Monday, February 28, 2011

My Weekend Loot - Deal of the Day

After the slight disappointment of the Southfield Antiques Show, my beau and I decided to try out luck at the thrift stores. I had a few "Deals of the Day" and thought I would share a few with you all. Above is a Vera scarf that I found at a Salvation Army for only $1.99. I am thinking it's from the 60s or the 70s, either way I am in love with it. I need to wash it and then I'll be able to start enjoying it!

I love vintage tins. I have been collecting them for a few years now and have quite a few. They are great for sorting things and keeping stuff organized. It was hard to capture this tin, but it really is beautiful in real life. It didn't have a price on it and I was a bit nervous to ask, since the Salvation Armies by me have become very pricey. They lady gave it to me for 59 cents! According to the tin, this used to hold mints. I think part of the reason I love old tins is because they normally said what they used to hold when they were originally sold.


We stopped at a few thrift stores and these earrings were found at a different Salvation Army. At $4 they were kinda pricy for a thrift store, in my opinion anyway. Even though they are not marked, there were in great condition and I have nothing like them. I have a few blue dresses I wear during the summer and I don't have any earrings to go with them. Now I do!

The following day (Sunday), my beau and I made our usual trip to the Royal Oak Flea Market. I love to start my Sunday mornings by strolling around the flea market, sipping coffee, surrounded by a bunch of old stuff. I don't always buy stuff, but it's still fun to just have a look around. This week, many of the dealers were having 50% off sales in their booths, so I found some great deals. I got the yellow celluloid vanity containers both for $10. They are in great condition and are pretty old, so I felt they were a great deal. The rhinestone scatter pins were only $2. I can't wait to wear them. :)
I have become an occasional record buyer lately. I love to buy the soundtracks from my favorite old films or the old timey music I enjoy listening to. "Bye Bye Blues" is one of my favorite old songs and both of these sets of records were only 50 cents each! Another great deal!

There's still time to enter my 200th Follower Giveaway. If you post on our blog, facebook, twitter, etc you get extra entires. The giveaway is open to everyone.

Emily

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Southfield Antiques Show

Yesterday, my beau and I went to an antiques show in Southfield, MI. It was kind of a bust...everything was priced super high. I was really interested in adding some bakelite to my collection but I was not willing to pay the $100+ price tags. Sometimes I wonder if these dealers don't realize that with places like eBay and etsy (the internet in general), people can get items for much, much less than what they are asking. The bakelite I am wearing here I found at an estate sale and only paid $1 each. Definitely one of the best deals I have gotten this estate sale season! Anyways, the day wasn't a complete loss, I did find two things to take home with me that were very reasonable!

Jesse (my beau) spotted this for me. He knows how much I love The Wizard of Oz and thought I would like this. It's a color-by-number coloring book that has never been colored in. I am going to scan in the images so the little girl I am a nanny for can color some of the fun images. I probably will end up sharing some on my blog too, so you vintage mamas out there can enjoy these as well. I paid less than $2 more than the original 59 cent price tag.

I was really excited to find these, since I have been looking for one for a long time. I bought them from a sweet old lady who loved my bakelite that I was wearing. She let me have both of them for only $8! I plan on keeping one and sharing the other one with my mom. These little pin cushions remind me of Cinderella's shoes..... just love them!!

Don't forget, there's still time to enter my giveaway and get your extra entries in! :)

Emily




Vintage Pendelton 49ers Jacket: Mother Fletchers

Bakelite Bracelets: Estate Sale

Carved Bakelite Earrings: eBay

Jeans: JC Penny

Flats: Payless (years ago)

Friday, February 25, 2011

Film Fashion Friday: Fashion Show February: I Can Get It For You Wholesale (1951)

I was planning on doing two movies today that are available on DVD, however, they have not arrived in the mail yet from the Warner Archive. So, instead I will extend Fashion Show February into the first week of March and wrap it up then. Today, I will be sharing two movies that are not available on DVD, but show up on TCM quite often. I also have a copy of both of these movies, so feel free to send me an email to inquire about getting a copy.

