Thursday, January 7, 2010
Sex & the Single Girl
We owe a lot to the generations before us.
As a young, single career gal, I have to admit that one of the most important books ever written in the 20th century was "Sex & the Single Girl." It revolutionized modern society as we know it.
The best-selling phenomenon stunned (and alarmed) the general public by stating young, single women actually had *gasp* sex lives and it should be accepted. It celebrates the single woman in all her glory. It paved the way for women today. Know a lot of girls living with their boyfriends? This book helped make that possible. (It also was the inspiration for Sex & The City decades later).
In 1964, the shocking book was turned into a film starring the talented Tony Curtis and the lovely Natalie Wood.
Wood plays Helen Gurley Brown, a psychologist and author of the book, and Curtis plays a womanizing scumbag journalist, Bob Weston, who works for a notorious tabloid. For his next article, Weston woos the 23-year-old psychologist in order to expose whether or not her book is "autobiographical" or not. Obviously, hilarity ensues.
If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it. The actors are charming, the dialogue is fresh and smart, and it has some adorable and cheesy laugh-out-loud moments that only retro films can provide.
Another reason I love it, however, is because of Natalie Wood and her wardrobe.
(Isn't she divine?)
I have been a huge fan of Wood since I saw Miracle on 34th Street when I was a little girl. Since then, I have enjoyed all her films, especially Rebel Without a Cause, West Side Story, and Splendor in the Grass.
Plus, she was quite the style icon.
She was amazingly talented, naturally beautiful, and undeniably glamorous.
Here are some of my favorite photos of Natalie Wood.
Enjoy!
Wonderful post! Gosh, she's stunning!!
ReplyDeleteAmber
ambersmouthwash
This definitely was a revolutionary book. I didn't know it had been made into a film though.
ReplyDeleteher wardrobe IS freaking awesome. good post!
ReplyDeleteShe is gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteI love it!!
Want to read this book!!
www.clashingtime.blogspot.com <3
Sounds like such an interesting book! I need to read it. And the movie looks good as well. Natalie Wood: GORGEOUS.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of that book or the movie before! I'm really surprised...thanks for opening my eyes. And thanks for checking out my blog! I'm glad that there are others who are still adjusting to the "real world" as well :D
ReplyDeleteOh, Natalie Wood looks lovely! I'll have to check this movie out!
ReplyDeleteAbout your comments to my blog- I live on the Plaza, so I am definitely geeking out about the F21 addition! Very, very excited! It looks like it will be huge!
The best/weirdest part about the F21 dress I was showing was that the cardigan is actually part of it. They're sewn together! It's fun, but kind of cheap when you can tell what it is.
I now want to read this book or maybe watch the movie. Although I am a guy, it is always good to see a woman's perspective on the subject. This movie seems interesting for those interested in sociology. The way times have changed is crazy!
ReplyDeleteThis actress is definitely beautiful and very glamorous.
Buenos deseos,
Aquiles from The Coffee Cup
i'm intrigued by this movie:) i'll have to check it out. thanks for sharing, jennifer! i agree, she's stunning! wow, she's quite the syle icon with her gorgeous wardrobe. i loved her in west side story:D
ReplyDeleteTheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com
I love those images...I haven't seen this film. And it's kinda interesting ha.
ReplyDeleteHey, glad we are FB friends now. And I'm happy that you got your FB back sweetie.
I can only imagine the ruckus that book caused when it first came out!
ReplyDeleteNatalie, what a stunning beauty and like you say so glamorous and very talented!
Love and hugs,
Karyn
Natalie Wood is fabulous, I loved her in Westside Story. I will have to check out the others you mentioned. Glad you recreated a facebook page, I am sure you will find your friends in no time.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Wood is absolutely gorgeous! A fact you might be interested to hear about: did you know that in times of economic depression (like now!), everything is "sexed" up? For instance, take a look around. Do you notice the skirts getting shorter, the blouses getting more sheer, and the lingerie poking out a bit more? I found this fascinating!
ReplyDeleteSydnie
www.takemeouttotherunway.blogspot.com
Shes so pretty
ReplyDeleteI love her singing I feel pretty, I sing that song when I am happy...
I also love splendor in the grass what a fantastic movie
I so need to see this! Why? Your review was fabulous; and I adore Natalie Wood!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo completely gorgeous! and very neat sounding book. i'm interested ;)
ReplyDeleteoooh i love ald movies like those :)
ReplyDeletelove the girls back then and how they dressed
xx,
http://whitenailpolishandcoffee.blogspot.com/
Natalie Wood is just so beautiful & so stunning & sooooo talented. My dad is a big fan so I've seen a few of her movies. I've never heard of this book or movie. I MUST go get it tomorrow. =)
ReplyDeleteJen, I read your last comment twice all the way through. It's a shame isn't that people just seem not to care. I don't think they realize how much it hurts. If your friends ever are not there, i'll give you my email & my phone number if you need an extra unbiased ear to listen. I mean that truthfully. I respect you. I respect your journalism career too so much. I hope your having a good week hun. =)
she looks divine and reading your post made me want to check out the movie asap..thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteAn icon for sure. West Side Story baby!
