Silver Screen Sunday {The War of the Worlds}

As you may have noticed in my latest 'finds' post I bought myself a copy of the 1953 The War of the Worlds. I then promptly watched and fell in love with it. I am by no means a sci-fi aficionado but I do love 1950s and 1960s sci-fi films (even though I sometimes forget which ones I've seen when the plots/titles are very similar...oops) so this was right up my alley. Plus it's in glorious Technicolor.

The War of the Worlds directed by Byron Haskin, 1953

Oh and there are some pretty cute outfits, too! Which is why I'm posting about the film here.

I don't like wearing brown all that much (or at all, really) but I loved this outfit that Ann Robinson wore at the beginning of the film. I especially love the contrast detailing on her turtle-neck sweater. I also love the casual clothes that Gene Barry (who is quite the dish) wears in the movie, too.

There were some great western-styled fashions in the square dance scene! Looks at these shirts!

And there was so much plaid. I approve!

You can't see it too well but check out the print on that pink dress! I couldn't tell if it was of bows or stylised butterflies.

Ann Robinson's blue and white square-dance outfit was very cute. And I love the yellow and black plaid shirt the fella in the front is wearing.

I love the pale pink number in the background. This was the only decent shot I could get of it, unfortunately.

I loved Ann Robinson's make-up in this, especially her pink lipstick as I'm looking for the perfect shade of pink to adorn my lips at the moment. I went out to find one the other day but forgot and bought comic books instead. Hmmm.

This blue dress is probably my favourite piece from the film - unfortunately this is the only decent shot I got of it! I think the blue looks lovely with the brown of her scarf tucked into the pocket and her brown loafers, just barely visible here. I'd also love to do this as a costume one day...especially as I'd wear the dress anyway.

You can read my general review of the film at The Sofa Cinephile - I'm not sure about doubling up on posts like this but I feel like it might be a nice way I can focus on the clothes of the film as well as other elements without either post getting too long (though I've just realised how wordy my other post is...eep!). It probably won't be too often that I double up on posts but hopefully it's not annoying.

Love,
Andi B. Goode
x

Friday (Links) On My Mind #5

I haven't had the best week...it hasn't been terrible but it wasn't what I'd call good, either. I've been trying to blog through it but the real reason I'm telling you all this is as an explanation for why there aren't so many links on this week's round-up!

Still from The Lady Eve directed by Preston Sturges, 1941 via bswise on Flickr

♥ If you've ever had an online friendship (and chances are, you have!), you should read Julia's love letter to internet friends.

♥ Laurence shared some photos from her visit to the Neon Museum in Las Vegas which looks like heaven to me!

♥ One of my favourite artists, Caitlin Shearer, has made some dresses out of fabrics with her work on it that she will eventually be selling.

♥ A little bit about pomade over on the Lady K Loves blog - I've never used it so I'm always interested in reading what others have to say.

♥ I love these 1968 photos of an arcade on Flavorwire - can I move in there please?

♥ One of my sweet flickr contacts posted a photo of an outfit inspired by me! Very chuffed.

Hope everyone who is reading this has a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Op-Shop Adventure Finds

On Tuesday I went on another op-shopping adventure with my dad - this time we went to Noarlunga so I could finally check out the Savers there. I must admit that, whilst I was impressed by the size, I wasn't overly impressed by the stock or the price-tags. I suppose like most op-shopping you have to go constantly to find treasures and it's too far away for me to go very often. As for the pricing, some of it was reasonable, some seemed exorbitant, which happens all too often, now. Despite all of that, I still managed to find a few goodies for myself...

This is the amazing print of a (modern but with a vintage feel) jacket that I was instantly drawn to. I can't wait to wear it!

Vintage Little Golden Books always have the best illustrations - they're great to look at but very inspiring, too. This is a 1980s reissue of a 1950s book and it looks largely untouched.

Look at all these snappy dressers! I love the variety of domestic, farm and wild animals.

Two new LPs for my collection. I adore the covers for both of these - I may have to put the South Pacific one up on my wall!

A deliciously 80s knitting pattern booklet. Mum said the cover is her favourite but...

 

This two page spread is mine!

Oh, and I forgot to take a photo of a pair of pink high-waisted pants that I found at a little church op-shop for $1! They're from the 80s or 90s but I've been searching for some for ages and these will suffice until I find the perfect 50s (or repro) pair.

These aren't vintage or secondhand but they are two new additions to my classic movie collection: The War of the Worlds 1953 and Kiss of Death 1947. I've been asked a few times in the past where I get all of my old movies from and I suppose I'm lucky that I have access to stores here that have decent, though by no means exhaustible classic sections (which are sadly getting smaller and smaller)...I also acquire a lot of them online when I just can't find them on DVD here (either legally or...otherwise). 

