There's nothing quite like swing music to chase away the wintertime blues

✯ Day 309 of Vintage 365 ✯

November, as we were discussing in Tuesday's post, has many appealing qualities (especially if you prefer winter over summer), but there's no skirting around the fact that for those in the western hemisphere, it is still the start of another very long, very cold season.

From snow banks so high you need to set up base camp before trying to scale them, to the sudden desire to hibernate like a fury brown bear until Easter, there are - I'm the first to admit - more than a few reasons why it can be hard to stay peppy all winter long.

Aside from vibrantly hued garments, marshmallow topped mugs of hot cocoa, and the ingrained merriment of Christmas, one of my favourite ways to shake off the doldrums that the greyest months of the year can cause any of us to feel sometimes, is to play really lively music.

From smooth-as-silk 30s jazz to psychedelic 60s tracks, 80s pop and 50s rock, if the tempo is hopping and the tune is catchy, just about any song is fair game. Few genres of of music however, can so quickly or enthusiastically perk of slopping energy levels than classic jitterbug swing!





Take for example the wonderfully lively number above that I just discovered this week on Youtube. Though the quality of the film itself is a little lacking, the music is intact and couldn't be more delightfully fun!

I searched the ol' interwebs for a while, but couldn't unearth too much about this vintage song, other than the information provided by the person who posted it on Youtube.

From that source, I can tell you that purportedly this great swing dance tune, called Juke Box Joe's, was preformed by Wingy Malone's Mardi Gras Band with Carol Adams, and that the dancers were Lennie and Freda, Gil and Nikki Brady. (By all means if you happen to more about this terrific tune, do let me know in the comment section.)

Though not a long song, Juke Box Joe's is buzzing with the precise kind of acoustic vitality that can do wonders for the mind, body and soul - especially on those bleak and dreary, numbing chilly days that lay ahead of us in the coming months of winter.

Taking a short autumn blogcation

Cheerful good morning greetings, everyone! I hope that this last Monday of summer 2011 is finding you all well and eager for the changing of the seasons that will transpire later this week. I'm immensely happy that fall is nearly here, as summer continually managed to knock the wind out my sails time and time again.

I feel a bit drained right now, not broken spirited, just physically like I've been going ten rounds in the ring with my health and life. As such, I've been giving it quite a lot of thought and decided, in order to hopefully have the strength and stamina to keep up with the Vintage 365 project right through to December 31st, it's wisest that I give myself a little breather.

As you may recall from the necessitated blogging hiatus earlier this year, just because I'm not technically here everyday, doesn't mean you don't get to enjoy the Vintage 365 project.

Then, as now, instead of a new post appearing each morning, you'll find the next twenty days worth of entries right here, in one handy-dandy location, in this post.

I'm hoping that three weeks will be enough time to recharge my batteries, and as such I have every intention, as things stand now, of jumping right back into daily blogging come October 10th (which, incidentally, just happens to be Canadian Thanksgiving).

I sincerely appreciate your understanding about this brief blogcation, and really hope you all enjoy the vintage-tastic array of topics I've corralled below.

 

September 19 ~ Day 262: Typically speaking, I am not a big fan of 1960s clothing. To me it’s the decade the ushered in the end of the era (30s-50s) in fashion that I hold nearest and dearest to my vintage loving heart, sometimes however, an item from that decade comes by which is too fabulous or beautiful to go unnoticed.

Case in point, I recently spied a strikingly lovely chocolate brown, short-sleeved, empire waist, princess seamed 1960s inspired dress that stopped me in my tracks. Channelling a distinctly (early) Mad Men secretary type vibe, this elegant, yet playful, frock (from Dress 911) is a total charmer that I would be more than gleeful to hang in my closet!

 

September 20 ~ Day 263: For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved seeing youthful women with grey hair. I know that sounds bizarre, but' it’s precisely the fact that grey hair is not typically associated with young women that adheres me to this combination.

Though the woman in this deeply pretty 1950s Revlon ad for their Queen of Diamonds line isn’t fresh out of high school, she’s far from retirement age either.

Her powerfully sophisticated look bubbles over with worldly confidence that seems to say “yes, I’ve greyed early, isn’t it fabulous?”.  And this sort of attitude, is, more than anything, is what I love most about younger women with grey locks, that they’re confident enough with themselves not to cover up those silver strands, preferring instead to let their grey manes shine.

 

September 21 ~ Day 264: One could easily be forgiven in this day and age for thinking that all pot pies came, piping hot to the table, as a pie akin to apple or pumpkin. While meat encased in a double crust (often called pate in days of yore) is a centuries old style of cooking, by its sheer definition alone, pot pie was originally cooked in a pot.