Cast

Susan Hayward.....Harriet Boyd
Dan Dailey.....Teddy Sherman
George Sanders.....J. F. Noble
Same Jaffe.....Sam Cooper

Costumes by Charles LeMaire
Directed by Michael Gordon

Synopsis
A ruthless fashion designer steps on everyone in her way in order to reach the top of her profession. Eventually she is forced to choose between her ambition and the man she loves. (Taken from IMDb)

Fashion Review
If you ever get the chance to see this movie, I would highly recommend that you do so. The fashion in this film is exactly what you would expect from a film made in 1951, chalk full of New Look designs. I love seeing fashion sketches in films and here you will see plenty. :) I love movies that show the "backstage" or behind the scenes part of anything and this film does just that. It opens with showing the fashion district in New York City and the factories and machines that create clothing. I am reminded here of the scene in Neptune's Daughter, where Esther Williams takes the group through the factory.

The costumes were created by Charles LeMaire. LeMaire got his start in show business in vaudeville, but moved on to fashion and costume design for broadway. He work on big productions such as the Ziegfeld Follies and The Five O'Clock Girl. When the movies were starting to become more organized, LeMaire moved over to films around 1925. LeMaire was a key part of the creation of the Academy Award for costume design. Pretty cool!! If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have this category. LeMaire was nominated 12 times and won 4 Oscars for his work, which spanned nearly 40 years and included around 200 films. LeMaire really has a great eye for style and design, which is present in this film, but also in many of his other films available on DVD. I would check out All About Eve, Bus Stop, An Affair to Remember, and The Razor's Edge.

Fashion Show Review
The fashion show in this film is very similar to the one in the films of last week, were we see the models and the patrons who are viewing the models. What is interesting here, is that many times we are only able to see the models through the mirror behind Hayward and Sanders. It would seem that the camera/director is placing our focus on the actors and what they are saying, but still allowing us to "glance" at the fashions through the mirror.

I Can Get It For You Wholesale is not currently available on DVD. It does appear on TCM and I have a copy for anyone who is interested.

Film Fashion Friday: Fashion Show February: Fashions of 1934 (1934)

Here is the second film for this week that is not currently on DVD. My copy is kinda poor, so the screen caps are not the best, but you get the idea. Again, as with the other movie from this week, this one appears on TCM and I do have a copy that I am willing to share! :)

Cast

William Powell.....Sherwood Nash
Bette Davis.....Lynn Mason
Frank McHugh.....Snap
Hugh Herbert.....Joe Ward
Verree Teasdale.....Grand Duchess Alix

Gowns by Orry-Kelly
Directed by William Dieterle

Synopsis
Sherwood Nash is a swindler who bootlegs Paris fashions for sale at cut-rate prices. His assistant Lynn poses as An American interested in a dress and Snap conceals a camera in his cane. When they try to steal the latest Baroque designs hidden cameras capture them. Threat and counterthreat lead to the suggestion of putting on a legitimate show. (Taken from IMDb)

Fashion Review
While I have only shared screen caps from the two different fashion show sequences, this film is packed full of fabulous mid-30s fashion. Not only are the models in the different fashion shows dressed to die for, so is Bette Davis. I am also loving the cute hairstyle she sports throughout the film, a slightly longer style than one normally sees with the 30s. Davis also wears a few hats throughout the film that I wish I could steal. I know Joan Crawford is normally the one out of the two that gets credited as the clotheshorse and I am not one to argue, however, this film proves that there are times when Bette sure can hold her own! I seriously love all the edgy 30s fashion that this film produces. If you get a chance to see it, I definitely would, especially if you are really into this decade. Plus, it is a great example of William Powell's 30s films that aren't in the Thin Man series. :)

Fashions of 1934 showcases the earlier work of Orry-Kelly. Did this man know how to design a gown or what? I love his work and the first time I watched this film, I knew I was going to be in for some serious eye candy when I saw his name on the credits. The cut of all these dresses in this film, whether they are formal or casual, for the models or for the characters within the film, are simply spectacular and showcase the classic 30s form that we normally think of when we think of this era. Plus, his dresses really flatter each actress too. I have written more about Orry-Kelly HERE. Please do take a look if you are interested in knowing more!

