Greta Garbo and Monroe
Deitrich and DiMaggio
Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
On the cover of a magazine
Grace Kelly, Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers, dance on air
They had style, they had grace
Today I took my boys and husband to the Griffith Observatory. As we walked around, scenes from the movie, Rebel Without a Cause, kept jumping out at me from every corner. James Dean and Natalie Wood’s spirit could be felt within the very essence of the building. What better setting than this Hollywood landmark to inspire me for writing of this post.
Deitrich and DiMaggio
Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
On the cover of a magazine
Grace Kelly, Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers, dance on air
They had style, they had grace
Today I took my boys and husband to the Griffith Observatory. As we walked around, scenes from the movie, Rebel Without a Cause, kept jumping out at me from every corner. James Dean and Natalie Wood’s spirit could be felt within the very essence of the building. What better setting than this Hollywood landmark to inspire me for writing of this post. 
What is it about the 1950’s icons, fashion, hairstyles and vibe that have made it a mode that not only won’t die but continues to grow in popularity? Even some of today’s top celebrities are “rocking” this style: Gwen Stefani (she always seems to make her way into my posts doesn’t she) Dida Von Tesse, and Kat Von D.
Of all the styles and fashions out there today and the past, the rockabilly style is one that I view with awe and envy. I would love to rock this style! I would love to daily curl and tease my hair and jump into a figure flattering dress or pants. I would love to do this, but for the life of me……….I just can’t figure out how to do the hair, or have the time and patience to do it. I so envy the girls that pull of this amazing style.
About a year ago I had some photos taken of me in a retro pinup style. What astonished me the most was the amount of time it took to “set” my hair. Talking with the stylist she explained to me back in the 50’s when a girl told a boy, “I can’t go out, I have to wash my hair” it was a fact and not an excuse. This is not a style that you can just throw together.
Once in the hair, makeup and clothes of the 50’s a found myself feeling incredibly feminine and sexy. Sexy in a non-exploitive and powerful way. Sexy in a confident way. Sexy and not in the least sleazy. Was this what my mother had been trying to get me to understand all through my teenage years of the 80’s and 90’s? As my mother saw me prance around in super short mini’s and navel reveling tops, she tried to explain to me that real female sexiness came from showing class, chic and curves.
(I sidetrack here briefly to comment on the above photo. This is one of my favorite portrait photos I’ve ever snapped. Jesse’s beauty is so mesmerizing!)
I found myself this summer purchasing my first one piece bathing suit since I was 8 years old. In a little hidden store in Hollywood, I found a company that is making 1950’s style pinup bathing suits. I know am able to bring a little bit of Hollywood glamour to my swimming pool.
And every time I hit up Downtown Disney I stop in a store that sells dresses from a company called Stop Staring (if you haven’t seen these dress you must check them out http://www.stopstaringclothing.com) I find myself ooohing and ahhhing over them on the hanger and then falling in love with them even more once I step into them. How I would love to be able to pull off this style!
So here we have Jesse: 18 years old and rockin more style than I have ever had or ever will. Jesse is just starting her journey into the “real world” but she will be doing so with much style, grace, beauty and feminine confidence.
Jesse, it was so wonderful spending the afternoon with you and your mother. I learned so much history about San Juan Capistrano and came home inspired to try to get my rockabilly style on.