This version for just such a pie in a pot from 1933, is topped with mounds of fluffy biscuits beneath which one finds a rich stew of creamy chicken and broth.

Plainer than most modern pot pies, you could easily jazz this recipe up with any veggies you like (carrots, parsnips, onions, shallots, leeks, celery, potatoes, turnips, etc) or swap the chicken for turkey, beef or even venison. No matter how you make it though, this traditional pot pie is sure to be a great cold weather comfort food!

 

September 22 ~ Day 265: There are unquestionably certain colours that we associate with particular decades, and for the 1950s two of the most iconic hues have to be cheerful aquamarine and sweet, girly pink.

This charming kitchen from 1959 pairs classic aqua (in the form of cabinets) with coral hued countertops (perhaps foreshadowing the intensely saturated home decor hues that would follow in the next two decade to comes) and a coppery-pink coloured stove.

The pairing makes for a room that vibrant and impactful, but not glaringly bright or tricky to live in. It’s a fun, timeless colour combo that I’d be more than happy to have in my kitchen any day.

 

September 23 ~ Day 266: Can you believe it, we made it through the summer. While I know that some folks had an awesome summer, for many (in my circle at least) it was a challenging, difficult, problem ridden season that seemed to drag on longer than a foreign art film.

I, for one, am deeply elated about the fact that  fall (my favourite season) has returned, and hope to high heaven that it ushers in a season of more peace, better health, safer weather, and less stress for my family and all of yours, too.

 

September 24 ~ Day 267: When you think of Honda cars, the late 1940s might not be the first thing that springs to mind. It was, however, on this date in 1948 the famed Japanese motor company was founded.

Perhaps more so than any other car company (well, at least any other Japanese car company), I have a soft spot in my heart for Honda, because for many years my step-dad worked for this (now) massive multinational.

Though he’s no longer with Honda, I can’t see a Civic, Accord or Pilot without thinking of my step-dad and the role that this company had in my family’s life for a long time. Join me then, today, in wishing Honda the happiest of 63rd birthdays!

 

September 25 ~ Day 268: It’s probably a good thing that my modest sized apartment has, what really must be, one of the absolute smallest, narrowest linen closets of all times, because if such were not the case, I’d be massively tempted to pick up a set of these fabulously fun, cheerfully hued vintage inspired tea towels from online retailer House 8810.

 

September 26 ~ Day 269: In the history of early twenty-first century music, certain names stand out, and few come closer to the top of the list than American composer George Gershwin.

Tragically struck down by a brain tumour while in his thirties, during his relatively short life Gershwin produced some of the most famous and beloved orchestral works of the day, including Porgy and Bess, Rhapsody in Blue, and An American in Paris.

In honour of the fact that September 26th was George Gershwin’s birthday (he was born in 1898 and passed away in 1937), if you have a few minutes to spare, I highly encourage you to treat your ears to a marvelous vintage Victor Symphony recording (by way of Youtube) of the composer’s delightfully upbeat piece An American in Paris.

 

September 27 ~ Day 270: Today’s entry is the last in our series celebrating the fact that September is National Sewing Month.

I know that like myself, many of you have wished high and low that you could magically tap your heels and hop back in time to go shopping in your favourite decades. As that’s, sadly, not possible, perhaps the next best thing we can do is enjoy looking at vintage photos of our favourite yesteryear shops.

For those (who again, like yours truly) adore all things craft and sewing related, you’ll likely go weak in the knees when you peer into the storefront window of this wonderfully well stocked 1940s sewing goods shop. Pure vintage needlework and sewing daydream worthy bliss if ever there was!

 

September 28 ~ Day 271: For this Wednesday’s delightful vintage recipe, we’re journeying back to the early 1960s to whip up a zingy, warm, wonderful Spicy Butter Cake that is sure to be the hit of many a fall gathering.

From potlucks to Thanksgiving dessert, Halloween fetes to tea parties with your closest friends, this easy to make, fabulously fragrant vintage cake recipe is sure to be a popular winner.

 

September 29 ~ Day 272: I know I’m not alone when I say that it often feels like money flies right out of my pocketbook, but with this charmingly lovely vintage air mail print wallet that analogy gets taken to a whole new level.

Designed to look like a piece of old school mail (think the type that couples swapped during the war), this multi-compartment, bow bedecked, super fun wallet from UK seller Aspire Style is sure worth opening up your current (and likely considerably less adorable) wallet for!

 

September 30 ~ Day 273: While the craze for matching one’s make-up to their skin and hair tones really hit its zenith in the 1980s (remember the Color Me Beautiful series of books? This spring-autumn definitely does! ), the principle behind this concept is anything but new.

