Retro Ways

Tattoo your lips! 1938

2010-01-27T12:10:00.010-06:00

Vintage make-up ad, 1938

This lovely lipstick advertisment for Tattoo, a new line packaged in a stunning tube engraved with an art deco hula girl. "And how his heart will pound," when he comes home from work and gets a peek at your lips and you tell him the brand is "tattoo."

Vintage article, 1962

Its the lastest fad in Hollywood!!!

Timeless Vixen

2010-01-26T15:22:00.001-06:00

I am so enamored with these gorgeous 1950's designer vintage dresses from Timeless Vixen I just had to share a few of my favorites. Any of these beauties screaming at you?

Lovely vintage Valentines dresses that wont break the bank

2010-01-25T13:02:00.003-06:00

This little curve hugger is sure to have you wiggling in all the right places. Beware though, your boyfriend or date most likely will transform into the Tex Avery wolf for at least 60 seconds!!!

1950's scarlet bombshell wiggle dress $54, sillyrabbitvintage

Tex Avery wolf, 1943

Sweet as a cupcake in frosting worthy colors.

Stunning open back pale pink 1960's cocktail dress ~~$65~~ now $55, RevolvingStyles

Sweet handmade 1950's polka dot dress w/ rhinestone trim $35, countryshamrock

Breathtaking (I wish this was my size) 1960's vixen cut out pencil dress w/ matching coat $49, turquoiseheaven

Lipstick red 1950's dress cute bow detail & full skirt with a 40 inch bust $50, littlethingsvintage

Two more to make your date's heart skip a beat this Valentines day!

A darling 1940's inspired cherry red peplum dress that rivals on those made back then, a sweet score at $39.99 from FiregypsyVintage. Lastly a steal of a deal, this 1940's sweetheart red crepe dress is in great condition and an even more romantic deal for $42 from revivalhouse.

Repro Retro ala Mad Men

2010-01-21T13:02:00.000-06:00

These dresses are sure to bring out the inner bombshell in anybody, they sure worked for Mad Men's own Joan Holloway. Prices range from $125-$140 in ready made sizes and tailored sizes are offered. Maybe, just maybe this could be the dress to land you that promotion you have been working so hard for.

How would these outfits go over in your office space? What do you think of these Mad Men replicas, would you dare wear it? Are these dresses to costume like for your taste or right on the money?

A stitch in time

2010-01-19T13:17:00.001-06:00

"Look hun, what do you think? I made it out of the drapes." Her fabric choice might not be my cup of tea, but that sewing machine sure sets my heart a pitter pattering.

Morse De Luxe sewing machine $40 vintageorphans

Pint size Singer sewing machine $25 thebirdsandthebees

Pink & teal Brother sewing machine $150 kingdomthreads

Nothing better to brighten up those dark and gloomy winter days then a cheery colored vintage sewing machine to team up with. It's safe to say we all can lose inspiration and patience at times but with a machine as cute as one of these, I dont think I could ever get discouraged again!

Dreaming of a Vintage Christmas........tree.

2009-12-08T15:26:00.001-06:00

Paulette Goddard, a perfect Hollywood Christmas

Last year we purchased a real Christmas tree and it was gorgeous, but my heart has always been set on a fake one. Preferably a vintage 1950's or 1960's tree and any color would suffice silver, pink, light blue, even white. I have been searching all year but alas still no vintage tree has found its way home with yours truly. There have been a few hopefuls over the years, but a typical dark green tree will not do for our retro home.

A store down the road from us advertised white, pink, red, blue, and even a frightful lime green color Christmas trees. Size wise I am completely open as long as the overall look is vintage inspired, tiny like this one below or massive like Paulette's. Hopefully one of them will tickle my fancy, otherwise we will be treeless this year left to dream about the vintage one I will find someday (see how determined I am) and what it will look like all decorated then.

December 1955 The Ed Sullivan Show Dancers

Are you a sweater girl?

2009-12-02T14:05:00.000-06:00

I am! My all time favorite style of any period in time, would unquestionably have to be the sweater girl look. In my book nothing beats a bullet bra, a tight sweater and a pencil skirt or capris.

Sweater girls, Girl Watcher Magazine, I highly reccomend you check out this magazine its a gas!!

Ultimate sweater girl Beverly Owen, such great hair!!!

Anne Francis looking smoking hot in her sweater. She is the epitome of good girl gone bad here.

The next best thing to a vintage sweater to pull of that sweater girl look would be one of these. So adorable and perfectly 1950's I need 10 of these, seriously! These adorable sweaters are available from Bernie Dexter and are $68 each.

Would you believe Bernie Dexter has a sparkly and a leopard version as well!!!!!!!

What do you guys think of the sweater girl look?

Bumps in the road and the best weekend ever

2009-11-24T14:13:00.001-06:00

Last week was just one of those weeks you never want to think about again. It was completely awful with no time for posting, hours sitting in the Emergency room and hardly anytime for living. Such a dreadful week though was followed by one of the best weekends I have ever had!

Saturday we woke up bright and early to take a trip to Pleasanton Texas about 35 minutes south of San Antonio. A vintage seller in the area bought out a clothing store that had been abandoned for at least 40 years, her warehouse was full of clothes from the 1950's and 1960's deadstock, new with tags. My favorite find of the day I would have to be a tan pencil skirt with small pockets, the only word to describe it would be BOMBSHELL, slim, past the knee, kick pleast and best of all it fits like it was tailored for me. Though the sale was a bit of a mad dash through the racks along side agressive vintage resellers, I came home with a pile I barely could see over while carrying it to the car.

A sneek peak at what I brought home from the sale

Most of the items I picked up fit like a dream, a few though are a bit too small and no matter how much I work out after Thanksgiving will never fit me. Instead of adding all of these gorgeous items to my wishful thinking "these will fit someday" pile (which is quite large and since moving to Texas has only quadrupled), I have decided to open an etsy shop. Please forgive the horrible photographs of the loot, I snapped those in a jiffy this morning. All day I have been washing any dusty or dirty items and giving everything else a nice steam.

I buy a good portion of my vintage on etsy and love it, so I am thinking why not sell my vintage that needs a new home and that way I will have more money to spend on etsy. Ahhh a perfect circle. If you have any advice or knowledge you want to share about selling on etsy, please fee free to send me an email or leave a comment!

Asking for Bad Luck on Friday the 13th, 1940.

2009-11-13T10:33:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday the 13th!

Members of the anti-superstition party walking underneath a bad luck ladder. Notice the umbrella opened, the number 13 twice, a black cat and a sign stating everyone must walk under this ladder.

A man happily breaking a mirror with a hammer at the anti-superstition party of 1940.

I think I will do without all the bad luck and stay away from anti-superstition partys also If I see a ladder I will no doubt walk around it. Do any of you guys give into superstitions? I don't have any problem being a tad bit superstitious giving into a few like if I spill salt, I always take a pinch and toss it over my left shoulder. These guys are just insane!

I hope you all have the luckiest friday ever!

Saving lives and making sweet shoes since the 1880's

2009-11-12T12:41:00.000-06:00

Thank you again for all of your lovely comments on my last post, I was smitten by all of the sweet and thoughtful responses. Also I just wanted to point out I have yet to make anything out of those paticular patterns but do not worry, now that I have my handy sewing book to reference I will be diving in to more difficult patterns very soon.

I stumbled upon these beauts via one of my favorite blogs Letters from the Home Front, its so fascinating to own a piece of history, especially from an organization dedicated to saving lives since 1881 like the Red Cross.

1940's Velvet Red Cross Peep Toes $58 Adelinesattic

1940's White Satin Red Cross Peep Toes $38 tigerluxe

1940's Red Cross First Aid Text-Book, 1st Edition $9 TheFancyLamb

WWI Red Cross Pin $4 PassingItOn

Sewing Made Easy, really? Yes!!!!

2009-11-12T09:56:00.003-06:00

Sewing Made Easy 1959, yet to be made vintage patterns from my collection.

I love to sew and I am not to shabby but I am self taught, everything I know about sewing I have learned on my own (well there was that week in 8th grade Home Ec where we sewed a snake, weird huh?). Over the years I have been collecting patterns well not really more like hoarding patterns, but any who these gorgeous patterns seldomly get used and that is so very very wrong. Shame on me!

A few of my favorite patterns from my collection.

Self taught has made me a master at tailoring ready made, making wicked awesome pencil skirts, sewing my own designs (like my halloween costume) and whipping up accessories but horrible at understanding written directions and terminology amongst a few other important details. So when it comes to getting ready to make most dress patterns and especially suits I am scared out of my wits.

Gosh, I really cant wait to make these.

All my problems have been solved, well in away. Today I stumbled upon something I have been needing for way to long, but did not have the extra pocket cash to pick up via the internet. This book is entitled Sewing Made Easy and that is exactly what it does.

A few more favorites.

My first sewing book and its from 1959 perfect for all of my vintage patterns, best dollar I ever spent! I am no longer scared to make a fancy dress but excited, if I have any questions I can just refer to my new lil sewing bible! Over 400 pages covering all the basics and then some, along with lovely how to's, like slip covers for furniture, curtains, hats, slippers, belts (which I have included a picture of below for you to save or use as inspiration) and turning two ugly dress' into one gorgeous dress.

Click to enlarge. The first is my favorite, using a mans watch chain to make a belt how bad ass is that for a 1950's housewife!!!!

I hope all of you guys have an amazing Veterans Day and even better sewing adventures.

