Actress Eileen Davidson: Opens Her Closet & Heart

You may know Eileen Davidson for her long standing a popular daytime roles on The Young and The Restless AND Days of our Lives as Ashley Abbott and Kristen Blake DiMera respectively. I know her as a fashion loving lady with a beautiful heart.

She has recently opened her closet to the public to share some of her fashion treasures spanning the decades from 1930's-2000's. She is doing so in support of the charity 'No Kid Hungry' 

Their Mission:

NO CHILD SHOULD GROW UP HUNGRY IN AMERICA. But 1 in 5 children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting kids in need with nutritious food and teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals. You can help surround kids with healthy food where they live, learn and play.

This is an important organization to support and you can do so buy purchasing ANY piece from Evolution Vintage' Curated Closet

Some of the garments Eileen has been photographed in but rest assured she has personally WORN them ALL.

 With your purchase you will receive an autographed 8.5" X 11" image of Eileen as a token of her gratitude for helping support a charity that she loves.

Not a soap fan?
No worries, you can purchase a piece as an amazing GIFT for the daytime diva on your list.

There is even a piece for sale that was worn on The Young and the Restless!! Perfect for ANY fan or collector.

She may add MORE clothing items as well as accessories!

Keep checking back: SHOP

I will be featuring styling suggestions and demos in blog's to come on each piece, giving the history of the designer and the garment as worn by Eileen.

The Evolution of a DIY Tree Topper

I have been on MAJOR Christmas preparation hiatus and have had little time to post here. My out of town visitors have arrived and now that the holiday's are in full swing I am onto the crafting phase of the year.

I started with my tree topper.  It has evolved over the last 3 years and I wanted to share how I made it.  I can't be the only one who is not a fan of the classic angel or star topper. You don't have to spend a lot on the crowning glory of your tree. You can use items you already have on hand and incorporate new ones as your taste and tree decor evolves.

Year 1:

This year I utilized a natural looking small "wreath" that was pre-done with faux snow, cranberries and pine. The focal point is the "H" which was the cake topper on my wedding cake. and I purchased a small glitter red flower arrangement from the dollar store, took it apart and added it to the topper along with ribbon.

Total coast: $7 (H monogram not included)

Year 2:

I changed my tree decor from the classic red/silver to a more modern black velvet, magenta and pearls. The accent colors being white and silver.

I purchased a floral foam small wreath along with silver metallic ribbon. I wrapped the wreath to cover the green.

I had a black velvet Vintage hat from my eBoutique that was seriously damaged and unwearable. I'm no milliner so instead of repairing it to wear I re purposed it into two uses. The first was a fabulous showgirl hairband using the vintage velvet and feathers and the second was my tree topper.

I strung loose faux pearls along thread and attached it to trim the hat. 

I also used silver Christmas tree ornament hooks to secure and anchor some loose pearls to the 'wreath' along with some white feathers. 

Additional Cost: $6

Year 3 (This Year):

Another variation of this DIY tree topper has taken place a top my Christmas tree.

Keeping the original foundation and materials I have added a Vintage 1950's brooch to add some sparkle. I have also incorporated some magenta metallic elements I got on sale at Michaels (70% off holiday decor now!)

Additional cost: $6

For under $20 I have had 3 years of amazing, custom tree toppers.

What top's your tree?

Fashions Past is Present

Chanel F/W 1991. Model Kristen Mcmenamy

I cannot stress enough the obvious cyclical nature of the fashion industry. I could use thousands of examples of how fashions past influences fashions future. People who claim they are "not into Vintage" make me laugh as their current wardrobe pieces simply looks like a new spin on an old classic! 

The resemblances are not always LITERAL or COPIES but the essence of past collections are always present, for me anyway. My latest observation was the Balmain Spring/Summer 2014. It just reminded me of the CHANEL Fall 1991 Collection with the mix of denim, gold hardware accessories and black moto style pieces.

Quick Fashion History Lesson --> Fashion Designer Pierre Balmain (pictured below in 1952 in Paris) was an architect turned fashion designer in 1934. He one said, "dressmaking is the architecutre of movement". He worked for another designer until he opened the House of Balmain in 1945 and in the post WWII era was dubbed "the king of fashion" in France. He was born in 1914 and passed away in 1982. The house of Balmain has changed designers several times since his passing (including major designers like Oscar de la Renta) and the current designer is Olivier Rousteing.

