and in the dark and in the past, i thought 'oh god my chance has come at last'

This weekend marked the first time ever I had seen Inglourious Basterds. Which is surprising, because I am quite the Tarantino nut. In fondness of the film, I dedicate this post to the lovely ladies of the Basterds, Shosanna Dreyfus, played by Melanie Laurent, and Bridgit von Hammersmark, portrayed by Diane Kruger.

Shosanna Dreyfus (also known as: Emmanuelle Mimieux)

Few other characters in cinematic history embody the phrase "revenge is a dish best served cold" than Shosanna Dreyfus. After her family is brutally killed at the order of Co. Hans Landa, Shosanna manages to concoct her revenge almost four years later when a pro-Nazi film is set to premiere at her local theatre.

During the day, Shosanna relies on slouchy menswear pieces to complete her look. Baggy trousers, overcoats, and sweaters are not unusual, nor are suspenders and her requisite newsboy cap. During 'Operation-Kino' Shosanna channels her inner vixen and dresses at the ultimate Lady in Red. In a body-skimming scarlett gown, paired with a veiled hat, Shosanna makes a memorable last impression on celluloid.

Mélanie Laurent

I have recently come to admire the personal style of the actress behind the Basterd Shosanna, played by the beautiful Paris-born-and-bred actress Melanie (with an accent) Laurent. While she doesn't possess the polished Parisian style of Catherine Deneuve (another French icon of style), Laurent's look is something more akin to Vanessa Paradis. This messy, sexy, and edgy look is precisely what I love most about how French women dress. Laurent has the enviable quality about her that makes her hair look better when it goes unbrushed, and she looks gorgeous in makeup from the night before.

I like that she plays around with different styles, moving seamlessly from detailed little black frocks to romantic silk gowns, before switching it up with leather or marabou feathers. Laurent has experimented with her hair as well - dark blonde, brunette, strawberry blonde, platinum (her current hue), with heavy blunt fringe, shoulder-length, long, short, and everything in between. Her beauty mainstays are subtly smoky eyes and a dramatic lip, often alternating between a nude gloss or a dark red stain.

Bridgit von Hammersmark

Bridgit is the ultimate German film star. With her ice blonde hair and Nordic good looks, it is not difficult to imagine von Hammersmark to be an international celebrity en par with Bergman and Dietrich - she has the alluring accent and a demeanor that is equally as such.
Very much a character in tune with the times, Bridgit sports feminine tailored pieces, like her khaki skirt suit with belted blazer. She adds a bit of an edge with her dramatic hat with a feather poking out the back. At the premiere of Nation's Pride, the film-within-the-film, she embraces true Hollywood glamour in a mostly-backless black gown, white opera gloves, tons of diamond jewelry, and an oversized white fur stole. She finishes the look with subtle makeup - little more that red lipstick - and an orchid piece set in her hair.

Diane Kruger

I have always really admired the way that Kruger dresses. She is one of the few actresses in Hollywood that doesn't use a stylist. Instead, she dresses herself in some of the most stunning pieces I've ever seen - occasionally, she even (gasp!) does her own hair and makeup for the red carpet. She consistently comes out on the Best Dressed list for her gorgeous, unique choices.

In Basterds, Kruger was given her best-role-to-date as the starlet/double agent Bridgit von Hammersmark. She was able to use her native German and gave a truly stellar performance. Because of her connection to this Tarantino film, Kruger has walked the red carpet for many of the big events for the last eighteen-or-so months. Kruger rarely experiments with her signature bright blonde hair, but everything else is up to chance when it comes to how she looks. There is no definite 'style' for Kruger, except for that she wears some of the most exquisite, romantic clothing. With her blonde hair, peaches-and-cream complexion and her soft flowing pieces, she looks as if she emerged from a dream.

Best Dressed Couples of All Time

Maureen "Mo" Starkey and Ringo Starr

The two Liverpudlians were together from 1965 to 1975, and had three children: Zak, Jason, and Lee. Their marital style was rock 'n roll in the truest sense - while Ringo sported long hair and fur coats, Maureen was decked out in psychedelic styles from The Fool. Mo was the most rebellious of all the London dollybirds - she experimented with changing hair colors (I have a fondness for her natural brunette with the blonde ends) and always rimmed her eyes with kohl liner. As they reached the 1970s, their look just became better and better as Mo adopted tough leather pieces and Ringo rocked an unkempt look in sports coats and worn-in shirts.

Carole Lombard and Clark Gable

The classic look of Clark Gable and his wife of three years Carole Lombard screams Old Hollywood. Stories still remain about the couple's relaxed unpretentious life on their ranch in Encino, California, raising horses and chickens. Gable favored a rough Americana style in broken-in Levis, button-down shirts, and boots, whereas Lombard took care of the ranch grounds in sundresses and high heels. Their look was sophisticated, yet with an earthy air.

Wallis Simpson and Prince Edward

The immaculate wardrobes of Wallis Simpson and her husband Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII of the UK) are almost as legendary as the way these two came together. Wallis began having an affair with the beloved Prince of the United Kingdom. The Royal Family despised Wallis and gave Edward a choice: end the affair or abdicate the throne. Edward chose love over power and married the American socialite in 1937. While Edward favored clean suits in sensible colors, Wallis loved tailored dresses (usually long-sleeved) that hit mid-calf, usually accessorizing with a small hat. In the summer, the couple coordinated outfits in pastel pinks and light blues.

Iman and David Bowie

No marriage has so fully summed up the word 'glam' than the 18-year union of the first black supermodel and Mr. Ziggy Stardust. Iman is a legend in the fashion world for her graceful good looks, womanly fashion sense, and entrepreneurial prowess, whereas David Bowie is the messiah of glam rock androgyny. The couple is most certainly a "power couple" in every sense of the word - they command presence more so than anyone I know (of).

Anita Pallenberg and Keith Richards

I would be eternally jealous of anyone who got to raid the wardrobes of Keith Richards and his common-law wifey Anita Pallenberg. Richards openly models himself after a pirate - in a mix of scuffed up leathers, velvets, chains, scarves, and skulls, Keith always looks cool in a way that you know he didn't try at all to get dressed. The bohemian vixen Miss Pallenberg is a legend to every girl with designs on a Mongolian lamb coat and a skinny guitarist of their own. Anita created a look so definably her own that certain gypsy-rocker fashions are dubbed "so Anita." I like looking through photographs of the duo at different times to see how they switched and swapped pieces from each other's wardrobes to create their outfits.

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and muralist Diego Rivera created beautiful art together during their often tumultous two marriages. Rivera, almost always in a suit, tie, and boots, created a great visual contrast to the petite and beautiful Kahlo, who loved to dress in brightly printed skirts and dresses, lace tops, vibrant shawls, and thick wooden beads.

How about you? In your opinion, who are the best dressed couples of all time?

'cause you're working, building a mystery, holding on and holding it in

So my friend emailed this old WWII-era poster to me earlier today, with the subject line: "Do you think Hitler is the little spoon or the big spoon?" I honestly don't know what this poster is trying to prove. I'm familiar with this poster of pretty much the same theme, but what is this trying to get across to middle America? I can just imagine someone with a very authoritative James Earl Jones-type voice, announcing to 1940s women across America, "Ladies, instead of sleeping alone in your bed while your husband is across seas fighting Nazis, go out to your nearest bar/church/grocery store and invite the first fella you see to nude up with you for the evening. It's what your husband - and more importantly, it's what your country - wants of you."

Please, if anyone can enlighten me as to what this poster is about, I will owe you ten thousand scooby snacks.