Asphalt (1929)

I watched the German silent film ASPHALT last night and I gotta say -- Betty Amann was like nothing I've ever seen on screen. NOTHING.

She was the single embodiment of early Joan Crawford, Clara Bow, and Louise Brooks. Why Betty did not play Lulu instead for the dreadful Louise Brooks is beyond me. She was so striking I could not take my eyes off her.

The film is actually pretty silly. There's far too much melodrama for the situations. And it's somewhat annoying when Betty's character pleads Gustav Frolich's character to be with her and when he finally proposes marriage she explodes with anger and tries to blow him off. The characters just seem to get mad for no reason and it's over the top. Other than that, the actors were good and the cinematography was good and VERY GERMAN! Great use of shadows, silhouettes, and camera angles.

But Betty Amann! Anyone can fall for her. Although she had some Louise Brooks-esque qualities, Betty could act. But she did not over-do it like Clara Bow tended to do sometimes. Betty was like a perfect medium. She was very expressive, yet natural. She looked much like Joan, Clara, and Louise all in one person. She was mesmerizing.

You can watch ASPHALT here!

Bob-and-Bangs

My favourite hairstyle and the hairstyle I have myself. Here are some women who wore it well...

Louise Brooks, of course.

Margaret Livingston

Colleen Moore

Lya di Putti

Truus van Aalten

Mae Busch

Mary Thurman

Beatriz Costa

Betty Compton

Pola Negri

Sisters "G"

Yes, I love helmet bobbed hair! Hair should not move. It should be a sculpture on one's head. Haha, yes, I have a thing for hair.

Wives With Beehives

I just have one thing to say about this:

LOL TO ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS REAL!!!!

Favourite Vintage Items

These are just a few of my favourite vintage items that I own. I don't own many real vintage items. I don't buy vintage just to buy vintage -- it has to catch my eye and I have to feel a certain attraction to it. A nice price tag is good, too. Here are just a few larger, practical items I have around the house:

A 1934 Philco Radio, as seen on this page! I saw this in a basement in an antique shop. There was a tiny sticker on it that said "35." I assumed it was the year so I asked the owner. IT WAS THE PRICE. I scooped this baby up so fast..... I love her! My original guess for her year was 1939. Was thrilled to find out it was earlier!

1930s art moderne salt and pepper shakers. I paid a bit too much for these ($37, I think), but LOOK AT THEM. They are exactly the style I love.

This gorgeous buffet table cost me $100 and I HAD to have it. There is a small mirror on the top and it is date stamped 1941 on the back. I use it to store all my Barbies in/on. LOL.

When I saw this art-deco-as-fuq powder container (?) at the thrift store I knew I had to have it. I would use it if one of the little legs were not broken off, leaving a very sharp shard of glass exposed. Because of that, it is just decoration.

My Sears sewing machine, model number dating to 1938. This baby was FREE because it belonged to my grandmother! It still works and I recently got it serviced. It is heavy and sturdy as all hell. Here is the closest I could find in the 1942 Sears catalog:

And that's some of the larger items I have and love. I try to buy vintage items that I can use in some way -- I don't want my house to be a museum or anything.

It's ALL Okay!

It's great how far I've come in a short period of time. I used to get all riled up over "vintage snobs" and the like, but now I really could care less. I really could care less about "real" or "repro" (I like both). I could care less about trying to "prove" that the 20s-40s was filled with tons of bad things and that it wasn't this romanticized fairyland, but, again, DO NOT CARE.

Wanna wear all 1939 clothing and live in a 1930s bubble? DO IT! Tacky repro mixed with real vintage? Go for it. All handmade? Do that, too. It's all ok. It's even ok to mix decades/years. Really, who cares? It's all good.

Ever since I met people in real life that are into the vintage thing I've realized that only people "on the Internet" are mouthy, judgmental, and precious about their vintage. Why? Probably don't know anyone in their real lives who are into it.

I love everything from the time period between the two World Wars the most, but I also do the rockabilly thing. I actually prefer the modern take on the 1950s look and sound than I do the actual 50s. If that makes me a poser, then I am (I haven't used "poser" since high school...lol).

I make my own dresses from elegant 1930s and 1940s patterns, but I also like Bettie Page clothing and cheap leopard print. I LOVE my cheap leopard print! I am also covered in tattoos and have dyed red and black hair.

Despite my image, I am a HUGE lover of silent and pre-Code movies and can probably out-know you. I read often about the 20s and 30s eras because I love them. I am an ardent lover of art deco and moderne architecture and know where all the fabulous buildings in my area are. My favourite decades for music are the 20s, 30s, and 80s!!!

I've recently met a bunch of people in my area who are into the whole 30s/40s/rockabilly thing and I can assure you they are the nicest people I ever met. I don't mind being part of a "subculture" or "scene" and I CERTAINLY don't think I'm some amazing "individual." We all look alike and like the same things. After 37 years of being misunderstood, I find this refreshing.

I'm not trying to be all "Look at me!" -- this is just how I am! And it's PERFECTLY OKAY!!! :D

Pretty Dresses

I'm sorry, I don't know where some of these came from (a few are from Etsy) as I got most of them from FB. If they are from your shop/website, please let me know and I will be more than happy to link!!

Six Songs I'm Way Into Right Now

"Calling All Girls" - Hilly Michaels (1980)

"Christmas Tree" - Lady Gaga (2008)

"'A' Bomb In Wardour Street" - The Jam (1978)

"77 Sunset Strip" - The Riptides (1979)

"Heart Beat Rock n Roll" - The Housewreckers (1983?)

"Information" - Dave Edmunds (1983)

Yes, one of these does not go with the others. IDGAF. lol. My favourite music is power pop, punk, synthpop, rockabilly, and New Wave from 1977-1983, but I love all recorded music from 1890s to now. I'd say 1979 - 1981 are the most perfect years for music.