Fashion Show Review
Boy do you get a heck of a bang for your buck with this film! You get not one, but two fashion show sequences, plus Bette Davis, who sports some excellent style. What I love about this movie is we first get the traditional fashion show sequence that all of the other films included in this series have done as well. They are either at a boutique or home or someplace where one would normally see a fashion show. Then in the second half of the movie, we get a special treat and are presented a second show that is really unique to anything I have seen in the other fashion show movies. The scene goes like this: we are first presented with a painting, part of that painting is lifted like a screen, to reveal another painting that is semi sheer and we begin to see the model, finally this screen is lifted and we see the whole model and she poses in her little box. The models are on some kind of a carousal that revolves, making it so they are stationery. I am reminded here of the scene in Singin' in the Rain, however, as one film historian points out, this scene is more of a vehicle of the musical sequence rather than a full on fashion show. The fashion show in Fashions of 1934 is really unique and displays the wonderful gowns by Orry-Kelly in a lovely fashion! :)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

200th Follower Giveaway!!!!!

YAY!!!! I have reached 200 followers!!! You guys rock!!!! Thanks to everyone who reads, comments, and follows my blog. I love reading your comments and finding new blogs to read!!! I appreciated all of you guys!!! :)


Here's what you will be receiving if you win:

-A 50s/60s Navy Blue Handbag, kind of like the "Kelly" style (it has a ton of compartments/pockets!)
-A vintage "Snap Shots" mini photo album
-40s vintage sunglasses, with glass lenses (nonprescription)
-A vintage hand painted Mexican themed hankie
-A year's subscription to Reminisce Magazine


Here's how to enter:

-Comment on this post with what you would like to see more of on my blog. You don't have to have a blog to enter and the giveaway is open to everyone, no matter where you reside.


For extra entries:

-Post about this giveaway on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc. and post the link with your comment. Please make sure to make a NEW/SEPARATE comment.

-Become a follower of this blog and make a NEW/SEPARATE comment to let me know that you have. If you are already a follower, make sure to do the same! :)


Up to four entries are allowed (so you can post on both your blog and facebook, for example, to get two extra entires). The giveaway will be open until Midnight EST Wednesday March 6th, 2011. Winner will be drawn by a random number generator, so it's important that you leave separate comments to get multiple entries. The winner will be announced Thursday March 7th.


Thanks again for reading and following!!!! :)

Emily

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Oriental Figurines


First off, YAY!!! Thank you followers and readers for helping me reach 200!!! The giveaway will be up tomorrow, so check back in to enter! I appreciate each and everyone of you!!! :)

Now, on to these fabulous little figurines!! So, I LOVE chalkware. I have a collection of chalkware fruits that I am going to decorate my kitchen with and am such a sucker for it. I also have been on the look out for some cute vintage figurines, hoping that I would find some that would fit with this lamp that I won from Mary Deluxe. Two weekends ago, imagine my excitement when I found those cuties above for only $3 at an estate sale!! How had no one snapped them up?! I love how their legs dangle. They will be finding a home in my office on the bookshelf.

Then, almost a week after the estate sale, on one of my weekly Thursday trips to the Salvation Army (they off discounts for students on Thursdays, if you are a student, this is a great day to go!) I found these dearies, again, for only $3. Now, these guys are not in as good of condition as the ones above, however, with a little paint, they will be like new again. I won't feel guilty about painting these guys because their previous owner glued a chipped off piece back in. I am all about preserving things, but these little guys are going to be just for fun. They have since found a home on my bookshelf at home.


