Parasols for Every Occasion with Gail Carriger! A Glimpse at Her Collection

I realized recently that I don't have a place on the interwebs where I chronicle my parasol collection.

How could I be so remiss?

My parasol collection has been the work of years, people have gifted me with vintage ones, and I have purchased quite a few for myself.

Here for you enlightenment is my parasol collection! 

Modern

These ones are modern, in other words I bought them for myself from a vendor.

Black & Grey Lace

Technically an umbrella, this one folds so it packs well and it's pretty enough to also be a parasol. It came from Amazon for $15. It's probably the most versatile piece in my collection.

Tenticular Paper Parasol 

Strictly a parasol as this is made of waxed paper, I bought mine from Donna (the Alexia books' cover model) when she owned Clockwork Couture. It's now available other places online. You can find it online for about $20. 

I find I use it a lot because it goes with everything. It's got both brown and black in it, and it works for both a retro look and a steampunk look.

It doesn't, however, pack well. Although, for paper, it has been surprisingly resilient.

Blue Pattern Parasol 

This is the parasol that appears in my standard headshot (see the top of this post). I love it for its uniqueness. This is not a parasol I've ever seen anyone else own, also it feels really vintage to me. I bought it from Lace Parasols online shop years ago, it's still offered for $37.

This one is cream lace and I modified it with royal blue ribbon threaded through. However, I am more likely to use the other blue one above, so I will be giving this beauty away in a forthcoming Chirrup.

This parasol style is pretty common these days. So I like suggesting if you get one, adding ribbon, or painting sections or some other DIY. If you are looking for a particular color of parasol this particular style has you covered for round about $20.

I, however, when I was looking for something cream really wanted something more embroidered and solid then lace, and really big and vintage looking.

Big Lace Parasol

I ended up with this one, again from lace Parasols online, which I have been really happy with over the years. It now is priced at $45, I can't remember what I paid for it.

While quite beautiful, it is REALLY massive so I never travel with it.

Gold Lace Parasol

So I invested in this...

It's a cream and gold sunshade umbrella that folds very small and has it's own cute little container. I get a lot of compliments on it. It's one flaw is the inside is LINED in solid black, so it doesn't photo well when carried over the shoulder. I found it on Amazon for $33. 

Baby Parasols

I also bought this set of three tiny parasols for $40. The smallest two I mostly use for decoration around the office, and for pretty photos with books.

The largest one, however, I would really love to find a way to add an extending folding handle. At various times, but particularly in the late 1880s, ladies carried very small parasols with very long handles. I'd love to make this into a cream version of that. (See the last parasol in my collection below.)

Vintage

1920s Double Brolly

For a girl who loves vintage and parasols, I only own two vintage parasols. They are so delicate it's hard to find nice ones that have survived in tact and are still reasonably priced.

This is, technically, and umbrella not a parasol. It has double lining and a beautiful interior decoration with scalloped flutter edge. The outside is plain black. It has a beautiful metal handle with an ostentatious crystal. It's bent a little and somewhat sun bleached but otherwise in pretty good condition.

This was a gift to me from one of my mother's dear friends. I'm not sure on the age but my best guess is 1920s.

Folding Parasol 

My black tilt parasol. This is probubly late Edwardian and it isn't in great shape. It's black silk with ruffles an the silk is torn in multiple places. I basically just stopped it from tearing further with clear nail polish, the old nylon trick.

Not only does it tilt, it folds, which makes is the perfect travel companion. I love this parasol and you will see me with it at steampunk events all the time.I even made it a special holster out of a pair of cargo shorts. You can find a step-by-step guide on how to DIY your own here.

I see tilt parasols turn up on Etsy or at vintage fairs regularly, but because they are mostly silk from this time period, and silk is easily damaged by sun, they are almost always in disrepair. So be careful if you are looking to buy one.

Finally I also have this lovely mother of pearl pin, which was a gift from a reader. It means I can allude to the parasol, even if I am not actually carrying it!

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

Gail Carriger Joins The Tea Scouts (video)

I joint the Tea Scouts (as an honorary member). Also a bit of a closer look at my Tucson Festival of books outfit.



It was colder than I expected, as you can see I'm wearing my favorite steampunk(ish) jacket and a thing leopard scarf (which is about to go off into an upcoming goodie box via the Chirrup). 

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

Gail Carriger says Lord Akeldama eat your heart out! (Gail Carriger)

Lord Akeldama eat your heart out! (No, not literally.)

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

Gail Carriger in Red Capris & Black Velvet with Leopard Accessories at Tucson Festifal of Books 2018

Just got back for Tucson, where it was not as hot as I expected it to be. Still here I am in my lightest weight Rockabilly look...

