Even though the sexy subjects in pin up girl art aren't anything like real women, I love it because it marries fashion, style, and gorgeous illustration with the flirtiest girls in town!
Sometimes the bodies look a little too perfect, but the women always have a playful ease and confidence that I can relate to. Having fun with your femininity is one of the best parts of being a woman.
The style is always reverent of women and sexuality and pays homage to the girl next door. Gil Elvgren, Antonio Vargas and George Petty are my top three artists. The cute fashions, cheeky poses and gorgeous saturated color make these illustrations so much fun!
Have you ever wished you could go back in time and give your twenty three year old self some wizened advice? I have.
There are a few things that I wish I had known that would have made my life heaps easier. Obviously it doesn’t work that way and we must slash and crawl our way through all the trials and tribulations of life and hopefully learn along the way.
I would also like to thank my twenty three year old self for a few things. Because she had a little foresight, twenty years later, I am reaping some huge benefits from her choices. And I am so thankful.
1. Thank you for not smoking.
As kids we start this habit because it feels glamorous and fun. But oh man. The effects of long term smoking are harsh and brutal, and so hard to quit. So thank you Christine for never getting into that.
2. Thank you for eating healthfully.
I have always been a real badger about what I eat. I started eating a vegetarian diet when I was eighteen. I ate mostly vegan, with occasional fish consumptions and dairy once in a blue moon. Like cheese when I am in Italy. Hard to avoid. But as a forty three year old woman I feel so great and I have to attribute it in part to my food choices, so thank you twenty three year old Christine for making that commitment.
3. Thank you for wearing sunscreen.
I became a sun protection freak after the damage had already been done. Growing up in the eighties was the era of tanning and baby oil. I shudder at the skin damage I did during that time. But I woke up somewhere around nineteen. I have been wearing copious amounts of SPF since.
But I made plenty of mistakes in my twenties. So if I could impart one piece of advice, this is what I would tell her.
Invest in becoming a whole person first, before you commit to a man.
I was so hyper focused on finding a boyfriend when I should have been living my life for me and exploring my interests and desires. When you have interests and desires of your own you have so much more to bring to a healthy relationship and you will attract a man that has a self-esteem and interest that compliment you.
Oh, and invest in Apple.
Gratitude for my good choices at twenty-three has made me think about what my sixty three year old self might thank my forty three year old self for.
I would tell my forty three year old self:
1. It is never too late to follow a dream. Never think you are too old to have a dream and go for it. You will manifest something wonderful in anything you put mindful attention, action, and baby steps to.
2. It is never too late to embrace your health. Our bodies are amazing in how they adapt. Eating right and exercise and passion are the pillars of radiant health as we age.
3. Don’t worry so much about your outer aging. Focus on embracing your life’s purpose, and taking care of your self, and your inner gifts and your beauty will always show on the outside. Get gorgeous on the inside first.
And here are a few things that I hope I will be thanking my forty three year old self for when I am sixty three:
1. Thank you for your sacrifices and hard work so that I can live abundantly.
2. Thank you for making the time investment in nurturing your relationships, for sharing with loved ones is priceless.
3. Thank you for taking care of yourself and living healthfully.
4. Thank you for tending your money garden so that I don’t have to worry now.
We all have living proof that choices we make in each moment effect our lives. So I am taking this day to recognize both the good and bad choices of my yesterdays so I can take responsibility for them and lay a great path for my radiant tomorrows.
There is high price of not standing behind your products and knowing your power.
Sometimes as consumers we feel powerless. In writing this I am at my edge. I am at the end of the line in a very unsatisfactory bordering horrible experience with Sears and Kenmore.
American companies are failing. As an American I really want to support our homegrown companies because our flourishing economy depends on our vibrant businesses.
But after the meltdown I just experienced, which is a rare occurrence for me, I just don’t know how else to make this situation right for me.
You see, I purchased a Kenmore refrigerator three years ago because
c. Sears is a great American company that employs many workers and has a nice reputation.
Sears is struggling. And now I know why. They don’t stand behind their products. Oh, they say they do, and if you purchase the additional agreement then they absolutely will. So in other words it is up to the consumer to purchase how much customer service you are going to get.
Bottom line: If you can pay for it, you can have better customer service.
My refrigerator is three years old. I feel that since we bought it new, the thing should at least outlast the limited warrantee. But no. The chemical leak that contaminated our all our food, and that we have been ingesting for months, ultimately rendered our fridge unfixable.
