The Call of the Jitterbug Doll

A Very NudeeDudee Special

2012-01-30T18:35:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Kim of the fabulous NudeeDudee asked if I would be interested in modeling some of her ready-to-wear pieces and offering my readers a discount code. Of course I jumped at the chance, not just because her designs are simply amazing, but to give my lovely followers a treat!

She sent me her 1930s tie-sleeve blouse in the lily of the valley print, and one of her 1930s sailor striped tops. I have to say that I absolutely adore both; they are very well made, with attention given to every possible detail—but then again I’ve come to expect nothing less from NudeeDudee!

The petal sleeve blouse can be dressed up or down, and is available in a number of very vintage prints. The style is incredibly flattering, with a very unique sleeve design. It perfectly complements her pinafore skirt--I recently picked one up in sage green, and it’s quickly become a favorite of mine. Let me tell you, a blouse and pinafore combo is a real headturner—one that gents seem to especially like—and a definite must-have in every vintage-lovin’ girl's wardrobe!

Her striped tops are made from a super soft recycled cotton knit, and are available in both green and white and blue and white color combos. I loved the boat neckline and the puffed/pleated sleeves; this is the perfect vintage causal top!

Matt Carson photographed these outfits for me—I accessorized the Sailor top with a cream rayon forties skirt, red linen heels from Matilda’s Closet, and a snood from Arthelia’s Attic. And I’m wearing my new plum suede 40s platforms with the lily of the valley and pinafore set—aren’t they a treat?

Make sure you stop by the NudeeDudee shop to check out the wonderful styles! Call of the Jitterbugdoll followers can save 15% off the sale price of these ready to wear looks--just enter the code 15PERCENTOFF at checkout. And don't forget, these are limited editions, so grab 'em while you can!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Dillinger Days Adventure

2012-01-25T20:34:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was jam-packed; following the Red Tails screening and an appearance at Barrett Jackson on Friday, my Sweetie and I headed to Tucson for Dillinger Days on Saturday. Our good friends invited us to meet them at the Congress Hotel for the festivities—we arrived around noon and enjoyed the nice turnout of vintage cars, which, along with the period music and backdrop of the historic Congress Hotel and train station, lent a lovely atmosphere to the event. Our outfits were a smashing success—I wore a late 1930s gold and black rayon/linen dress accented with looping rickrack trim, paired with 40s platforms and a deco handbag, and my friends wore a 1940s rust print dress and a cream 40s dress with coordinating accessories—and we were immediately asked to pose for pictures by other attendees and car owners.

After a bit, we decided to go on a vintage shopping excursion at our two favorite Tucson shops, Razzle Dazzle and How Sweet It Was. Both shops are treasure troves of well-priced clothing; I always find a few goodies every time we go! This trip was no exception, and I came back with a lovely gold gabardine 40s suit, a pair of burgundy suede 40s platforms, and a couple of pairs of celluloid earrings in colors that were lacking in my collection (pictures to follow soon). My friends came away with a spectacular hooded jacket and matching gold set in black velvet with a red satin lining, a sweet yellow floral cotton 50s dress and matching bolero jacket, and various odds and ends, including a 50s girdle that had been used in a Playboy photo shoot.
Afterwards, we took our friends to our favorite Italian restaurant in Tucson, Caruso’s, which has been there since the 1930s and serves up the most delicious and inexpensive food. After our meal, we wandered around a bit and then headed back to Phoenix, just in time to catch the last few acts at a Pedal Steel convention.

Luckily, on Sunday we got to sleep in and spend the day relaxing!

xoxo,
Amanda

Red Tails

2012-01-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we attended a CAF tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen. The CAF museum put on a fantastic event honoring the Airmen from Arizona, and the tribute included a showing on Lucasfilm's Double Victory. While at the show, we were approached by the owner of a movie theater in Surprise, who invited us to appear at a special screening of Red Tails on opening day. We were delighted to do so, of course! The real guests of the evening were three original Airmen and their families, along with two men who had flown bombing missions escorted by the Tuskegee Airmen. What an honor it was to shake each one's hand and thank them for all they had done. They are truly wonderful men and I am glad they are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

Here are photos from both events, taken by Ken Squiers and Atomic Age Pictures. I wore NudeeDudee's Lily of the Valley blouse and sage green pinafore skirt to the museum (stay tuned for a special post spotlighting NudeeDudee and a special discount code!) and a blue linen 40s dress trimmed in white beaded fringe from Matilda's Closet to the screening (paired with red linen shoes and a beaded purse, also from Matilda's.) I styled my friends in two 40s frocks from my collection--red gabardine with navy accessories and cream rayon with red accessories, also from Matilda's.

xoxo,
Amanda

Mood Indigo

2012-01-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

I took a mini-vacation over the holidays, and I confess that I’ve been struggling somewhat to get back into the swing of things again! I feel I’ve taken enough of a break now, and I’ll be regularly posting from here on out.

We’ll start the New Year off right with a post featuring the wonderful Blue Velvet Vintage! I’ve been doing a bit of modeling work for BVV, and would like to showcase the most recent ensemble that I received from her. This stunning, 30-style midnight blue satin gown was a treat to wear; the design is curve-hugging and very flattering with its bust-to-hip ruched design. Heavily trimmed in rhinestones, it is as jaw dropping from the front as it is from behind—check out the dramatic back! Pair this gown with a fashionably warm faux fur bolero, long gloves, and rhinestone jewelry, and you have the perfect Old Hollywood look.

You’ll note my blonde hair—though these photos were taken before I took the red plunge, I’ve since washed out the red tint that I tried out over my vacation. I thought I’d give you a mini update of the process—I used Roux Fanciful in Lucky Copper, applying the liquid first. The trick is to apply this section by section, blow drying your hair in between applications. It certainly helps to have a friend assist you with this process to be sure every section is covered completely! To keep the color fresh and to touch up the root area, I used the Fanciful mousse in the evenings before setting my hair. I was very pleased with the overall look, and when I finally washed my hair, the color came out fairly easily—I’d say 90-95 percent. There are some lingering, faint pink streaks in my hair after two washes, but I like the effect and imagine that these will disappear completely in another couple of washes. The only complaint I have about this product is that it is messy—it is water soluble, so you have to be careful not to get it wet, and when you brush your hair, red “dust” ends up everywhere. I also noticed that it transferred slightly onto clothing, but the marks it left came out easily with water. Anyway, it was a fantastic, no-commitment way to check out a new color! Though I don’t plan on permanently changing my blonde hair anytime soon, I would definitely use this product again for a fun change again in the future!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Redheaded Woman

2011-12-29T16:10:00.000-08:00

This week I ventured over to redhead territory with the help of my good friends Veronica and Lana. Inspired by Veronica's lush ginger locks, I decided to try out the copper shade I've always longed for, and my two friends were happy to help! So, what do you think? The color is only temporary, but I've quite enjoyed my time as a redheaded woman!

Matt Carson took these photos out at Goldfield--I'm wearing a 1950s peach and brown lace peasant blouse and skirt set, a Christmas gift from my parents this year, that turned out to be the perfect complement to my warmer hair color. The shoes are my standby "sweater" pumps, and although you can't really see them, I'm wearing a pair of copper earrings.

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Happy Holidays from Blue Velvet Vintage

2011-12-19T21:37:00.000-08:00

And Atomic Age Pictures and me!

For Blue Velvet Vintage's holiday page, I modeled the glam Honey dress by Trashy Diva. This swing dressis very aptly named, for it's one honey of a dress! Fashioned in cherry red stretch cotton, it features a spectacular--and very Marilyn--shirred shelf bust that will turn your assets, whatever their size, into one traffic-stopping silhouette! Draped straps and a higher back allow you to wear this dress with a regular bra (always a plus, I think) and the circle skirt is perfect for swirling on the dance floor (and I guarantee that you'll be bombarded with requests to dance when you wear this dress.)

Stop by Blue Velvet Vintage and snap up a Honey dress for yourself!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

The Secrets of Matilda's Vintage Closet

2011-12-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

Atomic Age Pictures visits Matilda's Vintage Closet and shows us the magic that goes on after hours!

We had a blast collaborating with friends Rose (co-owner of the shop), Veronica Kelly, and Lana Flynn for this one! Matilda's Vintage Closet is definitely a vintage lover's dream, with fabulous clothing and accessories from our favorite decades--you'll find all the things you are searching for along with plenty of items you didn't even know you needed!

A big thanks to Doug for doing such a wonderful job putting this together :-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Want to be noticed?

2011-11-22T21:24:00.000-08:00

Able Grable has the frock for you!

The Naughty Lady, based on a *certain* femme fatale gown and showcased by Atomic Age Pictures here!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

The Goldfield Belle

2011-11-16T20:04:00.000-08:00

I headed out to Goldfield Ghost Town last Saturday with my friend and photographer Matt Carson, as the weather promised to be perfect, and we decided a western shoot would be a fun shooting adventure. The weather certainly delivered—it was cool and overcast—and we had a blast there. I'd never been to Goldfield, a mining camp that began in 1892 and faded away in 1898 when the gold dried up; the town had a brief resurgence in the 1920s before finally dying in 1960s. Goldfield Ghost Town was created in the 1970s to give people a taste of what the Old West was like. We also stopped at the Superstition Springs Museum, which is home to the only two buildings that remain from Apacheland, a movie studio built in the 1960s that was sadly destroyed by a fire in 2004, and the Mining Camp Restaurant, which opened in 1961. I enjoyed our tour so much I brought my Sweetie there the next day to go horseback riding (sadly, I forgot my camera, but suffice it to say that I was probably the most dolled up trail rider they'd ever seen. I do think my horse Max appreciated my efforts, or at least the scratches I doled out!)

Anyway, I put together two glamorous western outfits befitting the Hollywood past of these locations--the first is one of my all-time best scores, a 1940s-50s corduroy bolero jacket and matching skirt embroidered with brown and tan 'flames' (I found the set at Buffalo Exchange on my lunch break one day, the two pieces had been separated and I nearly screamed out loud when I found the skirt and then the matching jacket.) The second is a colorful hand-painted and sequined Mexican skirt, paired with a red off-the-shoulder top by Bettie Page. I wore both with a trusty black cinch belt and my newest purchase, fab black suede 40s platforms from my dear friend Annie.

I supposed I've chattered enough, so on to the photos!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Pinafore Pretties

2011-11-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

As the weather has turned colder here (finally, I might add; two weeks ago it was so disgustingly hot I didn't want to be outside for more than 30 seconds) I began to fancy adding a pinafore or suspender skirt to my wardrobe. I’ve always adored the style, and after modeling Jitterbuggin’s divine “Hawthorne” skirt, decided I *needed* one of my own. When I came across this delicious Hollywood pattern for an ultra-high waisted suspender skirt, I decided that must be a sign and set off in search of the perfect fabric. JoAnn’s happened to have a rich cocoa brown and teal plaid that mirrored the pattern view I’d fallen in love with, and Vee Vin Tag is now whipping up my skirt.

