Nuggets of Note - December 10, 2012

Christmas Girl from Chronically Vintage

Jessica over at Chronically Vintage has a delightful article about 25 Reasons to Smile this December.  Each reason is absolutely true and she features each reason with such wonderful vintage photographs.  I think I Pinned almost everything!  Her Flicker Favorites are great this week, too.

Book of Snowflakes; 1863

Letterology has a great post about 1863 Book of Snowflakes.  The illustrations are marvelous.

Gertie has a wonderful post about organizing her sewing room.  It has really inspired me to get my craft room in order.

Baby Peggy

Noir and Chick Flicks featured Baby Peggy, whose films were featured on TCM 12/3/2012.


Daytonian in Manhattan has a wonderful post about the Mrs Osborn Company building.  Another clothing great I'll have to research more.

306th Bomb Group

For the actor in me, Neatorama tries to find the origin of the phrase "break a leg".

Collectors Weekly has a great story about Bomber Jacket Art.  I just love the pinup and bomber art.

And who knew canoeing could be so risque?

Perm Machine; 1934

And a fun post about strange beauty practices of the past.  I have featured a few of these gizmos in my Weird Wednesday posts.  The most popular Weird Wednesday post is not a beauty post, but my post about the Kiddie Koup.

I had no idea some flappers could be so scheming.  The New York Times Review had a fascinating article about a flapper ponzi scheme.  The article also had a mini flapper dictionary at the end.

Mansion of Happiness Board Game

But then again, they ahead of their time.  It reminds me of a great article I read about the history of greedy board games, like Monopoly.  I adore vintage board games, so this post was right up my alley.

First Lady Grace Coolidge; 1923

And since December is basically cookie central in my home, this article about Girl Scout Cookie history seems timely.  I mostly give baked goods out as presents the past few years because of no job, but I love baking so it's good. I find it soothing.  If only I more room in my kitchen.

19th Century Doll House

I've always loved dolls and dollhouses, so I was really excited to see this article about a child's butcher shop dollhouse.  When I was in middle school, a project we had was to build a colonial model.  I was obsessed with Colonial Williamsburg, so I decided to build a model of its Bakery.  I still have parts of the Bakery.  I wish I would have taken better care of it.








  

Nuggets of Note - October 31 - November 6, 2012

The first wonderful link I saw was a great list of silent movie posters at Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.  Very cool posters of some films I would love to see.  I have seen the Sheik, of course, but the others I haven't.  I will have to check if they even exist anymore.

On the book front, Mental Floss has a great article about the 10 Most Difficult Books to Write.  One of the books mentioned is Gadsby, a book which was apparently written without one "e" in the entire book.  A feat that is darn near impossible.  I'm tempted to read it for that feat alone.



Are you bored with traditional holidays?  Then check out some unconventional ones for November.  I'm definitely celebrating Clean Out Your Fridge Day on November 15th.

Hurricane Sandy has prompted some interesting blog posts: pictures from other historic hurricanes, what you need to survive a grid-down disaster,  and emergency preparedness.

Humphrey Bogart's last words; Art of Manliness

On the morbid-front, you can meditate on death or read famous last words of 16 great men.

Errol Flynn's last words; Art of Manliness

VaVoom Vintage has a great article on corset safety.  I've always wanted to try a corset.  After wearing a brace for many years, I miss a bit of the support.  Of course I could never just buy one because I can't imagine they would be easy to alter.  I suppose that might be one of those things I'd have to make from scratch.

I've always been fascinated by the World's Fairs, and the above video is a fun look at the future, circa the mid-1960s.  I'm not sure if I would like this future, but it's fun to think about.

How to Look Well in Clothes - For Tall Women

How to Look Well in Clothes - For Tall Women
From the advice of New York designer Edwina Patterson

Plaids

Belted Jacket

Ruffles, puplums, tunics

Small pillbox hats

Low turbans

Cloche hats

[Source:  Quick Steps to Beauty and Charm.  Dorothy Cocks.  White's Book Company.  Westfield, Massachusetts.  1948.]

