Vintage Halloween Candy Ads-1940s and 1950s

It’s that time of the year…Halloween!

One of the great things about Halloween is all the goodies you can get (even if you don’t hand any out) and since this is a vintage blog I thought we could browse some of the vintage ads of all the yummy candies that would have landed in kids bags during the 1940s and 1950s.

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First up-WOWE-E.

I have never heard of this candy before, but the fact that it whistles fills my heart with joy.

Source: Flickr-Val

mmmmmm Cracker Jacks. I’m positive you would have been the favorite on the block if you handed this treat out.

 

FULL Candy bars! Nothing teeny tiny here. Wow can you imagine the sugar high these kids would have been on after eating multiples of those?

I will take the Butterfinger please…and maybe the Baby Ruth too while we are at it.

Souce: Flickr-Christian Montone

Woolworth’s, your one stop shop for all things Halloween.

Source: retroist.com

Milky Way Candy Bars are still a favorite of mine today.

Source: Flickr-Val

I have heard of Snickers, and Milky Way but never the “Forever Yours”. Have you?

This ad makes me giggle that a tree is eating a chocolate bar.

Source: Flickr-Val

Curtiss Treats! Another candy I have not heard of “Saf-T-Pops”. They look really interesting though, don’t you think?

I was not a 50’s child but I remember in the 80s getting small boxed cereal in my treat bag and loving it! Cereal for dessert?? Yes I will thank you.

1950s Kellogg’s ad – Source: http://www.grayflannelsuit.net/

I was actually craving Dubble Bubble just yesterday, and now after seeing this adorable 1952 ad I really want some.

Source-Layla Jones

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So my friends, if you were able to go out on Halloween what was your favorite treat? What did your home pass out to kids?

Happy Halloween!

Liz 🙂

1940s Women’s Fashion Ideas For Your Next Vintage Dance

One of my very first blog posts I ever did was for a yearly big band 1940s dance we have in Hamilton (outside of Toronto) called “Swing Out To Victory“.

My post was about what to wear to a 1940s vintage dance and I showed “vintage images” from magazines, catalogues and patterns for inspiration. None of the images I presented were actually for sale though, so I thought since the dance is right around the corner (Nov 8th-Tickets HERE) that I would supply my readers with ACTUAL pictures of outfits you could own tomorrow if you wanted (unless they get purchased before you can hit buy).

Now obviously if you don’t live in Toronto you won’t be attending this dance BUT you can certainly purchase these outfits for your own 1940s vintage dance where you live. Happy Shopping!

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To start off here is what I have worn to last years Swing Out To Victory’s….

2013-I’m helping with the candy toss and wearing my Vintage 1940s Gown I found for $30 in Toronto

Image Courtesy of Jessica T.

 

Now here are ideas on what YOU can wear to your next Vintage Dance….right now!

Lets just start with a beautiful 1940s Crepe Beaded Gown. Wearing this at your next dance will 100% get you noticed that is for sure!

For Sale on Etsy-TrueValueVintage

Since you might be dancing you want to make sure that you can move in what you are wearing (see my post on “real life vintage images of swing dancers“) and this dress looks like it would fit the bill while looking immensely stylish.

I love the Peplum Detail!

For Sale on Etsy-shopKLAD

I do adore a good green dress! Especially around the Holiday season and this 1940s Taffeta Cocktail Party Dress with the black accents would fit that bill nicely. How lovely would it look on the dance floor, spinning around?

For Sale on Etsy: TrueValueVintage

I kind of want the below dress in my life..right now because it would be so fantastic for SOTV. Sadly it won’t fit, so someone else take it home and wear it dancing..Please!

For Sale on Etsy: TrueValueVintage

I’m a sucker for a good floor length gown, like this beauty below.

Can’t you just imagine yourself being Ginger Rogers and dancing with Fred Astaire in this dress? I sure can.

For Sale on Etsy: dethrosevintage

Keeping with the “Gowns” theme, this black sequin gown with the swooping skirt is Gorgeous with a capital G!

For Sale on Etsy: SmallEarthVintage

If dancing is not your thing and you just want to stand around oozing glorious drama then this stunner needs to be in your closet. Oh la la is all I have to say 🙂

For Sale on Etsy: MinxVTG

Now for a little novelty in our lives. The braided detail is delightful and so different right?

