I've got an island

Glam Skull Chic

2012-01-25T10:58:00.001-05:00

Glam Skull chic by cocobettie featuring platform shoes

Rhinestone top
£22 - loveburlesque.com

Crash and burn rhinestone top
$58 - buckle.com

Goth skirt
£20 - chaoticclothing.co.uk

Alexander McQueen platform shoes
$638 - couture.zappos.com

Iron Fist platform wedge
$100 - heels.com

Alexander McQueen studded clutch
$1,495 - alexandermcqueen.com

ASOS cord jewelry
$17 - asos.com

Memento goth jewelry
ghostlove.com

John Varvatos Star Usa Black Coated Canvas Skull Print Duffel
$143 - bluefly.com

Kim Kardashian's fragrance commercial

2012-01-12T10:27:00.007-05:00

Take a look at Kim Kardashian's commercial for her perfume "True Reflection". She's always been inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and goes Old Hollywood for this commercial. She's wearing Tom Ford “Nikita” cat eye sunglasses(love them!), head scarf, white blouse, beige pencil skirt with an orange belt and a pair of nude Christian Louboutin Pigalle pumps. I think she looks great with this look and should wear it more often. Although I think she should've trimmed her hair a bit or kept it up for a more vintage look. What do you think of the commercial and her look?

Anyone know what kind of car is this? Corvette?

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T11:23:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-22T17:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T20:19:00.001-05:00

Madonna's 1940's style

2011-11-11T20:08:00.020-05:00

Lately I'm loving Madonna's 1940's inspired style. I really think this is a great look for her. She's looking lovely & sophisticated.

Loving her 40's curls!

I want this dress and shades!

Just gorgeous!

Look for more of Madonna in Bazaar's December issue!

Pictures from Halloween Night

2011-11-03T17:39:00.012-04:00

My son was Anakin Skywalker (from Star Wars) and I did my Dh's makeup.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T10:51:00.001-04:00

My top 10 fave movies for Halloween

2011-10-30T19:48:00.011-04:00

I stayed in today watching horror flicks and it got me thinking of some of my favorite movies to watch on Halloween. Some of these might not be necessarily scary but I still love to watch them every year. Here are my faves in no particular order:

1)The Lost Boys

2)The Omen

3)The Birds

4)Halloween

5)Alien

6)Amityville Horror

7)Invasion of the Body Snatchers

8)Jeepers Creepers

9)Carrie

10)Practical Magic

What are your favorite movies to watch?

Halloween Fun and... Snow?

2011-10-29T14:12:00.015-04:00

At around 12:30 this afternoon it started snowing! Say it isn't so! It's way too early for this! My son of course is thrilled. I'm just hoping it won't stick to the ground. It's mixed with rain so hopefully it won't stay. It's NYC, by the way.

Last week my son and I painted these little pumpkins. Every year we do something crafty like this or bake cookies or a cake for Halloween. He can hardly wait for Halloween which is Monday. Here are some pics I took:

SPOOKY

Last year's pumpkins:

Halloween Lovely: Yvonne De Carlo

2011-10-21T10:01:00.013-04:00

I remember Yvonne De Carlo mostly from the tv show "The Munsters". I recall loving the way she looked, her long black hair with white streaks, her black nails, her pale pink vampire ankle length gown and most of all, her bat necklace. She was in her 40's when she started the show. Years later, I watched "The Ten Commandments" and was stunned to find out that the beautiful woman who played Moses's wife was the same Yvonne De Carlo from "The Munsters". Since then I've seen pictures of Yvonne De Carlo when she was much younger in her acting career and can't believe how gorgeous this woman was! I loved her in "The Munsters", but I would never have known how beautiful she truly was under all that "monster" makeup if I hadn't seen the "The Ten Commandments" or found her pictures on the internet.
Other movies she made include, "Salome Where She Danced", "Criss Cross", "Slave Girl", and "Sombrero" just to name a few.
Here are a couple of pictures of her as Lily Munster and a YouTube tutorial if you want to be Lily Munster for Halloween. The rest of the pictures are of her gorgeous self:

Dita Von Teese: Femme Totale

2011-10-07T09:46:00.004-04:00

"I wanted it to be a perfume that smelled exactly how I imagined it. I doubt the perfumers in Paris imagined that I would be in their shop almost every day for an entire year,” says Dita Von Teese, describing the work she put into her first perfume. Very few international stars are as closely and passionately involved in the process of creating their own perfume as she was. “There were enough moments when I could have easily said ‘this is how the perfume should smell.’ But I wanted it to be perfect, and threw out many previous compositions and refined them. I gave samples to friends, and tested how others reacted to me and to my perfume. This process continued until I found the exact composition that was perfect both for me and for others,” she says, describing her perfume’s elaborate development process. The result is “Dita Von Teese” – an extremely sensual perfume, perfectly feminine, exciting, and mysterious. Dita Von Teese created a timeless scent which opens with a head note composed of fresh peonies, fizzy bergamot, and slightly spicy Bourbon pepper. The heart of the perfume beguiles the senses with a full and at the same time pure bouquet of Bulgarian rose, Tahitian Tiaré petals, and fresh jasmine. And in the base note, the mystical and warm scents of patchouli, musk, and smoky Gaiac wood and sandalwood captivate all who smell it. “A scent needs to reflect all the different facets of my personality. It had to be elegant, glamorous, sophisticated, sexy, dark, and mysterious,” says Dita Von Teese, characterizing her odeur.

