Such a cute little bow knot scarflet!

February 15, 2014, 7:18 am

≫ Next: 1930s household hints

Isn't it cute? My friend Jip from Old-fashioned at heart knitted me this magnificent scarflet and she made it from a 1930s pattern. I am very happy with it. I wish I could knit myself cause then I would knit it in all possible colors imagineable. Well ... I can knit as I have learned so at primary school, but I can't knit as well as Jip can. I recall one moment at school, where I had to knit a white seal and I think I have been working on it for a whole year - I hated to do it. Everyone was long finished and working on other, much nicer projects already and I was still knitting the bloody seal. Trauma! ;-)

But anyway: for a small fee, Jip can knit you a scarf like this one, too! You just have to contact her at her email and she will be delighted to knit you your own! The scarfs are warm, made from good material and beautifully crafted. Just email her at: oldfashionedatheart@gmail.com

I am double happy with it, as I didn't had the right scarf to go with my 1930s ensembles. I had either repro's or went outside without a scarf. That costed me my life, almost, a couple of times, due to my susceptibility for pneumonia's (blame asthma and my negligence). *Sigh* ... the things you do for a correct look ;-).

The shoes are the Burgundy ones I talked about in a previous post. They may look cold but winter still isn't unbearable in the Netherlands (although it's very, very windy) and they keep my feet surprisingly warm. They walk heavenly. They are from the late 1930s and are actually a size too big but they feel as if they are just my size. The hat is also from the 1930s and one of my latest purchases. It has a large bow on the back and I love the beret kind of shape. Also my cute crocheted bag is from the 1930s and I found it at a fleamarket a year ago. My gloves, also 1930s, were gifted by a total stranger who left them at the doorstep with other gloves and beauuuutiful sunglasses from aforementioned era. My coat, you guess it, 1930s.

I had a rather dashing man taking my photos. So may I present you my boyfriend - who is never comfortable in front of the camera!

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1930s household hints

February 17, 2014, 11:16 am

≫ Next: New coat from the 1930s

≪ Previous: Such a cute little bow knot scarflet!

Just as I like beauty tips and tricks from the past, I also like household tips and tricks from times gone by. With the rushing mentality that we have these days, we barely take time to stand still for a moment on how to mend and clean items that need to be repaired or cleaned thoroughly so that it can function as new again. In these times we throw things away too easily and buy something anew within an eyeblink.

I like cleaning the house from top to bottom. It relaxes me; some music playing on the background, me singing out loud and the satisfaction it gives me when I see the finished result. I think I inherited the cleaning-obsession-genes from my grandmother; always and everywhere cleaning.

I really liked the household tips mentioned in the book 'What every woman should know - lifestyle lessons from the 1930s' (I am hoping to give the promised review on that tomorrow) and I decided to share them with you - not all ofcourse, otherwise you should have to buy the book yourself. Which you should.

Let's start!

Mildew stains can often be removed by moistening soft soap and starch with the juice of a lemon. Spread the paste over the mildew lay out, and bleach. Afterwards was in usual way

Sour milk makes a good cleaner for gilt picture frames. Simply rub with the sour milk and dry with a clean duster. This will not remove the gilt, as other methods often do

Lingerie silk should be washed in a solution of lukewarm water and pure soap flakes. Squeeze the garments, rinse out thoroughly in several changes of water, wring lightly by hand and hang over a line to dry. Do not peg out and when ironing, do so on the wrong side with a cool iron. A hot iron will render the silk fibres brittle abd should never be used.

Silk stockings which have been washed should, when nearly dry, be rubbed with a flannel till all moisture is extracted, when they will not require mangling or ironing.

Grease on coat collars may be removed easily if eucalyptus oil is applied. Rub gently with a soft rag.

Irons, especially if they have been used for garments that have been starched, should be cleaned before they are put away, Wash them in hot soapy water to which a teaspoonful of ammonia has been added. If no starch has been used, the usual rubbing on the wire gauze is sufficient to clean the iron.

Lace curtains will last longer if they are placed in a pillow slip before putting them in the (laundry)copper.
This obviates the risk of tearing them when using the copper stick.

Pique frocks should be ironed on the wrong side to bring up the pattern. Remember to use a slightly cooler iron for linen than for cotton, as it scorches more easily. And when washing out voile frocks ready for the summer, put a little vinegar in the rinsing water and use a very little starch to make the material crisp.

Brooms and brushes will not mark the furniture and paintwork if a piece of rubber beading is fixed at the ends above the bristles.

Glassware of the ornamental type will have added lustre if it is polished with a clean duster that has been soaked in paraffin and then dried. This will also discourage flies.

Small rooms can be made to appear larger by painting the skirting boards the exact same shade of the carpet. This increases the apparent floor space.

Candles that do not fit their holders need not be shaved with a knife. Dip the bases in boiling water and they will found to fit any candlestick.

Woollen coats and jumpers dry more evenly and keep in better shape if a cane is passed through the sleeves instead of the usual coat hanger. Suspend the cane from the clothes line.

Stains on the skirting board and the lower parts of furniture are a frequent occurrence when the amateur tackles floor staining during spring-cleaning operations. Keep a bottle of turpentine beside you when doing the job. A quick wipe with a rag dipped in this will immediately remove the stains.

