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Vintage Lifestyle

The Great LA Air Raid – 2013
Air Raid of 1942, Ft. MacArthur, Outings, Vintage Lifestyle

The Great LA Air Raid – 2013

Forgive me as I’m still catching up on events from last month! February was a short month, but a busy one. A couple weeks ago we attended my favorite event of the whole year – the Great Los Angeles Air Raid of 1942 at Ft. MacArthur. As you can see from the line up of sunglasses below, this year was especially gorgeous – I didn’t even wear my 1938 coat because it was so warm, darn it.
I wore an oldie but a goodie – I made my dress a few years ago for the Air Raid, and I think I’ve worn it at least 3 times to the event but never got any really good photos. It’s wool crepe with long sleeves, so it keeps me warm on the beach in February, but is too warm to wear to anything else.
I had a bit of a panic attack over my hair, which is too short and cut wrong for 40’s (First World Problems, I know). I got a beret, slapped some feathers and a brooch on it, and did some curl fluff around the ears – turned out rather okay! whew.
Rachel, Ashley, Lauren, me, Cait, Rusty
Overlooking the Bluff

With Cait

Michael and Cait – I had more fun editing this photo than any others. Aren’t they smashing?
the always adorable Rachel
This star was only about 2 feet off the ground, so getting the photo was pretty funny. 🙂 The boys nearby thought I was crazy when I announced I “needed a picture with my head in the star”.
Another Los Angeles landmark, the Griffith Observatory.

Me and Netta

Katharina – www.Facebook.com/GoForKatMakeup
Jealous…that’s all I got… 😉
Chris was running around, getting ready for a dance performance, 
but I grabbed him for a couple photos throughout the event
5pm Flyover
Morgan in his grandfather’s uniform

with Sharlene and Heather, a couple of my amazing dance girlfriends
Before and After
View from the Dance Floor

The Great LA Air Raid – 2012

As I mentioned in my last post, this weekend we attended the Great Los Angeles Air Raid of 1942 (2012 edition). We had a great time – the weather was beautiful, the band was great, and I had a new outfit! 😉 Other than dyeing my shoes I didn’t have time to make anything new, but I picked up a few new pieces recently that luckily went together nicely.

I’ve never been a hat person in the past because they’re usually awkward on the dance floor, but I’m challenging myself to wear them to more events. This turban hat was great though – it stayed put nicely the whole night!

Dancing to Dean Mora and The Fort Macarthur Officers Orchestra
Photo by Dave Welch – follow the link for more pics of the event!






There were tons of military vehicles and displays. I think it gets bigger every year!
Cait, Lauren and me – offering a little morale boost for the troops!

Heading to watch the Sherman Tank demonstration.

With Rusty Frank, one of our favorite local swing instructors. She taught a free lesson before the band started.
Sirens with the siren. 🙂

Climbing up to the top of the Sherman tank was a huge highlight – we felt like conquering heroes. Or at least really tall!

In addition to the military vehicles, there was a vintage car display – Lauren’s husband Matt made the clever display below with vintage tires. 
With Joshua Curtis, the author of Sunkissed. Love that book.

V for Victory! …-
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Gloves: MartasRose
Hat: antique store
Shoes: Aris Allen, dyed by me

HEIDI ROSENAU: vintage dancer, in 13 acts

Over the past week or so, my friend and fellow swing dancer Heidi Rosenau in New York has been the subject of a 13-day blog feature at TheChicIndex.com. She dresses in exquisite head-to-toe vintage daily, and shares some of her favorite outfits and the stories behind them. It’s fascinating and inspirational! 
Here are a couple of my favorite outfits so far, click over to the blog for more info and to see the rest. I can’t wait to see what she has lined up for the rest of the week!

We’re In The Money – Vintage Lifestyle Playlist

Friends, I’ll admit it. I almost forgot that I owed you a musical selection today! Theme weeks are going to be my downfall, I see that now. But my corsets are underway – as for patterns, I’m starting with the Mantua-Maker Regency Stays and the 1901 corset from Hunnisett’s Period Costume for Stage and Screen (yes, I know I said 1912 and now I’m doing 1901. Phhbt.) Anyhoo, I’ll post pics of the mockups when they’re mocked!
I’m afraid that I have a disappointment for you – I wanted to post “Hooray for Hollywood” from Hollywood Hotel, featuring Johnny Scat Davis and the Benny Goodman Orchestra (as a marching band!), among others. But no one has thought this clip important enough to post on YouTube yet, so I’m afraid you’ll have to haunt TCM for the movie. Perhaps my mom will help – back in the days of VHS, she haunted TCM for probably 6 months once, to record this movie for me! Ahh, the past was so much harder than life is today. Love that DVR.
Instead, here’s another clip from my playlist that’s straight from the soundtrack of a 30’s musical. Ginger Rogers lights up the screen in the opening number of The Gold Diggers of 1933 (I believe this was her first big movie role?) – cute and sassy right from the start. And how fabulous is that mini fashion show sequence in the middle? I’ll admit that I skip this track sometimes while driving, but the visuals improve the vocals considerably, don’t you agree?
I think I may have found inspiration for next year’s Halloween costume!

You’re The Top – Vintage Lifestyle Playlist

Here’s a gem – a rare recording of the Great Cole Porter singing his own song, accompanied by himself. There’s a true sense of zeitgeist in this tune – not only are the lyrics practically plucked from the newspaper headlines of the 30’s, but his voice and tempo and staccato delivery simply can’t be from any other era. 
I was thinking about doing a whole encyclopedic entry to explain the lyrics, but then I found this clip on YouTube that does the job far more elegantly than I would have.
“You’re The Top” written and performed by Cole Porter (1934)
Wikipedia lists some of the alternate lyrics from over the years.

Ain’t She Sweet – Vintage Lifestyle Playlist

Jimmie Lunceford is one of my favorite bandleaders – he’s the guy responsible for barnburners like “White Heat” and “Lunceford Special”. There’s a playful quality to his music, and this song is no exception.
“Ain’t She Sweet” recorded by Jimmie Lunceford and his Orchestra (1939)
I wasn’t joking when I said I like when the band sings, right? In case you weren’t sure, according to the record label you should fox-trot to this song.
And just for fun, here’s a couple other versions of this song.
“Ain’t She Sweet” recorded by Gene Austin (1927)
“Ain’t She Sweet” recorded by The Beatles (1961)
Which version is your favorite?