Movie that I watched yesterday

2011-10-06T10:27:00.007-04:00

Yesterday I watched "The Young Savages", on TCM. I have never seen this film before. It takes place in Spanish Harlem, NYC in 1961. Three Italian young men are members of a street gang named the Thunderbirds. They have an ongoing turf war with a Puerto Rican gang called the Horsemen. The three members of the Thunderbirds attack a blind young man from the Horsemen and stab him to death. The district attorney (played by a very handsome Burt Lancaster) is given the case despite the fact that it is discovered that one of the boys mother was his ex-girlfriend.
At first he seeks the death penalty for the boys, but as he gets deeper into the case he realizes what appears to be cut and dried on the surface, is really more complex. It's directed by John Frankenheimer, also stars Dina Merrill, Shelley Winters and Telly Savalas.
It was an interesting movie over all. I always love seeing old movies that were filmed in NYC (I still live here).

I got a kick out of seeing a young Telly Savalas in this film.

Dita Von Teese Nails

2011-09-26T16:39:00.004-04:00

I guess I'm late in finding out about this but I'm so excited that I'll post about it anyway. Dita Von Teese has partnered with Kiss Nails to launch a line of easy to apply press on nails in her signature 1940's era half moon manicure. Dita says, "I wanted to offer a shortcut to obtaining the nail style that I have been wearing for the last 20 years, and Kiss has helped make it a reality,”. The set comes with 24 nails in 12 sizes. Gel glue is also include in the package. The nails are available now to purchase on her site and retail for $9.99.
This is great for a gal like me who has terrible nails and have no talent for manicuring. And I always use nails from Kiss, they're great!.

Dior J'adore

2011-09-14T18:44:00.002-04:00

Love this new ad from Dior J'adore! As always, Charlize Theron looks amazing. In this commercial she's hurrying as if she's late for a fashion show. As she's rushing through backstage she glances at models getting ready. These models happen to be legendary beauties such as Grace Kelly, Malene Dietrich and Marilyn Monroe.

1940's military inspiration

2011-08-27T16:45:00.006-04:00

I know this movie has been out a couple of months already, and I haven't seen it yet, but I've seen the previews and pictures and I love the wardrobe and hair. It takes place in my favorite era, the 1940's, so of course I love it. I don't usually go for the whole military look, but I like to add pieces of it in my wardrobe and make my own look. A nice white long sleeved crisp chirt, or a military jacket for example. I'm aiming to get an affordable dark brown leather jacket (like the one in the picture below) for this fall. I made a little set on Polyvore for more ideas (see below)

1940's military inspired by cocobettie featuring long sleeve button down shirts

Sleeved dress
£90 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Pleated dress
£475 - suzannah.com

TopShop long sleeve button down shirt
$50 - topshop.com

Donna Karan vintage jacket
$4,485 - stylebop.com

Burberry Prorsum coat
$666 - theoutnet.com

Tongolele

2011-08-18T21:01:00.006-04:00

Yolanda Ivonne Móntes Farrington, born January 3, 1932 is an exotic dancer and actress of Mexican films (from the late 40's-80's). She's artistically known as "Tongolele". I first saw a drawing of her that someone did on flickr and really liked it, so then I looked up her name and found a few pictures of her (there doesn't seem to be many pictures of her). I'm just amazed at her stunning beauty. Those eyes and hair and that body! Oh and I found a few videos of her on youtube.
She's alive and well today and still looks good!

High-Heeled Hopes

2011-08-12T17:34:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Lucy!!!!

2011-08-06T07:57:00.009-04:00

Happy 100th birthday Lucy!
They'll be celebrating all day with "I Love Lucy" episodes on the Hallmark Channel and with her movies onTCM!

Remembering Marilyn

2011-08-05T11:29:00.011-04:00

Today marks the 49th death anniversary of Marilyn Monroe. As a fan of hers since I was 11, she's never far from my thoughts. I first saw her in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and I was blown away. She was my first inspiration of what beautiful, feminine, glamorous and sexy should be. She was my first vintage love. She's the reason I started wearing red lipstick at age 16 and I still do today (not telling my age though!) I thank her for all that she gave us.

Dita Thursdays!

2011-06-30T21:41:00.003-04:00

Dita Thursdays!

2011-06-10T12:12:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Judy Garland!

2011-06-10T11:47:00.008-04:00

Happy Birthday Judy Garland! Celebrating by watching some Judy Garland movies today on TCM. Just watched "The Clock" (1945) and now "The Pirate" (1948). These are movies I've never seen before so I'm enjoying them today. She was such a good actress and singer (and surprisingly very funny!).

The Clock (1945)

New finds!

2011-06-03T12:19:00.006-04:00

I know I haven't been posting here much, sorry for that. It's just that time of the year where you're busy with the ending of school, activities (as the weather gets warmer) and getting things ready for vacation. Today I thought I would post some more goodies that I purchased from Etsy.

CLUTCH PURSE WITH METAL COMPACT AND LIPSTICK "CHAMPAGNE MOOD" by Avon
(I just love the color of the clutch purse!)

CREAM COLORED STRAW HANDBAG W/BAMBOO HANDLES
(so cute for summer!)

3 ANIMAL PRINT SCARVES

Vintage Compact- Genuine Mother of Pearl

(always wanted one of these!)

Dita Thursdays!

2011-05-26T22:54:00.002-04:00

My summer vacation challenges

2011-05-09T19:00:00.010-04:00

Every summer vacation we go to our favorite state, beautiful sunny Florida. So I'm already putting together my vacation wardrobe. This year I decided to wear more sundresses and be a little more feminine because I usually take the easy route and just be very casual with capris or shorts. This will be my challenge this summer. Also with hairstyles. I want to try more vintage hairstyles this summer. Usually I just roll my bangs and throw my hair into a ponytail or a bun (Florida gets really hot!) Does anyone have any tips on easy, quick yet vintage summer hairstyles?
I got some more goodies this past week for my summer wardrobe:

Hawaiian floral sundress (Etsy)

Perceptions New York dress (JCPenney)

Polka dot espadrille in red (payless)

Purple satin evening clutch (Etsy)

Look inside, it's so lusciously yummy! I don't think it was ever used!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T10:29:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone has a Happy Easter!

