A brief message or update .. whatever you call it!

January 12, 2014, 12:22 pm

≫ Next: There's a Tear for Every Smile in Hollywood

≪ Previous: Nail care 1930s

First and foremost: thank you all for the lovely birthday wishes. I actually wanted to hide and not celebrate my birthday at all, but the day I would see myself turn 27 would not be forgotten by friends and family; there was no way that they would made me spend that day as I would any other.

I received numerous happy birthday's - way too much to all answer personally (sadly). But anyway, thank you for the mails, cards, text messages, whatsapps and phonecalls! Appreciated very much! I received some lovely gifts aswell; handy things for our home, the autograph of Carole Landis, gift cards, cookery books from my favorite era and much, much more. Another gift I received is from my dear friend in Mexico, Mr Spike Valentine, who made it happen that you can now reach this blog by typing either www.misslindsaylane.net or just the old url. So thank you very much Spike!

There are some changes to be made this year not only blogwise, but in my life aswell and hopefully these will be good ones. For one: Ben and I are looking for (again) a new place to live. We absolutely adore our chique apartment in the centre of Zutphen with our beautiful view, but reluctantly we admitted that it was too small for us and that we could, in no way, made it into óur home - we have quite a strict landlord. I feel as if we walk on eggshells and that is not something you want to deal with if you want to feel at home. We also live relatively small for quite a large sum of money (we pay 700€ a month). We found a home (made in the rebuilding period after WWII) recently that has still the original kitchen from 1945 and where we would live larger for múch less money. The thing is only ... that I am afraid that I will regret it someday. Cause ofcourse I am going to miss the medieval niches, the large and majestic oven from 1902 in the middle of our living room and our view on the medieval tower ... but beside that, it doesn't give us much else. So, that will be a major change this year and something that will take up some of our time. I noticed a couple of my friends were already cheering with joy when they heard that we were looking for a larger place to live, because of them thinking we might be having children. But no I have to dissapoint them! (These friends of me made bets years ago if I would become a mother some day ... many are still convinced I will but I still don't want any children and I don't see it happening - ever! Sorry friends you lose!).

Now tell me; how's 2014 treating you so far?

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There's a Tear for Every Smile in Hollywood

January 13, 2014, 12:17 pm

≫ Next: Tips from the 1930s for insomnia

≪ Previous: A brief message or update .. whatever you call it!

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Tips from the 1930s for insomnia

January 15, 2014, 9:56 am

≫ Next: Gowns by Adrian

≪ Previous: There's a Tear for Every Smile in Hollywood

Insomnia is sadly something I have to deal with for quite a while now; I have tried everything within my reach to come to terms with it but alas ... Mr. Sandman is not aware of my existence I'm afraid. In the end I became a victim of sleeping pills only to quit these in 2013; I decided that it wouldn't do me any good and that it actually gave me fake rest cause, in the end, I was still very tired when waking up the following morning. Quitting these meant that my insomnia came back.

Sleep is a very important factor to retain your beauty. At night, your skin works very hard to recover what it had to endure during the day. In these days, we hardly take time to get enough sleep and, instead of the old proverb 'early to bed and early to rise' it now became 'late to bed and early to rise'. Your skin is the first of them all to pay the high toll for these hours of waking. Your beautiful vintage hand mirror probably shows you dark circles under your puffy, bloodshot eyes, crow's feet, laugh lines and a gaunt skin. Well, mine for one does! Creams are vital to help your skin rejuvenate and many women rush to the store to buy these and splurge it onto their faces after seeing their exhausted face in the mirror. But the cheapest and most easy available remedy for these beauty problems, is sleep. Yes, what granny told you about sleeping properly is true! You remember now why a beauty sleep is called a beauty sleep?

I promised that I would discuss, step by step, the dutch beauty book 'moderne schoonheids- en gezondheids verzorging '(trans: Modern beauty and health care) and the topic sleep, insomnia and natural sleep aids is one of them.

Anka Welman, Moderne schoonheids- en gezondheids verzorging, 1930 says:

For a good health, the normal adult needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Only after a refreshing night's sleep, one can start the day fresh and, so to speak, as a new human being. A disturbed night, for whatever reason, influences not only your work, the zest for life, but above all your appearance. That is why every woman, who values her appearance and health, would do everything to avoid anything that would disturb her good night's sleep. Firstly, in the importance of a good night's sleep, labor and chores needs to be done during the day and sleep at night. One does well to get used to go to bed in time as this will improve falling asleep. It is also advisable to wake up early.

A "good" night's sleep means sleeping as little as possible on the right side and stretched out and the head should be only a little higher than the body. The face should not be clogged in the pillow, because this leads to early wrinkling.

Great attention should be given to nervous insomnia. This defect is, even for doctors, difficult to cure. Ofcourse; if one goes to bed with the belief not being able to fall asleep, it certainly will not happen at all. The internationally used barbiturates, and other of such aids, are not only harmful to health, but they also lead to the habit. The operation of pharmaceutical sleep aids - from rather innocent to dangerous - is, that they temporarily paralyze the sleep area of the brain. An immediate result of such sleep aids, is also that the person with insomnia is still suffering from the after effects of it the following day. These people are usually bad tempered and virtually unfit for labor, not to mention the usually occuring headaches.

Innocent sleep aids are Valerian-, orange blossom, anise tea or warm anise milk or a glass of warm milk or a glass of beer are well known that it promotes sleep. Cold or lukewarm showers, cold or tepid covers wrapped around the body, cold compresses in the neck (so that it covers half of the back of the head) a lukewarm bath or foot bath before going to bed are well known natural sleep-inducing agents.

