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Zelda Issue 4 Now Available! (And Zelda Has a New Look!) [06 May 2011|04:58pm]
Hello Vintage Enthusiasts!A quick announcement that Zelda: The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau's Issue 4 is NOW available on http://www.zeldamag.com/ ! We have some special new things going on with the site- the first of which is an exciting new design! Check out Zelda's blog on our main page with Zelda and vintage news of all kinds! We are also excited to release the new Vintage Shopping Guide- highlighting some of the most exciting offerings from our sponsors!THE FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE:STEAMPUNK APOLLO : GEORGES MELIES AND LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNEby David AvalloneEARLY EXOTICA : ISLANDS OF LOST TREASURESby Jason BenjaminCALYPSO, RUM & COCA-COLA : PUTTING THE VERSE IN SUBVERSIVE SINCE 1912by Bryn EsplinSPLITTING HAIRS : THE PERFECT SHAVE WITH MICHAEL HAARinterview by Don SpiroTUTORIAL : THE 1920S GLAMOUR FACEby Gin Minsky, text by Diane NaegelFORMERLY FAMOUS : SYLVIA ULBACKby Brett LeveridgeCAREFREE : A DATE WITH GINGER ROGERSby Joshua CurtisALBERTO VARGAS : FROM BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOODby Don SpiroBELLE OF NEW ORLEANS : MESCHIYA LAKEinterview by Shauna LeoneEMPIRE OF LOVE : MICHELLE L’AMOURinterview by Diane NaegelVINTAGE CITY 101 : AUSTINcompiled by Amelia RaleySAGE ADVICE : ASK MISTER BURTONby Mister BurtonTHE RECIPE BOXcompiled by Diane NaegelON THE TOWN : SNAPS FROM VINTAGE SOCIAL EVENTS FROM COAST TO COASTILLUSTRATIONS & COMICS BY FYODOR PAVLOV AND LAWRENCE GULLO www.baritaria.comALSO!If you haven't gotten your hands on Zelda yet or would like to send issues to a friend, now's the time! We are proud to offer our four issue bundle (one of each issue 1-4) for only 25domesticor25 domestic or 25domesticor35 international! That's a 5savingsfordomesticdelivery,andawhopping5 savings for domestic delivery, and a whopping 5savingsfordomesticdelivery,andawhopping11 savings on international orders! All prices include shipping.Thank you for your support of Zelda, and I hope you enjoy reading issue 4 as much as I have enjoyed bringing it together! xo
1 bon mot // display your wit
Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau - Issue 3 Now Available! [26 Oct 2010|11:57am]
Hello!I wanted to let everyone know that the new issue of Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau is now available online! Our cover story in this issue is a never-published interview with Charles "Buddy" Rogers : known as "America's Boyfriend", star of 'Wings', and husband to Mary Pickford! There are amazing stories in this piece, including a tale about the very first Academy Awards.There's a sneak peak of some of our pages on the website as well as some bonus vintage recipes to try! MORE ARTICLES:Film: Gold Diggers of 1933, Formerly Famous: Ursula Parrott , The Berkeley Cocktail, Wig Wearing Tutorial, Tie Wearing Basics, Illustrations by Fyodor Pavlov, Lawrence Gullo, and Dame Darcy; Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society, Midnight Magic : Medianoche, Nell Brinkley : Queen of Comics, Sage Advice : Mister Burton, Vintage City 101: Paris, On the Town (photos of vintage events coast to coast), The Recipe Box (Vintage Recipes)We're also featuring a vintage holiday gift guide on the Zelda site! Check out some fabulous resources for shopping for that vintage lover on your list this season! :)http://www.zeldamag.comI hope you enjoy!
