VINTAGE ME

To LA and back, part 3

2012-01-23T00:02:00.014+01:00

This book was on loan to me from my vintage friend Madelin and was a great source of information. It gave tips on vintage buildings, shops, places to eat or just stroll !

Union Station in Los Angeles

The beautiful Bradbury building were many movies were shot. Like Bladerunner !

Image from here

Then there was the magnificent Biltmore Hotel.

I'm afraid none of of my photos did this beautiful hotel justice... Better then to reminisce of days gone by...

Image from here

The Biltmore in its heydays.

October 2 1923, at the opening of the hotel

This was the cutest little train ever !

And we're off !

Vintage LA !

Image from here

Angel Flight in the 1940s.

Image from herea

I also had lunch at Musso and Frank Grill were, in Hollywoods golden era, big contracts would be signed and stars from Chaplin to Garbo dined.

Image from here

I however had a slightly strange eating experience ordering what I believed to be a grilled hot turkey sandwich, only to get hot turkey slices on a large piece of bread and covered in gravy.... But it did come with cranberry sauce and it was Musso and Frank Grill ! :)

R.I.P Etta James !

2012-01-20T19:03:00.004+01:00

Etta James, the legendary singer, died at age 73. To listen to the clip don't forget to stop my iPod tunes first.

Would also like to take the opportunity to say THANK YOU ! - I now have 100 followers! Look out for the Celebratory Give Away coming your way very soon !!

I forgot !!

2012-01-18T18:33:00.004+01:00

When I was in LA, me and my mother went to see The Artist ! We loved it!! So happy for the director and cast with all the success they are having !

Congratulations Jean Dujardin on winning an Golden Globe !

To LA and back, part 2

2012-01-18T11:44:00.012+01:00

I'm going to Hollywood baby! Well, that is to say I went one December day with my sweet-sister-in-law Ruby.

Between 1998 to 2000 I was in LA to study at UCLA Extension. I remember visiting Hollywood and being quite disappointed with the drab streets and many runaway children roaming the streets...

That's why it was so great to see how much had changed since then! Especially with the new Kodak building in the middle of it all!

And the buildings were such a treat being as they were a homage to one of the silent eras great film directors - D.W Griffith.

"Intolerance - Love's struggle through the ages" by D.W Griffith from 1916.

Of course Griffith was also the director of the biased and racist influenced "The Birth of a Nation" were he romanticized the Klu Klux Klan...

Then we went to Graumans Chinese Theater !

Image from ebay here

Built in 1926 by Sid Grauman, who had already had great success with his Egyptian Theater, built in 1922,the Chinese Theatre opened the following year with D. W Griffiths "King of Kings".

Mary Pickford at imdb

One of the first stars to put her hand and footprint in the wet cement outside the theatre was Mary Pickford (1892 - 1979).

Image from here.

Mary Pickford, who was originally from Canada, was not only one of the silent eras mega stars she was also a smart business woman and would change movie companies all the time. At 17 her salary was 40$/week in 1909. The following year she had upped it to 145$/week. By 1916 she had 10,000$/week and an additional 300, 000 $ in bonus. Still not satisfied, she once again changed company and in 1917 negotiated her price to 350,000 $ per ...film! She was 25 and Americas first Sweetheart.

Beautiful Olivia de Havilland! So many memorable films - Captain Blood, Gone with the wind, The Heiress just to mention a few.

image from here

Born in 1916 she is still going strong and resides in Paris, France! Her sister is of course the movie star Joan Fontaine, but they have remained permanently estranged since the 1940s...

Myrna Loy at imdb

In my opinion the only one who could outplay Myrna Loy's comic timing was the indomitable Carole Lombard

image from here

Myrna Loy (1905 - 1993) was actually discovered by another über star of the silent era, Rudolph Valentino, as she was one of the background dancers at... the Graumans ChineseTheater!

Judy Garland at imdb

Freda Astaire at imdb

Image from here.

Judy Garland (1922 - 1969) and Fred Astaire (1899 - 1987) in Easter Parade. The film was Fred Astaires fist film since his retirement and became MGM's highest grossing film of 1948.

Todays Vintage Vegan Kitchen :

Homemade Ketchup

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup

To LA and Back, part 1

2012-01-12T17:29:00.007+01:00

Its good to be back in Sweden, but what a chock to the body system! From 25 C° to -6 C°... And as usual I am behind even before I've begun :) Washing, bills, meetings, phone calls, blablabla! The best of all...?

Hooking up with my little guy again! My little Neo! Well, hes actually an old guy no going on nine years...

I will post more pictures from my LA adventures, but need to get up and running first. Have already had my first melt-down as I shrunk my new beautiful vintage evening gown into a cocktail dress ... I know, I know :( Washed it in a cold cycle (wool/hand wash) in the machine. All other things were fine, except my dress - aaaaaaah!!! Well, I am going to sell it on Etsy to some one slimmer and more petite than I. Lucky girl!!

I've also started a new blog My Vintage Vegan Kitchen as I am to become vegan after watching Forks over Knives - amazing documentary - an eye-opener! There I will post things about my hopes to redecorate my home a bit, cooking and other narcissistic musings! .)

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T10:49:00.003+01:00

MySpace Glitter Graphics

I would like to thank all of you who read my posts here at Vintage Me (all 96 - yeay!) and wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May 2012 fulfill all your dreams beyond expectations!

Christmas in LA!

2011-12-29T20:02:00.005+01:00

My mothers home is so cozy! She has always loved to decorate and she loves to cook and bake too. As we got close to Christmas ( in Sweden we celebrate on the 24th - Christmas Eve) the baking got serious ! :)

The living room. My mother has such an eye for detail and she loves shabby chic!

She decorates from her heart with the things she loves.

Tada! The Christmas tree was so pretty (and full with gifts!) !

Our Christmas table was set and ready to go!

Mom picked her beautiful Tomte (Santa Claus) plates from Swede.

Mom and me Christmas 2011!

Merry Xmas to all!!

2011-12-24T04:20:00.001+01:00

At The Cicada Club!!

2011-12-20T23:17:00.007+01:00

So finally, I went to the Cicada Club! As I don't have my own transport here in LA I managed to persuade my mother to join me. And I invited my new sister-in-law too!!

The evening we went there was a Christmas show on.

Excited!

Since the first picture was dark, we re-took it with a flash and I ended up having the obligatory red eyes. Later at home I tried to Photoshop my eyes darker which ended with me looking sort of like a glamorous raccoon... ;)

What a beautiful club! Lots of vintage styles even though many dressed in more modern attire.

The enormous chandelier that graced the ballroom! Oh, all the little delightful details.

And there was music and dancing!

And performing!

My Mom thought it was great!

Together we spent part of the evening commenting on what people were wearing.

And my beautiful sweet sister-in-law looked absolutely "Mad Men-esque" in her late 50s, early 60s dress.

Even though I didn't dance, the music was great !

And everyone on stage looked quite glamorous! The show was actually broad casted just like it would have been in certain clubs back in the day.

I lend my fur wrap to my sister-in-law for an added vintage effect. Doesn't she look absolutely amazing!!

Cesária Évora - The barefoot Diva - dies at 70

2011-12-18T10:10:00.004+01:00

Cesária Évora, known as the "Barefoot Diva", always performed without shoes as she sang traditional music of the West African island nation of Cape Verde. It was a complex, soulful sound with an infectious beat. She started singing as a teenager in bayside bars on the West African island nation of Cape Verde in the 1950s and won a Grammy Award in 2004 after she finally took her music to stages around the world. Cesaria Evora died Saturday. She was 70.

Évora was born Aug. 27, 1941, on the island of Sao Vicente. Her mother was a cook and her father was a musician who played guitar and violin.

She grew up in Mindelo, a port city on the island where sailors from Africa, America, Asia and Europe mingled in what was a lively cosmopolitan town with a fabled night life. The local musical style borrowed from those cultures, defying attempts to classify it.

In 2000 Évora told the Associated Press ;

"Our music is a lot of things. Some say it's like the blues, or jazz. Others says it's like Brazilian or African music, but no one really knows."

Évora was 7 years old when her father died, leaving behind seven children. When her mother was unable to make ends meet, Evora was placed in an orphanage at age 10.

At 16, when Évora was doing piecework as a seamstress, a friend persuaded her to sing in one of the many sailors' taverns in her town. She soon was performing all over the islands and became a local star.

After Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975, the nightclub scene waned. Évora "had three children from three different fathers," she later said, and was struggling to raise a family. One of her children died of a fever.

