Stars On Bikes...

Hi! How is everyone?
Sometime ago the girls and I went to Warner Brothers Studios, (more details on that will be in another post). When we were taking our private tour I noticed people riding around on bicycles, people that worked for the studio. I remembered that back in the day to get around the large lot of the movies studios the classic stars would ride bikes to get to point A to point B.

That's why the theme of today's post is "Stars on Bikes", I found a few neat pictures of celebrities at the studio and out and about hope you enjoy them!



Robert Taylor

The Mod Factory

 Hello! How is everyone?

 

 

This week we opened a new shop on Etsy- The Mod Factory! This was an idea we've had for a long time, even before we started this blog. On this shop we will sell items for the 1960'-1970's that encapsulate mod and groovy style. We search the west coast looking for high quality,striking and unique clothing. Find out more about the story of the shop on the About section on our Etsy.

 

Feel free to take a look!

Till next time--
Sincerly, Vera



Back With A Primary Pop- Mod Monday

Hello! Hello! Everyone, we are very sorry that we have been absent from our blog. We have been excitedly working on our Etsy shops (Brentwoodlanevintage and The Modd Shoppe-under construction). 

Since today is Monday, we wanted to kick off the week with a Mod Monday post. These photos were taken in September when it was much warmer.

 We're all familiar with the primary colors: red, blue and yellow, most of us learn about them in grade school. What I find so cool about vintage clothes is the color combinations. Although daring, color combos today aren't executed in the same manner and don't create the same look. Initially, when I think of red, blue and yellow it reminds me of kindergarten or clowns or something else, but not a cool looking top! I love how these primary colors, when combined with a geometric pattern, make such a statement. The top came with a tie belt but I used it as a neck-tie instead.   



vintage top: thrift store

vintage skirt: thrift store

earrings: Old Navy

shoes: Nordstrom

 

Thanks for reading! 

Sincerely, Vera 

TCM Film Festival 2013- Dial "M" for Murder 3D

Hi!
Today we have a post about the annual Tuner Classic Movie Film Festival, it's been some months since the Fest but it's never to late to share!
 

 Sunday April 28th 2013, day three of the film festival we went to Hollywood accompanied by a friend to see a Hitchcock classic- Dial "M" For Murder, starring the iconic Grace Kelly, along with Ray Midland and Robert Cummings. The movie was being shown on the big screen at the Chinese Multiplex 6, this is located on Hollywood Blvd. next to Grauman's Chinese theater.
 



We were especially excited because it was going to be shown how it was originally intended- in 3D. Unlike expected, the 3D in the 1950's was surprisingly high tech. Film critic Lenard Malton spoke with Norman Lloyd before the film an actor, director and friend of Alfred Hitchcock. He was 98yrs old!!! And is most known for his part in Saboteur and for directing over 20 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents in the 1960's. TCM events are always well planned and have great guests, we all had a great time and can't wait for next year!  

 

in the theater before the movie

  

after the film at the front door

Inside the hall leading to the theater
(Bette Davis)

Julie Andrews



Steve McQueen

Sincerely, Vera

Vera's Mod Mondays- GoGo Green

Woo! This is the third Mod Monday! There was a glitch and this wasn't posted yesterday--oh well. Besides that, it's very nice to be back on track with blogging lately, I hope everyone is enjoy it as well.

What is really cool to me about the mod side of the 1960's is the extremely simple lines of dresses.  Basic A-lines and streamlined shifts composed the hip scene. Instead of intricately-made clothes, impact was created with bold prints, colors, accessories and make up. 

 

 

...Modeling also took a bit of a turn. New methods of posing were more rigid and "unflattering" intended to elongate the thin young model. Making everything bold, young and fresh was the mode-completely opposite of the trends that existed 10 years prior.       

 

Viola and I had fun messing around with poses

 

 I've found that it's really quite simple to create a "mod" look with modern clothes, all you need to focus on is the lines of the garment and the accessories. Like with anything the first step is knowing what you are looking for. I think the best way to get a really accurate mod look is to look at photos from the decade to draw your inspiration. Simple lines, shifts and A-line shapes skirts and dress achieve the look, either in a classic bold color or a large geometric pattern. Flat boots are always a stellar option but flats also work too!  

