Goodbye, Carrie Fisher.

Goodbye to my favorite "Disney Princess." May we all find the strength to endure life's ups and downs with humor and candor like Carrie Fisher. 

The WWII-era Female Railroad Workers Serving Up Denim Realness

"In April 1943, Office of War Information photographer Jack Delano photographed the women of the Chicago & North Western Railroad roundhouse in Clinton, Iowa, as they kept the hulking engines cleaned, lubricated and ready to support the war effort." - More background information and photos of these amazing overall-and-bandana clad women at Mashable

Polaroids From The Set of Star Wars

Linda Ronstadt working on needlepoint backstage at Paul's Mall: 1970

David Bowie as the Sphinx

70s Rock Stars In Their Parents' Homes

David Crosby

I've been so fortunate to spend a whole week with my parents this holiday. It's an interesting feeling, being a grownup back in your childhood home. So many details are exactly the same as they were when I was a kid. I'll always be their child, even while sneaking vegetables onto their plates and trying to stealthily scoop up the check before they can. No matter how old we get, we'll always be kids to our parents. That fact is frustrating as a teenager, but becomes more endearing to me the older I get. (See SNL's "Back Home Baller.")

Below: 

From the LIFE archives, and found via DailyMail: In 1971, photographer John Olson photographed some of the most influential musicians of the time in their parents' and grandparents' homes: 

Elton John

Miss NASA Beauty Queen 1970s

All photos found on Retronaut.

Bone music: Soviet-era bootleg X-ray pressings

Around 1946-1961 in the USSR when certain records, say, rock n roll or jazz were banned sounds, resourceful audiophiles salvaged used x-rays from hospital waste bins and pressed the contraband music into the thick exposed film. 

Martha Stewart's Modeling Days

These couple remaining days before life resumes it's full speed are full of domestic catch-up for me: unpacking, cleaning, decluttering, and channeling Martha. 

Before building a lifestyle media empire, Martha Stewart modeled during college to supplement her scholarship. 

Blade Runner Polaroids :: 1981

In honor of Dragon*Con this weekend in Atlanta, it seems appropriate to share these Polaroids Sean Young took on the set on Blade Runner. Check back in tomorrow for another Blade Runner themed post.

General Motors 1945, or Sci Fi stills?

These images of the reception area at General Motors, installed in 1945 in Warren Michigan (where my parents grew up!) have me wishing I could replace my Ikea number with a white shiny flying saucer desk.

I want to be a cowgirl with I grow up.

"I want to be a cowgirl with I grow up." That's what I told everyone, when I wasn't telling them I wanted to be a veterinarian, fashion designer, FBI agent, and so on. Being in Austin this past week sure brought out my love for vintage western wear.

Check out the full set of images from Life magazine via one of my favorites: Messy Nessy Chic. 

Celebrities with 'Shopped Tattoos

Say goodbye to the next 30 minutes. These classic images were re-imagined with tattoos. Be sure to visit Shopped Tattoos to view more. Look closely and you'll catch some great details, like Dolly's "925" knuckles or Arnold's "It's Not A Tumor" collarbone.

NASA Moon Simulator

LIFE Magazine // American Cowgirls // 1940s

Last week I sold a pair of Tony Lama cowboy boots through Arrowhead. I wrote the buyer apologizing that they would ship late due to the current state of emergency declared over Georgia from the ice storm, worried I'd receive bad eBay feedback from slow shipping, even though there was no mail pickup for a few days.

Turns out the buyer doesn't need them til March, when RODEO SEASON in Houston begins. That's right, a pair of vintage boots I re-homed will be worn in a rodeo. I'm tickled by this to great lengths, and hoping the buyer will send me photos once they're put to use. They even signed their message "happy trails." Warmed my snow day heart.

I think this calls for some vintage cowgirl inspiration from one of my favorites, Messy Nessy Chic.

Mick Jagger at the salon // 1963

Circus Women // 1940s - 1950s

View the full set at Retronaut when you're done dreaming of running away to the circus.
All images from The Circus Book: 1870-1950 (Dominique Jando)

Inspiration: Rebel Youth

My love for denim on denim runs deep. I'm so glad Retronaut turned me on to Karlheinz Weinberger's book "Rebel Youth." The overstated and oversized accessories make me think of that time in highschool when showing people who you were, or who you weren't, through what you wore seemed so important.
 

 

Powder Ridge Rock Festival - 1970

Alien - 1978-1988

All photos via Retronaut.