To Do List

Faking it. Still a valuable skill for the modern girl.

Laughing, laughing. The guy next to me in the coffee shop is shrinking the other way. Read this short (very short) story in list form by Jennifer Egan on The Guardian's website. I didn't get to the other stories because now I'm making up captions for comics. The kind of stuff that will ensure gainful re-employment. (Maybe? Someday?)

Will be back tomorrow. Cheers.

(illustration via Comically Vintage - which is hilarious. I spend far too much time there.)

Cat in the Rain

Back from successful crossing of many streets. After watching Z last night (Netflix Fairy), I just couldn't help but be wary of errant vehicles. If you know not of what I speak, rent it. Please. (And after the giggling about late 1960s fashion stuff, the 'hey, where are the women?' thing, etc..you'll think, more seriously about it. Plus, what great faces in that film.) [[Note: I can't find the photo/image I want to go with a favorite Hemingway story & it's annoying me. So that's the why of this title.]

Weather report: Storm, rain, possible hail & all kinds of mess later. I didn't believe it last night & returned to rain inside the apartment & a damp Julie the Cat. So umbrellas, shades of gray, stripes (les rayures), bridges, reflections, etc.

I have not been able to do a real post on Jessica at myvintagevogue. Not one that would do her justice. So I'll let her speak for herself (below) & catch up to her apres le deluge. Jessica does a great job & sources, sources, sources. Her sites are below & her tumblr blog is in my right sidebar. As I've remarked before, usually at the top (to the unitiated, that means 'recency'); she is one busy lady. I hope that you will pay her a visit on one of her sites. Her collections have been essential for memory re-collection--priceless, in fact. [Direct link to photograph above.] Update: I'm trying to format this type properly; Blogger is driving me crazy. And storms have commenced...

From Jessica's flickr account:

"Welcome to my time machine - I like to think of myself as a curator or historian. The fashion photos are from 1920 through 1965. The lovely ladies of the silver screen were themselves’ style icons and so must be included in a page representing fashion from those years. I hope you enjoy and tell a friend.

Thank you all so much for all your kind word regarding this collection and for making this such a great experience for me.

Check out my website and blogs www.myvintagevogue.com or myvintagevogue.livejournal.com or @ photobucket s577.photobucket.com/albums/ss213/myvintagevogue & myvintagevogue.tumblr.com

Disclaimer: All photos unless otherwise indicated are not taken or owned by me. They are used solely for the purpose of discussion, education and inspiration. These images are not intended for any commercial purpose."

Spanish Manners

In a Spanish mood, flamenco chic on GG...& I love this photograph. It reminds me of a friend who grew up mostly in Madrid & Barcelona (though she is American-by-passport). Her father was, uh, a diplomat. (It took a few years to convince her that there were very few opera emergencies in 1960s Saigon, no matter her memories.) I loved her father, too, despite it all. We had shared Graham Greene Syndrome. (Dangerous place? We're there. I'm over it.) Sorry to say, he's been gone for...I don't know. Before September 11, anyway. Otherwise, I'd remember calling him in Barcelona.

I needed major protection for an event once (actually more than once). Sunglasses, a person on either side, & hauteur weren't enough & so out of my friend's Spanish closet came The Very Beautiful Thing. An enormous, black, embroidered antique flamenca's mantilla. I couldn't believe she would allow it out of the apartment. The fringe was on the floor unless I held myself just so. Which was the whole point, just so. I feel a subject coming on...or perhaps re-obsession. Now, though, time to make dinner.

[On another note: is anyone else about ready to storm the radio station where that oaf-toad Limbaugh lurks? I cannot escape him; everywhere, BBC, CBC, all the BCs. Eek. And no, a Latina judge nominee didn't bring on the Spanish stuff. Poking around GG archives did that...reruns due to same old non-health.]

[by Martha Holmes, LIFE archives, what else? ]

Shelter in Black & White

I'd feel better with this armor (& matching hat!). Adore umbrellas & usually in colors. Making do with a tatty, battered one, the color of dried blood, gag, that someone gave me as I left a meeting....six years ago. A twit (I'm being nicer than you can possibly imagine) borrowed a glorious Pucci-esque umbrella that I uncharacteristically purchased (full price). She promptly lost it. Never occurred to her to replace it--even when I screwed up my courage & asked. That's how it can be when other people have money & you don't. It just means "an umbrella" to them. To you? A major splurge. But now I'm fixated on this huge b&w brolly.

It's raining, it's pouring & we're to expect lots more. [by Nina Leen for LIFE, 1958 via myvintagevogue]