Photo Friday: Esther

Esther Williams and a chinchilla. There is no way you can not smile. Don't fight it.

Happy Weekend! ;)

Photo Friday: Gene

"Jealousy is, I think, the worst of all faults because it makes a victim of both parties."

— Gene Tierney —

Photo Friday: Barbara

Umbrellas to match blouses — ladies were so much more "put together" back then!

Photo Friday: Jean Arthur

Photo Friday: Donna

Photo Friday: Bette

Bette Davis was so striking as a blonde! Look at her glamorous half-moon manicure, too!

Photo Friday: Esther

Photo Friday: Barbara

Photo Friday: Ginger

Everything about this wedding ensemble is so elegant and striking!

Does anyone happen to know what movie this is from?

Photo Friday: Jean

Photo Friday: Ingrid

"There are only seven movie stars in the world whose name alone will induce American bankers to lend money for movie productions, and the only woman on the list is Ingrid Bergman."

— Cary Grant —

Vintage Recipe: Minted Peas

Minted Peas

- 1 package frozen peas

- 2 tablespoons butter

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- Sprig of mint

Place frozen peas, butter, mint, and sugar in saucepan. Cover. Turn heat to High until steaming vigorously. Break up peas with a fork. Then turn to Low heat for 7 minutes.

Recipes taken from the 1954 edition of Food Freezing Facts, by Edison Electric Institute.

Photo Friday: Greer

"I do wish I could tell you my age but it's impossible. It keeps changing all the time."

— Greer Garson —

Photo Friday: Lauren

Classic.

Vintage Recipe: Chicken A La King on Waffles

Chicken A La King on Waffles

- 1 tablespoon butter

- 1/2 cup canned mushrooms, sliced

- 1/4 cup green pepper, chopped

- 3 tablespoons flour

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1/8 teaspoon pepper

- 1 3/4 cups milk

- 2 tablespoons pimiento, chopped

- 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in saucepan on medium heat. Add mushrooms, green pepper and cook until green pepper is soft. Add 3 tablespoons butter, melt. Turn to medium low heat and add flour, salt and pepper; blend well. Add milk and stir until mixture thickens. Cook 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Add chicken and pimiento, heat. 

To Freeze: Quickly cool by placing pan in ice water. Pour into freezer containers, cover and freeze. 

To Serve: Heat in covered saucepan over Medium Low heat for about 7 minutes. Break up, turn to Low heat and finish heating, about 8 minutes. Serve over toasted frozen waffles. 

Makes 4-6 servings.

Recipes taken from the 1954 edition of Food Freezing Facts, by Edison Electric Institute

Photo Friday: Ann

Any guesses on Ann Rutherford's birth name?

Therese Ann Rutherford

Personally, I love the way Therese is spelled, and think it would have been a very glamorous name for a starlet!

Photo Friday: Betty

It's always interesting to find out what a star's name was before the studio had it changed.

Betty Grable = Elizabeth Ruth Grable

Vintage Recipe: Frosty Fruit Salad

Frosty Fruit Salad

- 1 orange, peeled and cubed

- 2/3 cup diced pineapple

- 3/4 cup Royal Anne cherries, halved and pitted 

- 1 banana, cubed

- 2 canned pear halves, diced

- 1/4 cup maraschino cherries, sliced

- 1/4 cup blanched almonds, chopped

- 1 package soft cream cheese

- 1/2 cup mayonnaise 

- 1/2 cup cream, whipped

Combine fruits and nuts. Cream the cheese until soft and blend with the mayonnaise. Add to the fruit mixture and blend well. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into lightly oiled molds. Place in freezer until frozen. Remove from molds and wrap for freezer storage. Makes 8 servings. 

The salad above may also be varied by the addition of other fruits or nuts, however, the basic proportions must remain the same to freeze satisfactorily. For short time storage, the Frosty Fruit Salad may be put into cylindrical cartons for freezing. To serve, the cartons are removed and the frozen salad is sliced in individual servings. 

Recipes taken from the 1954 edition of Food Freezing Facts, by Edison Electric Institute. 

Photo Friday: Fred

"The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any."

— Fred Astaire —

Photo Friday: Barbara

You don't see many color photos from the 40's, so this is a gem! It gives you insight into the color palette of the time. Check out Barbara's shoes! WANT.