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Social Accomplishments [14 May 2010|01:29pm]
Someone once said that a gentleman is "A man who knows how to play the bagpipes - but doesn't".I always took this to mean that a gentleman is a fellow who has at his disposal a wide range of skills and abilities, but also has the discretion and modesty to keep quiet about them until they're needed. If you ask me this takes fun out of being able to do stuff in the first place.Of course, showing off isn't the mark of a gentleman. It's the mark of a cad. A bounder. A downright rotter. No prizes for guessing which side of that divide I'm aiming for, though, eh?Anyway, thinking about it last night, it struck me that a cad does not have skills; he has 'social accomplishments'. By social accomplishments, I mean those little abilities which are of no actual value whatsoever except just looking pretty cool when you do them. You know, things like raising one eyebrow in a quizzical manner. As far as I'm concerned, half the point of privately working hard to be able to do things is so you can do them in public in an offhand, casual way and then look mildy surprised and a bit disappointed when other people can't do them: so being able to play the bagpipes and then not doing so just doesn't count.Off the top of my head, a cad should be able to:• Raise one eyebrow.• Mix (or order) a martini without suggesting that doing so makes him James Bond.• Perform a perfect riffle shuffle of a deck of cards.• Blow a smoke-ring.• Whistle for a taxi with 2 fingers in your mouth.• Tie a proper bow tie, simply to make everyone wearing a pre-tied elasticated one look uncomfortable when you untie it after dinner.• Undo a bra with one hand.• Strike a match with a thumbnail, or light a zippo with one flick.What else should a cad be able to do?
3 bon mots // display your wit
Mika [18 Apr 2010|11:22pm]
I was about to post this on a steampunk comm, but my eye wandered over here.This man's clothing made me think of my variety of male steampunk fashion. This video reminds one of A Clockwork Orange. I'm not exactly sure what this song is talking about, but the beginning is fantastic.What do you think of the dancing of the lead singer or others?**( video under cutCollapse )**Disclaimer: I have no idea who this MIKA is and whether people such as us loathe him because I'm extremely out of date with popular music.
4 bon mots // display your wit
The world turn'd upside down. [19 Mar 2010|04:52pm]
People who know ukmonty won’t be in the least bit surprised to learn that he is a member of a private, members-only cocktail bar in Soho. It isn’t the sort of place which minor celebrities are pictured staggering out of at 3am without any knickers on. Of course not – it’s rather more exclusive than that. Instead, it’s the sort of place you find down a side street and behind an anonymous, unmarked door that you need a password to get through. A password! It’s my sort of place.Inside, it’s decked out in a decadent 1920’s/30’s style, rather like the first class lounge on the Titanic would have looked if they’d decided to spend a bit more on it; wooden panelling, art-deco ornaments and plump armchairs are the order of the day. They play a jaunty selection of 20's jazz hits and the Whisky selection is pretty much a who's who of major distilleries. The staff are uniformly attractive and unobtrusive and I barely noticed as the waitress shimmied up as we sat considering the cocktail menu last night. “What can I get you?” she asked.I looked at the options. A Gin Sling? A Screwdriver? In the end I settled for the Alcoholics Delight, which appeared to consist of a shot of everything behind the bar in a bucket with a fried egg on top. She turned to Monty.“And you, sir?”Monty regarded his menu with something of a pensive air. He tapped a finger. “A Moscow Mule, please”, he said, thoughtfully.“Certainly, sir. Will that be strong, or low alcohol?”I gave a loud guffaw. Low alcohol? Plainly this woman did not know Monty.“Ah...the low alcohol, please.”My head shot round like it was on a spring. Had I heard aright? “What?", I said. “Are you quite serious?"He nodded, rather more firmly this time. “Low alcohol”, he confirmed.The waitress sashayed away and I opened and closed my mouth like a confused fish. “But, Monty!” I cried. “You...it...booze...drinking...low alcohol”, I explained further.Monty had the grace to look a little crestfallen. “I know”, he said. “But...I’ve started getting hangovers. Now I understand what you lot have been going on about all these years. And anyway,” he added, pointing ruefully at his tummy. “My liver. Size of a football, you know.““Tommyrot”, I said, firmly. “Your liver would need Kryptonite to stop it, and believe me that’s not the green colouring in absinthe.”But so the evening went on. As I wrapped myself around a series of spectacularly inebriating drinks like the Dialysis Supreme (“We pop a funnel in your mouth and keep pouring gin in until you pass out. With a dash of sours and an olive”) and the Boozeguzzler ("We’re not telling what’s in this one, but trust us when we say drinking it will invalidate your life insurance”), Monty sipped abstemiously at small port. I felt utterly confused. “So…” I said, trying to change the subject. “What plans have you for the rest of the week?”“Oh”, said Monty. “I’m coming back here tomorrow.”I nodded. At least some things haven’t changed.
