Collecting: Dear Diary

 

 I once had this idea that I was going to collect diaries and transcribe them.  The transcriptions would then be hyper-linked in excess so that these historical documents became connected to the vibrant interconnected web we call the internet.  The basic problem with this plan, is of course, time.  It takes an excessive amount of time to accurately read and type out the contents of diaries. So instead, I'm featuring my vintage diary collection here. On occasion, I will feature a few weeks or a month of the diary entries from one of my collection.  I will, of course, continue to collect more as I go.

Today's diary is a very special one. It belonged to my great-grandmother Emmerance Albina Forget(te).  She was born in 1899. After her mother passed away in 1914, Albina took care of her ten siblings. She married William Cumm in 1917 and they lived with their daughter Thelma in Plattsburgh, NY a town nestled in the Champlain Valley region of upstate New York. Her diary dates from 1934.  Albina was 35 years old that year.

 **blank lines in the transcription indicate that the writing was indecipherable
 

Albina M. Cumm

6 Durand Street

Plattsburgh, NY

December 25^th, 1933

From Thelma

January 1

The first day of the year. We spent it quietly at home. A wet dreary day. Rained all day. Temp. 38 above. Thelma took care of Barbara & Junior in the evening while Frances went and saw “Love of a Sailor” with Joe Brown. Bea and Nelson here in the evening. Charlie got all moved yesterday on Margaret Street now. Bill will work at Rock’s tomorrow.

January 2

10 below zero this morning. What a morning. Washed today. Bill worked at Rock’s. Nelson came and got “Jipper” Charlie’s dog. Baker will take him down to the creek and shoot him. Had Ed Aubin come over this evening. Nothing much happened today.

January 3

Temperature stays about the same. A few flakes of snow flying around. Bill worked to Rock’s and I work at Missus Katherine’s & his in forenoon. The family were all in to dinner at Mrs. Barthow In evening. We may possibly get a radio this week. Pearl phone me she wished to sell hers. Will see her later.

January 4

Same temperature this morning stays so cold. Bill worked again at Rock’s. Went over to ___ in the evening. Listened to the radio. It was good. Heard several Hollywood stars. Ed came over before that. Nothing else to write about.

January 5

Nice out this morning. Thelma & I went to Aunt Vina’s. Have bought Pearl’s radio. Now to go over and get it. Ed Aubin over in evening played with the Adirondack Mountaineers over Plattsburgh lane today. Good. Joe Gonyo buried today. Ed Raymond very ill in Hospital ____ mass. pneumonia.

January 6

Warmer than warm today. All water and slush. Bill work at Rock’s today also yesterday. Got the radio from Pearl’s. Enjoyed it heaps the first evening. Stayed up to 1am. E.A. came over around 10. Nelson was the one to get and bring the radio. Couldn’t get it in our car.

January 7

Went to 8:30 mass at St. John’s. Warm and nice. Went to ___ in the afternoon. Charlie, Letta & the baby also Ed Aubin came with us. Radio good in the evening. Marion and Harold & Mrs. ____ came over awhile. Florence and Huard to Pa’s today. Also Albert & the kids. Thelma goes back to school tomorrow.

January 8

Monday nice and warm. Not much of anything new. Mrs. B___ planning on going to the hotel this week. Will now look for two months or more (maybe).

January 9

This day still warm and nice. Worked at Mrs. Barthow’s packing up. She will go to the Cumberland tomorrow until April 1^st. Nothing exciting happening.

January 10

Wednesday another warm nice day. Helped Mrs. B again this forenoon. Thelma, Mrs. Weatherwax, and I went to the movies saw Marie Dressler in “Her Sweetheart” very funny. Nelson started work with Bill today.

January 11

Thursday. Worked at Mrs. Mooney 2 ½ hours today. Ed came in a few minutes in evening. Warm and cloudy. No sun. Nelson and Bea came a little while last night while we were at the movies.

January 12

Same sort of weather as yesterday. Cloudy & warm. Worked 2 hours at Mrs. Mooney in afternoon. Mrs. Weatherwax and I went to the library and post office. Mrs. Hazeltine died sometime this morning funeral Sunday. Ed came over a couple of hours.

January 13

Saturday. Still mild nothing very exciting. Stayed home all day. Edward came in evening. 9.15 we went over to Mr. Hazeltine remained til 11.15 funeral will be tomorrow. Looked real nice and natural. Loads of flowers. She loved them. Snowed hard when we came home. Trees all white and pretty.