I’ll be picking up my finished skirt in a few days and look forward to sharing an OOTD designed around it! It finally feels like winter here, and I’m sure I’ll be getting plenty of wear out of this skirt all season long.

In the meantime, here are a few equally delightful options that are begging to be added to your closet:

Jitterbuggin’s Hawthorne skirt (in Navy and Green, both must haves!)

Vivien of Holloway’s Pinafore Skirt (gotta love plaid skirts, especially this version)

NudeeDudee’s Georgina Skirt (in springy sage green, oh my)

Time Machine Vintage’s Mandy and Mia Pinafores (I can't decide which version I like best)

The Black Pinafore's lovely creation (modeled by the stunning Riikka of Harlean's Heyday; The Black Pinafore is currently offering a giveaway to celebrate reaching 100 followers, which means you could win this wonderful skirt!)
xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Rockabilly Rules Phoenix

2011-11-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

My Sweetie's band played at the Phoenix Rockabilly Rules weekender a couple of weekends ago, and since it was the day before Halloween, we decided to appear in costume as Lil Abner and Daisy Mae (Vee Vin Tage did a fabulous job on my outfit, Chris can make any outfit a girl could ever want!) Bill Garrett of Garrettero Custom Photography and Art took these fantastic pics; you'd never guess that it was positively sweltering that day! Of course, having the opportunity to have Bill snap a few pics was worth leaving the shade for a few minutes! I definitely hope to work with him again in the future.

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

It's a Heyday Giveaway!

2011-11-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

To celebrate reaching 400 followers, the fabulous Shona of In the Heyday is offering an amazing giveaway of her Daisy Chain Fleur dress, along with a pair of earrings and a brooch to match! Check it out here--I don't know about you, but I'd love to have this dress in my wardrobe :-) Can't wait to see who the lucky winner is on November 7th!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee
:-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Ghostly Grable

2011-10-30T18:10:00.001-07:00

For Halloween, Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures and I decided to do a spooky little shoot at one of the local cemetaries. I put together a ghostly pinup outfit with a 1940s midriff sweater and 1950s black velvet shorts (both eBay finds), my fave Remix Rita platforms, and a black dahlia in my hair. With a little photo trickery, I became a ghostly Grable ;-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Snoodie Little Cutie

2011-10-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to model two more of the wonderful snoods made by Naomi of Arthelia's Attic, this time in rich chocolate and bright turquoise. Naomi's classic snood style, trimmed with a removable grosgrain bow, is about the cutest, simplest way to dress up your 'do in flawless 1940s style! I wear her snoods on a regular basis, and loved coming up with outfits to showcase these two! The brown is the perfect shade for fall, but as you can see, it looks equally at home paired with a summery tropical style: A Hawaiian print linen dress made from an early 40s pattern by Vee Vintage, brown and white 40s platforms, and bamboo and Bakelite jewelry. The turquoise is definitely fiesta ready--here I paired it with a soft pink linen 40s dress and cream linen heels--but it also looks smashing with warm autumn shades as well (especially chocolate brown). Both are must-have colors for any season, and she offers the same style in a number of other fetching colors as well--you're guaranteed to find a match for every outfit in your closet. If you haven't shopped Arthelia's Attic yet, what are you waiting for?

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Weekend in Havana

2011-10-20T22:16:00.001-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to model some hair accessories made by Andy's Eye Candy. Andy makes some of the prettiest hair flowers out there, which made it very hard to choose which ones I wanted to wear! I decided to go with a set of her fruit clips, as I didn't have anything quite like them in my arsenal of hair flowers. She sent three different clips--one made with a banana, papaya, and apple; one with an orange, starfruit, and peach; and one delightfully over-the-top pineapple! These clips are large, colorful, and fun, and I think they make for a refreshing twist on what to wear with your Hawaiian outfits. For the shoot I did with Atomic Age Pictures, I decided that the only way to go was to put together a Carmen Miranda-esque outfit, so I paired a vintage yellow and white polka dot tie top with rumba sleeves (from Matilda's Vintage Closet), a brightly colored cotton plaid sarong (from a vendor at VLV last year), and grass green Remix platforms trimmed in 1940s fruit shoe clips (an eBay find). A matching fruit brooch (from a local antique shop) and a bevy of Bakelite bangles (the carved butterscotch bracelet was a gift from my dear friend Annie--it belonged to Lana Turner) finished off the look; add in a banana tree and an orange grove and your have yourself a "Weekend in Havana"!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Cover Girl

2011-10-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I worked with photographer David Zickl on a project for Phoenix Magazine; we had been hoping that our photo might make the cover, and I'm pleased to say that today I found out it did! David had been given an assignment to shoot one of the winners of the magazine's "Best Of" awards, and since he'd been given the winner of Best Tailor (Scottsdale's Fifth Avenue Alterations) he had the idea to style a model like Charlie Chaplin for the shoot. I'd actually worked with David a couple of years ago, when he photographed MacAlpine's Soda Fountain for an issue of Arizona Highways, and he contacted me to see if I was up to his latest challenge. Of course I said yes, and after being outfitted in proper Chaplin attire by Matilda's Closet, we shot our glamorous take on "The Little Tramp".

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

She Wore Blue Velvet

2011-10-11T22:22:00.000-07:00

Or in this instance, black jersey from Blue Velvet Vintage!

The next frock I modeled for Blue Velvet is Trashy Diva’s Mansfield, a killer, curve-hugging jersey dress plucked right out of the wardrobe of a 1950s bombshell. This is an elegant frock that would be right at home in the office (it’s just enough “sexy secretary” without being too much), as well as on the town. It features a fabulous ruched cummerbund, a wide, double-breasted collar, and a knee-length sheath skirt. It’s made from a soft knit that is heavy enough to suit colder climes, and as a bonus, this fabric resists wrinkles quite well (making it the perfect dress to toss on when you’re rushed in the morning—you’ll look put together and polished in seconds flat .) To me, the Mansfield embodies what made 19 50s-60s fashion so great—it’s a figure-flattering, versatile piece with plenty of eye appeal, and is both ladylike and glamorous all at once.

Stay tuned for the Blue Velvet Vintage holiday special!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Dark Alley

2011-10-04T23:05:00.000-07:00

Atomic Age Pictures and I recently partnered up with the fabulous Blue Velvet Vintage to model some of her newest dresses. The first piece I modeled is the divine Courtney Coat Dress by Trashy Diva, a swingy, double-breasted design that can be worn both as a coat and as a dress. It features a wide portrait collar and fitted three-quarter sleeves, and is made from a satin finish stretch cotton. The Courtney is the perfect lightweight coat, and can be dressed up or down. It also has the fabulous distinction of being worn in a episode of True Blood.

To get in the Halloween spirit while playing up this dramatic piece, Doug and I decided to create spooky noir scene straight out of a 1940s film.--I'm quite pleased with the way we captured the essence of the Courtney!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Does this make me look fat?

2011-10-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

Lola is a little worried about the fit of her Halloween costume--but wouldn't you say she's the cutest hot dog you've ever seen? Truth be told, we did have to squeeze her round belly into her costume--I guess the eatin' is pretty good around here!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Paint and Powder

2011-10-02T22:16:00.000-07:00

My lovely and talented sister Kelly is taking a film photography class right now, and she volunteered me to be her subject for one of her assignments. This is the end result of a quick photo session last weekend--and not only did she take the photo, she developed it herself. I think she may have a future in portrait photography :-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Extra! Extra! Jitterbuggin on the Front Page of Lindy Shopper!

2011-09-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Lindy Shopper, a fabulous shopping guide for the swing dance and vintage enthusiast, posted a lovely review of Jitterbuggin's pinafore and blouse sets. Check it out here, and be sure to snap up a set in your favorite color before they sell out!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Makeup Mondays—The End of the Cold Cream Era

2011-09-26T23:41:00.001-07:00

Some time ago I posted about my favorite beauty secrets, which included the generic version of the vintage favorite Ponds cold cream. Alas, the urge to wander off in search of bigger and better and more magical things struck once again, and so over the last few months I tried a number of cleansers that all promised to work miracles. My skin, of course, reacted by going a bit haywire. Eventually my logical side spoke to my frivolous side and said “Hey! Why are you trying to fix something that wasn’t broken?” And off I went to pick up a new jar of my beloved favorite.

Except something was different this time—very different, in fact. I didn’t think to check the ingredient label; aside from my recent skincare shopping spree I’d been happily purchasing generic tubs of cold cream for ages. It did seem like the texture was a touch different and the fragrance a little off, but I honestly didn’t give much thought to either of these things. But oh, within days my skin was a red, irritated, broken out mess. I didn’t immediately clue into the culprit, instead chalking up the reaction to some recent stresses. But one morning I decided to read the label on the jar—and was horrified to see that the generic version now included a myriad of unfamiliar ingredients. I promptly threw out my jar and headed off to the drugstore.

This brings me to my review of the week for Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser, an utterly amazing product. In fact, I think it trumps even the original cold cream formula! I wish I’d thought to try it sooner, as it really is a treat to use. In the jar it resembles Vaseline, but once you scoop up a glob, the heat from your skin liquefies the product. I massage it into my skin for a minute or two before removing it—and every last bit of makeup and dirt along with it—with a warm washcloth. I find Albolene to feel very soothing, and it actually does a better job of removing makeup, especially stubborn mascara. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and moisturized, so much so that I could skip a separate moisturizer if I chose to. The ingredient list is nice and simple as well—mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin, beta carotene—and it’s fragrance free as well (another big plus for the sensitive skinned.) The price is quite reasonable too; around $11 for a huge tub.

After a month of using Albolene I’ve become a complete convert, and this time I won’t be straying again!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Jitterbuggin Goes to the Beach

2011-09-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

Though summer is winding down, here in the desert the weather's still mighty hot! In fact, I think it will be playsuit season for a few weeks yet--but that's fine by me when the playsuit is Jitterbuggin's amazing Manzanita style! This cutie has the forties details we all love best--a fabulous shirred top (all the better to enhance your assets), flattering tie bottoms, and a snappy cotton fabric in bright and gold stripes. I have to say it was quite the hit at the park where Atomic Age Pictures and I shot these photos on Sunday--I think this one will be a must-have item come spring and summer!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Makeup Mondays--Creating Glamour with Pan-Cake Makeup

2011-09-19T22:03:00.000-07:00

I think it’s fair time for another review here on Makeup Mondays, so today I’d like to talk about a very retro makeup—the cake foundation. We’ve all heard of Max Factor’s Pan-Cake Makeup, the very first of its kind and the first foundation to crossover from the film market into the real world.

