Retro Finds

I've been doing a lot of "surfing" lately. Vintage resources and products seem so limited, and I've been relentlessly digging in an attempt to find some treasures. Here are a few websites and items I came across. Enjoy!

Sweet Vintage Wrapping Paper

I have been on the prowl for reproduction vintage wrapping paper for YEARS!! I love the prints and whimsy of wrapping paper from the 50's, but who

wants to use it much less give it away? Enter Sweet Vintage: all of their paper is reversible with a retro print on each side, plus it is 60 lb. paper weight so you can reuse it. I love the wedding paper! It's covered in adorable 1950's brides and dashing grooms!

Their prices are very reasonable: $5.00 per sheet (28'' X 40''). Plus they give you two free matching gift tags, and shipping is only $1.00 per sheet. They also sell gift wrap sets and gift tag sets.

Good Old Days Magazine

Have you ever seen the magazine Remenisce? Good Old Days seems similar, except that the articles relate to the years 1900 to 1949.

Looking Back Magazine

The sister magazine of Good Old Days, Looking Back features stories about wartime romances, old advertisements, and Sunday comics. Looking Back stays within the years of 1930-1969.

Rosie The Riveter

Yet another wonderful thing in California: Find information on The Rosie the Riveter trust, park, and memorial here. As well as info about their events, such as the Home Front Festival By the Bay, park bus tour, and USO dance. There's also an online store selling Rosie stationary, mugs, shirts, tote bags, and WWII posters.

Stars In WII

America in WWII magazine is releasing a special issue, "Stars in WWII". It will hit newsstands on September 28th, but you can pre-order your copy now and receive $1.00 off the newsstand price plus free shipping. The magazine is said to be full of pinups, movie posters, movie ads, true stories about the hollywood stars who served in WWII, articles about the USO and canteens, and more. It looks like a fabulous issue! :)

Photo Friday: Carole Landis

I love this picture of Carole Landis! She was so beautiful. And check out that stunning bath robe! I found this picture at Simply Classics. Simply Classics is a fabulous website with an outstanding gallery of High Quality photos of the stars.

Carole Landis had a very tragic life. She was in a string of successful movies in the 1940's. Two of my favorites being "I Wake up Screaming" with Betty Grable and Victor Mature, and "Orchestra Wives" with Ann Rutherford and George Montgomery. Landis often played the second female lead.

During WWII, she toured with a USO troupe in England and North Africa. She also entertained soldiers in the South Pacific with Jack Benny. Carole Landis spent more time visiting troops than any other actress during the war. She contracted amoebic dysentery and malaria while traveling and almost died.

Carole Landis was also an author! She penned several newspaper and magazine articles about her war experiences, as well as the book Four Jills in a Jeep (which I am currently scouring eBay for!) that was later made into a movie.

Plagued by depression all her life, Carole attempted suicide in 1944 and 1946. Her career was declining and her marriage was falling apart in 1948. She had an affair with Rex Harrison who was currently married to Lilli Palmer. The story is that Landis was crushed when Harrison would not divorce his wife for her; unable to cope any longer Carole commited suicide at her home by taking an overdose of Seconal. She was only 29 years old. Her final night alive was July 4th. Harrison and the maid found Carole on the bathroom floor on the afternoon of July 5th. Some sources say that Landis left two suicide notes, one for her mother and the second for Harrison. During a coroner's inquest, Harrison denied knowing any motive for Carole's suicide, as well as denying the existence of a second suicide note.

Cesar Romero, Van Johnson, and Pat O'Brien were among the celebrities at her funeral. Carole Landis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1765 Vine Street.

Her life was so sad. My heart breaks for her. Did anyone try to reach her? To show her that her life was valuable? That Jesus loved her and treasured her?