LIFE 1950
(Photographer: Leombruno-Bodi – Conde Nast Archive/CORBIS)
(Photographer: Mark Shaw)
LIFE 1950
(Photographer: Herbert Tobias)
(Photographer: Mark Shaw)
Balenciaga for Vogue 1955
(Photographer: Walde Huth)
(Photographer: Walde Huth)
Dior (Photographer: Willy Maywald)
Dior (Photographer: Mark Shaw)
A couple of weekends ago, we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day here in Seattle (this doesn’t happen too often, especially in March). The husband, daughter and I went on a family outing which included a stop at one of the most boudwonderful (boudoir + wonderful) shops ever! It’s called Maxine’s Floral and Gifts. I had never been there before and just seeing the exterior I knew I had to go inside immediately.
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Maxine’s is basically a florists, but with a really great gift shop. Nearly everything was to my liking, and the daughter loved it, too. They had a variety of fancy soaps (of which the daughter and I each came away with one), candles, vintage clothing patterns, Eiffel Towers here and there, bejeweled handheld mirrors (perfect for the boudoir), tea sets, chandeliers and so on and so on. On their website, Maxine’s is described, “…like walking into munchkin land in the Wizard of Oz.”
maxinesfloral.com
maxinesfloral.com
maxinesfloral.com
maxinesfloral.com
maxinesfloral.com
maxinesfloral.com
maxinesfloral.com
maxinesfloral.com
In addition to my fancy Maria Evora soap, I also purchased a sparkly vintage designed matchbox (much better than some tavern matches to light your candles in the boudoir) and some cotton candy flavored toothpicks (not something I regularly partake in {unlike the husband}…however, if you’re going to use a toothpick, it might as well be cotton candy flavored and in a darling tin box, right?).
kalastyle.com
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If you live in the Seattle area or are visiting, you must stop by Maxine’s Floral and Gifts. It’s located at 8811 Roosevelt Way NE in north Seattle.
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“No one can figure out your worth but you.”
– Pearl Bailey
“Everybody wants to do something to help, but nobody wants to be first.”
– Pearl Bailey
“I never really look for anything. What God throws my way comes.
I wake up in the morning and whichever way God turns my feet, I go.”
– Pearl Bailey
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I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite books. Her name is Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. This book is perfect for a boudoir read. It is a classic, so many of you may already know how fabulous it is. But, for those of you who have not read it you’re sure to miss out if you don’t. Not only is it a great book, it also paints a detailed description of both the first and second Mrs. De Winter’s boudoirs and, even better, once you’re through with the book you can view them on the silver screen in the 1940 movie staring Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier.
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Here is a brief synopsis of Rebecca (courtesy Amazon.com):
Rebecca is a novel of mystery and passion, a dark psychological tale of secrets and betrayal, dead loves and an estate called Manderley that is as much a presence as the humans who inhabit it: “when the leaves rustle, they sound very much like the stealthy movement of a woman in evening dress, and when they shiver suddenly and fall, and scatter away along the ground, they might be the pitter, patter of a woman’s hurrying footsteps, and the mark in the gravel the imprint of a high-heeled satin shoe.” Manderley is filled with memories of the elegant and flamboyant Rebecca, the first Mrs. DeWinter; with the obsessive love of her housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who observes the young, timid second Mrs. DeWinter with sullen hostility; and with the oppressive silences of a secretive husband, Maxim. Rebecca may be physically dead, but she is a force to contend with, and the housekeeper’s evil matches that of her former mistress as a purveyor of the emotional horror thrust on the innocent Mrs. DeWinter. The tension builds as the new Mrs. DeWinter slowly grows and asserts herself, surviving the wicked deceptions of Mrs. Danvers and the silent deceits of her husband, to emerge triumphant in the midst of a surprise ending that leaves the reader with a sense of haunting justice.
You may want to wait until you read the book, but if not, here is a nice clip from the film. Don’t worry, it doesn’t totally give it away.
WAIT, before you press play, scroll down and pause the music (click here if you need help).
If you haven’t already guessed, by the looks of the header on mylittleboudoir.com, I just adore a room decorated with tufted buttons. This is a great look for a boudoir, whether it’s a headboard, a slipper chair, wallpaper or another piece that you fancy. Here are some inspiring looks…enjoy!
(lizlevininteriors.com)
(4bars.com.au)
(habachydesigns.com)
(roomservicestore.com)
(citified.blogspot.com)
(roomservicestore.com)
(flickr.com)
(citified.blogspot.com)
(houseofturquoise.com)
Rose Cummings Wallpaper
(alkemie.blogspot.com)
(flickr.com)
(beachbungalow8.blogspot.com)
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I love the look of a turban on a woman. I think it is a great way to show off a beautiful face. Plus, it can serve as a quick solution on a bad hair day.
