Bring on the Glamour!

These metallic gold and brass accents are so retro-luxe!


Image via Material Girls Houston.


From Amanda Nesbit via The Glam Lamb.





From Palmer Weiss Interior Design, found here. Stunning!

Happy Hour Friday: Tremblement de Terre

I am not making light of the events in Haiti by posting this drink today. Rather, I hope to bring your mind back to the victims of the earthquake by posting this link to Habitat for Humanity. Still, the largest threat to the residents of Haiti is homelessness and homelessness breeds diseases (a larger threat still) as well as mass hunger and a shortage of access to clean water. It's pretty much the worst nightmare any of us can imagine for human beings. Habitat will help build homes as well as teach others the skills to build homes, establishing self-sufficiency and jobs where they are much needed.

I read an article called Neighbors' Keeper in the New Yorker by Jon Lee Anderson yesterday about a Haitian woman who grew up in Miami but was deported to Haiti a couple of years ago. She survived the quake and is now somewhat of a local hero who walks several miles every day to procure food and water for her friends and neighbors. The lady is an inspiration, I'm here to tell ya.

Tremblement de Terre

2.5 oz. cognac

.25 oz absinthe

1 lemon twist for garnish

Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Have several, then your wallet will magically open up revealing all the credit cards you can use to donate money one more time to the causes in Haiti.

Lost and Found...

Retro-luxe friends, I know Jennie is slammed at work and Stephanie is real busy with a home demolition (don't worry, nothing retro-fabulous was gutted, we can assure you), so I'll just post something random today.

A few years ago, on the lovely Orange Beautiful blog, I saw these earrings, trekked all the way out to Banana Republic, and made them mine.



I rocked these earrings! I wore them to weddings, parties, work and even just around the neighborhood to walk the dog. This weekend, I packed them for our trip to Dallas, where people still dress up fancy and shop at Neiman Marcus, only to leave them behind in our hotel room! Someone at the Marriott Hotel on the North Central Expressway has a very guilty conscience for not turning them into lost and found... Sadly, I didn't even wear them to my husband's Aunt Kiki's funeral, a heartfelt affair that involved a visit to a beautiful church, and culminated in a warm gathering where family members shared storied and toasted her memory with tequila shots. In all, a fabulous setting for a "last hurrah" with loved ones and earrings.

In honor of Aunt Kiki's memory, I went shopping on Etsy...



From VintageandGlam



From Renagray.

It's Snowing in Austin, Texas, Y'all!

This never happens!

Retro-fabulous Modern Gal: Christina Hendricks

Photos found here, here and here.

I totally agree with Meredith about Ali MacGraw's undeniable beauty and style. And as someone who has wished to be flat-chested and size 2 at different points in her life (but is not), I have to also sing the praises of a new icon for ladies at my end of the figure spectrum, Christina Hendricks, probably better known to you as Joan on Mad Men.

On the one hand, I kind of hate myself for still thinking about stuff like body image. As I get older, I keep trying to focus more on the internal rather than the external; to not get derailed by every ounce gained or new wrinkle. Even Christina has said that she finds the whole discussion about her body rather boring. And though she does earn much-deserved praise for her top-notch acting chops, I can imagine how frustrating it would be to have this whole sidebar topic always present.

But this is America, with its youth-and-thin-obsessed culture and we still take note of things like this. It is in that context that I salute Christina for embracing her curves, for not dieting down to an unreal (for her) size 2 and for giving the curvy gal someone to identify with.

And in case you want to emulate her flawless look on Mad Men, here is a makeup tutorial. Viva Christina!!

Happy Hour Friday: Alfonso

Break out your Dubonnet Rouge again. And the champagne! This cocktail is beautiful in color and technique, and the sugar cube dissolves while you drink it. What could be more charming?
And Classy. The Alfonso goes back to the 1930s and comes from Harry Craddock, rock-star bartender of his day and author of the Savoy Cocktail Book.

Alfonso

1 sugar cube soaked in Angostura bitters

1 oz. Dubonnet Rouge

4 1/2 oz. chilled champagne

1 lemon twist, for garnish

Build in this order in a champagne flute and add the twist. For a sweeter drink, cut back on the Dubonnet.

*Grandma Hooker Update!

I have been informed that tough cookie Grandma Hooker, previously seen in Happy Hour Friday swigging Bailey's, is to be released from rehab in one week. That's great news! Happy Friday, Grandma Hooker.

Retro-luxe Fashion Icon: Ali MacGraw

Vanity Fair’s latest issue has really been interesting. Besides the fascinating article about the backstory behind Raging Bull, there’s a real juicy one about Ali MacGraw, written by Sheila Weller. You can read all about how she left Robert Evans, (Hollywood producer who almost ruined the Godfather) after falling for bad boy Steve McQueen on the set of The Getaway. Who would not fall in love with Steve McQueen?
Whoa Ali! Her bohemian attire, blended with her classy, preppy-chic sensibility, contributed to her iconic style.



Found here.



Found here.





Found here.

Ali's an inspiration to straight haired, flat chested, size 2 women everywhere (even in Texas, where Aqua Net reigns supreme).

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

Just a few things this week...what am I missing, friends?

59-piece set of pink "Arcoroc" dishes, $50

Beautiful Argentine chest, $399

Pair of tufted brown rockers, $80

Cute pair of end tables, $120

How the Mr. and I Spent Valentine's Day...

