Hollywood Legends Auction: Full of amazing Marilyn photos, gowns and one very funky chair

A few weeks ago I blogged about the oh so gorgeous Marilyn Monroe, that just makes you want to go and do a few squats and reverse crunches, whatever they are. You can read the post about the exhibition on her in London here and see some gorgeous dresses and beautiful photos.

Well, it seems to be Marilyn mania at the moment, because as part of the Hollywood Legends Auction that is being held in Beverly Hills on the 31st March and 1st April, there are beautiful unseen photos of the star, calenders, telegrams and letters that are expected to reach a tidy sum. By the way if your man suddenly decides to go to Beverley Hills for the weekend, its probably due to the fact that a rare calender is on sale featuring Marilyn's nude Playboy photograph, well who can blame him really.

The auction that contains over 100 never seen before photos have pictures of Marilyn at 27, just before she hit international stardom. The pictures are taken by her then make up artist Allan 'Whitey' Snyder, who use to take photographs of Marilyn before filming to calm her nerves, sadly Rescue Remedy and Fox biscuits weren't around then. The photos are taken on location of her first leading role for Niagra in 1953. Whitey who died in 1994 was Marilyn's makeup artist for 16 years and had unlimited access to her. Although, I doubt he saw her in Froggy PJ's with smudged morning makeup, Marilyn was far too glamorous for that. The pictures show Marilyn at incredible ease looking young, fresh and extremely beautiful. They show that happiness and being comfortable in your own skin makes a picture far more beautiful, then piling six layers of foundation on.

There are other pictures from sets of some of her most famous films, including 'Gentleman Prefer Blondes', 'The Prince and the Showgirl' and 'Something's Got to Give.

On set of 'Let's Make Love'

On set of 'Something's Got to Give'

Also up for auction is a 14K engraved Tiffany Money Clip. It's inscribed with 'Whitey Dear, While I'm still warm Marilyn.' Nope I don't understand it either.

Slides of Marilyn on set of 'The Prince and the Showgirl

Remember the old days where we didn't have some strange thing called e-mail, text language didn't even exist and telegrams were sent? Well some lucky bidder can reminisce with this Western Union Telegram that Marilyn sent to Whitey, when she was fired from her film 'Something's Got To Give.' It said 'Dear Whitey, It was not my doing. I had so looked forward to working with you. Warmly Marilyn.' I swear the woman talks in riddles.

Also up for auction are some of Marilyn's pantaloons worn in 'River of No Return' ($20,000-$40,000). But the auction does not only contain Marilyn Monroe items, oh no film buddies and music lovers can be treated with items from a whole range of stars. It includes Charlie Chaplin's iconic cane (Est $20,000-$30,000) a Charlie Chaplin film worn suit (Est $20,000- $30,000) and a number of his own personal items including his own driver's license (Est $2,000- $4,000).

Other movie highlights include  a Charlton Heston screen worn robe (Est $30,000- $50,000), screen used tablets from The Ten Commandments (Est $20,000- $30,000) and Clark Gable's riding jacket from 'Gone With The Wind' ( Est $20,000-$30,000).
There is also a Christopher Reeve 'Superman IV: The Quest for Peace' costume on sale (Est $20,000- $30,000), a Complete Batman costume on a custom display from 'Batman Returns' (Est $60,000- $80,000) and a Turbo Man costume from the Arnold Schwarzenegger holiday film 'The Golden Girls' (Est $400-$600).
These would be the perfect present for your man, but you might have to sacrifice buying shoes for about five years. That's just not possible for me, sorry Mr, Boyfriend I'm sure you would have loved walking around in a Superman costume all day.

Original films posters are on sale ranging from Casablanca (Est $2,000- $3,000), 'Gone With the Wind' (Est $1,000- $2,000) and Some Like it Hot Est ($2,000-$3,000).
Political fans can indulge in President John F. Kennedy's Rocking Chair (Est $50,000- $70,000), now you won't find that in Ikea.

