Cook Like a Mad Man

PinUpGirlClothing.com Evelyn Dress

Mad Men on AMC has swept the nation by revisiting the 1960s advertising world with colorful characters, provocative situations and of course their fabulous outfits. Wouldn’t you love to throw a party like Betty Draper? And if you’re like me and cooking isn’t your most fabulous talent, help has arrived in hosting your 60s soiree.

The Let’s Get Cookin’ cooking school in Westlake Village, California presents a Mad Men Retro Cocktail Party. Enjoy martinis and Mustangs while learning to prepare culinary cuisine that’s sure to please the Don Drapers in your life.  The menu includes:

• Betty Draper’s Vodka Collins with Spicy Deviled Eggs and Crabmeat Stuffed Tomatoes
• Don Draper’s Old Fashioned Macaroni & Cheese Bites
• Roger Sterling’s Black Russian Beef Stroganoff Meatballs
• Peggy Olson’s Brandy Alexander with Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

And now for the most important question... What are you going to wear? To bring out your inner Mad Man (or woman!), check out these beautiful dresses from PinUpGirlClothing.com to channel your inner Betty or evoke your inner Joan. You’ll be cookin’ in and out of the kitchen!

PinUpGirlClothing Joanie Dress

Let’s Get Cookin’ Mad Men Retro Cocktail Party
by Phyllis Vaccerelli & JoAnn Hecht

Friday, September 9, 2011
6:30 p.m.
$85 per person (couples & friends special: 2 for $150)

Gorgeous dresses by www.PinUpGirlClothing.com

Glamorous Gadgetry

We all love our modern gadgets. Smart phones, notebooks, touch pads... the list goes on and on. Even though life was much simpler sixty years ago, I doubt we would we really want to live without our gizmos of today. What, no Facebook? How ever did they survive?

Here are a few vintage-inspired modern accessories to add a bit of nostalgia to your current programming schedule. This sweet iPhone cover by Fred featured on ModCloth, has the look of a yesteryear's transistor radio but with all of the benefits of today’s technology.

And check out RetroWonders.com. This shop features vintage-style phones (on cords which is retro alone!) and beautiful 50s inspired CD/MP3 players with USB connectors that will also convert your favorite LPs to modern digital format. They also carry jukeboxes, children’s ride along pedal-cars and my favorite, replica drink coolers from the 40s and 50s. All of these lovely items give old-fashioned glamour for today’s latest trends. ♥

www.FredFlare.com

www.RetroWonders.com

Bubble Betties

Have you seen the new dresses out by Bettie Page Clothing? They immediately made me think of a picture I had of the Original Retro Girl aka - my mom.  I dug out some old photographs and sure enough, there stood my mother as a beautiful bridesmaid in none other than a bubble dress.  It’s one of my favorite pictures of her. She is flawless from her veil-covered head to her pointy-stilettoed toes. But back to the bubbles...

The fabrics used in this new version of the bubble dress looks rich and impressive and the geometric pattern gives it a slightly updated edge. It’s sexy in a very unique way with a classic, wide, 50s V-neckline and a tight fitted bodice that accentuates the hourglass figure especially when paired with the pleated bubble skirt. If there is ever a time to pull out a corset, it would be for this dress. What I like about both my mother’s and the Bettie Page dress is that they do not gather up at the bottom like most bubble dresses you see today. The BP dress tapers down instead of widening out for a more dramatic effect, but it is just as charming as the first time around.

If you have one of the Bettie Page Bubble Up dresses, I’d love to see it on you! Strike a pose and I’ll post your pictures here.  The dresses are offered in sizes ranging from XS to 4XLG and can be found in their retail stores and online at www.BettiePageClothing.com.

The top photo is the Original Retro Girl (Mom) and the bottom is the BP dress modeled by Doris MayDay. ♥

Hand-Carved Tiki Shoes

Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love my shoes. My husband has even hinted toward an intervention, but he has learned my shoes are part of the package. You love me, you love my shoes. And speaking of love, I absolutely love discovering something unique. I have been known to construct entire outfits around a spectacular stiletto or a whimsical wedge. But nothing is as unique, spectacular or outfit-worthy as my latest discovery - Lucky Lou’s Hand-Carved Tiki Shoes.  I recently found them online and I’m in awe.