Bath towels that are wearing thin in the centre can be utilised to make hair shampoo towels. Fold the towel in half, end to end, and cut a slit up the centre of one half as far as the fold. Then cut a circle, about 15 inches in diameter, out of the middle of the towel, at the top of the slit. Bind the edges with tape, thread a draw string through the circular part and wear over the shoulders when shampooing the hair.

Linen which has become slightly discoloured should be soaked in buttermilk for one or two days. Rinse first in cold water and then in warm water, and spread out on the lawn to dry.

Pans which have been used for frying fish or onions frequently retain a slight odour. Swill them around with water and vinegar after scouring, and this will dissapear.

© Text is on copyright of Daily Mail

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New coat from the 1930s

February 18, 2014, 7:31 am

≫ Next: What every woman should know - book review

≪ Previous: 1930s household hints

Recently, with reference to our interview in a national newspaper, a stranger approached me through Facebook, saying that she had a beautiful 1930s coat and if I were willing to buy it from her. When I saw the pictures, I wanted just that! It looks slightly like my other coat (pictured in my previous outfit post) and which is quite at the end of it's rope. It desperately needs replacing, so this one came godsent!

I am wearing the same hat from the late 1930s, that is also pictures in my previous outfit post and I am wearing my extremely narrow 1930s Oxfords which have - before me - never been worn! Although my feet are pretty narrow themselves, they do have difficulties breaking these beauties in. I only wear them for short walks.

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What every woman should know - book review

February 20, 2014, 4:47 am

≫ Next: The lovely Leila Hyams

≪ Previous: New coat from the 1930s

Usually I am not doing book reviews on this blog, but because a couple of you have asked me to review the 'What every woman should know - lifestyle lessons from the 1930s' book, I decided to answer to your calls and give my view on it.

So, let me grab my favorite tea of the moment (Elderberry tea) and begin!

The Netherlands is suffering a huge flu outbreak and alas, I have catched it. Elderberry tea is thé tea you want to drink when the season gets colder and the flu is lurking in the dark corners. An interesting study shows, that Elderberry tea shortens the course of seasonal flu. I always buy loose tea from health food stores, so that my tea is pure and without added sugar.

But anyway, let's get on with the book this post is intended for! Grab a cup of tea and coffee yourself and read along!

This book is such an addition to your book collection if you are interested in the 1930s! It contains household tips, makeup tips, the lastest fashion and how to wear it, cooking tips and recipes and alot more. The book is a hotchpotch of newspaper articles from the Daily Mail. I am one that likes to absorb tips from the thirties and implement them in my own life. I have tried several tips mentioned in the book such as, soaking a cotton pad with salt and hot water and apply them to your tired eyes for 15 minutes. What a boost! This week I wrote a post with several household hints mentioned in this book. You would never think of these tips yourself; these tips have evaded from our knowledge throughout the years and, shall we say, are not really necessary anymore as we live in a world where we buy things anew when it's worn out or broken. Welcome to a world where things are being mass produced! People in the 1930s were very economical, especially due to the Great Depression.

The book is not very thick and I read through it quite quickly - something that I thought a pity because the more knowledge about the era the better. Every morning, at breakfast, when Ben was reading the newspaper, I read a page of this book. I became so enthusiastic with all the tips I have learned, that I immediately wanted to try them!

I got this book from Ebay for the very cheap price of just a mere €3. You can get the book yourself here.

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The lovely Leila Hyams

February 21, 2014, 3:41 am

≫ Next: Hold me

≪ Previous: What every woman should know - book review

A couple of years ago I hadn't heard from this lovely movie ingenue - who aroused warm feelings with the moviegoers - up until I watched one of her most known movies 'Freaks' (1932) and the person I watched it with said I looked like her a little. I hear alot of times I look like a movie star, which is really a big compliment, but 99,9% of the time I don't agree. However, I thought this quite a compliment, too, because she was stunning. And perhaps I understand the comparison a bit because of our teeth.

Anyway, Leila got my attention, as I simply loved her role in Freaks. She didn't had a long career and not much is known about her, yet I did found alittle bit of information about this movie star, who had a big succes in the 1920s as a silent movie star and in the talkies of the early 30s, until she decided she wanted to focus on her personal life.

Leila was born on May 1st in 1905 to two Vaudeville performers: John Hyams and Leila McIntyre. Leila appeared on stage already as a little child and in her teenager years she worked as a model. Leila became well known across the United States after appearing in newspaper advertisements. This led to her succes Hollywood.

Leila made her first film Sandra in 1924, together with the actress who was dubbed 'The Girl who is too beautiful'; Barbara La Marr. Her next role was opposite Clara Bow and Alice Joyce in Dancing mothers. Leila proved that she could handle the little roles entitled to her and this led to her being taken serious as an actress. Leila scored a role in MGM's first released talkie 'Alias Jimmy Valentine' in 1928. That following year, she also starred in the popular murder mysterie 'The thirteenth chair'. Leila became succesful in the movies and got one role after the other. However, Leila is most famous for her two early 1930s horror movies Freaks (1932) and Island of lost souls (1932). Leila was also first choice to play Jane in the movie Tarzan the ape-man (1932) but, as we know by know, she turned down that role. It was Maureen O'Sullivan who became the ultimate Jane. Leila also appeared in the (once) controversial (pre-code) Hollywood film 'Red-headed woman' (1932) with Jean Harlow as the lead.