Also on sale is a vest worn by the late Whitney Houston in 'The Bodyguard' and memorabilia from Sammy Davis Jr, James Dean, Frank Sinatra and loads more items owned by hunky men and beautiful women.

One of the gems of the collection is a vintage Christian Dior gown worn by Princess Diana (Est $10,000- $20,000) and another dress worn by her designed by Catherine Walker (Est 60,000- $80,000).

You can view more of the 800 piece collection and take a sneek peek at the online catalogue here.  Doesn't times like this make you wish you filled out fifty lottery tickets or married a footballer?

Second Hand Rose
XxxX

4 pairs of miracle tights: An excuse to have another piece of cake

Tights. We have all worn them at least once in our life. If its in the day to keep warm, add a different take on an outfit or just to a Vicars and Tarts party, and by Tarts I'm talking about you men folk. All of us have slowly pulled them up our legs, walked like a constipated duck when we can't get the seam in the middle and got a ladder in them as soon as we sit down. You could say that I am a bit of a tightsaholic, I have one, OK two, OK three square draws jam packed full of tights. I know that's a lot, but they are not all the same. I have lots of different colours, thicknesses, ones with a pattern within them and some with a colour pattern, from Tartan to Crochet from floral to vertical stripes, you name it I've got it.

So you would think I am a bit of an expert of putting them on wouldn't you, but no I always end up with it twisted in the top and jump up and down whilst pulling them around, so I don't look too much like a mallard when I walk. I'm also very bad at pulling ladders, they just happen so quickly when I wear tights, so I make sure I have my trusty nail varnish with me all the time. If you don't know this, nail varnish stops ladders and holes in their track, it's genius! Just make sure you have a suitable colour, especially if you are at school. My teachers weren't too pleased when I had neon pink nail varnish all over my black tights, which nearly resulted in a call to my parents.

I have blogged before about some great new inventive tights, the choices are a little broader then just opaque or thick now. I posted here about these amazing Miracle Bum Shaper tights from Asda and some great tights from Debenhams here that are invisible and look great on all skin types, none of those weird so called flesh coloured tights anymore. Well now there are tights that can moisturise your legs, give you a tan and get this, there are tights that can reduce cellulite and make your thighs skinnier, so now go and have that biscuit you've been telling yourself not to have all day.

Good old Marks & Spencer's have invented tights that moisturise your legs as you move, no more lathering your legs with moisturiser every night. Does anyone really keep to that commitment anyway? The store says it's tights are part of their 'Prepare to Bare' collection and will make skin appear smoother after only a week. Not only that whilst you are wearing them it gives the illusion that you have bare legs, not a hairy Mrs Doubtfire leg in sight.

For all you science geeks out there I will tell you how it all works. The tights are coated with millions of tiny beauty cream bubbles and as you move throughout the day ie. run to the nearest shoe sale, small amounts of the bubbles are burst and released into the skin. Anyone else now really fancy an Aero?

Of course good oldy Marky and Spence will not reveal the 'secret' formula, but they have told us that it contains three main ingredients. The herb Lovage is an ingredient which  revives and strengthen the skin, while Vitamin E helps general skin health and finally Aloe Vera helps soften skin and moisturise. You may be sceptical about this, but they have done clinical trials and they are proven to lock in moisture. OK, you may not have legs as soft as the Dove girl in the advert straight away, but you will be well on your way.  Although the moisturising effects only last for up to ten washes, they are only £5 a pair ,so buying a few pairs will not have your bank manager frantically ringing you about your overdraft, not that has ever happened to me.

That's not just it though, also part of their 'Prepare to Bare' collection are some tights that are reported to make your thighs slimmer, no more Bridget Jones pants for you. Like the moisturising ones they have little bubbles of beauty cream locked into the fabric and every movement bursts a small amount of capsules. The three ingredients are marine plant extract designed to break down the fluid within the skin layers, Vitamin E for healthy skin and ginkgo bilboa to energise- I'm noting that word done for Scrabble.