2 bon mots // display your wit
For all the Foodies, Chefs & Bakers [16 Dec 2009|10:12pm]
[ mood | accomplished ] Hello. I wanted to invite those of you with an interest in cooking and yes, eating to vintage_chefs. I thought it would be interesting to create a community for those of us whose love of all things vintage and traditional spilled over into our love for food. A community to replicate heirloom recipes and show off our antique kitchen appliances,vintage cookbooks, recipes and dishes. mail_Victorian 'Absinthe' Sandwhich Cake baked by Me_xoxocake_batter
Vintage Shopping Links [14 Jan 2010|03:59pm]
Hello All!I wanted to pass on some great vintage links (mostly shopping) for you all...these are the wonderful people who advertised in the first issue of Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau ( http://www.zeldamag.com )! Remember to tell em Zelda sent you ;)Nauck’s Vintage Records – http://www.78rpm.com one of the largest selections of 78s and vintage audio equipment/supplies around!Art Deco Society of New York – http://www.artdeco.org join today, New Yorkers!Hey Sailor! Hats – http://www.hey-sailor.com lovely hats, with a flair for evening headwear! Tiny top hat lovers, take note!Besame Cosmetics – http://www.besamecosmetics.com my favorite red lipsticks! I have 4 shades, and all in vintage perfection!Vintage Expo – http://www.vintageexpo.com attention Californians! The Santa Monica expo is coming up on Feb 6/7th! Show your copy of Zelda for $2 off admission!Vintage Blue Moon – http://www.vintagebluemoon.com a gorgeous selection of vintage apparel and accessories online! In January get 15% off with free shipping!The Moonlighters - http://www.worldsound.com/free/moon/ Get your free song online here! And come see them at Twilight Tropicale in NYC on Jan 30th, presented by Wit’s End and the Dorothy Parker SocietyMedusa’s Heirlooms – 385 Fifth Ave, Suite 309, NYC NY When in NYC, visit Kathryn and her amazing array of hair accessories! Her wares make their way into Henri Bendel and many of Manhattan’s finest stores!Gelber & Manning In Pictures - http://www.gelberandmanning.tv/ Enjoy G&M’s webisode 1 in a series of Jazz Age music and mystery! Featuring a NEW original tune from Gelber & Manning!Penellibelle - http://www.etsy.com/shop/penellibelle Handmade vintage-style wedding jewelry and headpieces – lots of gorgeous crystal pieces. Great for bridal OR a glamorous night on the town!Cladrite - http://www.cladrite.com/ Get your favorite vintage and retro graphics on tees! My personal favorite : Dora the Dunce!Bachelor Pad Magazine - http://www.bachelorpadmagazineonline.com/ Pinup gals and burlesquers galore! Cocktails, retro party planning, and more! Subscribe today!KD Design Studio - http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimkdep Handmade wedding/evening/special occasion jewelry with that perfect 1930s/40s flair! My current favorites include the Natalie Hair Clip and the gorgeous ‘The Magic of the Forest’ emerald green crystal bracelet!Gelber & Manning – http://www.gelberandmanning.com