Now, fast forward to last weekend. My beau and I were scoping out the spoils at an estate sale, when we met up from "dividing and conquering" and low and behold, my beau had spotted this guy hanging out in the basement. I could not believe my luck in finding all these awesome vintage chalkware Oriental figurines in the short time of two and half weeks! This guy, also not in perfect condition, was $2; a bit pricer than my other finds, but welcomed just the same. I think I am all set on my Oriental figurine collection...... for now at least! :)

Remember, tomorrow is the giveaway!!!!!! :)


Emily

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Confessions of a Vintage Lover


I have a confession to make: I don't wear full vintage everyday. Living in a state where the weather changes multiple times per day and week, sometimes just wearing vintage is not practical. When it comes time that all this snow we have been getting starts to melt, there are going to be tons of puddles and muddy ground, which I wouldn't want to take the chance of ruining my vintage shoes or dresses on. I always have something vintage on, whether it is a pin, a purse, or a full vintage outfit; taking the vintage out of me is impossible.

When I encounter days such as these (like last Wednesday before the Snow Apocalypse II), I normally try to pair a vintage top with skinny pants and flats. Kind of what I like to call a "modernized" vintage look. This particular day I had a lunch date with a girlfriend and a surprise trip to the library that my beau works at on the agenda. My girlfriend and I had some yummy Middle Eastern food and I brought my beau a coffee.


Now, another confession: this is a vintage maternity top (I have it kinda pulled back in the photo above). Someday, I would love to be a mommy, so occasionally when vintage maternity pieces come up on eBay or the like, if they are cheap, I take advantage of it, knowing how hard they are to come by. I decided to wear this top now, rather than storing it. The boat-ish neckline and the dart at the back make it look rather like a swing top. Its too cute to just let sit in the closet. :) I have some other vintage tops that I suspect are maternity tops, although, they are handmade so I can't tell for sure. I like to pair these tops with sweaters or a belt to help pull in the waist, giving a second lease on life to these cute vintage pieces.

Emily

P.S. Only 1 more follower until I hold my giveaway!! :)



50s Top: eBay

Jeans: White House Black Market

Black Flats: JC Penny

50s Earrings: Mother Fletchers

Monday, February 21, 2011

Enid Collins Purse.... Well Sorta


I have been wanting one of those Enid Collins purses for a long while now. Over the summer, I found this bag at a garage sale which had TONS of vintage stuff and all for super cheap too. The bag cost me only $1. I don't mind that it doesn't have its latch on the top front. I probably wouldn't have used it anyhow.

When I fist picked up the bag, I noticed these numbers inside some of the circles, which lead me to believe that this bag must have come in some sort of a kit that a housewife in the 60s could have put together herself for much less than the price of a real Enid Collins.



I just used some jewel glue and some rhinestones that I had in my stash. I did have to buy some oval shaped ones, but I was able to get them on sale for only $3. After I laid out my design, I decided that the bag needed more stones than what the kit originally indicted. I stuck to jewel tones and I am really pleased with how it came out. Plus, I was able to get something crossed off my want list for less than $5! Now I just need spring to roll in so I can start getting some use out of my new creation!

Emily

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Date Night


Saturdays for my Beau and I normally consist of waking up early, grabbing some Starbucks, and hitting up some estate sales and sometime the thrift stores too. Both of us are bargain hunters and love finding a good deal. I really enjoy sharing these kinda days with him, especially since it's something we both like to do.

I was really excited about these finds from last weekend. The 60s sweater was found at an estate sale for $1 and the dress, although not vintage, has a vintage cut and is knit, which is something I have been on the look out for. I found it at a thrift store for $3. It's an Isaac Mizrahi for Target and it has pockets!! I just love having pockets in my dresses. When the weather gets just a bit warmer, I plan on paring this sweater with a 40s grey dress I have. That was the original intention, but the weather thought otherwise. ;)


Here we are, out the door to dinner in Mexicantown in Detroit, which really has the best Mexican food!!! You must go if you are ever in town. It's tasty, cheap, and so much fun!!!

