Harlean's Heyday

My top 10 beauty products, Pt. 1

2012-01-08T06:51:00.000-08:00

Lip Ink lip stain in Red
This one is my favourite beauty product of all, by miles and miles.

I discovered Lip Ink through the recommendation by Miss Amanda Lee and it was love at first sight. Now, a year later, that love has only deepened. Now, I'm a girl who likes to wear red lips on a daily basis... But I also have a fairly busy life and I'm not generally a very high maintenance person. And, lets face it, no matter how good a lipstick, it is always a lot of work when you're a person who goes out a lot. Sick and tired of having to touch up my lipstick after every meal, I turned to Lip Ink - and never looked back. It lasts meals, drinks, making out, partying all day and night. I now have it in four different shades but my favourite is Red. It is a bright and sassy red, rather similar to MAC's Ruby Woo. In all of 2011, I probably wore "real" lipstick twice. For these reasons and plenty more, Lip Ink is my #1 beauty product. I simply cannot recommend it enough.

L'Oreal Elnett Satin hairspray for Coloured Hair
Simply the best hairspray I ever came across. It keeps my hair feeling smooth instead of stiff whilst providing a good hold, even for more elaborate vintage 'dos. I also love that it is brushable.

KC Professional Color Mask in Pepper
Red hair, not the easiest of colours to maintain. Several people recommended this product to me when I first went red and had trouble maintaining the colour, and I've sworn by it ever since. Most of the tinted conditioners that I've tried don't really colour hair, per se. They just give you an extra shine, if even that. This mask is a tinting treatment for coloured hair that that gives a very strong, vivid colour almost equal to freshly dyed hair. Again, the Pepper shade is bright and sassy, just the way I like it. Now, this is a Finnish product so I'm not sure how it is stocked abroad. I just always stock up plenty when I go back to Finland myself. But be sure to check out their website if you're interested.

Schwarzkopf Live XXL hair dye in Real Red 35
I only had my hair dyed professionally for the first few years upon going red and I would most definitely recommend that for anyone making the transition to red (or basically any new colour). However, I can't afford that luxury at the moment so I've gone back to the box. I was scared that I wouldn't find a colour intense enough for my liking but Real Red is the kind of shade that I really like. My only complaint is that it fades faster than most of the salon dyes... But that isn't really a complaint since I can now afford to dye my hair as often as I like to keep it an intense red.

Perfume
I love perfumes. To me a fragrance is part of a look; I don't feel as though I'm ready to go to unless I'm wearing a nice perfume. It just adds the final touch, if you will. Some people only stick with one perfume but I tend to have several on rotation to match my moods. My current favourite is Prada Candy.

The year that was 2011

2012-01-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

Photo by Kendra Bean

I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and reminisce on the year that was. Whereas 2010 was a year of massive highs and massive lows for me, I believe that 2011 has quite possibly been the most amazing year of my life thus far. In 2011 I found myself fully settling in and embracing life in London. I moved houses a few months ago and came across a list of goals that I had written for myself when I moved in here in September 2010. I couldn't but smile to myself when I realised that I had fully accomplished all of those goals, if not overdone them.

Here are just a few of the highlights of my incredible 2011.

Friends

Friends, both old and new, love them all. I have the most incredible friends a girl could ask for. So many amazing memories have been made, ones that I'll cherish forever.

London

You know how you know you're in the city you're supposed to be in? When each and every time you're in there, you can't help but think to yourself just how much you love it and how lucky you are to be there. That's how I feel about London.

University

Photo by Kendra Bean

I studied very hard, finished university and ended up graduating with distinction. I did a star study on Jean Harlow for my final thesis. I loved the whole process from research to writing, and ended up being even more fascinated by the actress as a result.

Music

Music made me happy 365 days of the year. I discovered a new favourite band, Austra (thanks to BaronessVonVintage!), and their music has dominated by playlist ever since. I went to gigs a plenty. I saw Austra, Arcade Fire and Warpaint each three times. My other gig highlights of the year include Wild Flag at the Lexington and Timber Timbre at Union Chapel.

Films

Whereas I only ended up seeing a handful of new films (highlights include Heartbeats, Weekend and The Artist), I saw quite a lot of old films on the big screen. I also went to many awesome events, such as the UK premiere of Almodóvar's The Skin I Live In under the stars at the Somerset House in July.

Traveling

Photo by Kendra Bean

Most of my international travelling has consisted of trekking between London and Finland. But thankfully I managed to explore the UK quite a bit, from Wales to England to Scotland and back.

Home

Last but not least... Sometimes, just sometimes Finland doesn't totally suck. ;)

Happy 2012, everyone!

Lipstick traces: Velvet Goldmine filming locations

2011-11-20T05:04:00.000-08:00

"The secret of becoming a star is knowing how to behave like one."

I may or may not have expressed my undying love for Todd Haynes' Velvet Goldmine in this blog before. I saw it in the cinema back when it was first released in 1998, when I was 14 - and I'm not even kidding when I say that it pretty much changed my life. Now, in 2011, I have seen it tens and tens of times and I'm still as in love with it as I was back in the day. It is one of those films that I can watch countless of times and never tire of it. Instead, I always find something new and interesting. And, most of all, for me Velvet Goldmine equals two hours of pure, unadulterated entertainment.

So when my darling friend, soulmate and fellow Velvet Goldmine devotee Mycah visited me in London this fall, we spent a day visiting locations related to our favourite movie. We first hopped on the train to Chiswick and headed over to the gorgeous Chiswick House and Gardens, where the photoshoot montage featuring Brian and Mandy Slade and his band was filmed. We were so giddy to be there and discover that very little has changed about the location since the filming of the movie. Needless to say, we could not resist re-enacting the scenes much to the horror and/or delight of the onlookers. As they once wrote, camp isn't just a row of tents. Next we returned back to central London and went to Lambeth Bridge, where parts of the opening credits featuring glam rock fans were were filmed. Lastly, we visited the location depicted as the birthplace of Oscar Wilde, set in Dublin 1854, which was filmed just off Brick Lane.

It was an amazing day and made our geek hearts very, very happy indeed. Here's a collage that Mycah put together of our Velvet Goldmine day.

Hats and coats and leaves, oh my!

2011-11-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

I am not a big fan of fall and I, quite frankly, dread winter. And I especially dislike dressing for the aforementioned seasons. Some people love layering up and look good whilst doing so - but for some reason I always look end up looking more like a homeless person. This year, however, I decided to prepare myself for the cold well in advance. Now that the temperatures dropped quickly and fall is in full swing here in London, I'm so glad that I did too.

I have been hunting for the perfect princess coat all year around but, unfortunately, they're very rare to come by in my size and price range. However, I did manage to find this 1940s Bon Marche labelled wool coat, which I really like. It is warm and endlessly more elegant than the large majority of modern coats that I look at. I just love the strong silhouette of an early 40s coat. I recently also got this beret style navy wool felt hat with rhinestone and bugle bead leaf detail, also from the 40s, which has quickly become one of my favourites. I completed the look with my grey Poetic License Blacklash shoes with blue ribbon laces.

With a jazzy new wardrobe, perhaps fall and winter won't be as bad after all.

Coat - 1940s vintage (via alpamal4349 on Ebay)
Hat - 1940s vintage (via dead-rare-records on Ebay)
Dress - 1940s vintage (via TwilaJeanVintage on Etsy)
Handbag - Vintage (thrifted)
Shoes - Poetic License Blacklash

Being Black Dahlia

2011-11-03T06:47:00.000-07:00

Happy belated All Hallows' Eve! I hope you all had a deliciously spooktastic extended weekend.

I'm happy to report that I finally had my Halloween dream come true this year.

Mind you, it is not really that big of a deal in Finland and I've just never gotten around to dressing up, proper costume style, for Halloween before. Many of my friends were on the same boat as me so we decided to put some effort into it this year. At first I wanted to do something entirely different from my everyday self (i.e. not wear vintage) but I just couldn't get the idea of going as the Black Dahlia out of my head. I suppose because I've been fascinated by the Elizabeth Short case for years. I'm just a little morbid like that.

I had the perfect 1940s dress in my closet just waiting to be taken out! It is a sheer black crepe number with a bow on bodice and flaps at front of skirt, which make it the perfect dress for dancing. I bought it from TwilaJeanVintage via Etsy in 2009. Love the dress but I wear it very rarely, simply because I don't feel at home in black. But for this occasion it was truly perfect. A black wig, black dahlia hair flower, black stockings, and black 40s pumps completed the look. And, of course, the scars.

I've never done special fx make-up before so I practised for a couple of days and, in the end, I'm fairly happy with how it turned out on the day itself. I used Grimas scar wax as a base for the scars and filled them with face paint and fake blood. And, miraculously, the scars stayed on my face all night.

A vampire, a zombie sailor and Twilight's Jacob Black rounded up our posse as we spent the night parading and dancing around London Town. It was a super fun evening and I can't wait to do it again next year!

Red and white picnic plaid dress

2011-10-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite dresses of this past summer is this 1940s Louisa Alcott labelled day dress. It is a soft, semi-sheer cotton frock in a bright, lipstick red and white picnic plaid. My Australian soul mate Andi B. Goode found this little number on Etsy earlier this year. I immediately snagged it - and I'm so glad that I did! It came with some flaws but the price was very decent and my friend Rhia did work on it to make it wearable again. It is the perfect summer dress and I've worn it to many picnics and outings in the past few months.

On Saturday the highest October temperature on record - 29.9C (85.8F) - was recorded in the UK. My friends and I headed out to the seaside to Brighton and Seaford in East Sussex to make the most of the stunning day and I got to take my dress for one last outing of the summer. I paired it with a red wicker purse, a red belt and a hair flower. And nautical style flats, the same ones as in the previous outfit - only in red this time. In fact, I love these Primark flats so much that I have them in four different colours.

Mind you, I climbed all the way up the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in this outfit AND a drunken gentleman called me Dorothy. I think that both of these facts testament to the awesomeness of this look. But the trip itself is worth a post of its own so stay tuned for that!

Dress - 1940s vintage (via bottleblondevintage on Etsy)
Handbag - 1960s vintage (via ValsVintageShoppe on Etsy)
Shoes - Primark
Belt - Vivien of Holloway
Hair flower - Accessorize

Photo by Kendra Bean

An Indian summer

2011-09-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

Slight change of plans. I just moved houses and packed away my summer clothing. For the past few weeks I have been planning to write about vintage wear for fall and winter but I simply had not had the time to get to it yet. And, alas, just as I returned from the very chilly Helsinki, where fall is currently in full swing, the temperatures soared up to a whopping 29c (84F) here in London this week. My Londoner friends tell me that an "Indian summer" is not uncommon in England - but weather this warm during the last days of September is certainly something new to a Finnish gal! It is a little absurd to see the leaves change colour and fall during a heatwave. But, hey, I'm certainly not complaining!

So I went back to my box of summer clothing and dug out this early 1960s playsuit, another fabulous Fab Gabs purchase from last year. I basically lived in it all of summer 2010 but I only got to wear it maybe once this year because we didn't have much of a summer in London at all. Until now, that is. I paired the vibrant coloured cotton playsuit (it has pockets, by the way! Love!) with some of my favourite high street accessory finds of this past summer, all mint green, and a matching Arthelia's Attic ribbon snood. And headed out to the sun deck with some good music and a good book. A pretty good way to spend the last day of September, if you ask me.

Playsuit - 1960s vintage (via fabgabs on Etsy)
Hair snood - Custom made by Arthelia's Attic
Shoes - Primark
Sunnies - Asos (thanks to Andi B. Goode for the tip!)
Belt - Topshop

Quote of the moment - Orlando

2011-08-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

"Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have, as they say, more important offices than merely to keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world's view of us."
- Virginia Woolf, Orlando (1928)

An afternoon at Hampstead Heath

2011-08-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

Picnic at the breathtakingly beautiful Hampstead Heath makes for a pretty perfect afternoon.

By the sea

2011-07-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

On Monday the sky cleared and sun came out to play. My friend Marjo and I decided to head over to Brighton for a day trip to make most of the summer-y weather. This was the first time visiting Brighton for both of us - and we were positively enchanted by the city! We spend all day enjoying carousel and ghost rides, eating Brighton Rock candy, drinking milkshake and playing games at Brighton Pier. And sitting by the beach, just basking in the glory of the sea and sunshine. Perfect day, really.

I wrote about my obsession with pink day dresses a couple of days back and, thanks to the beautiful weather, I was able to take one of my own for an outing. And one of my very favourite frocks at that! I bought this 1930s cotton feedsack house dress from Fab Gabs in early 2010. The dress features a whimsical floral print in pink, blue and white. It has a low lace trimmed collar and Deco style "w" seaming at the hips. There's a white modestly inset at the neckline. It is getting hard to find cotton feedsack dresses in such good shape, and especially in larger sizes, so I really and truly treasure mine.

Oh and a little girl asked if I am a real princess. So, there you have it; concrete proof that a pink vintage dress can really get you places! :)

Think pink!

2011-07-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

Despite the London summer being what is it, I find myself being drawn to pink day dresses at the moment. Especially striped and plaid ones have my big girly heart. Here are a few of my current favourite frocks via Etsy. They come in a variety of sizes, prices and eras so there should be something for every lady looking to add a touch of whimsy into their wardrobe.

1940s cotton day dress via fabfabs

1940s floral cotton dress via simplicityisbliss

1950s peppermint check dress via DearGoldenVintage

1950s 1960s striped dress via BohemianBisoux

1940s cotton sun dress via CreatedAndCollected

1940s eyelet day dress via RaleighVintage

1930s 1940s sailor dress via silviawan

1950s party dress via tialeyvintage

1940s cotton & lace dress via salvagelife

1940s 1950s polkadot dress via Mare84

1970s bow print dress

Girl love, vintage style

2011-07-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

With vintage imagery and classic films dominantly depicting opposite-sex relationships and sexuality, queer vintage bloggers being far and between, and many of the vintage related activities largely relying on heterosexual coupling (such as swing dancing), the vintage scene can sometimes feel alienating those of us who are not straight. But it doesn't have to be that way, you know.

Here's to girl love, vintage style!

Photos via Vintage Lesbian at Tumblr

Baby Betty blouse and skirt set by TheBlackPinafore

2011-07-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

As some of you may remember, I've posted before about my obsession with pinafore skirts custom made for me by TheBlackPinafore. So when Debora asked me if I'd like to collaborate on a new design with her, I immediately jumped at the chance! The result is a design named Baby Betty, which has been modified from original vintage patterns. The blouse has puffed sleeves, a large open collar and is closed by a row of four buttons. The A-line skirt has large pockets with flaps that match the blouse - such a cute little detail! For the blouse I chose a blue based cotton fabric with a small strawberry print. This fabric is like the very definition of adorable! For the skirt I went with a nice, classic royal blue fabric.

