Pretty Link Roundup {August 2, 2009}

Happy Sunday to one and all, how are you each on this second day in August? It's been an interesting weekend so far here, which kicked off with at least one (possibly more) of our fuses blowing quite entirely out of the blue (in other words abhorrent amounts of power were not being consumed at the time) late Friday night.

As we live in an apartment with, what’s I’ll tactfully call “less than stellar” maintenance, we were told that the problem couldn’t get fixed until at least mid-week, partially because they were entirely out of replacement fuses. Fortunately while two rooms and portions of others in our unit are currently without power, the fridge and stove are working, so we didn’t have to do a mad dash to buy pounds of ice in a futile attempt to keep our food from spoiling. Hopefully the issue will get fixed this week, as it rather nice to have all the rooms in your home illuminated and ready to power your electronics (including your computer!).


{While our building hails from around 1970, I could sure use some fuses at the moment whether they’re vintage, retro or modern, just so long as they fit and work! Image via HA! Designs – artbyheather’s Flickr stream.}

Aside from that, things are quite their usual selves, I’m happy to report. As you may recall, I missed compiling a weekly roundup up last weekend due to extenuating medical circumstances, and as a result pledged an even larger number of links this week. Keeping my word was a snap, as there is rarely a shortage of interesting articles to be found each week in the vintage blopsphere.

Below you’ll find posts on everything from what’s recommended if you want to get into being a pin-up model to an ode to the timelessly wonderful shirtwaist dress, plus many other fantastic topics! The video clip in the spotlight this week is a terrific how-to segment featuring step-by-step instructions for creating a beautiful vintage style starburst mirror. Enjoy these links, everyone, and be sure to share any of your favourite recent posts with me in the comment section, if you like.


♥ ♥ ♥


* Oh Nancy Drew, how I love you: Jessica over at The Cat’s Pajamas put together a truly stellar, image filed post that pays tribute to her love of one of my all-time favourite childhood series of books: Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. My mother had tons of 1950s and 60s Nancy Drew titles from her childhood, which I lapped up with intrigue and gusto as a youngster. This post brought back many lovely memories and also reminded me to keep my eyes peeled for Nancy Drew books while I’m out thrifting.

* The Lucy Fashion Chronicles 2: I love Lucy fan - and expert on the show’s wardrobe – Miss Red Lips presents the second in her ongoing series of posts about the beautiful, often very “real world” fashions that Lucille Ball sported on this classic TV sitcom.

* Cutting Your Own Bettie Bangs: The Bettie Page style of bangs has become synonymous with rockabilly culture, pinup models and vintage loving gals everywhere, yet it can be a style that’s tricky to get right (especially if your stylist has no experience with this type of fringe). If you’ve wanted to try your hand at giving yourself Bettie Bangs, be sure to swing by and bookmark this thorough, extremely handy how-to from the Lisa Freemont Pages.

* Operation Petticoat: Can’t find the right size or style petticoat that you’re looking for? No worries, Sew Retro gives you step-by-step instructions on sewing a petticoat of your own.

* Vintage shopping expert tips: Queens of Vintage present five handy tips for getting the most out of your vintage shopping experience.

* How do I get into Pin-up?: Helen from the Pin-Up Parade offer up some insightful, straightforward advice on the steps one should take if they are serious about getting into pinup modeling. All the while reminder readers that extremely few woman make a full time career out of this type of modeling, and that if you’re interested, it is best viewed as a hobby you truly love, not a million dollar job.

* Botanical Gardens: I just discovered this site a few days ago but am already smitten with it. This blog is clearly helmed by someone with passion for vintage fashion and photography, as evident by the photos of a charming young couple sporting 1920s and 30s looks, such as the ones in this shoot entitled “Botanical Gardens”, which somehow reminds me subtly of the 1937 book Out of Africa.

* A vintage swimwear guide: A suit for all body types: Another entry from Queen’s of Vintage this week, this one focused on finding vintage swimwear to suit a variety of different body types. It’s certainly handy for those may still be searching for the perfect style of swimwear to don before summer comes to a close.

