Pack up all your things and...stay home!

When I graduated from college my friend's parents gave me a vintage steamer trunk. It made them think of vaudeville actors traveling on the road, and that was about to be my course for many years as well (OK, children's theater and Ren fairs may not be vaudeville, but life on the road is the same).

I love that old steamer case: the little drawers, the wooden hangers, the patina of many years of travel...it seems to have countless stories of adventure packed inside. Once I settled down in one place for a while I was able to use it as an extra little wardrobe--so cute!

One King's Lane is bringing the style and elegance of old time travel into the home. Sink back into a canvas deck chair, in the comfort of your own home, and dream of being on a luxury transatlantic cruise. Store your hats and shoes in this adorable travel case, and you are ready to go at a moment's notice!

Calling all Adventurers

One King's Lane is now selling some lovely globes, campaign chests and other shipboard necessities.

Come out of Your Shell...

and take a more daring approach to decorating!



The other day I mentioned an online home decor store, One King's Lane. It is my new favorite addiction, because at least every few days they feature a designer with products that I can fall in love with.
I don't actually buy everything I moon over, but I do love to look!

Today they are featuring the work of Eduardo Garza. He presents a collection of artifacts that would make the most avid beachcomber swoon.



Turtle shells, coral, sea fans and ostrich eggs set on simple elegant bases that highlight rather than detract from the natural beauty of the object.

There is a statement saying that no turtles were harmed and that the shells were all from turtles that died of natural causes. The coral, eggs and sea fans--I do not know how he gets those. But if you are aren't sure about having these real pieces from nature in your home, try his line of trays and coasters! I think this is my favorite...

Even Curioser!

Now I am just hooked on the beautiful scientific illustrations of yore. It is amazing to me the amount of widespread interest and also the relentless pursuit of specimens that existed for a few centuries. It seems that before the invention of television and video games, people actually looked to the world around them for entertainment. Fascinating.

My sweetiepie and I had a a date night last night, and we went to the Metropolitan Museum. While we were there I noticed a Taschen edition of Albertus Seba's Cabinet of Natural Curiosities. It is not the full edition, but it is pretty heavy none the less! And it is affordable, at $29.95.

They also have Cabinet of Natural Curiosities: Complete Edition, with over 500 illustrations, for $125.00.

On the internet you can also find the Jumbo Edition, and on Taschen's site they offer a 636 page version, for $200.00.

Curioser and Curioser

Today I was so excited to see this wonderful collection of illustrations by Natural Curiosities. It is being sold at One Kings Lane, an online store that offers 72-hour sales on home decor items. They always have lovely things--it's a great place to buy nice gifts for people, as they have very nicely scented candles, address books, vases, etc.

Here is the description:

The history of Cabinets of Curiosity dates back to Renaissance Europe when encyclopedic collections of natural history objects, geology, archaeology, and antiquities were gathered together for study and appreciation. Inspired by these collections, Natural Curiosities founder Christopher Wilcox created boxed sets of reproduction prints based upon illustrations of such collections from the 19th Century. Each box includes fourteen, 14-inch square images that can be framed, arranged, or simply kept in their box on the coffee table as a unique type of art “book”.

Dimensions: 15” x 15” x 2”

The illustrations range from Insectum to Botanicals to Sea Life. I feel smarter just looking at them.

Peruvian Connection

I don't know how I got on the mailing list for this catalog--it just appeared in my mail box a few days ago--but I am glad I did! The clothes are beautiful, and even if I can only afford one piece a year from them, I feel that I am their newest lifelong customer. The style suits me to a T, and as I read more about the company I was very impressed by their values.

The PC website says, " We are happy to be able to share our success with organizations devoted to improving and enriching people's lives through better health, education and a healthy environment." Two of those organizations are Pro Mujer, a micro-finance institution that helps women in Latin America with a variety of programs, and The Textile Museum, located in Washington DC.

On their website are videos of their catalog shoots. The most recent was "shot close to home in historical sites of civil war-era Missouri, and the grasslands and rustic architecture of Kansas." There is one great moment where the model, walking down the train tracks, brings home the meaning of "thin as a rail."

"But what about the actual clothes?" you are asking. Well, here is a sampling of what they have to offer:


How about this elegant linen jacket to complete your late-Victorian or Edwardian outfit? Edgy enough for a Steampunk riding habit, too, I daresay. Switch it out for the sweater (above) when it gets cooler...



And this is why shoulder pads are back in style. Can't you just picture Veronica Lake slinking around in this number? Classic!


And wouldn't anyone would feel beautiful in this simple art nouveau style dress.