It deserves a mention to displace concerns as much as possible in the evening. It is known that, immediately when one turns off the light, frequent thoughts and concerns come up in the mind. It is therefore necessary to oust these feelings with determination in one way or another. To do this, it is absolutely necessary to exercise oneself in mind control and self discipline and take measure of a healthy philosophy of life. This is definitely not a lack of life earnest but rather on the contrary: this life philosophy has seriousness, wisdom and mental balance as a foundation.

Feelings of suffering and repentance are feelings that are unnecessary and which requires our energy and, besides, these are feelings that can seldom change anything about the fact. Therefor so: get rid of it. Because it doesn't only rob us from our sleep, they also work adversely on the appearance, which certainly doesn't make the life of a woman any better.

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Gowns by Adrian

January 18, 2014, 5:41 am

≫ Next: Sneak peek of the ehm ... past months!?

≪ Previous: Tips from the 1930s for insomnia

Not too long ago I watched for the 2nd time the movie 'The Women' (1939). The movie is seen these days as rather misogynistic because of how the women in the movie are portrayed. I quite liked the catty fights, bitchy and sarcastic quotes. The movie is made by women and the cast is also entirely excisting of women only. No man to be spotted or even heard. Also the animals shown in the intro ... are female. I liked the movie alot and especially Rosalind Russell made me crack in her role as Sylvia Fowler! A witty movie that would drive men nuts if they have to watch it. What I also liked, was the fact that the whole movie was in black and white but that the fashion parade - filled to the brim with beautiful women's fashion (as you'd expect in a woman's film) - was entirely in technicolor. Now we came to a point I'd like to discuss in today's post! Because the fashion (beside the latest, fashionable color in nailpolish - jungle red!!) was another thing that I liked alót in The Women!

"I've had two years to grow claws mother - jungle red"

It was designed by costume designer Adrian, whose most famous designs were for The Wizard of Oz and other Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films during the 1930s and 1940s. Adrian designed costumes for over 250 films and his screen credit usually read "Gowns by Adrian".

Adrian worked with the bigger stars out there in Hollywood such as: Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow, Norma Shearer and Greta Garbo - to name only but a few. Adrian was also the one behind the signature outfits of Joan Crawford; the outfits with the large shoulderpads which later spawned into a fashion trend.

Adrian is one of my favorite Hollywood designers for his extravagant style; his gowns come to mind when I think about Old Hollywood's fashion. I want to show you some of my favorite designs of his!

Jean Harlow in 'Dinner at Eight' (1933)

Hedy Lamarr in Ziegfeld girl (1941)

Paulette Goddard in 'The Women' (1939)

Joan Crawford in Dancing Lady (1933)

Joan Crawford, 1932

Jean Harlow in Dinner at Eight, 1933

Norma Shearer in Idiot's delight (1939)

Anita Louise as Princesse de Lamballe in Marie Antoinette (1938)

Norma Shearer as Marie Antoinette in Marie Antoinette (1938)

Rosalind Russell in the Women (1939)

Greta Garbo in Mata Hari (1931)

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Sneak peek of the ehm ... past months!?

January 20, 2014, 2:49 am

≫ Next: New 1940s dress with bolero

≪ Previous: Gowns by Adrian

I haven't been doing a sneak peek of the week for quite some time ( blame antique Christmas ornaments ) but I do have a couple of photos to share that are not necessarily interesting but do give an insight in my past months. I had a bit of a 'vacation' a month long and I haven't been doing much exciting things inbetween Christmas and last week but that is about to change as my buzy schedule is starting again!

I will be having an interview with a local newspaper and a photoshoot along with it and I am a bit nervous about this, as I have been putting these sorts of things on the back burner for a long time. Also my photoshoot that will be Tamara de Lempicka art inspired (I am not gonna say which paintings for obvious reasons known to many) of which I have high hopes of and a very good feeling about. It's an interesting challenge to recreate an Art Deco painting because of the lightning and such. The makeup will be interesting, too.

In the future I hope to keep up the sneak peek of the week more frequently. But I am planning to make them with my camera instead of my smartphone in the future. It's photo quality irritates me endlessly! Anyone who knows how I can improve the photo quality of the Samsung Galaxy SIII - if that is possible anyway ofcourse!?

Anyhoo: let's get on!

Kicking off with a rather odd photo but it was the first in line to share. It's Courteney Stodden and I shared it because I was shocked. Why? This plastic girl is only 19 years old. You should read about her. It is fascinating and tragic.

I love our house when we have the lights dimmed and the candles lit. I was reading on the couch and grabbed a couple of candles to put in the window sills for light. We are going to leave this house very soon and exchange it for something better. Something cheaper and bigger which will be more to our taste. With a garden and more rooms. But still in historic Zutphen.

Ben and I on our way to a fleamarket in Zutphen. This was on the 2nd day of Christmas.

That same day we took the train to my former hometown Apeldoorn to visit a fleamarket there aswell.

I found mány antique Christmas ornaments that I shared with you many posts back.

No speak peek without cat Figaro

My grandma decided she didn't wanted her laptop that gave a blue screen of death repeatedly. I asked if I could have a look at it. I said I could fix it and could give it back to her but we could keep it if I could indeed fix it. Many computer stores have looked at it, but couldn't repair it. Well .. fixing computers is one of my hidden expertises and it works as new again! No more blue screen of death. Boyfriend and I both play World of Warcraft so this new laptop had to have that game ;-).

Rise and shine! Early in the morning.

Winter so far hasn't been unbearably cold yet (yay!) but that didn't hold me back for wearing my (late 1940s) winter boots.

Ben is setting a new trend for 2014 with my beret.

I am very addicted with loose velvet herb tea and it works miracles for my stamina. I am not a big fan of sweet tea's that make your tooth ache even smelling at it. If you want to know what herbs are in this tea than gohere. Photographing tea is fun :-)!