The tights also incorporate graduated support, which helps improve circulation so they are great if you have circulation problems, are on a plane or just sitting in front of the TV watching Bradley Cooper with a bucket of ice cream, your choice. The tights move fluid on the surface of the skin and in trials that have been conducted, two thirds of women have had a reduction in thigh circumference. The other third of women probably couldn't resist the 3 for 2 offer on Fox's biscuits at Sainsbury's, I know I couldn't.

These tights range from £5 to £6 and as well as the moisturising ones they come in 10 Denier in a range of natural colours and 40 Denier in Opaque. You can hopefully find them in your local store, but some are available on the website here, so you can sit in your froggie PJ's, eating Jammie Dodgers and buy some whilst feeling guilt free about the 6 you've already eaten, because these tights will banish the effects away, or is that just me?

Well now there is an answer for all us fake tanophobics, tights that give you a tan while you wear them. How fabulous is that!? Sun Kiss Fake Tan tights claim to give you a bronze look within two hours, no more standing legs apart waiting for the fake tan to dry. The micro fibres in the tights contain tanning solution, leaving your legs perfectly tanned. These are the world's first fake tan tights and trials have found the combination of DHA, Aloa and Erythrulose help produce an even long lasting glow.

Once you have strutted your stuff in them they can be washed and worn again and they come with a pair of plastic gloves to minimise the risk of getting stained hands during removal. The eight denier tights are exclusive to http://www.tightsplease.co.uk/ for £7.99 with free delivery and you can find them right here. So no more patchy knees, white ankles, brown hands or your boyfriend telling you to hurry up and get ready while you are in the standing star jump position waiting for the fake tan to dry, the TOWIE girls eat your heart out.

My final miracle pair of tights to show you is also from the Sun Kiss range, they are Caffeine Tights that can make your thighs slimmer while you wear them. Yes ladies you read that right, no gym with the sleazy trainer, no diets and definitely no biscuit bans. These tights can have you fitting into those skinny jeans quicker then doing 50 leg presses.

The tights release micro capsules of caffeine into the thighs, bottom and legs to increase the metabolic rate and the burning of fat. There are a lot of great reviews on them and women have lost anything from 2cm to 2 inches from around their thighs. You get three pairs in a pack and you will see the effect within 2 to 4 weeks. Each pair can be washed five times before the caffeine wears off, so if you are stingy like me, try and lay off the Persil.

They are priced at £25.48 with free delivery on tightsplease here and come in skin colour and black. I am very tempted to buy some of these, especially after reading all the great reviews on them. A women's husband even noticed after a week that her thighs were thinner and we all know how rarely men actually notice anything, no offence Mr. Boyfriend. It is great to think that even while we are crying over An Affair to Remember for yet another time, we can be losing some inches off our thighs. I don't know about you ladies, but this makes me want to go and find the scientist who has created these and give him a big fat squeeze and a kiss, even if he does have geeky glasses, ragged curly hair and wears clothes out of the 70's.

So there we have it four pairs of tights all doing magic to our legs while we sit in important meetings, chat casually to a yummy guy in a bar or just slouch on the sofa eating our weight in Cadbury's fingers. If any of you buy any of these let me know how you get on, I'd love to hear if these do work, but in the meantime being skint,  I'm off to have yet another hot cross bun and a look at the Asos sale, the diet and saving can start tomorrow.

Second Hand Rose
XxxX

Mother's Day & Mummy Second Hand Rose: Both full of love

Me and the beautiful Mummy Second Hand Rose-
Obviously I've grown a bit since then.

 I'm sure everyone in the UK knows that yesterday was Mother's Day. If you did not know this I'm sure you will now be getting daggers from your mum followed by the silent treatment and none of your favourite cakes she makes you, for at least two weeks.
Mother's Day is a different day around the world, so all of you non-Britain's take a big sigh of relief. Here the day always falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, but in a lot of countries it falls on the second Sunday of May. So why do we rush to the shops on the Sunday to get our Mum's some flowers and a card? Good old Tesco.