Some are fancy…
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(fashionindie.com)
Some are casual…
(smvblog.com)
(bobbypinblog.blogspot.com)
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And some should only be worn in the boudoir…
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While there are many variations of turbans for women, a boudoir turban is a fabulous item to own. I recently purchased one in “My Little Boudoir” blue. It’s called a Turbie Twist. It can be used on wet or dry hair. It is a great way to keep your hair out of the way while applying make-up, keep it dry while bathing, or keep wet (just washed) hair off the bed (I can’t stand wet hair on a pillow), all while providing a glamorous look.
(turbietwistllc.com)
Why not just use a towel, you ask? Let me tell you why. You see, the Turbie Twist is not heavy like a regular towel and doesn’t fall off every time you turn your head. It is super absorbent, light-weight, made of 100% cotton (terry interior/velour exterior) and has an elastic loop in the back to keep it all in place.
(turbietwistllc.com)
Don’t worry, I wouldn’t keep such a fantastic item all to myself. I bought an extra one for a very special reader of MyLittleBoudoir.com. I will select the winner of the turquoise Turbie Twist on Saturday March 13, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) using random.org.
Here is how you enter to win:
Become a Fan of My Little Boudoir on Facebook
(if you’re already a Fan of MLB on Facebook, just give me a reminder in your comment)
AND
Leave a comment on this post stating your boudoir essential that you can’t live without
(if you forgot how to leave a comment, click here)
Remember, you must do both for one entry.
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“I think the main reason my marriages failed is that I always loved too well but never wisely.”
– Ava Gardner
Ok, here goes my top ten best dressed list (in order leading to my very most favorite) of the 82nd Academy Awards (the “Oscars”):
10. Anna Kendrick
I love a flesh tone on a woman, provided that it doesn’t make her look washed out. Anna looks perfectly rosy in this gown, and I love the plat on the shoe!
(eonline.com)
9. Molly Ringwald
Looking better than ever, Molly donned a timeless Hollywood look, but owned it in purple, which is very complimentary to her skin tone and hair color. The hairstyle is genius, too!
(oscar.com)
8. Miley Cyrus
While I don’t believe Miley still belongs on Disney channel as a role model for young girls, I can’t deny that her look tonight was a winner. It is pure, but the corset look gives it an edge.
(eonline.com)
7. Nicole Richie
This isn’t a classic Oscar look, but that’s what I like about it. A woman who can wear this dress and pull it off looking vintage, yet fresh all at the same time deserves a place in the top 10.
(oscar.com)
6. Queen Latifah
She looks so radiant in this sparkley pink number. I love how she’s transformed her style.
(eonline.com)
5. Rachel McAdams
I think Rachel McAdams is darling. I don’t usually go for a printed fabric on a gown, but she looks stunning!
(eonline.com)
4. Elizabeth Banks
The gray goes oh so well with the blonde. I think Elizabeth and the dress look beautiful.
(oscar.com)
3. Sarah Jessica Parker
A staple on my top 10 list, Sarah Jessica Parker, looked glorious in this yellow frock. She pulls of that 1960’s look so well. I especially loved the giant barrel curl hair style. I can’t get enough of that look.
(eonline.com)
Here are a few more views of her jaw-dropping hairstyle.
(eonline.com)
(eonline.com)
2. Mariska Hargitay
It was a difficult choice between SJP and Mariska, but ultimately I had to go with Mariska for second place. She is so beautiful, and never mind that the black dressed lacked a pop of color, because it was elegant and and smoking hot (all at once) on the red carpet. Could we expect anything less from the daughter of Jayne Mansfield?
(eonline.com)
1. Jennifer Lopez
Another staple on my top 10 lists. Jennifer Lopez’ gown takes my breath away. It makes such a statement, I am left without words.
(eonline.com)
Which look is your favorite? You can respond my leaving a comment (below).
From here on out, each Sunday, I intend to share with you
a post from one (or maybe a few) of my favorite blogs.
This Sunday, I would like to introduce:
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
The owner of Chinoiserie Chic is Beth, who also is part of Style Redux (both of which, I highly recommend you visit). I first discovered Chinoiserie Chic back in December. One of the recent posts at the time was My Christmas Decorating – Dressing Room. Even though today we are almost a year away from another Christmas, the post is still appropriate to share, because what you are about to see is her fabulous boudoir (or dressing room as she calls it).
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
(chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)
Congratulations to Arlene from California!
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She is the winner of the vintage Chanel print ad.
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This little beauty, measuring 8″x11″ and slightly yellowed from age,
will look simply glorious once framed in black and placed upon the wall of a boudoir.
Thank you to each of you who entered…
