Thursday, March 31, 2011

Top 5 Picks from a Sponsor Store: PussyCat Vintage

Was supposed to post this Tuesday, but alas, things change. Here are my favorite picks from PussyCat Vintage:







The prices at this store are INSANELY low. So, swing on by and purchase some wonderful vintage awesomeness.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Top 5 Picks from a Sponsor Store: Lady Lux Vintage

Doubling up on the vintage goodness today, so check back later for 5 picks from another sweetheart of a sponsor. Here are my top 5 picks from Lady Lux Vintage:







I love those canvas wedges. Too small for my size 7.5 feet, but if you wear a 6, you must buy them. Like, yesterday.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Let's Talk About Cars...No, Really

So, if you live in an area that has a winter full of snow, such as lovely Western NY, then you may be getting ready to get the summer car out and put your winter SUVs away for summer. With the price of gas, smaller cars are pretty important these days.

One thing that is also important is making sure your car is in tip top shape. As a woman, one thing I am concerned about is deciphering whether I feel a mechanic is being truthful with me when I have car problems or if he is giving me a line of bull. A great site to help out with that is RepairPal.com. They have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to cars, but one thing I really enjoy is the Repair Price Estimator.

The Repair Price Estimator helps you by asking specifics about the car in question and then providing you with an estimate of a fair price for the work that is being done. It is a great and useful tool, especially for you single ladies out there who know nothing about car repairs. Not everyone is Jo from The Facts of Life. Yeah, that's a reference to a show that began on TV before I was even born, what, what?

This is a sponsored post.

Designers I Love: BCBG Max Azria

Let's talk about designers I love. Today I want to chat about BCBG Max Azria. I have been trying to find a dress for a wedding I am attending down in DC in May and I just really love everything from BCBG. I have to look smoking hot, because I am pretty sure that I am going to meet my future husband there. Just a feeling, haha. It is a tough choice, but I think I might go with this one:


Isn't it lovely? Not sure if it is the final dress, but it is certainly in the running. I love the draping and the colors give it such a nice vintage vibe.

What good is a dress without a banging pair of BCBG Shoes to go with it? I am already the proud owner of several pairs from this brand, but being a lover of shoes, I can always use more, right? No justification needed, I am so right on this. I enjoy these ones:

They're simple, yet sexy and look like they would be comfortable since I will be wearing them for a seriously long time. That being said, I do need a bit of a heel, as I am 5'4". Also, I just love braiding on shoes. I'm all about braiding these days. Gorgeous!

Stay tuned thru May to see other ideas and the final choices.

Stay stylish, loves!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Vintage Clip of the Week: RIP Elizabeth Taylor (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)

This week one of the last great, classic film stars passed. Elizabeth Taylor was always the epitome of vintage elegance. She also had an insane love life, that I hope to one day equal. 7 husbands and 8 marraiges? That's kooky (in a really awesome way).

Personal life aside, let's face it, she was smoking hot back in the day. Here's a clip with the equally smoking, late, great Paul Newman, in one of my all time faves, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof:



"Just staying on it I guess, long as she can (kiss)."

Amazing.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Top 5 Picks from a Sponsor Store: Designs by M'Ayanna







Go check out this store for adorable handmade jewelry at great prices! I just LOVE that top bracelet.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Top 5 Picks from a Sponsor Store: Miss Howe's Curiosities

Here are five picks from a lovely sponsor of BBV, Miss Howe's Curiosities:










Ultra cute items are seriously great prices!

Monday, March 14, 2011

MoneyGrabber Hurts My Brain

This song is a mindf*ck.

The first time I heard it, I thought the radio was on the oldies station, but it also has a modern vibe. What era are you, song? Stop molesting my brain.




Not sure if I love it or hate it, but I certainly can't get it out of my head.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Customer Appreciation Time! (Again)

Here are two more pics from two other lovelies that I forgot to post, the first item is the polka-dot blouse and the second, a pair of brown granny boots. Thanks, ladies!



My customers are so pretty! And stylish, obvs.

