Greetings to one and all. Hope everyone is making it through this second cold snap and not too discouraged by that white slop outside.

I shan't lie - this weather brings me down into a black pit of despair and I'll accept any advice or suggestions to beat the cold weather blues. How do you keep your spirits up when you feel chilled to the bone? Get in touch, message me, impart wisdom because I sure could use it. But don't mind me right now, I'm just tired and a little glum.......

"I wish I was a glow worm, a glow worm's never glum. How can you be gloomy when light shines out your bum?"

I think thats how that little saying goes but without fail, it lifts me up a bit.

Anyway, moving on.

So much happening of late with Riley Street Vintage. Got round #1 done of the booth revamp with the addition of the mens vintage clothing section, all new merchandise in women's clothing and accessories and much more heading that way this weekend - more accessories and a huge load of home decor.

Then there are the events and exciting goodies happening - ranging from monthly giveaways to competitions to fashion shows. All the information regarding all this goodness is at the end of this weeks blog but do check back on our Facebook page for current updates. Add to all that a bunch of aviation activities that the MOTH and I will be involved in, it will be a rather busy year for us but exciting none the less.

Anyway, moving on to the story of Annette Kellermann because I did promise dear friends that I would actually write about something vintage did I not? The point of this blog is not for me to just chatter away about nothing in particular, that I would put forth some informative blogs. So here we go, the small nugget of knowledge I have about the genuine Million Dollar Mermaid - Annette Kellermann.

One of my very first Etsy purchases many moons ago was a 1920s wool swimsuit - I think I'd mentioned this in a previous blog and if I have already done so, please forgive my repetitiveness - getting senile. Ha! I'd long wanted one of these swimsuits for a photo shoot and found one for the shocking price of $13.00 - thats not a typing error my friends, I paid peanuts for this swimsuit and am rather proud of that fact. It arrived, I cooed and smiled despite it's flaws of age. Some moth nibbles and wear and tear but what else would one expect from a garment thats nearly 100 years old?

I noticed the label (as shown in photo above) and was slightly curious so I googled my guts out and was just tickled pink with what I discovered - which then yielded a call to my beautiful Grandma to get her knowledge and information. There is so much about this woman out there but I'll try to keep it to the minimum.

Annette Kellerman (sometimes shows up as Annette Kellermann) - born in Australia in 1886. After a rough start with ailments in her legs as a child, she then went on to become a top female athlete in the field of swimming - something that started as therapy to help strengthen her legs and by the time she was in her teens, she was all but recovered from her disability.

She was the first woman to attempt to cross the English Channel but alas her attempt was not a success - that record was achieved by Baroness Walburga von Isacescu, an Austrian. That did not discourage Annette though and she later attempted the crossing again with success. She often found though that the garments designed for female swimmers back in that era were very cumbersome and designed a swimsuit that would allow her more freedom and ease of swimming - a sleek full length piece with no fuss or adornment and that would fit the body in the way the wetsuits of today do. This was later adapted to the style of the swimsuit as shown in the photo above and it is commonly known that she was arrested on a Boston beach in 1907 for indecent exposure!! One of her quotes which I adore is "I cant swim wearing more stuff than you hang on a clothes line". Yep, good old Annette was quite feisty and outspoken for her time and having read her biography, it was very interesting to note that while she had a side of her that was admirable, she also had an arrogance to her that was slightly off-putting.

*A quick side note before I proceed - some ask why swimsuits of that era were made of wool. The best response I can give you is that the style of materials back then were not as vast as today, there certainly was no such thing as lycra. Cotton was too easy to weigh down when wet whereas wool repelled water much better and therefore was a more practical choice for swimming.*

Still, regardless of her persona, she is to be strongly admired for all she achieved in the progress for women - an advocate for women's physical health, a pioneer in the vaudeville and movie industry, she was fearless in a time when women were not to be seen as so bold. Her body measurements were considered the ideal for women at the time and she was the first major actress to do a nude scene. Her life story was later portrayed in the movie "Million Dollar Mermaid" starring Esther Williams and she was a consultant on the film although it was rumored that she didn't feel that Esther was suitable for the part and didn't really like the idea of anyone trying to portray her.

In all, she was quite a remarkable woman - someone who swam oceans, pools and rivers as well as crossing them to live in other countries and become part of the culture wherever she was. She is recognized in California, Florida and her birth country of Australia - after her death, her ashes were scattered across the Great Barrier Reef. Her star had faded before her death and her story faded into legend but there are many who remember her and hopefully her life and her accomplishments will always be told in years to come.

So thats really a quick summary of someone whom I should have known about as a child of Australia but it took coming to Annette's adopted country myself to find out about her and to learn about this amazing woman. And to own a piece of history with her name attached to it is a huge privilege to me, something I do not take lightly. For all her successes and failures, she never gave up - always believed in herself and remained as sure of herself in times of trouble. She'd have not whined about the cold weather or being tired, she'd have dived right into whatever she was doing and told everyone else to suck it up. Thanks Annette - if you are up in the heavens or below the sea, you've helped me give myself a mental kick in the arse and I'll remember that anytime I whine like a bitch.

Well dear blog readers (hi Val! hi Dan!) - LOL - I'll wrap this up with one more quote from an Aussie legend (not me you silly buggers, I mean Annette!). Stay well, stay warm and stay strong. See you back here sometime next week - if you have any suggestions about what you'd like to see, read or learn about - just shoot me a message. All input and thoughts are greatly welcomed.

Love Sam.

"My early physical misfortune has turned out to be the greatest blessing that could have come to me. Without it I should have missed the grim struggle upward and the reward that waited at the end of it all" - Annette Kellerman circa 1918.

**** WHO LIKES PRIZES?? ****

Lots of fun things happening this year for Riley Street Vintage, including giveaways, events and competitions. Read below for all the info.

1. Monthly Giveaway - each month I'll be doing a giveaway, no rhyme or reason - no rules. A random name will be selected each month as a winner and they will receive a prize in the mail. So easy - just keep checking back to see if your name pops up at the end of each month.

2. Christmas Competition - purchased something from my booth at Antiques Village? Post a photo of your purchase on this page and your name will be written down on a piece of paper and placed in a vintage jar. The drawing for this competition will be done in mid December this year and the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Antiques Village. The more times you post different photos, the more times your name will be placed into the entry jar. Easy peasy.

3. Fashion Shows - there are some ideas for fashion shows in the Spring and Fall that a group of us are working on. We are looking for willing participants to model in these events so if you think you can skip down a runway and have a good time, please drop me a message.

4. Photo Shoots - looking for willing models to showcase some of the various fashions that I have. These shoots will be done at an airfield in Moraine during warmer months on select weekends and we will offer refreshments, snacks and depending on weather, a free ride in a vintage aircraft. If this is something you may be interested in, just shoot me a note via private message. Looking for people with a versatile look and style who can take direction and are lighthearted.