Sweethearts' Dance

This year I wanted to find a special way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Mike is a romantic guy, and he takes me out to dinner and a movie quite a lot. So, what could we do for Valentine's Day that was different?

While we were engaged, we started taking ballroom dance lessons so we'd know how to do a little more than the "high school sway" on the dance floor at our wedding reception. We had a lot of fun with it and continued to take lessons for a couple of years. we stopped when we started working on our Master's degrees, so I thought it would be fun to go back to Amour Danzar in Long Beach for one of their Friday night dance parties. 

I admit my love for ballroom dance is fueled by movies from the 1950s, especially this classic scene from White Christmas with Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen:

Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen were right-- "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing."  

I found my pink "debutante" dress at House of Tux in Gulfport while being fitted for my wedding dress. It fulfilled my 1950s dance movie dreams and I had to get it! It is the perfect dress to wear for waltzing and doing the foxtrot.  

Dress: B2 from House of Tux

Shoes: Naturalizer

Purse: Target

Pearls: Mikimoto

My Valentine's gift from mike was the diamond bracelet which matched my wedding ring! (I got him a Star War's blaster belt to go with his Han Solo costume).

A flower completes the look. 

Silver accents in the accessories. 

High Tea at the Mary C.

I had been wanting to try "High Tea at the Mary C." for a long time, and finally got a chance about two weeks ago. (Also did a review for the newspaper. Great chance for combining work with fun). The  Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Centerhas a weekly tea time where you get your choice of tea  and finger foods- the "perfect blend of sweet and savory," as the hostesses said. I am wearing my latest Hell Bunny dress from Modcloth.com, which they called "blueberry pie."

Dress: Hell Bunny "Vanda"

Purse: Casper

Shoes: Via Neroli

I stopped by Sally Beauty Supply and got a new ceramic spiral curling iron and love wearing my hair curly a few times a week. 

The serving trays, teapots, and saucers are beautiful!

Beautiful murals in the lobby.

Mary C. hostesses gave amazing service!

Someone trying a vanilla bean scone -- delicious!

The best thing about living in the South is mild winters. It's October and I can still wear a summer dress! It will kill me when I have to put these away for the winter.

Strawberry Fields Forever

"Isobel" was a Hell Bunny dress I've had my eye on for a while. When I lost an Ebay auction for the dress by one dollar, I complained about it for two weeks (just ask Mike). Finally, a seller from Australia put it up as a "buy it now" option, and I snapped it up! Now I can say I have dress from Down Under! 

Dress: Hell Bunny Isobel

Headband: Lulu in the Sky

 Purse: Payless

Shoes: Cato

I'm loving the latest trend in "Rosie the Riveter" wire-wrap headbands. I've checked around locally but no one has them. I got mine from "Lulu in the Sky," and Ebay seller from the UK. She has a huge variety of colors and patterns. 

I'm not usually good with hair up dos, but I learned a few simple styles from YouTube. If I can do it, you can do it!

A view of Back Bay near Kremer's Marina in Gulfport. The criss-cross straps of this dress are adorable!

Relaxing on the porch of the Chimney's in Gulfport. Shoes from Charlotte Russe.

I love that Hell Bunny puts pockets on all their dresses!

Sunday afternoon

We spent Sunday afternoon at my mother-in-law's beautiful home on the Back Bay. We had her famous gumbo and Aunt Charlotte's delicious potato salad for lunch, among many other delicacies.
We celebrated my sister-in-law's new assistant principal job in the local school district and my husband's new teaching job at Tulane University!

Dress: Willi Smith (TJ Maxx)

Shoes: American Eagle

Purse: Bishou Bishou

Truly adorable print, truly adorable dog.

Matching shoes and purse not required.

Art School Fashion Plates

The 1940s Meet the 1950s

It was the last day of class at the university where I teach art classes, and is becoming a tradition to have a costume party for our final critique. My student Flora and I decided to come representing our favorite eras- for me, the 1950s, and for her, the 1940s.

My clothing-

Dress: La Belle

Hat: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Payless 

Pearls: gift from Michael

I also love pairing this hat with modern clothes to keep the look from getting too costumey.

Flora's hat from Roadkill, a rockabilly store in New Orleans.
I am dying to learn how to do this 1940s 'do! 
Here is a tutorial:
 http://youtu.be/IH4KWLiyuK4

Not your ordinary luncheon in the grass!

Love this black lace fabric and full skirt with gauzy petticoat! 

 

The original Gossip Girls!

 

Jewelry sets the tone for the entire outfit.

Flora's shoes by Bongo.

 Special thanks to University art student George Rothering for photographing our style shoot!