Have A Safe & Happy New Year

Enjoy the rare blue moon this evening as you are celebrating the entrance of a new year.

Stay safe, party responsibly....don't change your life forever.

picture from: Flowers For Clarence's photostream

Holiday Greetings

I want to wish all of you Merry Christmas!

I hope you had a lovely, relaxing day with good friends and family as I did...it is what makes life so joyful.

In Memory

In honor of the fallen, please take a moment to salute all who gave their lives sixty-eight years ago today at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

May freedom always reign, thank you for your sacrifice.

photos from flickr, savageman2003

Lost Blogger Surfaces...

I told you not to hold your breath....I told you so...I told you so....

Well, I am here, alive and well.... with no excuses....why bore you with all that....I was gone but now I'm found.

Here are some new vintage pieces for your viewing pleasure over at ClubVintage....enjoy!

Metallic Gold Bows Vintage 70's Clear Vamp High Heel Shoes

Vintage 60's Tiger Stripes Animal Print Faux Fur Coat

Vintage 60's Green Barbarini Suit Black Beaver Fur Collar

Vintage 80's Ruched Silk Lillie Rubin Peplum Dress

Abducted By Aliens? Or.......

I could say that I was abducted by aliens...but that is a lie...at least I think it is...it would at least, be a lame excuse for not posting in ever so long. I have had no strange dreams or marks on my body to suggest I was abducted so I guess that I will just fess up to being a super lazy blogger.

I will do my best to keep up with my postings and not lapse into nothingness.....although I am a very imperfect person so don't hold your breath or anything, ok?

I want to show off some fabulous Etsy offerings...I may be slightly prejudiced as I think my fellow Vintage Fashion Guild members have the best vintage on Etsy or the planet but I promise you won't be disappointed.

Just too cute....
80s Vintage Pink Leather Chuck Taylor Converse Tennis Shoes 7.5 NOS

If your favorite drink is Jim Beam....here's to you!
JIM BEAM Labels Vintage Decoupage Wooden Box Purse Lucite Handle

Absolutely fantastic....

ANGORA and RHINESTONES Vintage 1950s Bolero Cardigan Sweater S 34

Classic Black Suit....a wardrobe must have....
Svelte Handmacher black wool suit with pencil skirt, early 1950s

Vintage Fashion Guild...Fall Inspirations

I just have to brag about the Vintage Fashion Guild's 2009 Fall Inspirations layout. It showcases some of the "best of the best" vintage clothing sellers. This fantastic piece of work gives vintage sellers a chance to show off their vintage items that align perfectly with this seasons fashion pieces hot off the runways.

I am a small seller compared to some of my fellow members of the Vintage Fashion Guild however, even I have a dress represented in the extravanganza!

Be sure to check out all the fabulous pieces over at The Vintage Fashion Guild

For fall 2009, designers have been inspired by past hits from the 1930s
through the 1980s, with everything from Depression-era flights of fancy
to timeless work-worthy suits. Come explore the inspirations for current
fashion, presented by the members of the Vintage Fashion Guild.

Check the following pages to be inspired!

P.S.
You can find my contribution on page 6, number 34. You can purchase this dress at a very friendly price over at my store Club Vintage Fashions & More

This Weeks Estate Sale Treasures

This post is going to be a big tease because I have no pictures of my newest finds. It was overcast and raining all day so picture taking was impossible.

I found some wonderful pieces at the first stop of the day....two formal 50's gowns...five late 40's to early 50's dresses including one that is pink & black...several coats, a nice selection of purses, hats and a sexy 50's swimsuit!

On my second stop the only thing I got was one dress...it is a beautiful aqua blue color fitted sheath, it would look right at home on the set of Mad Men .

The third stop was a treasure trove of vintage sewing patterns, mostly uncut from the 1950's & 1960's.
I also found a great brown faux alligator round suitcase style beauty case filled with sample bottles from Beauty Counselor. Each pink-topped glass bottle fits into its personal built-in pink elastic niche, just what every vintage loving gal needs!

