Darkening up Without the Nasty Chemicals & a Brief History of "The Tan"

Current price of natural sunless tanners at Whole Food, spring 2012

I am one of those gals who never tans; I’m a quintessential light(ish) haired freckly gal who burns after approximately ten minutes in the sun. Well actually if I allow myself to get repeated sun burns I may darken a tick or two before the end of summer, but why risk the damage? We all know skin cancer is real, and it’s not just the pale guy and gals who are susceptible. People of all shades and color skin can develop skin cancer. So why bother getting darker? Well truth be told, even when we know skin without a tan is perfectly healthy, darkened skin now speaks to being active and fun outdoors.

There is an interesting cultural shift among western white folk that has occurred the last hundred years, and I’m not going to give you historical footnotes here, but this is what I remember from past research. At least as far back as the Renaissance pale skin, especially for women, was seen as highly desirable. Reasons were both classist and racist. Having light skin allowed a women to distinguish herself as wealthy, as evidenced by any lack of a tan she would surely have were she poor and forced to work in fields. Additionally, it announced her “purely” European ancestry by denying and mix of subjugated people’s in her background. This was the status quo for centuries until the advent of the Industrial Revolution. With the proliferation of factories and women’s subsequent employment in them, the average white working-woman was now, as a rule, pale. Couple the desire of the wealthy to maintain class distinction with the rise of “leisure time” (sports, bathing, and tourism) and suddenly being tanned became a status symbol of vitality, youth, health, and wealth.

And now that we’re all feeling ambivalent and uncomfortable because of the unpleasant history of skin tone preference…Let’s just admit most pale light-skinned folk, myself included, would like to be tan. But, we’d like to do so without increasing our risk of cancer or our exposure to nasty chemicals contained in conventional sunless tanners. Nature’s Gate and Alba each make a naturally derived sunless tanner. I have tried both, and was actually happiest with the less expensive Natures Gate. The lotion has a dark tint, making it easy to see where you have already applied, and it gives a nice warm natural looking glow. The Alba is slightly orangey looking and because of the clear nature of the lotion, I had increased streaks and missed spots. Now, Alba says it has improved the formula, so it may be better than last year. Both last about a week and can be purchased at Whole Foods, Amazon, and hopefull Essene Market and Cafe on S.4th Street will have some coming in soon.  So, if you are looking to darken up without loading up on cancer causing ultra violet rays or crazy chemicals (the affects of which we do not know) try Nature’s Gate! And whatever your skin shade, go ahead, love yourself and slather on that sunscreen!

Happy Belated Mother's day

Happy mother’s day, mom





Vintage momma
My mother is in the middle wearing the shift dress and turtle neck

  

It’s Kia the “Princess of lateness”. I did tell you yesterday in person but I would like to say it in Blog world as well. I love you mommy so much. You are my most favorite person in the world , ( Okay it's actually a tie between you and Maya B.).

You are the Bees Knees, I love you sooooo much.



Vintage Momma

 

Mothers Day Marcie Style

My mother, Patti, looking adorable in Lake George, NY!  

When it comes to special occasions, I often have good intentions thwarted by a poor memory. Were it not for my teachers in elementary school providing me with paper and crayons or pressing my little hand into clay, Patti would have had years of disappointment. Loved though she is, she's probably not going to get a birthday, anniversary, or Mothers Day card from her middle child. But, she knows I love her to bits, and here I am declaring it to the world :) This picture of "Sweet Sweet Patti," as my high-school friends dubbed her, was taken at Prospect Mountain Lake George, NY sometime in the late 1960's. Mommy will know the exact year, and I shall ask her later.

Marjorie Bulow,  somewhere in Schenectady, NY

I have also included pics of my mom's mom, Marjo (or Marge) and my dad's mom, Ardis. My usually sharp detective skills are telling me from the picture quality and clothing style they are both from around the late 1930's to early 1940's. My mommy will also know these dates. She knows it all. *Marcie 

 

Ardis Murray, presumably in Ballston Spa, NY

             
      

Galoshes Galore!

"When the Herring Fleet Comes to Yarmouth," pg 241 National Geographic Magazine, April 1934

       I am a woman with several, usually benign addictions, including murder mysteries from the 1920'a and 30's, a desire to lay my hands on as many "vintage" items as possible, a passion for history, and a love of shoes. Several years ago while at my local library, I saw a HUGE pile of National Geographics, dating as far back as 1932, up for sale. At twenty-five cents apiece, I couldn't resist owning as many pieces of history as I could carry. Much to the amazement of the librarian, I walked home with forty-four magazines. In addition to fascinating stories of exploration the world over, these pages also contain fashions both charming and bizarre from other lands and other times. I am very excited to put my addiction to good use and share these images with you!

      I was drawn to this particular image of women in a fishing town because of their footwear. That's right, these gals are rocking galoshes! Of course in the 1930’s ladies were far more limited in their choices for water proofed foot coverings. But these ladies refuse to be deterred; they’re waiting for the men to bring home the herring, and they're gonna knit and sit in their big rubber boots until the boats come in!

      Of course these days galoshes have gone beyond pure function and are now quite cute. I was tooling around the Internet searching for some unique styles,  but it seems there were more available in the fall than currently. But, canvas your neighborhood thrift stores and I bet you can find some classic looks.  If you are inclined to buy new, L.L.Bean actually has some cute options.  And remember, L.L.Bean shoes scream, “I’m classic and into both form and function. I am confident in my ability to rock these footwear pieces once reserved for women living in costal towns or heavily wooded areas.  I am an old-timie kind of gal, and I like it.” *Marcie*