Jantzen Suit from Popina Review

I was contacted by the lovely folks over at Popina to do a swimsuit review. A couple years ago, I won a suit from Popina, and did a blog post. Once again it was hard to chose a suit with so many cute ones available. But, I settled on the Jantzen Vamp Maillot suit in red. I was told that these suits run a little small. So, I went with a size ten. I had no trouble getting the suit on. Once on, it was quite comfortable. I could move freely without anything riding or feeling awkward.

This particular suit comes with a detachable halter strap. I chose to wear the strap since I am small busted (no nip slips needed here!). It also has a tie in the back, which is more than just a decorative piece. It allows the top to be adjusted to give more room or to give a better fit. The bust is lined enough to give coverage without looking like a cone bust. Also, the modesty skirt give that extra bit to help hide those insecure areas.

This, like their other suits, are quality suits. I feel like I will have this suit for years to come without the slightest bit of wear. They have that vintage feel without needing to be extra careful, though the suit will still need proper care. I highly recommend Jantzen suits and Popina.

 

Outfits From the Weekend

I was originally going to do three different posts, and ramble in each. But, I decided that I don't feel much like rambling when pictures sometimes speak for themselves. The pictures below show the outfits I wore this weekend, along with my beautiful friends. 

It's hard to tell from these photos, but this quilted dress with a full circle skirt is pastel pink and blue with rhinestone buttons!

 

The bad thing about getting different people to take photos is you never know if the picture is going to be a bit blurry.

I got to meet up with the cutie pie from Poodles and Pincurls (on the left). I could handle how cute my friend's cherry print dress was.  I just had to get a picture with her.

Hair. More Hair. Always About Hair.

I haven't been doing much of anything lately. With wanting to spend time with my kitten, and shortage of funds, I've just been spending a lot of time at home. It's actually been quite nice. I've been less stressed out, and getting way more sleep. But, it also makes for a boring blog. Since I don't go anywhere, I've been concentrating mostly on my hair. 

This time I wanted to see if I could create a pin curl setting with curlers. I chose the setting that I used in the last post laying out my curls just like the diagram pictured. The only exception was that I had to use three rows of curls in the back instead of two otherwise my hair would never dry. The problem I ran across was that I didn't have the correct size rollers. I needed slightly bigger ones than I used for the front, and slightly smaller ones than I used for the back. I ended up having to go over parts of the back with a curling iron.

I also realized that a curler set doesn't relax as much as a pin curl set. Having such springy curls can be a good thing, or it can be a hindrance. In this case, since I wanted the hair to be less springy, and just curl under, it was a hindrance. Even though it didn't turn out very close to the picture, I still liked the difference in curl from the front to back. 

This day I was invited over a friends house for dinner. I do like these types of invites, because I can still dress up, but it doesn't cost me as much as going to dinner at a restaurant. It is also easier to have conversation with my friends. The weather is weird in San Francisco normally, but this year it is even weirder. We had a long heat spell a couple weeks back. Now, it's fairly cool, which is what I'm used to. I pulled out these pants that I have never worn before, mostly because I wasn't brave enough to pull off this bright pattern. But, without anything else to wear, I sucked it up and wore them out. I got a few looks, but not as much as I thought I'd get (though I felt like I should be golfing). They are quite comfortable too. I was a bit cold, though. So, they may not come out again until the weather gets better.

Another Setting Trial

I have been trying almost every day to do pin curls so that I can improve. I'm having a hard time getting my hair smooth. Most often I have a sort of dent in my hair before the curls start. And, sometimes the curls aren't really round, but kind of square. But, I keep trying.

This next set I tried was picked out by Tony Curtis (with a little help from Janet Leigh). It is the headliner (pun) for the section "...hairstyles for the young married." Now, I probably wouldn't be considered  young by 1957 standards, and I am not married, but I thought I'd try it anyway. The hair in the photo is a bit shorter than mine, and the bangs are a bit longer. So, my hair turned out slightly different (actually my hair turned out very similar to all the other settings I've done without instructions). 

I don't usually set my bangs, but thought I'd play along with the instructions. It called for "a row of barrel curls for the bangs." Since my bangs are too short to curl in a barrel row - or stand up curl - I decided to use 5/8" perm rods. Though one fell out, and I had to fight some hair that was sticking straight up, I actually rather liked the outcome.

The rest of the instructions were a little vague, especially for a newbie. It states to set the hair in "a halo of pin curls, loosely set, for the sides and back..." Well, I don't know how to loosely set my hair with out it falling out. So, I set it normally, which is probably much tighter than they meant. The diagram shows a column of three pin curls on top of the ear, and four in the next column. The back has two rows of pin curls, which I didn't do the exact amount (the diagram shows five). 

