DISCOVER THE THINGS YOUR FAVORITE ClASSIC ACTRESS LOVED

Marilyn Monroe’s iconic shimmy needs no introduction. But you may not know that Marilyn's favorite pair of shoes were made by Salvatore Ferragamo.

And since the designer has re-released some of their classic designs of the era, there is no better time to shimmy your way into your own pair of the designer’s shoes!

Marilyn Monroe reportedly loved Charlie Chaplin films. This is not surprising, perhaps, considering she dated his son.

Watching a Chaplin flick is the ultimate pick-me-up on a bad day. Just try to watch it with a grumpy face. It’s impossible.

There is a famous photo of Marilyn reading Ulysses which is widely thought to be one of her favorite novels. She loved to read...she had a rather extensive library.

Chanel No. 5 is the famous perfume most closely associated with Marilyn Monroe . The perfume really was one of her favorites... but there is another that was perhaps even more so…. keep on reading!

Yes, Marilyn Monroe is famous for Chanel No. 5. But let’s talk about the fact that she once ordered half a dozen perfume bottles of Rose Geranium Toilet Water. She had them delivered to the Beverly Hills Hotel.

You can't buy the perfume itself anymore, but if you are curious about the scent, you can still get Rose Geranium bath oil. It’s all you need to pretend you are bathing in one of Hollywood’s swankiest hotels.

With notes of orange blossom, Jasmine and tuberose, this is an homage to the original L'Interdit from 1957 — Audrey Hepburn’s signature fragrance.

This famous fragrance was commissioned for Grace Kelly’s wedding day to Prince Rainier of Monaco.

The notes of Creed Fleurisimo include bergamot, tuberose, violet, and ambergris.

Grace Kelly’s graduation yearbook listed her favorite actress as Ingrid Bergman. The internationally renowned Swedish actress is best known for her performance in Casablanca, but Notorious is my personal favorite (it’s a Hitchcock film!)

One of Grace Kelly’s favorite poem was this line from the poet Kahlil Gibran...

Did she have her handsome Prince Rainier in her mind when she read it?

Lucille Ball’s favorite perfume smells of fresh oranges. It is perfect for a hot summer day.

There is a more ghostly aspect to this selection, though. Reportedly Lucille Ball’s last words were a request for her Florida Water. This seems odd, unless you consider Lucy’s fascination with various aspects of spirituality. Florida water is considered a talisman against evil.

And lest you think it is an old, outdated scent, know that the fragrance keeps a solid spot on the red carpet even nowadays. Solange even wore Florida Water to the Met Gala.

Whether you are buying it for spiritual reasons or for a fresh orange scent is up to you.

With hints of bergamot, mandarin and lilac, this Parisian-style perfume was one of Ava Gardner’s favorites.

Unlike many classic fragrances, this one is still available. You can grab a bottle of Fracas perfume here.

Chanel No. 5 is the famous perfume most closely associated with Marilyn Monroe . The perfume really was one of her favorites... but there is another that was perhaps even more so…. keep on reading!

Yes, Marilyn Monroe is famous for Chanel No. 5. But let’s talk about the fact that she once ordered half a dozen perfume bottles of Rose Geranium Toilet Water. She had them delivered to the Beverly Hills Hotel.

You can't buy the perfume itself anymore, but if you are curious about the scent, you can still get Rose Geranium bath oil. It’s all you need to pretend you are bathing in one of Hollywood’s swankiest hotels.

This famous fragrance was commissioned for Grace Kelly’s wedding day to Prince Rainier of Monaco.

The notes of Creed Fleurisimo include bergamot, tuberose, violet, and ambergris.

Lucille Ball’s favorite perfume smells of fresh oranges. It is perfect for a hot summer day.

There is a more ghostly aspect to this selection, though. Reportedly Lucille Ball’s last words were a request for her Florida Water. This seems odd, unless you consider Lucy’s fascination with various aspects of spirituality. Florida water is considered a talisman against evil.

And lest you think it is an old, outdated scent, know that the fragrance keeps a solid spot on the red carpet even nowadays. Solange even wore Florida Water to the Met Gala.

Whether you are buying it for spiritual reasons or for a fresh orange scent is up to you.

One time a reporter asked Bette Davis what she was wearing and she replied “Tuberose”. Shop products (from candles to perfumes) that feature the scent!

