I always notice 1930s manicures because in films, there is inevitably a close up of a woman holding a telegraph letter or clicking away at a typewriter. I’ve cut my nails into little sharp points for about four years, and it is a very satisfying, wearable shape. This manicure makes my nails grow longer because there is less surface area on the edges to nick. Also, this style suits my busy hands-on lifestyle because it rarely needs a touch up since the tips are bare.
Here is my 1930s style manicure, with the moons and the tips left naked. I was apprehensive to try out this style because I thought this would be difficult to execute, but it was so simple! The secret is to paint horizontally on the nail, not vertically like normal paint jobs. I have very pronounced moons in my nails, so I was able to follow them with the brush and create the pattern with little problem. If you have a shakey hand, I suggest cheap circular paper reinforcers as sticker guides for the polish.
A highly pigmented polish (such as OPI) will ensure that less coats of polish are needed. If you decide to add a clear top coat, make sure your nails are dry for a few hours, lest the pigmented color bleeds into the clear.

1. My nails before cutting
2. The first cuts – make them sharp and angled.
3. Pointed nails, after shaping with a file to soften points
4. Make your first stroke in horizontal motion. Continue filling in the nail with horizontal strokes.

Center, and Clockwise from top R:

Images from John Galliano’s Fall Fashion 2007, the “Boudoir Doll” fashion show
Diagram of Dita VonTeese’s Moon Manicure from Styleist
Diagram of Fingernail shape
1930s photograph – two toned and kitten claw sharp

Links:
Color palette of 1930s nail colors
Youtube video of Red/White moon manicure
Video: Constance Bennet takes us through her beauty routine from 1937

Menu: as served in the first-class dining saloon of the R.M.S. Titanic on April 14, 1912

The repast was served with a different wine for each course. Following the tenth course fresh fruits and cheeses were available followed by coffee and cigars accompanied by port and, if desired, distilled spirits. Quite a meal, if it were to be your last! Look at this!!! It’s a dollhouse miniature of the Last Meal eaten on the Titanic!

Louise Black and Chaos Dollheads were dressed to the 9s in fancy attire. We danced to the White Ghost Shivers, who danced on tables, hooted on jugs, and regaled us with tales of murderous men with no hands and dancing grandpas.

As has been my tradition since moving to Texas, I painted myself up in Dia de los Muertos makeup. Last night, I went as Deer de los Muertos, complete with antler headpiece and head fulla roses. My makeup skills have VASTLY improved over the past three years, and I was quite pleased with my bedraggled scarf, which was actually the bottom to a 1920s dress that had separated from dry rot the night before at the Zombie Ball. More deer antlers are for sale on my etsy.
Makeup comparison from 2010 (L) and 2009 (R)
This gold outfit (above) and the blue outfit (more above) are from my Day of the Dead outfits from 2009. Happy Day of the Dead to everyone! I will light a candle tonight in hopes that Kevin, Burch, Nina, Valaria, Jack, and other near and dears will have a safe journey tonight on earth.

What a lovely little frock I’ve found! At first, I was drawn to it because it looks like a pinafore apron, especially because of the ruffly shoulders. It has little purple and teal flowers ribbon trailing out of baskets. And ric rac! I’m such a sucker for ric rack. Unfortunately, we were hit by a giant thunderstorm this evening, and as I was running to my bus stop with my bike in a downpour, I slipped and fell with my bike on top of me. I suffered a scraped shoulder and arm, and my dress was crushed with dirt and blood. I also had my millinery violets in my front pocket, and they bled a huge purple stain down the front of the dress. As soon as I got home, I soaked the stain in my own personal savior, Biz Laundry Stain Fighter and the stain has nearly disappeared! I first found out about Biz when I worked at the Antique Expo in Portland, during a conversation with a woman whose hobby was to restore Edwardian linens. She swore by it, and now that I’ve been using it for two years – I do too!
My tattoo is now two years old, and I’m still smitten by the design. My friend Grace drew the bunny and the hand is based off of Victorian mourning jewelry. Annie Mess is my artist for this piece and my Valentine leg pieces, and if you’re in the Austin area I highly recommend her. She likes to brought cupcakes to tattoo appointments

I’ve been watching 1940s house for the last few days. What a show! It’s so exciting and emotional, furthered on by the historical context and war-time committee that influences the event in the family’s life. They must black out their windows, build an Anderson Bomb Shelter, and eat on rationing tickets. I know I’m about 10 years behind in discovering the show, but if you haven’t seen it, it’s a wonderful show to experience. The way “living” in the 1940s has changed around the life of the people in the show is really inspirational. The grandmother of the show cut her food budget by 50% by shopping for grocery items in a 1940s way, that is, less packaged food and fresh produce and meat from the butcher.
Today was rather cool so I could wear Gabardine, which Texas heat usually does not allow.
Here is my 1930s style manicure, with the moons and the tips left naked. I was apprehensive to try out this style because I thought this would be difficult to execute, but it was so simple! The secret is to paint horizontally on the nail, not vertically like normal paint jobs. I have very pronounced moons in my nails, so I was able to follow them with the brush and create the pattern with little problem. I always notice 1930s manicures because there is inevitably a close up of a woman holding a telegraph letter. I’ve cut my nails into little sharp points for about 4 years now and it’s a very satisfying shape and it makes my nails grow longer because there is less surface area on the edges to nick.