Happy Birthday Bettie Page!

2011-04-22T22:25:00.001-04:00

Dita Thursdays!

2011-04-14T19:11:00.007-04:00

I rarely come across pictures of Dita on a day off when she's shopping or just enjoying time with her boyfriend, Louis-Marie De Castelbajac. So I decided to post just those kind of pictures of her. She even looks good just going to the supermarket!

She even goes to flea markets often!

Reese Witherspoon in Water for Elephants

2011-04-12T19:28:00.001-04:00

I always love it when Reese Witherspoon does period movies. She does it so well.
In her new movie "Water for Elephants" she has the 30's waves and pale blonde hair. And I'm sure the costumes are amazing too. I want to see this movie! Of course, this came from a book first which I never heard of so I didn't read it. Has anyone read this book? I've read what the movie is about and I've seen the trailers so I know it has romance in it (my favorite kind of movie). It stars Robert Pattinson (the guy from Twilight) as Reese's love interest, and I hear the chemistry between the two is sizziling HOT.
This movie opens April 22nd.
Reese is also on the cover of Vogue magazine's May issue. Here are some pics:

Dita Thursdays!

2011-04-07T17:43:00.002-04:00

Dita out of the box

New goodies!

2011-04-06T20:07:00.011-04:00

I went to the mall today and spring fever is already here! All the stores had bathing suits, shorts, spring and summer dresses, sandals, etc...I couldn't believe it! But I guess they start this early, even if it's not even warm yet. It really got me in the mood though for some shoe shopping! I found a couple of cute shoes (white polka dot on black espadrilles and black flats) but didn't have time for more shopping because I had to pick up my son from school. Maybe I'll go back during the Easter sales! In other shopping news, I found a cute black Bisou Bisou handbag with gold studs on Ebay and a leopard handbag on Etsy. Also on Etsy I found a cute hawaiian styled dress for summer which will look so cute with some white or navy wedges. Here are the pics:

Black Bisou Bisou purse and leopard handbag (Ebay & Etsy)

White polka dots on black espadrilles (Payless)

Black flats (Payless)

50's style/hawaiian dress (vintage on Etsy)

Dita Thursdays!

2011-03-31T13:32:00.002-04:00

Time Traveler

2011-03-30T10:17:00.006-04:00

I saw this on YouTube last year when it first came out. I forgot about it and something reminded me about it again so I decided to post it. Has anyone seen this?
This man named George Clarke found a piece of footage from behind the scenes in Charlie Chaplins film 'The Circus'. The movie is from 1928. In this scene, it shows a large woman dressed n black and a hat covering her (or his?) face, holding what appears to be a cell phone. To everyone's knowledge there was no cell phones in the 1920's. If you look closely (and look at the scenes in slow motion) you can see this person is holding something to their ear and talking. George Clarke believes this is a time traveler. What do you think?? If you could travel to the past, what year would you pick?

Bathing Suit browsing

2011-03-29T17:56:00.009-04:00

It's that time of the year where I start browsing for bathing suits. I know it's a little early but I just love browsing through the retro style bathing suits. In the past few years I've bought vintage bathing suits but I wasn't 100% happy with them. So I decided this year I will buy a retro styled swim suit. Right now I have my eye on Esther Williams swimwear and Pinup Couture at Pinup Girl Clthing. All these gorgeous bathing suits to choose from! I wish I could find one like the one Esther Williams is wearing in the picture above. I didn't see anything like that one in her website.
I always seem to go for the color black (it is slimming and classic, after all) but maybe I'll try a different color or pattern this summer. Where do you ladies get your swimwear???
Here are some from Esther Williams.

Elizabeth Taylor passed away

2011-03-23T09:30:00.005-04:00

The beautiful, legendary actress, Elizabeth Taylor has passed away from congestive heart failure. She was 79 years old. She was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles earlier that week for symptoms caused by congestive heart failure, and she peacefully died there, according to her publicist. She was surrounded by her children – Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton. In addition to her children, Taylor is survived by 10 grand children and four great grandchildren.
In a recent Harper's Bazaar interview with super-fan Kim Kardashian, Taylor opened up about her many husbands, jewels and philanthropic work.
"I never planned to acquire a lot of jewels or a lot of husbands," Taylor told the 30-year-old Kardashian sister. "For me, life happened, just as it does for anyone else. I have been supremely lucky in my life in that I have known great love, and of course I am the temporary custodian of some incredible and beautiful things. But I have never felt more alive than when I watched my children delight in something, never more alive than when I have watched a great artist perform, and never richer than when I have scored a big check to fight AIDS."
Elizabeth Taylor, you will be missed.

Carmen Miranda

2011-03-18T20:04:00.006-04:00

Carmen Miranda was a young hatmaker before she was invited to display her singing talents at a music academy. That attempt proved successful and she went on to become a popular singer in clubs and on radio in Brazil. It was during this time that she developed the costume with the distinctive fruit hat from the traditional headdress seen on black women fruit sellers. In the mid-thirties, a theatrical producer named Lee Shubert saw her act in Brazil and offered her a spot on his new Broadway show. Knowing the need for a real Brazilian band to keep the appropriate music true, she insisted that her backup band be included in the deal. With the help of the Brazilian government who saw the good national image opportunity in Carmen, her demand was met. She proved to be a hit on Broadway, though her image was that of a foreign bimbo because she didn't know english. She later made films, but by then much of Brazil thought she became too "Americanized". When the US entered World War II, South America became the subject of American diplomatic attention, because it was an alternative source for raw materials that previously came from Europe. Carmen was the showpiece of Hollywood's contribution to this attitude of trans-Continental chuminess. Unfortunately, in doing so, Carmen became trapped in the image of the fruit dancer that every producer insisted on having. Even her attempt at a break-out role in Copacanba had to have her doing the same dance act for part of the film. It proved to be a disaster in many ways since it failed and she married the producer of the film, David Sebastian. He proved to be an abusive and oppurtunistic brute who made Carmen's life hell. Yet Carmen was a good Catholic and never considered a divorce. Instead she kept up a grueling schedule of shows, taking uppers and downers to remain functional, even when they began to damage her health. Eventually she collapsed and her doctor ordered her to go back to Brazil. She recovered and returned to America to resume the grind until she died of a heart attack hours after her final appearance on the Jimmy Durante Show.

