Pick Up a BOOK, for Cryin' Out Loud!

I've been meaning to re-read some of the classic literature I loved, and work on my focus and attention span that have been going the way of the buffalo.  I haven't done that yet, but here's a start... badass little books found along my thrifty adventures, sometimes for mere pennies.
Of course, being from Houston and loving rockets (and Love and Rockets, but that's beside the point http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Nf6gYn4rY), I couldn't pass this one up:

Published before man walked on the moon, it explains to children how rockets are made, how "little moons" (satellites) work, and how space monkeys and other animals theoretically enjoy being catapulted into space.

It goes on to speculate that people of the future may use rockets someday like it's no big deal.  Too bad we didn't get that far, and many people still can't handle driving cars properly...

 I also have a penchant for little things from cities I love, besides vintage souvenir plates.  I found this little history guide to New Orleans a while back:

And who doesn't need a book of manners at some point in their lives?  Maybe if people would teach their offspring to read using books like this, we wouldn't have so many rude people with inflated senses of entitlement running around.  Get off the lawn! (Sorry, grouchy-old-lady tendencies already creep up on me sometimes.)

The illustrations are so late 50s/early 60s!  It even teaches kids how not to be a jackass in the store!

Then again, moms back in the day would "tan our hide"s if we acted up, especially if we embarrassed them in public.  Ah, the good ol' days...
Here's one of my favorites.  I remember looking through my mom's copy as a little girl.

It has all kinds of instructions for setting curls and doing comb-outs, although mostly for short hairstyles.

 So yeah, I do read- and not just pinup art books... I read vintage kids' books... and instructional manuals... and tourist guidebooks...

One for the Boys- Tied Up

It's not what it sounds like, I swear!  Get your minds outta the gutter.  I came across some pretty nifty ties on one of my last hunting trips- this one from the late 50s/early 60s has pegasuses... pegasi(?)... multiple winged horses on it, woven into the fabric. 

And of course, neutral stripes are always nice. For some guys, a skinny tie is different enough just because it's skinny...

But this baby is awesome! 

Postwar 40s and the early 50s saw some incredible ties.  Following victory in WWII, the country enjoyed the beginning of a prosperous era, silk was available again, and some of these hand-painted beauties have survived.  Here's a closer look:

I found another one, with a painted abstract design.  Alas, it was the victim of old treatments- chemical weighting and/or salt dyeing.  It didn't come home with me because it was shattered silk and fell apart as I gently brushed a spot off of it.  Old treatments that once made silks more desirable result in silk splitting or shattering on the cross grain. I was so disappointed.
All is not lost- the ties pictured are available in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrorockit . There's more new stuff listed, and more vintage to come, and more updates will be posted here, too.

There's GOLD in Them There Hills...

...but they're not really literal hills.  They're more like thrift stores and rummage sales.  And, it's not really gold gold, it's usually lurex or lame', sometimes paint or fur... but still!  I fell in love with a vintage gold lame' swimsuit and coverup at a huge vintage sale.  Trouble was, the cost was half of my monthly rent, so I couldn't rationalize buying it.  However, it has awakened the inner trailer-park-queen in me, and I've been noticing gold in my thrifty adventures and adding nuggets of gold to my wardrobe it by bit on a trial basis (I'm really not one for much color, usually).
I just sent this baby on it's merry way to California from my Etsy shop.

Yup- old stock with the crazy little paper tag still attached. :)  It's gonna make someone really fancy someday soon.   I just got something similar for myself to wear with my gold-painted sequined Mexican circle skirt, or black capris and these beauties:

Those are not vintage, but they remind me of old-skool Barbie shoes.   I want them in all kinds of colors and finishes.  I have an all-lime-green pair, and I adore them.
So back to thrift finds and vintagey goodness, these will soon be in my Etsy shop:

More old stock with attached tags!  I have a habit of hoarding gloves (and hankies, and hand fans, and hats...).  I have to let them find another home, where they can see daylight more often (or spotlight, or moonlight, whatever...).
I kinda hit the crazy gold jackpot, 'cause I found these napkins, too.

The paint is shimmery and flawless- only a pair and a half, but constellations and zodiac creatures nonetheless. Also found in the same place, it's not metallic, but beautiful and golden all the same...

So keep your eyes peeled, I'll be listing these things and more soon. http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrorockit .  I'll be posting more often, too, internet connection permitting.

Try Not To Be Jealous...

...Look at my new spice racks.  I'm not exactly a culinary goddess, but I do have spices, which require racks like everyone else's.  Anyway- look at my new spice racks and try not to be jealous.

These are steel Kenberry spice racks from the 50s.  They were practically given to me at an estate sale.  As I write this blog, there is one like it listed on eBay for $75.  I now own 4.  Now this song will be in my head for at least a day : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVMLm08Hq7E I know, I'm a mess.
I love serendipitous moments when I find really cool things, and it only sweetens the deal when I find out later that it's worth a lot more than I paid.  Now I just have to find a spot for them, since my little pantry door is too narrow for them.
I've been switching around things in the kitchen anyway.  I scrubbed the dumpster-acquired (trashcanside, really) vintage Coca Cola crate that has been a makeshift ashtray/drink "table" on my porch for over 8 years, and made it into a makeshift shelf for kitschen knick-knacks.

It now houses my salt and pepper shakers, miniature plates, and shot glasses.  Now if I can get the rest of my fridge looking halfway orderly...
I've come across more interesting vintagey goodness lately, but I've been slacking on the blog again 'cause I've been doing way too many other things, as usual.  I'll be blogging more again, promise.  You might even get to see some of the sewing I'm doing... maaaaybe....

