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I’d Like to Introduce You to Someone

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Hello, everyone! Have you met the newest member of the MHC family? No? Well, allow me the pleasure of introducing you to Letitia. That middle syllable has a long e sound, by the way. Letitia, meet my friends.

Letitia is named after my favorite Aunt Lettie, my Dad’s sister, who died a few years ago.

She has a tiny waist, doesn’t she? Scarlett O’Hara would be jealous.

She’s missing her label, but I’m pretty sure she was made by Acme. I found her on eBay and the price was incredibly reasonable. She traveled north to MHC from New Jersey.

She has just the right amount of rust…

And her feet are ornate cast iron.

How should I dress her?

I love it, of course. However, she seemed a little unhappy. She’s not into baseball.

What about an autumnal Pendleton look?

Very attractive. Perhaps on another day?

Wait a minute! I have an idea.  I have part of a costume I once wore. It was given to me at the end of the play’s run. My character was an oversexed older woman. (No comments from the peanut gallery.) She was chasing a younger man around a poof and as she fell backward in a sort of swoon, her hoop skirt flew up and these were revealed.

Hot pink, I might add. I think these will be perfect on my girl. I’ll add a touch of beauty at the neckline.

Et voila!

Sort of a Gigi-Colette-courtesan look.

Seriously, I am over-the-moon about my new girl. I spotted her on eBay, outbid a few other interested buyers and I got her! The shipping was very inexpensive, partly because she only lived one state away. That was deliberate on my part. She’s in great shape, has no musty smell (something you have to think about when you haven’t actually seen her in person) and she fits perfectly in the studio.

I didn’t tell husband about her until the day she was due to arrive.  Then I thought I’d better confess. You see, my birthday is this Sunday. And I thought that perhaps the purchase might be a wee bit justified if I bought her for myself. As a present to me. From me. And she truly was a great deal.

Bless him, he didn’t blink an eye. He’s known about my obsessive need wish for a dress form for quite a while. He somehow expected her to be new, possibly because I had mentioned that I might buy a new one if I couldn’t find an old one in some long ago conversation. (I guess he actually does listen to my babbling once in a while.) When he saw her cast iron feet and the rest of her vintageness…well, he fell a little bit in love. He said she’s like a Barbie doll for an adult. And she is.

I’ve already dressed her up several times. She’s even worn my blue eyeglasses on a chain around her neck. And several scarves. And an old kimono.

My Aunt Lettie couldn’t care less about clothes when I knew her, though she was quite stylish in her younger days. I adored her. My sister Meredith’s middle name is Letitia. I like having a Letitia in my home. It feels right.

What do you think?

P.S. Don’t forget my book review, if you’re interested. I’m giving away a copy of the book. It’s the post just before this one.

Comments

  2. Oh, Claudia! I’m so excited for you because I know how much you wanted one of these! And Happy Birthday a few days early. Something tells me that your sweet husband is going to love her, too. You are going to have a great time dressing her.

    Do you know… I believe I might have her first cousin. She is vacationing in storage right now, but she is planning on making a debut in the not too distant future. When she does, I’ll be sure and let you know so Lettie can meet her. Her name is Helen, named after Mr. Magpie’s great aunt. So they have something in common. ;-)

    Have fun with your new toy, Claudia. She is perfect!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

  3. She’s beautiful even with the bit of rust! I love the pantaloons on her!!!! I would have loved seeing the play in which you wore them!!! I’ll just bet you were a great actress.

  4. Hi Claudia,
    I would love to have her in my studio! I have been looking for one myself for a long time. Maybe someday she will come along.

    She’s perfect and I love her bloomers.

    hugs

    Sissie

  5. Claudia, I am the proud owner of Letitia’s twin sister Eulalia…Named for my grandmother.

    I got mine new in the early sixties when I was taking historic fashion classes in college. She is the same right down to the “just right amount of rust and the cast iron feet”. She sits on a high plant shelf in my bedroom and she wears a beautiful black 1920s chiffon and doesn’t seem to want to change. We are very lucky to own them! I don’t think that they are made anymore.

  6. she’s grand! happiest of birthday wishes to you claudia. i’m so glad you found what you were looking for. what a perfect present to yourself!

    happy days.
    xo
    ~molly

  9. She’s AWESOME and I’m so delighted that you finally got her. Sort of like a life sized barbie doll for your office space. I’d probably forget she was there and she’s give me the spooks at night in the dark. She’s a beauty though.

    Di

  10. Oh, you finally found her! I’ve been searching eBay myself, but have been indecisive. I saw one at the antique mall in a bridal dress last week. But didn’t want to cough up the money. She’s beautiful, Claudia, and I love her name!
    Brenda

  11. She’s a beauty; I especially love her wrought iron feet. And that you’ve been dressing her. You’re a lot of fun Claudia (:

  12. Nice to meet you Letitia! I introduced everyone to my Emma earlier this year and she too was an Ebay discovery from NJ. It was pick up only and I since I live in NJ I got an amazing deal for her. Congrats on finding your Letitia.

