The Knack...And How To Get It

Pet Milk Magazine, 1964

2012-02-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Hi Hi, poppits! If you're anything like me, you love '50s and '60s advertising. When I'm reading modern magazines, I just skip over all of the annoying adverts....but give me a vintage mag and I spend just as much time staring at the ads as I do the articles! Anyhoo....

For your enjoyment, here's a little gem I found from 1964. It's a Pet Milk Company magazine and it's all kinds of fun...and it held a special surprise for me, which I can't wait to show you!....

Click and enlarge to read the articles!

This reminds me of those 'how it's made' segments on Mr. Rogers!!

This is a great article about Billy Jeff Burns, who was the Pet Milk man in my hometown in the '60s! Uber cool!!

Even more uber cool is the fact that the store seen here:

....is my grandparent's store! How nifty to find that!!!

Next up, an article on Big Shot aerosol chocolate syrup...

Holy cow, I want me some of that!!!!

Then there were a couple of tech-ish articles, that frankly were just boresville....but the pics were smash smash!!

Here's the 'high tech' Pet computer....

And some great photos of some Pet stockholder meetings. Why don't men still dress this snappy?????...or smoke pipes???

More products with lovery '60s packaging...

Stuckey's!!

Little late for Valentines Day, but here's your Whitman's chocolate fix anyway!...

The mandatory product placement recipes....

And the back cover....

Inspirational Dolly: Hayley Mills

2012-02-11T21:47:00.000-08:00

I've always been a massive fan of Hayley Mills. Remember, my loves, when the Disney Channel was fabulous and played all those glorious classic Disney films...especially on Saturday afternoons? Ahhh, the good ole days!

Of course, my first Hayley film was Pollyanna. Whose wasn't?......

Ever since, I've thought she was simply fantastic in every film I've seen her in. Here's a little sample of Hayley's looks through the '60s.....

My FAVOURITE Hayley film of all time is The Parent Trap!

Here's the best part of the whole film...well, in my little word it is anyway!....

How much do I want those purses behind her in the photo on the left??? Sometime I wish I had a pot 'o money and a time machine!

While most of you have probably seen That Darn Cat, Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, The Moon Spinners, etc, etc...I find that many of her best performances are almost unknown amongst most people I know.

My top three underrated Hayley films that I recommend to one and all with piccies and clips to tantalize and convince you to see them (or see them again!)......

The Chalk Garden, 1964:

In it, Hayley plays the most vicious little brat you could ever imagine! I mean, I've never thought I could ever HATE a character that sweety pie Hayley played! But boy, oh boy is Laurel a nightmare!

For this one, you get the whole film! Lucky you!

Next up, is Twisted Nerve, 1968......

Ok, so our beloved heroine is again beloved and sweet as can be in this gem of a thriller. Unfortunately, Martin/Georgie (played ever so creepy-like by Hywel Bennett) isn't. And he's got his sights set on her. For all you kids who were spooked by Daryl Hannah's whistling in Kill Bill and Tate's whistling in American Horror Story, you ain't seen nothing till you've seen the original whistle......

Yes, To Sir With Love fans, that's "Mister smarty Denham" in the second clip as Hayley's boyfriend!

The third and final is the only Hayley movie that I officially own (on dvd, that is):

The Trouble With Angels, 1966....

The phrase, "running with the wrong people" certainly applies to Rachel, played by June Harding. And the phrase, "bad influence" applies to Mary Clancy, played by Hayley. They get into more trouble in a day than most of us did in our entire girlhood! Not only do you get a fab performance by Hayley, but for no additional $$, you get Rosalind Russell and, the creme de la creme.....Gypsy Rose Lee in a cameo as St. Francis Academy's dance teacher, Mrs. Phipps!

Killer hat, dontcha think?!

Hayley is one of those celebrity kids...but she's a celebrity kid that would have made it without the name of her celeb father, Sir John Mills, behind her. More importantly, she's a perfect 1960's dollybird.

Do you cupcakes have a favourite Hayley film?

Back in the States....For Goodzies!!!

2012-01-30T11:51:00.001-08:00

Well kittens, London didn't present any job opportunities and so I'm back in the states once again! And I couldn't be happier! I loved coming home to my sewing machine! The following are some vintage patterns that I snagged before I left and didn't have the time to post! Can't wait to get started on them! Most of these came from the Habitat For Humanity thrift store at $.25 a piece. And a few came from a friend who was cleaning out his parents' shed and found some great goodies for me!

Too cute! I don't know if I've told you lot, but I'm going to be an Auntie in April! That little girl is gonna be spoiled rotten! Can't wait to make her a dress from this pattern....and of course a matching dress for her doll! Fun!!!

I LOVE this coat pattern!

The set on the far left reminds me of the one Sharon Tate wears in Valley of the Dolls when she goes to visit Neely and cools her toes in the pool! Love it!

Click to enlarge the pattern on the right and check out Paris Hilton in the back!

I don't know who this Kathy Gray person is/was, but she sure must have been a stylish little chicken!!

Since I've been back, I've not had time to do much thrifting, but I did find a lovely little early '60s flutter hat for $2.50 and the best vintage pattern making book EVER from 1954, for $4! Not a bad little haul!

Stay tuned for some totally terrific vintage book posts in the next few days!

Toodle pip!!

Happy New Year Darlings!!...and a Happy Diana Dors too!!

2012-01-03T11:30:00.000-08:00

Heyup, you lovely lovelies, you! Sozzles for my absence for so very long, but things got quite busy the end of the year. I moved back to The Smoke in November and have been neglecting you sweety pies! No longer, I tell you!

My first post of the year shall be a vintage inspiration post.....

I've recently become slightly obsessed with an early/mid '70s British telly program called 'Thriller'. It's quite good and I highly recommend it to all you vintage lovin' mamas and papas. Well, last night's installment was entitled "Nurse Will Make It Better" or "The Devil's Web". It first aired in 1975 and starred the fantabulous Diana Dors as the nurse from hell...literally.

Even through the haggish makeup, you can see the beauty that earned her the nickname, 'The English Marilyn Monroe'.

Here's a little gallery showing her smoking hot highness in action. Warning: Major vintage hair inspirations following....

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!

Sunday Outfit Post!

2011-09-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

Right! So I promised to do more of these. Today I went out to lunch with my Pappy...he's 90 and adorable!...and this is what I wore:

1960's Sailor Top--$7, ebay three years ago
White Slim Trousers--$10 on sale, Khol's last summer
Embellished Sandals--£20 on sale (are we noticing a pattern here?), Faith four years ago
1960's Pocketwatch Locket--FREE, inherited from my great-grandmother
1960's Red Polka Dot Scarf--FREE, my mom's

I've been busy again the last few days! I'm still working on the velvet bodiced dress. The zipper I bought ended up not unzipping all the way, so I had to take it back. Not to mention, it's quite tight in the upper chest and sleeves. I think it may be the lack of give in the velvet itself. I hope if I just make it sleeveless it will solve the problem.
I've finished a test of a late '50s/early '60s dress pattern that I picked up the other day. It turned out fantastic and I can't wait to make two more...one in a heavier fabric for myself and one to sell on Etsy.
Also finished a skirt/shell set in blue and white.
I'll get some pics soon.
I went and picked up more vintage fabric yesterday...the thrift store I always rack up at was having a half price sale. Then I went to the antique store downtown for a few more vintage patterns. While I was there, I got the cutest vintage scottie dog card:

Since I've collected all things scottie since I was little, I had to have it...not to mention, I lost my own little scottie man two years ago so the message was SO appropriate. I miss HIM extra extra EXTRA much!!

Still MORE Vintage Patterns! Where'll I Find the Time???

2011-08-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Hi hi, my dears! I know it's been almost 2 weeks since I posted! I've been sewing my little fingers off....seriously, I have a giant knot on the joint of my index finger (which I dislocated a couple of times as a kid) where my scissors rub AND, the tips of my index and middle fingers look like they did during final collections last year, aka, the skin is slowly peeling! Ewwww!!
But I've been productive! Well, sort of. I've finished two dresses. One is a cute little 'Twiggy' dress in a vintage yellow, blue, and mango striped jersey with a white Peter Pan collar:

The other is an early sixties inspired dress with a boat neck, sleeveless, fitted bodice, and a semi-full gathered skirt made in a blue and pink heavy chintz:

I'm also working on the short sleeved version of my "Tara" dress. Only a sleeve and zipper to go!:

I also have a bell sleeved high neck mini dress. It's done all but attaching the sleeves and the neck and the hem. I'd put a pic up, but quite frankly it doesn't look like much without the sleeves and the neck!

I'm trying to get as many things made as I can before I head back to London in a little less than a month, as I know I wont' be able to afford a sewing machine once I get there for a while! Speaking of machines, just a little hint to all: When using a domestic machine with a zig zag stitch in lieu of an overlocker, give it a break between edges. Otherwise they overheat. Apparently this is common. Who knew!? My Singer actually started smoking! Don't worry though, she's fine!

I've picked up some more great vintage patterns that I'll begin trying out later this week as soon as I finish the backlog I already have!...

This one's even got a hat pattern! I can't wait!!:

And there were even two early '60s maternity patterns. I figured, I'll no doubt need them at some point, right?