Autumn Amenities

2009-11-10T14:08:00.001-06:00

Doris Model 1930's Wool Coat w/ Mink Collar Allencompanyinc

Slate Blue 1940's Swing Coat DearGoldenVintage

1940's Plaid Jacket and Coat Set eldiabloshoes

Scalloped Cuffs 1950's Gray Wool w/ Mink Coat ClubVintage

House Guests!! Wild Baby Jack Rabbits

2009-11-09T15:31:00.004-06:00

These two little guys came into my care Saturday, friends of our's dog had gotten into the nest and injured a third baby Jack Rabbit that did not make it. Not knowing what to do and if their dog had attacked the mother they took these two babies in.

Having expierence with baby animals and the time on hand, I willingly took them and have been rehabilitating them back to health. Once they are old enough or about 8-9 weeks, I will be releasing them back into the woods just feet from the garage they were found next to. The faint blue on the front bunny rabbits wick, is completely harmless, recommended to make sure they get fed equally and it helps to tell them apart.

When Blue and Jumper were found they were about 5-6 days old completely furry, with eyes closed and ears back, seldomly moving. Now they are getting stronger, standing up, pushing with their feet, reaching their neck out to look for the other one or food. They are just growing up so fast, the first night I had them I was so worried they wouldnt make it, so many dont, but these little guys are tough as nails and cute as buttons.

For right now I am the only one that comes in contact with them, because they are wild animals they need a quiet area with really no human interaction except feedings. When they are released into the wild they should have no interest in myself or others but just hop into the woods to grow up, sad for me but its whats right for them. I probably will cry.

If you find a wild baby bunny nest it is actually best for them to leave the nest alone. When worried about the mother being gone or killed, take two twigs and make an X untop of the covered nest and if in 4-7 hours the twigs are disturbed the mother is near by and they will be perfectly fine. The mother stays away from the nest to keep predators at bay.

Helpful articles on nursing wild baby Jack Rabbits, Rabbitweb.net, PetPlace.com, and Rabbit.org,

Thrifting a winter wardrobe, mmmm.........pumpkin pie!

2009-11-06T12:15:00.001-06:00

Having lived in Southern California my whole life where you could practically wear flip flops all year, resulted in a very lacking fall/winter wardrobe. Texas is a whole differnent story from CA, it gets really really chilly. Yay a valid reason for me to go thrifting.

My first stop was my favorite goodwill down the street from my house. This is not just your ordinary goodwill its a discount center, its the place unsold goodwill items go to die. Alot of the stuff is broken, empty or missing almost every component but now and then I find a gem or 2 or like today, 5 gems for a steal of a price.

I did quite well today, found an adorable brown and orange plaid pencil skirt (pictured top left), 1950's jacket w/ fake fur collar (top right), two pieces of floral fabric perfect for blouses, two records at 49 cents each, and a late 1950's book entitled Immortals of the Screen all for under $6. While at the goodwill a nice lady recommended a thrift store down the street, on my way I found a church rummage sale but didnt find anything at all. The thrift store turned out to be quite a fine, great selection and tons of vintage. Resisting the urge to look around I only browsed the sweaters, since I had already picked up a few things at the goodwill that wont keep me warm this winter. I ended up buying 3 sweaters; a short sleeved number which makes me think of eating pumpkin pie everytime I look at it......mmm, a long sleeve green Jantzen sweater and a white long sleeve zip up.

This book is a treasure trove of photographs and screen shots from so many stars of the early 1900's to late 1950's. Some of the stars covered in this book are Gary Cooper, Errol Flynn, Marilyn Monroe, Jean Harlow, Marion Davies and Will Rogers, just to name a few.

Is it not the best when you find exactly what you intended on buying as well as a few bonuses?

Wake the Dead!

2009-11-03T16:19:00.000-06:00

Happy Belated Halloween!

This year I wanted to be something traditional, and mummys are a traditional halloween costume right? The dress is actually not a dress but two pieces, a top and pencil skirt made out of white stretch cotton. My strands I made out of strips of cheesecloth, then I dipped everything in a bucket of tea to give it an aged feel and then hand sewed for days! Finished the look with some deadish makeup and my bangs in a happy pompadour thanks to Lauren of the bobby pin blog and her wonderful tutorial.

The bf was a very vicious vampire, somehow we managed to not get one picture together all of Halloween. Boo for me.

If you can tell me what movie the title of this post is from, you will forever be the coolest person in my book.

Its seems like forever

2009-11-03T11:00:00.000-06:00

Tons of apologies for being m.i.a. for quite some time. I really missed this little blog, as well as my lovely readers as well as visitors, along with reading your comments, and of course reading all of my favorite blogs. Unfortunately about a day or two after the last post I wrote my laptop crashed. Some sort of evil Darla hating virus murdered my computer brutally. From then on a few minor set backs resulted in a lack of funds to fix said laptop. That is no longer the case and I am thrilled to report my laptop is fixed, and all important files were backed up.

With that out of the way I just wanted to say so far I love Texas!

Texas is beautiful, the weather unpredictable, and the vintage finds plentiful!

Like this bad boy, General Electric clock radio I picked up at a goodwill for $2. The clock works swell the tubes to the radio are burnt out and thats an easy fix. Not quite sure on the exact year yet, I am guessing mid to late 1950's. If anyone has a better idea on the date I would love to hear your opinion. The model is C400a.

I hope each and everyone of you have had a lovely past couple of months.

I am sorry it has been so long.

2009-07-29T18:44:00.000-05:00

We are still settling into our new home and sadly we do not have internet just yet. But trust me I am working on that.

I have not found out any history on are house so far but I am still researching. Due to the age of the house and the fact that it was abandoned for two years my boyfriend and I have had are hands full. Aside from cleaning and unpacking we have been extremely busy fixing things, from replacing the original clay plumbing, the foundation, putting in lights, digging out all of the weeds in the front and back yard and turning the soil. We still have so much to do to restore the house to its original luster, for example the garage is leaning a bit and needs to be reinforced, we still need to paint the inside and outside of the house, plant new grass, sand and polish the hard wood floors, rip out the ugly boring tan tile in the bathroom, kitchen, and my sewing room to replace with black and white checkered tile as well as fixing some minor cracks in the inside of the house.

My paint plans for the outside of the house which is currently a horrid light blue with a even worse poorly painted crayola (don't ask me why) bright blue is to paint the house gray with white trim, black details and the front door and back door will be dark red. I am working on a sketch of my plans right now so stay tuned.

I forgot how long it takes to unpack, we moved in about 3 weeks ago and we are still not fully unpacked yet. ekkkk! As soon as I get a few more boxes unpacked including my sewing machine I will be able to sew as much as possible each and every day. Its inspiring to have my own room for drafting, sewing, and all of my artwork but unfortunate to not have everything accessible or in working order yet. Currently I do have a bathing suit in the works right now, the fabric is a dark blue art deco one way stretch and the design for the suit is very 1940's and I cant wait to get started on it.

Again I am sorry for how long it has been since I last posted, things are just now finally settling into place. In no time at all I will have plenty of new things I have created and vintage items I have picked up as well as photos of our house to share.

I miss reading all of of your guys comments along with each of your blogs. I cant wait to get Internet in our home and be able to update everyday. We do visit my loves aunt and uncles house a couple times a week, so I will be posting and uploading photos each time we are over here.

We recently rented Cadillac Records which I now have to buy for my collection, and I was delighted by how well the director portrayed each of these legends. The movie revolved around the history of Chess Records and its African American acts who broke the racial musical barriers. Acts like, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin Wolf, Chuck Berry and of course the forever wonderful Etta James. Not only the story but the costumes, sets and cars where incredibly moving.

Happy Independence Day everyone!

2009-07-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

Old Fashion 4th Of July 1954

Photo Credit: Life

I hope all of you guys have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!

If only I had a time machine

2009-07-03T12:23:00.000-05:00

To travel back in time and snatch up the clothes off miss Bette Davis' back. I would feel a bit bad and she might end up running around in her knickers with an ice cream cone. On the bright side I would be the best dressed gal anyone has ever seen for Independence day. Bette's ensemble in this photograph is my inspiration and dream outfit for the 4th of July. If only I had seen this picture a couple months ago I could have tried to recreate an outfit inspired by Bette's sailor number. I love every detail of this ensemble down to her glasses and I am not sure whats under her arm it looks like another scarf or a tiny clutch but I love it any who, any ideas on what it is? Hmmm maybe its a bow she took out of her hair?

Girls good grooming guide

2009-07-02T23:52:00.000-05:00

(click photos to enlarge)

Some might hate the thought of a morning checklist but to me this would be quite handy (when I wake up I am in a zombie state I barely open my eyes as I drag my feet to the shower) and a check list like this would be sure to instill good habits in any young woman. photo credit

Currently we have been on the road now moving from California to Texas, so if I don't respond to any emails or comments right away I am truly sorry and as soon as the internets up in running in are new home I will be sure to reply. I do have my iPhone but I am not sure how much service I will be getting! Enjoy the auto posts in my absence, take care for now everybody.

Straight from Dita's Mouth

2009-07-01T12:07:00.000-05:00

Biggest misconception about burlesque: "That it’s about dancing around in hot pants with feather boas. Burlesque was about the striptease. The stars of burlesque took their clothes off, end of story, period."

Worst moment onstage: "My hair caught on fire. I do an act where I sit on a vanity table that has candelabras on it. Well, there was a lot of hair spray going on. I realized what was happening and put my hair out. The show went on."

Indispensable gadget: "A 1940s phone station. It’s a stand that holds the phone, and you sit in it. You can’t move around. I used to have a cordless phone and I hated it."

Personal hero: "Mae West. There hasn’t been another actress in the world who wrote every line she ever said in a film."