The first Mother's Days were actually celebrated before there was a Hallmark or WH Smith surprisingly and the origin of it can be traced back to the Ancient Greek festival dedicated to Rhea, Mother of the Gods. It was not until in the 1600's when it was actually called 'Mothering Sunday'. As Christianity spread through Europe the celebration evolved to honour both the 'Mother Church' and mothers. In the past it was a day when servants were encouraged to return home to spend time with their mothers and families, cue the Sunday Lunch argument over the last roast potato.

Now we give anything to our Mum's, mainly flowers (£3 Tulips from Sainsbury's, you beauty). Traditional gifts used to include a Mothering Cake, known as a Furmety. This cake was a mixture of wheat, milk, sugar and spices. Sadly Delia and her cookbook wasn't around in those days. In Nothern England and Scotland Carlings, pancakes were made. We are not talking about pancakes with Nutella in here, oh no were are talking about pancakes made of steeped peas fried in butter with pepper and salt, yeah I think I'll stick to lemon and sugar thanks.

In England trinkets were often given as gifts or special dishes were prepared. Simnel cake which now everyone associates with Easter, that and gorging on chocolate, was first created to mark the 4th Sunday in Lent, which was known as the Refreshment, Rose or Mothering Sunday. Young girls in service (think Upstairs Downstairs) were encouraged to bake and take one home to their mothers.

So even though it is celebrated on different days all across the world, it has always involved making or baking something special for your mum. And that's exactly what Mummy Second Hand Rose got, well it was attempted anyway. Mr. Boyfriend came over on Friday and whilst looking in bewilderment at how every time he comes over my clothes rail seems to get fuller, I gradually hinted that I needed his help to make a cake. Obviously he had no choice in the matter and he happily agreed, after a lot of eye lash batting and compliments about his strong muscles that would be perfect for cake baking.

So I got him to cut up 4 big cooking apples, he peeled them and cut them into tiny pieces. We put them in a bowl with lemon juice in to stop them going brown. Brown apple in a cake isn't very aesthetic, believe me Gregg Wallace would not be happy.
So if you haven't already guessed we were making an Apple Cake. Mummy SHR isn't really keen on fondant icing, so I couldn't really have my usual fun of cake decorating and getting icing sugar in my hair. So she handed me a recipe to make an Apple cake. I'm not usually a fan of fruit in cakes, blueberry muffins just aren't my cup of cake. But this is phenomenal! It's gooey and delicious right in the middle and tastes A-mazing, well that's when Mummy SHR makes it anyway.

With this cake I couldn't do my usual stick it all in the food processor whilst dancing to Absolute 60's, I had to do things separately and fold in the apples last, this is also where a man with muscles does come in handy ladies. So we put the cake in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes, eagerly waiting the result. After over an hour of Porridge and me trying to convince Mr.Boyfriend that no I haven't bought any more shoes, we took the cake out of the oven. I held it and he did the skewer test, so he slowly put it in the cake and then took it out to reveal no mixture on the skewer, yes it was cooked! I then had the job in convincing Mr.Boyfriend not to eat the cake straight out of the oven, a boyfriend with terrible indigestion isn't my ideal situation for a Friday night.

On Sunday when my Grandma came down, I put a purple ribbon around the cake and gave it to my Mum to cut up. It tasted so so good and was really gooey inside! Jasper my cat also liked it, which was obviously a huge relief, who needs Masterchef? It went down well and there is actually none left now, it hasn't even been cut for 24 hours and the cake tin is officially bare.

I made sure I cut a piece off for Mr.Boyfriend to have, I know that I would be in deep trouble if I forgot or 'accidentally' ate it all, but with continuous badgering texts reminding me its hard to forget. If anyone likes the look of the cake and fancies having a go at it, just ask me for the recipe and I will happily send it to you. But sadly I can't send Mr. Boyfriend along to cut up the apples for you, you will have to find your own Popeye.