How to Look Well in Clothes - For Short Women

How to Look Well in Clothes - For Short Women
From the advice of New York designer Edwina Patterson

V Length dresses

Do not wear too much padding

No horizontal stripes

No wide belts

[Source:  Quick Steps to Beauty and Charm.  Dorothy Cocks.  White's Book Company.  Westfield, Massachusetts.  1948.]

How to Look Well in Clothes - For Thin Women

How to Look Well in Clothes - For Thin Women
From the advice of New York designer Edwina Patterson

Full-cut skirts

Dirndls

Peplums, tiers and ruffles

Dolman sleeve (3/4 length)

Soft Necklines

[Source:  Quick Steps to Beauty and Charm.  Dorothy Cocks.  White's Book Company.  Westfield, Massachusetts.  1948.]

How to Look Well in Clothes - For Stout Women

How to Look Well in Clothes - For Stout Women
From the advice of New York designer Edwina Patterson






No belts on coats

Dominant colors should be:

Navy

Black

Or

Neutral Shades

Flat fur coats ( like broadtail -  'the wavy, moirélike fur or pelt of a young or stillborn Karakul lamb'.[Source: Dictionary.com] )

Broadtail fur from the 1940s

No doll or pillbox hats.

*Bummer, because I love pillbox hats.  I didn't realize they were so popular in the 1940s.  When I think pillbox hat, I think Jackie O

Jackie O. Impersonators 1961

Wear off-side berets

Susan Peters 1943

Wear medium-size off to the side hats

Zasu Pitts, Paula Laurence & Celeste Holm

No peplums or tiered rulles, dirndl skirts, wide belts, and unpressed pleats

*Basically anything that adds volume








[Source:   Quick Steps to Beauty and Charm.  Dorothy Cocks.  White's Book Company.  Westfield, Massachusetts.  1948.]

Vintage Book of the Week - Sudden Fear

  

Vintage Book of the Week - Sudden Fear by Edna Sherry


Stunner of a pulp! Myra is a famous, middle-aged, rich, bored playwright. One day she saves a woman from drowning. To gain inspiration for her next play, Myra brings the girl to her home where Myra lives with her young husband. Naturally Myra's 'philanthropy' goes awry when she plays her tape recorder. On it, Myra hears her 'beloved husband' and 'guest' Irma plotting Myra's murder. A race against time of whom will murder whom first. Loved it from start to finish. Definitely kept me guessing as to what the truth was and who would get murdered first.

It's no wonder this book was turned into a film.  The 1952 stars the fabulous Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, and Gloria Grahame.  I can definitely see Joan Crawford in the role of Myra.  I haven't seen the film yet, but hope to if it gets cheaper.  It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress (Joan Crawford), Best Supporting Actor (Jack Palance), Best Cinematography (Black and White), and Best Costume Design (Black and White).

On a side note, the book mentioned Schiaperelli clothing about 100 times.  I'm not sure if she paid them or if the author is obsessed with them, but here are a couple gorgeous gowns from Schiaperelli.

Lana's Sweater Starts a Cat Fight

"MEOW: Said one gal to another as she watched Lana Turner go by: "Take away her sweaters, and what has she got?" Well, there are a lotta folks who'd rise up and say "Pu-lenty." (Film Fun, 1941)"

Fashion Friday Neiman Marcus Show 1945

I have always fashion shows intriguing. This fashion show took place in 1945 and highlights clothes from Neiman Marcus.

The fashion is totally wearable and stunning. I want this dress!

Everything from everyday wear, formal wear, and of course outerwear was highlighted. I know it is totally non-pc, but I adore these furs. Stunning!

Weird Wednesday Dog Show

Dog Shows bring out the Dog lover in all of us, and some disturbing characteristics if the film Best in Show is to be believed (Hilarious movie by the way). I happen to love watching Dog Shows, so I'm not ragging on them. The pups are just so cute!

This fun Dog Show is from 1946. Several society ladies showed off their own personal pets.

Not only that, but the animals were dressed up in costume

Don't know what's going on with this poor pup

Dachshunds in sweaters are timeless

And who doesn't love a pup in a bonnet?



Well, here is why this Dog Show was featured for Weird Wednesday. This "Birthday Cake" was presented at the dog show. Totally do not want to know what is in it.