Vintage Recipe: Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

- 4 Baking Potatoes

- 1/4 cup grated cheese

- Milk to moisten

- 3 tablespoons butter

- Salt and pepper

Bake potatoes in 400 degree F. oven until done. Remove a slice from top side of potato and scoop out center. Add milk, melted butter, salt and better. Beat until light and fluffy. Pile lightly into shells and top with grated cheese. Cool. Wrap in foil and freeze. 

To serve: Unwrap potatoes and place in 350 degree F. oven until heated. Sprinkle with finely cut green onion tops. Serves four. 

Recipes taken from the 1954 edition of Food Freezing Facts, by Edison Electric Institute.

Photo Friday: Jimmy

Does anyone know what Jimmy Stewart is doing? ;)

Photo Friday: Joan

I love Joan Fontaine, but we all know what the main attraction is in this picture:

Shoes, shoes, SHOES!

Vintage Recipe: Porcupine Meatballs & Green Beans with Cheese

Porcupine Meatballs

- 1 pound ground chuck

- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

- 2 tablespoons finely chopped green pepper

- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

- 1/2 teaspoon pepper

- 1 egg

- 1/2 cup rice, uncooked

- 1 6-oz. can tomato sauce

- 1 1/2 cups water

- 1 tablespoon chili powder

- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Combine meat with onion, salt, pepper, egg, and rice. Form into about 16 small balls. Brown in 2 tablespoons fat in a skillet over Medium Low heat. Cool, place on cookie sheet, or in shallow pan. Freeze. When frozen, package in plastic freezer bag or freezer container for storage. 

To Serve: Blend water, tomato sauce, chili powder, and Worcestershire sauce together in electric skillet or saucepan. Add frozen meatballs, cover and simmer 1 hour. Serve over hot noodles. Makes four servings. 

Variation: Meatballs in Sour Cream — Place 1 pint commercial sour cream, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt in saucepan; heat to simmering, add frozen meatballs; cover and cook over Low heat 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. 

Green Beans with Cheese

Cook frozen green beans according to directions on package. Two or three minutes before servings, sprinkle 1/4 pound grated cheddar cheese over beans and toss lightly. 

Recipes taken from the 1954 edition of Food Freezing Facts, 

by Edison Electric Institute.

Photo Friday: Lauren

Photo Friday: Lucille

I've seen blonde Lucy and red Lucy, but never Brunette Lucy! At first glance you don't even know it's her! Also, I now want an elephantine sun hat.

Vintage Recipe: Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

Strawberry Ice Cream Cake

- 2 quarts vanilla ice cream

- 1 pint strawberries, sliced

- 1/2 cup cream, whipped

- 16 whole berries

Pack ice cream into two 9 inch layer pans. Refreeze. 

To Serve: Unmold one layer on serving plate. Cover with sugared sliced strawberries top with remaining ice cream layer. Place whipped cream on center of top layer. Garnish whipped cream with 5 whole strawberries. Put remaining berries on plate around ice cream. 

Recipes taken from the 1954 edition of Food Freezing Facts,
by Edison Electric Institute.

Photo Friday: Bette and Bogie

Everyday Vintage #13: Retro Cereal Boxes

For a limited time only, get some vintage inspiration at breakfast with these adorable reproduction cereal boxes!

 $2.99 at Target.

Photo Friday: Ann

Ann Sheridan with a penguin! There's no way I can look at this picture and not be happy! 

Have a good weekend! ;)

Where I've Been

My apologies for being MIA for the past month! I wish I had a happy reason to give you, but unfortunately, it's a sad one.

My Uncle Todd passed away unexpectedly on May 31st. It was buy tickets, pack, fly to Wisconsin faster than you can blink. We stayed for a month with my Grandmother to help her through this difficult time. 

The passing of my Uncle is a tremendous loss to the whole family. Personally, I also lost a friend. He and I used to correspond about WWII and American history — he was brilliant. He was a Major in the United States Air Force — I called him "Major-Major" and he called me "Minor-Major". 

We are slowly getting back into the everyday routine now, so hopefully I'll be back to a regular blog schedule soon. 

❤ Courtney

The Hollywood Collection Jewelry

The Hollywood Collection is in the business of creating stunning reproductions of the jewelry of stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The list of stars is endless: Carole Lombard, Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Jean Harlow — even Humphrey Bogart — and that's just scratching the surface!


I've received a couple pieces as gifts, and they are positively gorgeous! The quality of the jewelry is outstanding, and the packaging sumptuous and time-period authentic. Pieces start at $50, and they have wonderful weekly specials. This week, Bette's ring from Dark Victory is $20 off with free shipping. Sometimes they offer a free pair of earrings with a certain starlet's ring.