I'm very, very happy with the results! Because I very rarely attend fancy dress events, I mainly go for vintage clothing that I can wear every day, clothing that combines both cute and comfortable. And that is exactly what the Baby Betty design does!

Yesterday my friend Katie and I headed to the Southbank, one of my favourite areas of London, to snap some photos of the outfit. We decided to use these decorated beach huts as a backdrop for the photoshoot. Many thanks to Katie for the photos!

Like what you see? You can get your own custom made blouse and skirt set right here at the TheBlackPinafore Etsy shop! Better yet - TheBlackPinafore is offering the readers of this blog 10% off a purchase until July 31! Just quote BABYBETTY when checking out and Debora will refund the money on your account. Ta-da!

Photos by Katie Sawyer

Purple & green check dress by Montgomery Ward

2011-07-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

I won this late 1940s/early 1950s vintage day dress with a purple and green check pattern on Ebay a couple of months back. I quite literally gasped when I came across this number (and won it for a decent price!) because it combines so many details that I'm obsessed with, such as bow detailing and wide hip pockets. Oh my! Plus, I love the colour combination. Better yet, the dress was deadstock with the original tags still attached, albeit the original belt was missing. I don't know about you but I always feel a sense of guilt when I remove originals tags from a decades old item that has never been used. But, in the end, these dresses were made for wearing! After my friend Dale shortened the skirt a little bit for me, I was excited to take it out and about on its first outing last weekend!

The one of the tags tells me that the cotton dress is by Montgomery Ward. According to Vintage Fashion Guild, Montgomery Ward was the world's first mail order catalog business. It was established in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward. The business was catalog-only until 1926, when the first Montgomery Ward store was opened in Plymouth, Indiana. Within four years there were more than 500 stores across the country. During the 1950s Montgomery Ward began to fall behind its competition, as most major retailers were moving to the suburbs. By the 1970s the company was in serious trouble. They continued to struggle and declared bankruptcy in 1997.

But here I am in 2011 wearing my Montgomery Ward dress. I paired it with 1940s suede pumps, a white belt and a purple hair flower. It was a little chilly outside so I wore it with a green sweater outside, as evident in my previous post.

Lastly, as some of you have already noticed, I have finally put up a new look here at Harlean's Heyday! My partner Minna Nora painted the header (watercolor and pencil on paper) while my friend Mycah helped me modify the design. It is good to have creative people in your life when you're rather on the helpless side yourself. ;) Russian Red smooches at both for their help!

I hope you like the new layout as much as I do!

Glamour of the Gods: Hollywood Portraits

2011-07-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Me with a photo of Jean Harlow
by George Hurrell, 1933
This past weekend I went to see Glamour of the Gods: Hollywood Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in London, an exhibit that I've been looking forward to for months. It showcases Hollywood portraiture from the industry's Golden Age, the period from 1920 to 1960. The exhibition is drawn from the archive of the John Kobal Foundation and features over 70 photographs, most of which are vintage prints displayed in the UK for the first time. The collection is exhibited in the four rooms of the Porter Gallery and are divided per decade. Many of the greatest stars of the era are featured in these exquisite portraits that transformed the actors and actresses into international style icons. We not only get to see the iconic portraits but also learn about the studio photographers behind them. Their invaluable contribution to the mythos of the stars, I feel, is often overlooked. The artistry of these Hollywood photographers really is breathtaking. It is such a pity that the art of Hollywood portrait and still photography has largely been lost along the years.

Ronald Colman and Vilma Bánky in a still for The Magic Flame
by Kenneth Alexander, 1927
Portraits of several of my favourite stars are showcased, including Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth, Vivien Leigh, Clara Bow, Lillian Gish, Gloria Swanson, Louise Brooks and Carole Lombard. The images themselves are not rare, per se, and I had seen the majority of them before. But the difference between studying an original vintage print up close and in person than looking at the photo in a book or on computer screen is massive, needless to say. I also came across intriguing photographs that I had never seen before, like the gorgeous still from The Magic Flame by Kenneth Alexander (above).

Press room at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
by unidentified photographer
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the exhibit are the behind the scenes images. Many of them are not on the walls but tucked in cabinets, such as a photograph of Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne that has been marked up for retouching. One photo shows Janis Carter being photographed with six different people working around her to create an image of goddess-like perfection. There are also unretouched portraits of Joan Crawford that show her cute, natural freckles, and the retouched version for comparison.

Glamour of the Gods: Hollywood Portraits runs at the National Portrait Gallery until October 23 and is well worth a look if you happen to be around London! Further details available at the website.

Beauty tips from Jean Harlow

2011-07-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

While doing research for my thesis I happened to come across these fun beauty tips from Jean Harlow upon browsing a vintage press book for her film The Girl from Missouri (1934). You might want to take some of these with a grain of salt, especially the bit regarding her hair and there being no tricks to it. :)

"Personally, I dislike a made-up look. I never wear mascara unless my screen work demands it. I use only powder and lipstick."

"I believe too much make-up is bad for women who prefer a healthy, natural complexion. Every woman knows what make-up she desires, and she should deal with it judiciously."

"Of course, we use different make-up for our screen work than we do in our personal lives. The same thing applies to clothes. Clothes and make-up are always a part of characterization. You must adapt yourself to the character you are portraying on the screen. That is the reason they call us actresses and actors."

"There are no tricks to the care of my hair at all. I use castile soap and shampoo it like everyone else might do. I never use a rinse. I shampoo it every four days, but I rub hot castor oil into my scalp before every shampoo."

"Do the studio lights damage it? Well, they dry it. Also, I'm always getting powder in my hair from my make-up. I never wear a hat, you know, and the sun burns my hair and turns it yellow. I don't mind that because I hate hats."

Dancing in the street

2011-07-03T15:59:00.000-07:00

On Saturday my friends and I headed out into the city to celebrate Pride - and my first ever Pride at that! It was pretty surreal to see Regent Street and Whitehall up until Trafalgar Square closed for traffic. Instead, these massive streets of London were filled with tens of thousands of onlookers, each more colourful than the other. Gays here, gays there, gays everywhere! We watched the parade at Piccadilly Circus, cheering, applauding, singing, dancing and showing our support to all of hundreds of gay rights groups and organisations that took part in the parade. It was a really, really awesome day and made me wish every day was Pride day! I thought I'd share a handful of snaps from the parade.

The Fintage picnic, part II

2011-06-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

Like back in July of last year, the most stylish people in all of Finland, also known as the members of Fintage, got together for a picnic in Tampere's Näsinpuisto earlier this month. This time a total of 12 vintage enthusiasts showed up to catch up with friends both old and new, chat about all things vintage, browse through old magazines and books and, of course, eat, eat and eat some more. I certainly can't think of many things better in life than the combination of good food and good company.

I wore this blue 1940s party dress that I got from Ebay in early 2010 - but never got around to wearing until now. It has a beautiful rose print, rhinestone buttons and peekaboo details on the bodice that I don't see in dresses of that era too often. I really adore the dress, it is so comfortable and yet so pretty.

Dress - 1940s vintage dress (via jumblelaya on Ebay)
Hat - 1930s vintage (via Hoochie Mama Jane at Tampere Vintage)
Handbag - 1950s vintage (thrifted)
Shoes - 1950s vintage (via Fiona Timantti)

A handful of the photos via Fintage

All Harlow, all the time

2011-06-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Just popping by for a quick hello! A little birdie (or two!) reminded me that I haven't blogged in over a month... Oops. I'm still around, just been busy with my studies and traveling back and forth between London and Tampere. I'll be back soon with proper posts - and that's a promise.

Earlier this month I started work on my research thesis, which will be a star study of Jean Harlow. If you're a regular follower of my blog, you probably know that Jean is one of my absolute favorite stars so, really, I couldn't be more excited about my dissertation! I will be tracking the transformation of Harlow's star image and how it was reflected in her films and media coverage. One element of my research consists of watching all of Harlow's major films - a total of 22 titles (Goldie is the only one that I haven't been able to get hold of).

I wanted to share this little video that I put together of Harlow's early roles, predating her contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Apart from Hell's Angels (1930, she was under contract to Howard Hughes' Caddo Company at the time), Jean was largely on loan-out to various studios for these early roles. The studios didn't have time to develop her technique and Jean had not quite found her forte yet - comedy - so the contemporary critics largely disliked these performances. But, if you ask me, Jean's star quality and magnetism is obvious even in these early works. I think that you can already see her talent grow; she's specially good in The Beast of the City (1932). MGM, for which Jean was on loan-out for the film, was so impressed with her work that they bought her contract from Hughes. Jean's next film, the starring role in MGM's Red-Headed Woman (1932), marked a real turning point in her career.

Navy blue and rhinestones

2011-05-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

When I snagged this 1940s day dress from Etsy, I immediately thought it would look cute paired with my Fiona Timantti hat. The shade of the hat and the dress are a very close match. Furthermore, the bow of the hat nicely emphasises the cute little bow at the neckline of the dress. The rhinestone buttons that run down the front add a subtle touch of glamour to the day dress.

These photos, like the ones in the previous post, were taken by my brother, Riku. When I asked him to snap a couple of outfit photos for me, we got a little carried away and ended up with hundreds of images. He's such a great photographer - and peep just how adorable his chihuahua, Poppy, is! She's such a star.

Dress - 1940s navy blue vintage dress (via thegreedyseagull on Etsy)
Hat - Fiona Timantti
Shoes - 1950s vintage (also via Fiona)

Photos by Riku Pennanen

Emerald green on May Day

2011-05-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

The weather took a turn for the cold again, which gave me the perfect excuse to take this 1930s wool and rayon piece for another outing today. Some of you might remember that I wore it to Helsinki Vintage back in September. The dress is, unfortunately, not in the best of shape but is still very beautiful and comes with plenty of drool-worthy details. I love the soutache down the front and the deco hooks at the neck, the shirring at the shoulders and those darted sleeves. Gorgeous!

FYI: the framed photo in the last picture is one of my grandma's lovely headshots from around the 50s.

Dress - 1930s wool and rayon vintage dress (via Fab Gabs on Etsy)
Handbag - 1950s vintage (thrifted)
Shoes - 1950s vintage (via Fiona Timantti)

Photos by Riku Pennanen

May Day weekend

2011-05-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

Month of May, everybody’s in love.

Our Vappu (May Day!) celebrations have been epic this year! My family arrived in the city on Friday and we've been celebrating throughout the weekend. These past few days have been filled not only with ballons, streamers and bubbles but also with good food, pancakes, whipped cream and Wes Anderson films, all of which make up for a pretty damn swell party in my book. And, of course, listening to Month of May by Arcade Fire on full volume, on repeat.

Happy May Day!

Surreal spring in Finland

2011-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Returning to Finland a couple of weeks back was a shock to my system. I knew it was still rather wintery and cold in here - in fact, I was prepared for the worst - but thankfully most of the snow had just melted when I arrived. It is still difficult to mentally prep yourself for an entirely different season, especially coming off the London heatwave. And, well, despite being Finnish I am definitely no winter girl. The weather has quickly become warmer these past few days and spring is officially, finally making way here. The grass is starting to resemble green and leaves are emerging in trees. I've spotted a flower here and there. It is kind of like early March in London now, except warmer.

In fact, it got really nice and warm during Easter so I've been to the beach with friends on a couple of different occasions to make most of the weather. As you can see, the lake is still covered in ice. It felt just as surreal as it looks to be on the beach, wearing a summer dress, while surrounded by snow and ice.

The sign reads: ski on the left side

The green pinafore

2011-04-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

Pinafore skirts are basically my favorite things in the world! They're super cute, a lot of fun - and yet so practical. A pinafore skirt is perfect for just about every occasion, if you ask me. I've worn mine to gigs (and I'm a manic dancer, mind you!), walks in the park, evenings out in the city, traveling, you name it. I wish I had a pinafore skirt in every color - I'd be quite happy to live in them! When my blue pinafore skirt, custom made for me by TheBlackPinafore, got too big for me I placed an order for a brand spankin' new one from Debora, this time in a deep green color. The material is wool but it isn't too hot and heavy. In fact, it is just about perfect for the weather we're currently having here in Londontown.

I'm wearing my skirt here with a black top, black 40s pumps, 40s emerald green elephant necklace and a red bow for yet another fun night out at the BFI.

Teal time Pt. 2

2011-03-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

I purchased this 1950s day dress from the very fabulous Fab Gabs just around a year back, when I fell for its rich teal color, the collar detail and the hip pockets. However, it look me a little while to be able to wear it comfortably because it was a tad on the snug side for me back in the day. Well, last time I went back home I tried it on again and - tada - it is now the perfect fit! So I brought it with me to London and, paired with a light cardi, heels and red lippy, it has become one of my favorite uniforms of this spring.

Song of the moment - "Ladytron"

2011-03-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

I've always thought that had I lived in 1970s London, I would have been the biggest glam whore in the city. I'm a shameless glam rock fan and Roxy Music's "Ladytron" is one of my all time favorite songs. Lets whip out some glitter and platform shoes and dance, dance away the weekend!

La dame vêtue de noir

2011-03-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

One of the films that I've had the pleasure of seeing this week on the big screen at BFI Southbank is Robert Bresson's Les dames du Bois de Boulogne (1945). Seeing a classic film in cinema, as it was originally intended to be seen, is always very special to me... Especially to see something filmed in such a lush way as Bresson's picture is, quite frankly, awe-inspiring. I truly consider BFI one of the (many!) big perks of life in London; in my home country it really is a rarity to view an old film in cinema.

I love classic femme fatales and I simply adored the stunning María Casares' portrayal of Hélène in Les dames du Bois de Boulogne. This femme fatale, believing her lover's feeling for her have cooled, sets about tricking him in a scandalous affair with a cabaret dancer (who is, essentially, a prostitute).

I was especially taken by María Casares' costumes, which are breathtaking. The statuesque Spanish beauty wears sweeping black gowns throughout the movie and rocks some very fabulous hats, capes and pearls, which give the character a distinct, iconic look. Sadly I don't own the movie on DVD so I couldn't snap screencaps but I thought I'd post a couple of pictures. Hopefully these will encourage you to pick up the movie if you haven't seen it before. It is well worth a watch!

