Throwback Thursday 1972

1972
Average Cost of new house $27,550.00
Average Income per year $11,800.00
Average Monthly Rent $165.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 55 cents  

I unearthed two JCPenney catalogs from my bookshelf, one from 1964 and this one from 1972

JCPenney Fall and Winter 1972

 
Last night I sat up in bed and had the best time looking at his catalog I just knew I had to share it with you today.

I was only 6 in 1972 (go ahead and add it up, I am 48) so I don't really remember too much about what people were wearing, but I did find these photos from my childhood. All from 1972, Check out how beautiful my mother was.......so glamorous!

From left to right. Aunt Kathy, Mom, ?? and Aunt Patty

Momma and her girls.....Im the one on the bottom.

All wearing Maxi dresses!!



First Day of School 1972

Oh Yes Mam!! That is a patent leather Barbie Lunchbox! My red shoes are so cool!

My sister was so cool, check out her mini-dress and that handbag!

 

 

So, now onto this awesome catalog!..............................Please note how fashionable my mother dressed us compared to this catalog. No wonder I love fashion so much........So On Trend! Thanks Mom!

This is the image on the inside of cover. Its Jamie Lee Curtis! Hey we all gotta start somewhere.

 

 

 Menswear. This is PRE-Annie Hall which was released in 1977.  I've always loved this look.

 

First thing I noticed about this picture was the HUGE tie, but also check out the high waist and the hair! WOW!

I would wear these today! Timeless Maxi Dress

 

Quilted Acetate Satin Fashions for the Hostess. Oh my, these are hideously wonderful.

 

 

 That White Hat! So cool!

 

 

Grand Ole Opry?

 

 



 Juniors

 

 

 

Bridesmaids dresses.....WOW!

 

I could've posted ALOT of pictures but I just took a few so not to overwhelm you! I hope you enjoyed this little trip back in time with me.......

 

Until Next Time,

 

Leslie



What Blows YOUR Skirt up?

The other day I was at an Estate Sale with my sister, and in one corner of the room there was a group of ladies talking about a piece of furniture and I overheard one of them say "Well, it doesn't blow my skirt up".
After laughing out loud and then repeating what she said to my sister, I realized that (1) I had never heard that expression before and (2) I wanted to start saying it because I love it!

What Blows Your Skirt Up?

What inspires you and gets you jumping out of the bed in the morning?

For me, there are several things that I am inspired by, things that I want to share with you in hopes that they spark you in one way or another. Welcome to my blog.

1) Antiquing, Junking, Vintage Hunting- Finding that one or several special items really gets me going. Discovering a piece of hardware that will make a new necklace interesting and unique or a dress from the 60's that looks like it would've been worn in Mad Men (obsessed much?) or just the feeling of walking though the fields in Round Top and Warrenton twice a year gives me enough inspiration to make it through until the next shows. #skirtblown

2) Fashion- Vintage To Today, I love the idea of using vintage and second hand clothing in a new and current way.  Taking a vintage cotton print skirt and partnering it with a simple tee shirt, and blinging it out with some unique jewelry, some cute sandals........thrills me to no end. Using what we already have is not a new idea, but an idea that needs to be Re-Launched for sure! #skirtblown

3) Movies- I have enjoyed the movies all my life. I love everything about them, starting with he experience of going to the theater and being totally immersed in another world for two hours. Very therapeutic. I have a special reverence for costume design and screenplay, and now since watching movies with my son who is in Radio, Television, Film program at UT he has opened my eyes to screenshots and looking at the movie through the film makers eyes.  I should also warn you that the day of the Oscars is sacred in my home, everyone has to be quiet and leave me alone all day. The grandeur, history, the gowns. #skirtblown

4) Books- I read every night before bed, it helps relax my brain and I have no problem going to sleep at night.  Normally I am juggling 3-4 books at a time depending on my mood, usually about fashion,  decorating or The Classics. Right now I have The Artist Way-Julia Cameron, I'll Drink to That-Betty Halbreich, The Fashion File: Advice, Tips and Inspiration from the Costume Designer of Mad Men-Janie Bryant, and a copy of Breakfast at Tiffanys- Truman Capote #skirt blown

5) Repurposed Jewelry- last but certainly not least. I love creating one of a kind jewelry pieces from pretty old hardware and vintage jewelry. This is the one thing that brings me the most joy and also what I struggle with creatively and personally. Sometimes when I hit the sweetspot of designing its worth the weeks of struggle. #skirtblown

I hope you stop in every now and then and take a look and that you get inspired in some way and even better get your skirt blown up.

