• About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Press
  • Privacy and Disclosure
  • Vintage in Missouri
  • ebooks
  • fashion
  • free patterns
  • hair tutorials
Va-Voom Vintage |  Vintage Fashion, Hair Tutorials and DIY Style
  • craft tutorials
  • vintage for beginners
craft tutorials featured

DIY Bettie Page Inspired Accessories for The Little Book of Bettie

5/31/18



Last fall, I was contacted by Tori Rodriguez of Bettie Page Fitness to see if I'd like to write some Bettie Page inspired fashion crafts for a book she wrote. Of course, I said yes and I came up with 3 DIY Bettie Page inspired projects. The Little Book of Bettie: Taking a Page from the Queen of the Pinups is now available wherever books are sold from Running Press! My copy arrived recently and I was so excited to see my words and pictures in print.





The Little Book of Bettie includes Bettie Page inspired fashion, fitness, hair, beauty and a forward by none other than Dita Von Teese. You'll find my tutorials for a tropical hair flower clip, nautical pinup shoe clips and a fabulous pink straw handbag with no-sew animal print lining, inspired by Bettie's home made animal print swimsuits.  Tori also included by watercolor illustration, 10 Style Lessons from Bettie Page.






Check out Tori's very fun and inspiring Bettie Page fitness dvd, which I've been using and enjoying for quite a while. Each workout move is inspired by one of Bettie's classic pinup poses. I love that the dvd includes workouts for all bodies and she keeps it very light, fun and encouraging.









  

















Read more
fashion featured

Outfit: Factory Girl

5/28/18
1940s pendleton 49er jacket factory girl outfit from va-voom vintage 
 
In 1899 this warehouse was the American car and Foundry building. It brought jobs and money to my home town, St. Charles, Missouri which sits along the Missouri River and is cut through by railroad tracks, which still run and can be heard in my home late at night. During World War II, this steel shop in my neighborhood switched from manufacturing  railway cars to making tanks for the war effort. 

1940s pendleton 49er jacket factory girl outfit from va-voom vintage


   
Today the warehouse is a tennis club and also hosts local family events like wrestling matches and flea markets in the large space. Every time I walk by the building, I can't help but think about the people who worked here to bring prosperity to St. Charles in good times and to fight a war in bad. How many women took breaks and walked home through this alley during the war. Today these buildings are antique shops, a music shop and homes and apartments for my neighbors, probably much like they were back then. 


 





1940s pendleton 49er jacket factory girl outfit from va-voom vintage

1940s pendleton 49er jacket factory girl outfit from va-voom vintage







                                                                             Outfit

silk scarf- thrifted
blouse- thirfted
Pendleton 49er jacket- warehouse sale
wide leg pants- thirfted
1940s V for Victory rhinestone brooch- flea market
assorted bakelite bangles



Read more
featured hair tutorials

Denman Hairbrush Pin Curl Brush Out Video

5/26/18


how to brush out pin curls with a Denman brush

I've always used any ol' brush to brush out my pin curls. I switched between bristle types sometimes but I've never been a slave to brands. For months, I've heard vintage girls rave about the Denman brush so I finally picked one up from Sally's and gave it a try. I wasn't expecting anything different than my Wetbrush or other plastic bristle brush but after trying it on a pin curl set, I'm definitely a Denman convert! You can find this brush at Sallys or on Amazon*

Denman brand hair brush

It's the perfect tool for vintage styles but it also works beautifully on my daughter's easily tangled hair. The weight of the rubber bristle base feels great in the hand and I couldn't be happier with it. I posted a live brush-out video on the Va-Voom Vintage Facebook page so you can see how I brush out my daily pin curls and how the Denman brush works. Check my live video on facebook for questions and answers or leave a comment here!



Check out my tutorials page for more vintage hair and beauty tutorials

* This post contains links to my affiliates. For more information on how I earn money from this blog, check my disclosure page*
Read more
fashion featured

Outfit: Goldsmith Shop

5/23/18


1940s plus size outfit with plaid skirt, blue cardigan from emmy design sweden by va-voom vintage


Although I've lived in St. Charles, Missouri my entire life and explored many of the little shops and restaurants on historic Main Street, there are still a few nooks and crannies that I haven't been to.



 This little goldsmith shop sits off the beaten path, near the Missouri River and on a walk recently, the little cottage caught my attention.
 
The goldsmith is still open for business, by appointment but she wasn't in on the day I visited. I enjoyed exploring her doorstep anyway and admiring the beautiful keyhole and wondering if there is still an antique key that fits it. 
 


The rippling glass window showcases pieces of a silver tea service and pieces of coral, little boxes and things that look like they've been in that window for 200 years. I wonder if this place was always the home of a smith, working in the yard behind the building during the days of the Lewis and Clark expedition, which began right here. 

