Stunning and Practical - The Perfect Winter Coat

Sadly, it is that time of year again. For us girls in the cold north, practicality starts to trump fashion. It seems like every girls wardrobe changes from the cutest bright colored little sundresses to lumpy layers of brown, black and gray.

It really hit me a few years ago at Midway Airport. It was February and I had just returned from a lovely trip to Southern California. In a few short hours I went from trees with green leaves, flowers blooming and exuberant California clothing to the drab sea of wool that is Chicago in the winter. It truly is amazing how little color you see on the streets in the coldest months. Heck, a light brown coat sticks out like a traffic cone.

Which brings me to why you need a brightly colored winter coat. Life is too short to spend 4 months blending into the asphalt.

The coat shown above is a real cutie. For one thing it is completely reversible! One side is a black and white checked tweed, and the other is a bright cherry red mohair. Quintessential 1950's styling, over sized buttons and 3/4 length sleeves.

And just think, if you accidentally brush the side of a car and end up covered in salt residue, you can just flip it inside out!

Available now on Ebay.

Vintage 1950s Reversible Red Tweed Mohair Coat M L XL

AUCTIONS!

I haven't run very many auctions lately but with Viva Las Vegas rapidly approaching I thought I'd put some out there. Please see my ebay auctions at BombshellShocked for some cute 1950's mens items and fabulous dresses!

My Name is Nicole, I am addicted to sweaters

My name is Nicole and I am addicted to sweaters. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I write that I probably have 60 in my dressers and closet right now. My two favorites are also the two newest. The first was purchased on ebay a couple of weeks ago. It was made by Dalton out of pink cashmere and has the fox fur collar dyed to match. PINK FOX FUR! Just thinking about it gets me slightly woozy. I have been searching for one for years and I still can't quite believe it is mine.

The second I picked up at a shop last week. It is navy blue with fruit beaded on it in white, red and lime green. I haven't quite decided what the fruit is. My first thought was grapes, but someone else guessed strawberries and now I'm almost thinking raspberries. Any way you slice it is more vibrant than any other beaded sweater that I have ever seen.

I love vintage swears. They look great over a fancy dress or a t-shirt and jeans. I'm always telling myself that I'll get rid of some, but it never really happens. Whenever I pick out a couple to sell, I end up realizing how much I like them and they go right back into the closet.

More Hockey Fashion

On Sunday we made a family trip down to the United Center to watch the Blackhawks get murdered by the worst team in hockey.

On the bright side, my best friend, Kati, was there with her DH and her darling daughter, Teagan. Since it was such a nice day, William "drove his car" (pictured here at Halloween dressed up as Burt Reynolds from Smokey and the Bandit) and because we walked to the stadium I was able to have a beer.....ok, a beer and a bit of whiskey...we were celebrating our Irish heritage and it tasted lovely. I really miss being able to have a drink whenever I want.

I wore a new (to me) 1950's black and white sundress with a full skirt, fitted bodice and shoulder ties (one of which had fallen into my cleavage). In my head I looked much cuter and in my defense I was holding 40 pounds of baby. The pic isn't so hot, but it just felt wonderful to be outside in a dress!

C'mon spring!!

A Little Introduction

As a very wise woman once said (Laura from Project Runway to be exact), “It is a slippery slope to sweatpants and a mini-van.” Thankfully, I have not yet made it to the bottom of that slope, but I can see it clearly from my kitchen window.

So what does a girl do when, after years of priding herself on her minty vintage frocks & Lucite box purses finds herself in jeans with a diaper bag over one shoulder and baby in tow?
Hence the name, BombshellShocked. I believe it a fitting name for a formerly cute rockabilly girl who looked in the mirror one morning and couldn’t figure out what the hell happened to her fashion sense.

Although the era of the 1950’s glorified motherhood, it did not embrace breastfeeding and clothing was not based upon comfort. I am determined to combine the rockabilly style with ease of movement, breast accessibility, and the ability to get fully dressed within my toddler’s attention span. It isn’t easy, but isn’t impossible either.

Yes, ladies, I am determined to have it all!