egypt is most definitely on my travel bucket list, and i absolutely love vintage color photos. so, i literally caught my breath when i stumbled upon these stunning 1920s autochromes taken in egypt by gervais courtellemont and w. robert moore for national geographic. daily inspiration: check!
working in the art world naturally brings me in contact with some incredibly talented and creative folks. one such coworker is the maven behind the adorable CIAO NINA accessories: handmade felt fascinators (as rocked by the always-impeccable blair on gossip girl this season, hello), as well as handmade and repurposed vintage jewelry and more.
you can catch nina at eastern market during the warmer months and at the occasional trunk show, but meanwhile, might i suggest her etsy shop? i’m betting you could check off all your most stylish friends from your christmas list in one fell swoop…
exhibit a:
i’m crushing on these “changing leaves” earrings
fall down the rabbit hole with a variety of “alice” collar necklaces
vintage milliner feather headbands in an array of colors - an amazing way to set off a cocktail dress at holiday parties this season
oh, hello, mad men… can’t you just see joan rocking this awesome ascot necklace?
…take it all home in a sweet screen-printed tote.
“well you’re not exactly superman, but you’re awfully available…”
white christmas, 1954
let’s have a moment for vera ellen as judy haynes in white christmas, shall we? the dance dynamo-half of the haynes sisters (betty haynes is played by rosemary clooney, who brings the pipes), judy is sassy, scheming, naive, one hell of a dancer, and hands-down wears the most drool-worthy outfits. i used to be convinced she was missing a rib or two, but i read recently she was battling anorexia at the time, which is why all her costumes were turtlenecks. so sad, but despite this struggle, she is just smashing.
here she is performing “sisters,” apparently the only song the haynes sisters knew (?)
the best things happen while you’re dancing, including a pink chiffon dream…
vermont-bound, in the dining car (witness: nonexistent waist)
i danced for 20-odd years. never saw anyone tap her toe at the speed vera ellen does in “choreography.” she just kills it.
“looks like it’s absolutely necessary.” i wish i could get my hands on this sweater today!
this unnamed dance number is sort of thrown in there but just phenomenal. i generally have to rewind and watch twice it’s so good.
dreaming of a white christmas finale
phil davis (danny kaye) to bob wallace (bing crosby), white christmas (1954)
25 days of white christmas: day 5
time to pay homage to the great rosemary clooney in white christmas! as the older haynes sister, betty is the romantic female lead who holds her own vocally with bing crosby to boot. she also gets to rock that killer black dress at the carousel club and i have also always loved (but can’t find a picture of) that little brown hat she wears to the train station when she is leaving vermont for new york. despite her misinformation about bob’s motives, we all cheer for betty, who holds out for—and gets—her knight in shining armor.
(post script: we certainly see where her nephew george got his hollywood pedigree!)
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