Enough of the tease....if the sun pops out tomorrow I'll snap some pictures of my fabulous haul.

The Rising Guilt...or...My Momma Raised Me Good

I feel so guilty for not posting anything for so long...I guess that my momma raised me right...to feel guilty about everything!

I will be putting up some new fall and winter items at my Etsy store...ClubVintage soon so be sure to check them out...especially the boots.

I want to also recommend that you search Esty vintage by VFG team member...you will find some great offerings from my fellow Vintage Fashion Guild member's stores.... have fun!

Sharing The Love...

I wanted to share some "must haves" from my favorite Etsy sellers, enjoy!

On the lookout for a new winter coat?

Vintage 60s Royal Blue Novelty Tweed Coat XL Fox Fur Collar

How about a classic "little black dress?"
Elegant 1940's Black Crepe and Lace Dress Larger Plus Size

Need a hat to chase away the winter chill?

Exquisite Vintage 1960s Lipstick Red Wool Cloche Style Hat

If you have not shopped at Esty yet I encourage you to give it a try.....you won't be disappointed!

Back To Work...Back To School...

I have been remiss in my blogging duties and listing of new fall inventory at my store...Club Vintage.
I have been busy with last minute appointments...the doctor, the dentist,yuck!

School officially starts next week....but one last weekend hurrah is ahead....I plan to make it memorable. Hope you do too!

I did do a photoshoot last weekend...I will be listing some great boots and shoes in the coming days....check out a quick sneak peek below.

More Fall & Winter....

I know that for some of you it is still blistering hot...middle of a heat wave....but for me, here in Michigan....fall is in the air.
It has not been a hot summer here by any means....but now in the early mornings you can smell fall, feel the crispness....plus the calendar is almost ready to turn to the September page.
When you work at a school, as I have for many years, the September page of the calendar marks the end of your lazy summer days....the tingles begin about a fresh, new year and all of the ups and downs it will bring....the turning of a page signals the circle to begin its spin....school time.

I want to share with you my newest offerings....fall and winter is just around the corner....time to get ready!

Multi-Color Striped Vintage 50's Full Skirt Alfred Werber Shirtwaist Dress Size XS/S

Vintage 50's Gray Wool Coat With Silver Mink Fur Collar and Scalloped Cuffs Size M L

MR. DINO Merlot Velvet Vintage 60's Print Vest Size Medium Large

Rich Cream Vintage 70's 80's Cowl Neck Sweater Dress Size Small Medium

Getting Ready For Fall

Fall is one of my favorite seasons....for clothes....NOT the colder weather...no never that, I hate the cold...snow...slush....all of that.....but the clothes are fabulous.

I love warm and cozy sweaters, especially cashmere. I also have a thing for plaid wool skirts, shirts, and jackets.

Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, I can't keep all of my vintage treasures so I am starting to pull pieces from my collection to offer in my Etsy store...Club Vintage.

Here are a few of the offerings:

Yellow and Black Plaid Vintage 50's Full Circle Wool Skirt

Black Vintage 70's Victorian Gothic Blouse Sheer Lace High Neckline

Vintage GOLDWORM Matisse Art Print Dress and Scarf M L

Anniversary Celebration!

Today is my wedding anniversary.....I can't believe it! The clothes we wore that day are now vintage.....I guess we must be vintage too. How does that happen? All of a sudden we are what the new generation refers to as..... old, over the hill, out of touch.

We were hippies who absolutely loved rock & roll, ....now my favorite music is played on the local OLDIES station!

And we said we would never get old......oh well....here's wishing peace & long lasting love to all.....it has been a REAL........TRIP!

Reminders of the Past

I have been busy lately....so I am behind on my blogging....and a few other things like cleaning the house but it doesn't mind waiting for me....or if it does...TOO Bad!

We have finally found summer....or if not summer, the yard has become a sauna complete with a steam bath rising from foliage everywhere. Of course with the increased temps it also has rained....up to five inches in a few days...no matter....life is good and so are the garden goodies.

