Both Sides Now.

Yes, I totally stole that line from Judy Collins, and don't you dare ask me who that is!

In less than two hours, the sky went from this:

                                                                                To this!

And I'm not sure which one I like best!  

My kids don't get my fascination with clouds, and at times are completely impatient (and embarrassed) with my attempts to stop the car and take pictures of them.  How can you not be intrigued?  If I wasn't needing to watch the road, I stare at them a lot more than I do.  Yes, I was stalking another construction site earlier, but I was downtown Chicago, waiting for my daughter, and hoping to avoid putting any more money in that darn parking box by watching for the meter maid.  After I paid $5 and realized I only had an hour and 15 minutes to park, I decided that I would just sit in the car if my daughter's interview wasn't over by then and watch for him or her.  Four bucks an hour is obscene!  With no ticket writers in sight, I got out of the car and took a few shots of a building renovation going on nearby.  I figured for five dollars, I might as well have something to bring home to show for it.  Not two hours later, I was rushing into the house, trying to avoid the rain that was obviously coming when I decided to grab the camera again.  I mean, those clouds are gorgeous!  And they need no retouching, unlike my "selfies".  

Tomorrow my 12-year old nephew is in a play...an encore performance if you will.  He is reprising his role of the Angel in "Broken Butterfly".  (Typecasting is so overrated.)  Anyway, I'm the only one in our family who didn't see it the first time around.  I understand that he really hammed it up the first time so I'm expecting him to "outdo" himself and give me something to write about.  Not a shy bone in his body and he tends to "go big".  I'm expecting to laugh a lot, even though I don't believe it's a comedy.  

I'm working on a few things here in my "office bed" tonight. 

I know it's awful but it does have Garrett's popcorn!  I really am working...I really am...

Just a reminder, with Labor Day approaching:

You have 3 days left to wear white!  

For my part, I'm wearing the off-white shoes I bought two days ago tomorrow, Sunday and Monday, just to get it out of my system.  I so wish that I had found them sooner! And on the creative front, one simple no-sew project and one painting project to be completed tomorrow.  Hold me to that, okay??  I'll have so much to share!  Happy Long Weekend!

I did it!  I made it five days out of "uniform".  I took my daughter for a job interview, which turned into two interviews, which meant that I spent the whole day away from home when I had big plans to spend most of the day there...cleaning...organizing...figuring out what to do with all the clothes.  But my day didn't go as planned so I guess it's a good thing that I did not resort to the yoga pants and t-shirt, but opted for a cute dress instead. ( Of course I would have been a lot more comfortable in the uniform, so I was smart today and went back to the tried-and-true.  Today, I was ready for anything!)  We spent the down time between interviews at the nearby mall. We ended up getting manis, pedis and eyebrow threading which I swear was done with barbed wire.   And green tea YogenFruz.  I love anything green tea, as I have just finished off my third glass of the day.  My drink of choice at Starbucks is a green tea latte.  Green tea caramels are the absolute best, and yesterday it was time for frozen yogurt.  It got two big thumbs up!  After I dropped her off for interview #2, I decided to check out Savers (it was all I could afford after I left the mall!) and hit the jackpot with three pairs of shoes that actually fit me.  At eight dollars each, I thought I might wait until Labor Day when everything is 50% off, but like plus size clothing, it's equally hard to find vintage or thrift shoes for plus size feet.  In excellent condition, of course.  That's a non-negotiable, unless I plan to revamp the item, like remove something, or paint it--http://14thstreetvintage.blogspot.com/2013/06/paintfast-becoming-my-best-friend.html

I really want to paint the Liz Claiborne black booties that are sooooo comfortable, but I know I'll be wishing I hadn't done that when winter's here and I could have had that fall back pair of shoes available.  I also got a really nice pair of menswear-inspired Enzo Angiolini black lace up oxfords.  Last but not least, a pair of off-white t-strap pumps.  Did I forget to mention that all these shoes have "sensible" heels?  Right, so I will actually WEAR them.  Back to the white shoes, they're already figuring heavily into my go to church outfit for Sunday, one day before Labor Day.  I'll wear them once, then into the closet they will go until next year.  Speaking of my closet, there's actually no room in there, which is bad because there are a few things I'd like to add to it, like an orange skirt.  Don't ask me why, but I started "craving" an orange skirt and blue top just this evening.  I think it's because a friend posted a really pretty pink and green outfit today, which happens to be one of my favorite color combos.  Not sorority girl pink and green, but a nice vibrant kelly green and hot pink.  And so, as my mind works, I just naturally started thinking orange and blue.  Weird.  A trip to the fabric store is in order and I really have a feeling that I'm not letting this weekend go by without whipping up an orange skirt, even though I haven't sewn in YEARS.  I don't even know where the machine is, but I'm not above hand-stitching.  Don't laugh...wait 'til you see it!  And now, since I feel a hot flash coming on, I'm heading to the kitchen for some ice...to dump onto my bed.  Don't judge me!

If I Could Climb Into the Fridge, I Would

Okay, as if I don't have enough natural heat generated over here, in comes the 90+ weather!  I thought I was getting by easy...few days over 80 here in Chicago, and while I really don't like cold weather, I was absolutely loving that stretch of 60 and 70 degree weather.  I went to the beach one day when it was just over 60.  Man, that was great!  I never would have thought I'd see the day when I lived for the cold.  Of course, I never could have imagined the extreme discomfort of feeling like your head and neck are shrouded in a giant heating pad.  I write about this a lot, I know, but it is always a current event for me.  The other day I bought a watermelon and it was pretty good!  Still not like the super sweet, dense ones my Dad always brought home, but definitely worth a slice or two.  For some reason the kids didn't seem interested, so today, just two days after bringing it home, I polished off the last of the watermelon.  No, I don't feel guilty or stuffed or gross.  I just feel like I want some more watermelon.  If I could, I'd climb into the fridge with it and just eat it in there.

I posted my picture in my super cheap maxi skirt onto my Facebook page.  Everyone is cracking up at my Mom's comment that I looked like I was ready for Halloween.  No one is surprised.  She pretty much says whatever she feels like saying and guess what?  She gets away with it.  I can't wait for my turn!

I'm taking my daughter for a job interview tomorrow morning.  It's pretty far to travel every day, so I'm doing the logical thing...looking for a job in the same area!  We might as well make twice the money since we're using up gobs of this crazily overpriced gas.  All my "mad money" goes into the tank now and it makes me really mad.  This is not what it used to mean, is it?  Everything must change.

I took some pictures with Gertrude the mannequin today and I think I like them!  Of course, I had to take 20 before I found the three that I could live with.  Four straight days of no yoga pants or t-shirts.  Tomorrow, I'm going for Day 5, and this is with the temps skyrocketing.  I'll post pictures if it happens.  If not, you'll know that I am back in uniform, trying to stay cool and definitely staying out of the public eye.

Me and Gertie

Just Enough!

 The demolition of the church continues...they are being so careful with this.  I'm intrigued--I want to know what they're saving, what they're going to do with it, and what's going to eventually go up in this spot.

The interior is still beautiful!  What a shame to crush all this carefully molded and carved plaster and stone.

Look at this guy---what is he doing??  Seems a little dangerous to be dismantling the steeple from the middle.  I'm keeping my eye on this one.

So not the point of tonight's post...but I had to share.  I wonder if these guys know what a stalker I am?

So today was a day of just enough.  I went to the store with someone and they came up $5 short.  I had no cash.  No wait...I do!  $5 in the ashtray of my car.  Just enough!

I sold a pretty pricey item online today.  I lost out on a job today.  The item didn't sell for quite what I would have made, but it definitely took the edge off my disappointment.  Just enough!

My day didn't go as planned, and I had to rearrange my schedule to fit some unexpected things in.  In the end, I got it all done and got everywhere on time, with not a moment to spare.  Just enough!