I've realised that I almost never do outfit posts, so I promise to do more in the future! Here's today's, kind of untypical for me, Betty Page inspired look:

Black silk knit top-$20 on sale-Express, years and years ago

Black and white gingham high waisted trousers-£10 on sale-H&M Divided, Camden, a couple of years ago

Belt-$7 on sale-Maurice's

1940's gold bangle-FREE-My grandmother's

1930's onyx and gold bangle-FREE-My grandmother's mother's

Mary Janes-£15-Dorothy Perkins last year...and they're on their last legs, but I can't find any that I like to replace them with!!

Yeah, I know, almost all the outfit posts I've ever done are looks other than '60s. Trust me though, the Betty bang is really just a once in a while kind of thing for me! You'll see when I start doing more of these!
Toodles, chickens!

A So-Cal Summer Road Trip, 1965.....

2011-08-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hidee Ho, dolls! I found some travel brochures the other day from my Great-Grandmother. She was always on the go to some exotic location or another (Israel, Spain, Japan, Mexico....) even into the '80s when I was little. And she always kept postcards, brochures, and other paper memorabelia of her trips.
Here she is with one of her tour groups (fourth place on the right side of the table with the silver horn rims on) in Monterrey, Mexico at a restaurant called 'Santa Rosa' in the early 1960s.

The things I want to show you today, though, are of a trip she took in 1965 and are a little closer to home than she usually stayed, if the other side of the country can be considered close, that is.

She and some friends took a trip up the coast of Southern California that summer and I think it must've been just grand to have gone along for that road trip....

Apparently, they stopped off at the Pottery Shack in Laguna Beach. This is a postcard she'd kept:

Apparently, it's changed hands since then, but it's still there. It's now a little grouping of shops called The Old Pottery Place. The weird 'greeter' is still greeting too, by the way.

Then they made a stop in the 'Happiest Place on Earth', Disneyland.
1965 was the park's tencennial, having opened in 1955.

I don't think I want a piece of that cake....not after those darn candles have been stompping all over it!
Here's the brochure that my Great-Granny kept with the year's logo and a map of the park on the inside. I just love the blues and golds!:

Here's some more images of the park in the '60s...back when good old Uncle Walt was around and Disney was fabulous:

Having lived in the South as a kid, MY first Disney experience was with DisneyWORLD (I didn't get around to DisneyLAND until a bit later). I had two favourite rides. One of them, Mr Toad's Wild Ride, was in existence already at Disneyland when my Great-Grandmother visited three decades earlier ( I wonder if she went on it?)...

The other of my two faves was always the Haunted Mansion...there's just something about all those 'Grim, grinning ghosts'!! It wasn't open in '65, although the outside was complete by 1963. The inside mechanics would take another six years to finish. Here is is on it's opening day, 9 August, 1969.

My favourite Disney park show as a kid was always The Enchanted Tiki Room. In fact, I can still sing the 'Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room' song word for word. That's how many times my poor parents had to sit through it with me!! As I've mentioned before, I've been obsessed with birds since I was a baby!
Here's the Tiki Room today, for anyone who has never experienced it's sheer jollyness:

I'm sure that my Great-Grandmother visited it. It's right up her alley! Here it is around the time of her trip:

Wonder if she stayed at the Disneyland Hotel??

Here is a little fashion spread that was done in Disneyland in 1961:

From Disneyland, they traveled north to the fabulous Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park.
These are all from a menu booklet my great-grandmother kept:

Here are some more pics of Knott's (America's First Theme Park) in the the '60s:

Kind of reminds me of Dollywood!...or Silver Dollar City, if you were around pre Dolly!

All this makes me want to go on a road trip...only I'd need a DeLorean because NO WAY could it be as cool a road trip today as it must have been in '65!!

'Just Dessert'- a 1960s Picnic Favourite...

2011-08-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hi, my lovelies!! Today's post is inspired by a terrific post a while back by fellow blogger, Lisa, at My Pretty Baby Cried She Was A Bird. She's always throwing some great vintage cooking into the mix over there and the post in question involved some great green bevvies. This led to discussion of green foods from the '50s and '60s, which brought to mind one of my mother's signature summer recipes, Just Dessert.

Apologies for the blurry photo, but this darn camera has had a mind of it's own the last few months.

According to my mom, this lovely layered indulgence was all the rage in the '60s. The recipe book this is copied from is from a collection of recipes by the American Business Women's Association (which my mother was a member of) from the late '70s. By then, the recipe was a tried and true favourite of mom's!

JUST DESSERT

First layer (crust):

1c. flour
1 stick butter
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2c. chopped pecans
Dash of salt

Melt buter, combine with flour, sugar, pecans and salt. Press into 9x12 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Cool.

Second layer:

2c. powdered sugar
1 c. Cool Whip
1 8oz. package of cream cheese, softened

Combine these 3 ingredients. Spread over cooked first layer.

Third layer:

2 (4 1/2 oz) packages instant jello pistachio pudding
3 c. cold mik

Mix well. Pour over second layer.

Fourth layer:

Spread remainder of 9 ounce container of Cool Whip over third layer. Garnish with chopped pecans and refrigerate.

Try it, my dears...you won't be disappointed!
And don't forget to pop on over to My Pretty Baby Cried She Was A Bird and follow her fab blog!

Do any of you have some great '60s recipes that have come down through your family?

The Mamas And The Papas - Safe In My Garden 1968

2011-08-09T16:06:00.000-07:00

Inspirational Dolly--Sharon Tate.....

2011-08-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

August 9th is always a sad day for all us lovers of the '60s. Forty-two years ago tomorrow, my parents' generation lost what little bit of innocence they had left.
I've always been fascinated by the short, but fabulous life and career of Sharon Tate. Not only was she, in my well paid opinion, the most beautiful face of the sixties, she was also the embodiment of the 'beautiful' generation. Bohemian, free spirited, always cheerful, sweet tempered, and loving. Every year there are the usual specials about the horrible circumstances of August 9, 1969...but I prefer to remember this beautiful soul as she was before that dreadful night.

My favourite Sharon Tate film, 1967's 'The Fearless Vampire Killers', or 'Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck'. It was originally titled, Dance of the Vampires and was directed by and starring Sharon's future hubby, Roman Polanski. Roman had originally wanted Jill St. John to play the roll of Sarah, but reluctantly agreed to give in to his co-producer and cast Sharon (in a red wig) instead. I'm sure he never regretted that decision, both professionally and personally.

"She will always be young, she will always be beautiful..."

Sharon Tate January 24, 1943-August 9, 1969

"Way Out Fashion"--Life Magazine, August 1967

2011-08-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

My gosh, I want EVERYTHING in this fashion spread!

"two skimpy knit dresses ($50) designed by Leilani Abreu and worn with Dynel wigs by Tovar"
Look out, Miss Quant. Leilani wants your job.

"Canary lips, chalk-white skin, flaming hair - is this really what's happening, baby? Not quite. The clothes are designed to be worn by young people under 21, but the colors are something else. They are the doing of an inventive photographer, himself equally young, who achieved his bizarre effect by using infrared film. As if seen under the madly shifting lights of a discoteque, reds turn to yellow, blacks to red, blues to purple and reality to fantasy. Fledgling fashionmakers, some not yet out of school, are responsible for the designs shown here. Produced by their creators on a one-of-a-kind basis, they are sold at a New York boutique called Abracadabra."

"button trimmed dress ($70) by Karen Sebiri"
It's the Pearly Queen of Soho.

"a zippered nylon suit ($90) by Barbara Hodes"
Is it just me, or does the model here look frighteningly like Liam Gallagher? Sheeeeeyine!

"Velvet (the kind that's used for upholstery) makes a formal-style knicker suit ($75). This was designed by Terry Berman, who just finished her first year at Tobe-Coburn School."
Anyone else kind of hate the Austin Powers films for ruining dandy style for future generations? I mean, honestly. You can't wear something like this now and not have at least twelve people say "Yeah, baby" or "Do I make you randy" within the first twenty minutes you've been out of the house.

"Short shift ($35) of clashing stripes with one bare shoulder has a diagonally cut-off hemline. This was made by Susanne Les, a student at Parson's School of Design"
Ronald McDonald's hipper sister. I'm Lovin' It.

"Another design from Karen Sebiri, an art student, is this star-and-stripe outfit ($40). If photographed on ordinary film, it's colors would be a patriotic red, white and blue."
This outfit reminds me of the Julie Driscoll 1968 video for Break It Up:

"Supendered overall ($70) worn with a ruffle-trimmed satin blouse and antique silver buttons was made by Paula Ayers, who graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology design school this June, after a two-year course."
How very 'Mork from Ork'. Nanu nanu.

"Mini wedding dress of white organdy ($200), was designed by Stan Weaver, who graduated this year from Parson's School. Model's flying red fall is Dynel. In real life it matches her hair, but infrared film changes it's color."
It's so quaint how they feel the need to explain everything to us like we're children. Nowadays we usually don't get any text in a spread like this and we have to search the back of the mag to find out who it's by and where to buy it!
I do love this dress though. I think if I ever take the plunge, it might be in a self designed knock-off of this dress.