For Sale Etsy: alleycatsvintage

 

Lastly lets not forget about the Shoes Shoes Shoes! Oh so important and if you are looking for a vintage pair there are lots out there. Here are small sampling of some for sale right now.

1940s..ohhhhhh the blue is so pretty and the strap will ensure your shoes don’t go flying off your feet during that song you just love to dance too.

For Sale on Etsy-honeytalkvintage

Peep toe shoes are a vintage 1940s must! and the sensible heal could work for a night out on the town.

For Sale on Etsy: honeytalkvintage

Now here is a good sensible BUT stylish shoe for dancing.

FYI the oxford below has never been worn…score!

For Sale on Etsy: diggerodellvintage

1940s Red Wedge Shoes Alert! Now these are shoes for a night of dancing…oh yes they are.

For Sale on Etsy: honeytalkvintage

 

Then you have it my friends. I hope you found something you liked or maybe inspired you to go on the hunt for.

If you do go to a vintage dance, please share some pictures with me! I love seeing how everyone styles their clothes (especially from the 40s, but it can be any era).

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P.S. I have news! I will be hosting my very first ever Guest Blogger post AND Contest in a couple of weeks..Yuppers a Contest is coming your way so don’t go away.

Liz 🙂

It’s Thanksgiving! Putting The “Vintage” Into The Holiday

Here in Canada we are about to celebrate our Thanksgiving on Monday and then I know my lovely neighbours to the south will be celebrating their’s next month. So I thought it would be fun to put together a post on items you could purchase to add some “Vintage” to your Thanksgiving holiday.

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First up..Table Decor.

Table Decor is a MUST to bring your Thanksgiving table to next level, starting with a pretty themed tablecloth.

Source-Etsy: NewtoUVintage

Source-Etsy: LinensandThings

As for what goes ON the Tablecloth how about these delightful 1940s Vintage Anagram Letters?

Source-Etsy: JustSmashingDarling

If you love the Turkey in the image above, then you can take them home below- 2 Morton Pottery Turkey Planters circa 1940s.

Oh I love them!!!

Source-Etsy: CRCRUMSEY

Having lots of guests over? Here is a nifty idea on how to remember where everyone should sit-Place Cards!

Source-Etsy: FeraliaVintage

Cooking Time!

Need some help with your turkey or thanksgiving recipes? Then Butterball has you covered with their 1950s advertisement and informational pamphlet for Swift’s Premium Butterball Turkey.

Source-Etsy: ThirstyOwlVintage

Source-Etsy: ThirstyOwlVintage

Now how to take the turkey out of the oven? How about with this Thanksgiving Kitchen Towel? This is funny, cute and vintage all at the same time. I’m guessing this towel has to be late 1930s by looking at her hair and shoes but that is just a guess.

On another note, I would totally cook the turkey if my husband would pull me around on a trolly to bring it to the table lol!

Source-Etsy: NeatoKeen

Your holding the turkey now what to put it on?? This 1950’s vintage Turkey Platter should do the trick.

Source-Etsy: FrancesAttic

Mmmmm Dessert

A vintage cookbook is always the way to go for authentic recipes from a bygone era. This particular gem was made in 1958. It features 61 pages of recipes and illustrations.

Source-Esty: cocoskitchen

After your dessert decisions have been made I’m SURE one of those is pumpkin pie and you will need just the right plate to serve it on.

This plate is from the 1970’s but I don’t mind at all because I just think it is fantastic and so perfect for your thanksgiving table. It even has the recipe for pumpkin pie in case you forget. Just don’t put the pie on it till your done WITH the recipe 🙂

Source-Etsy: VLDDecorandHome

You could also use the Blue Ridge Southern Potteries ‘Thanksgiving Turkey’ plate for some of your goodies. The image on the plate is a bit quirky which I like.

Source-Etsy: PastPiecesVintage

Kids…

Like my household (I have 2 nephews and niece) there might be kids at Thanksgiving so what can you do to keep them entertained? How about reading a Thanksgiving story like this wonderful 1954 book Written by Esther M. Schenk?

I know I know! this idea will only keep them amused for 5 mins but it falls into the “vintage” theme and so therefore perfect for this blog post.

Source-Etsy: grandmothersattic

Source-Etsy: grandmothersattic

Lastly what to wear? Well that could be anything from a cute vintage dress, slacks, vintage apron or a vintage novelty skirt like the one below.

