Media Medley

I bought the most amazing hat on Thursday which I was planning to share with all of you. Unfortunately I woke up yesterday with a massive cold and it refuses to go away! (I was supposed to go for coffee with a rather dapper young gentleman today but that had to be cancelled. I do not enjoy being sick!) So, since I've been watching old movies all day, I've decided it's time for another Media Medley post!

I couldn't find an appropriate picture in my file of magazine scans (I really need to scan more of
my collection...). But since I can't have a post without a picture, here is a random image of soup. 

For those of you who missed my last "Media Medley" post, I basically share some of my favourite songs, radio programs, and movies that are in the public domain. So on with this weeks selections:

Music:
Say Arabella by Billy Murray - This is one of my favourite songs at the moment. I am really loving Billy Murray's recordings, and this is one of his best. It's from 1925.
Vera Lynn Collection - For those Vera fans out there, there are a bunch of her recording available. This is just one of the many collections available of hers in the public domain. 
The Freckle Song - Not sure of the date on this one, but it amuses me. I do love novelty songs.

Movies:
The Kennel Murder Case - I actually watched this one on TV so I'm not sure how the quality is, but I do know it's a good movie. It's a Philo Vance mystery, starring William Powell and Mary Astor.
Kitty from Kansas City - Not the best picture quality, but it has Betty Boop AND Rudy Vallee so I had to share. Just as bizarre as most Betty Boop cartoons (technically she is referred to a Kitty in this cartoon, but she looks like Betty, sounds like Betty and it was made by the same people so I'm calling her Betty).  

Radio Show:
Phillip Marlowe - This is an obvious choice, but it is my all time favourite radio show (I love the novels as well) so I thought I should share with anyone who hasn't heard of this series. Phillip Marlowe is a hard-boiled detective, and while the plot lines are rather predictable (he almost always gets beat up at some point, and there is ALWAYS a pretty dame involved) I always find myself thoroughly enjoying each episode.

I would love to hear your suggestions of great things to watch/listen to!

That's All.

Media Medley

One of the best things about loving old music is that a lot of it is in the public domain (and thus free). Archive.org has a great selection of various media in the public domain (including movies and radio shows!). However, unless you are looking for something specific, it can be difficult to sort through everything and find the gems. I've been rather lacking blog inspiration lately so I thought I might start a series highlights great songs. Then I decided why limit it to songs? My "Media Medley" posts will feature a movie, radio program, and a couple songs :)

This weeks selections are:
Songs:
Which Switch is the Switch, Miss, for Ipswich? This song is from 1915 and one of my all time favourite songs!
Piccolo Pete Perfomed by Stan Greening & His Orchestra this recording is from 1929.
Various Songs by Smith Ballew This small collections features 5 recordings by Smith Ballew. They are all great but "Just a Gigolo" is my favourite (it is such a sad song!).

Movie:
Lady of Burlesque Stars Barbara Stanwyck as a burlesque dancer who becomes involved with a murder investigation after one of her fellow dancers is killed. Worth watching for some of the costumes alone!

Radio Show:
Casey, Crime Photographer This show ran from 1943 to 1955 and followed the adventures of Casey, a crime photographer for a newspaper (often paired with reporter Ann Williams). Great 30 minute episodes which are perfect to listen to while knitting!

Work Wear and Old Cars

Wearing vintage to work is not always possible. I work in a museum so vintage clothing is much more accepted, but I don't always have time in the morning to go fully vintage.

Most days I opt for a semi-vintage style consisting of trousers and a top (normally a sweater since the air conditioning in the museum is a little on the frigid side). This is normally paired with a vintage brooch, a silk scarf, or a fancy little hat. I curled my hair in rollers, since pin-curls take forever to dry in my hair and wouldn't have been ready by morning.

And Voila! Here is the final result:


And while I was working, my parents were off having a lovely time looking at old cars at this years annual Concours d'Elegance in Port Hope. Here are some of the cars they got to see:

Oh, and I realized why my skin reacted so badly to the oil cleansing. I'm allergic to tea tree oil. Which might be the reason why my whole face broke out after slathering a mixture of it and Jojoba oil all over my face. I had completely forgotten that I am mildly allergic to the oil since I haven't used it for years. I may try the oil cleansing again (with Castor oil this time) but I am going to wait until my skin calms down a bit first.