Speaking of movies, I've started up a film blog! I've only got one introduction type post there at the moment but I'm spending the day writing posts for it (and for this blog, too) so if you're keen on knowing more about my taste in cinema then please keep an eye on it. I know I've done movie posts here in the past and I may continue to do them, but I wanted to post a bit more widely than I had been here. 

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

PS: I keep forgetting to tell you all when I've updated my etsy shop! 

Musical Interlude {The Brother Sisters}

It makes me happy that my readers enjoyed the first glimpse at my record collection and I shall definitely be doing more installments in the future (am trying to think of how to organise the rest of the posts, though...would you be interested in seeing any of my 70s & on collection as well or just the earlier records, which I don't have as many of?)

For now, though, here is a 45 that I picked up at an op-shop once because it was old and I was intrigued by the name of the group: The Brother Sisters.

As much as I love picture sleeve 45s there is still something so gorgeous about the design of these paper sleeves - though I think this must not be in its original sleeve (I don't think Parlophone and Mercury are linked but they do look rather nice together, regardless.)

I couldn't find either of the songs online so I recorded them with my iPhone - the recordings aren't that great but I wanted everyone to be able to hear them!

Side 1: Alone

This song was originally recorded by the Shepherd Sisters and this version seems to be quite similar but I can't really find any information on The Brother Sisters at all! I just found a few listings for the record on different websites and that it was released in 1957. If anyone else was able to dig anything up or knows anything about the group, I'd love to know. I found a mention in an old magazine online when I first bought it but I can't find it now, unfortunately.

Side 2: Pass Me the Mustard

This song is so silly and cute, which is probably why I love it so much.

I know Vimeo doesn't always work for everyone but I am keeping my YouTube account solely for ukulele videos so I apologise if anyone can't watch these.

I'm a wee bit busy, right now, hence the brief post but I am trying to write up some more to queue so it won't be too dead around here.

Love, 

Andi B. Goode

x

Friday (Links) On My Mind #4

Doing these round-ups has really helped me keep up with the blogs I read but it's also made me realise that I might not be reading as widely as I'd like to. Though, I was kind of overwhelmed by all the great posts this week and it was hard to whittle the list down so it wasn't too long for anyone else to go through!

181 via EspressoBuzz on Flickr

♥ The photo for this week comes from this set on Flickr - I think I found it via Tumblr and it's worth checking out!

♥ Kate made a DIY tutorial for making your own 3D embellished dress (or any other article of clothing, I guess).

♥ I am by no means a horror movie aficionado but I had fun going through this list of the 100 'best' & counting how many I've seen: 23 (including some of my all-time favourites). How about you?

♥ Aimee of Bright Young Twins contemplates the question 'what has made vintage so popular?' with some interesting thoughts in both the post and the comments.

♥ Check out these gorgeous movie posters by Anselmo Ballester of Märta Torén.

♥ This post on Aelita - Queen of Mars has made be determined to track down this Russian silent film. And by determined I mean I almost forgot about it until I started writing this post. Oops! (It's up in 9 parts on YouTube and there are probably other places to find it, too.)

♥ A neat post on the Fashion of Doctor Who from The Frog's Eyebrows.

♥ Stephanie points out some neat, but not necessarily practical things, seen in vintage home interior advertisements.

♥ Thanks to Natasha I now know about the (yet another photo) book, Marilyn by Magnum. I can always do with more coffee table books of gorgeous photos!

♥ Stumbled across a Tumblr dedicated to Katy Keene - there's not a whole lot on there but it's a nice showcase of Katy's style through the years!

♥ And finally a great round-up post on Busby Berkeley's The Gang's All Here from alt screen.

I think this might be a little heavy on TV/movie related posts and just a rather long list in general. Let me know if it's maybe a bit too long...but hopefully it's a case of the more the merrier!

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

I never wanted to use macramé to kill!

First of all, thank-you again gorgeous blog readers for all the lovely comments on this post! I'm really loving my new red hair and it makes me happy that so many people think it suits me so well. Secondly, here is another outfit post (the subject of this post may seem a bit odd but I am wearing a polyester dress...)

Outfit details: 1970s/80s polyester dress - community op-shop; belt - Valley Girl; shoes - K-Mart.

I was initially going to sell this dress on as I don't wear polyester often but I like the almost 50s-esque (but still very late 70s/early 80s) style of the print and the subtle colours, too, so I decided to keep it. Plus, it's a really great simple style and the polyester is very light-weight so I didn't find myself getting as warm as I usually do when I wear polyester.

