Sparkle Motion

For an abstract photo of sequins, this print is actually really interesting-looking.  

You know what?  I wanna look at some sparkly stuff.  Let's do that.

First up, we've got this sweetly sequined mini cocktail hat, replete with rosettes and veil, making it perfect for either a summer wedding or some other dressy-like occasion (like a day at the Ascot races or something like that.)

Making a return appearance, bethany lorelle offers this sequined headband, which nicely straddles the line between dressy and not-too-dressy,  so you could wear it to any of those events I mentioned earlier and the bar.

Of course, if you prefer your sparklies to be a little more on the old-school and subtle side, you can't go wrong with a sequined vintage cocktail hat like this.

Another returnee to the blog--LiD Design Boutique--has this rather modern-looking hand-stitched sequined mini hat, which I can't help but think of as an unfortunate-colored cookie dipped in sparkly sprinkles.  Which is why this is much better off as a hat as opposed to a snack.

And just because I would never forgive myself for not posting this, here's a sequined Pac-Man headband:

It's the pearly bits that really sell it, I think.

See you Friday!

In The Pouch

Note:  I have never actually seen a Mail Pouch Tobacco barn like the one pictured above, but I have seen a Rock City barn.  However, the former works better with today's subject moreso than the latter, so there you go.

Well, Internets, I am back.  Did you miss me?  Because I certainly missed you.

You see, I spent three days at a hand tool convention (yes, they really do have conventions,) with TH.  My attendance was a matter of support for TH, as that he has started making his own wooden hand tools and figured this place would be an excellent market for it.  But frankly, it quickly became apparent that he didn't really need my support, because he had finally landed himself in a place where he was surrounded by like-minded geeks and was therefore happier than a cat with a new catnip mouse.  For myself, however, I was stuck in a position that I haven't found myself in for decades, and that was that I simply did not fit in at all.

Case in point:  On the last day of the convention, I attended the Ladies Auxiliary luncheon (because TH signed me up for it,) and was given a Vera Bradley-esque shoulder pouch as a gift.  Granted, every lady that attended the Ladies Auxiliary luncheon got one, but I'm pretty sure I was alone among the attendees who was experiencing off-season Present Face.  Because just like there are people who dig Elvis more than The Beatles, there are Vera Bradley people and there are non-Vera Bradley people, and I am definitely not in the former's camp.

Actually, if there's a camp of people who think that Vera Bradley sold her soul to some lesser demon to make her wares so popular, I'd be in that one.  Because it would explain a lot.  Just sayin'.

So now that I'm back among you, let's look some pouches that I would honestly be happy to receive.  'Cause chances are you'll like 'em, too.

First up, So Cute It Hurts by Jacqueline has these nifty pouches that look like old-school cameras.  They've even got little stitched-on buttons and stuff.

Majesty Inc. has this pretty snazzy Etch-a-Sketch pouch made out of vegan vinyl, so it's not only nostalgic, but also ethically sound.  Bonus!

Just because I seem to be on an obsolete technology kick, here's a floppy disc pouch from Brave Moonman. And I will freely admit that I would totally be tempted to write something on the label, like "Plans For World Domination" or "Bear Trap Schematics."

Proof that audio cassette tapes are better than CDs: the shape is much better suited for pouches, as this blank tape pouch by Burnt Desserts.

And just because I think finding this would keep people from digging through your purse ever again, here's a pouch in the shape of panties:

You can thank Luxford St for that, by the way.

And that's it for today.  See you Wednesday!

...Oh, am I so glad to be back.

Taking A Break

You know those "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters that are oh-so-fashionable right now, particularly in parody form?  Yeah, this is my parody, and I made the image here.  Give it a try yourself, if you like.

I know this is a bit short-notice, Internets, but due to the fact that this week is looking like it's going to be busier than flying squirrel in a wind tunnel, I'm left with no alternative but to take this week off from the hat blog.  It's not the option I would have liked to take, but seeing as a good chunk of this week's schedule involves me being far away from any kind of Internet connection (let alone having the time to work on a post,) that's how it's going to have to be.

But I will be back next Monday.  Bet on it, 'cause I like doing this and it makes me rather sad that of all the things I have to put on the back burner, it has to be this blog.