Balmain S/S 2014

This new Balmain collection reminded me of F/W 1991 CHANEL.  Let me be clear that it is not identical, nor do I see "copies". The connection is in the the denim, moto inspiration, quilting, gold hardware/accessories and sheer elements. My overall point is that the essence of fashion's past always lives in fashion's present and future. 

 Thus, Vintage pieces are ALWAYS CHIC and TIMELESS. 

Styling is the key element to modernization of pieces from the past.

What are your thoughts on Fashion's Past?

 Do you see the connection?

Music Monday: Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen is a Canadian born, award winning singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and novelist. I just heard the song "Closing Time" in my car this morning and remembered how much I adore his music, lyrics and voice! He has had an amazing career spanning over 4 decades and at 79 he is still going strong, touring, writing and performing. Have a look at the LONG list of works and accomplishments here

His lyrics are full of fabulous metaphors and have an intelligent depth that I am attracted too. My top 3; "Everybody Knows" (1988), "Closing Time" (1992), "Hallelujah" which was written in 1984 and covered by singer Jeff Buckley (I like Jeff's version best, sorry Leonard). The lyrics are brilliant and it has been said that Leonard wrote over 80 verses to this song before writing the final version.

.

"Closing Time"

Ah we're drinking and we're dancing
and the band is really happening
and the Johnny Walker wisdom running high
And my very sweet companion
she's the Angel of Compassion
she's rubbing half the world against her thigh
And every drinker every dancer
lifts a happy face to thank her
the fiddler fiddles something so sublime
all the women tear their blouses off
and the men they dance on the polka-dots
and it's partner found, it's partner lost
and it's hell to pay when the fiddler stops:
it's CLOSING TIME
Yeah the women tear their blouses off
and the men they dance on the polka-dots
and it's partner found, it's partner lost
and it's hell to pay when the fiddler stops:
it's CLOSING TIME

Ah we're lonely, we're romantic
and the cider's laced with acid
and the Holy Spirit's crying, "Where's the beef?"
And the moon is swimming naked
and the summer night is fragrant
with a mighty expectation of relief
So we struggle and we stagger
down the snakes and up the ladder
to the tower where the blessed hours chime
and I swear it happened just like this:
a sigh, a cry, a hungry kiss
the Gates of Love they budged an inch
I can't say much has happened since
but CLOSING TIME

I swear it happened just like this:
a sigh, a cry, a hungry kiss
the Gates of Love they budged an inch
I can't say much has happened since
CLOSING TIME

I loved you for your beauty
but that doesn't make a fool of me:
you were in it for your beauty too
and I loved you for your body
there's a voice that sounds like God to me
declaring, declaring, declaring that your body's really you
And I loved you when our love was blessed
and I love you now there's nothing left
but sorrow and a sense of overtime
and I missed you since the place got wrecked
And I just don't care what happens next
looks like freedom but it feels like death
it's something in between, I guess
it's CLOSING TIME

Yeah I missed you since the place got wrecked
By the winds of change and the weeds of sex
looks like freedom but it feels like death
it's something in between, I guess
it's CLOSING TIME

Yeah we're drinking and we're dancing
but there's nothing really happening
and the place is dead as Heaven on a Saturday night
And my very close companion
gets me fumbling gets me laughing
she's a hundred but she's wearing
something tight
and I lift my glass to the Awful Truth
which you can't reveal to the Ears of Youth
except to say it isn't worth a dime
And the whole damn place goes crazy twice
and it's once for the devil and once for Christ
but the Boss don't like these dizzy heights
we're busted in the blinding lights,
busted in the blinding lights
of CLOSING TIME

The whole damn place goes crazy twice
and it's once for the devil and once for Christ
but the Boss don't like these dizzy heights
we're busted in the blinding lights,
busted in the blinding lights
of CLOSING TIME