I didn't had any biographies about tragic Old Hollywood actresses to read anymore, thus I started in a pocket book with thriller stories! Some were really thrilling! The large niche behind the book is a bricked door! I am dying to know what's behind it ... a little stair maybe and where does it lead to? It's ancient!

Ben gifted me the autograph of Carole Landis. I believe this photo has been signed shortly before she committed suicide in 1948.

For a long time I was absolutely a morning person but that changed. I love to go to bed early and read whilst having company of my cat!

So cute! Catching any ray of sun he can get.

I had to bike through wind and drizzly rain but my hair kept up well! I was rather surprised.

I made this delicious rice pudding as a dessert last week. It was a big favorite in the 1940s.

My cookery blog will be undergoing a huge change! It won't be having ration recipes only anymore, but I am going to change it to a cookery blog where I cook recipes from the 1920s till the 1940s and most of them with an Old Hollywood tinge! Go here for the rice pudding recipe.

Go to my Instagram.

That's all! :-)

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New 1940s dress with bolero

January 23, 2014, 5:54 am

≫ Next: The Cookbook of the Stars

≪ Previous: Sneak peek of the ehm ... past months!?

Today I received a new 1940s dress (I really needed a new one) with a matching bolero. The dress needs to be altered a little bit (I need to lengthen the hem, as it ends on my knees and I prefer my dresses to end below the knee) so I am going to show you the bolero only today and the dress in it's entirety later! I couldn't wait showing you the bolero and,, by the by it has been quite a while ago that I posted something outfit related.

The bolero has beautiful turquoise beads - usually I don't like the color turquoise, but with beads it's ok!

Don't look at my frizzy hair! My hair is in dire need of a good dye and cut again!

Today I also had an interview and photoshoot for a national newspaper De Stentor. It will be in the stores this saturday! But ofcourse I'll scan it and put it online :-)

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The Cookbook of the Stars

January 24, 2014, 5:22 am

≫ Next: Newspaper De Stentor

≪ Previous: New 1940s dress with bolero

On my cookery blog ( The wartime diet ) I already mentioned that I am going to change the content of it. At first, I only cooked wartime ration recipes following the Ration Book Diet book - a diet that helps you lose weight and which is also a very healthy diet. Why? Because most of the recipes contain alot of vegetables and fruit that people used to grow in their own Victory gardens. Sugars and meats were rationed and, not too long ago, it has been proven that too much meat in your diet is not quite healthy. Funny fact: the Britons were at their healthiest during wartime. You might think that following a ration diet might be dull and some boring recipes probably come to your mind when you think about it. Nothing is less true. It's a challenge and quite an experience; tasty ingrediënts and combinations you've never heard of but which are very tasty! However, I wanted more than ration recipes only! For my birthday, I received alot of old cookery books and I already owned a couple of cookbooks from the 1930s and 1940s myself, filled with recipes I was eager to cook but relucant to put online, as it didn't fit the content of my blog and might dissapoint my readers who are looking for wartime ration recipes. But so far, most of them were approving and happy to see some other recipes, too. I mean, who doesn't love glamorous Hollywood recipes?

My favorite cookbook is the Hollywood Glamour Cookbook for Health and Beauty written by Mariposa - who was an actress in the 1920s - and those who follow me on my cookery blog know, that most recipes that I posted came from that book and are, in no way, a ration recipe considering the heaps of sugar being used. The book dates from the 1940s and America at that time hadn't participated in war yet and didn't had to deal with a ration system yet. The book learns you alot about healthy foods and what is best to combine and what not to cut a healthy figure.

Because Ben and I are living the 1930s more than we live the 1940s, I also want to include recipes from that era. Most of my cookbooks date from the 1930s, so I decided to change title and content of my cookery blog. I will post recipes from the 1920s till the 1940s which also means that I won't quit cooking and posting ration recipes. Besides this all, you know my fascination for Old Hollywood and it's not a surprise that I enjoy cooking from cookbooks that has anything to do with Old Hollywood! Yesterday, the postman brought me a package with anóther cookbook of the Hollywood stars! And this has alót of tasty recipes, I can tell ya! Yesterday I cooked my first recipe with it; Mushrooms stuffed with deviled crab. My, that was delicious and so easy to prepare! You can find the recipe here. It's an amazing book and I wanted to show it to you!

I am still pondering what design I will give my cookery blog ánd I am trying to find a new name for it. As soon as it's changed I will announce it here, too! I would love to see you there!

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Newspaper De Stentor

January 25, 2014, 4:29 am

≫ Next: La Dormeuse

≪ Previous: The Cookbook of the Stars

Thursday this week we had an interview and photosession for a national newspaper De Stentor. The article was published today, so ofcourse as soon as we rose from our bed we snatched up this newspaper. The journalist said it wouldn't be a large article but I beg to differ; two pages!

Our quotes and words are a bit altered by the journalist, sadly (e.g: Ben díd know Sigmund Freud lived in the 1930s but the article makes it seem as if he didn't), and the quotes underneath our portrait photos should be the other way round! I am sorry for those who don't speak Dutch, but hopefully I can translate it as soon as possible or an online translator can be your friend ofcourse!

Overall the article is ok, I think!

(To read, click to enlarge)

(Enlarge to read)

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La Dormeuse

January 26, 2014, 8:40 am

≫ Next: Sneak peek of my past week

≪ Previous: Newspaper De Stentor

Impressionism and perfectionism are not on the same page ...

I grew up with art and it thrives in both sides of the family; my father aswell as my grandfather (who are not father and son) are terrific painters. I love art exhibitions and musea with galleries filled to brim with famous paintings (my favorite exhibition so far was Mucha during my vacation in Prague) and paintings fascinate me thoroughly ... though, frankly, I am very picky with the art I like. There's not much that I think of as magnificent, so to speak. But there is one painter that catches my interest - everytime again!