At 34, Évora quit performing and moved in with her mother. A decade later, she came out of retirement when a group of Cape Verdean women in Portugal offered to bring her to Lisbon. By the 1990s, Évora was an international star known for never wearing shoes onstage. There was no higher calling to her shoelessness, no showing of solidarity with the hungry and the poor, she had said.

In 2001 she told the Washington Post ;

"In Cape Verde, lots of people are like me. They just don't like to wear shoes."

Évora sang traditional music of the Cape Verde archipelago, a former Portuguese colony. She mainly sang in a language known as Crioulo, a Portuguese Creole sprinkled with West African words. Even audiences who couldn't understand the lyrics were moved by her stirring renditions, her unpretentious manner and the music's infectious beat.

Her singing style brought comparisons to American jazz singer Billie Holiday and the great French singer Edith Piaf. "She belongs to the aristocracy of bar singers," French newspaper Le Monde said in 1991, adding that Évora had "a voice to melt the soul."

Évora's international fame came late in life. Her 1988 album "La Diva Aux Pieds Nus" ("Barefoot Diva"), recorded in France where she first found popularity, launched her international career.

Her 1995 album "Cesária" was released in more than a dozen countries and brought her first Grammy nomination, leading to a major concert tour and album sales in the millions. She received a Grammy in the World Music category in 2004 for her album "Voz D'Amor."

Évora was the best-known performer of the bittersweet "morna," the national music of Cape Verde. It is a complex, soulful sound, mixing an array of influences arising from the African and seafaring traditions of the 10 volcanic islands.

Cesária Évora died at a hospital in Mindelo, on her native island of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde, her label Lusafrica announced on its website. It gave no further details. Évora retired after having a stroke in September. A heavy smoker, she was diagnosed with heart problems in 2005 and had open-heart surgery last year.

Information on survivors was not immediately available.

Rewritten from the obituary in LA Times.

Vintage shopping in LA !

2011-12-16T02:49:00.014+01:00

Here I am relaxing in my brothers little "get away" ...

But don't let the sunshine fool you. Los Angeles has been coooold!! And subsequently I was ... sick for awhile :(

But as soon as I was well I went vintage shopping. And what a treasure this shop turned out to be!! Atomic Closet in Covina outside of LA ( my mother lives that way) at 563 s. second ave, Covina, CA 91723

You know how many shops claim that they are a "vintage" shop, but when you enter their idea of vintage is 1980s rayon dress... Well, this was a true vintage store! Excellent selection of dresses from the 40s and 50s, beaded cardigans, little hats, menswear etc.

This is one of the owners the sweet and amiable Chrystal!

And this is her husband Chris. The both of them were super nice ! And my oh, my did I shop!

A 1940s homemade dress.

Look at the pretty material with little pink rose buds!

Two 40s blouses in cream and apricot.

A pair of amazing gabardine (mens!!) trousers that fit me to a T!

This beautiful coral sweater!!

Unfortunately the photo doesn't show the cardigans real colour...

This Mad Men looking "blouse", think Joan ;)

A little hat.

I just love this tiny velvet delight!

And another little hat decorated with bead work.

Which i instantly fell in love with! But wait a minute... No?? It cant be! Or can it??!!

OMG! OMG! Its an Elsa Schiaparelli! :D

Assorted knickknacks, two pair of retro sunglasses, a red snood, sweater clips (finally!) and the cutest little head vase.

Isn't she cute! I got her a little cheaper because she is supposed to wear a hat. Chrystal told me that head vases started as a way that husbands would present bouquets to their wives - isn't that cute! But the gift of the day was that my mother split the costs with me as a Christmas present - thank you Mom!! :)

And I thought I was going some where warm...

2011-12-08T07:45:00.007+01:00

Image from here.

Hi Vintage Lovers!

I am in LA, but the weather is so cold that its making me shiver! I'm in my Moms house and have yet to figure out how to connect to her internet provider, so bear with me! Right now I'm on her computor, but I will soon be back on my own computor bringing more, much more to the table! :)

But on a quick note... 95 followers is v-e-r-y exciting, soon I have 100! When that happens we will have to celebrate with some grand give away! :)

One day I went shopping...

2011-11-29T23:14:00.007+01:00

One day I went shopping and look what I found...

This cute little hostess apron.

This beautiful and amazing (brand new!) black morning gown with a deep burgundy satin lining!

This 1940 - 1950s hat ( needs a little fixing and cleaning).

And these amazing , never been used before, shoes! Took them to my fab shoemaker to have him take a look and he told me what I had not dared to think... that yes, they were indeed a 1930s pair of shoes!! They're so comfortable and are destined to become my new dancing shoes as I venture into 2012 with the aim to swing dance in heels ! :)

Did you pick up any goodies lately?

An evening of burlesque and other thoughts

2011-11-27T23:47:00.008+01:00

Me and my vintage pal Madelin went to a big WWII evening with burlesque. All of us vintage girls had dressed up. But often at burlesque events there seem to be quite a few wearing skimpy outfits... Bosoms were "overflowing"everywhere, tight corsets and latex seemed to be the preferred material for many a girls... Mind you, I don't have anything against burlesque per se. I love Dita ( as you may have noticed) and have participated in the burlesque world before, both as a spectator as well as haven taken a workshop. But the culture crash if you may, was just a bit too much last night.

Also with the WWII theme uniforms were part of the dress code and this is something that makes me a bit uneasy. The invitation stated that the hosts of the event did not want any Nazi symbols, but to me just wearing a German uniform, symbols or not, would make me feel extremely uncomfortable... Especially since my best friend is of Jewish descent.

At one burlesque event I actually confronted the person wearing such an uniform and then abruptly left. I just felt that under no circumstances could I stay in the presence of someone wearing such a uniform - as that would be, to me, condoning it.

But at yesterdays event that didn't happen although there were a few borderline uniforms... But I don´t think if I'll attend more of these evenings...

However Madelin and I still had a splendid time! We danced together with her vintage friends and chit chatted in a smaller room next to the grand ballroom which had a more cosy atmosphere.

And the elegant style of these ladies! Just look at this vintage 1940s shoe!

When I heard that she found them online for a mere 35€ I was must admit that I was more than a little envious ... :)

Have you had an awkward, uncomfortable or embarrassing vintage moment?

Dita! Dita! Dita

2011-11-21T21:50:00.008+01:00

The divine Dita von Teese has just released her own perfume.

In this beautiful vintage bottle, atomizer and all, trés chic! But it was this image that caught my attention...

What is she holding on too ??

OMG!!

I want! I want!

"My Cointreau Travel Essentials" Coffret, a luxury travel cocktail bar for people on the move!! Please, please Santa - this is what I want for Christmas!!

The Cicada Club in Los Angeles!

2011-11-16T21:53:00.005+01:00

This dear Vintage Lovers is were I will be on the 18th of December - The Cicada Club in Los Angeles ! I found this over at Lost in the 50s. Thanks for the great tips Laurence!

Doesn't this look so cool! They're giving a big Xmas bash on that evening, the last for the year, so I just have to be there!

Have you signed up for any cool parties recently ?

Vintage shopping

2011-11-14T22:50:00.010+01:00

One of the weekends I went home ( right now I'm working out of town ) I went to a vintage flea market shopping...

And came home with this little black sheep's fur collar.

And this gorgeously red hat!

And going back up north I fell upon this sweet retro shop!

Lots of things in teak. The preferred wood material in the 1950s.

And I found this cool collections of vintage magazines were I quickly snapped up the only 1940s edition in the pile :)

Tell me, what did you treat yourself to lately?

( Asking a question like this I picked up from Laurence at Lost in The 50s )

Oh, how time flies!

2011-11-14T21:47:00.010+01:00

More than a week has passed since my last post and I never posted about the cocktail party I attended ! So,here goes; after all the "pampering" was done and over with, it was time to head out the door in my fur with my birthday present (a pink bottle of champagne) clutched tight in my hand!

The birthday girl - Madelin Downey! Who is a superb vintage wedding stylist!

Madelin and her dashing hubby! The party was so much fun! Cocktail were in the kitchen with posted "how-to" notes on the cupboards, then there were little goodies to nibble on.

Lemon custard treats with meringue topping!! Delicious!!

Madelin with her two colleagues from work, a wedding planner and a wedding photographer. I let one of the lovely ladies wear my hat just to prove a point - that she really wears hats well! :)

And speaking of hats... I traded one of my vintage hats with the hostess for this one. Isn´t it adorable!

And here´s Madelin in the hat that I gave her on the Tweed & Bicycle event in Stockholm.

