A Slice of Ruby

     Greetings, my readers!! It has been a chunk of time, and another rotation around the sun! This post is going to be a two-for-one kinda party! I’ll be splitting this whole piece up into two parts. Less for y’all to read in one sitting. I’m gonna give a short in-general update and I want to share something that is an older slice of Ruby, but a renewed one.       First, boring updates! Unless you have been following my insta or are lucky enough to be connected personally on FB, you wouldn’t know that I am actively experiencing the rollercoaster that is Bipolar 2 life. Because I have been suicidal before (know I AM okay as I type), I knew the steps I needed to take to not get that deep again. As any mental health journey has its ups and downs, it’s important to speak up and stand up! Doctors and therapists can only do so much, the hard, gross work is up to you. There’s a difference between riding the rollercoaster and not getting off the ride. The tw...

To begin with an overview of American Burlesque history, we must look at the word definitions and what it brought to the society it began in.  The word “burlesque” means: bur·lesque /ˌbərˈlesk/ noun noun: burlesque ; plural noun: burlesques an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something, especially in a literary or dramatic work; a parody. "the funniest burlesque of opera” The word derives from the Italian burlesco , which, in turn, is derived from the Italian burla – a joke, ridicule or mockery. Let’s take a short trip to North America in the beginning or burlesque… American burlesque is composed of three essential influences in the beginning years; Music Hall, Minstrel shows, and Victorian burlesque. These distinct performance artforms traveled to North America around the mid-1800s, gaining steady popularity in the 1860s. Evolving into the renowned performance art that we all know and love today.  Victorian burlesque (or also known as travesty or extravaganza) ...

Greetings and welcome to my (newest) blog. I had a short blog when I started pinup in 2014, under my photography name (JaneilB Photography). I've been around on the interwebs for a little bit and I decided that it is time to vamp up a blog to share all my adventures, interests, and bits of my life in detail.  A little bit about me, but chances are if you are here - you are familiar with who I am, what I do, and all that jazz. My name is Ruby T. Gray, I am a woman living in the PNW with my partner and cat. In 2014, I started my burlesque AND pinup journey. The past 6 years have been the best, most busy, and loved filled days in my life.  In pinup, I am the founder & Western Washington President of Capital City Dolls; Washington's Premiere Pinup Club. Capital City Dolls is a not-for-profit pinup club located in Washington State. Pinups for body positive lifestyle, community outreach, and self-love advocates.  Capital City Dolls is a sisterhood built on common goals by l...