NYE Under the Sea

I will be the first to admit it; after all of that holiday merry making, I have lost a bit of steam.  So many parties, so many treats, so many lights and presents and music and fireworks - I'M POOPED!  In actual fact, it is a great state to find oneself; the pure exhaustion that comes from an abundance of good friends and happy times reminds me just how fortunate I am.

For the majority of my years on this planet, I have spent New Year's Eve snuggled deep under the covers of my bed, either watching a classic movie or, more likely, fast asleep.  Counting sheep rather than counting down always seemed a satisfactory way to ring in the new year and invariably I awoke refreshed and ready to watch that spectacle of floral fantasy, The Rose Parade.  The last few years have broken me of my hibernation habit; instead of sleeping, I have, like the rest of the world, actually participated in parties.  As it turns out, I have so thoroughly enjoyed greeting the dawn of a new year with friends, that now I can't imagine doing it any other way.

Our most recent December 31 celebration found us at the charming home of our friends, Damien and Allison, for their annual New Year's Eve festivities.  This year the merriment had an official theme, "King Neptune's Under the Sea Ball."  Most people know better than to give me a theme because once I'm committed, I'm like a dog with a bone.

A lobster Jell-O mold.
It was brought to my attention that it could be interpreted as something
other than a lobster but I assure you, a lobster it most certainly is.
As much as I LOVE Jell-O, I had never made an actual Jell-O mold;
There is plenty of room for improvement, but I was thrilled
 that it actually worked!

Release the Kraken!
I also made a dip that incorporated an idea I had seen online - a bell
pepper (capsicum for you non-Yankee types) octopus.

The evening's entertainment included the musical stylings of that siren of song, and one of our most favorite people, the inimitable Janet Klein.

If you've never had the opportunity to hear Janet sing, do yourself a favor
and look her up, tout suite!  She was accompanied on piano by the amazing
 musician, and regular Parlor Boy, the uber-talented Randy Woltz.

As if Janet wasn't enough, we even got to hear from another of our favorite songstresses, Amber Foxx!   And just because we are the biggest hams who won't let an opportunity to sing go unsung, Mary and I joined the music making with a few tunes as well.  There was a gift exchange where an original Little Orphan Annie decoder pin, a 1920's Niagara Falls scrapbook, and 1930's beauty products were among the coveted, and oft-stolen, items.  There was even a best-dressed contest and while Mary won, I will happily take full credit for her ensemble.

The under-the-sea theme allowed Mary a second chance
 to wear the mermaid costume I made for her sideshow freak
 birthday party.  After making many, many outfits that get
but a single use, I have become satisfied when every item
 finds at least a second chance to make its way out of
 the abyss that is her closet.

Music, gifts, and costumes may have been the highlights but, as per usual, pure hijinks filled the bulk of our party time. 

Party in the powder room!

Janell & Emily won the gold medal in the bathtub bobsled.

Amber makes like Tippi Hedren in The Birds.

Emily got in on the act too.
I think this is Amber's homage to Hitchcock's cameo in every film???

Right before we broke out into Cole Porter's "Friendship."

When graced with an invitation, I always do my best to live up to the part of worthy and worthwhile guest - if only to counterbalance my juvenile shenanigans.  For the countdown, I came prepared with a celebratory arsenal (toys, silly string, party poppers, etc.) that included:

Glow-in-the-dark tridents ( I told you I always try to team with the theme)

Horns as beautifully modeled by the
devastatingly-deco Katherine.

and noisemakers.
Benny & Jenn demonstrating the sound
of one hand clapping.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thanks to our hosts, we learned firsthand that it is indeed quite lovely "bobbing along on the bottom of the beautiful, briny sea."  We hope your New Year's Eve went just as swimmingly as ours!

"The Beautiful Briny Sea" from Disney's Bedknobs & Broomsticks

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Sew What?! A 1950's Starlet Ensemble

Do you ever crash parties?  Do you ever plan to crash a party and then realize the day prior to the event that you were actually invited to the party and now you have to plan something to wear because the pressure increase in the paradigm shift between party crasher and party guest is like that of being thrust from the crest of wave to the very depths of the ocean floor?  Why, when it comes to the same exact party, is it so refreshingly simple to be a party crasher and so stressful being formally included?  For Mr. Tiny, the answer to that question can best be answered by his sponsor at Neurotics Anonymous - for which he has yet to find a regular group due to the problematic design schemes/chair arrangements and snack options at the meetings.

The above situation, as described in question number two, happened during our recent seasonal celebrations and left me scrambling for something to wear that was appropriate for a formal, adult, cocktail party.  It easy easy to see why we would have missed the invitation; we never drink cocktails, we rarely act like adults, and our usual concerns lean most definitely toward the informal.  If you're Mr. Tiny, options are decidedly limited.

Amber & Mr. Tiny
You can see that left with little time and precious few options, Mr. Tiny was forced
 down the Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous route - silk ascot and navy blazer.
Formal? Not really - unless it's for shipboard drinks on Thurston Howell's yacht.

If you're Mary, on the other hand, you will no doubt have an ideal ensemble (handcrafted by Mr. Tiny several years ago that you have NEVER worn before).  I guess it's true; what's old is new again - for the sartorially spoiled!

Mary & Amber
I like to think of this as an All About Eve moment...hahahaha!
It seemed to me that Mary's outfit was fitting of a young starlet
with aspirations.

Mary's party ensemble consists of a pencil skirt with
asymmetrical peplum and matching, lined bolero.
The vintage material for the skirt and bolero was inherited from
our centenarian neighbor; it has an ivory ground with slubs of
metallic threads.  Her blouse was purchased at the 99 Cents
Only Store - no joke!  Her matching brooch and earrings are
heirloom jewelry that belonged to our great-grandmother

While I was a little disappointed that Mary waited years to wear this outfit, I am glad that she remembered to bring it out of moth balls for the occasion (she actually got a chance to wear it again when she played a few songs in an opening set for Wanda Jackson!!!).  To be perfectly honest, even I had forgotten that I had ever made the darned thing.  The party was lovely, the host and hostess were gracious, and the guests were quite clever and extremely talented.  Now that I think about it, I am still not entirely sure that we were invited to a party of that caliber...

Now that we have begun a new year, it might seem regressive to reflect on the festivities of last year.  Nevertheless, we ask, did you crash any awesome parties?  More importantly, does a formal invitation change your attitude of dress?  However you party, we hope you did it in haute wacky tacky style!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

TLC is TCB: Wives with Beehives

Several months ago, I shared this photo of a
Marimekko outfit that I made for Mary, remember?

If you recall, I mentioned that it was for a top secret project.  Well, the cat is finally out of the bag.  If you read The Hollywood Reporter or subscribe to some of the same blogs that I follow, like Ranch Dressing with Eartha Kitsch, you may have already heard about a little reality special called, Wives with Beehives, that will air on December 27 on TLC.  Mary and I were asked to be guests at a pool party scene they were filming and you might just catch a brief glimpse of us (no promises) in the show.  While the name, Wives with Beehives, doesn't quite accurately describe the women on the show, it is a catchy title and we will surely be watching - mostly because three of the four stars are our friends!

LESLIE

Leslie as Santa's helper

Leslie Buckley, one of the four featured wives, is already like a celebrity in our neck of the woods.  Statuesque and gorgeous are really the only two words to describe her and she is instantly recognizable.  She is a devoted wife, a mother, and a businesswoman.  Stay tuned for more on Leslie as it appears TLC will be running multiple trailers that feature each of the wives.

DOLLIE

Dollie DeVille, The Rockabilly Socialite doing her thing!
(Source)

If you follow any vintage lifestyle blogs, then you are probably more than familiar with Dollie DeVille, The Rockabilly Socialite.  Dollie, is a wife, cook, crafter, blogger, and working woman.  Her awesome, 50's prom-themed wedding was featured here on wacky tacky and we know that she and her husband, Zack will win everyone over with their commitment to the vintage lifestyle. 

I know it's not about me, but you can see my feet dancing at 0:02-0:02:005 Hahahahaha!!!

AMBER

Amber & Mr. Tiny jumping for joy

You might remember Amber Foxx from being featured a million times on our blog.  Amber Foxx is the preeminent rockabilly songstress of Southern California and has toured the world (most recently returning from a two-week engagement in Australia) with her band.  

Amber & the boys (Chris, Tommy, and Bobby)
(Source)

wacky tacky has featured her pink dressing room, her cowgirl/boy birthday party, and the epic desert adventure day we enjoyed with Amber and her husband, Bobby.  We love spending time with these folks and are always welcomed with open arms when we unexpectedly (and frequently) drop by their house.  We told them that they had better get their coattails reinforced because we will most definitely be riding them!  HA!

Aren't they particularly lovable?