 
1940s plus size outfit with plaid skirt, blue cardigan from emmy design sweden by va-voom vintage





1940s plus size outfit with plaid skirt, blue cardigan from emmy design sweden by va-voom vintage




1940s plus size outfit with plaid skirt, blue cardigan from emmy design sweden by va-voom vintage

Outfit:
vintage white blouse- estate sale
Susie Q Cardigan- Emmy Design 
70s plaid skirt- thirfted
loafers-Clarks via Amazon*



* This post contains links to my affiliates. For more information, see my disclosure page*
Read more
fashion featured

Outfit: Lounge Day (with coupon for The Victorian Trading Company)

5/21/18

sheer embroirdered socks from Victorian Trading Company

My little ones will be home for summer vacation next week so I thought I'd soak up the last day of the school year by lounging around in the quiet, flipping through old magazines and watching a few favorite movies.
sheer embroidered socks on feet with a vintage rotary phone

Being a stay at home mom, some days I don't get out of my nightgown so its important to have a small stash of beautiful pajamas, not just sweats. Today I slipped into a vintage sheer black peignoir with gold and black pom pom trim around the neckline and to match, these beautiful sheer Rosy Posy socks that were sent to me by The Victorian Trading Company.
 
 
see through embroidered socks

 
Va-Voom Vintage readers can get free shipping on orders over $60 from The Victorian Trading Company with code VAVOOM

I wear a size 10 shoe so I wasn't sure if these would fit me or have any stretch for wide feet but they slip on beautifully and even though they're sheer, are much warmer than I thought they would be.

 The black toe and heel are reinforced and are hand washed with pantyhose and stockings. The slid across the kitchen floor while I danced around making lunch for myself this afternoon. I can't wait to wear them with pretty heels or sandals this summer.

This pair is embroidered in beautiful tiny purple flowers, which looks a little like a needlepoint pattern up close but there are several other styles at The Victorian Trading Company.










Read more
featured free patterns

Free Vintage Knitting Pattern: 1952 Cape Collar Blouse

5/20/18
free 1950s vintage cape collar sweater knitting pattern


It's been a while since I shared a knitting or crochet pattern so here's a beautiful summery blouse, because knitting and crochet is not just for winter time!

 Be sure to check out my free patterns page for sewing and millinery and my free patterns category for vintage knitting and crochet patterns.



Stay tuned on the 20th of the month for a new free vintage knitting or crochet pattern.


















Read more
featured hair tutorials

Tutorial: Cat Eyeliner for Heavy Lids

5/19/18


how to do cat eye liner on hooded lids



I've had a lot of questions about how I do my eyeliner so I thought I'd share a video with a nifty trick on how I always get the angle of my liner to match and how I work around heavy eyelids. I've used a lot of different eyeliners over the years but my current favorite is NYX Epic Ink Liner.
 


 I'm not a makeup artist by any means but this is how I do my daily liner so I hope you enjoy my little tricks!


Watch the tutorial on my Instagram makeup highlights @vavoomvintage or on your desktop




Read more
fashion featured

Outfit: Schoolhouse Red

5/18/18
red plaid skirt and vintage style heel shoes with a red door

I can't believe that school is almost out for the summer. My little ones have a week left! I've been planning some fun, free activities to keep everyone busy this summer but I'm sure we'll also enjoy going on walks around the neighborhood and nearby woods. 
 
                         vintage inspired red plaid skirt outfit with beret at a vintage school house with va-voom vintage

The city just renovated our local playgrounds and swimming pools so the kids are excited to check out all of the new facilities. 

A few decades ago, the closest elementary school was actually right across the street from my house! One day I ran into a man who used to attend this school and he told me about the building, the playground (Which is now a parking lot) and an empty corner lot nearby that was once a little general store where kids would buy candy on the way home from school.


                     vintage inspired red plaid skirt outfit with beret at a vintage school house with va-voom vintage

 The school building was sold and is now owned by an artist who leases one side out for a church and the other half is her art studio. Since I love to take outfit photos here, I made sure to pop over and say hello and ask if she would mind if I come take pictures for my blog. 


When taking photos in front of buildings, I always try to use businesses that are currently closed or vacant spaces.  When one so pretty is so close to home, I thought I better just go say hello and explain why I'm dancing in their parking lot in front of a tripod.  Of course she said yes and promised a future tour of the neat old building. 









 Outfit
blouse- made by me using Simplicity 1692
beret- amazon*
cardigan- thrifted
vintage plaid skirt- thirfted
shoes- BAIT footwear


* This post contains links to my affiliates. Please see my full disclosure policy



Read more
featured

Unboxing from The Victorian Trading Company

5/17/18



Recently I received a beautiful box in the mail from The Victorian Trading Company to review and share with you here.

