Meet The Cast: Martha May Whovier

Image: Kori Savoie

MUA: Hanna Fisher

Annually I have the privilege of creating a fantasy world for myself and my family to disappear into for an afternoon. This year I chose an iconic holiday film to celebrate in our holiday card.

Martha May Whovier was my character because she is in love with the Grinch, who my husband David graciously stepped into the character of. Martha is the glamour girl of Whoville so I naturally welcomed the opportunity to pay homage to her in the card.

I created her wig and curated her wardrobe so it had the air of Martha May with my own personal spin and details.

WIG: 

Sadly I have constraints for my budget (Imagine the production if I didn't? ) So I inexpensively purchased the base wig from Amazon, HERE. 

I used synthetic hair that I had on hand from one of Kaleigh's past Halloween Costumes  and I purchased Miniature Assorted Holographic Foil Gift Boxes from the Dollar Store and used the Gold and Red packages. I wrapped the other packages with Christmas paper and then with the hair. Hot glue required and some patients. I finished it off by tying off the packages with red ribbon. 

 I glued the finished packages together and started to stack and pile them. I also used bobby pins to secure them. I knew I was doing a second look with the wig down so I didn't want to glue the hair wrapped packages to the base wig.

 She also has a waved bang so I set a foam roller and dampened the wig and sprayed it in advance.

I also had Strep throat (as did my kids) during the wig process which made for an interesting project! For extra holiday drama I left the ribbons long and let them hang down along with some tendrils. 

COSTUME(s)

The character of Martha May Whovier had a total of 6 costumes in the film. I chose to have 2 looks for the shoot. The first being the iconic red and green look.

She wore it with and without her bolero jacket.

My look is a two piece to give the feel of a gown. For the bodice I used a corset (order here ) It comes in literally all sizes. Ignore the "size" and order by measurements. Martha's bodice is trimmed in green tulle and to save trimming my skirt hem (which was the perfect length) I used an old holiday themed tea towel I had on hand. It was the perfect color and texture for the trim. No room in the house if off limits when I am creating! 

I used fabric glue to affix the piece to the top of the bodice.

The Bolero was sourced from the 55,000 Dress Collection and from my own closet. 

Skirt: Comes in all sizes and has an elastic waist!

Shoes: SJP Collection "Gelsey" flat in red metallic "poison" color. The silhouette can be found on Amazon but not the color. Contact the SJP Store for more info.

Jewelry: It was a costume jewelry set with matching bracelet, earrings and necklace. Similar in shape to Martha's

I did a costume change for the end of the shoot. I sourced a gorgeous baby blue chiffon, feather and sequin gown from the 55,000 Dresses Collection. The choice was inspired by the two baby blue looks Martha May wore in the last scenes of the film.

MAKEUP:

Prosthetic FX Nose made of foam latex: SHOP

Large Front Teeth: SHOP

Hanna at work ...

Hanna Fisher did an amazing job on the Martha Makeup! She painted the prosthetic appliance to get it as close to my skin tone as possible, lashed me up with a full gorgeous set and even make a gorgeous Martha Mouth drawn onto the bottom of the prosthetic.

MERRY GRINCHMAS and HAPPY WHO YEAR

55,000 DRESScue Mission: So it begins

Back in 2014 I met dress collector Paul Brockman in his Gardena warehouse that at the time held approximately 22,000 of his reported 55,000 dress collection. Red my blog HERE from my initial visit. With the passage of time I always wondered what ever happened to Paul and his collection. I reached out to him and his daughter in March of 2017 to check the status of the collection and see if I could help.

I visited with a proposal to help liquidate the dresses and approach this mammoth project in a new way. 

Fast forward to last weekend. Myself, Paul's daughter Louise and 2 hired guys moved 495 bags of vintage dresses into a sorting facility. This is the contents of container 1 of 4!! We cannot liquidate what we don't know is there so we are sorting by era/color for now. Everything is for sale!

6am - 495 Bags

Time lapse of unpacking the second truck ..

Of course we unearthed some amazing treasures. 

 1980's Polka Dot Dress - $48

80's Polka Black and Dot Dress - $45

1950's Cherry Print Dress - $85

1960's Floral Maxi - $68

Shop a curated selection from the collection via Evolution Vintage with more to come daily.

Let the DRESScue mission begin .... 

Are you a dealer who wants to shop in bulk? or a vintage fan ready to fill bags to the brim for a great price? email me for an appointment.

Reference This: 1968 x 2018

On a daily basis I am commenting, educating and sharing the merits and benefits of shopping from fashions past and re-styling it in a new and contemporary way. You wouldn't believe how many fashionable women will turn their nose up at a Vintage dress, passing it over for something high end or fast fashion because it is "new" yet it distinctly resembles a piece from the past. When this happens I love to pull from my fashion reference library to illustrate my point. Nothing is ever "identical" but it is certainly referenced time and time again in fashion.

