Friday, October 29, 2010

Sweetheart Of The Rodeo

I recently discovered Dakota and her brand new blog Sweetheart of the Rodeo. I was smitten right away with Dakota's gorgeous pictures and perfect style! The way she mixes prints and wears the sweetest vintage dresses with colorful tights and cowboy boots is simply darling. I asked Dakota to answer a few questions so we could get to know her better. Enjoy!

Hi Dakota! Tell us a little bit about yourself...
-Hello! Well, I just turned 18 last month and I'm a freshman Environmental Studies major at the University of Vermont. I was born in Cambridge, MA but I've lived in the pretty little town of Jamaica, VT (population 600) since I was six years old and consider myself much more at home in the country.

What made you want to start a blog?
-I've been reading vintage style blogs like yours, Liebemarlene, Blooming Leopold, Sally Jane, Vixen Vintage, and many more for a few years now. No one in my high school had any real interest in vintage clothes or had aesthetics as old fashioned as mine, and I was so excited to find girls with similar styles to me! I originally started a blog to advertise the clothes I wanted to sell, but I never got around to starting up a store, so it just became a place to record my outfits and inspirations.

How long has fashion been a big part of your life?
-All through elementary school and middle school, I was a tomboy in jeans and a t-shirt. I didn't really start choosing my clothes consciously until high school, and then at first I was very into a bohemian-via-Urban Outfitters look cause that was how my friends dressed. I always wore cowboy boots, though. That's the one constant in my fashion evolution. Then when I was 15 and on vacation with my mom in Santa Fe, we found a 1950s square dancing dress. It was blue and covered in ric-rac, the ultimate New Mexico cowgirl dress. I took it home, and fell in love with way that high waist and full skirt fit me like a glove. That was my gateway dress, the rest is history!

What or who is your biggest fashion inspiration?
-It's an eclectic mix: the Edwardian era and Gibson girls; 1950s actresses like Audrey, Marilyn, and Liz; Nashville stars from the 1950s and 1960s; Americana and folk music; antique childrens books; the colors in the pine forests and deserts; small run-down towns that seem forgotten by time.

Where's your favorite place to find all of your wonderful vintage gems?
-Antique stores, junk shops, flea markets, auctions, pretty much anyplace other than actual vintage stores, ha ha! I have this great junk/antiques store back home that's basically a big colonial house filled to the brim with all sorts of lovely old things. I regularly pick up Edwardian slips and blouses there for under $10 each; can't give the name away though ;)

Your photos have such an old southern feel to them. You make me think of southern belles like Loretta Lynn and June Carter...does old country music influence you at all?
-Absolutely! Old country singers like Loretta, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons, and the Carter Family are what I've loved to listen to my whole life. (Cool fact/shameless brag: Cowboy Jack Clement of Sun Studios fame is my Grandmother's first cousin! It must run in our blood ;)
I also started watching vintage country music shows like Porter Wagoner and the Wilburn Brothers when I was about 16. Watching the young Loretta Lynn belting out mountain ballads in a gingham mini dress with her hair in huge beautiful curls was like a revelation. She was a visualization of the music I loved, a living honky-tonk ballad. I was like, Yes! That's how I want to look!?.
Many of the qualities I love about traditional country and Americana music are also applicable to describe my favorite vintage pieces: they're sincere, rootsy, beautiful, crafted with passion, and elegantly simple.

You and I have a lot in common when it come to our love of old country! Heck, I just moved to Nashville, lol! Have you ever been to Nashville? If so do you want to visit again someday?
-Can you believe I've never been to Nashville?? It's probably number 1 on my list of destinations to visit, though! I've been to Memphis a few times (and Sun Records!) on the way to Mississippi to visit my mother's side of the family. I love visiting the South; the landscape, the music and the food are all so special.

Memphis is a great place to visit. I've been many times ;o) I hope you come visit Nashville someday! ...What other hobbies do you have besides, blogging, fashion and music?
-I love hiking and sketching the plants and animals I see along the way, though I'm no good at drawing; I just love being in the woods and observing nature. In the winter I'm still outside a lot, only on snowshoes or cross-country skis. I also love horses. I've been riding since I was three, and I have an Appaloosa (the kind with spots!) named Chinook. I read a lot (my favorites are Southern Gothic writers like Carson McCullers and Faulkner), and then I have this serious addiction to Turner Classic Movies.

TCM is my favorite for sure! ...Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
-At the risk of sounding all maudlin, I would like to thank the whole fashion blogging community for being such an inspiring and friendly bunch. Many times I look around me at all the girls in mall-bought jeans and trendy tops and I doubt myself. I feel freakish for being the only one in 4 inch oxford heels and a long dress; are seamed stockings and big hair actually cool, or am I just incredibly tacky and dated looking? Then I come online and see all the creative and fearless ladies (and gents!) of blogland rocking their one-of-a-kind ensembles and screaming individual style, and I feel so renewed and reassured. So thank you all. I hope that girls can one day look at my blog and feel inspired to buck the trends a little and wear whatever makes them feel beautiful, regardless of whether it's "in" or not. (Sorry if that was cheesy, but I had to say it!)

Aww, Thank you so much Dakota! Be sure to go check out her blog, I promise you'll love it!
Have a wonderful weekend darlings! :O)

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Ladies That Inspired

I thought I'd share some of the images that inspired me to get my pixie cut. I'd look at these images over and over before I finally decided to make the cut! Jean Seberg has always been a favorite of mine and of course Audrey Hepburn.

