Vote Miss Sixties Twist for Miss Viva Las Vegas

So the news is out! I made it to the Miss Viva Las Vegas voting round. Last September I entered this pin up contest (actually it’s the most popular pinup pageant in the world) and I’ve been selected to have the chance to get to the final. But…I need your help to make it! 

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Vintage Illustrators: Coby Whitmore

Coby Whitmore (1913-1988) is one of those artists whose art really caught my eye the first time I saw his illustrations. This american illustrator became well known in the United States for his work for the advertising industry and for his illustrations for The Evening Post.

Coby Whitmore also illustrated articles in the 40s, 50s and 60s, and his work always features glamorous people from yesteryear. 

His art influenced modern illustrators, as well as comic book artists. 

Hope you liked the post, will be back soon! 

Vintage shopping in Burbank & Long Beach

In a couple of months it’s going to mark exactly one year since I visited California. I fell in love with Burbank and its vintage and antiques shops, so I decided to write a post with the shops I visited during my trip.

Playclothes Vintage
Magnolia Blvd is the jam for vintage. Seriously! And Playclothes Vintage is definitely the place to go. They have a large space with different rooms and all kinds of vintage and antiques you can think of. From lingerie, pottery to casual garments, they specialise in the 50s, 60s and 70s.


Swift Vintage
We visited the shop just to check if they had anything interesting, and we found great stuff for men. The owner even offered us a discount for a repro vintage western jacket. Check the bakelite and jewelry collection they have.

Pinup Girl Boutique

They sell repro garments and accesorize from Pinup Girl Clothing. A must visit when you’re in California! Friendly stuff and fantastic atmosphere. Plus they have the best clothes one can ever buy!

 

Audrey K Boutique

They have their own range of clothing and also sell other repro brands. Audrey, the owner, also sells vintage inspired purses and other products perfect as a gift. Check their social media to see if they organize any yard sale with Pinup Girl Clothing when you’re around!


Besame Cosmetics
I’m sure you’ve all heard about Besame Cosmetics, the most popular vintage inspired make up brand. All their products are cruelty free and present a beautiful packaging. Perfect to channel your inner Hollywood diva! Don’t forget to visit their shop in Burbank, in front of Pinup Girl Clothing.


BAIT Footwear
Located in Long Beach, they sell the cutest shoes you’ll ever wear. Their designs are all cruelty free and are vintage inspired. Make sure to visit their shop!  



Sneaky Tiki Boutique

Fans of the tiki culture have a place to visit when in Long Beach. Sneaky Tiki Boutique offers vintage clothing and accessorize with something in common: the tiki aesthetics. 


Meow

Also located in Long Beach’s Retro Row – the best area to shop vintage – one can find Meow, a kitschy shop full of surprises. They even sell vintage fridges! Make sure to check their shop, where they have areas set by decade. 


These are some of the shops I visited last year, can’t wait to go back!

Vintage Illustrators: Mike Ludlow

Today’s Vintage Illustrator is Mike Ludlow, american artist born in 1921. His work is specialized in glamour, so expect many sophisticated illustrations in this post 🙂
 He worked for important publications such as Esquire magazine, especially in the 50s, when he created illustrations with pin up girls ang stylish gentlemen. 

In he 60s, the women he painted were sexier. 

Mike Ludlow took inspiration from classic Hollywood starlets from the decade, like Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Jayne Mansfield. I love vintage glamour so he’s become one of my favorite artist so far.

He also collaborated with Esquire magazine with yearly glamorous calendars filled with pin ups, and designed the whole 1957 calendar – the last one of the Esquire series -. 
You can also check his work in the advertising business, creating ads and also illustrated covers for newspapers and romantic magazines. 

Hope you liked this post about Mike Ludlow (1921-2010)

Take care! 

Midcentury Nostalgia

Summer is the right time to go on vacation. But where?
Whether you have plans to go abroad or just plan on relaxing where you live, I just wanted to share with some inspirational and relaxing pictures from the 50s and early 60s in North America. 

Driving in your Cadillac, passing by avenues packed with palm trees and art deco houses or even having a bath by the sea…These photos instantly transport me to a quiet and warm place. 
Seeing these photos makes me want to visit the States again. I’m thinking on doing a blog post about my experiences there – I think they’d be useful – so expect a bunch of new articles coming up soon! 

And I’m definitely visiting Palm Springs next time I’m there! Looks like paradise to me 🙂
Hope you are all enjoying the month of July. It’s bloody hot in Spain!
Photos from Flickr

A 1950s life with a smartphone

Last month I did a guest post for Hard Headed Women, a blog in spanish about feminism, vintage aesthetics and other stuff. So I decided to post about it in English for my foreign readers!
As someone who dresses and looks like it has stepped out of a movie set, I often get told “to be 100% authentic, you shouldn’t be using a phone”. The other day I read in the news about a british woman who lives in a house from the late 30s and keeps everything as if it still were 1939. I got really annoyed after seeing rude comments of users criticising her. What’s wrong about wanting to live in the past but also being part of the 21st century? 
Personally and Professionally speaking, I love social media, and I’m a daily and avid user of them. I can’t live without Facebook, Instagram and other social networks. And I like to dress vintage inspired because that’s how I want to dress and look like. I hope to live in a midcentury house someday, own a tiki room for myself and hope tht my boyfriend will drive a Cadillac in the future. Does that make me old fashioned and too old to post on social media? Of course not.

