What is better than reading a few books on Old Hollywood? Joining a reading challenge about it! Out of the Past blog is hosting a Summer Reading Challenge dedicated to classic film.

So much of what influences my style and my blog is my passion for classic film. In film we get to laugh and cry with the people on screen who lived lifetimes ago. And frankly, its magical.

If you are interested in entering this reading challenge it's easy peasy. Just click on Out of the Past's link that I shared, sign up, choose 6 books to read, and then share your review on the link provided on the summer reading challenge page. The books have to be about some aspect of classic film. Once you enter your six reviews you will also be automatically entered into giveaway hosted by Out of the Past blog.

I love learning new things and this challenge is a great motivator to read some books that I have. I can't wait to share my thoughts about them with you.

So join me in this fun reading challenge if you can! These are my six selections and I will be sharing reviews on each of them shortly. Happy reading!
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Six years have come and gone. My youngest son was just a few months old when I decided to embark on my journey as a blogger. I started out as many of you know with Bunny's Victory and then grew into A Vintage Nerd. I am equally proud of them both. One is an extension of the other but it is here on this blog where I have really found my role as a blogger has blossomed the most.

I know I may not be the most successful blogger out there. I may not always be able to sit and write as often as I would like. I may not always have content that appeals to everyone. But I can say with confidence that I love being a blogger. My role as a wife and mother means everything to me but being a blogger has allowed me to continue to be creative and passionate.

Blogging has allowed me to expand myself in ways I would have never considered doing before. It also allows my family to see another side of me. One that isn't just being mommy but also being Daffny. Lucky for me my family has been incredibly supportive of my long hours writing, my endless photos shoots, and my fashion experimentations. They have become my biggest fans.

In six years I have found life long friendships and creative connections. I have become better at my craft and also evolved in my personal style. Being a blogger continuously reminds me of the importance of doing something for oneself and the importance of sharing with others. It also encourages me to continue to learn new things. Whether its a new hairstyle or something about women in WWII, I am always learning something new for my blog.

It is this joy of learning, this joy of creativity, and this joy of sharing that I am celebrating today. Happy 6 Years as a Blogger to me-Yay!

It's easy to fall in love with vintage fashion, particularly the 1940's-1950's and the reason is simple. The designers seemed to want of all shapes, sizes, and ages to look and feel their best. The cuts were done in a way to flatter a women's figure, not distort it, hide it, or camouflage it. The women's curves were meant to be seen as a thing of beauty.

It is what seems to be missing from most modern fashion today. Today we have very unflattering low waisted jeans, skinny pants, tops cut too long, cut too short, and don't even get me started on the quality of fabric. None of it is flattering unless you have a specific type of figure so really modern fashion just wants to perpetuate that cookie cutter image. Granted, reproduction clothing can produce the same end result but its all in the way you accessorize and wear it. At least that's my opinion on the matter.

You all know by now I like to blend my fashion up; a dash of repro, a smidgen of vintage, and a pinch of modern to get my desired look. It works for me because it suits my aesthetics, my figure, my lifestyle. I also like it because it gives me more room to make a look my own. Vintage style doesn't always mean that the piece has to be vintage, but I think the aesthetic needs to be there if you are trying to achieve a vintage look. There are all sorts of vintage reproduction companies out there today. Some better than others.

Vivien of Holloway is the epitome of classic, well-made vintage reproduction clothing. During my trip to London this past Fall I had the pleasure of visiting the Vivien of Holloway shop. I plan to share my experiences on my trip on a later date but I can share this now, it was a beautiful experience.

Sandy, the manager at Vivien of Holloway took the time to help me select pieces that would compliment me and make me feel amazing. Honestly there isn't a lot of repro brands that make me feel like I am old Hollywood starlet but VOH did just that. With every piece I tried on I felt more and more beautiful. It's hard to explain but being in the shop and trying on the clothes was truly a magical moment for me. I felt dazzling.

One of the pieces that is now a part of my wardrobe is this one that you see HERE. I choose it for two reasons; I thought it would be perfect for the holiday season and because it was a style that I normally wouldn't gravitate to. The wonder of trying on reproduction clothing like this dress is that although you may not think style or pattern may suit you, but once you try it on its a whole other experience. I cannot recommend this practice enough. I know it is a challenge to be able to find a reproduction shop near you but if you can visit one, especially Vivien of Holloway, it will be amazing. I guarantee it.


1. Go into it with an open mind. Don't let the thoughts of, "It won't fit me", or "I won't look good in it" cloud your mind.

2. Ignore the sizing you are accustomed to. VOH bases their sizing on vintage measurements so if you are a size 12 like I am you may end up wearing a size 18 or 20 dress.

3. Their dresses contain boning so no need to wear a bra. I was hesitant that my girls wouldn't look as good without wearing one but I think they did alright.

4. Allow yourself to embrace your beauty. Once that dress or blouse or skirt is on, look at yourself and notice how amazing you look because I promise you, you will look and feel incredible.

