Historical Hotcakes

In case you haven't noticed by now, I'm a bit of a nerd. A dork. A dweeb. Occasionally, I'm all three at once. And, as one of the nerderati, I think it's fair to say that I've spent my fair share of time with the proverbial dusty book or in the quite literal dusty museum. Basically, there's been a lot of dust. And in this time of dust and learning, I've happened upon some good lookin' dudes from the days of yore. Obviously, styles have changed - powdered wigs, mutton chops, whatever these were - are no longer considered 'sexy', but there will always be those few black and white photos, sculpted statues, or distinguished oil paintings that make the mind wander. To dirty, historical places.

So, without further ado...

Ladies and Gentlemen:



Nathan Hale:

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"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Well, I only regret that I was not around circa 1776. All aboard the dreamboat.

Robert Lowell:

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If only every Lowell looked this good.

Johannes Brahms:

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One of the Three B's. Bangin', BlueEyesThatPierceMySoul, Beardless.

Nathaniel Hawthorne:

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My very first historical crush. For him I'd wear a scarlet alphabet.

Ted Hughes:

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Almost definitely the worst husband on this list, but almost definitely the best British poet laureate/British poet hunkasaurus.



Well, that's all for now! Please let me know if there's any one else you thinks deserves to be on this list (I know there are more!)

The Golden Age of Wit and Booze: Bon Vivants

Where have all the bon vivants gone? Where are the classy, witty, smarmy wiseasses with bright eyes, sharp minds and streaming cigarettes? Who decided that they should be replaced with sad, bony alcoholics with DUI's and streaming cigarettes? Because, well, whoever made that decision - I don't like you. Bad move.

Ah, bon vivants. The good-lifers. Definitively, those known as bon vivants enjoy the 'good things' - mostly good food or drink. But, I, myself, me, personally, chose those known for their humor, intelligence, general badassery, as well as their love of good drink. Here are those particular ridiculous people, in no particular order of ridiculousity.

Truman Capote:

"A conversation is a dialogue, not a monologue. That's why there are so few good conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent talkers seldom meet."

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“Finishing a book is just like you took a child out in the back yard and shot it.”

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“It's a scientific fact that if you stay in California you lose one point of your IQ every year”

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“The good thing about masturbation is that you don't have to dress up for it”

Alice Roosevelt Longworth:

Teddy Roosevelt's oldest daughter and self-proclaimed hedonist

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Wedding of the Year 1906

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Thug life.

Dorothy Parker:

"I don't care what is written about me as long as it isn't true."

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"Brevity is the soul of lingerie."

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"I'm not going to be famous. My name will never be writ large on the roster of Those Who Do Things. I don't do anything. Not one single thing. I used to bite my nails but I don't even do that anymore."

Tallulah Bankhead:

The Woman I Wrote This Post For. Seriously, I love her. Anita Loos once said of her "She was so pretty that we thought she must be stupid." She was not.

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“Here's a rule I recommend: Never practice two vices at once”

“I read Shakespeare and the Bible, and I can shoot dice. That's what I call a liberal education.”

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"Codeine....bourbon..." - Tallulah's last words

“I thought I told you to wait in the car.”

-on seeing a former lover for the first time in years

Roger Moore. Ok, maybe not a bon vivant on the same level as these other guys and gals, but I just feel like this picture truly captures the essence. Besides, he's (a) Bond.

Movie Nerd: Most Stylish Films (Ever)

Does art imitate life? Or do we all just try to imitate our favorite movies? I think it might be a bit of both, and in this newest segment of Movie Nerd, I'll tell you my favorite stylish films (in no particular order, of course).

Annie Hall (1977)

It's practically impossible to fully grasp the full effect that Annie Hall has had on style and fashion. Certainly a product of the 70's, Annie Hall displayed a laid back way of dressing that the world, especially the glamorous world of film, hadn't seen before. Thank you, Diane Keaton.
Now if only I could pull off the lady-tie....

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The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

The epitome of rich-preppy-hipster fashion (I suppose that's a genre) is The Royal Tenenbaums. Wes Anderson has a very distinct aesthetic as it is, yet nowhere is it more tangible than in Tenenbaums. This film (and Ms. Paltrow's performance) may have single-handedly brought back fur and heavy eyeliner. And the bob. And chain smoking. Well, three out of four ain't bad...

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Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

I mean, obviously. No justification necessary here.

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A Bout De Souffle (1960)

Nothing could be more wonderfully French 60's than this Jean-Luc Godard film. Jean Seberg's painfully chic hair, the stripes, the Tribune T-shirt and skinny jeans...it's all so modern and yet so classic. All of these elements factor greatly into my style-psyche. In the words of Rachel Zoe: "I die."

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Rear Window (1954)

Oh, Grace. Was there ever a more appropriate name for a more appropriate woman? Sigh. My favorite Hitchcock film (and that's saying something...as I love them all ever so) could very well be the most fashionable. The legendary Edith Head dressed the wonderful Grace, and in a movie about murder and voyeurism and intrigue and romance, you still have time to say to yourself: Damn. I want that outfit.

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Blade Runner (1982)

The only futuristic film on my list, but I must say - it definitely has an incredibly stylish aesthetic. Darryl Hannah's character is a living-doll-assassin, and looks kickass while she flips (up to you to kick you to death). Sean Young's youthful, classic beauty and controlled appearance belied the crazy that awaited us in the 90's-00's. And, I mean...Harrison.

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Atonement (2007)

That. Dress.

Oh, and that English Countryside at the outbreak of WWI. What's very interesting about this movie, and I didn't realize it until this post, is how the fabrics of each character's wardrobe seems to emulate them in some way. Keira Knightley's Cecilia, a very feminine, sexual character is draped in silks and florals. James McAvoy's (sigh) Robbie is equal parts rugged farm boy and black-tie gentleman - which I think befits his character quite well - don't you?

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The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Everything that you (I) love about the 60's, about Italy, about fabulously wealthy men and women. Everything about nerdy glasses and skinny ties and flouncy skirts and wonderful prints and Vespas. And short shorts on men.

Bonnie And Clyde (1967)

Revolutionary in so many ways - this film tops many people's lists as one of the most stylish films ever. Mine included. Certainly there hasn't been a better look than a chemise, gold medallion coin necklace and your partner in crime's hat? I don't think so.

Ms. Taylor

Today is a sad day. We lost a big one today, America. Born in Hampstead to American parents, Taylor was born for greatness. She started acting in movies at the age of nine, and through the course of her massive career, made about 70 movies, married 8 times to 7 different men, won an Oscar, launched 3 huge perfumes, made headlines, broke hearts, inspired millions, and rocked the hell out of life. She was a rock star, delightful chaos, eyes and voice and diamonds.

Elizabeth Taylor was a Queen. On the big screen, in her personal life, in the media, and...ok, maybe in the eighties and nineties...maybe a little bit in the drag sense, too. Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Liz ruled them all. Enough words. Liz was a woman of action, a fighter in every sense. So, without further ado: Ms. Elizabeth Taylor.

A Scandal in The Making...
Liz with her 3rd husband, Michael Todd (her only marriage not to end in divorce) and her future 4th husband - Eddie Fisher and his wife/her best friend, Debbie Reynolds

Taylor and Burton rockin the boat, long before Ben and JLo

In an early uncredited role as Helen in 1944's Jane Eyre

Glamorous and ladylike with Burton

Nap time with James Dean behind the scenes of Giant

Can't tell who's more gorgeous...