So until then, Internets, here's hoping your week is a good week, and I'll be back with a new post next Monday.  'Later!

Cuff 'Em

Of course, you would need a shirt made with French cuffs in order to, y'know, use cuff links in the first place.  

Luckily , A.J. Machete & Sons are there to help, as the above amuse-bouche proves.

Seeing as Father's Day is coming up this Sunday, it's only fair that I do something for all the father-types out there.  And since dads could probably use something a little nice on their day, why not get them a pair of cuff links?

Of course, they don't have to be the usual/boring kind of cuff links. Dads can be cool too, no matter what you may recall from your teenage years.  So let's look at some cool cuff links, shall we?

First up, Spiffy! Cool! offers a pair of cuff links that hearkens back to one of the greatest animated TV shows of the 1980s.  The only thing that would make them cooler is if they played the Transformers theme song.

...Admit it--IT WOULD BE AWESOME.

This pair by ManFood makes me think of my brother-in-law.  Because he abides, and is rarely out of his element.

However, this pair by Absolute Zero Accoutrements reminds me of a different brother-in-law.  Particularly because he takes for-freakin'-EVER to take his turn while playing Scrabble.

And I mean that in the nicest way possible.  Also, I have a lot of brothers-in-law.

The thing I like best about Bolos By Ben's computer-key cuff links is that they slyly hint as to which is left and right.  Take a quick look at your keyboard, and you'll see what I mean.

Of course, if the dad you're shopping for likes to kick it old-school (and could care less about left and right,) you could always get a pair of antique typewriter-key cuff links, like these by Finds To Treasure.

And finally, because I'd like to end this on a geekily sweet note, here's a pair of binary cuff links:

Christen Largent: Metalsmith done good on these, I'm telling you.

And that's it for this week.  Happy Father's Day to all those out there who are getting ready to, already are or are kicking back and watching that life they helped mold achieve and succeed.  See you Monday!

Cream Of The Crop

If a bucktoothed octopus were to hold an ice cream cone with each tentacle, I think it would look a lot like this print.

As any kid living in a relatively populated area will tell you, the best thing about summertime is the daily arrival of the ice cream truck in their neighborhood.  It doesn't matter if they've got a gallon of ice cream nestled in the freezer next to a half-eaten box of popsicles; there is something about that slow-moving truck playing the same freakin' tune over and over and over and over while shilling Spongebob Squarepants-shaped popsicles with gumball eyes that, yes, summer truly has arrived.

And so, it is only fitting that we look at ice cream-related things here.  Which, I might add, there appears to be quite a dearth of those.  So it's a good thing I found you cute, because--due to the fact that pretty much no one else makes them--they've got the monopoly on ice cream headbands over on Etsy.

Also, it really helps that they're, well, cute, as you're about to see:

First up, we've got this adorable little soft-serve ice cream cone headband, which actually features rainbow sprinkles on the top as well as, y'know, the fact that the soft-serve actually resembles a soft-serve chocolate/vanilla cone.

Of course, if you don't dig on cones, you've still got options.  Take this ice cream sandwich headband, for example; it's totally not a cone at all.   It's more of a smiley-faced oblong, as it were.

My personal favorite of the bunch, though, would definitely have to be this orange creamsicle headband.  Not just because it's my favorite flavor of popsicle, but because it's even got a helpful bite already taken out of it.

And just because I'm impressed and think you will be, too, here's a melted fudgsicle headband:

It's the little frowny face that really sells it, I think.  How about you?

See you Friday!

Geekery Most Awesome

Yes, if there is a way to post more things with stormtroopers (like this print) on this blog,  I will totally do it.  Deal with it.

So I opened a tab to Etsy on my browser the other day, and the very first thing I saw was this:

And I was intrigued, to say the least.  So when I clicked on the item and looked at the keywords listed in the description (it's what I do, Internets,) I saw that it was listed under the category of Geekery, which I didn't--and still don't--quite get.  I mean, I can't argue against the fact that there are geeks that do have an affection for felines, but to have this listed under Geekery seems a syllogistic fallacy to me (all geeks like stuff; some geeks like cats; ergo, all geeks like cat stuff,) and syllogisms make my head hurt, whether correct or not.

That aside, I do find the headband rather adorable and this did make me wonder what other kinds of headbands I could find listed in the Geekery category.  And Internets, I was not disappointed.