A lot of my favourite photos from my favourite photographers are self-portraits using mirrors - I even wrote an essay last year focussing on some photographers from the '30s who did mirror self-portraits and it won me a prize. So, obviously, I'm really fascinated by them...in this case I used the mirror because I was feeling too lazy to set up the tripod, timer, etc., but the mirror can be such a powerful visual symbol (sometimes even without intention) in a photograph...but I have too many thoughts to sum up concisely, right now, so I shall leave it for another time or place.

Oh, and I love the pretty shadows that sheer dresses make as well as the varying degrees of transparency in this one.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

PS If you like my uke covers I've got a new one up today...

I've Told Every Little Star

I recorded this a few weeks ago and forgot to share it on here! I don't usually do posts that are just ukulele videos anymore because I feel like they get a bit dull without other content but I'm making an exception for this one as I forgot about it. It's my cover of Linda Scott's I've Told Every Little Star. David Lynch fans will probably know this tune from Mulholland Drive, others will just know (and love) it. And hopefully enjoy my version, too!

 

I've Told Every Little Pumpkin from Mashed in Plastic on Vimeo.

And here's a neat mashup of the song (with video from Mulholland Dr) and Smashing Pumpkins' 1979. I love Melissa George's sparkly pink outfit in this scene. (The video possibly contains NSFW bits, actually...)

 

And Linda Scott on her own for good measure! It's such a cute little song.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

PS Thank-you for all the lovely comments on my new hair (in the last post)!

A little red here, there and in my hair.

Last night I went to the opening night of Club Burlesk, a new monthly burlesque show presented by Peaches 'n' Gin Burlesque, and decided to wear my Trashy Diva Sweetie dress in the turquoise birds print. I've actually worn this a couple of times before (and I love it though it creases far too easily for my liking) but never taken photos for the blog! Whilst it's not the best dress to go out to sit down in (because of the creasing factor) I did think it was a good one for a burlesque show. It's such a great print and I adore the cut of this dress!

Outfit details: hair flower - ?; dress - Trashy Diva; belt - vintage fair; brooch - etsy; braceletes - op-shop; stockings - Love Kylie; shoes - KMart or Big W.

Oh and my hair is red now! I've been wanting to go red for so very long but I had been dyeing my hair black for a few years and I just couldn't stand the thought of bleaching my hair as much as I'd have to...so I just let it fade/grow out. (As well as a couple of bleach baths just to lighten it that little bit more before I dyed it red.) I'd be more than happy to go through the whole process if anyone wants me to but, to be honest, it was mainly just having patience. Not entirely though.

I clearly don't believe that redheads ought not wear red but I was still surprised at just how much I loved the red flower on my red hair! I'm pretty sure this is nearly the exact same shade of red that my hair was when I first ventured into the world of red hair in...2006.

Oh and I shan't be matching my eyebrows to my hair, either - I love having dark eyebrows too much.

And the show was absolutely amazing. If you are in Adelaide or planning a trip that coincides with one of the performance dates (you can see the dates on the facebook page) and you have $15 to spare then you definitely should go along. I suppose burlesque isn't to everyone's taste but I always have a great time and I love being able to support local talent as well.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Friday (Links) On My Mind #3

Scene from a Country Club Costume Party, 1955 via What Makes The Pie Shop Tick? on Flickr

♥ Take a look at the amazing Marlene Dietrich inspired suit that Debi made and shared on her blog, My Happy Sewing Place.

♥ Kate listed these adorable Flapper Doodle sweater clips in her shop that I'm in love with.

♥ Kate also shared her top 5 cheer up movies - go take a look at her list and share yours with her, too, if you feel so inclined. I did! And noticed 3 out of my 5 starred Tim Curry.

♥ Miss Rayne shared a knitting pattern for a super cute sailor sweater.

♥ Quincy announced the launch of her own handmade clothing line - I'll have one of each, please!

♥ Mary Deluxe shared the recipe for some home made ritz style crackers that sound quite tasty.

♥ Darshana posted a beautiful art deco inspired poster she designed for Chelsea Piers in NYC.

♥ Thanks to Cee I found this post on Retro Renovation on one of the most amazing living spaces I have ever seen. If you're into mid-century furniture, collectibles, etc., you have to see this post.

(It was very hard to choose the photo for this week as so many of my Flickr contacts were sharing great things - I suggest checking out this stream and even going through my favourites (lots of kitschy goodness amongst the Barbie and Monster High doll photos, I promise!) for more of what my contacts have been posting.)

