Ooh LaLa! La Femme

Now here's what every glamorous gal needs...especially me...a pink and pretty 1955 Dodge La Femme! Alas, I was born too late, because now they are extremely rare...but I'm telling you, one of these days when I'm filthy fucking rich, I'm going to hunt one down...I just know we'd be best friends...we're about the same age, we're both entirely glamorous and we both love pink rosebuds!

Imagine...a two-tone Heather Rose color scheme....upholstery with pink rosebuds on a pale pink background, pale pink vinyl trim, and some fabulous standard equipment: stowed in a special compartment built into the back of the passenger seat was a purse that matched the interior, containing a compact, lipstick, cigarette case, lighter and change purse! I guess some executive at Dodge (or some executive's wife) figured you could discreetly climb into the back seat and freshen your makeup after your exhausting drive! Wait a minute...are you telling me that ladies in the 50's didn't do their makeup while driving, like they do now?? Sheesh! During rush hour I can do my makeup, nails and hair, smoke a cig and knit a sweater while talking on the phone...and still have plenty of time for some good old-fashioned road rage.



Oh, and because La Femme was designed with Her Majesty in mind, it also came standard with an umbrella, raincoat and rain bonnet in the same charming rosebud pattern as the interior. I don't know about you, but I never leave the house without my rain bonnet, so that must have been a real bonus!



Now for the first time anywhere, a car glamorously, Personally Yours! Don't I wish!

LBD-lovely!

It's D-lightful! It's D-licious! It's D-lovely! This thrift-shopping success story starts at my beloved local Goodwill...I'm telling you, the racks are so over-packed there, you'll often find items that have been unwittingly misplaced...so just to be on the safe side, I go through everything! It's often worth a potentially fruitless search...case in point ~ this adorable Miss Rita LBD, size 12, which stood out because of it's metal zipper (I can spot one from across the store)...but hold on a second...a-ha!! that's a vintage size 12, which roughly equals today's size 4. So there she was, petite Miss Rita from California, waiting for me amongst the size 12 frocks...$7.99?...she never looked lovelier! Her charming tag is still attached, so I know she's never been out on the town before...but look at those sassy loops around her hemline and you'll see she's ready to go have some fun!

If It's Tuesday...

...This must be Biscotti!

Mmm...isn't this photo wonderfully erotic? Hard, firm biscotti, glistening seductively with it's condom of dark chocolate...it precariously, yet patiently waits for the ladylike, yet overheated, cup of coffee to simmer down a bit. Then, when the time is right, it immerses itself into her dark, sultry depths...oh! oh! ohhh!!

Whew! Ok, ok...I got a little excited there! But a-a-anyway, I happen to know I'm not the only one who enjoys the erotic implications of a hard, nutty slab of biscotti...

Remember a lo-o-o-ng time ago I promised you I'd do a post on Miss Indigo Blue? As you'll recall, Indigo is the founder of the Academy of Burlesque in Seattle, and is also featured in *A Wink and a Smile*.
Indigo's classes are informative, hilarious, and potentially life-altering, as I can attest to. She's a master of facial expression, too, as you'll see if you watch this well-filmed clip of that Twirly Girl herself, showing us how much she enjoys that traditional Italian treat, Biscotti!



http://www.academyofburlesque.com
http://www.winkthemovie.com
[filmed @ Triple Door, Seattle and hosted by Jasper McCann]

I heart "Schiap" !

I suppose I don't need to remind you that my favorite color is pink! And when I think pink, the first pink think to come to mind is the fabulous Italian designer, Elsa Schiaparelli!

Since your pal Gams happens to be a lady of leisure, and a fashion-minded one at that, I've spent a little time googling the great lady, and found a couple delightful things I simply must share with you!

If you are a kid at heart, like me, check out http://www.schiaparelli.com and play with the wonderful collage...try it and you'll see what I mean! Next, go to http://www.philamuseum.org/micro_sites/exhibitions/schiaparelli/home.htm and find interesting factoids, see some of her fashions preserved for posterity, and best of all, play dress-up on Schiaparelli for Kids...they say it's for kids, but don't let that stop you! Really, darlings, do you have anything better to do than have a little fashionable, glamorous fun today? xo

Fuchsia and Fab

Speaking of David Hasselhoff, (which I don't often do, except recently, for some strange reason) I'm reminded of America's Got Talent. Now, since I don't have TV, I never watch the show, but I do happen to know that this season has featured two of my burly-Q pals from Seattle ~ the amazing, gender-fucking EmpeROAR Fabulous and THE Hot Pink Bellydance Machine, Fuchsia Foxxx!! Sadly, Fab didn't make the cut...I don't think the judges could stand that much excitement...but as far as I know, Fuchsia is still going strong...I've tried to find youtube clips, but for some reason they are unavailable...hmmmm. Leave it to your pal Gams to find a couple other clips, though! Fuchsia Foxxx as the Goddess Kali...and Fab portraying the EmpeROAR's New Clothes...hilarious! Here they are for your enjoyment. xoxo

Rhinestones!!!

Do you drool over rhinestones the way I do? Bright, fresh and lovely...look how the facets on this gorgeous necklace capture the light! Isn't it amazing? This was one of the treasures found in my mother's jewel case...I'd date it to the 50's, I guess...maybe the late 40's. Mom didn't have a lot of jewelry, but what she did have was of exceptional quality. I can't wait to share a few more items with you in future posts...