Leila was very popular in her days and, as I mentioned before, aroused warm feelings with the moviegoers. This, because Leila had a good natured demeanor, she had a sparkling personality, an innocent sex-appeal and had a great dose of charisma also. People could relate to her. Although appearing very glamorous, she maintained 'the down to earth girl next door' vibe.

She was described as 'The Golden girl' by an artist once, because of her blonde hair, perfect skin and white pearly, teeth. To maintain her beautiful skin coloring, Leila often lay under the studio lamps, when she couldn't get outside and sunbathe. Leila was also known as a fast driver, but she never received a ticket once! Her trick for this was driving around with her dog, who would bark whenever he saw a motorcycle and this would warn Leila to slow down.

Leila's career lasted for twelve years and she played in 52 movies. She retired in 1936 to focus herself on a personal life. She married to agent Phil Berg from 1927 until her death on December 4, 1977. The couple never had any children.

Leila's story is not a tragic one like those I usually write about! But she was an excellent actress who could conform to any role given to her and she should not be forgotten! She is one of my favorites and therefore I decided to write a post about her! She gave a compassionate performance as Venus in Freaks and if you haven't seen it yet, you really should!

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Hold me

February 22, 2014, 5:15 am

≫ Next: Sunday relaxation

≪ Previous: The lovely Leila Hyams

Hello there! How is this saturday treating you? Any plans for this weekend?

Ben and I have; tomorrow we'll be visiting a fleamarket in my hometown. We are both so addicted to that and I really like going to the fleamarkets in Zutphen; there's so much nice stuff to find. Anthroposophic Zutphen doesn't only look historical with it's exteriors, but there's alot of antique stuff to be found, still, to my great satisfaction! That was rather different in my former residence - who are striving so much for modernity. It can be compared, almost, to Amsterdam.

The photo above is my latest picture, taken by my lovely boyfriend Ben but the editting is done by yours truly. Some of you have probably seen it already at either my public Facebook or my personal one! I got many lovely responses on it. So thank you ever so! I named it 'Hold me' after a song of Ruth Etting that was playing in the background.

I am feeling rather great lately; I am losing weight,which means that I am slowly getting back into my former shape, and I gained more energy and the stamina to undertake things, which extends itself also on the career area. I have some great things ahead in the future. I can't say much about it, but I can assure you it will be great.

I think this positivity shows in my picture, don't you agree? There's a certain vivaciousness in my eyes -something that I lost a little last year!

"... Hold me honey won't you hold me
Hold me never let me go
Take me honey won't you take me
Never to forsake me
'Cause I love you so
Thrill me, let your kisses thrill me
Just like you alone can do
Hold me tenderly enfold me
Never try to hold me from you ... "

Have a lovely weekend!

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Sunday relaxation

February 23, 2014, 9:59 am

≫ Next: 'Red-Headed Woman' and the shock it brought.

≪ Previous: Hold me

Today Ben and I came home quite satisfied after thrifting a fleamarket in our hometown. The weather was sunny and the place where the fleamarket was held, was not far from our home. So we decided to walk to our destination. In my winter coat, I could even say I had it a bit too warm!

Although the stalls didn't had as much as they usually have, we came home with some handy tools for our kitchen; all dating from the 1930s or older. We bought a beautiful Reseda green enamel soap dish in the shape of a shell, a soap beater, coffee grinder ( so unbelievably cheap and in mint condition, too ), the dutch magazine Libelle from 1934 and a photo frame. I can never have too many photo frames and this one will display a signed picture of actress Carole Landis. Not the enormous haul we usually take home, but these are things that will be used in our kitchen to it's fullest (apart from the photoframe, that one will be displayed at my boudoir table). Most antique collectors just have these items for their collection. We, as nostalgists, really use it.

After we came home I poured us some velvet herb tea and I snuggled up on the couch with the Dutch magazine 'Libelle'. We enjoyed a delicous black berry roly poly that I made after a recipe from 'The cookbook of the stars'. A cookery book that has included favorite recipes of Hollywood stars in the 1930s. You can find the recipe at my food blog: A dash of Nostalgia.

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'Red-Headed Woman' and the shock it brought.

February 27, 2014, 11:24 am

≫ Next: Anita Page's beauty and makeup hints

≪ Previous: Sunday relaxation

I like to spend my free time watching Old Hollywood movies, either for the stories, the fashion and the hairdo's or just to see my favorite actors and actresses at work. Every inspiration it gives me, is being used in my modelling photos. I especially like to watch pre-code Hollywood movies lately and Red-headed woman (1932) was one of them.

Red-headed woman is a talkie from the early thirties - a pre-code film to be specific - and is based on a novel of the same name by Katharine Brush and screenplay by Anita Loos. Jean Harlow, who plays the lead role in this saucy comedy film, was quite reluctant to play the role at first, as she was afraid that the audience could not seperate her from her role as Lilian/Red Andrews; a girl who exploits men and uses sex to get what she wants. Jean was told to play her role with a bit of humor. And darn ... did she nailed that!

Jean Harlow was at the beginning of her career when she made this film and still had to prove her talent for comedy - or any other acting skill for that matter. Jean Harlow was seen as a public joke at the time. Clara Bow was MGM's first choice for this movie, she looked into the script but balked during the negotiations. Also Joan Crawford was one of the prominent actresses considered for the title role.

Jean Harlow wore a wig in the movie and because the film was shot in black and white, her makeup was made more dramatic to emphasize the nature of her character.