 



 

 

 

dress: JCPenney's boots: JCPenney's bracelet: Estate Sale sunglasses: 99 cent Only Store

 

Have a great week & thanks for reading!

 

Sincerely, Vera



Summer Sneak Peek!--Hawaiian Style

With the arrival of spring, we're thinking about summer dresses, florals, and bright colors. We are excited about our new Hawaiian dresses for Etsy and wanted to share a little sneak peek!

 

 

 

 These are close-ups of the fabrics. The dresses range from the 1960s to the 1970s. You may be suprised when you see the whole dress later.

 

 

They're coming soon!

--Viola



Favorite of February- Loretta Young

 After dealing with some internet problems we are back into the swing of things here on the blog!
 

Last month Turner Classic Movies spotlighted the glamorous actress Loretta Young. She was the star of the month. After seeing a handful of her films I was inspired to write up a brief post about her. Hope you enjoy it!

American actress Loretta Young (born Gretchen Michaela Young) was a well loved actress in old Hollywood. Although not consistently mentioned among the well known Hollywood icons such as Ginger Rogers, Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth and Grace Kelly, she was a gem on the Silver Screen.

 

 

After moving to California from Utah, still a toddler, Gretchen (Loretta) received her first bit part in The Only Way (1914). Her mother’s brother-in-law was an assistant director for the film. When Loretta was a teen she again returned to the screen receiving a small role in a 1920s film titled Naughty But Nice.

 By the 1930's Loretta was considered a successful actress, she starred in many roles often co-starring with big stars like Clark Gable in Call of the Wild.

Her success continued and reached its height in the 1940's when her usual 30's roles of a "nice girl facing hard times" was shed. In 1947 Loretta was nominated for and won an Oscar for her performance in The Farmer's Daughter, the tale of a farm girl who rises through the ranks and becomes a congresswoman. Later that decade she received another nomination for Come to the Stable (1949), but this one was lost to Olivia de Havilland for her performance in the Heiress. 

 

Later, she retired from films in 1953 and began a second, equally successful career as hotess of the "The Loretta Young Show", a half-hour drama anthology series which ran for eight years on NBC.  In addition to hosting the series, she frequently starred in episodes. Although she is most remembered for her stunning gowns and swirling entrances, over the series eight-year run she displayed again and again that she was an accomplished actress. She won Emmy awards for best actress in a dramatic series in 1954, 1956 and 1958.

Not only was Loretta Young a strong actress but also one with fantastic style. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her performances in her films as well as the costumes!

Sincerely, Vera 

 



Updates & Instagram Round-Up: January 2013

Hello everyone! Like many of you, we have been busy with life, getting our Etsy business off the ground, and working to make this blog better. We are anxious to put some new items we've acquired on the shop.  We'll post some sneak-peeks soon!

 

A tutorial is in the works, so please vote on our new poll underneath the Etsy heart!

 

And to show we are still alive--here are a few Instagram snapshots so far this year.

 

thrift store tags

 

Vintage 2-Speed SEARS fan 

vintage metal chair

 

Vintage earrings from a yard sale

Vintage suitcase curbside find

 

1960's record found in thrift store

 

Thanks for reading!

 

--Viola

Nifty Finds of 2012

Hello everyone! 

 2012 seemed to come and go so fast! Looking back at our finds from vintage hunting, we've gathered up a few to share with you.


 

I was so excited when we found this Samsonite suitcase. The outside is in excellent condition and definitely still usable. The blanket has come in handy so many times! It is a great picnic blanket, throw, and  perfect to use in the car. At only $1, we are now going to keep our eyes open to things we usually don't gravitate towards...

BAG, BLANKET AND SUITCASE

GLOVES, CLUTCH AND BOOKS!