One of our favorite NYC ragtime/jazz musicians! Be sure to check their schedule to see when you can catch them live- you haven’t seen a duo like this before!Peek Jewelry & Hosiery - http://www.etsy.com/shop/cristinacascianoking More items coming soon- Cristina makes the most darling embellished knee socks!Red Hook Ramblers – http://www.redhookramblers.com Another NYC music favorite! Hot jazz in New York with a New Orleans kick! Check their website to see when you can catch them live!My Vintage Sole – http://www.myvintagesole.com Ever wanted a pair of CUSTOM reproduction vintage shoes? Choose from a lovely array of styles, and customize your color, fabrication, and heel style! It doesn’t get more custom than this!Nostalgic Corner - http://www.etsy.com/shop/nostalgiccorner Flapper Mannequins by Magda! I am dying to get my hands on one to showcase my jewelry and hats- perfect for a bedroom or boudoir!Leluxe Clothing - http://www.leluxeclothing.com/servlet/StoreFront Fantastic reproductions of 1920s eveningwear and more- and these you can dance in without worrying about the beads coming off! Get 10% off any order with code ‘ZELDA’!Vintage City Eyewear - http://www.vintagecityeyewear.com/ Find the best vintage eyeglasses/sunglasses/frames as well as Lafont’s retro collection! A fabulous rhinestone cateye pair of sunglasses is calling my name!Don Spiro Photography – http://www.donspiro.com Looking for a noir-ish glamour portrait? Don is your guy! Available in NYC and LA! The man I trust my portraits to AND partner in producing Wit’s End ( http://www.clubwitsend.com ) , the monthly celebration of the Jazz Age in New York!Flapper Flock - http://www.etsy.com/shop/flapperflock Jazz up your lingerie and wardrobe with a great selection of 1920s/30s dresses, sleepwear, hats, furs, and more!I Desire Vintage Posters - http://www.idesirevintageposters.com/ Purveyors of fine vintage and antique prints/posters/lithographs! Visit their ‘gift shop’ link for gorgeous pieces for those who want to buy vintage art on a budget!Hems and Bustles - http://www.etsy.com/shop/hemsandbustles Specializing in bridal headpieces, veils, and accessories – these fascinators are the bees knees! From art deco to Victorian influences – you’ll come away with a winner!Georgina Kelman : Works on Paper - http://www.georginakelman.com/ From the Victorian Era through the Jazz Age, Georgina has a beautiful offering of fine art prints from George Barbier to Whistler! My lustworthy item – Georges Lepape’s original gouache and ink drawing, “Les Coussins”, from 1912!
2 bon mots // display your wit
Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau [16 Nov 2009|05:20pm]
Hello Aesthetes...I thought you might want to know about a new publication now available- Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau...I self-publish it, and it's for aficionados of early 20th century style and culture...you can see more/order online at http://www.zeldamag.com !I'd love to get some feedback from members of this community on the publication...
