Inspiration – Page 4 – CLASSICALLY CURVY

Downton Abbey at the Spadina House

March 15, 2014March 13, 2014 missdollymonroe1 Comment

On wednesday I attended an exhibit of costumes from the television show Downton Abbey at the historical Spadina House in Toronto. Though I don’t watch the show (yet) I was thrilled to get to see the beautiful period costumes in person. The exhibit was enhanced by a few historical garments from the Spadina House’s collection. Each Downton Abbey costume was accompanied by a photo of the actor/actress wearing that outfit on the show. They also included a lot of the jewellery, which was an extra treat. The details on these pieces were outstanding, lots of hand beading, embroidery and embellishments. Have a look at my trip back in time at the Spadina House…

Spadina House Downton Abbey Exhibit — A vintage 1920s Wedding Dress from the Spadina House collection

Bettie Page Reveals All

March 10, 2014March 10, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

Last friday I attended the premiere of the documentary “Bettie Page Reveals All” at Toronto’s Bloor Cinema. To start the show the radiantly beautiful burlesque pinups, Laura Desiree and Coco Framboise did their best Bettie impressions and sensually stripped for a cheering crowd. The movie was an intimately detailed look into the life of the original pinup girl Bettie Page. Since Bettie herself narrated most of the film you really got a sense of her fun, sassy personality and parts of the film were like listening to your grandmother tell inappropriate stories from her youth. Even with a hard and troubled life, Bettie playfully described her love of sex and sexuality in describing her younger self and her relationships through her life. She was a brilliant model with an unending supply of poses and facial expressions, a perfect pinup figure, and a carefree attitude that comes across in absolutely every photo of her. Truly an inspiring woman who had a long, roller coaster ride of a life. I definitely recommend watching this film, check out the trailer at the bottom of this post.

Battling Betties Laura Desiree and Coco Framboise

Inspiration: Vintage Vandalizm

February 19, 2014February 19, 2014 missdollymonroeLeave a comment

Jasmin Rodriguez also known as Vintage Vandalizm has been a retro style inspiration of mine for a couple of years; ever since I found her amazing style blog where she documents her personal looks and vintage shopping sprees! Not only is she incredibly skilled at finding the best vintage clothing out there, she also styles her hair and makeup impeccably and looks as if her vintage finds were made specifically for her.

Inspiration: Tess Munster

January 28, 2014January 28, 2014 missdollymonroe1 Comment

How can a plus size pinup like myself not be absolutely inspired by the beauty that is Tess Munster? She is smart, strong, confident and of course radiantly gorgeous. I can’t remember how I stumbled upon her blog My Plus Size Life but as soon as I did I fell in love with this inspirational woman and have been following her on social media ever since. As her blog will tell you, Tess is an L.A. based Plus Size Model, Make Up Artist, Blogger, and founder of the #effyourbeautystandards body positive movement. And this fashionista was recently named one of the world’s top plus size models by Refinery 29, Huff Post, & Vogue Italia. Not only is Tess endlessly stylish, showing off an array of looks in her makeup and fashion, she also preaches self-love, self-respect and self-confidence. A girl after my own heart!

Tumblr: www.tessmunster.tumblr.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TessMunster

Blog: www.theplussizelife.blogspot.ca

Inspiration: Jayne Mansfield

January 21, 2014 missdollymonroe2 Comments

“Dramatic art in her opinion is knowing how to fill a sweater.” – Bette Davis.

Sophia Loren & Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield was a classic Blonde Bombshell whose career boomed in the 1950s and early 1960s. Mansfield was often referred to as the “Working Man’s Monroe” due to her similarities with Marilyn, and many of her mannerisms and speech were based off of Monroe’s. As a Classically Curvy girl, Jayne Mansfield offers a bounty of style inspiration. While Marilyn had a timeless and elegant look, Mansfield was a little more wild and adventurous, playing with lots of animal print, metallic fabrics and of course very scandalously low cut tops. Her signature colour was pink and she even had her Hollywood mansion painted pink and dubbed her “Pink Palace”.