 SCARVES AND CARDS!
Viv was so excited when Viola came home with the Pan-Am cards!

 

1. Vintage brown suitcase- side of the road 
2. Vintage Nordstrom scarf- vintage shop 
3. Vintage geometric scarf- thrift store
4. Burgundy faux crocodile bag- Goodwill in AZ 
5. Vintage decks of cards, (Pan-Am, Western Airlines, Continental Airlines)- thrift store
6. Handful of mystery books- 25 cents at our local library
7. Vintage text books- estate sale
8. Vintage Oscar de la Renta scarf- vintage store 
9. Vintage white suede gloves- clothing swap
10. Vintage striped clutch- thrift store
11. Vintage plaid blanket- thrift store

What is your favorite find of 2012?

Sincerely, Vera

40 From the 40's

The 1940's was a great decade for movies in classic Hollywood! Some of our favorites came from this decade.

Here is a list of forty movies from the 1940's! 

The list covers all genres, drama to comedy, and mentions classics  and lesser known gems. These are listed in random order and are not ranked. See how many you've seen and which ones pique your interest!

 



"Saboteur" Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane

1. Sitting Pretty: Robert Young, Maureen O' Hara, Clifton Webb 

 

2. The Egg and I: Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray 

 

3. Woman of the Year: Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn

 

4. Saboteur: Robert Cummings, Priscilla Lane

 

5. The Major and The Minor: Ray

Milland, Ginger Rodgers

 

6. My Favorite Blonde: Bob Hope
 

"Springtime in the Rockies" Betty Grable

7. Miss Annie Rooney: Shirley Temple
 

8. The Fleets In: Dorthy Lamour, William Holden

 

9. Andy Hardy's Double Life: Mickey Rooney, Esther Williams
 

10. My Favorite Spy: Bob Hope, Hedy Lamarr

 11. Springtime in the Rockies: Betty Grable




"Once Upon a Honeymoon" Ginger Rogers

12. The Doctor Takes a Wife: Loretta Young, Ray Milland

 

13. The Magnificent Ambersons: Joseph Cotton, Ann Baxter
 

14. Once Upon A Honeymoon: Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers
 

15. Boston Blackie Goes To Hollywood: Chester Morris

"Boston Blackie Goes to Hollywood" Chester Morris

16. The Courtship of Any Hardy: Mickey Rooney

 

17. Sargent York: Gary Cooper

18. The Bachelor And The Bobbysoxer: Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple
 

19. Moon Over Miami: Betty Grable, Don Ameche, Robert Cummings
 

20. The Stratton Story: James Stewart, June Allyson
 

21. Never Say Goodbye:Errol Flynn, Eleanor Parker

 

"The More the Merrier" Jean Aurthur, Joel Mcrea, Charles Colburn

22. The Barkley's of Broadway: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers

23. The More the Merrier: Jean Aurthur, Joel Mcrea, Charles Colburn
 

24.  I Was a Male War Bride: Cary Grant, Ann Sheridan 

25. Foreign Correspondent: Joel Mcrea, Jane Wyman


"I Was A Male War Bride" Cary Grant

26. Random Harvest: Ronald Colman, Greer Garson

 

27. My Favorite Wife: Cary Grant, Irene Dunn
  

28. It Started with Eve: Deanna Durbin, Robert Cummings
 

29. The Snake Pit: Oliva de Havilland, Mark Stevens
 

30. National Velvet: Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney 

 

"Laura" Dana Andrews

 31. High Sierra: Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart

32. The Heiress: Montgomery Clift, Olivia De 'Havaland

33. The Third
Man: Trevor Howard, Orson Welles
 

34. Laura: Clifton Web, Gene Tierney
 

35. Murder My Sweet: Dick Powell
 

36. Mildred Pierce: Joan Crawford


"His Girl Friday" Rosalind Russell, Cary Grant

 

37. The Post Man Always Rings Twice: John Garfield, Lana Turner

38. His Girl Friday: Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Baloney
 

39. Woman in the Window: Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett
 

40. The Lost Weekend: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman