Somei Yoshino

  

Dress and earrings:gifts

The Sound of a Story

Hello, all!  Today, I'm sharing one of my favorite pastimes while cooking, cleaning, or just bumbling round the house: radio dramas!

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Radio dramas were a prime source of entertainment before television, and many shows ran for years.  There is an absolute treasure trove of these programs available online, at websites such as Old Time Radio Theater, and many of them are available to download as podcasts to your computer or iPod.

Probably the most famous radio play of all, Orson Welles' adaptation of War of the Worlds, is available to listen to online in many places (here's just one of many).  The broadcast which incited mass hysteria may seem a bit quaint now, but it still features great effects and an interesting monologue that I wasn't expecting.

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My favorite program so far is the long running mystery and horror series, 'Suspense' (!).  It featured many guest stars over the years (Peter Lorre, Cary Grant, Orson Welles, Lucille Ball, etc.) and usually featured a twist ending.  This radio archive has many seasons available to stream for free, and other sites feature logs of the guest stars and plots, so you won't have to spend all day hunting for that Cary Grant episode (which is called A Country Road, by the way, and was quite good!)

You can find many more shows to listen to here, and each episode usually only runs about 30 minutes.  So, next time you're busy doing the washing up, or relaxing with a cup of tea, turn on a radio drama.  It's the perfect way to experience a classic form of storytelling.

Listen to...

• The Internet Archive: Old Time Radio
• Suspense
• War of the Worlds
• Philo Vance detective stories
• The Molle Mystery Theatre
• Radio Lovers
• Old Time Radio Network Library

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Do you have a favorite radio drama or play?  Let me know in the comments!

The Cheongsam: Elegant and Modern

I've been wanting to do a post about cheongsam dresses for awhile now, and have just now found the time!  So, here are some photos of the beautifully designed cheongsam (or qi-pao) in modern times.

The cheongsam, a common staple of dress for years, began to be distinctly altered in the 1920's.  It became something sleeker, tighter, and more elaborate.  The garment had its heyday in the 1930's.  Cheongsams were often featured Shanghai advertisements at the time, using the 'beautiful girls' images to sell cigarettes and other items.

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The dress, while still a common style in China and Shanghai, became a symbol to the Western world of something exotic and mysterious, and oftentimes was used to play to negative Asian stereotypes.  Anna May Wong was sometimes cast as the deadly 'Dragon Lady' type, wearing a form-fitting, slinky cheongsam.  Her dress here is a fine example of the beauty of 1930's design.

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The cheongsam recently saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to director Wong Kar-Wai, in films such as In the Mood for Love and 2046.  The cheongsams used here are elegant, sophisticated, and alluring allusions to an age of dignified dress.  Even more recently, the film The Flowers of War featured many lovely vintage-styled cheongsams, all uniquely elaborate.

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The cheongsam has a rich history of both design and functionality, and while not as commonly worn today, it still remains a modern, classic style.

Der schöne Mantel

 This is a vintage Austrian-made Tiroler Loden (wool) cape.  It was a gift from Mr. Williams, and I'm pleased to say, it's plenty warm and very heavy.  Definitely constructed with cold European winters in mind!

It has a beautiful lining, which escaped my notice at first.

Photos by Miss Whit.

Seaside Dreams: 'Monsieur Hulot's Holiday'

Some of my favorite films are by the French actor/writer/director Jacques Tati.  His physical comedy and quiet humor make his Monsieur Hulot character a cross between Chaplin's Little Tramp and Mr. Bean.  Hulot is mostly silent, very friendly, and completely ridiculous.

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In 1953's Monsieur Hulot's Holiday, Tati absolutely captures the sense of freedom we all feel during a well-deserved vacation!  During his misadventures at the beach, Monsieur Hulot dresses like a pirate, crashes a funeral service, sets off about three tons of fireworks, and plays the most absurd game of tennis ever.

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Nathalie Pascaud as Martine--isn't she adorable?

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"The Personality Girl"

Hi, all!  Just stopping in to share a bit about one of my favorite 1920s singers, Ms. Annette Hanshaw.

She had a short but prolific career, starting around 1926, and she retired early in the 1930s.  She was known as "The Personality Girl," and made up for any lack of vocal talent with a sense of whimsy and girl-next-door charm.

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Her cheerful songs often end with a quick "That's all!", but she sang just as many songs of lost love and disappointment.
If you like other early jazz artists such as Ruth Etting or Ethel Waters, be sure to give Annette Hanshaw a listenin' to on your iPod, laptop, or Vitrola.

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

My friend Jessica over at Jessica's Vintage gave me an award over the weekend, and I must thank her!  (She's a lovely girl with a great blog, so I recommend you go check out her site.)

Apparently the way this works is that I will forward this on to 10 people and give you all 7 facts about myself.  Whoever I award this to will then go on to do the same, if they so please.

So, 7 facts about me....

1. I wasn't always into vintage.  I generally used to walk around in combat boots, studded belts, and spiked jewelry.  Ahh, youth...
2.  My fashion heroine used to be Audrey Hepburn, and while I still believe she's (probably) the most beautiful woman to ever live, I'm smitten with Myrna Loy right now.  She could pull off a wide range of different styles and always look stunning and gracious and perfect.
3. I was vegetarian and then vegan for 3 years.  The diet didn't fit my lifestyle too well, and while I applaud any who can eat like that daily and stay healthy, I am now happily back to being an omnivore.
4. I started doing CrossFit about seven or eight months ago.  It's helped me build up stamina for simple things (like carrying laundry up the stairs!  Ha...) and also to shed the dreaded extra 15 lbs. that afflicts newlyweds.  I love showing up at the box in pearls and with painted nails and then doing deadlifts and back-squats.
5.  After a good fifteen years of hating pink, I am a definitive 'girly girl' now.  Nine year-old me would be so disgusted.
6. My dream job is to sell vintage, but I can't bear to sell off any of my finds.  (Hence why I have a random 1950s nurse uniform in a box somewhere...)
7. I love to draw and sketch, and I'm currently working on a small series of greeting cards and bookmarks featuring ladies of the past.

Now, my winning bloggers!...

•  Miss Tallulah Porkchop.  She's on a blogging break right now, but she is a very sweet lady and always puts together wonderful ensembles!
• Dashfield Vintage.  Always inspiring and a breath of fresh air.
• Highball Emy.  One of the first bloggers I spoke to when I started, and her blog has morphed into a great site about cooking and such.  And, hey, I love food just as much as clothes!
• Sweetheart of the Rodeo.  She has a great sense of style and is always sharing something new.
• The Fiercest Lilliputian.  Emma is always adorable, and looks like she comes right out of an old movie!
• The Dressing Parlour.  Alison is totally glamorous and modern as she shares her adventures.  A must-read.
• Pretty Little Things.  The Art Deco Dame is always putting together cute outfits and sharing parts of her vintage-style home life.
• Vintage At Heart.  Harlow Darling always has a fresh, fun take on vintage style.
• Chronically Vintage.  A delightfully stylish and honest blog by a truly lovely lady.
• Q's Daydream.  Such cute style and a nice breezy feel to the blog.  Plus: vintage girls with short hair, UNITE!!!

First 2013 Sale at What Katie Did

Hi, ladies!  The What Katie Did sale is on and in full swing.  Click the link below and pick up some of their gorgeous vintage-inspired lingerie and corsets.  (Go quickly; the stockings are selling like crazy!)