The Violet Eyes of Elizabeth Taylor. Now THAT’s a Dame.

I have always had a fascination with Elizabeth Taylor. I think part of it was that she was a feisty brunetteâ€”growing up all the fairytale princesses and 70s superstars had flowing blonde locks. She was beautiful but she was also strong. My mom is a big movie buff and always introduced us to classic films. I remember watching Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Giant. Taming of the Shrew. And Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf. I thought she was amazing. She passed away today at the age of 79. While she lived a full, rich life, she had her share of ups and downs. She was a perfume mogul and a two time Academy Award winner. She was a fiercely loyal friend, a huge AIDS activist and all around saucy dame! A few years ago I wrote this post on my other blog, Strawberry Lemonade. I still love these images. I hope you do too.

If I were to say to you “Quick! Word associationâ€”Elizabeth Taylor!” What would you say? Richard Burton? Jewelry obsession? Â Friend of Michael Jackson? Cat on a Hot Tin Roof?Â White Diamonds?? I think one thing most will agree upon is that she is a very handsome woman. What many forget (blinded by the White Diamonds?) is that back in the day,Â Elizabeth Taylor was STUNNING. We’re talking jaw droppin’, make-Angelina-look-like-she -was-beat-with-the-ugly stick, stupifyingly beautiful.

Ms Liz was married 8 times to 7 husbands (twice to Richard Burton), she has one of the largest privately owned jewelry collections around, and was the co-founder of amfAR. I love that she looked so lady like, with a wide-eyed naivty, yet she was always extremely feisty, could swear a mean, blue streak. She was a woman who did her own thing.

Check her out in all her violet eyed glory.

First up, the young 1940s “national velvet” and “lassie come home” era Liz:

Honestly, how gorgeous is she?

A little older and hair a little shorter, but still so striking. This was the 1950s:

“I am a very committed wife. And I should be committed too â€”for being married so many times.” â€” Elizabeth Taylor

Hello bouffant! La Liz does the 60s in style:

â€œThe problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.â€ â€” Elizabeth Taylor