I think almost everyone knows the wonderful painting pictured above: 'La Dormeuse'painted by Tamara de Lempicka in 1931 - 1932. I have admired the works of the glamorous Art Deco painter for quite sometime now and I thought it would be quite fun to recreate one of her paintings (in this case my favorite 'La Dormeuse' which means 'The Sleeper') through the photographers eye. And so I did.

There was a moment that I regretted my inventive, artsy idea to some degree: I noticed that the shapes of impressionism are not on the same page with my perfectionism. I desperately tried to compose myself in the same position as the sleeping woman. That is not so easy as it might seem. 'Sleeping' comfortable was out of the question anyway; as I have twisted my limbs and muscles as best as I could. I had to try and make my expression look comfortable enough that it seemed as if I were long gone to (day)dreamland instead of a painful smirk.

But I am not one that quits easily, so here I present you my rendition of 'La Dormeuse'!

(Note: people kept asking me if I painted myself but I can assure you that this is a photo of me and not a painting!)

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Sneak peek of my past week

January 27, 2014, 9:58 am

≫ Next: The tragic life of The Mexican Spitfire: Lupe Velez

≪ Previous: La Dormeuse

This was quite a busy week and the stress that came along with it felt purposeful in a way. I have to get used to getting busy again and I kicked off with an interview and photosession for a national newspaper 'De Stentor'. This led to more attention and I am approached by two very big television channels to participate in their program. Fame is coming closer!

So what did my week look like ...

I don't do it often but every now and then I like to buy me a panini hot chicken !

I had an appointment so I dressed myself neatly, sporting a wide brimmed 1940s hat :-)

Went to the market for fresh flowers to give our home that spring-y vibe!

Look at that beautiful lilac color! Well the Instagram filter makes it look pink but it is truly lilac.

Fresh Gerbera's, too!

Received my cookbook of the stars ! I immediately cooked a recipe from it! See below.

Mushroom with Deviled crab! It was sooooo heavenly! Go *here* for the recipe and my food photos.

A gift from dear boyfriend Ben. New clips for beautiful 'finger' waves!

Ok. I am a huuuuge catlover so as soon as I heard you could get a title 'the crazy cat lady' I went for it in World of Warcraft. My character's name is now Nímue the crazy cat lady :-)

Our article in the newspaper.

I just had to do this Zimbio test of which Game of Thrones character I was. I got Daenerys and the description is pretty accurate. I think of these tests as silly but fun. Khaleesi is not my favorite character but oh well :-)

I took the Harry Potter one too and my result was Severus Snape. This description is quite spot on, too!

Severus is my favorite Harry Potter character by the way!

A delicious sunday breakfast!

Just like tons of others, I really admire fellow vintage aficionado and Bosnian model Idda van Munster. I have never seen a skin so naturally beautiful as hers (her photos don't need any photoshop as there is simply no blemish to retouche ) and she praises Avéne products, so ofcourse I had to try and I am hooked eversince. Snatched up a new day cream today. Dutchies: these are not very well known in the Netherlands yet as it's relatively new, but you can buy yours at the Mediq apothecary! It contains no alcohol which is a huge plus!

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The tragic life of The Mexican Spitfire: Lupe Velez

January 29, 2014, 10:24 am

≫ Next: Innocent, unspoiled Norma Jeane and lonely Marilyn

≪ Previous: Sneak peek of my past week

Although my header says I write about the beautiful side of glamorous Old Hollywood, every now and then you will come across a sad story of a tragic actress that has met the reverse side of the coin. I have written about the suicide of Carole Landis and Peg Entwistle and also about the sad life and death of Veronica Lake, who died by the cause of alcohol. But the list of tragic actresses ( and actors!) of Old Hollywood is endless, and today I want to have a look at the sad life of a woman so temperamental, that her nickname became 'The Mexican Spitfire'. Those who know the actresses of that time, will know that I talk about no one other than Lupe Velez.

Lupe was born María Guadalupe Villalobos Vélez in the city of San Luis Potosí in Mexico. Lupe was temperamental from a very young age and, after being agressive and impulsive towards her classmates at the age of 13, her parents sent her to Texas to study there and that was where she learned to speak English. After her 15th birthday, Lupe's father went missing in the Mexican revolution. Velez tried to find work to support her family and ended up working in a warehouse as a clerk earning four dollars a week. In 1924 she took dancing lessons and made her performing debut at the Teatro Principal in Mexico City.

It was a family friend who recommended Lupe to actor Richard Bennett, a man very well known in the American theatre. Bennett needed a young actress with the characteristics of Lupe for a stage play named 'The Dove'. Lupe did not get the part however. When Lupe was in California, she met comedian Fanny Brice who promoted Lupe's career as a dancer. When Lupe was about to move to New York city, she got a call from Harry Rapf - who was a Metro Goldwyn Meyer official - and he offered her a screen test. Producer and director of Pathé pictures saw Lupe's tests and hired her for a short role in 'Sailors, beware!' with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

Lupe did well and appeared in numerous films in the silent era. Her popularity rivaled that of Clara Bow, whose nickname was the 'IT girl'. Lupe was named 'The Mexican IT girl'. During her Hollywood career, Lupe was also known as 'The Hot Baby' of Hollywood and found herself playing the roles of 'half-castes' and exotic characters. Lupe always said what came to mind and did not care how it looked socially. She stated:

"To what do I attribute my success? I think, simply, I'm different. I'm not beautiful, but i have lovely eyes and I know exactly what to do with them. Even though the public thinks I'm a pretty wild girl, I'm really not. I'm just me, Lupe Vélez, a simple and natural Lupe. If I'm happy, I dance and sing and act like a puppy without a care. And if something angers me, I scream, and sob, and I feel a little better. Someone named that "personality". Personality is nothing more than being to other people what you are to yourself. If I tried to look and act like Norma Talmadge, the great dramatic actress, or like gorgeous Corinne Griffith, movie's aristocrat, or like Mary Pickford, sweet and gentle Mary, I would be nothing more than an imitation. That's why I only want to be me, Lupe Vélez"

Lupe and Gary Cooper ...