It was created in 1937 as an answer to the problem the previously used makeups presented when color film came into play—though fine for black and white film, they were garish and harsh in Technicolor. In fact, these products took on whatever color the actor was wearing—green, red, blue—as the makeup reflected whatever was near it. Max Factor’s glorious invention, a dry cake applied with a moistened sponge—looked wonderful natural and realistic, both on screen and off, and was an instant hit. And so, despite a name that conjures up images of thickly applied, garish makeup (the name merely described the form the product came in—a cake in a pan), we had a foundation that provided a lovely, natural coverage, and was comfortable to wear to boot!
Sadly, Max Factor is no longer sold in the US; I had never really used their foundations, as I couldn’t find a color match, but several years ago I did test drive it for a short stint and found it to be a lovely product. Luckily, water-activated cake makeup is still made by a number of “pro” brands, including Ben Nye and Kryolan. Being that these products are designed for use by professionals, the color ranges for both are quite immense—truly, there will be a match for everyone in either line!

I use the first product, Ben Nye Color Cake, in the shade Bisque. Though appearing quite dark and yellow in the pan, when applied it is actually a soft cream shade (a cool, pink-based alternate shade would be Geisha). It provides wonderful coverage, is very long wearing, and dries to a smooth, matte finish—a very vintage look, in fact. I also find it to be a very comfortable product to wear, especially with oilier skin and on hot days—this is one product that doesn’t feel heavy and greasy (a horrid feeling, especially when you know your makeup is sliding off your face as you walk from your car to the office in the hot summer sun.) The color chart is reasonably straightforward as well—the skintone shades are arranged from lightest to darkest—though it is best if you can test this product out in person. Just remember that the shade will appear quite a bit darker in the pan than it will on your skin, so don’t go too light!

The second product in my kit is Kryolan’s Cake Make-up, a nearly identical product to Ben Nye’s. I find Kryolan’s offering to be a bit creamier and moister feeling on the skin (though again, it dries to a soft matte finish), and it also is fragranced with a very vintage, powdery scent. Though I find the fragrance to be very mild, more sensitive noses may not like it. Kryolan’s color chart leaves much to be desired as well; the numbered shades are not neatly ordered from light to dark, and it’s quite confusing to order this one online. My original choice was TV White—a perfect match for me in the TV Paintstick, but in the cake makeup the shade is exactly as the name describes: a bright, faintly pink-tinged white--not at all a natural skin tone! I then ordered the shade Natural 1, figuring it would be a yellow-toned soft beige. My guess was right on the money, though unfortunately it’s about a shade too dark for me. At any rate, it is possible to mix the shades to adjust the color (though of course, the process isn’t as convenient as it would be to mix to liquid products. Ah well, sometimes a little extra effort is worth it!)

Now, on to application: one applies cake makeup with a dampened sponge (a hydra sponge or sea sponge work well, though a foam foundation wedge or disk will do the trick too.) Simply moisten the sponge, squeeze out the excess liquid, and then swirl it in pan. Then, apply it to your face using a light stippling motion, following by buffing in the foundation with a dry sponge. This gives the skin a lovely airbrushed quality; you can also finish with a very light dusting of loose powder to further set the makeup.

Well, there you have it—a very thorough review on cake makeup! Both the Ben Nye and Kryolan makeups are under $10, and a pan will last approximately forever, so both are an excellent investment if you can find a color match and master application!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

How to Use Your Ration Coupons

2011-09-18T15:35:00.001-07:00

As promised, here is my latest collaboration with Atomic Age Pictures, featuring the fabulous designs of Jitterbuggin! I hope you enjoy this little "how-to" video, I think Kim's designs (the Nicolai Blouse, Hawthorne Pinafore, and Manzanita Bathing Suit) were the icing on the cake. Be sure to stop by Kim's site and check out her creations--I think you'll see quite a few must-have items!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Fashion Spotlight--Jitterbuggin Style

2011-09-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to model for the fabulous designer Jitterbuggin, and what an honor it was to wear her designs! Jitterbuggin is known for her lovely 30s and 40s looks, and she's done a fantastic job capturing the feel of these eras. In these shots I'm wearing her Hawthorne pinafore in Shamrock Green, paired with the Nicolai blouse in a green and white floral feedsack print trimmed in crisp white pique. The outfit made me feel like I was starring in a WWII-era country girl film!

Stay tuned for our next project with Jitterbuggin--there'll be lots more photos, and a special film too!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Summer Fashion--The Patio Dress

2011-08-27T13:21:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge fan of patio, or squaw, dresses, and have collected quite a few over the years. I can't resist the bright colors (tropical turquoises, eye-popping pinks, and garden fresh greens) and I'm a serious sucker for metallic rick rick--the more the better! Patio dresses tend to be made from cool, airy, and wilt free fabrics, which makes them perfect for hot weather, and I find myself reaching for them all summer long.

I found this coral and silver number with its original belt at a vintage shop in Jerome. It's been shortened at some point in its past life, and I'll probably let the hem down again, but it made a festive choice for a recent shoot with Matt Carson. These photos were taken around Jerome, one of our favorite shooting haunts.

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Makeup Mondays—Beauty on a Budget

2011-08-22T21:43:00.000-07:00

I’m no snob when it comes to the products that I use, and I have both drugstore and higher end brands in my beauty arsenal. In fact, I love it when I come across an inexpensive product that does the trick—and my latest find is a real steal at only $3!

As you know, I have color treated hair that can be a bit temperamental at times, and depending on the weather and its ‘mood’ I may have to combat dryness, frizz, and static. Because of this, I tend to lean towards products by the likes of Redken and Biolage, as I often feel like drugstore products aren't heavy duty enough. However, a few weeks ago I picked up a bottle of Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Fortifying Conditioner on a whim as I was getting a bit frustrated again; I had read good reviews on this product, and I’m already fond of the Triple Nutrition spray they make, so I figured it couldn't hurt to try it out. I have to say that I was quite impressed with the performance of the conditioner after just one use—my hair was smooth, moisturized, and completely free of frizz and static (which is always an issue because of the extremely dry air here.) The conditioner has a light pleasant fragrance, and left my hair feeling soft but not too slippery or weighed down. It's also free of silicones, which can coat hair and cause it to become more dry over time (if one doesn't clarify every couple of weeks. I tend to avoid products with silicones now as I find my hair behaves better without them.) Following application, my hair was easy to set and style, and remained that way until the next washing three days later.

I have to say this product is worth checking it out; it has definitely earned a place in my hair product rotation and I plan on checking out other Garnier offerings in the future :-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Lovely Lola

2011-08-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, dear readers, I have been MIA for the past couple of weeks. However, I have a pretty good excuse this time--after we returned from a short vacation to Santa Fe (more on that later), my Sweetie and I picked up our new little girl: Lola the mini dachshund puppy! Isn't she the cutest? She's a real spitfire though, and quite the stubborn little thing! We've only had her for a few days but she's kept us thoroughly entertained with her antics :-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

My sister took these pics when she met Lola yesterday; she's running as fast as she can to go see her lol

A Little Slice of Cheesecake: Buckaroo Babe

2011-08-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest in the series of videos Doug Monce and I have put together--this one is a little western adventure. I hope you enjoy it!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Tuesday Review—Kryolan Dual Finish Powder and Bobbi Brown Red Lipstick

2011-07-26T22:17:00.000-07:00

Hedy Lamarr with makeup artist Ted Larsen
Over the past couple of months I’ve tried out several new makeup items (My name is Amanda, and I’m a makeupaholic lol). I’ve come across a couple of standout products that I think are definitely worth checking out, and so I decided to review them here for you!

The first is a powder foundation by Kryolan. I’m definitely a big fan of this German brand, which was started in the 1940s, and I include several Kryolan products in my makeup bag. Their TV Paint Stick foundation is one stellar product that I use almost daily, and as I love the color match, coverage, and finish so much, I thought I would look into their powder foundation as well. I’m very glad I did, as the Dual Finish delivers the same as the TV Paint Stick—excellent coverage, a gorgeous matte finish, and a lovely color match.

The range of colors isn’t as broad as in some of their cream foundation options, but I selected the shade Alabaster, which turned out to be a pale beige that complemented my very fair, neutral skin tone quite nicely. It’s a tad darker in the pan than the TV White I wear in the stick foundation, so I was a bit disappointed when I first opened the package, but it somehow blends seamlessly into my skin—it’s not too dark, and it doesn’t turn the dreaded orange that so many other foundations do. I apply it a couple of ways—I sometimes use it as a setting powder with a bit of extra coverage over the TV Paintstick, and I also wear it alone. It can be applied wet or dry—applying with a damp sponge gives it a bit more coverage than applying it with a dry sponge or kabuki brush. Both methods are fast, easy, and pretty goof proof. Regardless of the application method, I find it maintains a satiny matte finish all day long, with minimal oil breakthrough (I have combination skin that can sometimes be rather oily). I also find that it lasts very well under summer conditions too—we all know how horrid it is when the heat and humidity cause your foundation to slide around your face, and this foundation holds strong under the worst weather conditions!

So, if you are looking for a new foundation to try, I highly recommend this one!

I'm wearing both the Kryolan Dual Finish and Bobbi Brown Red lipstick here
The next product I’d like to review is Bobbi Brown Red lipstick. Now, I am a pretty big fan of Lip Ink’s long wearing lipstick, and generally reach for it every day. But sometimes I dabble in ‘traditional’ lipsticks, and as I am obsessed with red shades, I like to try out new ones from time to time. I’d heard that Bobbi Brown makes a nice cream lipstick, and the Red shade is described as a “fire engine red” shade on the Web site. I decided it would be worth trying out when I found an inexpensively priced tube on eBay. Initially, I wasn’t so sure about this lipstick—I like my red lipstick to be shockingly bright, and when I first tried this one out it seemed a little too muted for my taste. I decided to try wearing it over a basecoat of Lip Ink Red (Lip Ink also works very well under regular lipsticks, as it grabs the color and makes it nice and long wearing) and ended up loving the look I achieved—a rich red shade with a beautiful satin finish. It photographs very well (I’m wearing it in my Jungle Girl set), and I find it to wear comfortably too—creamy without being smeary (I love lipsticks with a creamy finish, but hate it when they slide off your lips!)

Well, that's all for now! I do have a few other products to review, so I'll be posting those soon :-)

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

OOTD--Island Girl

2011-07-25T22:08:00.001-07:00

It's been ages since I've posted a proper OOTD, so here goes!

