Friday 28 August 2015

Beauty Tips from the 30's

Last night I pulled out my copy of Beauty for Every Woman for the first time in a while and was newly impressed by how many lovely photos and illustrations there are in it.  I shared a few earlier this year, but there is so much more to be had from this book.  Today, I have some eye, cheek and nail tips for you.      




Tuesday 25 August 2015

Tap Dance Tuesday

As we are reaching the end of the Summer, I thought I'd do a little Back-to-School themed edition of Tap Dance Tuesday.  This is the complete Vitaphone short "The High School Hoofer" staring Hal Le Roy.  Le Roy starred in many musical shorts, but never really made it into feature films (beyond a few cameos).  I have to say that after watching the quality of acting on display here, you'll see why.  But that doesn't really matter - his dancing is amazing.  I'm also really digging the harmony group that performs right before him.  Anybody know they are?    



Saturday 22 August 2015

Late Summer Viewing on the Small Screen

I'm not sure about the rest of you (tales of Summer heat reach me through the phenomenon that is social media), but this year has been pretty miserable weather wise for those of us in NI (and indeed all of Ireland it would seem).  Don't feel bad for me though - I'm off to Los Angeles for the month of October, so as far as I'm concerned my Summer has just been delayed for a few months.

In the meantime, instead of filling our evenings with BBQs and garden parties, Mr B and I have been watching some of the rich pickings BBC has had on offer this past month.  These are both positively lovely at least in terms of costumes and set designs (as far as I'm concerned, amazing costumes and sets make up for a lack of almost anything else) and are pulling me in opposite directions style wise.

If you're in the UK then you're probably already familiar with these and if you're in the US then no doubt they will soon be screening on PBS or BBC America (and if you're elsewhere in the world, you'll have to forgive me as I have no idea which channels you have).

Life in Squares

I'm not really sure if I think they did a good job telling the story of the Bloomsbury group or not (I suspect not), but I don't actually care because everything looked so good.  Twenties bohemia is definitely a look I can get behind.

Source

Partners in Crime

I must admit, having read Agatha Christie's The Secret Adversary, I was a bit disappointed when I heard they were going to be setting this version of Tommy & Tuppence in the 50's.  But I got over that pretty quickly when I saw how absolutely adorable is Jessica Raine in this series!!!  She makes me want to get a pixie cut again.  And her wardrobe . . . !! I'd be hard pressed to tell you my favourite of her outfits, but this one comes to mind.

Source

So now I have to make the decision as to whether I spend the Autumn in pedal pushers, twinsets and a gamine hairdo or in colourful headscarfs and smocks with paint under my fingernails.  

Which do you think?

Sunday 9 August 2015

"Making a Dainty Summer Frock"




 This one is from the June 1929 Woman's Institute Fashion Service magazine.  Is my scanning technique improving? What do you think?


Tuesday 4 August 2015

Tap Dance Tuesday

Putting on the Ritz has become something of an anthem here in the B household these past few months.  My absolute favourite version is Fred Astaire's and I had initially wanted to share that, however it appears that there was never any actual footage filmed of him dancing to the 1930's version (and I'm afraid I just don't care for his later recording of the song all that much).  At any rate, I found this version which has some great tapping in it. Enjoy!

Monday 3 August 2015

"a peasant blouse for your favorite skirt . . ."

Well, Mr B and I have finally bought one of those scanner/printer devices.  Theoretically this should open up a whole new world of sharing some of my various patterns with you, but alas, on checking I found I only have about four of my knitting magazines here in this country.  Still, as I have been enjoying other bloggers vintage knitting generosity for far too long, it seemed only right to pay it forward and share some of my treasures.  

This was my first attempt, so sorry about not cropping out the partial instructions for the "Manhattan" - one new skill at a time for me I'm afraid.  No date on this pattern, but I'm gonna guess late 40's.