Catalina Island!

We

This past week, Marcel and I went on a short trip to Catalina Island - a beautiful island located about 22 miles south of LA. We stayed at Avalon - a tiny city which was incorporated in Catalina Island.   The weather was warm and sunny. The beach had beautiful white sands. The people were friendly. Good food, good time. Wish we could've stayed longer!
Mr Wrigley (the chewing gum mogul!) traveled to the island in 1919, fell in love and bought the entire island in 1919. He built the beautiful Art Deco-inspired Avalon Casino and dedicated the island to the federal government as a military zone and training during the World War II. In the 1930s, Catalina Island was a favorite vacation spot for Hollywood movie stars and was also a filming location for dozens of movies! Today, a majority part of the island is a natural conservancy.
We'd love to return to the island soon! (perhaps for a swing dance fete at the Casino!)!

Welcome to Catalina Island!!

Marcel and I on the warmest day of our visit.... nice day on the beach!

What a breathtaking view ....

A view of the Pacific Ocean.... So Surreal...

We love the 1950s coach bus that took us inland and up to the island's airstrip!

Me inside the bus

Catalina Airport - Back in the day, Mr Wrigley used this as a hangar for his private plane

 

Just arrived - fashionably in Catalina style!

 

Ahem... Hello there Captains... 

 

Traveling in style...

 

The tall columns and ceilings a the Avalon Casino - which houses a theater on the lower level and a ballroom on the upper level (the term Casino was meant for an entertainment venue for large gatherings - there was no gambling. This predates Las Vegas!)

 

One of the beautiful murals in the casino - designed by John Beckman, who also designed the Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and also created a set design for Bogart's Casablanca.

Getting all dressed up for the casino --- me with my 1960s beaded cardigan and floral dress

Fancy some cocktails?? What a swanky art deco bar! Okay, back then, it was the prohibition era, they only had soda fountains!

Look at this beautiful lighting ornaments in the ballroom. This also serves well as an air ventilation for the cavernous ballroom - no need for air conditioners!

 Also, the casino is so well-insulated, When you're watching a movie in the bottom-level theater with 1,153 other audiences, you won't hear any noise from the top-level 6,000+ dancers in the ballroom - and vice versa. Quite an advanced architecture!

Here's a shot of the ballroom

 

I wish today's bars look as cute as this -- Art Deco Fish Murals!

 

Inside the circular theater - John Beckman's beautiful murals with spectacular lighting. You see the dots in the dome -- those are supposed to light up and when it's completely dark, you will feel like stars are above you!

The theater was designed to accommodate talking movies in 1929 - when the casino's construction was completed. The circular dome had a perfect acoustic effect -- you don't need any microphone and people can still hear you when you talk normal voice from the other end of this 1,154 seat theatre! 

NYC's Radio City Music Hall was created using inspiration from the theatre's design!

That's what we're talking about - Dancing in the Casino Ballroom!!

Havin Fun

 

Catalina also made beautiful tiles!

And look at these....The most beautiful public restroom I have ever seen!

Catalina o Catalina

In All the World -No Trip Like This!!

Going to the Art Deco Preservation Ball

This Saturday, Marcel and I attended the Art Deco Preservation Ball which was beautifully organized by the Art Deco Society. It was held at the magnificent Art Deco - style Bimbo's 365 Club which was established in 1931. Gorgeous ballroom and lounges! Everyone was beautifully dressed in their best 1920s-1940s dresses and suits. I definitely felt like traveling back to a time capsule!  For me, I chose a sky blue long gown with a fur cape and white gloves. And I got my hair professionally done by a stylist (for the first time and loved it!  If you're in SF and need a vintage hairstylist, go to KAI!). And look at Marcel, doesn't he look swanky in his tuxedo?? Oh, and we took beginner swing dancing lessons and had a great time swinging to the Don Neely orchestra. A couple of mis-steps but it was a lot of fun! I am so looking forward to the next year's gala!

Thrifted: gown, gloves, cape, necklace, bracelet | Shoes: Satin Low Pump Heels with Rhinestones: Caparros | Beaded cluctch: Bagteria (gift from mom) | Hairstyle: KAI | Makeup: Self

Magenta Birthday

Last week was my birthday week. The morning of my birthday, I got two surprises from Marcel: a really delicious strawberry cake and a soft cashmere purple/cabernet scarf. That was really sweet! Since he said he picked the colors because they might go with my vintage outfits, there we go, when he took me to dinner, I put on my 1960s red cashmere coat and magenta dress. Thanks honey for a sweet magenta birthday!  I am looking forward to another great year!

