Historic Diestlehorst Bridge

Diestlehorst Bridge in the 1920's

Lately I've been researching the history of my hometown, Redding, Ca. I lived there for the first 19 years of my life. My heritage there goes all the way back to my great great Grandpa who was born in England but came to Redding at the age of 10 in the 1880's.

Anyway, one of my favorite historic sites there is Diestlehorst Bridge. Built in 1915, it was the first auto bridge over the Sacramento River in Northern California. It is rumored that my great Grandpa helped build it. He was an engineer so it is entirely possible.

The bridge was the center of summertime activities during the first half of the 20th century. A grandstand and swimming hole were built nearby and were the site of many swim contests, boat racing competitions and beauty pageants.

Today Diestlehorst Bridge is closed to automobiles but is enjoyed by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Diestlehorst Bridge Today

My Favorite Vintage Restaurants

If you like retro style dining I have three suggestions for you in the Southern California area.

1. Musso And Frank

Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood

Started in 1919, this place hasn't changed since the 1930's! It has rich dark brown paneling with coat racks at each table. It was a favorite hang out of Charlie Chaplin's during the silent movie era. William Frawley would visit the bar for a drink with the boys during his I Love Lucy days.

The food is fabulous. I suggest the mushroom ravioli.

2. Canter's Deli

Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles

An L.A. landmark since the 50's. If you love mid century modern this is the place for you. The establishment consists of three parts. The deli area which dates from 1953, the dining room from 1959 and the cocktail lounge from 1961.

Wonderful food, the menu is kosher. Their bakery items are the best ever. Try the brownie!

3. Watson's Drugstore

On the Orange Circle in Old Town Orange

Wonderful old soda fountain and drug store dates to the 1890's. Authentic counter with stools, booths or tables. Vintage style jukebox plays music from the 40's to 60's. "That Thing You Do" starring Tom Hanks was filmed here.

The regular food is nothing special but the ice cream is too die for. Also recommended is the retro soda pop served out of glass bottles.

My latest Costuming Endeavor

I costumed my first TV show today. It is called Rewind and is on JCTV. It is kind of a retrospective of Christian music videos. The theme was 40's and 50's style videos.

I dressed the girl, Daisha, in a 1950's little black dress by Suzy Perette, black gloves, vintage jewelry and 50's style rhinestone glasses.

I dressed the guy, Ryan, in a 50's pair of slacks, a 40's or 50's vintage vest, bowtie and fedora.

My next project will be the 1940's radio play Night Stories coming up in September and October.

Fake Radio 7-19-09

I just got done costuming the latest Fake Radio show http://www.fakeradio.net/ last night. We did two episodes of Richard Diamond Private Detective that originally aired in 1949 and 1951. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

I just wanted to share the oldest item in my collection. It's this dress from the 1830's. It's about 170 years old! I found it in a very old general store in the Maryland countryside. The store has sense been converted to an antique shop. There were so many beautiful things there that I wanted to buy everything! If I were rich maybe I would of :). Anyway when I saw this I just had to have it!

Woman Of Style-Katherine Hepburn

From time to time I will be commenting on style icons of the past. Today's icon is Katherine Hepburn. She was a trendsetter in her time, being one of the first women to popularize wearing pants as everyday attire.

Katherine also had a feminine side as evidenced by this 1930's photo.

Katherine in a rare pin up pose.

I love Katherine and Cary together. Here they are in the 1938 classic Holiday.

If you enjoy classic movies as much as I do check out moviemaidens.com.

Not Much Has Changed

I was looking through the October 1949 issue of McCall's magazine today in preparation for costuming Fake Radio this weekend. To be reading some of the letters and articles you'd think that you had picked up today's newspaper.

For example there was a small piece about how fat men were getting! It was called "Our Men Are Getting Fatter" Before the war a size 38 or 39 suit was the norm. Now the average man was up to a size 40 or 42! (that's fat?)

There was a letter written to Eleanor Roosevelt's advice column deploring the children of today. They are so rude to their elders!

There was also an article about women's equality in the work force.

