Author Nora Jane Struthers

Dear Friends,

For about a year now, I have been gawking at hand painted Mexican circle skirts on EBay but I’ve never bid on one as they’re always up in the hundreds of dollars. Today I found three beautiful skirts at Mars in Berkeley, CA– all under 50 bucks. I would most certainly taken one home with me if they had been darker/brighter colors (which work best on stage.).

I will continue my search.

Thanks for reading friends!!

Best,
Nora Jane

Read More

Dear Friends,

This beautiful hand-made 1940’s house dress belonged to a woman named Nora, the great-grandmother of a good friend of mine, Ms. Macon Gurley.  Nora lived in north-eastern Virginia and she was a darn good seamstress with impeccable taste in fabric.    This is a wrap dress featuring a side tie, collar, and pocket.  Primary colored flowers pop out on a teal and white stripe backdrop.

Thanks Nora!  And thanks for reading friends.

Best, Nora Jane

Read More

Dear Friends,

Sequins! Sequins! Sequins!  I can’t believe it took me this long to put them on stage.  They shine in the lights; they make a girl feel like a star!  This top was a Christmas gift and man oh man have I been getting good use out of it.  I pair it with this black cotton 1950’s pleated skirt that I hemmed myself (more on that in a later post).  Add black high-healed mary janes and we’re in showbiz baby.

Thanks for reading friends!

All my best,
Nora Jane

Read More




Dear Friends,

This dress is one of my most unique. It is handmade (no tags) and the material appears to be fabric from a sugar sack…well a sack of some kind– I just guessed sugar as the print is all scenes from and names of islands in the Caribbean. It has elbow length sleeves a knee length hem. I definitely would guess this was made and worn somewhere in the south during the great depression.

It is a small piece of history. I’d love to know it’s full story.

Thanks for reading friends!

Sincerely,
Nora Jane

Read More




Dear Friends,

Now I know what you’re thinking…I’ve lost it. But hey, hear me out! This skirt may be from the 70’s but I am wearing it to fit my 1950’s aesthetic. I also love the print. Paired with my pin-up wedges and a lacy top, it evokes fifties right?

I bought it at one of my favorite vintage stores: Talk of the Town just outside of Cincinnati.

Thanks for reading friends!

Sincerely,
Nora Jane

Read More