Peppermint-twist-vintage.com celebrated our first year anniversary in July 2020!
Although I've been selling vintage items for years, this site, peppermint-twist-vintage.com officially turned ONE. To celebrate, we're having a sale - spend $40 US and get 15% OFF all purchases. Many items, such as jewelry in small boxes, ship FREE. So check out our sale!
It's also time to celebrate by showcasing 10 of our favourite things, in no particular order, from decades past! These photos highlight some of my personal influences from film, television, fashion, music and culture.
1. Lucille Ball
I grew up watching I LOVE LUCY reruns with my mother, and being a natural redhead, and I just adored her. She dyed her hair red until her death - which was her trademark. Here's an unforgettable photo of Lucy in the 1940s. (Photo: Google Images.)
I love this 1940s Max Factor ad featuring Lucy when she co-starred in the 1947 film, Lured. My mother, (RIP in 1995), used to say, "Even if you don't feel like dressing up or putting on make-up, at least put some red lipstick on before you go out!
2. Tiki Culture
I watched Elvis in many movies including Paradise Hawaiian Style, and Blue Hawaii. I developed a huge fascination for that tropical island paradise. This sparked my love for Polynesian things also, including tiki culture. According to Wikipedia: The history of tiki culture dates back to ancient Polynesia. Large wooden statues were first discovered in Polynesia, and the tiki carvings are said to represent a Polynesian God. (Below photo: Kontiki - The Sun God at the Tiki Gardens tourist attraction in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida from the 1950s.)
After traveling extensively in Hawaiian and various Polynesian islands, Ernest Gantt (who later legally changed his name to "Donn Beach") brought a new tiki culture to the USA. In 1933, he opened up a tiki-themed bar in Hollywood named Don the Beachcomber. This bar trend started worldwide, off and on, for decades. To me, a great party means socializing with friends, while drinking fancy tiki cocktails, while adorned in gorgeous, floral patterned fabric (bark cloth, especially.)
Here's Donn Beach at his bar in the 1940s in Hollywood. (Photo Pinterest)
Here's a gorgeous photo of female actor Debra Paget, in 1950, wearing a stunning dress with a Polynesian style! The hair flower and exotic floral dress pattern is one of my favourite styles.
3. Hedy Lamarr
After seeing her in countless films, I viewed the documentary about her life, Bombshell. Here's a great photo of her in Ziegfeld Girl from 1941. (Photo Source: Karrol Baker on Pinterest.)
In addition to acting, at the beginning of WWII, Lamarr and George Antheil, a music composer and inventor, developed a radio guidance system for allied torpedoes. She also aided in improving aviation designs, for Howard Hughes, during the war. She also invented technology protocol used even today, in modern Bluetooth and WIFI. During her lifetime, she was never compensated for this. However, after her death, she and George Antheil were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014.
Hedy was considered to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. This 1940s photo is good indication of how she was given that title.
If you wish to learn more about Hedy's technology invention, visit the APS Physics page.
4. Elizabeth Taylor
Liz Taylor had the most fascinating life, especially when it came to romance! I just adore this photo of her from the 1950s.
I don't own this book and it’s doubtful that I wouldbe able to afford the items she collected. However, Liz and I have something in common - a love affair with jewelry!
5. Rockabilly music and 1950s rock 'n roll
Although I heard many old tunes throughout my life, rockabilly officially stole my soul in 2007. I became hooked on the sound of the doghouse base and fast guitars. Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Janice Martin, Johnny Cash, Wanda Jackson, Carl Perkins and countless others are played at my house daily. I love rockabilly culture that encompasses 1950s fashion, vintage cars and unique, vintage jewelry.
The 1950s - Elvis at his best. The records, the checkered floor, the jacket.
6. Sidney Poitier
In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first black male to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for the film, Lilies of the Field. However, the 1967 film, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, a film about inter-racial relationships, really impressed me. Sadly, racism still is prevalent, decades later. He truly is a great actor, who is now 93. (Screenshot of film - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner)
One film I can watch repeatedly is To Sir with Love. Detailing the struggles of a teacher in school in London, Poitier plays an incredibly, patient mentor who is too incredible to hate! This poster is pretty racy, as was the 1960s!