Emily




60s Sweater: Estate Sale

Isaac Mizrahi for Target Dress: Great Centers of Hope Thrift Store

Boots: Uggs

Friday, February 18, 2011

Film Fashion Friday: Fashion Show February: Designing Woman (1957)

Since I missed last week's post, for which I feel so horrible about, I am making up for this week by posting three films, Designing Women (1957), Roberta (1935), and Neptune's Daughter (1949). All of these films have fashion shows that are very similar and function in similar ways. Since next Friday is the last one in February, I will be doing three posts as well, two on films that are available on DVD and a post on some of the films that are not available on DVD that show on TCM frequently, but showcase fashion shows and are really wonderful! I will be offering copies for anyone who is interested. So, without further ado, here is Designing Woman. (Just as a side note, I cropped the screen shots to make them fit better with my formatting here on my blog).

Main Cast

Lauren Bacall.....Marilla Brown Hagen
Gregory Peck.....Mike Hagen
Dolores Gray.....Lori Shannon
Sam Levene.....Ned Hammerstein

Gown By Helen Rose
Directed By Vincent Minnelli

Synopsis
Mike meets Marilla on vacation and after a whirlwind romance, marry before returning to New York. Once back in "real life" the two realize that they have little in common: Marilla is a fashion designer who lives a fancy lifestyle, spending her time with actors and the elite, while Mike is a sports writer, lives a simple life. When Mike gets intertwined with the mob, mayhem ensues, causing Mike to go into hiding. How will the couple's relationship fair? Will the two end up together at the end or divided by their different lifestyles?


Fashion Review
While I have only included screen shots from the fashion show sequence, the entire film is packed full of drool worthy outfits, which is a trend we will see throughout this whole series. One would assume that the clothing designer in the film must be the model of example of the latest trends and what was to be considered the most fashionable, ergo all the beautiful pieces we can see Lauren Bacall wearing. The casting of Bacall is utterly fitting, being the trendsetter that she was in the 40s with the suit from To Have and Have Not (1944) being recreating by numerous department stores and sported by many young ladies. In this film, Bacall's clothing exudes elegance and showcases the height of 50s fashions, something many of us vintage gals strive to look like on a daily basis. Many times, Bacall looks as though she stepped out of a VOUGE or MCCALLS magazine, really bringing to looks that these fashion magazines present to females to the screen.

Helen Rose was the costumer for this film and no doubt, did a FANTASTIC job. If I could steal a movie's wardrobe, this would be among one of the films I would select. Rose is among some of the designers of Classical Hollywood that I wish got more recognition. Her work can been seen in many different genres of film and was able to dress some of Hollywood's most lovely leading ladies, including Lana Turner, Betty Grable, and of course Lauren Bacall. She worked with some of the greats in Hollywood, such as Walter Plunkett, and worked exclusively for one studio (MGM) for most of her career. Rose studied at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts before she moved to L.A. in 1929. Her first professional job designing clothes was for Fanchon and Marco. F & M supervised the costumes for selected musical numbers at Fox and they allowed Rose to do the designs for three of their films. After her work with Fox and F & M, in 1942 Rose moved to MGM where she stayed until her retirement, working pretty much only for them. In the 60s, Rose opened her own design business and staged traveling fashion shows, which is helpful to consider when thinking about her work here. Rose also had quite the wedding gown client list, creating gowns for Grace Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Elizabeth Taylor to wear on their big days.


Fashion Show Evaluation: Fashion Show as Promotion
The sequence itself is placed into the film in a very organic way, integrated into the plot as so it wouldn't disrupt viewers. The show is staged and filmed in a way that showcase the model's routines as promotion for the articles of clothing. The set is a lavish boutique set up with a runway and on either side chairs and tables for prospective customers to take a ganger at the latest designs. Each time a model comes out from behind stage, we are presented with a close up of her outfit, followed by long shots of her walking around, showing off the garment. There are also two audiences to contend with, the one on screen and the one off. The camera shows us the customers sitting, viewing the garments. We even get reaction shots of their opinions. However, the audience of the film itself is the second audience, as we too are viewing the fashion show much like the characters on screen are. The close ups and establishing shots of the model as she emerges from backstage is the "sales pitch" to the audience, the model is addressing the audience directly. This is where audience has the illusion or may feel like they are attending a fashion show, thus the styles are being promoted within the film.