Not only are they gorgeous, but the story behind the line is so inspiring. Lucky Lou’s was created by an artistic, shoe-loving entrepreneur who fell in love with a vintage pair of hand-carved sandals. Intrigued by their originality, design and beauty, Linda Lou was on a mission to find the creators of these amazing masterpieces. She scoured the globe and finally found the descendants of the family who originally carved the World War II souvenir pieces. She convinced them to return to their nearly-lost trade and start creating beautiful works of art again. How incredible is that?? Again, I am in awe.

She’s currently trying to raise funding through Kickstarter to further her fanciful designs. You can check out her project video here. Lucky Lou’s shoes can be found at various rockabilly and pin-up boutiques and can also be ordered through her site (though many are sold out!).  Here’s hoping Lucky gets lucky. ♥

www.LuckyLouShoes.com

Who is Retro Girl?

Here's my little story of how the retro began... I was born and raised in good ol’ Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though I'm a California transplant, Sin City will always be my hometown. I’m one of the few younger(ish) gals who remembers Las Vegas before the volcanoes, pirates and roller coasters. 

My father, dressed in something similar to this photo, escorted my fourth grade class on a field trip to the Dunes Hotel. We toured the baccarat tables, ate ice cream and took home souvenir dice and casino chips. Who has a field trip like that? To me, that was normal. Heck, we had casino carpeting in our playroom. After school we’d often listen to 8-track songs of an old friend of my dad’s - Louis Prima. Or sometimes we’d sing along to Dean Martin or the other Rat Packers while doing art projects made with playing cards and piles of dice. I grew up watching old movies, vacationing in Palm Springs and hearing all about wild times my father had with my Uncle Geno and “the boys.” 

And see that beautiful girl smiling at you from my logo? That’s my mom.  My mom was - and still is - stunning.  I remember thinking my parents looked like movie stars when they would dress up just to go to dinner. I guess you could say I was born a Retro Girl.

So here I am in 2011...  a wife, a mother, president of my daughter’s preschool, a business owner and a long-time lover of vintage glamour. I published a kitschy magazine several years ago that you might remember called Modern Lounge. Although life has changed throughout the years, my love of classic, retro style hasn’t. My goal for the Retro Girl’s Guide is to be the source for all vintage and retro inspired reproductions for today’s contemporary gal (and guys!). It’s like Modern Lounge Part 2.  

And though I love authentic vintage items, this site will focus mainly on new designs that are available to the public. A vintage dress is lovely, but it’s even lovelier when you can find it in your size.  I will also showcase photographers, pin-up models, how-to tips, contests and much more! If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Everything on this site is hand selected by me purely because I enjoy it or find it interesting and think you will too. ♥

XOXO,

Retro Girl

Jet Setting with Pan Am

Travel has changed tremendously. Sky rocketing gas prices, extensive security check points, long lines and expensive fares make air travel less and less desirable each year. Gone are the days when getting to your destination was just as exciting as arriving there.  And unless someone is hopping a short flight for a quick business meeting, most passengers forsake style for comfort. But now there is a way to take a little get-away every day and look cute while doing it.

Pan Am Brands now offers vintage-inspired Pan Am travel bags with their classic blue and white logo design. Travel, laptop and even gym bags are available to retro up your day and add some vacation dreaming to your wardrobe. And if you want to spot your suitcase quickly at baggage claim, check out their luggage line - this decade’s version is complete with wheels.  I can’t make up my mind which bag is my favorite (I’m leaning toward this “Originals” hat-bag), but to carry a mini, messenger or even a diaper bag with this unique bit of kitsch is sure to get you noticed. Bon voyage! 

Above is a replica of the bag Pan Am gave to their First Class customers on flights to Europe.

Visit Pan Am Brands or
Get Go Retro for a wide selection of choices.

