A Very Retro Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching and it's the perfect time to play up the retro by recreating a favorite character from an iconic era. Here is a list of fun and flirty retro costume ideas to bring forth your vintage vixen. If you have more ideas to add to the list, leave your comments below. ♥

• Marilyn Monroe:  Of course I have to start with Marilyn! Instead of going for the common 7 Year Itch dress, why not grab your BFF and go as the gal pals from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes? Couple’s Tip: Have your guy dress as JFK or Joe DiMaggio.
• Ginger Grant: The sultry movie star from Giligan’s Island is the ultimate TV bombshell. A red wig, a slinky dress and a life preserver and you're all set. Couple’s Tip: Have your first mate dress as Gilligan or the Professor.
• MaryAnn: You know the ol’ question... Are you a Ginger or a MaryAnn? If your sweet n’ sexy, this other castaway is the costume for you! Here’s an adorable, checkered romper by Bernie Dexter to channel your inner “good girl.” Couple’s Tip: See Ginger.
• Bewitched: A retro miniskirt and a long, blonde flipped ‘do is just the trick to magically transform you into the sexiest witch of the 60s - Samantha Stevens.  Couple’s Tip: Have your guy dress as hubby Darren (you choose the version)  Family Tip: If you have little sweetie like I do, she’d make the perfect Tabitha.
• Lucy Ricardo: We all love Lucy. And while funny lady Lucille Ball, kept us laughing, we often forget what a gorgeous bombshell she truly was. Here’s the perfect polka dotted dress from Daddy O’s designed by Stop Starring. Couple’s Tip: Ricky! Don't forget the bongos.
• Morticia Addams: The ultimate goth queen is truly a fabulous bombshell in her long, velvet wiggle dress. Couple’s Tip: Let your guy romance the night away as the loving Gomez Addams. Family Tip: Pugsley and Wednesday!

• Pan Am Stewardess: The new television show on ABC is launching next week and so are the cute costumes like this sexy flight attendant to go along with it! Don't forget the best part... Handbags! Couple’s Tip: Have your guy dress as a pilot. Gal Pal Tip: Gather up the BFFs and go as a group. Fasten your seat belts!
• 60’s Star Trek Babe: Go-go boots and a sexy, long sleeved mini dress will beam you up as an intergalactic goddess. Couple’s Tip: Give your guy some pointy ears and transform him into Mr. Spock or ladies man, Captain Kirk.
• Vintage Sailor Girl: Last year I went as a vintage sailor girl with a dress purchased from PinUpGirlClothing. It was my favorite costume so far - especially because my handsome hubby and adorable daughter dressed up too!
• Jessica Rabbit: No other cartoon bombshell can compare to this racy Rabbit! Here's a gorgeous, red mermaid gown found at Unique-Vintage designed by Stop Starring that puts the voom in va-va-voom! (Thank you to FB fan, Ashley, for this suggestion!) Couple’s Tip: Have your date dress as a 1940s detective.
• Cigarette Girls: Vintage cigarette girls dolled up any formal event, and now you can be a doll for a night too! Check out MrsBellasDolls.com to see how real life Cigarette Girls work their magic. Bella creates all of her costumes and she is the perfect source for glamour inspiration (to learn more about Bella and her fabulous dolls, click here). Couple’s Tip: Have your date dress as an vintage usher or bell hop.
• Tiki/Hawaiian Girl: If you love a good luau, why not be a Hawaiian inspired goddess for Halloween? Hula, tiki, flowered sundress... Don’t forge your lei! Couple’s Tip: Dress your date white shorts and a Hawaiian shirt for a Blue Hawaii Elvis. Don’t forget the ukulele.

• Liz Taylor’s Cleopatra: I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Elizabeth Taylor’s version of Cleopatra on the big screen and seeing her glorious costumes come to life in vibrant technicolor. The drama and beauty of her ensembles are fit for a queen! Check out this wonderful blog Digs, Frocks & Books for images and inspiration. Couple’s Tip: dress your Richard Burton as Cleo’s love, Mark Antony. 
• Bettie Page: We all love Bettie. How about recreating one of her iconic looks and pulling out the 6” stilettos this Halloween? Couple’s Tip: The queen of pinup needs a photographer. Arm your guy with a vintage camera!
• Playboy Bunny: Take inspiration from the new television show, The Playboy Club, and wiggle your tail as a glamorous 60s bunny. Couple’s Tip: Get a smoking jacket and some silk jammies for your Hugh Heffner.

Retro Beauty Queen - Margarita Bloom

I love Twitter. Because of Twitter I stumbled upon this amazingly gorgeous, richly retro, beauty and skin care line called Margarita Bloom. I instantly fell in love with the design, wit and details of every inch of this website. Every bottle, every label, every word is filled with nostalgic kitsch, wit and glamour.

Category names like Martinis in Manhattan, Old Hollywood Glam and Beach Bonita add to the fun and flirty product lines. This website is so well designed that I could just spend all day clicking, oohing and ahhing over the black and white photos posted on each product page. Lip balm, foot scrub, lotions and cleansers take on a retro twist with this incredibly creative, beautifully designed vintage-inspired beauty line!

And here's a special coupon just for RGG readers: Type in coupon RetroGirlsRule at checkout and get 20% off your $50+ order at www.Margarita-Bloom.com through the end of September!