In fact, one can travel all the way back to 1925 (if not earlier) and encounter examples, such as this lovely vintage complexion chart, that guided women in what shades of make-up would be most flattering to their skin and hair tones.

Even if you don’t agree with all of the make-up colours this lovely 1920s chart suggests, it’s impossible not to enjoy it’s darling illustrations and old school charm.

 

October 1 ~ Day 274: Oh happy day, we’ve reached the first of October (and no, I am in no way saying that sarcastically!). I’m giddy with joy over the fact that my very favourite month of the year (which houses three family birthdays, Canadian Thanksgiving, my wedding anniversary, and Halloween) is at long last back.

To mark it’s return, I wanted to share the wonderfully delightful October 1957 cover of American Weekly magazine, below, with all of you. I really hope it helps get you even more in the mood for a month – and season – of vintage splendidness.

October 2 ~ Day 275: As many of you may recall from my post about Five great places to source vintage cookbooks online earlier this year, as well as from many others here on Chronically Vintage that are devoted to vintage gastronomy, I rather adore old school cookery books.

In a melding of old-fashioned recipes and modern day technology, fellow lovers of vintage recipes will be thrilled to know that the Internet Achieve houses an array of free cookbooks online, all of which are available as ebooks. Quite of few of the titles in this collection are vintage, and amongst the lot you’ll even encounter some popular collector’s classics, like a copy of the Metropolitan Cookbook.

There are definitely oodles of great yesteryear recipes on this useful site that are bound to keep your kitchen (and dinner table) buzzing all through autumn and winter.

 

October 3 ~ Day 276: When one thinks of revolutionary mid-twentieth century fashion designers, few names spring to mind more quickly (or with greater merit) than the legendary Coco Chanel and her understatedly gorgeous creations.

In this wonderful seven and a half minute long compilation video pieced together from assorted vintage film clips (spanning the 1930s to 80s) of Coco herself, as well as some of her most marvelous creations, one really gets of a sense of just how, and why, Chanel was, and will always be, one of the most important designers of the era.

 

October 4 ~ Day 277: Have you ever seen (or walked into) a home that was so exquisitely gorgeous is quite literally took your breath away?

Whether you have or haven’t before, I strongly urge you brace yourself, because the the images in this post about Dita Von Teese’s vintage decorated house are likely to make you swoon to no end!

 

October 5 ~ Day 278: Given that Canadian Thanksgiving is just five days away (oh my, still so much shopping and prep to do – not that I mind, I kind of completely love cooking big holiday meals),  I though that today’s vintage recipe should be a festive one. Enter then this lovely 1947 recipe for Thanksgiving Apple Pie.

There’s nothing (such, for example, as the inclusion of pumpkin) that makes this dessert any more Thanksgiving-ish than any other autumnal apple pie, the name alone made me smile and, loving a good fruit pie as I do, I thought it would be a fantastic  first vintage recipe for October.

 

October 6 ~ Day 279: There was a time in my life, a few years back, when I was all but obsessed with miniature toys (namely a Japanese brand of adorable little miniatures called Re-Ment), as I went about setting up scenes, photographing, and generally dreaming about tiny toys.

While, for the time being, that phase has passed, I still greatly love and admire beautiful miniatures, and few compliations I’ve ever seen can even begin, in a million years, to hold a candle to Michael Paul Smith’s stunningly impressive collection of vintage inspired miniature model scenes.

Handcrafted with a true artist’s eye, it really takes a moment for one’s brain to wrap itself around the fact that what you’re looking at is not a full scale, real world movie set, but instead an intricately composed, deeply awesome universe of incredible model displays.

 

October 7 ~ Day 280: Though a legion of devoted record collectors still exist (be they fans of old or new records), as the years roll on and digital music becomes ever more prevalent in our lives, I fear that an ever increasing number of classic records (the physical records themselves, I mean not, per se, the music on them) will be lost to the hands of time.

If you’re one of those folks who loves to collect records, but has wondered how best to display your favourites, you need worry no long longer. The fine folks over at Urban Outfitters are now selling a classic black photo frame designed specific to house record sleeves.

With the help of this clever album frame, you can now pick any number of your most cherished albums to display on the wall, their covers standing out as the superb works of vintage art that they rightfully are for all to see.

 

October 8 ~ Day 281: In the world of autumn desserts and sweet treats, there are some rather fabulous entries that make picking just one favourite next to impossible. Pushing aside pumpkin pie though, if I really and truly had to pick my most beloved fall treat, I think it might just be caramel apples.

While you can definitely make caramel for your festive treats from scratch, the ease and convenience of using good quality store bought caramels is hard to beat. Perhaps the most classic of all ready-to-melt (or eat straight from the bag!) caramels are those produced by Kraft.

