From the ...Files: An Extra File

Since I still haven't been able to find an adequate replacement for Amazon yet, I thought I'd do an Extra File instead, where I'll just show off random theme-related items that I'd found but couldn't include in the other posts throughout the month. If I find something that isn't from any of the Files sites but fits the theme, it'll probably end up here in the Extra File at the end of the month. It may not fit the theme at all; it may end up being a random smorgasbord of vintage goodies, if that's how I feel like rollin' that month. Blogger's prerogative and all that. lol But anywho, let's go see what I found!

Champagne Gold Sue Wong Sequined Party or Bridesmaid's Dress, $209

I thought this would make for a fun clubbing dress; I'm not so sure about a bridesmaids' dress, but it would certainly be a fun choice for a night out on the town. When I was a teen, all the cool chicks in the magazines I'd read had dresses similar to this one, so for me I immediately associate it with the partying image. It's everything I could ask for in a party dress. It's sparkly, it's champagne-colored, not terribly long, doesn't look uncomfortable, and it would be cute as hell with either flats or heels. 

'70s Bohemian Angel Wing Chiffon Wedding Dress, $444.01

I'm still not a fan of long-sleeved wedding dresses. Probably never will be. But I am willing to make small exceptions, like with this dress. What gets me with this wedding dress are the angel wings on the sides. Bump the getting married part, I'd put this on so that I could run around flapping my arms like wings all day. So I'm obviously not very mature but I'm sure you knew that already. But seriously, I like the gauzy feel of the angel wings. I like that there is still a sleeve despite the wing and it's not all one piece. I would imagine that would get pretty uncomfortable throughout the day. I also like that it's so simple in terms of design and styling. Not every chick wants to do the most with their wedding-day fashion, and this dress showcases that perspective perfectly. I think this could be really pretty when you add in the right hairstyle and makeup. 

Vintage Tan and Brown Floral Embroidered Cape, $139

If you've either had weather like mine lately or live in a place that tends to get chilly after sunset, I think this would be a seasonally-appropriate but still fashionable option for covering up if you're going to be out at night. When I first saw this photo I thought of a bonfire by a beach, where it tends to get chilly after dark. It doesn't require all the zippers and buttons of a jacket, isn't as unflattering as most large sweaters, and fits the bohemian theme that I really like for summer. 

Fine Old Dixie Recipes Southern Cookbook, $59

I didn't realize until I was searching for items to add to this post that searching for "Americana" on Etsy yielded some of the most racially offensive shit I think I've ever seen. Racially offensive to me, anyway. I'm aware that it's not offensive to everyone, but it really chafes my buns. That's an entirely different issue though, one I'll leave for a Spotlight someday. Anyway, about 6 pages into my search I found this cookbook and once I got past the left image, there's a cookbook full of Southern recipes and the like, which I would be really excited to read. Even though I was born and raised in the South, my part of Texas, where I've spent the majority of my life, is considered more Southwestern than Southern so there are a lot of recipes and cookbooks that I've missed out on. If I were to buy this, I'd really have to do something about that photo, at least until I can get out of my feelings about it. lol I'm glad that for some couples, tying the cans onto the back of the car used to escort the couple is still a tradition for their wedding day. I don't see it too often anymore, but if I were to get married, I'd make sure to have it at mine. I don't know exactly why I like the tradition so much, I'm not even entirely sure what it means, but when I see and hear a bunch of cans dragging behind a couple's car, it makes me happy. lol It's one of those campy, fun traditions that do no harm and have no ulterior motive..unless you count the awful grating sound that only grows in volume and annoyance after awhile of listening to it. But it's worth it. 

Antique Lace and Pearl Bridal Cap and Veil, $75

I'm not the biggest fan of cap veils, but for some reason they fascinate me. I wonder about how to properly style the hair to complement the veil best, whether having a short hairdo, like a pixie, would look okay with the cap or overwhelm the head, or how to deal with the fullness of the veil itself. I'm not one for super fussy veils and this one looks like it would be a handful...literally lol...and a windy wedding day could very well end up being the most annoying thing ever with this veil on. But still, they fascinate me. They're more elaborate than tiaras or jeweled hair clips, but not quite as elaborate as a wedding day top hat and veil, which I didn't even know existed until I started the Files posts. 

4-pc Retro Avocado Green Coffee Cup & Saucer Set, $19

I don't get to drink hot beverages often because they usually upset my stomach, but on the occasions that I decide to rebel, I love using large coffee cups. The really deep, really wide cups are my favorites; I much prefer those over the regularly sized ones. I can't explain what drew me to them other than the size. I was going to say I could do without the green color of the cups, but when I thought about it I couldn't come up with a color that I would have preferred instead so there went that. lol I just think this is a cute set to have out for either show or actual usage.     This Pin links you to a BuzzFeed site, and while I don't normally count them among the places that I go to read about anything vintage, this was an article that I really liked. I liked that there was racial diversity in the photos, and there was so much variety in all the dresses throughout the years that were featured. This isn't necessarily an inspiration Pin, but it is a great set of photos to showcase weddings throughout the years. I never really thought about looking at old photos until I started reading Vixen Vintage, but I find myself a little drawn to them now and I want to see some more. 

1960s Dr. Drake Vintage Enamel Sign, $38.31

I liked this for two reasons. One, I love the style of the lettering; it reminds me of the 1800s huckster advertisements for snake oil or snail vagina essential oils guaranteed to cure everything from cramps to crabs. LOL Everything but the snake oil in that last sentence was false but that's my take on them. Anyway, two, unless I'm a boob for not reading this correctly, I want to say that this is a tongue-in-cheek parody of those huckster ads by saying that this universal pill cures nothing. I'm a boob anyway, but I might have this one wrong. Either way, I want it. 





Retro Vintage Weddings And finally, I wanted to show off a shop that I really like when it comes to vintage wedding gowns and accessories. I was trying to get the photo of the banner here but I couldn't get it so I was only able to include the link. Retro Vintage Weddings is an Etsy shop that specializes in providing excellent vintage-inspired wedding attire. If you've been with me for awhile, then you may remember this beaut that I featured during last year's wedding season. Coincidentally, it was from this shop, which I had chosen to feature before I realized that it was also where I found that gown last June. The items for sale are well-made and worth their prices. If you're just a chronic window shopper like me, it's still a shop worth checking out.

 

So even though this has the original timestamp of when it should have went up, I'm sure you're aware that it's super late and as of yet, there haven't been any Files posts for July. Originally the theme of the month was going to be Americana, based on the bohemian, American-themed fashion and decor that I'd been seeing and really liked. I liked what I found on said theme when I researched it. But as I mentioned earlier, when I searched for Americana on Etsy so I could give a little peek into July's theme, I found a bunch of items that for me personally were racially offensive. At first I wasn't comfortable making this the theme for the month when such degrading items were technically classified as being part of that style, so I nixed the idea for Americana anything. Because I plan out the blog's monthly subjects months in advance, it really threw me off to not have a backup and the entire month of posts was up in the air as a result.  But thanks to a wise old birdie (aka my mom, who will kill me when she finds out I called her old LOL), I was able to get some outside perspective and pull a pretty good (if not a little controversial) idea for a Spotlight post out of it. I'm going to keep to the Americana theme after all because despite those negative things, there were some really positive parts, some of which are the reasons why I was drawn to vintage in the first place, and I'd like to focus on both in a way that's both fun and educational, the latter especially in the case of said offensive items. Anyway, I'm sorry I've been so far behind. Now that I know I'm going to keep to the month's original concept, those missing Files posts should be up by Sunday. So get ready for those, another Instagram installment, and I hope you watched TNT along with me tonight. See you soon!