As a recent Fashion Design graduate myself, I just HAD to Google the names of these fab young designers to see if any of them went on in the fashion field. I found a few matches:
One, a real estate agent that I think could be the same Karen Sebiri from the article.

I found a wedding article about Barbara Hodes marriage in 1986, in the Style section of the NY Times. It said that "The bride, who will keep her name, is a designer of women's clothing for Bonaventure USA, Inc., in New York." Mr. Gross was a fashion and style writer for the NY Times. There is also a listing for Barbara Hodes Ltd., in New York, which I assume is her.

And Paula Ayers has a blog on Blogger!!! How cool!

Inspirational Dolly--Mia Farrow 1964-1969

2011-08-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

One of the most iconic faces of the 1960's....and one of the most stylish of the decade's stars. From Peyton Place to Rosemary's Baby, she always looked amazing!

"Thank you. I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist it."...

2011-08-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

Sozzles for the long absence my little bunnies! My poor little old monitor went poof last week and I've just now got the new one all sorted.
On the up side, I've had time to do some sewing.
I've made a sweet little dolly dress using a vintage pattern and vintage fabric. I added a high collar that is as yet unfinished and put cuffs on the sleeves. I've still got to put in the back zip and hem it:

Once I get my Etsy site going, it'll be on there!

I also just finished my new (and probably forever) favourite dress. It's made using a 1959 Simplicity pattern that I found at an antique shop in town:

I made a toile out of some cheap vintage printed cotton that I'd bought at Wal Mart (oh, the shame of it all) a while back, just to test the pattern for fit....and to make sure that the new pattern piece I'd made to replace the missing one was correct. It worked and the fit was beautiful. It may go on Etsy as well...and for super cheapzies, as it's a toile and not 100% perfect!:

Armhole facings were, for some odd reason, left out of the original pattern completely. There wasn't even a mention of them. I'm assuming they expected that you'd use bias tape to finish them off, as I've seen that before in instructions from this era? And that just ain't something I'm keen on doing, thank you very much Simplicity.
Anyway, once I'd made my own armhole facing pattern, I was ready to make the actual dress in a proper fabric, so it came down to deciding just which vintage goody I'd use.
Last summer, while cleaning out my grandparents' house for sale, I found lots of my great-grandmother's things. In one box, I found some old plates. They were lovely, but it's what they were wrapped up in that made me jump up and down. It was a curtain panel that I remembered hanging in my great-grandma's entry room. You can see the panel on the door behind my parents (they were newlyweds...how cute!):

Even though it's from the '40s or '50s and hung in that room for close to 50 years, it was in almost like new condition. The colours just as bright as the day it was printed. I decided it would be perfect for this dress. I had just enough and the pattern isn't noticably unmatched. It's such a busy print that it's not obvious. Also not obvious is the tiny sequin sized brown spot on the back skirt panel. The green velvet of the waistband is from my grandmother's stash of vintage fabrics. All in all, it's a gorgeous dress!

I've decided to call it my 'Tara' dress. If Scarlett can look fab in curtains, by golly, this Southern belle can too! I can't wait to wear it with my pink boucle pumps!

Scandinavian Scrapbook--Coca Cola 'Pause For Living', 1962

2011-07-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

These cute little booklets were printed by the Coca Cola Bottling Company from 1954-1969. I've got several that I found in my great-grandmother's stash and they're fab! This is my favourite article:

Inspirational Dolly: Barbara Eden in 'I Dream of Jeannie' 1965-1970

2011-07-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to do this post for over a week. So here it is my loves, in honour of our now ended Space program, our favourite 'Astronaut's Wife'....Jeannie:

I wish I could blink up some of those outfits for myself!

Here's everyone's favourite...and best looking...NASA Astronaut, Captain/Major Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman):

Here's more shots of Barbara outside of the show:

....and still a looker!!!

And Still We Say Come Back, Come Back To Camden

2011-07-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Amy Winehouse was at the absolute top of her game when I moved to Camden Town, London for uni four years ago....and Camden was on fire. No, I'm not talking about the fire that took out the Canal Market and The Hawley Arms (my and Amy's local). I'm talking about the music scene. And Amy was it's queen bee.

My first flat was on the outskirts of Camden, in between Euston Station and Mornington Crescent Station. A flatmate and I discovered The Hawley Arms by accident one night and thus, my 'local' was chosen. We kept it a secret from the rest of our friends. We'd steal away while everyone else wasn't looking and head up the High Street towards Chalk Farm to The Hawley to rub elbows with the likes of Amy, Kelly Osbourne, The Kooks, and loads more.

Eventually, I moved to the very heart of Camden Town....and just down the street and round the corner from Amy. I LIVED in the Hawley Arms. My flatmate, Pete, and I were there at least 6 days a week and Amy was in often. Even when Amy wasn't in the pub, her voice was....and even if it wasn't, you could feel her aura there. It was much the same in any pub in Camden at the time. If you didn't see her, you heard her. Imagine how it would have been, living in Liverpool at the height of Beatlemania. That's how it felt.

On February 9, 2008, Pete and I were on our way up the High Street to The Hawley when a fire engine screamed by us. As we approached Camden Town Station, we could see smoke and heard a passerby comment about, "the market on fire". From where we were, it appeared to be quite far away and we assumed it was Stables Market. But when we got to the bottom of the hill, about to cross Camden Lock Bridge, our hearts sank. We stood as long as we could, but the police eventually pushed everyone back. We silently walked back down the High Street and into Tommy Flynn's. We drank in silence, watching our 'home' burn on the telly.

I remember walking around in a daze for a day or so...until I saw video of Amy's speech on the Grammy Awards. When she defiantly yelled out, "Camden Town ain't burnin' down!", I realized that she was right. Camden and it's spirit would survive.

The Hawley and the Market were rebuilt. Things are back to normal in the good old Den of Cam....or should I say, "back to NOT normal"?

But now Amy's left NW1 for good. This loss can't be rebuilt. Her music and her memory will remain imprinted on the borough forever and it will always remind me of Camden and the best three years of my life.

"CAMDEN TOWN AIN'T BURNIN' DOWN!"

...and neither will Amy's memory.

Inspirational Dolly: Pamela Franklin in The Legend of Hell House, 1973....

2011-07-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

Hi hi, my dearies! While watching The Legend of Hell House (for the 200th time) this after, I once again fell in love with the wardrobe of Florence Tanner, played by the lovely Pamela Franklin.

It's the opening outfit that does it every time. I mean, who could possibly not notice that collar?????

For the rest of the film, she dresses the perfect '60s glam-goth dolly....

Lovely.

Here's some other great photos of her...and I want absolutely everything she has on in all of these as well....

What I'd Be Buying This Week (if I had a job)...

2011-07-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Topshop's got some fab little modish numbers in stock right now that would be a great mix and match wardrobe base, don't you think?....

The Doll's Portfolio!

2011-07-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hi-dee-hi, my dears! Today I've decided to move my design portfolio over to Blogger. I've set up a separate blog here: Valley Of The Dolls. In the next few days, I'll be moving and updating some of my old portfolio posts to there from Wordpress and also posting some work that hasn't been published as yet!

Hope you'll all pop round!...and follow!! ;)

Valley Of The Dolls

Kathy 'Bobo' Bates - And Even The Horses Had Wings

2011-07-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

From the 1971 film, Taking Off. Lovely little ditty that Kath apparently wrote herself. Kind of Buffy Sainte-Marie meets Janis Ian, in other words, smashingly gorgeous!

More Vintage '50s and '60s Patterns=More Work For Dolly.....

2011-07-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

Today, my little sweet peas, I went on a short outing...to get some hair colour...and took a little side trip to a local antique shop on a hunch I might find something interesting. SCORE! I found a box of vintage patterns, all for $1 each. Here's what I got:

I think my favourite is the little boat neck wiggle dress shown in red or stripes. And i really love the jumpsuit too! The great '50s patterns will be great to mix and match pattern pieces and I'm for sure adding a waistband to the skirt of the fourth dress to make that hard-to-find '50s circle skirt pattern.

There were some great finds, but as I had limited myself to $10, I left a few behind. If they still nag my dreams through the weekend, I'll probably go back for them!

I also swung quickly by a little 'Jesus Thrifty' that I used to go to all the time. I've bought so much cheap late '60s and early '70s there, but I hadn't been in for three or four months. BIG disappointment. You thrifty retro sweeties know what I'm talking about: When a thrift store decides to start marking the vintage pieces in between all the cast off Old Navy and Wal Mart junk WAY up? Probably my fault too for buying armloads of it at a time, but really???
They had some cute early '70s wrap pants which, while they were a quick fad that are now rare as all get out, aren't worth me forking out $8. I'll just be happy with the super psychedelic pair I was given (for FREEBIES)from a lady I buy the occasional bolt of vintage fabric from.
They also were still sitting on a sweet little round box purse from the '70s with the requisite mushrooms decoupaged all over. I've wanted it for ages, but they always had it at $30...$30 for ANYTHING but a fur coat in a thrift store is just insane and this purse would only be about a $15 item even on Etsy or Ebay.
Well they had marked it down to $20, but even that is still above full blown retail for those little babies. Needless to say, they can keep it....along with a cute pair of '40s lamps, $50 my behind!
They had some patterns too, but nothing great...mostly '80s sailor dresses and jumper dresses...and at DOUBLE the price I'd just payed for proper vintage at the actual antique store minutes earlier.
Sigh.
Guess I know where I won't be going back to. Oh well. There's a new one really close to my house that I've yet to pop into. Maybe tomorrow?