Center, and Clockwise from top R:
Images from John Galliano’s Fall Fashion 2007, the “Boudoir Doll” fashion show
Diagram of Dita VonTeese’s Moon Manicure from Styleist
Diagram of Fingernail shape
1930s photograph – two toned and kitten claw sharp

Here’s my spin on a 1930s Chorus Girl outfit – I’m ready to dance!
I love this color of peach – and the garment has little floral embroidery and a rotting silk ribbon at the front.

I check this book out through interlibrary loan a few weeks ago and it has literally reshaped my techniques of pincurling. It is an invaluable resource for understanding curls and has the most ridiculous details of how to set them, how to brush them out, and how to sculpt them into different styles. Information about it here: Vintage Hairstyling on Amazon, but check your local library to check it out first.

Speaking of pincurls – everyone PLEASE check out the newest issue of Zelda, Bellewether and I are contributors to a full-color pincurl tutorial. It also features:

• COVER STORY : Like a Melody: Doris Eaton Travis (interview)
• A True Classic: Robert Osborne (interview),
• Marsha Hunt: On Golden Era Fashion (interview) ,
• Cocktails : Dead Men Tell No Tales, But Their Spirits Do!,
• Pincurling Tutorial,
• A Dress Shoe for the Man of Action (in 1922),
• Illustrations by Fyodor Pavlov, Lawrence Gullo, and Joslyn Zoe, Gelber & Manning,
• Vicky Butterfly : Vintage Burlesquer,
• Sage Advice : Mister Burton,
• Vintage City 101: Los Angeles, On the Town
• All of this for $7.50!! That’s less than a cocktail!

My hair is set to make the curls above by backwards curling them and pinned at the scalp so that they strand strait up. When they are combed out they make big corkscrew curls that boing into shape and stay that way for a few days (with resetting at night). Upon talking about flapper ‘fros, Nika recommended washing my hair with BIG from Lush because it has salt and citrus in it, so I tried out my salt face scrub instead (because I already owned it) and it turned out so well! It’s very fluffy and clean feeling, even four days later! I think when I run out of the scrub I’ll just make a paste of sea salt and citrus along with my normal combination of Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda. Yes, I like to cook with my hair.

Top Left: The gals from “Gold Diggers of 1937″
Bottom Left:Chorus girls from “The Singing Kid”
Top Right:From “Dancing Lady” (1933)

It’s the end of the week! Hello! I made it! It’s the last day of my pincurl set so my dirty hair is hiding under this hat!
I very nearly typed “July” instead of January in my header. It is 76F outside and I was lucky enough to get my daily outfit taken when it was somewhat cloudy this morning! I don’t understand Texas, one month it’s bitterly cold, and a few weeks later it’s cotton dress weather again. I’ll be sleeping with just a sheet and the Arkansas Air Conditioning (peppermint and water in a spritzer) on before you know it!
These Remix Shoes have been on my wishlist now for ages! I have been searching for green shoes of any sort for much, much longer. When Fleur posted about them as being on sale last week, I hi-tailed it to Amazon and ordered me some. I really like them so far, although I’ve only worn them with socks. When it gets hot enough to go with out stockings (let’s say, in a week, Austin time, har har) I will let you know how they feel. After this shoot, I re-laced all the way down the front and I like them better… they look less like grandma SAS shoes.

When I was in Seattle, I got my hair fingerwaved on Tuesday. Here it is, Friday, and my set is still quite convincing! I got caught in several rain storms in Seattle and in Austin, so I’m surprised it’s held up so well! I’ve slept with it wrapped up in a silky handkerchief with the little curls taped to my forehead. I just brushed out my hair this evening and will try and wear it as a looser wave for tomorrow’s post.

Do you know about hair tape? It’s pink and about $4 at beauty supply stores. It’s a special tape that will help you to hold kiss curls in place without sticking to the hair or leaving prong clip marks on the curls. Plus, it kind of sort of blends in so one might feel comfortable going to the grocery store on a quick errand while wearing it.

View from the front View from the side.

View from the back.

Here I am, pictured above, on the sea-facing coast of Ilha Grande, Brazil during my vacation there to see G. this past summer. Before this photo was taken, G. and I had hiked several miles up and down a mountain through rain and lots of puddles. I have just taken off my extremely muddy shoes so that I might dry my toes in the soft powdery sand.

I had only bought one pair of shoes to Brazil, some flat t-strap Mary Jane that were black, shiny and perfect for dressing up an outfit but still being able to ride my bike. I had such fun on this trip to the island! The sights were so wonderful that I didn’t mind offering my favorite shoes as a sacrifice to the Rainforest!

I have been traveling a lot lately in the past year – mostly to attend my own gallery openings or just to vacation to see old friends. Seattle, New Orleans, San Francisco, Providence, Belo Horizonte, Brazil: in each city I’ve managed to wear nearly 100% vintage with no hassle and little effort. I’ve made a list for you all below in hopes that you’ll remember it for your next trip!