I do not advocate completely against consumption of what is new but I do strongly advocate and promote using the creative re-styling of items that have had a previous life because it is a sustainable alternative to our fast fashion, throw away culture.

Part of what I do is constantly study fashion history, the history of costume of film and theatre and textiles.

I enjoy referencing fashions past as seen in our fashion present. The most current reference comes from across the pond. The gorgeous Dutchess of Cambridge welcomed her son this week and presented him to the world in the Royal tradition wearing a red dress with a white lace peter pan collar from designer Jenny Packham.

I can't help but think of the 1968 film, Rosemary's Baby with Mia Farrow in a similar look of a red dress and lace peter pan collar. 

Never forget, fashions past is ALWAYS present!

Lisa's Gift Guide: 2017

We are one month away from the big day. We make investments of our money and our time into the Christmas season. For me time is always in short supply so I post a gift guide annually to share what I am buying for the loved ones on my list. I love to share the businesses that I support and purchase from. None of my posts are ever sponsored and are places I actually shop from.

1) Seanese I love this fun T-shirt business! I am a sucker for a clever graphic tee during the holidays and beyond. I am also a fan of wearing said t-shirts in non "traditional" ways. They are not just for jeans or lounge wear. You may have read my last post on the company (if not see it HERE). For the holidays they have a new collection of shirts for EVERYONE. It is an inclusive collection, with something to fit everyone and a wide variety of colors and classic "Sean-isms". He also gives back to a different charity every month! Use CODE: GIFTTEN and save 10%

My FAVS:

"Be Naughty, Save Santa The Trip" - $24.50 

This is a special shirt for me as the eyes of the elf were taken from a photograph of my son Blake and resemble the beautiful eyes he, Sean and most people in the Down Syndrome community share!

"Dear Santa, Don't Talk To My Teacher"

"Don't Get Your Bells In A Jingle" 

"Naughty or Nice: Decisions, Decisions"

Betsy Johnson Velvet Booties

Kacey Bootie with Glitter Heel (On Sale HERE for $60)

They also come in BLACK

My personal bootie of choice for this holiday season!

John's Crazy Socks

This entrepreneur's mission is to spread JOY though fun socks! John's also happens to have Down Syndrome, he employs people with disabilities AND gives a % back from every sale to various charities through the year! WIN-WIN-WIN!! 

There is over 1300 different designs and the prices are amazing. Stuff your stocking with SOCKS! 

 "On The Nice List" - $5

 "Banned Books" - $10

 "Bernie Sanders" - $12

"Frida Kahlo Knee Socks" (2 colors) - $10

BOOKS

Time to awaken your deepest desires and realize your ultimate dreams! Let Dr. Tererai Trent guide you home to yourself and the life you deserve. A great gift for any 'Sacred Sister". I as left realizing that the world needs me to realize my dreams and reminded that "It is Achievable" AKA "Tinogona" (Read more about the amazing Tererai HERE)

Buy it HERE

The Universe Has Your Back - Gabrielle Bernstein

 The Universe Has Your Back Cards! A unique gift that can be used for daily inspiration!

BUY

"The Currency Of Love" - Jill Dodd

The real life tale of a former model turned member of a Saudi billionaire's harem.

ART

Artist: Luanne McGee-Turner

Pet Portraits

I will be comissioning a fun portrait of our puppy Leo this year. Buy one for the pet lover on your list or treat yourself and commemorate your fur baby! Portrait start at $200 CAD plus shipping EMAIL her for more info. PS - She just happens to be my talented and beautiful cousin! 

Tara Deetscreek

Tara is a talent portrait artist and fashion illustrator who works with mixed media (paints and pencils). I have purchased the most amazing Mother's Day gift from Tara (A custom birds nest with an egg representing each of my mothers grandchildren) which could also double for a cute Christmas Gift. 

She has also been a gracious donor to the National Down Syndrome Society Gala Auction for 2 years in a row! I also have a gorgeous custom portrait hanging in my living room as I type. I adore her Winter wreaths she is painting this year. For only $25 you can gran a chic monogramed wreath for your wall or mantle. This also makes an amazing hostess gift to take to any holiday gathering. You could also purchase sevral to make your last name, or the monogram for each of your children. The possibilities are endless!

SHOP IT

VINTAGE

4 Birds Vintage

I acquired the most amazing winter coat from this sweet Vintage Shop. A vintage Hudson Bay Company Blanket Coat just in time for my holiday trip home to Canada! Christy has a wide variety of vintage clothing, shoes and more! 

SHOP

SHOP

Evolution Vintage

I have personally curated a collection of Vintage clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories in my eBoutique. There is literally something for every woman, every taste and every budget. 

Shop my new fit finder and immediately see what is available that fits you! (or the lady on your list)

SAVE 30% on EVERYTHING through tomorrow with code: CYBERSALE

Red Cocktail Dress $55

YSL Skirt $250

You also have the uniqe opportunity to shop pieces from the Paul Brockmann 55,000 Dress Collection!

Red Dress - $65

HAPPY SHOPPING!