Kraft caramels have been an autumn time institution for generations now, stretching back to the 1950s (as this fun vintage Kraft ad shows), if not earlier (if so, does anyone know how early?), and can provide the instant blanket of sugary goodness you need to drape your apples on a stick in, Halloween after sugary treat filled Halloween.

 

October 9 ~ Day 282: To wrap up this three week selection of vintage topics, I thought it would be lovely to end on a particularly heartwarming note in the form of this beautiful colour photograph from 1940 that shows a young mother and her daughter working together to roll a ball of yarn for their knitting projects.

Homey and endearingly sweet, this still wonderfully vibrant vintage photo is sure to make you smile (weather you’re a knitter or not) ear-to-ear.

♥ ♥ ♥

 

Thank you all deeply for your understanding, as well as for your terrific support of the Vintage 365 project and Chronically Vintage in general. I will miss you all a great deal, and wholeheartedly look forward to sharing oodles of new posts with you again in three weeks.

Be well, sweet friends, and know that I'm sending out scores of wishes to you all for a marvellously amazing, completely gorgeous start of autumn!

Covering 20 days with one post

My sweet dears, I'm afraid that I'm going to be slightly MIA for the next little while. You see, I'll be heading into the hospital (to have to two surgeries) on June 14th and most likely may not be able to blog for a spell both before that date (there's quite a lot of prep work involved) and afterwards. Fortunately the procedures I'm having are fairly routine and, baring (goodness forbid) any complications, I should be on the mend and back blogging (daily) again in a couple weeks or so.

I'm not entirely sure how long my recovery will take, but I'm determined to keep the Vintage 365 project alive and well (happy to report that I haven't missed a date yet and we're nearly half way through 2011), while I'm feeling not quite so well myself.

To that extent, I thought that I would put together one post today with twenty different interesting vintage related topics to see all of you through the remainder of June (ideally, I'll be able to launch back into writing a post per day at the start of July).

I apologize to those for look forward everyday to each new Vintage 365 instalment and hope that this "all-in-one" post, with brief entries for the coming 20 days, will still help brining you a hearty dose of old school history and style alla Chronically Vintage.

 

June 11 ~ Day 162: It the warm, almost cocooning apricot light that grabs your attention first when you peer at this 1950s photo taken inside of a Dior shop in Paris, yet fractions of a second later your mind sends fashion alert flashes your way letting you know that there are vintage (Dior!) treasures aplenty to be spied in this captivating image.

Though not a sweepingly large photo, there is such much resplendent beauty to be gleaned from the box of chic high heeled shoes, the garden's worth of delicate silk blooms, and sundry other millenary supplies in this captivating photo. It speaks to an age of unmatched grace, proper high couture, and unshakeable style in the way that only Dior could ever truly deliver.

 

June 12 ~ Day 163: Though today, and for the last few decades, Cuba, is and has been a downtrodden land in desperate need of freedom, during the earlier days of the twentieth century, this lush, wonderfully pretty country was busting with entertainment, art, fashion, great cuisine, tourism, nightlife, and plenty of fantastic views that beckoned holidaymakers from around the globe.

Today’s  interesting, nicely narrated Youtube video clip shows 1930s Cuba during its heyday, when this fascinating tropical destination was busting with life, possibility and no shortage of fun ways to pass the sunny days.

 

June 13 ~ Day 164: Every now and then someone in my building (intentionally) leaves a couple of copies of the current Avon catalogue in the laundry room of my building. Though I very much enjoy flipping through them as my clothes just all sudsy, I'm rarely struck with the urge to actually purchase anything.

Avon makes some wonderful products, don't get me wrong, and over the years I've enjoyed the items I have bought (or received gifts) from this well-known brand, it's just that I sometimes feel like their catalogue pages teeter a bit on being infomercial-esque (absolutely no offence to anyone reading this who is an Avon rep).

They lack the show stopping glamour of their yesteryear counterparts and rarely standout from the sea of beauty advertisements one encounters in any run-of-the-mill fashion or ladies' magazine.

Not so in 1959 however, when this captivatingly  lovely Avon cosmetics ad hit the scenes. Featuring a pretty brunette model with a mile-wide smile, this ad show cased five Avon cosmetics products, every single on of which I'd order right this very moment if they still came presented in such charming packaging and by way of such wonderful ads.

 

June 14 ~ Day 165: Though I'll be sporting a hospital gown today (so glam, I know), there's no reason I can't help keep my mind off of the day’s medical activities by fantasizing about this truly, completely breath-taking floral print, 1950s inspired dress from Trashy Diva.

