Haunted Idol: The Story of the Real Cary Grant by Geoffrey Wansell

For Christmas Perry gifted me with a book. Oh how he knows me sooooo well *eyeroll*. However it was a book I could get excited about. A book that was written about my dead lover, Cary Grant. Haunted Idol was written while Cary was still alive and surprisingly with some support from the private man himself.

Being that I have difficulty reading, this book was just that, difficult. The chapters were monsterously long so it took me 4 months to complete. Now that says more about me than that of the author. Other than the long chapters the only other difficulty I had is that the author would side note talk about various people involved in that particular sequence of events making me lose direction and not quite always knowing of who he was talking about.

Other than that, it was quite an insightful read about a man that  makes me go pitter patter on sight alone. Unfortunately the insight was more depressing and shattering than anything. I believe the legend of Cary Grant is even bigger today than the image of Cary Grant was then. And it was pretty intense then! This book is not for anyone who wants to believe Cary Grant was anything more than the dashing man who was on the screen. If one needs that idol to look up to, leave it at just that. Don't read this book. Don't get me wrong, my Darling Grant was never a horrid man, but rather a weak man consumed with insecurities that left him bitchy, moody, cranky, and demanding. In other words... a mere mortal.

I could go on and tell you about him and what I have learned from this book, however I would then just be writing my own book. I don't wish to do that. If you are looking for an eye opening, bubble bursting account of a sex symbol whose presence is held in high regard today, read this book... I was left feeling a bit of pity for the guy. And not the pity you feel when you sympathize with someone... the pity you feel when you are left disgusted. Does it make me love him any less? No... he is still beautiful to look at. However, this fangirl's starry gaze has faded a bit. I don't think less of him... just different.  He will still be my number one fantasy man ;) maybe even more so now because he has become human... I am not sure. I am still letting all this sink in. Oh sigh...

In the end, I can only sum up this book with the statement, Cary Grant is proof that if it's too good to be true, it probably is.


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Ok. I REALLY have to stop.

I really need to stop shopping! I picked up some goodies today and wanted to share. Nothing like what I got the other day, but nice enough. Have any of you made any sweet purchases lately?

This pin matches my earrings that I wore on Easter perfectly!

Carved tropical flower earrings.

Hula Girl earrings

Just a photo of all the jewels I picked up today. I only highlighted a few.

a small trivet for the stove.

Small juicer. I wanted a big one, but this was all I could find. Good enough for now.

A tub load of buttons! A good amount of celluloid goodies!

Speaks for itself.

Tins. Does anyone know anything about these? Date?

More metal zippers! Yay! And shoe laces.

Outfit of the day: Easter Sweetie

Actually this was my outfit yesterday. There used to be a time when I celebrated holidays (non-religiously). The last 10 years or so holidays come and go. Makes me sad really. I always plan on celebrating and really enjoying the holidays, but they just kinda sneak up too quickly and before I know it, they are over. It doesn't help much when my fella isn't much into holidays either.

So while I "dressed up" on Easter, it really wasn't for Easter. Actually I got pretty for my fella and to run to the grocery store. It's still a little chilly here in Kenosha for me (a PHX gal) so I am still donning my wools. This outfit is a bit out of my usual style, but I think it is still an acceptable look. I still prefer wartime and this is later, but I don't have much warm early 40's wear.

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50's Sweater: Purchase Hollywood Regency (Phx, AZ) - CLOSED :(80's/90's Skirt: Thrifted PhxStockings: Purchase Magnolia Hosiery50's/60's Girdle: Gift from Hollywood Regency (Phx, AZ) - CLOSED :(50's bra: Purchase Hollywood Regency (Phx, AZ) - CLOSED :(40's peep toe slingbacks in Navy: EtsyModern watch: Birthday giftCarved rose earrings: Purchased from friend in PhxBrown Ribbon: I hope that doesn't matter.