We are lucky to count these gals (and their respective husbands) among our friends; I hope that when they become big television stars, they will remember us!  I'm sure that they will give you no reason to do otherwise, but please be kind in your reviews of the show.  Remember, while reality shows may be slightly enhanced versions of what is "real," the people on the show are very REAL with REAL friends who will give you a REAL bop in the kisser if you're crummy about 'em.  I'm so happy for my friends' success and I truly can't wait to see how it all comes together on December 27!  I should mention that there is a fourth wife named Shelby; she can be seen in the first trailer featuring Dollie & Zack.  I don't know her, nor have I ever met her, but I do look forward to getting to know her along with the rest of the viewing audience on December 27.

The whole gang (l to r)
Bobby, Dollie, Zack, Leslie, Amber, Melissa, Nicole, Mary, Bud, and Ben
(Mr. Tiny was playing cameraman)

Wives with Beehives will air on TLC on Thursday, December 27 at 10pm - check your local listings (never thought I'd get a chance to say that)

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Rockabilly Prom: A Wedding for Zack & Dollie

In high school I had an actual prom date.  Many years later, I have been reduced to accompanying my sister to the prom.  The "prom" in this case was the wonderful wedding reception of our friends Zack and Dollie.  

Mary wore the dress that I made for her actual high school prom.
I tried my best to look like the nerdy, math teacher/chaperone.

I had some remnants of the lace and ribbon that I used for Mary's prom dress, so I made her a corsage.
Not being a florist, I just had to wing it.  Can fresh flowers be hot glued?  We were about to find out. 

The reception was held at an historic Elks Lodge and was fully
decked out to look like a high school prom circa 1954.

Oh, so it was proof that you wanted that we were at an Elks Lodge.
Taxidermy is always welcome at wacky tacky!

What is a prom without prom photos?  Everyone was treated to photo op's on the beautiful paper moon that Reagan and Dollie built and painted!!!

Our new pals, Adam & Susannah
(photo by Sandra)

Emily & Jesse, the next to get hitched!
(photo by Amber)

Furthermore, what's a 50's prom/wedding reception without prom dresses?  The women brought out their prom best for the occasion!

Emily, Mary, and Amber
Pastel perfection.

At some point during the evening, it became apparent that
shades of blue and green were the most popular.
Emily, Deen, Cara, Mary, and Reagan

That isn't to say that Nicole and Sandra didn't make a splash in their purple and pink!

Dollie and the gang.
If someone stretched the miles and miles of lace, chiffon, and tulle
that were used for all of the frothy 50's prom dresses in attendance, I'm pretty
sure she could have reached the moon - or at least Omaha, Nebraska.

The cake!
Right about now I am second-guessing my choice to abstain.

The happy couple, Dollie & Zack.

The music for the evening was second to none and included The Blue Collar Combo, The Sidewynders, Roy Rapid and The Rhythm Rock Trio, The Dave & Deke Combo, Amber Foxx, Mary Simich, and the unmatched skills of DJ Lucky La Rocka.  It was a dancer's paradise.

The Blue Collar Combo
(photo by Sandra)

Amber Foxx and the boys

Mary penned a brand new song for the newlyweds!!!
(photo by Sandra)

Looking like a real, live crooner, Mr. Tiny even got up to do a number!
(photo by Amber)

The music was getting so wild, and Zack and Dollie were getting so groovy on the dance floor, that Dollie's hat had to go.  I took the hat for her and couldn't help but encourage everybody to take a turn wearing it.  Some folks took the traditional approach and wore it on their heads; others got a bit more creative - I hope Dollie didn't mind.

Then it was time to crown the prom court.  The only thing I was nominated for was official crown holder...

Somehow Mary managed to play the drum rolls AND crown the court!
I love this picture! 

Mary placing the crown on the Queen of the Prom
(and blushing bride), Dollie.

Mr. & Mrs. Simpson taking their rightful place as
prom royalty.

Just because the king and queen had been crowned, didn't mean the party was over.  The music kept going so that meant more DANCING!

For the uninitiated types, there were Bunny Hop instructions at each table!
As if Mr. Tiny needed directions!!!!

I'll give you just one guess who won the dance contest.
I swear that this said "Best Dancer" before it changed to
"BS Dancer" and eventually "B- Dancer."

If I learned one thing at prom, it was to NEVER fall asleep....

...and STAY asleep!!!

Okay, okay, so the hot glue could only withstand so much abuse.
This is the corsage after it fell apart and Mary tried to put it back together
with a little help from Scotch tape and a crepe-paper bow.

Congratulations Zack & Dollie!  Thanks for including us in your special day!

Here's to many, many more happy dances together!
(photo by Amber)

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny