Bathing Beauties Of Summers Past...

If there is one thing that I love collecting from the 1940's and 1950's, it has to be vintage swimwear. What better way to track societal and cultural changes than through the exposure (or lack thereof) of skin? The whole process of changing ideals truly fascinates me.

A stunning Rita Hayworth sporting a typical late 1940's bathing suit style

Ah-mazing 1940's bathing suits!

Adele Mara - florals, ruffles, and cream peeptoe platforms? Yes, please!

Esther Williams - Hollywood's mermaid - in star worthy and glamorous gold lame!

The pincurls, the glossy red manicure, and those heels! 100% unadulterated glamour!

Chic sunglasses and a knit suit...what could be better for a vacation?

Miss America contestants in the 1940's wearing Catalina swimsuits

I don't know who this lovely lady is, but I am drooling over her polka dot print twist two piece!

It's sarong time! Sarong bathing suits and sarong dresses, my number one choice for accentuating those curves!

The corset swimsuit of the 1950's - if it was good enough for Marilyn, it is good enough for me!

1940's swimwear at its finest - I love how each look is completely individual

1950's bathing beauties!

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Happy Birthday Audrey!

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Mango Mojitos, Banana Bakelite Buttons, & California In The Springtime!

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Sara Montiel - "Adios Granada"

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Style Inspiration - Ava Gardner In A Wool Skirt Suit!

Everything about this outfit is perfect - from the feminine details on her blouse, the soft wool herringbone skirt suit cinched in at the waist, all the way down to the gorgeous black suede 1940's platforms! 100% G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S! Ladies, take a cue from Ava!

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Hollywoodland Style: Spring Is In The Air!

Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner

Gina Lollabrigida

Sophia Loren

Sophia Loren

Brigitte Bardot

Ida Lupino

Arlene Dahl

Rita Hayworth

My dream lipstick ;)

Prada Does Rockabilly!

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Classic Style: Sophia Loren In A Pencil Skirt And Peeptoe Pumps!

I love how simple yet stunning this whole look is! Usually my favorite outfits in any Italian (or French, for that matter) New Wave film are ones that are simple, but show the silhouette in a subtle yet seductive manner. This also goes to show that no matter what you are wearing, if you take the time to coiff your hair and slick on a quick cat-eye, you will always look impeccable!

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The Midas Touch: Olive Oil and Tom's of Maine!

I've used olive oil as a moisturizer since I was a young girl, so when I saw that Tom's of Maine had made a soap containing this liquid gold, I just knew I had to try it. If you haven't tried it yet, you must, it is divine! It keeps your skin soft and supple, it is perfect for shaving, and even gentle enough for the face. It feels luxurious on the skin, and after you rinse your face you can really feel the added moisture. I am not one for fancy creams and expensive serums, so the fact that I can maintain beautiful skin in a natural way for less than $5.00 is a beautiful thing. There you have it, my one and only skincare secret! That, and a glass of red wine a day ;)

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"Quickly, Bring Me A Beaker Of Wine, So That I May Wet My Mind And Say Something Clever!"

Aristophanes, you took the words right out of my mouth. I love Anna Karina, and French New Wave films, fresh butter croissants consumed in bed with my lover, creamy cappuccino's in tiny stark white porcelain cups, Breton stripe boatnecks baring bronzed clavicles, pouty petal kisses in dimly lit alleyways, and most of all, a wine so darkly red, you would swear that it runs through your own fragile veins...

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One Day In Paris With Dita Von Teese!

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The Best of Comrade Von Pussycat - 2013 Edition!

 Alright, to be fair, a lot of these photos did not show up on the blog, but are from my Instagram account! I hope you don't mind :)

The Best of 2013!

A few of my favorite things: My pussycat Wiggins, Limecrime Red Velvet Velvetine, Spanish summer florals and pompoms, NARS Belle de Jour, MAC Lady Danger!

A dose of glamour: MAC Ruby Woo, my film noir inspired jewelry box, 1930's astrakhan coat with "Elizabeth" emblazoned in bright pink, a very silent movie star inspired portrait, Wiggie and Red Velvet, a dazzling sangria colored 1940's dressing gown.

Summertime: Wiggie and Chekhov, a summer updo inspired by Russia, California sunset, California roses from the backyard, hotpants that would make my Grandma proud, charm necklace.

Russian Doll: Wearing MAC Ruby Woo (again!),  Infamous opening paragraph (Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - I always read in in the summer for some reason), my giant Russian doll and a Bible in Cyrillic, popsicle toast, MAC Lady Danger, Mae West quotes are the best!

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Frozen in time...Elvis and Priscilla Presley

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