Etsy update!

I had a different post planned for today but then I updated my etsy store (finally). Huzzah! As these were all pieces from my own collection, I figured this post is a little of a memory lane (or flashback Friday) trip as well as saying 'hey, I updated my etsy store!'

A beautiful 1930s feedsack playsuit set with skirt. This was a very special purchase for me and I still think it's lovely, but it's time for it to have a new home!

A 1930s crepe rayon dress, which I purchased from a favourite local store that is no longer around.

Gosh, the pattern on this dress is gorgeous. I wore it to see the Buddy Holly musical as well as to my cousin's wedding. This one was also purchased from a local store, during a break when I was studying art.

I need more sheer blouses but this one doesn't fit anymore, unfortunately.

And another playsuit set! So cute. But also too small for me, now, and I'd rather it be worn than languish in my cupboard.

Andi B. Goode on etsy

Vintage on non-vintage TV

A little while back on twitter I mentioned the idea of a blog post (or maybe very short series) about some of my favourite TV shows that have done episodes set in the past. I love a good costume drama as much as the next person and I'm also excessively fond of murder mysteries set in the 20s, 30s and so on but I also love a lot of TV shows that are set in the present day, so when 'vintage' somehow pops up in them unexpectedly? I often nearly explode from glee. Especially when it's actually done pretty well in terms of costumes, hair, etc.

Oh, and apologies in advance if I start writing about the shows as though I assume everyone will know the characters, premise etc. Let me know if you think there needs to be more explanation - I've linked to wikipedia articles for each show/episode. Er, and for the not-particularly-creative title!

Roswell Season 2, Episode 4: Summer of '47

Even before I was really into the styles of the '40s, this episode of Roswell was always one of my favourites. (I think I have already done a post on this episode at some point, actually.) This is more of a flashback than a time travel episode - Michael (played by Brendan Fehr, pictured top centre) has to interview a WWII survivor/soldier for a school assignment. As the episode unfolds the soldier tells Michael how he was in Roswell when the crash happened; the story he tells of his time there is played out by the regular cast in place of the people he knew.

The costumes and sets are actually done quite nicely and I love that each character is given very individual looks, some of which seem to mirror aspects of the original/present day characters themselves.

Flickr set | Wikipedia

Supernatural Season 7, Episode 12: Time After Time

I felt like a good deal of season 7 was filler but when filler looks this good how can I complain? In this episode Dean (played by Jensen Ackles) accidentally 'hitches a ride' to the 1940s with what is believed to be a time-travelling demon (it's actually the...fourth time Dean has travelled back in time, I think). In 1944 Dean meets Elliott Ness (yep, the same one) and they go hunting for the demon...but not before Dean is hooked up with some era appropriate threads.

There wasn't a whole lot of women's fashion in this episode but getting to see Jensen in a three piece suit, a fantastic coat and a very nice hat for most of the episode certainly didn't have me complaining. And I wasn't just impressed by the costumes but the thoroughness of the sets, extras, everything; I don't know why I was quite so surprised by the details, to be honest. I also love how Dean still thinks it's going to be like he'd seen in the movies (even after being disappointed that the 'wild west' was not like a 1950s western).

There's also the added bonus of Jason Dohring as the time-traveller who is in two of my other favourite TV shows (Veronica Mars and the unsurprisingly short-lived Moonlight, which, yes, is terrible hence my love for it.)

(Sorry about the watermark. I didn't feel like photoshopping all of them out.)

Flickr set | Wikipedia

Charmed Season 2, Episode 14: Pardon My Past

Once again, this was always one of my favourite episodes, even before I had a big interest in the fashion of bygone eras. The premise of this episode is that the soul of Phoebe (played by Alyssa Milano) is sent back to one of her past lives (when she and her sisters were cousins) as the path she took then could affect her current life. OK, so this episode may not get top points for period accuracy but for Phoebe's hair, make-up etc. alone? I can forgive them a dodgy wig and a little excess fringing on some of the extras' costumes.

Flickr set | Wikipedia

Hopefully I'll have time at some point to do a second and maybe a third for other TV shows if anyone is interested. Now, I know some of you also have watched/loved these shows and I'd love to know what you thought of these episodes (even if Roswell and Charmed have been over for years)! Or if there are any other shows you love that have done episodes set in a past decade.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

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The photos of Gjon Mili

Hello, lovely readers! I must apologise for the silence here over the past week. I've been sorting out things for a trip I'm going on in less than a couple of months and in the midst of making plans, booking things and queuing up posts for while I'm away, I completely forgot about posting while I'm still here! For now, here is a post I've had saved in my drafts for one of those 'rainy days' and I will be back to regular (by my standards, anyway) blogging, soon.

I was searching through the LIFE archives for a photo I could use for the cover of a mix that I made (I was searching for photos related to 'dance') when I noticed these gorgeous photos by Gjon Mili of a Caribbean dance contest in the 1950s. (The captions on all of the photos are taken directly from the LIFE Archive pages & the photos all link back to this source.)