Oh the women tear their blouses off
and the men they dance on the polka-dots
It's CLOSING TIME
And it's partner found, it's partner lost
and it's hell to pay when the fiddler stops
It's CLOSING TIME
I swear it happened just like this:
a sigh, a cry, a hungry kiss
It's CLOSING TIME
The Gates of Love they budged an inch
I can't say much has happened since
But CLOSING TIME
I loved you when our love was blessed
I love you now there's nothing left
But CLOSING TIME
I miss you since the place got wrecked
By the winds of change and the weeds of sex

Songwriters: Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson

Lyrics:

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded

Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed

Everybody knows that the war is over

Everybody knows the good guys lost

Everybody knows the fight was fixed

The poor stay poor, the rich get rich

That's how it goes

Everybody knows

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking

Everybody knows that the captain lied

Everybody got this broken feeling

Like their father or their dog just died

Everybody talking to their pockets

Everybody wants a box of chocolates

And a long stem rose

Everybody knows

Everybody knows that you love me baby

Everybody knows that you really do

Everybody knows that you've been faithful

Ah give or take a night or two

Everybody knows you've been discreet

But there were so many people you just had to meet

Without your clothes

And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows

That's how it goes

Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows

That's how it goes

Everybody knows

And everybody knows that it's now or never

Everybody knows that it's me or you

And everybody knows that you live forever

Ah when you've done a line or two

Everybody knows the deal is rotten

Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton

For your ribbons and bows

And everybody knows

And everybody knows that the Plague is coming

Everybody knows that it's moving fast

Everybody knows that the naked man and woman

Are just a shining artifact of the past

Everybody knows the scene is dead

But there's gonna be a meter on your bed

That will disclose

What everybody knows

And everybody knows that you're in trouble

Everybody knows what you've been through

From the bloody cross on top of Calvary

To the beach of Malibu

Everybody knows it's coming apart

Take one last look at this Sacred Heart

Before it blows

And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows

That's how it goes

Everybody knows

Oh everybody knows, everybody knows

That's how it goes

Everybody knows

Everybody knows

What song inspired you today?

 Do you listen to Leonard Cohen?

Style is Sizeless

1940's - CoCo Chanel

I am always asked if I have Vintage pieces in my eBoutique that are not a size SMALL. The answer is YES!! but the fact is my inventory mostly consists of smaller sizes with a wide range of different measurements. Bodies are like thumb prints, no two are really identical.

In days gone by women's body shapes were a lot different and it was a reflection of society. We were not a fast food nation back then and many women had different technical skills. They were capable of sewing their own garments and it was cheaper to buy fabric and construct your own garment than it was to head to  a boutique to purchase one. High volume, low quality garments were not available and neither were large shopping outlet stores or strip malls.

Image: Horst P Horst

Many of the earlier Vintage pieces are hand made and tailored to a specific women's measurements. It makes it difficult then to marry each garment with a  new owner. 

Modern women find the concept of a seamstress or tailor very foreign and are used to the convenience of "ball park shopping". By ball park shopping I mean grabbing the size they think they are (Ex: Medium) from an over stuffed rack of discount clothes made in a foreign country and guessing that it will fit. Hence, making a 'ball park' estimation as opposed to having something tailored.

 Undergarments are really the foundation of any look and are important to the overall shape a garment takes on the body. This is another concept largely lost on the average modern women.

Back to my original point. regardless of your size/shape there is ALWAYS something available for you that is authentically VINTAGE. I choose garments for my eBoutique that can be re-styled CURRENT regardless of size.  Find out why you will never read me use the word PLUS SIZE ~  Click Here

I did a little experiment in my showroom by just randomly pulling looks for my statuesque friend Jensine to try on and photographed it with my iPhone. She is tall (6'1"), busty and fabulous (sans makeup too - naturally GORG)!

Style Tip: When applicable --> BELT IT. Accentuating your natural waist is important to the overall silhouette. It is also a good way to update a look too. 

