The holidays are now coming to a head. Homes are decorated, children are on vacation, and the fridges are stuffed with things to cook and bake. But one of the things I love about the holidays is watching or rewatching classic holiday films. Some I have watched more than a dozen times and some like "Meet Me In St. Louis" (1944) I recently saw for the first time. One of my all time favorites is White Christmas (1954). It's one of those films just brimming with fun and joy. And yet in the midst of all the laughter you'll find yourself moved and in tears. While in some scenes you'll find yourself in awe of the costumes and dance scenes. 

This year happens to be the 65th Anniversary of White Christmas (1954). In honor of this anniversary I wanted to do something special. I loved the costumes made for Vera-Ellen in the film because everything she wore was so stylish and feminine. One of my favorite outfits is in the scene when she is trying to convince Phil that they should get engaged in order for her sister to stop being overprotective. 

To create this look I pulled out pieces from my closet and put together vintage accessories I already had. All I had to add to the ensemble was a white turtleneck. I purchased one from J Crew that was originally $35 dollars and I snagged it for under $4 with sales and coupons. I think doing recreates based on classic films/tv shows or period films/tv shows is going to be a blast. I plan to do a whole lot more in the coming new year but I don't see the point of it if I have to spend a heap of money on the outfits. 

A Vintage Nerd Recreates is going to marry my passions for Old Hollywood and Fashion. I also hope it will inspire others by exploring their personal style and also bring some attention to the film being spotlighted. Keep in mind I will always recreate with A Vintage Nerd flair because what I am doing is not costuming or cosplay but rather a celebration of a character or film.

What classic films/tv shows or period films/tv shows would you like to see recreated here on A Vintage Nerd? 

Through my blog I have been lucky to found my voice when it comes to Old Hollywood, Vintage Fashion, Retro Lifestyle, and all the smaller categories in between. What I have struggled with is finding a balance between my passions as a vintage blogger and my everyday life living with a disability. I didn't want to come across as needing attention or attracting negative attention because of my disability. I needed to find a balance between both words because I feel like it is important that I share this part of myself.

When I share photos of my vintage inspired outfits my leg braces are part of that look. I didn't like the idea of hiding them because I tried that in college and that was an unpleasant experience. I also didn't want you to think that this blog has suddenly become a blog solely about a woman living with a disability. My main focus here at A Vintage Nerd is to share my love of vintage through Old Hollywood and vintage inspired fashion. But embracing my disability more meant that I would have to find a way to incorporate my disability with my blog. And I think I finally have.

There is a new year on the horizon and I decided that my goals for the new year would entail me embracing the changes in my body and with my disability, finding peace and healing with some truths I have discovered about my life, and moving forward to continue to live my life passionately by continuing to fill it with the people and things I love. I hope you will embrace new things for the new year as well. 

One of the steps to embracing things more can be seen in my collaboration with a fellow blogger named Lainie at Trend-Able. Her blog is dedicated to helping those with physical disabilities.  In this post I share a little more about my history with CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease). While working on this post I realized that I really haven't shared my personal story with CMT; how I was diagnosed and my struggles. It took me a while to find the right words because although I am ready to share it I am also a private person in many ways. I shared what I could and you can read all of it HERE. 

What have you recently been embracing more of? What will you embrace in the coming new year?

Outfit: Cardigan from Anthropologie, Skirt from Modcloth, 

Embrace It Tee from Trend-Able, Detachable Collar from Magnus Clothing

"Tis the season for holiday gift giving and it can be a stressful, time consuming process for many of us. Have you struggled with what kind of gift to give someone? I know I have. Have you thought about what to give that vintage nerd in your life? You know that person who loves classic film or goes ga-ga for anything in thats has a vintage aesthetic.  

I pulled together a few things from my own private stash that might help give you some ideas on what you can give that special vintage nerd in your life this holiday season.

It's Thanksgiving here in the States and on this day we all try to remember to be more thankful. I personally like to live my life in gratitude but today I want to take some extra time to think about all the things I am grateful for. In my reflection I thought about some Thanksgivings past when my father started a new tradition (one I try to keep) with the three of us (my father, brother, and I) and we would go watch a movie together. The last one we saw together as the three musketeers was The Abyss (1989). I also remember the ones when my children were babies and they wore their "My First Thanksgiving" bib. Some memories are bittersweet and some are amazing but all of them are good.

I want say that as this year is coming to an end I really am thankful for so much. I am thankful that despite the pain and discomfort that I am still able to walk. I am thankful that I am not as prideful as I once was and am willing to seek help when I need it. I am thankful for my husbands unconditional love and dedication to me and his children. I am thankful for the health of my children. They are growing so fast and although its bittersweet it is also wonderful to watch. I am grateful to be able to be here for my family. 

On the creative front I am grateful for opportunity to be a blogger. To be able to remain creative while I tend to my everyday regular life. I know not everyone is able to do that. I am thankful for my laptop so that I can type my posts that I share with you. I am thankful for you, my loyal readers.  I grateful to still be here over eight years later doing what I love and growing as a creative. I'm grateful that I remain passionate about vintage, Old Hollywood, and fashion. I am also really happy that I have come to a place where I can share with you about my disability and incorporate this into my vintage nerd brand. I'm really proud of myself for doing this because eight years ago I wasn't in the right frame of mind and heart to share this openly and now I am.

So I will end by saying again thank you to all of you that keep supporting A Vintage Nerd. Those of you who reach out to me and share your stories with me. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be able to connected with like minded people like you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Outfit: Plaid Coat from Modcloth, Mustard Turtleneck from J Crew, 

Mustard Beret (Vintage), Gold Loop Earrings from J Crew

It's starting to get chilly in the big apple and that means pulling out sweaters, turtleneck, and coats. It also meant I got to finally wear my "new-to-me" vintage sixties sweater coat. I think there's nothing better on a chilly day than wearing something cozy, warm, and vintage. 

On this day I was heading to take the train with my family to attend a convention with my children. Mommy felt stylish and comfortable and it made me feel at ease for the rest of the day. Who says busy moms can't maintain a stylish wardrobe and still run around with the kidlets? I confess there are many days when I wear cotton pants and a tee but most outings with my family I doll up. I don't think you have to loose your sense of style just because you're tired or busy or in my case both. Throw on some lipstick, a cute beret, and that "new-to-you" vintage piece hanging in your closet. It will make you feel great and set a tone for your day to just be awesome.

Outfit: Vintage 1960's Sweater Coat from Rax Clothing, Blue Turtleneck from J Crew, 

Red Beret from Forever 21, and Red Crossbody bag from Primark

Outfit: Plaid Skirt from Modcloth, White Blouse from Collectif, Red Cardigan from Old Navy, 

Red earrings are Vintage, and Vintage Pumpkin is from the 1960's

Every time I find myself in a pumpkin patch I can't help but think of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966). Linus van Pelt strongly believes in a holiday figure called The Great Pumpkin. He thinks the Great Pumpkin flies around bringing toys to sincere and believing children on Halloween night. Even though the Great Pumpkin doesn't show up Linus still believes that one day it will happen.

When people think of magic they usually think of Christmas and Harry Potter but I've always found the fall weather, pumpkin patches, and Halloween to be a magical time of year. Its a time to warm ourselves with soups and sandwiches, a time to pick out costumes, a time to allow ourselves to be spooked, and a time for pumpkin carving. 

I think Linus was right. Let us all keep an eye out for the Great Pumpkin. You never know what the Great Pumpkin will bring us.

Outfit: Jean Dress and Beret from J Crew and Turtleneck and Cape from J Crew Factory