Butch Wax Style: 1960's "Old Lady" Biker Babe Chic

I have a friend, Leonard. He's in his early 60's now. He looks like the epitome of Santa Claus. He's an old biker dude. Ran with the Hells Angels and other various bike gangs all of his life for as long as he can remember. He comes out from Albuquerque, New Mexico and stays with my boyfriend and I for about 2 weeks, 2 times a year. 

Anyhow, so he always calls people's girlfriends or wives their "old ladies." "My old lady" this and "My old lady" that. One day, jokingly, I flat out told him that I thought it was plain rude, and if Jason (my boyfriend) ever called me his "old lady," I would deck him a good one. Leonard explained to me that it was a bikers term of endearment for their lady. It wasn't meant to be offensive. 

So anyways, that brings me to this morning. I'm sleepy eyed, in my big ol' bathrobe, looking through one of my favorite blogs, The Selvage Yard, and what do I see? An entry on the photography of "Old Ladies" aka Biker Babes from the 1960's, taken by the photographer Billy Ray in 1965. You can see and read about the whole thing here, with the really fabulous moody pictures. Quite brilliant, really. Gotta love that teased-out platinum blonde hair- obviously helmets (of the safety variety, that is) were not required back then! Ha!

Here's a few other really great "old lady" biker babe pics that I found randomly browsing online. I don't know if they were also taken by Billy Ray, but my guess is most likely. Gosh, this one of all of the girls at the bar is just too good. Look at those hairdos and outfits! And the broken nose! Man, wouldn't you love to know that story...

 

It also reminded me of one of my most favorite B-movies from the 60's, She Devils On Wheels. Leonard also loves really bad b-movies from the 50's and 60's. I was really excited to show him this one. Well, he hated it. Maybe it's because it's purely based on an all-women biker gang, and they're all such awesome man-eating b*tches. Whatever... it's so good.

And I'll leave you with a little montage of vintage biker babe images...

Happy Friday!

Remember ladies (and gentlemen)...

"It is better to be looked over than overlooked." - Mae West

A Love Story: My Obsession with Cactus & Succulents

Ok... I actually started writing this post last week. It was a hard post for me to do because, well, I could go on and on about this subject forever. I guess what I'm saying is- Hi, my name's Amanda and I am a cactus/succulent addict.

I have loved cactus and succulents for as long as I can remember and I have spent loads of dollars on my personal collection/obsession. Every time I move, I have this huge (and very heavy) collection that I have to transplant with me. But I love them, I have spent time and money caring for them, so of course they have to come with me. Do I have a favorite type of cactus? Yes, it's a tie- I love the huge Saguaros or the light green Euphorbia Ammaks. I have a Euphorbia Ammak in my front yard, 2 of them to be exact, that are over 8 feet tall.

Cactus were also very popular in home decorating during the 1940's and 1950's. They appeal to the vintage decorating scheme, maybe that's why I have such a fondness for them. Last weekend I took a trip to Palm Springs, the mid century mecca, and was so overjoyed to stumble upon this place:

Moorten Botanical Garden is seriously, like, my living heaven. Loads of super old cactus and succulents that date all the way back to the 1930's, all laid out perfectly, taking up every inch of space on this property. It was seriously my dream backyard come to life! Their collection is seriously insane; cactus everywhere. Of course I took about a million pictures, all of which you can see here.

Anyhow, so yes, I love cactus. And anytime I can get my hands on anything vintage that's cactus related, I grab it up. I have a few hand painted Mexican circle skirts from the 1950's, but my prize possession is an entire cactus themed 1950's cotton sundress with matching belt. Here's a tiny picture of me wearing it while riding a horse out at Warner Hot Springs Ranch a few years ago:

Anyhow, so this post is a bit mish-mashed, but I think I got the point across. :) Cactus and vintage go hand in hand. They're beautiful and they are a heck of allot easier to take care of than flowers. And now, I will leave you with some cactus randomness....