To keep cool we decided to spend a few hours shopping. Mr. Club Vintage and I set out stopping first at an estate sale that advertised lots of vintage clothes. It was pouring rain as we got out of the car....umbrellas were seen all around....as I went in the door to the house the smell of cigarette smoke assaulted my nose....made ten times worse by the thick humid air. I wanted to turn back around and leave but the Mr. said he wanted to look around. So, I picked up a few washable items....a wicker plant stand to use outside in the garden and a couple of metal buckets that will be turned into containers for my herbs...again outside at least long enough for the smell to dissipate....I hope. I wanted to purchase some sewing patterns but I was afraid that I would never be able to remove the smell so I left them behind.

This talk of the cigarettes reminds me of how much things have changed.....when I was younger I seem to recall that everyone smoked...and they smoked everywhere! They smoked in stores....yes, stores...even while grocery shopping. I remember that clearly because my parents owned a grocery store when I was a kid and my job was to sweep up the butts they crushed on the floor as they filled their baskets with food....yuck!!!!!
They smoked in offices, businesses, planes, their homes and cars...everywhere!

My concern with all this smoking is that if you love vintage items and add them to your wardrobe and home decor the chances are very good, around 100%, that they were part of the smoking landscape....and will have the remnants of their previous life clinging to them even now. You can air them out, wash them numerous times and use all the deodorizing tricks such as cleaning them with white vinegar, baking soda, kitty litter, and even newspapers. But try as you might....the smell will rear its ugly head on occasions such as a humid day, or if you package an item up for shipping off to a new owner.....things that were odorless thanks to your diligent cleaning efforts.....harken back to their previous exposures.

This is not to say that we can't enjoy these treasures from the past....it just reminds us that they did have a previous life....they were not always in a pristine environment....we just have to accept them for what they are....beautiful reminders of our past history....history that includes the fact that smoking was everywhere.
If you want to share your life with vintage things from bygone days then you need to love them even when they show the uglier side of their past....I for one think they are worth it!

The Blouses Are Coming....The Blouses Are Coming....

As the title suggests "the blouses ARE coming" to my store, ClubVintage at Etsy.

I have been organizing my personal vintage clothing collection and have proven for a fact that there has been reproduction going on amongst the blouses.
I am sure that what once was possibly 30 blouses.... is now 60 or more.
This is a major problem.....I was not informed of the expansion in the population....how rude.

I refuse to harbor any sneaky reproducing blouses and their cousins the vintage shirt any longer. If you promise not to tell .....I will share with you my plan to rid myself of these traitors.....I will be putting them up for sale in my store!

I have already started to secretly divest the goods....if you are interested in owning any of these special blouses or shirts help yourself....just mind my warning....keep them separated.
If you fail to heed my advise.....I accept no responsibility for their reproductive habits!

Estate Sale....Oh MY

I got up real early again today for an estate sale. This one advertised that the whole house was vintage...vintage...vintage! How could I resist?

I waited an hour and a half after arriving early to get my number for the sale to begin. The estate sale company owner was being rude & testy to his workers....as usual....it makes me feel like I'm hearing someone scrape their nails across a chalkboard when I hear him talk to them like that. It makes me wish I had stayed home, honestly....

When they finally started to let us in...(late, of course)....I hurried up the stairs to the bedroom closets...the holder of the treasures. I was up there all alone for quite awhile. Finally I made a few selections and made my way back downstairs to the main floor that was crawling with people. Wow, this was a crazy circus....I had to get out of there! I stood in line, paid for my beautiful vintage dresses and quickly hurried to my car.

I think I'll stay home next weekend...I may love estate sales....but I really hate the circus.

Street Blooms...a.k.a. My Flowers

I just have to share my lilies...these bulbs were a purchase from a school fundraiser my oldest grandson sold several years ago. Due to the cold and snowy Michigan winter they were supposed to be dug up and replanted every year or they would die.....do these perfect pink beauties look dead to you?

