Smells Like a Cat

Around Christmas time at Kohl's I first saw Katy Perry's perfumes, Purr and Meow.

I can't really say I'm a fan of Katy Perry but I did think her cat-shaped perfume bottles were the cutest. And it was a bonus that the perfumes actually smelt pretty good too. I got a gift set of Purr for myself and as a gift to my cat-loving mother-in-law, but being on a budget I couldn't also get the Meow. While it's been on my wishlist (along with a bazillion other things) I was ecstatic to randomly find it at Marshalls the other day. Now the two kitties can be together.

Purr has a floral feminine scent that isn't too old or too young but is just right. It's the kind of perfume to wear daily or even on a night out. The scent is described as "combining top notes of peach, forbidden apple, gardenia and green bamboo with the heart of jasmine, pink freesia and Bulgarian rose and the base of vanilla orchid, creamy sandalwood, white amber, coconut and musk" (fragrantica.com). Purr is the first perfume in Katy Perry's perfume line.

Meow, on the other hand, while also has a floral feminine scent to it, also has a sugary aspect to its smell. This scent is much younger in feeling and much more playful. It's the kind of perfume to wear in spring and summer while out with the gals or frolicking on the beach.  The scent is described as "[opening] with notes of tangerine, pear, jasmine and gardenia; the heart are honeysuckle, lily of the valley and orange blossom, while the sweet base features aromas of amber, vanilla, sandalwood and musk",  and is farther described as being "inspired by the magical land of Candyfornia" (fragrantica.com). Meow is the second perfume in Katy Perry's perfume line.

Katy Perry's Purr and Meow

Outfit of the Day- Wild Animal Party

Hello Kittens!

On Sunday this past weekend Tim and I went to my parents' house for a "Wild Animal" party for my Grandma who just turned 83! The theme was to dress in animal print.

My grandma's a cool lady. She loves animal print everything, drives around a Ford Mustang (or at least she did while she still had a drivers license), and has a knack for history, especially ancient Egypt. She even got to go on a trip to Egypt a few years ago and rode a camel.

When she was younger she used to run a cattery called Lumarpo with my grandfather, a name they picked which was a combination of their names Louis, Margaret, and Polito just like how Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had Desilu. This was all while she worked full-time as a nurse and took care of 5 kids. For a while I thought about naming my blog after her and using her cattery name Lumarpo but ultimately decided to do something all my own with Silver Cat Tea Party. Anyway, one thing I also think is real cool about my grandma is that her two best friends were two guys, Boris and Larry, who happened to be a gay couple she met while doing the cat show circuit. She must have met them sometime in the early sixties when she was the most heavily involved in cat shows. She was good friends with them from then on. I remember taking a trip with her to Chicago to go see them in the early 2000s. I always thought it was so cool that her two best friends were gay guys, especially considering that back then I wouldn't have imagined most people to be all that open-minded. Heck, even now, it would seem remarkable to say someone's grandma is best friends with two gay guys. 

Anyway, I love my grandma and am glad I got to celebrate her 83rd birthday with her. I hope she will be around for many more birthdays!


And as promised, here is my outfit of the day...

Outfit of the Day!

For the day's festivities I wore my Lucky 13 Scarlet Letter Leopard dress which I got from Angry Young and Poor. It wasn't terribly warm that day and I didn't feel like wearing the usual cardigan with this dress so I changed things up and wore it with a short-sleeved sweater I got from my sister. The label on the sweater says Frenchy so I know she got it from Nordstrom, her favorite store ;). I paired this with a rhinestone cat ears headband I got from the local retro shop Vintage Alley, a retro style monogram brooch I got from Amazon, some cat eye glasses, and my trusty black flats from the Gap Outlet.

Lucky 13 Scarlet Letter Leopard Dress- Front View

Lucky 13 Scarlet Letter Leopard Dress- Side View

Lucky 13 Scarlet Letter Leopard Dress with Sweater- Front View

Lucky 13 Scarlet Letter Leopard Dress with Sweater- Side View

Close Up- Cat Ears Headband

Did you spot C.C. Cookie?

The Vintage Dancer Dress, A.K.A. Hell Bunny's Claudia Dress

I'm a big fan of Hell Bunny. 

I don't think there's been one Hell Bunny dress I've tried on that I haven't loved. This dress is no exception. New for Hell Bunny's spring/summer 2014 line, I picked this up at Modcloth back in February with a coupon code. :)

The combination of the broad collar, the double breasted bodice, the large self belt, the circle skirt silhouette, and the navy with white polka dot print all work together to make this the definitive 1950's dress! The picture collar on this dress beautifully frames the face and the stark white color of the collar seems to add a glow to the skin! Also, the collar features a dainty crocheted scalloped edging to it that I wasn't expecting. Another feature of this dress that I love is that this dress has full sleeves. It can be hard to move around in sometimes because of the sleeves but it is such a unique find to see sleeves on reproduction retro style dresses that to me it's fully worth the slight inconvenience. The dress is a medium to heavy weight cotton material which helps give the dress a nice shape to it even without a crinoline.  There is a back zipper, and two out of four of the buttons in the front of this dress are fully functioning. I'm glad that not all the buttons are fully functioning so that you have the look without all the fussiness. As is my usual, I ordered this dress in large which proved to be a great fit for my 38-31-38, 5'3" frame.

