“For her the ocean was more than a dream, it was a place she needed to visit to find herself. And when she returned to the city, you could see the sun in her eyes, the wind in her hair, and taste in the infinite salt on her lips.” - José Chaves
Music: Straight, No Chaser by John Coltrane and Miles Davis
2020-08-31 12:41:40 +0000 UTC View Post
An exclusive sneak peek for my Super Volcano friends.
This is the first time Jeremy and I have done a photoshoot in almost 3 weeks.
I hope you enjoy. Lots more to come...
2020-08-30 18:30:50 +0000 UTC View Post
To the Island, I realized quite a few things.
It’s definitely going to take me some time to get my thoughts together on all of my realizations, but I come home with a full heart.
Thankful for my road family, thankful for my island family, thankful for my children and my incredible friends and this beautiful island full of history and extraordinary humans and my tiny little plunge pool.
I’m stuck in the house on quarantine for the next two weeks or until my test Covid ...
2020-08-30 17:15:06 +0000 UTC View Post
While we have been filming for stripping history here in Puerto Rico, my dear friend Madison Hurley has been filming and photographing these rare vintage showgirl costumes for me in Arkansas.
Here is the stunning Bastet Dafoe, modeling a fantastic costume that once belonged to a stripper from the 1960/70’s who’s stage name was “Strawberry Stems”.
Bastet Dafoe delivers such powerful and elegant images each time she poses for us. We are thankful for her excitement over this...
2020-08-27 21:18:42 +0000 UTC View Post
This week I was fortunate enough to purchase these photos of Shauna Williams.
Her history is lacking, I can’t find much of it anywhere but I do know that she was a burlesque artist in 1940s.
I’ve only just begun to start digging to find more of her history so stay tuned!
2020-08-27 21:10:59 +0000 UTC View Post
For the first time in 2 weeks.
I try to keep my head out of the news while I’m on the road because it can trigger my bipolar disorder pretty badly.
Today I looked.
My heart is broken. I’m so afraid for us.
But we must keep fighting to find meaning in life.
We must fight for humanity.
I don’t understand the world.
I probably never will.
I’m just sending love to everyone.
It’s all I can do.
That and cry.
Please ho...
2020-08-26 22:36:32 +0000 UTC View Post
........ choices were made, stupid fun was had, nobody ended up in the pokey🎉. The night ended on a high note as we celebrated our last night all together as a Picker family in Delaware. Robbie took us all out for dinner and drinks. He showered us with love ❤️ The love was real and we shared as much of it as possible as our trip comes to an end.
This is the least incriminating photo I can show😬
I love my family, life, job and adventures. I’m tha...
2020-08-26 12:25:24 +0000 UTC View Post
Some days my job is incredible! For instance I get to meet all kinds of new people and open my mind to new ways of thinking. Today Robbie bought ice cream for me the rest of the crew, that was awesome! I get to ride around this country with my road family and some of the best of my friends. I have an opportunity to learn history directly from the source and I have an opportunity to change history as well.
But there are days when it’s very heavy to be a picker, to work in an...
2020-08-25 22:15:59 +0000 UTC View Post
The Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista, or in English, Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, located in Old San Juan, is Puerto Rico's grandest religious building, and one of its most important. In fact, San Juan Bautista is the seat of the Archdiocese of Puerto Rico. It's also the second oldest church in the Western Hemisphere, and the oldest c...
2020-08-24 19:58:38 +0000 UTC View Post
I thought I would share with you the “Orgy Shirt”.
Thank you Fredericks of Hollywood💗
2020-08-21 23:22:18 +0000 UTC View Post
From the last few days💗 here is what life looks like right now on the road.
While looking through these photos it’s important to keep in mind that there are times where we cannot wear masks because it’s either unsafe for our job or we are unable to do our job wearing them. If you see somebody who is not wearing a mask in the photo there is a specific reason why. The one where Robbie and I are hugging, obviously we are at dinner together so obviously we cannot wear our masks and ...
2020-08-21 13:02:44 +0000 UTC View Post
Yes, I still have heartburn from the worlds strongest cold brew😂 coffee always gives massive indigestion. But it was so funny to arrive on set and see my friends (Acey Slades) coffee in our crafty area! I had to drink it in honor of him.
It definitely gave me the energy I needed to get through the day🎉
Yesterday’s pick was another incredible experience and today I get to rehash the history of my picks while we do our stand ups.
“Stand ups” are interviews we do ...
2020-08-21 12:48:25 +0000 UTC View Post
Here are the 3 books I selected to bring with on this trip.
In researchingPuerto Rican history i came across Oscar Lopez Rivera, a Puerto Rican Nationalist. The 74-year-old had been in custody for seditious conspiracy since 1981.
https://www.stanforddaily.com/2020/02/22/former-puerto-rican-political-pris...
2020-08-21 12:20:19 +0000 UTC View Post
From yesterday’s pick in PA.
While researching this jacket for a Stripping History story I’m doing on prostitution in Vietnam I came across this article.
Give it a read!
