Five 1940s things to brighten your day

1. Red lipstick & nail varnish. Is there anything better than a bright red lip or a glossy red manicure? Not to a vintage girl! The color red has an amazing invigorating and uplifting effect. In fact, the signature 1940s shade Victory Red was created with just that very purpose in mind. Catching a glimpse of a cherry red lip in the mirror or those little ruby jewels on your fingertips while you cook, clean, sew, write, or whatever else you have planned, will brighten your day.

2. Handcrafts. A simple handcraft like knitting, sewing, or darning is a low cost activity that taps into the vintage make do and mend mentality of the wartime. It can also provide hours of entertainment - I enjoy working on a small project like knitting a pair of socks or a scarf that I can finish quickly for a little productivity boost. The movements of knit, purl over and over actually become quite meditative and a great way to focus your mind and relieve stress. 

3. Radio shows.  By 1940, radio shows had become so popular that over 80% of Americans had a radio at home; this era became known as the golden age of radio. With so many shows available, there was a little something for everyone - either fictional serialized dramas and spooky mysteries, or nonfiction topics such as history, cooking, comedy hours, or big band and swing concerts. Websites like Old Radio World and the 1940s Radio Station have preserved many of these radio shows for listeners even today. 

4. Hair flowers. As the morale of the 1940s was low, personal presentation was of utmost importance. To help keep spirits high, women were not only encouraged to present themselves beautifully, but also to bring beauty to others. The hair flower trend was all the rage in the 1940s as a simple way to add glamour, femininity, and a touch of whimsy to your appearance, especially as clothing production and affordability was low. Hair flowers, often made of rayon or silk, could add a pop of color to an outfit and also camouflage any imperfections in your hairstyle.

5. A strong cup of tea. Due to wartime, tea rations were scaled back to 2oz per adult per week, which averages out to around three cups a day. From 1942 onward, children received no tea allowance, and the elderly were granted an extra ration beginning in 1944. Unlike fine tea which is meant to be enjoyed plain, builders teas were created to be strong, brisk, and hold up to accompanying cream and sugar as a pick me up. Celebrate the end of 1940s wartime by brewing yourself a strong cup to fuel you through the day - with cream? Sugar? One lump or two?

— TYG

Creating a glamorous vanity table

Is there anything more inherently glamorous than a vanity table?  

I recently spotted this skirted vanity table at an estate sale. The blush pink color of the skirt and sweet matching stool is everything my younger self would have dreamed of (not to mention, it's the perfect color to complement my blog). The skirt will need some laundering but overall the piece is still in great condition considering it's approximately 70 years old. I've created a makeshift vanity on top of our bedroom dresser for the past few months, which has been serving my needs well enough. However, I prefer to apply my makeup in natural lighting, so being able to place my new table near a window will be immensely beneficial. The vanity is dainty with a lovely rounded kidney shape which makes it easy to maneuver. 

From my reading, these classic swing-arm vanity tables first came into fashion around 1930 and stopped being produced around 1980. When my husband was assisting in removing the table from the car, he noticed a stamp underneath the mirrored top, dated 1950. Next on my list is to add a lovely beveled trifold mirror, some pretty lamps, and a bud vase with flowers to complete the set up. 

I'm also planning to find drawer inserts to store my makeup and hair accessories. The mirror top will be decorated with a collection of feminine treasures, some from my current vanity and others that I plan to gather over time. Below are photos of some of my favorite Old Hollywood ladies and their own vanities for inspiration. I am always fascinated by what other ladies use for their toilette and love to scope out all the beautiful products and lovely bottles.

Having a careful, curated selection of items on your vanity table creates that glamorous Old Hollywood aura while also giving a personal look into who you are and how you care for yourself. The cosmetics we choose to paint ourselves with and the fragrances we choose to wear are such intimate details of our lives, which is what makes viewing a lady's vanity table so enchanting. There are some items I come across again and again that I think are essentials for a perfect vanity table...

Katharine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor, & Jean Harlow.

Vanity sets with brushes, combs, and a hand mirror create a look of cohesion on your table. You can find many sets still available online and in thrift or antique shops. I like to have a hand mirror for a closer application when applying lip liner and shaping my brows.

A vase for storing brushes. In the 1940s, head vases and glamour girl vases became hugely popular and add a bit of playful kitsch to your vanity. Some are now very collectable, so search for one that speaks to you and also fits in your price range.

Perfume bottles - I have a small wardrobe of fragrances and enjoy having them out on display. I mix them in with my collection of simple cut glass bottles and antique versions of my favorite brands and scents. Bottles with atomizers are also super glamorous - many are still functional, all you need to do is disassemble the bottle, give it a thorough clean, and refill with a new fragrance.

Trays for compartmentalizing - Using trays to store your fragrances and vintage perfume bottles in clusters on your table create a sense of intention and organization. Mirrored trays are lovely and help the light from your lamps dance around and make your vanity sparkle.

A powder jar and hair receiver -  Powder jars are available in glass, celluloid, ornate gold, or lovely patterned cardboard boxes with either pressed or loose powder, and for extra glamour, add a fluffy puff for application. Also available in various materials, a hair receiver is used to store hair taken out of a lady's brush, later to be used for rats & hair styling.

A lipstick holder - A must-have item that provides easy access for when you need a quick swipe of rouge. Store your current lipsticks and beautiful vintage bullets.

