I Do Believe I've Snapped.

........................But I love LOVE LOVE having my apartment back! A couple weeks ago...literally, November 25th, I walked past a little empty store front on my way to the vintage furniture store next door. We need a sofa....a used (albeit perfect at the time) vinyl sofa turned out NOT to be the perfect sofa for a family with a toddler and a handicapped cat who has his claws. Its looking a little....well, shredded comes to mind. I needed a sofa.

Walking past the corner shop, which used to be a deli, I suddenly could SEE it as my own vintage store. No plans to do so, was not looking for a space....but there it was. I made some calls and things literally fell into place so fast I now plan to open January 4th! I could bore you with the details of how excrutiatingly PHYSICALLY painful getting it this far has been....moving all the clothes, the racks out of my dining & living rooms....painting, cleaning, mopping. But instead I'll show you this! Click to get to my website to see more pictures......Ang

RESURRECTION

...................Awoke this morning from a vivid dream. I was shopping in a thrift store and came upon a brightly colored, shimmering green moth preserved and mounted on tinfoil (I know that makes no sense, but dreams are wacky like that). As I carried it around I was very aware of its WEIGHT....its body seemed very solid, it was a large moth....heavy. I bought it and had it set into a shallow box. When I got home, getting out of the car I looked into the box as I carried it in and the moth started to move. First the legs, then all over. I was with someone (dream-thing, no idea who) and called to them to look.....very quickly the moth pulled it together and flew up into the air. It came back to me to thank me for saving it (this is how I perceived it), and butted its head up against my forehead in a cat-like way.....then flew up & up and I watched it get smaller and fly away. I worried a moment when it seemed near some birds that it would be eaten....but it simply flew further & further away til it vanished.

One of those dreams so vivid you can't stop thinking about it, so I looked up moths online this morning and the symbolism seems to be that the emergence from sleep/cocoon state of moths & butterflies is that of an awakening or realized dream, creatively speaking. Appropos given that I am in the process of opening my own vintage store.

Sometimes poking around online looking for things you don't normally look at can prove fascinating. I learned that the moth is often the symbol of insanity based on humans misunderstanding of the moths somewhat suicidal attraction to flame. Also found this page at WHAT'S THAT BUG, which has a section on identifying moths but also the section linked, which is a series of pictures sent by bug-folk of bugs "in love". It simulatneously fascinated and terrified me. Spider sex= more SPIDERS. A loving head butt with a moth I can apparently handle, but spiders.....ack.

Ang

All I Want for Christmas....

......................Is to never, ever, ever hear that damn song by Spike Jones (or anyone, but more that version than any) AGAIN. Its been stuck in my head all morning today, without even hearing it in the last 24 hours. Just popped in, apparently to torture me. So much so that it forced me to look the man up on Google, where I found that he really wasn't only capable of singing cloying nails-on-a-chalkboard holiday songs. Strangely, I am tempted to find something by him to find out what he could possibly sing that isn't done in a hideous, creepy child-like voice with that GOD-AWFUL whistle.

PS, he looks insane.

Merry Christmas~~Ang

Want a Little Who-Ha? (or, the Holy Family)

.................I do! Quite by accident, in reality the result of a love of vintage shoes, I have stumbled into the RAMONA HOTEL, of BisKiT'S POSSUM SAUSAGE EMPORIUM. And indeed, she still has some cool vintage shoes listed.....but I digress, led astray by the pretty shoes. Can't help myself.

When the shoes I nabbed from her arrived yesterday, my birthday even, she included some postcards featuring her artwork. I have to admit, when I shopped the shoes, I didn't even look at her other listings. Not only is that rude, but poor shopping (combined shipping!). Said postcards intrigued me.....bottlecap characters, Hank Williams, Bettie Page & the Virgin of Guadalupe. Behold....

Click, to see more. And buy some!

So, off the wee child & I go to bed, and she snagged the postcards as they were new & new is shiny & shiny is pretty to small girls. In bed, where we sit & read books before the sleeping, she becomes enamored of the Virgin bottlecap lady. Loves her. Says she is beautiful, is moony, smitten....she's beautiful, wonderful, looks like a nice lady, don't you think Mommy? Isn't she pretty? Yes, yes, I say. Who is she? Well, we're not terribly religious, but this worked....she's Mary, Jesus's Mommy. She likes that.....then tells me the other two look "evil". Her word (and again, I reiterate, we're not so religious, so no idea where "evil" came from, but admitting I was amused). Apparently the child is very perceptive.....even faces morphed into bottle cap critters can still tell stories.

Now, she asks.....where is Jesus's Daddy? I say, we don't have a picture of him. She says....THIS one can be his Daddy. That one being Hank Williams. So, in our home, apparently Hank Williams is now God. I mean, I like him, but now.....well, he's God. She goes on to announce that Bettie Page can be his sister. Sister Bettie. Yep.

That's a pretty twisted holy family, but wonderfully colorful & I wholly approve. I emailed Ramona Hotel about it, and have since had a chance to check out the WHO-HA SITE, which I won't claim to be all hip & in the know on, I'm a middle class chick from Iowa so what do I know of folk/outsider art?

What I do know is I love it. And I am glad my daughter loved it enough to force my interest in the midst of a busy world & life. It's a damn fine site, really cool stuff & in my limited experience thus far, fantastic people. I'll be taking up a collection for the Hank Williams/PBR altar, just contact me for my Paypal addy.

Ang

The Ilka Files, Final Chapter

.....................For now, as I also bought her book & may share parts of it now & then. Today will finish the 3 part series comprising an excerpt from a lecture she gave in 1941, published in Vogue magazine. See the last several entries to get the whole picture.

Ilka Chase, the Philosophy of Being a Woman, 1941

"Of course, I don't mean that we should make no effort to improve our taste- there is an enjoyment that is to be derived from the best, that nothing else equals- I just mean not to say "yes, yes" to what we don't care for through snobbishness & timidity. But it is just as unwise to condemn something on first sight or hearing it as it is to gush over it. We sometimes dislike things because we don't understand them; whereas, if we would take the trouble to see the creator's viewpoint, it might open up a whole new horizon.

And, if instead of always playing a passive role, we can create something ourselves, so much the better. It is obvious most of the stuff we do will not be very good, but the important thing, it seems to me, is to do it. Naturally, there are authors, inventors, scientists, in whom the creative urge still flourishes, but I feel there's a slowing down of that force in average people, the civilian population, so to speak. We aren't productive enough. We accept everything without trying to achieve anything ourselves.