Can’t get any more “Thanksgiving” then Cornucopia baskets.

Source-Etsy: SavvySpinsterVintage

BUT I think a must for whatever outfit you chose, there should be a themed vintage brooch on your lapel.

Now as Canadian’s we don’t have “Pilgrims” in our Thanksgiving story but this pin is too cute to pass up!

Source: Etsy-Desert Gemstones

Pilgrims not your thing? How about a Vintage Turkey Brooch?? Yup, this is awesome!

Source-Etsy: roseluv

Here is the Cornucopia basket again-Kitschy and fun!

Source-Etsy: AllureofJewels

 

And that my friends is some of my “Vintage Thanksgiving” ideas. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving whenever you are celebrating it 🙂

Question: I would love to know if you have vintage items that you already incorporate into your holiday decor? Please Share!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Liz 🙂

My Recent 1940s and 50s Vintage Finds

This past weekend I attended a new event in Toronto called “The Toronto Antique & Vintage Market” at the CNE grounds. I was attending on behalf of the Toronto Vintage Society and also for my own pleasure..hello Vintage Shopping! The event was a pretty good size with booths selling everything from vintage clothing to vintage postcards and antique furniture.

I had a very limited budget so I knew that I was not going to go all hog-wild on buying things, plus my closet is getting so jammed I really have no space to store any new clothing items until I do a purge (which is going to be almost impossible). So my plan..keep it small and easy to store. Well the show had lots of that so I scored a few awesome finds, and here is what I found….

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One of my favorite finds from the show-a 1940-41 Fall & Winter Eaton’s Catalogue (stay tuned for a post on all the goodies inside!).

Eaton’s was once Canada’s largest department store retailer. It was founded in 1869 in Toronto by Timothy Eaton, and it grew to become a retail and social institution in Canada. With stores across the country, buying offices around the globe, and a catalogue that was found in the homes of most Canadians (we always had one in my home). Sadly in 1999 the company went bankrupt, so now finding pieces of history like this is means just a little bit more for vintage history lovers like me (Source).

The jacket is absolutely DIVINE!

Find # 2: 1950’s Rosanna Knit Sportswear Bolero

This sweater has the most wonderful details as you can see below and is in MINT condition. I got it for a steal AND it’s small so it will fit in whatever remaining space is left in my closet.

Next Purchase a Vintage Brooch-It needs a bit of TLC but I actually don’t mind the fact that there is only a bit of green left on the palm trees. Adds Character 🙂

Now my small but mighty finds-Several Vintage Photos from the 1940s and 1950s:

The below image has a story to tell and I love it! I believe that the couple is going on their honeymoon or something very important because air travel in the 1940s was not something you just up and did like we do today. Plus they look really really nice, which is nothing out of the norm for air travel in the early days but they just look like it’s a special occasion.

I think it is also great that the plane in the background is actually a Canadian airline (no longer around) called “Canadian Pacific Air Lines“. I love finding images like that this have a bit of Canadian history tied to them.

Lastly, lets talk about her outfit. Her hat is just amazing and so very different from what I normally see. She also has great peep toe shoes purse and her classic suit goes a long long way in the “simple but stylish” department.

1940s couple in front of Canadian Pacific Airplane

Next up we have this 1940s cutie in a double-breasted winter jacket, that just looks soooo warm! Hopefully warm enough to keep her exposed head and toes warm too. Aren’t her shoes great?!

I was drawn to this picture for the simple beauty coming off the paper. She looks very happy smiling for the camera, and I wonder what her story is? Maybe off to see a loved one return from war?

1940s Beauty

When I saw this picture my girlfriend and I tossed back and forth whether she was wearing a playsuit or not and finally after both agreeing that is was VERY clear that she was,  I had to buy it!

Her playsuit is just great and looks totally comfortable. I love how she paired the simplicity of the outfit with nice big flowing 40s hair, some sort of brooch and big bow peep toe heels.  Future Pinup Model? I think so 🙂

I am curious on where she is though? Those heels don’t look to easy to walk in for a stroll in the woods.

1940’s Playsuit for the Win!