Burlesque memento: "I have an artifact of the famed burlesque star Sally Rand, from 1939. It’s a box that says “Winter Underwear for Men” on it. Inside is a crocheted warmer for a man’s equipment. It’s hysterical."

Extra bedrooms: "I turned one of them into a dark, jewel box of a bedroom. Another is a wardrobe with my dresses, shoes and vintage clothes. The third is devoted to my hat collection and vanity. It’s a real powder room."

Collections: "I collect in a crazy way. I have at least 15 collections. I collect vintage hair combs; vintage clothes; vintage lingerie; hats; jewelry; cigarette holders."

Favorite collection: "My hats. When I look at them I can’t believe these are things that women wore on the street every day. They are dramatic and distinctive."

Obsolete item she can’t bear to part with: "Everything I have is obsolete. That’s the point."

Doesn't she have the most gorgeous hat room, just look at all of those vintage hats, now that folks is what dreams are made of! All of the quotes from Dita Von Teese are courtesy of the New York Times and the last photo, the entire interview may be found here.

Go here if you are interested in prints of Dita, beware you might see some tatas.

A young Jane Powell

2009-06-30T13:24:00.000-05:00

Photos taken by Martha Holmes, August 26, 1948, Photo Credit: Life

Jane Powell, born as Suzanne Lorraine Burce began her career at an early age, singing on the radio as well as performing in theater. In 1944 she was casted in her first major role at the age of 15 with Universal Studios in the feature film Song of the Open Road. The funny thing about how she got her stage name is that Jane Powell was her characters name is Song of the Open Road. Before the film released MGM decided to assign the name to her for good.

Stats:

Birthplace: Portland, Oregon

Measurements: 33-22-33

Height: 5' 0½"

Gratifying glasses

2009-06-29T11:22:00.000-05:00

These lovely vintage glasses range from $12 to $95 and can all be found at Vintage50sEyewear on etsy. I cant even begin to tell you which pair I like the best because they are all so wondrous and just begging me to take them home to wear the heck out of them.

Inspiring 1940's hair styles

2009-06-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

photo credit

This is going to be me very soon

2009-06-26T13:56:00.000-05:00

This is going to be me fairly soon with plenty of unpacking to do once we get to our new home.

I wish we had movers to do all the work!

Monday we are picking up are U-haul packing it up with all of are stuff, then heading to my mom's house to give are dogs a proper washing and fill up the truck with any things I still have at her house. After that we will be on the road, moving from Long Beach, California to San Antonio, Texas about an 18-20 hour drive!

Once we are done unpacking I will probably not look as put together as her (or have as spiffy of a chair) but we I will be tired.

A gift for you.

2009-06-25T12:20:00.000-05:00

First I wanted to share this amazing photograph & blog I just stumbled on, the blog goes by the name of Time Warp Wives and is full of list's and tips on ways to improve your life. For instance 20 Ways to Achieving Your Goals!, How to Deal with Rude People, How to Get Along With Your Mother in Law, and also posts like this one Improving Communication With Your Spouse. Its such a lovely and well written blog I can not get over how useful and mind blowing some of these tips are.

Gifts & Giveaways

Recently my wonderful prize that feels more like a luxurious gift arrived, which I won from the Able Grable Giveaway on Miss Matildas Blog. My package was full of vintage lovelies my favorite part would have to be the 1940's sparkly vintage hat which is to die for and I know I will be wearing it over and over. Once we get unpacked I will be taking pictures of my self with my new lovely items to share with y'all.

Able Grable is a wonderful new clothing line, right now they are offering this darling well constructed 1930's inspired polka dot dress. I am enthralled by the glorious detail on this dress especially the back as well as the high quality materials which this true to the time dress is made of.

Lately I have been stumbling on so many great giveaways and I wanted to make sure you guys knew about some of these.

Dismantled Fashions $20 Gift Certificate Giveaway
To enter the giveaway go here, and also make sure to check out Dismantled Fashions Etsy shop, or DismantledFashions.com.

Miss Metropolitan Housewife's Giveaway

Which includes the Vintage Hairstyling Book, an adorable pink flower and more, to enter the giveaway go here.

Grosgrain's Children's Hopscotch Cami's Giveaway

For a chance to win one of two adorable red & yellow jumpers enter the giveaway here.

Retro Housewife Goes Green Enviorsax Reusable Bag Giveaway

To enter the giveaway for the Envirosax handy reusable retro print bag click here.

Waste Not Sak's Giveaway

Waste Not Sak's is offering an adorable Woodland Mushroom Reusable Sandwich Sak, enter the giveaway here.

Grosgrain's Boojiboo Flirty Apron Giveaway

Another great giveaway from Grosgrain, this time it is an adorable apron made by Boojiboo, enter the giveaway here.

I would love to do a giveaway for all of you lovely gals but first I wanted to get your opinions. Would you like for it to be a random drawing where I pick a name out of a hat, do you want me to choose by your answers to a question I ask, or do you want to have a poll and vote for who should win the giveaway. If you have any other ideas or advice leave a comment and let me know.

Johnny, you kind soul you

2009-06-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

After the Chicago premiere of Public Enemies, Johnny Depp along with fellow cast and crew members enjoyed dinner at Gibson's Steakhouse late that night. Johhny Depp who has mentioned before that "money is not the key to happiness" gave the waiter at Gibson's Steak House a $4,000 tip, even though the bill only came to $4,400.

"Because he had visited us before he calls me 'Mo' and I know exactly the way he likes to be treated. He may be one of the most famous actors in the world but he is a very 'humble guy' and a really cool dude," the waiter at Gibson's Steakhouse explained. "I have worked with a lot of stars like Sean Connery and Robert De Niro but Johnny Depp is my favorite He is a very soft spoken guy who is very charming and sweet -- when I wait for him he doesn't like to be too fussed over and is not in any way demanding."

You can read more about the story here.

Now on to the even more completely gratuitous photos of Mr. Depp as John Dillinger and his handsomely dressed Public Enemies co stars.

For even more Public Enemies goodness check out this previous post.

Wondrous Wallflower's

2009-06-24T13:52:00.000-05:00

1930's: 1. Gray Wool Linen Day Dress w/Unique Back Draping 2. Dartford Deb Little Black Dress 3. Adorable Green Day Dress w/Peter Pan Collar & Kick Pleat 4. Evocative Cotton Summer Floral Print Dress 5. Marlita Frock Geometric Day Dress 6. Original Feedcloth Depression Era Day Dress

1940's: 1. Blue & White Fine Stripes Wool Day Dress 2. Outstanding Silk Day to Evening Striped Dress 3. Montaldo Rayon Smoky Blue Day Dress 4. Deep Purple Cocktail Dress w/Bolero 5. Sophisticated Rayon Wool Dark Green Day Dress 6. Steel Blue Evening Gown Set w/ Skirt & Jacket Fully lined in Dark Red Satin 7. Vibrant Button Down Dress w/Cappucino Collar 8. White Cotton Eyelet Summer Gown w/ Capelet 9. Woven Tweed Sailor Dress by Florian of Cleveland 10. Patriotic Cotton Shirtwaist Day Dress 11. Satin Evening Dress w/Bead Detail 12. 1960's Gingham Day Dress with a 1940's look

As you probably can already tell I am completely smitten by Wallflower Vintage's astonishing collection of vintage dresses. Since the wee hours of the morning I have been drooling over all of the items Wallflower Vintage has to offer. Just wishing a pile of money (not stolen though!) would fall in my lap and I could purchase every single item they have for sale in my size. Not only are all of the items beautifully and cleverly displayed they are also high quality one of a kind vintage items. From gorgeous gowns to cute day dresses every piece is perfection. All of the items listed above can be found here. If you want to be first to find out what Wallflower Vintage is adding to there amazing online vintage emporium or if they are having any sales then check out their blog here.
♥

A Vintage Summer

2009-06-23T10:56:00.000-05:00

1940's linen post cards bananastrudel

You cant go wrong with a vintage swimsuit, they are much more flattering then the new suits of today. Plus the chance of any one else wearing the same suit as you, forget about it, because it most likely will never ever happen.

1960's Yellow Gingham Bathing Suit $85 thirteeneightyfive

1950's Turquoise Cotton Bathing Suit or Play Suit $62 funkydarlinvintage
1950's Cole of California Halter Bathing Suit $89.95 metroretrovintage

1950's 4th of July Pin Up Bathing Suit $15 cominguproses

1950's Kahala Hawaiian Swimsuit $89 Planetclairevintage

1950's Vintage Sunglasses

1950's ArtCraft Cat Eye Sunglasses $35 thewoolgatherer
1950's Black Cat Eye Sunglasses w/ Leaves $28 cominguproses
1940's Vintage Swim Cap

1940's Bubble Gum Pink Rubber Smocked Swim Cap $8 stacyleighvintage

1950's Vintage Hawaiian Dresses

1950's Hawaiian Sarong Hibiscus Wiggle Dress $75 Planetclairevintage
1950's Ruby of Miami Sarong Dress $34.95 metroretrovintage
1950's Red Hawaiian Tiki Print Full Skirt Dress $285 Planetclairevintage

Our 1948 home

2009-06-19T14:23:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the cruddy google photo this is all I have for now. I promise the moment we get to our new place I will be taking tons of photos to share with you guys. This is going to be our new home come July 1 or whenever we make it out to San Antonio, Texas. We are leaving Long Beach, California Monday June 29th and hoping to arrive as quick as possible. Though we will be making plenty of stops for are 3 dogs, Ava are pit bull puppy she is about 15 weeks, Betty are black lab pit mix and Sammy are buff little Chihuahua. I am so excited about this new adventure but a bit nervous about the move half way across the United States. Almost every moment of my life has been spent in Long Beach. I have lived here my whole life (20 years) and I really do not know anything else. I will deeply miss my friends, family and the beach but I am so excited to see what San Antonio has to offer.