I know that I just got lucky that they aren't dead...that my laziness did not kill them.....maybe it is because they are securely nestled up next to my front porch....with a nearly 100 year old house...I'm sure the escaping heat that I pay dearly for has nurtured them....warmed their sweet feet....well at least my hard earned dollars went to a good cause.....:)

While I was out I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of the other flowers that surround my front porch...enjoy!

P.S. See........even the bugs think they are irresistible.

The Allure Of The Suit

I love suits and even just suit jackets alone who have lost their mates through the passage of years....especially 40's suits with nipped waists and exquisite design details...they are one of my favorite finds.

I find that they are one of the easiest things to mix in with a modern wardrobe. Add a jacket with your skinny blue jeans, or over a sundress in the overly air-conditioned world of modern buildings.

I also like to pair a pencil skirt with a perfectly tailored blouse or a pleated plaid skirt with a fitted tee-shirt....you're set to go once you add fab shoes, a bag and your favorite jewelry.

I think that if you want to add a shot of versatility to your fall wardrobe you should look for a vintage suit.

Here are a few beauties from some of my fellow Vintage Fashion Guild member's stores.

Black Cropped Curvy 50s Vintage Suit Jacket L by
Magsragsvintage@Etsy

Tailored 1950s Monochromatic Plaid Wool Vintage Suit by
pastperfectvintage@Etsy

50s Vintage Tan and White Polka Dot Cotton Sateen Suit-S
Denisebrain@Etsy

Vintage 40s Plaid Wool Suit S bust 36"
Coutureallure.com

Today's Estate Sale Treasures

I just got back from an estate sale with some fabulous treasures.

I really enjoy the anticipation...what will I find, will they have a "must have"....I also enjoy sitting in the car reading my current book (The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger)while I wait for the sale to begin.
For those of you who are not familiar with estate sales they give out numbers at a certain time, usually at 8am with the sale not set to start until 9am. Lots of people leave to go get coffee or some breakfast but not me, I don't drink coffee and I hate to lose my prime parking space. I just bring green tea in my thermos and my current book and I sit and wait. I also people watch...I have a few fellow patrons that I visit with...we talk about what we are looking for and what other sales are not to be missed that day while we wait the last few minutes before the opening rush to get inside to see the treasures.

Today's sale had lots of very old collectibles from a former business the family owned...but that is not why I waited....no I was looking for the vintage clothes that they advertised. I got in with the first group....I went straight to the clothes.....hummmmmm. I quickly found a rack of coats, my eyes were drawn to a beautiful leather coat in a soft butterscotch color...it had turn lock closures and huge front pockets.....I peeked inside and found just what I knew would be there....Bonnie Cashin!

As I continued to look with the coat draped over my arm I found a rack of shoes and purses. I reached out and touched a soft leather purse, picked it up and its label read Mark Cross...it was a touch lighter than the coat but went together wonderfully with it....another must have.

I continued on and looked at the jewelry picking up a confetti lucite bracelet. I also found a cute pair of Siamese cat salt and pepper shakers with turquoise rhinestone collars....perfect for my kitchen...they joined my new found treasures.

Next I found a set of eight atomic glasses....too cute.....they join my growing stash.

I checked out and smiled all the way to my car....I love estate sales!

Got The Rainy Day Blues

This has been the strangest summer. If you can even call it summer. I watch the national weather and they keep talking about heat waves, record breaking temperatures....but that is not the weather outside my front door, no way.

We...here in Michigan...have been having a very cool, more like early spring, summer. The weather people say the jet stream is not in its usual place, the dip is too low....yada,yada,yada. It is just plain chilly most days with lots and lots of RAIN!

Today is one of those days....rainy, foggy, cold....with more of the exact same day to follow in the forecast for the rest of the week. So, I have been perusing the offerings of Vintage Fashion Guild members over at ETSY....blue things to cheer up my blue mood....hope they cheer you up too!

