Explanation as to why I have been away for so long.

I just thought I had better send out a little note to my blog followers (I am surprised I still have any). I have been having some health issues of which I can not talk about at the moment and is the reason why I have been away for so long. I do not know when I will be back in blog land so all I ask of you my readers is that you keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Kiss Me Kate is having a blog contest!

Kate over at the Kiss Me Kate blog is having her 100 followers give away! She is giving away a fab 50's hat and other great items (of course you will find out what else by following the link above and at that time you can take a peak at the pics too!).

xo

Brooksie

My neighborhood in 1933.

The other day my friend sent me a picture of my neighborhood in 1933 of course I love it and had to share.

Then I had to add a picture of what it looks like now, it is not nearly as pretty now as it was then but the traffic looks to be just about as crazy.

Another funny thing is notice the trolley car in the top pic, sad to say they took out all of the trolley car lines in the 1960's to make way for gas sucking buses however the city has decided after all that street cars are a good thing and they have been doing major construction to put the rails back in. The new street car line will be up and running in 2012 and will run right out side my apartment door.

Memoirs of a Geisha.

I just got done reading Memoirs of a Geisha and I loved it. The book was very beautifully written. I had seen the movie several years ago and I loved it too. I highly recommend both of them. The movie is very visually stunning and the book goes into so much more depth of the daily life of the Geisha back in the 30's and 40's. I have a collection of vintage Asian robes and I have a photo shoot on Saturday that will feature my collection. Memoirs of a Geisha is definitely inspiring me (I am going for an old time postcards from Paris feel with some 1930's Japan thrown into the mix for this shoot). I have added a couple of very pretty images from the movie for you to enjoy.

Sparks of creativity swirling through my mind.

The beautiful desert at sunset.

I have had lots of wonderful and creative ideas flowing through my head. Visions of the ancient silk road, French Indochina during the turn of the century combined with 1920s safaris to Africa with maybe a stop over in India. Trips on a giant ocean liner half way across the world.

I think I am having all of these thoughts and inspirations because for one I just got back from spending last weekend at the Oregon Country Fair: http://www.oregoncountryfair.org/ which was truly amazing and inspirational in its self. The entertainment was wonderful, awesome food, and so many beautiful and inspiring handmade creations that were sold by the vendors. Also I am reading a book called Victorine about a French woman living in Indochina during the turn of the century.  As far as the thoughts about 1920s African and Indian safaris that is a pretty common random thought that occurs on a regular basis in my mind, well because I love the 1920s and safaris are just plain cool.

Now the decision about what to do with these ideas in my mind, create something? Plan a photo shoot? We shall see where my inspiration will lead me...

Trader Vic's Returns to Portland!

The original Portland Trader Vic's at the Benson Hotel during its hey day.

Have you all heard the news? Trader Vic's is returning to Portland! Trader Vic's is a famous chain of Tiki inspired restaurant and lounges that are all across the US and the world. Trader Vic's originally started in the early 1930's by "Trader" Vic Bergeron he traveled the South Pacific extensively and collected artifacts with a tropical theme along the way. One day he decided to give the Saloon that he owned in Oakland California  a make over with all of his collectibles.

The original Trader Vic's of Portland was in the Benson Hotel from 1959 to 1996. With it's torches burning every night for 37 years it had been a venerable institution of all that is Tiki in Portland. This new exciting location will be opening on July 26, 2011. The address is: 1203 NW Glisan Street in the Pearl District. I hear this new location will be quite expansive and features a collection of 80 handcrafted tropical drinks plus signature entrees and loads of other goodies to nosh on.

Checking in, seamed stockings, and blog contest!

Yes, I am still alive in case any of you were wondering. I am taking a moment to come up to the surface to grab some air and to check in and say hi. I have been pretty darn busy these days.

I know I have been promising a blog contest for a while now, just as soon as I hit the 100 mark, I have been hovering between 90 and 92 for a month or two now. I can do it I know I can! I have wonderful things to give away - make up and a beautiful vanity set.

Also I scored a whole box full of about 20 pairs (my size) never been worn vintage (nude color) stockings half were seamed and half were unseamed which is great because I wear both. I was pretty stoked about this because the few pairs I did have were not going to last forever!

Photo by de Santis Photography