Lupe did her first 'talkie' in 1929 which was called 'Tiger Rose'. In 1929 she also filmed 'The Wolf song' which also starred my favorite male actor of all time: Gary Cooper. They dated together, even though Cooper's mother rejected the relationship from the beginning. She thought of Lupe as vulgar and tasteless. Lupe was indeed a hot mess. She loved to act low-class characters and give parties with "stag films"(Stag film is an old fashioned term for porn movies). Lupe was extremely jealous by nature and was especially angry over Gary Cooper's friendship with Anderson Lawler who was known as a swisher (meaning: flamboyant homosexual). Lupe supposedly unzipped Cooper's pants at social gatherings to sniff at his crotch, claiming that she smelled Lawler's cologne.

When Cooper was filming 'Morocco' with Marlene Dietrich, she insisted on being on the set at all times, but with a good cause considering Cooper's affair with Marlene. Lupe became even more agressive as filming went on. Cooper was not immune to his devastating relationship with Lupe; he lost 40 pounds over the cause of three years and eventually decided to leave her. Whilst getting aboard of a train, Lupe shot at Cooper, with a gun and cursing. She did not hit Cooper, but if she intended to will remain unknown.

Lupe and Gary

Although Lupe was a popular actress, RKO pictures decided not to renew her contract in 1934. The next few years, Lupe travelled from studio to studio and spent two years in England making films. She was in her thirties at the time and dissapointed that she never became a big star. She left Hollywood for Broadway to eventually return to Hollywood in 1937. She featured in a couple of films and snared the lead role in a B movie in 1939 for RKO Pictures, called 'The girl from Mexico'. It was a success and RKO made a sequel called 'Mexican Spitfire' which became a popular serie. The movie 'Mexican Spitfire' rejuvenated Lupe's career and Lupe starred in a few more films for RKO, Universal pictures and Columbia Pictures in addition to the Spitfire film.

Lupe married one of her lovers: Johnny "Tarzan" Weissmuller but it lasted only five years.

Her suicide ...

In mid-1940s, Lupe began a relationship with actor Harald Maresch, and became pregnant with his child. Lupe was unable to face the shame of giving birth to a child born out of wedlock. She took her own life on december the 13th 1944, taking an overdose of Seconal (taking 80 pills specifically (some say 580), at the age of 36.

Rumors go that Lupe was found dead with her head in the toilet; this is an urban legend! Lupe was found by her secretary on her bed in her favorite dress and surrounded by flowers.

Her suicide note read:

To Harald: May God forgive you and forgive me, too; but I prefer to take my life away and our baby's, before I bring him with shame, or killin' him.

Lupe.

Lupe was a very complex person and an undiagnosed Bipolar. Bipolar Disorder, when left untreated, ultimately leds to suicide. Lupe was always manic and extremely high-strung. As a result of her moods she had knockdown fights with the men in her life and even some of her female co-stars.

Lupe paved the way for many Latino actresses who followed her in her footsteps in Hollywood. Sadly, the path of Lupe ended way before her time.

The first time you buy a house you think how pretty it is and sign the check. The second time, you look to see if the basement has termites. It's the same with men. - Lupe Velez

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Innocent, unspoiled Norma Jeane and lonely Marilyn

January 31, 2014, 7:01 am

≫ Next: My favorite female bloggers

≪ Previous: The tragic life of The Mexican Spitfire: Lupe Velez

Norma Jeane in the late 1940s

Wednesday this week, I had an appointment in my former hometown Apeldoorn. I thought, whilst being there anyway, why not drop off at my favorite bookstore and treat myself to some books. I devour books and, as you know, especially from tragic actresses. My favorite bookstore owns many second hand books and alot of them contain (auto)biographies. Alas, the store was closed with as reason they have closed their doors for a strategic reoriëntation! I went for nothing through an almost unbearable cold and with sore feet - I chose the wrong vintage shoes to drift in Apeldoorn's shopping centre. I was quite dissapointed it wasn't opened and I visited some other bookstores, where I couldn't quite find what I was looking for.

I took the train back to Zutphen and decided I would visit some other bookstores there. If I have set my mind to something, I really want to do it right at that moment; I was frozen with sore feet but I was going. I was out of books so I needed them.

I found three magnificent books about Marilyn Monroe. One contains recent found diary fragments, letters and poems of Marilyn, and the other books are memoirs of the photographer, Andre de Dienes, she worked with when beginning her modelling career, and who would give her the step to becoming the famed Marilyn Monroe. Reading the diary fragments of the book, titled 'Fragments', feels wrong in a way. You intrude her deepest thought about sadness, loneliness and her being tired of people. Yet you cannot stop reading as it unfolds something of the mysterious woman who felt so desperate, yet acted as if éverything was ok. Who dares to say she wasn't a good actress!?

Let's have a look!

"Fragments"

Andre de Dienes - Marilyn Memoirs

Andre de Dienes - Marilyn photographs

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My favorite female bloggers

February 2, 2014, 1:51 pm

≫ Next: Sneak peek of the week!

≪ Previous: Innocent, unspoiled Norma Jeane and lonely Marilyn

I seldomly get inspired by modern day people unless they are very creative or posess a great deal of wisdom - people who can learn me new things. If it's about looks, old Hollywood actresses are mainly my biggest inspiration, but yet there are a couple of women out there, in this modern world, whom I highly admire. I want to share with you my favorite female bloggers; intelligent, stylish, strong and beautiful women - how can one nót be inspired by them?