Every outfit needs some accessories!





These will definitely be going on my fashion wish list!

Lucky Odds

First, a very important announcement: Odds Costume Rental, after 22 years of serving the film, television and theater world, is going out of business. Considering rent in New York, and the odds of most theaters having the budget to afford rentals like these, I was amazed they were able to stay afloat so long. I suppose the film & tv budgets did the trick ( considering the number of police uniforms on the racks, I'm guessing the Law & Order franchise alone could have kept them going).

While I am very sad to see any business go under, I did take advantage of the fact that they are selling their stock to see if they had anything for our Steampunk wedding attire. Boy, am I glad I did. I found the perfect item for my groom: A lovely velvet frock coat, created by the talented folk at Euroco*, in perfect condition!

I won't guess at what was going on with the crazy alterations someone had done--I was just thankful they'd handstiched them and not shoved it through an industrial. After picking out the "darts" and giving it a good steaming, it was back to its old self. Won't my fiance cut a figure in this number?!

Go to Odds. You'll find some great stuff, they'll make some cash, and the costumes will live on.

Odds Costume Rental
231 W. 29th St.
Third Fl.
New York , NY 10001
Phone: (212) 268-6227
sale 10 am-4 pm
Cash Only

*see photos of Janet Bloor's silicone caulk techniques

Just a quickie!

Oh my goodness, you just have to check out the sale at J. Peterman. So many lovelies but I have to run to work now so I can't tell you about them! Just trust me and go look. But hands off the portrait dress--it's mine!

Hope all this Sales Insanity isn't Temporary

Everyone is having sales these days: every day my Inbox is filled with offers topping off offers, plus free shipping, plus an extra discount...madness!But if you are lucky enough to have a little bit to spend, now is the time to do it. Newport News is giving you an extra 25% off your order if you enter Promotion Code 645.But it is just for today.

Perfect for an Airship Captaine:


Leather military jacket
Our military-style jacket, now in soft, supple leather with a double-glazed rubbed finish for rich character; distressed seams (Deep Brown only). Mandarin collar, button-trimmed bib and sleeves; waistline seaming with flap details. Double back slit. Hook-and-eye close. Not a Zipper, for the Period Purists like me.
Was $229.00 Now $69.00 Plus the 25% Discount!!!


She'll need these, too:




Multi buckle boot
Leather-look and microfiber. Stacked-look 4" heel. Imported.
Was $74.00 Now $59.00

If only they had the goggles...

Classic Victorian Romance:



Ruffled lace blouse
Romantic band-collar lace blouse with detachable bib of tiered ruffles. Full sleeves gathered at the ruffled button cuffs.
$39.00



This is rather lovely




Ruffled blouse
Romantic blouse with ruffle-trimmed deep V-neck, ribbon-accented flounced cuffs and peplum. Button front with ribbon tie.
Was $49.00 Now $29.00


Plus the loveliness from my last post is still available...

Fashion Alert!

Newport News is having a sale, and some of the items I have been eying for a while are now marked down.

Equestrian coat: plush cotton velvet cavalry coat, stylish details: silvery buttons, princess seams, hook-and-eye front, high back vent. Lined.
Regular 1G M1852 Was $89.00 Now $59.00
Women's 1G M9981 Was $99.00 Now $69.00





Double-breasted riding coat: a dramatic sweep of cotton velveteen. Fit and flare style shaped with princess seams, flap pockets, button cuffs. Change the buttons on this for something brass, and you are good to go!
Petite 1G 33318 Was $114.00 Now $79.00




Soutache trim vest:Feminine vest, beautifully decorated with soutache trim. Back buckle. Cotton twill.
Regular 1G 14095 Was $49.00 Now $34.00



Sharkskin riding coat:Fitted sharkskin denim riding coat. Rolled collar, peaked lapels, buttonflap besom pockets. Princess seam shaping. Cotton/polyester. Mary Poppins meets Wild Wild West!
Regular 1G 33297 Was $99.00 Now $49.00




Cable-knit sweater cape with attached rib-knit scarf. Hidden inside button close at neck, with 2 oversize outer button closures. Soft acrylic/cotton. Great as a Victorian cape--again, change the buttons, and add some tassels!
Regular 1G 36077 Was $74.00 Now $44.00




Tuxedo blouse: Sheer mesh tuxedo blouse with embroidered, scallop-edge flounce cuffs; slight shirttail hem.
Regular 1B 74209 Was $49.00 Now $29.00
Women's 1B 76202 Was $59.00 Now $34.00