Fur: Primitive VS Glamorous

Real or Faux
Love them or Loathe them?

Well apparently I'm still behind on this whole 'blogging' thing. If I'm not finding wonderful treasures then I'm taking Photos. Not taking photos, I'm editing. Not editing, I'm listing. Not listing? I'm probably asleep then. It' a rare thing, but this vampire does indeed sleep.

She might not have a social life, but she makes time for the sandman!

So... one of my consignors is moving and she called me to come look through all of these...amazing furs. Several collars, a silver fox coat, two sort of honey blonde colored minks. Beautiful pieces.

Several of which belonged to her mother, one super fashionable woman, who worked at a furrier in the late 40s and early 50s.

[pictured to right: 'The Millionaire' ]

And just so you know, I'm not advocating the murder of animals here. Don't get me wrong and by all means, don't attack me. It won't get you anywhere.

I know when fur or leather are brought up in some circles it creates this IMMEDIATE need to just...throw pigs blood on someone who happens to be wearing something not so vegan friendly.
Since the beginning of time furs, leather, bones and meat have all been used for survival.

[pictured to left: 'I've Been Spotted']

Do we NEED to wear real fur now to keep warm? Not always, no.

Does every person who wears a glamorous fur, murder baby critters in their downtime? Newp.

I've actually run across some fabulous vendors on Etsy who find animals that have been hit by cars or killed in some other way. Whether they're skunks or rabbits or possums. They take them and use the fur of that poor animal to create anything from hats to gloves to purses. There's nothing wrong with salvaging and I find it admirable, actually. This poor animal died and they're making use of something that would have been scraped off of the road and discarded.

My first fur.

Yes. I got my first mink as a gift from my dad when I was a few months old. He bought it in New York for me - a little mink cape with a sort of plaid pattern to it... and tails hanging off of it. Boy, did I used to think those tails were something special. He told me he bought it so I'd 'shut up'. Haha, apparently even at that age I was pretty open minded. "DID IT WORK!?" I asked him. "What do YOU think?" he replied.

I still have it and actually thought to add a photo of me when I was little, swaddled in it but um... I was a really ugly baby, so I'll pass on spreading my alien noggin' around the interwebs.

Of course, I no longer have a 'new' furs and even my little cape is considered vintage now at the tender age of 25.
I love finding vintage pelts - the smell, the touch and the history stored away in each discarded piece. Hats, gloves, jackets, capes & collars all waiting for a new home. For new history and new life. BUY VINTAGE!

If you adore that 50's glamour look, then seek it out! Whether you're thrifting or buying online, go for the good stuff! Skip out of those fresh furs and give an old treasure a new home!

[pictured below: 'Come Here Honey']

I'll leave you with a clip from my ALL TIME favorite TV show.
No one tops Lucy!If you don't own these on DVD, you should!

Stay tuned - I'll be posting more often - I hope!
<3 Forgotten Muse

and these are a few of my favorite things

Alright, ladies. Here I go.

I'm completely aware that I have a little bit of a 'following' here on blogspot, so I ought to make the best of it instead of leaving you hanging!

I do A TON of networking; from mailing lists to facebook to just handing out my cards all over town - I'm always searching for customers, consignors and estate services!

Blogspot is now another venue. Here I will feature sneak peeks, secret sales and tid bits of useless information!

So.

I have a thing for shiny, sparkling, fancy goodies.

brocade fabrics.

teeny iridescent beads.

golden sequins.

full skirts.

lace boleros.

ruffles.

shirt dresses.

So. I have been VERY lucky in the past to have a number of wonderfully 50s party dresses and formal attire. I don't know about you all but sequins, to me, are absoltuely NEVER out of style. They're eye catching in every aspect and they capture light and beam it right back off of you - causing all those eyes to look at you!

I haven't been to a holiday party since Christmas but walking in and blowing everyone away with my amazingly vintage outfit was the HIGHLIGHT of my night! It was a conversation starter and gave me a good opportunity to hand out cards and to get the skinny on other local businesses looking to team up for events!

Back to the clothing :)

Honestly. Look how many women are blind to the benefits of a great vintage outfit - they

settle for a mass produced dress with awful little rhinestones on it. Something they picked up at the mall for nearly a hundred dollars... sometimes more. But you, miss fashionista, what did you wear to the holiday shindig?

Certainly you saw the history that each each of your lovely pieces carried with it, when you picked it up :)

From the beautiful, taupe colored Persian lamb 50s coat that a woman from Germany once treasured.

There's even some balding on the left coat and pocket, where she kept her .. keys

perhaps? Maybe she was left handed to boot!

BUT This winter it will keep you warm as you snuggle up in that frilly frock, anxiously awaiting your dinner date for the evening!

Click here to go to the listing and make it yours!





