Ginger’s Jewelry Box - Cocktail Rings

I am so excited and pleased to announce that Retro Girl’s Guide has teamed up with jewelry designer, Laura Cornelius, to bring you a fabulous line of vintage inspired cocktail rings called Ginger’s Jewelry Box. GingersJewelryBox.com has dazzling hand-beaded jewels that you might have found in your grandmother’s jewelry box. They are glamorous, sparkling works of art that will turn heads and make a statement when you sip your luscious cocktails.

Remember going through your grandmother’s jewelry box and playing dress-up in her fabulous costume jewels? Did you ever wonder where they were worn on her big nights out on the town? Was she sipping a martini or taking in a show or hosting a soiree? Sparkly, dazzling statement rings had a life and story of their own.

www.GingersJewelryBox.com

With names like “Margie Takes Manhattan” and “Gertrude’s Gimlet,” GingersJewelryBox.com’s modern reproductions have new stories to tell, new martinis to sip and new memories to create. And best of all they make me happy. Just looking at them sparkle on my finger makes me feel like I have stepped back in time to attend an elegant affair. They are fun, kitschy beautiful pieces of nostalgic jewelry that recapture a bit of grandma’s glamour. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

As a Grand Opening special, we are offering a 20% off coupon code this week. Enter FABULOUS20 at check out for your discount.  XOXO

www.GingersJewelryBox.com

Becoming Marilyn - Leopard

Lorelei Lee

My favorite Marilyn movie (and possibly one of my favorite all time movies) is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I love the gal-pal loyalty, the perfectly timed lines and last but not certainly not least, the incredible clothing. My favorite outfit from the movie is the one Lorelei struts onto the cruise ship in - a tight, black wiggle dress. A leopard scarf strategically drapes backwards over her neck and the fabulous matching leopard muff takes this basic black dress to over-the-top amazing.  Why not recreate this glamorous look today?

SpAZooie, found on the handmade shopping site Etsy, features beautiful, modern day muffs. How luxurious, sophisticated and oh-so-snuggly on a cold night out! They have leopard like our girl, Lorelei, but they also have so many other gorgeous colors - Marilyn would be proud!

SpAZooiE on Etsy

Heartbreaker Shrug

Here’s another easy, instant-glamour piece by Heartbreaker Fashion aptly named - the Glamour Shrug. I own this cute little number and it’s the perfect way to transform an ordinary outfit into a Marilyn-worthy ensemble. I ordered it just because it reminded me of that memorable moment in the movie!

And here's one more Etsy shop recreating iconic, vintage looks by hand. This leopard capelet by 2SwansNest is a beautiful recreation of a 1960s pattern. Stunning!

2SwansNest on Etsy

The best thing about about shrugs, scarves, muffs and capelets is how they work for everyone. It doesn’t matter what size or shape you are, these accessories add instant glamour to anyone. And they are very Marilyn!

www.SpAZooiE.etsy.com 

www.HeartbreakerFashion.com

www.2SwansNext.etsy.com

Becoming Marilyn - Niagara

This week the much anticipated movie, My Week With Marilyn, debuts in theaters. It’s a true-life tale about one man’s memorable week spent with the iconic bombshell during her filming of The Prince and the Showgirl. In honor of the movie’s launch, they are hosting a sweepstakes to “Become Marilyn” (to enter, visit the official Becoming Marilyn Sweepstakes Facebook page).There’s only one big winner to the contest, but we retro girls can “become” Marilyn right now! All this week I will be featuring something special in honor of the beautiful woman that we all love, admire and miss. 

To start the week off here is a gorgeous dress by Dixiefried on PinUpGirlClothing.com that is directly inspired by Marilyn’s sultry outfit from the movie Niagara. They offer the dress in several colors - red, black, hot pink and white as shown here by the always stunning, Doris MayDay. You’ll wiggle your way into the hearts of many with this number!

www.PinUpGirlClothing.com

www.MyWeekWithMarilynMovie.com

Step Back in Time at the Cicada Club

Photo by the talented Katie Reihman

If you love to pull out your finest vintagey frocks, display your biggest baubles and take your fancy footwear for a twirl, you must visit Maxwell DeMille’s Cicada Club in downtown Los Angeles.  

The Cicada Club is a retro girl’s dream. From the moment you walk through the grand entryway of the 1928 art deco Oviatt Building, it feels as if you have been transported back in time. An opulent chandelier dangles over the dance floor setting the perfect ambiance of dazzle and mystery. The sweeping staircase frames the sides of the orchestra stage whisking you up to another level of drama from a time long ago. The upstairs walls are draped in a golden fabric leading you back to swank, cozy bar, smaller dance area, lush seating and a beautiful grand piano that you can imagine Louis Armstrong sitting down at to play a tune.

We had the pleasure of attending their special Swingin’ 60s Halloween Party and it was unlike anything I had experienced before. The guests were authentic to the period - from dressing in 60s attire to mimicking favorite characters from that classic era. And there was no real median age. Twenty, thirty and forty-somethings were swinging away to Dean Mora’s Orchestra on the dance floor right next to couples in their 70s and 80s - everyone dressed for the event and all appreciating the moment. It was magical.

The Cicada Club is open most Sunday evenings. Dinner reservations secure you a table around the main dance floor and near the band - usually a 40s style swing band. If you are just in the mood to sip cocktails, it’s generally a $10 cover charge with seating available on the second level.

www.cicadaclub.com