I first discovered Tea Tree baby wipes during a layover in the Denver airport on my way to Arkansas for holidays in 2005. I bawked at using what is essentially a baby wipe at first, but I love tea tree oil and use it in my baths and as laundry solution so I wasn’t opposed to trying it. I’ve found that the wipes are indispensible cleaning tools for long days on airplanes, trains or walking city blocks. They freshen face, backs of necks, knees, and anywhere else you might need perking up.

Wear practical lingerie. At least two slips, one dark, one light, will suit most needs. In the first image of this post, you can see my trusty pink slip poking out from my print dress. It is a must! A comfortable, flattering base such as a lace full slip can also double as pajamas, as I am oft to forget to pack them in the first place. Also, you never have to get fully undressed if you wear a slip under everything, which is very helpful if one is staying in crowded hostels.

Part of the hassles of smart dressing means dealing with wrinkles in your fancy things. My solution? When packing, choose lace or patterned dresses; these garments won’t show that they’ve been squished in a backpack because the patterns are distracting. I roll each garment separately in a big ziploc bag so that nothing gets snagged while in transport. Those little lace bits are magnets for hook-and-eye closures to snag!
Still have wrinkles? I have been known to put a silk scarf over a screaming tea kettle to smooth the wrinkles out. Just don’t get the steam too close!

I am at the Musee Mechanique in San Francisco in front of the French Execution game in this photo. For this, I set my front kisscurl at night and put on a helmet cloche hat in the morning! It saves a lot of time and looks very chic at the same time.
This last trip to Seattle was a total treat for me – I got my hair fingerwaved by the loveliest young lady at the Aveda Institute. It cost about $20 and has lasted for four days so far! In my experience, those who are willing to do fingerwaves are either salons who cater to vintage styles or those fresh out of beauty school. Fingerwaves and pincurls are still taught in schools, I’m told, although most think they are outdated. I’m happy to find a stylist who is excited about fingerwaves, because usually when I phone a salon to ask if they provide them, I expect a groan!
Paired with a little dark lipstick and groomed eyebrows, the fingerwave will dress up any little black dress or spice up a vintage sweater set. Also, old ladies on the bus will smile and point to your head and whisper to their grand children, “That’s how grammy did her hair when she was a little girl!” It’s so cute!

Do you have any travel tips for Vintage Vivants?
Bon Voyage!

It was actually raining really hard when I took this photo!
Like I’ve said before… I LOVE MATCHY MATCHY!
Just the small bits of primary colored tweed that compliment the dress make this outfit very successful in my eyes
Here are my little bows! I scalped my Hello Kitty plush and now she looks SO much like Dear Daniel with no bow!

I stitched one single pronged pin curl clip to the back of each bow, so I can slip it on when I feel like channeling Hello Kitty.

Yellow Floofy Bow from a 1930s Valentine

The Gale Sisters

Trivia from IMDB: When June was performing with her twin sister Jean Gale and her other two sisters, Joan Gale and Jane Gale (also twins), they were billed as quadruplets instead of two sets of twins.
Ann Dvorak
Jeanette MacDonald
Fay Wray – a still from The Wax Museum (1933)

And the ultimate “beau” of the 20s herself, Miss Clara Bow! I like how she’s literally surrounded by floating bows in the background and berribboned on her head and shoes.

Bows are extremely cheap and very facile to work into your vintage wardrobe. I bought a ziplock bag full of scrap ribbon from a craft store for about $3.00 this past summer. There are about a million and a half different combinations of styles: Silky, matte, grosgrain, gingham, skinny, fat, lacy, double layered. I have a few multiples of the basics: red, navy, white, creme, lace as well as silly ones like canary yellow and blossom pink for special occasions. Personally, I like to match my red lipstick to my bows, but then again, I’m an advocate for matchy-matchy accessories.

As long as the ribbon is about two feet long and able to be tied around the circumference of the head, it will work! If you’re wearing a darker colored bow you can seal off the frayed edges with a match (just don’t burn yourself!), or you can use Dritz’s Fray Check to draw a line at the edge of lighter colored ribbon. Wait for the Fray Check to dry, and snip off the ribbon’s edge. Fray Check is a liquid plastic and tends to yellow over time, so don’t use it on heirloom ribbons or garments.

The secret to hair ribbon placement is such: Place the ribbon on your crown where you want it to lie. Tie the ribbon around your head and tie it at the base of the skull. Tie the bow, making large loops. Rotate the bow from the base of the skull to the top of the head, and you’re done! Experiment with wearing the ribbon at the crown, the sides and at different angles. Or, be like Hello Kitty and have it right smack above your left eye. In fact… I’ve been sacrificing some of my Hello Kitty plush in a ribbon project myself! This post will follow!

When storing your ribbons, make sure not to rumple them. I hang mine on a stand meant for necklaces, but by all means, clip them to a piece of string hung on the wall! To “iron” your ribbons, dunk them in hot water and lay them flat to dry overnight.

This is my favorite scene from Ghostworld.