  17. She’s a beauty Claudia! I am sure she’s going to love her new home. I’m glad that your husband is willing to make room for another gal in his life!
    hugs

  19. OH MY I am SOOO excited for you as letitia is perfect! I love her pantaloons and flower! And Claudia, Happy early Birthday my fellow scorpion! I love that you are having fun dressing her! I am not the only one, I hold conversations with my vintage gal! Have fun!
    Sherry

  21. How lovely Letitia looks, especially with the bloomers!!!
    Happy Birthday this Sunday…..or maybe just all week!!!!
    What have you got planned? A special dinner, a cake, a show……..wishing you lots of laughter and love!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

  23. Oh my gosh – she is GORGEOUS! I’m so glad you found one! I had looked on Craig’s List for you, in and around my area, but didn’t really see anything. She really does fit into your space beautifully, Claudia. And I love the way you had pins and brooches attached to her. Great idea! Of course so was your Eiffel Tower earring holder! I think Letitia looks right at home!… Donna

  24. Oh Claudia she’s perfect!! Now I want one!!!! I am so happy you found your girl and that hubby was all good with the surprise for yourself. Won’t it be fun dressing her up for the holidays!! Will you be able to find clothes that fit this tiny lady?? Wow…what a figure! Loved your story about the play. It reminded me of one I was in during my high school years called Arsenic and Old Lace. Happy birthday my friend….have fun.

  25. What a great present! You know just what to get yourself! Happy Birthday week! I hope your day is as lovely as your new friend!
    Hugs, Lisa

  26. Welcome Letitia! How fun and I like the bloomers outfit the best thus far. Although I have a feeling Letitia will be making many appearances in various outfits as befits the season or your mood. A wonderful gift to yourself and your husband is sweet. Happy early bday! Ann

  27. Claudia, thank you for your sweet comment. It meant a lot to me.

    I’m so happy that you found your Lady. She is really lovely and I think she looks sweet in those pantaloons. I thought that in the sixth photo, Letitia looks like HM Queen Elizabeth out for a stroll at Balmoral with her delightful Corgi’s..lol!

    Hugs,
    Deanna :D

  28. Claudia- I am thrilled for you!!!!! She is gorgeous!!! If I don’t make it back this weekend I wish you a wonderful birthday ♥

  29. Hi Claudia,
    I love your Lettie! I have been wanting one too. I had one long ago, I use to use her for sewing my clothes, but when my size changed I sold her..I can’t believe I did that. Who know the old dress forms would become a vintage collectible.
    Lettie’s bloomers are delightful and so fun…
    Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

  30. Claudia, I am so happy for you. I know how much — and for how long — you have wanted one of these. And she is lovely. She will be spoiled rotten. I LOVE the drawers! Enjoy.

  33. Lovely to meet you, Letitia:) She’s beautiful, Claudia.

    Long ago, my mother had a gray dressform. I had a pink (newer) one at one time, and I can’t believe I gave it away. I need to find another!

  36. WELL….HOW DO YOU DO LADY LETITIA, YOU ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL. I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU CLAUDIA, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A DRESS FORM FOR A WHILE. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU WILL BE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH HER, AND ASKING HER FOR ADVICE…RIZZI

  37. She is so lovely and I’d like to think she is named after ME!!!! Except I have never been stylish and my waist is a lot bigger.
    XO,
    Meredith Letitia

  38. what a fun read. i’m smiling!

    once again i am playing blog-catch-up. i haven’t been online so much and miss reading everyone’s posts. just busy with who knows what! so sorry we haven’t had our call yet!

    a little b’day treat is on its way to you …
    tee hee!

    xo
    elyse

    ps
    i like how your are pronouncing letitia. i don’t like the name when it’s the “tish” way.

  39. Claudia,
    Love your new friend. Welcome to the club. Every good hoarder needs at least one mannequin! LOL I did a post when I redid mine, called mannie makeover. I covered her in sheet music. It worked out cool. Glad to hear you got a deal. Yes, I understand the husband thing. The only time mine got a quizical look on his face was when I brought home a wedding dress. Have an awesome birthday girl!!! Lisa

  40. Congratulations! I love your life-size Barbie doll! She’s really wonderful. I look forward to seeing her pop up in future posts. Welcome, Leticia!
    Hugs,
    Jill

  44. If I had a form like that under my dresses I’d never wear dresses ;)

    That’s a great photo of you special little ‘nook’, it looks really inviting.

  46. Lucky Letitia getting to move in with you, just know she’s found a fabulous home and will be clothed in amazing outfits!

    Glad you found her Claudia!

  47. I love your dress form…..but what I love most is that your darling husband commented that it was like a barbie doll for a grown up. He ‘gets it!’…He ‘gets you!’…I love that in a man. Its worth everything.

    xox Rella

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