The stats on the house:

3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms and 1 den

1 bathroom

built in 1948

hardwood floors

huge backyard for our 3 dogs

at least 3 trees on the property

the round thing in the front lawn was originally a pond

and that's about all I know for now.

I am hoping I will be able to do some research at the local library or town hall on the house and maybe find some photos of the original owners or information on them.

San Antonio in the 1940's

1. San Antonio de Padua Church 2. Hotel San Antonio 3. Oscar 1943 4. Broadway Ave, San Antonio

Ahoy to Red, White & Blue

2009-06-19T11:56:00.000-05:00

Red White & Blue 1950's Peep Toe Wedge Sandals Size 8.5 $85

1950's Blue & White Sun Dress 35"-27"-free $80

Red 1950's Sailor Sun Dress Bust - 38"-28"-free $160

Steal of a Deal 1940's Navy & Gingham Day Dress 36"–26"-42” $42.50 Navy Rayon Gabardine 1940's Bowling Dress 33"-25"-37" $75 Elegant 1950's Navy Sheer Gown w/ Lace Overlay 38”-26”-42” $105
1950's Embroidered Linen Dress from Cuba 36”-25”-46” $65

Fantastic 1950's Turquoise Quilted Pique Cotton Halter Dress 34”-25”-free $115

The fourth of July and my favorite excuse to dress up in Red, White & Blue is only 15 days away!

Wondrous Wakefield

2009-06-18T17:56:00.000-05:00

Photo Credit

The history of Heywood Wakefield dates all the way back to 1826 in Gardner, Massachusetts's wear 5 Heywood brothers manufacturing wood chairs by hand out of their barn adjacent to their fathers farm. After a couple devastating events and plenty of different family members working for the company as well any partners assisting the growth of the company, Heywood Wakefield became one of the most popular furniture manufacturers around. The company was best known for there beautiful modern line of furniture in an Art Deco style of the 1940s and 1950s. Heywood Wakefield produced furniture designed by such masters as Gilbert Rohde, Russell Wright, Leo Jiranek, and Ernst Herrman, among others. The furniture became works of art, but because of the hand crafted nature of the furniture it was very expensive and time consuming to create from start to finish. Resulting in Heywood Wakefield going out of Business in the 1970's. In the late 1990's a furniture company in Florida scavenged estates sales and antique stores for Heywood Wakefield items and began to sell reproduction Heywood Wakefield furniture using the name which they purchased because of the fact the original company when bankrupt.

SpringDale Furnishings has such lovely authentic vintage Wakefield furniture, perfect for online window shopping.

Dear fabric and patterns I am sorry for neglecting you

2009-06-18T12:02:00.000-05:00

Sewing is definitely one of my biggest passions, but due to the fact that I work full time right now and we are leaving for Texas very soon, eekkkk 10 days, yes I am super nervous, I have had no time to sew lately. On the bright side I can not wait till we get to Texas we are moving in to a house built in the 1940's and pretty much all I know about the house is that it has 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, hardwood floors and a big back yard for my 3 pups. 3 bedrooms woo hoo, for about the past 9 months my boyfriend and I have shared a room that we rent. A whole house for the two of us is going to be quite spacious. We have decided the smallest room of the house will be my office, studio and sewing room slash extended closet. Right now my sewing spot is a tiny space in the garage of the house we rent are room out of. Its not only horribly lit but its also infested with spiders and other friendly bugs who love to say hi while I am sewing. Due to the lack of space all of my fabric and vintage patterns has been in boxes for the past couple of years. I am definitely looking forward to elegantly and conveniently displaying all of my gorgeous fabric I have been collecting. Lately I have been a major fabric hoarder, due to the fact that fabric is so cheap out here in the LA fashion district. If I had all of the money in the world I invest in a 100 tons of vintage fabric. But since this is not the case I wanted to share my favorite vintage fabric and pattern finds with my lovely blog friends.

1950's Rose Glazed Cotton MsLegacySews

1950's Antique Store Novelty CottonMsLegacySews

1940's Tropical Deco Vintage Barcloth catnapcottage

1950s Juvenile Novelty Western Cowboy Cotton PatternPeddler
1950's Belly Up To The Bar Cowboy Sheen Cotton violet64

Vintage Patterns

Links: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Definitely hot not cold

2009-06-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

Just some of my favorite photographs of Katy Perry, she is so inspiring with all of her adorable vintage dresses, accessories and cute lil rompers. Though her music is not exactly my cup of tea probably because of the fact I really do not listen to a lot of new music especially pop, but somehow I am simply hooked! I adore her songs they are so cheerful and always seem to get stuck in my head plus with such adorable music videos who could resist. Johnny Wujek, who has styled Katy for album and magazine covers, red carpets, and music videos says "when I first met her she was just very colourful and vintage. You know, wearing a crazy old prom dress that she would just find and cut up and make amazing." I really dig that she lets her personal style show, she has a great bright and colorful vintage look and she rocks it extremely well. If only we all had a hairstylist on hand to pull off her adorable 1940's and 1950's hairstyles. I would love to hear your guys opinion about Miss Katy Perry. The only thing I dislike about this fashionable songstress is shes letting all of are secrets out about shopping vintage.

Wouldn't you know

2009-06-16T18:04:00.000-05:00

That everything amazing gets shut down.

Ever since I was a little girl I can remember having an obsession with drive in movie theaters. I vividly remember being 5 years old and going to the drive in theater in Long Beach which has now been torn down, to watch the Lion King when it first came out with my little boyfriend at the time. Are parents tagged along and sat in the backseat it was pretty much the cutest thing ever. Sadly now there is not one drive in theater left in Long Beach, California.

Just to prove to you that I am the biggest nerd in the world the first thing I googled when I found out we were moving to San Antonio, Texas was if there was a drive in theater still around. Sadly from what I found on the Internet there is not but I did find some really interesting facts about Texas and drive in theaters. Texas was host to the 3rd drive-in theatre to open in America, at Galveston in July of 1934 (the 1st & 2nd had opened in New Jersey and Pennsylvania). Texans had the biggest peak in the industry, hosting nearly 400 outdoor theatres.

So tell me friends.....Whats your fondest memory of going to the drive in theater? Are you lucky does your city still have a drive in theater?

Dustbowl Dames

2009-06-16T13:01:00.000-05:00

As the 1920's faded into the background, the 1930's brought a glamorous, sensuous sleek and streamlined look for both women and men. Suddenly more then ever the fashion industry was influenced by Hollywood and the movies, everybody wanted to wear the styles they had seen on screen and on actresses like Jean Harlow. As big bands, dancing and night life became all the rage so did the need for new impressing looks. New and improved fabrics like rayon gave clothing companies a material with several finishes to work with, resulting in tons of new styles as well as looks. Cotton became more popular then ever and was made ever so popular by Chanel in the 1930's. Cotton soon was more then just a cheap fabric for work clothes but a summer and wardrobe staple. Though nothing can compare to the cut and look of a gown made of pure silk. Silk was definitely the best fabric to capture the folds and drapes of thirties gowns and couture.

With the Depression and the Dust bowl making times extremely tough for so many people the bold new styles introduced by the wealthy were out of reach for most. Luckily the new fashions did not use a great deal of fabric. This made it easier for people to make their own clothes with less money because of the styles that could be made with less fabric. Inexpensive ready wear clothing became very popular and was available in a wide range of sizes as well as styles. Manufacturers began to copy the latest fashions coming out of Paris and produced cheap imitations. Those who could not afford ready wear or to buy fabric, looked to household items for make new outfits. Sheets and drapes could easily be turned into a new dress or blouse and was a mere fraction of the price to make using items laying around the house then buying a brand new dress.

1930's Sunflower Yellow Crocheted Dress 40"-28"-40" $115

1930's Tea Party Dress 33"-25"-33" $65

1930's Magenta Silk Chiffon Dress 34"-27"-38" $125

1930's Ivory Embroidered Dress and Bolero 37"-28"-46" $300

1930s Black Velvet hat with Feathers $24

"The merciless winds tore up the soil that once gave the Southern Great Plains life and hurled it in roaring black clouds across the nation. Hopelessly indebted farmers fed tumbleweed to their cattle, and, in the case of one Oklahoma town, to their children. By the 1930s, years of injudicious cultivation had devastated 100 million acres of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico."- Timothy Egan on the Dust bowl

"In other periods of depression, it has always been possible to see some things which were solid and upon which you could base hope, but as I look about, I now see nothing to give ground to hope—nothing of man."- Former President Calvin Coolidge on the Depression circa 1930's

Joan Bennet, like you've never seen her before

2009-06-15T13:49:00.000-05:00

1. Joan checking over bills. 2. Autographing pictures during lunch. 3. Trying out her new grill for frying bacon. 4. Reading to her daughter. 5. Joan and her daughter selecting lunch at the Farmer's Market. 6. Playing outside with her daughter. (wearing a gorgeous pair or trousers and a darling snood) 7. Joan adding finishing touches of red paint to propeller of Melinda's airplane. 8. Reclining on her bed while making her morning telephone calls on three telephones. 9. Maid helping Joan dress for dinner. 10. Joan descending her circular stair to hall. 11. Joan piling her children into the family station wagon. 12. Keeping a file of all her scripts in her basement.

