Vintage – Page 4 – Miseducated

My Little Nest in Chicago

10/23/2009

Let us take a trip
to a vintage land called Chi,
where the streets can tell you stories
and the buildings brush the sky.

Nestled near the center,
in a place called Lincoln Park,
you’ll find a little haven
where the 20’s left her mark.

As you journey through the courtyard,
please step lightly and with care,
for it’s in this entry garden
you’ll find bunnies with brown hair.

Once inside the building,
behind a door with printed V,
you’ll find a little nook,
home to M and feline Zooey.

The chairs are bathed in velvet
[they’re the best for kitty’s naps];
the hardwood floors are shiny,
one can hardly spot the cracks.

The walls are filled with pictures,
an homage to icons past:
Edie, Audrey, Norma,
with their style unsurpassed.

This space is filled with history,
years are painted in the walls;
braided wire o’er the doorway
was once used to import calls.

The gas stove, it cooks with fire
[such a cozy, retro feel],
tempting single Misses
to don aprons for a meal.

Though not much from door to window,
rays of sunlight kiss the walls;
and there’s one grand walk-in closet
just in case things feel too small.

Wonder fills this palace
[or so it feels to those within],
there’s nothing more like heaven
than to feel your life begin.

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Self Decoration

Does makeup matter? It matters as much or as little as you want it to. It can be as lovely, nude and natural as you like.. or it can be as out loud exciting as an lighting bolt. I ~~like~~ love it when people take things to the next level when using graphics and design to decorate their faces and bodies. YES PLEASE. YESYESYES.

Be sure to check out the step-by-step makeup tutorials in the Japanese magazine scans as well as some artist photos and tutorials below~

Makeup is a magic mask of color just waiting for you to get creative and change the rules. Wear it to a rave or, if you like to march to the beat of your own drum like most of us do, wear it to get groceries whenever you feel the need!

Decadent Makeup Here & There

From all around the world, cartoon, model or artist.. we like our makeup loud and clear.

Merci to the wonderful Audrey Kitching for her own love of the Miseducated lifestyle. She makes us so proud we could burst.

80s-inspired Magic Makeup

Courtesy of the amazing Bethany.

Colorful & Creative Makeup

This last colorful and creative makeup tutorial is by the wonderful Rebecca. Living a Miseducated life to her means, “Be yourself, never stop learning & never hold back on your creativity.”

Perfect!

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Self Decoration

Blythe Gets Dressed in Dessert 1.4

09/22/2009

No matter how busy you are you should always make time to get dressed-up! Today she’s a candy striper and she’s loving our friends that are new to the dessert party, little odd forest and Mod Cloth.

Introduction

Now what kind of character model can wear clothes similar to human-style? What model inspired millions and millions of people to create, do, go, wear, buy, sew, photograph… ?

If you thought BLYTHE, then that’s right! I decided my own little milky Amelia would be perfect with some miseducated touches.. So here she is, Miss. Educated on her debut and dressed for dessert. Not only does this bubblegum princess make the rainclouds pour star sprinkles but she has the best taste — she just whispers what she would like to wear for today’s theme and I dress her! With the help of many amazing designers and *soon* diy goddesses.

Would you like to see her dressed in your creations next? Or perhaps you’d love to decorate her apartment with your interior goodies? Want to suggest the next theme? Answer all these questions and more in the little white comment box. It’s just waiting for you to feed it puffy pink marshmellow rope letters dusted with pink lemonaid LETTERS.

Past Outfits

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DIY

Customizing a New Home

08/25/2009

Turning your apartment, house or beach-side bungalow into a home? I’ve moved a lot only recently. After being smothered in a small-town, for way too long, I was ready for new adventures and surroundings. First I lived with a family in my heart*throb, japan. Then we moved around in Indiana’s capital delicious wonderland city Indianapolis, from downtown apartment to east-side apartment. During the summers, I shack up with my lovely best friend in California and always find new places and friends to love. I’ve found amazing people I want to forever keep in my life (there are still many years for us to end up together) and I knew if I explored to find my own paradise in the US I would be truly at peace with my world. (I still plan to visit Japan always until I finally accept a job there -why don’t you???- and live my dreams)

So we’re picking up and moving again! This time to a paradise we fell in love with together, Nevada. Now Las Vegas is a kitschy tourist attraction, mind you, but there are always amazing things going on that you can be involved in, it’s not far from L.A. and the sunshine replenishes your body with Vitamin D as well as inspires your mind to produce melatonin.

The most important thing about a new home is what new whimsical world will unfold as I place items around and attempt to customize my surroundings (this gets tough in city apartments!). In case you need a kick start or just a push in a new direction, enjoy the inspiration and let your home drink it up!