Today was my day off and so I headed to Peoria to have lunch with my mother, sister, and nephew. Due to the monsoon season, it's been terribly muggy the past few weeks, which means we don't want to spend any time outside! I was able to convince my photographer sister to snap a couple of quick outfit pics though, as I wanted to show off my new dress :-) This is another Vee Vin Tage creation--this time she made me a lovely and cool sundress from an early 40s sundress pattern using an amazing reproduction linen fabric printed with tropical islands and hula dancers. I was pretty excited when I came across this fabric online, as I have a vintage dress in the same exact print (though a different fabric). Vee Vin Tage also made a coordinating peach linen bolero to match the dress, but given the steamy temps I left it at home today!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

1940s Reproduction Dress by Vee Vin Tage
1940s rust and cream linen purse
1940s brown leather and white kid platforms
Brown Bakelite drop earrings
Bamboo bracelets
Lip Ink Red Lipstick
Yellow and orange tropical flower

Summer Fashions in Shocking Pink

2011-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Arthelia's Attic recently created another custom snood for me, this one done up in a delightfully bright shade of pink perfect for summer! This low, open style gathers your hair off your neck while leaving the crown of your head bare; grosgrain ribbon ties hold the netting in place (a couple of bobby pins keep it nice and secure.) I can't recommend Naomi's designs enough, she does a wonderful job and is always willing to customize her designs to suit your wishes!

Doug Monce and I braved the sweltering Arizona weather to shoot a few photos at a local park. I swear it felt like 1000 degrees that day, but luckily, I look as cool as a cucumber in the photos!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a happy and safe July 4th!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Looking for Her Tarzan

2011-06-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

Part two of my recent shoot with Atomic Age Pictures was a jungle themed look--we call this set "The Jungle Princess". (I feel like a lot of our titles have the word 'princess' in them, I suppose that since I wasn't a terribly girly child I am making up for lost time *giggle*)

My leopard outfit was inspired by a photo of Dolores Moran and made by the amazing Vee Vin Tage. Chris always does an incredible job with her creations--show her a picture and she can recreate an outfit perfectly. I am always thrilled with the finished results and can not recommend Vee Vin Tage enough!

xoxo,
Amanda

P.S. I'm wearing a new red lippie that I will be reviewing this week (along with several other new beauty products), so stay tuned!

From the Factory to the Hollywood Canteen

2011-06-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

When it came to wartime glamour, snoods were a fantastic way of keeping your locks neat while staying perfectly stylish. And Arthelia's Attic offers some of the best snoods around--with several styles and plenty of colors to choose from, it's a sure bet you'll find the perfect match for every outfit in your closet! This particular snood is a customized design she created for me--I blogged about it when I first received it, but never wore it for a proper photoshoot--until now, that is! With its elegant lines and beading accents, I thought it was perfect for a Hollywood glamour look, shot by the always amazing Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures. And a big big thanks to Naomi of Arthelia's Attic for crocheting such wonderful designs that are always a treat to wear and model!

xoxo
Amanda Lee

A Little Intrigue

2011-06-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

Sharing just a taste of yesterday's shoot with Atomic Age Pictures--a full "reveal" (which showcases my custom Arthelia's Attic snood) will come tomorrow! This little teaser shows off my new favorite shoes, a gift from my dear friend Annie; you can't see them too well in this photo, but they are fabulous green and blue plaid baby doll pumps!

xoxo

Amanda

Strawberry Shortcake

2011-06-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

Just a little teaser pic from a recent shoot with Matt Carson! We spent an afternoon in Jerome and took a short jaunt through the town Cottonwood on the way back. This photo was taken in front of a retro diner housed in a former gas station. The diner was sadly closed, but we took a few photos outside. We'll definitely be heading back to check it out again!

I'm wearing a 1940s strawberry print jersey playsuit that I snapped up several years ago. It's a treasured piece of mine that I love wearing :-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Hula-la!

2011-06-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, artist Zach Cohen contacted Doug to ask our permission to use a few of our photos as reference for a painting he had in mind. Of course we said yes, and I was delighted when I saw his finished work! Zach's artwork has a very unique style, and he does a wonderful job of capturing his subjects. Check out more of his work here!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Sock Hop at the 5 & Diner

2011-06-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

Last Friday my Sweetie's band performed at a sock hop event hosted by the Savoy Hop Cats at a retro Phoenix diner. The event went off without a hitch--there was a big crowd with plenty of swing dancers, a bevy of classic cars, and waitresses serving up food and ice cream treats (great music, dancing, and milkshakes? That's what I call a winning combination!) Midway through the event, Brenda Lee hosted a swimsuit contest--and I won! I wore a black 1950s swimsuit trimmed with white beading that I found at Matilda's Closet along with a pair of retro satin mules. For the rest of the event, I wore a tropical print reproduction dress from the fab Blue Velvet Vintage and my fave white 40s heels, which are surprisingly comfortable to dance in.

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Happy Anniversary, Able Grable!

2011-06-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

The Betty Amanda, the frock that started it all!

Today is Able Grable’s two-year anniversary, and I can hardly believe it! I was quite honored when Annie approached me to model for her, and working with her has been an absolute delight these past two years. I’ve been amazed with the designs she has created, and modeling and wearing them has been a real treat!

Here’s to many more years of success, Able Grable!

xoxo
Amanda Lee

The Naughty Lady

For the Boys

Miss Ann Darrow

The Miss Scarlet Street Blouse

Miss Lola Burns

Miss Iris Henderson

The Ready Hedy

The Wicked Lady

ReverbNation

2011-06-01T23:14:00.000-07:00

Check out my Sweetie's band profile over at ReverbNation--you can listen to four songs that will be featured on his upcoming album, Lonesome and Blue. I'm so proud of him--he really put his heart and soul into his first Heymakers album, and I'm very excited for it to be released!

Stay tuned for more news--we may be headed to Europe for a tour this fall!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Of Polka Dots and Playsuits

2011-05-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite outfits is this adorable 40s midriff top and shorts set, made by Hollywood Premiere in a soft aqua and cream polka dot print. It’s a candy sweet confection with piping trim, gathered sleeves and a shirred bust—I have to say it’s one of my all-time favorite finds! I bought it from the fantastic Vee Vin Tage—these lovely gals sell vintage in addition to designing and sewing the most wonderful reproductions. They found this set at a popular vintage store in California—apparently Hillary Duff had just tried it on. I’m sure glad she passed on it, and even more glad that V Vintage decided to part with it as well! These photos were taken by the talented Matt Carson, one of my favorite portrait photographers to work with, at an afternoon shoot a few days ago.

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

The Naughty Lady

2011-05-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

As promised, more photos of the latest Able Grable! I was quite honored to be able to model this exquisite creation, which is part of an already amazing collection of vintage style frocks that the lovely Miss M has been designing.

The Naughty Lady is a must have for all you femme fatales out there! Imagine the heads you'll turn when you walk into a room in this hot number--you'll surely have the same impact as Ms. Rita herself. I found the dress caused quite stir during the shoot with Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures--we shot in the Ghost Lounge at the historic San Carlos Hotel, and I received offers of martinis once I finished shooting, tee hee.

My accessories were graciously loaned to me by Matilda's Closet, a shop you must visit if you are ever in Glendale, AZ.

xoxo,
Amanda

Every night she got all dressed up...

2011-05-18T23:28:00.000-07:00

"...and waited. But a girl like Gilda couldn't stand not knowing the why of things, so she decided to swallow her pride and came to see me. It was wonderful."

The first glimpse of Able Grable's Naughty Lady, inspired by the iconic Gilda. Rhinestones and gloves from Matilda's Closet, photography by house photographer Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures. More to follow very soon!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

OOTD--Grapes of Summer

2011-05-17T22:45:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd post a quick snap from last week--I'm wearing a 1950s yellow cotton dress embroidered with orange and green grapes, with an orange "rope" belt, green and yellow 50s earrings, and a pair of yellow orchids in my hair.

The pic was snapped by my sewing instructor (a post about the exciting lessons I've been taking soon) who worked as a model in the 90s and also dabbled in photography. She's a real neat lady and I've learned a great deal about sewing from her already!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Mail Call

2011-05-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to pieces when I came home from work today and found a package from NudeeDudee waiting for me! Isn't this the sweetest outfit? The green was even richer in person, and the fabric Kim used is so wonderfully drapey. And of course, you gotta love the cactus print pockets! I tried it on as soon as I opened the package (please excuse the wrinkles ;-)), and had my Sweetie take a snap in front of one of the desert plants in our front yard. I can't wait to wear this for an "offical" photo shoot, and I just know it will be a favorite outfit of mine this summer!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Bird of Paradise

2011-05-07T09:32:00.001-07:00

A preview photo from my most recent shoot with Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures. For this Hawaiian look I'm wearing a Whirling Turban petal bust sarong with bamboo bracelets, mah jong earrings, my favorite cream linen 40s heels, and Ruby Woo lipstick. Sadly, my shoes broke when I got home, but they should be easy to repair (thank goodness!)

More photos to follow!

xoxo,
Amanda

How to Measure for Your Able Grable Frock

2011-05-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Miss Matilda had Doug Monce and I put together this little how-to for Able Grable--hope you like it!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Birthday Goodies

2011-04-28T18:55:00.000-07:00

My Sweetie treated me to a NudeeDudee outfit for my birthday--I'm so excited for it to arrive! I've been drooling over her designs for ages, and practically squealed with delight when I saw this one--I just love the green and red color combination and cactus print feedsack material pockets. Can't wait to wear it this summer!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Motion Pinups - A Day at the Zoo

2011-04-17T23:18:00.000-07:00

The latest Motion Pinup, "A Day at the Zoo" takes us on a lighthearted trip around the zoo. All starts well on this bright, sunny day, but trouble awaits and soon enough the hunt is on. I hope you enjoy it!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Stormy Weather

2011-04-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I modeled in an informal fashion show for Matilda's Closet, at the Glendale Jazz and Blues Festival. Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy, which put a damper on the event attendance. The other models and I still had fun though, even as we braved the rain and hail! Here's a photo taken by Garry Wilmore; I'm wearing a 1950s red cocktail dress and Persian lamb wrap, both of which are for sale at the shop.

After the show, I couldn't resist trying on this 1950s Asian lounging set--isn't it the loveliest shade of green?

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Fair Gypsy

2011-04-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday Matt Carson and I went to the Ren Faire here. Matt attends several fairs in Arizona, California, and Texas, and he's been telling me about how much he enjoys them as he meets so many wonderfully decked out subjects to photograph. This year I decided to go with him and see for myself, and indeed, I had a great time people watching and hanging out with my good friend! I went as a gypsy (albeit a Marilyn Monroe-esque gypsy) and he took a few shots of me as well. Hope you like them!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Thursday Tunes--Whatcha Say

2011-04-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

Today's tune is from the 1945 film "Pillow to Post", a wartime comedy starring Ida Lupino. Her character is working as a salesman for her father's oil company, and in order to get a room in one town, she ends up pretending to be a war bride. And as you can imgagine, much hilarity ensues in classic 40s screwball fashion. This scene features Louis Armstrong with Dorothy Dandridge singing a cute tune called "Whatcha Say". Wasn't Dorothy a doll? The dress she's wearing is a stunner too--what an unusual neckline!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Peek-a-boo Doll

2011-04-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

A few images from the Veronica Lake-inspired shoot I did with Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures. The 1940s satin gown was a gift from a sweet gal who came into the soda fountain I work at, and the floral 40s gown is from Matilda's Vintage Closet. I hope you like these!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Thursday Tunes -- This Is It!