Featuring a full skirt, flattering V neck, fitted bodice, invisible side zipper and a wide waistband (that will flatter a host of different figure types), this stunning silk-like rayon frock is simply too amazing to pass by unnoticed. Its bouquets of blooms sing out in hues of purple, teal blue, burgundy, rose pink, black, grey and white, all nestled atop a peridot green backdrop, making for a show-stopping, deeply sophisticated look.

If you'd like to join me in yearning for this sublime frock, swing on by online retailer Blue Velvet Vintage, where you can pick up one of these beguiling vintage inspired dresses (in ladies sizes 6 to 14) for $135.00. If you’re only going to treat yourself to one new dress this summer, I highly recommend giving this gem some serious thought.

 

June 15 ~ Day 166: Have no fear, just because I'm away, doesn't mean that a new (errr, old) recipe won't be the subject of choice each Wednesday. For the 15th, I think we should all take advantage of the fact that berry season is in full swing and whip up a dish featuring these marvelous little bit sized fruits.

Looking back all the way to 1936, this lovely sounding recipe for Blackberry Roly-Poly (wonderful blackberry stuffed pastries) would be a stellar way to use up some of the season's choicest berries.

If blackberries aren't your favourite, you could very easily swap in raspberries, huckleberries, blueberries, strawberries, or (red or white) currants here instead (or why not channel a "fruits of the forest" vibe and use a combo of your most beloved berries for an extra special dessert!).

 

June 16 ~ Day 167: Care of the ever-fabulous blog The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan (ex) Housewife, comes a handy-dandy instructional page from the 1950s on how to wash rayon.

I bookmarked this post back in the fall of 2009 and have been meaning to mention it ever since, as I know many of us (myself included) own vintage (and/or vintage reproduction) rayon items that require proper laundering to stay in pristine shape. The easy-as-pie tips here are bound to help ensure you you're able to keep all your rayon pieces in top-notch shape.

 

June 17 ~ Day 168: With a name like Vintage Soul, it would be downright impossible for this charming Liz Clairborne perfume not to nab my attention. If the moniker alone didn't do it, surely the softly curvaceous bottle and subtly art nouveau inspired graphics would.

Featuring an engaging blend of lily, freesia, cactus flower, green lotus leaf, jasmine, blue tiger lily, gardenia, tuberose, blond wood and nutmeg, this lovely perfume sounds like a complete - and entirely gorgeous - garden in a bottle.

Should you wish to sprinkle a little old school spirit on yourself each day, be sure to head over to amazon.com where you can currently pick up a bottle of Vintage Soul perfume on sale for just $16.53.

 

June 18 ~ Day 169: The mercury is bubbling over, but that doesn't mean one has to resort to being unfashionable, especially not if you turn to this delightfully fun 1940s summer fashion clip for your sartorial inspiration this season.

Featuring an array of warm weather looks (from playsuits to dresses), this quick little Youtube video (it's only about a minute and a half long) is teaming with oodles of vintage fashion ideas that are sure to capture your heart this summer.

 

June 19 ~ Day 170: $18.00 is a lot of money to pay for one light bulb, no ifs, ands or buts about that. However, sometimes there's a good reason behind why a seemingly inexpensive item gets slapped with a hefty price tag.

In the case of this Sunday's objet du jour, it's because this slim, gracefully shaped light bulb is a spot-on replica of an early Edison bulb, right down to its eye-catching looped filaments and rich brass base.

This bulb - which is available from Anthropologie - is not the kind that you'll screw into any old lamp or light fixture (unless you've finally found a tree that grows money and can now afford to pay $18.00 per light bulb), instead it is meant to be displayed, hanging artfully from a pendant lamp or shining out from an unadorned socket.

It's a little piece of the past that you can use, quite literally, to illuminate the present, and somehow knowing that makes $18.00 almost forgivable.

*PS* Merry, cheerful, immensely fun Father's Day wishes to dads out there. I hope today is a utterly fantastic one for you fellows!

 

June 20 ~ Day 171: Though one of the key elements that I love about vintage fashion is how it grants me free creative license to dress as splendidly femininely as I please (think full skirts, sweetheart necklines, crinolines, and lashings of red lipstick!), I can't help but stop from time-to-time and think about the Teddy Girls of the 1950s. These (sartorially) daring young women eschewed many of the conventional styles of the day, preferring instead to follow in the footsteps of some of the male peers who were opting for the Teddy Boy look.

For a engaging post about these UK style rebels of yesteryear, be sure to swing by Betty Swallow's blog for her post on the Teddy Girls, which includes interview excepts from a former teddy gal, as well as scores of wonderful black white photos of (apparent) tomboys whose style still managed to seem somehow more feminine than most of the looks one encounters on the street today.