Taking a Sunday walk with my Boo. Nice closed eyes, Amanda. Whoops. ;)

One of my most favorite spots, a huge cactus garden by my house. It's so gorgeous and so old. I try to go here at least once a week. I believe it has been there since the 1930's.

Vintage cactus-inspired goodness.

Cactus were very popular as textile motifs in the 1940's and 1950's. Here are a few examples on tablecloths.

This weekend...

Can't wait.

Maybe I should bring this super Palm Springs-y late 1950's ensemble.... available for sale right now here!

The Butch Wax Life: Estate Salin'

Today I partook in one of my favorite pastimes- estate sale hunting!! And boy, did I find a good one. It was a home from the early 60's and the owners hadn't gotten rid of one stitch ever since then. These are the type of estate sales that I dream about. Loads and loads of vintage clothes and collectables. It's a vintage hoarders dream, I tell you.

So, what did I find? Well besides many super cute vintage clothes for the Butch Wax Etsy, I found some super cool, weird little vintage nick-knacks. Some cool 50's Tupperware, old kitchen items, a deadstock 50's Mexican tooled leather purse with original tags, vintage Taos moccasins... But what I was most surprised with was the vintage "naughty" items. Take a look for yourself...

Looks innocent, right? Well, just you wait....

High Ball cocktail glass holders that are mini tighty-whities! Too funny. In perfect shape.

 

Looking for the right corsage for your date? Why not get her a penis one! So funny. This must have been uber risque for back then.

 

Yes, these are actual glasses! There was the full set of 6, but I didn't grab them all in time. Two old men hovered in over them and the rest is history. Oh well, I'm happy with my set of 4.

 

I love vintage beauty products, especially lipstick. No, I don't use them, I just love looking at the great vibrant colors and color names like "Sherry Spumoni" or "Melon Orange." When I was little- I'll never forget it- my Nana had an old tube of her lipstick from the 1950's. It was thee best blue-red, hands down. It looked like liquid rubies. I have never ever seen a red like it since. The colors that they could get back then really were eye-popping.

 My last little gem to share: vintage never-used Mai Tai drink mix from Beachcomber Budd's in Hawaii. Good Lord, can you imagine how rancid this stuff must taste by now? It's probably from the 1960's. But man, it sure looks cool.

Butch Wax Babes: Paul Newman

Really, it doesn't get much hotter than this.

 (Photo cred. from one of my most favorite blogs, The Selvage Yard)

Paul Newman was a perpetual babe throughout his entire life, I think it's more than fair to say. Those blue eyes, that smile, that ruggedly handsome pure man-ness... Yum. They sure don't make 'em like they used to. I just love this picture of him; those boots are totally killing it. And really, how many men could pull off an all-white ensemble and make it look that good?

Vintage Expo & Outfit of the Day: Basic 1950's Sun Dress

More great weather here in sunny So. Cal means more Summer type clothes. I swear folks, 1950's sun dresses are the best thing ever. They're so simple- you throw them on and simply just go. Dress them up with fancy heels or down with sandals or flats. They're a good basic staple for every woman's wardrobe and they never go out of style.

So what the heck am I wearing? Well...

• 1950's "New Look" style cotton floral sun dress from my old work, Wear It Again Sam.
• 1950's clear Lucite Spring-o-lator mules that I scored at a second hand shop for $14. They are so comfy, no lie.
• (... and of course Miss Iris the cat had to get in on the picture, that little ham.)

 A closer look. Please ignore my bruised up legs from a night of crazy dancing last weekend, haha.

Also, this weekend is the annual Vintage Fashion Expo in Santa Monica! I'm very excited to be going with one of my best shopping partners in crime, my mama, in tow. It features tons of vintage clothing dealers from all over the U.S. and if you're looking for something in particular, chances are you'll find it there. I probably won't be shopping for Butch Wax Vintage so much, but looking for a few pieces for my own private collection. Viva Las Vegas and summertime are fast approaching and a girl has simply got to have the goods! ;-) Here's a little video to give you a better feel for the Expo, maybe I'll see some of you there!