Modeling~What I Have Learned

Photo: Bohemian French Republic

In just five days I will be heading out to begin My Vintage Adventure! One of the main aspects of my trip will be to learn more about modeling and photography. And on everyday of my trip I will be having photo shoots so I will be learning a great deal. It is something I have been yearning to do since I began this vintage journey. (I'm so excited!)

There are a few things about modeling that I have learned since my first pinup shoot back in June 2011. I also think just observing others or speaking to others about this or any subject you can learn a great deal. Here is just a snippet of what I have learned-I am sure I will have more tips to share after my trip!

Photo: Fashion and Power

• Ask yourself why you want to put yourself in front of a camera. What do you want to get out of it? Attention, praise, for your business, to feel good, to express yourself, to create art, or just for fun?
• How much do you want to invest in this? How much do you realistically have to invest in this? There are a lot of photographers out there who are just interested in having you paid their bills and mortgage. They especially target naive people or people who have become addicted to modeling. If you have the means-shoot with everyone you feel like working with but make sure it will be an experience that will enhance your portfolio. If you don't have the means, pay for one really amazing photo shoot and then do as much TFP (Time for Print) as possible! 
• Communicate well with your photag (sort for photographer). A photag should be able to communicate with you, if they don't its just simply bad business. 
• Groom yourself in advance of your shoot. Photags constantly complain that models have poorly painted nails or hair in places they shouldn't. You know your body better than anyone else-make a list of what you have to do to ensure your body and skin are at their best.

Photo: Le Grand Crique

• PRACTICE! I have so many shoots going on during my trip I don't know what poses I will practice but starting this weekend I will put in the time to study some photos and practice in front of the mirror. I will also ask my husband to take a few photos of me during a practice round. It's important especially when you know what your theme will be to practice the poses you want to use for your shoot.
• This will sound silly but stretch your face muscles the day of the shoot-before and after the makeup is put on. Trust me-it helps-and many professional models and artists I know this do this exercise.
• Definitely practice your poses in the outfit you will be modeling in. I didn't do that in my last shoot I felt sort of uncomfortable. If you are able to do this-I highly recommend it so that you know what poses work best in the outfits you have.
• Be vocal if something isn't working for you or if you are uncomfortable or even if you want to try something else. Whether you are paying for the shoot or not you want to do your best job.
• Have props!!! A magazine, purse, coat, umbrella, hat, photo, furniture, etc. Especially for vintage themed shoots-the more props the better!

Photo: 1940s.org

• Be open to learning. Even if the experience ends up not being exactly what you hoped it would be-walk away learning something from it.
• Get to know your body! The best models know what clothes and what poses look best on them. You will notice many models wear the similar outfits for shoots or they have the same poses and that because no ones body is perfect. They know how to hide their imperfections very well and they are using what works best for them.
• Choose who you work with carefully. Even if its TFP (Time for Print) choose people who you connect well with or have a similar vision with. 
• Always take someone with you for your shoots and tell someone where you are going for safety reasons.

Photo: 1940s.org

• Do NOT stay up late or drink alcohol the night before. Drink lots of water the day before-it will do your body good!
• Check out your photags credentials. You want to know as much as possible about who you are working with and you may also consider writing up a contract as well (if they don't provide one).
• Lastly, be HONEST with yourself. Come on gals-the truth is not all of us were born to be a supermodel. Those are a rare few girls that are super tall and super thin with very exaggerated features. With that being said, be honest with yourself about your looks-your body and your face. Be honest with yourself about what you are really getting out of this and what you want to do with this. Just BE HONEST! 

Whether you model for your blog, websites, as a career, or just for fun-I hope these tips will be helpful to you. And don't forget to ask yourself what do you want to do with modeling? And remember to be honest with yourself!!

Good luck!

xox

Weekend Cinema Spotlight: Tammy and the Bachelor

"Tammy and the Bachelor" (1957)

I have been wanting to share you all on of my favorite films of all-especially in the romance category. Tammy and the Bachelor just struck a chord in my heart. Most likely because I was always that girl that boys thought was sweet but never pursued or because people always thought I was different. I can defiantly relate to the main character of Tammy!

"Tammy and the Bachelor" stars Debbie Reynolds and Leslie Nielsen. This was the first film I saw Nielsen in that he was not playing a funny role and seeing so young was sooooo lovely!!

A production photo from the film.

The story is about a a seventeen year old girl named Tambrey "Tammy" Tyree who lives in a houseboat in Mississippi with her grandfather played by Walter Brennan. Tammy dreams life outside of her surroundings and has only the company of her goat, Nan. One day she finds a crashed plane and a man who has been injured. Tammy and her grandfather help Peter Brent (played by Nielsen) to get better and heal in their home. It is during that time that Tammy falls in love with Peter. But Peter has to return to  his home and to his life but tells her that if anything happens to her grandfather that she is welcomed in his home.