 

June 21 ~ Day 172: Happiest summer solstice, everyone! Can you believe that the first official day of summer is really here? Are you happy about that? Or does this sizzling heat have you pining for snowmen, winter boots and steaming mugs of cocoa?

Over all I'm pretty excited about it - how could I not be when the birthdays of everyone in my house (hubby, kitty cat, and I) all fall during this magically lovely season.

 

In order to ensure this post was able to load without taking an eon and a half (not everyone has super high speed internet!), I weighed the matter carefully and decided not to post an image for each of the twenty days ( if you click on the link in the write up for each particular day, you should be taken a page with at least one image, or video clip,  for each respective topic).

However, there was no way that I could let the inaugural day of summer slip by without celebrating it with an image - and what a charmer this one (the marvellously illustrated June 1948 cover of Better Homes and Gardens Magazine) is!

I can’t wait to hopefully get in plenty of the activities depicted on in it myself this season, just as I'm sure tons of you are, too!

 

June 22 ~ Day 173 : This coming Friday is my little brother's birthday, and since one of his favourite desserts when we were growing up was lemon meringue pie (peanut butter cookies were another sweet treat he adored back then), I knew that in honour of his special day, I had to dig up a super delicious sounding vintage recipe for this wonderful classic (which, like most citrus flavoured foods, seems to be especially useful at helping you bet the heat, especially if served cold).

I think this yesteryear version (which is quite similar to my tried-and-true, handed-down-from-my-mom recipe) would be sure to please even the most discerning of lemon meringue connoisseurs, no matter their age!

 

June 23 ~ Day 174: By way of the great blog Vintage Chic, comes a page from 1946 called Make Up to the Day, which is chocked full of entertaining/helpful suggestions for what colours of make-up are best suited to brides-to-be with various complexions and hair colours. From redheads to ash blondes, there are tips here to see many-a-gal through her special day in beautiful 1940s style.

 

June 24 ~ Day 175: This day is a joyful one for me because it's my brother's birthday (how can you possibly be 24? If that doesn't make - soon-to-be-27 year old me feel ancient, I don't know what does!), and while he doesn't share my love of all things vintage (I'm the vintage black sheep of my family), I do distinctly remember one splendidly fun old school cartoon that we enjoyed watching as a child was The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

Featuring everyone's favourite cartoon moose and squirrel, as well as the bumbling dastardly villain duo or Boris and Natasha, this entertaining children's show was every bit as much fun for us in the early 90s as it was for those who watched it air the first time around decades earlier.

I devote this clip - of the opening theme of Rocky and Bullwinkle - to you, little bro, happiest birthday! Here's to always striving to have as much fun in life as we had as youngsters watching cartoons!

 

June 25 ~ Day 176: There's a school of thought that suggests that if one surrounds themselves (or wears) cool colours they'll feel colder (and vice versa that warm hues will help you stay toasty). Given the visual weight that colours carry, I think this idea makes a good deal of sense.

I for one would not be too inclined to spend much time during the summer in a fiery orange or red room, but I would however rush to relax at the end of another dizzyingly hot June day in this charmingly sweet soft pink, mint green and sleek black bathroom from 1953.

Done up in sherbet and licorice inspired hues, this pretty powder room just looks cool when you gaze at it. The swirl patterned tiles evoke thoughts of serene pools of sea water, the pink curtains, towels and paint (used in the built-in wall shelves) are as revitalizing as a tall glass of strawberry lemonade, and the glistening black elements seem to give the distinct feeling that they'd be smooth as ice to the touch.

Indeed, there is much to be loved about from this inspiringly fresh, entirely beautiful 1950s bathroom, no matter if it's the hottest day of summer of the nippiest of winter - because truly beautiful interior design is always refreshing.

 

June 26 ~ Day 177: Let's face it, cat (and pet in general) furniture often isn't the most stylish thing around. Cumbersome kitty condos, litter boxes glaring out at you from random corners of the house, and oversized plush napping pads eating up half your living room floor can be practical and cozy (for said feline companions), but again, they rarely win any awards in the design department.

To that end, one clever etsy seller (Atomic Attic Upcycled), came up with a splendid idea for kitty beds that are both function and wonderfully fun to look at.

They’re constructed of vintage and retro suitcases that have been fitted with short, sturdy legs and fluffy cushion inserts (which are removable and washable). Averaging around $59.00 a piece, these smile-inducingly cool vintage suitcase cat beds are leagues more chic than most pet beds I've seen and are definitely the kind of thing I could see both me and my darling kitty hopping on board with!

 

June 27 ~ Day 178: While I tend to put on my make-up (and style my hair) before I don my ensemble for the day, there are times when all of us need to (for whatever) reason to apply our cosmetics (or merely touch-up our faces) while dressed, which can mean introducing the potential of getting powder, lipstick, eye shadow, mascara - you name it! - on our vintage outfits (which is definitely not a good thing!).