Jean Harlow and screenwriter Anita Loos

The screenplay was rejected by producer Irving Thalberg, who thought it was too serious and thus they brought in screenwriter Anita Loos to do a complete rewrite with a more comical and lighter tone. Anita Loos was famous for her 1925 novel Gentlemen prefer blondes, which was later made into a film with Marilyn Monroe in 1953. The first line Jean speaks in 'Red-headed woman' is: So gentlemen prefer blondes, do they? Yes they do. It is a wink at the audience, who then knew Jean Harlow only with her platinum blonde hair.

The story

Jean Harlow plays Lil Andrews, a golddigger from the wrong side of the tracks and who works at the Legendre company as an office girl. She is unstoppable in her goal to sleep with her boss; she even carries a picture of him in her garter belt and proudly shows him when she gets the chance. William 'Bill' Legendre (played by Chester Morris) does not trust himself alone with Lil and when his wife leaves for town, Lil grabs her chance to be alone with him and seduces him. Just when she gets him where she wants, his wife Irene 'Rene' Legendre (played by Leila Hyams) walks in. Bill is horrified but Lil brags about it to her friend Sally (played by Una Merkel). Bill then tells Lil that she has to leave town, but she refuses. The two meet at a party and Lil locks him up in a phonebooth and seduced him again, and again, and again. Bill eventually gives in to Lil's charms and divorces his wife and marries Lil. Lil tries to break into Bill's society circle, but it appears that his friends are difficult to win over. Lil then begins several affairs with other men and uses sex to get what she wants: getting at the top of the social ladder.

Jean shows raw sex appeal on full display in this magnificent movie and whilst showing her curves abundantly, and wearing nothing underneath her gowns, making sexual innuendo's and such ... it is not so weird that the movie caused a stir when it came out in 1932. The movie was banned in the UK until 1965. Jean plays a very unlikeable character but she plays it with great wit and that makes her entertaining to look at. Even for me it was hard to like Jean's character in this movie.

Nowadays there are still people who think of 'Red-headed woman' as a shocking film. Back in the day, several letters have been written about the film and one of them said: "Sex, sex, sex, the picture just reeks of it ... If the Hays office does not call a halt to pictures such as this, it's going to crystallize such a revulsion of feeling that the industry is going to feel it in no certain way".

A fragment of nudity

For a split second, Jean is to be seen topless in this film. Although the camera is constantly moving to keep nudity out of frame, you can clearly see Jean Harlow's right breast when Una Merkel removes her top and hands it over to Jean Harlow. Curious? Click to watch the fragment on youtube.

My opinion on the film? I really, really loved it! I highly recommend this movie if you like Jean Harlow and pre-code Hollywood movies! The fashion is just as stunning: the gowns are a design of Adrian!

Did you know?

Although the movie was banned in the UK, King George V had a personal copy of Red-headed woman!

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Anita Page's beauty and makeup hints

March 3, 2014, 7:37 am

≫ Next: Jean Harlow's beauty hints in Biz newspaper

≪ Previous: 'Red-Headed Woman' and the shock it brought.

She was the last surviving MGM silent film star; an actress that could play any role she was assigned to. She was dubbed 'The most beautiful face in Hollywood'. She is Anita Page. Anita is one of my favorite silent film stars. She had a magnificent way of acting with a lot of self-control. She could cry whenever she had to for a film. One director asked of her to let a single tear drop with just one eye, which is pretty difficult, but Anita managed to do that. However; someone interrupted and the scene failed. She had to do it all over again, and again she managed to let just a single tear drop from just one eye. Well ... that says something about her acting skills methinks.

Anita Page maintained good looks till her dying day in 2008 at the age of 98. She was of the rare and interesting kind of beauty. So ... what did Anita do, to be called 'the most beautiful face in Hollywood'?

Eyes

The first step Anita does to keep her beautiful eyes, is to put liquid eye drops into the eye to make her eyes sparkle. She then wipes off the excess liquid with bits of cotton.

Then Anita curls her lashes and with a fine brush she darkens her them.

Now that the lashes are taken care of, the eyebrows must not be neglected. A bit of cream is massaged into the brows to soften the skin and makes it easier for tweezing. The general outline for the brow is followed when tweezing and only the extra hairs outside the outline are removed. They should never be pulled straight out, but in the direction in which they grow.

Hair

Anita: Let's consider the hair. It's the crowning glory whether it's shorn or not and therefore it should have the attention which healthy, glowing hair gets. Now here is something that I have learned which I think very few people know. Very dry hair should be shampooed more often than oily hair! That is an entirely different theory from the old one, but there is a logical reason for it. The more the natural oils of the scalp are required to flow more they will do so. Whenever the hair is washed the natural oils flow more freely, since it stimulates the oil sacs. Now the average person shampoos oily hair often, thinking in this way to eliminate the oil, but this only makes the oil sacs work harder. Naturally ouly hair should be shampooed less and after the shampoo rub in a little olive oil. This will bring the excessive oil flow back to normal. By shampooing dry hair more, it makes the oil sacs work harder. Massage is good for any head. At least twice a week give the scalp a good ten minute massage with the tips of the fingers, working in a rotary motion from the back, forward. And I also believe in the old- fashioned method of a good thorough brushing every morning. It makes the hair both soft and glossy.

