why i don't watch Downton Abbey

I know you're going- "what?", but bear with me on this.  This is an entirely personal decision in response to some strange things i've experienced and is not to persuade or enfluence anyone weather or
not to watch the show.

Its not that i dont like the show Downton Abbey.  In fact, i think its pretty cool.  What vintage nut wouldn't?   Cool clothes, cool hair, beautiful ladies, cute guys, dramatic situations... etc.   ( whoops, and let me clarify that you dont have to be a nut to like it.)


I've never been a faithful watcher.  I first saw it near the end of Season 2 after we got a new antenna for our tv.  Yes, our here in rural Kansas we were just recently able to get public television. (we still dont have cable, by the way, but thats another story.  And i dont miss what I've never had, so its not that big of a deal.)
i was impressed and distantly anticipated the next season.  I've never been caught up in TV show obsessions or anything like that.  Anyway, this past January i saw something that reminded me of some things i'd rather not remember.  It put this strange, murky feeling over the rest of the episode that continued into the night, and into the next day.  It was one of those things that i couldn't shake off, like a ghost was following me around or something.  I decided that my like for the show wasn't enough to have a funny feeling, so i kind of eased away and tried not to think about it.  The show suddenly seemed kinda dark, sad and too much like a modern soap opera or something.
I know it sounds funny to let my emotions get in the way of a good tv show... goodness sake it sounds ridiculous now that i'm writing it out, but it was like ' eeh...' when it was over, turned of the tv, thought 'probly wont do this in a while' and that was that.

I have watched it a bit since then, but on occasion, even before i first saw Downton Abbey, i have been asked if i watch it because you know.. i like vintage.  And folks obviously see that.  and you know, Downton Abbey is kind of... vintage, antique-ie... or something.
you may like that, thats fine! I kind of like it to, but just because i wear vintage or personally sewn dresses and set my hair doesn't mean i'm addicted to it.

So there it is, why i don't watch Downton Abbey.

Holiday Inn

Howdy, howdy.
After being super busy for the last couple of weeks i finally made it online last week, but spent most of the day catching up with everyone.  Folks have been posting like crazy!
here is one of my favorite Christmas movies.  Its not as much of a staple for me as Its a Wonderful Life, but it comes very, very close.

If you want to know more about it, look it up, but after hearing that it has Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in it.  Of  course, since you guys are vintage lovers, etc, i'm sure you know and love it.
So here it is, and here i am, wishing you a Merry Christmas with one of my favorite movies... isn't Youtube great? almost any movie, anytime.
 ~here it is

1940s Bang/Fringe Wave (Judy Garland Inspired)

Figured i'd turn this post into a bit of a hair tutorial.  One of my favorite movies is Babes on Broadway (1940) with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Judy Garland's hair has always been such an inspiration for me, and if you know your pin curling, the styles really aren't that hard to figure out.  When i first got into vintage, i hardly ever did pin curls because they were just too hard for me at the time.  Now that i have more experience with them, i do them almost every time i set my hair, which is all the time.  
Here is just a side note, if you aren't really into pin curls, try them, but dont give up.  There is a special trick to them that can never be explained.  Each one of us does them just a little bit differently due to our hair thickness or type, and how well it holds curl... like i said, i cant really be explained.  A flick of the wrist here, a twisting of the entire arm there, it really is an art, but it seems to be so much more authentic than rollers when doing specific looks.

IF YOU DONT HAVE BANGS:  go ahead and try this.  I saw a movie once where  a lady didn't have a fringe, but pinned her hair right behind the wave, letting the rest fall to the side  so that it was nice and fluffy around her face.   It is possible, i just haven't tried it because i have bangs.

You can also do this with a Bettie bangs length!

The following set is a section off the top of  about 11/2 to 2 inches thick and 4 to 5 inches across the forehead.
please remember that whichever side you part your hair on, the pin curls need to be stemming AWAY from the part.  The back is probably just forward pin curls with a reverse row  in the middle.  Whatever you like is fine.

you can also place your finger right in the middle of the wave, place a pin right under your finger  and allow the ends of hair to curl around and hide the pin, making a cute wave/curl.  (shown is Judy Garland in Strike Up the Band and one of the actresses [left] in an Abbott and Costello movie)





Deanna Durbin with a killer pin curl set and fringe wave



So that you can get many views of the style, a little inspiration and a snapshot of the movie,
here is a video from youtube of someones favorite moments  from Babes on Broadway.

~Beth

 

Barbara Stanwyck

Thought I'd do a little post about one of my favorite hair and clothing inspirations of late.  I know it looks like i've disappeared, but i'm still here, reading every one's blogs and stuff.  But i've been super busy and its been hectic lately (I've also been having some fun) and i look up and, my word, its Monday again.  Another week has passed by before i even realized it.  also a week from my last post, which might be rude... (?).  So i apologize for the looooong halts between posts,  I'm working on it.

The Gay Sisters, 1942 

 That being said, here are some of my favorite pictures of Barbra Stanwyck.

Stella Dallas, 1937

Barbra Stanwyck wasn't exactly as popular as Rita Hayworth or Judy Garland or even Ginger Rogers, but she was still VERY well known.

(for more info on her, click on the Wikipedia link above the picture)
(I do not own any of these photos)


Take just a few minutes to look at these.
No words are needed, the pictures speak for themselves in way of her wonderful style, wit and oh yes, HAIR!

























Her born name was Ruby... She does look like a Ruby, doesn't she?

As an added plus...
here is one of my favorite Barbara movies, right here (!) Meet John Doe (1941)

Hope you enjoyed!
So long,
Beth

Weekend ( and Victory Garden update)

The dates are very messed up on the following pictures because i have been having some trouble with my camera, but here are a few pictures of what i did this weekend.

On Sunday, our family went on a small road/day trip after church.  It was a little cool and windy (it froze the night before) but the sky was very blue and the grass is finally green again.

The funny thing about Kansas is that one week can be 90 degrees or more, and the next, we get our first hard freeze of the season.  It was fun to wear socks with my Mary Janes nd a 1940s sweater though.

I got tons of pictures, but some of the good ones (like a WW2 airplane and neat old houses and barns) didn't upload right, so this is just a taste. 

Of course they don't do justice, because everywhere we looked it was nothing but rolling hills and wind turbines that looked like they were touching the sky.

Saturday was very cold and windy, they sky was covered with clouds and so i didn't do a whole lot but watch a couple movies and eat some chili.  I love Judy Garland's lte 30s early 40s movies, particularly the ones with Mickey Rooney.

I am in love with Judy's hair.

the following picture i took right off the TV, but i also spent a better part of the afternoon looking at some pictures online.

i like her part here. its near the center, but sill considered a side part. VERY 30s

Babes in Arms,  one of the movies i watched and where this picture is from.

Victory Garden!!  It was very hard to keep everything watered the summer and the hear just wouldn't let the tomatoes or cucumbers live at all.  i got lots of zucchini and summer squash in June/July.  Thankfully, when September came and it started cooling down i started getting some jalapeno peppers, some bell peppers...

...some banana peppers...

... and cantaloupe!  The one below is not quite ready, only about the size of both my fists, but we've had some already.

Made a cherry cobbler!

How was your weekend?

Beth