Early Valentines!

...and she's back!
I bet all of you wonder why I do not just excuse myself and take an official bloggy break? Well,I'm afraid if I made it official it just might make me want to rip my clothes from my body and float off nekkid ,into the cyber ether,in nothing but a wee heart belt like these cute cupids depicted here in a vintage Hallmark honeycomb centerpiece!...and besides I continue to lie to myself and tell myself "Self, just look at that glimmer of light,why its almost amber. See it?Right there ,waaaaaay in the distance,at the end of that looooong Pagoda tunnel!Why it will be no time at all till you are once again a blogging fool!".

...and who else ,but all of you ,would I show off my half and yet whole hearted attempts to make merry for the seasons? This time I spruced up the Wee Petals digs with my painted stray tree branch trick.
The great thing about using discarded sticks is just toss the little tree away when you are done,no bulky storage issues.
All of your vintage valentines from the 70's (perfect for a little girl that loves cute doggies)will fit neatly into that pink vintage ruffled candy box(also from the 70's)that you thrifted for mere pennies(I paid 35 cents for mine 2 weeks ago!).
Honestly.... I could never leave this creative community and all the amazing cyber sisters I've "met". I mean look at Amanda who knows my style to the letter.She gifted me with a box of early Valentine prezzies at the beginning of the month.Just look at this amazing black crushed velvet mini dress she sent. I'm thinkin' black tights ,Doc Martens,and ropes of pearls and crazy silver costume jewelry amulets.Hmmmm,maybe just the pearls ,a matching velvet wrap and a wacky yet bodacious vintage bag.....can't decide yet. I just wish I had had it the 1st weekend of Feb(tell ya why in a sec).

Can you even believe this regal sea foam green(she knows me so well) beauty. Amanda calls her "Mame" and she(the dress) immediately makes me think of my favorite quote from that movie(What,you don't have a favorite quote from Mame?!?!): "Life is a banquet and most poor fools are starving". What a great inspiration quote to live your life by. This quote always makes me think of one of my best friends,a great man ,and a true inspiration. He knows who he is.
But back to Amanda's Mame,I have plans for this grand dame of a dress ,I shall reveal them at a later date. I love that something sent to me from a cyber sista
has inspired me to share again,but thats what we do in Bloglandia share our spirit.
On to the sharing portion.
So where have I been? I have been going non stop since before the holidays and I have finally come up for air only this past week. My oldest babe took on her second lead role at a professional theatre (the show just closed,if only I had had that crushed velvet number for the last weekend!). My child played young Violet in Violet a Jeanine Tesori musical. It tells of the spiritual journey of a young woman(older Violet)who as a child suffered a horrible disfiguring accident,and her travels to discover her own inner beauty. Young Vi and older Violet share the stage as they travel and learn about love and courage,and acceptance.
I understand,this seems an odd subject choice for a musical,but these types of human stories is the direction where Musical theatre must continue to head to be relevant.

I must also share that the opening preview was probably one of the greatest nights of my life. My respect for my flesh and blood as an actor has been one of the most satisfying experiences to DATE. To see my own passion reflected back to me through Ruby was quite something indeed.As an actor we know when another actor "belongs" on the stage,and my baby was incandescent.
Ah,but I have 2 little valentines to be proud of.My Wee Petal continues to ,pretty much wake up and begin producing art,as evidenced by her mini me project that I helped her with.
Its time for "A Wee Petal Style Break"
My littlests style pleases me quite a bit. Uniform or no uniform she infuses her own spin on things. She is already a fan of Vans, skullies ,and layering and it warms my heart every time I look at her.
So what I guess I am trying to say on this Valentines Eve,is....... I have always been a bit of a hedonist,I kinda have always suffered from a bit of "Its all about me" disease",don't get me wrong at the same time I would never have called myself selfish(and don't think others would have either).
.....but,right now is about me facilitating the life of the other 3 people that live in the Pagoda. My hubs is traveling more than ever and I must be the glue right now,and sometimes its hard to get in front of my own life.
I shall return ,but who knows when.......

Its A Wee Petal Wonderland!

I promised a style post on Princess Wee Petal. Lets start with her Christmas style!We decided on a pink candylicious sort of theme!

The main display goes on her pink dresser inherited from her big sister(as is much of her furniture).

The lamps are thrifted from my single days I sprayed them baby pink and stripped their shades off and added big round clear bulbs.

I feel very affectionately attached to these little angels and reindeer.I hope my wee one will always have fond memories of these treasures.

Pixies,elves ,reindeer ,and Santas...

and more pixies,elves,reindeer,and Santa's!

I even stock the "pantry" with toy Christmas dishes every year.

For impromptu tea parties.

Hmmm...whats on the menu?

Clarice(wheres her bow?)and a pink reindeer get to play!

An animated angel stands guard at the foot of her bed!

....and back to Wee Petal style. A vintage quilted Chinese coat and other jackets embellished with vintage textiles (by mommy!),and a seasonal purse.

If my oldest baby Crooked Halo is my budding actress,then my little Wee Petal is my budding visual artist. Oh yes,she has her own "studio",a place to create her little Burton-esque people.

Though there are definitely times she takes her need to draw on every surface too far....and now she's WRITING too!
Just in case you are wondering, red Sharpie(I know ,how did she get that?) on the door does not come off with bleach! Time to paint the door!

...and now for a head to toe shot. Smile with your eyes baby!I love how with little kids nothing matches but everything goes together. Vans,vintage,ruffles ,Julius,and Clarice!

