Mission possible: Cinnamon's neckline dazzles. Yours can, too. December 26, 2013 19:46

She was only on Mission: Impossible for three seasons. But what an impression Barbara Bain's Cinnamon Carter made. She was tough. She was sexy. She was smart. She could outfox the best of them.

And what style. This jeweled neckline is a favorite. I'm a pushover for jeweled necklines. One can have sparkle without searching for that perfect necklace. How fabulous is that?

If you want to emulate this look, I suggest Vogue American Designer 2606, View A. It has an added bonus: Cutaway shoulders. Such a flattering look. Ralph Lauren definitely knows how to make women look even more luscious.

Yes, this is available at The Blue Gardenia, and at a fabulous price. Check out our sale. You've got all that Christmas money to spend, after all. Time is running out. Details, if you please:

 End of the Year / End of an Era  Sale!

Now through Midnight (PST) December 31, 2013

Spend $100 (before the discount) — get 20% off.

Spend $200 (before the discount) — get 30% off.

Spend $300 (before the discount) — get 40% off. 

Spend $400 or more (before the discount) — get a whopping 50% off.

Payment is by PayPal only, 

except for established customers, who may arrange for payment  by check.

Yes, you may buy gift certificates for that special someome —

offering sales rates honored through January 2014.

Mission possible: A classic, tailored look for Cinnamon December 4, 2013 00:56

Cinnamon, ever-so-sexy, ever-so-smart (but then, they go together, do they not?) operative for Mission: Impossible, always looked fetching. So very. Sometimes, she was daringly sexy, sometimes, she was beautifully classic. Vogue Paris Original 2077, designed by none other than the brilliant Yves Saint Laurent, is a fashion-forward way to channel this look.

And you can take advantage of The Blue Gardenia's end-of-an-era sale to purchase this lovely. It's one fine way to stock up for holiday projects and 2014's as well. Don't miss it!

(Are you as excited about the debut of our newly designed website as we? We are all aflutter! 2014, here we come!)

Mission possible: Cinnamon is the blooming garden party. She is. May 10, 2012 01:33

This is the way to be girly. This is the way to exhibit spring colors. Colors straight from  the garden: the pink of a Belinda's Dream rose; the green of an August Moon hosta. Cinnamon, smart and chilly agent  provocateur on Mission Impossible (that would be the TV show — so much more watchable than the special-effects-infected movies) proves there's no need to be frilly to be feminine.

And Simplicity 5985, copyright 1965, duplicates the look. Perfectly. Well, almost. And it's a Jiffy pattern. Now that is one very alluring benefit to the beginning sewer. Absolutely.

The details — and you're panting for them, I know: Bust 41. Complete. 25 smackeroos. Available at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (And, yes, we happily ship abroad — either Global Priority or Express — for less than USPS charges us. Because I am just that kind of fabulous babe. Yes indeedy.)

Mission possible: Cinnamon stuns in an extraordinary LBS. March 5, 2012 00:46

Ahhhh. . . Cinnamon Carter. We should all be as cool. As capable. As smart. As beautiful. As fashionable.

Let your inner Cinnamon out. Now. Be bold. Because. No missions are impossible when you're wearing this sexy yet elegant sheath. And McCall's 6571 is a mirror image. It is. Exact.

The details: McCall's 6571 Evening or Cocktail Gowns Bust 34 Complete Copyright 1962 $75.

And, of course, this red-carpet ready gown is available at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. But you knew all that, didn't you? Of course you did. (And, yes, we do ship abroad. Absolutely. Enthusiastically. Shipping fees do apply.)

Mission possible: Gutsy yet elegant, Cinnamon pleases the eye. September 28, 2011 01:28 1 Comment

Ahhhh. Cinnamon, that Mission Impossible provocateur. So lovely. So sexy. So bold with her fashion choices. Take, for instance, this number. So sixties. So daring. If one described it — without the picture — one might think it would overpower a slim blonde. One might. There are the ruffles. So abundant. The print. So striking. And yet, she looks lovely. So chic. So comfortable.

If you want to emulate this look, I suggest Simplicity 7956, copyright 1968. Make it sleeveless unless you are unhappy with your upper arms, as so many women are — including this blogger. Of course, I suspect your upper arms are quite attractive, and you have no reason to get caught up in expectations that our biceps and triceps be as toned as Michele Obama's. (Yes, I wish mine looked like hers . . . alas, they do not. I'm not that dedicated to the gym. All I have the self-discipline to achieve on that front is a couple of 3-lb. dumbbell sessions twice a week. One day, perhaps I'll go up to 5 lbs. One day. Perhaps.)

And wouldn't Gorgeous Fabrics Big Leaves Cotton be perfect? I think so. It's a mere $12 per yard. It's a black, white and brown print. Love it. Love it. Love it.

And, of course, this beauty can be yours. Just drop by The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. But you knew all that, didn't you? Of course you did. (And, yes, we do ship abroad. Absolutely. With enthusiasm. Shipping fees do apply.) Oh, and lest I forget, it's available in Bust 32 1/2 or 38, for a mere $26. A bargain for so much style.

(And this Barbara Bain poster can be yours as well. Just check out Allposters.)

Mission possible: This is the way Cinnamon wears the LBD. April 18, 2011 03:37 2 Comments

That hair. That face. That sophistication. That little black dress, as worn by Barbara Bain as Cinnamon on Mission Impossible. Copy this look with Simplicity 5698, copyright 1964. View 3 is my choice. If, however, you're the modest type, you'll want to make the blouson as well. Absolutely.

And, yes, this pattern can be yours. Just fill out the order form at The Blue Gardenia. We have it in Bust 31 or 32. And, of course, we ship abroad. We do. Merrily.

Can you live without this stunning style? You cannot. And there's no need to do so. None at all.

Mission possible: Cinnamon's impeccable 1960s style April 8, 2011 15:43

She's smart. She's composed. She's cool. She's impossibly sexy. She's
always well-dressed. Who is this paragon of chic womanhood? Barbara Bain as Cinnamon Carter, the clever operative who graced Mission: Impossible from 1966 through 1969.

 If you admire her style as much as I do, dear readers, if you want to emulate her fashion, may I suggest McCall's 8381? Yes, I may. Thank you for being so polite. The details, if you will: Designed by Geoffrey Beene. Copyright 1965. Bust 34. Complete. $35.

Another excellent choice, if I do say so myself, is McCall's 8004. This one is designed by Beene as well, and it's from 1966. Bust 32. Factory folds. $35. 

And, of course, these two beauties are available at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. But you knew all that, didn't you? Of course you did. (And, yes, we do ship abroad. Absolutely. With enthusiasm. Shipping fees do apply.)