Skin

Someone has said that no woman who is neatly groomed and has a well cared for skin is really homely. I'm inclined to agree with this. So don't make the mistake of neglecting your complexion. The skin requires stimulation. We have learned to exercise the body - we should also learn to exercise the skin. Massage is good, but personally I get the best results from the pinching process. With two fingers of each hand go all over the face pinching it not too gently to fail to get a glow and not too hard to bruise it if it is tender. This should be done twice a week for five minutes or so. And let me give you a word of warning. When you pinch, massage or exercise the face, be sure to spread on a generous layer of cold cream first to prevent wrinkles. Avoid methods that are too strenuous. It is better to take it slowly than to ruin your complexion. Steaming the face over hot water is good and so is an ice rub, but I believe that these should be done on different days so that the skin will not be subjected to too great a change. With ice or with steam be sure to taper off with luke warm and then cool -not cold- water. Don't ruin your complexion with poor soap or make up just because it happens to be advertised as 'theatrical' make-up; exercise the greatest of care and discretion.

Hands
There is no better whitener for the hands than the time-honored lemon juice. This should be put on full strength and allowed to dry, then use a good hand lotion with softening qualities. Hands express so much character that they should be developed more. There is nothing more beautiful than a supple, capable hand. Suppleness and strength can be gained by exercise. Stretch the fingers as wide apart as possible, training every muscle, then close the hand into a fist. Repeat this ten or fifteen times every day. It is also a good idea to make it a daily habit to shake the hands from the wrist quickly for three or four minutes. In this way the skin becomes stimulated, the muscles are exercised and the hand becomes lithe. Because we wash the hands so much more frequently than we do our face, we should give them more cream or oil or hand emolient designed for the prevention of their premature aging. Many women do kill two birds with the one cold creaming action. When they cleanse and massage the face and neck at night they go after the hands with cream, too. Let me simply repeat that nails should be given daily care and should never be worn too long, too pointed or too highly polished. Although this has been said a thousand times there are still women who have not taken it to heart.

Anita believed in two beautifiers: a dressing table and a dinner table. She was not only a movie goddess but a domestic one, too! Today I baked muffins according to a recipe of Anita Page. You can find it at my foodblog: A Dash of Nostalgia.

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Jean Harlow's beauty hints in Biz newspaper

March 9, 2014, 10:07 am

≫ Next: My Beauty Hint: Dorothy Revier [ weekly feature ]

≪ Previous: Anita Page's beauty and makeup hints

Beauty hints from Old Hollywood stars is a topic I have written about alot. I can't help it for I love, love, love it and, judging the comments, you love it too. Jean Harlow is also a much discussed topic on this blog, so I thought I would combine them.

There are numerous of articles out there, that discuss the beauty hints of the stars back in the day, so you can expect much more to follow! This article below has been written in 1933 for Biz Newspaper. They talk about Jean using some French builing for the whiteness of her hair. I have absolutely no idea what it is and I couldn't find anything about it on Google (who desperately wanted to correct the word into 'building' and honly showed me results with French buildings all the time). Anyone that does know what it is? Would love to hear.

H O L L Y W O O D B E A U T Y H I N T S

Biz Newspaper - friday august 18, 1933

Jean Harlow, Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer star of "Red-headed woman", is representative of an extreme exotic type of beauty. Her platinum hair set a world-wide vogue. Her half-moon brows accent her pastel coloring. Her makeup is concentrated at the eyes and mouth. She depends upon good health and fresh air, excersise, soap and water, followed by an ice cold rinse, for her perfect skin.

Note her lashes, next time you see her on the screen. They are naturally long and curling. For her narrow and very arched eye-brows, Jean uses a finely pointed eyebrow pencil. The high brow enlarges the eye, gives clarity and an appealing quality.

Jean uses a true red cream rouge for her lips, blending the line perfectly and carrying the color well inside to prevent a break in tone.

Skin-tone powder is then puffed lightly but thoroughly over her face and neck, with a special attention to nostrils, eye corners and chin. Miss Harlow always carefully brushes superfluous powder from her eyebrows.

Miss Harlow's platinum halo of hair has probably aroused more comment and curiosity than any one feature of any star. Naturally blonde, Jean encourages whiteness by weekly shampoos with white soap and a final rinse containing a few drops of French builing. She brushes for softness, sets her wave with water and vinegar.

When Jean worked on a film, her diet excisted merely of fruit, salads and vegetables. But one of her favorite recipes were 'Hot rolls'. I have made them according Jean's recipe and you can find them on my blog A Dash of Nostalgia.

© Newspaper text: Biz newspaper

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My Beauty Hint: Dorothy Revier [ weekly feature ]

March 9, 2014, 3:29 pm

≫ Next: Watching boats float by at the river Ijssel

≪ Previous: Jean Harlow's beauty hints in Biz newspaper

Instead of the sneak peek of the week, there will be, from now on, a new weekly feature for every sunday to come. This means I'll write about my favorite topic: beauty tips from screen actresses. These beauty hints could be found in the newspapers in the 1930s. These are short texts, but very helpful! I hope you'll like the new feature! I am very enthusiastic about it :-). We start with Dorothy Revier.

D o r o t h y R e v i e r - screen actress

"Those afflicted with dry skin will find vegetable oils extremely helpful. Every evening I rub my face gently but thoroughly with oil, using it to take off my makeup, and to soothe and soften my dry complexion.

In the morning I use warm water and castile soap for a thorough cleansing. I like sunbaths, but I always keep my face covered, because dry skin roughens easily when exposed."

