Lucite Box Vintage is one year old and is having a birthday sale! Holly says:

To mark the first birthday of Lucitebox, I'm having a major site wide sale that runs for the next ten days. Turning one is fun, so come and celebrate by checking out our vintage fashions–all of them are on sale now through June 19th.

New items will be added throughout the duration of the sale, so drop by frequently to see what's new. Thank you so much for your support and patronage. I really appreciate it!

And, just so you know — Holly helped me with my Closet Cleanout 2009 project, in which I am releasing a lot of vintage back into the wild, instead of letting the poor dresses languish in my closet (or worse, in rubbermaid bins) all lonely-like. So (full disclosure) a few of the dresses in her sale are consigned from me.

Oh, and while I have your attention, a big project I've been working on opened up on Monday — a project to find and describe all the words of English! You can check it out at wordnik.com. (It's still in early beta, but we hope you get what we're working towards!)

Blue: My doctor gave me this brochure, girls, and guess what?

Plaid: What? What? You're killing me here.

Blue: It tells you HOW PEOPLE GET BABIES!

Red: No! Really? Really and truly?

Blue: You are SO not going to believe this.

Plaid: Look at me, I'd believe anything at this point. I'm beginning to give some credence to that "swallowed a watermelon seed" theory.

Blue: (whispers)

Red: You mean, that's it? No storks? No cabbages? I feel … disillusioned.

Plaid: Huh. Well, I'll be damned.

Blue: That's what the preacher said. But wait until I show him THIS! It's all just science!

Red: I wonder if Jimmy knows? Won't he be surprised when I tell him!

Long time readers of this blog will know that I am OBSESSED with penny loafers.

And since coming out as someone who is loafer-obsessed, I have met many other people who have a similar … enthusiasm. So I thought I'd share links to two styles I've found recently that, although not as nice as my favorite (and no-longer-made) Via Spigas, are pretty damn good.

First, Macy's has these, from Marc Fisher (which I think is one of their house brands, but I'm not sure):

Today they are $39! (They were >$70). Click on the image to visit the Macy's page. I bought a pair of these and they are comfortable, definitely.

Okay, these next ones are man-made materials (aka vegan). Many of you have asked if I knew of non-leather alternatives, and now I do! Plus, they're dirt-cheap: $29.99 at Overstock.com. (click image to visit site)

What I really want are these, from Marc Jacobs:

The worst part is that I already HAVE them — I found a pair on eBay that weren't anywhere NEAR $260, and bought them. And found that they were the wrong size. (The seller translated a European 38 as "8.5" which it is NOT.) I relisted them on eBay, if you want them.

Of course, even though I wear penny loafers EVERY DAY, I don't really need any more pairs. Why don't I? Because THIS is my penny loafer collection:

(And yes, that is a pair of Liberty Jack Purcells on the edge there.)

Does anyone else wear a slight variation of the same damn shoe every day? (Anyone else who presents as female, I mean, I know most guys basically wear the same shoe every day.) Represent in the comments!

GIRLS!

Have you ever wanted a REAL LIVE DOLL?

One that really talks, and walks, and eats, and puts on HER OWN CLOTHES?

One that can stay in your room when you are at school and bite your little brother when he comes in to rummage through your stuff?

One that will take off her peplum belt and hold it menacingly when out with you on the street?

One that is guaranteed to make your friends envious and really creeped out?

If so, get a parent's permission and CALL NOW! (Small DNA sample required. Not available in Massachusetts.)

(Thanks to Rachel for this one!)

Sorry I've been awol for so long — lots going on!

I hope to resume regular posting tomorrow, but until then, please enjoy/recoil in shock and horror from this fantastic fabric sent to me by Julie.

The more I look at this fabric, the more I want it. It says "Stunt Dress for the Cattlemen's Association Ball" to me (not that I've been invited). But, sadly, I don't know where to buy it online. Do you? Leave a comment!

I was just at a wedding where the bride's dress was *slightly* prettier and more elegant than this, but it's a close call. 🙂

This is definitely a wedding dress for grown-ups; I wouldn't put this on someone in her early twenties. Or on someone who was getting married at noon; this is an evening dress. I might even consider making the front ruching and back swag in organza, and putting a few — VERY SUBTLE — tiny sparkly bits in it. Possibly. They'd have to be very subtle, though, or you'd go from Grown-Up Bride to Glinda The Good Witch in an eyeblink.

(The best part, though, is that I think you could just possibly hide a pocket in that back swag. I'd have to see the pattern, but I don't think it's entirely out of the question.)

This is listed by Michelle here, and it's sized at bust 34, hips 37 — very reasonable. (It's listed for $150, but when you think of what wedding dresses go for, that's not out of line, either).

If you are a June 2010 bride and think this is your wedding dress, congratulations! And mazel tov! And hurry up, you've only got a year to get this thing made!

Jen at MOMSPatterns (the pattern above is from her store) is offering 20% off from Friday (today) through the 26th (Tuesday). Jen's coupon code will be 'decorationday' since "it sounds purdier than 'memorialday'". Jen was striving to list 50 new patterns each day until the sale, so there's a good chance of doing some real stocking up on the oldies!

Wendy at Pattern Stash will have a 4 day sale over Memorial Day weekend – from Friday May 22nd to Monday May 25th. Just use the code Dressaday in the "Note to Seller" when checking out, and 15% of your total purchase will be refunded.

Rita at Cemetarian is in, too: she'll give 20% off anything on her website from Friday the 22nd through Monday the 25th. Use the coupon code "Summer".

