Big Modcloth Sale!

Summer's going out with a bang at ModCloth! Nab 100s of last-chance summer looks and autumn-ready must-haves at up to 30% off during the Go 'Fall' Out sale. 

Want to get in on the sale action early? App users get first dibs on all the deals, so download it for FREE today!

Here are some of my favs:

 




Can you see the theme?  I have been on a red kick lately. Hope you don't mind!





















**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Vintage Hollywood Glamour

Pic from historiful.tumbler

Pic from BlueVelvetVintage

There is nothing like the Hollywood glamour of the Golden Age of film during the 30s & 40s. Everything seemed to have a little more class back then, plus the fashion was to die for. Movies had amazing costume designers, like Adrian and Edith Head, and the public was quick to emulate the elegant style they saw on the big screen. If you have never work a garment cut on the bias, you need to add it to your bucket list. It hangs beautifully on your curves and looks great on all body types

Perhaps part of the charm of that time is that celebrities were a bit more mysterious. Obviously, they had as many scandals as we do now, which is made evident by the content in the files of famed Hollywood private detective Fred Otash, recently made public for the first time.

So in the spirit of Hollywood Glamour, I put together an Etsy treasury of some fabulous goodies.

Vintage Hollywood Treasury by Tart Deco

Best Bra for a Vintage Rockabilly Shape

Okay, I am going to "go there" and talk about bras. As a plus-size, hourglass gal who loves vintage styles, I would get SO frustrated with the lack of support and proper shaping with the molded cup bras that are so popular nowadays. Seriously, they suck. 

So after spending a day at a Boston Store trying on ALL of the bras, I stumbled upon the Lillyette Enchantment 3-section cup bra. Once I put it on, in the right size, it was like the clouds parted and angels started singing in the heavens. [OK, maybe not angels, but I started humming a nice little ditty.] The sections in the cup gave me more lift and the slightest point, perfect for Rockabilly styles. Lillyette also has a great 2-section Enchantment minimizer bra that also gives a great shape, especially under a sweater. And it comes in a leopard print- rowr!

Here's the best part- both bras are on sale for $15 dollars right now!! One piece of advice before you order online, go to a department store that has a decent bra section and try on a few sizes of the Lillyette bras. I ended up in a different size than I used to purchase because of the new shape of the seamed cups. Also, the whole measurement formula to find your size doesn't work, especially when you get into plus sizes, so please take the time to try them on. You'll thank me!

Vintage Bangs at Va-Voom Vintage

Brittany at Va-Voom Vintage is having a week of vintage bang tutorials. Day one- Audrey Hepburn. Great start! Be sure to visit everyday for some adorable vintage hair styles.

Shabby Apple

I have been a long time fan of Shabby Apple and their vintage-inspired dresses. A few years ago I even had a giveaway of one of their skirts, which went over like gangbusters. Well, this time, I get to review one of their dresses and I can't wait to get it! I chose the one above, At First Sight, a beautiful plum wrap dress from their bridesmaid line. I went with an XL, which is slightly smaller than my normal size, but being that it is a stretch fabric and a wrap dress, I should be fine. Plus, wrap dresses are extremely flattering to my hourglass figure. I really love the ruffle detail, don't you?

So, if you love vintage clothing, head on over to Shappy Apple and see what they have. Their sale section also has some really beautiful items right now.

UPDATE:
Unfortunately, they ran out of the At First Sight dress in my size, so I went with the Gondola Dress with a red top. Its a bit more playful than the first dress, so more of an everyday look. However, I think it could be perfect for North Carolina summers, which I am still getting used to since my move here. It has a bit of a French flair too, so now I have a reason to wear my beret!

Daniela Turudich Vintage Lifestyle Books Reprint!

I am so excited to see on Amazon.com that some of the Daniela Turudich books are going to be reprinted in July 2013. Right now there are four titles that will be available, but I have a feeling that if they do well others won't be far behind.

Below are the books available that you can pre-order at a really great price. I also included 2 books that are not in print at this time, but still have a few copies floating around.

Butterick Hollywood-Inspired Challenge

Butterick is having its 150th anniversary this year and they are having a contest to celebrate. Create a vintage-inspired garment based on one of their current patterns and you can win some cool swag. For more info, visit the challenge webpage. The challenge ends June 20, 2013, so plenty of time to sew!