Dita Thursdays!

2011-03-10T19:13:00.002-05:00

Marilyn's love of reading

2011-03-09T16:39:00.008-05:00

I'm currently reading "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe" by J. Randy TaraBorrelli (which I got from the library ;-). In the book it mentions Marilyn's appetite for knowledge. Johnny Hyde, Marilyn's talent agent from early in her career, wanted her to expand her intellectual scope and suggested she read books by Turgenev and Tolstoy. As she became famous, she was often seen and photographed reading different books and she was made fun of and ridiculed because they didn't believe she could read and understand those books. Those who were close friends would say that Marilyn did read books and would have lengthy and knowledgeable discussions about them. Marilyn wasn't a dumb blonde like some in Hollywood thought.
Some other books read by Marilyn: Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman,
Psychology of Everyday Life by Sigmund Freud, Lust for Life by Irving Stone, The Autobiography of Lincoln Steffens by Lincoln Steffens, The Thinking Body by Mabel Elsworth Todd, Greek Mythology by Edith Hamilton, An Actor Prepares by Konstantin Stanislavsky and To the Actor by Miachael Chekhov (just to name a few).

Photo Editing Fun

2011-03-08T13:44:00.006-05:00

Here are some pictures I edited at Photofunia. They have tons of effects you can play around with. Yes, I'm a nerd, but I have a alot of fun with this! Plus how can you not smile when you see your face on Madonna's or a hot guy's t-shirt? ;-)

Marilyn & Jane

2011-03-02T12:31:00.007-05:00

Everyone knows about Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". But maybe what alot of people didn't know was the friendship that developed between the two glamorous stars.

In her very last interview, (10 years after making "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,") Marilyn Monroe recalls the lack of respect studio execs had for her, but makes a point of mentioning co-star, Jane Russell: "I remember when I got the part in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Jane Russell, she was the brunette in it and I was the blond. She got $200,000 for it, and I got my $500 a week, but that to me was, you know, considerable. She by the way, was quite wonderful to me."

They got along well. Russell called Monroe "Blondie" and was often the only person on the set who could coax Monroe out of her trailer to begin the day's filming. "When we made Gentlemen Prefer Blondes together and I discovered that she was nervous about going on set, I finally went to her dressing room and said: 'All right, baby, come on set with me now, we've only got a few minutes.' And she said: 'Ooh'."

Jane Russell had gone to school with Marilyn's first husband, Jim Dougherty. She recalled when he came up to her one day and said, "I'd like you to meet my wife, Norma Jeane". Jane says, "It was Marilyn. She was a pretty girl, and later on I discovered that she was shy and sensitive," she remembers.

Jane never believed Marilyn committed suicide.
"Right before she died, she was planning to marry Joe DiMaggio, her second husband, again, and she had a new movie contract. So I don't think she killed herself.
Someone did it for her. There were dirty tricks somewhere".

Jane Russell, you will be missed!

2011-03-01T10:24:00.007-05:00

June 21, 1921 – February 28, 2011
I first saw her in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" when I was younger. At that time, I had only known Marilyn Monroe, whom I adored. But when I saw Jane Russell in that movie I remember thinking, "Wow. She's just as stunning and sexy as Marilyn, only she's a brunette." She always striked me as a strong woman who didn't take s*** from anyone. Since then, I've seen more of her films and she's woderful in all of them.

Hair Inspiration: Betty Grable

2011-02-28T19:33:00.008-05:00

The beautiful Betty Grable had some gorgeous hairstyles in her career.
She always had her hair pefectly done. Here are some pictures of her with some of my favorite hairstyles of hers.

Dita Thursdays!

2011-02-24T18:23:00.004-05:00

Hairstyle of the month: Faux bob

2011-02-24T17:20:00.003-05:00

I decided I wanted to do a faux bob as a change from longer hair styles. I curled my hair first in hot rollers and then I tried pinning my hair under with bobby pins. This didn't work for me! I think it's because 1)my hair is so thin, and 2)I couldn't do the backside myself. Maybe it takes more practice. Then I looked up on YouTube for an easy tutorial and I finally found one! This lady used a hair ribbon (but you can use anything cute to tie: bandana, silk scarf, etc..) and she tied the end of her hair and rolled it into a bob, then tied the ribbon on top of her head. Well, just watch the video to see the tutorial. It was super easy for me and I'm glad I learned a new way to style my hair. This is such a great hair style for summer too.

Here is my try:

Dita Thursdays!

2011-02-17T12:18:00.003-05:00

A little piece of an interview with handbag.com where Dita talks fashion, style icons and Lady Gaga.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T13:48:00.004-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all my beautiful followers. May your day be filled with love!

Dita Thursdays!

2011-02-10T15:53:00.006-05:00

Whatever happened to Shana Zadrick?

2011-02-05T14:04:00.012-05:00

Does anyone remember Shana Zadrick? She was the model often compared to Cindy Crawford because of her resemblance to her? Shana was the gorgeous brunette in the Guess ads of 1991(?). She seems to have disappeared after 1992. I remember when I first saw her in the Guess ads and thinking how striking she was with her long hair and her cat like eyes. I loved that eyeliner!