Sears is happy to give us a voucher for a few hundred dollars for the purchase of a new, ultimately more expensive fridge. Yay, but buy another Kenmore Sears product after such a horrible experience? TOTALLY OUT OF THE QUESTION.
So now I have to buy a new fridge.
But the real cost of Sears’s greed is going to be money lost for them.
Because the people who read this and know me, might listen and may re-think their purchase from Sears. Which could potentially lose them thousand of dollars.
So passing the buck of responsibility can work in the short run.
Ok, fine. I accept that I only purchased the lower priced service agreement. I accept my responsibility for that.
But Sears and Kenmore need to take a little responsibility for their products. I don’t think it is unreasonable to want a new fridge when there is a toxic chemical leak in mine. I don’t think it is unreasonable that the leak was caused by the deliverymen making a huge dent in the side and the internal organs bleeding out over time.
I don’t even believe the customer is always right. I don’t subscribe to the litigious “something for nothing” mind set.
I just want corporations to stand by their products like they say they do and understand the high cost of giving loyal customers the finger.
Because I can tell you this. I have a choice where I spend my money. That is all I got. AND. I. WILL. NEVER. BUY. ANOTHER. SEARS. KENMORE. PRODUCT. EVER.
Do you think that Louis D’Ambrosio CEO of Sears/ Kenmore will care? I highly doubt it. But I know he cares about his own paycheck. So ya never know.
I am not a ranter or a raver. But I recognize unfair treatment when I receive it. I strive everyday to be my highest self and live a life that creates connection and vitality over confrontation and harm.
So here I am, sharing with my beautiful readers my experience, so that you may know that what you do matters, where you spend your money matters, and sharing your experiences matter. We matter to each other.
When it seems that struggling American companies are holding on to every dollar they can to stay afloat just remember, the connections you cultivate are your power whether you are a huge company or a tiny consumer.
Florence Broadhurst is one of those artists that I think I will always be inspired by. Her work is lush and captivating. I know I am not alone. Artist Emma Hack takes the elegant beauty of Florence’s designs and makes them a living breathing art piece. If you don’t know the work of Florence Broadhurst you are in for a huge treat!
Forence was born in Australia in 1899, and sadly was murdered in her old age on 1977. Her murder remains a mystery.
A documentary About Florence I am dying to see!
The lovely lady herself. Flapper style.
A collection and sampler of her wallpapers and prints. Plus a gorgeous photo of her! Dig that cocktail ring!
Amazing and enchanting artist Emma Hack taking Florence's designs and making her own fabulous relm with it.
Me in my apartment in Rome Italy modeling my handmade costume that I handpainted Florence's Egret designs on the skirting, and stitched in red sequins.
Here is the back.
And just for fun, the hand beaded head piece I made. It took weeks to make that thing!
You had to know this was coming. Ever since Batman, The Dark Knight, and Ironman made like a bazillion dollars a few summers ago, it was just a matter of time before the onslaught of superhero films hit the big screen.
For me this is a case of, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
I think I rented Dark Knight because of Heath Ledger, but never finished it. But Hollywood in general has way upped their game in terms of casting hunky warriors, so I am in.
Not that I didn’t like Michael Keaton as Batman and all, but I for sure don’t wanna throw down Thor–style with Beetle juice. So bring on the hotties. I really like where this is all going.
Here are my faves.
The delicious Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, The Green Lantern.
The uber waxed and ultra hunky Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, Captian America from the Avengers.
Dark Kngiht Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne aka Batman.
Can't wait for this one. Hanry Cavill as Clark Kent the beloved Superman.
Odd choice, but I think it will be good. Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker, Spiderman
Super pumped and dirty Chris Hemsworth as Thor, God of Thunder. Yum.
The ever intoxicating Hugh Jackman ans Logan aka Wolverine.
One of the most prudent and useful things I ever purchased was a hammer I like to affectionately call “The Lady Hammer.”
Let me give you a visual. It is a mini hammer that has a floral print finish on the hammer part, and a grippy handle that unscrews like Russian nesting dolls to reveal several small screwdrivers.
She was an impulse purchase years ago when I was a wardrobe stylist. I thought she would be perfect to go in my kit in case I ever needed her on set.
Almost immediately when I arrived at my latest commercial job there was a need for it. A wayward screw sticking out of a panel threatened to snag some sensitive clothing on any passersby there might have been. I had to avert impending disaster. Never fear. I reached in my handbag, whipped out my girly hammer and was on task! Before I could make the first twist I noticed that men and women alike were glaring silently mouths agape.
