20th century family photo time!

Thanks to my cousin, some beloved family photos resurfaced! Perfect for vintage wedding inspiration, and general retro eye candy, these are some of my most treasured photographs from my father's side of the family!

My Grandma and Grandpa on their wedding day in 1956!

I LOVE these two photos of my father (the 2nd one in, he was an identical twin!) and the whole bunch! SO very Partridge family! 

Seeing this snap brings back incredibly fond memories of my Grandpa's booming voice as he'd sing Sinatra, another reason good ol' blue eyes is so dear to my heart! 

How about you? Have you come across any fabulous family photos? I'd love to see! I'm heading back east to visit my Grams on my mom's side this month, here's to hoping I discover more treasures then! 

Closet Confection: One year Wed!

Since my fella and I were too distracted by all the delightful decadence of the fair, we had to wait for me to take my outfit for another spin so I could snap a few pics. Though, we seemed to get distracted once again, and before we knew it, the sun was kissing us goodnight and we were soon running for cover as the fleet of evil mosquitos descended!

Idol: Carmen Miranda goes casual
Mantra: "I love you much (most beautiful darling) More than anyone on earth and I like you better than everything in the sky" -E.E. Cummings

Wardrobe:

Strawberry fields top: Daddyos.com

Denim Dungarees: QueenofHeartz.com

Bow Jellies: Chinese Laundry

Meooow Mama Sunglasses: Roadkill Ranch

Bangles: Vintage Lucite mixed with Tarina Tarantino

Pick me up posie hair clip: Forever21

                                                              Soundtrack: "Indian Summer" - The Doors
                                                                 
                                             One of our favorite Doors songs, it's so incredibly dreamy and hypnotic.

Closet Confection: The birds, the bees, bikes and trees.

This is just a wee little wardrobe entry, with a few photos snapped by my fella while we were goofing around my favorite spot of nature nestled in the city! Things have been so incredibly jam packed (in the most magical way) that blogging fell to the wayside, but, I truly don't want to disappoint my amazing readers, so here's a little something until Wednesday!

Idol: Brigitte Bardot, but of course! ♥

Soundtrack:

L'appareil à sous - Brigitte Bardot by GlamourApocalypse

The Wardrobe:

Blimey Limey Top: Vintage 1960's, thrifted for $3

Gammy Glammy Hot Pants: Forever21

Minty Miss Saucer Sized Earrings: Forever21

In the basket:

Sketch pad, oranges, and my constant companion: a book. This happens to be an epic Elizabeth Taylor biography that I've avoided finishing for too long, it's that good! Review coming soon!

With a special appearance by my favorite set of wheels, little "Rusty", a gift from a family friend who bought her shiny and new back in 1963, and passed her on to me about 10 years ago. I cannot express how much I love my bike, she's my little ticket to freedom and fresh air, and gets me around the city every single day. I love my bike so much I seriously wrote a poem about it. OH yeah.

Linkie Lovelies: The Mish Mash of all I adore edition!

The Beatles By Mike Mitchell

Never before seen photos of The Beatles surfaced this week, my ever beating teeny bopper heart was, of course, all a flutter. This little peek into the mayhem that swept through America the moment the fabbies hit the states in 1964 was captured by.....18 year old fan (wowza talent!) Mike Mitchell who managed to finagle his way backstage and into their hearts. The set of snaps is going up for auction at Christie's, let's hope with a catalog for the rest of us! 

Carmen for Vanity Fair Italia by Ruven Afandor

Carmen Modeling in the 1940's, photographer unkown

by Ruven Afandor

"The World's Oldest Working Model" Carmen Dell'Orefice turned 80 last month. I know it's a wee bit late, but I had to throw this magnificent femme on your radar in case she hadn't popped before your peepers previously. Inspirational? Hell yes!

So, wearing a skirt whilst riding a bike in NYC is "apparently illegal" and warrants harassment by law enforcement?......Umm.....Well lock me up and throw away the key, because this is a daily offense I commit. Have a feeling there will be a mass skirted bike riding in homage to the "slut walks" that recently took a stand against this kind of nonsense. 

Everyone's favorite vaudevillians are making an epic film, documenting their 15 year journey from campfire minstrels to world tours featuring the best in tin pan alley worthy tunes, tribal fusion bellydance, and cirque burlesque. The Yard Dogs Road Show Kickstarter campaign has only 14 days left! Help out your fellow captains of the creative and donate today, $5 is a lovely way to support the arts, even if we're all in a pinch. After all, where would we be without music, love, inspiration, and laughter?...They even have sweet little gifties for donors, from home made corn bread, cloche hats, to lifetime YDRS tickets!

Also on the auction front, Christie's has a very special estate on the horizon....That of the one and only Elizabeth Taylor with a portion of proceeds going to her AIDS foundation. The Rockefeller Center Gallery will feature her infamous jewels, wardrobe, memorabilia, and art in a public exhibition beginning December 3rd. 

There will be lamé turbans and high ball worthy baubles a plenty, guaranteed! Alas, this is truly "Lusty the High Rollers Edition" but we can still go gaggle in person and pretend for a moment, right?....Just another reason I need to visit NYC this holiday season...Perhaps for yours truly's big 29th Bday....hmmmm.

Click here for the full press release.

A few of my favorite eye candy explosions that have popped up on my tumblr this week...

Gloria Swanson

Mamie Van Doren

Palais des Congres-Montreal by Ted John Jacobs

Follow your....By Kooky Love

Photographer & hunk unknown =( But never the less smile inducing! 

Closet Confections: Stitches for Britches

These fun little 80's striped shorts were a great score at the GoodWill for only $1.99, but for years they've lingered in my closet because the length was just a bit "eh" and they're quite voluminous, more baggy bermuda than I'm into. So before heading out for a day of running errands, I brought out little Betty...

Meet Betty, my gorgeous, all steel 1950's sewing machine named after the most classic of all vintage cars, "The Belair". Stitching in style, she runs like a dream, and had never been used until I laid my mits on her! She was my birthday present from my fella last year, an amazing bargain at only $40! I actually cried when he gave it to me, I had always dreamed of finding the perfect vintage sewing machine...

So, out came the scissors, and a few inches off later...

 Not quite satisfied yet, I'm thinking of using the extra fabric to add a cuff, some bows, or perhaps take them in a bit more so they'll fit like a true hot pant. Have you had any fun revamps on thrift store finds? Please share below, be sure to link photos, I always love seeing how my fellow vintage lovers put their own twist on ill fitting, wonky finds.

Idol: Barbie, 1959 ♥
Mantra: "Never love anybody who treats you like you're ordinary" -Oscar Wilde

Soundtrack: 

"If You Were Mine" by Otis Rush

The Wardrobe:

What a Doll Cardi: Gift from my besty Tracy

Burton-esque Bermudas: Thrifted at GoodWill

Sparkles n' Studs Belt: Forever21

Tickled Pink Purse: Vintage

Soda Pop Scarf: vintage (doubled twice and tied into hair)

Basic Black Bracelets: Tarina Tarantino 

Flatter-me Dhaaaling shoes: Target