I will leave you with the lovely Rita (and the song I can't seem to get out of my head...)

Antique shopping and an unexpected surprise

Last weekend (and I use the term loosely since I work Wednesday to Sunday) I went antique shopping in Orono. Living so close to the GTA (greater Toronto area) I find there is quite a lack of good antique stores. Most of the antique stores are actually in Toronto but I always find them a little overpriced. Orono is a cute little town that, despite its size, has several great antique stores downtown.

I bought this lovely Jonathan Logan dress (1950's perhaps?), which looked terrible on the hanger but fits me perfectly.

I also bought a collection of Victorian paper bits. Basically it was a selection of labels and bits of cards. Some of them I have already put in a frame and I am still deciding what to do with the remaining bits.

The last item I bought was this great Bing Crosby record. Why don't people listen to vinyl anymore? It sounds so great (scratches and all).

Here is where the unexpected surprise comes in:

As I was putting away my record, I happened to glance at some of the records my parents had downstairs. Now I knew they had a lot of 70's and 80's records so I never really bothered to have a closer inspection. But while I was putting Bing away I found a bunch of records I had never seen before. There was several Glen Miller records, a Benny Goodman record, a 1940's big band record, not to mention a whole set of 1930's swing music! I was in shock! I also found several more jazz records from the 1930's and 1940's I have never heard of before. My parents thought it was a little sad how excited I was....

Behind these records I also found this postcard. It was never been used but looks quite old. No one in my family has any idea where it came from.

Sometimes the best surprises come when you least expect them. What treasures have you ladies discovered lately?

Unpacking and Property Searching

Still super busy at the moment unpacking/reorganizing but I thought I would take a quick break and write a little blog post. I apologize to anyone whose blog I follow, as I have been completely unable to keep up with reading everyone’s new posts these past few weeks. Hopefully I will get a co-op job soon and be able to fall into some sort of routine. Until then, it is basically days filled with unpacking and property hunting with le parents.

I have completely fallen in love with the 9acre farm that needs a huuuuuuuge amount of work but my parents aren't sure if they really want to take out a mortgage on a second property now that they are retired. Which makes me very very sad since this place in my dream property (complete with old barn and century red brick farm house in need of repair). I will keep trying to convince them though :)


Pictures of my rooms (plus some neat storage ideas I have come up with) will be posted hopefully sometime this week or next, but it may take me a little longer to get used to being back home again.

And now for the Annette Hanshaw song I can't get out of my head:




That's All.

Bing, Bob and Judy

I was listening to old Bing Crosby songs on youtube today and this song came up in the related videos sidebar. It is one I actually hadn't heard before and from the sounds of it, it comes from a recording of Bing Crosby's radio show. Just thought I would share. I included the second video mainly because I think Judy looks so pretty in the background picture :)

Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Judy Garland all together, whats not to love? (Note: Judy's voice doesn't sound the best in this one but I think most of that is due to the fact she is trying not to laugh)

In the meantime...

Still waiting for my dress to arrive in the mail. Pictures will be posted as soon as I get it. I have some pictures to post of this neat new (well technically old, but new to me) hair curling technique. Unfortunately I am swamped with work at the moment so the pictures will have to wait until after my midterm this Thursday (or at least until after I finish the 3 assignments I have due before then). In the mean time I felt I had to post something, so here are a couple of songs that have been stuck in my head all day. I have been in such a 1920's/30's mood lately.....

Because Baby, Love is Power.

I have been going through my bookmarked links (I have a lot; last count there was over 800) and listening to a lot of love related songs in honour of Valentines Day. While doing so, I came across this clip from an episode of The Monkees.

I have always loved The Monkees since I was a little girl, and this is still one of my favourite scenes. Mike was always my favourite (Peter and Micky tie for second, then last but not least comes Davy). His speech is just so well done and one of the few serious moments in the show. And now for your viewing pleasure...