Leslie

Creative Block

Ask anyone who creates art, or jewelry or anything really,creativity is something you cannot "schedule" or "make time for". It is something that just comes when it is good and ready. Which I have to say is very inconvenient. As someone who is a typical Virgo, someone who has to plan everything. As soon as I open my eyes in the morning, I am already planning my day, be it work, kids, school, dinner, family,, create?? when will I fit that in? So I just do my best and hope that when i get a moment with the house to myself (apparently i cannot create with noise in the house.....go figure)

Well my black cloud has finally lifted and i created these two pieces this morning.........

I am really excited about how beautifully they turned out.............They are available on my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/RetreauxgirlRepurposedJewelry

Hugs,

~Leslie

Hello??

This picture makes me laugh everytime I look at it! As a child of the 80's I love Lionel Richie and I know every word to this song. I had the cassette tape of "Can't Slow Down"  Penny Lover, Stuck On You and All Night Long...............Oh yeah, I was sooo coooool!!

In case you were wondering, Retreauxgirl is alive and well. The new year has brought some challenges and changes, but Retreauxgirl Repurposed Jewelry is still Reclaiming, Recycling and Reloving like crazy.
Here are a few new pieces that I have made so far this year........

Hardware Angel- $45 Sold same day as posting : )

Chippy Peeley Paint Necklace  Also sold same day as posting! 

Repurposed Door Hardware necklace- Currently reserved 

 

I made this a few months ago, but it is still available $35

Looking forward to Antiques Week which is just a couple of months away!! I'd better get busy!!!  Retreauxgirl will be making another appearance in RedNeckChic tent in Zapp Hall Field agian!! YAY!

 http://redneckchic.blogspot.com/

Have You seen her new bags..................SWOONING!!

I LOVE YOU!

Hello Lover!!

Ta Ta for now!!
~Leslie

New Year......Lets Do This!!

This pretty much sums up my New Years resolutions..................Simple huh?

I would never leave this spot!

Heaven!

 

So Pretty!! and Yummy!

Jump for Joy!

I hope the new year brings you Joy and Peace..........................
~Leslie

Be Fearless

My sister gave me a beautiful picture for Christmas from artist Kelly Rae Roberts. It is a painting of a woman, with open eyes, pink cheeks and a little bird whispering in her ear........ and on the back of her neck it says "fearless".

                    She reminds me a little of Frida Kahlo, an amazing artist and strong willed woman.

Am I Fearless??  Lately I have been a little humdrum, afraid and uninspired.  I am still searching for an answer. I even went on a job interview! Yikes!!  What am I doing??  I guess I am just your typical  temperamental, troubled, worried artist going through "writers block"

And then my sister gives me a beautiful present telling me what I need to hear..........like a little birdie whispering in my ear.............

Perfect Quote found on Pinterest

Now this picture resides on my inspiration board right behind my desk, when I look up there she is reminding me to Be Fearless, right alongside The Junk Gypsies, "What Would Jimmy Buffett Do?", My 3 year old self, Baryshnikov, Believe in the beauty of your dreams-Eleanor Roosevelt, "I love my mom", from my baby girl. All FEARLESS people I admire.......................

Don't listen to that little voice inside that tells you to be scared!  BE FEARLESS

Hugs
~Leslie

Merry Christmas

We are one excited household, here in little ole Nederland Texas. Our sweet Cassidy has so much Christmas Spirit in her little heart you can't help but feel it yourself.

I hope that everyone reading this has a magical day and that you enjoy your time with your family and friends............
               Merry Christmas Everyone!!

This is Elfie- He wrapped our tree last night

Another picture of Elfies handiwork

Elfie took a bath in marshmallows

Elfie hanging with his friends

The kids handmade ornaments- my prized possessions

I made this one while pregnant with my oldest, now 20

I am the middle child

My little babies are now 18 and 20

I made this!

I try to pass on that magic to my children, Although i have two older kids, they help me now with making sure that their little sister has a good time, and that she is behaving because Santa is watching

I love my little tree, but I think we will need a bigger one next year : )