More Retro Lovely Pinup to round out the year!

I have a couple of shoots coming in the new year and a set featuring my 1780s chemise a la reine that’s on the way, but now it’s time to share my last two pinup publications of 2023: Retro Lovely No. 231 and Godiva No. 61!  Marilee Caruso Photography did the photos, hair, and makeup for both shoots! 

Catherine Morland cemetery shoot in Retro Lovely
Catherine Morland cemetery shoot in Retro Lovely.
Catherine Morland cemetery shoot in Retro Lovely
Catherine Morland cemetery shoot in Retro Lovely.
Catherine Morland cemetery shoot in Retro Lovely
Catherine Morland cemetery shoot in Retro Lovely. That’s Mark Hopkins’ crypt in the background (right).

The Retro Lovely flagship set is another Halloween homage, this time at location in an historic cemetery in Sacramento! This was our third attempt to shoot this set, after tries one and two were postponed due to bad weather. Five months after our first attempt (January), we finally got the weather we needed.

I love the results: black and white, witchy, vintage! The entire outfit is Micheline Pitt, with very cheap (signed!) Manolo Blahnik Camparis I got secondhand.

The Godiva set features Marilee’s boudoir at the studio, freshly-painted green this Summer! I wanted a “New Year’s Eve” afterparty vibe, and Marilee delivered with warm lighting and festive props!

Catherine Morland in Godiva
Catherine Morland in Godiva.
Catherine Morland in Godiva
Catherine Morland in Godiva.
Catherine Morland in Godiva
Catherine Morland in Godiva.

My outfit consisted of lingerie by Dita Von Teese and a Demi Corset, stockings, and garter belt by What Katie Did Demi Corset. The shoes are my trusty Christian Louboutin Piou-pious.

As always, you can order these issues, my 2024 calendars, and any of my recent issues via my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/strangegirl

It’s a Retro Lovely Halloween (pin up galore)!

I’m a Halloween girl going way back, so it’s no shocker that I enjoy spooky pinup. This year, in addition to the “Halloween in April” cover my friends and I earned six months ago, I’m published in two volumes of Retro Lovely’s Halloween special edition!

Retro Lovely Halloween 2023 cover - witchy pinup!
Witchy pinup in Retro Lovely Halloween 2023 cover.

Marilee Caruso took the photos and did the glam for both sets.

Retro Lovely Halloween 2023 - Dracula's bride
Retro Lovely Halloween 2023: Dracula’s vampire bride.

The first feature (my singles from our “Brides of Dracula” vampire shoot) got six pages in volume 8, and the second (lingerie witch) received six pages and a cover for volume 9.

You can order copies of these issues, a Halloween Vol. 9 cover poster, a copy of my 2024 Retro Lovely Calendar, and all my issues for the past two years via my Linktree.

I’m in Marilee Caruso Photography’s 2023 Pinup Calendar!

If you’re looking for a great pinup calendar to grace your wall in 2023, buy one of Marilee Caruso’s! I’m Miss February, but there are 11 other amazing models featured as well (including my friend Miss Melody Noir as Miss October)!

2023 Marilee Caruso Pinup Calendar
2023 Marilee Caruso Pinup Calendar: I’m Miss February

Grab your 2023 Marilee Caruso Photography pinup calendar here!

And remember, you can pick up any of my recent pinup issues, posters, &c. via my Linktree!

Marilyn Monroe’s Grauman’s Handprint Ceremony Dress by Morningstar84

Summer’s almost over, so I’m working hard to clear my warm-weather posts from the blog queue. I promised a review of another wonderful custom reproduction by Esther of Morningstar84, this beautiful version of Marilyn Monroe’s eyelet halter dress from 1953.

Morningstar84 Marilyn Dress
Marilyn Monroe’s Grauman’s dress.

Continue reading “Marilyn Monroe’s Grauman’s Handprint Ceremony Dress by Morningstar84”

The parade of Spring vintage continues with low-backed dresses!

Margaret Koehler vintage dress
Margaret Koehler vintage dress.

Now that the semester is almost over, I have a bit of time to catch up on the stuff that really matters in life. CLOTHES. I have several new vintage pieces (“new vintage”…there’s an oxymoron for ya) that I’ve previewed on Instacrap but never got around to properly sharing. The two I’m showing you here have one main thing in common: they’re both fairly low-backed, which means they can be tricky to wear.

The first is an amazingly well constructed custom piece that’s perfect for a garden tea circa the early 1960s. The people from whom I purchased this pretty blue and white dress dug up the provenance. Apparently, it came from Margaret Koehler, a tony ladies’ shop in Manhattan.

Vintage chiffon cocktail dress
Vintage chiffon cocktail dress.

Certainly, this thing is well made. French seams, pinked edges, a built-in petticoat…every construction detail is couture, and the fit is extraordinary, right down to the scooped frock back (true frocks have buttons down the back).

Vintage fit tip: I wear longline strapless bras with scooped/low back fashions. In addition to accommodating the low-backed look, these  keep your waist lump-free and won’t complicate the outfit with straps. I’m wearing the Dominique 6377 here, which is available many places, including Pinup Girl Clothing.

Continue reading “The parade of Spring vintage continues with low-backed dresses!”

Black Friday holiday dresses: Madeline, Grace, Honey, Erin, and Jenny

Madeline Dress
Laura Byrnes Madeline dress with matching bolero.

Now that I’m back from the barfs, it’s time to share some of my Black Friday purchases from Pinup Girl Clothing and Trashy Diva!

My favorite of the lot is the Laura Byrnes Madeline dress in plaid taffeta, a dress I desperately wanted last fall but never got around to ordering. Since the piece didn’t drop until after the holidays, I didn’t have an immediate reason to buy it when it first came out. Another big reason for the delay is the cost. MSRP for this number is $200, and that’s not factoring in the additional $76 for the matching bolero (which is kind of necessary to complete the look). Throw in the fact that several of the gals who first purchased the dress back in January mentioned the odd fit provided by the elasticized side panels on the bodice and I was skeptical.

Continue reading “Black Friday holiday dresses: Madeline, Grace, Honey, Erin, and Jenny”

More pinup by Angela Morales!

Kali by Angela
Kali by Angela.

Being back at work is a drag, but photo shoots aren’t. Earlier this year, I shot some fresh pinup pics in Los Angeles with photographer Angela Morales – one of my favorites! – and makeup and hair guru Angel Jagger.

This set’s got a sixties vibe going, with the jet-setting, uber-modern hotel surroundings and all. And even though I’m fully covered from armpit-to-thigh with a longline bra and high-waisted girdle, this is technically a lingerie shoot. Hah.

Anyway, it was fun and I think the pictures turned out great!

Continue reading “More pinup by Angela Morales!”