A Visit to The Sculpture Garden at The National Gallery of Art

When I'm in Washington DC I make it a point to visit the Sculpture Garden at The National Gallery of Art (on the mall).  Here are a few images from my latest visit.

I'm told the best time to see the stainless steel tree on the left is in the winter just after a snow fall (which are few and far between in DC)

Tree: Roxy Paine, Graft, 2008-2009

Red Horse Sculpture: Alexander Calder, Cheval Rouge, 1974

You get an "A" if you know what this is!!

Claes Oldenburg, Typewriter Eraser, Scale, X, 1999

One of the most emotional works in the garden

Magdalena Abakanowicz, Puellae, 1992

A view of the fountain

I had to take this picture, these girls were so adorable wading by the "no wading" sign and I love their matching pink dresses!!

I highly recommend having lunch at the Pavilion Cafe. The food is delicious, fresh and reasonably priced.

I just like the design!

If you happen to be in DC this summer make time to enjoy an evening of Jazz in the Garden, every Friday from 5-8:30.  Great food, beer and sangria are available for purchase and the jazz is terrific!  It's a great way to  relax after a day of sightseeing in our nation's capital. Just be sure to get there early if you want a seat around the fountain or at an outdoor table.

*Above photos are the property of Duncan Loves Tess Vintage & Retro*

My Inspiration Garden

I've been in a little funk this spring with respect to my gardens.  Maybe it was the late rains and cold we experienced here in the northeast that kept me indoors, or maybe my passion for my vintage business distracted me from garden upkeep (um....should I chill with my beautiful dresses or weed?) Whatever the reason, I was not excited to be working in my yard.  And so the weeds continued to grow and grow until I had one overwhelming mess.  What I needed was a jolt of inspiration which came to me last week after attending a garden party at the home of a friend.  Below are some images from her yard taken with my Samsung phone.

 One of four or five antique bird baths tucked in perennial gardens

 This garden bench sits on a steep ravine by a small brook

This very narrow back yard feels quite large with its high fence and low growing plants

 The fence was built by the owners from old barn boards

Notice the caim in the bird feeder

Every garden should have a metal sculpture

This antique church pew now serves as a step

10 years ago this beautiful yard was essentially a barron lot with a house planted in the middle and the pictures above are just a small sampling of its wonder today.  I was enchanted by the amazing variety of plants, the unique spaces that flowed one to the other, the use of interesting architectural elements and antique garden accessories, and the serene old world ambience. But what impressed me the most was that the entire plan was designed and executed without professional help.  Needless to say, the very next day I was back hard at work in my own yard inspired by the beauty I had seen the night before.  Maybe next week I'll be ready to share some photos of my gardens with you!

What did I wear to the garden party? A vintage green abstract floral print blouse from the 60s of course! How Mad Men of me!!

The First Bond Girl

I was looking for some photos of vintage swimsuits and came across this wonderful photo spread of Linda Christian.  Barely out of high school, Linda was discovered in Mexico by actor Errol Flynn who brought her back to Hollywood with him.  She starred as "Valerie Mathis" in the 1945 TV adaption of Ian Fleming's  novel, Casino Royale, making her the first of the "Bond Girls".  Although a beautiful woman it appears she had a very mediocre acting career, however she did become famous as the wife of actor and heart throb Tyrone Power.

Photos from 1945

Life Archives

Cheerleading Pioneers

It's hard to imagine that cheerleading was a sport once regulated to men, but it was. In 1941 these three young ladies cheering for Whiting High School in Whiting, Ind were the envy of the region for their "rhythm-nastics" proving that women were indeed as athletic as men.

Shop Update

Recent Additions to the shop (L-R)

Lanz Sundress 

Black & White Peplum Dress

Red & Blue Sundress

Turquoise Bombshell Bathing Suit

Four Dresses

A tribute to Andy Warhol

{all dresses under 38.2 million at Duncan Loves Tess Vintage & Retro)

 Four Marilyns by Andy Warhol

Recently sold for a record setting price of 38.2 million

The Second Wedding Dress

If I were to have a second wedding I'd pack this dress and my hubby-to-be and off to Hawaii we would go. See more of this lovely vintage Hawaiian dress {here} or at my Etsy shop {here}.