ReplyDeletei adore natalie wood! and i love your blog title!
ReplyDeletexxx
vb
victoriabitten.blogspot.com
lovely outfits!
ReplyDeleteI love this post :)
ReplyDeleteI always love how women dress up in the old times, tres maqnifiques
hmm i definitely have to check this out! (the book and the movie) :)
ReplyDeleteWow, she's fab! Such a classic style, she wouldn't look out of place now!
ReplyDeletehttp://dreamingspiresandoldcartyres.blogspot.com
OMG, the wardrobe. And she's stunning. Great post :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful review. I wish I could write as well as you and I think this sounds very interesting. I think I might see it now and I like how it was inspiration for sex and the city. I also watched a documentary of Natalie Wood on tv once.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Wood ... You are sorely missed!
ReplyDeleteFabulous post, darling!
ReplyDeleteLove all these pics!!
xoxox,
CC
Love NW. She was a class act! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSC
She embodies some of Audrey Hepburn on each shot. I'm definitely interested. I might just have to get that book!
ReplyDeleteNatalie Wood is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteShe is beaatiful! Great post!
ReplyDeleteP.S.: ♥Please don't forget to join the Miss C. Alexandria giveaway!♥
Good luck!
X♥X♥
WOW great post sweetie! i've never heard of her before but she looks stunning. I love how they use to dress back then x
ReplyDeleteMissy
For all things fashion:
http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com
I saw a special on the History channel the other night that talked a lot about that book. It was very forward-thinking.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of Wood. She is gorgeous!
I love Natalie Wood, Splendor in the Grass is one of my fave movies. So beautiful and iconic xo
ReplyDeleteLovely weekend!
she is an icon. her style is really inspiring! thanks for sharing Jen.
ReplyDeletexx,
betz
http://herarmoire.blogspot.com
Wow, Natalie Wood is sooo beautiful and glamorous! That was a wonderfully inspiring post and I agree with you on every count :) Thanks for sharing, and for the lovely comment on my blog!
ReplyDeleteClaire Marie x
http://tea-breaks.blogspot.com
Ooh, you're not playing fair Jen. Natalie Wood was a stunningly beautiful woman who exuded class. When I was younger I always wanted to steal her away from Robert Wagner.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read that book. I think it would be pretty damn tame compared to what I'm reading now.
My generation's parents had a field day during the sexual liberalization of the sixties, which paved the way for safer sex down the road.
Now with everything out there, unless you're sleeping with a virgin you have to pretty much encase yourself in frigging Saran Wrap before you can 'get busy'.
I am going to rent it this weekend. thanks. remember to enter my first giveaway in 2010. : )
ReplyDeleteShe was gorgeous! Always nice to be reminded of the classic style icons.
ReplyDeleteI love Natalie Wood, especially in Rebel Without a Cause...she is a glamorous inspiration to be respected! These photos of her are stunning and I will need to check out this movie, you always find the gems! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Rachel
This definitely was a revolutionary book. I didn't know it had been made into a film though.
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I love her outfits. If only there was occasion to wear these clothes now. I can't see myself going to a club in them. lol
ReplyDeletewww.theclichequeen.blogspot.com
she's adoraballs. She looks a little like Katie Holmes.
ReplyDeleteshes gorgeous !
ReplyDeletenice post!
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What an interesting post. I haven't seen that movie yet, but I really want to! It so wonderful how far women have come. I couldn't imagine not being able to live with my boyfriend. Great post!
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I adore Natalie Wood.... and I love that movie as well! Thanks for posting these stunning images of her. Hope you're having a lovely weekend so far!
ReplyDeleteWow, loved this post. I need to read this book!!
ReplyDeleteThese are really women that come across with high levels of class that todays society does not give as much credit to. I find them in my life but they are like rare jewels to find. The ways that these women thought were ways that brought workability to relationships.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Tom
Love these pictures!! havent seen the film ill have to check it out.
ReplyDelete:)
magpie-girl.blogspot.com xo
Wow, I hadn't realized how beautiful she was! Nor was I aware that it was an inspiration for SATC!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I think you look a lot like the lovely Ms. Woods!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteWhoo hoo for single career women!
Those pictures are AMAZING. I think I'm going to print them and post them on my mirror!
This is really a great post, you always put up such great photo's and such beautiful people, you have such a lovely blog!
ReplyDeletenathalie's so gorgeous
I adore this post!! She defines true beauty!
ReplyDeleteive heard of the book but ive never seen this film ... maybe i can get my hands on it
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