Retro Revival: Jessica Chastain vs. Sophia Loren

There is something so elegant and timeless about a black lace dress with a nude underlay. It is both sexy and ladylike at the same time. Today’s retro revival comes to you courtesy of Miss Sophia Loren and Miss Jessica Chastain, two lovely ladies clad in two very similar lacy frocks!

Jessica recently wore this amazing Oscar De La Renta Pre-Fall 2013 dress to the NYC premiere of the film “Mama”. While that movie looks way too scary for my taste, this stunning cocktail dress is absolutely my cup of tea! Paired with an extraordinary diamond collar by Harry Winston, she is pure vintage perfection! Such a classic retro look on a classically beautiful girl! 

Speaking of classically beautiful, I found this photo of screen siren Sophia Loren in an equally stunning black lace dress from the 1950’s. Sophia paired hers with a fabulous veiled hat and simple black heels. 

I personally adore both of these dresses, but I prefer the neckline of Jessica’s paired with the fuller flared a line skirt from Sophia’s. To me, that would be a perfect combination! As for the accessories  you can’t go wrong with Harry Winston or a magnificent veiled topper 😉

Which look do you Dolls prefer? 1950’s Sophia or contemporary Jessica? 

Until next time!

XOXO

Retro Revival: Jessica Alba Vs. Grace Kelly

Designers are constantly influenced by styles of the past whether it be a silhouette, a pattern, a cut or a fabric. Whenever I really like a contemporary garment, it is almost always because it reminds me of something vintage. So, when I saw the lovely Jessica Alba in this Valentino Resort 2013 gown, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of deja vu! 

41st Annual East Village Block Fair

Every September, the East Village has these little block fairs on Saturdays and they are chock full of vintage treasures! It’s like a mini block long flea market right in the middle of Manhattan. It was an absolutely gorgeous weather day with a cool breeze, lots of warm sunshine and merchandise that was ripe for the picking! I got some good deals, met some great people and had a fantastic time!

Grandma Libby’s Catalina Swimsuit in Country Living Magazine

Today was (sadly) the unofficial end of summer. What better way to give her one last hurrah than with a little vintage swimwear post!

Country Living Magazine is one of my faves and they often have vintage specific content that I just can’t get enough of. While recently going through some old issues, I spotted a very familiar swimsuit staring back at me from an article on collecting vintage bathing suits. Lo and behold, it was my grandmother Libby’s fabulous floral one-piece by Catalina! I always loved that picture of her standing with my great grandmother in the Coney Island surf.

Coney Island Pinup!

While doing my Spring cleaning, I found some wonderful pictures of my beloved Grandmother Connee that I thought I had lost!

She hated taking photographs and always did her best to look away from the camera but in this handful of rare shots, she is all smiles in her cat eye sunglasses sitting on the beach at Coney Island! 

Inside Generation Style: IFB Fashion Show!

Wednesday night I was invited to the “Inside Generation Style” fashion show at the Metropolitan pavilion!

The event was sponsored by IFB (Independent Fashion Bloggers) and Intel. What made the show unique was that instead of professional models, the show featured fashion bloggers strutting their stuff down the runway!

I liked that they chose different types of real gals to model for this function, including plus-size. The clothes were all from Norma Kamali’s Kamali Kulture collection with handbags by Orla Kiely and jewelry by Baublebar. The hair was done by Arrojo Studio, which made me smile because I used to love watching Mr. Arrojo himself when he was on TLC’s “What Not To Wear”!

I have to admit, I felt a bit intimidated as I did not know anyone at the event and I went solo, but I met some very nice people and had a great time!

Looking forward to attending more of IFB’s future events 🙂

Betsey Johnson Spring Sample Sale!

Most of you who know me are fully aware of my love affair with Betsey Johnson. In my eyes, the woman can do no wrong! So with a credit card in my hand and visions of pink tutus in my head, I made the trip up to the Times Square area to check out her Spring sample sale at the Millennium Broadway Hotel! 

Le Ensemble Du Jour!

This weather has truly been outrageous!

 I made a lunch date with my dear friend Becky on Monday to meet at my favorite pizzeria, Rosario’s!

Adios Billy’s Antiques: NYC Landmark Says Goodbye, Bowery Style!

My earliest memory of Billy’s is of driving past it every morning on my way to elementary school. Whenever we got stopped at the light on Houston & Bowery, homeless men would bombard the car and before you could say otherwise, they were spraying the windshield with cloudy blue liquid, smearing a soiled rag across its surface, making it dirtier than it originally was.  The streets were desolate, just empty lots full of debris and overgrown weeds.  Not exactly the kind of place you would want to spend time, unless of course you were looking to score some drugs.

My Grandmother Libby: The Original Pin Up!

There’s a picture on the wall in my parents house that has been there for as long as I can remember. A beautiful young brunette with her hair done just so, adorned with a perfectly blossomed rose in the center, sprawled out on a grassy knoll with a “come hither” stare. That woman always had me fascinated as a child;  she was so poised and elegant yet she exuded sex appeal. Voluptuous and womanly with a face that could stop traffic, she was often mistaken for Dorothy L’Amour!