I wrote them down in random order!

◦ Idda van Munster ( Aida Đapo )

© Photography: Maja Topčagić

Idda has a fantastic, glamorous style and I love her photos enormously. Idda has been dubbed the most beautiful woman of 2013 (and I agree). It means that Idda won from big names such Adriana Lima, Eva Mendez and Doutzen Kroes - who were named in the list also. Well, I couldn't agree more with Idda being no.1. Her skin is perfect and barely needs photoshop. Idda is a mezmerising Bosnian model, very down-to-earth, sweet and who is also a vintage aficionado with fantastic skills in makeup and hairdo. Idda's creativities are endless. On her blog she shares lots of marvelous outfit posts and modelling photos.

You can find the blog of this glamorous woman here: http://iddavanmunster.blogspot.nl/

◦ Jessica Cangiano from Chronically Vintage

© Photography: Tony Cangiano

I really, really love this lady her blog! She has an amazing way of writing and shares tons of interesting posts. Her husband takes wonderful photos of her which she shares abundantly (luckily). Jessica suffers chronically illness, but my goodness what a strength this woman has - very much something to get inspired by! And what a zest for life she has! She inspires me a great deal. I follow her blog for quite a while now and hope to continue doing so for many years to come! Jessica, you are fabulous and so is your blog!

You can find Jessica's blog here: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/

◦ Jip from Old fashioned at heart

© Photography: Yesim Yilanci

Jip is a real life friend of me eversince we both joined 'Club Interbellum' at around the same time. She and I both featured in a Dutch television program, about our nostalgic lifestyle. This young lady, who has the tender age of just 18, is incrédibly creative with her hands and is very intelligent also. She can sew, cook, knit, crochet and what have ye! Jip knitted me a wonderful snood last summer and is buzy on her second job for me; a 1930s/40s bow scarf (more about that later on but you can see a photo of her own scarf on her blog). She will knit for you, too, for just a small fee! She does a great job. Her blog is a wonderful source for knitting patterns and her creative fiddlings. She also shares beautiful outfit photos that exposes her ever growing, lovely collection of authentic vintage gear.

You can find her blog here: http://oldfashionedatheart.blogspot.nl/

◦ Tickety Boo Tupney

© Photography: Tupney herself.

I know jealousy towards others is a no-go, but I can't help feel it when I come across fantastic photos of Tupney, with an equally fantastic created 1940s hairdo. Looking at Tups really throws me back to the 1940s. And I bet you agree with me that she is the spitting image of Vera Lynn! Tupney's blog is filled to the brim with lovely selfmade outfits; she is highly skilled! Tups is witty, creative and she has a gigantic dose of self-mockery. Her blog is a true joy to read!

You can find Tupney's blog here: http://ticketybootupney.blogspot.nl/

More to come!

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Sneak peek of the week!

February 3, 2014, 12:42 pm

≫ Next: A small grip of my skincare products

≪ Previous: My favorite female bloggers

It's sunday and that means I am sharing my week! Quite a buzy week, where I catched a cold of which I haven't been fully recovered yet. I hope I will, as from tomorrow on, anóther buzy week presents itself! I have been doing alot of online photography courses, as I am planning to do more with it. I have also started following a photo editing course. It's not a bad idea to constantly keep refreshing your talents.

Let's have a look at my week!

When my boyfriend Ben picked up my medicines, he also brought home this trial package of Avéne. I am so happy that, since a short while, Avéne is been sold in the Netherlands, too. So as soon as I heard they had, I stocked up their products like crazy! It works miracles for my skin. But I will talk more about this tomorrow as I, on request, will dedicate a post to my beauty products.

I had an appointment in Apeldoorn and I was quite amused to see my hair was quite good! If I may say so myself. I have been starting to use a new serum and I like it as does my hair. About that one, too, more tomorrow!

In the train to Apeldoorn, I was reading the newspaper and came across a photo of Dutch supermodel Bregje Heinen. I thought it quite a joy to see, that they have not retouched her completely!

I was a bit too early at my appoinment, thus I settled for a cup of Latte Machiatto. I enjoyed that much on that cold day!

When I was done with my appointment, I took the bus to the centre with as idea to buy me some books. Alas my favorite bookstore ~~De Slegte~~ Polare was closed. I dropped off at some bookstores in Zutphen and bought these three books about Marilyn Monroe.

I start reading and the cat decided hé wanted the attention.

I couldn't decide in which one of Andre de Dienes (Marilyn's first photographer) books to start first. I chose the black one. The second one is the one I am reading now and studying it closely, as in the book are all of his photographs, and I want to make a rendition (this spring or summer) of Marilyn's white bathing suit photoshoot with de Dienes: See example.

This week we were craving Chinese food enormously! We had a hard day and I didn't had the energy to cook something, thus we decided to order it. It was so delicious and we ate two days of it!

I think Ben is trying to kill the cat.

A claw coming out of my potato!

My favorite breakfast!

Today I was quite amused with my hair! I didn't plan that little front wave!

How was you week? I am eager to know!

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A small grip of my skincare products

February 5, 2014, 8:27 am

≫ Next: Shoe advertisements from the thirties

≪ Previous: Sneak peek of the week!