A few things you might not know about the glorious 5'4" actress Joan Bennet; Aside from being an extraordinary actress Joan also sang in many of her films with her own voice, she was never dubbed. Joan was also nearsighted meaning she was unable to see distant objects clearly and wore glasses when not in the public view. I am also nearsighted and I rarely wear my glasses in public, but when I see pictures of classic film stars in there glasses I feel a bit more empowered to wear my glasses more often. Yay for wearing glasses! Joan was married four times and had five daughters; Adrienne Ralston Fox (became Diana Markey) born on February 20th 1928, Melinda Markey born on February 27 1934, Stephanie Wanger born on June 26 1943 and Shelley Wanger born on July 4 1948. Her 78 feature-length films include three bit parts in silents and 6 TV-movies. She also made five films for German director Fritz Lang, this is way more than any other American actor or actress who worked with him (many actors reportedly disliked working with Lang). Joan came from a family full of actors both her father and mother were actors as well as her grandmother, Rose Wood and her grandfather a prominent Shakespearean stage actor Lewis Morrison, birth name: Morris W. Morris.

Photographer: Peter Stackpole

Photo Credit: Life 1940

If only we were all dolls

2009-06-13T12:13:00.000-05:00

I ♥ PlasticLand, if only it was a real place! We could all live there and have an endless closet updated with new brand new items inspired by the 1940's every day. Now wouldn't that be a dream?

1940's Inspired Black Scalloped Dolly Maryjane's $49

Red High Waist Sailor Shorts by Lucy Love $52

Grey & Black Crepe Diamonique Dress by EC Star $102 Retro Pin-Up Girl Black Patent Bow Pumps $38
Black & Leopard Cocktail Dress by Rock Steady $64.60

Amazing right?

Public Enemies

2009-06-12T13:29:00.000-05:00

"Public Enemies" is based on the true story of legendary Depression-era outlaw John Dillinger (Johnyy Depp) and the FBI agent on his trail Melvin Purvis. I am so excited to see this upcoming film set to release July 1 so I can drool over Johnnys dapper attire and manuresims as well as all of the costumes, hairstyles, cars and sets! This story takes place during the 1930's Great Depression, and Dillinger and his gang are on the run and can not be stopped. J. Edgar Hoover announces that John Dillinger is America's first Public Enemy Number hence the name of the movie. The film is adapted from Bryan Burrough's book Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34, the crime drama is directed and co-written by "Collateral" helmer Michael Mann.

I bet you couldn't tell he is one of my all time favorite actors. This is not only because he is an amazing actor, really handsome, and a snappy dresser inside and outside of work, but also because my bf met him a few years ago at a private party in North Hollywood (which I envy him for) and they spoke for quite sometime. Johnny Depp Quizzed my bf on all of the movies he told him he liked that Johnny had been in, asking all sorts of questions like who directed each movie, and so on. Luckily my boyfriend has an incredible memory so he knew every single answer to all of his questions, my bf thinks if he hadnt Johnny wouldn't have been so interested in talking with him. All in all my boyfriend walked away from the conversation with an even better opinion of Johnny Depp he said he was extremely friendly, intellectual, interesting and actually interested in what my boyfriend was telling him. Freaking amazing right?

Not your ordinary housewife

2009-06-12T10:06:00.000-05:00

The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife is by far one of my favorite blogs to read and not just because it has the spiffest name on the block. What I love most is all of the wonderful hair tutorials, photo shoots and vintage outfit posts this blog has to offer along with the fact that she is a gorgeous housewife with the most ridiculously cute children on earth. Aside from having a fabulously vintage blog, this housewife also stocks an amazing etsy store! Full of gorgeous hard to find generously priced vintage dresses, shoes and adorable vintage patterns.

Guess what this gorgeous vintage fashionista is almost to 100 followers and you know what the sweet thing about that is? Once she reaches 100 she will be doing a giveaway see the post here. Be sure to follow her blog that way you can be first to possibly win something, which she has not announced yet, But judging by her blog and her ridiculously gorgeous vintage items in her shop its going to be something amazing and one of a kind. Plus you will also be first to see all of the beautiful items going up in her shop and be able to snag them before anyone else. Here are some of my favorite vintage items from Miss Metropolitan Housewife's etsy shop.

exquisitebones

1940's Rayon dress rhinestone collar Bust 36 Navy Blue $38

1940's Navy Blue Swing dress Sailor Style w/Kick Pleats Bust 42 $551940's Tan Day dress with Lace and Rhinestones Bust 36 $38

Vintage 50s DeLiso Debs Peep toe pumps BROWN size 5.5 $25

Its all about the Betty's

2009-06-11T10:55:00.000-05:00

Betty Brosmer

Measurements: 38 - 18 - 35
Height: 5' 5"
Birth Place: Pasadena, California

Betty GrableMeasurements: 36 - 24 - 35
Height: 5' 4"
Birth Place: Louis, Missouri Bettie Page

Measurements: 36 - 24 - 35

Height: 5" 5.5"

Birth Place: Nashville, Tennessee

Bette DavisMeasurements: 34 - 21 - 34
Height: 5' 3"
Birth Place: Lowell, Massachusetts

United States Rankings for the name Betty From 1900 to 2005

It is astonishing how popular the name Betty was from the 1920's to the 1950's.

Heavenly Headwear

2009-06-10T12:30:00.000-05:00

Circa 1938, I bet she is thinking "Dont I look good wearing this hat that you do not have but I know you must desire?"1939 LIFE Isn't this 1930's top hat gorgeous, the moment I saw it, I was immediately reminded of the stunning creations from Topsy Turvy Designs.

1939 LIFE Unique bird hat designed by John Frederics. When I saw this hat my first thought was I bet Solanah (a wonderful blogger, vintage seller and vintage fashionista whom you probably all also adore) would love it, and wouldn't fit perfect in her blog The Bird Hat

Lynne Baggett circa 1940, In 1944 Lynne was voted “Triple-A-Girl” by the boys at Camp Haan, the A's standing for “adorable, amicable, and amorous.” Isn't she?

Eyelet Hat 1940 LIFE photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt

1947, I am dumbfounded on how this lovely little hat is attached to her head, either a ton of pins or maybe a magnet installed in to her skull....probably not but wouldnt it be kind of handy for sewing needles.

1953 LIFE What girl could resist a big giant black bow, for a quick modern look I love this hand made bow.

Photo Credit: My Vintage Vogue

Ahoy Matey

2009-06-09T16:00:00.000-05:00

I am not really a big fan of short dresses but I am a fan of anything nautical! Now and then though, a short dress comes along that is just to adorable to pass up like these from asos.

Dahlia Nautical Tie Collar Dress £70.00

Where Are You Now Nautical Skirt Dress £70.00 Contrast Colour Button Through Dress £27.50

Last but not least look at this adorable dark denim pencil skirt and guess what its only £9.00 or about $12.50

1940's + dark blue

2009-06-09T12:21:00.000-05:00

1941 Vogue Photographer: Horst P Horst

Equals perfection! Lately I have been obsessed with dark blue, I just love how versatile it is, the color combinations are endless and its completely stain friendly for messy folk like myself. Here are some of my favorite recent vintage 1940's dark blue finds.

Bust-38 Waist-28 Hips-38 $135

bust- 42 waist-32 hips-46 $88 Bust-34 Waist-29 Hips-39 $119

John Rawlings for Vogue

2009-06-08T17:52:00.000-05:00

enjoy!

Two's company, three's a triangle but "Four's a Crowd!"

2009-06-08T13:53:00.000-05:00

This weekend was amazing, though my life is pretty much a crazy amusement park under construction right now. We are moving to Texas June 29th so there is so much to do and so many people to see before we leave, plus packing!! Then there is the fact that I am incredibly nervous to be moving since I am born and raised in California and I have never even visited Texas and I am moving there in less than 3 weeks.

The highlight of my weekend though was the stunning gifts I received out of the blue which I will have pictures and descriptions of tomorrow. There were some real draining points of my weekend like drinking a bit to much on a Sunday ehhhh being at work Monday morning with a hangover. Also lately my life has been full of really crazy angry people taking there anger out on me. Luckily I have great friends who are not crazy and was able to celebrate with them on Saturday and on Sunday.

Luckily before we went to the BBQ Sunday turner classic came to my rescue to cheer me up with Fours a Crowd. Of course the costumes are incomparable and Errol Flynn like always is some gorgeous eye candy. I think my heart skips a beat when he says anything, actually he doesn't even have to speak. Hmmmm maybe its his moustache that does it. "It isn't what they say about you, it's what they whisper." "I felt like an impostor, taking all that money for reciting ten or twelve lines of nonsense a day." These are two of my favorite Errol Flynn quotes, I think he really thought about what he said that way he was always dapper no matter if he was on or off camera.

Patrick Knowles, Rosalind Russell, Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn promo shot 1938

Olivia de Havilland- Her sultry look, perfect finger waves, that dress and those gloves just flawless! Here is an entry where The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife makes adorable pin curls and even has a link to a tutorial. Rosalind Russell- Her soft eyes and face, and just look at her hair, it kind of resembles a full around happy pompadour. The Bobby Pin Blog has a great tutorial on this hairstyle which can be found here.

Perfect for the poolside

2009-06-05T11:11:00.000-05:00

Ohhh Rita Hayworth how you never cease to amaze me, just look at this picture of her poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California with a gorgeous bicycle wearing the most stunning swimsuit. With her radiant smile and scarf tied so neatly in her hair she is such a breath of fresh air, and the perfect summer inspiration!

