Having a Nautical Time at Rockabilly Rules III

Yesterday was the third annual Rockabilly Rules, a benefit event that supports the Pinup Angels. This group puts together care packages for military serving overseas, and all proceeds from the event go towards the care packages. This year had a great turnout of guests who came out to see the best of the local rockabilly bands (who all donate their time), along with burlesque dancers and plenty of awesome vendors. The 5&Diner was there to serve up awesome food and milkshakes (all while braving the scorching heat), and there was even a retro barber shop set up.

My outfit was created by Vee Vin Tage; for the first Rockabilly Rules, she made me a cheesecake version of a Marine uniform. This year, I decided to join the Navy! My two-piece outfit was made from navy blue gabardine, and I accessorized it with a vintage Navy hat (from Matilda's Closet, I believe this one dates to the 40s), 1940s leather platforms, a 1940s anchor pin, and rhinestone-studded red earrings.

These photos were taken by 60's Model Photography--we ventured out into the blazing sun to snap a few pics. I'm quite pleased with how they turned out!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

We'll Meet Again

Last Saturday I attended the annual "Night in the 40s" dance, held at the CAF museum in Mesa. It's a fun-filled evening, with a big band, costume contest, and dance contest, and for the past few years I've made an appearance as Betty Grable. The guests love it when "Betty" debuts in her signature bathing suit, and the museum and I have been talking about ways to include Betty in more events that benefit the museum, as she is the noseart on their prized B-17, "Sentimental Journey."

This year I collaborated with Kim of NudeeDudee on my outfit, and she created a spectacular, two-piece tropical number that was a real head turner. After much discussion over fabric (Kim is a delightfully patient lady), I selected a baby blue rayon adorned with flame red and white plumeria flowers and leaves. I wanted something midriff baring again, and she created a top with a plunging sweetheart neckline and gathered puffed sleeves, paired with a sarong-style wrap skirt. I was thrilled with the final results and can't wait to wear the outfit again this summer!

Here a few photos from the event!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee



My dear friend Rose, co-owner of Matilda's Closet, came as my guest--she's a wearing a stunning black crepe dress with gold studded "fireworks" detail on the sleeves. A simply amazing piece!

Veronica and Lana joined us this year and asked if they could raid my wardrobe--Veronica is wearing a lime and hunter green linen dress with coordinating red belt and cherry accessories (eBay finds) and Lana is wearing a navy blue rayon dress with white pique collar and silver buttons (a Matilda's Closet find), along with a sweetheart pin that reads "My man is in the Marines!" Oh, and her snood is from Arthelia's Attic.

Doug went as a reporter, complete with a 'press' pass in his hat!

Makeup Mondays--Triple Roll Delight

Today's Makeup Monday post is all about victory rolls! In this video created by Atomic Age Pictures I demonstrate how I create my favorite triple rolled style, which I like to call the "Triple Roll Delight". I hope you enjoy it!

The snood is from Arthelia's Attic, the hair clips are from Lila Jo and Andy's Eye Candy (Andy also made the fabulous fruit clips), and the retro boudoir is inside of Matilda's Vintage Closet. Next up Doug Monce and I will be working on a how-to for the Betty Grable Peek-a-boo 'Do!

xoxo,
Amanda

A Very NudeeDudee Special

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

The Secrets of Matilda's Vintage Closet

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

Cover Girl

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

Sock Hop at the 5 & Diner

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

The Naughty Lady

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...

"...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

Stormy Weather

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

Hawaiian Honey

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