It's also interesting to know that the inspiration for that Guess Arizona photo shoot was Claudia Cardinale in the movie "The Professionals". Here are some photos of Claudia Cardinale:

Dita Thursdays!

2011-02-03T14:45:00.006-05:00

This is Dita before her fame as a burlesque artist.

I'm always fascinated by people's physical transformations whether it's weight loss, maturity, plastic surgery, or just a make over. I love it! Look how different Dita looks as a blonde. I think she's fabulous as a brunette with her snow white skin!

Dita Quotes:

Earliest memory on burlesque: I saw Natalie Wood in Gypsy when I was a little girl but it wasn’t until I was of age in 1991 that I pursued a career as a striptease dancer.

How she got her name: When I began working in strip club in the early 90’s I chose that name because I was really interested in the silent film era. Later on, when I posed for Playboy, I chose the last name Von Teese… sort of. I found the name “Von Treese” in the phone book and they misprinted it “Von Teese”. It’s nice to have a stage name; it’s the classic old Hollywood thing to do! No one used their real names, ever!

Motto to live by: “Living well is the best revenge”, which was said by a great poet of the 16th century.

Best country to shop for vintage: I’ve been all over the world for vintage and I have to stand by it — people argue with me about this all the time — but the best vintage is in America

Lipstick trick: Well, there’s not really a trick. You either wear a very matte lipstick that’s very dry and doesn’t bleed, like MAC Ruby Woo or Russian Red, or you wear something that’s shiny and you look at it every, like, half hour to make sure it’s OK. There’s not really a secret. There’s no trick! It’s like matte equals non-bleeding; shiny plus moisturizing equals bleeding.

Ava Gardner: Before Hollywood

2011-01-30T19:04:00.005-05:00

This is the beautiful Ava Gardner before she arrived in Hollywood.

Hairstyle of the month: Rolled Bangs

2011-01-25T10:17:00.007-05:00

So one of my new year's resolutions is to try a new hairstyle every month and post about it. This will help me practice more and also try new styles I've never done.
Yesterday I tried the rolled bangs. I try to keep my bangs short and trimmed because I have very thin and limp hair, so my bangs never look full. But I love bangs so I wear them anyway. Usually I'll curl them with a hot roller and it's passable. I can't do big foward rolled bangs like in the Vintage Styling book (which was what I really wanted to do) because I don't have enough hair.

I've also been thinking about using a hair rat roll. I've never used one before so I have to experiment with that also. Have any of you ladies used it before?
Anyway, here are some pics I took of my small rolled bangs. Any tips and advice are welcome!

More Awards!

2011-01-22T18:19:00.003-05:00

I've been given 2 more of the "Stylish Blogger Award"! These 2 were given to me by my friend La Dama at Vintage Passions just like mine and the sweet Fraulein Lin at Vintage Rose. Thank you ladies! I appreciate it very much. I don't want to bore anyone with 7 more things about myself so you can skip to the post from 1/11/11 to read it.

Dita Thursdays!

2011-01-20T19:14:00.001-05:00

Lucille Ball before "I love Lucy"

2011-01-19T17:03:00.008-05:00

Before being known as the crazy red head from "I Love Lucy", Lucille Ball first started out as a model and then began her performing career on Broadway. In the 1930's-40's she moved on to radio and then lots of B movies. In 1948 Lucy was cast on a radio comedy show called "My favorite Husband" (a radio program for CBS Radio). She played a wacky house wife. The show was really successful and CBS asked her to develop it for television. She agreed, but only if they let Desi Arnaz (her husband) play the part of her husband. CBS wasn't too crazy about the idea because they thought the public wouldn't accept an all American red head and a Cuban as a couple. Little did they know! LOL!

Dita Thursdays!

2011-01-13T16:55:00.007-05:00

Some lovely Dita dresses

Fergie & Dr. Pepper

2011-01-13T12:29:00.003-05:00

I love Fergie's hair and makeup in this Dr. Pepper commercial.

A lovely Blog Award

2011-01-11T16:36:00.012-05:00

I was given this lovely award by Kate at Vintage in a Modern World. I feel honored and thrilled to receive this lovely award by a fellow blogger and vintage lover as myself. Thanks so much Kate!
Now, the conditions of this award are:
1)Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2)Share 7 things about yourself
3)Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers
4)Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

Here are the 7 things about myself:
1)As a teen I discovered Jerry Lewis movies through my father who was a huge fan. I developed a crush on him when I saw "The Nutty Professor"!

2)I love the ocean! Give me the beach any day and you will see me smile. I wish I could live in a tropical place (see the title of my blog? LOL!) and be near the ocean. There is just something about it that gives me peace and tranquility. And what about the sunsets? *SIGH*

3)I'm not a photographer or model but I love taking pictures and editing them for fun!
I get kind of shy though of posting my pics on my blog! (go figure!)

4)I've always been interested in aliens and the world of the paranormal.
Currently I love to watch "Ancient Aliens" on the History Channel, "The Haunted" on the Animal Planet, and "I Survived, Beyond and Back" on the Biography Channel.
I'm also fascinated with the shows on Investigation Discovery!

5)My first vintage inspiration was Marilyn Monroe when I was a teen. She's the reason I still wear red lipstick til this day!

6)I'm still practicing knitting. One day I'll knit a sweater from a 1940's pattern.
7)I love to collect vintage purses and have a few. I would love to get more (much to DH's horror) but right now I have no more room. I still have yet to get a lucite purse!

Well, that's enough about me! Here are the 10 recently discovered great bloggers that I chose (in no particular order):

Vintage Passions Just like mine
The Adventures of Lucy-Mae
Piroska and the Wolf
!Viva Victoria Vintage!
Poppy Lane
Vintage Rose
Miss Rosina Lee
Penny Lane
Jemma Rose
Through the looking glass

All lovely & stylish bloggers and I hope they accept the award and pass it on.