Internet has played a key role in my life. Thanks to Instagram and Facebook I found that there were girls that, just like me, are fascinated by past decades and aim to dress like that everyday. The Rockabilly and Vintage Scene is huge thanks to social media and digital groups created to gather enthusiasts from all parts of the world. 


I’m sick of hearing nasty comments about my appearance and the way I use social media. And I’m sure that those of you who have also been told these things have also heard comments regarding feminism. I know that women and other collectives had less rights back in the day, but because I dress like someone from the 1950s that doesn’t make me racist nor sexist. Wish people knew before judging. 

Awkward Creepy Encounters

Today I start a new series of blog posts about awkward encounters with people that don’t understand my way of life and the way I dress. I’ve entitled them Awkward Creepy Encounters because that’s what I think they are. So get ready to see what I experience on a regular basis.

This just happened to me last Friday, after leaving work just in time to have lunch. I was on my way to a restaurant near my office when I saw a teenager with an adult woman who I suppose was her mother.
Teenager: “Look at her!” – and started laughing and tried to hide with no effort. The adult woman standing next to her stared at me and laughed.
Shortly after that, I asked them if they had any problem with me, with just a “No” as an answer. But they kept laughing, especially the teenager who didn’t even bother to hide it.
 I don’t like how you dress either but I don’t judge you for it nor say it out loud. How rude! – and I left.
Although sadly I am used to being constantly judged on the street by complete strangers, I couldn’t help but get mad at that episode.

Someone who doesn’t teach their kids to respect others’ appearance  clearly is not a good parent. How are we supposed to live in a society whose people laugh at others just by the way they dress, and even say those comments out loud?

I mean everyone has their own opinions about others, and we are constantly judged by the outside. But we should all be respectful and don’t say those nasty things. And what an example that a teen says those things in front of their parents and they don’t even bother to tell her that it is wrong to do so!

This is not the first time that I’ve been told or laughed at for who I am. And I don’t care about others’ opinions of me, but I just don’t understand why women have to tear other women down instead of just respect and empower each other.

I just wanted to write down this episode, and not all awkward creepy encounters are going to be negative. I’ve been approached by complete strangers to compliment me for my looks or even ask me about my style. 

Have a great start of the week and remember to be yourselves! 


Your Beauty Mark by Dita Von Teese

Last week I finally received Dita von Teese’s latest book, Your Beauty Mark. And what can I say? It’s like a Bible for vintage lovers!
I decided to buy after seeing amazing reviews online and snapshots from other vintage ladies I follow on Instagram. And this book is worth the wait and the price.
One of the aspects I love about Your Beauty Mark is the photo step by step tutorials. Dita herself helps the reader achieve her signature looks, and not only on hairstyling.

She presents tutorials on hair and make up, which will make it easier to try them at home. The book is focused on creating our signature look and style. With tips and information on skincare, make up, inspirational women and beauty experts, this book really does a lot for the reader. It is very encouraging and helpful for anybody willing to find their true self. 

Your Beauty Mark also features interviews with inspirational people, beauty experts and it offers further information on personalities such as Max Factor. How did Classic Hollywood actresses find their signature look back in the day? You’ll learn how. 

It took Dita von Teese nearly 10 years to write this book, with the help of Rose Apodaca. And it’s clear why. Your Beauty Mark features spectacular photos of the Burlesque icon in almost every page to keep the reader entertained. Plus there’s a chapter with step by step exercise routines for a fit body!


Get your copy now on Amazon! A must have for vintage girls. 

Throwback: Summer 2015 at the Screamin’ Rockabilly Festival

Hello people! 
Hope all is well. I haven’t updated the blog since last month, how rude! 

I’ve been quite busy with work lately. Oh and 2 days ago I turned 24! Can’t believe another year has gone by. 2015 was probably the best year of my life, to be honest. And today I’d like to show you all a throwback from last Summer when I felt incredible. 
Every year the town of Calella – near Barcelona – organizes the Screaming’ Rockabilly Festival, a vintage sounds festival which is known to be one of the most popular Rockabilly festivals in Spain. Bands from all over the world and even national artists perform there in front of a large audience from different nationalities. 
Sadly last year I couldn’t make it to the festival but I went to some of their free parties at the beach. Santi’s Beach Bar is the meeting point for rockers and pin ups attending the festival, and you can even spot vintage cars. And why not wear the most amazing ensemble from one of my favorite brands? For that day I wore the Voodoo Vixen Top in black and a Jenny Skirt in harlequin. Both were my part of my first order at Pin Up Girl Clothing and I’ve become a fan since that day I decided to order online from them! ❤ 

Really looking forward to this year’s edition! The line up has already been announced, you can check it here.
Photos by me, Pilar Silveste and Javi Portillo
xx

Vintage Illustrators: Lynn Buckham

New year, and back in action with my Vintage Illustrators series, which you my followers and readers seem to enjoy 😉
Today’s illustrator is Lynn Buckham (1918 – 1982), known for his work for the advertising industry in the 50s and 60s. Even before that, but his golden years were during the 50s.

His illustrations often portrayed elegant women, also accompanied by men in their suits. His art reminds me a lot of Mad Men – a tv show that you should all see! -.

He even created illustrations for important companies such as Pepsi. This one’s from the 1950s. 
I have to admit that he is, along with Robert Maguire, one of my favorite vintage illustrators of all time. Oh, and I found my doppelgänger in one of his creations! 

Hope you liked this post. Soon I’ll show you another artist! 
xxx