Let Blue Velvet Vintage Make You a Star!

"Let Blue Velvet Vintage Make You a Star" is my latest collaboration with Atomic Age Pictures and Blue Velvet Vintage.  I've been modeling for Blue Velvet Vintage for the past year or so, and she has a wonderful shop filled with top quality vintage and reproduction goodies.  This video features some of her vintage-styled evening wear; I loved all of the dresses, but my personal favorite was the cobalt blue one shouldered gown--it made me feel like a Greek goddess!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

In Remembrance

Photo from www.skylighters.org

 

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

 



How time flies!

Photo by Matt Carson Has it really been that long? Oh my, I've been a naughty blogger! I do have a good excuse though, at least for part of my absence—I spent the last half of October touring Belgium and Holland playing bass with my Sweetie's band! And on our return trip, we ended up waylaid in Washington DC by the hurricane for most of last week. But now I am back, and ready for blogging! I'm working on a post about our travels right now, but for today, I thought I would post a product review. Sometime ago I read a number of interesting posts about using flaxseed  setting lotion (LandGirl1980 has a wonderfully informative article for making the homemade version here.) It sounded very intriguing and I thought I would test it out for myself. And indeed, I loved the results it gave me—consistently soft, frizz-free, and well-defined curls that lasted forever—better than any other product I've ever tried, in fact.   However, though the homemade version is very simple and inexpensive to make, it is somewhat of a messy process. I did a bit of research and found an Etsy seller, Botticelli Botanicals, offering a Flax Gelee that sounded very similar to the homemade setting lotion. It wasn't too expensive and was made with minimal and natural ingredients--and it was customizable as well. I decided to order a bottle of her basic "foolproof" formula to test it out, and I've been very pleased with the results! I've actually used up the whole bottle (it lasted me about four months with daily use) and reordered—which really says something about how wonderful flaxseed setting lotion is! Just like the homemade version, Botticelli Botanical's Flax Gelee does wonders for my hair. I comb a fairly generous amount (the size of a half dollar or slightly more) through damp or dry hair before setting it on foam stick rollers. Once dry, I remove the rollers and brush out the curls. My hair is completely frizz and static free, and the curls are soft, defined, and very long lasting. I decided to try out one of the add-ins for my second bottle, and had agave added to the mix—according to the seller, this adds extra hold. I'm quite pleased with this addition, and do find it offers an even longer-lasting curl then the basic formula (which was already pretty darn awesome.) I will add that when I initially take the rollers out, my hair is a bit stiff/crunchy—but a quick brushing solves that! Botticelli Botanicals offers a number of scents to choose from as well, which is nice bonus So, if you've been looking for a new setting lotion, or been wanting to try out the flaxseed lotion yourself, I highly recommend this one! xoxo, Amanda Lee

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

The Honey Sisters

I've always loved the image of the three ladies used on the Jergen's boxes and jars, and since my two dearest friends happen to be a brunette and a redhead, we thought it would be fun to recreate that scene.  Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures photographed us, and we were quite pleased with the end result!  

The original image graced the cover of Vogue in 1939, and served as Varga's inspiration for the Jergen's packaging (I wish Jergen's would 'update' their cold cream packaging to this design, wouldn't that be a treat to have on the vanity!)

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Hydrangeas and Grape Vines

Yesterday we took Lola on an outing to Saguaro Ranch for a little bird watching.  This farm, started in the late 1800s and now a historic park, is populated with a wonderful array of chicken, guinea fowl, and peacocks.  Lola was quite thrilled with the outing, and we quite enjoyed the overcast, breezy day that the monsoon season brought us.

I wore a handmade 1940s dress adorned with colorful sprays of purple and pink hydrangeas.  I just adore its bright and springy color scheme!  I paired it with a purple cinch belt and matching 1940s heels, 1940s pink celluloid and wooden heart earrings, a bright pink rose, and Revlon Cherries in the Snow lipstick.

The first grapevines were planted here in 1895, though I'm not sure how old these vines are.  Now they are home to those wonderful birds, who populate the farm with plenty of color and lots of noise!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Portrait of a Starlet

A couple of weeks ago I styled a model for a Hollywood glamour and pinup shoot with Doug Monce.  Tess had lovely, thick brown locks and gorgeous eyes--her looks really suit the 1940s--and she was a delight to work with!

For makeup, I used a mix of Ben Nye, MAC, and Yaby.  On her eyes, I applied Ben Nye Santa Fe on the lid, Mink Stole in the crease, and Vanilla to highlight.  A light dusting of Yaby Glazed Rose added a bit of shine and depth to the look.  Her brows were filled in slightly with MAC Coquette, applied with an angle brush, and before applying false lashes (Ardell 102s), I applied a thin line of black gel liner (Inglot 90).  On her cheeks I used Ben Nye Raspberry powder rouge, and I used MAC Red on her lips (which were lined with NYX Red.)

I helped with some of the wardrobe as well--for her first look, she wore a black satin nightgown trimmed with aqua bows, paired with a marabou stole and rhinestone jewelry.  For her second look, she wore a 1980s-does 40s cocktail dress paired with a mink stole and more rhinestones.  For her pinup looks, she wore a yellow 1940s-50s bathing suit and a red cherry tie top (made by Vee Vin Tage) paired with black sailor shorts made by Bettie Page Clothing; both outfits were worn with cherry jewelry from my collection.

I loved the way the shoot turned out--Tess looks like she was plucked straight from the pages of an old movie mag!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee