Boardwalk Empire {Best of the 1920's}

This post marks the end of the Best of the 1920's Throwback week here on FMA. I am a bit sad...I had so much fun delving into this theme. I love the 1920's. Did you realize how much of our modern design was inspired by the fine arts and crafts of the twenties? What did you think? Did you enjoy the theme? Want to see more throwback weeks here on FMA? What era would you like to see next? I was thinking the 1960's...

If you too are sad to see this theme week end, dont fret! You can get your Twenties fix on HBO now...

Have you heard of the new HBO series Boardwalk Empire? Sopranos writer, Terence Winter and Director Martin Scorsese paired together on this new HBO drama set in during the prohibition in the 1920's. The pilot airs on HBO September 19th and this first episode reportedly cost $50 million! The show follows Atlantic City’s birth and the gangsters, bootleggers, and rum-runners who spawned it. It is rumored to be a mash up of the Sopranos and Mad Men. Personally, I cant wait to see it! I love the 1920's and period shows suck me in!



So what do ya think? Think you will watch it? Do you think HBO will make up their huge investment? Guess we will find out!

Spotlight on Tiffany {Best of the 1920's}

Another icon of the 1920's in America are Tiffany lamps. These stunning lamps are the result of very fine handcraftsmanship and artistic design. They are referred to as Tiffany lamps because the creator was Louis Comfort Tiffany, the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, the founder of Tiffany & Co. Tiffany started up Tiffany Studios and first focused on interior design and stained glass windows. Some of his treasured windows are still popping up in old home renovations. It has been thought until recently that Tiffany lamps were soley designed by Tiffany, but recent revelations suggest that Clara Driscoll and a team of talented young women also played a large role in the lamp designs. Rather ironic, as the 1920's were a turning point for Women's rights.

I adore these lamps and have been scoping them out for a few years now. Nowadays most Tiffany lamps are reproduction but usually still start over $100. Authentic Tiffany's are priceless and a gorgeous piece of American Design history. Aren't they just spectacular?

These next two are my favorites...

But with my move to Alaska on my mind, maybe I should be keeping my eye out for some like this next one...

Before we got orders to move, I literally had these pendants lights from Plow and Hearth in my cart. I planned to put them above my kitchen island. They are so beautiful and they screw right into a recessed light can. That's right! They screw right into a socket!! BRILLIANT! And right now they are only $60!

These are just the lamps that caught my eye. There is so much more out there, anything from sconces to chandeliers. All of these lamps are online at merchants such as Tiffany Lamps Galore, Simply Table Lamps, and Overstock and range in price anywhere from $65 to $309. All images are numbered for reference below:

Images 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9

Bootlegger Kahlua {Best of the 1920's}

You didnt think we could have a 1920's theme week without a post about the prohibition did you? ;)  Prohibition was enacted in the US from 1920 to 1933. The endeavor has been widely considered a failure as it led to the popularity of "bootlegging" and the rise of organized crime as it became the sole distributor of illegal alcohol. Prohibition also led to the famous speakeasies of the era. A secret nod, shake, and wink could get you into a wild party dripping with "moonshine" and hot jazz! So, to truly pay tribute to the era I had to dig deep and search out the inner bootlegger...

Last Fall my sister-in-law introduced to me to homemade Kahlua. I begged her for the recipe so I could make my own and put it in Christmas gift baskets. It was a HUGE hit! This is so yummy and seriously easy!

Here's what you need to get started...

1 12-cup pot very strong coffee (chocolate flavored is best, I used Godiva Chocolate Truffle)
2 lbs. light brown sugar
6 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 bottle 190 proof Clear Springs or Everclear (In some states, including WA, they dont allow that high of a proof so you have to settle for 151)

Bring coffee to a boil in a large pot. Gradually add 2 lbs. light brown sugar and return to boil stirring constantly. Give the pot an ice bath to cool it to room temperature.

