Shake That Thing

      Hello everyone and welcome back. Everyone that meets me hears how much I love to dance. And it's not just ballet. I've taken belly dancing, burlesque and swing dancing too. And that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

      I take swing dance at Lindy Hop St. Louis and it's more of a community. I get to dance with everyone in my class and it's very refreshing. When I took belly dancing and burlesque it was very individualized. But with Lindy Hop came another challenge.

      I'm not used to dancing with a partner! And sometimes I've danced with partners who aren't as coordinated as I am. And I found it very ironic that this was on my mind since I was planning another photo shoot.

      I found three photographers available and they had never shot a pinup before. I took a deep breath to see what was going to happen next. The first photographer didn't sound like they had even researched the words pinup or boudoir. As my Kickin' instructor would say: "Rotate!"

      The second photographer had also never collaborated with a pinup but had no studio. I hated to turn this photographer down; this one is very artistic and has a tremendous eye. So we've decided to shoot at a later date.

      The third photographer really put effort into everything. This photographer not only has access to a studio but sent me images and pressed me to open up more. Day in day out I was getting questions and emails. I was definitely out of my comfort zone, but in a good way. This photographer challenged me as much as one of partners in Kickin'.
 
      The partner in my Kickin' class that challenges me the most is the one who almost has everything down. We had to iron out those little hiccups, exactly the way you have to with a photographer. So I scheduled my shoot with Photographer #3 and that particular Kickin' partner has started counting along with the music. And I told him, "The hardest part is figuring out where the mistake is. But once you've got that down you keep on moving from there." So now Swing Class and my photo shoot are down I can take a deep breath. Or I could just dance.....with Bobby Darin of course

https://youtu.be/8ZTcgmzSRzI

The Modern Day Pinup and The Modern Day Gentleman

      Hello everyone and welcome back. One question that people love to ask me (or any single person these days) is, "Are you seeing anyone?" I dread that question like the sound of my alarm clock. And I really don't know what to say.

    Since I'm a Modern Day Pinup I love a good throwback. And since I was so eager to watch A Streetcar Named Desire last night like I'd never seen it before this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Still, I don't know if gentlemen exist these days or where they are for that matter.

    When I think of a gentleman I immediately think of Sidney Poitier or William Holden. A man that's intelligent, kind, gracious, handsome, complicated yet down to earth. Unfortunately I've met men that are a combination of Poitier and Jughead. So... is the problem me? How would a Modern Day Pinup find a man that's a Modern Day Gentleman?

     I used to think my expectations were way too high. I felt like I was looking for a man that was a character, a myth. I know gentlemen are few and far between; especially when the Internet allows anyone to create a persona that's a complete lie. And communicating is even different. With texting you can talk without having to talk, although texting can lead to miscommunication and misinterpretation.

     I still don't believe that chivalry is dead, it has to be taught. It has be researched and men have to lead young men by example. Each pinup has to be taught to pose, which way to hold her head, which poses work best for her shape. I couldn't be a pinup overnight and a man can't become a gentleman overnight either.

      And Holden's characters are never perfect; he played flawed, self absorbed men at times. But that's what life is. We're all flawed, self centered, intelligent, complex creatures. Holden's so fun to look at you don't care what his characters are doing. And everyday I feel exactly like Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. Loving my life exactly as it is and never turning my back on love or on pinup

https://youtu.be/jS9zJMIsjMg
                       

 

   

The Thrill of It All

           

          The best part of this year has been embracing who I am, pinup and mere mortal. After all one misstep after another is still learning. But one of the best parts of this year has been a well-kept secret.

            I got published!!!!

            I was so excited to find out that I was going to be in print as a pinup. I couldn’t even believe it. But the surprising fact was that I didn’t feel any different.

            It wasn’t the same feeling as the Dr. Hook song On the Cover of the Rolling Stone; I certainly didn’t do a whole lot pills that give you all kinds thrills (unless Hair, Skin and Nails Vitamins count). I resumed my boring, working, Modern Day Pinup life within seconds.

            What I’m trying to say is that being published wasn’t going to make me. I already knew who I was and I’m very excited about what the future holds. I’ve realized that being a Modern Day Pinup is a big part of who I am but not all of me. There’s still a woman inside who likes to sit at home, makeup less, dancing to The Stones (in a snood of course).

            I do want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to Mark Greenmantle and the staff of RetroBomb Magazine. Greenmantle is an amazing photographer with a wonderful eye. The magazine is beautifully laid out with pictures of vintage cars, articles, pinups and a lot more! Make sure to pick up your copy of RetroBomb at www.retrobombmag.com

            Until next time dear readers…..