Speaking of rhinestones, remember that great old Glen Campbell tune, Rhinestone Cowboy? For you, my loved ones, I'm going one better with The Hoff givin' it all he's got in skintight leather, backed by the che-ee-eesiest orchestra evah!! (and what's up with that enormous boot, huh?) Please enjoy at your leisure...it's just too too much! Love 'n' kisses, Gams

Star of the Week

Who doesn't adore Gloria Swanson? From her earliest days in silents, to later years on TV, she was always larger than life...dripping with jewels and furs...oozing with glamour! Did you know she possesses not one, but two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? I snapped the television one, as well as her hand and footprints in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre.



According to Annette Tapert's book, The Power of Glamour, at the top of her career, Gloria lived a lavish lifestyle in a twenty-two room mansion where...She performed her daily toilette in a black marble bathroom with a golden tub...she was chauffered about in a leopard-upholstered Lancia.

Apparently, once silent pictures made way for talkies, everyone was surprised to find that Gloria also had a lovely singing voice! In this extremely cute clip from the 1933 film, A Perfect Understanding, she's making her move on a dashing young Laurence Olivier, and although she's lip-sync-ing here, Gloria actually did make the recording of this tune, "I Love You So Much I Hate You". Enjoy! xo

Creme a`la Mode

Welcome back, my friends! All that talk yesterday about banh choux a la cream reminded me of a certain performer here in Seattle who is not only an absolute wiz at makeup (and I'm signin' up for the next class!) but also an extremely versatile and ingenious burlesque performer...the fabulous Ben DeLaCreme!

Not only is BDLC gifted at the art of maquillage but also at facial expression...as you can see by these pics I grabbed, courtesy of flickr & Seattle photographer Chris Blakeley. This one, posing Pierrot-style with Waxie Moon, is tres amusant!

What Pho?

Who doesn't love a steamy hot bowl of pho'?? Most everyone, I guess, because I've seen a pho'kuvalotta new spots popping up around town...and I can't help noticing a lot of un-pho'-gettable names to go along with 'em...like Pho' the Love of God...What the Pho' ? Well, since I'm a phool pho' a pun, naturally I couldn't help coming up with pho' or phive names of my own. As it is, my phavorite pho' joint ~ Than Brothers ~ doesn't have a cute and clever name...but they do boast the most glamorous homemade creampuffs ~ Banh Choux a la cream ~ served along with your soup...and are they heavenly! If your complimentary one isn't enough, you can take three of these precious puffs home with you for a mere $1.50!


(www.thanbros.com)
They do a brisk business, pho' sure, but wouldn't it be more phun pho' all if they chose a name like: Pho'Cup...Pho'Q...Pho'Gettaboutit...Pho'Kit Up...Pho'Love It...Pho'King Nuts...Pho'Deeduddy...Pho'Heaven's Sake...Pho'Knee Face...Pho'Pa...I could go on, but pho' your sake, I won't.

Brown Baggin' It!!

Did I mention? I'm just a wink and a smile away from my local Goodwill, so I can't resist visiting as fuh-requently as possible...you know I love the thrill of the hunt! And did I ever bag a good find this week! Look at this!! Have you ever seen such an oh-so-ladylike handbag? In absolutely mint condition, no less! I must admit, I went over my budget at $12.99...but sometimes...it's just...so hard to leave something...so special...behind! Know what I mean, jellybean??



This beauty must have been lovingly and carefully boxed away over the years...the fabric is unstained, un-mildewy...in the most incredibly creamy, luscious shade of brown that changes tones depending on the light. Sadly, my camera couldn't really capture it's richness. Let's say it's "raspberry chocolate truffle"...get the idea? Yummy. The marcasites on the clasp are as sparkly as ever, and the coin purse is still held safely inside, attached by it's dainty golden chain. I suspect it probably included a mirror at one point, as lady bags usually do. Not surprisingly, the mirror was long gone, but when I got the bag home, I noticed that the previous owner had placed a shiny penny inside...a sure sign of good luck and prosperity, according to my lovely grandmother, who certainly was glamorous...and had her share of lady bags, as I recall.


Anyway, this chocolately Steffen creation will be going to lunch with me tomorrow! And together, we'll bring new meaning to *brown baggin' it*! xo

Little Pink Hat

Oh, the joys of an adorable vintage hat! This dainty cap, with it's pearly pink blossoms, looks freshly picked right off the top of Lucy Ricardo's poodle-cut! But...is it actually vintage...or isn't it?? Truth be told, my very, very good friend, Panache!, made this floral fancy! That's right...and although you can't see the inside, I'll tell you that it's lined with the palest, whispery pink dupioni silk (are you drooling yet?) and trimmed with velvet ribbon...


My Little Pink Hat is so sweet, I just can't wait to take it out to afternoon tea, where it can mingle with an absolutely dreamy faux-fur trimmed cardigan and a strand of grandma's pearls!

Star of the Week!

Does that croooooon make you swoooooon? Dean Martin...sigh! We have so much in common, Dino and I...for instance, he's usually a little drunky-wunky...so am I! He doesn't take himself too seriously...neither do I! He exu-u-udes sexuality...so do I!! And he can really belt out a tune or two...like you-know-who!! Ah, Dino, Dino, Dino...that's amore!

Salute to the Sun

Happy July, my darlings!! Now get out there and frolic in the sunshine! xo