We are eternally on the receiving end. We don't write a book, we read it. We don't compose music, we listed to it. We don't paint the pictures, we look at them. It's the same with our food- we eat it, but we don't grow it. Some of us, myself for instance, though I hate to admit it, can't even cook it. We buy our clothes instead of making them. We don't take a walk, we ride to the village. God help us when we find a subsitute for bearing our children or loving our men. It's not that all the time-saving devices aren't miraculous, but what are we going to do with the time we save? Don't let's atrophy like those forests of the West.

And there's another point, which, as we are women, we would do well not to overlook. Namely, nothing is so encouraging to a man as a little bright eyed interest in his work. We can bluff just so long, and, of course, while "Oh, isn't that wonderful" is not to be disregarded as a conversational winner, an intelligent question slyly inserted from time to time will do a great deal to boost our reputation of being a sympathetic and charming person.

And let us not forget that though they are sometimes overlooked in the rush, sympathy and charm are still the great feminine standbys. Goodness knows I don't mean to endorse that dreadful phony kind, the gushing, overflowing woman who says "Oh, my dear, tell me about yourself. I know what you must be going through. When I think what I suffered-". That aint good; or the charm girls with the rippling laughter, "Ha, ha, ha". We've all suffered from them. Thats not what I mean, and though we all have our own definition of charm, I sometimes think iit largely in taking time. Time to do the gracious, simple, kindly thing. To send the flowers to the hospital, to call on a newcomer in your neighbourhood, to write a gay and entertaining letter. That gentle art, alas, is nearly dead. We either telephone, or we send rude, abrupt telegrams. An invitation these days is almost an insult: "Stephensons coming to town Stop Will you dine Tuesday Stop Bring children Stop Jack's mother here so can't ask you to stop Stop Regards" Stop Stop Stop. Oh its terrible. Let us take just a little time."

That's how it ends, abruptly as the telegram she's just mentioned. I think there's a lot to consider in this article....a lot that applies, in many cases more so, today as much as it did in 1941. I do think we all assume that because we are not "officially" an author, painter, or chef, that we cannot do those things well. And we believe if we cannot do them well we ought not do them. And thats truly sad. I believe our society has become so inundated with professionals at absolutely everything that we've become accustomed to assuming someone does everything better than we do.

But creating is not about doing it well. I used to write.....wrote poetry, mostly. Poetry is hardly a way to make a living, and somehow I got it in my head that because I'd never be good enough to be a well paid poet (yeah, because those exist), I wasn't GOOD at it. My poetry was me. Why would I tell allow myself to believe that my feelings, thoughts & dreams weren't GOOD enough?

Whether or not I revisit poetry as a means of creative escape remains to be seen. I'll write here, and it helps.....no matter who reads it. But I hope if anyone DOES read this, that maybe they will come away with a little inspiration from this 60-some year old lecture.....and remember what they used to do that made them happy before they let the world tell them they weren't good enough at it to do it at ALL anymore.

Do it anyway! Be horrible at it, be mediocre at it......don't let anyone see/hear/experience what you do if doing so makes you feel inadequate. But do it. And if you have children....encourage them to do it too. Never tell them they're not good at something they love doing. I know what things I'm good at, and I ended up lucky enough to do that for a living. But I'm going to spend some time finding out what I'm NOT good at, that I like doing anyway. Like singing. Ang

Interrupting Ilka

.................Ilka will be back, but while I am thinking of it, I want to share one of the most amazing movie star GLAMOUR nightgowns I've ever seen, from one of my favorite vintage lingerie sites, Silver Screen Loungerie.........

Click & enjoy. You can only find better (OK, as good, maybe not BETTER) at my own lingerie site! DOROTHEA'S LINGERIE

20% off all lingerie this month!

Ang

Ilka Chase part II

............I know I'm late, I know I know. On with the article (it gets better!)

Of course, it's pleasant if we can find time to cultivate the mind a teensy, weensy bit, too, so that if a gentleman, devastated by our beauty, addressed us, we have some comeback other than "Glug". Not, alas, that it's really necessary; if we are young enough and beautiful enough, and the gentleman is mentally inexperiences, shall we say, which frequently he is, "Glug" will sound just fine. You will hear him muttering, "That little blonde, the one with the lashes, very clever girl, bright, witty understanding". It's kind of discouraging, you join Book Clubs, you attend lectures like this, you listed to symphonies, you take a course in the drama, and what appeals to him? Glug. Sometimes the self-improvement scarcely seems worth the effort.

I think, fundamentally though, it is, and I'll tell you why, for two reasons. One is it's surprising how enjoyable learning can be. You can, yourself, personally, have an awfully good time. Learning about things can be lovely, like opening windows and seeing the most beautiful views. One may experience tremendous satisfaction. We may someday find a man wandering in that magic country, too. THAT'S the second reason. If a man and a women find each other there, thet have really entered into a secret garden. The bloom on their affection will never wither, but be constantly refreshed by quick sympathy and mutual enjoyment.

Now all this I am sincere about, but I do feel there is one pitfall we must avoid in our search for the good, the true, and the beautiful, and that is a kind of intellectual snobishness. I am thinking primarily of the world o' arts and letters, where more of it goes on than was ever seen in the haunts of duchesses.

Better be born on the wrong side of the tracks, for instance, than admit to liking the wrong piece of music, although if you cotton to the 1812 Overture, I don't know why you shouldn't come out and say so. The intellectual snobs, however, are waiting like vultures to tear you to ribbons, but don't be afraid, speak up, even if your taste isn't in accord with the experts. After you look, listen, and read for your own pleasure, not their approval. Personally, I revel in low-class literature, where everybody sins in sables and Lord Dumbarton breaks his heart over the beautiful Lady Cecily and sails away to Africa. "Good-bye, Cecily, I shall neva forget you". And Lady Cecily says "Dear Bunny, if only our lives had been different- think of me sometimes- not too harshly". And she turns away with a little sob. (GULP) Escapist literature, I think they call it, and thats for me. Remember THE GREEN HAT some years back? For sheer effulgent tripe its never been equalled, and I can think of no book I emjoyed more. And only the other day, no less a light then Miss Ethel Barrymore, the first lady of the theatah, confided to me that the only movies she ever liked were B pictures.