Including the apple cake I clubbed together with my brother and sister for a present. Mummy SHR is an embroidery lover, so I made her a voucher, which we gave her for a course that she would like to go on sometime. I also decided to make her something because we both have a huge love of sewing, any excuse to get the sewing machine out. My Dad told me that she needed a new makeup bag, so I decided to make her one. After being told by him that she wants one about five inches wide and two inches high, I actually subtly checked with her and found out she wanted one about ten inches wide and 6 inches high. Honestly how do men expect us to get all our makeup into a tiny little bag, dearest father you have a lot to learn.

I found some lovely cotton fabric with a purple rose pattern which I knew she would like and I used pink cotton for the lining. I vaguely followed several tutorials all mixed together online and did have a few problems with it, including raw seams, faulty zips and unpicked stitches. What is even more annoying is when you see people's comments that say they did it in half an hour, it gives you so much confidence! I managed to work it out in the end and I am very happy with the result. I added some purple and silver ribbon to the bag along with purple beads, silver heart beads and a sewn on flower.

I can't decide whether to do a tutorial for it, so please let me know if you would like one and I shall do it. I promise it will not be complicated or include words such as Hong Kong seams, pickering or overlaying. I am thinking of making some more of these for all my makeup, a girl can never have too many makeup bags can they? Mummy SHR was very happy with the result thankfully and gave her seal of approval of the making of it, trust me this women is a sewing queen if she says its good then its good. Beat that Simon Cowell.


So who is the infamous Mummy Second Hand Rose? Well she is the kindest, sweetest and most caring person you could ever meet. She has many skills which include running a lovely bath and tucking you into bed, it is an art. Along with that she is a great cook, we are spoilt with delicious homemade bread most weekends and in the summer she makes blackberry and apple jam which is my massive weakness. Her cakes taste so brilliant and her butter cream is to die for. Whether it is sunny or raining she is always in the garden growing beautiful flowers and gorgeous vegetables. Although I think 1200 tomatoes is a bit extreme, don't you Mum? She doesn't get too pleased when she has done some gardening in the raised bed and Jasper swaggers over there and leaves his contribution.

When my sister was younger she used to have her own Cake business. My sister is now in her late twenties (she will kill me for saying that!) so this was a pretty long time ago, but she hasn't lost the knack and has given me the passion for it. Every year when we were young we were made amazing birthday cakes ranging from Mickey Mouse to a horse in a stable.

 She also used to make wedding dresses for people that were beautiful, so when we were younger we were lucky to be made little outfits to wear. She is a sucker for a pretty little tea dress, so regularly I was adorned with bows and cute flowers. Mummy SHR learnt from her grandma when she was four to sew and since then she has self taught herself amazingly well and has now passed those skills down to me. Recently she has got into bag making which she is brilliant at and embroidery. Every night she sits in her little corner in the sitting room with her needle and thread embroidering tiny little stitches to produce something wonderful. You don't here a peep out of her for about two hours and practically have to drag her to bed.

She has always been a lovely person and a sucker for any cute animal or child. We used to have guinea pigs and rabbits hopping all over the garden increasing the population quite happily. At one point we had a rabbit called Nutmeg which had 13 babies, I know it makes you cross your legs just thinking about it. They were so small and some were quite lifeless, but oh no she wasn't prepared to lose them so she fed them throughout the night and tried to keep them warm, in the end we lost just two of them and they didn't go to bunny heaven without a fight. Now we only have our beloved Jasper, who always goes to her when he wants something because he knows she will give into him the quickest.

My Mum has been a rock in my life and I honestly could not manage it without her. I mean who else would give me those cuddles that instantly make me feel safe and help me when something has gone wrong with my sewing? She tells everyone all about my blog, even a stranger in the Pharmacy and is such a huge source of encouragement. She is retired now, so I get to spend a lot of time with her looking at cakes and swooning over beautiful dresses. So Mummy Second Hand Rose if you are reading this which I know you are, thanks for being such a lovely Mummy for nearly three decades and sharing your kindness and skills with me. I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day and even though we do bicker, I do love you with all my heart and wouldn't change you for the world. Can I have that Jimmy Choo bag now please?

Second Hand Rose
XxxX