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

You Spin Me Right Round #1

Sometimes, when I'm not sure what to blog about, I throw some ideas around on twitter...usually even just one enthusiastic response is enough for me to go ahead with the idea which is why I now bring you a series on my record collection. Now, I don't want to give the impression that I have a gigantic collection but it is a bit too large for just one post. So, I'm going to break it up a bit (into three, maybe four posts...or would that be too many?) and start with my soundtrack records. (Apologies for the title...couldn't think of anything else and I do love that song...even though that's not its exact title.)

I love a good soundtrack or cast recording - I have playlists in iTunes dedicated to both - so it seems only natural that, as a part-time vinyl collector, I would have a few in my vinyl collection. I'm not a particularly discerning collector and will tend to gravitate toward the bargain bin more often than not and my record player isn't all that great, either. But collecting records is fun, which is what I feel all collecting should be. I think there have been times when I've nearly squealed or jumped up and down in excitement at what I've found in the record racks at times.

So, without further ado, here are a few of my soundtrack related vinyl records...

This LP was in a whole heap of records that my dad gave to me. It is now one of my prized possessions. I remember Kate saying she'd just found the same record in her dad's collection when I posted a photo of this to instagram months ago, which was a neat coincidence!

I haven't seen this film since I was a little girl but I usually can't resist a soundtrack when I find it amongst the Liberace and Kamahl records that are found in almost every single op-shop.

I think I got this from the Salvos store that's really close to where I live. Whilst I find it nearly impossible to find really great clothes at op-shops, I still find quite a few great (in my opinion) vinyls at them.

South Pacific 45s: Broadway & Movie (I also have the movie LP)

How great is this cover?

Found this LP just the other day (along with the soundtrack for Hair!) at a stall that had some records for half price. So this was only $1.

LP/45

LP/45. The LP cover is gorgeous.

These don't exactly fit in with the theme of my blog but they are my two all-time favourite vinyl soundtrack finds thus far:

I'm not sure I could top finding the soundtrack to Xanadu for $1! Almost all of my favourite finds come from the bargain bins because, I guess, no one else wants them.

And I haven't even seen this movie but the soundtrack is just so good!

I do have more soundtracks but not all have exciting or interesting covers.  Other soundtracks I have include: Bridehead Revisited (TV show - I'm not sure why I bought it to be honest); Oliver (a stage recording); Porgy and Bess (stage recording); Kiss Me Kate; Fame; Beaches and at least a few more.

I'm pretty sure that I haven't spent more than $5 on any one of these - usually I spend around 50c on a 45 and $1 or $2 for an LP. I also find that the soundtrack records tend not to have been played very much!

You can see some more of my records that have been uploaded so far in this flickr set. And now that I have the photos side by side you can see that I didn't quite match the colour cast on all the photos. Oops! 

Aside from scouring op-shops, some great places to get records around Adelaide are: Title Records (only new); Clarity records (new & secondhand); Fishermen's Wharf Markets (a few decent record stalls); Mr V which is now only at Semaphore and there are often record fairs on throughout the year.

Now, I just know there will be other record collectors reading this but do you have a method to your collecting or will you just collect anything that takes your fancy (which is pretty much my method)?

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x

Lady K Loves Hello Sailor Shorts

My lovely sponsor, Lady K Loves, sent me a pair of the Hello Sailor shorts to review and, luckily, we had a few rather warm days that gave me the perfect opportunity to both wear the shorts to run some errands and take photos for the review at the same time. I chose the stretch denim with red buttons as I don't tend to wear a lot of black anymore (they also come in red with white buttons but check the site to see what's in stock) and felt they would be easily integrated into my wardrobe. I think I was right!

Outfit details: top - Valley Girl; bangles - various op-shops; shorts - Lady K Loves; shoes - KMart.

This was also the first time that I've ever worn this top - I bought it ages ago as I thought it had a very 30s/40s feel to it (I feel like it has a bit of a chorus girl vibe to it) and it looks perfect with these shorts.

I asked for a size medium which is actually slightly smaller than my own measurements but because it's a stretch denim they're not uncomfortable (and will probably stretch a little the more I wear them) - plus, I like this style of shorts to be tight. 

They look great as they are but I later paired them with a belt and that looked really great, too. I like the contrast stitching at the waist and button holes. I did find the top rolled down a little from time to time but that could be because I'm a sloucher - that's really the only 'issue' I had with wearing them and it's not a big deal at all.

I think these would be quite versatile, too - like this they have that slight '30s chorus girl vibe I mentioned earlier (though tighter, of course, than the typical chorus girl shorts of the 30s) but would still work well with any number of different tops, blouses, etc.

The sizes run from an XS to an XL - you can read the Lady K Loves size chart for more information and accurate sizing. Oh, I will add that in terms of sizing, they run true to the size chart.

Love,

Andi B. Goode

x