The Infamous Cake!

Pre-dinner pose

Another One.. Smile...

Hem, Ok....Starting to feel my stomach..dreaming of food now

Yummm

Us - Well Fed and Happy :D

Scarf: Cashmere Saks Fifth Avenue (Gift from Marcel) | Coat: Cashmere (Vintage Fashion Expo) | Thrifted: Gloves, Dress, Clutch | Shoes: Bandolino

Happy Friday!

It's Fridayyy!!! What's your plan for the weekend?? Tonight, we decided to go eat sushi for an early dinner. I just got back from a trip to the thriftshop and suddenly felt like wearing vintage. I started with a simple blue dress, and then I slapped on a scarf. And then I felt like something was missing, so I had to add a beret and a a vintage trench coat. I thought I was just going to wear something easy but I ended up putting together a whole outfit! I was kinda excited about the blue with light tan overlay colors. And my chirashi was delicious! I am glad for the adventure - not a bad way to start off the weekend! I hope you'll enjoy your weekend too :)

 

Thrifted: Trench Coat (No Label - Made in Poland) | 1940s Dress: No Label - (I believe it's homemade) | Scarf: No Label | Shoulder Bag: Bally, Vintage | Beret: Kangol, Vintage | Shoes: Naturalizer | Stocking: Leggs, Vintage

Thrift Treasures: Jonathan Logan

I bought this 1960s-mod green houndstooth shift dress last Christmas. When I saw the clothing label says "Jonathan Logan", I was really curious to learn about this brand (I have actually since become obsessed with reading vintage clothing labels....)

I have to thank Couture Allure and Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resources (via Past Perfect Vintage) for posting really insightful information on Jonathan Logan. Here's what I learned: Jonathan Logan was founded as an apparel manufacturer by David Schwartz and his ten employees in 1944 in the New York garment district. The brand was designed for junior-size women.  In the 1960s, when David Schwartz's son, Richard, was made head of the company, Jonathan Logan became one of the largest ready-to-wear companies in the U.S. with $80mm in sales. The company had 28 manufacturing plants around the U.S. and employed 60 salesmen. Jonathan Logan was the first to use the computer to sort orders. They also owned an aircraft to transport and distribute garments.  Jonathan Logan really catered to their customers. Salesmen reported on what sold well on the floor. The company quickly removed slow-moving inventory with trendy styles that were in demand. Jonathan Logan owned 14 different brands, each catered to different customers, including Carnaby Street Boutique, Butte Knit, Youth Guild, Junior Accent and Bleeker Street (geared to the mod generation). The Schwartz family sold their interest in the company in 1985.

I have to say, although the dress is missing a belt, it is in a super excellent condition. Jonathan Logan may be one of the early adopters of fast fashion and ready-to-wear clothing, but they maintain a quality standard! My dress is very well-tailored. It fits really well - I could snuggle very comfortably into it and I really love its flattering shape! All of the seams and stitches are intact. No fading in the colors at all! A I felt like a 1960s lady:D

Next time you see a Jonathan Logan label, make sure you get it, it'll be worth it!

Here's me wearing the dress to a Great Gatsby Ensemble Paralelle.

Dress: Jonathan Logan | Coat: Gift from My Mom (Unknown Label - I think it is custom made) |  Shoes: Bandolino | Stocking: Leggs | Brooch, Clutch, Belt, Gloves: Thrifted

(Also...Like the 1920s, the 1960s and the 1970s also made a comeback this Spring. Check out my other post on 1960/1970 inspired outfit)

1920s for Spring 2012 v2!

More 1920s in 2012! It's everywhere now. I am sure you will spot them like I do. Here is a few that I saw recently... They come in different shapes and colors - glittery, summer colors, elegant shiny metallic long gowns, beaded dresses, black and white, sheer chiffon. So jazz age!

Source: Style.com

Source: Style.com

Source: Style.com

Source: Fashionising

Source: Cop Copine Spring Summer 2012 Catalogue

Source: Bazaar's Deco Drama March 2012 Magazine Issue