The Autograph Book

November 30, 2011
Over the holidays, I came across the autograph book of my great-great aunt, Beatrice (pronounced Bee-AAH-Trice). It was given to her in 1918 and she used until her early death just a few short years later. It's filled with funny little poems and sayings from friends and family who were expected to write something witty or clever.

1918 Autograph Book
1918 Autograph Book
1918 Autograph Book
1918 Autograph Book
1918 Autograph Book


***Side Note: The names of my great grandmother and her three sisters all came from late 1800's/early 1900's romance novels. Their names were: Ethel Arduro, Beatrice Owens, Iva Deoma and Lillian Chesney. If you happen to be a turn-of-the-century romance novel buff, and know where these names may have come from do let me know!

In the Shop & a Winner

November 29, 2011
I feel like it's been ages since I've had a substantial shop update. I'm working on that, promise! Until that point, here are a few lovelies that will be going up in the shop this afternoon. It's hard to let that 1940s silk number go, but alas, I am.













Dalena Vintage
Dalena Vintage

Dalena Vintage
Dalena Vintage



I'm also excited to announce the winner of last weeks Abbey's Accessories giveaway. Congratulations to Olygirl, who will be receiving the 1950s faux fur beret just in time for holiday outings!

AND...I almost forgot! I'm offering free domestic shipping in the shop this week so head over and take advantage of some most excellent savings. All you need is the coupon code, HolidayLove!

Bits of Love

November 27, 2011
overdose romanticism

napping in daylight
(head at feet and feet at head)

DSC_0037м

being so close to the edge
(and restraining myself from jumping in)


Laura Gibson

lazing on porches
(while cuddled in quilts)



nestling up in cozy kitchens
(gazing out into the chilly fog)


photo credits: seren coşkun, miu1miu, parker fitzgerald, elias.and.theresa.carlson

Sweet Potato Minis

November 22, 2011
I've been wanting to make these sweet potato minis for a few weeks but just got around to it this afternoon. A little treat just in time for Thanksgiving dinner I suppose!

The recipe is a modified version of a family-to-family sweet potato casserole. A Southern holiday dinner staple that's usually served as a side dish, I wanted to sweeten it up a bit to serve as a dessert. I didn't really know what to call it. It's not so much a pie, not really a tart and not eggy enough to be considered a custard. Here's what happened...

Sweet Potato Minis

Here's what you'll need:
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 small can evaporated milk
1 stick melted butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
1 cup pecans
2-3 tbsps. brown sugar

Here's what to do:
First you'll need to preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, fold the eggs into the mashed sweet potatoes. Add the sugar, evaporated milk, 1/2 stick butter, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set this mixture aside.

Now it's time for the crust. Finely chop up the pecans, then toss in the brown sugar and butter. Mix well and spread on the bottom of a pie pan or tart pan. Add the sweet potato filling. Bake for 35-40 minutes depending on if you're making a full size pie or little minis as shown above. Add a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg and devour!

P.S. Better names welcomed!

Abbey's Accessories Giveaway (CLOSED)

November 19, 2011
Good Saturday to you! Today I'm happy to introduce a giveaway from the ever lovely Austin-based boutique, Abbey's Accessories. With holiday season quickly approaching, how wonderful would it be to adorn yourself with this alluring faux fur hat straight from the 1950s?

Abbey's Accessories Giveaway


Entering to win is easy as pie. Simply have a look at Abbey's Accessories and tell us about your favorite piece. Done and done! If you're feeling extra ambitious, tweet this giveaway for an extra entry. Be sure to leave a separate comment with a link to your twitter account.

The giveaway is open internationally, and ends Saturday, November 26 at 10 PM CST. Best of luck to you all!

A Little Music Mix

November 18, 2011
This morning's overcast winter sky left me feeling an odd and slight melancholia. If you heard them (my thoughts and emotions, that is) they probably sounded something like this:

Melancholy by Leslie Torbett on Grooveshark

And because I'm a sucker for eye candy, two shots from an Andy Warhol screen test with Nico.

Nico
Nico

Peculiar Snapshots

November 17, 2011
After coming across this set of photos via Bats and Rags last night, I couldn't take my eyes of them. Bizzare. Amusing. Eerie. Intriguing. Peculiar Snapshots pretty much has it all. I had a hard time selecting just a few photos to share, but here are a few of my favorites for one reason or another.

what happened next
summers day 1917
hang em high
cornet
dive
WW1
granny flasher
perfect storm
girl power

In the Shop

November 16, 2011
Good morning loves! Here's what I've got in store for the shop this afternoon. Stay tuned if you like what you see.












Dalena Vintage
Dalena Vintage
Dalena VintageDalena Vintage

Hello Holiday

November 8, 2011
My mom, cousin and I went over to small town Texas on Sunday to photograph all of the beautiful party dresses we've been collecting for both of our shops, Dalena Vintage and Deoma's Boutique. I like to think of our shops as sisters, Deoma possessing an older air of elegance and maturity, and Dalena, surrounded by an aura of youth and flirtation with dreams of walking in her sister's shoes one day.

A gorgeous home built in the early 1900's, the house is filled with antiques and memories of annual Christmas gatherings and summer reunions. Here's the fruit of our labor.

Photobucket
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
Photobucket
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook
hello holiday! dalena and deoma vintage holiday lookbook

Sneak Peek Sunday

November 6, 2011
Such a busy weekend it's been over here! Yesterday was spent as a clean-up girl over at a construction site my uncle is finishing up, and today as an all around gal in the creation of a holiday lookbook my mom and I have had in the works. As we recently collected a slew of perfect party dresses, we decided to join forces for a holiday-themed photo shoot.

The location was perfect! It was in a home we've spent our family Christmas' and annual summer family reunions every year for over 30 years. My aunt and uncle were even married at the house in the late 1970's. Needless to say it holds a dear place in both our hearts.

Here's a sneak peek of the shoot, but stay tuned for the Dalena & Deoma Vintage Holiday Lookbook!

Dalena and Deoma Holiday 2011 Sneak Peek
Dalena and Deoma Holiday 2011 Sneak Peak
Dalena and Deoma Holiday 2011 Sneak Peek
Dalena and Deoma Holiday 2011 Sneak Peek
Dalena and Deoma Holiday 2011 Sneak Peak
Dalena and Deoma Holiday 2011 Sneak Peek