Mary Van Notes

It seems like my 40s shorts were the prefect transition piece from winter to spring.  And I have a feeling they’ll be going from spring to summer with me as well.  Back when it was still raining in San Francisco, I wore the shorts paired with gray tights, black over the knee socks, platform heels and a 90s bodysuit, plus a 40s tilt.  I wore it to my friends’ art opening.

That’s me with artist Leslie Winchester.  She had this portrait of me at the show:

Leslie draws portraits of comedians and then does these art opening shows with comedians performing at them.  It’s really fun.  If you’re in Los Angeles, you should go check out her next show at Show Cave, 3501 Eagle Rock Blvd, on Saturday, May 14 · 7:00pm – 11:30pm.

Unfortunately I didn’t get decent outfit shots, but here are the details:

40s shorts, 40s tilt hat: vintage expo
grey tights, black over the knee socks: discount shop on Clement
black platform heels: Delia’s
90s bodysuit: thrifted
glasses: coastalcontacts.com
etienne agner purse: ebay

And even though it’s probably still in your memory, here are some previous looks with the same shorts:

Just wait until you see these shorts with my yellow 1940s halter this summer….

The talented artist/comedienne Anita Drieseberg made a series of portraits from photos you might have seen here on this blog.  I’m honored that she picked me as her muse.

“That Dress” (inspired by this post)

“Xmas Tree Hunting” (inspired by this post)

“Hell Dress” (inspired by this post)

“The Lovely MVN” (inspired by this post)

“Mary’s New Haircut” first draft (inspired by this post)

It was neat to look at these and find the links back to some of these old blog posts.  Time really does fly.  I’ve been blogging here since 2008 and started doing outfit posts in 2009.  I just moved, so once I get settled I plan on posting more regularly again.  Thanks for being with me all these years!

You might remember the beautiful portraits the talented artist/comedienne Anita Drieseberg made of me.  Well, she made even more!

(inspired by this post)

(inspired by this post)

(inspired by this post)

(inspired by this post)

And now… the winner of the No Carnations giveaway is…. Hannah of the blog Leopard and Lipstick.  Congratulations Hannah!  And thank you to all who entered!

When I first learned that Bettie Page became a born-again Christian later in life, I had an idea for some pin-up photos.  When I met photographers I told them how I wanted to do guerrilla style pin up photography in churches.   Sneaking in and getting shots kneeling at pews, leaning over altars in pin-up lingerie… no one was up for the task.   And it’s probably for the best too, as I’m sure the adrenaline would’ve been too much and would’ve resulted in the most awkward pictures imaginable.  Plus, as “offensive” as these photos would be, it was not my sole intent to completely offend or blaspheme the church.  Luckily, I didn’t have to desecrate a holy place with my impiety!  My friend, the talented artist Leslie Winchester, heard my idea and was up for the task.  She made this piece for a class project in digital art.  It came out better than I imagined.

art by Leslie Winchester, concept and modeled by me

Leslie posted this art on Facebook right around the time when all that drama with the Catholic Church trying to control women’s reproductive health was going on, which really gave new meaning to the picture.   It also could be seen as a portrait, as someone who was raised in the Catholic Church and grew up with sexual repression that resulted in me obsessively talking about sex on stages for years.  Damn it, Catholicism!   I would’ve had cleaner jokes and would’ve been on TV by now if I wasn’t raised Catholic!  Oh well, I wouldn’t be who I am today, either.  And I’m slowly working on the clean jokes, folks.

I have a little vintage lingerie collection that I’ve been meaning to share on here.  In the photo I’m wearing my favorite 50s bullet bra – circle stitch sheer black mesh with white lace inlay over the center.  I got it off ebay years ago.   Searching for vintage bras in my size is one of those constant things I search for on the ol’ net.