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Watching boats float by at the river Ijssel

March 11, 2014, 10:40 am

≫ Next: My favorite movies!

≪ Previous: My Beauty Hint: Dorothy Revier [ weekly feature ]

A colorful floral blanket ...

Although it's still officially winter in the Netherlands, it feels as if we are enjoying a late spring. Temperatures were rising up till 20 degrees, and people crawled out of their houses en masse, grabbed a drink at the many lovely terraces in Zutphen; all very twitterpated and cheerful. Baby animals have been born here and there and the most lovely flowers have opened up; adorning the fresh green lawns like a colorful blanket.

I love it! And like I have said a couple of times in the midst of winter; we never really hád a winter and you don't hear me complain. Temperatures kept soft all the time - and bearable - with a few exceptions here and there. But it was unlike the year before where the winter was very, very cold. You dreaded the day you had to go outside and not even the most softest vintage fur coat and fur trimmed galoshes, were keeping you warm. But none of that this year!

Spring is one of my favorite seasons; it means new life! New chances! And a couple of new oppurtunities have opened themselves for me, and I am eager to grab them. What is your favorite season? Zutphen is marvelous; in coldness, but also when temperature is rising. It's delightful to spend an afternoon watching boats float by at the river Ijssel. Enjoying the sun, playing the Lorelei luring boats (as you do) and show off a new dress!

It is my latest purchase and it's a dress from the 1940s. It's a beautiful navy blue; my favorite color for clothing. I love the collar that is attached to it. The dress has long sleeves and is warm enough to go outside without being hid under a coat.

My slingback pumps are late 1930s Palter DeLiso's and my sunglasses, which are also from the 1930s, are donated by a kind stranger, who we still haven't identified! Thank you kind stranger, for leaving this magnificent pair of sunglasses (and the gloves) at our doorstep ♥

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My favorite movies!

March 15, 2014, 11:56 am

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I have been asked many times what my favorite Old Hollywood movies are and what movies I can recommend watching. Well ... I like alot of old Hollywood movies and, I watch them whenever I have some free time. Mainly for inspiration fashion, interior and/or hairdo wise. But ofcourse also to see my favorite actors and actresses perform and to see the most stunning and dreamy gowns, designed by my favorite fashion designers.

These movies are not in a particular order, but the #1 of this list, Bachelor Mother, happens to be my most favorite film of all time.

1. Bachelor Mother ( 1939 )

This is really a witty and light-hearted movie! It is not only my favorite Old Hollywood movie, but definitely my favorite Ginger Rogers film. I am not a childs-person, at all, so it's ironic that a movie about children, is my most favorite film, but it happens to be so. It has a great story-line with an underlying message (obviously) towards child abandonment. Whenever people ask me what old movie to watch, I always recommend this one first. It is still as watchable nowadays, as it was in 1930s/1940s.

The Plot.

Ginger Rogers plays the part of Polly Parrish who works as a salesgirl in the John B. Merlin and son department and she has just been told that her services are no longer needed. On her way home, she sees a woman leaving a baby on the steps of an orphanage. Polly picks up the baby in fear it might roll down the stairs, and at that moment a woman opens the door and Polly is mistakenly thought to be the mother. She tries to argue and tell them that she is not the mother of the baby, but they don't believe her.

The playboy son David Merlin (David Niven) of the store's owner J.B Merlin (Charles Coburn) sympathizes with the "unwed" mother and arranges for her to get her job back so she can take care of the baby. In the end, Polly is unable to convince people that she is not the mother, and gives up and raises the baby. David falls in love with Polly but keeps the relationship a secret from his father, fearing his reaction. Although David is in love with Polly, he does not relish the idea of a "ready-made family". J.B. Merlin finds out about the baby, thinking his son is the father and no one can convince him otherwise especially when Polly and David both produce a different man whom they claim is the father. In the end, David is in love with Polly ánd baby John.

2. Vivacious Lady (1938)

Another Ginger Rogers movie, this time paired with Jimmy Stewart. This movie, too, is a very witty one I enjoyed thoroughly and I have watched it more than once. This movie didn't left Ginger unharmed, who, in the movie, has to fight with Peter's jealous childhood sweetheart Helen who kicked Ginger against the legs. Although Ginger wore protection, it still hurted alot and left her with a bruised shinbone.

The Plot.

Assistant biology professor Peter Morgan (Jimmy Stewart) falls in love and marries a nightclub singer named Francey (Ginger Rogers) whilst being on a trip. When he returns home to the small town university which is run by his dictatorial and conservative father (Charles Coburn), Peter loses all courage to tell his respective family about the marriage. Some of his brides activities does not make things easier for Peter.

3. Leave her to heaven (1945) contains spoilers

This thriller is magnificent! Gene Tierney plays a very convincing jealous and obsessed wife who does anything for love. This movie sometimes gave me chills up and down my spine, especially the part where she murders the physically disabled little brother of her new husband. It's a catchy film and is even called a Technicolor film noir.

The Plot.

Novelist Richard Harland (Cornel Wilde) and socialite Ellen Berent Harland (Gene Tierney) meet on a train to New Mexico. They are attracted to eachother, fall in love and decide to get married. Everyone they know are happy about their marriage, except Ellen's fiancée back home. The love Ellen has for Richard is a possesive and obsessive one, much like the love she felt for her deceased father, who Richard physically resembles. Ellen wants Richard all for herself and does not allow anyone to stand in her way. She resents ányone who takes a place in his life and heart, even if his love for that person is not a romantic one. That includes Richards disabled teen brother, her own sister Ruth Berent (Jeanne Crain) and a young man.It doesn't take long before Richard learns about the true character of his beautiful wife ...