Happy Birthday Elvis!!!!

2011-01-08T18:58:00.007-05:00

Elvis Presley would've 76 years old today. Today some people celebrated his birthday at Graceland in Memphis. Even Chilean miner, Edison Pena, sang "The Wonder of You" to the assembled crowd. Pena is a big fan of Elvis and he sang to his friends while trapped in an underground mine. Elvis lives on!!!!

Vintage Photobooth

2011-01-03T19:58:00.006-05:00

I love vintage photobooth pics. You can look at one and just imagine what kind of story that person has. Here are some from flickr:

Happy New Year!!!

2010-12-31T19:51:00.002-05:00

Dita Thursdays!

2010-12-30T11:35:00.006-05:00

Stay warm yet fashionable like Dita does, in these fabulous winter coats.

Singer Teena Marie dies at 54

2010-12-29T18:33:00.002-05:00

I cannot believe Teena Marie passed away on Sunday, December 26th. I just found out about it today. She was one of my favorite singers in the 80's. Her voice was so unique and unmistakable. She sang with soul and funk, and her love songs with a passion. Some of my favorites from Teena include, "Square Biz", "Lover Girl", "Work it", and "Naked to the World". She will be missed.

Dita Thursdays!

2010-12-23T21:46:00.006-05:00

Wishing everyone everyone Happy Holidays!

Movie I just watched: Duel in the sun

2010-12-17T12:45:00.005-05:00

I watch alot of classic movies on TCM. Every time there's a western on, I quickly change the channel. I just don't like westerns, they're boring to me with all the shooting going on. Well today was no different. I just finished watching Ingrid Bergman in Intermezzo: A love story (have to save that one for another post) and I wasn't going to watch another movie. So this movie comes on that looks like a western (Oh NO!) but I didn't get to change the channel because I had to answer the phone. Anyway, when I finished my phone conversation I see this beautiful lady in the movie and I started watching it. The lady turned out to be Jennifer Jones. Can't say I've seen her movies before, but I have heard of her. Well, I watched the whole thing and I liked it! It did take place in a western setting and there was some shooting, but mostly it was a crazy love story! I must say it was rather surprisingly sexy for 1946.

Pearl Chavez, a half breed girl, is sent to live with distant relatives following the hanging of her father, who shot and killed Pearl's adulterous mother. Upon her arrival at the huge McCanless ranch, two brothers, Lewt and Jesse, are immediately smitten with Pearl. Lewt (Gregory Peck), the bad boy of the two, seduces Pearl but has no intentions of marrying her. The good brother, Jesse (Joseph Cotten), marries someone else but is still protective of Pearl and asks her to come and live with him and his wife. Tensions rise as the love triangle culminates in a violent end.

Dita Thursdays!

2010-12-09T19:14:00.003-05:00

Here is Dita on Access Hollywood talking about performing Burlesque and launching her new Cointreau Coffret.

Another fantastic Giveaway!

2010-12-09T18:58:00.004-05:00

La Dama at Vintage Passions just like mine is having a great giveaway! She has some very cute vintage items so if you haven't done so already, pay her blog a visit to enter.
And her blog is awesome. She adds a bit of dark humor, mexican flavor (as a latina myself, I love this), vintage love, and an obsession with Morrissey, mix it all up and you have a very interesting and tasty blog to read!
She has extended her giveaway until Monday, so you still have time to enter!

In remembrance of Pearl Harbor

2010-12-07T11:36:00.011-05:00

Pearl Harbor Day commemorates the unprovoked attack in 1941 of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii by Japanese forces. The attack marked the US entry into World War II. The attack took place on Sunday morning at 7:55 AM. It lasted just over an hour. The harbor was the homeport for the US Pacific fleet. Most of the ships in the harbor were damaged or destroyed. 2,400 Americans were killed and nearly 1,200 wounded. The greatest tragedy was the loss of the Battleship USS Arizona with its crew of nearly 1,200 men.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous address to the nation in which he refers to Dec. 7, 1941, as "a date which will live in infamy" can be seen below:

Movies to watch today:

From here to eternity

So proudly we hail

Pearl Harbor

Music Saturdays!

2010-12-04T17:20:00.004-05:00

Song is "There you'll be" by Faith Hill. It was featured in the film Pearl Harbor.
I love this movie. I'm not a big fan of Faith Hill but I'm a sucker for love songs. This is a good one. Pearl Harbor Day is this Tuesday by the way.

Dita Thursdays!

2010-12-02T18:12:00.008-05:00

Dita Quotes:

Fitness routine: About 20 minutes jumping on the trampoline and an hour of Pilates. I often take Sundays off.

Perfect kitchen: One of my big extravagances when I moved out of my former husband’s house was a matching pink stove and refrigerator in ’50s style. Unlike real vintage items, they work. Obsolete item she can’t bear to part with: Everything I have is obsolete. That’s the point.

Fanciest corset: It’s by Mr. Pearl, without a doubt the world’s most-sought-after corset maker. He lives in Paris, and all the couturiers go to him. He has an unmatched talent for creating the perfect wasp waist. Each corset requires between 6and 20 fittings.

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.

Waistline: I’m not technically a tight lacer. It’s a fetish, in which you wear extremely tight corsets all the time. I don’t sleep in my corsets, and I’m not obsessed with obtaining the world’s smallest waist. My waist is around 18 inches.

Santa Baby, I've been an awful good girl....

2010-11-30T23:17:00.009-05:00

Here are some things on my Christmas wish list so far:

A red corset similar to this one I spotted on Ebay (this will be from hubby of course ;-):

Fancy Nights perfume by Jessica Simpson. I love the smell of this perfume, very rich and exotic yet soft and feminine!