More tomorrow! And here's Ilka in the dress described in the last post.....

The Philosophy of Being a Woman (Vogue 1941)

.................Have I mentioned I love old fashion magazines? Love. The pictures, the fashions, the advertisements, the products I cannot have without a full scale lifetime search.....love them. When time allows, I even love the articles. This particular Vogue magazine came from Jean's estate (more on Jean HERE). Its from November of 1941, making it timely as well as fantastic. Thought I'd share an excerpt from an article I've enjoyed about and BY Miss Ilka Chase (perhaps best remembered for her role in the deliciously wicked film, "The Women"). The editor introduces her this way.....

Known as a calmly acidulous actress, a radio star who can make a program sparkle by rubbing together two wisecracks and one celebrity, Miss Chase this winter adds two new strings to her bow. She is writing a book of memoirs, and she is buckling down to a full-term lecture tour. For some lectures, Miss Chase will wear the dress from Falkenstein shown opposite- a close black jersey top, a spreading skirt of brown faille, hung with black tassels. And from this vantage point, she will utter her own light-hearted, debunked thoughts on being a woman.

"THE PHILOSOPHY OF BEING A WOMAN A Gay and Pithy Excerpt From a Lecture" by Ilka Chase

"I think its very important to be well dressed. No matter how fancy our astral bodies, until that day when we lean them against a harp and shake the feathers out of our wings, they are invisible to the common people. We might as well make the mosta out of the besta that we got. I think its important to be well-dressed. I also think it is extremely difficult, particularly if you have the minor distractions of a husband, home, children, in-laws, possibly a job, etc. etc. it becomes a little harassing. You doubtless know better than to wear those rather fancy shoes with a sports suit, but, good Lord, you're in a hurry, and those shoes were handy.

Still, dressing well needn't be a chore; it can be great fun, but I have long contended that to be well-dressed, two of three things are essential- time, money and taste. Of course, if you have all three, you're on velvet, but you must make two points to score on all. If you're very busy, but very rich, its no problem- the hair dresser comes to your house, you go to the best shops, and, with your unerring instinct, you pick up a but of perfection for a casual two or three hundred dollars, you add a clip especially designed for you, and, in a trice, you are the ten best-dressed women.

That, however, is a dreamy kind of set-up, which few of us suffer from. Of course, if you are very poor and deperately busy, the chances are you have more pressing matters on your mind than "Are padded shoulders on the wane?"- but let us suppose for the purpose of today's lyrics that you are an average woman like the rest of us, with some time on your hands, a little money, and better-than-average taste in dress.

You can go far on a limited budget with unlimited imagination, provided you have a litte time to shop around, or to run up little marvels for yourself. We may, indeed we should, wear simple clothes, but a fresh and unexpected combination of colour, an amusing and unusual accessory, and individual manner of wearing your hair, will go a long way towards establishing your repuation for chic.

In an effort to achieve simplicity, it is, I think, important to avoid the drab. Clothes may be practical, but it is inexcusable for them to be dull. A well cut top-coat in raspberry-red will keep you just as warm and twice as chipper as one in poor-house brown.

Two articles of apparel, which, if a girl wore them, used to put her in the "poor thing" class, are now so well designed that the smartest women have adopted them. I refer to flat-heeled shoes and glasses. Some of the best cut footwear, with the smart chunky look, has low or no heels, and glasses have become great beau-catchers. Especially those tiptilted pixie ones, and those with tortoise-shell rims; the movie stars began it with their dark glasses for disguise- which had the added value of being sure to attract a good deal of attention- and now, summer and winter, women wear them against the bright sun, and, recently, glamour girls who are blind as bats without them have taken to wearing them gaily and with no self-consciousness. Joan Bennet wears them all the time, and is amazed to see what goes on, and one night at the prize-fights, I saw Miss Brenda Frazier, now Mrs. John Simms Shipwreck Kelly, who is still the Atlantic seaboard's ranking contribution to the lists of glamour, peering happily through hers at the mastadons exchanging blows.

If we are ingenious, there are all kinds of stunts we can pull in dress, which are fun and original and are still all right. I do not say "and are still in good taste", purposely. As Mr. Omar Kiam, the well-known dress designer, not the tent-maker, once remarked when I interviewed him on my radio program, "There's too much good taste in clothes these days. I'm all for a little exciting vulgarity".

I must say, in a way I agree with him. I'm against dark blue serge with a ladylike string of pearls at the throat. I think we ought to be flamboyant. We are living in dark times; we should do what we can locally to brighten the outlook, and, if we are honest, I think we will admit that today there is less excuse for being badly dressed than ever before. In spite of priorities, the quantity and quality of clothes in the market are extraordinary. I don't know how its possible, but it still is, so let us be grateful, as it may not last long, as goodness knows we are being deprived of the oddest things. False eyelashes, for instance. Would you believe it, they are at a premium. It seems they grind them into cannons or something. I wouldn't be in a position to bring you this report were it not for the fact that I need them for the theatre and was recently stymied by the short rations.

Of course, if we devote ourselves to the pursuit of beauty exclusively and really pleased the advertisers, dust would accumulate on the furniture, the jungle creep over our towns, and the children pine away from hunger, as Mummy would be so busy acquiring the smile of health, the glow of youth, combating cold-weather skin, and trying on "Clothes which express the real You" that she couldn't conceivably attend to her chores.

But there is a happy medium, and we should always have high standards. I personally don't always live up to my own. Who does? But even if you don't like clothes and fuss, I think it is every woman's duty to make herself as attractive as her time and means permit. After all, there you are, in your person- a living symbol of the progress of art, science and imagination. To be as attractive as we can be is almost a civic duty; there are so many sad and ugly things in the world that I think women should say to themselves humbly, not with vanity, "I will try to be as pretty as I can, so that when people look at me, they will feel refreshed. I will make an effort to be easy on the eye".

To be Continued, meanwhile, enjoy these QUOTES attributed to Miss Chase!.......Ang

Lingerie Lou

.............................Who among us can claim to not love the vintage lingerie? I love it wholeheartedly....in fact, it was my love of the vintage slip that lead me to my current career. The soft nylon, the sheer chiffons, the delicate lace, the elegant bias cut satins & silks. I found this doll amidst my grandmother's things after she passed away & I can only imagine that playing with this doll as a child at her house helped to spur my fascination with it. Should I ever come across a snazzy GREEN hard plastic bra & tap pants set, I'll be complete! Meet Lingerie Lou........

