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!

On the road again??? Please, no!

As much as I love driving, I think I am officially tired of taking this particular drive.  I try to mix it up, taking 55 sometimes, 57 other times, but the three hour drive to Springfield, and the quick turnaround (of late) has worn on me to the point that I don't care to do it again.  It took three trips to bring all my daughter's stuff home, and most of it was clothes!  I made my last trip today, and filled up the car again.  My son got in some much needed road practice, but I couldn't relax because he is well, just 15 and learning to drive.  He's doing quite well, but still.  I pay more attention to the road when he's driving than when I'm behind the wheel.  This is stressful!  

    

         Doesn't matter which way I go...I've had my fill of trips to Springfield this year!

Today's trip wasn't without it's bright spots, of course.  In addition to my son, my sister came along for the ride, along with Gizmo and Pepper, the doggie cousins.  They were well behaved, but Pepper didn't want to leave the rest stop.  All that uncharted (unsniffed) territory was just too much to pull herself away from.  And I couldn't leave town without at least one thrift store stop--that just wouldn't be right.  But arguably the best part of the trip was listening to Bob Marley and the Wailers for nearly three hours straight.  Trust me, there was a lot of loud singing going on in that car, and it wasn't the CD player.

It's time for a new adventure, and my kids are trying to talk me into driving to Texas.  I'm planning to go, but no one said anything about driving.  He figures he can help but at this point, his driving is not helpful, as mentioned above.  It's not like I can get some sleep while he drives, so no, I don't think I'll be driving to Texas this year.  I told them to start saving their money so we can fly.  

I'm planning a full day of picture taking tomorrow, with a huge lot of vintage clothing to go through, a mid-century wood slat bench and a surprise for my niece now that I have figured out what to give her for her birthday.  I have to really get creative with the kid who has nearly everything.  A gift card or money is so not me.  I like to put thought, effort and creativity into my gift giving.  I think this one is going to be a winner!  I'm looking forward to a super creative day, and if I can help it, no driving.  My car and my body need a rest.  

The Motherlode...At Last!

I've always wanted to hit upon a great opportunity to get some great vintage items at little to no cost.  I've done a few estate sales and have been able to take pretty much whatever I want after the sale is done, but of course, the idea is to sell everything. So I do my best to get something  for everything in the house so that the owner makes the biggest possible profit.  What I always dream of is the chance to just get at somebody's great grandmother's attic.  Well, I still haven't gotten that chance, but I had a great stroke of luck today.

I went out for just two things:  go to the ATM and get toilet paper.  Honestly, it was the only reason I left the house before noon today.  I wanted the t.p. before my kids woke up.  Since it's Saturday, and they're not usually up before 12 or so, I figured I had just enough time to pick up this necessity, which I swear I wasn't out of, but for the life of me, couldn't find the stash.

I passed a few garage sales, but I was focused, and stayed on the path but on the way back home I decided to stop at JUST ONE.  I had a little trouble finding the street after I saw the sign on the highway and I think that challenge is what kept me from just letting it go.  It was the best stop I could've made because I scored a great mid-century modern wood slat bench. If only I'd found it when I was still living in the MCM house that I used to own!  I don't even have a picture yet, but I promise to share it soon.  While I was loading it into my car I got a call from a friend who told me that she'd found a real life hoarder house and it was in the process of being emptied out.  If I could get there and was willing to dive in, I could take what I wanted.  OMGoodness...seriously?  I can't say that my dream came true because it was quite scary, but I got some amazing things.  At a great price--free.  Yeah, Baby!

It got me wondering what could lead someone to live in such conditions.  I mean, there was so much in that house that told the story of someone who really lived.  She was obviously well-traveled, loved expensive things, had the means to buy them, and pampered herself.  There was one bathroom that we thought was a closet, simply because when the door was opened there was a solid wall of lotions, creams and other potions.  We had no idea that it was just the entry into the room.  There was literally no getting past it.  At one point I was standing on a mountain of clothing, books, and other things, only to realize that there was a bed under me.  It was completely consumed with stuff.  It was really very sad.  What changed?  All her clothing was sorted, categorized and labeled.  One garment bag was labeled "good stuff" and was zipped and hanging.  Everything inside was perfect. How do you get from meticulous to mayhem?  I won't even go into the feathers (from the numerous birds that were apparently moved before I got there) and the shells, coral and gravel that were dumped at some point out of the 10 or so aquariums.  From beauty queen to bird lady?  From fascinating to fishmonger?  I'm intrigued to say the least.  I'm going back to look for clues as to what happened.  But I'll be going back with boots, gloves and a mask.