See how God works?  Some of us can't handle too much, so He gives us just enough.  I think that might be me.  Now to just stop wanting more--that may be a tough sell.  Hey, if I stop writing and get to bed within the next 25 minutes, I can get 7 hours of sleep rest.  According to what I've read, that's just enough for an adult.

I was on the phone talking to a friend up until a few minutes ago and my phone died.  I was really ready to get off the phone anyway, so it happened just in time.  You see where this is going, right?


As reported, I found a great skirt for 81 cents.  Here it is!

I thought I was looking pretty cute, but then I went to visit my mom.  Reality check!  She said, "Isn't it a little early for Halloween?"  Out of the mouths of the over-80 set.  I'll try again tomorrow.

Early to Rise...

...Means you get a lot done!  But don't think I'm going to become one of those up early for the sake of being up early kind of people.  Nope, I still love to sleep in, even if "in" only means 8:00.  Today I was up on a Saturday at 7a, getting ready to go downtown to visit the museums.  I've been meaning to go all summer, so that didn't leave me much time.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so I can only show cell phone photos from my antiquated phone.  I invited my friend and her 7-year old to join me and my daughter for breakfast at the Adler Planetarium and then a special presentation of their newest sky show.  Fascinating, as always.  It was a perfect day today so we took a walk around the museum campus and lakefront.  Lots of sailboats and jet-skis on the water, people gathering on the sand, double-decker buses, segue tours, blue bicycles and just the general "amazingness" that is Chicago.  Here, I caught some monarch butterflies hanging out in a nearby butterfly bush.  Where else?

This guy stands in front the the Shedd Aquarium.  He's aptly named...wait for it...Man With Fish.  

  

There was more than one wedding party out for a photo shoot.  Between the gorgeous blue sky and the amazing turquoise water, you couldn't buy a better backdrop.  One bride looked a little perturbed that there were other people there.  I guess she forgot that it's a public place.  Too bad, so sad.  I'm not a bride, but I loved the backdrop too!  I may have photobombed her.  I swear it was an accident. ; )

Afterward, we headed out to the warehouse sale at one of my favorite thrift spots, Restoration Ministries.  I bought no furniture, even though there was a really cute little table with brass legs that was just calling out to me.  Strong woman that I am, I ignored that little table voice.  What I did buy were a few end of summer separates.  Wait until you see my .81 skirt.  That's eighty-one cents.  I'll post some pics tomorrow.  Of course everything I'm wearing in the picture above is either estate sale, thrift store, or my niece's closet purge.  Oh wait!  The shoes are retail--$10 at Bergner's.  You didn't really think I'd pay full-price did you?  

On to a quick visit to Mom's and then to babysit my two favorite boys.  Monopoly, movies, popcorn, pillow fights and a fort that lasted about 15 minutes.  I feel perfectly within my rights to be dog-tired right now, but I had such a great day I had to write about it.  Ah, the simple things.  Food,  family, sun, sky, friends, finds and kids.  That'll work!

Summer Nights

I hate that summer is ending.  Not because of the cold weather that's coming (although it's been a pretty chilly summer) because I really can't stand the heat anymore.  I always thought I'd move away from Chicago when my kids grew up because I was "SO TIRED" of the winters.  Now, I love the cold.  I have my own personal summer going on most of the time, so my body temp right now is about 180 degrees.  Can't wait for the cold!

What I'll miss is the late nights, staying up with my night owl children.  School has already started so we're up by 6:30 every day.  I got a reprieve today with a late start (noon) so we got one last late summer night in for good measure.  It's not unusual for us to pile into the car at midnight to make a milkshake run. I think this is a leftover from my childhood and those car rides in my pj's. I love that my kids still like to hang out with me.  That will certainly end as well.  I'll need to find some buddies that like to stay up late and go for milkshake runs.  Volunteers?  We can wear our pj's...just keep it decent.

Dressed and ready to go!

Things That Make You Go La La La.