Customer Appreciation Time!

I was sent this awesome pic of an Etsy customer, Amara, rocking some woven flats she purchased! Awesome cat action, as well.


Thanks, Amara! Looking good and that cat is quite sweet!

Remember, if you buy something from my Etsy store and send me a pic wearing/using/rocking it, you will get 10% off your next purchase, even when the store is on sale, which coincidentally it is right now.

Monday, March 7, 2011

MOD: Fish Tank

Hmmm. Welllllll. Hmmm. (Do you get that I'm still trying to process how I feel about this movie?)


I really loved it. That much I know. I'm just trying to figure out why that is. I do know it was beautifully shot. The different lighting choices and camera angles I thought were amazing. From the scene where Connor takes Mia to her room and she watches him through the space her arm creates with her body to the scene where she shows him the dance. Could the lighting be any better? The bright light from the street illuminating such a tension filled scene. I could probably talk about this forever, but I won't. Can you tell I thought I was going to be a director of major motion pictures when I was wee little girl? Broken dreams!


I guess I loved it so much because I felt emotionally connected with Mia. I had a bit of Mia streak as a teen. I was quite smart and thought I knew more than pretty much any adult, giving me a definite case of over sarcasm. I've never liked authority figures and though I didn't grow up in the slums, I do occasionally have a tumultuous relationship with my own Mother, who thankfully, is not a bleach blonde boozehound like Mia's, but still. I understand the feeling of living in a fish tank, longing to get out, or having a pseudo relationship with an older dude that borders on inappropriate. I've lived it. I was a middle class, American version of Mia, minus the whole dropping out of school and moving away part. Also, I didn't say c*nt quite as often, but maybe that's a British thing? Little things!


So, let's talk about the characters. I can't really do a like and dislike, because I'm still not sure who I liked and didn't, which is a great thing to say about the movie. They were all obviously flawed, but still so damn likeable at points. I did love the little sister, because even though she had a trucker's mouth, she was given the best laugh out loud moments. Is there anything better than hearing a 12 year old (guessing at the age) say, "If I'm a f*ckface, then you're a c*ntface"? No, there is not. It was hilariously inappropriate.



I love the ALMOST factor this movie has going. Did you think she was almost in more trouble when the two guys had grabbed her when she was trying to free the horse? I did. Did you think she was almost going to become a stripper? I did. Did you think that little girl was almost a goner when she is thrown into the water? I did. And did you think Mia was almost a goner when Connor chases her through the field? Yep, I did. I think it did a great job of almost playing on a cliche, but then coming back to what would likely happen in real life. One exception being the couch scene between Mia and Connor, but that will be discussed in a moment. I wouldn't call that cliche, but it certainly wasn't an almost moment.


So, let's talk about the dude. That scene when Connor first talks to Mia in the kitchen was memorable. First thing I thought was, 'Damn, that guy is smoking hot and his jeans are about to drop.' I'm not the only one who noticed this, as evidenced by this little pic I found searching for Fish Tank images on google(and no, I did not add the words on this one...sadly):


Second thing I thought was, 'Oh, dear.' Part of the reason I love this movie is that you never really know how to feel about Connor. Is he there to act as a pseudo father figure? Is he more sinister? Even after the scene where things go a bit too far (understatement), his reaction is confusing, though the audience may be leaning a bit more towards sinister. 


I love the little details that build up to that scene where she does her dance for him. I love the deicision to make all of the moments they have seem intense, from blurred camera shots when he asks how his cologne smells to subtle shots of her hand on his shoulder or accentuated sounds of breath and slower tempo when he gives her a piggy back ride. Since we see the entire movie through her eyes, these moments are magnified the was they would be if it were real life and a 15 year old girl had a crush on an attractive older dude.



Back to the dance scene. When she comes downstairs and the lighting is amazing as I said, the moment she begins talking I think I quit breathing until the culmination of inappropriateness. I mean, that has to be one of the most tension filled scenes I have EVER seen. It was building and you kinda knew, oh damn, I'm not going to like Connor after this. The creepy camera shot of his hand patting the couch for her to move closer was a punch in the gut, but in a well made movie way, of course.


