Lets Talk About Hair!

Can we talk about our hair dear readers? Can we also talk about what you think I should do to my hair? My hair is quite long right now. It may actually be the longest it has ever been in my life. From root to tip, my longest layer measures in at approximately 27" now. That equates to a lot of hair that has to be washed, conditioned, and dried, every single day. I know lots of people wash their locks, every other day, but I just cannot do that. My roots end up being too greasy. Readers, do you wash your hair daily, every other day, or do you have another routine?

My hair happens to be really, really straight naturally. I do not use a straightening iron.I have taken to calling it my hippie hair; long, flowing, straight. I would have fit in perfectly in the late 60s and early 70s. My hair, however, will pretty much not take, and hold, a curl though. Especially at this length, curling it is completely out of the question. It is also so thick, that ponytails are beginning to be impossible, as I either snap the hair tie, or I can't get it tight enough to hold the weight of my hair and it falls right back out. Oh, the first world problems I am plagued with!

There are also some other problems with come with long hair. I am slowly going broke buying conditioner, even the cheap Suave professionals kind I use. I will not pay the price for true salon products when I can tell no difference in how my hair reacts. The bathtub and shower drains both drain at a snails pace, no matter how much drain cleaner I force them to drink. I routinely pull my own hair by laying on it, and have even shut it in the car door on windy days. I also have one other hair problem, though it is not related to the length. In the last two months or so, the color of my hair has started to change. It has went from being a nice shade of brown to looking very brassy, especially in sunlight. I avoid sunlight like the plague, so it hasn't been caused my more sun exposure. ( I would rather have no wrinkles later than a tan now.)

Now, despite all of my complaints, I do like having long hair. I like that the only styling that I do is drying it with the hair dryer. ( We won't talk about how many hair dryers I have broken though.) I do think that I am up for a bit of a haircut though. I desperately need a hair cut to tame my split ends, as the last time it was cut was May 2011. Did I mention that I loathe having to pay money for a haircut? I'd rather have split ends than have to cut into my estate sale and fabric money.

I have thought of donating it to Pantene's Great Lengths program which makes wigs, free of charge, for women and children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. The minimum length is 8", but I would have to cut off at least 2" to get rid of split ends, totaling 10". I am not sure I am willing to chop off that much. So, readers, I am asking you, what do you think I should do with my hair? Let it grow til it reaches my knees? Chop it all off into a bob? Dye it blue with Kool-Aid packets? Start a new trend by only cutting one side short and leaving the other super long?

I'd also love to know what you plan on doing with your hair for the summer? Going short? Letting it grow? Tell me more!

If It Were March 1962...

Hello lovely readers! I thought that I'd share some images from the March 1962 edition of Ladies Home Journal with you all.

I do have a dress finished, but I currently have a combination of a nasty cold and allergies, and don't want "Rudolph nose" pictures on the internet. Besides, I have to spend my days complaining about the "worst:" cold of my life to any poor soul who dares to come within 15 feet of me. I do not handle sickness well, or quietly. So, I will take a break from my obnoxious whining for a few minutes to show you all some fantastic vintage images.

Vintage advertisements, particularly for clothing, shoes, and accessories, can be very helpful for getting a period correct look if you like dressing vintage. Personally, no matter how correct my look was, my 60s free love hair would mess up the outfit. But my hair is another story for another time.

A cute little baby on the cover. So sweet!

Cute and sensible 60s shoes.

This outfit ( suit, coat, shoes, accessories) cost $72.85 in 1961. According to an inflation calculator, that is $554.69 in modern dollars!

I can't image having to wear a bra without lycra. Ahh, the things we take for granted as modern day women.

I NEED this stove! I am not certain, but I believe Trudy and Pete Campbell have a similar pull out style stove on this season of Mad Men. Does it look similar to anyone else?

A great coat. I believe it is Dior, but the text is hard to identify the correct picture.

What I wouldn't do for this coat. I think this one is a Galanos.

This is made of wool and surah silk. Designer is Norman Norell?

I just had to include this, because, at first glance, you would never guess this is a ....... tampon advertisement! 

That is all for today. I do have some more pics from this issue that I will post. Are magazine speads something you all like seeing? I have a few more 50s and 60s magazines, and my mother has quite a few that I could share here. Just tell me what you think!

Finished: "Anchors Away, Matey!" Skirt ( Vogue 8603)

Well hello dear readers! It's been a long time since I have written a post here. But, don't despair, as I have a finished object to show you today.

I finished a fantastic little navy blue skirt that is perfect for a day out on my yacht. You know, if I owned a yacht. I must admit, I love anything with a nautical flair, and when I spotted this pattern at Joann's I knew it would be perfect for a button decorated skirt.

This skirt did not come together without and hiccups though. I had finally stitched the lining in when I decided to try it on. Much to my dismay when I attempted to zip it, the zipper separated and broke! Out came the lining, out came the zipper, and then back in went a new zipper and back in went the lining. It was definitely worth it in the end though.

Here are some more details:
Pattern: Vogue 8603 ( A still in print modern pattern)
Size: I cut the 16, but took in the center back seam just a bit for a little more snug fit
Outer Fabric: Some sort of suiting from the Goodwill, $1
Lining Fabric: Leftover taffeta lining from my Romance, Rekindled jacket, ~$.50
Buttons and Zipper: From estate sales, cost negligable
What I love: This skirt fits so so well! I love the buttons and the fact that this pattern takes so little fabric.
Dislikes: The way they have you construct this skirt, the facing ends up on top of the lining, only tacked at the seams. I fell like a lined skirt should not have a facing flapping around on the inside. I would like to make this skirt again, but I will be seeking out a different way to deal with the facing/lining. I also wold like it to be just a tad bit longer. It rids up a lot when I sit down since it is so fitted.