The Classy Dame Goes To Casablanca

A few weeks ago a treated myself to a night on the town and went to see the Nashville Symphony at the beautiful Schermerhorn building downtown.  They were showing Casablanca on the big screen and the symphony played the score along with the movie.  What an amazing event.  Except for the incredibly rude girls sitting to my left during the event (they showed up late and I didn't think it was possible to hear the F-word come out of two "ladies" mouths that much), I have never had so much fun going to an event on my own.  

The Nashville Symphony was flawless in keeping up with the movie and at points I actually forgot that they were playing and just felt like I was listening to the movie's original sound.  If you're in the Nashville area and get a chance to see the symphony play....I strongly recommend you go.  They actually have a couple of Holiday events that I'm excited to go see:)

The evening gave me an excuse to get dolled up and wear one of my vintage hats that I just don't have enough opportunities to wear;)

Pardon the background.  I had to head to the symphony right after work;)

I wore my new skirt from the Limited (as seen in my "Modern Vintage" post, with a cute little cardigan that I found at Ross.  The necklace and earring set are vintage thermoset and the hat (which I wish I had a better picture of) was something that the Mom found for me:)

What an amazing evening.  Can't wait to get to enjoy more events in my new city:)

-The Classy Dame

Slow, Slow Climb

It's funny, when you set a goal for yourself the possibilities seem endless and all you can think about is making that dream come true.  That's the blissful state that I've been in for the past month and a half.  Dreaming of getting out of the mall and becoming my own boss.  I've got friends that are doing it, I've met amazing men and women who took the plunge and it took off..........but alas, no such luck for Kristy.  I shouldn't say that it took off for anyone.  Jumping into your own "empire" is a tough task.  Busy nights and days filled with planning, patience and frustrations.
I've finally put myself out there on ebay and so far the results are not fitting in with the path the initial dream took me to.  I'm learning quickly that things don't always come out perfect, but you have to find your patience and keep trying.  I'm also learning that I have to really look at this as a second job.  No more TV on in the background or "fitting it in" where I can.  Setting aside a couple hours everyday to really focus on goal and work at it is what will help me with achieving the final goal..........MY OWN BUSINESS.

In the mean time.  It couldn't hurt to use my blog to promote.  Check out the page......it might end up being one to watch;)
classydamevintageandrockabilly.webstoreplace.com


Baby steps......life is all about baby steps

-Classy Dame

Christmas on my mind in October

So while exploring all of the fun little boutiques in Franklin, Tennessee I came across a book that I am more than excited about.  So much so that I now have Christmas on the brain in October!!  I've always been a Holiday junkie from the food to the decor to the feel in the air.  Yes, even working in the wonderful world of retail I still get into the Holiday spirit;)  This year........because of my new book find might I add......I'm getting the fever even earlier.

"Have Yourself A Very Vintage Christmas" by Susan Waggoner.  There are so many fun ideas in this book to help you create a vintage inspired Christmas.  From the 1920's to the 1960's she has put together a collection of projects that seem fun, not too complicated and very true to the era's.  There are quite a few that I cannot wait to make and although I'm not going to do step by step with the one's that I make (because I want you to run out and buy book for yourself) I will be showing projects that I've completed and how I use them in my very own Vintage Christmas!!

Please be sure to check it out, she has included era history's and why certain styles were so popular in their decade and her descriptions for each project are clear and detailed.  She also has quite a few other books that revolve around bi-gone era's that I'll be checking out.  Hope you get as much enjoyment out of this book as I'll be getting.

Available at:

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.amazon.com

Happy Holiday Dreaming

-The Classy Dame

Modern Vintage?

An oxymoron in itself.  Can you get a vintage look with a new outfit?   Easily.  I think that I've become pretty good at it myself.  It can be intimidating going outside of the box in the vintage/rockabilly community, but honestly, I don't have a lot of money to spend on the true vintage pieces that are out there and get excited when to see pieces in stores that I think will make a great vintage inspired outfit.  This is one of the newer outfits that I've invested in and can't wait to use it throughout the fall and carry it into the winter with one of my nice cardigans.  Hope you like.............

Look at the detail on the skirt.  Little items like that help to achieve a classic look.

First let me start by apologizing for the awkward photos.  My camera man has always had issues using my not so amazing Kodak so I'm never quite sure when the pictures are actually being taken;)

Here's the look for the clothing:
Top:  LC by Lauren Conrad for Kohls.  I don't know a thing about this girls acting career, but, will say that she's got some great pieces in her Kohl's collection.  I wish I had gotten better pics of the eyelets at the collar, they make this top what it is.
Skirt:  Sophie Theallet for The Limited.  These skirts have are in amazing colors that can transition into all seasons and have an extremely flattering cut.

Finishing touches include a snood and some flowers made by yours truly and a thermoset earring and necklace set.

Again, I love being able to find these pieces and show all the classy dames out there that you don't have to pay a fortune to get "the look."  I received a bunch of compliments on this outfit during my day out and can't wait to find the perfect top for the green sister skirt that I got during the buy one get one free event where I scooped these goodies up;)  I love fun finds and would love to know where you've found some of your favorite vintage inspired (or inspiring) pieces.