I love wide cinch belts. They have loads of them in all colors and styles on Ebay!

You can't go wrong with a pencil skirt. So sexy yet you can wear it to work too.

88 palette of eyeshadow. You can get it cheap on Ebay!

What's on your wishlist?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T21:59:00.002-05:00

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Music Saturdays!

2010-11-20T21:53:00.004-05:00

From 1961, "At Last" by Etta James. Love her voice and this song. Almost everyone plays it at their wedding.

Dita Thursdays!

2010-11-18T16:42:00.006-05:00

Dita fact: One of her first jobs was working in a lingerie store, where she developed her interest in corsets
and lace underwear.

Music Saturdays!

2010-11-06T13:22:00.008-04:00

Song is "I'll be seeing you", by Bille Holiday. Video from the movie, "The Notebook". One of my favorite movies!

Halloween is over!

2010-11-03T10:28:00.005-04:00

When you have kids they count the months, weeks, days, hours and minutes until Halloween. Well, it's over. This Halloween was FREEZING! It was windy and cold and I felt sorry for the kids whose parents didn't make them wear a coat over their costume! I couldn't believe the little teen girls in playboy bunny costumes (worn with a tiny skirt)!
My boy and hubby were zombies and I was suppose to be a vampire but my teeth didn't work out. So I just look like a goth. But it was fun. I was good and didn't eat too much candy ;-)

Michael Myers!

I love Halloween!

2010-10-29T08:52:00.013-04:00

I love Halloween! I loved it as a kid too, of course. Not only for getting candy, but for choosing a costume, the excitement of going out at night was like a little adventure, and looking at other people's costumes. It was fun. Now I get to take my 5 year old boy trick or treating. In the past few years, I wasn't really getting into it because I felt I was too old to put on a costume. But now my kid gets me excited again. He asks me, "What are you going to be this year, mom?" This year we decided to do makeup instead of masks. My boy wants to be a zombie, hubby will be a skull face, and I can't decide whether to be a sexy she devil, a sultry vampire or an evil skull. What do you think? What are you going to be? Do you go trick or treating or do you go to parties? I really haven't seen anyone posting about Halloween. Well, whatever you dolls do, I hope you have a Happy and Safe Halloween!
Here are some pics of my baby boy through past Halloweens. I couldn't find one picture where he was Elvis! :-(

Betty Boop: Halloween Party (1933)

2010-10-26T21:45:00.004-04:00

100 follower giveaway!!!

2010-10-22T17:59:00.007-04:00

I know, i can't believe it, another fantastic giveaway! This one is at The Rockabilly Socialite.
Miss Dollie DeVille is giving away a "Rockabilly Socialite Kit" for reaching 100 followers. The kit includes
goodies from Besame Cosmetics! Wow, you have to check it out. I'm also checking out Besame Cosmetics, even if it's just to drool over their lipsticks!

In The Heyday giveaway!

2010-10-16T18:20:00.004-04:00

Here's another great giveaway! This one is from In the Heyday. Shona is giving away this gorgeous dress for having 100 followers. The dress is called the Fleur dress. The lovely Fleur collaborated with Shona to create this beautiful dress. I want it!!! Hey, you never know, right?
So head on over there to enter this giveaway if this dress calls to you. Hurry! It ends October 29th.

The original Margarita story - by Cointreau staring Dita Von Teese

2010-10-12T10:08:00.002-04:00

I like this! I can't believe I've never saw this before! Dita looks amazing as always.

Vintage pic of the week

2010-10-08T22:19:00.003-04:00

Lauren Bacall

Rolls

2010-10-07T10:32:00.007-04:00

Ok, so I'm going to try to post more pics of the hairstyles that I practice. Yesterday I tried rolls. Now, I've tried them many times before but yesterday was the first time that I was ok with them. This must mean that I'm getting better! Honestly, for the person that hairstyling doesn't come naturally (like me) it can be really frustrating, so practicing and practicing is the only way. I love vintage hairstyles so much, especially from the 40's. I didn't curl the ends of my hair because I had to run out, but it would've been much nicer if I did. Next time. ;-)

Tony Curtis has passed away

2010-09-30T17:31:00.003-04:00

Tony Curtis,(1925-2010) the Hollywood heartthrob who fashioned a career as a respected actor in such films as Sweet Smell of Success, The Defiant Ones and Some Like It Hot, has died at the age of 85.
Curtis, the father of actress Jamie Lee Curtis, died Wednesday at his Las Vegas area home of a cardiac arrest.
You will be missed Tony Curtis!

Kitty, Daisy and Lewis

2010-09-23T13:39:00.003-04:00

This musical group consist of the Durham family. Siblings, Kitty (17), Daisy(20), and Lewis(19), Mom plays bass and Dad the guitar. They're fantastic! Check them out on YouTube.

Vintage Hairstyling

2010-09-20T10:53:00.013-04:00

My younger sister gave me the book, "Vintage Hairstyling" by Lauren Rennalls for my birthday in May. I had looked through the book and really loved all the vintage hairstyles but I felt overwhelmed at all the instructions and tools that you need, so I really didn't try anything from the book. I'm very lazy and I always look for quick and easy versions. Which is why I love YouTube tutorials. But on Saturday I picked up the book again and got inspired to try something from the book. I slept with pin curls on Friday night, slightly damp. Then in the morning I took out the pins and brushed the curls. I think next time I'll do a dry set because it came out slightly frizzy (you can see the frizz in the first picture). I wanted to also create waves but I don't have duck bill clips so I used the smaller size clips to hold the waves in place. I wasn't too crazy about how it came out but it was my first time trying this style. Next time I'll have the stuff I need and try again.
I was going to my sister's for dinner and of course the whole hairstyle got messed up while I was in the car and the window was open with wind blowing all over my hair.
Good thing I took pics before the windblown disaster!

