American jazz vocalist Shaynee Rainbolt contacted me a while back having seen one of my compilations which features songs by legendary musician and composer Russell Garcia. It turns out that she is not only a fellow fan of his but also worked with him on her latest album entitled Charmed Life: Shaynee Rainbolt Sings Russell Garcia. Russell, now 92 years old have been living on New Zealand with his wife since 1971 where Shaynee traced him and not only convinced him to arrange and conduct her album but also add his Four Trombone Band to the recording session. The result is a elegant, sexy and dreamy 16-track album with laid back jazz rhythms, swingin’ melodies and fast paced scat-singing which will with no doubt add the perfect mix to any cocktail gathering and let you be a part of a more elegant era.

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For all you ladies out there, here are a few scans of retro Revlon advertisements for lipstick and makeup. Revlon was started back in 1932 and are most famous for their Dorian Leigh and Suzy Parker advertisements in the 1950s. “Not a prissy pink… not a sissy pink” and “Fire and ice” are two of many memorable ads. (Via) [Thanks Fhardyfan]

Whether you are redecorating your living room, planing on buying a mid-century modern flavored house or want to make your kitchen look more groovy, Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpaper has what you need. Their series of Atomic Age and Mod Generation wallpaper range from 1950s styled Googie patterns to exotic tropical Tiki to the revolutionary and psychedelic flower power look – perfect for any bachelor den, Tiki bar or weekend getaway house.

Here are a few samples of famed photographer Mark Shaw’s photographs of the lovely Audrey Hepburn. The photos were taken circa 1953 in miss Hepburn’s house in Los Angeles and on the back lot of Sabrina. This entire collection have lingered forgotten for more than fifty years in a box at the home of Mark’s first wife and were rediscovered again in 2008. For more photos of Audrey Hepburn as well as a nice collection of Swedish vintage designer furniture you should head over to Svenska Möbler which sells both the prints and the furniture. (Via) [Thanks Fhardyfan]

Seeing it’s Friday – why not embark on a delicious weekend trip to Europe. Our friends at Pan Am will take us on a 6½ hours long transatlantic flight from New York to London on their new Boeing 707 – the biggest jet plane of the late 1950s – holding up to 150 passengers.

With a wingspan that is longer than the entire distance of the first Wright brothers flight we will travel faster and higher than ever before all in the comfort of the air conditioned cabin were we will of course also enjoy fine cooking and the friendly service of the lovely stewardesses. I wonder if the mile high club have been invented yet? Footage from the Prelinger Archives taken in 1958. (Via)

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Located in Los Feliz, in the East Hollywood district of Los Angeles, this stylish 1953 house going under the name “The Chew House” was built by architect Eugene Kinn Choy and is now up for sale if you got a cool $1,850,000 to spend. What fascinates me about this property is that there are so many original elements still intact, from the the tiles to the bathroom decor. The house features 4 large bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms (don’t ask me what’s up with that half bathroom) along with a salt water swimming pool and a large kitchen overlooking the pool. I am imagining that this house would be quite the bachelor pad for the man about town. If you want to put in a offer on this mid-century gem of a house, head over to estate agent Jeffery Young’s dedicated website about the property. (Via)