The Claudia Dress by Hell Bunny, Front View

The Claudia Dress by Hell Bunny, Side View

The Claudia Dress by Hell Bunny, Back View

Crocheted Scalloped Edging Detail on Collar, Hell Bunny Claudia Dress

Making Hair Bows- A DIY Tutorial

Hello Kittens!

Today, let's start a DIY project... Hair bows!

1) Start out with a square piece of fabric (resting cat is not necessary but it is nice to have my Merk with me). I started out with a 6 1/2" square but this bow came out slightly larger than I expected so you can make it smaller or even larger depending on your preference.

2) Press two sides of the fabric about a quarter of an inch.

3) Fold the fabric square in half perpendicular to the pressed sides with the pressed sides facing outward.

4) Sew along the edges of this rectangle leaving a small opening by the folded side. I left a little bit over an inch unsewn.

5) Carefully turn this pouch you just made inside-out... this is where that small opening comes in handy!

6) Then, once the pouch is turned inside-out sew your opening closed.

7) Take another piece of fabric. This size will be determined by how big your first piece of fabric was... for a 6 1/2" square piece of fabric I am using a piece of fabric about 3" x 1 1/2".  For a 5" square you will probably want something slightly smaller... for an 8" square you will probably want something slightly larger.

8) As you did with the first piece of fabric press two sides of the fabric along the longer edge. I pressed about a quarter inch.

9) As you did with the first piece of fabric, fold the fabric over in half perpendicular to the pressed sides and with the pressed sides facing outward.

10) Sew this fold close only on the short edge and not along the whole parameter.

11) Turn this fabric inside-out

12) Now, taking your first piece of fabric, the pouch, fold it accordion style along the long side. When you fold make sure the two edges of the fold are facing the same direction and not one facing up and one facing down... the accordion fold should look something like this: /\/\/\ when looked at from the side.

Wolfgang wants to know what is going on.

13) Slip the second piece of fabric onto the first piece of fabric with the finished side of the second piece of fabric on the side of the bow where the accordion folds are facing down.

14) Flip the bow over and sew four edges of the second piece of fabric onto the first piece of fabric. This will keep the middle of the bow in place.

15) Next, using a hot glue gun, glue an alligator clip to the back of your bow.

...like so.

16) And you're done!

Outfit of the Day: Cat and Mouse Kinda Day!

This past Sunday was a perfect Sunday day!

The weather was great, low 70's with a few clouds and a few cool breezes, and it was also the day my friend Julianne and her husband were having their baby shower!

As I get older it's interesting to note how outings and pastimes and even parties change. In middle school it was all about riding bikes, playing in the creeks in the hills, finding our own hiking paths, rock skipping, and sleepovers. In high school it was all about hanging out at friends' houses and being cool, getting into a little mischief, cutting a few classes here or there, and hanging out at bookstores and Starbucks. In college and in my 20's it was all about going out to the occasional clubs, bars, coffee shops and the occasional party like crazy nights. Now that I'm in my 30's it seems that it's all about shopping, going out to eat, going out to tea, spending quality time with friends, and just enjoying a chill life. Even parties nowadays seem to follow this feeling. I have found myself really enjoying these 30 year old parties, especially when it's a baby shower and there's games like guess how big the mom-to-be's belly is, guess that flavor of baby food, and pin the baby food on the father-to-be. Needless to say it was a great Sunday and a super fun baby shower.

Life is good.

And now as promised in my post title, it's....

Outfit of the day! 

Sunday I wore a cat dress which featured black cats sitting on coral colored balls by Funky People from Modcloth, black leggings, and mouse flats by Chase and Chloe, also from Modcloth. It was a cats and mice kinda day!

Cat Dress, Mouse Flats- Front View

Cat Dress, Mouse Flats- Side View

Mouse Flats! With Cat Dress

Royal Albert and Their New Country Roses

Royal Albert: A fine afternoon tea tradition. 

Perhaps most known for their pattern, Old Country Roses, a pattern launched in 1962 based on an older pattern, King's Ransom, Royal Albert has actually been around since 1896. Nowadays they fall under the larger company Royal Doulton which in turn is owned by WWRD (Waterford Crystal, Wedgewood, Royal Doulton).

Royal Albert prides themselves on being "dedicated to English grace, elegance, and romance since Victorian times," and thus, loves to emphasize floral motifs in their patterns, namely roses, England's national flower.