2011-03-24T22:40:00.000-07:00

In keeping with our Betty Grable theme this week, today's tune is from the 1944 film "Pin Up Girl", starring Betty in the role of Lorry Jones, aka Laura Lorraine. This particular scene didn't make the cut, but I'd say it's a keeper. That dress of hers sure is at any rate!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

A Night in the 40s Big Band Dance

2011-03-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures just posted a number of photos from the Night in the 40s dance, and I thought I’d share them with you along with a mini recap of the event, plus a little plug for the amazing V Vintage!

I’ve been attending this USO-themed dance as Betty Grable for the past few years, as her famous "peek-a-boo" pose is the nose art on the CAF's B-17 “The Sentimental Journey”--the other guests always get a big kick out of Betty's appearance. The dance is always a fun event, with many people dressing in 40s-style (quite a few attendees are turned out in authentic uniforms and daywear, and there are a number of WWII vets who show up in their uniforms as well). A big band plays everyone's favorite standards, and there is a costume and dance contest as well--all in all it's a very fun event. This year, the museum decided to try something new—they offered a limited number of reserved seating tickets in the “O-Club” section, and the $100 price (regular tickets are $35) included your meal and a photo with Betty. I invited my dear friend Rose (of Matilda’s Closet) to be my guest, and the two of us got to sit right up front. Unfortunately I didn't get to spend much time with Rose, but she said she had a great time dancing and chatting with the other attendees.

Much of my evening was spent mingling with guests, and I met some lovely people this year (I meet so many interesting people at this show--this is one of the reasons I love going so much!) One cute gentleman, who served during WWII, was so excited to have his picture taken with me—he told me he was planning on sending it in to a Navy magazine. I met a group of people from SoCal who were members of the Skylark Flying Club, which has been around since the 1950s. I even met a gentleman who was visiting from the UK!

My dress was a custom design by V Vintage, based on these photos of Betty Grable on display at the CAF museum. I’d love to know the history behind the photos, as they’ve not turned up during any search for Betty. I suspect that a soldier at the base she visited took the photos, and a relative of this person found the photos and donated them to the museum—I’d love to hear more about their history! At any rate, doesn’t Betty look amazing? Her dress is so unusual and has a wonderful, effortless style; to me, such a design is the height of WWII style. Since the photo is black and white, I imagined her frock to be a buttercream yellow, accented with bright red tropical flower appliqués. After some searching, I found the perfect linen-look fabric, and settled on a Hawaiian-print linen fabric for the appliquéd flowers. V Vintage did an utterly amazing job of recreating this frock; I received many comments about it, and many people thought the flowers were hand painted. Now, V Vintage is planning on offering this style of dress for sale, so if you’d like one for your own please be sure to drop them a line! I can’t recommend her work enough—I’ve been thrilled with everything she’s created for me.

Well, that's the recap for this year's dance--hope to see you next year!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Motion Pinups - A Day in the Life

2011-03-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

The next Motion Pinup installment takes you through a day in the life of a starlet. This is actually the first video Doug and I worked on, but we just finished it up just a couple of weeks ago. I hope you enjoy it!

xoxo
Amanda Lee

Thursday Tunes - Swing Fever

2011-03-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

In keeping with our WWII theme, this week's tune is a clip from the 1944 film "Swing Fever". The song is called "One Girl and Two Boys" and is sung by Marilyn Maxwell, backed by Kay Kyser's band. I've always loved the dancing in this scene, and Jean Veloz is just too cute--isn't her nautical look wonderful? I don't know about you, but I would have had a tough time choosing between those two dashing gentlemen as well--both handsome and oh so smooth on the dance floor!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

A Night in the 40s Dance - USO Fashions

2011-03-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

CAF's "A Night in the 40s" big band dance is coming up this Saturday, and so I thought it would be fun to post a few USO inspiration photos in preparation for the dance! There are always a mix of outfits at these dances--everything from cocktail and evening wear to more casual day frocks and uniforms.

This year I'll be wearing something special from V Vintage, here's a little hint of my outfit:

I'll be appearing as Betty Grable, and sitting in the O-Club section with my dear friend Rose (co-owner of Matilda's Vintage Closet.)

Will any of my local followers be attending this year? For those of you who live elsewhere, will you be attending any similar events? I'd love to hear all about them!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Thursday Tunes - San Antonio Rose

2011-03-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe it's already Thursday! Where did this week go?

Today's Thursday Tune takes us to the western swing side of things with Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys "San Antonio Rose", sung by Tommy Duncan and the McKinney Sisters (aren't their cowgirl outfits absolutely darling?)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Thursday Tunes--Crazy People

2011-03-03T20:14:00.000-08:00

Today's tune features the wonderful harmony of The Boswell Sisters, a trio that influenced many well-known singers including the Andrews Sisters (who started out as Boswell Sisters imitators) and Ella Fitzgerald (Ella idolized Connie, and patterned her singing style after hers.)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

The Quest for Luscious Locks--Roux Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner

2011-03-01T20:39:00.000-08:00

For those of you struggling with dry, frizzy, or otherwise unmanageable locks, I may have found the answer! I’ve been using Roux’s Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner for the past few weeks and it has transformed my hair , which had become very difficult to style of late (tending toward the dry and flyaway side, and just generally refusing to hold a set.) Since I’ve been using the Roux conditioner, my hair has been styling like a dream—soft and silky (but not slippery), and holding sets better than ever.

My hair is quite thick, but has only a slight wave, and I kick up my natural light ash blonde to a very light golden-toned shade. It’s always held a cold set pretty well, and due to the color process I have done (my stylist uses a high lift color) it’s quite healthy for color-treated hair. However, it suddenly began refusing to curl at all—cold sets and hot sets fell right out, no matter what styling products I used—and brushing it left me with a mess of flyaway frizz. After searching through the reviews at www.makeupalley.com, I decided to take a trip to Sally Beauty and pick up a bottle of Roux’s PC conditioner—and boy am I glad that I did! I shampoo my hair 2-3 times a week, and follow with a good-sized dollop of the Roux conditioner. I rinse this out after a minute or so, and then follow with my usual conditioner (Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose conditioner, which smells divine and is wonderful for dry and course hair types. My only complaint about the Roux conditioner is that it’s not the most pleasantly scented. ) I let my hair air dry as much as possible, then comb setting lotion through and set it on rollers. In the morning, I wake up to a head full of bouncy curls that fall right into place—even the first day after washing! (I don’t know about you, but my hair always looks its best on the second and third days following washing—usually on the first day it’s not as manageable and requires a hot roller touch up. Since I’ve been using this product this seems to be a thing of the past.)

Roux also recommends using this conditioner before you have your hair colored, as it fills in the porous sections of hair so that the color processes more evenly. I can’t say I’ve noticed a difference with my hair, but it definitely lives up to the other claims for me! Oh, and Roux has been around since 1932, so it has a fab vintage appeal as well :-)

I highly recommend this product—if you’ve been struggling with dryness, frizz, or if your hair no longer holds a curl, this is well worth trying out!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

In Remembrance--Jane Russell

2011-03-01T20:16:00.000-08:00

I was very sad to hear of Jane Russell's passing yesterday, at the age of 89. She was an amazing woman and will be sorely missed.

Thursday Tunes--Jump Children

2011-02-24T19:32:00.000-08:00

Today's tune is "Jump Children" by The International Sweethearts of Rhythm. Fronted by Anna Mae Winburn (her outfit and hair are amazing--in fact, every of the band members is wonderfully stylish), the International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the first integrated, all-women band in the United States. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I did!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Rodeo Queen of Hearts

2011-02-14T18:51:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, Doug of Atomic Age Pictures and I put together a "cowgirl cupid" shoot, inspired by an image of Marilyn Monroe. V Vintage whipped up my red satin and white fringe cowgirl outfit, complete with heart trimmed gauntlets and garter, and I accessorized it with a vintage cowboy hat and white cowboy boots.

On another note, What Katie Did was so nice as to feature our latest Motion Pinup on their blog--I'm wearing the Swiss Dot and Striptease sets, along with a corsolette from Dottie's Delights.

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Her Special Valentine

2011-02-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

The latest Motion Pinup film--hope you enjoy it!

xoxo
Amanda Lee

The G.I. Jive

2011-01-31T17:15:00.000-08:00

Doug of Atomic Age Pictures put together this video--didn't he do a fabulous job?

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Makeup Mondays--Skincare

2011-01-31T17:08:00.000-08:00

Maria asked me to talk about my skincare routine, and I’m very happy to oblige! My skin is the sort that is very sensitive and easily irritated, and I struggled with it in my teens and early 20s. I began using cold cream at that time, and my skin loved it—it cleared right up, in fact. I was a loyal user of Pond’s from that point forward until about two years ago, when it seemed that cold cream no longer agreed with my skin. It was back the drawing board then, though I never really found a suitable replacement for my beloved cold cream. A few months back I read that Pond’s had changed the formula of their classic cold cream, and had added a number of potentially irritating ingredients. Apparently, the store brand cold cream (CVS or Walgreen’s) continued to be made using the original formula. Intrigued by this bit of information, I picked up a tub and tried it out—and the skin issues I’d been dealing with (mostly excessive oiliness) disappeared in just a few weeks, and my skin is back to normal once more. So, I wholeheartedly recommend trying cold cream—for anyone who tried Pond’s and didn’t like the results, you might try the store brand and see if that works for you!

My routine is fairly simple: morning and night I apply cold cream to dry skin, massage it in, and then remove it with a warm, damp washcloth. In the mornings, I follow cleansing with a light moisturizer and sunscreen—my morning routine is quite simple, which is a good thing as I am usually running behind (I wouldn’t describe myself as a morning person.) In the evenings, I follow cleansing by exfoliating with an BHA product, and then apply moisturizer and a retinol cream. That’s it—my skin stays smooth and clear and I’m quite happy with the results.

I adore Arcona’s Magic White Ice serum; this lightweight moisturizer is wonderful for normal to oily skin types. It applies easily and absorbs quickly, and it smells delicious too (like grape Nehi—I love the scent, as does my Sweetie.) It’s the perfect base under makeup, and I like to mix it with any treatment products I apply in the evening, to buffer the active ingredients. I’ve already repurchased it twice, and plan to purchase another bottle when I run out of my current—and for someone who is a product junkie, and is always trying new things just because, that really says something!