Just shows that the more things change the more they stay the same.

Ladies Victorian Clothing

I find the Victorian era (1837-1901) fascinating. How were those women able to function in those dresses? They seemed like they would be so hard to sit in never mind other day to day activities. For example here are ladies in the 1870's playing tennis. Look at how tight and long the dresses were.

Here are some ladies in the 1890's riding bicycles.

How About these 1880's bathing beauties? They are wearing fancy hats with their bathing suits.

I have some fabulous Victorian items in my own collection. I often like to think about the ladies that wore them. What was thier lives like?

This is an 1880's red wool burgandy dress.

This is one of my favorite pieces. It is a bodice from 1900. Look closely at the small framed picture. That is the same bodice with it's original skirt worn by the original owner. It is dated 1900 on the back.

I'll be sharing some more of my Victorian clothing in the near future. See you all later!

Some Of My Costumes

Just wanted to share some of my costumes. First is this outfit from the Fake Radio production of Father Knows Best. Late 40's early 50's dress, hat and jewelry .





This is a typical 40's outfit. Blue rayon dress, pink tilt hat with vintage necklace and earrings set.



This is a typical 40's gentleman. He is wearing a 40's double breasted jacket, a rayon tie and fedora.

I'll be posting some more of my costumes in the near future and will have some new ones after this next weekend.

Upcoming Fake Radio July 19 with guest Geoffrey Tozer

Friends, Fans & Family,
Thank you all so much for making our Father's Day show such a huge hit. We sold out, Fred Willard was a lovely guest star and we were thrilled to present you such a lovely evening of comedy.
We hope to do the same in a few short days, so save the date and buy your tix: Fake Radio's next show is Sunday, July 19th.
That night, we'll be performing two Blake Edwards scripts from the popular 1940's detective series, "Richard Diamond, Private Investigator"! These radio plays are hysterical, each feature a musical song and I wish that Mr. Edwards could be on hand with us to watch. Note to self: perhaps I should be audacious and contact his office and ask him to attend....?
Also joining us on the 19th is our special musical guest, Geoffrey Tozer. Geoff's known as "The Sly Crooner" (http://www.slycrooner.com/) and just landed a show Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. We're thrilled to have him joining us to share some of his incredible musical gifts with us.
If you're getting this email, you're on our special list and get access to some of the tix we've set aside for our longtime fans. Use the password below to order $10 tix. Once those are gone, regular tix will cost $15. Bring your parents, grandparents and the kids. It'll be another lovely evening of song, comedy and old time radio as only "Fake Radio" can create. Be well everyone and we'll see you at the theatre!show: Two episodes of "Richard Diamond, Private Investigator" date: Sunday, July 19thtime: doors open at 6:30pm for cocktails, show runs 7:30-9pmspot: Bang Comedy Theatre, 457 N. Fairfax Ave., 90036maps: http://is.gd/6Oh3park: free on street or paid lot on the corner of rosewoodtkts: http://bit.ly/wycj5 (scroll to bottom of page)cost: $15/$202fer: $10 tix available with the password "blake"view: not in LA? watch our LIVE webcast via our websitesite: http://www.fakeradio.netkids: safe for ages 10+info: 877-460-9774twitter: http://bit.ly/blqeJfacebook: http://is.gd/mNZ

Hi Everybody

Welcome to my new blog. I will be talking about all the vintage related happenings in my life and whatever thoughts I may have. I'll start with sharing just a few of my favorite vintage clothing pieces. These are all from my own collection.

First is this huge red hat from the 40's. It has a velvet crown and straw brim. A large bouquet of flowers really makes it stand out. Label Sillay Dillay.

Next is this hat and boa set from the early 20's. The hat is made of horse hair and covered with ostrich feathers. The boa is also ostrich feathers. No labels.

Lat is this dress from the mid 40's. The skirt is wool and the bodice is rayon. It has a great asymmetrical peplum that ties on the side. Botany label.


I'll be sharing many many more of my items over time. You can purchase some of them at my Etsy store Hollywood Vintage.