Enjoying my day out in Nashville and at Antique Archaeology where a staff member was nice enough to give me the "best dressed customer" award;)

Time for a re-vamp

Coming to a point in life where you realize that something's got to change can be a bit of a crusher.  I found myself heading into work this morning wanting to just turn around.  I just enjoyed two wonderful days off in which I relaxed, did a little antique-ing and baked some wonderful cookies.  It may seem simple to some, but for this gal it was perfect.  Then the realization that I have to go spend eight hours of a beautiful day in a closed up, dark mall with people who at some point will make me feel like I'm in the wrong because they don't understand a return policy.  They will ignore me when I say hello to them or....best of them all, will force me to babysit them while they sneak to corners and try to steal.
Why do any of us put ourselves through that?  Well, I'm going to do my best to walk away from the only business that I've know for 15 years.  Corporate Retail.  It's time to take what I've learned over the years and apply it to my own business.  I'm going to start small, try out ebay, see what happens and where it takes me.  It seems like a simple step, but it does scare me a bit.  I'm use to having a format to follow.  Rules and standards that have kept my life so routine over the years.  Now I'm jumping out there on my own.
I'm sure to some of you this may seem like a bit of a dramatic message for just starting an ebay account, but for someone that's never ventured outside of the box (except for a couple of random vending events) it's a big deal.
Time to take action and rock out my life.  Take what I love within the vintage and rockabilly world and make it my own.  Wish me luck and starting Sunday 08/18 be sure to check out my ebay page:  classydamevintageandrockabilly

-The Classy Dame

PS-Speaking of antique-ing.  Check out this great lamp I found yesterday.  If you're ever in the Gallatin, Tn area be sure to check out Junk 'N' The Trunk.  It's a great little shop;)

Bangs or no bangs? How's a girl to chose?

In my never ending quest to conquer authentic vintage hairstyles I am usually going back and fourth trying to figure out if it would be better to ditch the bangs or to hang onto them.  One of my favorite YouTube guru's and blogger Lisa Freemont Street (her link is on the side of my page) is able to maintain great looking bangs and work them into different styles.  For some reason........I don't share her talent:(   I have a 4 (sometimes 5) day system with my hair wash/styling.  Usually only day one and two involve keeping my bangs showing, the other days have them curled up and off the face.  Would it make that much of a difference if I didn't have those bangs on the first two days?
I've always wanted to experiment with styles that, in my mind anyway, would require my bangs to be longer.  On top of that, I'm working on finding a stylist in the Nashville area and have already had one cut my bangs very poorly (to the point that my Mom, who use to give me crooked bangs right before school pictures, might do a better job).  I feel like I'm answering my own questions, but, I always like input.  So to the blogging universe I ask............Keep the bangs?  Ditch the bangs?

With Bangs......

  

Without bangs....

Without Bangs......

With Bangs......

New City. New Beginnings.

Hey There!
So, once again........I let the blog go:(  I was very excited to get it going again when I posted about Steel In Motion, but, shortly after everything was turned upside down for me.  In a good way.  I was offered a position in Nashville, Tennessee!!  How does a girl who loves Johnny Cash and The Hillbilly Casino refuse?
The past couple of months have been a crazy, crazy ride that has included taking over a store that hasn't been cared for in some time!  But, now things are slowing down and I'm starting to go a bit stir crazy.
I think that this blog will be a great way for me to share all of the great things that Nashville has to offer to a guy or gal that's into the vintage/rockabilly scene.  From the awesome shows (starting with Rosie Flores next month) to great antique shops, fun auctions with the Mom and historical adventures...ie:  Ring of Fire!  I also thought it would be a fun place to share some of my favorite things with everyone.
So please, follow my blog let me know what you think and enjoy!!

Nashville.  I love this picture:)

Gearing up for Steel In Motion!!

Welcome to the new blog!  I was on here a few years ago as Charlotte Vintage and Rockabilly, but, have decided to start fresh and focus my blog more on how vintage and rockabilly plays a part in my life than events happening in the area.  I'll still keep you up to date on happenings in town (or right outside), but since they seem to be few and far between lately...............I'll focus on other things as well.
When I'm not slaving away at my full time job as a retail store manager, I'm dreaming of a different career.  One centered around my love of both vintage and vintage reproduction clothing.  For a long time I have wanted to open my own store.  Something based around the rockabilly lifestyle.  I'm going to use this blog as a motivator with that as well;)  For now, I enjoy vending at some of the bigger shows that have happened near by.  My favorite being Steel In Motion.
This is an event put on in May by the Geargoyles car club of South Carolina (some may be in North Carolina....not sure).  It's held at a dragstrip and has live music, a great car show, vendors and dragstrip racing!  Check this event out at www.SteelInMotion.net or on facebook.
With my little up and coming business, Polka Dot Kustoms, I sell handmade flower clips and vintage accessories at the event!  I always meet great people and have a lot of fun!  Here are some of my new pieces for this year!

Definitely check out this show if you can!  Hope to see you there

-The Classy Dame;)