Next up is a early 1940s (maybe late 1930s) beach photo from my hometown of Sarnia, Ontario. The beach was at Canatara Park a frequent hangout for those who wanted to catch some rays and go swimming in Lake Huron. I was super excited to find this picture because I have never really seen any cool “life images” from my hometown. So to stumble upon a postcard with this image was a wonderful surprise for me.

I’m totally digging the swimsuits and hair in this photo.

Next up we have the most stylish 1950s Housewife on the block. Lets call her Marge 🙂 Isn’t she just lovely?

What colour do you think her dress is? I can’t seem to decide personally.

1950s Housewife

I also found this super funny postcard that from what I can see was mailed in the 1950s (according to the back) from one woman friend to another. Isn’t it hilarious??!!

Lastly I did NOT buy this at the show but I had to share it. I stumbled upon a 1930s Hair Perming Machine and had to take a picture of it. It was crazy cool and crazy scary at the same time! Can you imagine sticking your head under this thing?

1930s Perming Machine-Made in Hamilton

And that was my finds friends! Did you do any recent shopping this weekend or week? If so what was your favorite find?

Liz 🙂

 

 

 

 

A Peak Into 1940s Collegiate Life

August is now gone and that means all the kiddies and older kids are back to school. Sigh..bye bye summer.

Going to school was always something I enjoyed and I have some pretty great memories during those years. I do though vividly remember my first dance of University, I was so nervous and excited all at the same time. I just left my small “ish” home town and had moved to the big City of Toronto to live. I had no idea what the future held but I knew that it was never going to be a dull movement, and boy has it not!

Now going with this theme of “Back to school” and since I’m a fan of the 1940s I thought I would like to do a post on what College life looked like during those years. First up I know it looked nothing like my early 2000’s university life, hahaha 🙂

So are you ready to take a class in “1940s Collegiate Style and Collegiate Life” with me as seen thru pictures?

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Time to move into your dorm.  These lovely ladies look fresh-faced and ready to tackle the world. I love the luggage and hat box! And the dress with the Peter Pan collar is a very practical and pretty.

Source: UMW Centennial

The caption for this picture is: Class Officers in front of Gate at University of Mary Washington.

Saddle Shoes! Great skirts and jackets! Look at their hair?! Oh my this photo is simply and truly wonderful. 1940s Collegiate Style right here ladies and gentlemen.

Source: UMW Centennial

Studying in the Dorm

Not much in way of great clothing look here, BUT did you notice all the great details in the room? First up, can you see the handsome serviceman on the bookshelf? I saw him instantly! How about that great clock? Do you think it’s Bakelite? I also adore the bread-spreads. Burberry has nothing on these beds.

Source: UWM Centennial

Maybe the ladies above were studying up on how to make the perfect pie as seen below? Mandatory for a woman in the 1940s to be able to do, I’m sure.

Source: UMW Centennial

Time to Join a Club!

Okay this picture has so many fantastic things happening. First up according to the caption on this picture this is “Campus Jane and Campus Joe, members of the University of Miami ‘M’ Club-1946″. Right there I’m in love, how cute is that?!

Next up, their style. When I think of 1940s collegiate style this is EXACTLY what I think of. Saddle shoes (I love my saddle shoes), his collegiate sweater with the M, her wool skirt with cardigan which is just wonderful. Never mind the woman behind them with that great figure and dress. I also think they are too adorable for words. No words!

Source: University of Miami Libraries Digital

Like sports? how about joining the golf club? hahaha “Golf Club”!!! Okay I’m done making silly jokes 🙂

For a fan of vintage clothing this picture has so many amazing things happening in it, I don’t even know where to start? The skirts, tops, shoes, HAIR! So stylish and fantastic to look at and what great form they all have.

Source: UWM Centennial

Transportation to school

If you did not live in a dorm, how were some of the ways you got to school? Well in this fantastic photo the pretty girl with the great car seems to have her way all set. I’m not sure if the guys are interested in her or the car though?

Can you spot the fun beanie hat and those great shoes on the guys?

Source: University of Miami Libraries Digital

Or maybe you had to take the bus like these students at Duke University.

Source: Duke Yearlook

Doing your part for the war effort

During the early part of the 1940s a big part of school activities was helping with the war effort. These pretty ladies are collecting scrap at Duke University to “Help rub out the axis with scrap rubber”

Source: Duke Yearlook

Learning First Ad, very important as you never knew when you might need it. Future nurses?

Source: Duke Yearlook

Letting off some steam

After a long day of school and studying (and helping with the war effort) it’s always fun to kick up your heels and listen to a good band, like at this welcome Party.

I love the beanies that the Freshman girls were probably expected to wear. I also see some great patterns on dresses.

Source: UMW Centennial

How about a dance with your significant other on a Saturday night? These two couples look like they are having fun. I also adore the peplum dress that is longer in the front, I wonder what colour it was?

Source: UMW Centennial

Maybe dancing was not your way of relaxing, so how about a swim with your college chums?

Students at the University of Miami in 1944 enjoying a day off from their studies.

Source: University of Miami Libraries Digital

 

And there you have it friends, a peak into 1940s collegiate life. I think they were wonderful photos, during a time that was not the easiest for many of these men and women. Don’t you agree?

Do you have good school memories? Or would you rather just forget they ever happened?

Liz 🙂

Posted with Blogsy

Everyone Loves a Scottie Dog, Especially the Vintage Community!

Every since I found my wedding shoes from Irregular Choice with a cute adorable Scottie Dog on them (see below), I have been obsessed with collecting vintage items with this dog on it. I also realize that I’m not the only one who loves the Scottie as many ladies (and gents) in the vintage community I know enjoy collecting them as well.

My shoes and Vintage Brooch Bouquet from my 2012 wedding

Also my Recent..just got in the mail Celluloid 1940s Scottie Dog pin. Love Love Love! Can’t wait to wear them.

Source: Etsy-Bits of Bakelite

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Mini History Lesson of the Scottie Dog-1930s Popularity

During the 1930s it seemed like everyone from Movie Stars to Presidents wanted to own this dog and they did!

Owners included (but not limited to):

President Franklin Delanor Roosevelt was a famous Scottie enthusiast, and was known for taking his Scottie dog “Fala” with him almost everywhere he went.

Fala and FDR

Bettie Davis and her Scottie

Humphrey Bogart and his dog “Sluggy”

 

Even the Famous “Memphis Belle” had a Scottie Dog as a Mascot-Stuka

Source: modernscottiedog.com

Having such an illustrious owners did much for the Scotties PR and the dog’s popularity was capitalised on by contemporary designers and advertisers of the period. Scottie dog brooches were produced in bakelite, marcasite, gold, enamel and metal (Source).

Wonderful Examples:

Bakelite Scottie Dog brooch from the 1930-40s in an Ice tea/Apple Juice color-Pretty!

Source: For Sale on Etsy-Lucky Patina

Three Scotties carved out of dark red Bakelite-How cute are they?? THREE of them!

Source: For Sale on Etsy-OldObscenities

Art deco era Scottie brooch of sterling and marcasite

Source: For sale Etsy-SararaVintage

 

After a slight dip in popularity, the late 1950s saw the Scottie Dog become in vogue again! and could be seen on many different items from jewelry to shot glasses.

Like this adorable Paper Towel from the 1950’s.

Source: For Sale Etsy-grandmothersattic

Need some vintage 1950s coasters for your bar? I kind of think I might need to buy this for my husband as he is Scottish and has been known to drink a scotch & soda a time or two.

Source: For sale Etsy-BogieBacallVintage

How about a lovely 1950s shot glass to go on those coasters?

Source: For Sale Etsy-My Retro Charm

Looking for a 1950s vintage planter for your home? This guy will do I think 🙂

Source: For sale Etsy-candyzown

If you are a knitter (not me..oh that is so not me) you can purchase this adorable 1950s sweater and cap pattern for a little boy or girl in your life. I want it for me!

Source: For Sale Etsy-Knittingknitch

 

Now on a last fun note..did you know that in the game of monopoly the Scottie Dog game piece (introduced in the 1950s) is the most popular piece of all time? See everyone loves a Scottie Dog!

 

Do you collect these adorable dogs for your vintage collection? If so what do you own?

Liz 🙂

Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion – A Grand Piece of Toronto History

Toronto has a wonderful piece of history sitting on its waterfront called the “Sunnyside Beach Pavilion” that has been around since 1922. I have seen this structure at least a million times in my few short years living in Toronto and never ceases to amaze me on how beautiful it is. I even looked at is at a potential wedding venue 2 years ago that is how much I’m enamored with this structure.