I was actually surprised that I got somewhat close to the picture of the final product. I think that once I figure out how to smooth out my hair toward the crown, that my settings will look a lot better.

Here you can see the hair that kept trying to stand up.

I first tried to take pictures on the roof of my building, but it was much too windy. I wanted to show you the fantastic view from where I live. Actually, the apartments above mine have the view of the Golden Gate Bridge, but I have a view of the back of another building. I don't really mind though. I've made up for it by putting some plants outside my window.

I got to wear this quilted dress that I bought from a friend of mine.  A mutual friend was having a trunk show, and was able to show case some of the vintage clothes she didn't wear anymore. Though I didn't get to attend, I spotted this dress in a photo from the event. It hadn't sold, and of course I couldn't pass it up. It is a lovely sleeveless dress with a full skirt perfect for these summer days in San Francisco.

I didn't know that I could completely block the view of the Golden Gate!

I Did It!

After the last few frizzy disasters attempting pin curls, I did some research to figure out what I was doing wrong. I understood the concept, but the execution was the hard part. My hair stylist gave me his practice head when I first decided I was going to give this a shot. I suppose that I would have been more successful had I tried it more than once on the head. But, after doing a good job on the practice head, I was even more frustrated that I couldn't do them on my own head. So, I gave up completely, opting for curlers instead.

Occasionally, I'd try one curl, get frustrated, and again set my hair with what I knew how to do. One time I even set the front of my hair in pin curls, finishing the back with curlers after getting fed up.  A few weeks ago, I decided that I needed to learn this. I was tired of the sleepless night, sore scalp, and stiff necks of sleeping in rollers. 

Since I couldn't roll my hair without some help, I found a small piece of plastic piping. I wound my hair up, then slipped it out when I got to my scalp, and pinned it to my head. That attempt left me with a much larger curl than I had planned. It was also pretty frizzy. Fortunately,  the wind finished off the rest for me.

In the last post I chronicled my next attempt. This time I used a smaller tube, and tried to follow a pattern. Again, my hair turned out pretty frizzy. My attempts in brushing out the frizz did little. It was hard to find an exact reason for my problem. A search led to taming already frizzy hair with pincurls, how to do pin curls, but nothing on what causes the frizz after the pincurl.

After searching for a while, I finally found the answer. The end of the hair MUST be in the center of the curl, not floating on the outside. I realized that by rolling my hair in a tube and then slipping it off, it was causing my ends to be on the outside of the curl. With this knowledge I decided to forgo the tube, and try freehand which had caused me so many problems before.

You know what? It worked. I rolled my hair in less time than it took me with the tubes. I half followed a pattern, though my ending result didn't look like anything in the pictures. I did a cluster of forward pincurls around my ear, and a double row of three pincurls in the back. I knew as soon as I took the curls out that I did a better job than before. When I brushed them out, I was so happy, that I did a verbal, YES! I'm sure my neighbors thought I was quite strange. 

I am still happy with the results of my hair. It did take a little more brushing out than it takes when I set with curlers, but that's ok. I know how to do it now. My sides never completely match as I have more hair on one side of my head than the other. But, now that I can set my hair this way, I can work on learning how placement and direction effects the style. 

Don't Follow My Example - Setting Pattern Instructions

As mentioned previously, I bought a fabulous magazines with pages and pages of setting instructions. Many looked pretty easy. Since this would mark the third time I'd be trying pin curls on my own head, and don't really have the knack of them yet, I thought these patterns would be a good way for me to get some practice. The first pattern I picked out was one with fringe, since that would obviously work with what I have. It looked about the right length with my newly cut hair as well. I laid out the magazine, bobby pins, rat tail comb, and my end papers (which I need to keep my ends in place), and stared in the mirror trying to figure out where to start.

Typically, I rush through setting my hair, since I can practically put curlers in while half asleep. But, with lack of experience, and wanting to really do a good job, I took my time setting my hair. The setting calls for forward pin curls in a single layer along the ear, and a double layer in the back. I did my best to follow the picture, but knew I wasn't placing them quite right. It wasn't until I brushed out my hair that I realized how off I was. The right side of my head had curls starting above my ear, while the left side of my head had curls starting mid ear. But, I did my best to brush my hair out like the girl in the picture.

When I set my hair a couple weeks ago with pin curls, my hair became very frizzy. I thought this was because my ends were so damaged, though this doesn't happen when I use rollers. So, I went off right away to cut as much of the damaged ends as I could (about two inches). Yet, my hair still came out frizzy with this setting. I'm not quite sure what I'm doing wrong. But, I am hoping that practice will make perfect in this situation (unlike my cat eye liner).

The frustration didn't stop with my hair. I planned on wearing this dress with a sun hat that I have not yet worn. The day before was quite warm and very sunny.  I thought that it was perfect weather for a nice straw hat. But, this day was overcast and rainy! I tried to make it better by posing in front of a sunny mural. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take a picture with my pretty green hat.

June is for Weddings

I'm not a huge fan of weddings (or showers), but of course I don't let that stop me attending when a friend gets married. I attended such an event yesterday. The wedding ceremony was located on a gorgeous spot on a golf course over looking a canyon. It was quite windy, though. So, those pin curls that I tried to do the night before (only my second time doing them) were completely wrecked by the end of it all. But, I shouldn't complain. It wasn't my day.

The wind didn't deter the couple. They were all smiles. The bride wore a beautiful cream mermaid style dress with small bead work throughout the gown. The reception was fairly large with seating both in door and out where it wasn't quite as windy. By the time we arrived, the seating outside was taken. So, we sat at the long tables inside facing the large sliding doors to the patio area. There were a few people I knew, a few people I've only seen on social media, and many more that I met.

The reception was bustling with noise as people chatted and laughed, having a great time. The food was delicious with bbq'd steak and chicken. And, the favors were useful both at the reception and at home, being stemless wine glasses. All and all I had a good time. I had three friends accompany me so that I didn't have to go stag. And, I'm glad that my friend found his partner in life.

I Was a Popina Swimwear Winner

About a month ago, I was the winner to the Popina Swimwear giveaway from By Gum, By Golly. Not only was I excited, because Popina has the cutest vintage inspired bathing suits, but also because I hardly ever win anything. I was a little concerned at first, because of my such drastically different dimensions. I am much smaller on top than I am on the bottom. But, when I got the swimsuit, it fit just fine.

Trying to find a day to showcase a bathing suit in San Francisco is pretty hard to do. So, I brought the suit with me when I visited my parents.

I really tried my best Betty Grable impersonation, but I am not even coming close. 

It was very hard to choose just one suit with so many cute ones available. But, the one I settled on was the Jantzen Vamp suit. It has removable straps that can be worn as a halter or a strapless. It has a cute little ruffle on the bottom that covers the area that I am most self conscious. It is also comfortable. I am very pleased with this suit, and plan on sporting it this summer. 

I had a nice experience with Popina, and I love their selections available. If you are in the market for a vintage inspired suit, I strongly suggestion heading over to Popina. 

A Train Themed Weekend

The weekend started with a train ride to Sacramento to take my parents to a music festival I haven't been to since I was a teenager. I usually take the bus, but decided that I wanted a more relaxing and quieter trip. I also love the train station in Sacramento. It was nice being on the train. But, sadly when I got to the station, it was being renovated. I hope this means that they are restoring it, rather than updating it. I really wanted to show pictures of the station on this blog, but even the ceiling was covered. Originally built in 1926, it has beautiful features. Hopefully, after the renovation, I will be able to take this trip again to show how beautiful it is. 

 The next day my parents and I went to the Sacramento Music Festival. I planned my outfit well in advance which included a hat to keep the sun off. Typically, May is the beginning of a hot summer. But, this year it was quite pleasant. It only reached the high 70s, with a nippy morning, and quite nippy evening. I really felt like I was in San Francisco weather. 

 With our tickets, we had free admission to the Railroad Museum. This was another place I hadn't been in many years. My dad is a train nut. So, it really made his day to be able to go to the museum again. There were several exhibits of real trains, with a few that could be boarded. One such train car was a sleeper car that moved like it was really going to down the tracks. There were also several wax figures of such things as engineers and train staff, but my favorite was the wax figure depicting the women who went to work on the railroads during World War II. The plaque called it "Fighting on the home front." I do have to admit, though, that I didn't actually read any farther than the title. Another exhibit had a replica 1930s train station, again with a was figure on the telegraph. 

 Though I've been to this museum several times, I enjoy it each time. I understand that they can't let people onto a lot of the cars, but I do wish I could get inside to take period pictures. Either way I still had fun on my train themed weekend.

The only place to take photos without the construction background was the phone booth. I'm trying to hide the more modern looking phone.

At the replica train station, "buying" train tickets.

"Waiting" for my train to come (without luggage).

The sleeper car (sounds so sinister, doesn't it?)

Fighting on the home front exhibit.

Being in front of an outhouse has nothing to do with trains. I just have this kind of sense of humor. 

A closeup of some of my favorite earrings.