Sylvia Plath sightseeing in Primrose Hill

2011-03-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sylvia Plath is an all time favorite poet of both me and my partner-in-crime's. It has been a long time wish of mine to visit places related to her life in London ever since I first visited the city well over a decade and a half ago. For one reason or another, I never got around to it before - before yesterday, that is. It was another gorgeous spring day in London and we decided to head to the beautiful area of Primrose Hill to visit the two flats that Plath lived in from 1960, upon her return to England, to 1963. Here's a little bit of background information on Plath's final years in London, courtesy of A celebration, this is, which is one of my favorite sites dedicated to Sylvia.

In April 1960, Plath gave birth to a daughter, Frieda, at home. In 1961, she suffered an appendicitis and a miscarriage before channeling her creative efforts into her novel The Bell Jar. After this, Plath's creative writing escalated to such a degree that by October 1962, she was writing poems that would make her famous. By the Autumn of 1961, Plath and Ted Hughes purchased Court Green, in North Tawton, Devon. Her son, Nicholas, was born in January 1962. Within the year her marriage collapsed and she moved back to London in early December 1962. The Bell Jar was published in January 1963, and within a month, she took her life.

The following photos are from 3 Chalcot Square, where Plath and Hughes lived from 1960 through August 1961. It is a truly charming little square with beautiful pastel colored houses and a cute little park. Sylvia has her own blue plaque at this address. It would be a dream come true to live in one of these houses some day.

We also visited 23 Fitzroy Road, which is located right off Chalcot Square. Plath lived here for the last few months of her life, from December 1962 until her death on February 11, 1963. The Fitzroy Road flat is the one where Plath committed suicide. The Irish poet and dramatist W.B. Yeats lived in the house as a boy, a fact that once upon a time pleased Sylvia and was something that she considered to be a good omen. Very sad. There is no plaque dedicated to Sylvia outside of the house. Instead, there's one for Yeats.

Spring in London

2011-03-08T02:41:00.000-08:00

A little picspammy of our stroll around London yesterday. It was such a beautiful day so we wandered in St. James's Park (which is the oldest of the Royal Parks of London) and walked along the Thames before heading to the Courtauld Gallery to look at some Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Even though it is still pretty chilly outside, spring is certainly making way here. The signs of spring, such as cherry trees in bloom, make me a very, very happy lady.

Harlow happenings & wrap of the Baby blogathon

2011-03-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

"What made her so popular? Well, the face, the figure and the blonde tresses were certainly all a plus factor. Check her out in 1932's Red-Headed Woman and you'll see what a difference the color of hair did make. Other Harlow assets: that spunky 'I hear you knockin' but you can't come in' attitude that she flaunted so deliciously. Another reason people adored her then, as new audiences do today, is because she was a brightly gifted actress and comedienne who despite the tough exterior seemed, at heart, a kind, sensible, immensely likeable human being. Costars and friends such as Myrna Loy and Rosalind Russell certainly thought so. They were among those who, three decades after Harlow's death, were so insulted by a salacious book about their longgone friend that each went on numerous television talk shows with fire in her eyes to repudiate the author's words and defend Harlow's reputation. It takes an extraordinary person to inspire that kind of devotion."

- Robert Osborne on Jean Harlow (more here)

Today is the final day of the Jean Harlow Blogathon, hosted by The Kitty Packard Pictorial. It has been both educational and oh! so much fun going through all of those blog entries about Jean this past week. And there's still more to come so keep your eyes peeled on Carley's amazing blog! Thank you to all of those who have played along here at Harlean's and left such lovely comments. As always, I appreciate each one of your input! Also, don't forget to pick up Harlow in Hollywood: The Blonde Bombshell in the Glamour Capital, 1928-1937, written by Darrell Rooney and Mark A. Vieira. I went around London looking for my copy a couple of days back and was, unfortunately, left empty handed; apparently the book doesn't release in the UK until July! I'd really love to hear thoughts from any of you who were able to pick up the book this week. Please don't hesitate to leave a comment if you've been able to go through this fantastic gem already.

Today I wanted to highlight some very exciting Harlow related happenings. Firstly, as some of you may have heard, the Hollywood Museum, located in the Max Factor Building, is hosting the new Jean Harlow Exhibit. It is guest curated by Darrell Rooney and runs from now through September 5, 2011. The exhibit features Jean's personal and studio related items, such as letters, contracts, autographs, photos, posters and costumes, as well as the infamous Paul Bern/Jean Harlow Mural that once hung in the couple's home. Sadly it seems like I won't be able to visit Los Angeles during the time of the exhibit but I really hope some of you are able to check it out - and, of course, report back with your thoughts!

Also, TCM has named Jean its Star of the Month for March 2011 to celebrate her Baby's Birthday! This means that TCM will show 20 of our Baby's movies each Tuesday night this month, starting next week. What a wonderful treat, especially considering the fact that many of these are still not available on DVD! Read on for the schedule of Harlow films.

Tuesday, March 8

8:00 PM Red-Headed Woman (1932) - An ambitious secretary tries to sleep her way into high society. Cast: Jean Harlow, Chester Morris, Una Merkel. Dir: Jack Conway. BW-80 mins, TV-PG, CC

9:30 PM Three Wise Girls (1932) - Three models try to snag husband's but the ones they find are already married. Cast: Jean Harlow, Mae Clarke, Marie Prevost. Dir: William Beaudine. BW-69 mins, TV-G

10:45 PM Riffraff (1936) - Young marrieds in the fishing business run afoul of the law. Cast: Jean Harlow, Spencer Tracy, Joseph Calleia. Dir: J. Walter Ruben. BW-94 mins, TV-G, CC

12:30 AM Suzy (1936) - A French air ace discovers that his showgirl wife's first husband is still alive. Cast: Jean Harlow, Cary Grant, Franchot Tone. Dir: George Fitzmaurice. BW-93 mins, TV-G, CC

2:15 AM City Lights (1931) - In this silent film, the Little Tramp tries to help a blind flower seller to see again. Cast: Charles Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Harry Myers. Dir: Charles Chaplin. BW-87 mins, TV-G

Tuesday, March 15

8:00 PM The Public Enemy (1931) - An Irish-American street punk tries to make it big in the world of organized crime. Cast: James Cagney, Edward Woods, Jean Harlow. Dir: William A. Wellman. BW-84 mins, TV-PG, CC, DVS

9:30 PM Bombshell (1933) - A glamorous film star rebels against the studio, her pushy press agent and a family of hangers-on. Cast: Jean Harlow, Lee Tracy, Frank Morgan. Dir: Victor Fleming. BW-96 mins, TV-G, CC

11:15 PM Libeled Lady (1936) - When an heiress sues a newspaper, the editor hires a reporter to compromise her. Cast: Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy. Dir: Jack Conway. BW-98 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS

1:00 AM Reckless (1935) - A theatrical star gets in over her head when she marries a drunken millionaire. Cast: Jean Harlow, William Powell, Franchot Tone. Dir: Victor Fleming. BW-97 mins, TV-PG, CC

2:45 AM Personal Property (1937) - The bailiff charged with disposing of a financially strapped widow's estate pretends to be her butler. Cast: Jean Harlow, Robert Taylor, Reginald Owen. Dir: W.S. Van Dyke II. BW-84 mins, TV-G

Tuesday, March 22

8:00 PM Wife vs. Secretary (1936) - A secretary becomes so valuable to her boss that it jeopardizes his marriage. Cast: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow. Dir: Clarence Brown. BW-88 mins, TV-G, CC

9:45 PM Red Dust (1932) - A plantation overseer in Indochina is torn between a married woman and a lady of the evening. Cast: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Mary Astor. Dir: Victor Fleming. BW-83 mins, TV-G, CC

11:15 PM Hold Your Man (1933) - A hard-boiled babe and a con man wear down each other's rough edges. Cast: Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Stuart Erwin. Dir: Sam Wood. BW-87 mins, TV-PG, CC

1:00 AM China Seas (1935) - A sea captain caught in a romantic triangle has to fight off modern-day pirates. Cast: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery. Dir: Tay Garnett. BW-87 mins, TV-G, CC

2:30 AM The Secret Six (1931) - A secret society funds the investigation of a bootlegging gang. Cast: Wallace Beery, Clark Gable, Jean Harlow. Dir: George Hill. BW-84 mins, TV-PG, CC

4:00 AM Saratoga (1937) - A horse breeder's daughter falls for a bookie. Cast: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Lionel Barrymore. Dir: Jack Conway. BW-92 mins, TV-G, CC

Tuesday, March 29

8:00 PM Dinner at Eight (1933) - A high-society dinner party masks a hotbed of scandal and intrigue. Cast: Marie Dressler, John Barrymore, Jean Harlow. Dir: George Cukor. BW-111 mins, TV-PG, CC, DVS

10:00 PM The Girl From Missouri (1934) - A gold-digging chorus girl tries to keep her virtue while searching for a rich husband. Cast: Jean Harlow, Franchot Tone, Lionel Barrymore. Dir: Jack Conway. BW-72 mins, TV-PG, CC

11:30 PM Platinum Blonde (1931) - A heartless heiress seduces a hard-working reporter into a disastrous marriage. Cast: Robert Williams, Loretta Young, Jean Harlow. Dir: Frank Capra. BW-89 mins, TV-G

1:15 AM The Beast of the City (1932) - A police captain leads the fight against a vicious gangland chief. Cast: Walter Huston, Jean Harlow, Wallace Ford. Dir: Charles Brabin. BW-86 mins, TV-14, CC

Song of the moment - "House of the Rising Sun"

2011-03-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Sure, may be some things in this world that are better than British music circa 1960s... But, honestly, I can't think of too many. Enjoy "House of the Rising Sun" performed by The Animals, a song that is currently getting quite a bit of play on my iTunes!

"Like an uncensored movie": Red-Headed Woman and the Code

2011-03-05T08:47:00.000-08:00

Today, as part of the Jean Harlow Blogathon, I will discuss how the Production Code affected MGM’s Red-Headed Woman (1932, directed by Jack Conway and starring Harlow), a vice film of the Pre-Code era. It is an interesting case study, which illustrates the extent of Code activity during the earlier period. I will aim to demonstrate that even though the Production Code was not officially enforced until 1934, Red-Headed Woman underwent many revisions ordered by the Studio Relations Committee and was, in fact, heavily affected by the Code. The following write-up is based on one of my recent university essays, in which I discuss both Red-Headed Woman as well as Warner Bros.'s Baby Face (1933).

The Motion Picture Production Code, also known as the Hays Code after Will Hays, was the set of censorship guidelines that governed the production of the majority of movies released by major American studios between the years 1930 and 1968. Every story considered, script written and film produced was subjected to a thorough cleansing by industry censors before reaching the screen. The Code was a form of self-censorship on behalf of the film industry. It was created to rehabilitate Hollywood’s image after a series of notorious scandals and keep away the involvement of federal censorship. The Code marks the beginning of Hollywood’s “Golden Age”, which began with the birth of the Code - and ended with its demise. It was an integral part of the studio production system.

The Pre-Code era spans the duration of four years: from March 31, 1930, when the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) formally pledged to abide by the Production Code, until July 2, 1934, when the MPPDA empowered the Production Code Administration to enforce it. During the Pre-Code era compliance with the Code was a verbal agreement and it was supervised by the Studio Relations Committee (SRC), which Hays created to implement the guidelines. The SRC worked closely together with the studios to remove material that would offend censors and thus potentially harm the studios’ financial investments. It should be noted that in 1930 neither Hays nor the SRC had authority to order a studio or film-maker to neither remove material nor ban a movie from being screened. Pre-Code Hollywood did not generally adhere to the strict regulations on matters of sex, vice, violence and moral meaning forced upon Classical Hollywood Cinema after 1934. It is commonly argued that little censorship activity took place during the Pre-Code era because compliance with the Code was a negotiation between the SRC and the studio in question.

The Great Depression and the decline of cinema attendance during the 1930s lead the studios to seek profit by new ways, and the films containing racy and violent content resulted in high ticket sales. Vice films, also called “sex films” by the censors, were hugely popular during the Pre-Code period. The films feature aggressive and heavily sexualized female protagonists of two kinds: the bad girl or the fallen woman. Although the Production Code was adopted in 1930, it is widely understood that it was most often ignored by the film-makers and studios during the Pre-Code era, and the embrace of sex, violence and vice in the content of the films made during the period can be read as a testament to that. The producers viewed the Studio Relations Committee as advisory and saw state censorship boards and other censors as a minority effort, not as representative of mainstream America.

Red-Headed Woman stars Jean Harlow as Lillian 'Lil' Andrews, a young woman who targets her rich, married boss, Bill Legendre Jr. (Chester Morris) - and any other male - for social and financial advancement. In the film Lil breaks up a marriage, has multiple affairs, pre-marital sex and attempts to murder Bill by shooting at him. At the end of the film she gets away with all of this without any form of punishment and ends up living in luxury in Paris. Even Bill refuses to prosecute Lil despite her having moved on to a more powerful man by the time of the shooting. Maltby notes that the difference between Red-Headed Woman and previous examples of the vice film is that it lacks any sense of melodrama and provides a comic rather than melodramatic conclusion. The ending certainly is a strikingly unusual feature in the picture, considering the time it was made in. The film also features brief nudity and sadomasochistic elements. Red-Headed Woman was a box office success and not only ensured the commercial viability of Harlow’s upcoming releases but also resulted in Hays’ fear that other studios would feel themselves obliged to imitate and outdo each other in competing for the sensational element with future cinema releases.

Producer Irving Thalberg worked with screenwriter Anita Loos on the script for Red-Headed Woman, instructing her to “make fun of its sex element.” Prior to its release, Thalberg worked with the Studio Relations Committee and Will Hays Office to ensure it would receive their approval. According to Lamar Trotti, Thalberg’s contention was that the film was being played as a “broad burlesque” and that the audience would laugh the film and its situations as broad comedy. Upon the completion of the picture, Jason Joy, who was the head of the Studio Relations Committee, test-screened Red-Headed Woman to an audience and the reception was very good – the public loved it. Joy reported: “When we saw the picture with an audience we got a definite impression that the audience was laughing at the girl.” He noted that when seen with an audience the film came off so farcical that it was not contrary to the Code, despite his initial reservations. Because of the audience reaction, Joy persuaded Hays to pass Red-Headed Woman. The Hays Office approved the film after the elimination of some suggestive dialogue and shots of Harlow. However, Mrs. Alonzo Richardson of Atlanta disagreed: “We have been working for years to clean decent pictures and here in 1932 we have THIS ... Sex! Sex! Sex! The picture just reeks with it until one is positively nauseated.”