With hints of bergamot, mandarin and lilac, this Parisian-style perfume was one of Ava Gardner’s favorites.

Unlike many classic fragrances, this one is still available. You can grab a bottle of Fracas perfume here.

With notes of orange blossom, Jasmine and tuberose, this is an homage to the original L'Interdit from 1957 — Audrey Hepburn’s signature fragrance.

Marlene Dietrich set the screen on fire in A Foreign Affair and she managed to be part of a movement — women in trench coats. No longer a fashion staple for the military, the trench coat became a trend that would lead all the way to modern-day, with moments such as Audrey Hepburn in the rain in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or Victoria Beckham’s signature trench coat look (she wears one… like… all the time).

Trench coats are one of those timeless wardrobe staples. Grab one of these gorgeous trench coats and rock the classic style year-round.

As I sit here in my skinny jeans, I honor the trail-blazing women like Marlene Dietrich and Carole Lombard who began wearing menswear. Controversial in their day, their fashion statement also history-making. They paved the way for it to be acceptable for women to wear pants today.

Maybe they should have named the classic film series: Gentlemen Prefer Women in Leopard Print.

There’s a fascinating history of Leopard Print and how women used it to attract the opposite sex. It turns out that science backs it up!

Leopard print is a bold statement. Lucky for you, there are tons of gorgeous leopard print options that will make you feel fabulous, not ridiculous.

I love Doris Day’s simple, honest approach to fashion, including her use of simple, striped sweaters.

Striped cardigans are a classic, but designers have updated them perfectly. In my opinion, at least one striped cardigan belongs in every closet!

Marilyn Monroe’s iconic shimmy needs no introduction. But you may not know that Marilyn's favorite pair of shoes were made by Salvatore Ferragamo.

And since the designer has re-released some of their classic designs of the era, there is no better time to shimmy your way into your own pair of the designer’s shoes!

I adore Carole Lombard. With her energetic, off-beat roles in the screwball comedies of the 1930s, she skyrocketed to comedienne fame. She doesn’t get the credit she deserves nowadays, including the ways in which she inspired her dear friend Lucille Ball.

She was the highest-paid star in Hollywood in the late 1930s; tragedy struck when she was killed in a tragic plane crash on a war bonds tour during WWII. Her husband and the renowned King of Hollywood, Clark Gable, was left devastated.

Read Screwball: The Life of Carole Lombard

Doris Day, the goregous blond actress and talented singer is best-known for her charmng comedic roles opposite leading hunks such as Rock Hudson and Cary Grant. With a career that ranged from radio, to the bandstand, to two dozen films and more than 600 recordings, her loss in 2019 was truly heartbreaking.

She lives on through her work, and this book was a joy to read... I loved the references to local eateries in Los Angeles that still exist!

Read the Biography of Doris Day

Jean Harlow was the sex symbol of the 1930's, but you never would have known it were you to be lucky enough to catch in in conversation. She was one of the biggest movie stars in the world, but she loved to host simple BBQs in her backyard.

Often nicknamed the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde," she was popular for her "Laughing Vamp" movie persona.

Read the Biography of Jean Harlow

Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television, and theater. One can’t watch her performance in a movie like Of Human Bondage ( watch for free on Amazon Prime) or All About Eve and not agree that she is one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history.

Most of the books I have read have been Biographies, not Autobiographies, so I really enjoyed hearing this book full of stories of Bette Davis’ life in her own words. This is a joy to read -- her stories, and her honesty about her broken marriages, are especially easy to relate to.

Read Bette Davis’ Autobiography

The tragic story of Carole Lombard's early and untimely death will have you see her—and Clark Gable--in an entirely different way. An interesting read for true romantics.

And if you love a good ghost story, don’t miss this touching tale of a ghost friendship between Carole Lombard and her close friend, Lucille Ball.

Read the tragic story of Carole Lombard’s final days.

This book was a hell of a good ride — probably because its subject matter is so incredibly fascinating!

Read Ava Gardner’s Biography

This biography of Grace Kelly offered an intimate look into the life of a princess — both the ups and the downs, without sanitization, which I appreciated!

Read Grace Kelly’s Biography

The legendary love story of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall alone is worth the price of this book. The rest is icing on the cake!

Read Lauren Bacall’s Autobiography