News Flash!

I am pleased and honored to announce that Couture Allure has been voted one of the People's Choice Top 10 Vintage Clothing Websites over at Lulu's Vintage! Thank you to everyone who voted!

AND...Couture Allure has been voted as one of Lulu's Top 10 Vintage Clothing Websites! Thank you, Lulu!!!

Trash to Treasure Tuesday~

While blog perusing one of my many bookmarked favorite blogs, I came across this photo of this old-old patriotic umbrella. Blogged about here.LOVE IT.... WANT IT.... TO CHEAP TO BUY IT~ So whats a girl to do but make a cheap imitation of the real thing :-) Luckily, I spotted this tiny painted silk umbrella at a yard sale. Price? .25cents...I measured and taped off sections of the umbrella with some masking tape. (lurve that stuff~) then just painted on a few coats of acrylic paint. I cut out a star stencil using card stock and just painted in the stars. Once that was all dry-- and blindingly white....I mudded it up with some brown acrylic paint and then closed up the umbrella and dirtied up the sides using black & brown ink. It looks very heavily aged due to the light & flash, but if you were to view it in person it isn't so dark.

I also made an American Flag with pickets off of the white picket fence that is in my front yard... I got tired of it and it is currently sitting in my garage!

This wooden American Flag below, I made using some thin wavey wood that you tuck under that plastic wavey stuff that some use for patio covers.... (whatever that stuff is called) it was like a dollar something a piece and comes in 6' lengths. I just cut each piece in two, nailed it to a few pieces of wood across the back.... It is now sitting in my garage as well...lol
Thats my patriotic Trash to Treasure! If you stop back tomorrow, I'll show you how to make gazebo bunting using sheets-- that is soooooo easy-peasy! You can see more Trash to Treasure by visiting Kimm over at her "Reinvented" Also, by visiting Diane over at "A Picture is worth 1,000 words" If you've linked here and wish to view more of my blog... you can click here~

Mod Podge Linky party~

There is an end of the month Mod Podge linky party being hosted by "This is the year" It is sooo worth a lookie-loe...especially if you love Mod podge-ing~ Here are some things I've created using the stuff over the past month. I mod podged a super cute 4th of July hanger. You can read more about that here. I got a new lock & key for my screen door and the key looked like every other key I have on my keychain.....so I mod podged it. You can read more about that here. Here is my take on paper mache using Mod podge. You can read more about my Mad Hatter cheshire cat here. Also, I mod podged this little Mad Hatter's tea pot. It has my 4 month old grandaughter inside of it. You can read more about that here.I also used Mod Podge as a sealant on some party hats for the tea party. I made these for my outdoor statues. You can read more about that here.

June 30 Steal of a Deal

Our final Steal of a Deal is this gorgeous 1940's pink linen dress with peplum jacket. Original price - $245.00. Today only, steal it at 50% off - $122.50.

The Correct Foundation Garments to Wear Under Your Vintage Dresses #2

Dear readers - I am feeling rather blah with a nasty head cold. This week, I will be republishing one of my most popular series regarding the correct foundation garments to wear with vintage dresses. This series still gets hits on a weekly basis, so I thought it would be useful to publish it again.



Continuing the series on the correct foundation garments, today we have two party dresses from 1958. The focus on today's spread is the tiny waist needed with fuller skirts. "Take a look at the luscious, jewel-toned dresses. See how their sculptured bodices and dome-shaped skirts show off your middle? They call, obviously, for a trim mid-section of your own."

The green satin dress on the left is a "princess sculptured" dress with self-fabric roses at the neckline and hem by Parklane, which was offered at Franklin Simon, New York and Jordan Marsh, Boston. The dress sold for about $30 in 1958 ($225 today).

Under the green dress, the model is wearing a Formaid of Boston torso bra that molds from bosom to hips. With that, she wears a Saramac petticoat. Note that the petticoat has a flat panel from waist to hips and the long-line bra is worn over it.

