Vintage Mardi Gras, Pt. 1

Before I get to the subject of today's post, I want to comment on how enjoyable last night's Academy Awards Show was. Although I wasn't there (they forgot to send my invitation yet again), having Ellen DeGeneres as the MC certainly made this sometimes very stiff affair a ton-o-fun. Only Ellen could get Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Bradley Cooper, Peter Nyong’o Jr., Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong'o, and Angelina Jolie together for a selfie. Any paparazzi would have been slugged for that one. AND they're all smiling. The best part was that it crashed Twitter when Ellen got her wish of it achieving the most re-tweeted post ever: 2 million!

Back to regularly scheduled programming. Welcome to my 2-part celebration of New Orleans' Mardi Gras, aka "Fat Tuesday."



These images are from the 1950s and show vintage revelers doing pretty much what today's revelers do. Only the fashions have changed.



This annual party has survived and thrived since the late 17th century.



Ah, Thunderbird. Named for the Thunderbird hotel in Las Vegas, it was the drink of choice for cheap revelers everywhere. ZZ Top made it famous in a song of the same name.



This man is a native, but I couldn't tell you what he is native of. Wherever it is, I think I'd be scared to go there.



Just like today, those less brave stand from balconies, throwing beads (and other items) to the drunks below.



I'm more interested in the pecan waffles being served at the Coffee Pot restaurant! Today, it appears this space is now a gift shop.



Two more shots of the crowds and the streets.





Last one for today show's the latest in potato sack fashion. Were they inspired by Lucille Ball's "I Love Lucy" Paris Dress episode?



Come back tomorrow for more Mardi Gras vintage fun!

See more vintage & current New Orleans photos from my collection on my New Orleans web pages.

Traveling Thursdays: Bob's Big Boy, Ellen, & Tart with the Gaggle of Gals

Last week, thanks to my friend Marlene, I was able to see a live taping of the Ellen Show with the Gaggle of Gals. For our special road trip day, my pop-culture guru friend Doug suggested Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank for our lunch. What a great suggestion, as it is chock full of retro goodness!







The girls just couldn’t wait to have their photo taken with Bob:



Of course I couldn’t be left out:



After lunch, we headed over to the Warner Brothers Studio, parked the car, and unfortunately, I had to leave the camera behind. Yes, even I obey some rules about cameras.



Cell phones were allowed to be used up until we got into the studio itself; while in the waiting area, Mar-Mar snapped shots of our passes into the show:



I posed with Pilar and showed off my pass...



...shortly before I took a quick disco nap. Anyone who knows me knows that the chances of me falling asleep in the middle of a show, movie, or almost any event is almost guaranteed if I don’t get a nap in first.



The freezing cold temperature of Ellen’s studio helped keep me awake. Her schtick throughout the show was that she would be exercising continuously. And she did.



Ryan Gosling entered to a cheering crowd; he really was an excellent guest. The two had a very good banter going back and forth, and he did a great job of deflecting Ellen’s not-so-subtle inquiries as to his relationship status with Michelle Williams.



Thanks to my bright red rugby shirt, if you squint, you can see me in the audience:





Gosling showed off his Jumpin' Jammerz, which he not only gifted to his family for Christmas, but to the studio audience as well, who immediately put them on! Mine was cute, but way too small, so it was given to one of my friends when I returned.





Camille Grammer was the other guest; she basically got courtesy applause.



Ellen seemed totally incredulous that Camille would allow her life to be taped. Despite saying that it was Kelsey's idea, I really don’t think anyone bought it. No matter how much she claimed that she was not "the character" portrayed on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," she still seemed crazy to me.



From one tart to another Tart, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Tart, located at The Farmer’s Daughter Hotel directly across from The Grove Shopping Center in Hollywood.







Mar-Mar’s birthday was the perfect excuse to order Tart’s S'more pie!



This one deserves a closeup!



Thanks to the Gaggle of Gals for another great day!

See more Hollywood photos at my main website.