mink ($199)!

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.

Weekly Expense Report: Mad Men Edition

There has not been a Weekly Expense Report for awhile now in preparation for the Mad Men Collection launched at Banana Republic this Thursday. I went hog wild trying on every piece of the collection. Lucky for my wallet my boobs are unforgiving toward such structured styles--while many of the dresses looked great from the front my boobs looked tortured from the sides. I'm very happy with my purchases but I'm still dying for the black cat-eye sunglasses that apparently nobody carries in store.


I've been drooling over this leopard print trench ($198) for weeks and called on Thursday to put the coat on hold. The pattern is slightly shimmery, the material perfectly light-weight as a trench should be, and the lining divine. The cut really stands out--the waist is nipped in and the bottoms flares over the hips way more than the photo shows, a very 1950's silhouette! It is so chic and timeless I will be wearing this for decades!


The lace tipped Joan dress ($150) worked the best for my figure. The material is beautiful and I love the lace details at the hem and shoulders. The cowl neckline accommodates an ample chest and I was even able to zip it up all by myself! I will be getting my Holloway on at work in this number.


Mr. Anachronistic Style will be getting his Don Draper on in the tailored slim two-button suit blazer ($375). He was in the market for a suit blazer that could be casual or dressy and this even looked amazing over his jeans and T-shirt in the store. He now has two suits for wherever life may take him.


Of course the matching tailored slim suit pants ($150) had to come home with us too. They fit him like a glove.


I've been meaning to buy this book ever since I read the review that T.Lo gave it. I'll be thumbing through it in the coming weeks but you can get your copy here ($27).


I have vowed to buy at least one top on every shopping trip until I build up my collection. This bottle green lace tee ($40) made it easy to keep my promise. Looks amazing with a pencil skirt or with cropped 1950's cigarette pants. Don't forget the pearls!


I'm so in love with the full skirts everyone is carrying this fall, they make the waist look so tiny! I opted for this teal grosgrain waist pleated skirt ($80) because black is just so ordinary.


Every fashionista no matter what era needs jeans. I wore my jeggings out last year and had to throw them away at the beginning of summer. The 1969 mid-weight high-rise legging jean ($70) is perfectly cuffable for now and perfectly tuckable for later. Love that high waist so much, low-rise jeans never did anybody's muffin top any favors!