Here is one of Madelins beautiful brides ! This picture is from her blog Vintage Flowers.

It was a great party!

The evenings youngest Vintage Lover... ;)

I had so much fun!

Anatomy of "Cocktail Party Preparations"

2011-11-06T00:34:00.013+01:00

1. Food - before any party, but especially a cocktail party where the only food are hor d'oeuvres and canapes, it's essential that you stock up on some "real" food. And have a wee drink to get in the mood ! ;)

2. After a quick facial cleanse I apply a masque. Here I'm wearing 2 different ones. A clay masque on my nose, chin and forehead and a moisturizing masque on the rest of my face. I look quite insane ;) Time for a bath!

3. A rolled up towel supports the neck.

4. A slosh of Weledas relaxing Lavender Milk and the whole bathroom is filled with wonderful lavender scent. In the bath I finish my Pims drink - delicious!

5. And settle into the steaming bathtub with Elisabeth Gilbert's book ( the author of the sublime Eat, Pray, Love ) and relax for a good 15 minutes.

6. In the bath all that needs to be done gets done, like filing feet etc. Extremely important if one is planning to wear, as I am, fully fashioned stockings...

7. Time for continued facial indulgence. As I am gradually letting go of years of "chemical" skin products I have been looking for natural and effective skin products. My current skin care choice is the all natural Jurlique series. Eventually l'l be adding a few items from the Orgins (Estee Lauders) line too. I'm very pleased and a little surprised too actually at the high quality.

8. In order to create an impression of "flawless skin" I use products by Bobby Browns.

9. My powder though is MACs Studio Fix.

10. Ready to begin adding a little make-up color.

11. My intentions was to go for a slightly shimmery eye make-up look and add a little purple eye shadow into that mix. I used B.B eyeshadow, B.B eye liner , L'Oreal mascara and MACs Russian Red (of course!) lipstick. Almost there!

12. Tadaaaa ! And now - the hair.

13. Black hair care reads like an encyclopedia.... But I can honestly say this is one of the best hair products for black hair that I've ever tried - R & B from Lush!

14. Praise the Snodd! Simple "do" with a low chignon in the back. All I need now is a dress and a hat and I'm ready to go!

15. Cocktails anyone? :)

Im invited to a 1940s cocktail party - what to wear!!

2011-11-05T13:11:00.009+01:00

Going out for cocktail is something people did all the times in the 1940s.

Sometimes it was just a casual relaxed get together.

Other times it was more of a formal event and called for black tie and evening gowns. Cocktail party 1940: Barbara Stanwyck, Gary Cooper, Errol Flynn, Lili Damita. Picture from here.

Gable and Lombard. Picture from here.

"Cocktails became fashionable during prohibition. The new cocktails, often with fancy names, were a mix of one or more types of alcohol and fruit juices usually used to mask the poor quality of bootleg liquor. Because drinking alcohol was prohibited in public places, people held private parties in their homes. These cocktail parties, typically held in early evening between the hours of 6 and 8, soon developed a reputation as chic and sophisticated events.

Attending cocktail parties meant wearing the appropriate outfit, hence the beginning of cocktail dress fashion. During the 1920s cocktail dresses were a just a fancier version of daytime attire""long, loose fitting columnar-style ankle length dresses in jewel tone colors. Small hats, gloves, shoes, and tiny handbags completed the look.

As the 1930s approached, the cocktail dress still mimicked daytime fashions, but was on its way to becoming its own fashion style. The decade between the 1930s and the 1940s saw the creation of day to evening wear and the emergence of the cocktail suit. Day to evening wear was often embellished with faux rhinestone buttons and accessorized with costume jewelry such as brooches for evening events. Hats and gloves remained de rigueur at every cocktail party, a tradition that lasted into the mid-1960s.

During the 1940s, black became the favored color for the cocktail party dress. Instead of the wool crepe used for daytime fashions, dresses were made with fancier fabrics such as silk or satin. The small cocktail hat remained a favored accessory, as did gloves. It was at the end of the 1940s that the term cocktail dress was coined."

Text from here.

Left dress from here. Right dress from here.

Left hat from here. Right hat from here.

Black dress, knee length, some jewelery, hat and gloves and perhaps a fur since the weathers quite chilly. Well, I shall do my best! :)

My friends new home

2011-11-04T23:08:00.003+01:00

Spent a delightful evening in my best friends new apartment!

It was so cosy and the view spectacular! Also, I was treated to a strawberry/blueberry cream cake and a pot of tea - delicious!

Four months ... I´m baaaack! ;)

2011-11-04T15:16:00.015+01:00

Hello Vintage Lovers! I had a little bout of "blog fatigue", but now I'm well again! ;) I thought it therefore only proper that I get back on track with a post on my trip to... Berlin (!) were I met my dear blog friend - the fabulous Frollein von Sofa!!!

Please excuse the pictures being all over the place - I fear I've lost a bit of my blog know-how...

I went to Berlin with my friend Carina.
We've traveled before, but haven't seen each other for over a year when we decided to go to Berlin. We arrived this Monday and went back home on Wednesday, really just giving us one full day to enjoy the city. But I must say, we did our very best to do as much as possible! :)

We started our morning meeting Anne or Ms. Frollein as she´s also known, and having breakfast at her favorite cafe Anne Blume. And look at the beautiful flowers in my hair - a gift by the ever talented Frollein!

And what a feast it was!!

There were so many good things to eat - we totally stuffed ourselves!!

Then it was off to the museums. I had always wanted to see the Egyptian exhibition and the famous bust of Nefertiti!

Right: The coffins of the dead. The egyptians lived such rich and detailed lives even when dying!

Left : Canopic jars that held the organs of the deceased.

Right: Busts of Pharao Akenaten and his wife Nefertiti. They were a strange and amazing couple! Read more about Akenaten here.

It was not allowed to take pictures of the famous Nefertiti bust itself, but I've included a photo from the museum itself. However this image simply can't do her justice. Seeing her in the museum was truly feeling the full power of, not only her beauty, but her power. When you look at her you feel her royal presence very much!

This is Echnatons mother, the equally powerful Queen Tiye. It was so beautiful to see so many black features on the statues of Egypt's powerful kings and queens!

The room that almost brought me to tears was when I saw The Ishtar Gate of ancient Babylon, modern day Iraq!

The beauty of the wall and all the other Mesopotamien objects were just amazing!

After the museum we went window shopping, had some coffee in front of the Brandenburg Tor and then a late dinner to the day. Auf wiedersehn Berlin!

Today's outfit

2011-06-20T14:56:00.001+02:00

Went to the vet today with Neo... Poor thing he itches to much. It been like that off and on since he was a pup, but now at the respectable age of 8 ;) I want to help him be as healthy as possible. Hence, he is now on an allergy diet. No treats for 6-8 weeks... Sorry Neo! Also we found out today that he has a little "sound" on his heart ( don't know the word in English) so we will have to go and get it checked out, just in case. My wallet is pretty empty now...

I leave you with the latest creations from La Maison Frollein von Sofa!

Parrots ( this is one out of three), so much fun!! I really think dear Frollein needs to collaborate with some designer .

Soem one who can match her creativity and make vintage/retro dresses that can be worn together with her sublime little pieces! Are you listening darling Frollein? ;)

New Handbag

2011-06-20T14:53:00.000+02:00

My new indulgence!

2011-06-15T23:59:00.004+02:00

The new Upstairs & Downstairs! They´ve just started sending this two weeks ago. I loved it then nad I love it now!

The original that I watched as a child! I also have the entire series in a dvd box, but havent had time to watch it yet.

The only original cast member and the person who initiated the first series the lovely Jean Marsh as Rose.

New shoes!

2011-06-15T12:25:00.000+02:00

Ready for swingdance!

2011-06-15T12:24:00.002+02:00

Today I'm going to my swing dance class! For those of you who have yet to try this please do! :) It's so much fun! And the exercise... After awhile every one's sweating and huffing & puffing.

And that's just what I need right now.... Later this summer I'm attending an event (secret, secret ;) that I will post about later and I simply HAVE to get in shape !

Ps. Check out my new shoes! A vintage treat for only 11 €/20$!! I'm thinking early 40s? Anyone else ?

2011-06-14T15:48:00.000+02:00

Shopping

2011-06-14T15:46:00.000+02:00

What a difference a dress makes... Tired of of the "moving & cleaning" look... I decided to clean myself up a tad for some grocery shopping. Feel better all ready! D

Skickat från min iPhone

Todays Quote

2011-06-12T14:21:00.003+02:00

A wise friend said yesterday " We make plans and set goals for our careers, but do nothing actively to further our private lives ..." So, true!

6 June - Swedens National Day!

2011-06-06T18:27:00.025+02:00

'
I'm not a very nationalistic person, but there are some things I am immensely proud of about Sweden; that we are by law forbidden to hit our children, that we have not had war for centuries, that our education system and national health care is free, that we have a generous maternity leave (all working parents are entitled to 16 months paid leave per child, the cost being shared between employer and the state. To encourage greater paternal involvement in child-rearing, a minimum of 2 months out of the 16 is required to be used by the "minority" parent, in practice usually the father - Wikipedia) and a daycare systems available to all just to mention a few things.

Sweden's National Day

Since 1916, June 6 has been celebrated as Swedish Flag Day. This finally also became Sweden’s National Day in 1983 and a public holiday from 2005.

The date was chosen for two reasons: the election of

Gustav Vasa as Sweden’s king on June 6, 1523, laid the foundation of Sweden as an independent state; and on the same date in 1809, Sweden adopted a new constitution that included the establishment of civil rights and liberties.

Picture from here.

Sweden has not taken part in any of the wars of the modern era, which may explain the Swedes’ somewhat guarded attitude towards celebrating a national day. They are proud of their country but don’t seem to feel any great need to show it. Previously, 6 June was not a public holiday, and today, Swedes will celebrate their national day only for the second time since it became a public holiday. Demonstrations of national pride don’t come naturally to Swedes, who are still deciding what to do with the holiday.

Picture from here.

(Our King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia under more happy days... At the moment, both of them have been sharply criticized in media. )

“Some Swedes say, ‘Why do we need a national day when we have midsummer? Midsummer is our national holiday.’ But many new Swedes think it is important to celebrate living in a free and independent country.”

And speaking of Midsummer ( our biggest Swedish holiday) !

Picture from here.

The summer solstice is the reason why we celebrate Midsummer. Ever since pagan times, Swedes have been eager to feast through the longest day of the year, on or around June 21. Since the 1950s we have, for practical reasons, celebrated Midsummer on Midsummer Eve, which is always on a Friday between June 19 and June 25.

Picture from here.

A few more or less compulsory rituals precede the (important!) midsummer meal:

1. Picking wild flowers — both for the wreath that you will be wearing on your head and for the maypole, or rather, midsummer pole.

2. Dressing the midsummer pole in leaves and flowers. Raising the midsummer pole somewhere convenient, where there is dancing space around it.

3. Lunch!

Picture from here.

Typically, a table is set outside.The food on the table is fairly basic: different varieties of pickled herring, new potatoes with dill and sour cream. Fresh strawberries with whipped cream or strawberry cake often follow. Most adults like to wash down the herring with schnapps (a shot of alcohol), usually preceded by a short, often quite silly schnapps song, of which there are plenty, passed on from generation to generation. The Swedish schnapps is distilled from grain or potato and is often flavored, but never sweet. When people are fed and happy, the dancing can begin!

Picture from here.

Adults and children alike form a circle around the midsummer pole and dance to traditional songs. The actual dancing is more or less a matter of moving in one direction, so not too complicated. Many towns and villages arrange public midsummer dancing, where a group of folk musicians accompany the dancing crowd. As it never really gets dark on Midsummer, the party can go on for hours on end. Eventually, the mist starts dancing across the fields, and it may, after all, be time for bed. But first you pick seven flowers...

Picture from here.

The celebration of Midsummer's Eve was from ancient times linked to the summer solstice. Some people believed that mid-summer plants had miraculous healing powers and they therefore picked them on this night. (Wikipedia)

If a young woman picks seven different flowers and lays them under her pillow on the night to Midsummer Day, she will supposedly dream of her future spouse...

All the information in this blog post is from Sweden.se

I end with some good old fashioned Swedish folk dancing, costume and all! Sadly to say, not too many know of us know how to dance like this anymore!

Happy 6th of June to all of us in Sweden!

2011-06-06T01:23:00.004+02:00

The stress of moving is finally over! And eventhough I live in a sea of bags and boxes I am trying to recupperate (thank you Frollein von Sofa and Vintage Baroness for your kind words!) from the last few weeks turmoil. Today I renewed myself with a nice lunch and...

A long walk with Neo. Slowly the cough is subsideing bit by bit. By the way, I love my new home!

Why oh why...

2011-05-29T23:36:00.005+02:00

I´m sick as a dog! I could only wish I looked like this, but I´m not the least bit lady-like as I sneeze my way through my place coughing my lungs out as I try to pack and clean. As for vintage I feel I am simply living my life like a hobo right now... I cant even remember when last I dressed decently... I think I have bronchitis and I'm doing what I can to get better before Thursday which is when I have to be out of the apartment! I know my moaning is pitiful, but its hard to be cheerful right now.

Still looking at this lovely creation does lift up the spirits! This is of course by the talented Frollein von Sofa. I'm posting this as it turns out that the headpiece I thought was hers in my last post was not. I just love the whimsicality of it all! :)

Getting ready to move again !

2011-05-27T08:49:00.005+02:00

Its been over two weeks since last and I´ve been swamped! One of the reasons being that I´m moving again. I just signed the new contract yesterday. I´m moving to a a new place in the same area which is great because I love living here! But it is, as always a hassle to be single when it comes to moving... Ah, well it will be great once it´s over!

During these two weeks I´ve launched my new website (www.fransescaquartey.se), visited relatives and gone to the bi-annual theatre festival in Gävle, were I and my producer won a prize for best dance performance of 2010 (African Cinderella) !

I haven't even had time to go to my beloved swing classes! :(

This is outside Chicago the last time I went. I would so love to go to the international dance camp this summer, but with all the moving expenses I just can´t - bummer!

When I went to visit my relatives I found this new magazine in a store at the train station...

And what do you know! It HAS to be my talented blog friend Frollein von Sofas creation that she blogged about recently, no? Very cool! :)

My new Web site!

2011-05-11T14:38:00.003+02:00

Tomorrow ,Thursday 12th 2011 at 15.00 (Swedish time) I launch my new web site! So excited!

At the salon

2011-05-07T05:47:00.007+02:00

Went to the hairdresser. I usually do something called a "texturizer" - when you leave a perm on for just a few minutes before rinsing out so as to just "pull out the cur"l a little.

Then we set it on rollers and it turned out really well!

I then rushed out of the salon to go have coffee with somebody I recently met.

The photo of Madelin is from here.

Madelin Downey of Vintage Flowers. Madelin is a florist, vintage stylist, a 1940s-1950s fashionista and an awesome balboa dancer to boot! She also has vintage hairstyling classes together with the talented Sara of Retroella. A class I hope to attend one day ;) We chatted away happily about our common vintage interests and about the swing classes at Herräng Dance Camp this summer - I sooo want to go, but my Mom´s coming this summer from LA, so I´ll have to see...

I don´t know if you're familiar with this publication - Vintage Life. I have it as a en e-subscription, but I´m beginning to regret that I didn't choose the paper edition. Its just nice to actually hold a magazine in your hand and to be able to save issues for retro inspiration.

My life...

2011-05-02T20:53:00.006+02:00

Lately things have just been a bit too much... That´s why I haven't blogged for some time. Right now I´m between jobs ( when you're in my line of profession work tends to come and go) which means Ive been pressed to do a lot of "scouting". Presenting different plays to a a variety of theaters. At the same time I´ve been looking for a smaller apartment for me and Neo. And financially... well, lets say its been a little tight... However...

The other day I tried this little adorable hat by Marika Smith.

But my pockets are closed right now ;)

Going to Luleå tomorrow to see my play and meet my cast ( haven't seen them since opening night - excited!)

Here, there and back again...

2011-04-21T00:48:00.009+02:00

The last few days have been a bit hectic...

Saturday I went to the vintage fair and bought a few goodies!

These shoes were on displays - I just love them ! Although I cant afford them right now...

Look at these retro shoes!

This is were I start thinking "The Vintage Baroness might like these...hm..." :)

Then later that evening I went to a club and saw the fabulous Duchess Dubois!

In the audience there was this woman in a hat she had made herself as a homage to Schiaparelli !

Me, in a festive mood.

Monday I had to travel to... Zürich for a meeting.

As the meeting was inside a hotel at the airport and I had 4 hours left before my return flight... home I went into town to enjoy what was a beautiful and sunny spring day !

It was fun walking the streets of Zürich.

I stopped here to look at all the amazing crystal work.

