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#ThrowbackThursday #tbt: The Special Occasion

January 9, 2014 By Lena

In 2014, I will be participating in #tbt courtesy of the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One printer, the ultimate choice for scanning and printing. Ultra powerful and ultra slim, it produces stunning borderless photos and documents quickly and affordably. Featuring the ultimate in wireless printing, the XP-810 makes it easier than ever to print from your iPad, iPhone, tablet or smartphone, whether in your home or out and about.

Bows and bow ties. Frills and flounces. There was no better time to have a special occasion than the early 80’s – because when families dressed up, they dressed up to the nines.

What makes this photo from 1981 remarkable:

1) The gorgeous dress fit for a princess, and the handsome outfit tailored with care, were both sewn by my mom. Yes, she is quite the seamstress! In fact, both my brother and I served as living dolls for her. As a homemaker in the 80’s – without Internet, Netflix or iPads – what else was there for her to do but sew clothes? I have memories of puffed sleeves, pretty bows and a sea of pink, peach and purple.

2) Over the years, I’ve dyed my hair a chestnut brown in an effort to sport a more “natural” look. And each time, my mom looks at me and says, “Change it back to blonde. It’s too dark.” Well, here’s a stark reminder that I was actually born with shiny black hair. Dare I go back to my roots? Unlikely.

3) It appears that once again, we were visiting the friends with the red carpet. These shagalicious folks also had great taste in furniture, as seen by the velvet couches peeking into the frame.

This is my throwback, circa 1981. 

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: #tbt, #throwbackthursday, Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. loriag

    January 9, 2014 at 8:35 am

    The 80’s were a fabulous time. Quite the princess outfit! Printing from my ipad would be awesome.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:12 pm

      It’s such a great feature of the printer. Thanks Lori!

  2. nicolthepickle

    January 9, 2014 at 9:25 am

    This is so sweet! You two were little dollies. And your mother’s sewing skills are really good. Wow!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      Thank you Nicoline :)

  3. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    January 9, 2014 at 10:59 am

    Quite the little outfits! Your mom was very good at sewing!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Thanks Judy! She still is!

  4. Allie

    January 9, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Omg Lena how sweet!! Your big brother looks very protective of you!!!!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Hahaha he may have been at one point :)

  5. Rosie

    January 9, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    What a cute picture! I’ve been a sewer for many years, and I like sewing for kids. You mom’s a great seamstress.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm

      Thank you Rosie! Kudos to you for your amazing talent!

  6. angie smith

    January 9, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    fantastic!!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm

      Thanks Angie!

  7. Lindsay C

    January 9, 2014 at 3:00 pm

    Such cuties!! And those little outfits were adorable!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:25 pm

      They really were :) Thanks Lindsay!

  8. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    January 9, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    your mother could sew, lots of detail in that dress.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:34 pm

      Thank you Chandra, you bet! Wish I had a close up!

  9. Flora M

    January 9, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Love the outfits ! Your mom is a terrific seamstress, wish I had the patience to do the details like her :)
    My daughter was born in 1980 so the 80’s for me were pretty blurry (put on the “mom” hat for the first time) :)

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      I wish I had her patience too! I’m hopeless behind a sewing machine :)

  10. Freda Mans

    January 9, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    Beautiful photo of you and your brother! You two are adorable!!!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      Thank you Freda!

  11. Jenn Erin

    January 9, 2014 at 7:13 pm

    Wow, I can’t believe your mother sewed that! Beautiful!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      Thanks Jenn! She’s got talent!

  12. Heidi C.

    January 9, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    Love the outfits! I had a bit of a flashback moment myself looking at them!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      Yup, the 80’s were all about bows and frills!

  13. Sharlene

    January 9, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    It reminds me of the time my mom sewed me a dress (the only one ever!) for my aunt’s wedding when I was little. Such a lost art these days! You guys look so cute!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks Sharlene – it IS a lost art! Wish I had taken it up years ago.

  14. Ella Pretty Blog

    January 9, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    Look at your shiny shiny hair – I had no idea it was originally this dark – your highlights are so natural!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks Ella – yup, I have a great stylist!

  15. Nicole W.

    January 10, 2014 at 3:06 am

    You really do look like a little doll! So cute :) Your mom has an amazing talent!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks Nicole!

  16. Doris Calvert

    January 10, 2014 at 3:51 am

    Priceless! So cute, at times don’t you wish you could go back?

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:38 pm

      Absolutely, especially as a 35-year old!

  17. Janet W.

    January 10, 2014 at 6:21 am

    What a precious photo! Both of your outfits are amazing!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you Janet!

  18. Marissa

    January 10, 2014 at 9:00 am

    Cute photos of you and your brother and you do look like a little princess!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks Marissa!

  19. Tricha

    January 10, 2014 at 10:03 am

    Your mom is quite talented. The details in the outfits are amazing.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:40 pm

      They are. I don’t think my mom ever believed “less is more”… everything was always embellished!

  20. Darlene Schuller

    January 10, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    What an adorable photo! Very impressed with your Mom’s skills! Thank you for sharing little you with us :)

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks for stopping by to take a peek at the photo!

  21. Stephanie LaPlante

    January 10, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    You guys were certainly living dolls. So cute.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks Stephanie :)

  22. Teresa K

    January 10, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    such a cute picture !

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      Thank you Teresa!

  23. Mom

    January 11, 2014 at 7:50 am

    Thanks Lena! Thanks also to all your readers for the many compliments on my sewing skills – truly appreciated! Back in the 80’s, you and your brother were little living dolls and models for the many outfits I sewed for you.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      :) Can’t wait to show off your other fashions – in fact, I just posted another today!

  24. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    January 11, 2014 at 8:08 am

    I think we need an after picture of your brother he is so adorable there. both of you have amazing eyes

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:48 pm

      Hahaha Chandra I’ll ask if he wants to model on my blog :)

  25. Soozle

    January 11, 2014 at 11:58 am

    Awwww :) You were beautiful even back then :)

    Your mom was (is) an amazing seamstress!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      Yes, she is! Thanks Soozle!

  26. Victoria Ess

    January 11, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    I can’t believe your mom made those outfits!! She’s so talented!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:50 pm

      She did! Thanks Victoria!

  27. AC

    January 11, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    It’s good to reminisce. Will we eventually see the friends with the red carpet? ;) Compliments to your mom for creating those great outfits for you and your brother.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:50 pm

      Hahaha I think my parents lost touch with them long ago.

  28. Clifford

    January 12, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    The 80’s were something else, we all dressed so proper back then. Your mother is quite the seamstress, you and your brother look awesome.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Thanks Clifford! Dressing up was nice, wasn’t it?

  29. Tammy S

    January 12, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Talk about a blast from the past! Your mom did an amazing job on your outfits. She must have spent hours upon hours. The velvet couch was “Hot” in the 80’s.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Oh, it was a labour of love for her!

  30. NT

    January 12, 2014 at 11:47 pm

    Great color photos again! Love the outfits. Your brother didn’t mind being dressed up?

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:52 pm

      Strangely enough… I don’t think so. But I’m sure there came a point when he was like, Stop it Mom!

  31. Susan T.

    April 28, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    I am loving all the ruffles! It takes a real man to wear a ruffled shirt!

  32. kathy downey

    February 10, 2016 at 12:10 pm

    You Mom was certainly very good at sewing,wow those pieces are a loving creation.Awe and you a beautiful child and the years have done you well.

  33. Debbie White Beattie

    September 16, 2017 at 4:31 am

    Isn’t it funny to look back at the clothes we used to wear and how strange it looks now

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Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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