My two favorite pieces in my collection are from Lana Turner (of course!). Lana's Diamond Classic (top left) was a gift for my 21st birthday. So elegant and sophisticated with it's sleek emerald cut! My other favorite is Lana's Purple Passion (bottom right), worn in the film Johnny Eager. The color is rich, and when the light hits that baby — prepare to be wow-ed! 

A piece of jewelry from The Hollywood Collection makes a fabulous gift for the vintage lover, the movie lover, or anyone who truly appreciates a beautiful accessory. I cannot say enough good things about this company! Keep them in mind next time your looking for a special occasion gift, or for when you need a little reward yourself. ;)

Photo Friday: Jimmy & Jean

Your Questions For My Grandmother, Part 1

Here are my Grandma's answers to your questions. These questions were submitted by Valerie.



What were some of the shortages you faced during WWII?
The main shortages were gasoline. You had coupons for that. Also meat and eggs were scarce, so we didn't get much in the line of meat. My mom [Courtney's great-grandma] was a great cook, so she learned to make cake without eggs — she used Mayo instead! Not too much baking going on then, but she made delicious bread. I really wonder how she put on the meals she did.

How did you deal with those shortages in terms of clothes, cooking, etc.?
We didn't really have a problem about clothes. We didn't have much money to buy a variety of different dresses — pants weren't really in vogue yet. My sister and I would borrow from each other.
Also, sugar and butter were in great demand — we had little red chips for them. That is when Oleo came into use — my mom would not use it! Actually, it was lard with a little yellow ball in the bag. We would work it into the lard and it would color it yellow. UGH!



Please feel free to submit more questions for my Grandma in the comments below! :)

Photo Friday: Barbara

Yes, I know, there's been quite a few Barbara Stanwyck Photo Fridays lately. But this photo struck me speechless!  The flowers in her hair are absolutely GORGEOUS! 

Have you ever seen such large clusters of flowers arranged so perfectly?  I want to place an order for Belle's Blossoms Lilac Side Combs ASAP! 

The bracelet in this picture is so unique! As well as her round ring. I also love how she has a not-so-small pinky ring on the other hand.

Such bold accessories all tying the outfit together beautifully!

What stands out to you about this picture?

The Blue Typewriter

A few months ago, my friend Sara and I decided to finally do something we had been talking about for a couple years: start a blog together about the everyday things we enjoy. Ladies and Gents, allow me to introduce you to The Blue Typewriter! Please stop by to learn more about us and our adventures, and if you like what you see, follow us! We will be posting all sorts of  happiness, and would love to hear from you! :)

Photo Friday: Robert & Lana

Photo Friday: Barbara

source

"Career is too pompous a word. 

It was a job, and I have always felt privileged to be paid for what I love doing." 

— Barbara Stanwyck

Photo Friday: Myrna

Love this picture of Myrna Loy! Her beauty is effortless.

I've been told that Myrna Loy almost didn't make it in "talkies" — they felt she had a bad speaking voice. How different would the Thin Man movies be without Myrna!?

Questions FOR My Grandmother

A while ago I posted some questions that I had asked my grandmother regarding the 1940s. Several of you commented on how you really enjoyed reading that post. So, fellow 40's lovers, I'm asking you to leave your questions for my grandma in the comments below. She enjoys answering them, so don't limit yourself to one question. ;)

Dancing Co-Ed (1939)

Dancing Co-Ed is one of my go-to movies. You know the ones that are easy to watch? The ones that pull you in and it's as if you're right there, right alongside the characters? Yeah, it's one of those!

Right before the dancing Tobius' ought to film a new production, his wife tells Freddy Tobius that she's pregnant. So the producer desperately has to seek a replacement and starts a countrywide competition among all college girls. However the contest is bogus: young dancer Patty Marlow is sent to a little college in the Midwest. Only Pug, a college reporter, suspects something. Source.

A simple plot that keeps you entertained, Lana Turner is at her best with Ann Rutherford as a wonderful supporting actress, and swinging music by Artie Shaw — this movie has it all.

And the clothing? Oh. My. Goodness. The absolute cutest dresses and outfits you have EVER seen! If you need some vintage fashion inspiration, look no further!

So next time you're looking for a movie to watch while pin curling your hair, grab Dancing Co-Ed. You won't be disappointed!

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