Rabbits and Toasters was founded in 2010 and features manually selected articles from the best dance blogs on the web. The site is updated several times a day, check back often. Do you run a blog you think should be apart of the network? Send us an email.
Vintage Clothing and Fashion Archives
1920′s Cherry DressNovember 13, 2011As I multi-tasked through my emails this morning, I was contemplating making some cherry bounce for the holidays, then ran across this 1920′s dress in a cherry print. Serendipitous? Perhaps if it had been in my size… |
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EBC 2011 VendorsNovember 09, 2011It’s already wonderful that the Eastern Balboa Championships is just a short drive away, but this year EBC really had the feel of a top notch swing dance event, brimming with a level of excitement and enthusiasm that is almost unrivaled. EBC already felt like a Balboa family reunion, bridging the gap between All Balboa Weekends, but this year it felt like EBC really came into its own as an event. The new hotel for this year’s EBC, the North Raleigh Hilton, provided a lovely ballroom space, a big hallway with chairs and tables for vendors, registration, and for hanging out, and there were no shortage of extra rooms for practice space. There were competitions for everyone and I am proud of the newer Raleigh/Durham Balboa dancers, some of them only dancing Balboa for a few weeks prior to the event, taking the challenge head on and entering their first amateur competitions. |
Shopping Locally for Swing: The Triangle, NCOctober 22, 2011The Triangle Swing Dance Society has requested a post about where to shop locally for vintage or vintage-inspired swing dance clothing in the Triangle area of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill). In the spirit of shopping locally, there are a few places I would recommend to find garments, but keep in mind that this is never a sure thing – vintage shops have one of a kind items and you may have to visit a shop several times before finding anything; similarly for retailers, things that may be in stock one season will not be carried for another season. I’ll list some of the more consistent producers and some general ideas about where to look for these things. |
How to tie a ScarfOctober 19, 2011I just got to Europe and burrrrr it’s cold! Luckily I have big winter coat on me for this trip, but the true wardrobe hero for me is my trusty scarf. If my neck is covered, I am one happy camper. But you know what makes me even happier than having a scarf? Well, I’m glad you asked! It’s knowing how to tie one “all pretty and shit.” |
Vintage v. ReproOctober 11, 2011Vintage or reproduction? The obvious answer is both, but I’d like to delve into the pros, cons, and considerations that go into the collection of both and the considerations that go along with the decision to wear each of them. |
Taking Care of Your Vintage ClothingSeptember 26, 2011Following the Why I Wear Vintage post, Evan Philips requested an entry on how to take care of your vintage clothing and I am happy to oblige. Taking care of any wardrobe requires some maintenance if you want to keep it looking nice. Vintage clothing sometimes requires a little more effort to keep it looking fresh, but if you are careful in your choices for maintaining your vintage garments, you can enjoy them longer and with less worry. |
Miss L Fire Fall 2011 CollectionSeptember 07, 2011OH. MY. HAWT. It’s been a long time since I came across a shoe that I couldn’t get out of my head, that I was so distracted about that I couldn’t focus on anything else until I figured out how to make it mine. Miss L Fire‘s fall 2011 collection has this shoe, and several other shoes with a distinctly jazz age styling that are simply amazing. Miss L Fire always has some really quirky and amazing shoes, and this goes for the fall collection as well, but there are a few pairs that just defy awesome and somehow become…art. And do you see all these mid-height heels?! OK, I’ve talked this up enough, check out the shoes! |
Queen Mary Art Deco Festival 2011September 07, 2011Has it really been 3 weeks since my last post? As much as I enjoyed my little blogging break, I'm glad to be back! As I mentioned in my last post, this past weekend we attended the 7th Annual Queen Mary Art Deco Festival, hosted by the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles. In addition to being an incredible time, the Festival is a fundraiser for restoration projects on the Queen Mary. It's amazing that we have this treasure here available to the public, and the recent work done on the ship has been great - I think she looks better and better every time I go! |
OMG…Dance Shoes!September 07, 2011What you where on you feet when dancing is VERY important! Each style of dance requires specific types of movements and our shoes help us to create and embellish the lines we are painstakingly trying to perfect. And shoes, like our clothes, are an outlet for self-expression; Plus, they’re just plain pretty! |
Why I Wear VintageAugust 31, 2011In spite of the naysayers, I’d like to share my love and philosophy about vintage clothing and perhaps refute some misconceptions or perceptions about vintage clothing in the process. I’ve come up with a list of reasons why I think vintage clothing is worth adding to my wardrobe and why I enjoy vintage clothing so much. |
Remix Updates and Limited Run of BalboasAugust 08, 2011I’m jumping out of my chair with excitement because the Balboas are back! At least for a limited run, that is – the Balboas in the ivory/parchment combo are available, along with the brown combo and black. If you’ve been on the fence about one of these pairs of shoes, get off the fence right now, sell an organ, take out a loan, and get them while they are in stock because LS has on good information that these shoes will no longer run in their current design. |
Costume College 2011August 08, 2011Bit of a change up, now - last weekend I got away from swing dancing for a little bit, and headed up the 405 to my first Costume College! As I've mentioned before, usually this event is on the same weekend as Camp Hollywood, but this year they were back-to-back weekends instead (and next year too, it turns out, so I can go again!). It's funny how similar the two events were - both in Los Angeles Marriott hotels, with classes during the days and parties at night. Tools of the trade vary though - Costume College is full of sewing machines, and Camp Hollywood is full of sweaty t-shirts! |
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