1920’s Sunnyside

The name “Sunnyside” had been used to denote a beach and its surrounding area for 70-plus years before the amusement park and beach pavilion opened. The name may have been coined by George Howard, a prominent citizen whom in 1848 had built a home overlooking the shore on the sunny side of a hill (source).

By the 1920s, swimming at the foot of Roncesvalles Avenue had been popular for over thirty years, as there was a swimming area near a pumping station. This changed in 1913 when the pumping station was demolished to make way for the bridge connecting Lakeshore Road and the King/Queen/Roncesvalles intersection. A staircase was built for pedestrians to walk down to the shoreline. A slide was installed for bathers to slide down into the water (COOL!).

1912 Sunnyside Beach Source: Toronto Archives

By 1920, this area was filled in and the beach was moved farther to the south. For the year 1921, the beach was recorded as having over 302,525 visitors (Source).

This influx of bathers to the area meant that there was a space needed where they could change, so on June 28th, 1922 the “Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion” was born.

Sunnyside Pavilion-Today

Sunnyside-bathing-pavilion-1922

1920s Sunnyside Beach and Pavilion

Sunnyside Beach 1924

Information about the Beach building

The building, constructed of concrete, cost $300,000. Each wing held an outdoor changing area, lockers and showers, the women’s side on the east, and men’s side on the west. It offered over 7,700 lockers for patrons, a roof garden for 400. Admission fees were 25¢ for adults and 15¢ for children, and bathing suits and towels could be rented. In the center was a staircase leading to an upper terrace which overlooked the change areas leading to a rear terrace which ran the full length of the building and overlooked the beach.

The “Tank”

If you have ever been to Ontario and attempted to swim in the waters you would quickly realize that they are not the most ideal for swimming..cold! And so in 1925 a giant swimming pool called the “Tank” was built and could accommodate up to 2000 swimmers. It was considered at that time the largest swimming pool in the world and you can still go swimming in this pool today.

1940s Sunnyside Pool

Bathing Pavilion Today

In 1980 the Bathing Pavilion was renovated with the outdoor lockers and changing areas being demolished and new changing rooms were built.

Front of the Pavilion

Currently under construction to bring it back to former glory

The pool was rededicated as the ‘Gus Ryder Pool’, named after Marilyn Bell’s coach, the founder and coach of the Lakeshore Swim Club of New Toronto. I also just happened to find a plaque about Marilyn Bells near by as seen below…

And that my friends is a brief history on the Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion.

As a lover of history in Toronto it thrills me to the bone that Toronto has taken the time to preserve this piece of history. I sometimes find our city is so preoccupied with putting up millions of condos that us regular folks can’t afford that they forget that we don’t have tons of places like the Sunnyside Pavilion still standing that they should not so quickly discard.

I look forward to sitting by this structure for many more years to come.

Do you have something like this in your home town? Or a structure that has lots of history that your city takes pride in preserving it? Let me know!

Liz 🙂

 

Time to Dance! Vintage Instructions to get you dancing in no time

If you follow my blog then you know that I’m an avid Lindy Hopper and I’m also working on my “Rock & Roll” and “Jiving” for my Rockabilly side. I LOVE to dance so while in my Lindy class last night a blog post hit me…Vintage Dance Instructions!

So gang lets see how some of our predecessors learned how to cut a rug, shall we?

Nobody wants to be a wallflower do we? So time to take some lessons from the famous “Arthur Murray”

Being popular and having fun all depend on that dancing, so off you go for more lessons!

1930s Dance Ad

Time to do some Swing Dancing!

It’s Suzy-Q time! We do this move a lot in Lindy Hop Solo Jazz.

Want to learn how to “Collegiate Shag“? Here are some starter points.

Source: CollegiateShag.com

Not so much “HOW” to dance but how “NOT to be”…I think.

As mentioned above I’m also a big fan of the 1950’s and Rockabilly so I’m learning Jive (sort of) and also have taken Rock N Roll classes in the past.

Thank goodness for this book or I would truly be lost! Source: Etsy- Props & Pieces

I agree about # 4 below. Thinking ruins everything…It really does!

Source: Etsy-Props & Pieces

Last BUT not least you cannot mention dance instruction and NOT mention “Fred Astaire”.

Source: Etsy-JeanRameyArt

So many shoes! Quick, Quick, Slow……Got it??

