White Robe

Matching shoes by Poetic License


Backside


Silky Smooth

May your New Year’s Eve be all the coziness and pleasantness you long to experience. May your life’s inventory be found less wanting and more measuring according to expectations and desires as to the life you want. My hope for that which is unfulfilled rests in a Warrior King and an ultimate day of reckoning then celebration of Life. Meanwhile, provide and find comfort where we may. *Love*

Would you believe I found this at my favorite thrift store in town, Savers?! $3 is all I paid, thanks to 50% off Veterans Day sale last month!

Speakeasy Photos
MUAH: Danyelle “The Hair Maverick” Johnson
Mind you these photos were taken after a long day of shooting in Old Town Sac with photographer Chris Kisela. Images coming soon!

Happy New Year!

Time of year to take a closer look.


New Years in my life lend themselves as a time for taking stock of my choices and finding new directions, or rather embracing what is, and going from there. Shane and I have been married seven years January 12. We felt to be representing our genuine and true selves every step of our fast-moving relationship, but to marry truly was a clear look in the mirror with many hours and dollars vested in counseling. Having children has been another dead reflection of who we are, providing clues to how we may want to change. Parents may testify that rearing children pushes a person to the outer limits of self. A recent six months in counseling and working out relationship issues land us on a road to even further discovering the depths of our souls and how we function in the world. I hope to share more of our journey as we continue to write our own story of how we make life work while remaining genuine, and discovering ourselves more authentically.

Own vulnerabilities and cultivate relationship with true lovers, for this has the power of life.

Which masks do you plan to continue wearing into the new year?


Which ones dare you take down?


Silver and Gold. Lookin’ at you, kid.


Here we go…

Love the beats in this song.
Faith disclaimer: no truer lover than Creator God, Savior and King
Speakeasy Photos
Model: Rachel Anne Taylor
Hair: Jacqueline Driver
Makeup: self
Wardrobe: my personal collection

Present





Presenting my hair a mess after a full day of shooting in Old Sac. My present from Shane this Christmas, a lovely red home made Bernie Dexter cast off: reuse! No time such as the present to be thankful. What did you present your loved ones to enjoy this year? I hand wrote notes to each one, stating what they mean to me and how I want to treat them the coming months. I cannot make a surprise purchase for Shane, as he knows each dollar which passes my fingers, so I create presents which cannot be bought: words from my heart and offering acts of service on cards. Which brings us to being present. Let us be present in the moment to enjoy its gifts: love, togetherness…presence is powerful. Where is your energy? In a fantasy? Some far off place? The inter webs? Then you’re not here, offering your presence to yourself and those who surround you. Your thoughts, feelings, emotions, intentions, purposeful actions, are of highest value. For this is life, this is giving the greatest gift both to yourself and others. Presence, value yourself and those around you. Presence, a rare gift which cannot be bought. Presence, a gift only the giver has the power to offer. None can coax it out of another, for presence is our very being which dwells within. Get in touch with yourself, be present in your life. To draw from words out of Justin Riley’s mouth: No other way to dance more beautifully than being present to the music, to the floor, to yourself, and to your dance partner.

Speakeasy Photos
MUAH: Danyelle “The Hair Maverick” Johnson
Excuse the frizz. These were taken after a day in Old Town Sac shooting with Chris Kisela. Images from that coming soon!

Peppermint Bark Popcorn! Yum!

Now that’s a FULL skirt! Proper circle skirt from the 1950s actually.


Fresh Popped


What am I wearing? Red and white to match my peppermint bark popcorn! This is a traditional staple of the season in our household, generally accompanied by watching The Grinch, A Christmas Story, or Christmas Vacation. Melted white chocolate drizzled over fresh popped corn, shaken in a bag with crushed candy canes. Spread out on wax paper to set. Eat it all! I dare you not to eat it all!

So good!


I want to shove it all in.


Would you like some?


Hmm…I could hand over the bowl to go dance, or I could sit here and eat my popcorn.


