Movie Maven Inspiration: Claudette Colbert

Claudette Colbert was known for her natural ability to be beautiful from the inside out, without trying too hard. From just reading interesting references and tid-bits about her life over the years. She always seemed like she was a genuine intelligent person, with an honesty about herself, that allowed her to be true, content and graceful throughout her successful career. Maybe that's why I grew fond of her in movies, at the impressionable age of 10 years old. Since seeing her in Frank Capra's romantic comedy "It Happened One Night" (1934), for which she took home an Oscar, and the glamorous film of Cecile B. DeMille's "Cleopatra". Her personality was full of charisma, wit and spunk! She was originally born in Paris- France, but settled in the United States when her family relocated here in 1906. The daughter of a dressmaker, one of her original aspirations was to be a fashion designer. She made her debut on Broadway in her early 20's, and has been quoted saying that "Broadway was where her heart was, not Hollywood!"

Of course not only was I captured by her personality, but all of the glorious 1930's fashions she displayed in her roles and shoots, have never been short of breathtaking!  I once read that she preferred to do her own hair & makeup for photo-shoots and film, now that's my kind of girl! Claudette's distinctive hairstyle was usually the infamous fluff bang, which she proudly displayed in front of a short bob. She always had a bright- eyed, fresh-heart shape face, youthful look, elegant demeanor, and a clever, but classy attitude. Another swell flick Claudette Colbert shines in is "Since You Went Away" (1944). During the making of this film, Claudette was well in her 30's and was up to the challenge of playing the wife of a solider serving in WWII.

Claudette aged gracefully the rest of her life, and settled in a beautiful estate in Barbados. She made her last film in 1982 at the age of 79 years old. The film was called "The Two Mrs. Greenvilles and co-starred Ann Margaret. She took home a Golden Globe for her performance. Claudette Colbert was a true beauty and a talented actress of her time!

A busy bee!

Hello lovely friends!

I am so glad to hopefully be back on track this week. After a short hiatus due to last weeks series of events. I am starting my week off, by sharing with you some exciting news and pictures!

So last week I was hired by a client to style a darling 11 year old girl, who is auditioning for a part in a 1930's set movie. I can not say what the title of the movies is, by law only because it is still in pre-production, and a even though a title has been determined. It is still not finalized at this point. Anywhoo off with that hosh-posh and on with the details.

I was flown off on a jet plane to the movie production city of Los Angeles, for a couple days. Middle of last week, well Wednesday to be exact.

As soon as I got there, I got to work. Playing dress up with little girls vintage clothes, is a dream for me. As much as I enjoy styling my own handsome little boy in vintage, it is always fun to see buttons, bows and frilly things for a change. She is so cute, and looks very much like Shirley Temple in the 1930's! She was very polite and had a delightful personality. Very smart, witty and mature for her age, a pleasure to work with. Her Mother was also a pleasure, she let me do my work without a hitch and was very grateful for the help and pleased with the results.

In between work, I only had a few opportunites to play and snap pics. So here are a few!

Me and my adorable little future starlet, having dinner on a rainy night at the Santa Monica Pier, after her fabulous audition! Isn't she a doll? Good luck little lady!
I will be sure to post more pictures of her in her her full regalia, as soon as a get a few back from the photographer! There were a couple of wardrobe changes....

The lovely hotel my client put me up in, I was definitely spoiled for a few days. You know how much I adore the beach and the California sunsets! Even if I only had an hour to sink my toes in the sand, well that is good enough for me!

The ocean just beyond the balcony, about 100 ft away!

Some quick playtime before I headed back home to Arizona. A stop at the Griffith Observatory in Hollywood, well the nicer part of Hollywood- in the hills of Loz Feliz, that is.

You might recall the Griffith Observatory, from the movie "Rebel without a Cause" starring James Dean!

And a nice visit and lunch with my gal pal Ashley who resides in L.A. Oh how I miss that girl living in my hometown! She is such a hoot!

Till next time...

Toodles,

~Syd

A dose of Vintage Christmas Fashion!

I recently wrote an article all about inspirations for Vintage Christmas fashions! It was published today on Queens of Vintage and AlleyKat's! For your reading and inspiration pleasure! Please stop by and have a lookie! As always I appreciate your comments!

A big THANK YOU to everyone whose items were showcased in the article. I truly appreciate you letting me show off your fabulous goods!

*Able Grable

*Adeline's Attic

*Lulu's Vintage

*Dorothea's Vintage Closet

*Posh Girl Vintage

*Black Cat Vintage

*Ebay & Etsy

I look forward to writing some more Vintage fashion articles in the future!

xoxo,

Syd Divine

Christmas Glamour

I'm sure most of you can relate to the fact that when, your love for era's of the past becomes your lifestyle. So does every aspect in your life, including the interior of your home. My home is sort of Vintage eclectic. Each room in my home is a different theme and has decor, inspiration and pieces from things I've collected over the years. Ranging from the era's of the 1920's through the 1950's. I took the inspiration for the living room or sitting room of my house from the 1930's and early 1940's Hollywood Regency era. Some familiar names in that interior design style were Dorothy Draper and William Haines.

The original inspiration for this look was taken from the lines and foundations of French Provincial and some of the key elements to incorporate, while styling this look are; mirrors, velvet, satin, damask, fringe, feather's, marble, glass, crystal chandeliers, lacquer, lucite, brass and pops of vibrant colors. This glamorous style of decorating resurfaced itself in popularity again in the later 1960's, after the atomic age, but was already a style that was originally choice of some of the Golden Age of Hollywood's screen stars.

I decided this year, I was going to set up an extra Christmas tree,to match my Hollywood Regency living room. Aside from the more traditional one that I set up in my family room every year, which is where we spend majority of our time. I will call it my Christmas Glamour tree! My new little tree is a small table top tree, but it definitely makes a statement of glamour for my living room. I made sure to use a few of the elements in this Hollywood style not only on the tree, but I added a few small touches of Christmas in other places around the room to continue the flow of Christmas glamour. Such as ostrich & peacock feathers, vibrant turquoise, crystal, gold, sparkles, marble, chandelier ornaments, candles, etc.

Here are a few pictures I would like to share with you. Let me know what you think???

This is just a start, as I hope to add more decorations for next Christmas. Yup that's right, I'm one of those people that waits for all the decorations to go on sale after Christmas, and I stock up for the following year.

Yes, that is an ostrich tree topper and little silver peacocks!
And I still need to get a mini tree skirt for it.

Blue and white sparkly poinsettias and gold peacock feathers!

I completely realize that I am not the best photographer in the world. With lighting and all that good stuff, but the images are there right? I am a stylist, not a photographer, but I do need to take some classes and learn the skill. Oh yeah, and invest in a fancy camera too-lol!

xoxo,

Syd