Yesterday, when I was doing my "power shopping" thrift store rounds I found a glass tray which closely resembled a Georges Briard.  I wasn't familiar with the pattern and it wasn't signed, but for five bucks I liked it well enough to buy it.  I started not to, because my cart was pretty full and it was my third stop of the day, which meant that I had at least two more before I called it quits.  I had a really good reason for all the thrifting though, because I have a decorating job and I'm using all vintage items--of course So I really wasn't spending my own money...!  I laid the tray in the cart sideways to keep it away from everything else.  Suddenly, as I stopped to look at "just one more thing" I heard a crash.  You know how some shopping carts have holes in the end? (Look next time you're out and you'll see what I mean.)  My faux Briard was on the floor in about two dozen pieces.  No chance of ever seeing that one again.  I was bummed because I was still going to have to spend that five bucks that I wrestled with spending in the first place, but now I wouldn't even have the tray to show for it!  There's a first time for everything I guess, and this was my first experience with the old saying "you break, you buy!"

Clean up in Aisle 2!  Well, it's a small store so no intercom was needed, but one of the clerks made a beeline for the noisy aisle and saw me staring down at the mess of broken glass.  He asked me if I was okay, cleaned it up, and I decided it was time to go and quit while I was ahead no further behind. I will always wonder if it really was a Briard.  I was just thinking about this a little while ago when I decided to take a look at what I'd brought home yesterday.  It's real funny how things work out because I'd bought a vintage martini set at Goodwill before I stopped at New Uses and BROKE THE TRAY.  For the first time, I took a good look at it.  Let me just add that if I see a vintage martini set, I'm getting it regardless of who made it and especially if it has a swizzle stick.  So I was looking at the graphic, a gorgeous pink and gold "three muses" design and would you believe it...?  Signed Georges Briard.  Say What??

So all the while I was lamenting the loss of a possible Briard, I had one in the bag the whole time.  Smh.  Pretty, isn't it?

It turned out to be a great day for my favorite combo--thrifted+vintage+mint condition=____________.  You know the answer, right?  Okay, here's another way:

 Thrifted
+Vintage
+Mint condition
________________
Bettie's favorite combo.

I'm happy.  So happy that I want to sing the Smurfs theme song.

You're welcome to sing along!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjpVWKS_I7M

Oh yes...I almost forgot.  They didn't make me pay for the broken item.  I think that calls for another round of LaLa's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjpVWKS_I7M

How to surprise the teenager who thinks he knows all my tricks...

He turned 16 today and all my son expected (or wanted) for his birthday was money.  Nearly everyone obliged--Gramma, uncles, aunts and even me.  I do however have to keep it creative.  I have told you before that I don't like to give money--I like to put a little personal touch into my gift giving.  I finally finished my niece's gift, but I forgot to take pictures so I'll just tell you about it.  She's always wanting jeans to destroy so I put together a Blue Jean Destruction Kit.  In a huge hatbox were several pairs of jeans from the thrift store (only nice ones, and in different styles), a small spray bottle of bleach water, a pumice, razors, tweezers and scissors.  There are some great DIY tutorials online that take you through the steps, which may sound silly, but there are certain methods for taking out threads and making fringes which do give some pretty cool results.  My favorite is the method of taking out the vertical threads only, leaving the white horizontal threads so you technically have a hole, but it remains partially covered.  I'm sure it will keep her busy for awhile, and by the time school starts, she'll have a bunch of jeans that bear her personal touch.

Now for my son's birthday surprise today.  He loves Lindor chocolates, so I bought him a box.  He was on his way to school so he didn't get around to digging in until late in the evening.  He was shocked:


His favorite--- Lindor Truffles.  A must have for the Christmas stocking, Easter basket (yes I still make them!) and any other very special occasion.

 I was working after he went to bed, so no "natural light"pictures.  Nope, just these wonderful "golden glow" pics.  So I carefully removed the gold seal and the tape that held the ribbon in place.

 Carefully slid off the paper band.

There they are!  The crown jewel of candy, according to my son.

 I opened some of the wrappers, then wiped off any leftover chocolate with a paper towel.  (Keep a bowl handy for the extras!)

And here's where the money comes in...