Better Homes and Gardens, May 1959

Happy Hour Friday: Dark and Stormy

Cold, rainy weather inspires this cocktail post. It sucks here, to be quite frank (rain and sleet today - yea!), and from what my in-laws tell me, the east coast is in its own particular kind of suckiness with several feet of snow and about 3 snow plows in all of Maryland to move it. So I present to you the Dark and Stormy cocktail, often found on the menu of many awesome bars. Rum is a turn-off for many - it brings back memories of nights spent retching over the railing at the gay dance club that you snuck into at age 15. Oh, was that just me? Sorry for reminiscing.

Anyway, I'm here to tell you that rum is a wonderful, varied, and delicious spirit that deserves your attention now that you aren't sneaking into gay bars anymore.

Dark and Stormy

2 oz. Gosling's Black seal rum

3 oz. ginger beer

1 lime wedge for garnish

Build in an ice filed high-ball glass, garnish with lime wedge.

Blogging Inspiration...Share My Muse!

Hey cupcakes.
Thanks to those of you who commented on our "When Blogging Turns to Blah" post. We appreciate your support as we plod though this creative malaise. We hope it is not contagious!

Ostensibly, this blog is supposed to be about retro design and decor. But sometimes it seems that we've exhausted that topic, now that turquoise walls and George Nelson lamps are as ubiquitous as granite countertops and travertine tile recently were. Woman can not live by retro alone! One kind reader suggested that we post reviews about books we've recently read. Truth is, I haven't been able to finish a book in years. I'm too busy bribing my 7 year old to make up his bed, disengaging legos pieces from the shag carpeting and arguing with my 3 year old about whether or not it's okay to wear her plastic Disney heels and lipstick to walk to the park (think Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, but in a toddler version). When I'm not busy threatening my children, I mostly stick to magazines and blogs, which are more suited for the limited attention span that I'm plagued with since the kids came along. During those 10-20 minutes I have to read, I'm also needing to shake it off, and LAUGH. Here are some of the blogs that help me to do that.

What would Janet Austen Do?
Penned by Mamacita, a hilarious Houston mom, this blog can be counted on for a daily dose of humor, wisdom and sarcasm, with some excellent recipes tossed in for good measure. Here are a few of my all time favorite posts for you to enjoy:

Lunch at Costco
End of Mommy Blogs
Bikini Wax
Dear James Taylor
How Crazy People Get Dressed in the Morning

Luscious Pastry, penned by my homegirl, Anne Charlotte, graphic designer and pastry chef extraordinaire. Who knew a blog about food could be so side splitting?

Luscious is the New Heroin
That's Luscious, Not Lushes
The King and I
Sweet Home Luscious
Who's Your Daddy?

ENJOY!

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

Cupcakes,

I've been perusing Craigslist this afternoon and have found some treats for you. And one for me, which I am not posting here yet, because I don't want one of you crafty devils to scoop it up!

Enjoy!!



2 green chairs from 1955, $75

59-piece set of vintage cocktail glasses, $70

Set of 4 teak tile-top tables, $200

Cute red chair, $45

1960s turquoise chair, $125

1950s Heywood-Wakefield dining table, $275

Vintage Lane cedar chest, $220

When Blogging Turns to Blah

Dear Retro-luxe Readers,

We apologize for the lack of posts recently. A general feeling of malaise has set in, which combined with an overall lack of technological skills, has left us feeling less than peppy. Rather than "phone it in" and post lame trash that would clog up your Google reader, we're just quiet over here. Jennie's real busy with her new role as an ambassador to our local area food bank, Stephanie's preoccupied with real estate transactions and tons of details pertaining to the construction of her new house, and Meredith is just real lazy, laying around and watching reruns of the Rockford Files and wondering why the hell she didn't buy a Pontiac Firebird instead of a Honda Accord. Given that absence makes the heart grow fonder, we thought you might be even more curious about what we all looked like, so we've decided to post this picture of ourselves:



Can you guess who's who?

We're planning some fun things for spring, but readers, we need to hear from you. Please leave us a comment and tell us:
What do you like about this blog?
Not like?
Should we just hang it up?
What do you want to see more of?
Who was your favorite Angel?

Happy Hour Friday: Cheers, Hookers

She comes from a long line of Hookers.

I mean it.

This is Grandma Hooker of Florida, USA. She is the elder-stateswoman and beloved grandmother of my friend, Kara. Mrs. Hooker recently broke her ankle and is holed up in rehab for several weeks. From the looks of this photo you might think she is in a certain other type of rehab, but that is not the case. She does not get to have happy hour too often, but thanks to her visiting grand-daughter she did get to this particular day!

As you can see, and as I was told by Kara, Grandma Hooker was very happy to get a few sips - or gulps, rather - of that Baileys Irish cream. And you know what? Seeing Grandma Hooker happy makes me happy, too.

Get well soon, Mrs. Hooker!

New Additions!

Room Service is having a 20% off of Everything Sale this month...so I scored.
Picked up this lovely 1960s French Provincial Thomasville dresser for my daughter. Sadly, the lovely lamps didn't come with it. I did consider taking Jesus home with us, briefly, but ultimately opted not to.



Here it is all set up in the little Peach's room:


And momma got a new pair of matching chairs! Very comfy for reading, I'm happy to report. I'm still trying to follow Carole's advice for my bedroom makeover, however more work is needed however before we have the big "reveal..."

Karen!

This weekend I dusted off my drum set for a Saturday-night jam session with my husband. After playing in bands for a solid 12 years, they have sat relatively untouched for about 6 years. Though rusty, I could still hold down a beat -- thank God!

And today I was thinking about the talented Karen Carpenter, those rock-solid drum chops coupled with a beautiful voice. How awesome was it that she was out front, playing drums and singing way back then? Enjoy, peeps.