1950's "Bobbi" pin curl permanent commercial

2010-09-08T17:59:00.002-04:00

I love 1950's commercials!!

Cupcake Provocateur apron giveaway!

2010-09-06T15:00:00.004-04:00

Cupcake Provocateur is having an apron giveaway that ends soon!(September 9th!) They have the cutest aprons! So hurry now and visit the website for this giveaway and take a look at which one you like so you know what to choose if you win. Good Luck!

Elizabeth Taylor inspiration

2010-08-27T16:32:00.009-04:00

Here are some end of summer looks inspired by Elizabeth Taylor.

Bettie Bangs and Bettie inspiration

2010-08-15T16:49:00.013-04:00

It seems lately Bettie Page bangs and her influence are everywhere now. First it was Christina Aguilera from her, "Back to Basics" album and her retro look. You can see Beyonce's makeup & hair from Lady Gaga's video "Telephone". Totally Bettie! In her video, "Why don't you love me" the homage to Bettie Page continues. She even does the same little dance Bettie does in one of those Irvin Klaw movies. You can check out the video below. I love it! You can see Beyonce really studied Bettie.
Then there is Katy Perry with her Bettie Page hairstyle in most of her videos.
I love seeing Bettie's influence everywhere. I also love seeing any kind of retro inspiration any where. Bettie lives on!

Christina Aguilera

Beyonce

Katy Perry

Beyonce "Why don't you love me" video

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

Back Home

2010-08-14T13:56:00.006-04:00

We got back from vacation last week. It was great. My little man really enjoyed himself. Florida is beautiful as always (see below the pic of the sunset on the beach). It was really hot during the day though (that's why most people go in during the winter season).
Anyway, I've been feeling soooo lazy since I got back and trying to get into our every day routines again. It was month long vacation after all.
I can't wait to get back to reading all of your blogs and seeing what you guys have been up to this summer. It's good to be back home!

St. Pete Beach, Florida

Vacation time!

2010-06-25T08:07:00.007-04:00

I'm so sorry I haven't been blogging as often as I should. It's just that I've been busy with everything. My little man graduated from pre K on Thursday. I'm so proud of him. I can't believe how fast the school year went! I can still remember how scared he was that first day and how nervous I was! Now he'll be going to kindergarden in September. My baby is growing up so fast! *sigh*
So, now is vacation time! We're heading to sunny Florida. We go every year and we love it. The beaches, the sunsets, the shopping! LOL! We'll be gone for a month. This year we're going to make it for the 4th of July celebrations! Yay! I get to see it on the beach instead of a crowded city! I don't know know if I'll have a chance to blog while on vacation, but I'll try.
And now I'd like to leave you with some vintage Florida postcards that I found on Flickr.

Vintage Pic of the week

2010-06-06T18:11:00.001-04:00

Marilyn Monroe

Admiring Dita

2010-05-24T22:10:00.007-04:00

I have to sit back and admire Dita for a while. She always looks so put together, glamorous and amazing! It got me wondering how long it takes her to get ready every day. So I googled it and found an interview in which she answers the question and even has a good tip for us gals!:

*Do you mind if I ask how long it takes you to get ready in the morning?

"Well it depends on where I’m going, I have varying degrees of how far I go. I can get ready in 20 minutes to look decent, but I would like 40 minutes if I’m putting on my full face of make-up. I’m actually writing a beauty book right now and we timed how long it took me to do my make-up and hair. Setting my hair in hot rollers took exactly 13 minutes, doing my make-up took exactly 22 minutes and that was for a full red carpet look, and brushing my hair out took exactly 7 minutes, so the whole thing took 42 minutes to get completely ready. I can do it really quickly because I’ve been doing it the same way for so many years, almost 20 years in fact."

*I’ve never seen a photograph of you when you don’t look stunning and so well groomed! Do you ever have an off day?

"I have a secret and that is to have a great coat, some great sunglasses and red lipstick. With that, you can fool anyone, they just think you’re completely dressed to the nines. You see those pictures of me out and about and I might be naked underneath or have my work-out clothes on and you’d never know."

Great tip! I do the red lipstick already. Now all I need is a great coat and some great sunglasses. Although I could never do the naked underneath the coat thing....

Vintage pic of the week

2010-05-12T19:56:00.001-04:00

Gene Tierney

Remembering Lena Horne: 1917 - 2010

2010-05-10T19:44:00.004-04:00

Born on June 30, 1917, Lena Horne was considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. She came to the attention of Hollywood in 1942 and was the first black woman to sign a meaningful long-term contract with a major studio, a contract that said she would never have to play a maid.

Horne died at the age of 92 on May 9 at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

My little man

2010-05-10T19:25:00.007-04:00

This is my little man and I on Mother's Day. He's 5 years old and he can be a pain in the butt sometimes, but I love him to death and can't imagine my life without him.
I love you baby!

Have a gorgeous Mother's Day!

2010-05-07T16:51:00.003-04:00

I'm wishing all my lovely readers and bloggers a Happy Mother's Day. I know it's on Sunday but I won't get a chance to get on the computer. For all you dolls out there that are moms, I hope you get treated like the Queen that you are! So get all dolled up and enjoy your day, cuz I'll be doing the same ;-)

Pin up hair do w/bandanna by Kandee Johnson

2010-04-28T15:34:00.002-04:00

Kandee Johnson is so adorable and a very talented makeup artist. I love all her tutorials!

Fun with Editing Pics

2010-04-27T18:13:00.004-04:00

This is a picture of me that I tried to get that vintage look. I have way too much fun editing pictures. This was done with a combination of
Bakumatsu Koshashin and Picnik photo editing.