American Horror Story Season Premiere: Dressing the Part

It's the happiest time of the year for a couple of us Whoreders... October means a few things: cold weather (perfect for busting out a dozen new pairs of tights), Halloween, pumpkin flavored everything, and THE NEW SEASON OF AMERICAN HORROR STORY! We've been counting the days to the new season, although we were thrown for a loop when we discovered that Harmon family storyline would end with season one, and we'd have to say goodbye to Tate, Violet, and Murder House.

Vanessa visiting Tate at Murder House

Because the new season will premiere just before Halloween, naturally we're going to dress up as our favorite characters when we tune in on October 17th. In case any of you are as obsessed inspired as we are, we thought it would be fun to put together some fashion inspiration based off our favorite living and dead characters. Because we haven't been properly introduced to the new characters, we're mainly sticking to our favorites from last season. Warning: to anyone who hasn't caught up with the first season, there will be spoilers in this post, so go catch up then come back and read this!

Vintage Spring Dresses for Lesses

I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

There is no better time of the year to rock a new vintage dress than Springtime, when bulky coats are a thing of the past but it's still cool enough to wear polyester and not sweat your brains out. Am I right or am I right? That's why my gal Heather and I put together this Etsy Treasury full of cheery frocks in all sizes and for around $25 or less. We also threw a romper in for only the most daring and fabulous ladies out there. Stripes, florals, polka dots, and nautical, oh my! 

Check out Vintage Spring Dresses for Lesses on Etsy.

 Top image: Westside Story

Jiggling Jello!

I have a new fascination with vintage jello molds. Tacky, yes, but awesome in a retro way. I'm not gonna lie, part of me wants to make some nasty lookin' salmon mousse or a strange veggie "loaf" made with gelatin - but I won't. For now, anyway.

So, I picked up two at a local thrift store for a grand total of $3 and instantly started making plans, one of which will be saved for a later post.

Since it's Mad Men/60s week and they loved their jello molds - it's the perfect time to bust one out. And bust a move. Just kidding, I don't dance. Since I'm a lush, I decided the gelatin to be molded should be a popular 1960s cocktail, Salty Dog. Ingredients: Grapefruit juice and vodka with a salted rim.

Cheap Thrills: Mad Men Style

After a very long hiatus, Mad Men is back! Even if you're not a fan of the show, you're probably aware of the effect it's had on pop culture and fashion. The style seen on the show has popularized the retro trend in the mainstream, and you can see its influence everywhere. Whether you want to go full on Mad Men retro, or just add touches of the look here and there, you can easily get what you need without doing major damage to your budget.

To celebrate the kick off of season 5, we're going to do some Man Men inspired looks for ladies this week on Cheap Thrills. Don't think it's all about one look either! We're focusing on three of the main female characters, each one with a style all her own. Settle back with your martinis and enjoy the show...

Mad Men Stylin'

The 60s craze continues this week with some retro hair and makeup inspired by the return of Mad Men. Instead of trying to choose one of the characters on the show, I went with the 60s feel that was based on the Bridgitte Bardot Makeover featured on The Hairpin. This look is about big hair, major lashes and oodles of eyeliner.  I stocked up on supplies that I didn't have at home: fresh lashes, lash adhesive, teasing comb, styling foam (a soft, squishy Bump-It), Beyond the Zone Volume Powder and strong hairspray. I was able to find everything at Sally's Beauty and Walgreens, no time machine needed. I've never done hair this big before, my hair doesn't want to be teased! If this big hair novice can do this, anyone can, really. Ready to see the transformation?

Easy and (Mad) Men Approved Hors D'oeuvres

Food from the 1960's gets a bad rap because, well, for the most part, it's just bad. We're talking overly wrought recipes made with bland, over processed ingredients (canned cocktail weenies, anyone?), strange combinations of foods that aren't popular anymore for a reason, and an ungodly ubiquitous little something called an aspic (shudder). So when I pondered what I wanted to to do for Mad Men week on this here blog (besides go out for a mid-week martini lunch), I was just a little cautious when I cracked open my vintage (copyright 1963) Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks. Despite exhaustingly hauling these books with my book collection move after move (sorry mom and dad and everyone else who has ever helped me move), I've never had a desire to make even one of the recipes. I figured it was time to give them another chance. As I remembered, lots of unsavory usual suspects were there: Limas and Franks, Surprise Meat Slices, Tomato Soup Dressing, and Baked Prune Whip - these are all very real recipes. On her good days, these are the dinners that pre-divorce Betty Draper was setting out for Don. Scary stuff, right?

Etsy Treasury: Mad (Men) House

I love the modern, almost sci-fi look of Mid Century interior design. Orbs, abstract shapes, earth tones, and atomic starbursts, ooo.

Here's another Etsy Treasury full of 1960s housewares and beauty accessories, all for $50 and under: Mad (Men) House

Mad Men Inspired Home & Office Decor

This week is Mad Men week. The 2 hour season premiere is this Sunday at 9/8c on AMC. I've been sitting here doing my research on all things Mad Men and all things 60's so I won't be as mercilessly mocked by my fellow Whoreders for not knowing what the hell they are talking about.

In my new found opinion, you can't really go wrong with 60's inspired anything. Everything was amazing from their clothes, to their makeup, to their drinks. My new obsession however, is 60's decor!

Here are a few of my finds for a Mad Men inspired office.