Took some pictures.

And left wanting this... :)

Easter preparations!

Tuesday I was back in Sweden, re-apacked and then straight to Helsingborg to visit my dear friend Yvonne!

We have had such a great time!

Today we took a stroll by the beach and...

And ended on the balcony with some "Wednesday Champagne" - mind you any old day would have been just fine for a lil´champagne drinking ! ;)

Quickie...

2011-04-17T23:40:00.003+02:00

This weekend was a big vintage fair. Here I am on my way to the fair. Notice the faux bang... hm, I´m quite enjoying this new look! More to come on the goodies I bought in my next post, but I need to tell you right away about the shoes I feel in love with !!

There "pimped" clogs from Swedish Hasbeens. This model is Mimi :) They are so cute ! I think I have to buy a pair for the summer !

Inspired by Fleur !

2011-04-15T23:37:00.008+02:00

So, here I am late at night, getting ready to go to bed ( which is the reason for the no-make-up-bed-jacket-style photos you re about to see... :) when I checked Fleur de Guerres latest twitter post, where she posted this beautiful image! I was so inspired that I started fooling around in front of the mirror and ended up looking like ...

This! I have NEVER had a faux bang in my entire life and I´m not quite sure what to think...

Perhaps, I just need getting used to it? Of course, I didn't have a rat filler so the shape is not quite right, still - what say ye of the vintage blog world? If you don´t think I look all too strange, I just might wear it to tomorrows vintage fair ! :)

Great new book by Lauren Rennells!

2011-04-15T21:49:00.003+02:00

You can get a sneek peak here !

Vintage Baroness has a give-away!

2011-04-14T16:05:00.005+02:00

Perhaps you've already heard, but the fabulous and utterly chic Vintage Baroness the quintessential 1930s vintage queen herself, is celebrating her 600th member. And to celebrate she is having a give-away ! The prize? 60USD worth of items in her shop Adelines Attic on Etsy.

This is the dress I am pinning for should I win! Doesnt it look grand! More pics here.

Stockings

2011-04-12T11:30:00.001+02:00

/

This arrived to day. Seamed shiny nylon stockings at the price of 5 €/7 $ - sweet! :)

Todays outfit and my first mobile blogpost!

2011-04-11T13:19:00.004+02:00

Needed a little structure today - this is what I chose, grey (image not too good) turtleneck, grey pencil skirt, vintage earrings & brooch and a vintage jacket with fur trimmings.

Sewing

2011-04-10T17:04:00.004+02:00

In Sweden we have this old beautiful world for sewing with a group of women called "syjunta". Today some women came over to my home to do just that!

This is what I wore.

Together with my red shoes.

And after trying to darn some vintage stockings (very Vivianne Westwood-like I must say... :)
I learned how to do this! Isn't this pretty! And useful too!

Spring is...

2011-04-10T16:53:00.003+02:00

The darling buds of... April!

Wearing shades because the light is too bright - hooray!

Sitting outdoors and enjoying the sun with...

ones man - haha!

Suddenly Last Summer

2011-04-03T22:51:00.003+02:00

Swedish Television recently sent this film as a tribute to Elisabeth Taylor. Quite a powerful film!

Otherwise my life has been a bit stressful lately... Need to find a less expensive apartment ( even though I am very comfortable where I am ) and have been running around meeting after meeting talking about different directing possibilities. Being a freelancing artist is hard work...

R.I.P Elisabeth Taylor

2011-03-23T14:40:00.008+01:00

" So much to do, so little done, such things to be."

“I'm a survivor - a living example of what people can go through and survive.”

“Big girls need big diamonds.”

Elisabeth Taylor (7 February 1932 – 23 March 2011)

This looks good!

2011-03-21T23:43:00.007+01:00

HBOs new series to come with Kate Winslet as Mildred and Evan Rachel Woods as her daughter Veda. Director Todd Haynes.

The original with Joan Crawford as Mildred Pierce and Ann Blyth as Veda. Joan, of course won an Oscar for this classic 1940s movie! Director Michael Curtiz.

And oh, oh, oh - the furs that Joan wears!!

The talented Laurie Hagen!

2011-03-19T00:59:00.003+01:00

Burlesque can be so many things. Its not all just T&A... Sometimes its a showgirl, sometimes a comedy act, sometimes something entirely special like Laurie Hagen. This talented performer from Brussels who lives in London is a true artiste, she blows me away!

Amazing burlesque stylized eyemakeup!

2011-03-18T21:28:00.010+01:00

Makeup & Photography by Karl Giant

Singer Ultra Nate. - I find this utterly amazing!

Makeup & Photography by Karl Giant

Showgirl Ami Goodheart, founder of Dutch Weisman's Burlesque. - This is another fantastic creation!

Makeup and Photography by Karl Giant.

Actor Alan Cumming fluttering a lash or two... And just who is Karl Giant?? Turns out he is a well known make up artist, fashion photographer and video director. His web page is here. And he´s worked with quite a few of the big stars on today's burlesque scene.

Makeup and Photography by Karl Giant.

Like Dirty Martinez.

Makeup and Photography by Karl Giant.

Indigo Blue.

Makeup and Photography by Karl Giant.

And the legendary headmistress of The School Of Burlesque in NYC, Jo Boobs. The first three photos are from her blog Daily Burlesque.

Plastic Bullet

2011-03-17T01:12:00.001+01:00

This is my latest app discovery - Plastic bullet!

Isn´t that cool! :)

The Art of The Tease...

2011-03-17T00:43:00.003+01:00

Today I had a great burlesque class together with a group of women - what fun we had! After trying to master a little routine this is one of the songs we "performed" to!

Jessica Rabbit - Why don't you do right

No explanation necessary...

2011-03-13T17:39:00.001+01:00

The Holstee Manifesto.

The sad decline of Galliano...

2011-03-10T21:36:00.006+01:00

I have always had great respect for the sheer talent that is Galliano...

Although I loved YSL, adore JPG and revered the skills of the (Mc) Queen himself, it was above all Galliano that mesmerised me and taught me to see fashion as... art.

Recently I too saw the drunken genius open his mouth in cyberspace and spew out his profanities in dead wind...

Loosing his footage, step by step, inch by inch before my very eyes...

Sliding down, down, down into the abyss ...

Yet I mourn this fool, this king of dreams, this Icarus, mourn and pity him for his lack of compassion, maturity, sense of self, worth and common decency...

And I remembered a lesson once learned... talent is nothing without humility, greatness nothing without kindness and adulation nothing but a mirage in a dessert void of all self knowledge.

Yet, I hope. For him. And for fashion.

Dita and her hats!

2011-03-09T22:27:00.004+01:00

This is just art, pure art...

Trés chic!

What´s great with the hat is that its not your regular top hat...

Hats with birds/feathers are such a delight!

I recently bought Instyle magazine the February issue since La Dita was featured in it with great pictures of her home.

Here she looks quite "Callasque"!

Goodbye Jane Russell!

2011-03-01T13:42:00.005+01:00

I just came back from my 3 weeks in Ghana, where work and unreliable Internet connection made it difficult to blog. I had planned for my first post to be cheerful and upbeat showing pictures from a hot humid African continent for all who, like me are struggling with cold temperatures and an ever growing longing for spring!

But, then today I saw that Jane Russell had passed away and knew that that had to be my first post... For who can forget Jane Russell, the girl that Howard Hughes in the "The outlaw" and

who immediately became a star with that unforgettable scene in the hay...

Or who together with Marilyn Monroe, danced their way through one of my favourite musical numbers " Two Girls from Little Rock" in the movie - Gentlemen prefer blondes (oh, no they don't! ;)

For more information read The Huffington Posts obituary here.

Rest in peace Jane !

A good place for Neo

2011-02-01T00:25:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I left my baby at the Body Rocks kennel ... He was all excited and a little stressed... As 25 (!) dogs came out to greet and examine him.

Rikard and Stellan who own the kennel, live for their dogs!

And all of the dogs are just so calm and harmonious.

Talk about pack! :)

Neo will be well tended to and have a great time. Couldn´t ask for more as I´m about to leave for Ghana.

On the train southbound

2011-01-30T10:56:00.002+01:00

So here I am on the train heading towards Gothenburg (my old hometown) listening to the excellent musical choices of The Vintage Kitten feeling a little blue...

Yesterday I went to my first social swing dance. And you know, I had kinda forgotten that feeling of feeling alone that happens when one stands watching couples dancing... Still, I learned more new steps which was the intention.

