Pin Up Style going mainstream

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/fashion/a-sly-wink-to-pinups-of-the-past.html?_r=1&hpw This is the link to a NY Times article in today's paper on the growing trendiness of pin up girl fashions. Im not sure if you can see the article w/o having a password to the paper. But anyhow its point is that Battie Page Clothing Co. is doing well and the style of the rockabilly gal is moving to the forefront, being embraced by young women who like the 1950s. Personally I hate it when my obscure interests become mainstream, or more mainstream. But the upside is that when the trendies lose interest and dump all of their dresses at the thrift shop I can sweep in and buy them.

Flea market season in full swing

Flea market season is in full swing and I bought a few things this past weekend. I got these great melmac dishes with matching tray, made by Stetsonware. Snacks are bound to taste better when served out of these bowls. YES!! I also got an aqua divided serving bowl which I have soaking to get all of the filth off of it. Alas, many a merchant sells things "as is." I dont mind because I expect that clean items would cost more. I cannot resist stuff in pink and aqua!!! Why have we as a society turned our backs on this color scheme? I do not like the current trend toward earth tones. Blah, so drab. Anyhow, I also SCORED this vintage ceramic tiki mug from the Hawaii Kai restaurant. The mug was made by Jard Products in Japan. This is a total score for Pennsylvania because there are very few tiki souveniers to be found here, unlike in California. PA is a tiki free zone for the most part. This pains me because I am a bona fide dyed in the wool Polynesian Pop disciple who is obsessed with retro tiki culture. I need more tiki, more money and power and a 1960s Shelby Cobra in case you were wondering.

Viva CD purchases and Auction report April 2012

Here are 4 of the CDs I got a Viva: 2 volumes of Rare Blues Girls on King; Rockin’ on Acorn-Regent Vol. 1, which features excellent 1950s r&b, blues and gospel tunes; and Hands Off! The 1950-1956 Modern Studio recordings of Dolly Cooper, Zola Taylor, Helen Humes, Donna Hightower and Linda Peters. I have been listening to Rockin’ on Acorn-Regent around the clock, it is excellent. I got about 6 more Cds at Viva, these cats from England were selling them and they gave me good advice on what to choose. As for the estate auction, pickins have been slim lately but I did get this cute turquoise percolator and a set of pink Asian figurines. My photo makes them look dull, they are pretty pink. Hey, Im a junker, not a photographer.

see post below

Viva! Fear and Loathing Part II

This is my plastic souvenir skull mug from Viva. As soon as I saw people with them I knew I had to have one. The lid doesn’t fit too well but the bartender said they were all like that. Oh well. Highlights of Viva: seeing Tempest Storm on the casino floor! Not performing, just gliding across the floor. The Saint saw her walking across the room, this regal and elegant woman in a black gown, escorted by a man in a black suit. She radiated glory, seriously. He pointed at her and said, “Who is that?” I said, “OMG its Tempest Storm!!!” She walked right past me but I was too awestruck to say anything to her. Had I the courage I would have told her that she is a Goddess of the Highest Order. (and I am sure she would have thought I was an idiot.) She is gorgeous and amazing. After the midnite burlesque show (which was a blast!) they said she was going to be signing autographs but she wasn’t at the table when we came out of the show, so considering it was like 2.30 AM we returned to the room since the festivities (read: booze and lack of sleep) were taking their toll at that point. Burlesque show! Fabulous! I did go to the burlesque hall of fame but of course it was closed when I got there in spite of a sign that said it was open Fri from noon to five. Uh, no, it wasn’t open and I was annoyed, frankly. Why advertise at Viva and then be closed? The Saint says people with MBAs do not run all of this weird stuff that I am into so I just have to deal. Deke’s Guitar Geek show, where drummer Sandy Nelson made a special appearance, the crowd went crazy!

Rockstar of Retro

http://retrorenovation.com/2012/04/12/cullen-meyer-crown-prince-of-kitsch-40-photos/

Wow! This man named Cullen Meyer has the world’s most incredible collection of 1950s stuff, Its insane! His apartment is insane! I am going insane from jealousy!  My words cannot describe this place, so here is the link to the Retro Renovation blog, which contains his story:

http://retrorenovation.com/2012/04/12/cullen-meyer-crown-prince-of-kitsch-40-photos/

Viva! Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

The Saint and I are heading to the Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend, so I am quite excited and happy. I am packing clothes to wear and cannot fit into most of my nicer vintage duds due to my overeager consumption of baked goods and carbs. Hence the fear and loathing part of the experience. I will never look like a bombshell or a pin up. I just dont want to look like the Michelin man. Make that a nerdy Michelin man with Marcia Brady hair.  In addition we will NOT be going to Frankie's Tiki Room due to the crappy experience we had there last year with the world's rmost hostile and rude bartender (after an expensive cab ride over there and back). Silly me, I thought serving up tiki drinks, chatting with customers and listening to surf guitar all day would be a fun job, but evidently it turns the staff into raging Aholes. My mistake. Anyhow, I am looking forward to some r-n-r and some rock-n roll. Plus I can oogle cute rockabilly boys! And burlesque, how can I forget burlesque! Gonna see me some burlesque shows! And some hot rods! I am bringing alot of film with me to photograph the cars at the car show. I like film, I dislike digital cameras since I am a luddite who wishes it was 1957.