Apparently, one was to make clothing for our friend Lou....

And I'm going to go 40s on her dating, based on the shape of that midriff top. Lou has mohair hair, a plastic body & odd sharp fins coming out of her ribs. I'm not sure how those wouldn't harm a small child's hands, but no matter! I loved Lou, and I still do. And I still love lingerie! In honor of Lou, and my grandma Dorothea, I give you a sampling of the lovely lingerie offered on the eBay store as well as the website. Pretty pretty!

Much more to be seen at either site, I've added alot to the website in the last few days....seems our Eleanor (of Stork Club lipstick fame, see previous post) had a weakness for the delicate & frilly as well....I'm only barely making a dent in all the gorgeous things I brought home from her place now! The website has a stunning bias cut silk crepe pale blue nightgown from the 30s, slips, bras & more....much more to come! An inspirational site that boasts some of the best vintage lingerie available is SILVER SCREEN LOUNGERIE, one of my favorites to visit for the eye candy & education. And keep in mind, I collect Daniel Green satin slippers (red satin 7.5 wedges *swoon*).....Christmas is coming! Ang

LOOK WHAT THE STORK BROUGHT!

...........................Ever so far from what you'd have thought. Stork as in THE STORK CLUB (a little click there will get you to a cool website about legendary nightclubs). I've been working with the estate of a lovely gal named Eleanor, she of heavenly lingerie fame (see tomorrow's post for that!). A woman with wonderful taste, and well travelled as well. Within this estate I came across these.....

Three lipsticks, a parfum & a leather holder, all from the fabled Stork Club. Squealworthy! I'm oh so far from being a person who could have been to the Stork Club, both in age and proximity. Not in the cards, so I'll settle for these mementos.

One of my favorite films of all time is "The STORK CLUB", a fabulous musical starring Betty Hutton. The plot is charming, the music wonderful and the scenes where she & a friend sit & watch the models in a department store as she decides what dresses to get feature STUNNING vintage fashions! She & her coat check co-worker wear full length mink coats through the scene while nearly passing out from heat...

"But Judy, its August, and one of the hottest days of the year! You'll melt!" (Judy)"Yeah, but I'll look awful good doin' it!"

I adore the character actor Barry Fitzgerald in this picture as well. A charming film, a little screwball, a little romance, a little music and some killer dresses.

Click to picture to get to the listing, a mere $13ish and you can own it too! But the lipsticks are MINE. Ang

Panning for Vintage

....................I'm convinced it will come to that, so to speak. I think the same thing every Monday night (or Tuesday) as I go through my shipping information for ended auctions.......WHY is all the vintage going to California? I believe nearly half my sales are to the west coast. I get that the coasts have larger cities....more "culture". I do send a lot to New York as well, but nowhere near what goes to Cali. Fine by me, I don't have any preference for where it GOES as long as I can make my living & the clothes get to be worn again. If ever that state DOES break clean away from the continent & sink (please know I jest here), its a pity how much vintage will be lost! Ang

VINTAGE READS

.............I'm not a maroon, I just don't get a lot of time to sit & read. I'm working about 10 hours a day, most days, and the days I don't those "free hours" are spent with my daughter who sees me sitting at a computer or taking pictures of a mannequin more than she sees me blowing bubbles for her or pushing her on a swing. Sad but true, as we have to eat & pay rent. The books I end up reading more often than not are kids books at bedtime.

I have come across some great books having to do with vintage, and I LOVE spending a half hour or so with an actual VINTAGE Vogue or fashion magazine (despite the obvious frustration at not being able to run out & just shop for the things I see in them!). Whilst passing the magazine racks at the local grocery, I have many times lamented there just isn't a fashion magazine for people like me....like my customers. People who prefer a good 40's gabardine suit to low slung jeans & midriff exposing shirts. People who prefer a kicky novelty print shirtwaist to a raunchy mini skirt & ill fitting "shrunken" jacket.

I may be jumping the gun, having not seen it, but it appears there is hope on the horizon! The kids over at the FEDORA LOUNGE have created a new periodical..... CLASSIC STYLE MAGAZINE. Premier issue available November 2006 (that's NOW!). Articles about vintage fashion, the return of the hat, Golden Era Celebrity Profile, a holiday gift giving guide & more. Sounds cool, and at $15 for a year's subscription (4 issues), not a shabby deal. I'm looking forward to my copy! Ang

PS.....this 60's alligator-that-may-be-crocodile handbag by Lucille de Paris ends in an hour & a half & the suspense is killing me. *Should* be a good ending, wish me luck! Click to see it, and bid already!!!

I'm HTML-tarded

.................but with a little template generator thingy I re-invented myself here, almost to my liking. I'd like my original profile image to still show up over there ----------->, but eh, this looks a kabillion times better so no worries. I had to kill several images back in older posts because they were mammoth & making my links & info drop down below all the posts, counterproductive as I'd like people to click on my sites & shop (I like money, the child likes to eat).

So I'll add smaller versions back in as time allows....after an hour of messing with getting colors & images & links correct, I need to actually work on vintage listings. So to the 2 or 3 folks who bother to check in now & then.......hope you like it! And behold, the original image used to tile the background. I love it for how bitchy those dames look, yet so stylish! Ang

Technorati Profile

HALLOWEEN, NyQuil Style.

....................Trick or treating on Beggar's Night here left us with little to do the night of Halloween proper. It was a Tuesday night, we'd done the school party, the house to house gig, the little one had a few events AT school. We have loads of candy. Done deal. By Halloween night I was good & sick anyway.....having walked face first into hurricane force 45 degree winds for an hour & a half with a nasty head cold brewing left me in pretty rough shape anyway.

I am not a fan of cold meds....daytime is like legal meth, nighttime knocks me on my arse which is NOT good with a toddler about. So I stuck it out all day with a few ibuprofen. But settling in to sleep, things were NOT going well and the NyQuil called to me.

It takes a bit to kick in, so I got up and turned on the TV while I waited for that lovely, sleepy release from sinus pain hell. Stumbled across an old (and yes, they're ALL old, but this was VERY old) Halloween episode of ROSEANNE. The meds started to kick in and I sat & mused about how funny this show was back in the day.......how simple MY life was, back in that day........how bad John Goodman's HAIR was back in the day......and just what Disney film have I seen recently that he did a voice in? Wasn't it something with David Spade? And didn't Sara Gilbert end up on ER, is she still on it? How CUTE was David, her edgy little boyfriend....he LIVED with them at some point, didn't he? Why is it so damn HOT in here?.................