Top Ten and Stylish Blogger Award: Cheers, My Dears!

2011-07-05T16:52:00.001-07:00

In the last couple of months, I've been lucky enough to snag two Blogger awards from two dolls whose musings I adore reading!

The first is the Stylish Blogger Award:

This was passed to me by the lovely Annimal over at Annimal House

I'm supposed to list some things about me that I've not revealed in my blog. Ok, my dears. Here goes:

1.
For six years, I worked for the anti-fashion Abercrombie and Fitch. Shock, Horror!!! I even worked for them while I was in fashion school in London. If I had class before work, I'd take my A&F clothes with me so that I wouldn't have to be seen by my classmates in non-fashion/conformity.

2. When I was 10, I started taking flute lessons. I'm not that good anymore, due mainly to lack of practice, but I'll bet I can still play the solo from California Dreamin' like a pro!

3. I'm a nail biter....well picker really. My fingernails always look terrible!

4. I have three BA's: American Fine Arts/Visual Design Concentration, American Fashion Design, and British Fashion Design....and still can't find a flipping job.

5. My favourite drink is Pimm's and Lemonade, closely followed by Gin and Tonic.

6. As if the All-American-ness of A&F weren't bad enough, I was also a cheerleader in high school as well as in college. Actually, I loved it!

7. I hate peanut butter flavoured desserts. Just the thought of them makes me want to hurl. And don't even get me started on peanut butter and chocolate. Gross. Except for those lovely Reese's eggs they have at Easter! They're quite yumsy!

I've also been showered with the 'Top Ten Award' from Kaitlyn at Born Late :

I'm supposed to list my top ten favourite beauty products:

1. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder. This fab product has been around since 1934, and I've been using it since I was in high school. I love it. I do however hate that they've changed the scent of it in the past couple of years. Now it has a kind of Noxzema-ish/Vicks Vapo Rub under smell. One of the things I loved was the sweet powdery smell of the original without any hint of menthol or eucalyptus, thank you very much. Shame on you, Coty.

2. Rimmel Glam'Eyes Liquid Liner in Black. I love Rimmel liquid liner. It doesn't smudge, smear, or flake. The bad thing is that all of the liquid liners that they offer in the US come with a brush applicator....I can't work with a brush applicator. This means that I've been cleaning and disinfecting my Rimmel Exaggerate Liner applicator top (from my last purchase from Boots on Carnaby Street) so that I can replace the brush with the pen applicator every time I buy more. Annoying.

3. Alpha-H Liquid Gold. Great skin firmer. I use it makes my skin look super fresh and, more importantly, the uneven colour (redness) around the middle of my face has disappeared since I've started using it.

4. Another Alpha-H product: Mr And Miss H PHase Three Clearing Gel. This is the best spot remedy EVER! And it doesn't dry my skin like other spot creams do. And it smells really lovely.

5. The Body Shop Morroccan Rose Eau de Toilette fragrance. I've always liked rosey perfumes, but they have a tendency to smell a bit like an old lady at a bingo game....or a funeral. But this scent from The Body Shop is gorgeous! It's got a nice rose scent, but it's tamed a bit by spicy as well as citrus undertones.

6. Fake Eyelashes. I really don't care which brand, although I am partial to Naturalites 101. Unfortunately, I can't find those in the States, so I've been using the Mod Lash equivilant quite often.

7. 17 (Boots) Blusher in Damson Wine. I love this blusher! Unfortunately for me, I've run out! It's the exact colour of a blusher I used to use in high school that I think was by Cover Girl. It got discontinued and I was devistated, but Boots' house brand made up for it! It's a good colour for those of us who are very pale, but with a yellowish undertone.

8. Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Lotion with Aloe. This is THE best body lotion out there if you have dry skin!

9. Silvikrin Maximum Hold Hairspray. It holds like a pro without being sticky...or stinky! Again, though, something I can't get in the US. While here, I've been using Net Effect Professional Mega Hairspray. It's about the same and doesn't smell too bad.

10. Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara. Great stuff!

For both awards I'm supposed to link to some great blogs that I follow, so I'll combine it and do them all here!....

My Pretty Baby Cried She Was a Bird

Plaid Stallions: Rambling and Reflections on '70s pop culture

Smashingbird

And Your Cowboy Mouth

Dear Beatrice

Night Lights

Magic Mac

Nifty*Thrifty*Retro*Mama

The Modern Day Flapper

Alison's Wonderland

"Gypsy Glad Rags For High Fashion Nomads": 1967, Look Magazine

2011-07-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

Look Magazine, 1967.

'LET YOURSELF GO GYPSY'.....

"At Romany banquet, Mirella, with fowl in her lap, wears vivid blouse and skirt of silk jersey and cotton; Isa, with bird in hand, a pajama of printed cotton jersey."

"Hitting the hay the gypsy way, Mirella in silk-organdy ruffled pajamas, mini-blouse. Pablo used dark body makeup, buffed to a sheen, bronze base with pink-brown blusher on face, silvered lipstick."

"Mirella swirls to off-camera gypsy violins in a skirt of fiery scarves worn low on hips and suspended from a jeweled chain belt. Another scarf and a bib of beads top her supple bronzed midriff."

"According to Ian Yoors, whose book The Gypsies was published by Simon and Schuster early this month, the wandering Rom have a saying: yekka buliasa nashti beshes pe done grastende (with one behind, you cannot sit on two horses). Straight-arrow Isa demonstrates. Her polka-dot blouse knots povocatively above enourmous Romany-striped cotton skirt."

Vintage '60s Fashion Patterns!

2011-07-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hello my little dolls!!

I've been trying to get some things properly photogged for Etsy, but can't get anyone to actually take the bloody things. Quite annoying, but whatever. In the meantime, I'm doing some more toiles of some vintage patterns. The latest one is a perfect example of why.
This pattern for 1950s slim trousers looks VERY slim if you're going by the sketch:

In reality, once I got them together they look more like this:

Add to that they're far to small for me...25 waist my arse...so i've added an inch to them at the waist and tapered the legs down by 2 inches as well as adding an extend tab waistband, which the inside sketch shows and the directions allude to, but which isn't figured into the original pattern....go figure? Going to put the new pieces together tomorrow and if this alteration works out, I'll be sizing the final result for some lovely slim/cigarette trousers to make for my eventual Etsy shop.

I 've picked up some fab patterns lately as well as all the lovely '60s and '70s fabric I posted the other day. Some of the packages are a bit rough, but the patterns are complete and clean!...and they were only 5 cents each!
Here's some of the best ones:

Can't wait to make some of these in vintage fabrics for sale!

I'll keep you posted!

DB x

Band Of The Month: Creedence Clearwater Revival--An American Soundtrack 1968-1972

2011-06-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

For today's post, my lovelies, I've decided to focus on one of my personal favourite bands of the late '60s/early '70s, Creedence Clearwater Revival.

CCR and I go way back. I don't remember our very first meeting as I'm sure I was most likely less than a year old. You see, my dad was always a huge fan of them from his college days and they were played often around our house when I was little.

My first tangable CCR memory is of weekend trips to the lake with my parents. My dad had an old uber-cool '71 Blazer that we used to pull the boat on those excursions to the lake house. It was green with a black top and was nicknamed 'The Green Bean'.

It had an 8-track player in it and the only two 8-tracks we ever listened to on the way to the lake were Janis Joplin and, of course, CCR. I don't remember which album it was...most likely Cosmo's Factory or a Greatest Hits ...as I super young and it disappeared with the Green Bean itself. But I DO remember that 'Lookin' Out My Back Door' was on it. To this day it's my favourite Creedence tune and always reminds me of the lake!

Another favourite is Bad Moon Risin'. Again, it reminds me of my dad. I remember him telling me when I was little that they were saying, "There's a bathroom on the right". Of course I believed him and he had me thinking that really was the line for years. I reminded him of it a few days ago and he almost fell out of his chair laughing at me. Here's a pic of the two of us...he kind of looks like he could be in CCR himself!...

I always loved CCR's Deep Southern sound...although they weren't from the Deep South at all! Instead they were from San Francisco, but nevertheless they were pioneers of the 'Southern Rock' genre that flourished in the early 1970s.

Creedence was formed in the late '50s as The Blue Velvets. In the mid-'60s they changed their name to The Golliwogs. In 1968, the band known now as Creedence Clearwater Revival released their self titled debut album.

By 1969, the band was huge. They played Woodstock in August of that year...a great setlist including 'Commotion', 'Green River', and 'Susie Q'.

That same year, 1969, the band had THREE albums in the top ten after Willy and The Poor Boys was released in November. Cosmo's Factory was released less than a year later.

This article is scanned from my copy of the March 1970 issue of Song Hits Magazine where they were 'Pop Star of the Month' (click and enlarge to read it!):

Creedence Clearwater Revival disbanded in 1972, but individual band members have continued to play their music. Although I was always disappointed that I was born far too late to hear them together way back then, I was lucky enough to see John Fogarty in 2005 in Asheville, North Carolina. I was not disappointed any longer! John is just as good a show now as in 1970. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend catching one of his gigs.