For sunscreen, I use BurnOut’s Clean and Clear SPF 32 sunscreen. I’ll confess to avoiding sunscreen for many years (having temperamental skin makes one shy away from it, it’s a catch 22 for sure—wearing it can cause breakouts, not wearing it means skin damage in the long run), but now I use it faithfully. It took a number of tries for me to find one that works for my skin—chemical sunscreens are out (as they cause major irritation for me), but most physical sunscreens are thick, greasy affairs—not an elegant product to apply on their own, and absolutely horrid worn under makeup. I finally found an excellent product in BurnOut’s offering—a physical-only sunscreen that feels light and non-greasy and works fabulously under makeup. Oh, and it does its job well—the only sunburn I’ve gotten in the past six months that I’ve used this was due to me missing an area when I applied it (at the military benefit I forgot to apply sunscreen to my chest, and had a delightful red “V” for a few days. Lovely, it was.) Again, I’m already on my second tube, which really says something! If you’d like to try this product, it can be found here; it applies best on damp skin, so I apply moisturizer and then follow with sunscreen right away.

In the evenings, I use Arcona’s Raspberry Clarifying Pads—I cut the pads in half, as they are quite large. I adore these as well—they are well-suited to sensitive skin, and have a light, fruity scent. The other product I swear by is Avene’s Ystheal Emulsion, a retinol product that is the only one my skin has ever been able to tolerate. I mix a pump of it with a pump of Magic White Ice and apply after using half of a clarifying pad; this has been my nightly routine for the past few months and I am very pleased with it.

That’s it—my skincare routine is fairly basic and streamlined. It took me a number of years to find the right products, but I’m quite happy now, and recommend all of them. I'd love to hear your favorite products--what works best for you?

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Ahoy There!

2011-01-24T21:05:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the cheesy blog title, but I couldn't resist ;-)

The military vehicle show turned out to be great fun--I had a fab time hanging out with Brenda Lee and Melissa Moxie. Both ladies were lots of fun to chat with, and I think our booth was quite a hit! Brenda Lee was representing the Pinup Angels, a group of pinups that puts together care packages for the troops. Melissa and I were both selling our 2011 calendars, which proved to be quite popular (everyone should have a pinup on their wall every day of the year, don't you think?) Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures photographed and filmed us (video clip to follow soon, so stay tuned!)--I wore my cheesecake Marine uniform (a custom design by V Vintage) on Saturday, and a pinup sailor outfit (borrowed from the Brenda Lee) on Sunday. Melissa and Brenda Lee also dressed in pinup military attire--and let me tell you, a lot guys asked us where they needed to go to enlist! We also met a gentleman who enlisted in 1945 at the age of 13 (he had some great stories) and a spitfire named Helen who was a WAVE--as you can see in the photos, her uniform still fit! All in all it was an enjoyable event, and I hope to be back next year.

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Vintage Military Vehicle Show

2011-01-22T08:39:00.000-08:00

Cheesecake Marine Uniform by V Vintage
Photo and artwork by Jensen Photography

This weekend I'll be appearing at the Vintage Military Vehicle show along with local pinup models Brenda Lee and Melissa Moxie--the three of us will be at a booth selling our pinup photos and calendars. There promises to be a good turnout of military vehicles and other goodies, including uniforms and other collectible items. I attended last year's show, and had the honor of being one of the auction girls--it was great fun :-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Calendar Girl

2011-01-20T20:25:00.000-08:00

Doug of Atomic Age Pictures and I put together a classic one-page calendar for 2011 (his talented sister Donna Monce was the graphic designer), and I realized I never mentioned it on my blog! So, although January is almost through, there are still 11 months in which one can use and enjoy this calendar ;-) We're selling them for a mere $10 (plus S&H), so if you'd like one, do let me know!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

A Little Marilyn

2011-01-19T21:28:00.001-08:00

A few shots from my latest photo shoot with Matt Carson. For this shoot we went to the Tumacacori Mission ruins, which are located about 40 miles outside of Tucson, and I have to say the ruins are amazing! The history behind the mission is incredibly interesting, and the area where they are located is incredibly peaceful.

My outfit for this shoot was a copy of the costume Marilyn Monroe wore in the movie "Bus Stop". V Vintage did a wonderful job creating it; the peasant blouse was done up in olive green crepe-backed satin with an emerald green lace overlay, and the skirt was made in a satin with a bit of stretch for wearing ease. I highly recommend this seamstress, as she can create anything you can dream up, and is a delight to work with as well.

The purse and necklaces came from Matilda's Vintage Closet; seamed fishnets and my Remix platforms completed the look.

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

A Little Red White and Blue

2011-01-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

I thought I’d share a few photos from Saturday’s benefit show—these were taken by my talented photographer friend Matt Carson. The event was well-done; the band started a bit late as the other portions of the benefit went over the planned time, but it was a very nice tribute to the military. The people who put on the show were incredibly nice and appreciative, and we were glad we could help out!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Makeup Mondays—Kryolan Cream Liner

2011-01-17T21:22:00.000-08:00

I’ve been a long-time user of Joe Blasco Ultamattes, as these liners work very well for me—both Midnight Brown and Eddie Leonard are excellent rich brown shades well suited for fair blonde complexions, and the formula is wonderfully water resistant and non-irritating to my sensitive eyes. However, when I bought a new tube of my favorite foundation, Kryolan TV Paint Stick, I couldn’t resist trying out a pot of the cream liner (I was almost out of my current liner, so it was a justifiable impulse buy.) I’m glad I did—the color Cacao is a lovely chocolate brown (a wonderful shade for pale blondes and redheads), and the formula has proven to be just as budgeproof, if not more so, than my favorite Ultamattes. I’ve been wearing this liner for the past several days, and it wears like iron—no smudging or fading, and best of all, no irritation (I have very sensitive eyes, and many products cause them to water like mad.) The texture is that of a firm gel/cream, and as it is highly pigmented, you only need a little to create that sought-after vintage cat eye. I apply it with a small sable filbert brush (Cinema Secrets #2)—the formula is creamy enough to apply smoothly, but not so creamy as to smear about as you apply it (like the formula of Clinique and Bobbi Brown’s cream liner options—I found both of these to be a royal pain to apply.) I have to say that Kryolan’s cream liner may be edging out my standby! So, if you are in the market for a new eyeliner, or looking to try a product that delivers what it promises, I highly recommend checking this one out!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Second Annual Salute to American Veterans

2011-01-14T05:14:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, my Sweetie's band will be performing at the 2nd annual Stand Up and Stand Proud Salute to American Veterans event. The event, which supports Arizona StandDown (an organization that helps homeless veterans) is being held from 10-2 at The Mesa Marketplace. The Heymakers will perform at noon, and will be followed by the Buddy Holly tribute band Come Back Buddy. Tickets are only $10, and all proceeds benefit Arizona StandDown--if you live in the valley, make sure you come out to the show! You'll be supporting our veterans while listening to some great rockabilly music!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Hawaiian Honey

2011-01-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures and I worked on a series of Hawaiian-themed shots--as you can see, we were very much influenced by Varga's Hawaiian girls! In this set, I am wearing a WWII-era hula skirt made from parachute cord, which came from the museum collection of Matilda's Closet. A couple of well-placed leis, 1940s wooden hibiscus earrings, and a pink and yellow tropical flower in my hair complete the look (I'm wearing LipSense in Blu-Red too). This is the first in our new series of cheesecake images--I hope you like these as much as we do :-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

One of the pinups that inspired us

Sticking to those New Year Resolutions--eBay Goodies

2011-01-10T17:48:00.000-08:00

1940s purple and hot pink crepe evening gown

Well, I pledged that I would organize my clothing collection in 2011, and here's my first round of eBay listings! I've listed a little something for everyone--from a 1940s glam evening gown to a classic 40s day dress, with a couple of stellar western pieces for good measure. Let me know if you see something you like--more items to follow in the coming weeks ;-)

Swinglindy's Auctions

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Aqua and brown pinstriped 1940s day dress

1940s-50s dusty pink and forest green western skirt used in television work

My best gal pal Jere helped model this stunning turquoise western suit by Ranch Maid

Book Review: Mildred Pierced

2011-01-05T21:57:00.000-08:00

I love to read, and often spend my lunch hour with my nose in a good page turner. A few months ago I stumbled on a series of hardboiled-style detective novels set in 1940s Hollywood. Written by Stuart M. Kaminsky, the books star a detective named Toby Peters who always manages to find himself working on celebrity cases, none of which could ever be called run of the mill or straightforward. Mildred Pierced, the second to last book in the series, involves Joan Crawford, who is about to start working on a movie that she knows will put her back at the top—Mildred Pierce. Unfortunately, Ms. Crawford is the only witnesses to the death of inept dentist Sheldon Minck’s, wife—who just so happens to have been shot with an arrow while Sheldon is out practicing his archery skills. Ms. Crawford wants Toby Peters to get to the bottom of the mystery while keeping her name out of the papers—for such publicity would definitely put a wrench in her career plans! Sheldon, who rents a tiny space in his dentist office (torture chamber is the better term for it) to Toby, wants him to prove his innocence even though he was at the scene of the crime with crossbow in hand. The end result is a witty tale with just the right amount of twists and turns.

I find the Toby Peters series to be a fast reads with snappy, creative storylines. Kaminsky is an author who knows his history, especially Hollywood history, and that makes the series a good pick for retro lovers. I enjoy his detailed descriptions of people and places, which serve to bring the characters and stories to life very vividly, and I definitely appreciate an author who loves the past as much as I do!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Fashion Inspiration: Paulette Goddard in "The Cat and the Canary"

2011-01-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, my Sweetie and I watched the 1939 movie "The Cat and the Canary," starring Paulette Goddard and Bob Hope. This lighthearted spooky comedy was a delight to watch, and not only because of Bob Hope's fantastic wry sense of humor (which never disappoints, I have to say.) Paulette was a lovely actress and is an absolute vision in this film, and oh, what a wardrobe her character has! She is outfitted in everything from snappily coordinated daywear to a rich, creamy satin nightgown, which meant I spent the entire movie wishing her outfits were in my closet! If you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it--the storyline is cute and entertaining, and I'll bet you'll be wishing her wardrobe was yours too!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

The keyhole neckline on this dress reminded me of Able Grable's "For the Boys" frock

This gingham frock was one of my favorites--I wonder what color it was?

Ruby Red Lips

2011-01-03T21:08:00.000-08:00

I'm wearing Lip Ink Energy Red in this photo

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been a long-time fan of Lip Ink liquid lipstick, and Riika’s comment on another post inspired me to write a full-fledged review about it.