"A Story as Fresh as the Girls in Their Minis" - Poster from Google images
Sidney deserves this! President Barack Obama awarded Sidney Poitier the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. (Photo: Google Images.)
7. Marlon Brando
I was familiar with Marlon Brando in the Godfather movies. However, Mafia films really aren't for me. About 20 years ago, I watched the The Wild One, from 1953, featuring Brando. He had this attitude, style and an unforgettable screen presence. I love the look - the biker cap, folded up jeans, and the motorbike! You can watch the trailer here. And here is a screenshot of the movie.
In addition, I also enjoyed On the Waterfront and A Streetcar Named Desire.
7. Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara was one of my all-time favourites. I've seen so many of her films. I also remember watching her in old westerns with my dad. She was another natural beauty. Here's a photo of her from 1938, in a lovely summer dress. (Source: Silverbluestar on flickr)
Although crude and perhaps upsetting to some, this photo makes me laugh! Lew Smith, Barbara Stanwyck, Clark Gable and Bill Hickman are posing on the set of To Please a Lady in 1950. When you see this gesture in 1950, I just think it’s great that a women can be one of the boys, despite the social protocol in that decade.
8. 1940s fashion
Although I adore 1950s clothing the most because I love the 'almighty swing dresses that make my hips look smaller', fashion was the prettiest for women in the 40s. This decade’s fashion brought a much shortened dress after the 1930s era. And wow, the HATS were incredible! (Photo: Pinterest)
As of result of men sent to fight during WWII, women were strong and independent. They ran factories, learned how to cook with rationed food, and contributed a great deal during this stressful decade. When the war was over, some women felt they lost their independence.
Below: A "Rosie" working on an A-31 Vengeance bomber, Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo Credit: - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division)
This Star Weekly Magazine (Toronto) cover, featuring Ann Sheridan, from January 1966 hangs on my wall, in my office. This photo reminds me of why I collect vintage items! The 1940s was a unique era.
9. 1950s Fashion
My personal vintage style is the clothing from this decade. Plus, I love household accessories, like Pyrex kitchenware. However, it was an oppressive time for woman who were expected to be stay-at-home housewives, with limited or no career goals. They felt more useful in the 1940s. However, the 1950s fashion included the unique hats, jewelry and dresses. (Photo: Pinterest)
I wrote a blog about this earlier but if you haven't done so yet, I highly recommend watching Marvelous Mrs Maisel on Amazon Prime. 1950s fashion in this series is phenomenal. I wrote a blog about Mrs Maisel in 2019. Here’s a great photo from the series.
Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are pictured here, in the courtyard of Grauman's Chinese Theater as they promoted their film, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. (Photo: M. Garrett on Getty Images) This summer wardrobe style is my favourite.
I love 1950s jewelry, so here's an ad for CORO, which is brand I wear often. It’s also a line of jewelry we commonly carry and it’s relatively inexpensive. Check out our selection of CORO jewelry available for purchase.
Last but not least...
10. Olivia De Havilland
Olivia De Havilland just left this world last week (July 25, 2020), at the age of 104. The Adventures of Robin Hood, in 1938 Technicolor, goes down in history as one of my favourite films. She was one of the last survivors of Hollywood's Golden Age. She not only was a great star, but she challenged the Hollywood acting contract system in the 1940s. She refused to be cast in roles that she didn't want, despite her contracts. She spoke her mind. (Photo: Olivia as Maiden Marion in the Adventures of Robin Hood, 1938)
Here's a photo of her in 1939, taken by George Hurrell. 
Rest in Peace, Olivia. You left a mark on this world.
In the coming weeks, we will be presenting hats, purses and other accessories for sale, in addition to our jewelry collection. Vintage Take a look at our wonderful collection online now and new inventory will be added soon.
Thanks for reading and here’s to another year. Oh and don't forget to follow us on Pinterest and Instagram!
Until next time,
Nancy