Jean Seberg

Audrey Hepburn

Carey Mulligan

Michelle Willaims

Today I've got a nasty cold so I'm stuck on the sofa...I think I'll watch Breathless! ;o)
Talk to you soon!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Two Favorites



I added both of these lovely dresses to my shop today! If either one of these fit me there is no way I could sell them. ;o)

I want to thank you all so very much for the sweeter than sweet comments about my hair! Y'all are the best! xoxo

Monday, October 25, 2010

A Brand New Pixie

How do you like my new hair?!





Sweater: Forever 21, ages ago
Dress: Modcloth
Belt: Thrifted
Boots: The Nashville Flea Market

After two years of trying to grow my hair I decided it was time for me to have a pixie cut again! Two of my biggest fashion icons are Jean Seberg and Carey Mulligan and couldn't help but chop all my hair off again. I simply love it! I found an awesome new stylist, Will at Trim! If you need your hair done, go to Will. ;o)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

A Quick Hello

Hello my dears! I just wanted to say Hi! The last few days I've been visiting with my Mama and showing her around Nashville. Today Jonny and I are going to take my Mom for a Sunday drive and show her more of beautiful Tennessee. When I get back I'll have a big surprise for you, hehe!
Oh, and isn't this picture the greatest! The little boy with the glasses is none other than Elvis. So freaking adorable!!! Talk to you super soon!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Blogger Meetup!

Last week Aya of Strawberry Koi contacted me and to let me know she would be making a quick trip to Nashville. I've know Aya over the internet since we both started our blogs, so of course I knew I had to meet her while she was in town! So, Friday afternoon Fab, Lauren, Jonny and I meet Aya, her husband Thomas as well as they're two friends Kristine and Sara. We spent the afternoon vintage shopping, drinking coffee and laughing lots. I really had such a wonderful time meeting everyone! It made me kinda sad that they all don't live closer but I know we'll see each other again soon! :o)





Jonny took the first picture and all the rest are by they awesome Thomas!

I hope all of you are well! My Mom just arrived this afternoon from Maryland for a week visit! Tomorrow we're going to head to Memphis to visit our good buddy Joe. I'll talk to you soon!

Old Fashion Allies Vintage Sale!

Photo found here

My wonderful sponsor Valerie of Old Fashion Allies Vintage is have a great big sale! Starting Thursday October 21 through Saturday October 23 everything in her shop will be Buy One, Get One 1/2 Off....but wait! Starting today just for you readers Valerie is starting the sale early and you will get an extra 10% off your second item now though the end of the sale on Saturday! All you have to do is leave a message for Valerie when you purchase your items and say that you are a follower of Q's Daydream Vintage. So go have a peak at Valerie's lovely shop! :o)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Blue Sunday







1950's Dress: Trade with Aya
Belt: My Mom's from before I was born!
Boots: Frye

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been awhile since my last post! Fall allergies got the best of me. :o/
Anyway, I'm super excited to share this dress with you! Aya of Strawberry Koi and I did a dress trade (yes, I'm the dress trade queen lately, hehe) and this is the dress I got from her. I simply adore it! Thank you Aya! I have a feeling we'll do this again ;o)
The belt was my Mom's back in the 1970's....Could it be any cuter with the little animals!? We took these pictures on the way home after leaving Fab's house. I fell in love with the broken down barn!
I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend! Friday I had a fantastic blogger meet-up and I promise to post pictures soon!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Memories, August 2010

Back in August when I went to Graceland I promised Casey I would take pictures at Elvis's house in the lovely dress I borrowed from her. So finally here they are! These were taken in the early morning hours of August 16th, thirty three years to the day that Elvis passed away.


Here I'm walking to the Meditation Garden, a place Elvis built to, meditate in, hehe. He's now buried there with his Mom, Dad and Grandma.



Here's Elvis singing the song Memories in his leather suit....sorry, I couldn't resist! ;o)


Casey's dress was perfect to wear to Graceland! Thanks Casey darling!

Oh, and I should be a having a very exciting blogger meet up in the next day or two! Yay!!!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

In the Setting Sun



Sorry this one's fuzzy! :o/


1950's Dress from Holli
1950s Belt

Hi darlings! This lovely dress became mine just recently when I did a trade with Holli of A Red Robbin. It all started when I was reading her blog and she had this dreamy dress hanging on her wall because it was quite her size. After finding out it was my size I asked her if she'd ever consider selling it. Instead Holli suggested doing a trade....how could I say no! I couldn't love this dress anymore! Thank you so much Holli for being such a sweetheart. I'll be sure to let you all know when Holli has pictures of the dress I sent her on her blog!

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend! Mine was filled with great friends, good food and some country music. Simply fabulous! Talk to you soon! :o)

Friday, October 8, 2010

Eyes Of Violet

Elizabeth Taylor has been one of my favorite actresses since I was a little girl. I remember being super small and watching National Velvet, wishing I looked like Elizabeth. Back then there was still some hope that I would grow to be as stunningly gorgeous as she was/is. No such luck, lol! Though I do pretend and quite often have Elizabeth's face as my profile picture on facebook, hehe. Anyway I came across these rare images of Elizabeth on tumblr and I think they're so lovely and inspiring. I hope you do too!






All images from my tumblr

What a babe, huh?!
Have a wonderful weekend you pretty things!
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