Such A Busy Little Bee....errr...Bird...1960s Fashion Fabulousness.

2011-06-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

Hello my lovelies! I regret that I've been so scattered with my posting the last couple of months. I really do mean well, but I tend to get tied up or things come up. I have a load of great stuff to do share-zies with today though!

First off, I mentioned a while back that I've decided to do an Etsy shop. I've been collecting some goodies and am pleased to tell you that by the end of next weekend, I will have quite a few listings with more to come later on.

Here's a sneak peek at a few of my quick inventory pics (this is the reason quality is a bit shoddy!):

Mid '70s Gunne Sax Jacket-Medium

'70s Lilli Diamond Maxi Dress-Small

Late '50s/early '60s Full Girdle with Bullet Bra-40B

1980s Geo Print Blouse With Mega Shoulders-Medium/Large

'70s Yellow Madras Blazer and Oxford Bags Pantsuit-Medium

1960's Yellow Nubby Textured Skirt Set-Small/Medium

Kitschy Little 1970s Owl Wall Plaques

Gorgeous 1960s Black Leather Gloves-Medium

1950s Wool Suit Set-Small/Medium

1960s/'70s Tropical Print Maxi Dress, Puritan Forever Young-Small

.....and these aren't even the best pieces, just the ones I've gotten photogged for my inventory so far!

I've also been working feverishly on sizing some patterns. So far I've gotten half through a 1964 back-wrap dress...which is still giving me problems with gap in the back. It's still in two pieces and I'm afraid I'm going to have to recut and assemble the bodice...

This is what it will look like eventually...

I have finished one dress though! It was meant to be a toile for another experiment in sizing, but turned out really cute AND fits! Yayy!

I'll also be listing some vintage reproductions eventually....made from vintage fabrics and trimmings and even using vintage thread! I've found a treasure trove of 1960s/'70s awesomeness at one of the charity shops in my town. And would you believe they were having a half price sale? The best thing is that most of what they had was yardage, which is really unsual here in quilt country! Most of the time you only find tiny remnants or squares of '60s fun! Just about all of these are at the very least 1.5 yards...many are WAY more! Here's my haul:

I also picked up several poly's in solid colours: Dark grey, pale blue, white, lime green....

This is my most treasured find of the week. Three yards of pristine 1950's brolly patterned silk:

So, you see, I've been a busy little bee! I'll try to start posting regularly again!

Toodles!

Magical Mobiles, 1966...

2011-06-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I can't imagine why, mobiles have fallen out of fashion. No, munchkins, not the type that ring all the time and have grown attached to our noggins! I'm talking about the type you hang from the ceiling! Most of us had them hanging above our cribs when we were babies. Mine, made by my mother, had loads of different songbirds floating above my head...which is surely why my first word was 'bird' and explains my lifelong obsession with the creatures!
In the late 50s and early 60s, mobiles were all the rage for any well dressed room, not just for the nursery. I've just run across a delicious little article in Better Homes and Gardens from 1966 called 'Mobile Magic For Everyone'. They've some lovely ideas...and some rather silly ones. I can't wait to tackle making one....or three...

Super cool carousel mobile! I LOVE this one, especially the rick rack!!

Weird food mobile...they call it a 'Pop Art Kitchen Mobile'...how very Warhol of them...made from food labels pasted onto wooden shapes.

Cool kitchen utensil theme. I swear I remember my mom or one of my friend's moms having one of these when I was really little!

Even though it's made out of sandwich and toothpicks, which sounds a tish cheesy, I think this is my fave!

Cute little summery fishy-poo's! Perfect for a vintage cabana or tiki bar!!

The possibilities are absolutely endless with these!

Speaking of mobiles, this made me think of my very favourite 'mobile in a motion picture' scene. The lovely Susan Hayward as Helen Lawson singing in 1967's Valley of the Dolls. Unfortunately there is no version of this using Susan's original voice track on youtube, only this Judy Garland overdub of the scene...but nevermind, the mobile is as fab as ever!!!.....

The Uncalled For-Tennessee Garage Psych From '67

2011-06-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

The Uncalled For are little known garage/psych band from Manchester, Tennessee. Their only 45 release was 1967's 'Do Like Me', with 'Get Out Of The Way' as the flip. Too bad, because I think they're brill!

These boys are still playing. In fact, they're playing Bonnaroo...which my broke arse doesn't have tickets for...on the 10th of this month. No fair.

Of 'Richards' And Their 'Excaliburs'....

2011-05-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

Found this little snippet the other day and wanted to share it with you! It's a tiny paragraph from the 'In The Know' section of the 21 February, 1967, edition of Look Magazine. David Hemmings, who had just finished Blow-Up, tells American readers what's what at the mo in Swingin' London....

Click and enlarge to read it better!

There's another article I want to share with you lot from the same Look Magazine called The Generation Gap...about the clash between 'hippies' and 'the man'...hopefully in the next day or two! This will have to tide you over until then!!

Love, loves!
Dolly

Gosh Golly Gee!

2011-05-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been absent for so long, my loves! My uncle was very ill and in ICU for a week and a half and then passed away last week, so it's been a bit crazy around here. I promise to get back to the grindstone and post often again now that things have settled down a bit! In the meantime, check out the snazzy vintage hat and granny boots I picked up at Goodwill during a quick 10 minute browse Friday afternoon:

I've been looking for a pair of grannies for AGES, but could never find a cheap pair!

I thought I'd take this photo in front of my Pocahontas print as the feather in my hat kind of mirrors the feather in her hair!

....$5.85 for both. Can't beat that! The shoes are about a half size too big, but who cares!? The hat, however, fits my head like it was made just for me! I bought it to sell without even trying it on, but I think this bad boy is staying in my closet and becoming my favourite hat. Yayyy!! As Patsy Stone said, "You can never have enough hats, gloves, and shoes."

I've been neglecting my usual '60s mod look in favour of a '40s set the last few days. I'm liking the results. Thankfully my "Beatle-bang", if curled and pinned just right so the longer edges actually appear shorter, are easily transformed into a pseudo "Betty-bang". Plus, I like how this set makes a very casual (it's getting too hot in Tennessee for anything but)outfit look more put together. I'm still a mod at heart though!

Get a Job...ShaNaNaNa ShaNaNaNaNaNa

2011-05-15T15:52:00.000-07:00

This job search is really beginning to get depressing. It's either crickets chirping or a flat out 'No". I'm over it. And I'm even more over being broke. It doesn't help that ASOS has some lovely stuff in stock. Normally I'm against really 'new' clothes as opposed to 'new to me' clothes, but they have some real snazzy stuff in.

ASOS Shift Dress with Contrast Hem,£40.00

ASOS Contrast Placket And Collar Shirt,£30.00

ASOS Linen Pencil Dress in Color Block, £45.00

Whistles Kate Blouse with Ruffle Front Detail, £125.00 (This top is gorg, but why anyone would want to pay that much when the thrift stores are full of vintage ones for 3 bucks is beyond me....)

ASOS Swing Dress with Broderie Collar, £30.00

Coast Crochet Slip Dress, £125.00

Coast Livy Print Dress, £115.00

ASOS REVIVE Maxi Dress in Colour Block, £65.00

What's Goin' On: 16-22 May, 2011

2011-05-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

19 May:

Boom Shaka Lacka!
Barrio Central Basement Bar
6 Poland Street, Soho
5t's & 6t's Rhythm'n'Blues, Jamaican grooves (Shuffle, Ska, Rock Steady, Reggae), Dancefloor Jazz (not bathroom Jazz), 6t's & 7t's Soul, early Funk, Boogaloo and Bossa Nova and Samba and sambuca in cool basement.
8pm-1am
Free Entry

20 may:

Pork & Beans
Positively 4th Street
119 Hampstead Road, NW1 3EE
London, United Kingdom
This month joining the residents Tomas & Jamie will be Ian Jackson bringing all sorts of storming musical magic from his incredible collection. Be sure to be surprised!
Also as ususal Ethan and guests be spinning sweet Soul, Funk & Crossover upstairs under the guise of "Brothers & Sisters"!
The venue is Positively 4th Street (...four minutes from Warren Street, Euston Square or Mornington Crescent Tube stations):
http://www.positively4thstreet.co.uk/contact.html
8pm-1am
Free entry

"The Same As They Was Before They Was"---Janice Dickinson 1977

2011-05-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

Sozzles for my abscence for the last couple of weeks, my little munchkins! Lots going on! I hope to make up for it in today's post, where I'll share with you something from an old sewing catalog I re-discovered a few days ago, the contents of which I have yet to find anywhere on the internet. I'm going a few years later with the subject matter than most things I post about on here! I hope you'll forgive me!!!

Everyone knows Janice Dickinson. Self proclaimed 'first Supermodel', she became one of the most famous faces of the late '70s and '80s after appearing on the cover of American Vogue in 1978. But in the Fall of 1977, she did a little shoot for Simplicity Patterns Home Catalog.....

PS...Is it just me, or is Blogger having MAJOR problems lately? Took me over an hour to upload these pics and the other day I couldn't even get on????