Recently, Royal Albert launched their New Country Roses pattern collection which actually encompass five different patterns: New Country Roses White, New Country Roses Pink, New Country Roses Polka Rose, New Country Roses Polka Blue, and New Country Roses Rose Confetti. All five patterns are refreshingly modern and playful, yet all hold true to the elegant tradition and form of Royal Albert. They are made up in pastel colors such as light sky blue, light minty green, pale pink and all have a similarly colored dark fuchsia pink rose motif throughout. Also, as is Royal Albert's tradition, they are all intricately rimmed in gold. While each of these sets look absolutely beautiful on their own, they are also very well suited to be mixed and matched together in anyway of your choosing.

Royal Albert New Country Roses White (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses White (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Pink (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Pink (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Confetti Rose (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Confetti Rose (photo via The Bowl Company)

I love every single one of these patterns. The Royal Albert New Country Roses White is just so classic and versitle while I love the Royal Albert New Country Roses Pink for the seeming contrast between the sweet pale pink of the body and the vibrant fuchsia of the roses. I think perhaps the Polka sets are my favorites though.

I love the playfulness of the polka dots: so sweet and so traditional, yet also so unexpected in a tea set! It seems that polka dots were very favorable on tea sets in the 1940's and 1950's yet it doesn't look like there's been many tea set with polka dots since. I am so glad that Royal Albert is now offering tea sets with polka dots as it appears they were doing back in the 1940's and 1950's! Out of the two polka dot sets, perhaps the Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose is my favorite.

I love the light minty green color of this set as well as the small white polka dots showering the outside of the set. Four evenly spaced little roses garnish the lid of the teapot as well as the inside of the tea cup walls while one additional rose also adds a finishing tough to the inside bottom of the tea cups. It seems to me the quintessential of country charm and it has such an authentic vintage 1930's and 1940's feel. Though in my eyes Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose is closely followed by Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue!

What I love about the Polka Blue set is its youthful vibrancy. With this set the polka dots are combined with large roses tastefully placed throughout the pattern. While it has a very modern feel to it, it is also very reminiscent of the 1950's: clean-cut, darling, mannered, and manicured.

Last but most definitely not least is the Royal Albert New Country Roses Confetti Rose. This set features small roses throughout the pattern interwoven with small black outlined vines and leaves in a traditional chintz style. What I love most about this pattern is the cups and saucers which, contrasting with the tea set, has the rose chintz pattern on the inside of the cup with a fine solid pale pink color as the main body. This set exudes class and elegance.

And here are some pictures of these patterns mixed and matched:

Royal Albert New Country Roses 3 Tier Cake Stand featuring NCR Pink, NCR Confetti Rose, and NCR White (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert Giftware Napkin Rings featuring NCR Confetti Rose, NCR Polka Rose, NCR White, and NCR Polka Blue (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert Teaware Set of 4 Mugs featuring NCR Polka Blue, NCR Polka Rose, NCR, Rose Confetti, and NCR Pink (photo via The Bowl Company)

And for those interested in this pattern but who don't desire a full tea set, there are also tea for ones available.

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose Tea For One (photo via the Bowl Company)

In actuality, there are all sorts of things available in these patterns from dinnerware, trays, tablecloths, kitchen towels, tea strainers, tea holders, candles... the list goes on. Looks like Royal Albert knows a good thing when they see it. :)

And here is the Royal Albert Polka Blue set and Polka Rose set in action. I just newly acquired the Royal Albert Polka Blue set from The Bowl Company and I love it every bit as much as I thought I would and more! The pictures truly do not do these sets justice!

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue Tea Set with Sandwich Tray

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue with Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue with Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose

Another Modcloth Find

The Juice You and Me dress.

As mentioned in previous post, Back to the 1930's, I love Modcloth for many reasons. One reason is that I often find dresses there I wouldn't of have seen anywhere else!

The Juice You and Me dress at Modcloth is made by Freeway. From what I can tell by a quick internet search Freeway is a brand based out of L.A. Their dresses are modern with just a touch of retro vibe.

This is an awesome dress. I love the 1940's flair to it. What first caught my eye about this dress is that it looks like a two-piece jumper but is instead a single dress. Also, I love the scalloped edging detail on the bodice as well as the collar with scallop-edged bow combo. The colors on this dress are navy and a nude blush. It is made from a very light weight polyester which is compensated by being fully lined. Nevertheless, it has a very airy feel to it and is very comfortable to wear. It's shorter than I expected, coming only up to the top of my knees on my 5'3" frame but I do think this shorter than expected length gives it a more playful feel. I almost always wear large in dresses from Modcloth so was weary about sizing a full size down as suggested by Modcloth but in this case, the medium was a perfect fit for my 38-30-38 measurements. Love this find from Modcloth!

Juice You and Me Dress by Freeway at Modcloth, Front View

Juice You and Me Dress by Freeway at Modcloth, Side View

Juice You and Me Dress by Freeway at Modcloth, Back View

Scallop Detail on Collar, Juice You and Me Dress, Freeway