When completely cool, add the vanilla and the alcohol. This recipe yields five 750ml bottles of Kahlua. Technically, the Kahlua is ready to serve but I like to age it for a couple months. I think it smooths out over time. If you want to use this for Christmas gifts, I suggest doing this soon to give time to age.

I save up old liquor bottles to age the Kahlua in, then when I am assembling my gift baskets I transfer it to bottles like these from Amazon...

I am joining these AWESOME link parties!

Just joining in on the Best of the 1920's? Click here to see the whole week!

pssssssssssssst! Like the roomier look to FMA? I got tired of being so crowded so I tweaked the site a bit. Ahhh.....stretch! I'm loving all this room! :)

Update: Sept 14th

This was featured on Under The Table And Dreaming today! :D

 

Flapper Fashionistas {Best of the 1920's}

The 1920's were a historical decade for women. This was a momumental time for Women's Suffrage, and a time when women abandoned the stiff, modest Victorian dresses and corsets for the swinging fashions of the flapper girl. This breakaway from the traditional full length dresses and rib shattering corsets really paved the path for modern fashions. Lately, I've been seeing a big swing back to the 1920's in new fashion trends. For instance, embellished headbands are a close derivatative from the headbands of the flapper girls...

Doesn't this band from Forever 21 conjure up thoughts of speakeasies, fringed dresses, and jazz? Target has their own line of these Flapper inspired bands for $10...

Another piece of today's fashion that can traced back to the twenties are these oh-so-popular cloche hats...

I am totally digging that green buckled cloche. So cute for Fall! And the grey Banana Republic cloche is so classic! If you're looking for something a little more feminine check out this beauty from WonderTrading's Etsy shop....

Or this classy one from Ranch Vintage...

I was giddy when I saw that Banana Republic just came out with a new Art Deco inspired line! Their fashions are a great throwback to the Flappers, but if you want something a little less subtle check out these gorgeous Etsy finds...

Timeless Vixen Vintage

Ahh, isnt that dress just dreamy? I love it! I am also loving the fun, flirty, jersey fringe on this black little number...

Glamarita

Dress and A Ditty {Best of the 1920's}

Remember, my friend Melissa over at Oh My Darling? She gave us our first Dress and a Ditty about a month ago. I love Melissa's musical and fashion taste, so when I decided to do a 1920's throwback week and begged her to contribute! I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!

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The 1920’s were quite a time for the blossoming of creative endeavors, with both fashion and music being at the forefront of the Roaring 20’s. More specifically, this era was known as the Jazz Age, for the sudden popularity of this innovative and infectious style of music, and the flapper style went hand-in-hand with the gorgeous sounds of the trumpet or saxophone.


So, for this “dress and a ditty,” we’re going way back into the youtube archives for the song (sorry, no actual footage could be taken at this point in history!) of the “Heebie Jeebies,” a song that was performed and recorded by Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five in 1926. This song is viewed as one of the early influences on the jazz movement, plus it helped to popularize the musical style of “scatting.” Eighty-some years later, this song still sounds so very powerful and makes this modern-day lady just want to get up and dance.

Okay, so now that you’re twirling and gyrating to some hot jazz, what’s a 20s-inspired girl to wear? Well, you would definitely be a vintage-inspired stunner in this Ted Baker Embroidered Flapper Dress from ASOS. Seriously, who wants to host a 1920's theme party just so that we have an excuse to wear this beautifully designed and embellished dress.

 

The dropwaist of this Banana Republic silk dress gives it that perfect mix of retro appeal and modern-day relevance. Pairing it with a cloche hat like the one the model is wearing is a nice extra way to pay homage to the aesthetic of the 20s.

And leave it to etsy to be a great resource for pieces with an authentic vintage flair. This lace flapper dress is simply gorgeous, with the deco patterns of the lace and embellishments. Can’t you just imagine it being worn by a very fashion-forward lady, once upon a time?