Atomizers and daubers, oh my!

Some final items I think would be lovely to have are:

A small tissue box - Useful for blotting lipstick and removing excess powder.

A hat pin holder - A very practical addition to your vanity if, like myself, you're a vintage hat collector and often need to secure them to your hairstyle to complete the look.

A trinket dish - A convenient place to store rings and earrings before bathing or bed time. Also great for storing your hair pins and clips.

A small framed photo - Adds a personal touch and reminder of someone important to you. I have a photo of my mum on her wedding day with flowers in her hair that I just adore.

A miniature clock - Of course, to keep track of your time (or not!). Getting ready and putting your face on should be an enjoyable experience and an act of self care, whether you're getting ready to meet a special someone or just taking time for yourself.

— TYG 

Incorporating vintage into your wardrobe

Building a vintage wardrobe is an exciting prospect - but it can also be daunting. New fabrics, smaller sizes, tailored construction, and decades old fabrics and thread... where do you start? 

Maybe you're building your wardrobe from scratch or trying to shift to a more vintage style. Using authentic accessories is a great way to get your vintage style rolling. They're an easy way to show off your personality and plentifully found at low to moderate prices.

1. Add some sparkle to your day. One of the easiest ways to start incorporating vintage into your wardrobe is to wear vintage jewelry, either fine pieces or fabulous fakes (costume). Vintage jewelry puts an exclamation mark on your look, adds visual interest, and also makes for a great conversation starter. To look especially put together, search for vintage jewelry sold in either parure, a full set of the same design, or demi-parure, for a lovely cohesive look.

2. Trade your current bag for a vintage number. There's nothing like the high quality construction of a good vintage bag. Vintage handbags were built to last, often with resilient materials and substantial hardware, which often develops a lovely patina as the decades pass. The best part of switching to a vintage bag is that they are so easy to shop for online since there is no "try on" necessary. Just check the description for your preferred bag dimensions. 

3. Channel your inner diva with a scarf. Who hasn't seen those glamorous photos of old Hollywood actresses with their scarves tied to keep their curls in place? Use them as a hair wrap or headband, a neck tie (either a jaunty kerchief or an elegant pussybow), a shawl for date night, or draped over your outerwear for a burst of color and pattern.  

4. Try a pair of ladylike gloves. If you live in a colder climate, you most likely wear a pair of gloves at some point of the year. Pairing a beautifully luxurious pair of kid leather or cotton gloves with your winter coat will instantly give you an air of vintage elegance. You can also coordinate a pair of gloves with a light jacket or blazer - this way, it looks a bit less conspicuous to non-vintage enthusiasts. 

5. Be a flower girl. Hair flowers create such a feminine and flirty look no matter the length of your locks. Keep it classic with red roses or white camellias, abundant hydrangeas and lilacs in the spring, or island blooms like orchids and plumeria in the summer. You can wear fresh flowers of the season, purchase vintage millinery flowers online, or make your own by purchasing silk craft flowers, arranging them onto your preferred hair clips or combs, and securing with a small bit of glue.

6. Get pinned. Any outfit can be made more classic with a brooch or scatter pins, which can be found for next to nothing at thrift stores, charity shops, and online. Collect a few that appeal to you and you will soon have endless options to bejewel your outfits. Brooches are so much fun because they can be pinned in so many different ways - on your lapel, on a sweater, or even to highlight your neckline on an evening dress, just to name a few.

Due to their novelty and beauty in design, any of these accessories can add a small vintage element to your outfit without the feeling of being dressed in costume. Even on my most casual days when I dress in my highstreet clothing, I always add at least one or two of these small pieces to infuse my own personal style and love of vintage. Accessorizing is an accessible avenue for anyone considering making the jump to a more vintage sense of style.

— TYG  

Lessons in elegance: literary ladies

Bette Davis in the film
adaptation of Mr. Skeffington (1944).

I've always loved studying ladies who exhibit classic elegance, grace, and poise.

One of the things I love most about classic novels is that you can stumble upon so many lovely descriptions of the elegant lady I wish to be - the one often with a serene, otherworldly demeanor. 

Here are some quotes I've come across recently:

"In a few minutes Mrs. Forrester came in. She was a tall woman in a flowing negligee, who wafted graciousness all around her, putting the world at ease." — Mildred Pierce, James M. Cain

"The chauffeur, unable to hurry her because of having to be respectful, felt his situation acutely, with policeman shouting at him in front, held-up cars bellowing at him behind, while his lady, incapable of being flustered and used to doing what she chose and how she chose and when she chose, with her customary grace and dignity, took her time." — Mr. Skeffington, Elizabeth von Arnim

"This was a woman's room, graceful, fragile, the room of someone who had chosen every particle of furniture with great care, so that each chair, each vase, each small, infinitesimal thing, should be in harmony with one another, and with her own personality." — Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

"Not only did everybody with whom Helen Morrison worked and played with get along famously with her, but under her gentle management they got on beautifully with one another too." — Stella Dallas, Olive Higgins Prouty

I love the mental pictures each of these quotes stirs up for me. I'm reminded to take my time going through my day, to interact with the world in a gracious and calm manner, and to always bring beauty to my environment, wherever I may be.

Don't you just love it when a book speaks to you? 

— TYG