I believe I watched 3 episodes. All Halloween. Remember the one where Roseanne is dressed like a man, and she & Jackie get stranded at a bar (the Lobo) and she pretends to BE a man, hanging with the guys playing pool, learning about what guys talk about when women aren't around.......ah, funny funny stuff. Especially high on NyQuil. And high or no, this website devoted to ROSEANNE
is fascinating as well.......enjoy! Ang

Wheee. Its Halloween.

......................Once you're a parent, Halloween is for kids. No more dressing up in ghoulish yet sexy adult costumes to binge drink with fellow singles on a mission to get some. I will say it was always one of my favorite nights to go out......the costume coupled with the fact that the Saturday night Halloween bash always fell on daylight savings time, when we set clocks back an hour. Most bars around here would do that at midnight, so magically you had another HOUR to whoop it up! More alcohol consumed, more bad choices to be made, worse hangover the next day. Ah, fun times.

So what did I do this last weekend for the holiday's festivities? Took the lovely child to her pre-school party, dressed as she insisted....Cinderella. There was a brief fascination with the idea of being a butterfly, but one day a few weeks ahead of time she announce she would be Cinderella, and that was that. I have solemnly vowed to her I will NEVER force her to wear a costume she doesn't want to wear. Thats cruel....Halloween is for kids! Why make your child wear something they hate wearing?? Thats what school picture day is for.

Her school is wonderful, I'll say that. I was impressed with how they set the whole thing up (aside from the haunted house room, which scared my sweet child. come on, these are wee children). But well intended, and its Halloween. The best part to both of us was the room with the dance party, complete with DJ & sound system (and balloons. LOTS of balloons.). Spinning mostly kids tunes, of the mind numbing variety but hey, the kids loved it. And then.......whats that? Huh? Screaming Jay HAWKINS? Yes, yes, "I Put A Spell On You" has a slightly Halloween vibe (as does Jay in general), but at a pre-school party?

It went over fine, kids loved it......for me, the surrealness of it was only outdone by the dance remix funky fresh version of ELMO'S WORLD. I believe Elmo's voice was somehow tweaked to be even MORE shrill & annoying than usual, too. I guess you gotta give props to the DJ for trying to dial down the sugary schlock most kid's music is made of.

Anyway, I'm going to get crazy tonight & take the little one ACTUAL old school trick-or-treating. We're very near a wealthy neighborhood that should be safe.........wish us luck! Ang

The Dress A Day Nod

.....................Was pleased to see my Claire McCardell dress mentioned on the fabulous blog, DRESS A DAY
(one of the only blogs I bother with daily, its very well written and entertaining despite my lack of sewing skills!). Yes, the dress is expensive.....but I challenge any one of you to find more then 5 McCardell's available at the same time on the planet, in a wearable size & this fabulous!

I've other things to babble about but I also have a ripping nasty cold, can't breathe & need to be lying down. That is, after I get dressed....get the child dressed....and go to the grocery for caffeinated soda (for me) and chocolate milk (for her). Ang

Meet Margaret

.....................Of glamour lounging fame. Many previous posts have gone on & on about her apartment (of the deeeeluxe in the sky variety, floor 10 & about a $300,000 street value)....and more importantly her wardrobe! Her estate was where I found the 2 Helen Bond Carruthers, the fabulous silver & maribou Odette Barsa, the Pucci tunic and SO much more. This lady knew how to dress! I got to see some pictures of her in the early 50s on a trip to New York City....she dressed well no matter the era.

Most of what I got is late 60s to early 70s, and little of it was to be worn outside the penthouse. Looking at liquor content of the pantry, I believe she entertained quite a lot! And looked smashing doing it. Its a totally different type of vintage for me, but I have come to really love all the bold, colorful prints, the sheer silk chiffons, the flowing caftans & exotically inspired loungwear. The estate executors were so amazed at my interest in her and this portrait (that I really only wanted to take a picture of, its HUGE!) that they gifted it to me. It would have otherwise been thrown away! Its lovely, and I have no clue what I will do with it but its mine now!

I've only a minute tonight so will post a pic of the glamorous Margaret & be off. Feel free to click to get to the listing for the glamtastic silver Odette peignoir set! Ang

Ready For Close Up, Part II

.................That giant sigh of relief you may have heard around noon today was me, finally getting to see the picture that went with my interview published today in a local business weekly. The interview was fine, I was one of 2 women interviewed as work at home Moms ("Mompreneurs" we are, yes indeedy. Clever). Anyway, I don't come off like an idiot & my website is in it, so thats all I cared about as content went. It was the PICTURE that was freaking me out......no control over a picture several, maybe HUNDREDS of people will see? NO CONTROL? Thats not my style. I hated it, hated waiting......dreaded seeing it & finding it was unflattering. But its GOOD! Pic needs resized, will return someday.....

Thats all I got for today........busy, listing everywhere, tweaking the website in case anyone looks. The good news of the day.......I'm not so bad in print. Thats all I wanted! Ang

Oh, Those Crazy Goth Emo Amish Kids...

.............Look, I won't claim to understand emo the way I (mostly) do rockabilly. Goth I pretty well get. Emo? I'm not sure what it IS, however....I am positive it isn't this.

Its ACTUAL title is "TeacherChurch Amish vintage Black Tuxedo Dress GOTH Emo". Amish. AMISH.

I looked a little more into the Amish spin on this dress, and found that the vintage sellers these days are working a small trend (hot off the runway, no doubt) called "modest". Its apparently the polar opposite of the nasty skank-wear sported by the likes of Paris, Lohan & their ilk. Likely fully supported by PARENTS......but really, are the parents shopping eBay for Amish style clothing for their teenage daughters? I'm all for cleaning things up a bit, a little less skin showing on the kids & all. But AMISH fashion for the mainstream teen? Oh, Paris....what have you done? Ang

ROCKABILLY CHIC....What It ISN'T

..........................I got annoyed today, searching Ebay for vintage things. I sell, yep. But I also BUY. As both a seller and a buyer, I have pretty well had it with sellers who don't research a damn thing & take a gamble on popular keywords to get people to see their wares. I got so irritated at the whole Ebay realm, at how the search is set up to how so many people have no idea HOW the search works, that I wrote a GUIDE to perhaps help people shopping for vintage on Ebay. Its a start. Someone might read it.