Says hi 👋🏻
We are not wearing masks because we are filming💗
2020-08-20 17:11:19 +0000 UTC View Post
Starting out the day a little behind. Last night the crew met for dinner at the hotel in Harrisburg PA. And we talked, remembered fun times, planned for the future and supported eachother.
After 11 years of working together we are certainly bonded like family. We fight like family and forgive the same.
Over the years I have seen this crew come to the aid of not only myself but each person as they need the love and support.
Two of our cineflix execs Mike and Mary specifica...
2020-08-19 13:19:56 +0000 UTC View Post
Ive been trying to vocalize my feelings in this trip but it’s all so surreal and quick changing that I feel it best to avoid the conversation until I can better communicate everything.
To be continued.....
2020-08-18 15:05:09 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey everybody! I’m indulging in a self care face mask right now 🎉 I made it to Pittsburgh alive and well. I’m actually staying outside of Pittsburgh about an hour but I’m excited to be back out on the road.
Yesterday was such a beautiful day, I got to spend the morning with Jeremy as he drove me across the island to San Juan to catch my flight. We had such a wonderful time together as always and it’s great to sit here and reflect on how blessed I am to have a partner that en...
2020-08-15 14:27:16 +0000 UTC View Post
🎉🎉🎉
Now to pack for 2 weeks of road dog work.
This means a return of road dog diaries here on patreon🤗
Today is OK, it happens to be my son Miles birthday. I can’t be with him so I’m really kind of heavy in my feelings about this today while I am preparing to head out on the road. I remember vividly the day that my son was born. It was a very lonesome time in my life. I was just so excited to have someone love me as much as I love them. He was fascinating t...
2020-08-13 16:55:55 +0000 UTC View Post
Sneak peek of what I’m archiving today!
Everything old is truly new again💗
2020-08-10 11:12:51 +0000 UTC View Post
As I was archiving yesterday I came across some great “Fredericks of Hollywood” 1947-1973 shoe ads in my personal collection.
I actually remember my Barbie having several of these shoes.
It’s incredible to think that this magazine had such an influence on fashion, especially interesting that children’s toys were often times inspired by a magazine known to cater to striptease artists.
From a feminist perspective I’m not sure how to feel about it all. Obviously as...
2020-08-10 10:54:47 +0000 UTC View Post
Just wait till you see the video!
Yuli is wearing one of Loraine Smiths 1960’s g-strings. More to come!
Stripping History is heating up🔥
Go give my girl some love 🖤
https://www.instagram.com/y.ulietta/?hl=en
2020-08-10 01:18:04 +0000 UTC View Post
In researching and brown and black performers of the past within pinup, Burlesque and striptease I’ve realized through the years that there is little easy to find documentation comparatively.
You really have to do your homework.
I found a really great resource in Ebony magazine. These are just a couple great little lingerie ads that I thought were cute. They are Fredericks of Hollywood ads in Ebony magazine.
The descriptions and prices always make me giggle w...
2020-08-09 22:27:23 +0000 UTC View Post
A few photos from my trip to Viejo San Juan last month.
2020-08-09 17:18:24 +0000 UTC View Post
(See the full photo set on my White Hot and Volcano Tiers)
Now, I know that I’ve mentioned my burlesque baby Hot Tawdry before but I don’t think Ive ever really told you about our history.
Right around 2011 Pickers was hot hot hot! I never anticipated that much success that fast. I truly had no idea the way my life would change over the next years. Overwhelmed with my new life and what it mean...
2020-08-09 16:51:38 +0000 UTC View Post
While we have been filming for stripping history here in Puerto Rico, my dear friend Madison Hurley has been filming and photographing these rare vintage showgirl costumes for me in Arkansas.
Here is the stunning Bastet Dafoe, modeling another original and rare Lynne O’Neill costume from her early years.
The elegance grace and strength Bastet Dafoe projects in this photo takes my breath away. What a gorgeous model we have the honor of working with.
I had the best day with my dear one Yuli Padilla, a fierce Puerto Rican pole, burlesque and drag performer from Santurce, while shooting for “Stripping History”.
Here is a sneak peek of Yuli in an early rare Lynne O’Neil burlesque costume that I’m currently documenting for you💗
https://www.instagram.com/y.ulietta/?hl=en
2020-08-08 23:57:32 +0000 UTC View Post
Today I received this beautiful larimar and silver heart pendant from Batey Girls.
I miss my girls and it really lifts my spirits when I receive my monthly Jewelry surprise in the mail💗
Larimar is a rare gemstone mined specifically in Baharona in the Dominican Republic. The very same place the Batey Girls Project is from!
Here is a great article on Larimar🦋
Today I had the chance to make a donation today to “Black Joy Sparkles”. It’s an incredible initiative started by my friend Nona, owner of Looking Glass Gems, to give performers who otherwise would struggle to afford more sparkle on stage. Much like in daily life, we all enjoy having a bit of sparkle from time to time yet for so many people it is simply not affordable. Working in performing arts we spend our time and money creating an experience for you to lose yourself in. Little do yo...
2020-08-04 13:43:38 +0000 UTC View Post