The Woman Behind the Blog

Happy Birthday Marilyn Monroe!  Born June 1, 1926 she would have been 87 today.  If you don't know, Marilyn was the inspiration for me to start my blog.  I've always thought she had such a tragic life and we never really knew just who she was.  Here are a few of my favorite photos of Marilyn.  Are you a fan?

Hollywood Comes Home

(Marilyn)

It's no secret I have a slight obsession with Marilyn Monroe and all things vintage or old Hollywood, so I was overjoyed to see Architectural Digest feature the homes of many of my favorites!  Take a look at the celebrities in their most private place, their homes.

(Joan Crawford and her fourth husband, Alfred Steele in their 18-room duplex penthouse in New York City sometime in the 1950's)

(Humphrey Bogart and his third wife, Mayo Methot at his 1920's Los Angeles home)

(James Dean and his apartment in New York studio apartment)

(Sophia Loren in her home near Rome in 1964)

(Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe shortly after their wedding at their Connecticut estate)

(Gregory Peck in his Pacific Palisades home in the 1940's)

(Kirk Douglas in his Beverly Hills home in the early 1960's)

Which home is your favorite?

All images courtesy of Architectural Digest 

Marilyn Monroe--The Exhibit

(MM's green beaded necklace)

Saturday night I shared some photos of The Hollywood Museum with you.  I have more photos today, but these are from what I actually went to the museum for, The Marilyn Monroe Exhibit.  The exhibit runs until September 2nd, so if you get a chance to come out to Hollywood, it's well worth the trip.  Take a look at some of the items they have on display.

(MM's trunk)

(Some of MM's outfits)

(MM's personal directors chair)

(One of MM's dresses as seen in the film in the background)

(MM's Screen Actor's Guild card)

(MM's personal checks)

(One of my favorite parts of the exhibit, MM's personal books)

(MM's personal makeup)

(MM's eye drops--check out the label "Mrs. A. Miller")

(List of MM's residences.  She moved over 40 times in her career)

(MM's personal makeup chair)

(I loved this photo, I've never seen it untouched, notice her gallbladder scar on the bottom left of her stomach)

(Green Pucci silk sweater owned by MM.  One of her favorites)

(MM's sweater)

(Sad, but fascinating.  One of the prescription bottles found on MM's nightstand the night she was found dead)

(Mexican tiles from MM's last residence in Brentwood)

(MM's personal living room sofa)

(Great way to finish off the day at Mel's!)

(Mel's black and white shake...what a dream)

These are just a few of what you can see at the exhibit.  I've always had a fascination with Marilyn Monroe, so it was especially exciting for me to attend.  If you didn't know, my blog was actually originally created as a tribute of sorts to MM.  Check out the sidebar on my blog for more details.  I'd love to hear your feedback on the photos!

All photos taken by Kori Donahue for Blonde Episodes.  Images cannot be reproduced or used without permission.

Don't forget to enter my Lulu's giveaway!

The Hollywood Museum

(Sign on one of the beauty rooms, where starlets would go get their hair colored)

Mom and I headed out to Hollywood today to check out the Marilyn Monroe exhibit at The Hollywood Museum.  If you've never had the chance to visit the museum, it's a must see for sure.  The museum is housed in the old Max Factor building, where women could go and get their hair and makeup done.  The building itself is worth the trip.  It's old Hollywood Regency Art Deco that can't be missed.  I was in awe, even in the restrooms...they are exactly as they would have looked in the 1930's.  I had to take photos, even of the restrooms.  Monday I will be sharing some photos of the Marilyn Monroe exhibit, but for today, take a look at some of the photos of the interior of the museum, including all the beauty products and rooms that Max Factor himself used.  

(Gorgeous cabinet full of memorabilia in the lobby of the Max Factor building)

(The Blonde Room)

(Lobby of building)

(Hair coloring machine--crazy huh?)

(Lucille Ball's personal jewelry on display)

(Judy Garland's personal make up on display)

(Max Factor Calibration Machine--system used to find the perfect make up for your facial structure)

(Marilyn cabinet in the "Blonde Room")

So, what do you think?  I live for this stuff.  The art deco alone was worth the horrible traffic today.  Stay tuned for part II that includes all the Marilyn photos.

Photos courtesy of Kori Donahue for Blonde Episodes and cannot be reproduced or used without permission

My Week With Marilyn

Michelle Williams is very soon going to play Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn.  I think Michelle is the perfect woman for this role and the pictures in Vogue this month prove it.  Check out the photos of Michelle, and then their originals of Marilyn.  

Photos of Michelle Williams by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue Magazine

My giveaway ends this Friday for a $50 Victoria's Secret gift Card.  Come celebrate my birthday with me!