January 14

Waded through the snow to the 830 mass at St. Johns. About 6 to 8 inches of snow fell throughout the nite. Went to the funeral. Cold windy 12 above at 4 oclock. Charles & Nelson were pallbearers. Also Nelson Gebo, Roland Loso, Mose Loso & Geo Cook. Bea, Lea, & Thelma took care of the home. Charlie & Lee home for supper. Ed and Mr. Weatherwax came in the evening. Radio good.

January 15

Monday and colder. Sunshine in afternoon. Mrs. Weatherwax and I went uptown. Stopped at Mrs. Barthow’s room at Cumberland Hotel 108. Put in three new tubes in radio. Can’t get a thing. Don’t know what ails the darn thing. Mr. Fisk looked it over. Washed my better grain dress and shortened one Mrs. Barthow gave me.

January 16

Nice and warm. 40 above or so. Sunny. Washed today. Bill still at Rock’s. Nelson there too. Cliff up to dinner. Mr. Fisk came back found a dead tube in the new ones took it back. Hope it plays tonite. She wants some music to liven things up a bit. Nelson came in and got radio going. Ed came in a few minutes.

January 17

Cold this morning. About zero. 4 below. Worked Mrs. Katherine 3 hours. Ironed most of afternoon. Mrs. Weatherwax and Ed came in evening. Radio good. Bill went down to Rocks and Freeman. Must see Mrs. Barthoy tomorrow.

January 18

14 below this morning. Will work at Mrs. Mooney this morning. Didn’t get much else done except ironing. Thelma and I went to the movies. Saw Maurice Chevalier in “The Way to Love.” Rather funny.  Saw Mrs. Barthoy at noon. Gave me 3 for taking care of her plants.

January 19

Warm today but snowing. Marion came in today. Ed in here tonight. Nothing worth while writing about. Bill & Nelson went down to ___ today. Mrs. Weatherwax & Ed came in tonite also Marion and Harold. Had a game of cards.

January 20

Cold as Hades today 20 below once again. Got a letter from Henry. Says Pa’s been sick. Huard & Florence & Joyce came down. Bill worked at Rock’s in afternoon. Bea & Nelson, Charles & Leeta & baby. Mrs. Greeno and Marion, Ed, all in evening. Played radio until 1:30. Had so much fun played cards.

January 21

Went to 830 mass this morn Mrs. Weatherwax, Thelma, & I. Cold as the old horny. 20 below again. Waited for our wood until 530. Dad's 38th wedding anniversary today. Alone at home all day. Radio good in evening.

January 22

Cold again. Went 10 below last night. Henry came down today. Got a job in the mill also Albert and Edward one too.  All here in evening to go to father's had to turn back. Roads were blocked. Bea & Nelson Charles & Leeta here also Ed. Albert staid up until 11 oclock, had guitar, harmonica. Mrs. Greeno was over too.

January 23

Rather nice out today. Hazel & Frank up in evening. Marion & Mrs. Greeno came in while they were here. Nothing new to write about.

January 24

Wrote Henry today. Sent Pa check for 15.00 went down to the bank and withdrew 50.00 from interest and placed in checking account. Pa had 450 interest.  Thelma & I went to Leeta while Mrs. Weatherwax & Eddie came in evening. Also Marion for a minute. Ed quit his job today.

January 25

Went out again. Mrs. Weatherwax went to the doctor's today. Henry ___ came over in uniform with another friend. He enlisted in 26th infantry last week. Ed was over til 10 oclock. Nothing new to write about.  A man named ___ was killed on the job Albert was working on. Bricks fell on his head.

January 26

Way below zero this morning. ___ ___ home. Henry here. Nothing else to write about. Mrs. Weatherwax & Ed came in during the day.

January 27

Nothing of importance. Ed in evening. Radio good. Nelson & Bea went to Chazy after fixing car. Bill paid us tire. Charlie came in for awhile in afternoon.

January 28

Raining. Went to 830 mass at St. Peter's. Thelma, Ed & I. Bill went to 9:15 mass. Had dinner with Hazel & Frank. Such a nice dinner. Stopped at Pa's on way back. Florence, Huard & Joyce there. Lee, Charlie, &; baby. Nelson & Bea. Baby sick. Florence & Huard were here for supper.

January 29

Monday 18 below zero. Ever see such weather? 46 degree difference in 12 hours. Marion in a few minutes. Nelson also. Bill went to work. Leeta came back with Thelma. Charlie here a few minutes.

January 30

Cold again. 20 below. Mrs. Weatherwax left for Ticonderoga on 1153 train. Hate to see her go. Will miss her. Ed in in the evening. Henry here too. Uncle Mose over in the afternoon to get Frank's address.

