Wedded Bliss.... or Wedded Miss?

It's the time of the year when there seems to be a wedding every weekend. Correction: there IS a wedding every weekend, and lots of them, especially in a wedding destination town like Charleston, SC. Is it possible to get tired of it all? Can you get tired of looking through snapshots of joyful, glistening guests on dance floors, of clusters of happy hydrangeas and sweet jasmine, of resplendent layered cakes, shy ring bearers, and love, true love? Ok, maybe not love, but I DO know that it's possible to get a little weary of seeing the same. old. dress.

Alright, I know that not every dress is the same- hey, I've been to Kleinfelds. I've seen "Say Yes to the Dress". But I also see about 10 brides every weekend stepping out of churches, posing in gardens, strolling down cobblestone streets, and rolling by in horse-drawn carriages. I am amazed by how similar they all look on what is supposed to be "their day". It seems to me that the little details and personal touches that ladies rely on in their everyday wardrobes have disappeared into a sea of white, strapless mediocrity.

I didn't choose white for my own wedding dress, but I'm a pale, freckled redhead so it wasn't a great option for me. Plus I was never that girl that dreamt of the big poufy white gown. I wanted gold lamé.

From now on, every time I pass a cookie-cutter bride smiling sweetly and boring me silly, I choose to imagine her in one of these vintage confections....



These amazing creations are all for sale at one of my new favorite etsy shops: RedHouseVintages

It's Mother's Day... say cheese!

On Mother's Day, the topic of conversation will eventually and naturally return to my Grandmother, Nannie Mae. She was, after all, my mother's mother and a wonderful, simple, and funny lady.

Nannie Mae loved photography. She worked in a camera store and collected bits and pieces, cameras and lenses, parts and accoutrements for 40+ years. To honor her memory and to make me smile, I've included few shots of the lady, the myth, the legend... and her beloved cameras.

two new treasuries for t&a

Check out the great new treasuries we're featured in! The first one is a collection of sweet pink snowflakes and it includes Adrian's 100% silk scarf from Milan! I love the Donna Reed Apron and the vintage nutgrinders- mostly because to my knowledge I have never seen a nutgrinder, per se, and these are vintage AND have little matching snowflakes on them. Who needs not only one nutgrinder, but a matching set? Gotta love it.
Spring is quickly approaching! Are you ready? You might need Adrian's funky shift dress... or that gorgeous brown parasol if I don't get to it first!!!! Bring on the SPRING....

Adrian's Getting Hitched!

One of my FAVORITE people on the planet, one of my very best friends, and my partner in t&a, Ms. Adrian Kiger is officially getting hitched this coming weekend! When she first told me she was getting married, I started collecting little things to make her feel like the beautiful, blushing bride of her childhood dreams.... or at least to give her a happy moment to relieve the pressure and stress of being a modern day bride.

The first thing I found was a gorgeous, 1960s white shift dress with a gauzy and delicate embroidered overlay. So simple and so beautiful. This was obviously not intended to be her wedding dress- that's not the kind of thing you buy for someone else. But I knew she would have parties, a rehearsal or a nice dinner that this little number would perfectly fit. And it's VINTAGE... truly something old.

I asked Adrian a few months ago if I could make her a birdcage veil. Not that I've ever made one before, but I've always loved them and considered one for my own wedding ten years ago. At that time, they weren't so popular and I must admit I was not quite as crafty as I am these days. We've seen an amazing resurgence of this simple netted hairpiece in the past few years. It's no surprise because the design is inherently feminine, flirty, and simple. I had a really fun time making this veil for Adrian. I used ivory peacock feather eyes, peacock tail plumes, marabou fluff, goose feathers and biots, and a gorgeous french netting. I even handmade a flower from a white and ivory shiny organza. She tells me she's going to wear it on the big day and I am beyond honored. Hopefully she will post a few pics post-nuptials so we can all admire her loveliness....
I remember buying the shoes for my wedding. At that time, I had never paid more than $75 for a pair of shoes, so I was a bit reluctant as I walked into Charleston's most prestigious shoe emporium, Bob Ellis. Inside, I found myself turning over shoe after shoe trying to make my decision based on price. I couldn't fathom paying those kinds of prices for a pair of shoes that I was sure to wear only once. Somewhere in the middle of my practical, internal monologue, I picked up a lovely pair of Vera Wang slingbacks. Before I knew it, they were on my feet and even sooner than that I was paying for them. To this day, these are the most expensive shoes I have ever bought...... finally there is an opportunity for someone else to were these stylin kicks.The last piece came from my own vintage jewelry collection. These 1940s screwback earrings are the most perfect blue. Sometimes I wonder if there is a color of equal beauty. Whether you call it "robin's egg" or "Tiffany blue", you have to admit that this color looks amazing on Adrian, with that gorgeous mane of blond hair. This must be exactly what someone had in mind when they added "something blue" to the familiar rhyme.

And finally, I couldn't leave out the most important piece of the puzzle for Lady Miss Kiger... her new husband-to-be, Don. Adrian tells me that this boutonniere is perfect for him because Don is a fly fisherman who ties his own flies from little feathers. Of course I didn't know that when I made it, but sometimes things are just meant to be! I hear from Adrian that he'll "don" it on the big day. ha ha. ok, you're right. that one was bad.
Adrian and Don are having a quiet, small family affair at the Kiger Farm. Personally, I CANNOT WAIT for the photos and all the dish on the day!

Congratulations Adrian & Don
January 29, 2011
Morgantown, West Virginia

Happy New Year!

t&a has been featured in another great etsy treasury! Check out "Ring in the New Year" by fellow etsian samsstuff. Our vintage satin clutch with matching gloves is included! This treasury is also featured on another of my favorite sites, Handmadeology! YAY! WELCOME 2011!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

The newest sparkly creations and pretty vintage treasures are going fast this time of year! I know many ladies who are going to be very happy this holiday season with their new baubles. Despite the inevitable pounds, I love love love this season! People tend to don their shiniest jewels during the holidays, and that always makes me smile.... plus the cookies are good too.

new size! LARGE clutch

The the nickel-free frame is 3"h x 8"w, the bag is 6"h x 9"w at bottom: $30 each, or with 13" chain $32 each