Source-Etsy: JeanRameyArt

I will leave you with this Tillie the Toiler Cartoon. It made me giggle because I’m a tall woman and many of my dances look like Tillie’s 🙂

 

So my lovely readers, did these images get you motivated to go dancing? Take a lesson or two? If you do dance, please share what got you into dancing I love those stories.

Liz 🙂

 

Jinx Falkenburg-1930s and 1940s “Did It All” Girl

Recently while out and about in Toronto, I stumbled upon the following image of Jinx Falkenburg in a Sports store.

Source: Corbis Images

I asked the sales lady who the woman was and she proclaimed that it was the famous Jinx! “Famous Jinx I asked?” “Yes she said the Famous Jinx from the 1930s and 40s!” I scratched my head and ran off to the internet and discovered that I DID know who Jinx Falkenburg was! Well..sort of. You see I discovered that she stared in “Cover girl” a movie I have seen at least a million times but apparently never paid much attention to after the movie was over. How terrible of me! Like really terrible 😦 Sorry vintage movie buffs everywhere.

Jinx is amazing!

Born in Barcelona, Spain, to American parents, her father Eugene “Genie” Lincoln Falkenburg was an engineer for Westinghouse. Thinking the name would bring good luck, she was nicknamed Jinx by her mother Marguerite “Mickey” Crooks Falkenburg, an accomplished athlete and tennis player (Brazil women’s champion in 1927), and the name stuck (Source: Wikipedia).

She was an actress:

Tahiti Nights-1944

Source: Flickr-Vintage Stars

 Nine Girls-1944

I LOVE her outfit in the picture! Her shoes are outstanding, just outstanding.

Source: Flickr-Vintage Stars

Jinx Falkenburg and Evelyn Keyes find a pleasant way to pass the time between their scenes in Nine Girls (Source: A Certain Cinema)

 Cover Girl-1944

Jinx looking stunning in the movie

Two Senoritas from Chicago-1943

Source: ebay

Other Movies:

• The Lone Ranger Rides Again-1939
• Two Latins from Manhattan-1941
• Sing For Your Supper-1941
• Laugh Your Blues Away-1942
• Lucky Legs-1942
• Sweetheart of the Fleet-1942
• Meet Me On Broadway-1946

She was also an expert Swimmer

While living in Santiago, Chile where she spent her early years she first received media attention at age two when the New York Sun ran a full-page picture and story of her exploits as a “baby swimmer.” (Source: Wikipedia).

Bowler (as seen in first picture above)

and Tennis Star

Source: farm3.staticflickr.com

Jinx the Tennis Star in 1949

Jinx also was a famous model–One of the highest-paid and most ubiquitous cover-girl models in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. 

A revolution in Chile caused the family to return to the United States and the family moved to Los Angeles, California. She attended Hollywood High School but left in 1935 at the age of 16 to pursue a career in acting and modeling.

In 1937 her modeling career took off when she met celebrity fashion photographer Paul Hesse,whose Sunset Strip studio was a gathering place for advertising moguls and motion picture industry celebrities. Calling her “the most charming, most vital personality I have ever had the pleasure to photograph”, he took her picture for the August 1937 cover of The American Magazine, triggering similar offers from 60 other publications. Falkenburg eventually wound up on over 200 magazine covers and in some 1,500 commercial advertisements in the 1930s and 1940s. She was considered to be one of the most beautiful women of that era, known for her All-American girl athletic good looks. The New Yorker magazine said she “possessed one of the most photogenic faces and frames in the Western world.” The New York World Telegram claimed her face was seen more often and in more places than any other woman in the country. And a headline story in the January 27, 1941 Life Magazine said Jinx Falkenburg “is the leading candidate for America’s No. 1 Girl for 1941.”  (Source: Wikipedia).

Source: Old arts and Photographs of the world

Source: Flickr-Vintage Stars

Source: Flickr-Glen.H

Her biggest breakthrough as a model came in 1940 when she was picked by New York-based Liebmann Brewery, maker of Rheingold Beer, to be the first “Miss Rheingold.”

Liz Note: I love a good beer so I support this move completely 🙂

Source: Photobucket

Jinx also was a big supporter of the USO during the war and traveled extensively entertaining troops.