She may not have been famous for beauty like Elizabeth Taylor or for her accolades like Katherine Hepburn but Debbie Reynolds was a survivor. There are so many ways we can live our life, we can be a victim or be a bully, but Debbie chose to live her life in a way that surpasses beauty and accolades.

When I say she was a survivor, I am saying that throughout her life when sh** hit the fan she could have ducked out and disappeared but instead she held her head up high and kept moving forward. Her tragedies and heartbreaks were very public and her taste in men as she would often say, "I happened to marry idiots ... I have very bad taste in men."

So she made her children and her career as a performer her life. She worked most of the year singing and performing and spent the rest of her time dedicated to her family, friends, and her hobbies. Thing is, no matter the challenge, whether it was hers or one of her children, she faced it head on. I think there's something that happens to someone when sh** hits the fan. You have to immediately decide if you are going to lay there like a lump on a log or rise above and sparkle like a star. Everyone is different, in my opinion Debbie Reynolds was one incredible lady.

Debbie Reynolds as we, the public knew her, will be sorely missed. She started in Hollywood at a time where she could rub shoulders with the likes of Fred Astaire, Clark Gable, and Ava Garner. She made lifelong friends with all sorts of actors and performers from the golden age of Hollywood. She completed her first film at nineteen years old and frankly I thought we would have more time with her. But I can see now that she gave us and her loved everything she had. Not only did she give the public an array of films to enjoy for a lifetime, but her performances, and her stories captured in three books. In her books she shares her life, her memories, and her amazing stories of old Hollywood that only someone who lived it could have truly shared.

For all those things I am grateful. Frankly, she just seemed to be one of those folks that was born a good egg. Debbie Reynolds, you were a very good egg indeed. Thank you.

TCM is doing it again! There is going to be another year choke full of classic films on the big screen. TCM started screening some classic films here and there a few years ago but last year was the first time they offered a whole year of screenings. This year's line up in incredible and eight of them will be celebrating anniversaries.

The neat thing about TCM's collaborator, Fathom Events is that they will also screen other various films here and there throughout the year such as Dirty Dancing. So I highly suggest that you keep looking at Fathom Events website and score those tickets when you can.

If you are interested in scored your tickets look no further than this site, Fathom Events.


Out of this list, which film would you love to see on the big screen? Which films would you love to see on the big screen one day?

Happy New Year to you all! I hope you are all doing well. I know 2016 was a doozy for many people and for people like me who love classic film, it really was a sad state of affairs to lose so many talented folks. But the fun part of a new year starting is the sense of starting over. It's almost like that feeling after you have really cleaned the house and just everything feel sparkly and full of promise.

Like many of you I am slowly beginning to process what my hopes and goals are for the new year. I plan to write them down in my trusty notebook once I have figured it out. I like having a few things to look forward to especially when you know there may be a few bumps in the road as life often sends our way.

I am aware that I haven't been as present here on A Vintage Nerd, not in the way I would have liked. This is what I can promise you. I will blog and share and inform and inspire as much as I am able to. Writing has always been a passion of mine and I want you to know that despite the challenges I face that I will continue to do so.

I will be continuing my various series that I have on my blog such as; Vintage New York, AVN Book Club, Links to Love,  A Picture Worth A Thousand Words, Cinema Spotlights, Pop Culture Tuesdays, Be Inspired, and more. If you'd like to see a few other things here on A Vintage Nerd  blog all you have to do is ask!

I  also have some exciting things coming up at A Vintage Nerd  for this new year! The first is that I brought back my Facebook page! You can go follow me HERE! I will also be collaborating with bloggers and companies as well. I think its always fun to work with others especially when there is a shared passion like vintage or simply just being creative.

Before I leave you, I'd like to share my favorite blog posts from 2016. Which did you enjoy the best? What are you looking for when you click on someone blog to read? And again, Happy New Year!

I just wanted to share some incredible news and now that I see the cover I feel like its finally real! I am now a monthly contributor to Vintage Life Magazine!!! As some of you know I have been published in their magazine before but now you can get a little dash of vintage nerdiness every month in magazine form.

A Vintage Nerd blog will continue running as usual despite my writing responsibilities with Vintage Life Magazine. So don't fret! There is a lot more vintage nerdiness on it way!

Today I strapped on new book bags on my children and placed them with their new teachers and had to walk away and say goodbye. Time passes and it doesn't get any easier. The school year is filled with lots of homework, waking up early, and ironing uniforms. Its bittersweet because every time you drop them off another year has passed.

The fun parts of a new school year are the newness of all the clothes and school supplies, the crispy breeze through your hair, the brown crunchy leaves at your feet, and the ability to finally wear your cardigans.

I went to Catholic school my whole life and my children attend Catholic school so uniforms and plaid go hand in hand when the school year begins. It got me to thinking about what kids wore years before and what my research showed me was the kids have been rocking peter pan collars, cardigans, and plaid for decades. Frankly, I love it. I think you will too.


Do you like school girl fashions? If so, what is it that you like about it? If not, what don't you like about it?