Red-Headed Woman features content that might come away as shocking even to contemporary audiences. It not only depicts vice but also glorifies it, a fact that is emphasised by its unapologetic ending. As Doherty puts it: “Virtually every diegetic ellipsis in the film is occupied by the certainty that Lil and the man she was with in the prior scene have spent the interim in an illicit sexual encounter.” Any imaginative gaps are filled by subsequent, sexually suggestive dialogue. “There we were like an uncensored movie,” Lil gloats in one scene. In another scene a drunk Lil, upset about Bill standing her up and getting back together with his wife Irene (Leila Hyams), storms in at the Legendre mansion and confronts Bill about their affair right in front of Irene. An enraged Bill follows Lil back to her house and is lead by Lil’s roommate in her bedroom, where Lil is waiting to entrap her prey. Bill attempts to bribe Lil to leave town but instead of agreeing to his pleas, she kisses him aggressively. He tries to leave but she blocks the door and locks him in the room. Lil provokes Bill to stop trying to resist the attraction between the two of them, which angers him even more. He slaps her, which gets Lil going. “Do it again! I like it. Do it again,” she commands him in ecstasy and aggressively kisses him again. This is followed by a cut to Lil’s roommate listening in outside of the door and reacting to sounds of punching and hitting happening in Lil’s bedroom. Next Lil is seen lying on the bedroom floor, crying and trying to get up after supposedly taking a beating from Bill. He lifts her up, carries her to the bed and asks for the key once more. In between sobs Lil takes the key and slowly drops it inside of her shirt. Bill’s ominous shadow blocks the view and ends the scene. While the beginning and end of Red-Headed Woman is largely comic in tone and the film comes off farcical at times, a scene like the bedroom scene does not play on comic elements and hence leaves a different impact on the viewer. It is interesting that Hays and Joy were worried about suggestive dialogue and shots of Harlow - and yet passed such a scene that comes with strong undertones of sadomasochism.

Despite the approval from the Hays Office, several state and local censorship boards throughout the United States and Canada required additional eliminations before Red-Headed Woman was accepted for distribution. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania cut most scenes of Lil's romance with her chauffeur while Ohio cut the unapologetic ending. The UK banned the film altogether until 1965. After the release of the film, several letters of protest were sent to the Hays Office from various civic and religious leaders, particularly in the South, who felt that the movie should not have been approved for release at all. Darryl Zanuck, then an executive producer at Warner Bros., also wrote the Studio Relations Committee in protest when he heard that Joy had used audience reaction as an argument to approve the film. “I insist that you give Warner Bros. the same privileges you gave MGM.” Sure enough, Warner Bros. was planning Baby Face, which was conceived as a response to MGM's Red-Headed Woman. Baby Face would become one of the most notorious vice films of the Pre-Code era and it directly led to a tougher Production Code during its production.

Bibliography:

AFI Catalog, ‘Red-Headed Woman (1932)', http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2003&xri:pqil:res_ver=0.2&res_id=xri:afi&rft_id=xri:afi:film:7922

Black, Gregory D., Hollywood Censored: Morality Codes, Catholics, and the Movies (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994)

Doherty, Thomas, Pre-Code Hollywood: Sex, Immorality, and Insurrection in American Cinema, 1930-1934 (New York: Columbia University Press, 1999)

Maltby, Richard, ’Baby Face or How Joe Breen Made Barbara Stanwyck Atone for Causing the Wall Street Crash’, Screen, Volume 27 (March-April 1986), 22-45

Vieira, Mark A., Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1999)

Please note that I left off references from this blog post as it is not intended to be an academic essay, unlike my original paper. If you'd like to know where a specific point is sourced from, please do not hesitate to ask and I'll happily provide the details.

March 3, 1911- March 3, 2011: 100 years of Harlean!

2011-03-03T04:13:00.000-08:00

Jean Harlow was born Harlean Carpenter on March 3, 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri.

She would have been 100-years old today.

Happy birthday, Baby!

A look at Jean Harlow's casual style

2011-03-02T06:09:00.000-08:00

The topic of today's Harlow discussion here at Harlean's Heyday, as part of the the Jean Harlow Blogathon, is Jean's off-screen, everyday style. Jean's casual looks are quite a departure from the dramatic, curve hugging bias-cut gowns that largely mark her formal and on-screen style. It is actually her everyday style that I personally find the most inspiring.

In her own home you'd most frequently find a make-up free Jean Harlow wearing a pair of shorts, a polo shirt and tennis shoes. She didn't wear stockings, not even during the winter months. Jean was an athletic lady, who played golf and tennis, rode horses and enjoyed swimming. Her flair for sports is certainly evident in her casual style.

I've gathered together some of my very favorite casual Harlow looks and key pieces. Unlike her bombshell, glamour looks, Jean's casual ensembles are a lot more forgiving so even those of us with non-Harlow figures can easily rock styles like these. Items similar to Jean's signature pieces, such as angora sweaters, slim skirts and wide leg trousers, are easy to come by in various repro shops and are not an impossible sight even in high street stores.

Please click on the images for larger versions, as per usual.

In the photos above you can view examples of Jean's colder weather ensembles.

Sweaters, cardigans, polo shirts (note the "H"!) and a lovely ensemble showing a matching hat and jacket.

Move over, Katharine Hepburn - it is Jean who rocks a pair of trousers like no other!
She especially loved wide leg, sailor style trousers.

Adorable looks of Baby pairing slim skirts with sweaters and low heel shoes.

Harlow showcasing her sport chic whilst playing tennis, golf and dancing it up.

And, finally, a special mention goes out to what is, quite possibly, my all time favorite Jean Harlow look. A darling white sailor style dress with buttons, pockets and an anchor belt, which she's topped with a bow and matching white pumps. Positively swoon-worthy!

100+ followers!!

2011-03-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

Harlean's Heyday has reached 100+ followers today - 102 at the moment, to be specific! What makes it extra special is that it happened during the week of Miss Harlow's 100th birthday celebration, whom I named this very blog after. You can be sure I will be toasting in honor of both occasions this week!

Thank you so much to all of the people who follow me and leave such darling comments! I really and truly appreciate it! ♥

High glam a la Harlow

2011-03-01T06:52:00.000-08:00

Today I am looking at some of Jean Harlow's most iconic looks for the Jean Harlow Blogathon. This post is all about gorgeous gowns, flamboyant feathers, high glamour and high drama! "You have to have faith in your clothes, just as you have to have faith in yourself, to be successful in dressing," Jean told Modern Screen magazine in 1933.

When one thinks of the Jean Harlow look, what comes to mind first is her iconic look in the George Cukor directed movie Dinner at Eight (1933). To this day it still largely defines the quintessential Harlow look. All of those long, sweeping, bias-cut white gowns created by MGM costume designer Adrian highlight her every curve and stunning silhouette. They are an essential element of the character of Kitty Packard. "Even Jean's clothes show emotions. They live and breathe with her," the designer said.

Simplicity is the key to a Harlow look. In real life, she favored simple négligées, most often in white or black, which are her signature shades. White, especially, worked with her pale skin and platinum blonde hair and gave her a luminous look. Jean loved materials like satin and silk. She did not care for lace. Harlow rarely wore any jewelry with her evening gowns because she believed that a dress of fine material should be permitted to stand out by itself. Jean often paired her gowns with short boleros, capes or fur to keep warm. "An ermine coat or any good fur coat goes with everything and it lasts for years. That's why I'd rather have fur coats instead of cloth ones," she said. Jean topped her costumes with tilted little hats, often with a lace veil, and finished a look with cute satin pumps or sandals.

Harlow was a smart dresser who favored good materials and invested in a few quality key pieces that she could wear for a number of years. "I'd rather have a few dresses of very fine material than a whole closet full of fussy, cheap-looking things. I find you don't tire of anything that is lovely in quality and line," she said. "It saves you money in the long-run to get a good dress of which you're always proud." Another actress, noted for never wearing the same dress twice, once went up to Jean and exclaimed, "Oh, darling, I've adored you in that dress all the times I've seen you in it for the past two years!" And Jean sweetly replied, "Yes, I like it too. That's why I keep wearing it." Hear that, ladies! There's no reason not to rock the same stunning frock multiple times! It was good enough for Harlow so it should be good enough for us.

This is what Jean had to say about the bias-cut gowns she is so famous for: "They require more poise than any other kind of formal dress. You can't slouch in them - or walk heavily in an un-gainly manner. If you do they become a travesty of fashion. Something terribly un-smart. You have to hold yourself up and carry your head high to give them the right line. Sixty-inch satin is a favorite for these dresses because it lends itself to an unbroken line in cutting, doing away with seams, from bust to hemline."

Jean already had an undeniably strong influence on fashion back in her day. Today, over 70 years since her passing, you can easily spot Harlow inspired looks on the red carpet and runway as she continues to be a muse for contemporary fashion designers and stars. Indeed, her glamorous numbers are so timeless that they are still as fashionable in 2011 as they were in the 1930s. This is a testament to Jean Harlow's legacy as a true icon of fashion.

Quotes from Harlow are sourced from a 1933 Modern Screen article, which is available at the Jean Harlow Platinum Page.

Blogging for Baby: beginning of the Jean Harlow centennial week!

2011-02-28T16:35:00.000-08:00

March 3, 2011 will mark the 100th birthday of one of the greatest screen icons and comediennes of all time; Jean Harlow. Harlean's Heyday, named after the actress, is extremely pleased to take part in the first ever Jean Harlow Blogathon this week! It means that all of this week my blog will be dedicated to Jean. I will be watching and reviewing her films, looking at her life and, of course, discussing Jean as a vintage fashion icon. The Kitty Packard Pictorial is bringing together all of the bloggers who will be writing about a vast array of topics in honor of our beloved Baby's centennial. Looks to be a truly swell and fascinating line-up so be sure to keep your eyes peeled at The Kitty Packard Pictorial to stay updated on all of the exciting happenings!

Jean's life and legend is celebrated in a new book by collector Darrell Rooney and Hollywood historian Mark A. Vieira, titled Harlow in Hollywood: The Blonde Bombshell in the Glamour Capital, 1928-1937. The book, which releases March 1, seems to be a true must-have for all the fans. It is stacked with rare and previously unpublished photos and prides to feature accurate information on Jean, the places where she lived and worked, and 1930s Hollywood itself. It has been a while since I've been this excited about an upcoming book release - I truly cannot wait to get my hands on this one! Click here to further details on Harlow in Hollywood.

Teal time

2011-02-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

I got some money for my birthday so I ended up ordering a custom made dress from Top Runway, made from a 1950s vintage pattern. I opted for the Top Runway dress not only because it is super cute (I kind of have a thing for bows and buttons!) but also for practical reasons. Their dresses can be washed in a washing machine and the fabrics require very little ironing, which is a big win in my book. Both of my Top Runway dresses are also very versatile; they can be worn throughout the year regardless of the season, day or night. The dress is teal, just looks more blue in the dark photo. Sorry, I still have not figured a better way to snap outfit photos without going outside and feeling self-conscious about it, heh.

I paired the dress with black vintage accessories, wool stockings and, of course, my Energy Red Lip Ink before heading out for dinner with my girlfriends.

Dress - Top Runway ("Selena" dress)
Handbag - Thrifted, vintage
Shoes - 1940s vintage
Wool stockings - Levante

Old Movie Geeks in London Pt. 2: 54 Eaton Square & more

2011-02-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

I spent the day with my lovely friend Kendra today. We grabbed some yummy lunch in Chinatown and headed out to the Wellcome Collection to see various weird and wonderful objects. We saw the permanent collection as well as an exhibition on mind altering drugs in history and culture. We also continued our geeky old movie tour of London by visiting a couple of locations related to the life and career of Vivien Leigh. We checked out the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, where Vivien starred in The Doctor's Dilemma back in 1942. We also headed out to 54 Eaton Square in Belgravia to see the flat that Vivien used as her home in the city from the late 1950s until her death in 1967. This was the first time I've actually seen the building without scaffolding as it was under construction last time I made my way there. Another treat was that a nice security guard kindly offered to let us in to the garden to see the stone bench dedicated to Vivien's memory by her mother, which I'd never seen up close before.

1940s style high waist trousers

2011-02-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

I'm on a mission to make more time to snap outfit photos before heading out the door so here's a very casual look that I photographed just before class. It is something that I put together from various things that I've had for quite a while, paired with my custom made 1940s style wool high waist trousers (by Big Beautiful Barbara Brown). None of it vintage, apart from the handbag. But perfect for the current London weather, which is still a tad chilly.

Trousers - Big Beautiful Barbara Brown (1940s high waist trousers)
Shirt - Monsoon
Sweater - Dorothy Perkins
Handbag - 1950s vintage (via Tampere Vintage)
Shoes - ?

Photos from Wales

2011-01-27T05:11:00.000-08:00

I traveled to Wales last weekend to celebrate my birthday with my dear friends Angie, Mark and their little one Evie, whom I am an honorary auntie to (yay, auntie pride!). We spend Friday in the beautiful Cardiff, which is one of my very favorite cities in the UK. I just love the buildings, the arcades, the atmosphere, everything about this city. We visited the Cardiff Castle, walked around the city and had some yummy Mexican for dinner. Then we headed to Swansea, where we spent the rest of the weekend, shopping, walking around and exploring its beaches and Swansea Bay. I love the sea and seaside of Swansea is simply lovely! I thought I'd share some of the photos that I snapped during our travels.

Spicing up a winter's day

2011-01-25T16:46:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share another one of my favorite recipes. This is perhaps my favorite for "fast food"; it makes a quick and easy meal that is still very fulfilling and super tasty. Be warned, though, this is a spicy one! So if spicy (or garlic!) is not your thing, then it is probably best to skip this recipe.

Chilli tofu with noodles
Modified from "Tofu keittokirja" by Marianne Kiskola & Sanna Miettunen
Serves two people

You need...

1 large or 2 smaller packs of firm tofu, drained and cut into slices
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
2-3 fresh chillies, finely chopped (ideally 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green but I just used 2 red ones myself this time) - remove the seeds if sensitive to hot hot hotttnes
2 tbsp of vegetable oil
1 tbsp of sesame oil
1dl / 1/2 cup (low salt) soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
a pinch of salt

medium egg noodles

Lets get cookin'!

