We interrupt this program for a bitch fest

I have a bone to pick. I primarily want to jab it into a few select ladies eyes. Its time to rehash that vintage vs repro vs inspired argument.

There is a debate going on in a vintage clothing group I belong to about how things are tagged and described. Mostly the over use of the term "Atomic", and using terms like Mad Men and Retro to get traffic to a sales listing.

WHO CARES?

First off, who made you the authority on what is or isn't something?
Secondly, if you don't like a listing, don't buy it.
Thirdly, if you only want to wear true vintage all the time, that's fine. Nobody is pissing in your cornflakes over it. How dare you look down your nose at someone that doesn't?

I really hate these snotty snobby bitches that think polka dots and cherries are played out, and you're not doing it right if you don't wear vintage.

I don't swear often on this blog, but let me take a moment to give a grandiose FUCK YOU to you people.

The point of being in the Rockabilly community is that we share a common interest. Rockabilly. THAT is the glue that binds us, not the clothes we wear or the size of our bodies. I appreciate the girl in the head to toe vintage with her game on point as much as I appreciate the girl in the denim Capri pants and top from forever 21. Each person brings their own unique beauty to the table. If you cant appreciate that, I don't want you anywhere near my circle of friends.

Its here!

You may have noticed a new addition to the blog in the form of an etsy banner over there
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I'm pleased to finally announce that this etsy venture is open and slowly growing!

I initially started with the name "Rockabilly Bowtique" but there were so many other facebook pages and web urls that included that. While I was sitting at work today, I was mulling different site names and this popped into my head! So Established 2013, I present Sinister Sweethearts. 

I've been producing bows and flowers and such like crazy and hope to keep updating the shop. This is where you, my lovely readers come in to play. If you are interested in helping me generate some publicity in the form of a review in exchange for free swag, please let me know!

Things I learned from Reno Rockabilly Riot

Warning, this is long. I kept adding to it and editing it at work throughout a 10 hr day.

Finally it’s Wednesday. 4 days post Riot and my hearing is finally returning to normal. I had such a good time on Saturday, I’m already mentally preparing for Viva. I’m hooked on Weekenders! I want to add Sacramento Swing time and Rock around the Park (Disneyland) to my list of events to attend!

The following is a list I've been compiling of must haves to keep on my person at all times, mostly for reminding myself for whatever event I attend next.

• Chap Stick: It was sunny and windy, and once my lipstick was gone, my lips got thrashed. I’m still recovering from the chapped lips.

•  Parasol: The sun was harsh! I was jealous of those ladies with parasols, and kicking myself that I had left mine at home. Mine is paper, and I think I want to invest in a proper fabric one soon

•  Sunglasses: I usually have them by default, but having a backup pair in my kit is going to be a lifesaver, plus possibly make me someone in my group’s new best friend.

•  Tylenol: or Aleve, or Advil. SOMETHING! The sun gave my friend and I wicked headaches, and neither of us was smart enough to bring anything. Derp :/

•  Earplugs: I’m already sensitive to loud noises, so you would think I would’ve thought ahead and had ear plugs for the drag racing. Nope! What a dummy. I will definitely have several pairs in my bag so my poor ears don’t hate me. (This will also probably make me lots of new friends, having extras).

•  Band-Aids: because cute shoes and walking means blistering.

•  Kleenex: The dust and exhaust from the drag racing was hard on the allergies and asthma

•  Hair Pins or clips: By the end of the day, my hair was dead. Curls were thrashed and tangled, and it was not pretty. I need to be prepared with outfit appropriate hair accessories to pin it out of the way if it gets messy.

•  Foldable fabric shopping bag: It tucks down to a manageable size so you don’t have to lug around a big purse (like I did). Vendors don’t always have shopping bags. Case in point, I made a large purchase from a friendly bow vendor and she had AMAZING packaging, but I had such a large quantity of her boxes, I really needed a bag to put them all in. My purse came in handy, but by the end of the day, it was an albatross.

 This sounds like a lot of crap to carry, but as you can see, it all tucks nicely (what I had immediately on hand) into this little makeup bag (except a parasol of course) 

Other things to remember,

 Camera with charged batteries

Cell phone

Business/calling cards. Something with your contact info on it to share with your new friends!

 If you’re not staying on site, planning to get your drink on, and don’t have a designated driver, have money set aside specifically for cab fare. Or call a friend. Just don’t drive. Nevada Highway Patrol, Reno PD, and Sparks PD do not screw around.

 Things I would (and will) suggest to Riot organizers:

•  More advertising! Especially in markets with large subculture communities.
• Non ugly event shirts. The gray was bad. Also no girly cut shirts? Why you hatin? Advertise that they are Riot shirts. I almost missed that booth because it looked like a random screen printing company.
• More detail on the website. “Bands play” is fine while the event is 6 months out, but it was that way until about a week before. Less money on graphics, more time on informing your attendees. 
• More partnering with the casino. I had no idea where the indoor events were. Nevada room? Where is that? Where are the directions making me want to go find it and what is going to be there when I find that room?
• The vendor layout was awkward. Having them in a better cluster would be smarter, and away from the cars lined up. It was hard to talk to Heather the bow vendor when 15 feet away, someone is revving their car engine.
• GSR has a “beach”. Use it! Viva has a pool party, throw a beach party! Perfect Sunday wind down activity, or Friday night kickoff party. Get people there on your slower days! A $5 cover (or slightly raising ticket prices) will offset the cost of lifeguards, etc.