4. Don't bother to knock (1952)

Whoever thinks of Marilyn Monroe as a poor actress, hasn't seen Don't bother to knock yet! Marilyn gives a chilling performance as a psychotic babysitter! I have always thought it a sad case that Marilyn was only typecasted as the breathless sex symbol without a brain, and after seeing this movie, that feeling was only emphasized. Marilyn shows great talent and it's unfortunate that we haven't seen more movies with Marilyn in such a role as Nell Forbes. She's very convincing and that makes this movie very enjoyable and thrilling to watch!

The Plot.

Nell Forbes (Marilyn Monroe) has just been released from a psychiatric hospital and tries to enter society to live a normal life. Her uncle, who works as a bell boy in a hotel, found Nell a job as a baby sitter in the hotel he works for. Airline pilot Jed (Richard Widmark) also stays in the hotel. His sweetheart Lyn (Anne Bancroft) is a singer there and the two are about to break up. Jed sees Nell in a window opposite his and they get in contact. Jed invites himself over to the room where Nell is baby-sitting Bunny. Marilyn, driven by trauma's, thinks Jed is her long lost fiance, who died in WWII. Things are getting out of hand and when Bunny enters the room, Nell goes crazy.

5. I Married a Witch (1942)

This is, without any doubt, my favorite Veronica Lake movie. Her way of acting is so amusing in this film and it's a movie that is as watchable today as it was in the 1940s.

The Plot.

In 1672, two witches Jennifeer (Veronica Lake) and her father Daniel (Cecil Kellaway) were burned by puritan Jonathan Wooley. In return, Jennifer cursed all future generations of the Wooley family and that the sons will always marry the wrong woman and be miserable. In the 20th century, a bolt of lightning frees Jennifer and her father from the tree that kept their souls imprisoned and Jennifer takes the corporeal form of a beautiful blonde woman and decides to make up-and coming politician Wallace Wooley, who at that time is unhappily engaged to Estelle Masterson (Susan Hayward) fall in love with her just before his wedding to make him feel more miserable. Wallace does everything to try and not fall in love with her, so Jennifer has to come up with other ways to make him fall in love and concocts a love potion. Love potions tend to backfire and messes with Jennifer's plans. Things don't go as she had planned.

6. Turnabout (1940)

I very much enjoyed this movie with tragic beauty, Carole Landis. It is very witty and at times I was laughing out loud, quite hard as some scene's of the film are quite amusing. This movie is easily watchable time after time and it still arouses a fresh laugh.

The Plot.

Phil Manning (Adolphe Menjou) and the glamorous Sally Willows (Carole Landis) are continuously quarreling with eachother. And after a day of constant bickering, they tell eachother that they wish to live eachothers life and express it in front of a Hindu deity in their bedroom, who grants their wish. The following morning, when they wake up, they have switched bodies. This leads to many hilarious events in the movie.

7. A streetcar named Desire (1951)

This movie is a masterpiece! Vivien Leigh plays such a great part as the disturbed Blanche Dubois. The role of Blanche is said to have pushed Vivien deeper into her mental problems; some say that, in a way, she stayed in the role of Blanche. Vivien knew Blanche, she found something she'd recognized in her and from this movie on, Vivien's mental health was going downhill.

Many people do not agree whether Blanche was raped in the movie by the brutal Stanley Kowalski, the husband of her sister, or if she fantasized it, as she did with so many other things. In the Tennessee Williams play it is implied that he did rape her, but in the 1950s, they could not show that part in the movie as they would do in films of today. That particular part was indicated by a shattering mirror on the moment Stanley grabs Blanche.

The plot.

Blanche DuBois is a fragile and disturbed woman in her thirties who has encountered alot of tragic events in her life that made her the person she became. She is in need of a real protector and this leds her to visit her younger sister Stella in New Orleans. Blanche does not understand that Stella, who is expecting her first child, could have picked a husband who lacks so much in refinement. Blanche is afraid of getting older and avoids light. She is making Stanley Kowalski crazy and is afraid that people will learn about her past; having sexual intercourse with one of her school students who was underaged. One of Stanley's buddies thinks of Blanche as an attractive woman and wants to marry her, until Stanley tells him what kind of woman Blanche really is. When Stella goes to the hospital to have her baby, things are getting out of hand when Stanley and Blanche are alone in the house.

Part two soon to follow!

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My Beauty Hint: Mozelle Britton [ Weekly Feature ]

March 16, 2014, 12:03 pm

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M O Z E L L E B R I T T O N - SCREEN ACTRESS

"Every night before retiring I apply lemon juice to my face and neck to keep the skin white and clear. Then I rub an ice cube over my face to close the pores. Again in the morning I use ice. For breakfast I drink grapefruit juice diluted with hot water."

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My participation in a music video

March 20, 2014, 10:12 am

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A couple of months ago, I was asked by Elles Springs,one of the singers of How About Eve to particpate in their newest videoclip of the song 'Winter in America'. Ofcourse I was more than willing to!

So here it is and you can see my participation, through a photo, at the end of the video!

Enjoy!