Two unident contestants dancing dancing in Caribbean dance contest, New York, NY, US, 1950

Two unident contestants dancing dancing in Caribbean dance contest, New York, NY, US, 1950

I think this one (above) is my favourite - I wish I could find more information on them.

Two unident contestants dancing dancing in Caribbean dance contest, New York, NY, US, 1950

When I decided I should look at more of his work I found all of these gorgeous stroboscopic images - it's clear that he was fascinated by movement and capturing it in his work. What I love most is that it's evident not just through these images below but through the ones I showed above as well.

Dancer Gene Kelly showing off his balletic grande jetee in this stroboscopic studio study, New York, NY, US, 1944

Stroboscopic image of ballerina Nora Kaye performing a pas de bourree, New York, NY, US, 1947

Stroboscopic image of model lying on back & dropping arm w. hand & fingers in relaxed position during sleep, New York, NY, US, 1943

It was also pleasing to find out he was responsible for one of my very favourite photos...

Professional dancers Willa Mae Ricker & Leon James show off the Lindy Hop, New York, NY, US, 1943

And I thought I'd finish off with a cat photo...

Gjon Mili's cat Blackie being hugged by nightclub entertainer Maune de Revel, New York, NY, US, 1946

It was quite difficult to not include every single photo that I found of his, I must admit. Not only are the stroboscopic images somewhat hypnotic but the lighting in all of his photos is quite exquisite. You can see more of his stroboscopic images here and a quick google search will bring up more of his other work, as well.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

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Finds from a day with Dad

From the super descriptive title I'm pretty sure you can guess what this post is going to be about! During the week I went for a country drive (well, we were only about an hour away from the city) with my dad and, because we don't see each other very often, he treated me to a couple of things I saw on our day out. I had some loose change of my own so picked up a few things, as well. They're from various op-/secondhand/vintage shops from along the way (a couple at Mannum and one...somewhere else that I honestly don't remember).

This dress is very lovely but too big for me so it might  make its way into my shop (which I've been sorely neglecting - I'm hoping I will get an update done either later today or sometime tomorrow so keep an eye out, though it'll be a little while before this makes it into the shop).

A mohair blend coat from the 1960s in a really great shade of green!

I love the double row of buttons.

And the goodies I bought for myself! There was a bag like this in blue, as well (which had nicer handles) but I liked the way the red looked and thought it might be more serviceable for me so I just got this one. 

I'm sure these bangles aren't any older than the '80s but they're cute and only cost me $1 all up.

This little camera dates to 1971 - I have to run a roll of film through it to see how it works but it looks to be in really nice condition. Another one for my collection! So, it was a fairly successful day and a very nice drive, to boot.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

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Plaid, pockets and buttons

As I'm on a very strict budget at the moment, I've not bought very many new clothes, either new new or new-to-me vintage. However, before I put myself on a budget, I bought one last vintage dress from etsy as I just couldn't resist it - it's plaid! It has buttons and pockets! And contrasting cuffs & a collar!

It was an instant favourite and I had to wear it out straight away - so, I wore it to the Adelaide Ukulele Society meetup - and even wore it a few more times after that...

Outfit details: scarf - church op-shop; earrings - gift; 1940s dress - etsy; belt - ?; shoes - Payless (US).

And, because I first wore this out to the Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society meet-up, here's a ukulele video for you all! I was asked by one of my YouTube ukulele pals if I would play the song Born Too Late by The Poni-Tails, so I did. It's a really cute song and I hope you enjoy my version of it. Here's the original for reference.

Oh, and while we are on the topic of ukuleles I did a guest post at Lollipops and Roses where I show off my uke, Sugar Kane.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

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Silver Screen Sunday {Phantom Lady}

I seem to start most of these posts off with 'well, it's been a long time since I've done one of these...' but, of course, it's always true. The main reason that I don't do them very often anymore is because they are so time consuming but I shan't dwell on that - instead, on to the film! Phantom Lady is a 1944 film noir directed by Robert Siodmak, which stars Franchot Tone, Ella Raines and Alan Curtis and was based on a Cornell Woolrich novel. 

The basic premise of the film is that an engineer, Scott Henderson, played by Alan Curtis, is accused of murdering his wife despite having what he thought would be a solid alibi. Unfortunately, everyone who saw him on his night out whilst his wife was being killed has conveniently forgot him; the only witness they can't track down is a mystery woman with a distinctive hat whom Scott asked to the theatre with him on a whim (he was stood up by his wife, for good reason obviously - she was dead!) He's found guilty for her murder so his assistant, Carol "Kansas" Richman, played by Ella Raines begins her own investigation to clear Scott's name, not least because she's been in love with him for a long time. Her investigation leads her from one person to another, often with fatal results for the witnesses she's tracking down - but I won't say anymore than that! It's one of the 'wrongly accused' plots that I love so much and I like these films even better when a woman takes on the role of the detective and will stop at nothing to get to the truth.

(Click through on any of the photos to see bigger versions at Flickr.)

The only thing Scott can remember about the woman who could clear his name is the fabulously outlandish hat that she wore.