January 31

One month gone already. Winter can't go by too fast to suit me. Hope February will be ___ __. Cold again this morning. Worked at Miss Katherine's this forenoon, worked this afternoon. Henry here also Albert. Ed in evening. Seems funny not to see Mrs. Weatherwax across the way.

Thelma

Today would have been my grandmother's 93rd birthday.  When I was growing up, I loved that our birthdays were so close together because it seemed like the cosmos were confirming how close we were in life.  For a lot of reasons, I spent a huge portion of my childhood tromping over to her house.  She lived next door and I spent long summer hours sitting on the cool cement of her steps.  We looked after each other as strange as that may seem given that I was just a kid.

My grandmother was a tough lady, not in terms of her personality, but in her ability to survive and make do with what came her way. She was born in 1918, the only daughter of Albina and William. Her father was a carpenter and her mother cleaned houses. They lived in a small house in town filled with visiting family.  She never finished high school.  The first time she married, I would like to believe it was out of love, but maybe I'm just saying that because I want that for her, I want to believe that she felt that bright and shining moment of early love. That marriage didn't work out and neither did the next one or the next one. By the time she finished with her third marriage, she was done with men and I can't say that I really blame her. Though obviously she was a common denominator in all of these relationships, I believe it was less her fault and more her inability to partner with men who were in a good place in their own lives.

As I said in my earlier wedding post, my grandmother worked and saved to secure her own property not long after her first husband (my grandfather) left.  She worked hard, weathered a lot of storms by her own self-sufficiency and despite some missteps along the way, raised two of the greatest guys I know. 

My grandmother didn't have a lot of advantages in terms of education or finances, but what she did have she managed to share with others.  Many people who hadn't spoken to her in years came to us after she passed away to let us know that they survived and managed based on what she was able to give to them. I think she would have brushed off any compliments, she wasn't one to take them, but I'm proud that we shared this life together.

Thelma wasn't one to embrace fashion in any way. She made her own clothes which were constructed for practical purposes, she cut her own hair, and tended to dodge the eye of the camera. But here, is my lovely grandma in the few moments she was caught by the camera:

This is my grandmother and grandfather in 1937

My grandmother and my father in 1943

My grandmother wearing my grandfather's suit

Schoolgirl Style

 This weekend I took in Sucker Punch at our local theater.  I had hoped for a film that was visually interesting and yet capable of exploring the divide between fantasy world and reality all the while keeping up with a strong female character. I guess I had hoped for too much.  I heartily recommend avoiding this film and if you want to read full reviews of it go here and here, but I warn you they contain plot spoilers.

The wardrobe choices of this film left it near impossible to consider this a movie of female empowerment, although I'm sure some critics would disagree.  Babydoll, the main character, is committed to an insane asylum shortly after her mother's death. What follows is her escape to a dreamscape of a dance brothel and then from there an additional layer of escapism as her mind flees to various surreal battlefields.

In each of these dreamscapes that she constructs, Babydoll wears schoolgirl outfits. While school uniforms and schoolgirls themselves used to be pretty innocuous, our contemporary culture has sexualized this image.  Google schoolgirl and you will most assuredly find scantily clad women and older teen youths.  Perhaps it is first a failure of the film to properly develop the character enough that her wardrobe choices seem like a natural extension of her being, but whatever the cause, the viewer is left with yet another empty sexed up ingenue. It is not the actual image of the schoolgirl herself, but the lack of appropriate context that seems irksome to me, as though the outfit is less about presentation of self and more about subjecting her to the male moviegoer's gaze.

After viewing this, I decided to do a retrospective on the schoolgirl look over the past 90 years, how we progressed from classic conservative staple to over-saturated images of dance pop videos featuring the likes of Britney Spears.

1920s
Hemlines swiftly make their way upward from Edwardian ideals and we officially welcome in the first recognizable schoolgirl look. We often forget how dramatic a cultural shift we took from Edwardian ladies to the next decade's styles. Short pleated skirts paired with loose, often sailor inspired blouses, were the hallmarks of this style.


1930s
Shorter skirts become ingrained in school uniforms, further entrenching the schoolgirl style. The photo used above features young women in Australia indicating that the style was not a local or regional style.

1940s
We're all in love with seperates, so much so that they pinafore was a strong schoolgirl style contender. Skirts have a bit of pleating and plaid and schoolgirl start their connection here. 

1950s
This is the era that brings us one of the strongest images of schoolgirl style that we have today: the Catholic schoolgirl.  Outfits and uniforms worn to Catholic schools are by necessity conservative and easily replicated.