Also, right now I´m in-between jobs and with bills looming over me, not to mention a quite high rent, I´ve been a bit stressed... Being a freelancer the financial uncertainty can be quite unnerving...

I´m getting of in Gothenburg to hook up with my old friend Therese and see my little godson (Prince :) Caspian. Then I get on board again and head further south to Falkenberg, where my friend Yvonne and her husband will meet me to help me get my darling Neo to the kennel where he will be staying while I´m in Ghana.

After that we drive to my old living quarters - Helsingborg where I plan to stay for two days before heading to Copenhagen and Kastrup airport.

Well, weel soon the sun (31°C :) in Ghana and eating fresh ripe mango will chase all my blues away!

Getting ready to go to Ghana again!

2011-01-25T22:34:00.002+01:00

Dear Vintage Lovers! I wasn't sure it was going to happen, since there were so many "roadblocks", but Ive finally been given the go-ahead! Leaving for Ghana again 2/2. So excited!

I long for the warmer weather...

XXX Diva

Nina Mae McKinney

2011-01-25T22:17:00.008+01:00

Nina Mae McKinney, born June 13 in Lancaster, South Carolina in 1913. Dubbed as "The Black Garbo", she was one of the first African-American film stars.

McKinney moved to New York when she was a teenager and began her career performing as a dancer. She was spotted dancing in Blackbirds of 1928 by director King Vidor and cast in the lead role of Hallelujah!, one of the first all-black films by a major studio and Vidor's first sound film, for which he was nominated for an Oscar in 1930.In the film, McKinney dances the "Swanee Shuffle", a seductive dance which became a minor fashion.

After Hallelujah! McKinney signed a five year contract with MGM, however, the studio seemed reluctant to star her in feature films. Her most notable roles during this period were in films for other studios, including a leading role in Sanders of the River (1935), made in the UK, where she appears with Paul Robeson. After MGM cut almost all her scenes in Reckless (1935) she left Hollywood for Europe where she acted and danced, appearing mostly in theatrical shows and cabaret.

She returned to the United States at the start of WWII where she married Jimmy Monroe, a jazz musician. After the war she moved to athens, Greece and lived there until she returned to New York in 1960.

Nina Mae McKinney died May 3, 1967 of a heart attack. In 1978, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

Information from Wikipedia.

2011-01-15T19:40:00.004+01:00

Today Chicago had ”open house” where people could come in and test the various available courses. I went there in the belief that there would just be a few people... Well, the place was completely packed!

It was really fun and I made sure to dance with the instructor once, so as to get his assessment on what level I should take. He said he thought I followed well and that I should choose the level after beginners level - cool!

So next week I start swing dance! ☺ Today's outfit.

Usually the pictures on most of the vintage blogs (mine too ) I read use images like the one above.

But isn't this the most delightful pin up girl and so much closer to "home" for the most of us ;)

Aren't these pictures cute! I decided to follow the Internet address on one of the images in hope to find more of the same. I didn't, but I found a website with more "full" pinup girls which was encouraging to see.

How ever the illustrated images on toilgirls.com are a little more "naughty" than the pictures in this post.

Darling Dita!

2011-01-14T01:03:00.005+01:00

What an inspiration she is! The elegance of how she carries herself and what she wears, but also her performances. I can´t wait for the next issue of InStyle where she shows her home!

In another magazine was listed some of the places Dita shops in LA. One of them was Faire Frou Frou a lingerie boutique. That's where I found these adorable slippers! They come in black too and cost 63$

Dita has been working with Cointreau on a number of occasion and is their current most notable spokeswoman. Dita designed this spectacular Cointreau Coffret (that I want, yes I do! yes I do!)

Its soo elegant! It comes with a bottle of Cointreau, two glasses and a shaker! But you can only buy it in three locations in the world, Selfridge in London being one of them, but not online.... :(

After its been used for its purpose the box becomes a beautiful jewelery box! On another note I just have t0 mention Frollein von Sofas latest creations...

Mini-hats! Good enough to eat, no? :)

Look a this little delicate "cake" hat! Marvelous!

I´m dreaming of...

2011-01-11T03:28:00.003+01:00

I´m so cold today! And just long for Spring! Which is ridiculous living in Sweden and its only January... Still, with a little effort I will be in Ghana again in 3 weeks time ! :)

Today I had one of those rare experiences. I met a friend I hadn't seen in, 30 years and we connected. I mean really connected. It was so great!

I think I just got myself a new friend :)

Childhood memories

2011-01-08T23:59:00.004+01:00

This was a TV series I loved ( this and The Onedine Line ) as a child, Its about a family in the 1940s in Liverpool. Well, guess what... I just bought the whole series on DVD!

Here they all are ; John and Marget, Uncle Sefton Briggs, Philippe, in the back Tony Briggs. Freda, mother Jean and father Edwin and the ever quarreling couple Sheila and David.

I think they are the ones I remembered the most, before I started watching the DVDs.

Freda and her older sister Margret. I´ve had so much fun! For more info. go to this fan site.

Blog aches...

2011-01-07T20:34:00.006+01:00

Oh boy, just spent a good hour sorting through blogs I´ve followed and decided which ones I will ... stop following...

Oh, please don´t get me wrong! Its NOT because I think a particular blog is bad or so. It just comes down to one reasons - I don´t have time to read them all!

Between getting myself more work, working with Kivuvu - Supporting The Women of Congo group, writing a film script and directing in May, my life is a bit (too) hectic. But Ill still continue to reply to any comments on my post.

So, after much heartaches I made a choice... Hope I haven't offended anyone!

I dream of spring...

2011-01-07T19:48:00.004+01:00

In March I'm signing up to learn swing dance at this place - Chicago! And right now in the midst of winter, just the thought warms my heart :)

Exercise and fun all in one! It used to be a cinema, isn't it a beautiful venue!

Gypsy!

2011-01-06T01:26:00.006+01:00

I read this at Huffington Post. Doesn't this sound exciting!

"Barbra Streisand may be bringing her love of Broadway and Hollywood together in a big screen revival of 'Gypsy.'

According to the New York Post, Streisand is working to secure the film rights of the legendary Broadway show, written by Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim. Streisand would star and direct the movie, the report states.

If she wants to make it happen, she needs to get the blessing of Laurents, who famously guards his work. That seems to not be much of a problem.

"Barbra and I have been getting along very well now for some time," Laurents told the Post on Tuesday. "We've talked about it a lot, and she knows what she's doing. She has my approval."

Another potential roadblock? She may not want to play the lead, vicious stage mother Mama Rose, with the nastiness required.

"Barbra and I have had long talks on this very subject," Laurents said. "She had a mother who she always thought was Mama Rose. I don't want to get into the details, but the point is she knows. She's got it in her. She's going to be much more than people expect."

'Gypsy,' first on Broadway in 1959, was revived in 2008, winning a Tony for its star, Patti LuPone. It was made into a less than successful film in 1962."

I think that sounds so much more interesting than the recent film "Burlesque" with Christina Aguilar and Cher....

Happy 2011 !

2011-01-05T23:36:00.009+01:00

Dear Vintage Lovers - here´s wishing you all the best for 2011! may it bring us joy and all our dreams fulfilled!

Winter here in Sweden has been quite overwhelming. As I was in Africa last Christmas when the weather was similar, this my first White Christmas since childhood I think ! This is the woods just were I live and me and my friend Rebecka are walking our dogs, Neo and Sally.

We spent a portion of Christmas Eve (Julafton) at my place where I treated her to a sumptuous lunch made by yours truly (insert proud smile), before she went home to her family and more food! Here in Sweden we celebrate the Eve of Christmas, although Christmas Day and Boxing Day are holidays too.

Christmas was really nice in my new apartment her in Stockholm and I was sooo happy that I managed to get everything in order before the holidays...

This was my Christmas present from me to... me :) You should always give yourself a gift for Xmas...

On Christmas Day it was off to a brunch and I decided to wear this little outfit...

When New Years Eve came my brother and his family came to visit. Her are my nieces with their Mom, my talented ( she is a superb percussionist) sister-in-law!

And since my brother is a chef... We ate... and ate... and...

My New Years gift from me... to me! I simply had to have them . Broke (...) or not, since they were dead-cheap!

My brother and me.

The girls!

Here's to all the Vintage Lovers of the world!

Catching up - part 5

2010-12-28T23:30:00.010+01:00

I went to Ghana via London and while I was there I fulfilled one of my dreams - I went to What Katie Did !

The store was a delight to visit!

So pretty and elegant.

And the corsets ... my oh my...