The last 20 minutes weren't my cup of tea(had to say tea, this is a British film, duh). I mean I get that she was a scorned and tempramental 15 year old, but I don't know. It all seemed a bit bizarro, which may have been the point. Who am I to say? I think from the moment she urinates on living room floor (if you haven't seen this flick, you totally want to now, right?) to throwing that girl in the water was another movie in itself. You kinda always knew that the dude had another lady when Mia asks about the tattoo on his arm and how quickly he responded, but I certainly don't think I expected a middle class life with a family. I think that part of the film is lost in the chaos of the last bit.


So, what did you think? Does Mia have a chance at a better life? She's a 15 year old dropout moving away from her boozey mom, but maybe that is the best for her. I'm interested to know what Mia is like at 25.


And what about Connor? Was he a pediophile or an opportunist? If you think he was an opportunist, would you be less convinced had he been dull and less attractive? I want to say he was an opportunist, but I think my judgement is being clouded by the image of him in his jeans in the kitchen. Gosh, he's hot. Also, this is just a sidenote, but did he know her dance try out was at a strip club? I'm still questioning that.


I love a movie that makes me think one thing one day and another the next. I certainly will have this on my mind for a long time. Great flick.

One sentence review: A bleak, but beautifully shot film that explores the turbulent life of fifteen year old girl, that really shines due to the strength of the acting and believable script.


Good luck getting this song out of your head after viewing this movie:

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Review and Giveaway! Courtesy of Love Letters - CLOSED Winner #61

First giveaway in a while, kids. And oh, so exciting! This giveaway and review is courtesy of Love Letters, which is an awesome little jewelry shop run by the darling Erin.

Erin sent me a necklace to review. Being the nerd that I am, I asked if it could have something to do with my business/blog name Blue Butterfly Vintage or BBV. She quickly responded and made me this lovely necklace that I have worn for the past few days, which you can see was delivered in a classy little gift bag:







I love the necklace. The butterfly is adorable and it is nice to have something pretty to equate with work, especially with some of the recent customers I have had to deal with, but that's a story for another time and place. I fully endorse this product. So adorable!

The GIVEAWAY:
Erin is offering one lucky reader a chance to win a $30 gift card to her store. Awesome sauce, right?

Manadatory Entry:
You MUST be a follower of this blog via Google Friend Connect(and it must be public, because secrets don't make friends) AND visit Love Letters and leave a comment with what you might pick were you to win. Be sure to really check out the site and all the charms and such that are available. Be creative, yo! This counts as one entry and must be done before you can count any additional entries.

Additional entries(leave a SEPARATE comment for each and your email in at least one):
Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, only. It will run until March 31s, 2011, at midnight Eastern. After that a winner will be chosen using random.org. The winner will have 48 hrs to respond to an email sent and if no answer is received, a new winner will be chosen. No exceptions.

A note for the man: I was provided a necklace for review, but it was so damn cute, that the free nature of said necklace did not matter. I would have loved it even if it had cost me some cash flow.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Another Behind the Scenes Moment...With a Deer

Today I was taking pics and something caught my eye outside the window to my right:



Excuse the reflections in the window. I didn't want to move too much and scare the dude before I had a couple pics.

Yup. A deer was eating the roots to some flowers in the snow. Adorable. We made eye contact. It was a pretty earthy moment. Kumbaya and stuff.

Review: TShirtPrinting.net

A few weeks ago I was sent a tee from tshirtprinting.net. It arrived in lightning speed and had a hilarious picture of a little monkey on it. It is mega comfortable and I love wearing it. As a tee shirt obsessed gal, it was so comfortable, almost like one of my favorite vintage tees in that it was so soft and pleasant. The print was vibrant and quite lovely.



If you need promotional tees of any sort, I would suggest you check out tshirtprinting.net. They also offer other products as well, from hoodies to vests. They have speedy service and deliver a great product!


Wednesday, March 2, 2011