And by reading it, in theory one would avoid things like this. The much over-used keyword ROCKABILLY. I won't even bother going into what rockabilly IS, you can take a quick peek at the VIVA LAS VEGAS site to get an idea if you don't know. Now don't get me wrong.....I'm cool with rockabilly. I used to be fairly into the scene myself, even attended VLV one year. I realize, to a degree, the term is open to interpretation. I respect those who push the boundaries of 'billy. Hell, I was the one at VLV sporting a Frank Sinatra tattoo and wearing a black 40's peignoir set as a dress (realizing, of course, the Nazi-billies would frown upon that, but without care). Its cool to stray a bit.....I'm not the one to sit with a Nazibilly & philosophize as to who was cooler, Eddie Cochran or Gene Vincent? I have no idea, like 'em both, but just as likely to put on some Duke Ellington or perhaps a little Kiss. Part of the reason I strayed from the scene was that hardliner attitude. That said, I may not have bought into the look whole hog but I know what it IS.

So, on a lark, I decided to type into the Ebay search "rockabilly dress". I'd love to show you the ROCKABILLY PRAIRIE style denim maxi 70s dress, but the images were protected by the evil minions of Bettie Page of the Prairie. However, I can show you some other swell highlights........

MOD ROCKABILLY, falling in between old school & the 80s revival, I suppose....

BOHO ROCKABILLY, for the more earthy types....this one also titled INDIAN PRINCESS...

Wearing that, you'll need your BOHO ROCKABILLY BOOTS, naturally....

And lastly, this........um, yeah, titled ROCKABILLY. Aint it though?

Thats a fine example of some rockabilly gear available on Ebay right now. Mind you, there are GREAT things out there! Its harder & harder to find on Ebay, but for some truly GENUINE rockabilly from a seller who knows her man 'billy, check out FAST EDDIE'S RETRO RAGS, some cool men's RAB stuff & great vintage for the ladies, too. And I promise you, despite my own personal bent toward dressing slightly outside the defines of all that is the 'billy, if I list & call it rockabilly (which I rarely do), it IS. Ang

I'm Ready For My Close-Up

.....................I was interviewed via phone last week for a local business publication, a story about entreprenuerial Mom's (now I need a shirt that says that). Anyway, they wanted a picture of me with some vintage, so a guy named Duane came by yesterday morning and snapped a few. As a woman I am prone to vanity, particularly when having a picture taken that thousands of people will see......so once I was ready, I did some practice pictures to see how my ensemble & make-up translated to film. I'll not bore you with the good ones (and the really bad ones are deleted!) but this one amuses me to no end, particularly with the freaky mannequin peeking over the mirror.

I made the poor college student who was tagging along shadowing Duane for job training take a picture of the "process"....so here's Duane, and a rotten side shot of me but what the hell.......

Article will be online, I'll link when it comes out if I approve! Ang

I Heart Leopard

...........................I do. I know its everywhere, I know its cliche & trendy & overdone. I know I know I know but God help me I freaking love these shoes. Thats all, thats the blog today. Leopard love. Yes, I also love the springolators and will for life. But in LEOPARD? Sweet fancy Meatloaf. They end soon, started high but no bids yet....go get 'em. If I could, I wouldn't share! Ang

FRESH PAINT

.....................We did the Target run yesterday. I love Target, its really the only retail world I enjoy shopping in these days. I despise the mall, detest grocery store chains and would rather chew my arm off than go to Wal-Mart. Target is nice. Clean, open, easy to find things. One cannot live on vintage alone, and the little one needed a winter coat......I needed yet another rolling rack for clothing. My Mom has a part-time job with Target & likes them as an employer, another plus in my eyes. Most big box retailers suck to work for (6 years with Home Depot has left me bitter), so its refreshing to hear of one someone LIKES. If you like Target, you should check out this nifty blog, SLAVE TO TARGET, a seriously cool read and just quirky enough to fascinate.

Target has a deal where they feature some funky young designer on a rotating basis. Whoever it was this month, Paul & Joe? Joe & Frank? JoeBob & Ernest? No idea. Anyway, cute CUTE little cotton camisole with very folk-artsy looking floral...screened to look as if handpainted. Adorable! Alas, only one....in an XS, and I do like to cover BOTH my breasts when I leave the house. Its warmer. Anyway.....said cami got me thinking about painted clothing. And shoes. Because shoes MATTER.

I've owned these for many years, they were my Grandmother's (yes, Dorothea)....diminiutive size 4, hand painted 50s springolators.

Ebay is always on in my home, because its my JOB after all.....so hey, why not see whats handpainted in the vintage world? Found this fantastic dress, the UK seller says "THIS DRESS WOULD MAKE ONE HELL OF A XMAS PRESENT" (seller being male).....and OH would it!!! If I could shrink both my figure AND feet to fit the dress and Grandma's shoes, imagine my GLEE!

People are taking their handpainteds pretty seriously, check out these SHOES, a little bigger than Gram's but not QUITE my size....

Lastly, a nod to the underappreciated handpainted TIE. I used to thrill at finding cool mens' ties from the 30s through 50s......great deco prints, wild themes, screened & painted silks. But something quite horrible happened to the market......collectors got their fill, men stopped shopping online....certainly, the waning of the neo-swing movement chilled the once hot "belly-warmer" crazy. At any rate, I still buy them, and have several hanging around I'm leery to list as they perform so poorly. But THIS tie.....come now. PUPPIES? Even T (Swingers, the film, kids) would have to roll with THESE puppies, sans ice cream. THIS you could get at a steal, and thats a pity but a happy thing for the big winner!

Shop all the handpainted ties! Some seriously cool ties and great prices....there's a nude getting some serious attention (shocking, no?) but the rest are up for grabs! Ang

Working While I'm At Work

.................At my secret part-time job. Not LEGALLY secret, the IRS knows (settle down, minions o' George). But my little part time job no one really knows about, thats best kept that way. Nice thing is, I can be online & do my vintage thing, the blog thing, the MySpace thing......email, surf, shop. I came in today as a favor of sorts so I had no sitter, so not only am I working at the SHOP, I'm working online AND minding a bored 3 year old. Who just now reminded me she "almost puked three times". Yep. The joys of motherhood.

