ALT for Damerne, no. 5, 1954

I have for years scanned from ALT for Damerne (Everything for the Ladies) from 1955, but this year I have decided to scan from 1954. No particular reason other than for a change, although I don't think it will be that big. Yep, I am a rebel! :)

Let's start with number 5, which was the first magazine in February. All scans can be clicked into larger formats. Although it is a Danish magazine, I hope my foreign readers will have fun reading my small recaps and get inspiration from the photos.

Very nice cover, where you can get the pattern for the lovely sporty blouse:

In the binular you can read about this and that:

This time there is a tip on serving hearts in a different way, good advice on fabric and knits, a clear purse for you purse, so that it doesn't get ruined in bad weather (not a bad idea at all), and advice on how to know the difference from fireproof glass (if it has a matte bottom it is meant for electrical hotplates).

Travel with housewives' league to Rome and the Riviera:

It must have been every housewife's dream.

Glimpse of spring from Berlin:

The geometrical dress at the right is fabulous.

And at the right there is a guidance on sewing a nice bed blouse without pattern:

It is so nice that it can easily be used during the day, depending on the fabric you choose.

Patterns of the week are for those who are busy and chic:

This is an illustration for a novel called The Unrestful Heart:

Fabulous dress. No wonder the main character is nervous about how beautiful the woman is.

Nice, homemade bast lamps are flattering in the living room:

So if you are looking for an old-fashioned lamp, you can make it yourself:

Just look how nice it looks on the little drawing.

Dinner is server:

I love how dinner was served back then. It takes so little effort to make it look nice.

On to the ads. Let's start with an ad for Sanderson cretonner:

Lovely patterns in colours that says "NO" to fading.

Elegant suits in Hartz jersey all year long:

And Cutex Spillpruf, whic we have seen before, but not this one. It contains enamelon, whatever that is.

Here I had a muddy complexion - it is of course past with Tokalon cream:

At the orphanage the children's clothes are sewn and repaired on an Elna sewing machine.

An ouverture to future happiness:

Back then it was high-class to say one came from a home with a piano.

Sorting, Part 1: The Wardrobe

I have started a new project this year. I will sort my wardrobe, my makeup and my nail polish collection, to find out what becomes me and what doesn’t. I do sort out things from my wardrobe regularly, but now I want to try on all items that are not used very often (and ditto for makeup and polishes), to find out why I rarely use it. Perhaps it is the fit, the colour, the length, the neckline? This way I will either find new favourites or sort out to charity. Everything vintage will be put for sale in my Etsy shop.

It all started New Year’s day, where I had to figure out what to wear on New Year’s eve. I went to the basement, where my party dresses are (I don’t want to go through sequin dresses daily), and found a lot of dresses try. I quickly sorted out a dress that was too short. When I was finished and would hang it all back in the closet, I started going through what was left and quickly sorted out 6-7 things. It was quite fun so I ended in another closet and suddenly I had a huge Ikea bag full of clothes:

It felt really good. I also found this pastel yellow fifties style summer dress, which I had missed, but was sure I had donated to charity long time ago:

So I will plan what to wear in the evening, and not just reach for the usual choices. This way I will make new “sets” that can renew my daily wardrobe.

Next week I will write about makeup, so I hope to see you back next Thursday.

Dream Birthday

I had the most wonderful birthday a woman can dream of. My birthday was on a Wednesday, my weekly day off, and I just thought I should have a cozy time alone, pick up my new glasses and go out to dinner with DH and son in the evening and there after see a movie with them. No, that was not what happened. On my birthday breakfast table was a gift card to a shopping tour at my favourite vintage repro shops in Copenhagen, and DH had taken the day off to be together with me. I became SO surprised and happy! At first I thought we should go to our neighbouring city, Lyngby, but then he pointed out the pictures he had glued to the card, and such dresses are not found in Lyngby, unfortunately.

We started picking up my glasses and then we drove to Mondo Kaos, where I found two dresses. We drank a cafe latte nearby, and then we drove to Copenhagen where my other favourite shop, Rock'a'Hula, is. Here I also found two nice dresses.

Here they are, all four hanging in a row:

Collectif Noelle Dress, perfect Christmas dress in red and green plaids:

I will use it all winter.

And this is how I look wearing it:

I have added a dark green cardigan and a vintage garnet necklace.

20th Century Foxy dress, which I cannot find online, so you have do make do with me:

Hell Bunny Raspberry Polka Dot Dress, lovely dark red colour:

And this is me wearing it:

Right before my birthday I bought this on Daisy Dapper at half price:

It is named Elvy Dress, and this is me wearing it:

I also found this, which I fell completely in love with two years ago, but alas, it was too big. I searched high and low on the internet, but never found it in my size, and guess what? I found it at Rock'a'Hula in my size. I was SO happy and DH suggested giving it to me as a Christmas gift:

It is from Collectif and named Tartan.

So now I don't need any new dresses for a long time. A thousand thanks to DH for a wonderful birthday, with lots of dresses, latte, lunch and shopping to Copenhagen - it cannot get any better.

Buy of the Year 2014

I use to nominate Buy of the Year, just for fun.

The opevious winners are:
In 2009 a vintage immersion heater
In 2010 a vintage Pyrex measuring cup
In 2011 a lovely notebook from Etsy
In 2012, I forgot, oops
And last year it was my iPad on which I read my blogs daily.

