Monday, April 30, 2012

Vintage Beauty Tips

To celebrate their 75th anniversary, Woman's Day Magazine is putting a list of their best tips from the past 75 years in each issue. This month was beauty tips. Here are the ones from the 1940's


- Avoid frizz: Use only a wide-tooth comb, especially when hair is dry. January 1940

- To prevent ingrown nails, trim toenails straight across, not down into the corners. March 1942

- Apply cream or cleanser by lightly pressing upward — never down. The delicate skin sags easily enough in time. April 1942

- Improve circulation in your legs and lower the risk of unsightly veins by elevating your feet when resting. August 1942

- The fast way to remove nail polish: hold cotton saturated with polish remover firmly on your nail for a few seconds to let it start working, then wipe nail clean. January 1944

- Shape nails with an emery board, filing sides toward center — never straight across — and rounding off edges. April 1944

- When applying "liquid stockings" [or today's self-tanner], don't forget the back of your knees, which are often missed. July 1945


Friday, April 27, 2012

Photo Friday: Veronica Lake

Veronica Lake

The lovely Veronica Lake — she was famous for her femme fatale roles in the 1940s, especially her films with Alan Ladd. Sadly, three of her four marriages ended in divorce, and after the decline of her career, she struggled with alcoholism.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Everyday Vintage #11: QVC's Titanic Collection


To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic, QVC has put together a stunning collection of collectables: jewelry inspired by artifacts recovered from the Titanic, replica flatware, replica dinnerware, and a lovely perfume, " Legacy 1912".

Out of the whole collection, the perfume intrigues me the most. It smells wonderful (there was sample with my order): very light and warm. Included with the sample was a card that told the story behind the fragrance:

"Adolphe Saalfeld was a first-class passenger onboard the Titanic. A British perfume maker, he was on his way to America to realize his dream. Fortunately, Adolphe was a survivor; but he left behind his precious case of perfume vials. These vials, along with the leather case they were housed in, were recovered from the ocean floor, and now 100 years later, Adolphe's dream resurfaces with a new fragrance inspired by his legacy.


Today's perfumers have been inspired by the actual essences found in the surviving vials to create a fragrance Adolphe may well have mastered himself. Delicate lemon and neroli, blushing rose with warm sheer amber — a sophisticated classic perfume designed for today's woman."


I know the perfume was just "inspired" — it's not a true scent from the era, but it does smell lovely, and you have to admit: wouldn't that bottle look just stunning on a vintage waterfall vanity??

Friday, April 20, 2012

Photo Friday: Van & Lucy

Lucy and Van Johnson

I love Van Johnson. You just can't get anymore all-American, boy-next door then Van Johnson.
Lucille Ball is credited with setting Van Johnson's career in motion: She took him to Chasen's Restaurant and introduced him to Billy Grady (MGM casting director) who was sitting at the next table.