And then there was this beautiful ... dreamy bubble gum pink gown the was likely the dress that earned her the title "Prom Queen" And what a Queen you would look like in such attire made for Grecian royalty! It flows. It shimmers. The scarf cascades and dances down your arms as you twirl through the ballroom... or the kitchen. Because I know I'm not the only one guilty or wearing her nice dresses around an empty house in the middle of the day. ...Right?

Find more information here!

This beauty was in such amazing condition and perhaps was only worn once back in the late 50s or early 60s. Did she want to go to the bosses party that night? Perhaps she was on her husbands arm because he was up for that big promotion at the agency and she wanted to look her best for the event! So in her beautiful little sleeveless top she went, the whole thing encrusted in metallic flower motifs, gems and odd shaped sequins. And today? It resides in California now; happy as a lark among the other jewels of the West coast!

This beautiful piece sold before I could write up this article - and it's actually the reason I began writing it in the first place!

The point is. When you see that one of a kind piece.. the cherry on your banana split... don't let it go! Buy it. Grab hold of it before it's gone. Before it's memories are gone because so many vintage pieces are truly one of a kind and if you don't swoop them up, someone else will!

<3 Forgotten Muse

SALE ALERT!! :)

Hey everyone! I'm getting ready to list a lot more new and lovely things but I'd LOVE to give some of my current stock, new homes!

Enter the coupon code 'sunshine' upon checkout and receive 15% off everything in my store!

I think I'm only running the sale through today so once the coupon code is inactive, it's gone!

Have your eye on something? Snatch it up before t's gone!

A hard days work for a cat... and new additions!

Firstly. I have to share with you a picture of Neffie. While I listed Jewelry and bags from three separate, wonderful consignors my cat and trusted companion, Queen Neferkitty or Neffie, as I call her, decided she'd waddle into the work room with me and lay on my note book. At first she was quite literally laying across my it and then rolled away, only allowing her head to occupy my work sheets.

I thought I'd take a shot of her to share.

Nextly, I have some awesome new costume jewelry pieces hitting the Etsy store tonight and tomorrow and even a Brighton bag! I'm really excited about all of the little faux earrings I'll be listing - they're great pieces!
Here's a sample of what to expect...

Coming soon

Here's just a little taste of some up coming goodies for Forgotten Muse Vintage! :)

Look for them in the store this weekend at my always fabulously reasonable prices!

SALE ALERT!

Seeking a deal?

Whether you're a new or returning customer, snag 10% off Sunday using the coupon code "Bingo10"!

Enjoy, dearys!

80 degrees or better

SO the weather in Greensboro was AMAZING last week.

Lately it's been windy. Snowy. In the mid 50s.

But last week the weather nearly reached 80 degrees and there was just a slight breeze. It was REALLY nice.

It also made me realize how short on summer dresses I am. I mean I have PLENTY of frocks but those "fun in the sun" pieces. Cute and short. Thin cotton blends and fresh prints. You can never have too many.

Luckily I've come across several lately - super summer appropriate pieces which have recently been listed on my Etsy page at jaw droppingly affordable prices.

Click each image to go directly to the item!

Whether you're headed to a neighborhood block party, a family reunion or just out to dinner... this is one terrific dress!

It features a beautiful tropical, Hawaiian print.
an attached scarf,
sailor like collar in front.
a lovely low cut neck.
a beautiful natural waist fit
a knee length
and
a 40s style!

(Click here to go to this dress!)

Sleeveless.

A beautiful cut out neckline.

A bow to top it off at the small waist

and a neon print of lilies and Cheetah faces <3 it.

(click here to go to this dress!)

A Tuesday night and a little black dress

(Click any of the above dresses to go right to them in my Etsy store!)

As you may or may not know, Forgotten Muse Vintage has a sister company run by my mom, it's plainly called; Forgotten Muse. Her consignment store is based out of Summerfield North Carolina and has a physical location where she sells current and designer pieces.

We love networking events! Anything in the vein of trade events, fashion shows or make up parties, we love to attend.

What better way to get your name out there and at the same time, get connected with other small business owners! :)

To

night's event was hosted by Beauti-Control out of Greensboro. It was based on the idea of the "Little Black Dress" the "LBD". The little black dress is timeless. It's business and play appropriate. Chic. Sophisticated. Flirty and always in style.
We had fun with different looks and everyone had their own theme. Classic. Plain Jane. Romantic. and finally,Dramatic.

One guess who was picked to be dramatic.

For my look I chose to wear my favorite 40s hat with long striking feathers off to the left and rhinestone detail. For my little black dress? My favorite 80s Karen Okada dress with lace chest insert, a low cut, draped back and a ruched, slinky skirt bottom. The shoes, simply Steve Madden 4 inch heels with a wrap around ankle detail.

Around the shoulders I decided to glam up my look with a blue dyed fox fur collar. Love it.

Luckily, I was able to pull together a box full of hats, purses and shoes.... even a few statements pieces of jewelry to bring along with me to give a taste of the things that I have - my little black dress accessories!

What's your Little Black Dress look? Do you have a vintage favorite?