I have never defined the nomination precisely, but in general it has to be something I have been especially happy for and which have made a difference in my life. So which buy fulfills the criteria this year? Well, it has been extremely expensive, but also incredibly fantastic. On 1 March I started working part-time, having Wednesday off, so it became my creative day. On Wednesday I relax, I am creative and my stressed brain calms down. So although it cost me about 20% of my salary (fortunately son moved just a months before, and believe me, teenagers do not come cheap), it is worth every penny, and I hope it will never end. Last spring I got my own creative room (son's old room), so now I have all my things and stuff at one place and can work on my projects while I listen to old records.

What I make? Well, many different things, a.o. this copy of a Kate Spade clutch, which I also made a tutorial for:

I play a lot with my old seed beads, which my beloved grandma gave to me as a child. I am so happy I have kept them. Here is a gift for a dear colleague:

Necklace and bracelet after a Russian pattern found on Pinterest. You can find many free patterns and tutorials there.

I paint and draw:

And I have made lots of Christmas card and to-and-from cards:

Decorated with glitter, rhinestones, and pearls.

And I've started sewing again:

On my old sewing machine, which my dad thrifted in a container about 30 years ago and repaired for me. It is so good.

Here I have sewed a top from a fifties pattern. PDF-patterns are brilliant, because it is instant-download, so you can buy a pattern and sew it right away. The fabric cost me about 3 dollars:

Yep, it is me! Finally, a photo of me on my blog. I hate photos of myself, so normally it is on Instagram you can see photos of me, because the photos are so small so you cannot see how old and unphotogenic I am. ;)

And here is a skirt sewn of fabric I bought about 25 years ago:

I really like it and would love to use the same pattern for another skirt in some wintery fabric.

My latest project:

A houndtooth skirt with big pleets:

Really nice and it doesn't need a petticoat since the fabric is very thick. It became a little too large at the waist, but I can change that next Wednesday. :)

ALT for Damerne, No. 48, 1963

Yesterday was my birthday. And precisely on my birthday ALT for Damerne (Everything for the Ladies), number 48, 1963 was issued. It is almost twice as thick as the magazines from 1955 I normally scan from, but there are also at least twice as many ads. I do want to say that there is also a lot more articles than in 1955. I don't know why, because I don't think the "ladies" had gotten more time. All scans can be clicked into larger formats. Although it is a Danish magazine, I hope my foreign readers will have fun reading my small recaps and get inspiration from the photos.

I cannot think of a more lovely cover for my birthday edition:

Yummi, my teeth are watering.

Letters to Everything and all:

Here are some great ideas for an advent calendar for mom, where her children instead of a drawing a little drawing write a task they will do for her - brilliant idea! A mom tells that she gives her little son a farm as an advent calendar, and there are lots for each day in December, counting the farmer himself, all his animals, fences, trees, etc. There is an advent calendar for the beloved ant, who is invited to a Christmas party. All sweet and useable.

Timeless everyday clothes:

The plaid skirt is indeed timeless, I've been looking for one like it for very long. But she can keep the round glasses.

Pattern on Fabric still existed in 1963:

This week a Jackie-like dress is offered. It will surely take you through all the Christmas festivities.

The earrings are back:

I didn't know they have been out, but here are a lot of nice ones for inspiration:

Mark your eyes:

Here is lots of good advice on care and makeup for your eyes:

Note the model's hair, the fifties are clearly behind us.

Decorate for Christmas:

Yep, Christmas is here before we know it, so here is some vintage inspiration:

The half Christmas tree on the door with the tiny golden ornaments is something I'll definately make one day.

Happy Santas in a ring:

Are you in need of a Christmas tree underlay, then you can quickly and easily make this one:

Here is the pattern for Mrs Clause:

Christmas gifts are easy to make yourself, and everybody will be happy to receive a pair of knitted boots:

Warm slippers are always nice to receive.

The best cakes in Denmark:

There is a lot of Christmas cakes and cookies, but since the recipes are in Danish, I've only scanned the lovely photos.

On to the ads, and there was a lot to choose from, and many in colour. Whipped cream works wonders:

I remember the school friend birthdays, when I was a kid. We were so happy to get cream horns with a little marmelade at the top. Simple, but fantastic.

Make every day festive with Taffel-chips:

I also remember a few dinner parties we attended at some of our parents' friends, where we were served chips for dinner. It was incredible! That kind of unhealthy sillyness was fortunately not for my mom.

Coca-Cola refreshes you best!:

And in a King Size bottle. I wonder how big it was, because the ad does not mention the size. I don't think it was especially big compared to modern bottles.

A watch in the kitchen is cozy and practical:

My mon had one like this for many years, I think it was named Peter. My clever dad repaired it several times, but a few years ago Peter had to give in.

Edet kitchen roll cleans the kitchen in a jiffy:

We are near the use-and-trash-era.

Fashionit, lovely twin-set:

I collect twin-sets, and have about 60,000 different.

Modern vacuum jugs from AWF:

Stop the time with Leciton soap. I really don't think soap prevents wrinkles.

Elegant, a set you collect:

And a classic - The Danish Weather is Ga-Jol Weather! It is still true.

New men's fashion from Richards:

From a time where a man did not go out of the door without shined shoes, and where shoe-shiners really was a job.