The Kitchen Of Tomorrow...Yesterday, 1975

2011-05-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

I found this great Hotpoint catalog at my Pappy's the other day and just had to do some quick scans and share it! There's no date, but they started building the house where he lives around 1975, so I'm assuming it's from right around there. Not to mention, the women in the photos just SCREAM mid-seventies.....

Tacky and gorgeous! Just like my Pappy's uber seventies orange kitchen! No kidding, the orange on the wall in the washing machine photo is the same colour of his kitchen counters and backsplashes....not to mention the same colour of the luciously '70s light fixtures in the kitchen as well as in the dining room. It sets off the dark wall paneling quite nicely! I should get photos of it one day and post them!

PS...update on the dress: I've altered the pattern and already have the bodice together...there's a little issue of the bodice being slightly short and not matching up in the front with the back, not sure why because the bodice length is the same as the original? The back is also slightly big and gappy at the shoulder blades. But I'm trying to come up with a solution and then I just need to finish and attach the skirt. Should be finished by Monday.
Happy weekend, my little bumblebees!!!!
xx

'Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?'

2011-05-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

Right, my little chickens, your old friend the Dollster is back with a 'Fashion Thursday' post that requires your input!
I've decided that I simply MUST make time to do some sewing again. "Why haven't you been sewing all along, my dear?", I hear the peanut gallery query. The answer quite frankly is that I have no place TO sew. You see, my mother sold her mid '70s model Singer machine/table back at the end of August. As for my own machines, I only have two:
A mid '50s mint green Elna, that is unfortunately in dire need of motor work (probably just a good oiling actually) which I don't want to get into myself and which, being unemployed, I can't afford to PAY someone to do. The other machine is a Singer portable that is about seven or eight years old.
Both of these machines need a table to set up on. Now, I HAVE a lovely 1940's sewing table but unfortunately it's in the basement and very heavy. I've been trying to get help to get it upstairs (and up stairs again) and into my room for a good three months now.
Anyway, I've decided that I'm just going to start on some patterns and maybe through dire need I can convince someone around here to give me a hand!
My new project is going to be to alter some old patterns from the '50s, '60s, and '70s that I inherited from my grandmothers. My grandmothers were not small women. I, on the other hand, am a modern size 00, or will be again once this winter weight is completely gone! Most of the patterns I have are vintage size 18-ish or a bit larger, so there's a good amount of altering to do. But I really think that I can do it. I've altered so many vintage dresses to fit me and I've drafted and altered lots of my own designs....we'll see how it turns out!
The pattern I decided to start with is a 1964 Simplicity pattern for a one piece back wrap dress.

I've got three lovely fabrics that I picked up at Wal Mart on the cheap (golly, how I hate admitting that!) specifically for toiling. They're lovely vintage-y cottons and I have enough of all of them to make this dress, but I'm not sure which one to use....although it only really matters in the case that my initial toile turns out the first time!

A

B

C

All three of the fabrics are patterns, but are thankfully not one way designs!
So which do you lot think would look the nicest? Let me know because I simply can't decide on my own! If my toile turns out, I'm defo making a second one of these in a pink and white gingham!
Of course, I'll post my progress as I go along!
Bye bye for now my daahhlings!
x

Sandie Shaw - Always Something There To Remind Me [Very Good(-) quality]...

2011-04-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

On a Sandie Shaw kick today for some reason!

McQueen? More like McClintock. A Royal McLetdown.

2011-04-29T10:00:00.001-07:00

I'm such a critic, my dears. It's just my little way. I call it like I see it, no matter who I'm tearing apart. Today is no exception.

I've yet to read anything other than blatent pandering, bottom kissing, or rose coloured opinions of Kate Middleton's McQueen bridal gown. Personally, I was sorely UNDERwhelmed.

It looked like she walked out of a 1980's wedding catalog from Sears...or JC Penney. Plus, the train was so short that at one point, while she was going up the steps into Westminster Abbey, I was sure that we were going to get a flash from little sis holding the inadequate caboose too high!

All in all, the dress just brought to mind visions of the 80's...at least for me.

Of course there are the comparisons to utterly lovely and positively regal, Grace Kelly, in her 1956 Helen Rose bridal ensemble. There is no comparison, I'm afraid. While Kate DOES look lovely, she didn't look royal. Even with the slight similarities in the dresses, the Helen Rose frock just ooooooozes 'couture', while the McQueen dress is quite pretty, but nothing special.

I don't know, my loves. Perhaps it's just me, but I was really expecting more. Not more dress...I mean, I knew it would likely be quite minimal...it's just that I didn't get that "Oh my goodness how GORGEOUS!" feeling when she stepped out of the car. Instead, it was more like, "Oh, doesn't she look pretty". Which in a common every day wedding would be fine, but in this case I felt a bit let down.

On a MUCH brighter note, the Queen looked stunning in yellow! She was like a beautiful ray of sunshine. Especially with the pleats around the neckline of her perfectly tailored dress.

The biggest faux pas of the day (while generally attributed to Samantha Cameron for her lack of the requested headgear)...

....in my opinion should go to Princess Beatrice for wearing that ridiculous bow on her head.

A lovely girl, but that lid is an absolute embarassment!

As for my early morning tea rags, my mate Jimmy and I forgot to take pictures! Not only that, but I didn't even get a photo of the lovely tea setup before we dug in! However, so as not to leave you too disappointed, I DID get a cute as a button photo of Patches the bear (who my mom and I have dressed for every season for years)greeting his guests on the landing in his finest royal wedding drag!

Patches is wearing:
Tiara-mine, from pageant when I was itty bitty
Veil-vintage 1970's curtain panel
Dress-old Austin Powers era (late '90s) Halloween costume
Bouquet-Vintage 1980s, caught by little ole me at my "big sister's" wedding...

....She was prettier than ANY princess, don't ya think?!

Little Peggy March- I Wish I Were a Princess

2011-04-29T01:32:00.000-07:00

Golly, it's early! Getting ready for the festivities! Pics to follow later today!!

Baby You Can Drive My Car...

2011-04-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

I love old cars. I always have. My dad is the reason, really, as he always had vintage car magazines lying around that I'd get my mitts on as a kid and read front to back!
Needless to say, my dad knows a lot about old cars. He's one of those guys who can't sit through an old film...or an episode of Andy Griffith or Leave It To Beaver...without telling you the make and model of every car that comes on screen and relating a story about said auto. He's like an encyclopedia of vintage cars. So I was really proud when a conversation the other night provided me the rare opportunity to stump my father.
While sitting and discussing those oldies but goodies, I mentioned that my dream car as a little girl had been the Dodge La Femme. "I don't recall that. The Dodge what?", says my dad.
Oh my goodness, I've finally outmastered the master!!
So, I thought, "What a lovely idea for a post!"

The La Femme was only made for two years, 1955 and 1956. And she was a beauty! Made specifically for 'Her Majesty, The American Woman', the La Femme was a frothy pink stunner!

The Dodge Corporation hoped to cash in on the new wealth that was the aftermath of the Second World and Korean Wars. Families could now afford to buy a second car for mother and Dodge would give her the most fittingly feminine car that ever was...or ever will be.

Not only did the La Femme look the part on the outside (the 1955 being available in a pink and white combo called 'Heather Rose and Sapphire White' and the 1956 model available in two tones of pink called 'Regal Orchid and Misty Orchid') it also came with accessories and features specifically to suit a feminine driver.
Some of these features were a girly floral interior, matching purse and contents, raincoat, rainhat (a fisherman cap in '55 and a baseball type cap in '56) and umbrella, with slots behind the front seats for storing them.

Unfortunately, for those of us who would love to own one of these little cupcakes, they were discontinued after only 2 years and less than 2500 were made. Not only are they rare, but the accessories that made the car what it was are even rarer. Perhaps one day I'll own one, but it'll likely be so far down the road that my blue hair will be all that shows above the chintz of the front driver's seat!

My dad's currently working on finishing up a 1924 Model T that he and a friend are restoring. I'll try to get some pics of it from him and post them soon!
I've also informed him that, while I think the Model T is quite lovely, it's the next car in line for restoration that I'm interested in...his 1950 Ford coupe. Once the Model T is done, his time can be spent on this beauty....

The '50 in '66....

And today, waiting it's turn to be made gorgeous again....

I can't wait!!

Easter Bunny After Dark....

2011-04-24T19:05:00.001-07:00

What would the Easter Bunny be watching, martini in hand, after a hard 24 hours work delivering Cadbury Cream Eggs, jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, and Peeps???? Why Playboy After Dark, of course!! Sit back and enjoy the groovy chunes...and the even groovier 'bunnies'.....

Happy Easter, My Dears!!!!

2011-04-24T15:22:00.000-07:00

A Happy Easter, from Fred, Sarah, Billy, and the 'Squares'....

Easter Dinner: 1962

2011-04-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Another snippet from a 1962 entertaining magazine. The recipes sound quite nice, but the bunny...ooohhh the creepy bunny.....

I'm not sure who thought it would be a good idea to make a centerpiece out of a disembodied Peter Cottontail head.....especially one made from a balloon. Weird? Yes. Would my grandmother have made one of these for my dad and uncle for Easter? Absolutely. *shivers*
Remember kids, there is a fine line between 'kitsch' and 'creepy'....