In 1938 that problem could be cut off at the pass by donning the Playtex make-up cape, a charming little caplet (with a fun front tie neck) that draped over the wearer's shoulders and upper chest, thus helping keep her clothing as clean as whistle while she went about her beauty routine.

I think this is really good, entirely practical idea and so went hunting around the web for a modern day version. While I couldn't find a make-up cape that was quite as cute as the 1930s version, I did find a Scalpmaster Nylon Make-Up Cape on Amazon for the reasonable price of $11.99 - which is certainly less than a trip or two to the drycleaners (to try and remove make-up from your favourite garments) is bound to run you!

 

June 28 ~ Day 179: Despite the often surface-of-the-sun like temps of this season, there is something about summer that makes me want to cut a rug to absolutely no end! I know why that is actually, it's because as a youngster I spent many a summer day bopping about the living room, classic big band and 1950s rock and roll tunes blaring out from the CD player, any friend, sibling - total stranger in sight a potential dance partner (ahhh, the carefree things we did as kids!).

When my feet start a tapping these days, I love to look up awesome old school swing  dance tunes and movie clips on Youtube (such as this terrifically fun 1950s clip of Bill Hailey and Comments playing the song Razzle Dazzle while the dance floor bursts to life, despite some squares in the crowd) and put on a concert of some of the most enjoyable music of all time - and should I happen to wrangle someone into being my jitterbug partner again, all the better!

 

June 29 ~ Day 180: It's Wednesday again, my lovelies, you know that means, time for another scrumptious vintage recipe to see us through the week. Given the scorching hot temps of June, it's high time we all kicked back with a sweet, ice cold treat!

Do just that with a handful of ingredients in snazzy 1953 style care of this tasty sounding Seven-Up Sherbet recipe. I bet this would be great with various other sodas as well, such as ginger ale, Orange Crush or Mountain Dew. Whatever pop you put to work in this recipe, it's sure to help stamp out the heat for at least a few minutes.

 

June 30 ~ Day 181: While we've just gotten through 20 days of posts, the fact of the matter is that it’s still June 10th as I write this blog entry, and I don't only know the 30th of this month will be like for me.

With a good heaping of luck however, it will be better day on a lot fronts than right now. I hope I'll be in the mood to celebrate the outcomes of my medical procedures and that by today, I'll be feeling better in a lot of different ways.

June is one of those months that lends itself so naturally to celebrating and feeling joyful. From graduations to the start of summer, picnic weather to Father's Day, there is much to adore about the six month of the year - not the least of which are June weddings.

Let's wrap up this twenty day round-up of Vintage 365 posts with on a very, very lovely note, by celebrating the 1942 wedding of Lewis and Helen, a dapper young couple who had their whole lives still in front of them that glorious June day.

♥ ♥ ♥

 

I will miss you all very, very much. Due in part to the Vintage 365 series, it's been quite some time now since I wasn't around these parts and I know that it’ll feel strange to suddenly be out of the blogging loop.

As in the past during these kinds of situations, my wonderful husband (Tony) will be helping to hold down the fort for me here (and should anything that warrants announcing publicly occur, he will come here to post on my behalf and let you know what's going on). I sincerely hope to be back soon and must say again just how much I'm going to miss you, my darling friends!

Until we chat again, know that you'll be in my thoughts, and that I wholeheartedly hope you each have a truly sublime start of summer!!!

April's just about over, let's Sing, Sing, Sing! :)

✯ Day 120 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

We made it through - all the way through - the rain drenched, often unpredictable month of April. I don't know how the last thirty days progressed for most of you, but on this end (as eluded to in yesterday's post), April was a bit of a dozy.

It was one of those months that feels more uncertain with each passing day. It was busy and stressful, long and far too grey (weather wise), but - as is nearly always the case - it could have been worse, and we pulled through, so there's little sense in focusing on what's already behind us.

While I suspect that May will have its rough spots, too, with a smidge of luck, it will prove to be a more pleasant month than April. The Toronto area is often treated to plenty of wild, powerful thunder and lightning storms in May, which should help to give the air - and perhaps my own energy levels - a deeply needed jolt of pep!

Should the forecasted storms fail to do the trick though, I know that I can always rely on some of my favourite vintage big band songs to do the trick. Seriously, when I feel like I've got the energy levels of a slug that's just done the Iron Man, I've long relied on music - shortlisted from a selection that spans the decades - to, metaphorically speaking, toss a much needed dose of ice water in my face and wake me right up.

I'm not alone in this, by any means. Music is renowned for its ability to affect one's mood, whether we want to chill out, wake up, or just feel happy (amongst the many states music can help put us in).