"Tammy and the Bachelor" Trailer

Tammy makes her way to Pete's home with her trusty friend, Nan-the goat. Everyone in Pete's family assumes her grandfather is dead (he really was arrested) and welcome her into her home. One member in particular, his mother, is very cautious and suspicious of Tammy's presence in her home. Pete's mother is played by Fay Wray-something I found terribly exciting and her performance was spot on! If you don't recall who Fay Wray was, I will leave it to you to click on her name. *wink*

Tammy adjusts to life in Pete's house, helps him with his farming project, and comes face to face with both his love interest and his best friend. But it is during Pilgrimage Week that Tammy simply woos everyone in the room!

Tammy and some house guests during Pilgrimage Week.

During Pilgrimage Week everyone in the house gets dressed up in periods costumes and they would give tours of the home. Aunt Renie (played by the wonderful Mildred Natwick-who was also in The Enchanted Cottage) encourages Tammy to dress up as Pete's Great-Grandmother Crachett.

It is at that event where Tammy begins to tell the story of how his Great-Grandmother came to Brentwood Hall and everyone was enchanted. Even his mother! The next day Pete's farming project is destroyed and he decides to accept the offer from his lady love's uncle and when Tammy finds out, she runs away. When Pete finds out she ran away, he realized that he loves her and rushes to find her. When he does and with Tammy's grandfather's approval, he kisses her! Ughhhh that part is so great!

I love this film. Its so sweet and enchanting and I love every bit of it and hope you do too!!

xox

Pinup Girl of the Month: April: Janye Mansfield

I have been meaning to post about the alluring and simply gorgeous Jayne Mansfield as my pinup of the month for April and ironically her birthday is tomorrow as well!!! So Happy Birthday Miss Mansfield!!!!!!!

Jayne Mansfield was born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19th, 1933 and was the only child to parents who were of German and English descent respectively. She grew up mostly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey but it was in Texas where she began studying acting with Sidney Lumet's son Baruch Lumet. By 1950, she married Paul Mansfield and she had her first child, Jayne Marie Mansfield.

Jayne with her first husband Paul Mansfield.

She was a mild mannered devoted housewife and

mother who later would become a pinup icon!

She not only attended the University of Texas at Austin and UCLA as well. There at UCLA she entered beauty contests but found her ample breasts often helped her lose modeling and acting jobs. In 1954, she auditioned for a part in "The Seven Year Itch" starring Marilyn Monroe. How ironic because the years following her looks were often compared to that of Miss Monroe's.

Alluring and utterly tasteful-prime 

example of  pinup work done well!!

Can you imagine a women in the 1950's who is already married and a mother to one child going against the grain of society and working towards a career outside of the home! Shocking isn't it? My Miss Mansfield sure was a gusty lady!

In 1954, she decided to pose nude for Playboy which did indeed help launch her acting career (something many modern actress after her time would do to boost or begin their careers as well!!). Before all of this she did some acting in theatre but it was the Hollywood big screens that she was yearning to be on and hat goal was achieved in her first film in 1955 called Female Jungle

She eventually would come to be in over thirty films such as; Hell on Frisco Bay (1955), Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957), Too Hot to Handle (1960), and Promises! Promises! (1963). It was in this film "Promises! Promises! that Jayne became the first American actress to ever be nude on the big screen. Think about that one for a moment....

Just beautiful! Don't you think?

By 1958, she divorced Paul Mansfield and in 1958 married Mickey Hargitay (Mr. Universe-bodybuilder) just days after the divorce was finalized. They would have three children together; Miklos in 1958, Zolton in 1960, and Mariska in 1964. Technically they were already divorced when Mariska was born but they played it out as if they were reconciling due to the damage a pregnancy of a unwed mother would do to her career. Ironically there is gossip that she was pregnant before she married Paul Mansfield and later after her death her eldest daughter went to live with a Mr. William Pigue who was Paul's uncle because he was stated as being the natural father.

Jayne Mansfield's life was not without drama or scandal or potential scandal. Today, many of these things are not too shocking but that is because our morals and values have been altered dramatically in our modern world but that's a whole other blog post hehehe

Jayne was famous for her publicity stunts especially exposing

her ample breasts (as seen here with Sophia Loren) in public places in 

order to get a scandalous photo in the newspaper. 

Goodness she knew how to work the media!

Throughout the 1960's she worked steadily but in low budget films due to her decline in popularity. I find B movies to be interesting and fun to watch--I don't believe ever film should be a contender for an Oscar. LOL In 1964, she married Matt Climber and had her fifth (omg! amazing!) child named Antonio in 1965. Unfortunately, in 1967 Miss Mansfield lost her life in a horrific car accident with her lawyer/lover Sam Brody and the driver as well. Three of her children were in the car as well but they were unharmed. She was only 34 years old!!!!

Jayne Mansfield was truly ahead of her time. The things she did with her life most women didn't dare to dream after marriage and children. But she went after it anyway. I have mixed feelings about Miss Mansfield-in some ways I admire her and in other ways I am utterly confused by her. I mean who would love to learn her exercise regime after looking incredibly gorgeous and sexy after giving birth to FIVE children and breast feeding all of them as well! I truly admire that she celebrated her physical beauty all the while being a mother. She showed the world that mothers can still be desirable. I suppose I don't admire how chaotic she made her life to be and although the public wanted to see more of her body she used her physical attributes in a way that eventually diminished her image.