An indirectly Riot related complaint. Starbucks in GSR KNOWS it’s going to be hot and knows it’s going to be crowded with people, and they don’t have any of their hibiscus tea or cool lime whatever drink? Who is in charge of planning?? Demoted! The girls behind the counter get extra points for victory rolls and being very friendly though.

My favorite vendor of the day was Heather from Whimsically Wicked. She was knowledgeable about other weekenders and rockabilly, engaging, and really fun to talk to. Her mom was the best! She rocked the hell out of that feather fascinator. Another vendor (name withheld) was friendly, but she had a group of friends sitting in her booth behind her table staring sullenly at people. It was a huge turn off. I bought a few mini bows from her and got the hell out of there.  It’s really off putting to try to look at someone’s booth and have 6 sets of eyes staring at you. No good!

Obviously my favorite part of the day was the Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics set.  I know I expound a lot on this subject, but I LOVE Deke. He has such a great sound and stage presence. With the smaller venue, we were able to get up close to the stage and really enjoy.

The pic is blurry, but heres Deke. I need to figure out a better way to take night photos soon.

 Next year I plan on getting a room, even though I’m a local. I think it would be nice to have somewhere to relax when it’s the hottest part of the day, plus I’m more likely to have a few drinks and want to stay into the wee hours for the evening activities. Room rates are reasonable, and I’d be splitting it with my girl Leanne.

Overall, the event was so fun, and I was glad to meet the adorable Deborah from Hellcat-Vintage and her equally awesome husband. I’m glad I can be a Riot Hipster and say “I was coming here before it got sooo big” *affectations of boredom* It has a lot of potential to grow into a really awesome event. Not an alternative to Viva, but a great reason to come to Reno on father’s day weekend.

 As a side note on Viva, apparently my boss is a “Billy” (who knew??) and wants to go as well. Don’t we go on vacation to get away from our bosses?? Good thing he is so super awesome, I wouldn’t feel weird running in to him.

My hair yesterday, before the wind killed it. Also pre- red lipstick.

Riot Recovery

I'll do a more detailed post about my day at Reno Rockabilly Riot soon, but I wanted to check in briefly tonight before I pass out from exhaustion.

To sum it up, I had a ton of fun. The event is still young and needs a lot of smoothing out of scheduling and promotion, but it was really great. I only encountered one snobby girl, a vendor selling purses that just did not give off a good vibe. I met Heather, an amazingly sweet hair bow maker who I left a good chunk of my casino winnings with (WELL WORTH IT!!!)

I'll do a more in depth post soon. Now its bedtime for me before I get keyboard face from falling asleep

ITS RIOT TIME!!!

Riot is here! Riot is here! Its FINALLY fathers day weekend and Reno Rockabilly Riot is really here!

This will be my first rockabilly event, and I'm using it as a warm up to Viva. This year I'm only attending tomorrows events. I want to get a feel for it and see if I want to spend money on the other two days.

I'm planning to meet up with Deborah of Hellcat Vintage and hopefully Mari as well. (I emailed you my number, girl! Text me!). My outfit isnt going to be very retro, though I plan on going full face and hair. Next year I'll have a better idea of logistics for sure.

I dont have instagram :/ but I plan on taking lots of photos tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled!

South of the Border, shall we?

I'm going to be doing a slew of recent purchase type posts because Ive been woefully behind on bragging about my finds.

Today in the mail I received this UH MAY ZING mexican resort wear cotton skirt, and its plus sized which is so rare for vintage. did I mention its UH MAY ZING??

If I can find the right top in time, I MAY wear it to Riot. Its supposed to be mid 80s next weekend, but here in Nevada, we say dont like the weather? Wait 15 mins. 

I must confess

I try to avoid buying things from China for many reasons. Primarily because I prefer to support local businesses, made in the USA, and I dont really approve of the working conditions for many chinese factories. But sometimes I make exceptions

This Purse was $11

Riot is next weekend! I'm only attending on Saturday, with a girlfriend of mine. I'm not "dressing" this year, as its my first time at Riot, its going to be hot as, and I'm just not in the mood. I want to be comfortable and enjoy the day without sweating my you knows off.

Ive been saving my money and I'm ready to pillage the vendors. Hopefully there are vendors... I NEED TO ACQUIRE ALL THE THINGS!!!

Restoration time!

Its been a long time since I have done any restoration posts, so here we go!

I found this rather ugly over toilet cabinet at a thrift shop on Sutro St in Reno. I honestly cannot remember what the place is called, but its very hit and miss in terms of what you can find there. I think this thing is 70's, MAYBE very late 60s but probably 70's or 80's and it was a really ugly tan color. Before that it was yellow. I can tell because whoever painted it tan didnt do a very good job.

I considered painting it gold, like everything else lately, but I dont want to overkill on the gold to the point that its tacky, so I knew I had some baby pink left over from another project.

Total cost for the project:

Cabinet: $6
Spray Paint: already had it (but its $3 at home depot)
Spray time: 25 mins total
Dry time: 24 hrs total
Toes accidentally painted baby pink: 4
Pairs of flip flops ruined: 1

Don't spray paint in flip flops. Moral of the story

Coming soon, I redo a wicker purse that was really busted, rusted, and in need of a make over