Vintage Swimsuits that Dreams are Made of

As the swimsuit season approaches (in our Northern climate slower than in other places) Gemma from Retro Chick blog together with Bettylicious has organized a very timely giveaway.

My goal this summer is to look like Bettie Page, so I am very much in awe of everything Bettylicious has to offer. The rules of the giveaway are very simple: follow Retro Chick and Bettylicious on social media, write about them and you have a chance to win one of the gorgeous vintage-inspired swimsuits.

I have my eye on these three lovely pieces.

 

Polka dots white and red (Source)

I just love polka dots. It's cute and sexy all at the same time. 

Leopard print (Source)

When out at the beach on a hot summer day I like to channel a bit of Sheena, Queen of the Jungle.   

Sultry red (Source)

A lady is always stylish in red. A big hat, dark sunglasses and this little red number, and you feel like you're in an old spy thriller.  

I leave you today with some lovely vintage swimsuits.

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle (Source)

(Source)

Bettie Page on a Florida beach, by Bunny Yeager, 1954. (Source)

(Source)

Spring Wishlist or All the Things I want Right Now

Why, oh why, are there so many beautiful things out there? What a source of temptation! What is a lady to do but to sigh over them all.

Sadly, my financial situation doesn't permit me to spend any money on anything. But that doesn't mean I can't window shop and then share these finds here.

Navy Sailor Bathing Suit

via Recollections 

Forget bikinis and faux vintage bathing suits, this is the perfect beachwear for me. The outfit is a late 19th century bathing costume in navy blue cotton. I live right next to a beach, but our northern sea is usually too cold for swimming. But I love lounging or strolling the shoreline on a warm summer day. And this is what I'd want to to wear.    

Antoinette 18th Century Mules in Blue 

via American Duchess Historical Footwear

Oh, American Duchess, how adore everything you make! I wish I could step out in a pair of these light blue little Georgian slippers next time I go out for lunch with some friends. I adore the silver embroidery on these babies.       

Clocked Silk Stockings in White 

via American Duchess Historical Footwear

And speaking of American Duchess, these clocked silk stocking are to die for. I've been eyeing them for a while now and as soon as I have some spare coins in my purse, I am ordering me a pair. Stockings are wonderful for late spring, they provide you with just enough coverage to keep you warm, but make every outfit super cute and flirty.      

Rock 'N Rose Harriet Strawberries Floral Crown 

via ASOS

Floral crowns are always fun for both day-wear and party outfits. But add some strawberries to them and I am sure to go wild. I just want to wear this with a white cotton dress, eat strawberries and pretend I'm a garden fairy.   

Good Enough to Eat Dress 

via ModCloth

And speaking of eating, I am a huge fan of junk food. Milkshakes and burgers are my vice of choice, so I feel this dress was designed especially for me. This is the outfit I need to go to a street fair, do a bit of shopping and grab myself a hot dog.     

White Petticoat 

via Olivia Rouge

I need a petticoat. I just do. I have all these dresses with circle skirts, and no petticoat. I really love Olivia Rouge shop, and I already have a cute vintage print Bambi skirt from them. And they are conveniently located in a town close by.      

Red and Pastel Petal Globe Bow Necklaces 

via TinyAttic

There's just something tragically poetic about rose petals trapped in a glass sphere. It makes me both sad and delighted at the same time. It is all too possible that I have been reading too many novels and acquired a high degree of sentimentality. Still these necklaces would add a lovely Victorian touch to one's everyday outfit.     

Art Nouveau Velvet Kimono Jacket 

via She Vamps

And from Victorian to early 20th century, this sumptuous velvet kimono wrap is all I ever want in my clothes. It's gorgeous, ostentatious and can keep you warm in unpredictable Finnish spring weather. I am certainly enamored with every single piece by She Vamps.   

Frozen Yogurt and Handmade Goodness

Last weekend some friends of mine from Finland Handcrafters Team and I had a Pop Up Shop in honor of Mother's Day (which is this Sunday, so remember to call Mum). The shop popped up, so to speak, in a cool little place called Yobot Frozen Yogurt. It does, in fact, sell frozen yogurt, which is very good.     

We had a table all to ourselves where we displayed an array of handcrafted beauties for every taste and budget.  

That's me there, doing some selling.  

And, yes, we really did have something for everyone. For the booklovers Game of Thrones jewelry from Looney Dimitra Crafts.   

Quirky and cute button earrings from InkaFinland.

Fuzzy buddies from The Sun and The Turtle and bright and happy kid pillows from Namia Designs.  

Home and hearth from Kotona. 

And, finally, my  own frilly and romantic concoctions.   

If you've missed the Yobot Pop Up, don't despair. You can find all of these lovely things on Etsy. Mother's Day is just a few days away and why not special order something very special for your Mum?  

Prep Work for my First Pop Up Shop

I don't have much time to blog this week, mostly due to various deadlines, but also because I've been quite busy getting ready for my first Pop Up shop with some lovely people from Finland Handcarfters Team.

The venue is this really cool (pun intended) little Frozen Yogurt place called YoBot. So if you're in Helsinki this upcoming weekend,  then come and check us out. Since Mother's Day is coming up, this could be a great opportunity to find some cool and throutghful gifts for your Mum.