The Blue Gardenia
That Touch of Fashion: Be bubbly. Be witty. Be Doris. No? August 25, 2010 16:51 2 Comments
She can be effervescent. She can be sleek. She can be hilarious. She can be serious. But she's always engaging, whether playing an abused Ruth
"Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty." So said Ms. Day. So true. Though I admit to the occasional bout of complaining. I do. Really. I'm not proud of that fact. I'm not. But there ya go. Cold hard truth. And all that.
At the moment, I'm very grateful for For You by Raul Malo. (Thank you, Marticia, for playing his music today. I scrounged around my piles of CDs, and there the Malo/Mavericks CDs were.) I want to be your story. I want to be your glory. The secret that you're keeping that you can tell no other. Oh, Raul. Raul. That is so fabulous. I feel a teen-age girl swoon coming on. I do. So. Excuse me, dear readers, excuse me. I must hit replay. Absolutely.
That Touch of Fashion: Annoyed, yes. Stupid, no. Glam, you bet. August 14, 2010 08:48 4 Comments
She's feisty. She's ethical. She's independent. She's a career woman, most definitely
not a career girl. And she is dressed for success. Totally. The movie: 1961's Lover Come Back. The character: Carol Templeton.
Duplicate the look with Advance American Designer 6952, designed by Stanley Wyllens. And, yup, it is available at The Blue Gardenia. But you knew that. You did.
And you may get a kick out of this quote from Ms. Day — I know I did: "Any girl can look glamorous . . . just stand there and look stupid."
That Touch of Fashion: A lace top to spur howls at midnight August 1, 2010 12:30 2 Comments
Who can forget the sexy lace pant suit thatBut. Down to brass needles. Absolutely.
This enticing set can be yours. It can. First, get Simplicity 3703, circa 1950s. (Mad Men alert! It's that day, after all, and this pattern is very cuspy; it'd look right at home in the '60s. Absolutely.) Get it at The Blue Gardenia, of course. But you knew we'd have it. Didn't you? Thought so. Use View 2, but trim the bottom of the blouse straight across. Forget the point. Save that style for later. It's casual. It's cute. But it's for a barbecue, not an after-hour seduction. (Yup. This is a multipurpose pattern. Make it once. Make it twice. Make it once again.)
And might I suggest Gorgeous Fabrics rayon Chantilly Lace for the top? Luscious. Line it in nude georgette for modesty. Or just wear a black camisole underneath. Your choice. Either way, the wolves will be sniffing around your door.
That Touch of Fashion: A sentimental yet strong Doris Day look. July 10, 2010 10:21 2 Comments
"I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty." So said Doris Day. And is there a prettier look than this lovely scallop blouse, McCall's 8929, copyright 1952?
It captures
Her Dorisness perfectly. Spot on. Truly. Just add the don't-mess-with-me gloves and
the feminine-as-a-perfume-bottle pillbox hat, and you are there. Be sure to put
Latin for Lovers on the CD when you wear this blouse for full effect. Or
maybe Sentimental Journey if you're in an extremely sappy mood. You
decide.
If you want to make this ensemble complete, then you'll want to snap up McCall's 8725, copyright 1950. A bargain at $18. Can you say no? Of course not. Because you want to make me gleeful. Don't you? That's your goal in life. Right?
And, yep, these patterns are indeed available at The Blue Gardenia. You knew that was coming, didn't you? Well, I have bills to pay. And a hubby out of work. So. Naturally, I hope you cannot live without this pattern. Tell me you can't. OK? Make my day.
In fact, make my day a very happy one, and go on a shopping spree at The Blue Gardenia. Por favor, if I may quote the beautiful, independent and kind Ms. Day.