It took awhile, but I replaced the candy in about 10 wrappers with bills!  I started rolling and folding it, but it was too obvious that there was no truffle in there, so I started just balling the bills up until I got something that resembled a sphere, then rewrapped each one.

And now to put it all back together...

I guess I used a flash on this one..

 Sneaky!  Honestly, he didn't suspect a thing until about 8:00 tonight, when I heard a very drawn out MOMMM...?  Of course he opened them all.  He was really happy and so was I because I can still surprise him...and have him say it was a cool idea.

So Happy Birthday Chaz...you're an awesome kid.  Here's to many more years of birthday surprises!

Overload!

That's what my brain is on...so many things going on at once and they're all very important!  My top three:

1.  My son started his first day of his Junior year of  high school, and he's turning 16 tomorrow.  He'd have a fit if I posted his picture (in his blue crested blazer) so I won't do it.  If you're on my Facebook page however, you can see it there.  No son, I did not post your picture on my blog.  Mommy would NEVER do that!  Happy Birthday, Chaz!

2.  Househunting.  Could you live in a house with orange countertops?  Should I?

I'm kinda digging the floor too, but I think it may have to go.  My kids aren't going to look kindly on retro to this degree.

3.  Self-employment...let me be honest...fledgling business.  I spent a lot of time finding amazing things for a vintage flea yesterday.  Sales were not nearly where I'd hoped.  :(

See something here you like?  Packing this stuff up and bringing it back home has got to be the most depressing thing ever.  Still, I'm not ready to give up just yet.  I need ideas and not the ones that say I need to de-diversify.  I like everything!  If I stop selling everything, I'll have too much of everything in my house. 

So those are the top three things keeping me up at night.  I'll add another three tomorrow.  

On another note, I took these pictures a few days ago when I was photographing the church, no retouch.   Let me know what you think.  See you tomorrow!

Just Photos

I wanted to share with you the pictures I took today of a church demolition.  St. James Catholic Church, in Chicago, is being torn down.  It is a beautiful church and it's very sad to see it coming down, however the painstaking way in which it's being demolished (no wrecking ball) is quite amazing to watch.  They are apparently attempting to preserve some of the stained glass windows.  It's like they're taking it apart piece by piece.  I keep hanging around, hoping to snag a relic.

Late post...or early...

With just three more days to go before school starts, the late nights at my house should be wrapping up.  But no, they are intensifying!  I guess they're having the "last hurrah" because my son and my nephew were still awake when I finally fell asleep at around 3a.  I woke up a few times to post, but quickly became drowsy again, so this is last night's post...or tonight's if I repeat this behavior.

I'm very excited to get a decorating job, just when I needed it the most.  I am working on a "Champion" theme, so I'm thinking ancient Olympians...something like that.  Gotta keep it retro!  I know that overreaches by a few centuries millenia. Of course this kept me up half the night...what are the possibilities?  I want this to be super cool, unexpected, and cheap.  I think I can do it, but honestly, right now the ideas are  not coming together.  Combine this rush job with a birthday party this weekend, and a show on Sunday, and I am spending more time stressing about everything than getting anything done.  I did get through the pile of vintage clothing that I acquired earlier in the week.  It will be ready and up for sale at the Vintage Garage Chicago on Sunday.  Really, I have some amazing pieces for the size 12 and under set--in other words, not me.

And in keeping with the 80's theme, I'll have some cool retro costume jewelry and accessories as well.

This is so much fun, but the prep, packing and set up is a killer.  Thank God for a few troopers that I can always count on--my sister, my daughter and my niece.  My son is the banker and I actually trust him with the numbers!

Now, I have to get going.  I'm hoping to get some pictures of a church demolition today.  The entire back of the building is gone and the inside is beautiful.  To see that, surrounded by ruin, is quite an anomaly.  I hope to capture it on film memory card today, and share it with you tonight!  TTFN!

Score!