Circle skirts have to be given a twirl. “I’m a piece of peppermint bark popcorn, flavor dance!”


Molasses Spiced Cookie recipe

Speakeasy Photos

MUAH: Self
Authentic 1950s vintage dress acquired from Etsy, same dress I wore for Midnight Mass
Authentic vintage apron acquired at the Sacramento Antique Faire
Shoes by Poetic License, favored brand

Merry Christmas!

The way we feel inside on Christmas morning, or any time gifts loom in the air.


Alter ego presentation: try and excite us. I dare you.


What’s that? You’re up for the challenge? We may be excited yet.


Whatever is making us so delighted?

Speakeasy Photos
Hair: Jacqueline Driver
Makeup: selves
Shoot Location: Driver home

Deck The Halls!

Grab your friends to decorate, ’tis the season to celebrate! Make merry and bright as together we brave the cold and cheer ourselves through winter’s night.


Put your best foot forward, Darling. Careful how you make your marking.


High upon the ladder she sits, but what of her wits?


Weary of the mask grows she, so it is removed to embrace authenticity.

Speakeasy Photos
Model: Rachel Anne Taylor
Hair: Jacqueline Driver
Makeup: selves
Shoot Location: Driver home

Rockin Rides 5 Toys for Tots

Happy Camper here, pleased to pose with the first trophy I’ve won! RiffRaff CarClub’s pick. All about the trophy is with the image in my FaceBook photos, as you may have already read there. Dopest trophy ever. The other half of the story is that during the raffle, my eighteen month old was bearing down. This was near end of day, and I had made many a trip to the toilets between the two kids. Once more, I gathered a diaper and wipes and whisked her away for a quick change. Upon returning outdoors, Shane stormed my path to announce I won something and needed to report to the announcement canopy. Pleased for the good news, Cody of RRcc muscled the minimum of forty pound trophy and placed it in my trunk while I lamented I had been changing a diaper during the announcement. We chatted and parted ways. I returned to my Menup Posse to learn that Shane had reported to the announcer, thinking to receive the trophy himself, stating that I was “in the bathroom” to which the MC promptly reported over the microphone that I was “taking a poop.” We had good belly laughs over that. The one time I’m receiving an award, and that’s how it goes. Haha! I am still chuckling.

I adore these men from Grass Valley and hanging out with them every chance we get.


Rolling thunder of roaring engines make my insides gelatinous, my gut to grow warm, and I become highly suggestive. Must have something to do with growing up around cars and motorcycles, the vibrations trigger this notion that someone I love is near. However also highly possible is a more carnal explanation. Roaring engines are HOT!

These motorcycles rolled up in a pack, all could hear them coming from far off. Their exit was similar, and perhaps a pinch more thunderous as all engines fired up to make the grandest of departures. The Cash Prophets were playing, as this fabulous band oft does at car shows, and paused to note the awesome sounds this bike crew created. How can bike engines out-scream cars? All that exposure and no bonnet to keep them covered must surely play a roll. Trevor and Matt nearly had to catch me as the bikes thundered away. That feeling when your ride rumbles your seat…be still my heart.


Speaking of roaring engines, this award winning truck rolled in with the bikes. Decked out for the season, the truck bed is adorned with Santa’s slay cut-outs over the truck bad. Full-time adornments include a huge old-fashioned floor gear shifter which nearly touches the ceiling, prison bars over the back window with a huge ring of keys…I will just show you some pictures. Trying to keep the amount of images down, but so much detail goes into these rides! What’s that popping through where the gas cap should be?


Another custom truck with Character. A wee motorcyclist hood ornament tops off the look.



I love the “Rat Rods” up close and far off, so much character and detail goes into building them. Growing up in a ’55 ’56 ’57 Chevy Club, I was exposed to many “pristine” vehicles. Owners hopped up their engines sure, but generally aimed toward shiny paint jobs, immaculate interior, and shiny engine compartments. Drilled in my brain is a “do not touch” mantra which is a legitimate rule to play by when at any car show without express permission by the owner. My dad’s ’56 two door Sedan was fully stock, except the blue paint job. Toward the end of our time doing the car show circuit, dad’s interests turned toward custom builds. Possibilities are endless, and since stock parts are more rare, custom is also practical. Rat Rods take those notions to whole new heights. I dig.


