The Blue Gardenia learns to sow her blossoms

Shameless plug: Pucci culottes, sassy shorts, bias slips, and more.

It's true: We've been lazy lately. So very. But we finally took a break from eating chile cream chocolates and reading Ruth Rendell novels, and got together an update. Hope you love it. Hope, in fact, you just can't resist these lovelies. A few favorites (and there are many more!):

Vogue 9419, a luscious bias slip from 1943.

New York 1387, sassy pleated shorts with three blouse options and an overskirt for those demure moments, also from the 1940s.

Advance Import 76, figure-revealing jacket worthy of those days when you simply must channel Kim Novak.

Vogue Couturier Design 2249, the perfect culottes for those summer patio parties, courtesy of Pucci. Of course.

And, yes, these fabulous patterns — as well as many other new vintage additions —  are available at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling and domestic shipping is free. (We happily ship abroad, for less than the cost USPS charges us.) And do recall: We put new patterns at the start of each category. Enjoy!

Baby, it's cold outside . . .

but, alas, you can't stay inside by the fire, listening to Johnny Mercer and Margaret Whiting. No. You have errands to run. Lots of them: Costco, Petco, Whole Foods. But you will be snug and toasty warm: jeans over tights, that fabulous cashmere sweater that your beloved wrapped up so nicely for you at Christmas, and your new coat, made from Simplicity 1278. You've made the version with the double row of buttons. You used a bee-yoo-tee-ful and oh-so-forties inspired alpaca blend herringbone from Gorgeous Fabrics. With the scarf and hat you knitted in November, you won't have to worry one bit about that chill wind blowing.

The details: Simplicity 1278 Coats Bust 34 Complete Copyright 1944 $35

So. Rush over to The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free, and snap up this lovely. (We happily ship abroad, of course, although there is a fee, less than the postal service charges us. You may choose Global Priority or Global Express. We love them both. We do.) And we take American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Paypal and Visa. And cold, hard cash. Anything to make you happy, dears. Anything. Almost.

The countdown begins: The Blue Gardenia sale ends tonight!

So. You have mere hours to take advantage of The Blue Gardenia's terrific sale. And you want to, don't you? I want you to, and so do our little canine pals. They like their treats. They do. Absolutely. And treats cost money.

The details: 

Spend $50 - $99, get 15% off. 
Spend $100 - $249, get 35% off. 
Spend $250 - $399, get 40% off. 
Spend $400 or more, get 45% off.

Isn't that grand? I think so. And the limits are all before the discount, which means if you spend, for instance, $250, then your tally will only be be $150. It includes every pattern, every piece of jewelry. May I say wow?

Sale ends at midnight PST January 7, 2013 — yes, tonight! So hurry, scurry! All payments must be received by January 11, 2013.

Now's the time to sew that sleek, chic Valentine's Day number.

Valentine's Day seems so far away. But. She's got a very busy January and February. Business trips to New York, San Francisco and Brazil. So. If she is going to make a special dress for her special date with her very special someone, now is the time to start. It can't be just any dress. Her requirements: irresistibly sexy, extremely original, sinfully '60s. And Prominent Designer M406, designed by Wilson Folmar, meets each and every one of her musts. She'll find a strawberry ice cream pink silk satin. Red for V-Day is such a cliche.

And is there any better time to shop than this moment, during the sale at The Blue Gardenia? Of course not. She's going to let her elegant Lotus Rouge-tipped fingers glide there right now.

Sale details: 

Spend $50 - $99, get 15% off. 
Spend $100 - $249, get 35% off. 
Spend $250 - $399, get 40% off. 
Spend $400 or more, get 45% off.

Is that a deal or what? The limits are all before the discount, which means if you spend, for instance, $250, then your tally will only be be $150. 

Sale ends at midnight PST January 7, 2013. So hurry, scurry! All payments must be received by January 11, 2013.

Breaking news: The Blue Gardenia extends its end-of-year sale!

Yes, dear readers, it's true: Due to the sale's success (and my laziness and His Bertness's recent health fright) we're extending the sale through Sunday at The Blue Gardenia. The scoop:

Spend $50 - $99, get 15% off. 
Spend $100 - $249, get 35% off. 
Spend $250 - $399, get 40% off. 
Spend $400 or more, get 45% off.

How's that? The limits are all before the discount, which means if you spend, for instance, $250, then your tally will only be be $150. Isn't that the cat's meow? We think so. 

Sale ends at midnight PST January 7, 2013. All payments must be received by January 11, 2013.

So. There ya go. Shop, shop, shop!

And sew to dress: Debi of My Happy Sewing Place

Oh, how I love this feature. Pretending I am stylist to the sewing blogger stars. Today, I shall focus on Debi of My Happy Sewing Place. She is a major fan of vintage McCall patterns (as am I). And I think she would look swell in McCall 4583. It's from 1943. It's so versatile: smart jacket, Hepburn slacks, sassy shorts, classic shirt, comfy vest — perfect for walks around Edinburgh. (Well, it's a little chilly for the shorts, but she could wear them on a visit to warmer climes.) Don't you love it? I do. Indeed.