I recently found a really nice wooden slat bench.  I immediately recognized the design as Mid Century Modern, and I really like benches--I have three or four of them already--and I was near-hysterical when I saw it out of the corner of my eye at a yard sale.  There really wasn't a lot there that interested me, with most items still in the box.  Wedding gifts, I'm guessing.  Nothing vintage, antique or just plain old.  I was on my way to my car when I spotted the bench.  The seller asked me what I thought was a good price, adding that he had paid $50 for it some years ago.  I told him I was thinking $10, not because I felt that was a fair price, but because I was feeling guilty for being at a garage sale at all.  I was supposed to be on a hiatus.  He countered with $15, which surprised me.  I thought he'd come in a lot higher.  But sometimes you have just had enough of a particular item, and it's time to pass it on and let someone else enjoy it.  I paid the $15, and he gave me three bootleg DVD's as a bonus.

When I got around to doing some research on the bench, I was a little surprised at the prices.  They command a nice price overall, and they are selling.  That part doesn't surprise me.  They are an iconic and timeless design.  While reading up on my new find, I learned that the bench was originally designed by George Nelson (not to be confused with the baby-faced mobster of the same name) in 1946.  Plenty of designers and furniture manufacturers have put their own spin on the slat bench, but there's really not much to improve on.  It seems that those that were mass-produced in Yugoslavia, like mine, are the easiest to find today.  Not that easy though, especially at a bargain-basement price.

Nelson intended the bench to be a multi-functional piece used as a table, a seat or a platform to set things on, like luggage as it was being packed or unpacked.  Comfort was never part of the plan, in fact, he deliberately made it uncomfortable for sitting long periods of time.  This was to discourage uninvited guests from visiting him in his office for very long.  It's far more functional than I had imagined!  While I had not been looking for this piece, I'm so happy to have it and I can't wait to put it to use.

                                                                       

Yes, it's that simple!  That's the beauty of it!

I had another stroke of luck in the great find department today!  A full set of gilt glass tumblers, in a caddy, with matching glass coasters.  Pretty impractical for someone like me who rarely entertains, but something I've been looking for.  It's difficult to find a full set like this, so I'm feeling like a real professional right about now.
       
                                                                     

 No wonder vintage glass and barware has made such a comeback!  What could be prettier, classier and more sensible? 

If you find a set like this, grab it!  Then call me...

I've been busy checking off my vintage bucket list, but still searching for that Lady Head vase.  Next time!

I Can Look, Can't I?

I often lament the shortage of vintage clothing for plus size women.  Over the weekend I nearly hyperventilated over the amount of vintage (beautiful!) and extremely cool clothing I found.  Of course, nothing fit me, except for a few scarves and purses.  Whenever you see me, I will likely be wearing one of three things:  A vintage scarf, vintage jewelry, vintage shoes or carrying a vintage purse.  I like the style, the quality and the vibe.  I used to love playing dress up from my mom's closet.  The hats with the hat pins, the fur collars with the faces (not really...those things used to, and still do, scare me), the gloves, dresses and even the aprons.

Now, I love having those same items in my own closet.  I have amassed quite a collection of vintage accessories and jewelry.  I also have lots of vintage clothing, but unless it's something my daughter will wear, it goes up for sale.  Sometimes certain pieces are with me for a long, long time.  Since I won't buy or sell anything that I don't like personally, it is a little sad that I can't just go ahead and wear those items myself.  Why torture myself?  Because I still like to look at them!  With significant prodding, I can usually get my daughter to be my human Barbie and let me dress her up for a quick photo shoot.  Today, just coming in from work, she wasn't really in the mood, so I had to switch up between her and Gertrude the Dummy.

She wonders what on earth an apron this fancy could possibly be used for?

Love this two-piece dress.  

Going to work, 90's style!

1950's cotton dress with a leather tie belt.  Cuteness!

Dinner party, anyone?

Between my memories of my mother's wardrobe and those of my favorite t.v. moms, I can in some way relate to most of the vintage clothing items that I find.  That's just amazing.  Cool.  Fun.  

By the way, let me know if you see anything you feel you must have.  After all, everything's for sale!