I was interviewed yesterday by a local business publication (aspiration....ROCK STAR! reality....BUSINESS STAR! sad, that).....but they asked me why I thought women were better suited to starting their own businesses. I'm not necessarily sure that IS true, but if it is.....its because we multitask better, and aren't afraid to ask someone to pass the Zanax. Ang (who will of course wear vintage for the photo shoot for said business mag, and will not be partaking of the Zanax that morning)

Why Blog?

..............The theory is, so people will read it. Some blog to share life stories, to write & create, to touch people. Some to amuse. Some to create controversy. But ultimately, we're all blogging to get people to look at us, for whatever purpose that serves. I'm not as blog savvy as I'd like to be....I imagine there are keywords I could be using to be found by the search engines, I have yet to play the affiliate game with Ebay to make myself some money while doing this (oh, but I will. I like money). I don't troll blogs to add random comments to get myself seen. I don't play the game well, and I am so weak at it I can't even keep up with posting daily.

But I'm honest. I created the blog to attempt to get my website name out there. I sell vintage clothing for a living, not as a lark or a hobby (which is all well & good, just not how I approach it). I support my family with that income, and so experimenting with marketing techniques is integral to running the business. Do I like writing about vintage? Sure, sure. The experiences that go with this odd little career are often fascinating, and its nice to have a place to write about them. I'd certainly love to know SOMEONE was reading them, and I aspire to one day find comments here (nice ones, thanks ever so) and respond in kind. Banter. Feedback. Speak up!

Until then, I'll show up here on occassion & share some stories about vintage hunting, finds, etc etc. Meanwhile, I am also blogging for eVintage Society (click below)....& if you MySpace, subscribe to the blog! I do the non-sewing part (I'm a non-sewer, sadly) & Jen at MOMS PATTERNS does the DIY part. Its a hoot, check it out~

To see what eVintage does, look at the eVintage Society site! A plethora of wonderful sellers with things almost as fabulous as mine........Ang

GLAMOUR LOUNGING

.......Margaret style. As mentioned last week, I had a call to go finish up getting clothing from Margaret's penthouse apartment. I had been to the actual sale a couple weeks ago, a sale that had been set up hastily by the family and the estate sale company. A sale that was not advertised, as the management of the building would not allow it (wouldn't want lines of scavengers sullying the appearance of the foyer!). A sale set up & run in a speak easy manner, if you weren't in the know, you'd never find it! I consider myself EXTREMELY lucky to have gotten a call & then to have been let in at all!

Funny thing is, I almost didn't go. It was less than 24 hours after having had to make the wrenchingly painful decision to have my cat euthanized. Hobbes was 15 & we'd been dealing with something in his throat (starting off as suspected mass in the chest, etc etc).....weeks of tests, waiting, more tests, Xrays, ultrasounds. We finally came to the conclusion he had paralysis of the flaps above the larynx, and he was scheduled for a surgery at a very good animal hospital. When they went in to do the surgery they found a mass ON the larynx, small, but large enough to be limiting his ability to take in air. They did a biopsy & we were waiting again.....Hobbes stayed there in kitty ICU. He was doing well, then suddenly vomited, aspirated some matter into the lungs & larynx & stopped breathing.

He made no effort to TRY to breathe, and his heart was failing. The biopsy showed the type of cancer to be the worst, a kind not treatable with chemo. So I made the horrible decision from 50 miles away to let him go....clearly, he was trying to go, and keeping him alive on artificial means seemed cruel & wrong. It was a decision I was not prepared to make that day, but I had to respect what Hobbes seemed to be saying to me and let him go. Blessed be, Hobbes.

That very next day I got the call to GO to this estate sale (not at all feeling up to doing some savvy vintage shopping).....a friend had gone & he said there was no real vintage, but the woman had high end designer pieces that were pretty wild. I hesitated, it meant taking my 3 year old along. That gets tricky in tight spaces with glass set out on tables & a lot of people! But something told me to make the effort......and it was WELL worth it! Upon arrival I went through some huge metal automatic doors, was allowed in by a doorman once inside. Elevator to the 10th floor (this was the highlight for my daughter). Penthouse at end of hall, corner apartment. Really quite spacious! This was not so much a retirement community as it was a "private" community. The fact that there are a lot of older people living there speaks more to the building being private than anything else....there is no assisted living, no medical staff. Clearly, to live there.....one must be LOADED. I didnt catch what it would cost to BUY the apartment, but I was told fees to be in the community ran around $1200 a month.

Plush golden tan carpet throughout.....all walls papered or painted in exotic murals. Immediately in the entry way there were two large oil painted portraits....one of our Margaret, one of her long deceased husband. Margaret looked stunning, a painting likely done in the 60s....she appeared in her 40s, blonde hair swept into an elegant updo, white sleeveless gown with an empire waist. She reminded me quite a lot of Grace Kelly. The apartment was clearly decorated in the late 60s as well and never really updated. Greens & yellows throughout, gilded & crystal laden lamps & chandeliers, curio cabinets showcased collections of crystal, Lladro & expensive whatnots. All around the outside corner of the apartment were sliding glass doors to a narrow, L shaped patio with huge picture windows looking out over the city.....carpeted with green indoor/outdoor carpet & furnished with elaborate white iron patio furniture.

Heading quickly into the bedroom, I could immediately assess what kind of life Margaret had lived there......one of great, GLAMOROUS leisure! Her bedroom was as is she were Zsa-Zsa Gabor. Two huge closets were literally bursting with clothing....one closet, mostly 80s & 90s comfortable designer wear for the wealthy "older" woman, i.e. St Johns, Misook & more. The bed.....completely covered with scarves, hats, handbags. The other closet! The source of the glam. Superb loungewear........brilliantly colored & patterned silk caftans, kimonos.....lace & ribbon trimmed peignoirs by Odette Barsa.....maribou, beads, sequins, pailettes. A few gowns for events she'd kept....wonderful velvets, chiffons. Traina, Beene, Givenchy. All late 60s to early 70s, all full length.....but all SO dramatic & over-the-top!

The estate company knew what they had, and priced accordingly. I wasnt able to buy much that day, but DID walk away with two Helen Bond Carruthers sweaters (see my website for the yellow one, the blue one sold nearly immediately, thanks Chellie!).....as well as the silver & maribou Odette Barsa in my Ebay store now, shown in last entry and some other great pieces. I spoke to the estate company & was told they would call me when it was over & talk deal to buy what was left.