The blue jacquard dress on the right has a "closely carved bodice and dome skirt that opens in a back pleat". This dress is by Carol Rodgers and sold for about $13 in 1958 ($97 today). The skirt of this dress likely has the stiff Pellon interfacing, as the model is not wearing a crinoline under it.

Under the blue dress, the model is wearing a Sarong Two nylon girdle that trims the waist with a high elastic waistband. Crisscross front with open bottom gives walking ease. Power net sides and satin elastic back. She is also wearing a Perma-lift strapless cotton contour bra.

June 29 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this 1950's white with silver stripes full skirted dress. Original price $125.00 - Today only, steal it at 50% off - $62.50.

The Correct Foundation Garments to Wear Under Your Vintage Dresses #1

Dear readers - I am feeling rather blah with a nasty head cold. This week, I will be republishing one of my most popular series regarding the correct foundation garments to wear with vintage dresses. This series still gets hits on a weekly basis, so I thought it would be useful to publish it again.


If you've ever purchased a vintage dress and wondered why it doesn't fit correctly, maybe you're not wearing the proper foundation garments. Prior to the late 1960's, clothing was styled and cut with the understanding that women would be wearing girdles and shapers underneath. In the October 1958 Seventeen magazine, there is a wonderful editorial spread photographed by Francesco Scavullo that illustrates what type of foundation garments work best with several dress styles. I'll be featuring the photos and information from this spread this week.

The magazine is referring to these as "shaft dresses" (never heard that term before). "Newest shape for a shaft to take - the high-rise Empire waist, which looks prettiest over a softly rounded bosom, asks just supple control from there down."

The red dress is by Lanz in a lined rayon crepe. See that band across the bust? The magazine calls this a "bosom yoke" and it drops to a V-neck with a bow in the back. The dress sold for $40 in 1958 (about $298 today). The model is wearing red DeLiso Debs shoes.

Under the red dress, the model is wearing a Formfit nylon bra with circle-stitched lace cups and a Formfit nylon elastic net panty girdle with a wide waistband and satin elastic vertical stretch panels front and back.

The model on the right in the top photo is wearing a blue wool jersey "shaft dress" by Jerry Greenwald. The front is gathered into a satin band at the Empire waist. In back, the dress is slit from V neckline to hem, revealing a satin underslip. This dress also sold for about $40 and was available at Saks Fifth Avenue. That's a long, skinny brooch by Castlecliff pinned to the center of the satin band and the shoes are by Capezio.

Under the blue dress, the model is wearing a Lovable "lightweight all-in-one for a long, slim line with easy control." Made of Helance nylon yarn with embroidered cotton broadcloth cups. This appears to be an open-bottom style.

Chloe Rose....

Little Chloe Rose was caught wearing a tamborine as a party hat at her Mad Hatter Tea Party....

June 28 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this vintage 1940's summer dress printed with tiny pink roses. Original price - $85.00. Today only, steal it at 50% off - $42.50.

Weekend Eye Candy - 1907 Paul Poiret Red Dress

Poiret is right at the top of my list of favorite designers. Here, his 1907 "Eugenie" dress in red crepe de chine embroidered with gold. Tulle edged with gold braid fills the neckline for modesty. Over the dress, a 1912 evening coat in red uncut velvet lined with purple crepe de chine and edged in silver fringe. The wide collar is embroidered with braid and paste rhinestones, then edged in fur.

Happy weekend everyone!

June 27 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this vintage 1980's Geoffrey Beene dress in silk woven with silver metallic threads. Original price - $95.00. Today only, steal it at 50% off - $47.50.