Lovely 1950's sky blue suit made in France $39 BelleMereBelleFille

1950's Sea nymph glamour swim suit $79.99 confessboutique

1950's Gabar swim suit w/ attached skirt $40 houseofvintage

1950's Gabar pinup bathing suit w/ lace overlay $75 stephielouvintage

Adorable 1950's motley leaf culotte play suit $52 sisterstreasure

The detail on this culotte suit is fabulous, you might think I am a bit of a nerd for this but despite how well constructed and lovely this vintage 1950's play suit is my favorite part is the buttons! Arent they darling? Culottes are such a timeless wonderful wardrobe staple and definitely perfect for lounging around the pool. In layman's terms a culotte is just another word to describe a split skirt or divided skirt. Women during the Victorian Era often wore long split skirts which were practical for horseback riding. After the turn of the century these split skirts were essential to providing women more ease and freedom in doing activites like gardening, cleaning, bike riding, and the best benefit of a culotte is the illusion of looking like one is wearing a skirt.

Sumptuous Suits

2009-06-04T17:42:00.000-05:00

1940's gorgeous Hollywood two tone knit suit $70 retrogal

Brownish-grey 1940's wool suit $85 glamorousvintage

1950's tweed box suit $38 yndatracyallen

1950's office grey peter pan collar suit $45 meanoldbags

Atomic funniness

2009-06-04T14:02:00.000-05:00

Never has a single blog made me laugh so hard, all morning I have been scrolling and laughing uncontrollably. I highly recommend you check out Cake Wrecks, this blog will definitely put a smile on any face. This photo is one of the many featured on Cake Wrecks, most are new photos defined by the writer as "When professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong." This blog writer knows her stuff when it comes to cakes and she also knows how to make the smartest comebacks and descriptions to go with any cake disaster just like this 1946 atomic bomb cake.

I need your two cents

2009-06-03T17:10:00.000-05:00

I just stumbled upon this super awesome photo of somebodies living room circa the 1940's on flickr and I cant help but wonder, what kind of person lived here? Was it a young couple with great style, an older collector who loved to go on safari's, a business man with a secret passion for living life on the wild side, or maybe a young sex crazed bachelor. I asked my co worker and she thinks this living room belonged to an elderly eccentric collector with crazy white hair like Albert Einstein and facial hair like Kernel Sanders. Who do you think rocked this living room in the 40's? What do you think? Would you make this your living room? Or even better is this your living room?

Patriotic deals

2009-06-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

Red vintage anchor brooch $5 LoudMouse

1950's blue evening coat w/ velvet details $14.99 Mikkiriff

1940's linen skirt $8 fuzzylizzie
1970's woven anchor sailor top $10 MissDandy

1950's red and white striped blouse $12 Rikki813

1960's bright blue high waisted shorts $12 Jacksfifthavenue

I cant wait for 4th of July, I love getting to dress up all patriotic and who could resist looking at fireworks.

Supply of shorts

2009-06-02T12:30:00.000-05:00

1930's

Super short dark navy blue cotton with a single back pocket, never worn. Waist 24" Hips to 38" $45.00

1940's

Gray chambray play shorts with pintuck sewn pleated front, 100% cotton, never worn by Paddle and Saddle. Waist 27" Hips 40" $49.00
Camp Shorts with pintuck sewn pleated front, cuffed leg, chambray cotton twill, never worn by Paddle and Saddle. Waist 24 1/2" Hips 34"$55.00
Play shorts with gray chambray with white piping accents on the pockets, zipper back with white carved button, cuffed boy leg, never worn.. Waist 24 1/2" Hips to 41" $49.00

1950's

Jamaica Shorts, black and red plaid, 100% cotton, never worn. Waist 24" Hips 34" $35.00

All of these items are from Bally Hoo Vintage

Irene Dunne

2009-06-02T11:50:00.000-05:00

Irene Dunne is one of my biggest inspirations, and the fact that through her career she was able to stay married to her first husband is touching, she was not only gorgeous and mesmerizing on stage and in movies but she also was a strong willed woman who loved to give. Here are some of my favorite shots of her.

1935
Irene alongside the always dashing Robert Taylor, the two sit in between takes eating there studio box lunches on location at Los Angeles park for Magnificent Obsession.1937

Irene and Cary Grant co star as a soon to be divorced couple in The Awful Truth.

1939

Irene posing with Charles Boyer for a publicity photo for Love Affair
1955

ABC host Art Linkletter and Irene christen the Mark Twain steamboat at Disneylands opening day on July 17.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

She would have turned 83 today!

2009-06-01T13:52:00.000-05:00

Marilyn was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California, to Gladys Baker. As the identity of her father is undetermined, she was later baptized Norma Jeane Baker. Gladys had been a film cutter at RKO studios, but psychological problems prevented her from keeping the job and she was eventually committed to a mental institution.

Norma Jeane spent most of her childhood in foster homes and orphanages until 1937, when she moved in with family friend Grace McKee Goddard. Unfortunately, when Grace's husband was transferred to the East Coast in 1942, the couple couldn't afford to take 16-year-old Norma Jeane with them. Norma Jeane had two options: return to the orphanage or get married.

On June 19, 1942 she wed her 21-year-old neighbor Jimmy Dougherty, whom she had been dating for six months. "She was a sweet, generous and religious girl," Jimmy said. "She liked to be cuddled." By all accounts Norma Jeane loved Jimmy, and they were happy together until he joined the Merchant Marines and was sent to the South Pacific in 1944.

After Jimmy left, Norma Jeane took a job on the assembly line at the Radio Plane Munitions factory in Burbank, California. Several months later, photographer David Conover saw her while taking pictures of women contributing to the war effort for Yank magazine. He couldn't believe his luck. She was a "photographer's dream." Conover used her for the shoot and then began sending modeling jobs her way.

The camera loved Norma Jeane, and within two years she was a reputable model with many popular magazine covers to her credit. She began studying the work of legendary actresses Jean Harlow and Lana Turner, and enrolled in drama classes with dreams of stardom. However, Jimmy's return in 1946 meant Norma Jeane had to make another choice- this time between her marriage and her career. Norma Jeane divorced Jimmy in June of 1946, and signed her first studio contract with Twentieth Century Fox on August 26, 1946. She earned $125 a week.

Soon after, Norma Jeane dyed her hair blonde and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe (borrowing her grandmother's last name). The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Bio credit

Also this is a rather interesting article on CNN.com accompanied by unpublished photos of Marilyn Monroe.

Bathing bombshells in color

2009-06-01T10:50:00.000-05:00

Yvonne De Carlo, who later in life starred as Lily in "The Munsters" tv series actually had her Jaguar equipped with spider web hubcaps, a gargoyle hood ornament and a glossy black sunroof by George Barris who created the ghoulish “Munsters” car.

Carole Landis was born Frances Lillian Mary Ridste early in her career she died her hair blonde and changed her name to Carole after her favorite actress Carole Lombard.Ann Rutherford, daughter of former Metropolitan Opera tenor John Rutherford (stage name: Juan Guilberty), and an actress mother, Ann was raised in California where she made her stage debut at the age of six in Raggedy Ann.
Joan Blondell daughter of a vaudeville onstage comic named Eddie Joan Blondell who was one of the original Katzenjammer Kids. At 3 Joan was already on stage she toured the circuit with her parents and joined a stock company at age 17. Donna Reed left Iowa to attend secretarial school at Los Angeles City College. Donna was named Campus Queen, her photograph appeared on the front page of the Los Angeles Times, soon she was inundated with offers from agents and studio executives.
Ann Miller moved from Texas to Hollywood with her mother when she was 10, she had been tapping since she was 5. A 13 year old Ann lied about her age dancing in local vaudeville houses and even playing a few bit-parts in films before being recommended to a talent scout by Lucille Ball.

Ann Sheridan was bon Clara Lou 0f Denton, Texas, her sister sent in a picture of Ann in a bathing suit to Paramount Studios. Paramount was sponsoring the "Search for Beauty" contest, the prize a screen test and a bit part in a movie. Ann won the contest and was signed to a contract at the age of 19.

Photo Credit

do you Bloglovin'

2009-05-29T12:34:00.000-05:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin´

I just made an account to follow all my favorite blogs that are not on Blogger like Casey's Elegant Musings and you can also follow my blog through bloglovin, just follow the link above.

♥Darla

A field full of daffodils

2009-05-29T12:05:00.000-05:00

Big Fish is and will always be one of my favorite movies, its a gentle, romantic and whimsical film with a wardrobe beyond compare. Alison Lohman stars a Sandra Templeton, Tim Burton casted her because he loved her silent movie-esque looks and felt that she was able to convey a whole range of emotions even when she was just standing still.

Big fish is full of non stop romantic tear jerking moments that could turn any cold heart warm as whiskey. Tim Burton's movies never cease to amaze me, but this adaption of 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace is so full of color and powerful story telling that is incredibly hard for one to look away. From the moment the movie begins you are forced to believe in Edward Bloom, his character is so brilliant that you immediately care about him and really truly want him to succeed.

Big Fish's plot as described by imbd, "The story revolves around a dying father and his son, who is trying to learn more about his dad by piecing together the stories he has gathered over the years. The son winds up re-creating his father's elusive life in a series of legends and myths inspired by the few facts he knows. Through these tales, the son begins to understand his father's great feats and his great failings."

As senior Edward Bloom begins to tell his stories, we see young Edward Bloom leaving his small home town of Ashton. In Ashton Edward had became a successful sports player but found the town too small for his ambitions. Edward meets a misunderstood giant Karl, and together they set off. Edward takes an abandoned path down a supposedly haunted forest.

Edward discovers the tiny hidden town of Spectre, where he finds the missing poet Norther Winslow (Steve Buscemi) who has settled, a perfect town that no one ever thinks of leaving. In the town of Spectre everyone is always dressed divine and not a soul is caught with shoes on there feet. Edward still feels he does not want to settle anywhere yet and leaves, but promises to the young girl Jenny that he will return.