I promised to show the skincare products that I use. I really love to pamper myself and especially to take care of my skin. It hasn't always been like that when I was much younger (say, 16) and also very reckless. I did alot that my skin was not happy with; I didn't use sunscreen, showered way too hot, I partied an aweful lot of times without getting enough rest (yes, a modern day flapper), I drank alcohol as if it was my last day on earth and, although I never lit a cigarette myself, I was constantly in the environment of cigarette smoke. But worst of all: I never took off my makeup before retiring to bed. With all the partying I was too tired to do so. Stress does alot to your skin, too! And boy, did I noticed that! Think about bags under the eyes eyes and dark circles, etc. But at one time I was thinking: what the hell am I doing to myself?! Stop this reckless behaviour and do something before it's too late and you die a wrinkled potato! So I turned the tide: I quit drinking, I live in a cigarette free home, I make sure I get enough sleep and even if I do come home late after a hard and long day of modelling, with ridiculously heavy stage makeup, I do clean my face entirely till there's no filth to be seen on my cotton pad. And my goodness did that work! My skin was recovering noticably! The next thing for me to do, was finding the right products for me. That was not an easy road but an interesting one to say the least!

I have a very, very sensitive and dehydrated skin (a dehydrated skin is not the same thing as a dry skin). It reacts very heavy on cold weather and harsh products. When I heard of Avéne, I really wanted to try it. The reviews were amazing. But the Netherlands didn't sold it. Until recently! So as quickly as I could, I stocked up their products like crazy and didn't care what the price was! A good dermatologist will tell you that the expensive creams are not always automatically the best. And ok, Avéne is pricier than most of the skincare products but it's not thát expensive.

I couldn't be more happier with Avéne and neither could my skin! It works miracles!

Alright, first, I can hear you think what on earth I use baby powder for! I like my pale skin ... and after I put on my creams, concealer, foundation and powder .. I add, as a finishing touch, a bit of baby powder to my skin to emphazise the whiteness. It smells good, too! It gives you a soft and porcelain look.

I really love this eye product and sure works for me. It's the southing eye contour cream which relieves under-eye puffiness. It's enriched with chamomile, which helps to soothe and relieve inflammation and the skin appears more radiant. After two days I saw improvement!

This is, perhaps, one of my all time favorites. It's Avéne Thermal Spring water. This is wonderful for hot summer days! It's só refreshing! You just spray a mist of healing water on your face! It's not only refreshing for your face but also after shaving, after makeup removal, post-surgery, during travelling, after sports activities, damaged skin, redness of the face, after hair removal and sunburn. It soothes, softens and restores the skin's natural balance. Everyday after makeup removal I spray a bit of Thermal water on my face. That makes me feel as if I am reborn.

As daycream I use the Avéne Hydrance Optimale rich UV SPF 20 protective hydrating cream. This is especially for dehydrated skins like mine. I couldn't be more happier with this cream; It contains SPF, which is very important and my skin is nowadays well hydrated and soft! I can't live without it anymore!

To remove my eye makeup, I use Avéne Gentle eye makeup remover. And for my face I use Avéne Gentle milk cleanser. (The large one in the back)

Not a skincare product but I wanted to show you this, too! My hair has alot to endure with all the curling, waving and hairspraying and to repair it I use Andrélon Care & Repair serum. I am more than satisfied with this serum! It makes my hair soft and shiny!

I didn't want to leave this out, too! I am asked alot of times what kind of foundation I use and which matches my pale skin. I use Catrice Photo finish 18h Liquid foundation - the lightest possible. This really works for me! It does indeed stay on for 18h and it also gives you that promised 'soft focus effect'. After I applied this, I finish with some baby powder to emphasize my whiteness.

I will show you my beauty products soon!

What are your favorite skincare products?

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Shoe advertisements from the thirties

February 8, 2014, 5:23 am

≫ Next: Down Hearted Blues.

≪ Previous: A small grip of my skincare products

Beside Ben and my cat, shoes are my biggest love. It has always been so and especially high heels! Not that I am materialistic, but shoes make me disproportionately happy and also make me feel feminine (heels ofcourse). The day before yesterday, I received my umpteenth pair; beautiful Burgundy shoes from the late 1930s. They belonged to the grandmother of the seller and her grandmother died in 1940. Most of my shoes are a deep blue or black, so I am rather happy with these being burgundy. I am going to show them to you in a few days! First I wanted to share with you some beautiful shoe advertisements. Something that makes me also disproportionately happy.

Which ones are your favorites?

Note: Shoes without image source are found on Pinterest. Please claim if they are yours. You can find my email at the bottom of my blog!

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Down Hearted Blues.

February 9, 2014, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: Sneak peek of the week

≪ Previous: Shoe advertisements from the thirties

... Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days
Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days
It seems that trouble's going to follow me to my grave ...

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Inspired by the Jazz songs from the 1920s ánd a free day in a rather buzy schedule, I decided to spend my time on reading, watching movies, listening music and making some portraits, too! These days I am totally soaked up in songs and silent movies from the roaring twenties - and I think it shows in the photo.

The music playing in the background was that of Bessie Smith and I titled the portrait after one of her songs 'Down Hearted Blues'.

I hope you like it! ♥

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Sneak peek of the week

February 10, 2014, 3:02 am

≫ Next: Focusing on a Spring-y wardrobe

≪ Previous: Down Hearted Blues.

A day too late, yet still here it is!

I received this book and it's absolutely lovely! I got it for just a mere €3! Lots of lovely tips and photos. I promised people to write a review on this book when I finished reading it. I am almost finished, so keep an eye on this blog!

Whilst doing big groceries I noticed that chocolate easter eggs were dominating the supermarket shelves already! I am not a big chocolate lover but I couldn't resist taking these home. My goodness, they were soooo delicious!

This is an article of the above mentioned book. In contrary of 99% of the people, I really like cleaning the house. When I am finished, it gives me a satisfied feeling and a cleanliness in my head aswell. When I read it's a slimming exercise, too, I liked it even more ;-)!

In the evening I found some time to bake a bread that we could enjoy the morning after as breakfast! It had to rise during the night. The recipe can be found on my food blog 'A Dash of Nostalgia'. The link can be found in the sidebar.

I had the feeling that I was spied on by a hairy male, heavily purring. I looked to my left and ... my feeling was right! ;-)

Stil very enamored with my beret.