How To Get Drunk, 1962

2011-04-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

This lovely little how to is from a vintage home entertaining magazine from 1962. It'll put you in the know, make you look like a pro....and get your guests gassed. Now I ask you, what could be better?

....Your friends at Dollybirdvintage remind you to please drink responsibly. And if you can't drink responsibly, at least bring along a boring friend who can pick you up off the cobblestones and shove you into a black cab.

Sprucing Up For Spring-1959

2011-04-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

Howdy doodles, chipmunks!
I found this cute little pre-Martha Stewart article in the Spring 1959 edition of Your Home magazine and I just had to share it. Regardless of it's age, it's a darn good guide to what needs the most attention in order to ready your home for warmer weather...and of course, the photos are absolutely smashing!!!

What's Goin On: 11-17 April, 2011

2011-04-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

The week in London so far...

13 April:

Boom Shaka Lacka
Barrio Central (Basement Bar)
6 Poland Street
London, United Kingdom
8pm-1am
Free entry

16 April:

The Vintage Kilo Sale - London
The Rag Factory
16-18 Heneage Street
E1 5LJ
Touring the UK, the Vintage Kilo offers shoppers the chance to mix and match items from the 60s - 80s and pay for them per kilo. No matter whether it's dresses and a pair of jeans, retro tees, jackets or skirts, 1kg is £15. Result.
No matter whether you're buying a bulk-job or individual pieces, we want you to get the most for your money and so our traders will always scope out your bags and make sure you're getting the best for you and your pocket.
Additionally, expect a wonderful selection of one-off garments from 50s and before. Starting from a mere £20, pick up a real piece of the past that's easy on the pocket!
11am-4pm
A mere £1 entry

HELTER SKELTER
Heroes Bar
147 Kentish Town Road
NW1 8PB
Helter Skelter is a night for people who wish they lived through the sixties, with the added benefit of all the great music that has since been inspired by that same era. Expect to hear classics, rarities and songs by your new favourite band.
DJ(s): GEORGE WHEELS (Bedrock/This Feeling), LEONIE (Helter Skelter), plus special guests playing the best Psychedelic, 60's Garage, Rock N Roll, and Soul!
9pm-2am
Free entry

BLACK COTTON CLUB
Volupte Lounge
7-9 Norwich Street
EC4A 1EJ
Rare Sounds Played On Original 78s
Hot Jazz, Swing, Jump, Swingin' RB, Western Swing, Latin, Gospel, Gypsy Jazz...
Live Music on mid night by "DIXIE TICKLERS"
Shellac Spinners EL NINO & LADY KAMIKAZE
Plus Special Guest SWING MANIAC (Mouthful O' Jam)
10pm-3am
£10 All Night

17 April:

Primrose Hill Vintage Fashion Fair
Cecil Sharp House
2 Regents Park Road, Camden
NW1 7AY
Vintage clothing, hats, handbags, gloves, shoes, jewellery and textiles from 1800’s – 1980’s will be on show. Spend a leisurely Sunday browsing and buying from the many stalls at our exclusive venue in Primrose Hill.
You will be able to find very wearable vintage pieces at affordable prices and also designer labels if you are looking for something extra special.
There is a selection of delicious home made food and refreshments at very reasonable prices.
11am-5pm
£3 on the door

Bedknobs & Broomsticks - Portobello Road

2011-04-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

Golly, how I miss my Saturday afternoons in Portobello Market!....and more importantly, my weekly box of Hummingbird cuppycakes!! I'll be moving back to London soon though, I hope!

I Wish I Were A Princess.....

2011-04-08T17:00:00.001-07:00

I don't know if I've mentioned it to you chickens before, but I collect dollhouses and dollhouse furniture. Yes, I'm a 7 year old in an adult's body. As with many other of my peculiarities, I blame this one on my grandmother. She started this obsession. I had no choice in the matter. But I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

You see, my grandmother collected dolls all her life. In fact, the entire second floor of her house was filled with them. But around the late '60s, she began branching out in a new direction as well. Dollhouses. Years later, upon my birth, she had three of them made for me. That's right, kids. Three.

Thus began my own love of dollhouses and minis. Thirteen (Yup. One, Three) dollhouses and hundreds of pieces of furniture later, I'm still at it!

Today I thought I'd share my favourite pieces of my dollhouse furniture collection with you. My Ideal Petite Princess/Princess Patti Fantasy Furniture from the mid '60s.

Ideal began first began making these furniture sets in 1964. I don't know what you would call the style really. It's a weird mixture of mid sixties glam, modern, art deco, and French Neo Classical. It's become my ideal (pun intended) and I've always just refered to it as 'Petite Princess' style.
From the original 1964 brochure: "You will find soft, plush chairs and sofas, gilt-edged mirrors, dressers and cabinets with drawers and doors that really open and close. Everything you can dream of."

The original Petite Princess line up was sold in 30 'sets' with each set containing either one or several pieces that were meant to decorate 4 different cardboard 'fantasy' rooms: bedroom, music room, living room and dining room.

Later, in 1965, the Ideal company began producing Princess Patti, basically the Petite Princess line with added kitchen and bathroom sets.

They continued to make and market the line through the rest of the decade. There was a house that was introduced through Sears that was a cardboard base covered in vinyl that had been printed with rooms on the inside and a colonial type mansion facade.

I mean to eventually collect the whole set...furniture, original rooms, vinyl house, and dolls (although quite frankly, I don't like the dolls that are part of the set. I think 'Dawn' would be more fitting!).

When I grow up, I want my house to be decorated like this!

Digging the 60's and 70's...Out of My Mom's Old Dresser Drawers....

2011-04-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

As promised, my little rosebuds, here are pics of the stash of my mom's old chokers that I found at my Pappy's yesterday!
But first, a little pic of my mom and dad on their first date in 1971, which was around the time she would have been wearing these lovelies!...I wish she still had the necklace she's got on in the photo...it's absolutely brill!

I found this necklace as well, under the pile of chokers....

...as well as a half full bottle of Vanda 'Captiva' perfume that had also belonged to mom!....

I've tried looking up 'Captiva' as well as Vanda, the company that made it to find out more about it...no joy. Must not have been too popular or made in mass quantities for any period of time. Anyone who knows anything about either the company or the perfume, let me know!

Happy weekend, poppits!!!
xx

Thursday Quickie!!

2011-04-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

Right, my dears! I've been helping my Pappy with his spring cleaning all day and just got home and did dinn-dinns.
While making room for things in the guest bedroom, I was cleaning out a drawer in what was my mother's dresser in the mid '60s through the early '70s. Under an old newspaper, I found a mound of what looked like fabric trim and ribbons. My mom came in just as I was lifting the pile out and said, "Oh my god, look! It's all my old chokers!!"
That's right kids. Late sixties Boho Gothic at it's best! EIGHT of them!...plus a super '70s silver fringe necklace and a little bottle of the perfume my mom used to wear back then, 'Captiva'!
I'm too tired to stay up and photo my new lovelies, but I promise to post some pics tomozzzzzz!!!!

xx

"Nothin' Could Be Finer, Than To Have Your Ham and Eggs In Carolina...."

2011-04-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

I love a train ride! So when my mom's best friend suggested that we go on one (on a restored deco passenger train, I was well up for it. So a week and a half ago, we loaded on a bus...yeah, one of those that retirees take to Atlantic City...and made our way to North Carolina to catch the train.
Now, before I get into the story, I'd like to first point out that over all I really did have a good time and one shouldn't take my snide remarks as evidence of a bad time....
Now that's out of the way, I can tell you that the trip was somewhat of a cluster-'you know what'.
We firstly had to get to the bus pickup at 5ish in the morning. Then the bus went way out of the way to Johnson City to get a number to put on the bus. We stopped in North Carolina for breakfast....several busloads of old people all at once at a cafeteria is not only a bad idea, it's downright criminal! We then had to sit around and wait for ages for EVERYONE to get back on their invidual bus so that we would all leave together and therefore arrive at the train station at the same time...yet another bad idea!
In the end, we finally got to the station around 10:30ish...keep in mind, that we could have driven on our own, left around 8:30 and gotten there at the same time! But I digress...

Because we all got there at the same time, finding your car was utter chaos! We finally found ours, the Piedmont, got settled in, and the trip started. The car was fairly nice. It could easily have been nicer. It's unfortunate that men were the obvious masterminds behind all of the referbs. Technically it was acurate, but it had no soul. No atmosphere. Not even the club car. They played bad, MODERN, bluegrass music. I was left wondering why there couldn't have been some swing or at the very least some country music contemporary with the era.....
It was a drizzly day, but that didn't really matter. The ride was beautiful. The mountains were just beginning to bloom. My mother, famous in these parts for her wildflower knowledge as well as one of the largest collection of rare wildflowers in the region, narrated the trip pointing out what was what.
When we finally stopped to get out, there was no time to enjoy the kayak races that were going on as we were behind schedule and had to load back up almost as soon as we'd gotten off. We got back to Bryson, NC in only enough time to get right back on the buses, which meant no looking around at the town and having a cheeky look round the shops.
All in all, it was more bus trip than train trip, but I'm glad I went.