Lisa is offering a combination discount: Memorial Day and Indy500 weekend: 10% off at the Vintage Fashion Library with coupon code
INDY500 (and you can combine this with your Miss Helene's purchases, if you let Lisa know in advance — she has to set it up specially)!

Carol has a pre-Memorial Day sale running now until the end of today, 5/22. 25% off of all stock at www.dandelionvintage.com. Hurry!

Janet at Lanetz Living is running a "May Sale", put the word "May" in the coupon box and get 25% off your entire order. Good for one order only and expires June 14th.

Pam has three sites so she's running three sales! At Glamourstitch on ETSY:
Buy 2 patterns get one FREE! (In the notes section of your order simply state 'DressADay' and she will send you a revised invoice through PayPal.)

At www.GlamourSavvy.com they are having a 25% Off sale. Just type in 'Glamour' for the coupon code and the discount will automatically apply.

And finally, over at www.Glamoursurf.com they're offering 15% off with the same code ('Glamour') at checkout.

Trudy at HotPatterns is offering 20% off the "Vintage Hotpatterns" range today through Monday!

Penny at Antique Dollhouse of Patterns has had a rough week. (She lost one of her cats to liver failure and the other is not doing well.) To cheer herself up she is running a random sale, depending on the pattern: the discount will be at least 10% but possibly even 40%!

Sheila at Out of the Ashes is running a 15% off sale, Friday (effective 12:01 a.m.) through Monday.

Holly at Lucite Box is doing something a little different — she's showing "featured items" on her home page in a gold oval frame. In that frame, she's featuring one item from each category on lucitebox.com.

During the four day sale, she'll mark-down items in that frame each day. The discount will vary depending on the item. Many of the discounts will be at least 20% off. Moreover, she's changing the featured items every day over the holiday weekend, so it's wise to check back often!

Daughter: Ooh, look, Mummy, over there. Isn't he dreamy?

Mother: Haven't I told you not to use that terrible slang? But, hmm. "Dreamy" may be apt, in this case.

Daughter: Can you get the majordomo to introduce us?

Mother: Certainly not. Only pitiful and desperate women need the services of the majordomo, dear. Besides, you have to tip him so much. If I can't get that man to come over here and introduce himself before the band finishes this song through pure application of my feminine wiles, I'll eat my hat.

Daughter: But, Mummy, you're not wearing a hat.

Mother: I'll eat YOUR hat. It doesn't go with your dress, anyway.

(Today's pattern is from Rita. You can find it here.)

Oh, and the lovely Sarah at Pink of Perfection put up a nice interview with me the other day — it's here if you want to read it!

Just a reminder — the fabric swap is tonight!

Here are the details:

Time: 6-8:30 p.m.

Date: Tuesday, May 19

Location: Rogers Park Public Library
6907 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60626
2nd floor, south room

What: Fabric Swap

What's a Fabric Swap?: We'll be exchanging fabric, notions, patterns using play money, probably Monopoly dollars. During the set-up, we'll have a little show and tell. Wear your favorite sew garment for prizes to be supplied by Erin (??)

Few important details: Since this is a swap, no money/check can be exchanged on the premises. This is important. Anybody caught paying real U.S. dollars for items in the swap will be lashed with a tape measure or forced to count pattern pieces.

What can I bring?: Any type of fabric that's at least 1 yard long, 45 inches wide (I don't want to deal with remnants), notions, patterns are acceptable.

How can I help?: Thanks for asking. Here are some specific jobs we need:

1. Several cashiers' to help establish a 'value' to the fabric and pass out Monopoly money to 'sellers'
2. Several organizers to put fabric on various tables tagged according to fabric type (silk, cotton, polyester, knits, etc.).
3. A barker to call out lottery numbers so 'shoppers' can orderly browse items in the swap.
4. Someone to organize show and tell part of the swap.
5. Foodie to round up snacks for hungry shoppers. "Shoppers" are encouraged to bring chips, beverages, paper plates, and napkins.
5. A driver with enough room in the car to cart leftover unwanted fabric to local Salvation Army.

Ok, what next?: Email marybeth.klatt @@@gmail DOT com with Fabric Swap in the subject line, let me know you're coming and how you'd like to help OR leave a comment in Mary Beth's "Fabric Swap" blog post at thelazymilliner.blogspot.com.

I have a few more questions!: Email marybeth.klatt @@@ gmail dot com OR leave a comment on her blog.

Jimmy: Why am I in this dress, again?

Janie: Because it's a movie, doofus. This kind of stuff happens in movies. You want to get into someplace that's all-girls, and I just *happen* to have a dress (and shoes!) that fit you perfectly, despite us being completely different sizes.

Jimmy: Why did I want to come with you?

Janie: Do I have to do everything in this plot? Am in voiceover right now? Do I have a name badge that says "Ask me to provide exposition?"

Jimmy: No, really, I don't know.

Janie: (heavy sigh) See that girl behind me? You loooooove her. Despite the fact that she can't accessorize.

Jimmy: Oh, okay. Thanks.

(pause)

Jimmy: All right, what do we do now?

Janie: Count to three, then duck before the explosion. When the rubble clears, go help her up. Then kiss.

Jimmy: I just want to be sure I have this straight. Kiss HER, right?

Janie: Next time I want to be in a werewolf movie.

[This pattern — and a lot of other lovely ones! — is on sale today and tomorrow at Sandritocat's Etsy shop! 20%, plus she offers free shipping with three or more patterns. Mention "20% off sale" in the notes section and then either wait for a revised invoice, or Sandra will refund the difference through Paypal. Enjoy!]