Off the beaten path (for me)

Before I start yammering on about my fabulous corset that arrived in the mail yesterday, I feel like I should give credit where it's due:

Dita Von Tesse is a style icon in every sense of the word, and she's almost synonymous with corsetry. I've really learned so so so much about corsetry in the last few days, I wish I could take an actual class on this. Why? Because I wanted to feel educated when my own corset got here. 

Let's talk about Halloween! I'm just so excited about Halloween this year, my fiance and I are going to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time! This is where my first idea of corsets came up, and I've dreamed up a couple of pretty nice costumes for both RHPS and the Halloween festival in Ashland! 

The corset I fell for:
 
I found it on a site called OrchardCorset that has a youtube account and I quickly watched all 60-odd videos they provided. This is a discontinued style, so it's on sale, but I loved it at first sight! 

So this is what I'm going for:

First outfit for my fiance, second for me.

 

If you said my inspiration was the So You Think You Can Dance routine by Courtney and Mark to "The Garden" by Mirah, choreographed by Sonya Tahek, you're right!

So if those are all my thoughts, how does the corset look on me, you ask? Well, let's just say that this is definitely the beginning of a long and happy friendship.

Ever the college girl, and some inspirations

It has been such a "collegiate" week. I feel like it's kicked me pretty hard, but I have been accomplishing quite a lot. Today was especially wonderful. In the mail I received my corset, lots of vitamins and tea, my final paycheck, and a card from my mom with a gift card for shopping. These definitely made today the high point of the week.

A girl in my hall had her 19th birthday today, which reminded me I'll have my birthday in just a few short months. I'm determined to enjoy my remaining time as a teenager, as I will be turning 20 in January. I'm very excited. I'm having a great time being young, and I still believe you're young well into your 30's or beyond. Everything depends upon one's mindset. 

Below is the lovely Anne Francis, as the infamous cigarette-smoking, film noire-esque sweater girl. This is the look that I'll be trying to accomplish overall for the fall term. I have many sweaters, but I need so many more, and I have skirts just perfect for those. Now.. if only I had a bullet bra lying around somewhere. 

Finally, winter will be my Katharine stage of dress. But for now, the inspiration is her hair. It's so beautiful but still has a tomboyish quality, like she doesn't really care, it's just how she wakes up in the morning!

A very Marge and Gower Thursday!

Yesterday, my last image was of a book by Bob Thomas entitiled Let's Dance with Marge an Gower Champion. (Below) 

I have this book in my possession, and it's just as charming as it sounds. They teach the Foxtrot, Waltz, Samba, Rumba, Mambo, along with instruction on various swing steps, and their own "Champion Strut"! There is a history of dances in America (up to 1948), along with etiquette for the boys and girls, and their own story in the later sections. 

I won't lecture or give a history lesson on them, but I think they should be, if they are not, the most esteemed husband-and-wife dancing and choreographing team in America. 

 Though they divorced after 26 years of marriage, I believe they held a kind esteem towards each other in later life. 

 Gower died in 1977 from a rare type of blood disease but Marge is still alive and still dancing and teaching to this day. 

 September 2nd was her 91st birthday and she is still as lively and charming as ever. 

 I hope the legacy made by the Champions' is passed down to future generations and those who can appreciate all they did for dance in America.

Work hard? Play hard!

Theme for my vintage shots of today? I suppose since I've been working hard I feel the need to play hard! 


I love the idea of having a mirror wherever you need it, therefore the kitchen is a completely plausible place. Also, that stovetop percolator and gas range is my idea of luxury!

Next up is Rita Hayworth enjoying being poolside in her stylish swimsuit and gorgeous bicycle. 

I want to be able to dance like that with my fiance. I do modern dance, have taken ballet and jazz, and was the captain of my high school dance team, but I've never learned swing. 

I picked up the book below, "Let's Dance" With Marge and Gower Champion at an antique shop a month or so ago, but my finace thought it was cheesy. The Champions were not cheesy! They were the most wonderful couple and amazing choreography team the US will ever know. There's a certain charm they exude that Dancing with the Stars will never capture!

Getting my buttocks in gear!

This wonderful pinup from the 1950's is Betty Brosmer. She was one of the most sought after pinup models because she did pinup almost exclusively, never venturing into movie or other careers. She had the most insane measurements: 38-18-35! Yes, she had a natural 18-inch waist! And do top it off, she was only 5' 5", so I'm the same height as her. I wonder if there's any way I could get my figure somewhere near hers. I do have a corset on the way which I do need to tell about, but I will not too much until it gets here (in a week or so).

In the meantime, feast on the beauty!