One of the key moments in Big Fish, is the circus scene where Edward Bloom lays his eyes on Sandra Timpleton for the first time. Surprisingly, Tim Burton hates the circus and is afraid of clowns.

One of my favorite lines is when elderly Ed Bloom is lying in his bed telling the story of how he met Sandra, “They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops, and that's true. What they don't tell you is that when it starts again, it moves extra fast to catch up.” This quote is said during the suspended popcorn scene."

As time resumes and speeds up to compensate for the time lost, she is gone out of sight. He makes a deal with the circus ringleader Amos (Danny DeVito) to work for the circus day and night without pay to learn who the love of his life is. Every month for three years Bloom is told something new about the girl, though its mostly useless information like her favorite flower and kind of music. One night Edward is surprised to discover Amos is a deadly werewolf, due to Edwards quick thinking and calm disposition he is able to calm him down by playing fetch. In thanks for Edward's kindness, Amos tells him the girl's name is Sandra Templeton and she studies at Auburn University.

Edward makes many attempts to show his love for her, including surprising Sandra with a field full of daffodils which he gathered from five states. Don appears shortly and beats up Edward, who refuses to fight back, having given Sandra his word that he wouldn't hit Don. Disgusted by Don's behavior, Sandra gives up her engagement ring and falls for Edward.

During his recovery in the hospital, Edward is conscripted by the army and sent to Korea. Edwards mission leads him behind enemy lines he soon encounters a beautiful lounge singer, who are actually Siamese twins, together Edward and the twins sneak to America.

Since Edward pretty much ran away from his duty in the army, he is unable to notify anyone on his trip home, the army declares him dead. Sandra is delivered a death notice and has to come to the reality that he is gone. Sandra is shocked when Edward later arrives home alive and well.

At the end of the movie, senior Edward Bloom sists from telling his stories only to prove to his son Will that he was actually telling the truth. Will surprisingly sees many of his father's unusual friends, confirming the truth of many of his fathers tales. As you can see this is a wonderfully amusing movie full of bright and brillant costumes.

Secretary deals

2009-05-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

1951 complete secretary handbook $5 Cassy1483

1940's blue and white secretary dress $9 callmejasper

1950's copper colored cat eye glasses $25.00 shirorusty

1980's dress with a 1940's flare for only $1 FreestyleVintageCo

1950's blue and white polka dot secretary blouse $12.50 vintagerepeats

Vintage secretary dress with matching belt and peter pan collar $5 RaraeAves

m and s 125 years

2009-05-28T11:51:00.000-05:00

Mark and Spencer is celebrating 125 by offering fabulous styles inspired by there clothing archives. The results are mesmerizing, the line is full of stunning 1940's and 1950's inspired dresses as well as gorgeous vintage inspired accessories.

All of these items can be found here.

Elvis' last pill bottle & Marilyn's famous umbrella

2009-05-27T18:35:00.000-05:00

Juliens will be auctioning of personal possessions of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, just to name a few. Some of the items up for auction are oh so personal, like Elvis' last prescription pill bottle, Marilyn's make up receipts and personal checks made out to her psychotherapist.

This Evans Sweson frame white umbrella is up for auction, it was used in Marilyn's 1949 photo shoot at Jones Beach, New York with photographer Andre De Dienes. This trip to New York was allegedly Marilyn's first visit to the big apple.Marilyn Monroe's personal script from the film 'Some Like It Hot.'

Marilyn's white terry cloth robe, which is also believed to be the last item she wore before her tragic death.

Deemed inappropriate by the censors this jewel encrusted chiffon costume is believed to be designed by William Travilla and was intended to be worn by Marilyn as she sung 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' in the movie 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.'

Along with these items, Juliens is also auctioning off Marilyn Monroes personal costumes, clothing, belts, hats, signed photographs, stoles, scarfs she wore, personal checks, telephone bills, calendars, luggage, posters, all sorts of her receipts, scrapbooks, movie posters, her personal stationary, her make up, hair pins and rollers, letters, bricks from her brentwood home, furniture, books, all from her own personal collection.

This bottle of Benadryl 50mg was prescribed to Elvis Presley on Aug. 15, 1977, one day before his death. Elvis Presley's diamond ring.
I did not get a chance to skim through all of Elvis' items up for grab, but judging by the Marilyn's amazing artifacts and memorabilia they are auctioning off I bet his items are just as breath taking. Juliens Auctions has an amazing online catalog which you can virtually flip through at http://www.juliensauctions.com/.

Photo Credit

If Cinderella wore pale icy green

2009-05-27T15:51:00.000-05:00

she would have worn this dress

Vintage 1950's Gown and Gauntlet & Gloves $75

Every princess needs a crown $15

Last but not least the glass slippers $30

Hellos and Goodbyes

2009-05-26T02:07:00.000-05:00

Happy belated Memorial day everyone!

The Advent of the Railroad in New York City
Imagine Park Avenue from 45th to 49th Street as a rail yard -- a corridor of smoke and cinders extending uptown from 49th Street. Think of breweries and factories operating where the Waldorf-Astoria, Lever House and the Seagram Building now stand. Picture to the east a district of tenements, warehouses, and slaughterhouses. In place of the United Nations and Tudor City, the squatters' shacks of Dutch Hill, inhabited by paupers, criminal gangs, and a herd of goats. It is hard to conceive that this cityscape ever existed, let alone that it was the environment in which Grand Central Terminal took shape less than one hundred years ago.

While Grand Central Terminal stands today as one of New York City's most famous landmarks, it was by no means the first railroad station in New York City. In fact, the current structure is neither the first to claim the name "Grand Central" or to occupy the present location at 42nd and Park. Yet, the story of Grand Central Terminal allows one to gaze back and observe much of the history of the City of New York, and to witness the growth and expansion of a vibrant metropolis reflected in an unrivaled monument of civic architecture.

The first rail line into New York City -- the New York and Harlem Railroad -- was formed in 1831 and began service to a terminus at Fourth Avenue and 23rd Street the following year. Over the next five years, the railroad constructed a station, offices, and stables along Fourth Avenue, 26th and 27th Streets; through subsequent expansion and reconstruction, the New York and Harlem Railroad Station would come to occupy the entire block bounded by Fourth and Madison Avenues and 26th and 27th Streets. (In 1871, P.T. Barnum purchased the New York and Harlem Railroad Station and converted it into Madison Square Garden -- the first of several structures to bear that historic name).

During the late 1840's, additional railroad service into New York -- notably The New York and New Haven Railroad and The Hudson River Railroad -- precipitated the advent of variety of terminals, depots, freight houses and passenger stations throughout the city. Horse-drawn extensions merged with steam-powered lines in a haphazard network of railways that was plagued by complaints about noise, pollution, traffic, and chronic accidents. By 1858, steam locomotives had been progressively banned from crowded areas and were no longer in service below 42nd Street, giving rise to the need for a new terminal.

These were all taken in 1953 by Boris Klapwald in the Grand Central terminal. Photo credit

Grand Central History found here

Atomic Martini Sarong Dress

2009-05-22T10:55:00.000-05:00

Isn't this Bernie Dexter atomic martini sarong dress one of the cutest reproduction dresses you have ever seen its available here at Baby Girl Boutique for only $89. What makes the deal sweeter is that http://www.babygirlboutique.com/ is having a lovely Memorial Day sale and you can save 20% using coupon code (memorial-09) that would drop the dress down to $71.20. Its such a tempting deal but it is a bit of a splurge for me at this time on something non vintage but it looks well made and I love the fact that it is lined and has an adorable stretch back just like bathing suits and sarong dresses from the 1950's.

Wouldn't this dress go darling with these bad boys, complete with a strap perfect for dancing.

These adorable Beige Patent High Heel Mary Jane Pumps with a platform are also available from Baby Girl Boutique at $42 plus 20% off.

One of a kind Vanity

2009-05-21T17:54:00.000-05:00

Such a clever and darling way to wake up every morning. I just adore these vanity cases which are custom made by VanityCase on etsy. They also make one of a kind liquor cabinets.

Spur of the moment road trip

2009-05-21T11:20:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately I am not going on a road trip any time soon, but a gal can dream right. My dream road trip: its 1953 and were taking a tour of the United States hitting as many states as possible stopping only for kitschy diners, souvenir shops, museums, vintage & antique stores, drive in theaters and anything else that catches are attention.

As we left California I had to pick up an apron to add to my collection.

I could not decide between the two, the blue apron can be found on etsy as well as this adorable Hollywood apron.

To keep are imaginary road trip children Sally & Jimmy happy, we brought along a 1952 Our Auto Trip Story Book for $5 on etsy.

A great accordion style post card from Laredo Texas.

Look at this darling compact, made by Elgin American. Elgin started out as a watch company in the 1880s and in the 1930s began making compacts and they even commissioned Salvador Dali to create a compact in 1950.

The perfect size Florida souvenir table cloth.

Perfect for a kitchen back splash, a state of Virginia tile, in pink, green, black and white.

Washington state apron complete with Mt. St. Helens, Bonneville Dam, Mt. Rainier, Seattle and Spokane along with wild life, cowboys, Indians, Lumberjacks, hunters, crops and airplanes.

After zig zagging all over the United States are last stop was the ABCB Convention in St. Louis also known as American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages where I found this treasure.

Even Elvis was a fan

2009-05-20T15:07:00.000-05:00

As servicemen and women returned from the second world war, the shirts and souvenirs especially the alohas shirts and Hawaiian sundresses they brought back from Asia and the pacific islands, were a big hit! During the 1950's tourists began flocking to Hawaii as faster airplanes allowed for easy and quick travel. Here you can find a really interesting article on the history of Hawaii's major airports in the 1950's.
After serving in WWII Alfred Shaheen returned to Oahu Hawaii with plenty of ideas in his head to expand his family's business to include ready-to-wear aloha shirts and women's fashions. In 1948 Shaheen started his own company, luckily his mom Mary was kind enough to let him borrow four of her best seamstresses.