The call came last week, & I went on Friday as mentioned before. I was surprised at what was left, and took it all. They had also unearthed a stash of Victorian & Edwardian whites, gorgeous lacy pettipants & petticoats, corset covers & blouses.......quite a contrast to the leopard print caftans & Pucci tunic dress! But it was clear to me that Margaret knew beauty. She herself was a gorgeous woman.....her home impeccably lovely. She had the best lingerie, from Vanity Fair slips of the 60s to lush Wacoals of the 90s. I even discovered a demure white umbrella with a rhinestone encrusted handle & tip! She did have beautiful things, and its been fascinating to work with them......so far, I have only been able to photograph a few things but there is so much to come!

I'm waiting on some pictures of her from my friend at the estate company & I will share what she looked like when I get them. Til then, you can get to know Margaret as I've been doing.....through her wardrobe.

Margaret's HOLLYWOOD VASARRETTE black lace slip in a 34D, on Ebay..

Stunning LUCIE ANN peigoir robe in aqua nylon with 200" sweep....

Two wonderful 60s half slips, hot pink with black lace BOW applique by Vanity Fair, the other pale aqua with soft brown lace trim, both at Babylon Mall....

And the PUCCI, for Formfit Rogers....seen in last entry, available now on my website.

PUCCI!

The aforementioned estate visit went well, to the tune of my first EMILIO PUCCI for Formfit Rogers! Technically lingerie, its a lightweight, silky nylon tunic easily worn as a mini dress. A few minor flaws made up for by it being a 42 bust! Fabulous. Listed on the website already, click to buy!

This lady's wardrobe was high fashion, stay at home & entertain GLAM circa late 60s & early 70s. Some examples......silk 4 piece luxe boho set consists of Palazzo pants, sequined tunic, full length vest & wide fringed sash in a vivid paisley print.....

Hong Kong 60s beaded gown by "Helen", matching clutch....turquoise & gold beads on shimmering gold lace....

I'll add details about our stylish Margaret soon........rhinestone encrusted umbrellas, Lucie Ann peignoirs, Gotham chiffon gowns, Givenchy & Traina......such a wardrobe!! Ang

Vintage GREEN ACRES Style

..........Just about to head over to the sky-rise penthouse where I found THIS.....

I came away from this lady's original estate sale with 2 Helen Bond Carruthers sweaters and THIS homage to Zsa-Zsa......

A silver pleather-esque peignoir set, feather trimmed gown AND robe with tinsel mixed into that maribou. Click the picture to own it yourself! By renowned peignoir/lingerie designer Odette Barsa, no less. Ace Frehley style glam! I also made off with some other feathery goodies, more Barsa, and a Lilly Pulitzer located now in my Babylon Mall shop (see right for link).

Point is, there was MORE, not out for the public. Beaded Honk Kong 60s gowns, etc etc....and in an hour & 1/2, I'm headed over to GET IT! One on one with the estate dealer, perhaps I can glean a little more about this lady with such expensive & over-the-top taste. Maybe even find some more trinkets for my swell new mirrored vanity! Ang

HALLOWEEN'S A DRAG

When I BUY vintage for my business, I prefer to buy the whole estate. There are obvious reasons for this, especially in cases where there is a LOT of clothing.....if you start to pay by the piece, it really adds up. You also may miss out on gems like this....

What's more, you build a relationship with the dealer (or family) of the deceased (or retiree). Which can often lead to being able to get your hands on something like this....

Let me tell you, seeing that picture put a whole new spin on that ensemble! A 40s dressing gown, shortened & packed away with men's Edwardian knickers? For the life of me I couldn't figure why it was so BIG, the lady who's estate it came from was quite small. Well, leave it to those wacky kids in the early 40's, always funnin' it up. I ended up, in this case, with several Halloween costumes & pictures which are all listed now on Ebay.

When I call my site/business "more than just a pretty dress", its exactly this kind of thing I have in mind. Not only does it enable me to offer the vintage collector or wearer a more complete ensemble (or bizarre photos), but it satisfies my slightly morbid curiosity as to WHO the original owner of the things I am aquiring was. How they wore it, perhaps when, how they looked in it. In the case of this costume, it came from a large estate that was mostly one woman's (Jean, to be precise), who I have written quite a lot about on my blog at MySpace, linked on your right. I also got letters, cards, her wedding ensemble......literally the fibers of her life. She had no family, and its somehow been left to me to see she is remembered. Her unwitting contribution to MY life has been that what I have been able to sell has paid my rent, bought food, payed for daycare. She lives on in pictures & words, and clothing.

I've managed a decent relationship with estate dealers so I have actually ended up with a couple more estates, much smaller & none so far with pictures.....but some good stories. It will be my goal, and pleasure, to share them here & muse about the lives of these ladies. And if I find more pictures of these gal's husbands in drag......you'll be the first to know.

A Shiny New Blog

Blogs intimidate me, I'll be honest. I know its the new thing, the way to network....read blogs, write blogs, link blogs. Its freaking blogtastic. Bloggerific. Its MIND BLOGGLING. Yep, I said it. Yet I have no idea what I'm doing........I've done my own wee bit o' blogging on MySpace but I made this one a while ago to be able to COMMENT on blogs and quite honestly, I'm getting jealous of all those bloggers getting the attention while I merely comment weakly from the sidelines.

No more. Today, I have no idea what the purpose of this blog is but to have one. Sure, sure....I'll dish up some vintage schtuff, mine...others....hell, its what I DO. I figure its going to be a happy marriage of White Trash Mom, Slip of a Girl , and She's a Betty sprinkled with biting dash of Fug. I can only aspire to the following as well as the blog-writing talent of Erin at Dressaday.....but watch me try! And you'll have to pardon my arse-kissing where other blogs are concerned. What you WILL find is that I intend to share regularly what blogs I'm reading & why....and if I'm going to get addicted, you are too! Ang

PS, In keeping with the shiny new blog theme, here's a shiny new dress I listed in my Ebay store. Stunning cinnamon crepe rayon woven with golden metal threads....real metal, not lurex!....gorgeous drape, sexy button details up both hips & a smashing back view! Perfect for Fall into Holiday soirees.....