India-Burma-China, November 1944. Harry Brown, Betty Yeaton, soldier, Jinx Falkenberg, Pat O’Brien, Ruth and Jimmy Dodd. Source:Flickr- califboy101

In her personal life she married a journalist and influential publicist Tex McCrary in 1945.

This ad is too funny!

In 1947, McCrary and Falkenburg had their first network TV show, Jinx and Tex at Home, broadcast Sunday nights on NBC. The program combined film and live interviews of celebrities in their residences (Source: Wikipedia). It was a huge hit and started the ball in motion for other endeavors together.

They divorced in 1980 sadly but remained friends till his death in 2003, one month before Jinx (August 27th, 2003).

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And there you have it, a brief overview of a woman that really “Did it all”. I think she is fantastic and I really enjoyed learning about her life of which I did not post all here (so please go and investigate more yourself).

Liz 🙂

 

My Recent Vintage Store Finds

It is so nice in Toronto right now, so it is pretty much impossible to stay home at night. So on one of those beautiful nights I took a walk down to my local antique store for some treasure hunting. I was pretty excited to do this because normally I'm with my husband and he is not much of antique shopper and so I usually get 5 seconds in before he starts giving me the “please can we go!” look! Not tonight though he was working so I was free to take my time.

My plan… To find some amazing 1930s-1950s real-life pictures of well dressed people as this has recently become my obsession. I just love seeing how everyday people dressed as opposed to movie stars who had lots of money and designers on demand (not that I don't enjoy those photos too, Oh I most certainly do!). Tonight though was about the regular folks and I scored huge with the following 4 images.

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Photo number 1: A wedding photo from the 1940s, clearly during war times. Don't you agree that the bride and groom are so gorgeous together that they could have been movie stars?? Sigh…so fantastic!

I am just swooning right now over the handsome groom in uniform and his equally handsome best man in his navy uniform. Love.

Now the lovely bride. That dress is making me just drool all over my ipad right now with envy. The cut, the sequined design on the bust and that corsage..wow! Just beautiful. In my mind the dress is a gorgeous blue or maybe green! And how adorable are the peep toe shoes (on both ladies)?? This gal has style and her maid of honour is just as stylish too! I want a 1940s suit badly and honestly one like this would make my day. It is such a nice fit on her and I think she made a wonderful choice by wearing this.

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Photo number 2: 1940s woman. This photo was the first image I found and I nearly died from how amazing this image was. Like seriously, how could you look at this photo and not think “Wow that woman has style!”? I don't think it is possible and that was the exact words that came out of my mouth.

First off her 1940s gown fits her like a glove, look how tiny her waist is? The detail at the hip adds to the slim look of her waist and I'm just loving it so much (great undergarments I'm sure are helping too). The fabric is just as wonderful with the random flower detail and I envision this dress to be black with the flowers and dots to be silver (do you agree?).

Now let's talk about her hat. Yes her hat is one amazing work of art with a giant pouffy flower (I think) as the embleshment. Even with the giant beautiful corsage on her dress I don't think the hat is too much. Ohh I have a thought! Maybe she is the mother of the bride to the couple above?? Most likely not but she is going some where wonderful enough to wear long black gloves (question: are they gloves if they have no hand part?) and I'm sure will be the hit of the party.

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Photo number 3: 1940s gentleman. This image when I saw it, reminded me so much of Cary Grant or Clark Gable and I just knew he had to come home with me. I was also really drawn to how well his suit fit and how he paired it with a bow tie and two toned oxfords, classy! The hand in the pocket says “yup I'm a man of style”. And yes mister handsome well dressed man, the Vintage Inn agrees.

Photo number 4: The final image I found of this 1950s woman playing with her cat, made me want to buy it for 1 reason and 1 reason alone….her saddle shoes. Yes I know saddle shoes are not rare in images from the 50s but what intrigued me even more was the fact that I believe this woman is not a young girl but much older then that.

You don't see very often older woman wearing saddle shoes, in fact I have never seen it and was always under the impression that that style was for the “younger” generation. Now that might be true but clearly this lovely fun loving lady does not care and she is rocking them anyways and for that, I love her style and she deserved to be in this post.

So there my wonderful readers is my most recent vintage shopping find. I hope you enjoyed looking at the images as much as I did when I bought them.

Have a fantastic day!

Liz 🙂

 

 

 

 

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