I didn’t let the naysayers deter me. I screwed in the offending appendage lickety split. I stood, dusted off my hands and then was met with a torrent of sexist hammer jokes. I chuckled along with them. Oh sure. Make fun of the ladylike tool. But who actually had the goods to get ‘er done?
Now I am not saying you can build a house with her. Or even that a gal shouldn’t invest in a kick ass set of craftsman.
I am just saying don’t hate the lady hammer. She has gotten me out of so many jams.
She is pocket sized, but has a little weight behind her.
She fits neatly into my purse and is decorative to boot.
In fact my hubs-to-be actually asks for her by name when he has a common household task to do. She is always available. Day or night.
Just because she is in a pretty package doesn’t mean she is not ultra functional.
Maybe someday I will break down and buy the whole set of tools, but for now it is just the Lady Hammer and me. Doing repairs, in a pinch, side by side.
I have recently become rather obsessed with polka dots. Mahogany study walls are to the English gentleman what polka dots are to the flirty gal. They seem to go with the territory. Polka dots just scream happy.
My recent obsession with dots all started with a dress I bought. I had never even considered dots before. They were just so...cheery.
I needed a cute dress for an occasion and saw a really cute dotty dress hanging pertly on the hanger. So I tried it on and Wow! I felt transformed. Suddenly I went from blasé to bounce!
When I know I need to drum up some flirty energy fast, I put on the dots.
Now that dots were on my radar, I notice adorable dotted things everywhere!
So here is what I have recently acquired. Dot wise.
1. Dot dress. (See photo)
2. Black and white polka dot tape.
3. Dotted shoes.
4. A summer top.
5. A bra. It has pink bows. It rules.
I fear that my obsession may not be waning any time soon. My only fear is that people will stop making cute dotty stuff!
About five years ago I was playing Tennis with a friend of mine named Manny. Neither one of us is a great Tennis player, but we just enjoyed knocking the ball back and forth.
During this game I kept unconsciously apologizing every time I scored or lobbed the ball and Manny had to stretch waaaaay out to keep up with my completely deliberate and off the hizzy controlled moves. Or if he missed the ball. Or if I missed the ball. Or if the sun came out from behind the clouds and momentarily blinded him.
After about ten minutes of me saying, “I’m sorry” every five seconds or so, Manny threw up his hands and shouted “Stop saying you’re sorry!!”
I replied with the only thing I could think of.
“I’m sorry.”
Betcha saw that one coming.
Point is, when I think back to even just five years ago I can’t help but gratefully notice how far I have come from my automatic apology disease. I was not only unconsciously apologizing for everything, but there was a part of me that meant it.
Somewhere deep down I had the feeling I needed to apologize for my existence. Or if I messed up. Or if I was more successful than someone at something. I was so quick to try to manage someone else’s feeling. I would try to comfort myself by making their feeling somehow my responsibility.
Now I notice this quality a lot in other people. Rampant apologies are everywhere.
Sometimes people say, “I’m sorry” because they feel discomfort and hope that another person will validate them.
“You’re okay.”
It is a reactive learned behavior and it has nothing to do with an actual apology.
In my case it was an unwillingness to feel disliked by the person I was trouncing in tennis. It was also to mask the happiness that I was feeling by moving my body, and hanging out with my friend on a beautiful day. I used to have a real problem allowing myself any kind of joy no matter how small.
I thought that if I was experiencing pleasure then I must have somehow been wasting my time with frittering it away on something unimportant. Unless I experienced frustration and doom, I thought I wasn’t doing anything worthwhile.
Once I became aware of my constant apologizing I was able to rein it in.
As Americans we use “I’m sorry” as fall back words to communicate different things.
We say it when we don’t hear someone. We say it when we accidentally bump into someone’s grocery cart. We say it when we should say “No” simply and directly. We reactively say it whether we mean it or not.
Our reactionary sorrys have diluted our real authentic sorrys.
How do you break the sorry cycle?
First recognize when you are spewing sorrys.
Second, allow the feelings that are arising which trigger the sorrys. This includes both good and difficult feelings.
Third, investigate any core reasons you may have that are behind your sorrys.
And finally, know that your identity is not made up of these thoughts and feelings. You are simply trying to notice and break old habits.
Remember not to chastise yourself when you slip up. It takes time to reboot. One huge benefit is that when you get to a place where you have a grip on your sorrys, when you really need to deliver an authentic apology it will be much more meaningful.
Being able to deliver a meaningful apology is great tool to have in your kit. And hopefully you won’t have to bring that one out too much. And under no circumstances are you to bring it out when you are completely schooling a dude at Tennis.