1. Cook the noodles following the instructions provided in the pack. Drain and set aside, mix with some sesame oil to keep them from sticking together
2. Heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook, turning, for about 5 minutes or until golden brown
3. Add the onion, garlic and chillies to the wok and stir-fry for a couple of minutes
4. Add the soy sauce, honey and salt to the wok, fry for a further couple of minutes
5. Set the tofu mix aside
6. Toss the noodles in the wok pan and fry for a minute
7. Combine the tofu mix and the noodles and - tada! You're ready to eat!

Hello 2011 and London's historical Phoenix Cinema

2011-01-18T06:58:00.000-08:00

Firstly, I would like to wish a happy and prosperous New Year 2011 for all of my readers and Blogger friends - even if this coming oh, a few weeks late. But, as they say, better late than never!

My blog turned one year old in December 2010 so I'd also like to take a moment to thank all of those who read and comment here. I wanted to do something special to acknowledge the fact but the anniversary passed unrecognized because December was a true rollercoaster ride, a real whirlwind for me, both in the extremely good and the extremely bad. I've spent the first few weeks of 2011 locked up inside, working on my university essays. But those are finally over and done with and I'm eager to actually go out and live a little again - and post a lot more on this blog, hopefully!

I have been reading a fascinating book on Finnish cinema architecture and the old cinema palaces of the early 20th century, titled Elohuvia (written by Outi Heiskanen, well worth a read if you understand Finnish!). Sadly most of the old cinemas of Finland have been demolished and the very few that still exist are largely used for other purposes. But it inspired me to look into London's old cinemas since quite a few still exist in here and are used for the purposes they were originally designed for.

Yesterday I paid a visit to the Phoenix Cinema, the oldest purpose built cinema in the UK, to see The King's Speech with a friend. It is located in East Finchley. The cinema was built in 1910 and opened in 1912, during the silent era. It was called the Picturedome back then and seated 428 people. In 1929 the cinema, then known as the Coliseum, was the first in the area to show talkies (sound films). In 1937, the building was redesigned and rebuilt in a more art deco style and reopened as the Rex in 1938. It was named The Phoenix in 1975 to act as a showcase for the European ‘art house’ and world cinema films.

Sadly the exterior of the building was remodeled in the 1930s to give the façade a more sleek and modernist touch. The interior ceiling, however, is the original ceiling from 1910 and the Deco details, including the gorgeous gold panels, are from 1938. The Phoenix has appeared in contemporary pop culture quite a bit, including in the films Interview with the Vampire, The End of the Affair and Nine.

It was an absolutely wonderful experience to visit this historical piece of cinema history. It is a very special place to watch a film. The interior, especially, is probably the most beautiful interior of a cinema I have ever seen. Viewing a film in the cinema is always a special experience for me - and seeing one in such extraordinary and historical surroundings made it all the more special for me.

I wore the Maureen in green check by Nicole Katherine Designs, which is up for grabs over at Pin-Up Parade. I really love the print and the pattern of the dress but, as you can read on the Pin-Up Parade site, unfortunately this cute little number comes with quite a bit of faulties. The lovely Rhia altered it for me to bring it into a presentable condition, as seen here. I paired the dress with a 1940s needlepoint handbag by Christine, a dear favorite of mine, a 1940s jade necklace with a little circus elephant, 100 denier wool stockings and vintage inspired shoes. I love that the weather is so nice and pleasant that you can actually go out wearing nice heels! The weather conditions that we're currently experiencing in London have come as an absolute shock to me after having lived in Finland and Scotland my whole life. Sunshine and +13c in January = INSANE to me!

I recently acquired Lip Ink in Energy Red after Amanda Lee mentioned it a couple of times. I have been looking for the perfect lip stain for a long time and I believe I've now found it! I will be writing a proper review of the product after I've given it a few more goes. However, having worn it a couple of times now, I have to say that I am very, very happy with my purchase so far.

The Picturedrome with the original exterior

The Rex in the 1960s

Be sure to visit the Phoenix Cinema website for detailed information on the building's fascinating history - and be sure to check it out in person whenever you're in the area!

Heads up, voluptuous vintage vixens!

2010-11-28T07:31:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd give a heads up to fellow voluptuous ladies who are on the hunt for 1930s & 1940s dresses. Ebay seller 'marcy13' has several adorable vintage day dresses for sale with prices starting at $24.99. Most of these are very rare sizes, with bust around 54", some even larger! AND there's several deadstock dresses, complete with original belts and tags. It really is rare to come by dresses of this age and size in such pristine condition so I would most certainly recommend a good look around the shop if you are plus size. I am in love with the following three dresses but they are actually too big for me. Wow, you don't hear me say that often, hee! But I'm most happy for the vintage lovin' lady who does get to take these pretties home.

VTG 30'S 40'S NWT BLUE FLORAL COTTON DRESS~PLUS SZ

VTG 20's 30's NWOT BLACK POLKA DOT COTTON DRESS~+ SIZE

VTG 30'S 40'S BLUE GEOMETRIC PRINT COTTON DRESS~PLUS SZ

Tampere Vintage - November 21, 2010

2010-11-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday all of the most stylish people of the fair city of Tampere gathered together for the second edition of Tampere Vintage, the vintage themed sales event. Because I'm living... *ahem* ...trying to adjust to life on a student budget, I couldn't really afford to do shopping this time. I just came along to do a little bit of window shopping and, of course, to see my fabulously stylish friends from Fintage. I still kept my eyes open for a 1940s winter coat but sadly I couldn't find a suitable one. I did, however, spot plenty of gorgeous shoes, handbags and dresses. Ah, temptations!

The fine folks of Fintage

With Jirina and Rhia

With Frieda, photo from Tyylillä, Marika

Dress - 1950s vintage, Meera Brooke silk dress (via CapriciousTraveler). More about the dress here.
Handbag - 1950s vintage (thrifted)
Shoes - 1950s vintage (via Fiona Timantti / Huuto.net)
Stockings - What Katie Did
Gloves - 1950s vintage (via Etsy)
Sweater - Gina Tricot
Hair orchids - Accessorize

Cooking on a cosy night at home

2010-11-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the lack of updates here at Harlean's. I've been swamped with university work and haven't really had time to post much at all. However, I've been back home for the later part of the week and thought I'd take a moment to post another recipe since my previous cooking post was so warmly received. Here is my favorite recipe for a sweet potato soup. It is the perfect food to share with your loved ones, to keep warm and happy on a dark and cold evening, like tonight here in Finland.

Sweet potato soup a la St. Lucia
From "Tofu keittokirja" by Marianne Kiskola & Sanna Miettunen
Slightly modified by myself

You need...

1 large or two small sweet potatoes
1 onion
1 tbsp ginger
2 tbsp cooking oil
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp curry powder
One pack of silken tofu (soft tofu)
1 can of coconut milk
2 cups / 5dl of boiled water with 1 vegetable stock cube
Juice from 1 lime
2 tsp salt
Fresh coriander

Lets get cookin'!

1. Peel and chop the sweet potatoes, slice the onion and grate the ginger
2. Cook the sweet potatoes in water, with a pinch of salt
3. Heat the cooking oil in a pan and fry the onion and spices for a couple of minutes
4. Use a blender to blend the cooked sweet potatoes, onions, spices, grated ginger and tofu into a creamy soup
6. Add the coconut milk, vegetable stock and juice from the lime and blend
7. Return to pot and bring to a boil
8. Add the fresh coriander - and enjoy your soup!

I ended up baking some Finnish Christmas tarts for desert. Mine didn't turn out the most attractive looking of all - but they're still oh, so yummy! Some of my very favorite pastries of the season. They're like a tangible piece of my childhood and always bring to mind the endless wait for Santa all throughout December.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

Running up that hill

2010-10-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we explored the beautiful area of Harrow on the Hill. I'm not too fond of Harrow itself but Harrow on the Hill, which, true to its name, is situated on top of a hill, is truly gorgeous and picturesque. It is one of those places that really takes you back in time with all of its old buildings and narrow streets. We visited St. Mary's, a stunning church that was consecrated in 1094. Apparently, Lord Byron was a frequent visitor and he often sat dreaming on the churchyard by his favorite tombstone. Sounds like my kind of activity! We enjoyed tea, toast and cake at The Doll's House, which is a super cute little cafe and well worth a visit if you happen to be in the area.

I wore one of my favorite pieces of everyday clothing, a blue pinafore skirt, as well as a gingham blouse, both items custom made for me by TheBlackPinafore.

Pinafore Skirt - Custom made by TheBlackPinafore
Blouse - Custom made by TheBlackPinafore
Sweater - Dorothy Perkins
Coat - 1940s vintage, label: Stockmann (from Fiona Timantti)
Handbag - Vintage (thrifted)
Shoes - River Island
Stockings - What Katie Did
Bow earrings - Gina Tricot
Hair flowers - Gift from a friend

Blue at British Museum

2010-10-24T02:39:00.000-07:00

Ahoy! An outfit post, at last. My girlfriend is in town (weee! ♥) and we had pretty much the perfect London day yesterday. We spent the morning at a seminar, paid a visit to British Museum to see some mummies and medieval things, visited the Gothic Southwark Cathedral and completed the day by watching Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre. Even the weather was wonderful!

I wore my favorite 50s dress that works nicely for both day and evening wear. Wore a light blue cardigan to keep me warm and brogues for a day of walking. Victory rolls and a snood for hair. Thought I'd make an outfit post a little more interesting than usual by having my pictures taken at the British Museum.

Dress - 1950s vintage (via Ebay, coffee_colored_cadillac)
Sweater - Dorothy Perkins
Handbag - 1950s vintage (via Tampere Vintage)
Shoes - River Island
Stockings - What Katie Did (fully fashioned)
Hair snood - Arthelia's Attic
Earrings - Gift from my sweetheart

Waterloo sunset's fine

2010-10-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

"But I don't feel afraid
As long as I gaze at
Waterloo sunset
I am in Paradise"
- The Kinks

Pandora's Box at London Film Festival

2010-10-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

"A well dressed woman, even though her purse is painfully empty, can conquer the world." - Louise Brooks

The 54th BFI London Film Festival kicked off last week. Despite being a big film festival geek, I've somehow never been able to attend LFF in the past. Unfortunately, many of the films that I wanted to check out sold out very fast but I did manage to score a couple of tickets. The first one being a screening of Pandora's Box (1929) by Georg Wilhelm Pabst, starring the iconic Louise Brooks, which I attended together with Kendra and Katie. I had actually never seen the film before nor seen anything by Louise Brooks in general. It was quite a treat to be able to see the newly restored version of the classic piece of cinema on the big screen. I've only seen one classic movie in cinema in the past, a screening of Nosferatu, which is one of my all time favorite movies. To our surprise, Pandora's Box was actually accompanied by a live pianist, which was a truly fabulous surprise and made the event all the more special. I absolutely loved Pandora's Box and especially the tour-de-force performance by Louise Brooks! It really is no wonder that she is one of the most famous silent stars today; she is just so charismatic and so magnetic to watch. The next day I went to the university library and checked out her autobiography, Lulu in Hollywood, which I am currently reading. What a fascinating lady she was and still is, that Louise Brooks!

Many thanks to Kendra for the photos!

London Vintage Fair at Bloomsbury Lanes

2010-10-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

Today I met up with the lovely Miss Stefanie Valentine of It's All Make Believe, Isn't It? to check out the London Vintage Fair, which was held at Bloomsbury Lanes, near Russell Square.

We had decided to treat ourselves a little bit and booked appointments to get our hair done by the very talented Natasha of Lipstick and Curls. Stefanie showed a photo of Rita Hayworth for inspiration while I went with a look I found in Daniela Turuduch's 1940s Hairstyles.

Here are some detailed shots of our beautiful 'dos:

We received so many compliments for our looks! People were asking to take our photos several times and stopping us on the street to say nice things, which made us feel like movie stars, hee! One lady actually asked if we're doing a movie and she was basically floored when Stefanie responded that this is how we dress on a daily basis.

We enjoyed yummy milkshakes and burgers at Bloomsbury Lanes' American diner style restaurant and a nice lady offered to take our photo.

Unfortunately, the Vintage Fair itself was a bit of a blah. We knew it was mainly going to feature items from the 1950s and onwards but in reality most of the items were from around the 70s. We didn't see anything that would have been from our eras of interest - 1930s and 1940s, that is. We were also the only ladies there dressed in earlier vintage clothing. The venue itself was really cute and fun, though. I'd love to go back for bowling sometime.

We ended up taking a stroll in Covent Garden and popped in for some lovely mint leaf tea at a cool Middle Eastern style tearoom.

Thank you for the lovely day, Stefanie!

PS. Stef and I were talking about vintage teasing just earlier today. She told me that she has gotten some nasty looks and comments from teenagers in London a couple of times because of her vintage style. It was very surprising for me to hear that because no one had ever been mean to me because of the way I dress - and with so many different people and unique styles in London you'd think no one would care about a lady dressed in vintage. Teasing in general is truly beyond me, anyhow. Well, a couple of teenagers (wearing nasty UGG boots, if I may add) kept on giving me the stink eye the entire tube ride back home, whispering, snickering and staring at me. So yes, ladies and gentlemen, I've now officially experienced my very first bit of vintage bullying here in London. I just put Arcade Fire louder in my headphones and thought how utterly fabulous I am.

Vintage inspired at the high street: Office Shoes

2010-10-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

I popped by at Office today in hopes of finding a pair of practical and comfortable walking shoes for autumn weather. Silly me only brought heels with me to London so, in result, my feet are now dying from having done so much walking. Heels are gorgeous but really not made for walking for miles and miles. True to my shoe lovin' self I couldn't take my eyes off the following pairs of heels. They are oh! so gorgeous and drool worthy but really not what I truly need right now. My favorite pair is "fancy footwork" in pink and burgundy suede. They remind me of these perfect 1940s pumps that I still haven't stopped daydreaming about.

And so my search for that perfect pair of autumn shoes continues. :(

FRIENDLY BOW BLACK SUEDE - £82.00

FANCY FOOTWORK PINK/BURG SUEDE - £68.00

TAKE A BOW BLACK TAPESTRY - £65.00

Old Movie Geeks in London Pt. 1: Durham Cottage

2010-10-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Today I met up with my friend and fellow blogger Kendra for a day in London filled with Mexican food, tea, shopping and old movie stalking. Unfortunately, the day was pretty miserable as it has been raining non-stop - but it didn't stop us from having plenty of fun out and about in the gorgeous city!