The girls in the shop were ever so helpful.

This is the corset I choose. The Morticia underbust corset.

I was quite excited ;)

The bag it came in.

The instructions ( and boy would I need them once home...) I also bought The Glamour Underbust Girdle, The Glamour Underwired Bra and some seamed stockings !

Then I took a Burlesque class for Jo King who runs The London Academy of Burlesque.

This is Jo when she´s stage ready. And oh my, can this lady s-t-r-u-t-t her stuff! ;)

Her guest teacher was none other than the renown Dirty Martinez !! Who was soo much fun!

Dirty in one of her many glamorous wigs.

I had such a good time! I hope to do a little burlesque myself in 2011. Its part of my 2011 motto "Taking care of me" and a first step in liberating myself at the "grown-up" age of 46 to do what I darn well feel like ! ;)

In London I bought this absolutely gorgeous book about the sensationally beautiful Lana Turner.

This woman loved to dress, loved hats, dancing at nightclubs and its just an inspiration to look at all the pictures of her!

Catching up - part 4

2010-12-28T02:33:00.010+01:00

As I was in Stockholm and enjoying The Stockholm Burlesque Festival I was told that a large Swedish delegation were on their way to Ghana and amongst many things on the agenda was ... to see my play - Cinderama - at The National Theatre of Ghana!

And so, at the spur of the moment, it was decided that I should go to Ghana and help the cast "freshen up" the performance a bit.

From the far north with snow and cold winds to the hot streets of Accra - it felt great to be back!

I visited family like little Kwabena. But mostly I worked and rehearsed.

Cinderella is an universal story, but set in a Ghanaian context it has meaning to many children who are experiencing this very situation...

To be an attractive performance in Africa there must be, apart from a strong story, music...

A few grand scenes...

A ghost or two...

And some more music and dancing, to be considered a good show! :)

The cast on tour in Sweden.

These four years have been an amazing experience I wouldn´t have missed it for all the world, despite all the HARD work!

Photo : Mansour Hosseni

This is why! :)

The Swedish delegations gets a warm welcome outside The National Theatre! :)

And inside the place was jamming with a house full of schoolchildren!

Then I went with the cast to Ho were they were going to do a performance. This is what "fast food" looks like in Ghana! :)

Preparations.

This is an actors life on the road in rural Ghana.

This young man has to transform himself into an elderly person in order to play the linguist ( the Kings spokesperson ) and the plays narrator.

Helping each other get ready.

I "built" this dressing room with a hammer and a handful of nails! :)

When the stage is ready...

The show can begin!

Photo : Tobias Ståhl

Everywhere the show performed children gathered round to hear the story anew.

Photo : Tobias Ståhl

At schools the students would squeeze together to see the show.

Photo : Tobias Ståhl

This performance did more for alerting children and young women to the rights they have in society than any pamphlet could ever have done...

On tour in Sweden.

I would never have believed it had you asked me ten years ago... But Ghana now holds a place in my heart and in my future. Eventually I hope to build a Cultural Center in Ghana with a theatre, a children's library and a small museum. For I believe that a society that has thriving cultural institutions is a society were people can grow and flourish. Especially the children.

Catching up - part 3

2010-12-28T00:39:00.018+01:00

After all the hard work a girl needs a bit of fun, no? I mean "because I´m worth it! ;) Its amazing what a few curlers and some "falsies" can do for an exhausted woman with a cold...

And Cinderella is off! Not to a ball, but a The Stockholm Burlesque Festival!

Many of the ladies had dressed to kill...

I clean up pretty well ! ;)

Our hostess for the evening - World Famous Bob - who also held an absolutely amazing workshop called - The Ultimate Self Confidence Workshop! If ever she´s in your neighbourhood take this course!

There were lots of local performers. Her is Velma Voluptuous doing her " La vie en rose" number.

Photo - Eva Hildén Smith

My favorite Swedish performer - Duchess Dubois!

There were also performers from the rest of Scandinavia, like this talented and humorous group from Finland - The Itty-Bitty Tease Cabaret! And can you tell who the third girl from the left is?

Ulrika from The Freelancer´s Fashionblog!

And she is just as good looking IRL ;)

These cute little birdies were up for sale. Is it the talented work of my blog friend and hat maker Frollein von Sofa? Nope, they´re not even hats...

They are little pasties and the creation of Lady Francesca! :)

Lady Francesca

There were several international stars like ; Miss Indigo Blue, The Twirly Girl who also had two great workshops that I took. The Art of The Tease and Tassel Twirling. I learned so much! And I bought a pair of her beautiful and well made tassels. The look like these, but with clear stones.

Eventually I became too sick (...) to stay for a full set and went home with a fever during intermission.

Still I dragged myself to the Afternoon Tea the following day. Hosting The Amazing Knicker Kittens Burlesque Revues little afternoon tease was, as always ,the imitable Mme Magdushka! :) I had a fabulous time!

Catching up - part 2

2010-12-27T23:24:00.008+01:00

The flag of Sapmi

Straight after the opening night I went even further north to Kiruna and into the heart of Sapmi.

The beauty of this region is breathtaking! I came late September and knew that autumn was on its way out...

And sure enough soon the country was covered with snow... The little fury thing on the left side of the road is Neo :)

But as we say up here in Scandinavia, there is no bad weather only bad clothes !

Actually winter here in Sweden on the whole has been colder than it has been for decades. One can´t help thinking ... global warming?

A glorious day in Kiruna or as its called by the Sami people Giron.

I was working on a newly written play about young Sami peoples quest for identity. Its a challenge to live a traditional Sami life in Sweden. And historically we have behaved as badly towards them as the Americans to the Native Indians or the Australians to the Aborigines... I knew this from my previous play that I directed at the theatre. But this time around, due to the material, my information and knowledge deepened.

The cast were great and even though the play deals with many painful things, such as suicide
( many young Sami men commit suicide ), the injustices of the Swedish authorities over hunting and fishing rights and the struggle to continue the tradition of keeping reindeers, we wanted the play to be fun and inviting.

And I dare say we succeeded. Much due to the talents of my amazing choreographer Ola Stinnerbom.

Due to a string of reasons we did this show in NO time at all. Which meant working to one in the morning sometimes. The pressure was enormous as the play was already being much talked about in the community and not always in a positive way... What was the play about? How would it depict the Sami people? Should one really talk about things like this? Having Ola at my side was such an immense support.

And he was the one that saw that we all relaxed a little too! :)

And then it was ... showtime! The head of the theatre gets involved with the audience.

The opening night went well and the play has been well received and sparked great conversations through out the community. I couldn´t be happier! I have come to love Sapmi and have a deep respect for the Sami people. May they one day be truly recognised and acknowledged.

One of Sapmis biggest stars is Sofia Jannok. This song was the one we kept playing over and over during rehearsals :)

Catching up - Part 1

2010-12-27T21:26:00.018+01:00

Dear vintage lovers, my life has been on high speed since August, its been quite hectic, although very pleasant too. But even has have been scurrying from one place to another I kept thinking "I have to blog about this! And this!".

So, having directed two shows, had a quick trip to Ghana (...) and moved to a new town... it´s taken me sometime to get back to my blog. But now I´m finally back ! :) And I´m looking forward to catching up with all you out in cyberspace too!

The picture above is my little "Mad Men" suit I bought at my favourite vintage shop when I was in Sundsvall directing Färdknäpp/One for the road by Willy Russell. The shop had so many lovely things ( I´ve posted som things previously ) and I dare say I bought them all... :)

One of my finds was an amazing 1940s coat with a Persian lambs trimming. Or so I thought... I left the coat to the dry cleaners and this is what it came back looking like!!! It turned out it was fake Persian fur and the chemicals totally dissolved the glue...

I was in a total state of disbelief ! But the a-m-a-z-i-n-g seamstresses at the theater took care of me and my shell shocked vintage coat in a jiffy.

First we took all the "rasta-threads off" and discarded them.

Then they helped patch up some holes with some very clever material that you just ironed on.

Then they steamed it.

Gave it a brush...

And voila! The weeks I spent in Sundsvall were very happy. As I spent my free time in the vintage store and working with a talented and very funny cast. Which was a blessing since we were doing a comedy.. ;)

This is our poster. I had sooo much fun. I laughed (hard!) every day!

The show´s been quite a hit! :)

Which is very satisfying considering all the hard work that goes into making a performance.

We opened in a small town hall and the whole village came to watch!

This is my set designer and my dear Danish friend Kirsten!