By the way, she's having a sale at her Etsy shop, Weaving Destination. Just use this code: Happy 2013. That entitles you to 10% off. Yippee! And you'll not only be saving, you'll be doing good. How's that for a way to get the new year off to a great start?

Speaking of sales, don't forget The Blue Gardenia's end-of-year sale. For details, click here.

Channelling Catherine: How to highlight those hips in plaid.

Pants that fit perfectly:

Desirable.

Spider mums: Spikey.

Marc Jacobs plaid at Mood: Yummy.

Vogue's Basic Design 2172 at The Blue Gardenia: Classic.

Serenity now: It's "me" time. You deserve it.

Well. She has done her duty today. Church. The minister delivered a lovely, uplifting message. Lunch with a dear elderly friend from church. Mopped the floors. Unloaded the dishwasher. 

And, now, to use that trendy phrase, it's her "me" time. She's put on her gorgeous caftan — she made it last weekend from a pattern she purchased at The Blue Gardenia — Vogue American Designer 1027, designed by Oscar de la Renta. She's made a cup of hot chocolate — and, no, she did not spare the marshmallows. And now she's headed to her favorite wingback chair and she's going to get cozy and read Die a Little by Megan Abbott. She's read it twice before, but it is a fave. Obviously.

Ahhhh. Bliss. Indeed.

And yes, my lovelies, this gorgeous pattern can be yours. Just drop by The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. (And, yes, we happily ship abroad for a fee — just what the post office charges, in fact.) So rush on over. Do. Snap this one up. Don't delay.

We've added a plethora of vintage patterns. Wanna see?

We know you're exhausted, buying all those snazzy presents for friends. So. We have added glamorous new patterns at The Blue Gardenia. Because. You deserve a treat just for you. A few favorites:

1935 McCall 8130 — She loves the neckline. So unusual. She loves the shirring. So flattering. In fact, she loves this frock. Period. End of story. She must have it. After all, it is truly multipurpose: She can wear the short sleeve version for church on Sunday. How fetching it will be with the big-brimmed, rose-trimmed Lilly Dache she bought last year and still hasn't worn, except to prance in front of the mirror. And the long-sleeve version will make a lovely New year's frock. Perhaps with a silk organdy collar in peach and the body in navy silk charmeuse. Goosebumps. She feels them at just the thought.

1945 Simplicity 1306 — Angeline has been looking for the perfect ensemble for Christmas shopping. She always shops late. She always shops small businesses, either in Tacoma or online. Online, of course, a snuggly chenille robe will do. But among the excited shoppers at the shops, she likes to look smart. But she must also be comfortable. And Simplicity 1306 is exactly what she's searching for — wide-shouldered weskit, pleated pants. It will look great over that 1980s Anne Klein cashmere sweater she snatched elatedly at the vintage store last week. She knows what she'll be doing this weekend, and it has to do with fabric, scissors and a sewing machine. Yes indeed.

1955 Vogue 8486 — She needs a new suit for that all-important, long-awaited job interview in January. And she has found a pattern that says it all: Serious. Fashionable. Smart. Independent. And it is so memorable, with the boxy jacket and radiating tucks. Perhaps she'll make it in alpaca. Yes, alpaca. She'll find some. Somewhere.

1960s Vogue Couturier Design 1687 — Elouise has been fretting. Nervous. This is her first New Year's Eve with Joshua, the man of her dreams. And she does mean dreams. Not nightmares. He's kind. Well-mannered. Dignified. Respectful. And he is the sharpest Crayon in the box. And she's talking about the box of 400! She's found the perfect dress to wear to the bash at his parents' swankienda: VCD 1687, designed by John Cavanagh.

And, yep, these fabulous patterns — as well as many other new vintage additions —  are available at The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling and domestic shipping is free. (We happily ship abroad, for less than the cost USPS charges us.) And do recall: We put new patterns at the start of each category. Enjoy!

We're doin' it. We are. A Cyber Monday sale!

Normally we like to sashay to the beat of our own drummer. But we decided this year to offer a Cyber Monday deal. Spend $50 bucks — or more — and get 20% off your total order. But shop fast — the deal ends at midnight PST. This is good for gift certificates, too. Joyful shopping, readers!

And may we suggest Butterick 6819? Perfect for dancing and canoodling with that special someone on New Year's Eve.

And, of course, this elegant pattern can be yours. Just drop by The Blue Gardenia, where the patterns are counted, the jewelry is sparkling, and domestic shipping is free. But you knew all that, didn't you? Of course you did. (And, yes, we do ship abroad. Absolutely. With enthusiasm. Shipping fees do apply.)