Carol's secretary has a seriously cute outfit - I love how the straps of the suspender skirt narrow as they get to the waistband. 

Aurora Miranda plays a singer - Scott and the mystery woman had seen her show on the night of his wife's murder - who is questioned as she had been wearing the same hat as the 'phantom lady'. However, she won't admit that this happened because she insists all of her hats are unique. Just like this one! Isn't it amazing? I love the glittery dots on her top, as well.

But it is Carol (or, as Scott has nicknamed her, Kansas) whose wardrobe most impressed me. Starting with this ensemble - I can't tell if it's a skirt and blouse or a dress but I'm in love with the stripes and the silhouette of the outfit.

I love her clear raincoat - it's one of the nicest plastic raincoats I've seen.

A simple, yet beautiful gown, with a lovely appliquéd design.

Look at the details on this gorgeous suit - the contrast stitching! And you can just see how the waistband comes to a point in the middle. I love the cropped jacket, too.

I think this was my favourite outfit, though. I believe she's meant to look slightly on the 'cheap' side (hence the costume jewellery, darker stockings, etc.) and I think the relative tackiness (compared to the sleekness of her other outfits) is what attracted me to it.

I'm fairly certain the thing that sparked my interest in seeing this was a .gif that I saw on Tumblr of the shoes on the left. I'm completely in love with them. I also love her patent purse with the initial on it - I've been thinking of getting a similar purse and doing something like this for myself.

In any other film, this hat would probably be the standout but there are a multitude of over-the-top (in the best way) hats in this one. I do love the giant floppy flower, though.

One of my favourite things about this film was all of the close-ups allowing us to see details of costumes we don't normally see - like these mesh nylon stockings!

And check out the cameo ring!

It was very difficult choosing which screencaps to post here but there are about 40 or so more over at flickr in this set. I didn't want to go overboard in the post so hopefully I haven't! When I was doing the screencaps, though I was trying to get good shots of the outfits, I was also distracted by the gorgeous composition and camera angles in this film. It's a perfect example of the visual style that is most associated with film noir but I'm sure I could write an entire post on that.

So, has anyone else seen this film? If so, what did you think of it? Did you love it as much as I did?

Phantom Lady at IMDB | Phantom Lady at Wikipedia

Love,

Andi B. Goode

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Photos of Australian Women in WWII

This is a post that I've had queued for a while for a day when I wasn't sure what else to post. So, here are some great home front photos I found of Australian women in World War II on Flickr. I've seen many good quality photos of women from America and other places during WWII, but very few of Australian women and I was very drawn to these shots. All of the captions are taken from the Flickr photo page and all photos link back to this source.

{A young woman armature winding in a munitions factory in South Australia in 1943. Photographer: Smith, D. Darian}

{A woman stacking practice bombs before transit to the explosives filling factory in South Australia in 1943. Photographer: Smith, D. Darian}

 

{Members of the Australian Women's Land Army picking an almond crop at Hamilton's Vineyard at Marion, South Australia in 1943. Photographer: Smith, D. Darian}

 

{A young woman cutting driving bands for anti-aircraft shells in a munitions factory in South Australia in 1942. Photographer: Smith, D. Darian}

 

{Three young women cleaning dust from the interiors of Beaufort bomber oil tanks in South Australia in 1943. Photographer: Smith, D. Darian}

 

{A young woman making brass fittings for military tanks in South Australia in 1943. Photographer: Smith, D. Darian}

 

{A young woman drilling parts of a Beaufort bomber with a portable drill in South Australia in 1943. Photographer: Smith, D. Darian}

All of the pictures above are from the State Library of South Australia Flickr Stream (see the full set here) and are all in the Creatives Commons License set.

I think it's fair to say that they were all staged photos (and reminiscent of some of the photos of women in this set from the Library of Congress) but knowing that they were taken of women, not just in Australia, but South Australia, makes them extra special to me.

 

{Australian Land Army girls at a farm near Gosford. During war time service with the WANS (Womens Auxiliary National Service), Land Army. Wamberal, Gosford.. New South Wales. 1942.}

 

{Women volunteers in the Australian Land Army. During war time service with the WANS (Womens Auxiliary National Service), Land Army. Gosford. New South Wales. 1942.}

 

 {Combat practice in the Australian Land Army. During war time service with the WANS (Womens Auxiliary National Service), Land Army. Gosford. New South Wales. 1942.}

The three images above were taken from this set. I like these last images as a contrast to the very obviously staged ones from the library collection. I also love the camaraderie that comes through in these, as opposed to the staged images, where the women seem fairly isolated, even when pictured with other women. 

One day I'd really love to research the role of women in Australia in World War II some more because there seems not to be a whole lot written on this area (though I could be looking in the wrong places, of course). If I ever get around to that, I'll probably write more on the blog so excuse the relatively small amount of text in this post. If anyone does have some resources (I have a couple of documentaries - Paper Dolls and Girls Own War Stories - plus the book, Our Girls, which acts as a good companion to Paper Dolls as well as some internet sources) in this area (which is probably a little vague), I'd greatly appreciate it! 

Love, 

Andi B. Goode

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