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Thanks Melissa! You're the cat's meow! ;)

An Ode to My Dream House {Best of the 1920's}

 

Early on in the twentieth century, Craftsman Style or Art & Crafts Style homes became very popular in America. These homes were built to be very efficifent and with very fine craftsmanship. They were defined by their simplicity, a revolt against the highly ornate Victorian era. This timeless and simplicitic design has transcended from the 1920's into the modern day home in so many ways. Take a look at these kitchens for example...

Craftsman style is the height of fashion right now. You cant open a Pottery Barn catalogue (especially PBK) or watch HGTV without seeing one of these kitchens. They are gorgeous! These kitchens are just as popular today as they were during the peak of the Roaring Twenties because of their clean lines, effecient storage (note the cabinets use all the vertical space in the room), and substantial yet simplictic hardware. I just adore those top glass cabinets.....{sigh}

Another defining feature of 1920's home design is the extensive amount of millwork, wainscoting, and built-ins. This is a rendering of a traditional Craftsman style living room...

This is a brand new modern day home...

Note the built-ins, millwork, and beamed ceiling. Isnt it gorgeous? Oh how I wish I owned the key to that house! Here is another example, of a renovated Craftsman home...

All these homes have such an attention to detail and common sense about them. Look at this columned room...

{Sigh} I am in love. One day I will own my dream home, a 1920's Craftmans style bungalow. Until then there have been a few very creative gals improvising and recreating this effect in their own homes. Like Thrifty Decor Chick's staircase...

This was a just a plain-jane, regular staircase until she added her own wainscoting. Click here to see how she did it!

Decor Chick also has a few tricks up her sleeve with this EASY faux wainscoting technique...

Centsational Girl did an awesome job with her living room wainscoting project...

Lastly, I cant write a post about Craftsman home design without mentioning inglenooks.  Ahh, inglenooks... Wouldnt it be lovely to have a room soley devoted to a fireplace? Especially with chilly days of Fall approaching, how wonderful would it be to curl up on one of these benches with some hot cocoa and a good book?

Phew! You made it to the end of this post! Sorry its such a long one, but it was worth it wasn't it? :)

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Pineapple Upside Down Cake {Best of the 1920's}

Welcome to the first day of my 1920's Throwback Week- a whole week devoted to the timeless styles and designs of the Roaring Twenties! I am so excited to focus on this exciting and transistional era! The art, fashion, and design that came out of the twenties continues to have a strong influence on today's trends. You might be surprised how much of the 1920's can be found throughout our favorite home decor stores and our fashion glossies. From beadboard, built-ins, and millwork to classics like PB&J, Cloche hats, and embellished headbands...I have so much fun stuff planned for this week! I hope you all enjoy it as much I will!

This Saturday was my wonderful hubby's birthday! I asked him what kind of cake or dessert he would like me to make for his birthday and just my luck, he requested a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Did you know that Pineapple Upside Down Cake originated in the Twenties? Apparently, it became wildly popular after the Dole Pineapple Company beganing tin canning the tropical golden sweet rings. How exotic! :)

I had never made a pineapple cake before so I turned to my trusty friend... Epicurious. This recipe was printed in Gourmet Magazine in February of 2000. I like that it calls for simple ingredients and because the cake was baked in a cast iron skillet it didnt make a big mess of the kitchen.

First thing I did was prepare the batter...

Next up, melting the butter and sugars for the fruit topping...

After the sugar was caramelized, I added the pineapple rings and marschino cherries...

Once the fruit is in place, its time to pour the batter right on top...

Pop it in the oven and 45 minutes later...

After I let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes, I tranferred it to my cake plate...

MMMmmmmm! So yummy! This cake is so moist, has such great flavor, and just screams of Fall spices! If you are craving some Fall flavor, I highly recommend this recipe. Easy and delicious!

I am linking up to these AWESOME parties! And, my cake was FEATURED on Under the Table and Dreaming...isnt that swell? ;)