Harry Potter uniform at Smithsonian American History Museum

Anyone in the DC area? The Smithsonian Museum of American History (which also houses pop culture stuff) has one of Dan Radcliffe's Gryffindor uniforms on display in the glass cases right in the lobby! It's a bit hard to photograph behind the glass, but here are a few pics. If you're in the area, you might want to take a look!  

Also a Mickey Mouse hat. ;-)

Victorian Maggie pin

So I spotted this one on ebay and it was unlike anything I'd seen before or anything I've already got in my mostly Victorian Maggie pin collection.  Can't wait to get it in the mail!

Lit-Up Ball

Last year the Arlington Library did a benefit that was Gatsby themed. This year it was James Bond: To Russia With Love 1950s themed.

I decided to go all vintage. I found a black 50s gown on Etsy that fit perfectly, a 50s hat from Madge's Hatbox, a 50s purse, a giant 50s necklace (the first one I found broke in the mail on its way to me so this was actually the second one I ordered and was even more perfect). I bought some 50s shoes, but they were too small so I sent them back and just wore my Edwardian American Duchess shoes. I bought seamed stockings on Amazon, but they were apparently made of spider silk or something and got two runs as I was putting them on. So I complained and got my money back on those. Oh, and then I decided I needed faux fur so for $4.99 on ebay I found a 50s velvet short cloak with faux fur.

I tried to do a sort of French twist with my hair - it was mostly covered by the hat.






 

Ida McKinley Dress

They had a new dress up at the Magic Kingdom Hall of Presidents (new to me anyway) - Ida McKinley's gorgeous black lace pigeon-front dress.

Lit-Up Ball

Got this from the Arlington Library about this year's Ball - 1950s, From Russian with Love, James Bond themed this year. And it looks like there will be a SPY GAME!!

They also emailed the link of pics from last year's Eight-Thirteen Ball. There's a good pic of Isabella, Jessica, and I up on the balcony! We are on the left.

Thank you to those of you who filled out our survey of last year's Eight-Thirteen Ball! We got some great ideas for future Balls to come.

One request that we heard from a number of you was to see the photos from last year. Our apologies for not making them more easily accessible! You can find them on the Arlington Public Library's flickr page here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/arlib/sets/72157636185338303

Also, the date is set and tickets are on sale for this year's Lit Up Ball: From Russia with Love! We'll be at Artisphere on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8-11 p.m., dancing the night away to 1950s era music by the Hot Society Orchestra, eating yummy desserts, watching dance demonstrations by Fidgety Feet dance troupe, and bidding on themed raffle baskets! We also have a spy game planned for the evening, so get ready for some covert activity.

Tickets are $30 in advance from the Friends of the Arlington Public Library, or $35 at the door - so buy ahead! http://library.arlingtonva.us/lit-up/lit-up-ball/

And don't forgot to check out our Undercover Arlington Contest - you could win a pair of free tickets to the Lit Up Ball! And you might even find a clue to give you an edge in the spy game...