On “Bette Davis”: A Book Review

Title: Bette Davis 

Author: Laura Moser 

Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography

About the book…

A short biography of screen legend Bette Davis that spans her entire life and career. 

What I think…

This wasn’t very well written in my opinion. One of the big things that bothered me, was that quotes from Davis and others were not well integrated, some even being stand-alone sentences that interrupted the text more than supplementing it.

Moser also seems to spend a considerable amount of time analyzing Davis based on her movie roles and how they related to her life or predicted her future sorrows. While this was an interesting perspective, this is not something I expected to spend an entire biography reading about. While Davis was by no means a pleasant person and was often unreasonable or disruptive to the extreme, I felt that Moser focuses more on the negatives, even when it came to her successes, as well. 

While not directly related to the text, I also found it odd that on every page next to the page number a title was included to tell you what was on the page (ex: “72  Now, Voyager”-just in case you were sure that’s what movie you were reading about).

That aside, I did like learning more about Davis' childhood and what contributed to the progression and decline of  her career over the years. However, I just wish it would have been written differently and had it been any longer I probably wouldn’t have even finished it.

To sum it all up…

While informative, not a biography that I would recommend if you’re looking for a more objective view on Bette Davis. ♥

On Drying Vintage Linens: A Photo Post

Often I've taken photos of things with the intention of writing a post about them, but by the time I actually sit down to write about them, all inclination to do so has left me. Because of this I've decided to start a series that I will be referring to simply as photo posts. They won't be a regular thing and for the most part there will be very little writing, they will just be my way of sharing the little things that make me happy or that I find amusing.

This last week I was given a good amount of vintage linens, among other treasures, and so having a rather toasty weekend weather-wise thought it would be a perfect time to hand-wash and then hang them out to dry. Using them for sewing was fully on my mind, I just didn't realize how much until I clipped them on the hanger in such a way that they took on the form of a dress.  
   

 

All good linens carry a handkerchief...

♥ ♥ ♥

On a Visit to the Swap Meet

At the beginning of last month, one of my relatives came down to spend the day with me and gave me the option of picking anything I wanted to do. For awhile I had been wanting to go to our local swap meet, which I hadn't been to for about ten years despite being a 15 minute drive away from it, and so we made plans to go and had a blast!   

Most of the things I found weren't vintage, but I was pretty happy with what I did find and was even happier that overall I ended up spending only about $20 total. 

I started out looking at several vendors that were mostly selling clothing, so I ended up with several sweaters and a shirt. I also was delighted to find an Alice in Wonderland tote bag for $3 and a clock (it doesn't work, but the piece on the back can be replaced) with a Margaret Winifred illustration on it. 

After finding the sweaters, I found this great owl necklace (the one on the right) to finish off the the trio on my wall.  

One of the main things I was looking for was sewing supplies and I came home with several bags of buttons at a $1 each (plus one free that a vendor sweetly gave to me after I decided I was only going to buy two bags from him) and four perfectly marvelous vintage belt buckles.

Next is this wonderful little vintage pocket mirror in the shape and style of an envelop. As you can tell, the gold finish is coming off and when I got it home the upper mirror popped out (and was promptly reattached with a decent amount of glue). 

The vendor where I found the Alice clock was one of the only ones where I saw vintage clothes and while most of the pile I dug through was 60's/70's polyester items, I did manage to find this wrap top I really liked, though. The button loops had fallen off, but were miraculously still looped around the buttons and are now awaiting reattachment!   

Finally, at the same vendor one of the tables had a little pile of small paper items among which were these Alice's Adventures in Wonderland cut-outs.

Also, along with them was this bizarre photo of a skeleton driving a car (a warning not to drive too fast, hehe). This was one of those things that you pick up, put back down, and then pick up again because it's just too weird not to get.

Even the King of Hearts is shocked!

Overall, it was a lovely day spent with my relative and I was glad that I finally was able to go to the swap meet. Next time there will not be ten years between visiting it again! ♥