A Keeper

I bought this dress recently at one of my favorite charity shops...

I was stunned at the condition of this dress; it looks brand new.







It's a 1950's - early 60's day dress in purple plaid; with ric rac trim and big buttons. It's a classic.

Initially I was planning on selling it but now I think I am going to keep it; as it fits me, and I don't have a lot of vintage day dresses that actually fit me. People were miniature 60 years ago; I think.

A little hat, a pair of wrist gloves, and maybe a light cardigan sweater, and I'd feel like I was in the Andy Griffith show. :)

Collecting vs. Hoarding

I know that coming from a self-professed collector, this is going to sound really really weird.

I have been trying to find a balance between being a "collector" and a hoarder. Collecting runs in my blood; I get it honestly from my Mom. *waves at mom*
I buy things on an almost bi-weekly basis - yard sales, auctions, antique stores, thrift shops, estate sales, craigs list, ebay, etsy, etc. etc.

I use less than half. Of course much of it is inventory; but a good percentage goes right into a box and into my storage room.

When I went into my storage room last week and could not even get beyond the door, I knew I had to do something.


A box lot of vintage gloves, belts, scarves, hankys, etc. I purchased at an antique auction for $3.

Much of it has gone out of the house and straight to my shop. But it's not just those things - it's everything else, too.

So I decided I have to pear it down, and this time I am serious. Of course, you should not get rid of things like:

- Gifts
- Memories
- Family relics

But if I don't love it, use it, need it; and if it is not any of the things listed above, I am probably going to toss it.

Too many shoes, coats, bags, crinolines, china, silverware, beer mugs, lamp shades, out dated home decor I will never use because it is not vintage - bye bye.


My table, as I sort through my things for the shop and record them in my inventory book.

I still have a set of towels that were wedding gifts, and we've never used them. WHAT?! Seriously?

I am tired of loosing things in my stash and having to dig through boxes to find them.

And I know I inherited Grandma's sewing stuff - all 8 huge plastic tubs of it - but I am going to have to surmount my guilt and toss the purple stretch velour fabric. I know I will never use it. Sorry, Gramma.

And I am sick - sick to DEATH - of those two curtain stretching frames. Grrrrrr

Anyone want a vintage curtain stretching frame? You can HAVE it.


Yep. Too many hats.

My First Treasury

So, I've been in a lot of other people's Etsy Treasuries, but I never made one myself.

I've started to, but it takes forever to find 16 "just right" items; requiring hours of searching in some cases.....

So finally today I broke down and did it; just to say I have. It did take forever to find just the right things and copy and paste all those dang URLs and notify all the shop owners...... ugh.

And I didn't even include one of my own items; as most people do.

So here it is. I don't think this is front page material; but that wasn't my goal. Let me know what you think - here or on Etsy. :)

Old Country Store Theme Treasury

Autumn Table

The vast majority of my china is blue and white, red and white, violet, and Homer Lauglin pinky, rosy florals; pink depression glass, anything turquoise; etc. etc.

However I have a few pieces that I drag out this time of year for their autumn theme; along with other elements of "rustic-y-ness" for setting a lovely seasonal table.

Like this very old creamer. I love old, stained pieces; plain white, with good lines, and lots of "crazing". (Crazing is all those little spider web like cracks on old china.)



I bought this, thought it matches nothing else I have, because of it's unusual shape, color, and the cornucopia design. I just love it. I wish there was a whole set.....



My mom got this - it, too is unusual, with it's orange and purple poppy motif. Purple is one of my favorite autumn colors.


These Homer Laughlin pieces date to the early 1930s.




I love mismatched old silver. I use it all the time. It's so "shabby chic". I love to use the pieces with grapes and berries in the fall.

Mad Men

So I've been hearing all kinds of buzz about the show "Mad Men" from vintage sellers/buyers; "Mad Men" is a regular tag and title used on etsy for 60's items; etc.
But I had never seen the show; so I got season One from Netflix.





And - sorry, "Mad Men" fans - I was most certainly unimpressed.

Yes, the costumes are fantastic. I appreciate that aspect - 1960s fashion is very misunderstood and under appreciated by some who associate the 1960s only with "hippie" and "mod"; and don't take into consideration the classics like the "wiggle" dress, sheath dresses, etc. The 60's had a LOT of timeless styles to offer the fashion world. And these are showcased in Mad Men.

But I could not get past the charaters; or the plot. Especially the leading male role, Don Draper, who comes across as a good looking, alcoholic, chain smoking, womanizing, aloof person who is habitually unfaithful to his perfectly lovely wife. Ik.

And the fact that the leading female office role seems to be intent on completely undermining a new office girl's purity and scruples. Gag.

The men are all rude and disrespectful of the women in the office, and everywhere else; and I simply cannot detect a solid plot beyond the routine rudeness to women, and talking about advertisements.

Ok, by the third episode, some of the screwed-up home life of these people started to emerge as well. Yay.

All while looking amazing in spot-on 60's costume; I'll give it that.

Maybe it's just my wholesome, country, church going, "respect ladies and treat them like princesses" upbringing getting the better of me.

But Season One Dick One was enough Mad Men for me.

Can anyone tell me if it gets better? If it improves, maybe I'll try watching some more.

I just have a few hats......

This was what the guest room bed looked like as I sorted through my hats before moving into my new shop location. This does not include a couple that were packed away still....

And I bought more since this photo was taken. Several more. Okay, eight more.

Anyway.... this is what my shop spot looked like after everything was cleaned, and the clothes racks painted and moved in, and all the other "prop" stuff, and some of the shabby cottage style furnishings....



And -



Yesterday was move in day and I didn't take photos of the final shop look..... this week I will post some.

Come and see me sometime if you find yourself in North Carolina/Virginia.

I recently listed this girl's cute lavender prairie dress and sold it.



How thrilled I was to receive this photo soon after! The little girl wore it for a field trip. How sweet!

 

I love seeing old things loved once more. It makes me smile. Thanks to my customer for this great photo!