Let’s Get Started!

Need some furniture or decor inspiration? Take a look at the resources listed at the end of the article.
Be sure to hit up local thrift stores and flea markets, you could find delectable art-deco, mid-century and antique goodies to paint/ design for your home for a fraction of the cost of most designer deco. One of a kind items are always smile inducers while lounging in your quarters.

With some sanding and a few coats of glossy enamel you can turn a sad, chipped and rusty 60s wall shelf into a new sleek treasure.

Starting to see endless possibilities in creating your ultimate wonderland on earth?

Yummy Inspiration & Boutiques

Urban Outfitters: Apartment
Brocade Home
IKEA
Mason Reve
The Paris Apartment
Espirit Cabane
Jeu de Paumes Books
Three Potato Four
Decor8 Blog
Design*Sponge

Miseducated Articles

A Spare Roomedy
Apartment Seventy-Seven
Pretty on Penn St
Home in South Korea
Interiors of Amelie
Gwen Stefani’s Chic Space
Lala’s Kitschy Paradise

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Visual Splendor

A Visual Tour of Apartment Seventy-Seven

08/21/2009

I happened upon a sweet, little apartment on the east side of Indy one glorious day. My very dear friend of the time and rosey-cheeked sweetie needed someone to take it off her hands while she left the country for a year. I urged her to go, life-changing adventures like that are worth having! So I found my a little 70s mushroom cornucopia nestled in kitty town, Indianapolis. Kitties of all walks of life and colors roam the sidewalks outside, the cobblestone streets provide that only the occasional slow-moving car drive by, they’re adorable to look at but no fun to drive quick on. This yellow brick road of the kitties actually does them a favor by protecting their streets from speeding demons.

Wild, flavorless strawberries peek out of the grass in every kept yard, the plants allowed to freely grow in a woodland flower district. Dark and covered in trees, this little hippy Halloween town has a lot of charm to offer.

The apartment, although a bit too big for me to keep up everyday, was absolutely lovely when arranged just the way I liked it. I had lots of friends ask me if they were in wonderland once inside and my closest friends and i have had the most amazing, special, one-of-a-kind nights and parties in this delectably roomy apartment.

Take a look around for yourself! I always welcome new friends and visitors to explore my world. If you have an apartment/special place you’d like explored, we would love to return the favor! *xoxo* Be careful not to spill tea on the… oh feel free to slosh your tea around everywhere on your imaginary tour!

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Visual Splendor

Pretty on Penn St Apartment Tour

08/11/2009

A gem hidden downtown was this adorable little city building. Upon entry the antique tile floors, mail room, paneled walls and arched ceilings made way for a lovely place to collect your mail from the original mailboxes.

Inside the hardwood gave way to seats and built-in walls waiting side by side for someone to take a rest and gave up the staircase to the chandelier above. Four of the bottom apartments were 2-story with staircases inside, it happened that ours had a spiral staircase just waiting for Hobbes to run up and down every step. The staircase curled into a small, basement living room and kitchen, above, by the entry door, was a bathroom to the left and a bedroom to the right. The bedroom was complete with vintage, original window facing towards the spiral stairs that lead below. A landing facing built-in shelves and windows with plenty of sill for plants and kitties to sunbathe on. This was my favorite apartment because it was absolutely made for us! Without ample storage it was nearly impossible to grow in the teeny, tiny adorable apartment (we are now with Chihuahua!).

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Mise en Snap Visual Splendor

Mise en Snap: A Woman is a Woman

08/04/2009

A Woman is a Woman (Une Femme est une Femme’) is a 1961 French new wave film directed by Jean-Luc Godard. It’s colorful, quirky and adorable in it’s imagery and story. I found the interior shots to be clean, bright and simple, yet quaint and kitshy-cool. Reminds me of the delicious interior eye-candy to be gorged on in each of the Jeu de Paumes books.

The film centers around the relationship of an adorable exotic dancer Angéla (Anna Karina) and her live-in boyfriend, Émile (Jean-Claude Brialy). This films requires little-to-no serious thought, all of the discussions are completely trivialized and cute to watch. For instance they use book titles to argue and debate issues, pointing to titles that communicate the response that they would like to give.

Angéla wants to have a child while Émile does not, all the while Émile’s best friend Alfred (Jean-Paul Belmondo), constantly insists that he is in love with Angéla. It must be that every woman’s biological urge to have (bear, adopt, get a cat or chihuahua instead of) children kicks in at some point in their lives (even if just by passing thought!) no matter how much fun they may be having. *wink*

Have a taste!