Bonton Vintage
Vintage 1970s Blue Hawaiian Dress with Matching Hot Pants Shorts L/XL

Fuzzylizzie
Early 1960s Vintage Chanel Styled Turquoise Blue Tweed Jacket

anothertimeantiques
1950s Vintage Earrings Crescent Moon Blue

ikonic
SALE Vintage 60s Spring Plaid Cropped Pastels Jacket S

The Visitor

I know that the "visitor" has nothing to do with vintage clothing...or accessories...or anything vintage at all...but...I can't help it the story must be told.

The "visitor" arrived early Friday morning, very early. I woke up to a pair of eyes staring at me, my son was telling me something came in his window....oh no, this doesn't sound good...not good at all.
I dragged myself out of bed to see just what all the commotion was about...after all it was still dark out for crying out loud!

I came downstairs to find a pure white cat sitting in the middle of my kitchen with its big eyes looking straight at me...one blue eye & one yellow eye...both staring me down. Mr. Club Vintage gave me the sheepish grin, the one that says I couldn't help it....sure buddy.
Did this come in the window? No, I let it in the front door....great, well now it can leave...it might have fleas...be sick....we agreed, no more pets, remember?
Reluctantly the Mr. scooted the "visitor" out the door.

The Mr. and darling son went off to their jobs and I got busy at home. Later we all went bowling and brought our granddaughter home afterwards. What do I see on the back porch but the "visitor" waiting patiently for our return. Mr. Club Vintage scrounged around for something to feed to the "visitor" as he must be hungry. Soon the "visitor was safely ensconced in the living room being treated to as much love and attention as my granddaughter and grandpa could give, well it was very sweet but my resolve was still strong....the "visitor" must leave.

Next morning there was the "visitor" sitting on the porch with a gift for Mr. Club Vintage....a mole....the scourge of the lawn....the bane of his existence....Mr. was firmly in love!
Soon he took a trip to the store....his bag overflowed with goodies upon his return....you guessed it....cat food, flea collar and treats.
Oh, my, this was getting into dangerous territory. I told him it must belong to someone.....it was too clean, well feed and friendly to be a stray. I quickly volunteered to check the lost & found ads...someone must be missing their baby. I found nothing listed for a white cat with two different colored eyes.
Well, it can stay on the porch another night but not in the house, I'll check again tomorrow.

The next morning there sat the "visitor" with two more gifts for Mr. Club Vintage. He lavished praise on the "visitor" over and over....how great he was...what a hunter...what a good boy! I thawed a little but still I thought the "wonderful hunter" should keep to the happy hunting ground...outside.

Next morning there sat the "visitor" lazing about in the porch chair....appearing quite satisfied & comfortable. I caught myself talking to the "visitor" as I went in and out of the house....he followed me out to the garden and lay sunning himself while I weeded, it was rather nice....shhhh...did I say that?

As evening rolled around I went out to water my plants that surround the front porch....the "visitor" came and sat watching me as I made my rounds with the watering can. When I was done he followed me into the house...slid right in between my feet. He stretched out on the back of the sofa and went to sleep. I didn't have the heart to wake him....but I did snap a few pictures....he was so cute....maybe......

As I was contemplating the whole idea a knock sounded on the front door. I answered the door and there stood a man, a stranger to me....he was asking if we had found a white cat....a white cat with two different colored eyes. He said his nephew had been walking by and saw one on the porch so he thought he would see if it was his cat. Well, Mr. Club Vintage and I said yes, he's here....we'll get him for you. We handed him over to his owner along with the bag of food and treats. Off they went, walking down the sidewalk toward home which was a few blocks away.

As we shut the door for the night I think both of us were both happy and sad at the same time. The "visitor" had found his owner...but we will miss the "visitor."

Woke up this morning and went outside ....there sat the "visitor".....

It's Monday Already????

Wow, where did the weekend go?

Why does it always seem I never finish what I planned to do on the weekend?

Well, thank goodness there is always next weekend!

Here are a few things that will be available soon at my Etsy store....ClubVintage......as soon as I get the listings finished.