Audrey Style Inspriation

Audrey Hepburn, 1950s

Style is what you make it. Today we take a small clue from Audrey Hepburn. Audrey's high sense of chic was apparent even in casual clothes. A turned up shirt cuff and a pair of earrings combined with her graceful figure in shorts, proves that sometimes less is more.

1925 Beach Fashion Cover-Up

The year is 1925. Isn't she adorable in her swim suit , socks and shoes? The small cape is interesting. Note the carriers at the shoulders and on her elbows, I've not seen anything like that before but it sure looks like something that could easily be done with a blanket or towel. And then of course, you can use it for your beach blanket as well!

My new Beach Pyjama's

I had a fabulous weekend my friends. My nephew Ben was here from Connecticut for a Geo Conference that was put on by Google. They kept him busy most of the time he was here but we did get to see him during the day on Saturday before he left. We went wine tasting locally at Sarah's Vineyard and Kirigin Cellars . Then we headed towards Santa Cruz and the beach. We brought Ben by to see the Boardwalk, and took him around downtown for a bit, drove around and popped in to see my birthday sister Eileen at her beautiful vintage clothing store Ivy Company, grabbed a coffee at Verve all before we had to come back to drop Ben off.

Ben brought a very special present with him, a birthday gift from my sister Jody at Couture Allure. I opened my gift to find these fabulous 1930s beach Pyjamas. Swoon. I tried them on and voila, they fit like a dream. I'm short and short waisted but I do love these so.

The wide leg hemline is scalloped and trimmed with coordinating ivory fabric.

It's a black and ivory cotton polka dot and has sweet little pockets, it buttons at the shoulders with mother of pearl buttons and has a matching belt!

So this is me hamming it up in the back yard after trying it on. I'm on the lookout for some perfect shoes to go with this. Size 8 anyone? Ah yes, and some nail polish and maybe some pearls. And maybe a new hat. HA! Thank you Jody, I couldn't ask for a better sister! Mmmwha!
xoxoxoxo

Back to our Regularly Scheduled Swimwear

1950

Took a small break to blog about my apricots this week, but I've got some fabulous images to share with you the rest of the week. Here is one. I like the juxtaposition of the people and I'd love to figure out what she is wearing on her head. Looks like a cross between a swimcap and a beanie hat of some sort. Cute.

BBQ Apricots & Pizza

Mmmmm, BBQ pizza. This is how we do it at the Fierro household. Fire up the BBQ, get a bit creative and nourish the soul. What's for dinner? Last night we made bbq pizza with a small side spinach salad, and what else? BBQ apricots for desert.



We get the dough from A Slice of New York, really, it's the best dough around.


For the pizza:
Sauce to cover the bottom
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) mozzarella cheese (we used the small fresh balls and sliced it)
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips
10 kalamata olives, drained, pitted, and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 cup (approx) crumbled goat cheese

Shape the dough on a pizza pan, add the topping and bbq on high for approx 8 minutes.


The apricots grilled for just a tad longer than I meant to have them cook, but oh, so, yummy! Just lightly brush a piece of tin foil with oil to prevent the apricots from sticking. Split in half and take out the pit. Put on the bbq for about 10 minutes. The fructose in the apricots caramelizes and adds such a significant flavor to the fruit. Then we lightly drizzle with honey and serve. Yum, enjoy!

Apricot Crisp

It's turning into food week over here at Glamoursurf. Our apricot tree has been the source of our inspiration.

Remember our exploding apricot tree from yesterday? Well last night we made an apricot crisp, actually two apricot crisps because we just have so darn many. We had ours over vanilla ice cream last night. Can you say heaven?

We took the extra one over to our neighbors. I also urged them to come over and pick some. Anyway, if you wish to partake, here is the recipe.


Apricot Crisp

4 cups fresh apricots or enough to fill the bottom of an 8" x 8" pan (any stone fruit could be used)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (or 1/2 white sugar and 1/2 brown sugar)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup butter softened
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla (almond would also taste good with this)


Cut apricots and fill greased pan. Mix together the rest of the ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls or break up with hands and layer over the top.

Cook at 350° for 30-40 minutes on the middle rack or until the tops are brown and the inside is bubbly. Serve warm with ice cream.

Enjoy!

This is just a quick pick of the jam made from this weekends harvest. Really, really good. The strawberry and apricot combination is definitely a winner!


Not sure what else we'll be making but I know it will be good. Any suggestions or favorites???

Yummy Monday Feasting Notes

This is our beautiful Blenheim Apricot tree, which site on the back corner of our lot. It gives us a bounty of fruit every year and the Blenheim apricot is one of the best tasting there is. Last year we had the tree cut back and this year it is packed to the gills.

We've been eating them, as have the birds and bees. The squirrels have run off with a few. I'll soon be picking and giving them to the neighbors. Some are still green, some have just a tinge of green left and some are ripe. What does one do with all the apricots? Cook! So this week I'll be sharing some of what I make.