Seeing the final installment of the Harry Potter movie fanchise will be released in little over a month's time, that should give you plenty of time to get your hands on this Patronus-shaped headband.  'Cause you've got to stand out at the premiere somehow, don't you?

Kicking it a bit more old-school, this headband features that most wonderful of power-ups from Super Mario Bros 3, the P-Wing.

For those who lack the necessary thickness of hair to properly pull of that most recognized of geek hairdos, the Leia buns, this bun headband is a Godsend.  Also, lots cheaper than a wig/hair extensions.

And just because I'm impressed, here's a headband made from the motherboard of an Atari game:

Which--if you're not going to actually play them--strikes me as the best possible use for those old cartridges.

See you Wednesday!

It's A Cinch

This is the most SFW amuse-bouche I could find for today's post, but the same cannot be said for all of Krystyna's artwork. Just sayin'.

When it comes to support garments of generations past, I think it's safe to say that none have received quite the comeback like the corset.   Whether they're bounding around the local Ren faire, dancing the night away at the club, participating in a historical reenactment or dolling it up for a pin-up look, corsets are pretty much everywhere these days.  Which is pretty impressive, seeing as they fell out of favor back during World War I, and only had limited revivals between then and now.

Then again, these suckers have been in existence since the 16th century.  Obviously, they've got staying power that the girdle just can't futz with and Spanx can only hope to achieve.  And it helps that they work as outerwear, too.

This is something my most marvelous cousin, Z, knows quite a bit about, seeing as she makes corsets as part of her intimates line, Renegade Lingerie, which I totally recommend that you check out (either at the main site or at her Etsy shop; whichever's clever.)  And just to prove her mad corset-making skills, here you go:

Seriously--when's the last time you saw an underbust corset look this good?  That's what I thought.

And just so no one can accuse me of nepotism, let's look at some other corsets I found for sale on Etsy, shall we?

This one actually garnered an informal opinion poll here at HH Central.  According to Rufus, it's preeeeetty; T.H. thinks it looks like someone combined 1870s fashion sense with 1970s color sense.  What do you think?

Not even going to lie; if I were to wear a corset at all, I would probably go for a waist cincher like this blue brocade one.  You get the itty-bitty waist but don't have to worry about it digging into your hips or squeezing your ribs too terribly much.

...And yes, I am speaking from experience on this one.  Said experience only lasted maybe 15 minutes, but still: EXPERIENCE.

Not entirely certain what the difference is between a riding corset and any other kind, but the above-pictured example certainly looks pretty.

And finally, just to bring it all around full-circle like, here's my other favorite corset of Z's:

Why do I like it so much?  The secret's in the toile.  Who knew toile could be so subversive?

And on that note, that's it for this week.  See you Monday!

White Out

Not sure what it is I like best about this panel painting: that it's hecka creative, or that it'd be real easy to store while moving.

Internets, I am currently wearing a white T-shirt, and I am in a deep state of panic.  See, I have a long, storied history of wearing white and managing to get it stained beyond redemption.  Now some might think this is something of a self-fulfilling prophecy; that I believe this is what will happen, and am therefore overly nervous about wearing white which causes me to spill stuff on accident, thus fueling my anxiety about wearing white.  However, seeing as the last time I wore white, a plate belonging to someone else covered in baked beans flew across the picnic table and hit me dead on the shirt, I'm thinking that my wearing white just makes me a freakin' stain magnet.

Which makes me sad, because wearing white is pretty much the only way to cope in temperatures like these (92.8 degrees Fahrenheit at the moment.)  And seeing as I have never been one to tolerate heat well, that means I kinda have to wear light-colored clothing, lest I collapse and/or die of heat exhaustion.

So seeing as real life writes this blog about 97% of the time, let's look at some white fascinators, shall we?

It's been a while since I posted anything with butterflies, hasn't it?  Then allow me to remedy that with this folded silk butterfly fascinator.

Yeah, I know I just featured a hat from Suite 11 in Monday's post, but when I saw this painted and veiled linen cocktail hat, I couldn't resist featuring them again.  It's just so danged lovely.

This fabulous fascinator looks like it should have been worn to a certain wedding that took place about a month ago.  Just sayin'.