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My first... pt 2

Yesterday I made my way to an antique store which I found many delightful treats! One of my purchases was a first for me... My very first Bakelite! What? gasp! huh? How can a vintage gal such as I not already have Bakelite?? To tell you the truth, unless it is sparkly, I don't much care for jewelry. Plus Bakelite is hella expensive. However, the Bakelite earrings were for the right price so I did it, Lolita just got her first Bakelite!

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WARNING!! From this point down, it is not a PETA friendly post. So if you are an activist or extremest keep your spouts to yourself. I post for myself and for those who can appreciate finer vintage goods. My blog is not your soapbox. I moderate my comments, so if you even hint at a "discussion" I will delete your comment. So there.

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Just for the record, vintage fur doesn't bother me, but I don't really support modern furriers. With that said, I also believe in donating old furs you don't want, need, or use to animal shelters that could use them. So if you don't like em, buy what you find and donate them to shelters.

Not only did I find a great pair of earrings, but my super happy purchase was a second for me. My second seal fur. This time it was a full length coat from 1942. It's dated 1942 and owned by Mrs. Aurthur Pieper of Racine, Wis. The carved buttons are gorgeous. I am not sure if the buttons are Bakelite because I only know how to do the smell test and all I smell is fur. This coat is warm and HEAVY! Too bad that the weather is starting to warm up, but come next winter... It does have some condition issues, but being that it only coat $45 I couldn't say no.  I thought I was reading the tag wrong!









Not only did I find an amazing coat, but I also found myself buying an ivory bracelet and an ivory necklace. The beads are carved into little elephants. And the bracelet is what really caught my eye. Once again I don't really do jewelry, but these I liked. Being that I don't do jewelry, I don't know when these were made... are they 20's? Are they 70's? I don't know, but I like them and think they have a classic look. But what do I know?









Now that my naughty purchases have been shared, I do have some other nice ones. I picked up this little swan pin. I thought it was celluloid at first, but now I am not too sure. It was only $3 so no biggie, but it seems a bit heavier and thicker than what I normally see with celluloid.

I also snatched up this cigar box for a couple of dollars. I thought the lady on the lid was pretty. I plan on storing my stockings in there. I need to take better care of my stockings. I usually trash them with carelessness after the first wear. So this is a bit of a motivator to put them away and put them away nicely.

Last but not least... I picked up this 30's taffeta party dress. The sleeves are intense! The dress is so close to fitting I am going to keep it for awhile and hope that with my new diet and exercise regimen that I will be able to keep this darling as my own. If once I get in shape and it still doesn't fit... I may have to put it up for sale. There are some condition issues, but that is mostly with staining at the bottom. I am going to do some research on taffeta and see if I can't clean it up nicely. It was very cheap to once again, I couldn't say no! Hell... I would have gotten it for the sleeves alone! I love HUGE PUFFY SLEEVES!


I can't wait to start scouring more antique store in the area... I hope to find more gems like this one!

RID-JID

I just wanted to share my latest purchase with like minds who I am sure can get just as excited about this as I am! I have been wanting a wooden ironing board for a few years now, but could never find them for less than $25 in stores. They were usually priced way higher than that and even on Craigslist averaged around $50. Apparently far too many people believe if it's old it must be worth a lot, which we as collectors and lifestylists know isn't always true.

Imagine how happy I was when the storekeeper pointed this out and said it was only $15! Hell yes I was going to get it! To top it off, it has it's original decal in great condition! That I would have gladly paid $25 for, but squeeled on the inside when he said it was $15. He did have another one from the 20's with original decal for $15 as well. The board wasn't in as great of condition, though still perfectly usable, and the decal wasn't as good in condition though the image was better. Since I like to USE my vintage and antiques until I kill them, I opted for the sturdier one so it will take me longer to kill it.

I don't know anything about this board other than it has found a new loving home. Do any of you know anything about the RID-JIDs? Also if you are in the Kenosha area and want the other board for $15, I'll pick it up for you (you can pick it up from me) or show you where you can get it.








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