As Christie's prepares to auction off Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry collection this coming December, I find myself considering the impermanence of things, but also the gravitas of the objects remaining from a life lived to it's fullest. Even though Liz wore the jewels, as her fans, we get to delight in her glamour and style.
A beauty in emeralds.
Heeeey. Don't hate.
Stunning white diamonds.
Same set, different decade.
I am partial to the headpieces. And the clevage.
There was always a haunting quality behind Elizabeth's statement glamour. Even though her lifestyle seemed decadent, her beauty was very human and vulnerable.
No matter how glitzy her jewels, nothing outshone the woman herself. Her raven hair and violet eyes were lovely. It seems like a long ago era when women actually collected jewels. I think modern women probably think "Meh, just get me an ipad." Or like a really cool Coach bag. What seemed precious then, like furs and jewels, now doesn't even seem like a delirious possibility.
So I love to dream about the kind of life that went along with such beloved and treasured gems. And I find that I can not. Only one person has ever been able to really value those jewels in the way they ought to. Elizabeth Taylor.
My husband-to-be just said, "Who is going to be next for Candyman Monday?"
"The hottest Mr. Darcy!" I reply. Pleased with my originality. (which it turns out is not so original after all since I found a youtube of the best Mr. Darcy's when I was searching for a juicy clip to show. See video below...)
To my utter disbelief and consternation he said...
"Who?"
This is where my mouth falls open and I sputter and can't quite find words. I eventually squeeze out, "What do you mean who!" I try to keep the indignant tone out of my voice but fail. How does anyone not know who Mr. Darcy is? Oh, thats right...he is a guy.
He continues to snack on his apple and between chews he says, "Oh, you mean like one of those old fashioned dudes in which a pretty girl has to save the family fortune by marrying a dick, but then he turns out nice. Those stories are all the same..."
"They are not!" I reply taughtly. "Take Jane Eyre, or Sense and Sensibility or, or, or, Emma, or....Oh forget it" Mumbling now.
The volume of his chewing increases as he saunters toward the door.
"Well, am I right?" He innocently quirks his upper lip in a half smile.
There is now a cartoon gray cloud above my head comic strip style.
I cross my arms and huff.
"Shut up." I say under my breath.
His laughter can be heard in the next room.
Men will never understand Mr. Darcy.
From the totally adorable film "Lost in Austen" the equally adorable Elliot Cowan.
Cutie pie Martin Henderson from the Bollywood version called Bride and Prejudice starring the always stunning Aishwarya Rai.
David Rintoul from the slightly stuffy 1980 BBC version.
Laurence Olivier in the 1940 version of Pride and Prejudice. Love the gloves. For you over the top costume lovers (like me), this is a fantastic version.
I think Colin Firth is by and large the favorite Mr. Darcy. I adore Colin Firth. And I loved his Mr. Darcy. I wish he and Lizzie kissed more though..
If you are one of the few remaining women on the planet that have yet to see the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice...run. Don't walk. Put it in your Netflix queue!
Lastly. My personal fave. *sigh* Matthew MacFadyen. I know I am probably dissenting from popular opinion here, but I just love his big legs as he tromps o'er the moors with his cape thingie swirling behind him. And the adorable way he stutters and says, "I...I love you." to Elizabeth Bennett. I love how he was douchy in the beginning but he was really just shy.
I would love to know your favorite Mr. Darcy!
This is where hubs-to-be comes back into the room as I am just about to post this and says, "Hey! Is that a montage of the hottest Mr. Darcy's set to a gay disco anthem?"
"Get OUT!!" I scream as he casually takes another apple from the fruit bowl and bites into it and leans against the counter in total delight.
I leap up from the computer and fire off one of Kiera Knightly's best lines.
"From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry." I am pleased with myself for getting the quote right.
Still smiling he says, "That's cuz we were only eleven when we met."
"A technicality Sir." I am smiling now too.
He grabs me and kisses me around a mouthful of apple.
"Lucky you don't have to save the family fortune." he says getting a little bit of apple spit on my cheek.
He's right again of course. And I still get to marry a nice guy. I guess I am glad he doesn't know who Mr. Darcy is. Because then he might know that he is even better.
I am so glad you enjoy dollybelles peepshow and dollybelle themed artwork, photography and writing! Please know that my entire collection of original designs and writing is trademarked and copyrighted. Any unauthorized use or reproduction of copyrighted designs or material is a no no without previous permission, under the US Federal copyright law, as well as international copyright agreements. We reserve the right to pursue any copyright infringements to the full extent of the law! 2005-2011 by Christine Rose Elle all rights reserved. Thank you!