The black velvet top started life as a 1940s style dress I picked up from Ross and then decided I'd get more use out of as a shirt (truth).

I paired it with a some simple red capris from Talbots and leopard accessories.

Shoes are old ones for Calvin Klein, I've had them for years and they are on their way out (leather is starting to crack). They are SUPER comfortable and I will be utterly devastated when they die.  Although, these are kind cute.

The red top I wore the second day is from H&M. It too is on it's way out, I love that neckline and knit is always a struggle to replace to I'm thinking about trying to find a nice red blouse instead.

• The turban is here for $8. 
• Sun glasses are here for $11. 
• Obligatory pen necklace is no longer available, similar for $30.
• Red bead necklace, similar $12.
• Lipstick = CoverGirl Outlast All-Day Color & Lip Gloss, Richest Red

Love you darlings!

Miss G

P.S. Special thanks to Juliababyjen on Instagram for this great shot:

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

Breast Reduction Surgery Preparation Check List from Gail Carriger

By Request from various friends about to go through what I did, here's my...

Breast Reduction Surgery Preparation Check List *

This DOES NOT include the instructions and products recommended by my doctor, this list is only for the things I wasn't told about ahead of time, and wish I had been.

MONTH BEFORE

Preview list of necessities below and order online if things not available locally, such as:

* 4 Vinyl Gel Smaller Ice Packs (I like ColPac)
* Gauze Pads
* Paper Medical Tape (NOT Latex or Fabric)
* Clean tea towels/washcloths to wrap around ice packs
* Button front shirts (washed and clean)
* Shea butter
* Aloe gel
* Antibacterial soap
* 3-5 small silk scarves to use under the bra to prevent discomfort (you'll be washing these and they'll die, so it doesn't mater what they look like juts how cheep they are)
* Neck pillow (rec. memory foam)
* Extra pillows like bolster for knees if unused to sleeping upright on back
* Bendy straws
* Barf bags (if you react badly to general anesthetic or pain killers)
* Post surgery bra that fastens in the front (the one the hospital gave me hurt a lot, sharp stitching), here are three I found that worked for me:

1. Hook Front
2. Snap Front
3. Zipper Front

Make sure they are comfortable around your ribs before surgery. That's the only way to check. If you buy within the return window if they don't work after, you can still return them.

DAY BEFORE CHECKLIST

[ ]  Fresh fruit and vegetables, soups, other healthy comfort food
[ ]  Plain yoghurt
[ ] Apple juice, other juice, smart water, smoothies whatever gets fluids into you
[ ] Bagels/whole grain toast for meds & nausea
[ ] Banana & plain crackers for 6am pain snack
[ ] Straws ready
[ ] Ice/ice packs (4 smaller ones worked best) into freezer
[ ] Disinfectant soap open and ready
[ ] Gauze pads and tape (paper tape NOT cloth): packages open and ready
[ ] Clean washcloths & tea towels to wrap around ice packs
[ ] Over the counter stool softener (in case they give you Oxy)
[ ] Loose, comfortable shirts, front closure, various weights (washed & clean)
[ ] Topical: Organic Shea butter & aloe vera gel for area around incisions after surgery (skin gets quite dry) can also use later for after scaring forms to help soften scars
[ ] Have TV remotes, devices, phone, notebook, computer, reading material on a tray easily accessible
[ ] Set up bed as needed: you'll be sleeping on back upright for first month to 2 months: for me bolster for knees, plus a travel neck pillow proved very helpful
[ ] Invest in your own post surgery bra (the ones they provided SUCK)
[ ] Small silk scarves to line under the bras esp if you have sensitive skin

DAY OF

[ ] Bring neck pillow along with a regular pillow to protect boobs from seat-belt on ride home. Leve in car.
[ ] Wear a loose open jacket with secure (snap/zipper) pockets for important stuff like medical card and ID, leave purse at home.
[ ] Bring a small notebook & pen to keep track of meds & dr instructions. Write down how often to take them, and what time of day.
[ ] Take time in recovery at the hospital. Tell them to please not rush you if you are not quite ready to leave.
[ ] Stash barf bag in car. Be aware and warn people of you have a bad reaction to general anesthetic.
[ ] Have friend open prescription pill bottles and set them aside, soreness may prevent easy opening.

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

* I am not a medical doctor. This list is intended to be helpful. 
I am not medically suggesting these as cures or anything else related to breast surgery or any other surgery. 
Follow these recommendations AT YOUR OWN RISK.