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The Chap Olympiad 2009 [13 Jul 2009|11:13am]
Readers with a long memory might recall my thrilling adventures at the Chap Olympiad last year. Obviously, as I'd declared myself the winner of the Scoundrels Challenge last year I had to attend this year as I had a title to defend and so on Saturday I dressed myself up to the nines and headed off. For those of you who don't know what the Chap Olympics is, The Chap is a periodical whose editorial stance is "What would an eccentric English Gent make of the modern world?", and their Olympiad is an annual event devoted to dressing well, drinking, and taking part in exciting sporting events like the Moustache tug-of-war, Umbrella Jousting and the Martini Relay.I think, over the course of the day, I learned three important lessons.1) If you want to get photographed by tourists in London, all you have to do is dress smartly, pop a hat on at a rakish angle, and hold a singsong around the Play me I'm yours piano in Soho Square.2) If you are dressed up, London beggars simply won't believe you when you when you say that you have no cash at all - even if this is entirely true - and become abusive as a result.3) If I enter the Scoundrels Challenge next year, I'm wearing a gumshield.I made my way to Bedford Square gardens with robinbloke as my valet, Langridge. This proved to be an exceptionally successful move, as I didn't have to carry my own bags, hold my umbrella or queue for food or drinks all day. As a quality of life enhancer, I heartily recommend engaging a man to do all that sort of thing. Valets - everyone should have one. Anyway, arriving at the gardens we discovered that taking your own booze onto the site was prohibited (They had a drinks stand in the gardens) and they were searching bags on the way in; however, I must have an honest face as they didn't check mine and so I ambled in with a few bottles of decent plonk and a hipflask, which helped the afternoon swim by in a most agreeable fashion with delightful company.I'd arrived fashionably late, which meant that most of the events were already fully subscribed (which I thought a little bit off, as many of the people taking part in the events were the organisers themselves. Poor show all round), but I registered as a competitor and hoped for the best. Alas, I missed out on the Hop, Skip and G&T and the Plate of cucumber sandwiches discus but, reasoning that I wasn't there to play fair, I elbowed my way to the front of the queue for the three legged trouser limbo. This event involved two people wearing an oversized pair of three-legged trousers between them and walking a short course before limbo-ing under a pole. Naturally, I couldn't allow Langridge to share a pair of trousers with me and so I popped them on and he carried his half. I ambled the length of the course, saluting gents with my brolly and tipping my hat to the ladies, and when we got to the limbo pole Langridge kindly raised it to a height sufficient for me to continue unimpeded. Unfortunately, this, for reasons which escaped me, was not sufficient for me to win the event. I consider myself cheated.And so the highlight of the afternoon drew near. The Scoundrels Challenge. One of the toughest sporting events known to man, the Scoundrels Challenge was entered as a display sport in the 1996 Altlanta Olympics but was withdrawn after seventeen deaths in the first round. The event involves walking up to a lady and acting in as caddish a manner possible until driven away by a ringing slap. The winner is the man with the reddest cheek but the wryest smile. I've spent pretty much my entire life in training for this event.Langridge and I took to the course. "I say, Langridge", I said, indicating a nearby beauty. "Acquire me this lady, would you, there's a good fellow."Langridge made an enquiry as to the lady's hourly rates. "More than you could afford!" She replied. "Don't be so sure", I replied with an encouraging leer. "I have three, perhaps as many as four shillings in my wallet?"The lady gave an outraged squawk and then...well, if I'm being honest I'm not entirely sure what happened next. Whatever it was, though, it left a ringing in my ears and a taste of blood in my mouth. As colonel_maxim observed more then fifteen minutes later, "Good heavens; you can still see the marks her fingers left in your neck". Needless to say, I sacked Langridge on the spot.So it was that I retired hurt from the event. It's difficult - nay, impossible - to maintain a wry smile whilst attempting to straighten your nose, and so I couldn't complete the competition. So I lost my title - but, seeing as I only got it by cheating and villainy in the first place, I really can't complain too much.Anyway, plenty more pictures from the event can be found here.
1 bon mot // display your wit
Men and shoes [28 Jun 2009|09:24pm]
I had to repair my shoe rack today and, in the process, winnowed out five pairs of unneeded shoes (bringing me down to 15 pairs). In the process, I wondered to myself about the relationship between a man and his shoes. The cliché about women being obsessed with shoes has been in heavy rotation for decades, but few seem to consider a man's perspective on shoes. Do other men regard shoes as merely a means to an end -- a way to protect ones feet from the elements and prevent one from looking ridiculous in a suit? -or are there unconscious associations that deserve exploration? I can guess what Beau Brummell would've said, but what of Freud or Jung? Is there one type of shoe that means more than others to any given man? Would I be revealing some quirk of my psyche if I said that I feel the most comfortable in a pair of side-zip chelsea boots? And you, sir?
7 bon mots // display your wit
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