1960s
Schoolgirl style takes a big turn in the 1960s. Mary Quant takes credit for creating the miniskirt and it seems as though women and teens rejoice. Hemlines are drastically brought up especially when held to their 1950s predecessors.  Tartan also takes off in the 1960s and we'll always make the connection between the style and the pattern.

 

1970s

As the subversive culture shifts more strongly from hippie to punk, the schoolgirl look picks up steam as a sexualized image. Debbie Harry of Blondie is a strong example of this look.  The skirt lengths are shorter, and here paired with thigh highs and a hint of skin showing, the message is clear.

1980s

The sexual overtones of the 1970s are tempered in the 1980s by the overblown and oversized form. Here, from the movie Heathers, we see an example of the requisite plaid skirts paired with weighty blazers.  While the blazers shift in and out of current interest depending on where we are on the love/hate pendulum when we consider the 1980s, the skirts are really still top form and classic.

1990s

The schoolgirl look becomes inescapable and the hyper-sexualization of the schoolgirl look is back in full form by the 1990s.  The movie Clueless captured how omnipresent this style was with shortened hemlines and tighter fits.  Britney Spears knocked it up a few notches with her controversial (at the time) take on the full schoolgirl uniform.  With her midriff exposed and her pleated skirt sporting a dangerous hemline, critics couldn't decide if they should be critiquing the culturally complicated lyrics of her hit song or her decision to embrace a look that was heavily circulated in pornography.

Wishful Working

It's the last evening before spring break officially ends and of course I'm playing catch up. Correction, I'm procrastinating while playing catch up. Papers to finish grading, articles to write, attendance records to update all under the haze of a ferocious headache. So to cheer myself up, I made a wish of an outfit. I'm on a shopping hiatus for now, so dreaming is all I have.

Silk cashmere sweater by Sonia available at mywardrobe.com
1930s art deco pin available at Jean Jean Vintage
1980s striped skirt available at Adore Vintage
blue tights by Diane von Fursetnberg available at Matches Fashion
burgundy Parkside Stroll Heel available at Mod Cloth
red briefcase available at River Island

Art Explorer: Kees van Dongen

 Woman on a Sofa by Kees Van Dongen from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

I confess that I stopped doing my art explorer posts (see here and here) because I haven't actually been to an art museum or purchased a major piece of art in quite awhile.  On my last excursion to Montreal, the art museum was closed for some reason or another and I haven't taken another trip up since.

I'm starting to get edgy, what with all the snow and all, so I've been making a list of places I want to go and things I want to do. In looking around the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts website, I came across Kees van Dongen's work.  I can't recall coming across his work in my museum adventures before by there's a gorgeous lush quality to his work but with an edge of darkness I can't resist.

Today's Art Explorer uses van Dongen's Fille-mere as inspiration. I don't always intend to copy an outfit from the subject in the piece of art, but I couldn't resist in this case.

Outfit consists of:

Shirt: 1980s white blouse found at Simple Vintage

Brooch: vintage rhinestone pin found at Moon Dog Cottage

Skirt: 1980s black peplum skirt found at my shop, Vint Condition

Purse: 1930s/1940s floral quilted purse found at Magicmuti

Shoes: burgundy Kona Blend heels from Indigo by Clarks found at Zappos

Outfit Idea for that Sale Item: 1980s red silk skirt

Today's sale item is a gorgeously intense red silk skirt from the 1980s designed by Flora Kung.  A silk skirt is such a nice luxury item that makes the perfect workrobe staple. I myself took this skirt out to work a few months ago when I had a "day job."  But a silk skirt as a playful weekend staple? You bet. Thinking of how to mix up items like this will be keeping my mind busy for a bit. How do you mix up your wardrobe?

Also, trust me when I say that I know the pairing of red, black, and gray is a bit expected.  Personally, though, I love the combination of colors and will always be drawn to putting these together. 

1980s red silk skirt by Flora Kung, on sale August 2nd at my store, Vint Condition Style, reg price $55
Love/Hate tee, available at Opening Ceremony, $115
Vintage lace up boots, available at Persephone Vintage, $59
Jersey boyfriend cardigan, available at Babooshka, $80
1930s/1940s costume jewelry ring, available at Jean Jean Vintage, $60
1950s black evening bag, available at Hinterland Vintage, $22

Find from Every Era Friday: Shoes

With the recent purchase of these amazing shoes from one of my newest and favoritest (it could be a word) vintage clothing sellers Bee Keeper Vintage, I couldn't get my mind of shoes. My husband lives off of three pairs, while my collection may or may not (you can't prove anything!) take up three closets.  Oops. In prowling around Etsy, I found these lovely items, and if they were in my size I would never be telling you about them.