We are both huge fans of actress Vivien Leigh so we ended up taking the tube to Sloane Square and walking to 4 Christchurch Street in Chelsea, to see Durham Cottage. It was a love nest purchased by Laurence Olivier for himself and Vivien when they decided to leave their spouses for one another in 1937. It remained the couple's London base for nearly 20 years. Surprisingly, the gate was wide open, revealing a view at the darling house and beautiful garden. Needless to say, we did a good bit of geeking out at the location! I've been outside of Vivien's Eaton Square apartment before but somehow I felt much closer to her at Durham Cottage. I suppose because it is a lot more intimate as a place and it was her home for such a long time. I could picture Vivien reading by the window or taking care of the garden. I know she truly cherished the cottage and it is easy to see why.

Helsinki Vintage

2010-09-29T03:15:00.000-07:00

On September 19th I attended Helsinki Vintage for the first time. It is a large vintage themed sales event that was attended by over 2000 visitors on this occasion. The programme included live music, swing dance performances, panel discussions and you could get your hair done vintage style. I had a fun time browsing various items but I didn't actually end up buying anything because the event was just prior to my move to London. For me it was mainly an occasion to spend time with my wonderful friends and like-minded vintage enthusiasts, including many members of Fintage and lovely bloggers, such as Fiona Timantti, Ina, Ulrika, Gina Americana and Anniina.

Here's what I wore:

Dress - 1930s wool and rayon vintage dress (via Fab Gabs on Etsy)
Handbag - 1940s vintage (via Ebay)
Shoes - 1940s vintage (via Tampere Vintage)
Stockings - What Katie Did

kyborgi and Lassi

kyborgi and Anniina

Laura on a vintage hunt

With the lovely Miss Timantti

Laura and her rockin' new 'do

With Gina and Ina - photo snagged from Americana.se

With Fiona, Lassi and Miksu - photo snagged from Voice.fi

Ahoy from London!

2010-09-29T02:14:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! The past few weeks have really and truly been a crazy whirlwind but I've finally made the move from Finland to London, settled in and began studying on Monday. It is unreal for me to think that I now live in London! I actually study film on the site of the first demonstration in Britain of motion pictures, presented in 1896. Also, Britain's first film school was established there in 1933. It is such a wonderful feeling to live in a city where you feel anything could happen, where anything is possible, and to study in a site of such rich history of cinema. Makes me feel all tingly and funny inside.

Naturally, I will be blogging my London adventures here whenever time allows me to. Outfit posts will probably be rather scarce in the future since I was able to bring a very limited amount of clothing with me, and I no longer have anyone to photograph me on a regular basis. Instead I will focus on writing more about the magical city itself, the events I attend, vintage shops I visit, the finds that I make, perhaps write more about the films I see as well. I hope you stay tuned for all of that!

PS. Speaking of events, would any of you Londoners by any chance like to attend Erotica with me in November to see the lovely Dita Von Teese perform her Opium Den show?

Thrifting with the Evil Dressmaker

2010-09-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

I spent Tuesday thrifting with the fabulous Rhia from Evil Dressmaker. We drove to Viiala and Lempäälä, small places not too far away from Tampere, and went to four different flea markets. Rhia ended up taking home a gorgeous vintage inspired autumn coat, which was a real bargain with the price tag of 1,75€, while I found a pair of vintage galoshes for 5€... Bring on London weather! Afterward we headed for some curry and naan bread at a cosy Indian restaurant, which was a little too yummy since we ended up eating ourselves pretty miserable. ;)

Here's what I wore:

Pinafore Skirt - Custom made by TheBlackPinafore
Shirt - Indiska
Handbag - Gift from a friend
Shoes - 1950s vintage (via Huuto.net)

A very big house in the country

2010-09-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

My sweetheart and I took a mini-break last weekend, spending a couple of days at a gorgeous 19th century country house outside of the city. Here's a fall-time, countryside inspired look of mine... All modern this time, actually, but comfortable and well suited for the season.

Skirt - Olivia Rouge
Cardigan - Gift from mom (from Portugal)
Shirt - Dorothy Perkins
Shoes - Line Collection

Upcoming events

2010-09-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to including the following events in your calendar if you're in Finland these upcoming few weeks. :)

September 11, 2010 - Klubi, Tampere

This club rocks autumnal Tampere already for the third time. Performers are, once again, cream of the crop in circus and burlesque fields. ... (more)

September 19, 2010 - Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki

Helsinki Vintage is a sales event with a programme and it is organised twice a year. In the event you can explore the past decades design, aesthetics and the different forms of vintage culture. ... (more)

Hello, September!

2010-09-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

Can you believe September is already here? How swiftly the days go by!

Sadly I got sick with cold and ended up spending a good week plus some bedridden. On the positive side, I watched a lot of old movies, including Boris Karloff/Frankenstein and Fritz Lang marathons, and did a lot of reading on the history of film to prepare for university. I'm moving to London in just a few week's time - eeeep!

A couple of days back, on my first healthy day in what felt like ages, Minna and I ventured to Amurin Helmi, our favorite cafe in Tampere. It is located in an old worker's housing quarter in Amuri. Amuri's history dates back to the founding of Tampere in 1779. It is a wonderful cafe filled with nostalgia and tangible pieces of history - and the best pancake and Karelian pastry in the city! If you ever end up Tampere, Amurin Helmi is definitely one of the places that I'd warmly recommend visiting.

Coat - 1940s vintage, label: Stockmann (from Fiona Timantti)
Dress - Top Runway ("Angie" dress)
Handbag - Vintage (thrifted)
Shoes - Gift from a friend
Scarf - Borrowed from my grandma
Stockings - What Katie Did

Preparing for fall

2010-08-25T03:47:00.000-07:00

It is the unfortunate truth is that fall has come to Finland. The temperatures have dropped and it is rainy and grey... Ugh! A lot of people seem to be excited about dressing for fall but I have never mastered dressing for colder weather. Quite frankly, I'm dread the fall and, especially, the winter season. I feel that it is more difficult to find vintage (and vintage inspired!) accessories, cardigans, coats, shoes (etc!) for colder weather compared to summertime - especially in larger sizes.

I have been trying to prepare for fall time early this year, buying different pieces here and there. Today I ordered the 1940s beret and scarf set in royal blue from Marion May. Around same time last year I ordered the 1920s hat and scarf set in purple, which I loved and wore throughout the season.

I'd warmly recommend Marion May for those of you who live in colder climates, love vintage crochet - but are rather challenged in knitting by yourself, like me. ;)

PS. Just how cute is the 1940s beret and cape set? So very vintage superheroine! I hope to order mine soon.

Florence and the Machine @ Ruisrock - July 11, 2010

2010-08-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

Back in July Minna and I spent a wonderful day at Ruisrock in Turku, which is one of the biggest rock festivals in Finland. I've never been too fond of festivals because I, quitely simply, prefer smaller, more intimate shows. But we decided to go because of one reason in particular: Florence and the Machine. After seeing Florence perform at Tavastia in Helsinki in March, we came to the conclusion that her Ruisrock show was not one to miss!

The day in July was particularly hot with temperatures going well over 30c. It wasn't so bad once we actually got to the festival area but the walk there and especially the two hour drive in a car with no AC was.... Well, not so fun. We came fully armed with hats, hair scarves and plenty of sunscreen to protect us from the sun. The day was beautiful and it was wonderful to spend the day in the sun, right by the sea and in good company. The festival area is seaside, which makes it quite unique and made the temperature a lot less humid.

We spent most of the day walking around the festival area, sitting down, enjoying the day and listening to much, of course. Some of the bands we saw include Anti-flag, Flogging Molly, Belle & Sebastian and Midlake, none of them of particular interest to us but it was fun just to sit back in the grass and listen. Besides Florence, the only show we fully watched was by Chisu, a Finnish artist that we quite enjoy. The only other artist that we would have loved to see was Regina Spektor but since she was playing on the other side of the festival area and right before Florence, we decided to skip her show for good spots at Florence since she is why we actually traveled to Ruisrock for. So, once Midlike finished their set and the crowd started moving away, we ran to the front row and got our spots right in front of Florence. Pretty amazing! While the band was soundchecking, Florence and Isabella came out a couple of times. Sonata Arctica, a Finnish metal band, was playing on the stage nearby and Florence seemed to be quite taken by them. She watched the show for quite some time and did a bit of dancing and headbanging. We waved at her and she smiled and waved back. In the beginning of the Florence and the Machine show, we were holding a nifty "We ♥ Florence + the Machine" sign and when Florence saw that, she smiled and waved at us again. She's so darling! :)

Florence and the Machine was incredible once again! With only 10 songs the set was shorter than at Tavastia, which obviously was to be expected from a festival gig, but I felt that in comparison the crowd was a lot more enthusiatic this time. A lot of people were singing along, screaming, jumping up and down whilst at Tavastia it felt like a lot of people weren't even familiar with her music. The atmosphere was a lot of fun. Not as intense and intimate as in March but surely equally fun. We were really excited when Florence performed "Heavy in Your Arms", a new song that has quickly become one of my favorites. It sounded INCREDIBLE live! When I think of a perfect summer day, I think of looking back from the front row and seeing all of the happy and smiley people singing along to Florence on beautiful evening in the middle of a nature reserve with the sun setting, right by the sea.

Setlist:
"Howl"
"My Boy Builds Coffins"
"Between Two Lungs"
"Drumming Song"
"Heavy in Your Arms"
"Cosmic Love"
"You've Got the Love"
"Dogs Days Are Over"
"Kiss with a Fist"
"Rabbit Heart"

These are a few of my favorite things...

2010-08-23T05:28:00.000-07:00

The lovely Kendra at Days in Mayfair gave me this adorable little award... Many thanks! :)

The rules:
1. Post who gave you this award.
2. State ten things you like.
3. Give this award to 10 other bloggers and notify them with a comment.

10 things I ~~like~~ love in random order:

Traveling

Traveling is one of the great passion of my life. My parents love it as much as I do and I have been traveling since a very young age; I suppose it is in my blood somehow. There's simply nothing like being able to experience a new city and a new culture - and build everlasting memories.

Cinema

I love film and like traveling, I consider it a true passion of mine. I'm especially interested in classic film, indie cinema and road movies but apart from action and sci-fi, I pretty much enjoy it all. I studied film for four years and can't wait to get back to university to continue next month.

Vintage fashion

This should come as no suprise, considering that what you are reading is a vintage themed blog. I'm especially fond of the 1930s and 1940s styles.

Art & architecture

I can't say I've always been as appreciative of art and architecture as I am today. I suppose I never took specific interest in it prior to university, where I sort of by accident began studying art history. I immediately found myself fascinated and enjoying the classes a great deal. In the end, I ended up doing a joint degree in film and history of art. I especially adore the Rococo period, 20th century American art and Gothic and Renaissance architecture. My favorite artist is, perhaps, Edward Hopper.

Arcade Fire

I'm a tad, ahem, infatuated with the band Arcade Fire. I discovered them a little after "Funeral" came out in 2005 but my fandom has taken a whole new dimension since I finally saw them live back in June. Perhaps the word obsession is better suited here.

Venice

La Serenissima, to me, is the most beautiful city in the world. I first visited Venice in 2004 and have gone back almost on an annual basis during fall time. I feel history is truly tangible there, quite unlike in any other city I've been to. It is like stepping back in time when in Venice. It is a city truly right by water and hence very much dominated by its presence. Plus, there are no cars in Venice. Unfortunately mass tourism has left its mark in the beautiful city - and the fact that its art historicals gems are not properly taken care of makes me very sad. I hope something will be done about it before it is too late because Venice is such a special place - and I hope will continue to be for future generations.

Dogs

I adore dogs. They're like little angels, if you ask me, so sincere and loving. I can't wait to be in a more stable place in my life to be able to be a good and responsible dog owner myself.

The sea

This one is pretty self-explanatory. I just love the sea.

History

I suppose a lot of the things I've already listed here really source from my interest in history in general. It is just endlessly fascinating to me.

Food

I love good food and I love cooking. I especially like anything spicy. Thai dishes are my favorite of all.

I'm passing this award on to the following lovely blogs:

Andi B. Goode
Evil Dressmaker
Get Lucky
Good Rockin' Baby
It's All Make Believe, Isn't It?
Matilda's Delights
Piian peili
Rainbow Valley
Sewingswing
This Time Tomorrow

Tori Amos @ Pori Jazz - July 23, 2010

2010-08-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

"I dyed my hair red today
I just want a little passion
To hold me in the dark
I know I've got some magic
Buried deep in my heart"

In late July my brother Riku, his wife Eva and myself headed out to Pori to see Tori Amos perform at the Pori Jazz Festival.

I have been a fan of Tori Amos for well over a decade. I borrowed a copy of "Boys for Pele" from my local library around 1997 - and immediately fell in love. I think it is safe to say that there's no other musician or band whose music would have stayed with me as long as Tori's has. Year after year I feel I get back to her first four albums and they feel as fresh to me as the first time I heard them. Her music truly speaks to me as much as it did back when I was 14-years old... On a different level, sure, but still as strongly as back in the day. If there is one musician who has continuously stayed with me on this adventure called growing up, it is Tori Amos. It may sound cliched and sappy but for me it is the truth.

To be honest, I have not been into Tori's music post-"From the Choirgirl Hotel" all of that much and I have not even fully listened to her past couple of records. While her first four records are perfection to me, I personally feel her newest albums lack the spark and passion that I love about her early music. They just aren't my thing. Despite being a fan for over a decade, I had actually never seen Tori Amos live prior to Pori Jazz. So, when I heard that I finally had the chance to catch one of her shows, I asked Riku and Eva to come along. Because I'm such a huge fan and he is my little brother, Riku has also grown up with Tori since a young age - and he still remembers all of the lyrics to her songs! Riku has introduced Tori to Eva who has also become a big fan. We met up with Eva's awesome friends at the festival, who have also been fans of Tori as long as I.

We arrived at the festival area a couple of hours prior to Tori's gig and took our seats. I knew beforehand that instead of trying to get in the front row as usual, this time I'd just take it easy and enjoy the show from a little further away from the stage. The crowd was truly an interesting mix; there was an amusingly clear difference between the Tori fans and the fans of John Fogerty (who was performing after Tori).

Even though Tori's show was quite short, the setlist to me was perfect. In fact, she only performed one newer song that I wasn't as familiar with: "Beauty of Speed". Other than that, the set of the setlist could have easily been from one of her mid-90s shows! It has been a long, long time since I've been as moved by a concert as I was by seeing Tori Amos. With each song came a flow of memories and nostalgia from different parts of my life - followed by tears. "Crucify", "Bells for Her", "Hey Jupiter", "Silent All These Years", "Precious Things"... These are some of my all time favorite songs and Tori performed them with the same gusto as back in the day! In fact, I was a little scared beforehand that she wouldn't play any old songs and that even if she did, it wouldn't be with the same fire. But thankfully my fears were completely unfounded! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Tori Amos still very much kicks ass!