First up, apricot and strawberry jam. On Sunday we had visited the local farmers market late and were able to snag some fresh organic strawberries. I mixed those with the sliced apricots, added the juice of one meyer lemon, lots of sugar (approx as much as the fruit), and a small amount of pectin. This is the result.

It came out really good and passed the husbands taste test (as well as mine). I'll try it tomorrow morning on some toast. Which reminds me, I've been wanting to make some bread. Which will pair well with the tomatoes that are ripe in the garden right now.

More feasting notes tomorrow. Have a fabulous yummy Monday!

Surfs Up 1950s Style

A beavy of beauties in swimwear from the 1950s

How to Wear Your Scarf - Vera Neumann Style

I wanted to share a little something with you I found this weekend. A small 4 x 5.5" pamphlet from 1968, scarves by Vera. Printed in U.S.A. Vera Neumann is a much celebrated artist, producing many many pieces during her lifetime and translating that into wearable works of art or linens for your home.


Did you know that each of Vera's designs is registered in the Library of Congress as a work of art? Oh my! There must be thousands. I love, collect and sell Vera scarves and rarely do I come across a duplicate design.


Vera scarves come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and prints. This little pamphlet gives you some ideas on how to incorporate the many different sizes of her artwork into your wardrobe.

Just this weekend I wore one of my Vera's like this:

I love this look. It's perfect for the beach or driving up Pacific Coast Highway in your little red convertible.

The smoke rings are always elegant. Add a pin or brooch or fur clip for a touch of whimsy.

And who doesn't love this idea, the bag flag.

And of course you could frame your Vera work of art and hang it in your home. Brilliant. What's your favorite way to wear your scarf?

Sandals in the Sun

We took a small road trip last weekend for the holiday down to central California where my daughter and two of her cousins went out shopping and beach exploring. She came home with some new 'Rainbow sandals' and a picture of them she captured at the beach. She loves the sandals while I love this picture. Hoping everyone has a nice weekend!

Tableaux on a Terrace 1930

Ladies Home Journal 1930

Isn't this image just absolutely stunning? A tableaux on a terrace of models around a swimming pool. First off, it's in color and the prints are so vibrant. Also, this image shows you the range of resort wear and beachwear including the sandals and shoes, the cartwheel hats and turbans, the wide leg trousers and the accessories. Check out that cool beach ball and that swimsuit!!! Oh my oh my. Hope you are having fun in the sun this summer!

Lets Lounge - A Look at The Beach Pyjama, Cat Suit, Body Suit or All-in-One

Ahh the beach pyjama, the cat suit, the all-in-one, the jumpsuit, the lounger. Such comfort, such ease. The golden age of yesteryear recreated throughout the ages. All images up to the last one were taken from a wonderful new book we picked up at the library this week. Elizabeth Walkers Style Book, Fashionable Inspirations.

1925, a model wearing a cat suit and a matching jacket. On the cross diagonal stripes cut in crepe with wide trousers and a long top.

1928, a woman wearing a leaf pattern trouser suit and broad brimmed sun hat. Super for summer, lounging pyjamas in a pretty print with a matching jacket.

1929, American actress Joan Blondell. Blond bombshell, a curvy cat suit with a pleated inset at the trouser bottoms.

1930, American actress Joan Crawford, wearing a off-the-shoulder suit. A vixen in velvet, a cat suit with a matching gown trimmed in white fox fur.

1931, British actress Dorothy Mackaill, in Party Husband for Warner Brothers. Divine in dungarees, crepe de Chine with satin slippers and a little blond bob.

1955 American actress Jane Wyman, at home, all ready for Christmas. Santa Clause is a coming in a scarlet cat suit and slippers, and a collar and tie.

1955, a striptease artist backstage at the Opera House in Santiago, Chile. A fine figure of a woman, a net cat suit with fig leaf preserving her modesty.

1956 a woman modeling a jersey jumpsuit. Scooter style; dressed for driving in a tight all-in-one with a matching hood.

1964 a model in a black lace stretchy body suit. Lingerie looks somewhat see-through, this foxy piece is best worn under a skirt.

1965, model in an outfit designed by Rita Tillistt. Horizontal stripes, Sixties style, a sleeveless all in one with a dropped waist.

1966, English actress, Diana Rigg, in an episode of The Avengers. Purple prose in a tight lycra jumpsuit with cutouts at the hip, and a fob watch.

1968, knitted cat suits designed and modelled by Shirley Belljohn (left). Winter woolies; top and toe in stripes with gauntlets and over the knee boots.

1969 a model swearing a halter neck cat suit with crossover back straps. Back up in very wide, woolen pants with a small shell-shaped bodice.

1973, model wearing and all-in-one jumpsuit designed by Fernand Ledoux. Pin-striped in palazzo pants, with feathered shoulders, a beanie hat and beads.

1973 Gloria Reynolds, a shop assistant on Kings Road, London. Funky chic in denim bell bottoms dungarees with a striped singlet and an Afro.

1983, American singer Diana Ross wearing an all-in-one with cuffed trousers. Soul sister struts her stuff in graphic black and white stripes.

2008 Dolce & Gabbana Catwoman ensemble. Vogue May 2011