Bombshell Swimwear

I will gladly admit it... I’m not the biggest fan of summer. I’m not wild about the sun and I’m probably the only gal in Southern California who actually avoids getting a tan at all costs. And bathing suit shopping? Who enjoys that?? Thankfully this year a lot of vintage-inspired swimsuits are making a comeback. So if you have to lounge by a pool, why not do it in retro style? Cocktails are optional, but definitely encouraged.

PinUpGirlClothing.com has three, full pages of goddesses modeling their bombshell swimwear. Elegant one-pieces, adorable bikinis and mix-and-match tops and bottoms allow for oodles of glamorous configurations. I have ordered several items from PUG and their quality is top-notch, their shipping is fast and return policy is generous. Their average price is around $85-$100 (pictured here is the stunning Doris MayDay modeling PUG's gorgeous Marilyn swimsuit).

To my surprise, Target (of all places) also carries some really cute vintage-looking suits this year. I lucked out on a retro-red, convertible strapless-to-halter one-piece. And best of all it was on sale for only $34.  The suit comes in a variety of colors such as black and white polka dots. Add a big hat, Jackie-O sunglasses and loads of sunscreen... Voila! Retro ready for a day at the pool. Now go get that cocktail. ♥ ♥ ♥

Egyptian Movie Theatre

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to view the old classic movies on the big screen? Imagine seeing Gene Kelly splashing around in glorious Technicolor as he danced on the streets in Singin’ In the Rain. Or watching Cary Grant and Grace Kelly captivate audiences as they were meant to back in 1955 when Hitchcock’s thriller, To Catch A Thief, debuted. If you live in Los Angeles, you’re in luck.

The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood celebrates cinema by preserving and presenting classic films. I recently saw Elizabeth Taylor’s epic picture, Cleopatra. Seeing her incredible costumes fully come to life was enough to enchant me for the four hours (yes four hours!) of the movie.  

This Saturday, July 16th,  the Egyptian Theatre is hosting a “Tiki Celebration” before playing the 1951 island fantasy, Bird of Paradise, starring Deborah Paget.  Enjoy tiki vendors; live music and performances from King Kukulele and His Friki Tikis; sip on tropical drinks and dine on island fare from Maui and Sons Restaurant while watching a Tiki Fashion Show in the Egyptian’s courtyard starting at 5 PM. It’s the perfect escape from Carmageddon if you happen to be near by!

Egyptian Theatre

6712 Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood, CA 90028

Tiki art by Eric October who will also be featured at the Tiki Celebration.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Retro Girl's Guide - your directory for all modern made, vintage-inspired goodies. RGG will be your source for bombshell clothing, glamour girl accessories, pin-up dolls and their fabulous photographers, tiki kitsch and much, much more! All modern made but with vintage style and flare.

So sit back, pour a cocktail and enjoy some tunes on the Juke Box (on the right side of this website) while browsing the best of the retro web. I'm always on the hunt for unique items for today's glamour girl (and guys!), so if you have a suggestion send it my way.  And be sure to follow RGG on Facebook and Twitter for extra tips, contests and give-aways.

Here's a little bit about your host:
A lot has changed in the last ten years since I published Modern Lounge Magazine including my biggest personal metamorphosis of becoming a parent four years ago. But one thing that hasn’t changed is my love of retro fashion, kitschy culture and vintage elegance. I may be a bit older and hopefully a bit wiser, but my personal style has remained the same.

I have always been influenced by big-screen beauties such as Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. But lucky for me the most gorgeous glamour girl of them all just so happens to be my mother (look at my logo and you’ll see what I mean). I always tried to emulate my mom’s flawless “look” and from a very early age I fell in love with vintage-inspired clothing and glamour from a bygone era.

So here we are in 2011 and I’m excited to see a resurgence of the pin-up and the return of classic 1950s and 60s inspired clothing designs, fashion models and rising brands...  And that’s what this blog is all about - finding and sharing the best modern made designs for the retro loving girl (and guys too!).
XOXO,
The Retro Girl

To learn more more about the girl behind the retro, visit here.  ♥