The people around us were mainly Fogerty fans who were all sitting down quiet. I'm really not used to sitting at gigs so it felt weird to me not to have people jumping around me and singing the lyrics to all of the songs. But after the initial shock I completely forgot about the people around me and fell into a Tori Amos daze, if you will. We were in our own little group among the Fogerty fans, enjoying the show 110%. However, I do hope that next time that I get to see Tori, it will be a full show in a more intimate setting because that is what her music really calls for.

Riku, Eva and Riikka on the gigantic screens
Riikka singing her heart out
After Tori performed her last song, waved and ran off the stage, we went walking around the beautiful city of Pori. We talked about Tori and just how amazing the gig was before driving back home in a teary happy lovey dovey daze. It was truly an amazing experience to finally see Tori Amos live and to get to share it with family. Definitely one of the highlights of my summer and one of the most memorable gigs I've ever been to.

Fast food + Tori Amos happy daze

Setlist:
"Caught a Lite Sneeze"
"Crucify"
"Personal Jesus / Body and Soul"
"Bells for Her"
"Space Dog"
"Hey Jupiter"
"Beauty of Speed"
"Silent All These Years"
"Girl"
"Cloud on My Tongue"
"Precious Things"
"Take to the Sky"

Daisies, bows and Ofelia Market

2010-08-21T06:49:00.000-07:00

I had planned to spend the day at Ofelia Market today. Ofelia Market is a burlesque / gothic / lolita / retro / rock'n'roll / vintage themed market with plenty of arts, craft and second hand goodies up for grabs as well as related entertainment, such as fashion shows and dance performances. I've only been to Ofelia Market once before, back in December 2009, when it was held at Gloria in Helsinki, and I enjoyed the event very much. I was looking forward to Ofelia coming to Tampere for the first time this weekend.

Unfortunately, Ofelia Market was not as enjoyable for me this time. It was held at Yo-talo, which is fine for gigs and performances, but really not so much for a market. It was way overcrowded, making it very hot and difficult to move in the crowd, let alone do any shopping. I didn't get to see any of the performances either because there were simply too many people inside of the venue. In the end, it became so uncomfortable that we decided to leave after half an hour and go watch old movies at home instead. Bummer. I can only hope that next time that Ofelia Market comes to Tampere, it will be held at a venue better suited for the occasion.

Anyhow, I wore this vintage inspired dress (circa 1980s) that I drifted last year. It has become one of my favorite dresses to wear during summertime because I like the cut plus it is very comfortable and no fuss - perfect for a lazy lady like myself. ;) I paired it with my favorite 1950s sandals and a very cute 1950s knitted purse that I drifted just a couple of days ago whilst visiting a friend in Hämeenlinna.

Dress - Vintage inspired dress (thrifted)
Handbag - 1950s vintage (thrifted)
Shoes - 1950s vintage (via Mimosa at Huuto.net)

Sky blue dress

2010-08-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

A couple of days back the postman brought me a lovely surprise; my wonderful friend Fiona Timantti came across this beautiful sky blue vintage dress in the back of her closet and thought of me. How kind! The dress is actually the perfect fit and I simply adore the color! It makes me think of the sky during summertime. I took my new dress for an outing today when the gf, grandma and I went out to enjoy the beautiful day by the lake.

Many thanks again, Fiona, for the wonderful dress! You're a star!

Dress - Vintage (from Fiona)
Handbag - 1940s vintage (via Etsy, Dear Golden)
Shoes - Vintage (thrifted)

The Fintage picnic

2010-07-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

I have been taking a bit of a break from blogging to enjoy the beautiful summertime; I've been spending my time traveling around Finland, seeing friends, attending festivals and gigs and just swimming in the nearby lake. Since I lived in Scotland for the past five summers, it has been quite a while since I last got to enjoy a summer this sunny and hot so I've been making most of it.

Last Sunday nine members of the Fintage forum, a Finnish vintage community, gathered together for a picnic in the Näsinpuisto park here in Tampere. None of my closest friends are really into vintage or dressing up so it was a wonderful treat for me to get to spend time with like-minded people. We talked about vintage, browsed Sears catalogs and old magazines, had freshly baked cakes and cookies, and Fiona played records.

Photos via Fintage forum

Festivals, gigs and vintage style

2010-07-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things in the world is to attend gigs by my favorite bands. I saw a show by Arcade Fire last week (which was the epitome of the word epic - but more about that soon!), and am preparing to attend Ruisrock this weekend. I thought I'd do a little guide on how to dress in vintage inspired style for a rock show or festival as it is always a bit of a struggle for me.

When attending a show with thousands of people jumping around, letting loose, going crazy and all of that good stuff... Lets get the facts straight - you probably do not want to wear your best vintage dress for this occasion. Trust me, it would most likely do some serious damage to your beautiful and rare garment. However, you still want to dress like yourself and look as decent as you can under the circumstances.

The Dress
I would suggest going with a nice and comfy cotton dress. Something that you're comfortable standing and/or sitting in for hours, that isn't too hot in the summer heat. A dress that you don't mind getting a little dirty and something that it easy to wash afterwards. One of the 1950s style cotton dresses from Shristi Studio are perfect, affordable and available in a good variety of sizes.

Floral Red 1950's Vintage Style Dress - $29.99 from Shristi Studio

Vintage option - 1940's Green and White Cotton Floral and Leaves Day Dress - $59 from FabVintage

The Playsuit
A playsuit is an equally fabulous option whilst attending a festival or a gig.

Floral Playsuit - £25 from New Look

Vintage option - Blue Paisley Playsuit - $65 from missfarfalla

Big Beautiful Barbara Brown also has a variety of beautiful playsuits custom made in your size!

Or how about going with a pair of shorts and a peasant top from Vivien of Holloway?

The Shoes
The key once again is comfort when it comes to shoes and you definitely want to opt for flats or sandals unless you're a women woman who is able to stand around all day in heels - I certainly am not one of those women!

Kate Sandals - £79 from Rocket Originals (I prefer the white Judy sandal but sadly it is sold out at the moment)

Vintage option - 1940s Style White Vegan Sandals - $24 from QsDaydream

The Hat
A hat is essential for an outdoors show, especially during sunny weather. I love oversized straw hats but you may not want to wear a hat too wide to a concert since it may limit other's view and attract some nasty glances.

Graham Cracker Cloche - $29.99 from ModCloth

Another really cute hat at ModCloth is the Last Straw Hat in Gold but I don't know how well it would sit in your head during a moshpit. ;)

Vintage option - 1930's Vintage Wide Brim Straw Hat - $65 from GetLuckyVintage

The Scarf
A wonderful option to a hat is, of course, a scarf. Check out Super Kawaii Mama's three simple and easy ways to tie a headscarf - retro style!

The Handbag
You need an across body bag so you don't have to worry about your belongings during the show. The bag, of course, needs to be large enough to fit all of the essentials plus a water bottle, some snacks and a camera.

Pumpkin Bow Bag - £8 from New Look

Don't forget sunscreen, your favorite pair of sunnies - and to have the time of your life!

Burlesque Cocktail

2010-07-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Ulrika of The Freelancer's Fashionblog I won tickets to attend Burlesque Cocktail, yesterday's event organized by Tampere Burlesque. I've never won in a blog giveaway before so I was really thrilled - many thanks again, Ulrika! The evening was filled with fun and laughter when Sally Vanilla, Unelma, Burlesque Polaire, Lucie Goodness and the Finnish Blonde Burlesque Troupe took the stage. Records were played by DJs Fiona Timantti and Miroslove Satan. It was definitely one of the most fabulously unique burlesque shows I've seen to-date. I mean, how often do you see a burlesque striptease performed by a cabbage worm? Not often enough, I say! I also got to catch up two gorgeous ladies: Fiona Timantti from Diamond Stash and Rhia the Evil Dressmaker, both of whom where both dressed down to a T.

I wore a cute 1950s dress that I recently acquired from the Ebay seller coffee_colored_cadillac. It had never been worn before and was in a glorious condition! Be sure to check out the seller's auctions since they're listing a bunch of stunning dresses at very nice prices. The Christine needlepoint handbag is my very favorite handbag, which came from Dear Golden. According to the seller, Christine of Detroit is a well known vintage label, her expertise in finishing needlework done by local ladies is legendary and unsurpassed. Lastly, the shoes are the beautiful 1940s suede shoes with heartlaces that I got from Tampere Vintage a couple of months back.

Dress - 1950s vintage (via Ebay, coffee_colored_cadillac)
Handbag - 1940s vintage (via Etsy, Dear Golden)
Shoes - 1940s vintage (via Tampere Vintage)

I've included a few shots from the burlesque shows under the cut but unfortunately my camera doesn't take very good photos at dark indoors. However, Rhia posted some great photos so do check those out!

Yummy vegetarian lasagne recipe

2010-06-25T04:08:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love cooking, especially with - and for - family and friends. It is an act of love to cook a healthy but equally yummy meal and share it with those you cherish. I've been a vegetarian since I was 12-years old. I prefer Asian food, especially Thai over all, but I also adore Mexican, Indian, Nepalese and Italian foods - basically anything that is tasty and well seasoned. I love fresh veggies and I'm a total tofu-holic. I strive to eat soy, beans or lentils at least on a daily basis.

I thought I'd share one of my all time favorite recipes, a vegetarian lasagne with tofu and mince, which I am currently cooking to enjoy as our Midsummer's Day dinner. It comes with plenty of yummy veggies plus tofu and Quorn (or soy) mince, which makes for nice amount of protein and keeps you fulfilled for a good time.

Sadly I've been unable to find Quorn mince in Finland - or any Quorn products, for that matter, which I just loved in the UK. So I use dark soy mince instead, which makes a good enough alternative. I tend to play around with this recipe a lot by using different veggies and leaving out mushrooms (since my partner hates them), replacing silken tofu with firm tofu, or by adding some more spices like a touch of cinnamon, cumin and cayennepepper. The one here, however, is a more traditional version that I prefer, over all.

I hope some of you will find it useful! :)

Vegetarian lasagne

You need...

1-2 tbsp of olive oil
2 onions, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Around 4 mushrooms, finely sliced (I prefer champignons)
1 medium sized courgette, finely sliced
2 carrots, finely sliced
350g pack of frozen Quorn mince - or, alternatively, soy mince
One can of chopped tomatoes (around 400g)
One pack of tomato passata (around 500g)
1-2 tbsp basil
1-2 tbsp oregano
salt and ground black pepper
8-10 lasagne sheets

One pack of silken tofu (soft tofu)
Around 350g of grated cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, which ever you prefer)

Lets get cookin'!

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C
2. Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the onion and garlic for until softened
3. Add mushrooms, courgette and carrots, and cook for a further couple of minutes
4. If using dry soy mince, soak it in water for around 5 minutes before cooking and perhaps pour a little bit soy sauce in for taste
5. Stir in the Quorn or soy mince and then the chopped tomatoes and passata. Simmer gently for 5 minutes
6. Stir in the basil, oregano, black pepper and salt. Season to taste and cook gently for another 5-10 minutes
7. Squash the soft tofu in your hands and add a little bit of black pepper in the mix. Add to the mince and veggie mix and cook gently for a further couple of minutes
8. Spoon some of the mince-veggie mix over the base of an ovenproof dish, top with grated cheese and then lasagne sheets. Repeat the layers and once the dish is full, top the layers with cheese. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling
9. Let it cool a little bit - and enjoy your yummy veggie lasagna!

Happy Midsummer's Day, everyone!

Mid-Summer's Eve (1908) by Edward Hughes

1940s pale blue dress

2010-06-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

Some of you spotted this 1940s house dress that I wore in Portugal on our day trip to Sagres. Today I rocked it again whilst running errands and catching a movie in the city. I really adore this dress! It has some unique details that I rarely see in dresses from this era, especially in my size. I was elated when I won it on Ebay for a very decent price a while back - not to mention that it had never been worn before me! The dress has a metal zipper closure down the front, large pockets, a soft tie belt, curvy layered sleeves and tiny white floral appliques that accent the collar and the pocket flaps. So many cute details! It reminds me of a vintage nurse's uniform a bit. All in all, it is a perfect summer dress in my book.

Lagos Love - The picspam

2010-06-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a little picspam of my trip to Algarve, Portugal. Needless to say, I had an absolute blast and fell in love with the beautiful country. I will be writing a more detailed report for the travel blog once I have a little more time in my hands. The highlight of my trip? Seeing dolphins in the wild, swimming and jumping around our boat! Now, that's a sight I'll forever cherish!

Photos from Lagos seaside:

No, not a gasmask, it's a snorkel!

Ponte da Piedade in Lagos:

Sagres Point in Sagres:

Wearing an adorable 1940s house dress with some gorgeous details

Sitting at the end of the world, the southwesternmost tip of Europe

Central Lagos:

Dolphins!

Once a sailor girl, always a sailor girl!

2010-06-23T09:45:00.001-07:00

Hello, again Blogosphere! I'm back from my fabulous trip to Portugal, and am adjusting to normal life again, little by little. I shall be posting a Lagos lovin' picspam later on today so stay tuned for that. :)

Meanwhile, I was watching a travel video circa 1992 (that my darling recently transfered on DVD) and noticed just how little my style has evolved in, um, 18 years. I sport some pretty sailor dresses and straw hats in the video that are really quite similar to stuff I wear these days. Is that creepy or cute? Either way, I'd still happily wear all of this today. ;D

Oh, note the image on the bottom right, in which my minions are assisting me to get in a limousine. Yup, a diva even at the tender age of 8!

Once a sailor girl, ALWAYS a sailor girl!

BRB

2010-06-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

Wee, I am headed to Algarve, Portugal to spend a week by the beautiful sea! So excited! You can check out more details at my travel blog and, of course, stay tuned for the full report once I'm back. See you soon, ladies and gents!

Blue polkadots

2010-06-09T14:56:00.000-07:00

Sailor inspired clothing is pretty much my favorite of all. And I just adore polkadots. So when I came across this blue dress at a drift store for 2€, I snagged it immediately without even trying it on. Well, when I got back home and did try it on, I felt it was actually too big and looked illfitted on me so I was planning on giving it to a friend. But then today I decided to give it another go. I added a white belt and white 50s shoes and - tada! - it actually doesn't look half bad after all! The dress has a vintage feel to it, even though it is newer than what I would consider vintage. Not too shabby for a 2€ dress. Yes, I do love a bargain, who doesn't!