In my next post, I will cover another aspect of how fashion shows function within the film, where the sequence is done in a similar manner. Check the post underneath this one for more on this.


Designing Woman is available on DVD and is widely available to rent.

Film Fashion Friday: Fashion Show February: Roberta (1935)


In the post above, I gave a brief explanation of just one of the many ways the fashion show can work within a film, specifically a certain kind of show, one that is almost seamlessly intergrated into the narrative of a film. Here, in Roberta (1935), the fashion show sequence is staged almost exactly the same way, so I am going to into more detail how the same kind of fashion show sequence has more than one effect on the viewer.

Cast

Irene Dunne.....Stephanie
Fred Astaire.....Huckleberry Haines
Ginger Rogers.....Comtesse Scharwenka
Randolph Scott.....John Kent
Helen Westley.....Roberta/Aunt Minnie

Gown by Bernard Newman
Directed by William A. Steiter

Synopsis
Football player John Kent tags along as Huck Haines and the Wabash Indianians travel to an engagement in Paris, only to lose it immediately. John and company visit his aunt, owner of a posh fashion house run by her assistant, Stephanie. There they meet the singer Scharwenka (alias Huck's old friend Lizzie), who gets the band a job. Meanwhile, Madame Roberta passes away and leaves the business to John and he goes into partnership with Stephanie. (Taken from IMdB)

Fashion Review
As I did with Designing Woman, with the exception of the first image, I have only captured images from the fashion show sequence and will being doing so for the remainder of the films in this series. Again, if I had to pick a few films to steal the costumes from, this would also be among them. Roberta is a prime example for why the 30s were so glamourous and wonderful, from a fashion sense anyway. :) I loved every outfit and would highly recommend that you watch this film if you haven't seen it already. Not only are the fashion models dressed to the nines, so are Dunne and Rogers.

Bernard Newman designed the gowns (and probably many of the outfits too) for Roberta. Newman had quite the career before he made the leap into films. He studied in Paris, at the Art Student's League. After which he worked at Bergdorf Goodman (New York) for twelve years. He worked his way up there from window dresser to head designer. In 1933, he began work at RKO to create the gowns for Roberta. I am assuming that it took RKO a year or more to secure the rights to the broadway play, but they contracted Newman early on to secure a spectacular wardrobe. Although Newman only worked at RKO for three years, he worked on over twenty films. He left in 1936 to return to Bergdorf Goodman. He did make a few more appearances in Hollywood, being contracted in 1937 to work on another Ginger Rogers film and in 1946-1947 for a few pictures at Warner Brothers. Because of Newman's experience at one of the biggest higher end department stores, it's very easy to see why this film (and for that matter, all of his other films) is filled with all the marvelous fashion that it is.

Fashion Show Evaluation: Teaching Women How to Act
It has been said that fashion shows within films teach women spectators to be mannequins. While I don't necessarily agree with this, I feel it's important to show both sides of the coin. I do, however, think it's true that certain clothing makes women (and even men too) feel differently about themselves and might even dictate different types of behavior. I know that I feel the most "womanly" when I am wearing a dress or a skirt and I always feel like better about myself when I dress nicer. I also feel really good when I am wearing something that looks like it cost a lot, knowing that I got it for a deal or paid little to nothing for something that doesn't necessarily give off that interpretation. for these reasons, I can see why many feel or perceive fashion as frivolous and vein. I am not inclined to disagree with this, although I think there is something to be said about something as simple as a new (or vintage new-to-me dress) to brighten my mood and heighten my self esteem. I also think there is something about wearing a crinoline that makes me want to behave more ladylike than I normally would.