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DIY Recipes

Egg Beauty Recipes for Eggstacy

05/06/2009

We all know that eggs are a great food source and mega healthy for your body. But did you know that the all-natural item is also beneficial for your skin? In fact, egg whites clear up/prevent acne and blemishes, tightens skin and decreases signs of age.

Here are a few egg*y DIY beauty recipes for you to try at home! I promise, these recipes will yield products just as good (if not better) than any spa could provide you!

Chilled eggs and honey face mask

This cool face mask is great for dry skin. It’s soothing and moisturizing! Here’s what you need:
1 egg
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tbs honey

(1) Heat your coconut so that it is warm, but not too hot. You can do this in a microwave save container in your microwave or over the stove at a low-medium heat.
(2) The first thing you need to do is crack your egg open into a small bowl. Beat the egg until it is foamy and consistent in texture.
(3) After you’ve finished stirring the egg, gradually add your warm coconut oil. Doesn’t it smell delicious? Next, add your tablespoon of honey. Beat all of these ingredients until you have a semi-thick consistency (similar to mayonnaise).
(4) This next part will sound a little strange! Use an empty toilet paper roll and place one end into a bowl. Put your mixture inside of the roll and place it in the freezer. Remove the roll once the contents inside are completely frozen!
(5) Once it’s frozen, peel part of the toilet paper roll away (about 1/4 inch) and apply to your face, rubbing it around in a circular motion. It should resemble a frozen popsicle! Let the contents sit on your face for about 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Splash your face with cold water to tighten pores and gently pat dry.

*You will have plenty left over for future-use! Simply cover with a plastic bag and place in the freezer again.

Moisturizing Egg Yolk Hair Mask

This recipe is super easy and a great cure-all for dry hair, dead/split ends and frizz issues! Gather these items before you begin:
1 egg yolk
1 cup milk
1/2 tbs. rosewater (optional)

(1) Separate the egg yolk from the egg white and place in a small-medium sized bowl. Beat the yolk until there are lots of little bubbles on the top – it should be frothy looking!
(2) Gradually add the milk in. If you have rosewater, you may add the 1/2 tbs. at this time. Mix all of the ingredients together until you reach a consistent texture.
(3) Apply the mixture onto your hair, starting with the ends (which tend to be the driest). Work your way up until your hair is fully coated.
(4) After 15 minutes, rinse the egg mixture from your hair with tepid water (if it’s too hot you’ll end up with scrambled egg-yolk hair). Make sure you remove everything!

Shine Reducing Egg and Lemon Treatment

This treatment does wonders for a tired and/or oily face. Not only does it firm and tighten skin but it also reduces shine. Here’s what you need:
1 egg white
1 medium sized lemon

(1) Separate the egg white from the egg yolk and place in a small-medium sized bowl.
(2) Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out the juice into your bowl. Remove any seeds that may have danced their way into the bowl!
(3) Whisk the lemon juice and egg until it is completely blended. The texture should be smooth and consistent.
(4) Apply the concoction onto your face and let it set for 15 minutes. Once it’s hard and flaky, rinse the mixture from your face with warm water. Splash your face with cold water to tighten pores and gently pat dry.

You may follow up with your nightly moisturizer.

Good luck and happy beauty!

3 Comments

DIY

Should You Felt Your Knitted Projects?

04/07/2009

Working with wool has become one of my favorite creative endeavors. I love the unique way each article of clothing comes out just a bit differently than another. I use any used or new sweaters and am always on the hunt for vintage wool skirts or jackets to use in my projects. I love to use them to make baby clothes or toys. Little stuffed woolies are lots of fun to make. Using wool makes me feel happy to be able to put to use something someone else believes to be un-useful (is that a word???). No two items I make are alike. I don’t use patterns because I find it easier to ‘eyeball’ the felted sweater and let the colors and textures dictate what will come of it. If you are a ‘pattern person’ (what a title!), you most certainly could use patterns with this kind of felted fabric.

1. Find a beautiful 100% wool sweater that is in good condition. Be sure to check the label carefully. Do not purchase or use one that says it’s okay to ‘Machine Wash’ it. Some wool sweaters have been treated for easier care and do not require dry cleaning… the process they use will prevent it from felting-the desired effect! Use only one that recommends dry cleaning or hand washing.

2. Machine wash in warm water with 1Tbsp. soap or detergent. Wool fibers have little barbs on them and the agitation of a machine wash cycle binds the fibers together. When felted, a garment will shrink and become thick, dense and will not unravel when cut. After washing, check to see if the sweater is now ‘felted’ enough for what you desire to make. If not, either rewash or for further felting, dry it in a warm dryer. If it is rumpley after washing, iron with an iron using the ‘wool’ setting. Wool is a very durable product and responds well to misting and ironing.