Mad Hatter's Tea Party~

Welcome to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.... I am hosting this event in my 4 month old grandaughter, Chloe-Rose's Garden. Would you look who is already waiting at the front gate? Why it is none other than the Cheshire cat. The white rabbit will sound the horn announcing each new guest. I imagine the neighbors are delighted to hear such reveille so early in the morning!!Gate is now open... Welcome!I have put out some blankets, umbrellas and party hats if your wanting to partake in such frivolousness. My-oh-my.... would you look at Alice? This is what you get people for putting Brandy in your tea! Nightie-nite Alice, sleep it off girl~We ask that you please teather your high horses at the front gate... Absolutely no high-horse'ing around in this garden!I see the squirral family has shown up.... that family grows & grows each year ten fold!
Look to your left and you'll see cat & bird chatting up a storm. Those two are such chatter-boxes!Poor rabbit is running-a-muck as the caterer is running late~ This is the last time I hire "The Mad Hatter" to cater any of my events! Off with his head! or any other appendage I see fit~Grap a cuppa off of the teacup tree. We are totally doing a casual tea here in Chloe's garden as its hard to be a hostess when your holding your grandchild in your arms~ Please feel free to pull a fresh lemon off of one of the many lemon trees as well. We have flown in the Baby Blues Cockroach Band for this event. They are setting a delightful ambiance with their smooth sounds. Here you see white rabbit joining in with the band for a few songs~My-my-my...poor Alice staggered over to the cuppa tree and had to take another wee nap. Poor girls needing rehab~Cat and duck are not ones to gossip, but hey-- isn't that the added bonus of attending such a large event? The ever present opportunity to see someone make a fool out of themselves? Preferably someone other than yourself!
There is a little table set up with some sugared fruit and some hot raspberry tea. Watch out for that little pixie who lives inside that teapot on the table...she will positively talk you into adding extra sugar to your tea. She has such a sweet nature about her. She has sugared cranberries, sugared mint leaves and then your basic sugar cube. *gasp* Would you look at that...she is kicking sugared cranberries into tea cups... Ladies, hands over your cups! The little stinker is dancing under the spell of a sugar high!My~my where has the time gone.... party is wrapping up. Thank you very much for coming into my grandaughter's garden and having some tea with us. It has been fun visiting with everyone. On your way out, be sure to take one of the rocks set out by the gate. A person can never have to many rocks you know~ Please visit with Vanessa over at "A Fanciful Twist" to partake in more tea party madness~

June 26 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this gorgeous vintage 1950's evening gown by Harry Keiser. Tons of tulle and a strapless petal bust! Original price - $135.00. Today only, steal it at 50% off - $67.50.

The Thriller is Gone

Yesterday, the world lost two icons. Today, I just want to share a few photos with you. Rest in peace Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.

New keys~

I got a new lock for my front screen door recently...and of course it looked just like the other key on my keyring. I have nail polish on one key already (tacky, but effective) I wanted something more "me"...so I got out my stash of papers and Mod Podged my keys.Soooooooo meeeeeeeee!~ I simply glued on the paper, turned the key over and cut off the excess with my xacto knife. When I had both sides covered with paper, I put on three coats of Mod Podge letting each coat dry.

I did this for both sides of each key. Now...if you've used this Mod Podge before, your aware that when it dries it is slightly tacky. I always use spray gloss over the newly "Mod Podged" area and that seems to end the tackiness! taaaaaaaaaa daaaaaaaaaaa! Instant caute!! You can see more made-over things at Jen's monthly make-over party on her blog Sanctuary Arts at Home.

June 25 - Steal of a Deal

Today's Steal of a Deal is this 1950's full skirted dress in black velveteen and faille. Original price $145.00 - Today only, steal it at 50% off - $72.50.

Model Lauren Bacall

Hollywood superstar Lauren Bacall was a model before she became an actress. She worked part time for Bazaar magazine while taking acting lessons. Here are some photos from the February 1943 issue of Harper's Bazaar.

Bacall poses as a woman engaged in wartime evening activities: listening to the radio while darning socks. She wears lounging pajamas in grey wool/rayon by Claire McCardell.

Bacall poses in a white crepe blouse with a ruffle at the neckline, which was available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Bacall was lucky enough to land the cover of Bazaar the following month in March 1943. Howard Hawks's wife Nancy spotted her and urged her husband to give Bacall a screen test for his new film To Have and Have Not. Bacall's performance in that film is widely acclaimed as one of the strongest debut performances in the history of film.