Dolly Dahl

Northern California

“I personally prefer staying home and being a '50's wife', but that doesn’t make me any less interesting to my man."





Born in Virginia but grew up in Scotland. Dolly Dahl lives in a tiny house in Palo Alto which she shares with her husband and their little dog Butters. She loves Marilyn Monroe, Technicolor Musicals and being a Housewifery.


Dolly works full-time as an event planner for a social networking site. In the morning she normally has a couple of meetings to go to, depending on which event she’s planning. “After work I’ll walk home and start planning dinner. I normally have a few hours before my man gets home so I’ll use that time to pick up around the house, light the scented candles, and start to prepare dinner,” she said.

Part time she does pinup modeling. “I wanted to take some photos that had a cute playfulness to them.” Some of the photos are shot by James at Compass Rose studios. The rest are taken by her husband. It’s only a hobby right now but she's definitely open to offers!

Dolly started blogging back in 98, and has been hooked ever since. She has several blogs. Her main focus is on her Housewifery blog. “I’ve always been obsessed with the 50's housewife and all that went along with it. I collect old housekeeping manuals and cookbooks. I was amazed at what an art housekeeping and 'wifery' used to be. It was taken very seriously."

We asked Dolly to define “Housewifery.” “Housewifery is the art of keeping house and enjoying every minute of it. There is still a lot of controversy around whether a woman should go out to work or stay home and keep house. I really feel like it doesn't have to be all or nothing and not everyone has to want the same thing. I personally prefer staying home and being a '50's wife' but that doesn’t make me any less interesting to my man.”

Something interesting that Dolly said was, “Over time I started to notice that there were a lot of ladies out there that didn’t know how to do the basic things like cooking, cleaning, mending. We weren’t given the basic tools and lessons, unless you were lucky enough to be taught by a mother or grandmother.”

Dolly loves cooking, cleaning and decorating. “I love taking care of my man. It makes me more fulfilled than any job I’ve ever had.” She also loves to bake and is currently on a quest to finding the perfect cupcake recipe. She has a sewing machine and she is trying to teach herself how to make clothes. “I love the idea of being able to whip up my own retro dresses!”

Her passion for vintage started when she was a child. “I was always dressing up in poodle skirts and saddle shoes and watching old tv shows. My parents always listened to Frank Sinatra but that was about the extent of their vintage influence.”

Dolly loves watching Marilyn and Betty Grable films. “I watch How to Marry a Millionaire any time I need a pick me up. Watching it instantly makes me happy.”

In addition she likes to take her favorite 40's and 50's glamor and household manuals, curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and just lose herself. "I love getting ready at my vanity in the morning. There is something very retro about taking the time to sit down and apply my makeup and put in my curlers!"

Dolly is also a huge fan of the red lipstick and red nails. “I try to always have my nails perfectly manicured no matter what I’m wearing. You always look polished if your nails are well polished!”

We asked Dolly what year she would visit if she could travel back in time.

“I’d have to say mid-fifties. I feel like it was meant for me. The clothing, the houses, the cars, the housewifery, everything feels like me. I love the idea of living in a time where people made an effort. You didn't leave the house without looking your best, no sweatsuits and flip flops. The men all looked amazing in suits and hats.

When asked to describe herself she said, “A true retro gal in all senses of the word – Donna Reed, Lucille Ball and Bettie Page all rolled up into one.”

Copyright © 2008-2009 Time Warp Wives

Dolly Dahl

Contact Information:

Housewifery: www.housewifery.com


MySpace: www.myspace.com/dollydahl


One of Dolly's Favorite Website:
www.Miss-Vintage.com

Stephanie Strowbridge

Grand Rapids, Michigan

“I would describe myself as a Timewarpian. I definitely stick out like a sore thumb! But that is OK with me!”





Stephanie Strowbridge specializes in hair styles from 1930's-1960's. Besides being a part-time hairdresser, she is also a busy wife and mother. Stephanie is a huge fan of Vincent Price, she loves watching classic movies, and almost always wears a scarf.


She starts her morning bright and early at 7:00 am getting her son off to school. Between being a hairstylist, writing her second book, working with a photographer on retro-inspired photo shoots and traveling to events on occasion, she maintains her house, and spends time with her family. “My days are kind of a jumble of all those things!”, she exclaimed.


The 40 year old beauty school where Stephanie attended was owned by a man who started doing hair in 1927! The man was still living, still cutting and styling hair, and still at the school while Stephanie was there. “He was 100 years old! He taught me the correct way to do finger waves. He even taught me the way a barber holds combs and the way a barber services men. I was fortunate to have had this training,” she said.


Due to the popularity of the "pin up", many ladies come to her wanting a "pin up" style. “I love classic glamour and I enjoy bringing that out in people.” She also does men's hair and enjoys pompadours and D.A.'s. Stephanie is the only one in her area that offers these specific services. “I also feel it is important to maintain a professional atmosphere as well as a relaxed atmosphere,” she added.


When asked to describe her vintage style she said, “I feel good and confident in a good fitting dress! I have a drawer full of scarves. I almost always wear a scarf. I feel it is important to accessorize and to accessorize out of the box.” Stephanie wears vintage inspired clothes as well as authentic vintage clothing.


Stephanie’s love of vintage started when she was a kid. She would watch old movies and TV shows with her dad, who also likes classic movies. “I had a love for Vincent Price at a very young age! I would collect anything concerning him.” An interesting tidbit that Stephanie shared with us was that Vincent Price also wrote cook books, collected artwork from around the world and supported American Indians.


She and her husband are huge movie people and are always listening to music. “A good black & white movie or a good rockin' song can inspire.” Stephanie also loves photographs and draws inspiration from old photos.


We asked Stephanie what year she would visit if she could travel back in time.


“I'm not sure to be honest. There are things from certain years that are great, like the fashion and glamour of the 30's and 40's or a brand new 1959 Cadillac Eldorado! I would love to have seen Jerry Lee Lewis bang up the piano or follow Edith Head in her fashion greatness. I think Robert Kennedy was a great man and changed people's lives during that time. But, with all the good things that you can think about during all the different decades, there are also hardships that make me thankful for today.”


The latest retro event that Stephanie attended was Rockabilly Weekenders. “It's nice to be with similar minded people who enjoy the same things that I do. It is nice to see ladies dressed up, feeling confident, and looking glamorous!


Copyright © 2008-2010 Time Warp Wives

Stephanie Strowbridge

Contact Information:

EMAIL: MsBettyBlueEyes@aol.com


CUTS N' CURLS: www.myspace.com/cutscurls


RETROPOLIS: Authentic Pin Up and Period Appropriate Photo Sessions. www.myspace.com/retropolisusa