Black Knit Beret-H&M (£6)
Peter Pan Collar Blouse-Forever 21 (around $35)
Embelished Pink Sweater-Vintage 1950's, my Mama D (free!)
Cropped Leopard Print Jacket-Forever 21 (around $40)
Gloves-Vintage 1950's, Beyond Retro Cheshire Street (£5)
Grey Pinstripe Pencil Skirt-Vintage 1960's, Thrifted (25 cents)
Shoes-Burk's Outlet ($15)
Purse with Umbrella Holder and Umbrella-Vintage 1940's, my great grandmother (free!)

What's Goin' On: April 5-10, 2011

2011-04-05T13:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm going to get back on schedule, my little lilypads, I promise! And to get back on schedule, I'm going off schedule and posting my usual Sunday London event post on Tuesday!

Here goes! The things I'd be attending if I was back in the Smoke...and hopefully I will be soon, as my visa came last week. Now all I've to do is find a jobby job!!

7 April:
Live & Let Jive
Ronnie Scott's
47 Frith St
London, United Kingdom
Get hip to the tip, lads and ladies! EVERY FIRST THURSDAY it’s time for KAI’S LIVE & LET JIVE – your monthly 40s & 50s party featuring queen of the vintage vocals Kai Hoffman and her fabulous felines Kai’s Cats! Featuring tunes by ‘King of the Jukebox’ Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five, Kai’s jazz-based boogie shuffle, rhythm & blues is sure to float your boat - so grab a cocktail, dig that jumpin’ jive and dance the night away! You can dress up or dress down, drink champagne or have a burger plain, be frisky and get risky with Kai’s Cats!
Sponsored by Vivien of Holloway – the best of 40s & 50s reproduction clothing making the world a more glamourous place.
6pm-3am
JIVE CLASS at 8pm and LIVE BAND at 9:15!
ONLY £5/£8 after 11!
Dinner/table reservations 02074390747

8 April:
Double Shot O' Soul
The Drop
below The Three Crowns
175 Stoke Newington High Street
N16 0LH
Get your soul kicks from the stage and from the 45s! At the new venue, new format Double Shot O’ Soul there is live music from THE UNIVERSAL (http://www.myspace.com/theuniversaluk) and THE DECCAS (http://www.myspace.com/thedeccas), followed by DJs Smart Phil & Mickee spinning the best music ever made: think Tamla Motown, Stax Records, northern & club soul and more to keep you dancing all night long.
9pm-4am
£5 entry

"I'll Just DIE If I Don't Get This Recipe....I'll Just DIE If I Don't Get This Recipe...I'll Just DIE If I............."

2011-04-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

I've a little rant for you today, my loves. Lately I've noticed a disturbing trend...maybe you've picked up on it as well. In the past few years there's been an upsurge in remakes. Now I will tell you that, in my opinion, there really is no GOOD remake.
I mean let's be honest, either the original was amazing, classic, and utter perfection...in which case, a remake will NEVER be as good...or the movie was crap the first time around and will only be double crap when put in a modern format (at least the original can be watched from a pop culture slant and be somewhat interesting.)
But more importantly what peeves me off most is that it seems once an uncalled for remake is made, the original is rarely if ever shown again. Which means there is a whole generation coming up who never know how amazing the original is...or that it even existed in the first place.
Today, I give you my top 10 movies that should never have been remade:

10. Arthur (1981)
For number ten on my list, I've chosen the latest travesty. Granted, I've not seen it...I don't need to. Don't get me wrong. I adore Russell, son of Camden's favourite loud drunk "The amaaaaazing Ronnie Brand" (Camdenites will understand!) He's insanely funny and times were when I looked forward to new episodes of Ponderland with bated breath. But he aint no Dudley Moore.....and Helen Mirren aint no John Gielgud...and heaven knows this Greta Gerwig person sure as all heckfire aint no Liza Minnelli. The original was perfect in every way. Moore plays the most adorable drunk in the world. The first minutes of the film are comic GENIUS and I almost pee my pants every time I see it: "You're a HOOKER??!!"

9. The Stepford Wives (1975)
When this classic was remade in 2004, I grimaced. How can you take a film that revolves around the new gender roles created out of the women's lib and bra burning era of the 1970's out of the 1970's? The depth of the plot becomes MIA. The reason the first version resonates is the fact that it was written and filmed in the era when many, if not the majority of the population, were still frightened of strong women with careers outside the home. It was relevant then, not so much now....although a lot of fervent libbers out there would no doubt challenge me on this. But even they can't deny that times have changed ENORMOUSLY in 36 years. So much so that the remake of this film is as soul-less as the Wives themselves.

8. The Parent Trap (1961)
One of THE best teeny bopper movies Disney ever made. Hayley Mills is absolutely perfect as the two sisters separated as babies! She's so darn cute! Not to mention the woman who, in your beloved narrator's opinion is the most beautiful woman ever to grace film, Maureen O'Hara, as the mother. Again, there is a reason that this film worked in the time it was originally made. It was the beginning of the sixties and the American family was quickly eroding...and as in The Stepford Wives, it terrified most people. In other words this is just another example of a "times they are a changin'" movie that doesn't resonate as loudly when it's set almost four decades on.
Plus, there's just something lovely and golden about this movie and that should never be messed with...especially not with the likes of someone I refuse to name in the twin roles.

7. Cape Fear (1962)
There should be a rule that once a role is played by Robert Mitchem, it should be a crime punishable by death to let anyone else play the same role...the same should go for Gregory Peck. The two actors play the cat and mouse emotions of the two main characters as if they were born to. The suspension of disbelief is so great in this film that within the first half hour, I detest Robert and am terrified for Gregory. The end scenes in which Cady (Mitchem) has finally trapped his prey are honestly the most breathless of any thriller I've ever watched. And it doesn't matter how many times I've seen it, I still fall into yelling at the screen as if Gregory Peck could actually hear me! My heart nearly jumps out of my chest every time! The remake didn't affect me at all.

6. Mildred Pierce (1945)
Not that Kate Winslet isn't lovely, but Joan Crawford is someone that NO ONE can ever hold a candle to...and this is without a doubt Joan's masterpiece. Not only that, but once again the driver behind this film is the newly strong, self made woman who came through WWII keeping herself as well as the homefront together at all costs. I don't even think I need to offer any more explanation on this one, other than to say that I think Faye Dunaway as Joan in 'Mommie Dearest' said it best: "Don't fuck with me, fellas."

5. The Little Princess (1939)
Shirley Temple's most beautiful role. She is so believable as Sarah Crew, just the right amount of precociousness and innocence. The rest of the cast is flawless as well and none of the remakes of this film have had the chemistry or the warmth of this version.

4. Alfie (1966)
Even if it was originally played by Terrance Stamp on the stage, you'd almost think that Alfie was written explicitly for Caine. Michael Caine IS Alfie. The role made his career and he made the role. Jude Law is a hottie, but compared with Michael Caine, he's mojo-less.

3. Freaky Friday (1976)
Another case of Disney messing with it's own perfection....and again with 'she who shall not be named' in the lead role. I don't know what the studio was trying to prove in the 90's but they really should have left well enough alone. The original is amazing and, well, it's Jodie Foster for cryin' out loud! Who could ask for more? And as usual, the time period only adds to the charm of this film.

2. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
While Johnny Depp is definitely in my top 10 for hottest men ever....and he is kind of creepy-hot in the remake...there is no Wonka like Gene Wilder. I found the remake a bit too surreal and unbelievable. The original has it's Dali-esque moments, but you have no trouble believing that Mr. Wonka's factory could indeed exist. And the characters are much more loveable.

1. Hairspray (1988)
This was my FAVOURITE movie growing up. Really. I can still recite the entire film from beginning to end including the soundtrack and do all of the dances. However, I never made it more than 30 minutes into the remake. And I'm a huge Travolta fan, so that's saying a lot! Not that it's his fault the movie's so bad. Honestly you can't expect a man like John, no matter how good an actor to simply put on a dress and some make up and take on a character made famous by a the lovely Divine...a man who made his name in drag...and eating dog poo, but I digress...
The original cast is spot on, as usual in John Waters' films. Divine, Ricky Lake, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono, Waters himself, Ruth Brown, Jerry Stiller, and my favourite, Pia Zadora, make the film a star studded classic. Another Waters signature is the superb soundtrack. Not an annoying musical like the remake, but REAL music from the era. And above all, the lack of TRUE campness in the remake just left me looking for the remote.
But I guess the most important thing about the original for me is that it cemented my love of the 1960's as a kid and consequently, I guess you could say that it played a major role in my career path and who I am as an adult. Thank you, John Waters!

Wigging Out!!!

2011-03-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

Right! So I really enjoyed posting those great men's clothing ads yesterday...so much that today I wanted to share some more adverts from many of the same publications. The music mags featured ads geared toward the girlies as well. For todays postie, I wanted to share some of the lovely mail order wig ads I found!

Another blogger I follow said the other day that when she finds ads like this she wishes she could just send the money off to the address and get a lovely brand new whatever it was they were selling! I wish that about these wigs and falls! I want just about every one of them!

And the NAMES!....'Tigress', 'Gypsy Love', 'Darling New You', 'Fonda'....Terrific!!