Here's a couple of photos of me playing around in my aunt's beautiful garden, wearing the sailor inspired blue polkadot dress.

1940s summer dress

2010-06-08T00:57:00.000-07:00

Looking at these photos, it would appear that I pretty much lived all of last week in this sweet floral 1940s summer dress, made by Caldwell Casuals. The weather was warm and nice during the first half of the week so I took my new dress, bought from Frau Rosette at Fintage, out and about a couple of times. It is the kind of versatile dress that you can easily wear to the beach during the day and also to the movies when the evening comes.

Last week I also wore my new Nivea Rouge d'amour lipstick by Chantal Thomass, which is a really nice true red that I've been eyeing for a while. It isn't quite as matte as I generally prefer my lipstick to be but, on the other hand, it actually feels moisturizing (unlike most of the mattes). That is a big bonus in my book as my lips tend to dry easily. It isn't quite as glamorous as something like Russian Red or Ruby Woo but makes a good everday lipstick.

My dream coat

2010-06-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

I was re-watching one of my all time favorite movies, Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures (1994), the other day, which reminded me of just how much I've always loved the coat that Kate Winslet's character Juliet Hulme wears at the end of the movie. Since I've promised myself to get a winter coat that I truly love to take with me to London this fall, I've been eyeing a couple of coats on Ebay - but I haven't found anything that I loved. I decided to not settle but instead custom order a replica of Juliet's coat as it really has been my dream winter coat since I first saw the film well over a decade ago, heh.

However, I don't really know how to go about ordering a vintage inspired custom coat. Does anyone have any helpful tips on this matter? I'm definitely not experienced enough to make it myself but I'm not really able to pay hundreds and hundreds for one either.

Any help would be much appreciated. :)

Shoes like new - only not

2010-06-04T10:01:00.001-07:00

The heel soles of the majority of my vintage shoes are in pretty weak shape. Especially these 1940s Kave suede shoes were in desperate need of help as the original wooden soles were quickly deteriorating. I wore them a couple of times and noticed that they were quite uncomfortable to wear after an hour or two because the soles were broken and hence uneven. Even though I knew it was completely envitable to do something to the shoes if I wanted to keep wearing them, I somehow kept putting it off. Quite frankly, I dislike tuning and revamping vintage pieces because it often is so that a part of their charm is lost when changes are made. And, well, maybe it is a tad strange but I kind of love how the soles of vintage shoes look.

Anyhow, thanks to Rhia's post, I finally faced the facts, got my act together and got the soles of my Kave shoes changed. Not just the heel sole but the actual outsole as well as both were in a bad shape. Now my super cute shoes are actually comfortable to wear and have plenty of dancin' left in them!

Extended weekend in Helsinki

2010-05-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful extended weekend in Helsinki. It was really nice to see my family and friends, spend time at the beach, sing karaoke, go to the cinema and thrifting at new spots. Here's snaps of some of my outings and outfits.

I wore the Able Grable Miss Betty Amanda dress to a friend's graduation dinner. The dress is based on a 1939 pattern, if I remember correctly, and it combines so many things that I'm crazy about; such as white on red polkadots, puffy sleeves and a big bow. LOVE!

Dress - Able Grable (Miss Betty Amanda)
Hair orchid - Olivia Rouge Shop
Shoes - Hand-me-down from a friend

It took a lot of cleaning and repairing to make this Forties sailor inspired dress wearable but it is now one of my favorites. It is very comfortable, yet so cute. You can't go wrong with sailor inspired looks. Also, peep the kitchy anchor earrings that I'm wearing! ;D

Dress - 1940s vintage (via Ebay)
Handbag - 1950s vintage (via Tampere Vintage)
Shoes - 1950s vintage (via Huuto.net) - had to change these when it started to rain, though :(
Earrings - Gina Tricot
Belt - New, unfortunately the original belt is missing

Sadly the weather cooled down over the weekend but it gave me the perfect opportunity to wear my new 40s coat that I bought from Fiona Timantti. It is the perfect fit on me - it's like it was custom made just for me! The funky 50s sunnies brighten up an otherwise grey look.

Coat - 1940s vintage, label: Stockmann (from Fiona Timantti)
Trousers - Big Beautiful Barbara Brown (1940s high waist trousers)
Sunnies - 1950s vintage (via Ebay)
Hair snood - Arthelia's Attic

Beach photos:

Visiting Fiona's atelier:

Coincidentally, we were both wearing sailor inspired looks. :D

I couldn't take my eyes off of all those beautiful hats!

Thrifting:

Kaivarin Kanuuna is a flea market with an amazing collection of drool-worthy vintage. I found several pieces that I would have loved to add to my collection but unfortunately the prices were too high for my current financial situation.

On Sunday I went to a massive yard sale in Käpylä, which is one of my favorite areas in Helsinki. I was running a little late because it was raining and sadly I couldn't find any vintage by the time I arrived. I do love just walking and browsing, though.

My Land Girl coat!

2010-05-21T07:34:00.001-07:00

Mimosa at Fintage recommended a shop called US Eagle (in Tampere, Finland) for rare vintage finds. It is basically an army / survival type of store but there's also rare vintage army stock to be found. I went there to have a look-see and came across some mid-1940s Women's Land Army coats that appear to be unused. And the cost of a deadstock Land Girl coat? 4€ ($5). Quite a find, huh? I ended up getting two coats; I bought one cirva 1944 for myself yesterday and then went back today to buy another one dating back to 1945 for Fiona Timantti. The two coats are basically identical even though they were made a year apart. They're the same color and size and both come with a belt.

Now, these are not the most glamorous coats of all time but I think they're really special. It is not often that you come across authentic women's WWII era army pieces - and in deadstock quality, nonetheless! I'm not gonna lie to you, I was giddy with joy to find these!

The Women's Land Army (WLA) was a British civilian organisation created during the First and Second World Wars to work in agriculture replacing men called up to the military. Women who worked for the WLA were commonly known as Land Girls. (via Wikipedia)

Many thanks to BaronessVonVintage for the last photo!

Vintage Fashionistas: Julie of Fab Gabs

2010-05-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Vintage Fashionistas is a series of interviews with fascinating and inspiring dames that impress me with their fabulous style, killer smarts and fun projects. The series kicks off with an interview with Julie, the brains - and beauty - behind Fab Gabs. If you frequent on Etsy, there's no way you've missed Fab Gabs, which is one of the most fabulous vintage shops on the block. Julie truly has some of the most beautiful pieces on sale, all of which are wonderfully presented in her Etsy shop. A larger lady like myself also appreciates the fact that Fab Gabs caters to all shapes and sizes.

Grab a drink, sit back and read up on how Julie started her shop, learn what the most prized item in her personal collection is and check out her killer tips for buying vintage!

Tell us a little about yourself: where are you based, what do you do?

I'm based in Portland, Oregon - although I'm looking to move to a more glamorous city - San Francisco. But right now, it is rainy Portland. I sell vintage clothes, shoes, hats & accessories for women - and men, too - on Etsy. I'm really immersed in the vintage scenes where I live and the places I travel. I go to rockabilly shows, I swing dance a little, I attend Art Deco preservation events. I heart me a good tiki bar! I love to be surrounded by vintage culture.

What initially sparked your passion for vintage fashion?

My mother. She was a really classic lady, and she wore vintage hats and gloves - on Sundays, at the very least. Her style wasn't exclusively vintage, but she wore what looked good on her, no matter what era it came from. Both my mother and dad collected old kitchenwares and knick knacks for the house, so I grew up going to small dusty antique shops and thrift shops for weekend excursions. My dad recently gave me the set of Decoware for the kitchen he and my mother collected together - that really meant something to me. And it looks terrific in my kitchen!

When and how did you get into selling vintage?

Like many collectors and sellers, I dabbled in selling for a few years before I settled into it full time. When you're out hunting thrift shops for yourself, it is hard not to pick up other terrific deals you come across. A good friend of mine, Lisa (Eagle Eye Vintage) used to be my partner in crime, and through 2005 and 2006 we had a little business on ebay called "Those Vintage Girls." Then, I did more dabbling on my own. Fab Gabs wasn't "born" until sometime in early 2008, and it wasn't recognizable as the business it is today until November of 2009.

Where is it that you do most of the shopping for your shop?

While I do a lot of thrifting, and regularly attend estate sales in the vintage area, many of my best finds are found on the road between Portland and San Francisco, and then hunting little shops in the Bay Area proper. Maybe it is just the "grass is always greener" syndrome, but really I love coming home with a car stuffed with vintage! I'm also great at networking, and my shiny silver basket purse has gotten me a number of private buying appointments.

Please share a couple of tips for us regarding finding and buying vintage.

When you're out hunting - whether it is in a dusty thrift shop or a high end boutique, try to get a look at your items in the sunlight before making your purchase. It isn't always possible, but dimlights, as any vintage seller will tell you, can hide a multitude of flaws. Know about what you buy - knowledge is power. I have many of experience in brick and mortar stores where my knowledge of dating items and my mental library of designer names has saved or made me money.

It must be a huge challenge to let go of many of the beautiful vintage items. How do you decide what to keep for yourself and what to sell?

Well, if it fits me, I really love it, and I got a good deal on it, I keep it. If I paid more for it with the specific purpose of reselling and then find out it is my size - something equally fabulous has to come out of my closet in order for me to keep it. I keep plenty, believe me!

What has been the most exciting item you've ever found for your shop?

Oh, gosh. That's hard, because I fall in love with items several times a week. I think I was most excited by the knitted carousel unicorns dress I found (image below). I was really just head-over-heels for this dress. It was hard to see it sell so fast (ONE day!) I also just about fell over myself for the Egyptian revival sweater that I sold earlier this year.

How do you find selling on Etsy?

I do well on Etsy. That took a while. I first tried it at the end of 2008, and it didn't work for me then. I didn't understand the community. Then I tested the waters again through the summer of 2009. A little better. But after I got my photographer, it all fell into place. I find the buyers to be knowledgeable and friendly, and the community overall to be helpful and supportive. It is the best of all possible venues for vintage! (That is, if we could just get some decade categories.)

Can you describe your daily routine?

Sure! I wake up stupidly early, just because that's natural for me. On a mid-week day with no photoshoot or estate sales, I spent a good 2-3 hours "waking up" during which time I do research on the computer, check in with my Twitter pals, post new pics on Facebook. I stain treat a few clothes. I mend a couple things. Then I pop out the door to go hunting! I come back, hang that stuff up, and sort it by what needs to happen next (fix, clean, photograph.) I list some items in the late afternoon/early evening - sometimes later. And since thrift shops around here don't close until 9pm, I often go out again after dinnertime. I work for about twelve hours of a given day. Sometimes more.

Can you tell me about your personal style? Do you wear vintage on a daily basis?

Everything I own is vintage or a very authentic reproduction. I wear vintage every day, and recently I have been literally living my suspender pants from Kim at Jitterbuggin. They're super functional, comfortable and cute. My style is split between the sporty girl-next-door look and the cultured sophisticate. So for a casual day I'll match a 30's silk chiffon blouse, suspender pants and chunky heels with armloads of bakelite. When I want to be dressy, I reach for printed, draped rayon, backseam stockings, a tilt hat and coordinated gloves - with more bakelite. I love plaids, novelty prints and contrast color panels.

What is your favorite vintage era and why?

I'm really in love with WWII era and 1940's style. I love the dramatic tilt hats, bold primarily colors with black, little sweaters and vests and perfectly gored skirts. Wide leg trousers. I also connect more with that time historically. The personal histories of life during WWII and in the years following fascinate me. People had a different mind-set during those years. We romanticize it a bit too much, but I still love it.

Who are your personal style muses that inspire you?

I adore everything that Myrna Loy wore as Mrs. Nick Charles. Ava Gardener circa her marriage to Mickey Rooney. Even as a bombshell pinup she's more sophisticated. Katherine Hepburn, although I don't have her distaste of dresses!

What is your favorite vintage piece you own?

How can you ask me this?? Oh, such a hard question to answer. I'll give you two. I have a late 40's printed silk crepe glamour gown that I paid much more for than anything I've ever put in the shop (and probably ever will.) It has black leaves on "white" (it is kind of grey now) that are overbeaded, and there's a massive red beaded flower at the side (image below). Then I have my Pendleton 49'er in rich autumn shades of plummy purple, navy, green and gold. I'll wear it until it is threadbare!

What are the top five vintage fashion items everyone should own?

1) A basic black day dress - rayon if your style is 30's or 40s, cotton if you're more a 50's/60's gal
2) A brown a-line or pencil skirt. Goes with so much, without being black!
3) A trusty, comfortable nylon slip with adjustable runners. You need at least two - white & black.
4) A cashmere short-sleeved sweater or cardigan.
5) A bold and unique belt. Maybe striped with a bakelite buckle, or stenciled fur with leopard print. Something that changes your whole ensemble with one simple statement!

What will you be wearing this summer?

I will be in my 40's shortsleeved rayon blouses with my cotton Ankeny pants from Jitterbuggin, and when I'm feeling rockabilly, my favorite strapless rhinestone top with Mexican circle skirts. I have a thing for them, even though I don't wear 50's as much anymore. And I bought the first one of the cutest bumblebee novelty print Nicolai blouses made by Jitterbuggin - I'm wearing that with navy blue Hepburn slacks.

What is your all time favorite movie and why?

This is an evil question. I love so many movies for so many reason! I'm going to cheat and tell you that the entire Thin Man SERIES is my favorite. I love the witty banter between Nick and Nora, their uniquely balanced relationship, and occasional appallingly funny jokes about spousal abuse. Oh yes! And the fashion of course. And Asta. O Brother Where Art Thou runs a very close second place.

Wishlist: Besame Cosmetics

2010-05-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ladies! Have you heard that What Katie Did now stocks the full range of Besame Cosmetics? I'm really, really excited about this because as much as I adore Besame, it has been really hard to come by here in Europe. I currently own the Voluptuous Lip Colour Set in Red Velvet (as you can see here, for example), which I adore. I've been drooling many of their other products for quite a while. Here are some of my favorites:

Voluptuous Lip Colour Set - Rapture Rose
Enchanting Lipstick - I am a lipstick junkie so there's many I'd love but especially Besame Red, Red Hot Red, Cherry Red and Wild Orchid
Besame Boudoir Rouge - Raspberry