I would LOVE to enter this, if I can find some time. An obvious choice would be to pick something from their retro line. But, a quick look at some of their other patterns shows a lot of promise as well. My favorite is the Marfy tunic and skirt. This could easily be modified into a 1920s or 30s dress, don't you think?

Moving Sale!

MOVING SALE! I got a job in North Carolina and now I have to move across the country. My gain is your gain- everything in my shop is 30% off until December 5th! Use the coupon code HAPPYMOVE.

Here's a preview of what is available right now:

Shabby Apple Sale

Shabby Apple has a new line of clothing that I just adore! It's called Highclere Castle and it is glamorous, with a vintage flair. Kind of like Katherine Hepburn meets Marlene Dietrich.  Right now they are having a sale. Click the picture below to get 10% off.

Craftsy Classes on Sale until Sept 17

Just got an email today that Craftsy classes are on sale for $19.99 until Sept. 17th. So many rockabillies are DIYers so I thought I'd put this out in the blogosphere. Here are some of my faves:

Sew Retro Perfect Bombshell Dresses

Drab to Fab Furniture Upcycling

Product Photography Primer

Vivien of Holloway Hiring

For any of my readers that live in London (or want to and need an excuse to move), the amazing vintage reproduction fashion company Vivien of Holloway is hiring! It looks like they need various positions filled, and they say they are looking for "candidates with a passion for vintage, a hard-working ethic and an open personality. We’re recruiting in many areas from office administration to the shop floor."

If I hadn't already spent $140,000 and the last 7 years getting two Master's degrees to be a librarian, I might think about it...

If you worked there, you would be seeing beauties like this all day!

Plus-Size Rockabilly

I put together a fun Etsy treasury today with some great plus-sized rockabilly items available right now. Its called Rock Your Baby and if you get any of the items, you surely will!

Rock Your Baby- Plus-size Rockabilly

Pin-up Playlist

I may have mentioned once or twice that I am now writing for the fabulous magazine Victory Girls, which is a vintage-lifestyle magazine based out of Madison, Wisconsin. My latest article is on 40s & 50s music to play while you get ready to go out on the town. I put together a playlist for people to listen to the tunes, and here it is:

Heyday Giveaway! (closed)

In the Heyday is offering one lucky person a £100 Heyday voucher! This is an amazing giveaway for anyone that loves vintage reproduction clothing and it's open internationally. Go to the blog post to enter. Ends April 1st.

Triple Victory Roll Tutorial

Arthelia's Attic posted about this video on facebook by Amanda Lee and I LOVE it! Just in time to practice for Viva Las Vegas 15. I almost wish I didn't have my hair cut into a 1920's bob last month.



There are more of these vintage-loving gems on Atomic Age Picture's youtube page. Also visit Amanda's blog The Call of the Jitterbug Doll.

Adorable Retro Aprons- Carolyn's Kitchen

Navy Petite Apron $56

I have been a fan of Carolyn's Kitchen for a while, but they just came out with a new line of adorable polka-dot aprons that I LUV! They even have matching garters. Make sure and sign-up for their newsletter for specials.

Vivien of Holloway 10% off

Peggy Lee Day Dress

Hey gals! Vivien of Holloway is having a Mother's Day Sale and will give you 10% off until March 19th with the code VOH_MOM2012. I bought the dress above during their last sale and I always get multiple compliments when I wear it. Here are a few of the dresses I have my eye on next:

Sarong Dress

50s Halterneck Luxury Dress

 

Vintage Style Pom Pom Hat Tutorial

I just LOVE this adorable pom pom hat featured on Grosgrain! The tutorial is easy to follow and very visual. I am thinking that there are so many other materials one could use for this. Perhaps tulle or chiffon for a more elegant feel? Or maybe recycled sweaters?

Shabby Apple Sale and Free Shipping

Top of her Class dress

Just got an email letting me know that Shabby Apple is having a special sale of 20% off anything in their sale section, plus FREE shipping! Free shipping ends at the end of the year.

20% Off the Sale Section at Shabby Apple and Free Shipping with Code 'WINTERSALE'

Thanksgiving Sale

Hello All! I am having a sale in my Tart Deco etsy shop starting right now until Dec. 5th. Use the coupon code TURKEY20 for 20% off everything in my store (including sale items)! I have lots of cute hair accessories, some for the holidays- plus other vintage goodies like a beautiful mandarin collar house coat.

Here's a sample of what is in my shop right now:


Also, don't forget my Shabby Apple giveaway. It ends Dec. 4th and there are some pretty good odds right now!