Let's Get Cookin'

I admit it. I’m not much of a cook. My talents fall flat in the kitchen and honestly I generally find the whole cooking process to be a painful one. I tend to “cook” (or try to anyway) more often these days since I have a four-year-old who requires nutrients for growth and her general well-being. I would like her to grow up with family recipes and remember yummy meals that “mom used to make,” but I fear that I completely fail in that department. I may not be much of a cook, but I can however handle looking cute in my attempts.

I recently discovered these retro-inspired, handmade aprons by Etsy seller, Boojiboo. You can almost hear, “Oh Luuu-cy! I’m home!” just by entering this adorable store.  Each vintage inspired apron has a special name such as the Bella,  the Sophia, the Maggie and the Chloe. They are full coverage halter aprons in fun, vibrant colors and pleasing patterns. They also offer plus size and skirt-only options along with matching minis for the kiddos. I’m actually looking forward to testing my culinary skills again after discovering this delightful shop. While my pint-sized picky-pants may not remember my meatloaf, if I'm lucky she might remember mom’s style.

www.Boojiboo.etsy.com

Spotlight Series: Miss Missy Photography

This week we’re shining the spotlight on Miss Missy - a gorgeous and gifted pin-up, vintage glamour and fashion photographer who knows how to truly bring out your inner beauty in every girl. From lighting to styling to provocative positioning, Miss Missy can channel the inner bombshell and transform ordinary to extraordinary.  Her work has graced the covers of numerous magazines and she has photographed some of the most beautiful pin-up models of today.  We’re excited to talk with her and showcase some of her gorgeous images. 


Enjoy this video of Miss Missy's amazing work:


RGG: Hi Missy! Thank you for visiting with us today. I am truly a big fan of your work. How long have you been a photographer and where did you get your start?
Missy: Professionally, only a little over 3 years, but I was playing with the idea for quite some time. I guess I just didn’t  realize you could make a living off something you found exciting and fun. I’m totally in love with what I do. I guess I got my start when MySpace came out. I would look at all these pin-up girls and think to myself, "I want awesome photos like they have!" So I got myself a second hand digital camera and would doll myself up and put it on a timer. My friends loved my photos and I loved how awesome I was making myself look (hehehe)! I was super excited when my friends would ask me to make them over and take their photos. It can be a very vulnerable experience, but I seem to make everyone feel at ease. I think getting photos taken can be really great for your self esteem!
   
RGG: What is your inspiration and what draws you to 50s pinup and vintage glamour? Do you have a favorite/s vintage movie star?
Missy: I've been in love with 50's glamour since I was a little girl looking at my mothers old photos. At the time I didn't really know who any famous pin-ups were and my mom was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen! I would always ask her questions about her clothing and hair. My mom wasn't always very happy, but when she talked about being young she was. Also growing up in the 80's when all those amazing movies about the 1950's came out made me more curious about this time period. I was totally in love with the movie Dirty Dancing, tried to do the dances, learned the lyrics to these old songs and even got myself a pair of Keds.  


As far as vintage movie stars go, I probably have to say Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe are my favorites. Then when I discovered No Doubt and Gwen Stefani rocking all these old hair dos - I HAD to learn them - and I've been hooked ever since.


RGG: You’ve worked with some incredible models, but what about the average girl who wants to be a starlet for a day? How do bring out the bombshell in them and create such amazing pieces?
Missy: Hanging around the internet for so long you become "fans" of some of these models, so I had and still have a model wish list, I think it's super important to work with models, they can teach you so much just by watching them pose and you can take that and show it to your every day girl. So many "average" women have the model in them, I think it's all about making them feel beautiful before you put the camera on them. I do 90% of the hair and makeup for my photo shoots, during this time I get to know the girl so when we do start shooting she is way more at ease with me than she was when she walked in the door. As of right now, I do not have a time limit on my photo shoots because it just takes some people longer to warm up than others. If you rush people in and out I don't think you can get good photos. I see so many women getting pin-up photos taken and you can see in their face they weren't comfortable, but all the props tend to distract you from that.   


RGG: Do you have any tips/advice for newbies who want to be a pin-up model or regular gals who want glamour photos?
Missy: Don't try to get everything for free; you get what you pay for. Study images that inspire you, pose and practice facial expressions in the mirror. I can pose your body, but not your face. I can tell you where to look, but you should know what faces look good and don't. If you have one facial expression that works stay with it. I can work around it.


YouTube some old Bettie Page footage, she was the QUEEN! She wasn't scared of her face or her body and when you are able to let go, that's when the magic happens! :)
For the girls who want a new "pin-up name" stay away from things that are kind of silly. I much rather hear a somewhat normal name than something ridiculous. I think what you name yourself can have a HUGE impact on people. 


RGG: Tell us how to schedule a photoshoot with you. 
Missy: If you'd like to book a photo shoot with me just please email me at miSSSmissy@aol.com. I live in Los Angeles.


RGG: And now for a little bit of fun... If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?
Missy: My little girl...and my camera! :)


RGG: Chocolate or vanilla? 
Missy: Chocolate! :)


Thank you so much for joining us today! For more information and to book your session, visit Miss Missy Photography!

Website: www.MissMissyPhotography.net
Miss Missy on Facebook
Follow Missy on Twitter
Email: miSSSmissy@aol.com

And the Winner is...

And the winner of the Stila give-away is.... 


Bunny Moreno aka Pinup Mama!! 


Congratulations!! Thank you to everyone who entered and especially Stila for this awesome prize!  XOXO, RGG ♥

Bunny, drop us a line retrogirlsguide@gmail.com to send us your info on where to mail the delicious goodies!
Love,
Retro Girl