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My Beauty Hint: Mae Clarke [ Weekly Feature ]

March 23, 2014, 7:20 am

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M A E C L A R K E - SCREEN ACTRESS

"In the care of the hair the combination of soap, water, comb and brush is difficult to beat. I have washed my hair on an average of once a week all my life, and it has paid. Once in a while I have my scalp massaged with warm olive oil before it's washed. I use a very coarse towel when drying it. I use only soft water. Rinsing well is very important, too."

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The tragic life of The Mexican Spitfire: Lupe Velez

January 29, 2014, 10:24 am

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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". 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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Five steps in daytime makeup with Maureen O'Sullivan

March 26, 2014, 3:18 pm

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First, assuming that Maureen O'Sullivan has already applied powder foundation, beginning with the first picture, she illustrates for you the five important succesive steps in applying makeup. First, a blue eyeshadow is smoothed gently across her lids.

Second, Maureen accents and extends the outer ends of her brows very lightly with a brown eyebrow pencil. Use a firm crayon with a fine point

Third, Maureen carefully accents and darkens her lashes with mascara,

brushing the upper lashes upwards, lower lashes downwards.

Fourth, Maureen smiles so that she may apply rouge to the full part of her cheeks, blending it lightly outward toward the temples.

Fifth, after lipstick, the gentle nuances of color are tied together by a thorough though delicate veil of powder.

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Movie stars pass on some beauty hints - 1943

March 27, 2014, 12:17 pm

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Movie Stars pass on some beauty hints - written by Antoinette Donnelly for theSt.Petersburg Times

July 4, 1943

We have accumulated a collection of hints on personal care and grooming from Hollywood stars. Says Nancy Coleman: "In these days of hustle and bustle, few women have the time to give themselves a complete makeup change during the day. Often they get the tired, haggard look around midafternoon. When I am that rushed, I find that a glow can be added to a tired makeup job by rubbing it gently with a damp, cool towel. Followed by a film of powder patted on, the makeup gets new life. Eyes will lose their tired look if a speck of vaseline is spread thinly over the lids. If you use too much you'll only get a greasy look, not the dewy eyed effect for which you strive."

Nancy Coleman

You wouldn't believe that so modern a miss as Faye Emerson would resort to smelling salts, but she says when work piles up on her and she feels she can't keep abreast of it, she takes a whiff of lavender smelling salts. It's a good trick, says Faye, when too much nightclub smoke gets in your eyes.

Faye Emerson

Julie Bishop goes in for whistling in a big way, fearing no bad end as we used to threathened with when we were young. She whistles while she works or when she's lolling around home. But there's meaning to her whistling, for she finds it a good exercise for breath control. Ida Lupino, in need of a face "refreshner" soaks a cotton pad in cold water, squeezes out the excess liquid, dips the pad in skin lotion and works over the face. Then she adds cleansing cream to a pad and repeats the face wash. She removes the cream excess before dipping another pad in water, squeezing it partly dry, then patting on more skin lotion. All with the promise of being able to meet your enemy or your date with a face you don't have to hide under a veil.

Julie Bishop

Says Alice Faye: "You can't be ill, weary or bodily sick and manifest enough vibrant charm to attract anyone. You have to be loaded down with vitality and energy. Then you radiate something, an exuberance, a power, an appeal which is found most attractive, especially by the opposite sex. Since men detest slovenliness in a woman, a trimness of appearance must accompany this radiance. There must be smooth, slender figure beauty. The art of proper makeup, the correct and subtle use of perfumes and a color sense are the finishing touches."

Alice Faye

Betty Grable is a girl who goes all out for cleanliness of the most meticulous order, of person, of dress, of such accesories as hankies, gloves, inside of pocketbooks, because, says Betty, there is no daintiness where cleanliness does not first exist.'

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Says Ellen Drew: "I love beautiful hair. That's why I do not like to see it cut too short or drawn up tightly under a hat or in bareheaded pompadour style with little more to show than combs and pins. Hair is too glamorous in itself for that submerging treatment."

The lovely blonde Annabella says to avoid depressing effects of having a husband off in the service, one should share her loneliness with another war widow. The companionship of such a person is most helpful.

Annabella

Says Natalie Shafer: "If I had three wishes, they'd be for 'vitality', 'more vitality' and still more 'vitality'. With vitality you can do anything. You can create the illusion of beauty, intelligence and charm. You can achieve success in whatever field you set out to achieve it."

Says the gorgeous Maureen 'O Hara: "Some people come by great eye beauty naturally and other have to attain it with persistent care. Movie stars have a special problem to cope with, on account of the strain caused by lights and the strong reflectors used. Unless they give their eyes some extra care they'd be in a bad way. Among my nonprofessional friends, I noticed that they will concentrate on other features paying little attention to the eyes. Yet there is no feature a woman posesses that is as compelling or telling as the eyes.

Maureen 'O Hara

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My Beauty Hint: Ann Dvorak [ Weekly Feature ]

March 30, 2014, 4:57 am

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A N N D V O R A K - SCREEN ACTRESS

"One of the best ways to achieve every woman's ambition - to appear distinctive and individual - avoiding the monotony of looking the same all time, is to change the hairdress as often as possible. The great difficulty, however, is to find a haircut that lends itself easily to change. I solve the problem by having my hair cut short near the top of the head, and then into graduated lengths until it reaches a long bob toward the neckline. Thus I can part and wave my hair in many different ways."

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