 The Victorian Trading Company specializes in antique style fashion, home decor, garden accessories and gifts. Each heirloom quality treasure comes beautifully wrapped.

Opening little ribbon tied boxes and antiqued tissue paper really reminded me of sorting through my great great grandma's jewelry at my grandma's house as a teenager.


The Victorian Trading Company is offering free shipping for orders over $60 for Va-Voom Vintage readers

Use code VAVOOM in checkout to redeem offer- ends 6.30 11:59 EST- not valid in combination with other offers




Cabaret Velvet Boots    Pencil and Pendant Magnifyer    Rosy Posy Socks




I'll be sharing more details of each beautiful item over the next few weeks so check back here or follow along on Instagram or Facebook.


Read more
Previous page Next page
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Powered by Blogger.

Hi, I'm Brittany! Welcome to Va-Voom Vintage

Popular Posts

  • 30+ Free 1950s Style Sewing Patterns
  • Free Pattern: 1940s Yoked Slip-On Sweater
  • Free Pattern: 1957 Harlequin Sweater
  • 20 Free 1950s Style Dress Patterns
  • 9 Things My Grandma Never Threw Away

Newsletter

Receive all posts on your email.

Archives

  • October 2023 (1)
  • March 2021 (1)
  • February 2020 (2)
  • January 2020 (1)
  • December 2019 (1)
  • November 2019 (2)
  • October 2019 (2)
  • September 2019 (2)
  • August 2019 (2)
  • July 2019 (3)
  • June 2019 (2)
  • May 2019 (2)
  • April 2019 (3)
  • March 2019 (2)
  • February 2019 (8)
  • January 2019 (16)
  • November 2018 (5)
  • September 2018 (2)
  • June 2018 (4)
  • May 2018 (11)
  • April 2018 (3)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • February 2018 (3)
  • October 2017 (4)
  • August 2017 (1)
  • July 2017 (4)
  • April 2017 (2)
  • March 2017 (6)
  • February 2017 (1)
  • January 2017 (3)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (6)
  • August 2016 (1)
  • July 2016 (3)
  • June 2016 (1)
  • May 2016 (2)
  • March 2016 (6)
  • February 2016 (2)
  • January 2016 (4)
  • December 2015 (8)
  • November 2015 (6)
  • October 2015 (4)
  • September 2015 (2)
  • August 2015 (7)
  • July 2015 (8)
  • June 2015 (7)
  • May 2015 (3)
  • April 2015 (9)
  • March 2015 (8)
  • February 2015 (6)
  • January 2015 (13)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (15)
  • October 2014 (9)
  • September 2014 (13)
  • August 2014 (21)
  • July 2014 (14)
  • June 2014 (11)
  • May 2014 (10)
  • April 2014 (18)
  • March 2014 (11)
  • February 2014 (11)
  • January 2014 (11)
  • December 2013 (10)
  • November 2013 (16)
  • October 2013 (20)
  • September 2013 (24)
  • August 2013 (26)
  • July 2013 (20)
  • June 2013 (16)
  • May 2013 (18)
  • April 2013 (18)
  • March 2013 (20)
  • February 2013 (19)
  • January 2013 (13)
  • December 2012 (16)
  • November 2012 (15)
  • October 2012 (15)
  • September 2012 (10)
  • August 2012 (12)
  • July 2012 (17)
  • June 2012 (19)
  • May 2012 (16)
  • April 2012 (13)
  • March 2012 (15)
  • February 2012 (12)
  • January 2012 (20)
  • December 2011 (27)
  • November 2011 (7)
  • October 2011 (16)
  • September 2011 (17)
  • August 2011 (14)
  • July 2011 (14)
  • June 2011 (7)
  • May 2011 (6)
  • April 2011 (8)
  • March 2011 (11)
  • February 2011 (17)
  • January 2011 (20)
  • December 2010 (20)
  • November 2010 (4)
  • October 2010 (6)
  • September 2010 (21)
  • August 2010 (24)
  • July 2010 (19)
  • June 2010 (16)
  • May 2010 (12)
  • April 2010 (16)
  • March 2010 (19)
  • February 2010 (20)
  • January 2010 (22)
  • December 2009 (3)

Copyright Va-Voom Vintage 2019
@vavoomvintage
Va-Voom Vintage is a retro lifestyle, fashion and beauty blog by Brittany Sherman

Newsletter

Receive all posts on your email.

© Va-Voom Vintage | Vintage Fashion, Hair Tutorials and DIY Style • Theme by MG Studio