Oh, and Market[Store(Shoppe)] are also making a return appearance in today's post with this sweet embroidered straw fascinator. Because it's totally relevant to my interests today.

And just because I like how it looks like a ginormous cameo pin, here's the only all-white fascinator in this entire post:

Am I right about the cameo pin thing or what?

Well, I'm about to partake of some salad.  With salad dressing.

Pray for me, Internets, and I'll see you Friday.

Positively Buzzing

This charming little busy buzzy bee painting belongs to RozArt, but they're totally willing to give to you for a price.

Over Memorial Day weekend, T.H. and I went down to his grandfather's farm with other family members for a cookout.  Now you would think that this would mean staying up at the house, but you'd be mistaken.  See, G-Pa's got a cabin--complete with fishing pond--further back on his property, so if there's going to be a family gathering at the farm and the weather is good, then that means everybody's going to be back at the cabin.  It's right up there with other obvious statements like The Sky Is Blue, Grass Is Green, The Pope Is Catholic, and Bears Poop In The Woods: We're All Going Down To The Cabin.

So after lunch has been eaten, some of the adults are parked on the front porch of the cabin, watching the younger folks fish and swim in the pond, and all in all, it was a really idyllic moment.  Well, unless you are T.H.'s little cousin, Short Stack.  Then it wasn't so idyllic.

See, the cabin has one little problem: wood bees.  They're big and they're certainly scary-looking, but seeing as they're not real interested in people, they tend not to go out of their way to bother anybody of the human persuasion.  However, if you wanted to be on the porch or make use of the cabin's door for anything, that meant having to get used to the fact that wood bees would be sailing around your head.  For the adults, teens and Short Stack's older brother (AKA Half Pint) this wasn't a big deal.  For Short Stack, who has a fear of bees no matter what kind they are, this was like watching everybody floating in shark-infested water and asking him to jump in.

So for a fair bit of time, I had an eight-year-old on my lap, trying his level best to cower away from the occasional wood bee that whizzed past his head.  And Internets, I am only 5'3"; I do not have that much lap to begin with, let alone enough of one to adequately seat a kid that, when standing, comes up to my sternum.  But fear makes you do silly things.  Just ask a former coworker of mine how high I jumped that one time I saw a spider (hint: I ended up on a counter.)

In any event, this got me thinking about bees, hats, and did I think I could find some new bee hats?  The answer: YES.

I'm just going to be completely upfront about this--this felt bee cocktail hat  is my favorite of the bunch.  There is honestly not a single thing about this hat that I don't love, and if I owned it I would wear it everywhere.

I like the colors on this one, but somehow, it makes me think of a bee crawling all over a ruffled potato chip.  That might just be me, though.  Is that just me?

Of course, you don't always have to render bees in their traditional black-and-yellow coloring, as this fascinator proves.  Just have them crawling around a big rosette, and it doesn't matter if they're robin-egg blue; people will still know that they're bees.

And just because it seems right, here's a vintage straw hat, done in the style of a beekeeper's hat:

Just don't go thinking that you can wear this and keep some bees, though.  This is fashion, not safety gear.  If you want a real beekeeper hat, go here.

See you Wednesday!

Ribboned

Note:  If I were a crafty person and had a crafting room, this is the print I would choose to decorate said room.  Just sayin'.

Confession time:  I like ribbons.  I think they're fun and pretty, and they're a fantastic way to add a sweet look to any outfit.  Unfortunately, the trouble with ribbons are that they are pretty much geared towards the younger set.  To wit; in the main, when it comes to ribbons, the oldest person that can get away with wearing ribbons in their hair is a senior-year college cheerleader, and everybody above that age is out of luck.

Luckily, though, the ribbon headband is there to help, and hooray for that!

Interestingly enough, the most subtle thing about this felt headband is the ribbon (hint: it's threaded through the lace,) but I really love the way it complements the colors in the fabric.

Next, we've got this ruffly ribbon headband, which looks sweetly fancy and funky at the same time.

Of course, if you prefer something a little more on the laidback side, you really can't beat a simple upcycled vintage ribbon that has been converted into a headband like this one.

And just because I'm on a vintage kick lately, here's a 1960s helix ribbon headband:

Space Curves: Making everyone pretty by way of Euclidean geometry.

And that's for this week.  See you Monday!