Ilene Powell was 17 when she began recording details of her life and loves in this diary of 1925. She was a teenager who enjoyed dancing, shopping, fashion and meeting friends. She wrote on 11 February: 'Phew! Bill phoned this afternoon. Met him in Oakroom, had tea, and went to the Triangle - got in same bus as Teddie Daley! Saw the Sultan's Salve...Had another letter from Terry, also a topping little seed pearl choker necklace.'

Despite her hectic life, Ilene was continually dieting. Her entry for January 14 reads: 'I have lemon juice in hot water, with no sugar, instead of my first cup of tea, also apples before a VERY small breakfast of dry toast and weak tea — if this doesn't get my fat down I'll give up dieting!' She was self-conscious of her appearance but popular with a number of young men. On February 7, she noted: 'Danced with all the lads as usual, stopped Bill from going to the 'Old'. Had a good time. Six people asked to take me home. There was a fight and Mrs Morgan fainted. Ticked off JG for making love to me [flirting] on the roof garden.' Similarly on March 20 she describes a day of lunching, shopping and theatre that ends at her friend Pam's house: 'Merry evening of music, dancing, wines, trying of frocks. Norman and I entertained the company with stiletto dances, tango etc.' Ilene kept her diary for just a few months but it provides a facsinating glimpse into her life.