I love this photo of Miss Mansfield!

She was a pinup that modern women can admire and look to for inspiration because what she did was not mainstream or popular at the time. She is an example of what can be done when society says you cannot. And she was more than just a beautiful curvy women but she was intelligent, savvy, and inventive. 

So, Happy Birthday to you, Miss Janye Mansfield! You left behind a heck of a legacy and you will not be forgotten!

xox

NINE days to go? What??!! OMG!!

Oh my! Let me begin by saying how sorry I am that I haven't posted in a week! So not like me at all. And that's because it really wasn't me doing it but rather my trusty computer that has been acting up. I think its all better now, not sure. I am just happy that I can post to you all and hoping you are all well after all the Easter celebrations, Spring Breaks, and Viva Las Vegas trips!

Well my dears, I have NINE days left until I board my plane and head out to St. Louis, Missouri. I never thought I would ever see that part of the my country and I am terribly excited to be able to. Best part will be to meet my friends Brittany and Kay in person and give them each a super duper huge hug!

The past week has been a tad bit crazy but things are slowly (very) moving along. I do still have about a zillion things to tend to before I leave and just hope I can get it all done in time. Of course like with any activity I have for the week or month I have my trusty "to-do" list to encourage me to get things done.

On my to-do list is:

1. Mail a few boxes to Brittany's house which includes my toiletries because I will be only taking a carry-on. I also have my Tardis to mail out as well for my "Doctor Who" shoot!
2. Make sure the house is in order as well as prepare activities for my husband to do with the children. I think we need more playdoh and a few other little things to break up the days for them. *smile*
3. Of course I have to pack my luggage and also make sure its under the weight limit. I have been throwing a few things in there throughout the days to ensure I don't forget thing.
4. My grooming-which will take place this coming weekend. I have to so my semi-dye for my hair which hides most of my white hair. Its my first time doing it alone so this should be interesting for sure hehe I also will get my eyebrows threaded and get a manicure-I will take along my bunny girl with me and perhaps treat her to a little manicure too. I love doing mommy and me things with her!
5. I cannot  forget to take my shopping $ and such with me :)
6. Head over to Carters because my children needs spring type pjs as well as a few other things. I cannot leave my home knowing they need things and afterwards I have to set up a few days worth of outfits for my husband. As well as pack an overnight bag for my father because they will all stay over papa's house for a night in order to allow my husband to work some hours at his second job.
7. Get my 1940's outfits together. Brittany and I have been doing the impossible which is getting a pair of 1940's trousers done without her actually seeing me to ensure it fits etc can be tricky but well worth it. I  cannot wait to get them! 
8. I have an unexpected medical procedure being performed on Wednesday morning as well as another much needed doctors appointment right after. Wednesday will be a tough day for me but it will help me be at my best during my trip.
9. Purchase our new camera. This is very important and not just for my trip but because I need to have it handy to capture kodak moments with my kiddies.
10. Activate my cell phone and add all the important phone numbers! Omg I cannot forget to do that!!

So nine days to go and ten (or more) important things to take care of before I leave. Trust me when I say most of these things would have been taken care of a lot sooner but patience is a virtue right?

I'm so happy to be able to post again! Ahhh technology is such a wonderful and crazy thing!!! hehee

xox

The Easter Bunny ROCKS!!

A rare look at me with my lil family!

Easter was a blast! I hope it was for all of you! Its a beautiful time of year and my favorite of the seasons. My husband actually proposed to me on Easter 2005 because he knew how special that time of year was for me.

My children were all terribly excited and while we awaited the arrival of Papa (my dad) I set up their Easter treats and baskets and we got them all dressed up. I was especially excited for this year because my youngest would be able to participate as last year he was just a wee babe.

The baskets in the back are from my dad and ours are in front. They loved their books and cars and doll. I love watching my children get excited about simple little things. Now about the chocolate...let's just say they has enough to last them until next Easter! My youngest was even biting through the chocolates with the wrapper on! heheh Good grief!

My sister n law and I decided to swap vintage inspired baskets to one another. I would have taken photos of what it looked like before but I didn't have my dads camera with me. Luckily he lent me his for a few days so I took some photos of some of the things she gave me. She stuffed these in large Easter eggs-so cute!

Sorry about the fuzzy photo-this is a cream colored carved bracelet-I think it may be Lucite! So pretty!

Now this is the piece that I am still going gaga over! She told me it is Bakelite but I am unsure. It looks anywhere from 1930's to 1940's and the unique part is that it has an actual photo inside of it! It is of a cowboy actor/singer..I don't know who it is. It is defiantly not someone who was a mainstream actor so I am thinking it may be a singer. I love it-I treasure unique pieces like these!! So happy with my Easter basket!

After our Second Annual Egg Hunt and our basket giving we hung out a bit more with my dad until he left. Afterwards we just relaxed and then I cooked-nothing fancy but the best part of the day was that the FIVE of us were all together....ALL day long!!! It is something that is very very rare for us and I enjoyed every second of it as did the kids.

I leave you with a photo of me with my littlest bunny. Now that Easter has come and gone, dare I say it...almost two weeks until my trip!!!!!!! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

xox