I’ve been a loyal user of Lip Ink for three years, and it is pretty much the only lipstick I wear anymore. Though I do adore Besame’s lipstick (Red Hot Red is my fave shade), and though I admit to the occasional impulse purchase tubes of ‘regular’ lipstick (just bought Revlon’s vintage-style tube of Fire n’Ice), I almost always reach for my Lip Ink! I love not worrying about my lipstick smearing, bleeding, or transferring to my coffee cup (and of course my Sweetie appreciates the fact that he can kiss me and not end up wearing lipstick too!) Over the years I had tried a number of indelible lipsticks—Cover Girl Outlast, MAC Pro Longwear, Revlon Colorstay—and was never very pleased with any of them. For one thing, they felt like I’d just applied a thick layer of lacquer to my lips. They also cracked, peeled, and dried to a lighter shade (and for someone who is addicted to bright red lipstick, having your color fade to a dull shade of red just won’t do.) On a whim I tried Lip Ink, and found it to be a true stain—but one that was comfortable to wear. The color stays true, it doesn’t crack or fade, and it’s non-drying as well (I find it actually heals dry lips.) I also find that it photographs like regular lipstick (instead of looking like you’ve applied a coat of paint to your lips), and so I wear it for nearly all of my photo shoots and fashion shows (it’s fantastic to not have to worry about smearing your lipstick on your clothing.) My favorite shade is Energy Red, a rich 1940s shade that I think of as very “Hedy Lamarr”, though I am also fond of Red (a bright pink-based red), Hot Pink (a shocking pink shade), Fuchsia (a deep raspberry shade), and Coral (a bright, true coral shade).

Lip Ink is a two-product lipstick—you apply a layer of color, let it dry for a few moments, and then top with a coat of their Lip Shine gloss. If you decide to try Lip Ink, I do recommend picking up a tube of Lip Shine as well—I love the LemonMint flavor—but unlike the other type of long-wearing lipsticks, you don’t need to reply it multiple times over the day to keep the color from cracking off. It just moisturizes and adds a nice shine to the lips. Lip Ink also sells a remover for their product, as most cleansers won’t take it off—but I discovered that plain ol’ rubbing alcohol removes it with ease. I realize that this sounds very unglamorous and drying to boot, but as I said above, there is something in the color that keeps my lips nice and soft (and my lips definitely are on the dry side to begin with), and I’d rather save my pennies for another tube of color or shine.

Lipsense Blu-Red
Now, I will say that it appears as though Lip Ink has changed their formula slightly, as the lipstick isn’t quite as indelible as it was when I first started wearing it. I still prefer it to regular lipstick hands down, but I do wish they would go back to the old formula! This led me to another product though, a similar liquid lip color made by Lipsense. I ordered a tube of Blu-Red over the holidays to compare (I read that this is Christina Aguilera’s favorite), and I find that in terms of staying power, Lipsense beats Lip Ink soundly. Applied once in the morning, I don’t need to touch it up all day, though I do refresh the gloss after lunch. There are two things that I don’t like as well though—the smell/taste (a horrid fakey rose scent that unfortunately lingers), and the finish (it dries to a very tacky finish, though the gloss remedies this fairly easily.) But on the whole I’ve been very pleased and will most likely purchase this again (I’d like to try the Cranberry shade next, I think.)

Lip Ink Red
So, that’s my two cents on this subject—I’d highly recommend either of these products to anyone on the hunt for a long-wearing red lipstick!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

We Can Do It!

2011-01-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I worked with Hardwood Pinups on this iconic Rosie the Riveter image--he was doing a series of Rosies and asked if I wanted to be one of the models. Of course I said yes, as the "We Can Do It" illustration is one of the most enduring images of WWII, and I had never done a shoot with this theme. And of course, Mr. Hardwood is a fantastic and fun photographer to work with, so I was more than happy to work with him again! Last week he sent me the finished image, and ironically, it turns out the woman who was the face of the original Rosie had just passed away. I am sharing this picture as a tribute to her and all of the other Rosies who served our country.

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

New Year's Wishes

2011-01-01T16:10:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all my followers--I wish all of you a wonderful and exciting 2011!

My Sweetie and I celebrated in a low-key fashion last night; his band was booked to play until 10:30 out at Pinnacle Peak Patio, and so we weren't able to take on the town until it was almost the new year. We did have a nice dinner at FEZ, and I got to wear my favorite Christmas gift from my Sweetie, Vivien of Holloway's aubergine satin sarong :-)

I have two resolutions for the new year--the first is that I aim to update my blog on a daily basis, or at least several times a week. I'm working on some weekly ideas that should make my blog more interesting for my readers, and I'm looking forward to posting each week! My talented sis has offered to help me by taking photos for me, which will be fab as my forte is really in front of the camera, instead of behind it! Also, my brother-in-law was able to help with some computer issues that were it making it a major pain to upload photos to my posts--a big thank you to him!

My second resolution is to really work at organzing my collection. I'm sure my collector followers can relate--when you get into collecting vintage clothing, knick-knacks or anything else, at some point your collection outgrows its home! So, my goal is to get my collection in order, paring down what needs to (read: keep a lookout for the eBay auctions I'll be posting--I'll be parting with some goodies) and figuring the best way to store the rest. Wish me luck, readers--I'm gonna need it! ;-)

What are your resolutions for 2011?

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Dead Gorgeous

2010-12-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I watched a fabulous movie on MYSTERY!, called Dead Gorgeous. Set in 1946 England, the story tells of two women who worked together during the war, lost touch with each other, and then meet by chance on the street one day. Both women are now married, and both are wishing they weren’t, though for very different reasons. The two characters are complete opposites—there’s Rose Bell, a quiet, reserved woman resigned to marriage to an oafish man who has a drinking and womanizing problem, and Antonia, a spoiled, scheming woman who married for money and now has decided she wants to trade her husband in for a younger Italian model (but she’d like to keep her hubby’s riches, naturally.) Essentially, the story is an updated version of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train. Anyway, as I was saying, I watched this movie several years ago, found the storyline to be an entertaining one, and was taken by the fabulous wardrobe (socialite Antonia’s outfits were to-die-for.) Some time later, I came across the book this movie was based on, Peter Lovesey’s On the Edge, but for some reason never got around to reading it. I decided to pick it up this week, and boy am I glad I did—the book is even better than the movie, though the latter does stay fairly true to the former. There are some differences, mostly minor ones (like the color of Antonia’s hair; in the movie she’s a striking brunette, and in the book she’s a green-eyed blonde), but the movie mirrors the book quite well on the whole. As you can see, the costuming for the show was delicious—Antonia wears a host of extravagant suits, decadent hats, and smashing evening wear. And the book descriptions of her outfits were a treat too—doesn’t this outfit sound divine?

“As promised, Antonia was by the bandstand at half past two, conspicuous in a lilac-colored coat with bishop sleeves and a matching Breton sailor hat tilted back rakishly. She was getting some long looks from the nannies walking their prams.”

So, if you’re looking for a good read or movie, be sure to check this one out!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Deco Doll

2010-11-30T19:45:00.000-08:00

Doug of Atomic Age Pictures and I decided to do a little something different for our most recent shoot, and came up with a deco-inspired series on the waterfront at Tempe Town Lake. I wore two dresses from Matilda’s Closet—the first is a late 1930s black taffeta evening gown studded with rhinestones, the second a 30s-style reproduction with rhinestone trim—and had my hair done in a modern take of a 30s-style. Since it was quite chilly, I also wore my Able Grable capelet. The finished look was a fun step away from our usual favorite eras!

On another note, I’ve been terribly neglectful of my blog due to my very busy schedule of late. However, I want to remedy this, and would love to hear from you—what sorts of posts would you like to see here? what sorts of posts would you like to see here? I do have another Motion Pinup in the works, and a hair tutorial should follow soon as well—what other suggestions do you have for me?

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Beautiful Bombers

2010-11-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

I'm wearing Able Grable's "For the Boys" frock
with my red linen 40s platforms, a red patent purse, and red celluloid jewelry

Two Sundays ago, three Commemorative Air Force planes landed at the Deer Valley Airport--B-17 The Sentimental Journey, B-25 Maid in the Shade, and the only flying B-29, FiFi. I stopped by to check them out for a bit before heading to my cigarette girl gig later that evening. I was glad I made it to the event--there was a wonderful turnout to see these amazing bombers! I even got to meet two gentlemen who trained B-29 pilots, which was quite a treat! I also got to meet one of my blog followers, Brittany, who was a real sweetie. I have to say that I love how blogging connects us--I've really enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people both in person and online!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

This is one of the gentlemen who trained B-29 pilots.
He told me he works at the Pima Air Museum
and to stop in and say hello the next time I visit :-)

Posing with another WWII vet--he came to the show with his daughter, who is taking the picture

Vulture Mine Photo Shoot

2010-11-25T19:25:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, Matt Carson and I decided to take a trip up to Vulture Mine for a shoot. We had been once before about a year ago, and found the place to be a fantastic setting, with wonderful old buildings that though slowly decaying, made for wonderful backdrops. The faded walls popped brightly on film, and the history of the place is quite interesting. This trip, we were disappointed to find that a number of our favorite buildings were now roped off, as they had been deemed unsafe to enter. It's true that you enter them at your own risk, as they are indeed disintegrating, but it was odd that other spots, where half the building had collapsed, were still accessible. At any rate, we found a new building that we hadn't seen before, and it proved to be an excellent shooting location. Anyway, here are the results of our adventure!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Jazz in AZ Big Fall Swing Dance

2010-11-17T22:07:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, Jazz in AZ hosted a big band dance at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. The stellar nine-piece band, conducted by Auggie Mendoza, featured the group MayneSwing (a trio of sisters who sing in the style of the Andrews Sisters) along with Sinatra-style vocalist Vito Mayne (yep, he's the brother of the MayneSwing sisters--there's plenty of talent in this family). It turned out that photographer Doug Monce's brother, Denny, was one of the trumpet players in the band--now there's another family that is bursting with talent! I sold raffle tickets for the Big Apple Raffle (the winner will receive a trip for two to New York, including an evening at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola--doesn't that sound like fun?), and wore a fabulous original 40s cigarette girl outfit provided by Matilda's Closet. The hat was made for me by the lovely and talented Jennifer of The Pin Curl Diaries, and I also wore my favorite black velvet pumps. All in all, it was a fun evening that I enjoyed being a part of!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Latest Finds--Polka Dot Platforms

2010-11-16T15:54:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am supposed to be saving right now, but when I came across these marvelous 40s platforms I just had to bid! I mean, I really did need a pair of white shoes to replace my current pair (which I adore but are too delicate to wear except for photo shoots these days), and it really is hard to find white platforms in a size 7.5. Especially ones with ankle straps and cute polka dot cutouts! So, I think I was justified in snagging these, don’t you think? ;-)

I'd love to hear about your latest finds--what has found its way into your closet recently?