* The quintessential shirtwaist dress: Vintage fashion guru Casey takes a look at one of the most time-honoured and versatile ladies wear pieces to ever be invented, the shirtwaist dress, in this lovely image bedecked post.

* Inspiration: redheads: Being of the ginger ranks myself, I couldn't possibly pass up the chance to share a post about redheads as sources of beauty and fashion inspiration! :)

* Something to look forward to I never knew existed: To say my heart skipped a beat when I read this post would be an understatement. Once I’d picked by jaw up off the ground, I knew I’d found a future dream trip! What got my motor running so? Turns out that each year a vintage music, dance and Hawaiian beach party themed festival is held in Senigallia, Italy. While I’d never heard of this event before, it’s clearly very popular and attracts a wide audience from around the world, including a certain Ms. Dita! (For more info be sure to check out a post on the wonderful blog Greetz from Tiz, as well.)

* How to get luminous skin - the vintage way: The ever-gorgeous and knowledgable expert on vintage style and beauty Fleur de Guerre, takes us through her daily skincare routine – which is filled with wonderful, old fashioned products – in this thoroughly well-written post.

* Vintage Hollywood Magazine Covers: Aileen shares a well-culled collection of absolutely lovely silent film era Hollywood magazine covers.

* Besame Mucho: Vintage Beauty with Besame Cosmetics: Via the Debutant Clothing blog I discovered a terrific article that Sandra recently held with CEO and president of Besame Cosmetics, Gabriela Hernandez. For those who may not be familiar with Besame products yet, they're a fabulous make-up company that creates a wealth of cosmetics that have been deeply influenced by vintage make-up and packaging design.

* Summer Suiting: Millie Motts has a nice little post comprised of black and white fashion magazine pages about yesteryear mens summertime suits.

* Red Lipsticks: Handy, easy to remember tips and tricks to getting your red lip stick look just right, from the pages of Mademoiselle Guillotine’s blog.

* How to carry a purse and wear gloves like a lady: Scans from a 1968 etiquette book reveal the secrets behind how a lady should sport gloves and carry her handbag, in this post from Couture Allure. (Be sure to check out some of her other recent posts as well, as she’s scanned various other pages from the same book as well. And for even more fantastic glove etiquette tips, be sure to pop by this lovely post on Rosina Lee’s blog.)

* Fashion Photography 1920 – Edward Steichen: A strikingly elegant, artistic array of 1920s Edward Steichen photographs compose this gorgeous, image laden post from Glamour Daze.

* Collectors Weekly: This site recently came to my attention and I thought it was definitely worth mentioning as it features an array articles on various topics pertaining to vintage fashion.


This week the video taking centre stage revolves around a super handy tutorial from Thread Banger on how to make your own 1950s style starburst mirror. I was impressed with how incredibly easy this clip makes crafting one of these iconic home decor elements look, and must say that I’d love to give creating one a try myself someday.


{Atomic Starburst Mirror, 50s Decor it Yourself}




It’s currently nearing mid-afternoon and the while the temperature has put on the breaks a smidge and the sky is veering more towards faded grey denim than sparkling blue and sunny, it’s still very much summer here! (Just ask my precious little cat Stella, who’s taken to lounging on the bathroom tiles and in the tub so that her flurry body can lay atop something cool to the touch.)

I’ve got oodles of laundry to fold this afternoon, emails to catch up on, letters to write (I adore – and have never stopped – penning good old fashioned “snail” mail), and several days worth of blog feeds to dive into before I whip up a lovely Sunday supper this evening. What plans are on your agenda today – and this for the coming week, sweet dears?



{A casually dressed young woman, who was training to be a pilot at the time in the Women's Flying Training Detachment, writes a letter home in this 1943 Life Magazine photo.}


However you spend your Sunday, I truly hope it’s a relaxing, joyful one for you!