Bye Bye Betty

I feel a little sad at the passing of Betty Page.
She seemed to make the art of being a pinup girl wholesome....and I will never forget those bangs!
Bye bye Betty.

...and so it begins.....

Um....holiday decorating that is! This blow up 60's Santa is probably my fave new x-mas decor,grabbed from an estate sale for under a dollar!

I always seem to do up my mantel 1st!


The "before" of my X-mas tree! Click here for the "after"!



Close up views of the mantel. I am really into these pointy tree topper thingie's this year,but not as tree toppers!

See!

Once upon a time I crafted decoupage frames for my girls Santa pics!

Yes,ghosts of Christmas crafts past!
This year I bought all 3 of us girls matching Nick and Nora PJ's from Target for Christmas morning! We could not wait to try them out! Stay tuned for more X-mas escapades in Pagoda-ville!

Happy Turkey Day ,Lets Play Google image Fashion Stylist!

In honor of a day we should all focus on the many wonderful ways our life is AMAZING.... I would like to reach back into the archives of JDP and propose a round of my Google Image Fashion Stylist game. Remember I do NOT own any of these treasures ,except in my own google-able fantasies!
...and oh....how I wish I owned this turkey dress!!!!!! This image was sent to me by my adorable and dear friend Timothy of the crazy cool and always opinionated site The Epistle of Timothy. Could I ever have some fun in this vintage dream dress!


I typed in turkey + necklace and found this delightfully doomed Tom!


I typed in Black vintage purse and eventually settled on this gem!

I cheated and actually grabbed this image from The Victorian Trading Company

Thee little black booty shoes are perfect!
...and last but not least I would top it off with this spectacular example of a vintage leopard coat. I actually have 2 leopard beauties myself. ...but... can you imagine your entrance for Thanksgiving luncheon with your dreamy turkey dress peeking out the bottom?
I wish you all such a beautiful day of reflecting on the wonder of your own lives!

New Treasures(atleast to me)That Are Inspiring Me.

I know......JDP blogging twice in one month? Am I feeling OK?
My answer would have to be an emphatic yes!My mood is much improved and I am really trying to take care of myself rather than being overwhelmed by my family's busy schedules.
I am trying my best to reignite my creative passions.
One beautiful step in the right direction was the recent acquisition of this lovely dress form. I have wanted one for EVAH!I have been faithfully stalking Craigs List for the perfect specimen(I much preferred it to be ecru and neutral).
I purchased it from a lovely older lady who had used it as a dress form in her Nevada resale shop in Carson city. She regaled me with wonderful tales of selling the SAME wedding dress over and over. I guess it was a convenient stop on the way in and out of that Vegas wedding!
My hope is that this little gal will help me bring to life some of the visions that have been dancing in my head. She presently resides in my magic closet. Hey, any ideas for her name?
A more regular workout schedule and keeping a much better eye on my diet has already resulted in weight loss.....
Thus making me step away from the overalls and back into some wonderful thrifted treasures.
Like this yellow shirt dress from the 60's for 3 bux!
Heres how it looks in the floor collection:
Thrifted Yellow shirt dress
Black Cardi with silver embroidery from the 50's ,inherited from my Grandma
Vintage Barbie bag used as purse,antique mall
Black tights,DKNY (always the best brand)
...and old school Doc Martens ,thrifted!

Heres how it looks on,snapped after a long day of school volunteering and mommy taxi cab driving!This look is what I called, "Worship of the Ugly" ,back in my college days and it still feels right.I gotta be me ,and silly discarded thrift store vintage(somewhat different than meticulously curated vintage clothing store vintage) never fails to inspire me.

This little straw bag will certainly see some action in the Spring,but these crazy Sci Fi dollies are really making me "wanna rock and roll and party every day"(especially the star spangled cutie on the right). Hmm,,,perhaps they could guest star in one of my Dollie Doppleganger stories!All thrifted for practically no money.

I have always loved these stackable mid century modern chairs designed by truly inspiring Danish Architect Arne Jacobsen.


Imagine my surprise and delight when I found these pint size copies at Target!
....and on sale for 14 dollars each! They are perfect for my Wee Petal.Soon I should devote an entire post to her own burgeoning style. Her room is merely an extension of her old fashioned girl meets edgy punk-ette(I am lovin' the tiny Vans she is rocking at school each day)!

Ah heck,how 'bout a sneak preview?
This stove was a Christmas present a couple of X-mas'es ago. I bought it at an Antique mall for under 50 bux!It will certainly become an heirloom toy for the generations.You see ,I have a philosophy when it comes to childrens toys.I believe that any chance you get to buy something beautiful do it!I much prefer to see wooden food strewn about my house to the plastic variety!Give me Groovy Girls over Barbie(give ME the vintage Barbies!) whenever possible.
I realize this is not always a possibility. Baby gear can tend to be on the plastic-ee side,and then there are always the plastic tiny pony addiction that atleast can be gathered and hidden!

If your sweetie pie loves toy pots and pans, I say thrift the real thing! They are cheaper more durable and more pleasing on the eyes!

Speaking of Christmas these new to me vintage pieces will be fun tiny inspiration for this years holiday.Can you believe the print on the vintage X-mas tree skirt? I think it might look better as a little girls skirt!

This handmade vintage felt wreath was lovingly created by some pair of sweet hands and now it will be loved again at my house!
...and what treasures are inspiring you?