Shaheens originally made his ready wear using imported textiles from the mainland like other manufactures of the time. Due to the fact that fabric had to be bought months to almost a year in advance and lack of unique designs Shaheen began to make his own fabrics. Shaheen first print plant was Surf 'n Sand Hand Prints, the machinery he used to create his gorgeous patterns on fabric was made using parts and scraps he would find in junkyards.

By 1952, Shaheen was printing around 60,000 yards of fabric per month. Only four short years later Shaheen had built a $8,000,000 factory, showroom, and office complex. Shaheen soon employed 400 people, sold garments worldwide, owned his own chain of retail stores in Hawaii, and grossed more than $4,000,000 annually.

Shaheen raised the garments to the level of high fashion with artistic prints, high-grade materials and quality construction. Shaheen's Hawaiian labels include Alfred Shaheen, Shaheen's of Honolulu, Surf 'n Sand, Kiilani, and Burma Gold Hand Prints. Shaheen was the only Hawaiian manufacturer to print his own fabrics and, using these fabrics, he created clothing for other retailers throughout the country. Some of these retailers include Andrades, McInerny, Liberty House, and Waltah Clarke. The red aloha shirt Elvis Presley wore for the cover of his 1961 Album "Blue Hawaii" was a Shaheen design. Today, Shaheen's Hawaiian shirts, sarongs, and sundresses are some of the most prized pieces for vintage collectors to find. The tan sarong dress w/ boat print can be found here for $383.

Alfred Shaheen in his factory circa 1950's

Heres a few vintage Shaheen piceces for your viewing and buying pleasure

$249 PGV

$363 PGV

$298 violetvillevintage

$85 Planetclairevintage

$275 TripleGemini

Shake Rattle and Roll

2009-05-19T19:05:00.000-05:00

We have been having earthquakes left and right this week. The first one happened Sunday night while my boyfriend and I were getting ready to go to bed, suddenly the house began to shake and since we live in a pretty bad neighborhood, I thought it was just a helicopter flying in circles above are place. Then the house began to shake rigorously and we realized it was an earthquake, immediately my bf the hero rushed are 3 dogs and I out the door and to the back yard. When we came back into the room the cable box, a picture frame and my alarm clock had fallen and a few things on the wall were all crooked but no damage. About 10 minutes later there was a small after shock, I find earthquakes exciting so I was more thrilled then worried. This earthquake was a 4.7 magnitude.

Today while typing away at my blog at work (shhhhh don't tell anyone) are building which is two stories began to shake just a bit, not enough to make anything fall though. This quake was fairly less aggressive as the quake on Sunday but a still enough to give are building a good shake, it was a magnitude 4.

The earthquakes we have been feeling in southern California are nothing like the earthquake in San Fransisco April 18 1906 but I thought I would share these amazing after math photos.

Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4,

Sheer Secretary Slip

2009-05-19T17:57:00.000-05:00

Yes its a slip, I know doesn't it look good enough to wear out, aside from the fact that it is sheer and completely see through. I just adore the but hugging shape and design of this slip perfect for underneath the tightest of tight fishtail skirts. Made by Niki offers many items aside from this gorgeous slip complete with garters they also sell amazing high waisted panties and adorable bras.

A Stunning Spectacle

2009-05-19T12:40:00.000-05:00

Vintageous is an amazing site with so many different things to offer and a ridiculously awesome vintage eye wear section. Just look at all of these bad boys!!!

Dont forget the vintage sunglasses.

Sunglasses have not always been exactly that, the technology was developed in China prior to 1430 and smoke-colored quartz lenses to conceal their eye expressions in court were used purpose and it wasn't to block the rays of the sun. Smoke tinting was the first means of darkening eyeglasses, These darkened lenses were not vision-corrected, nor were they initially intended to reduce solar glare. For centuries, Chinese judges had routinely worn smoke-colored quartz lenses to conceal their eye expressions in court. A judge’s evaluation of evidence as credible or mendacious was to remain secret until a trial’s conclusion. With World War II brewing in 1936, Ray Ban designed anti-glare aviator style sunglasses, using polarized lens technology newly created by Edwin H. Land, founder of the Polaroid Corporation. They also designed a slightly drooping frame perimeter to maximally shield an aviator’s eyes, which repeatedly glanced downward toward a plane's instrument panel. Fliers were issued the glasses at no charge, and the public in 1937 was able to purchase the model that banned the sun's rays as Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses.

Marilyn w/Glasses Beach Photo

Ann Corio

2009-05-18T18:03:00.000-05:00

Ann Corio was a destined to be a star from the time she was born, as soon as she was a teen she began performing and became an amazing American burlesque ecdysiast and actress. Corio was one of twelve children of Italian immigrants from Naples who settled in Hartford Connecticut. At age 16 Corio's father died, she was working as a dancer at the time, Ann shortly discovered she could earn much more on the burlesque circuit.

Corio's good looks along with her gorgeous auburn hair, green eyes and shapely physique landed her showgirl roles that led to her becoming a hugely popular striptease artist. Working in New York City, she was a star performer at clubs such as the famous Minsky's Burlesque and Boston's old Howard Theatre. Ann Corio was amazing on stage and within one year she became a headliner. However, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia closed down the "bawdy" houses in 1939 and Corio made her way to Los Angeles.

Between 1941 and 1944 she appeared in several Hollywood "B" motion pictures which featured her in scantly clad costumes, the best known of which was perhaps 1941's Swamp Woman and 1942's Jungle Siren. During WWII she became one of the volunteer pinup girls for YANK magazine a weekly U.S. Army publication and she appeared on the September 3, 1943 issue.

"What is called burlesque today isn't that at all. Those girls aren't artists. They just take clothes off, and they don't even do that very well. Burlesque is exactly what it says it is. It's from the Italian word burlare, to satirize, to laugh. That's what we do, and we are not offensive.'' she said this in 1976 regarding burlesque and her Broadway show This Was Burlesque. I wonder what Ann would think of burlesque now and some of today's great burlesque artists like Dita Von Tease, Immodesty Blaize or Jamie deadly. Ann passed in 1999 at the Englewood Hospital in Englewood, N.J.

OhSewDelighful apron giveaway

2009-05-15T14:25:00.000-05:00

OhSewDelightful doesn't only have the cutest and catchiest name ever they also offer adorable vintage reproduction aprons as well as purses, teapot cozies and more. I stumbled upon this wonderful etsy shop via the Sweeter Then Me blog. I just adore this navy blue with white trim 1940s apron it would be perfect over a red 1940s house dress. If you want the chance to win a different apron from OhSewDelighful you can enter the drawing here. Good luck everyone, I entered as well wish me luck!

Blue bikini

2009-05-15T11:05:00.000-05:00

How cute is this suit, but at $98 for the top at $88 for the bottom I think I am gonna just stick with buying vintage swimwear. It is adorable though and probably well worth the price but I rather by a one of a kind vintage bathing suit like these on etsy. This suit can be found at Hayden-Harnett here. I adore the ruffle detail on the side, I want to incorporate something similar into a bathing suit I am going to make for myself.

Everybody needs at least one

2009-05-14T12:52:00.000-05:00

Vintage woven purse or a 100 of them. If I could have everything my way I would definitely have bought all of these already, but unfortunately I need to save money. This darling blue number is only $23.99 I want it so bad but I just cant do it, someone please buy it before I do. Found at UncommonEye on etsy.

$40 randomretro

$38 isnt this one darling!
foundlowell

$85.00 BackThennishVintage

This one is perfect for the beach, if you get sand on it just say its part of the design. $26 RaraeAves

Platforms a plenty

2009-05-13T18:13:00.000-05:00

Nov 10 1944, Carmen Miranda known for her marvelous musical roles in films like The Gang's All Here (1943 film) which she often wore hats topped with tropical fruit, poses with her large collection of wedges. Look at these shoes I envy her collection imagine how amazing it would be to own all of these great pairs of wedges from the 1940's. If only this picture had been in color. With her beautiful green eyes and amazing hair Miranda was destined to be a star. Carmen Miranda's story is like that of many gorgeous Hollywood bombshells both glamorous and tragic.

Between 1940 and 1953 Miranda made 14 Hollywood films and became "The Brazilian Bombshell." Miranda made a total of fourteen Hollywood films between 1940 and 1953 and was dubbed "The Brazilian Bombshell". She wore her infamous platform sandals as well as her towering headdresses made of fruit often which helped make her famous. At times Miranda would kick off her huge wedges and dance barefoot so that she could perform her vixen moves easier.

Miranda was a star through and through, even as she danced her last dance. Miranda Carmens tragic death as described on wikipedia, "On August 4, 1955, Miranda suffered a heart attack during a segment of the live The Jimmy Durante Show, although she did not realize it at the time. After completing a dance number, she unknowingly suffered a mild heart attack, and nearly collapsed. She quickly pulled herself together and finished the show. At the end of the broadcast, she smiled and waved, then exited the stage. She died later that night after suffering a second heart attack at her home."

Platform Portrait of Miranda, Fruit Hat Portrait, B&W Portrait, White Dress

Though these are no wear near as high as Mirandas, here is some vintage eye candy for sale.

Size 4 divinedebrisvintage

Size 7 AvantGarb

Remix Vintage shoes makes great 1940's replicas which are true to style and are also comfortable. Here are a few of my favorites they have to offer.