These shows within a film are weaved into the plot that is unobtrusive in nature, which helps to draw the viewing in without them noticing. The models in the sequences pose and walk a certain way, which exudes ladylikeness and might even influence women spectators to do so as well, however, presenting the need for these female spectators to purchase the outfits seen in the film in order to do so. While I don't agree that this a a good technique to use on seemingly unsuspecting viewers, I do think it's somewhat harmless, even if it can be argued that these types of scenes in films promote the idea that high fashion is important and what one must wear in order to be considered pretty, important, etc. I do see that that is present, however, I do think that some of what else that is presented is kinda harmless and does serve a purpose. What's wrong with sending the message that sometimes wearing pretty things can make you feel better? While this shouldn't be considered acceptable across the board, there is something to this school of thought. As stated above, I find that putting a dress or something pretty brighten my day when I am sad or improved my mood. Maybe it's just the girlie girl in me, but I find nothing wrong with that. :)


Roberta is widely available on DVD and to rent through various rental services.

Film Fashion Friday: Fashion Show February: Neptune's Daughter (1949)

Okay, here's the last post for today. I ordered them so you could just scroll down to read each one as they build on one another. Enjoy!

Cast

Esther Williams.....Eve Barrett
Red Skelton.....Jack Spratt
Ricardo Montalban.....Jose O'Rourke
Betty Garrett.....Betty Barrett
Keenan Wynn.....Joe Backett

Costumes by Irene
Directed by Edward Buzzell

Synopsis
Scatterbrained Betty Barrett mistakes masseur Jack Spratt for Jose O'Rourke, the captain of the South American polo team. Spratt goes along with the charade, but the situation becomes more complicated when they fall in love. Meanwhile, Betty's sensible older sister Eve fears Betty's heart will be broken when Jose returns to South America. She arranges to meet with the real O'Rourke and love soon blossoms between them as well. (Taken from IMDb).

Fashion Review
I love this movie so all the fantastic fashion is just icing on the cake. What I love most about this film, is to a certain degree, we see what goes on behind the scenes in the fashion world (see first image). Eve is shown sketching designs and even takes us the viewer into the factory where the swimsuits are made. All of the films for today receive a grade of 9 or above (which I didn't take the time to mark down in the two posts above) and I really feel that's due to their plot circling around the fashion world. How could Hollywood present a movie about fashion designers without having a well dressed cast?

I have already done a post on Irene, giving her background and such; so if you are interested, click HERE to be directed to that post. Irene is amazing. I am sure I say that about many of the fashion/costume designers I feature on here, but I truly feel that way. I try to pluck out films that were worked on by designers other than Edith Head and the like. Don't get me wrong, Head is great, but I feel so are some of her contemporaries as well.
Fashion Show Evaluation: Wrap Up
I chose this film to wrap up the posts for today because it combines the ideas found in the other two films selected for today, but does so in a slightly different way. The fashion show sequence in this film is less integrated into the narrative. While we have the two audiences present, we do not see them during the sequence, the spectator sitting in the theatre seat is being directly addressed full on for the duration of the show. So, while the show is part of the narrative, it is presented to us the viewer in a slightly different manner. We also get the posing that is present in the other two films, but the models are not on a runway and more than one model is present at a given time or is alluded to, because there are all assumed to be on the same rock. I think this sequence presents many of the same ideas as the other two do. The swimsuits are being put on display for the viewer and might influence them to go out and purchase something similar because of this movie. We also can find traces of how these swimsuits might make one feel: like a glamour girl or a pin-up. This film is an example example of the idea of "soft promotion," where the fashion show sequence is used as a way to promote clothing sales. This film also "teaches" women how to behave in swimwear, walking gracefully and posing in a slightly seductive manner, possibly in an effort to display one's best assets. However you feel about what these fashion show sequences seek to achieve, I think we can all agree that they are excellent documents of fashion history, giving us vintage gals some spectacular eye candy and fashion inspiration.

Neptune's Daughter is available on DVD and for rental through many services.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Nasty Jello of the Month: February


"Looking for a fancy dish you can make today -- serve tomorrow," not if I'm the cook! I get that this is easy and makes an interesting presentation (i.e. "fancy" in the copy's words), however, I don't think my party guests or my family would be interested in eating this.

When I was little, my grandma used to mix fruit into the strawberry jello, which was a special treat and super yummy. I just can't understand how this concept spanned into putting this such as cheese and olives into lime jello, as the example above suggests. Maybe it's a generational thing.....