My favorite car of the day is Bobby McCullough’s 1923 Ford T. “Tumbleweed” is the name of a 1950s cartoon where an old man drove a car just like this one. Cute story, told in Bobby’s Southern accent. Hopped up engine, Bobby did all the work himself except the paint job. Understandably so, as I recall the months my father built himself a paint booth to shoot paint on his custom truck, a seven-year garage project. Those were some days of cussing and spitting.

What a fun ride, right?! Bobby says he can go 140MPH. Yikes! It is just like that 1950s cartoon. Similar to Santa Claus’s slay, Bobby allows kids to climb in and sit as did mine. Baby girl enjoyed holding onto the steering wheel, I think she takes after her mama!

These owners take the term “Rat Rod” to a literal level. A giant rat also sat on display in front of the grill, donning a red and white Christmas cap stood next to a black “Nightmare Before Christmas” Tree. Gotta enjoy that holiday spirit!

Speaking of Spirits, this Rat Rod truck has the largest and coolest hood ornament I’ve ever seen! Fill ‘er up!

Another fun Rat Rod custom: bones for passengers. This one even has a dog, dressed for holiday. End of day at a car show, many likely feel bone tired and ready to rest.

Speakeasy Photos
MUAH: Self
Dress by Unique Vintage, slip by Malco Modes, coat was my mom’s in high school and she passed it to me

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice


I made spiced molasses cookies, would you like to try one?


I would.


Mmmm. Oh, those are good, I’ll just take them back to the kitchen for myself…



Alright, I ditched my petticoat and I found more cookies. I may share with you yet…


I think I’ll ditch that apron as well. There, that looks better.


What was that? You never saw my petticoat?


I put it back on just to show you. This green beauty from Malco Modes is my favorite!


Satisfied?

Now I will tell you my cookie recipe, slightly modified from Better Homes & Gardens
I double this recipe every time
2 1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup real butter
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1teaspoon each of: baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves (I always add EXTRA quantities of spices)
1/4 cup raw course sugar

1. In a large mixing bowl combine about half of the flour, brown sugar, butter, molasses, egg, baking soda, and spices. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until combined. Beat or stir in remaining flour
2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in the sugar to coat. Place balls two inches apart on cookie sheet. Back 375 for 8-10 minutes or till edges are set and tops are crackled. Cool cookies on the sheet for one minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. Makes about 48 cookies

I make my balls larger than that and yield less cookies, baked about 8min so their larger size renders them soft and gooey rather than hard or snappy as some prefer their ginger “snaps”.

Also in this series: Yellow Apron

Speakeasy Photos
MUAH: Self
Unique Vintage Dress, Malco Modes slip, and shoes by BCBG acquired from a thrift shop in Nevada City

Cream Girdle and Bullet Bra


I picked up this vintage girdle from some friends who often stumble upon such fun items in their lines of work. I was fortunate enough to fit into the contraption, as well as have funds to pay for it.

Straps for stocking exist, as you may see, but if you have been following my blog then you may know how I feel about fussing with that.

My dad picked up this fan for me while working in the Philippines earlier this year. The bra I found on my favored Facebook mid-century group, two bullet bras brand new in the 1950s packaging. This is the first of a vintage undergarments series, so keep your eyes peeled for more!

I found the shoes at a lovely thrift shop in Nevada City. They are dark green and do not show well against the black backdrop. I intended to wear them with my Emerald City resident costume for Halloween. Rain rendered a last-minute scarecrow costume instead.

Last-minute scarecrow costume. Thank God for YouTube makeup tutorials!


Speakeasy Photos
MUAH: Danyelle “The Hair Maverick” Johnson
More on Bullet Bras