Shop BELTS

 Vintage Dotted Dress and Belt Available Soon at Evolution Vintage

 Vintage 80's Leopard Print Dress w Peplum $68 

Vintage Black Pleated Caftan w Rhinestone Collar (SOLD)

 Vintage Black and Red Floral Dress (SOLD)

Vintage Red & Black Animal Print Dress (SOLD)

 Vintage Black and White Striped Dress  $38

Vintage Graphic Black & White Kimono (Available Soon)

Vintage Autumn Floral Print Dress with Pockets $60

Vintage 80's Emerald Rouched Dress (Available Soon)

Jensine is proof that you don't have to be a size zero to have Vintage work for you, look chic, current and sexy. Remember great style is sizeless!

Will you step outside the confines of the contemporary strip mall and try something Vintage and unique from my eBoutique?

Calling ALL Little Mavens

Tori, Blake & I

Today marks a beautiful step forward in my quest to see children with various abilities represented in a positive way in mainstream media. Let's face it, we are a very visual society and much of what we perceive comes from various sources of media.  My friend, mother of 4 and fellow fashionista Tori Spelling has joined the ranks of Target and Nordstroms with her children's clothing line Little Maven, sold at JC Penny with her new CONTEST inspired by inclusion.

Meet Grace and read her fab mamma's letter that inspired Tori

I know personally the extent and depth of Tori's huge heart and she has ALWAYS supported inclusion for everyone. She was so supportive when Blake was born and checked on us while we were on extended stay in hospital following his traumatic birth. She has shared my journey with Blake on EdiTORIal with her readers too (READ them HERE & HERE) and I am thrilled that she has launched a CONTEST for Little Maven's Holiday Lookbook! Read her post on EdiTORIal today.

Does your beautiful child deserve a chance to model? Have you always wanted to moonlight as a stylist? Here is your chance parents!

The contest is OPEN to ALL kids, not just ones with special needs or designer genes. 

How to enter?

LIKE Little Maven on Facebook

STYLE your child in clothes from the Little Maven Collection

POST ONE image of your beautiful babe striking a post for your camera. Soot the image against a white/neutral background.

Tori will choose the winner(s)

SHARE, SHARE SHARE on all social media outlets.

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30th

Good Luck!!!!

The WRITE Thing To Do

November 11th marks a significant day in the year, a day of remembrance, gratitude and respect. As a Canadian living in the United States I have a unique view of this day from both sides. In the US, California specifically the schools are closed on Veterans day. I assumed naturally so the kids could stay home, participate in local Veterans day events, pay respects to their veterans and not have their head stuck in their iPhones. When I was in elementary school in Canada we ALWAYS went to school. We attended assembly's, listened to a live performance of 'Taps', recited "In Flanders Fields" and really honored our veterans and active service members together as a school. So in lieu of ceremony like I have had in my past, my children, husband and I spent part of the afternoon writing gratitude letters to the soldiers. My husband and I provided our own historical lessons to the children as well.

When is the last time you wrote a hand written thank you card, note or letter to anyone? Have you ever expressed your gratitude to a soldier?

I write personal thank you cards and notes all the time but I can't remember the last time I wrote a letter to anyone and shamefully I have never written to a soldier. We all love to feel appreciated and our efforts valued. Soldier's efforts are on another level from anything we as civilians can imagine. I can sit and type on this fabulous computer in the comfort of my own home because other human beings gave up their comforts to secure mine. Some lost their lives and others returned home forever changed. I have sincere gratitude for what they have done but unexpressed I feel like it means very little, I had to do the 'write' thing.

So the way we celebrated Veterans day was to write a gratitude letter to one Canadian soldier and one American soldier. 

My kids decorated their cards/letters. 

My husband poured his heart out of his pen. My teenage step son would not let any of us read his but fully participated in the experience and said that he learned a lot during the time we spent. Much of the information we discussed is sadly absent from the History lessons in school.

Writing a letter to a stranger was an interesting exercise all on it's own. The time spend bonding with our children, talking about both countries history in combat and socially was something that I will always remember and continue to do each year. 

Message from my 5 year old: "Thank you for keeping us safe"

Expressing your gratitude and thankfulness to everyone, everyday is ALWAYS the right thing to do!

Do you want to send a Christmas Card? or a note of gratitude to a soldier? Here is where we sent ours!

Canada:

Red Fridays Foundation of Canada

Christmas Cards to the troops

398 Charrington Ave 

Oshawa, Ontario 

L1G 7B2

Will you do the 'write' thing?