I tried to find what magazine I scanned this from, but I couldn't find it. I am thinking it come from one of my 50s McCalls or Ladies Home Journal. If I come across it, I'll edit it in. And, just in case you are feeling inclined to try such a concoction, the recipe for "Tangy Cheese Aspic" is provided in the ad. The only part that the scanner cut off is the suggested ways to serve this "fancy" dish. What did you find?


Next month's Nasty Jello Party will be held on March 17th. So if you couldn't find something for this month, you have a whole month to find something for March. :)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Product Review: Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Gothic


Last Friday, after a long day of showing films in my screening labs I proctor, I decided that a treat for myself was in order and what better than a new lipstick to perk up my mood?

I had seen a commercial for Revlon's "Just Bitten" lip stain and decided to give it a go. I haven't really been wearing much lipstick lately because it comes off on my clothes and doesn't last for very long. The commercial stated that the lip stain would last all day -- even through meal time and would not come off on anything. It also included a balm to keep your lips moist throughout the day, something I really liked about the product.

There are two reds and I chose the darker of the two, GOTHIC. I was a bit worried with the name like GOTHIC that it would be intense, but I really ended up liking my choice. The stain is really like a marker which goes on much like a marker would to your lips. It has a nice pointed tip to make application easy and precise. Some girls wear some sort of foundation under their lipstick, I don't, so I just applied it to my lips. Afterwards, you apply the clear balm which helps seal the stain and also provides some shine. My results might be a bit different, due to no lip liner or foundation, however, I found this stuff to really "stain" your lips and stay put.


I wore it out one night where there would be no eating or drinking involved to see how it would fair. It stayed put all evening and didn't come off on my clothing or on my beau, which is the most important, isn't it? ;) A few days later, I wore it when we would be going out for dinner and although it came off on my napkin a bit, most of it was still on my lips and just a simple application of the balm was all that was needed.

The only downside that I can find to this product is that it is really hard to get off. I tried removing it with soap and water and it didn't take much off. I also tried a bit of rubbing alcohol, which again, took a little bit off, but did not remove the entire product from my lips. However, the following morning there was little left and the soap and water did the trick to remove the rest.

I really like that this lip stain stays on you and not on your clothing or your man!! It is priced at $10 and I think for a drugstore lip product it is worth the ten bucks. For the most part is does what it says and it really is a lovely shade for us vintage gals!

Emily




DISCLAIMER: I purchased this product and am not being paid in anyway to promote Revlon. These are my honest opinions.

CSN Stores Review


Hi Dear Readers! Last week, I was contacted by CSN Stores to select a product to review for my blog. I haven't decided exactly what I am going to pick yet, right now I am leaning towards a rug for my new place, but still haven't narrowed down my choice.

The nice people over at CSN Stores asked me to post about their website in return for my item to review. So far, I have really been enjoying their site. :) CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find lots of great items, from swingsets to home goods, even pet supplies, CSN Store will probably have what you are looking for. I was particularly impressed with their rug selection. Some of the rugs they offer have a vintage flair to them and are at great prices too! :)

Emily

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Another Vintage Coat Post and a Reminder

Well, the girl just can't help herself..... She's got an addiction and at least she knows it.....

In all honesty, I have had this coat for a year or two and just have never shown it on my blog, but it is among my coat collection that seems to be multiply when I am not looking. I found this one on eBay and just had to have it because it was yellow and it zipped up the front. I love the dolman sleeves and I think the yellow/grey contrast is wonderful. I feel very "mod" every time I wear it. The backcombed hair doesn't help.... ;)


Oh, and just a few reminders. Thursday is this month's Nasty Jello of the Month day. Can't wait to see what other readers find! Also, I am only 7 more followers away from holding my 200th follower giveaway. :)


Emily



60s Coat: eBay

Tights: Gap

Boots: Uggs



P.S. I swear I wear other shoes than these UGG boots. The are just so warm and cozy and even though they are not vintage or really that stylish on their own, I feel accessories can really do a lot.