Friday, July 31, 2009

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.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

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.

Monday, July 27, 2009

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

Friday, July 24, 2009

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!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

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

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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".....

Monday, July 20, 2009

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.