Can you imagine being a teenager today? I’d probably die. I mean just thinking of the dynamics that social media brings to the hierarchy of teenage measures of acceptance makes me cringe. And basing my disgust at the current set of “role models” and idolized celebrities (ahem, the empire of shallowness that is the Kardashians) I often wonder where I’d fall along the line of today’s teenage standards. Yeah, I’d probably die.
Thinking of all this led me to these images, from a seemingly simpler time, and the dawn of the concept of teenager. From a LIFE feature in December of 1944, shot by photographer Nina Leen, these images focus on the carefree (despite wartime) world of the typical all-American teenage girl. Not to say that it was without drama (and then there’s the whole conformity thing), but still, there’s something very captivating about this life passed.
A great read check out the original feature and full gallery at LIFE online.
[Images via LIFE]
Check out these before and after pics of 1950′s Pin- Up girls. An early version of Photoshop where an illustrator would nip and tuck in the drawing room. It’s still very much an issue today, but the artistic license that was taken in many of these is pretty interesting; a uniform body-type and set of facial features.
I just adore the originals. More images here.
Steel waste baskets
I love the simplicity of these steel waste baskets, and I love even more that they’re not plastic. The retro vibe is legit (as opposed to feeling contrived), and for me it’s a total dose of sweet nostalgia. I remember these from my small grade school in Colorado…though those were missing the polish these have.
$34 each from Schoolhouse Electric & Supply, made in USA
Filed under: Nostalgia
Of course the holiday lands on a day that I already have off. Whatever. I have a day planned with the people I love most. Hope you do too. Listen to Marilyn, be safe out there.
See you on Thursday. Kiss!
[This and more great old-Hollywood pics here.]
Beatrice Rorke
The only thing better than ogling the latest street fashion photography is finding these images from the LIFE magazine archives…all the way back from 1944! Alfred Eisenstaedt (perhaps most well-known for the V-J Day Kiss in Times Square) photographed these ladies in front of Rockefeller Center as part of a series called Beautiful Girls in New York.
I have a small collection of vintage dresses that I adore and each time I wear one I feel effortlessly stylish and elegant, just like these lovely ladies do here. There’s something magical…even ethereal about vintage dresses that just can’t be duplicated with something new. And don’t you find it so interesting that each of these outfits is still completely relevant today? (By the way, I’ve got some great vintage shops to share if anyone’s interested.)
Oh, and can we talk about the hats, gloves, and shoes? Polished from head to fingers and toes!
Delma Byron
Eileen Moore
Ginger Sokoll
Iris Abel
[via Happiness is...]
In celebration of Freddie Mercury’s 65th birthday the folks at Google created this little feature. Absolutely love this; I know what I’ll be listening to after work tonight.
I’m feeling completely overwhelmed and a bit lost today so I think a Liz movie marathon may be in order for the weekend. I’ve always loved old movies, and for as long as I can remember I have been captivated by Elizabeth Taylor. I recall being mesmerized by her jet black curls and china doll skin when I first saw her small role in Jane Eyre. Did you know that a genetic “mutation” gifted her with two rows of eye lashes? Perhaps the last of the real movie stars and a true humanitarian, she was truly one of a kind.
I hope you have lovely plans ahead of you. Sending lots of positive thoughts and love to anyone that needs a little extra. Happy weekend!
[image via tumblr user Queen Ashley]
A new Shel Silverstein book of poems is set to be released in September. I’m not sure if it’s a collection that he would have wanted published or if it was something that was never intended to be released; you never know with these posthumous releases, but nevertheless my hopes are high! In the meantime I am so going to dig up my old books: “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and “A Light in the Attic” and ooh, “The Giving Tree”!
[Image and story via The Huffington Post]
Christmas Reflections, Boston, 1955 by Verner Reed
Hi friends! Happy Friday!
I’m in Seattle for an early Thanksgiving with my family. Oh but don’t worry, I have another Thanksgiving planned with my Lova next week too. Detox is finally over and I’m coming back with a bang! We just finished a beautiful dinner at Joule in Wallingford and now I’m sitting downstairs in front of the fire with dad playing Zelda on the Nintendo Wii and mom reading her Kindle. This is what I miss most about being home; this used to be my every Sunday. I can’t wait to get in the kitchen tomorrow for Christmas music and food prep for Sunday.
What are you up to this weekend? Hope you’ve got some early holiday plans too. Stretch it out as long as possible is what I say!
See you next week!
[image via Monroe Gallery] Isn’t it wonderful?
Even in this digital age I have found that I must always write things down; I’m an endless list maker, and I live off the satisfaction I get from crossing things off. It’d be quite fun to do the crossing in that sexy yellow notebook, don’t you think?
Happy 30th Pac-Man!
Get it here.
[via holycool]