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

OOTD

2010-11-11T19:36:00.000-08:00

I have't posted an OOTD photo in ages, so I made sure to take one today! This is a typical look for me when the weather cools off--sweater and skirt combos are classic and easy to put together in a rush :-)

1950s pale pink cashmere sweater with button-trimmed collar
1950s black wool skirt
Narrow patent belt
Black patent 40s-style heels
Lucite 'A' brooch
Pink and yellow floral reverse carved lucite earrings

Making Room in My Closet

2010-11-09T19:57:00.000-08:00

I've been cleaning out my closet again, and have started listing some of my collection on eBay. Right now I have a fab 40s western dress, a deco 40s dress and jacket combo, and a couple of pairs of platforms up--check 'em out and maybe you'll see something that needs to be in your closet!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Hot Rod Girl

2010-11-07T21:16:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to shoot with photographer Ron Ricci, and I'm really happy with how the photos turned out! The shoot took place at DRT Automotive, and the Boston Bad Boys provided some amazing cars for the models to shoot with. We also had the chance to work with new designer Celena Garcia of Krabbie Gurl, who had sewn up some super cute pinup looks for us to wear! Ron is a very talented photographer, and his assistants Joleen and Maryam made the shoot run incredibly smooth. I hope you like my latest work!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

I'm wearing my own wardrobe here--a 1940s yellow linen sun top by Koret of California
1950s black velvet shorts with rhinestone buttons
Remix platform heels
1940s carved bone earrings

The Final Frontier

2010-11-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

My Sweetie played a Halloween show on Saturday night, and we decided to dress as Captain Kirk and Yeoman Rand. My Sweetie found his costume at Easley's (how I love that place--I've rented so many cool costumes there, and scored a couple of amazing vintage pieces there as well), and I had mine made by Sherry of Silk Surroundings (the same seamstress who made my ghost costume for The Pinup and the Poltergeist).

Here we are posing with my Sweetie's two daughters--aren't they pretty? His younger daughter went as a flapper (I did her makeup) and the older daughter went as Katy Perry :-)

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

The Pinup and the Poltergeist

2010-10-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

For our second Motion Pinup, Doug of Atomic Age Pictures and I put together a spooky short just in time for Halloween. I hope you enjoy it!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Morse Code

2010-10-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

One of my all-time favorite singers is the dynamic Ella Mae Morse. With her powerful, rich voice and a style that blended jazz, country, boogie woogie and swing, this underrated singer turned out such hits as “Shoo-Shoo Baby,” “Mr. Five by Five,” and “The House of Blue Lights,” while putting Capitol Records on the map. Her career had a brief start at the age of 14, when she was hired by bandleader Jimmy Dorsey She’d told him she was 19, and when he found out her real age, and that he was now responsible for her care, he promptly fired her. Ella then joined forces with former Dorsey pianist Freddie Slack in 1942, and had her first gold single with “Cow Cow Boogie.” Though her records were always well-received, she never developed a huge following, and she retired in 1957.

The lovely Ella passed away on this date in 1999, and in honor of her passing, I’m posted a video of my favorite songs.

Indian Summer Photo Shoot

2010-10-14T22:35:00.000-07:00

These past few weeks have flown by in a whirlwind, and I've hardly had time to catch my breath, let alone visit with my blogging friends! I hope you forgive my absence, and I promise to get back on track with regular posts :-)

Over the weekend I had a chance to shoot with my good friend, Matt Carson. We always have a great time, and I always love the shots he takes! He has a fantastic eye for color, don't you think?

The first outfit I wore was a red reproduction midriff sweater by Dixabilly, paired with navy blue sailor shorts from F21 (you can't see my shoes in this shot, but I'm wearing a pair of 40s red leather platforms trimmed in brass nailheads.) The second outfit I wore was the 1950s gingham cotton dress I scored in Tucson recently, paired with my "grown-up Dorothy" Betseyville heels. I also had the chance to wear a stellar 1940s-50s peach and gray Hawaiian playsuit, borrowed from Matilda's Closet, along with a matching pair of coral heels from Urban Outfitters. As you can see, the weather is still quite warm here!

I look forward to catching up with everyone!

xoxo

Retro Style Goes to Work

2010-09-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

How do you dress for the office?

I’ve discussed this topic before, back when I first start this blog, but I wanted to revisit it as I am working in a new office with a much more relaxed dress code than my previous workplace.

I’ve always worked in “business professional” settings, where you are expected to dress neatly and can only wear jeans on Fridays. My attire consisted of tailored vintage or repro dresses, blouse and skirt/trouser combos, and the occasional suit, and though I was dressier than most (standing out even further by wearing red lipstick, reverse rolls, and the like), I found that retro style was right at home in the office. For years I had Fridays off, and rarely had the option of wearing jeans. On the rare occasion that I could wear them, and chose to wear them (I find dresses to be more comfortable to wear than jeans, though I love the look of cuffed dungarees), I wore a vintage or repro high-waisted style, again with a nice blouse or top.

Now my new office is very laidback, and employees have the option of dressing casually every day of the week. Most do, and I was a bit apprehensive about being too dressy—I like to blend in while acclimating to the new environment, but luckily people dress in a wide range of styles, and have no issues with my retro look (which I’ve been slowly easing into—I always tone things down a bit at first ;-).) It seems they do encourage uniqueness, which is always a good thing no matter where you are

How do you dress for your job? What kind of environment do you work in, and do you have to change or tone down your vintage look for day? Considering that vintage styles are very classic and well-suited for an office environment, I think most places would be very accepting—but I’m sure there are some places out there that would mind!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Tucson Travels

2010-09-21T21:50:00.001-07:00

One of my purchases from How Sweet It Was--a 50s black and white gingham dress trimmed in soutache and sequins

Red linen 40s platforms

Red carved plastic bracelet

Red Bakelite earrings and necklace

Red patent purse

Fully fashioned stockings

On Saturday my Sweetie and I took a short little jaunt to Tucson--we had a free night stay at El Conquistador Resort, and we drove down Saturday afternoon. We had just enough time that day to take in a little shopping and a nice dinner, and later we hit the town in search of music and cocktails (I had a most divine beverage called the Ghost Orchid at the Congress--creme de violet, peach and ginger liqueur, oh my! My Sweetie went with his favorite standby, a dirty vodka martini.)

The next day we had breakfast at the Cup Cafe (always a hit) and then toured the Pima Air Museum before heading home that afternoon. It was much too short a trip, but we hope to be headed back sometime in October for a special project ;-)

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

1940s-50s grey denim trimmed in red bandana cotton top and skirt
Matching bandana belt
Rocket Originals "Georgia" Wedges
Carved red Bakelite earrings and bracelet
Red patent purse

What's Your Scent Style?

2010-09-15T22:16:00.000-07:00

Do you remember your first perfume? I do; I vividly remember receiving a bottle of Malibu Sun and Old Navy for my 13th Christmas (hope I haven’t dated myself too badly *tee hee*). It felt so grown up to have my very own perfume—even though it was one that wasn’t at all “grown up!” (But what did I know, right?) A few years later, when my middle sister moved out, she gave me her bottle of Lady Stetson and Charlie, and even though I don’t recall ever wearing either of these, just having them on my dresser made me feel ever so mature *smirk*.

Now my tastes have developed quite a bit, and I find myself drawn to floral and oriental scents. I particularly enjoy trying out vintage perfumes, and generally seek them out over modern creations. Chanel and Guerlain’s famous creations don’t agree with my chemistry (sadly, as I adore Shalimar on others—on me it smells of acrid powder), but as I’ve learned what scents suit me (both in style and chemistry), I’ve found a few that I love. One of my favorites is Tabu; this one was created in 1932, and though it has a negative rep these days (it is not a perfume that can be applied heavy-handed), I enjoy its spiciness. It’s a “man-magnet” too; whenever I wear it men seem to go crazy!

For something a little sweeter, I adore violet fragrances, particularly those of the candied variety. Two favorites are Violetta di Parma (created for Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife) and Violettes de Toulouse (created in 1932); both are delicately sweet and perfect for spring and summer. My only complaint is that neither is very long lasting, but one can’t always have it all ;-)

I do wear a couple of modern perfumes as well—I’ve recently discovered two that I enjoy very much: Kenzo Flower and Caron Aimez Moi. Kenzo Flower is a delightful bouquet with a soft powdery tone; it has a definite vintage feel and I think that is one of the reasons I am drawn to it. It is a fragrance that people—both men and women—always comment on, and it’s fairly unique as well. Caron’s Aimez Moi was inspired by one of their famed scents, N’Aimez Que Moi, a perfume created in 1916 for soldiers to give to their sweethearts before they went off to war (. The latter is no longer readily available, and is said to be a more complex version of the Aimez Moi. However, I am quite taken with the warm, sweet rose and violet bouquet of the new version. The original is on my “someday” list though!

So, now that I’ve told you my scent style and history, do tell me about yours! What perfumes do you love, and what was your first perfume?

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Beauty Finds

2010-09-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Dolores Moran primping for the camera

I've been obsessed with cosmetics for many years; I've always suspected this had something to do with my mother not allowing me to wear makeup until I was a teen. She and my sisters are beauty minimalists (and are quite beautiful in their natural state, I might add, and of course being brunettes they were blessed with eyebrows that need no help), but I've been a glamour girl for many years! For me, applying makeup is an enjoyable experience, one that makes me feel feminine and well, glamorous, and I am always searching for the latest and greatest product (I attribute this to my grandmother, who was always trying the newest magic potions--it's got to be an inherited trait!)

A vintage look by Kryolan

So, I thought I would share a couple of my newest finds with you today! The first is a fantastic foundation made by Kryolan, a cosmetics company that started in 1945. As someone with very pale skin, finding a color match has always been a challenge. Because of this, I much prefer pro “stage” makeup lines, as they offer much wider color ranges (and I think we can all benefit from a greater variety of shades). Though they have a rep for being thick, “pancake” heavy makeups, the finishes and textures are actually quite lovely when properly applied. One needs a much thinner layer of product due to the higher pigment-to-filler ratio, and the high pigment concentration also means that the products wear very well (they need to survive under hot stage lights, making them great for hot/humid days.) I tried Kryolan’s TV Paint Stick on a whim, and have been thoroughly impressed with it for the few months I’ve used it. The finish is fantastic; it has lovely, buildable coverage; and the color TV White is a perfect match for my skin tone (which is about a MAC NC/NW5-10, if MAC made that color.) You can’t beat the $11 price tag, either! I've strayed a couple of times, but I always come back to this foundation--and dare I say it *gasp* I've lost all interest in trying more foundations!

The second product that I’ve recently tried is Proclaim Foaming Wrap Lotion. I cold set my hair using perm rods, and on occasion use setting lotion for extra hold (though on the whole, I set my hair with water only.) In the past I’ve been very loyal to Lottabody, but I may now be a convert to Proclaim! My hair is thick and fairly straight, and though color treated, it's in very good condition and now more reluctant to take the curl than it has been in the past. Enter Proclaim Foaming Wrap Lotion--and bam, my hair is curling like a dream! And the set lasts even better and longer than before--I am very pleased with my new solution. A mere $4 at Sally's sets you up with a generously-sized bottle that is easy to use (3-4 pumps of product, no diluting required) and pleasantly scented. Call me hooked!

So there you have it--my two latest beauty "wins"! What beauty finds have you come across lately, dear readers?

xoxo,

Amanda Lee