Beyond any doubt, my absolute favourite big band song of all time is Sing, Sing, Sing. I fell in love with this stellar climatic song as a very small child and have adorned it ever since (I used to put on my pink poodle skirt as a youngster - albeit blending decades there a touch - and pop around the living room to that tune all the time, recruiting anyone within reach - from my little brother to my girlfriends - to be swing dance partners with me).

 

Amongst the most beloved and well known songs of the big band era, Sing, Sing, Sing hails from 1936, when it was first recorded by Louis Prima and the New Orleans Gang. However it is Benny Goodman's classic 1937 rendition (as seen in the delightful vintage video clip above) that is perhaps the best known of all the recordings of this vivacious, toe-tapping song.

It never fails to wake me, put a smile on my face, and leave me yearning to swing dance around the living room again, as though I were a six year old once more. I'm grateful for the power of music and the fact that this awesome art form is able to lift my spirits so easily.

When life has taken the wind out of your sails, sweet dears, what kind of lively old school songs do you crank up to help revive your dwindled energy reserves?

I'm in the mood for classic Big Band music

✯ Day 85 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

During the wee hours of the morning last Saturday, as I was flipping through the channels, I just happened to land on a PBS special called "The Big Band Years" precisely as it was starting. Naturally I was hooked by the name alone (which promised - and delivered - a trove of vintage swing music history), but that was just the tip of a delightful foray into some of the finest music of the mid-twentieth century (and in my opinion, of all time).

A quick Google search reveals that this PBS special isn't brand new (one source I found says it first aired in 2009), yet it was completely fresh to me and proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours.

Bursting with clips from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s (many of which came from classic movies) of big bands legends such as Glenn Miller (complete with Tex Beneke), Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, and Artie Shaw, this show had me simultaneously tapping my toe and pining for the dresses worn by every single female singer or actress they showed (such as the ever-beautiful Marion Hutton singing "I've got a gal in Kalamazoo").

Aside from just providing some stellar late night entertainment and starting my weekend off a very lovely note (literally!), this great PBS special reminded me of just how much I adore Big Band music - and that I really needed to add more of it to my playlist.

From Cab Callaway's wildly engaging  Minnie the Moocher (see video above for this intensely lively tune) to Glenn Miller's timeless jewel In the Mood (the inspiration behind the title of today's post), this terrific PBS show rekindled a passion I'd never really lost, but hadn't exactly been stoking lately either.

As we coast our way into spring and summer, two seasons that positively explode with energy and the urge to slip one your dancing shoes, I'll be putting an array of stellar Big Band classics into heavy rotation - and definitely recommend doing the same, if this great genre is your musical cup of tea, too! :)

Vintage 365: Library of Congress to steam 200,000 vintage songs from Universal online

✯ Day 22 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

{Talented songstress trio the Andrews Sisters, seen here, are among the many wonderful artists whose work will appear in the upcoming Library of Congress release of over 200,000 classic Universal song recordings. Vintage photo of the Andrews Sisters via last.fm.}

 

 

One of the fascinating perks of being married to someone whose personal and professional interests often differ significantly from your own is that it provides your with a window into sources of knowledge and inspiration you might not otherwise encounter. Case in point, because of my husband's involvement in the tech community, I've come to follow a fair number of sites that cover exciting news pertaining in some way to technology.

Recently a story (including a press release) on one such site, called engadget.com, caught both my vintage and music loving eye. In order to help preserve and ensure that in this modern era of digital media classic music recordings do not potentially go the way of the dinosaur, Universal Music Group recently announced that they'll soon be donating more than 200,000 master recordings of early 20th century music (specifically songs that were recorded during the years spanning the 1920s through the late 40s) to the Library of Congress.

Amongst the works that will be uploaded and streamed online by the Library of Congress in the not-too-distant future are many original copies (some of which are out of print or have never been released before) by legendary vintage artists like Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, the Andrews Sisters, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, and Billie Holiday.

This amazing roundup of songs, which is has been dubbed The Universal Music Collection, consists of Universal's best existing copies, all of which are going to be digitized and catalogued at the Library of Congress' Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation, before this stellar plethora of vintage tunes is released to the public on a (thus far undisclosed) website this coming spring.

I think this is superb, important project that will benefit many, many generations to come, and I sincerely appreciate what Universal has decided to do for the sake of preserving some of the most wonderful music of all time.

You can bet I'm going to be keeping my eyes - and ears - peeled for the launch of that website (or link on the Library of Congress website, if they decide to go that route), and will definitely keep you informed of any updates on this story that I come across (perhaps on another one of those fascinating tech news centered sites I have my sweet hubby to thank for introducing me to).