... and my 1940s bolero.

My favorite shoes of the moment. The 1920s ones.

Ben and I were craving some relaxation, so we treated ourselves to some Sushi and a movie.

I fiiiiinally received a package I was waiting for, for so long! It went all over the Netherlands, except to me.

Look at all those stickers!

Reading about Maria Callas. My goodness what a life! I thought that I was strict and disciplined towards myself, but she tops it!

The second day of this delicious pasta recipe from the book 'The ration book diet' book. But the second day I added some fillet. I love that nutty and sweet taste of a butternut squash, especially in combination with the chestnut mushrooms and Parmezan cheese. You can find the recipe on my food blog (which has a new name!): A Dash of Nostalgia.

I bought a couple of Hyacinth's! I do this every end of the winter. I am reaaaally longing for spring! Blossom, greenery, baby animals and cheery chirping birds! What about you? You look forward to spring?

My hair is very coöperative lately! I think it's finally starting to understand my needs and wishes ;-)!

How was your week? Buzy? Or had a quiet one?

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Focusing on a Spring-y wardrobe

February 10, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: Inspired by Atelier Manassé

≪ Previous: Sneak peek of the week

Fruit and strawberry Daiquiri's

Winter never really broke through in the Netherlands, although I heard that in some parts of my country people enjoyed snow. I didn't! Which is quite akward, considering that the Netherlands is such a small country and I haven't seen a single snowflake drop! Zutphen remained snow free and I am not sorry for that, really. Snow is beautiful, especially if you live in a hanseatic city with medieval exteriors, like we do, but when it snows in the Netherlands, it doesn't stop till April! Anyway, it hasn't been very cold here with an exception of a couple of days (like yesterday when a harsh storm was going on and blew me away whilst photographing).

Like I always do around the end of wintertime, I bought a couple of 'barely there blue' Hyacinths to reel in Spring. I can't wait for Spring: pink and white blossoms, fresh greenery, baby animals, a soft sun, chirping birds and spring picnics! Oh I love picnics so much, a basket filled to the brim with selfmade sandwiches, fruit, strawberry Daiquiri's (non alcoholic for me ofcourse) and tea.

But best of all ofcourse: a spring wardrobe. Don't get me wrong, I love my winter wardrobe; the dark and earthy colors of my woollen dresses, coats with fur and cute 1930s galoshes.

Bow blouses, soft fabrics and embroidery

But I am looking forward to focus on my spring wardrobe more than ever before. I want to orient myself on some lovely, colorful, patterned blouses and dresses with collar details - particularly the bow blouses and dresses that are catching my fancy lately. They add a lovely detail when combined with a suit for colder Spring days. I would like to add soft silk fabrics and crocheted dresses with colors such as plum, mint green, broken white, ivory, salmon pink, marine blue and mustard yellow, to my wardrobe. I would also like to add embroidered blouses! I think they are simply divine!

Get inspired with me!

How lovely are these examples? Pretty dashin, right? Are you looking forward to Spring, too?

Note: images without source are found on Pinterest. Please claim if they are yours. My email can be found at the bottom of this blog!

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Inspired by Atelier Manassé

February 12, 2014, 6:18 am

≫ Next: Such a cute little bow knot scarflet!

≪ Previous: Focusing on a Spring-y wardrobe

Between the hours of appointments and paperwork, I am diving more and more in to the world of photography (especially food photography by the way) by running courses and reading books on the topic. I try to find inspiration that can feed my creative brain and that also differs from the mainstream. Modern photography interests me much less so, but even in photography from bygone era's, I try to find work that stood out and was different from what you were used to see.

If you think that manipulating photos is something of the modern day, you're very wrong! "Photoshopping" models was also happening back in the day - I have seen some great examples of that! Retouched faces and even the body was made thinner! Having a slim and healthy figure was very much the thing in the 1930s, although 'anorexic' thin models became highly popular when supermodel Twiggy came in the picture and became the idol of many, many women in the 1960s. I often wonder: what if Twiggy didn't became the standard of beauty? What would be the beauty standard of this day? What do you think?

Anyway, I am not gonna talk about models being retouched or being too thin etcetera. That topic is talked about by others for too long and too much! (But I do want to say that no matter how thin or full you are, beauty shows when you feel good in your own body! You are beautiful the way you are. Thin or not. Tall or petite. However, I do think we should get rid of the high beauty standard we have these days, saying: models that are too thin by starving themselves to fit into the designers haute couture fashion; well that should see a change).

The reason why I began to ramble about photo manipulation, is because the photos that aroused my interest and creative mind when I stumbled upon them this week - and which I want to share with you - were manipulated in a very creative way of which many would think of as something done by Photoshop CS 6 for example. They are very 'out of the box' and I like that. I, myself, try to think out of the box and don't particularly follow the rules of photography. Mind you, I am in no way a photographer! Just a creator of artistry, which happens to show through pictures every now and then.

Let's have a look at the marvelous photos of Atelier Manassé! And oh, most contain nudity but most definitely not in a tasteless or offensive way !

Atelier Manassé - a brief history

So, do you agree with me that this is magnificent imagery? Atelier Manassé was founded by Olga Solarics and her husband Adorja'n von Wlassics (what a name!) and they ran this atelier from 1922 to 1938. The studio flourished in the 1930s and the photos they took, had to portray the 'new woman' who was confident in her own sexuality, as she struggled to redefine her position in the modern world. The film world skyrocketed and Olga and Adorja'n tried to attract the leading ladies of film, theatre, opera and vaudeville and together they created masterpieces using all the techniques of makeup, retouching and overpainting and upholding an artistic vision. Olga was the one who was interested in nude photography and launched the first international salon of nude photography in Paris 1933.

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