3. Once your item is dry and smoothed out with an iron, you may begin to design and construct your item. If making a dress for baby, you can use the neckline or collar area of the sweater for the neckline of your new dress. Sometimes you will need to put darts in the back of the neck or cut it in the back and re-seam it to reduce the size of the neck. Because properly felted wool does not unravel, you will probably not have to hem or bind your hem or sleeves but sometimes I do anyway. A sweet cotton fabric can add a lot for extra detail. The sleeves of the sweater can be used to make leg warmers to match or save them for a pair of hand warmers for yourself or a friend!

4. After your pieces are cut out, sew them together with a machine using either a regular straight stitch or serger. Appliquéing a unique design on your dress or romper will personalize it and add whimsy and interest, but be sure to do the appliqué or embroidery work before you sew front to back; it’s just easier. Above all, have fun! This example is just one of many ways to use wool sweaters. Get creative and enjoy!

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Self Decoration

1940s Beauty, Fashion and Action Resurrection

04/03/2009

Call me crazy, call me zany or simply call me metaphysically inclined. I have always had a sneaking suspicion that in my past lives — I envision two of them, darling — I was a regal sweetheart with a fabulous sense of style.

Oh, and it shouldn’t surprise you that each of my previous cycles on Earth were in equally wonderful eras: Lifetime #1: the European 1750s (I suspect I was a fling of Herr Mozart’s) and Lifetime #2: the legendary American 1940s.

As the title of this article implies, we’re going to focus on the latter, today. And, because I’m ordaining myself as Miseducated’s 40s guru (hey, I lived the life – wink!), I’m going to share with you little ways to incorporate that style into our fresh and fabulous 21st century.

Before we get started, let me say this: Invest in vintage
Kind of a no-brainer. But really, unless you have an air of authenticity about you then you won’t be taken very seriously! Hit up your local flea market, antique store, E-Bay or even Goodwill and you’re bound to find some goodies for a bargain.

Style Tip #1: Hats and Hair

After you’ve styled your hair appropriately (check out YouTube for some great hair tutorials, like this easy one), literally top everything off with a 40s inspired hat. All sorts of hats were worn back in the day, so it’ll be easy to find a type that suits your fancy! I prefer small hats with a flock of feathers or a tiny, off-to-the-side veil! You’ll be in heaven with all the colors, shapes and sizes there are to choose from!

Style Tip #2: Hot Bod, Hot Dress!

The classic 40s dress is characterized by a cinched waist and flowy bottom half. Polka-dots are a guaranteed hit! Try shopping for some great dresses at Viva La Vintage, Dorotheas Closet Vintage, or Damn Good Vintage. No need to spend tons of money, I’ve found a whollup of pretty numbers on eBay and at Goodwill.

Style Tip #3: Clutch, please!

It’s important to have a purse to carry around, even when you’re prancing in your 40s gear. I mean, really, where else would we keep our lipgoss, cell-phone and identification? A pocket just won’t do! The perfect accessory to your outfit is a sweet little clutch and lucky for you, those are easy to find! Choose a shade that sets the tone you’re after! Roarin’ red? Fabulous! Sparkly sequins? Oh yeah!

Style Tip #4: Such a pretty face!

When it comes to dolling up your face, keep these in mind: luscious, fake lashes will take you far; outline your lips with a pretty shade of red and color them in (be sure to accentuate the “V” on your top lip); wear a rosey-posey blush that’s only subtle enough. Don’t be afraid to have fun with your makeup.

Style Tip #5: Gloves keep your hands clean!

You know they do! They also keep you looking refined, stylish and oh-so 40-licious! I like to keep things pristine with a stark, crisp white. You may be more inclined to roll up a pair of bright yellow duds. Whatever makes you happy is fine by me.

Style Tip #6: Cat-eye glasses

Whether you sport sunglasses or a pair of faux reading glasses, make them snazzy! Try a rhinestone-enhanced, golden cat-eye. Or maybe a subtle black is more your type. Either way, you’ll make a (smart) statement!

Style Tip #7: For the bold: Cigarette holder

I don’t condone smoking (keep your lungs happy, ladies), but a stationary cigarette in a pretty cigarette holder is really kind of drool-worthy. Purchase one for under $5 here and pretend you’re Audrey at the ball.

Bonus

40s slang to slip into your vocabulary. *
• Flat Tire – A dull witted, insipid, disappointing date.
• Cat’s Meow – Something splendid or stylish
• Heebie-Jeebies – The jitters.
• Ossified – a drunk person.
• Scram – Ask someone to leave immediately.
• Whoopee – To have a good time.

As in: Scram, ossified flat tire! You give me the heebie-jeebies when all I want is a cat’s meow whoopee!

*To be used only when employing 40s-inspired style.

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