Almost all of these shoes are much too small for me. That's because the average shoe size is increasing over time. At the turn of the century, the average woman wore about a 3.5-4. Now, it's more in the 8.5 range. This sets me up for a lot of vintage shoe sadness, but smaller footed women have it made!

1910s

These Edwardian Era shoes are in understandably delicate condition, but a bit too tempting not to wear  out and about.  They have such a brilliant pattern! Paired with skinny pants, and a well constructed angular blazer in a neutral like black, these shoes would shine.  These are available from Dakotas Vintage, are a petite size 5, and are selling for $75.

1930s

I confess a love for metallic items. This love is almost as large as my previously stated love for animal print.  These glorious t-straps would pair with just about anything in my world. A short party dress, skinny jeans and a tank top, capris and a cardigan. You name it, they work.  These are for those with a 6N foot and are available at Revival House for $89. 

1940s

I'm guessing these gorgeous shoes were probably once considered boudoir shoes.  Shoes meant for seducing, or showing off in your home while entertaining.  Now, since I believe these shoes need to head out in public, you do promise to be very careful with them, right? I'd pair them with a really loose layered skirt in a soft color like ivory or petal pink to take the romantic look to whole different level.  Paired with a delicate cashmere sweater and you're good to go.  These shoes are a petite size 6 and are available at tigerluxe for just $38.

1950s

These shoes remind me of frolicking outside on a spring day. That's probably the floral print talking.  I'd so wear these with jeans and tank over a shear shirt, maybe with tuxedo pleating on the front. At the risk of being matchy I'd pull from one of the colors in the shoe, the purple being my favorite, and maybe add in a wicker purse.  These are available with etsy seller Marvita13 for $98.

1960s

You were green with envy over my shoes until you realized that there was still of shades turquoise goodness in the world like these shoes right?  I'm probably going to start out slow with mine at first, pairing them with a black dress, but from there the sky is the limit, brown capris or my white Calvin dress, or maybe even my zebra print dress. You, should do the same, tiny-footed women who wear 6-6 1/2 shoes. Snag these from Beta Boutique for $34.

1970s

So it's Sunday and you need to run some errands, and you throw on sneakers and head out in clothes that somewhat resemble pajamas. If this is happening to you, stop. You can be functional and cute at the same time. I'm not going to go all Stacy and Clinton on you and tell you that heels are wonderfully comfortable and of course you should be able to chase your three year old around Target with ease in 3 inch stilettos.  A compromise, these beautiful suede shoes. They do have a heel, but it's a barely there heel.  The patterning is soft and cozy, yet structured at the same time.  Throw on some dark wash jeans and a sweater and you'll feel much better about heading out. These shoes fit a 8.5 and are available at Greatest Friend for $33.

1980s

These silver Stuart Weitzman heels deserve to go out into the world and party. To show off the delightful bow detail on the back, you wouldn't want to cover them up or obstruct the view with something like jeans.  Instead, think about dresses, mod dresses with a simple silhouette the ends above the knee in a fabulous color like royal purple or peacock blue.  Sure, you could wear black, but there's a world of color out there.  These lovely ladies fit like a 6.5 and are available at Dear Golden for $46. 

That thing called work

The day before yesterday I got a job interview for later in the month. As much as I like to spend my days lolling around thinking about blogs and writing poems, I'm eager to get back into a job. I like to keep myself busy and enjoy new challenges. Going back to work also means being able to wear career clothes. So while I haven't yet secured a new job, I certainly have been on the hunt for things to wear once there. Here's an outfit I'd wear to work in a second if I had a job and money. Note the coat and warm pants, because yes folks, the jobs I've been looking at are back east.

Outfit consists of:

Blue polyamide bow neck blouse by Marlene Birger. Available at net-a-porter for $225.

Black patent leather heels by Report Signature. Available at Revolve Clothing for $187.

Vintage chain belt with lion's head clasp. Available at Archive Vintage for $125.

Paul and Joe dark gray wool flannel pants. Available at net-a-porter for $510.

1930s 14k white gold floral earrings with diamond centers. Available at The Marlene Harris Collection for $275.

1960s lightweight wool Lady Forecaster overcoat. Measurements: 38" bust. Available at Monster Vintage for $49.99.

1980s leather Ferragamo convertible clutch. Available at Vintage Bag for $77.75.