Our opening night party was at this unforgettable restaurant where time had sort of just ... stopped. The whole house was just filled with old pieces of china, silver and different artifacts. The first twenty minutes I just stared and stared and "ooed" and "aaed" :)

The evening was absolutely wonderful!

Its been too long ...

2010-09-06T00:04:00.009+02:00

Dear Vintage Lovers! Due to my job ( I'm directing) there has been so little time to write and yet I have longed to get back into the blog world!

I want to begin by saying a heartfelt THANK YOU! to all of you who wished me well on my blog-a-versary (thanks for the word invention Miss Kristiansen from The Rockabilly Girl next Door!) as well as my birthday!

The picture is from my girls-night-out when we celebrated my birthday. We started out at a fabulous restaurant called Cloud Nine that has this amazing 1920s/1930s "dessert room" which the opened especially pour moi! ;)

I had the ladies dress up for the event and did they ever! From left to right Katarina, me Rebecka ( my soul pal!) and Gunilla. Later Anna also joined us.

We drank Mai Tai´s and chatted away!

At one point it poured down outside, but little did we care! :)

I was wearing my lovely red-and-gold evening dress (that I bought from a dry cleaners were it was on sale... ), my ever so lovely Billyesque flower arrangement from my blog pal Frollein von Sofa and new cream opera gloves.

I had so much fun!

After that we went to this amazing restaurant Le Rouge were we had some superb food!

Isn't the setting just deliciously "boudoir" ! ;)

Gunilla and Anna.

Katarina and Rebecka. It was truly a great night! Well ... almost... We ended up in a club hoping to see some dazzling burlesque, but unfortunately it was more happy amateurs... Not that theres anything wrong with that. We were just aiming a little higher... Ah, well...

The city were I'm working right now is in the northern part f Sweden and there Ive found this little inconspicuous shop that sells secondhand and vintage. And the vintage things they have!!! I'm sooo happy about it that I almost go everyday. This suitcase (brand new!) and this beauty box is one of many finds.

I mean look at it, its never been used! But Ive decided only to use it for minor train trips. Once in the airport cargo it would just be spoiled... As I said in a previous post ; I intend to travel in style as much as possible! :)

And thats why this gift from my friend, this delightful little shoe bag, was much appreciated!

It was so cute ( and practical!) that I in fact went out and bought 3 more! I use them all the time.

Before I left Paris, my auntie gave me this...

Its for keeping your stockings in! And there were still unused stockings from the 1960s inside :)

Apart from the beauty box I also bought this hand bag that I have carried with me everywhere for the last 3 weeks - I just love it!

My new favourite scent (after years and years of Obsession, which is still my signature scent :) Boudoir by Vivienne Westwood - d-i-v-i-n-e !! Last but not least...

Those of you yet not familiar with the talents of Frollein von Sofa go to her blog and be prepared to get blown away by her talent and amazing creative hats! I want this one! :)

Look at the tiny curls!

A brides hat.

A true piece of "eye candy" ! ;)

Isn't this just the elegant hat one needs to put a smile on peoples faces!

Now to something completely different...

This book is like a virus in my heart... I think and talk about it a lot... Its a really, really great book and a story that will suck you into a modern day Dickensian fable that also happens to be a true story. Read it! :)

Happy Birthday to me!

2010-08-16T23:40:00.007+02:00

Today (17th of August) I turn 46 - Hooray for me, still standing strong!

May this year allow me to move closer to fulfilling my dreams and aspirations of building a cultural centre in Ghana!

Dear vintage lovers, I know I´m behind in responding to your great comments and visiting those fabulous blogs of yours... My only excuse is that I´ve just recently started a new directing job (a comedy) and its taking all my time! I soo long to go "blog knocking" on all of your doors!

My b-day present to myself :

A weekend pass to the Stockholm Burlesque Festival!

Indigo Blue is coming!

And world famous *BOB*!

And there´s going to be workshops and gala performances and cocktail mingling and I am simply going to have a ball! :)

Celebrating !

2010-08-02T22:10:00.004+02:00

I just realised that tomorrow I have been blogging for 1 year and 1 month! Who would have thought it - not me! :)

I´m celebrating with these beautiful vintage images of women of colour (so rare to find!!) that I found on Flicker. For more amazing photos of black women during 160 years please check out "Black Women" !

I just love this photo of this elegant, confident young lady in the 1940s!

A little more Mad Men and my latest find on Ebay...

2010-07-30T19:29:00.009+02:00

So here I am watching he last episodes of season one, preparing to dive into season 2, when I just had to take a moment and rave about Rachel Menken (performed by Maggie Stiff)! Here is this smart, quick-tongued business savvy woman, with a great figure and sensuous looks, of course Don Draper falls for her! And what a fall!

This quiet desperate scene was so intense and sexy! And I want what she´s wearing!!Isn't that blue silk gown utterly amazing? But at the moment I´ve got an equally (if not as luxurious) thrilling new piece of clothing...

I just bought this beautiful dressing gown @rockabillygirlclothing on EBay for 36$.

Its a 1940s rayon morning robe.

Look at the cut and its very light, perfect for warm summer days.

The pattern is pink and white fireworks. But best of all I bought it from ...

Bernie Dexter, the Queen of Pinup & Cheesecake Model - All Hail the Queen!

Calling The Vintage Kitten !

2010-07-28T22:56:00.003+02:00

Where did our fellow blogger the delightfully "The Vintage Kitten go" ??? Ive wondered many a-times and now I just simply have to send out this question out to you other Vintage Lovers.

I miss reading about her fabulous sumptuous teas, lunches, dinners, desserts and goodies. Laughing at her way of telling things with a twist and a punch. And her nusic! But most of all I miss her sharp wit! So calling out to all the little blog planets in cyberspace - has anyone seen my kitten?

And if you dear Vintage Kitten read this - you are dearly missed!!

The Wedding in Paris!

2010-07-28T17:33:00.011+02:00

And so the grand day began ! My cousin Julia getting ready to order a little sushi (which she never ate...) to get some energy before the big day.

The mayors office where the wedding would take place. My aunties and Mom entering.

There were many weddings that day! :)

The happy and slightly nervous groom - Nicholas!

Here comes the bride! The man on her side, her father, Jean.

When all were seated ( the grooms delightful parents on the left), Nicholas, Julia, her father and mother, my aunt.

The mayor who presided over the ceremony and who's warmth and wit did not go unnoticed :)

A signature and my little cousin is suddenly Mrs M!

My beautiful, beautiful cousin!

French kisses for everyone.

The pretty bridesmaids!

And into the scorching sun we went for more photos...

At last!

After a somewhat stressful car ride ( where I managed to give my mom, who had never driven in Paris, the wrong directions...) we arrived to where the dinner was... a castle! I kid you not!

A room (ours) with a view.

And this is the outfit I wore. A 1950s dress, home made. Cute, no? :)

Let it be known that I am a lover of animals AND that I think cruelty yo animals is wrong, wrong, wrong! But ... I couldn't resist a glass of champagne with some toast with foie gras and a dash of fig marmalade. Forgive me for I have sinned... ;)

It was so good to finally sit in the cooler evening weather...

... with a glass at hand ...

...and in good company.

I´m so happy I went!

And that I got to spend time with my mom and her awesome sisters.

The sisters! Left to right: Gerd, Ullabritt, Ingvor and Mom (Agnetha).

What they do best!

Remember that I promised to give you Ingvors cake recipe of the incredibly tasty pine cookies? Well, here it is! (the recipe is in grams and Celsius...)

3 eggs
320 g sugar
375 g almond flour ( or ground almonds)
250 g pine nuts
Some vanilla sugar

1. Separate the whites from the yokes.
2. Beat the egg whites to a froth.
3. Mix egg whites, sugar, almond flour and vanilla sugar.
4. Mix with your hands and shape to little round balls.
5. Should make about 50-60 walnut sized cookies.
6. Stir together the yokes and mix in the pine nuts.
7. Now put the cookies in the batch and try to get the pine nuts to stick to the surface. A bit messy and quite tricky.

8. Set the oven at 220 degrees Celsius.
9. Let them bake for 15-20 minutes or till golden brown.

Enjoy!

Sakura Design

2010-07-25T17:45:00.002+02:00

Isn't this just the most adorable little hat you ever seen ! :) From Sakura Design.
I found it over at this French/English blog - Coconut Grove - check it out

Seriously envious...

2010-07-25T17:17:00.003+02:00

To all American gals out there who have come to love Mad Men as I do ( I just recently succumbed ...) I am truly envious of the fact that you are now going to be able to watch the season premiere tonight!