I Collect Nekkid Ladies.

Really.  I do.  It all started with a Sailor Jerry style military tattoo on my uncle's forearm and little bitty me getting in trouble for trying to replicate it on paper.  Anyway- I really do collect nekkid ladies- vintage ones.  I've drawn ladies my whole life and collected pinup art since before it was trendy, back when I could fit in my punk rock pants ( I will again- forserious) and wore enough eyeliner for five of me. I always loved the classics- George Petty, Alberto Vargas, Gil Elvgren, Rolf Armstrong... Then my Fairy Godfather got me hooked on the art of Olivia DeBerardinis.  I eventually found Tyson McAdoo's art.  I've acquired a big stack of books over the years.  Now, I have nekkid ladies here and there around the house, too.
They can help in the kitchen, like little cocktail forks. Hors d'oeurves, anyone?

I also have some bachelor cake dolls with sheer nighties on, but I thought maybe I shouldn't post them.   If you remember the "Sexy Sue" bachelor cakes at grocery store bakeries, you know which dolls I'm talking about.  They're too sexy for this blog.
Nekkid ladies can help you open letters, too.

This letter opener is just a curvy leg.  I can't find my Gil Elvgren lady today.  I have a habit of putting things in safe places, out of harm's way, and inadvertently hiding them from myself.
Mermaids are almost always nekkid, and are lovely for decorating the bathroom.  I have the mold for these chalkware beauties, which are waiting to be painted.

And then there are women of ill repute, like the girl leaning on the lamppost on the shot glass I found a couple of weeks ago.   She's not nekkid, but.... yeah.

So there's a fraction of my nekkid lady collection.  It pales in comparison to my friend Sam's- hers is way more varied- but it's a start.

By the way- Question du Jour:  Do you people read this every week?  Do you want more?  Post comments.

Make Do and Mend.

The publication Make Do and Mend by the British Ministry of Information became a wartime slogan and a way of life during WWII.  For those of us who grew up poor, it was always a way of life.  I learned to be careful with my clothes, fix things, alter them to fit me better or to suit my style, and last but not least, I learned to love vintage.

Picture from theleantimes.com

When I didn't quite like my hand-me-downs, they got modified.  When I hated current fashion, I learned to secretly raid my aunt's old closet at my Grandma's house, full of the late 70s and early 80s pieces she wore in high school.  When jobs were scarce, my brother and I were perfectly content to go school-shopping at Goodwill instead of making our annual trip to the mall from our small town. And that ain't the half of it.
I always say poverty breeds ingenuity.  I've continued my rummaging and craftiness, sometimes combining them, and "make do and mend" is one of my mantras.

So I ordered this purse; a knockoff.  It was cute, sparkly, and on a clearance/overstock type website for half price.  I should have saved my money, 'cause now I'm saving for a Trophy Queen https://www.trophyqueen.com/.  The first time I carried the purse which will remain unnamed, the coating on the edges of the straps peeled away.  The straps continued to crack and peel and pull and look downright ugly.  The materials are not the same used in auto and boat upholstery.  The purse is made in China.  (Trophy Queen purses are made in the USA.) So anyway- the straps looked ugly and scary.

I perused thrift stores until I found a hideous mini-purse from the 90s with long chain straps.  I removed the chain with needle nose pliers and stripped the pleather strap that was woven into the chain.   I went to the neighborhood hardware store (not the corporate one) to get some nuts and bolts.  I trimmed the ugly cracked, peeling straps from the purse (it already looked better!).  Then, I borrowed my mancreature's drill, and drilled holes where I would bolt my shiny,  new (used) chain straps on. TADAAAAAAA!

Kustomized!  That'll work for now, but I'm still saving for a Trophy Queen bag.  I'm a sucker for their Texas flag bag, but I think I'd use a red one a lot, too.  Time will tell- it's gonna be a while.
Note: The company that makes the bag pictured does offer to possibly repair bags or give future discounts if you mail them your bag with an original receipt,  but I didn't anticipate needing the receipt because I didn't expect the bag to fall apart.

Speaking of making do and mending,  I found a badass Dalton cashmere sweater from the 50s a while back for about a dollar.  I didn't tell you because I've been meticulously stitching manymany mothholes, and I'm finally done.

I'm gonna wear that baby with something high-waisted and black.  I usually stay away from mock-necks, but the asymmetrical split and diamond-shaped shell buttons KILL me.

I had to have sewn up 20 or more tiny holes, in addition to completely redoing 3 button loops in the back, but it's worth it.  So go though your wardrobe, make do, and mend!

You Need a Bullet Bra.

You just might not know it yet.  You need one if you have vintage dresses and blouses cut for a silhouette that was once shaped by bullet bras, so you can fill 'em out properly.  Mostly, you need one 'cause it's winter.

It ain't easy being glamorous and feminine with layers of clothing.  Face it- our curves can get lost in sweaters and whatnot.  Bullet bras help.  Forserious. And warm and fuzzy angora sweaters are so girly and pretty and soft, but the fuzzier they are, The more I feel like my shape is lost in them.  The only solution is to get your ducks in a row, up 'n out.

I know a lot of people have aversions to bullet bras.  Don't be scared.  Some of them can be really pretty.  

I particularly love the circle stitched ones.  A nice lady from Australia bought this next one from my Etsy shop a while back.  Believe me, if it had been my size, I never would have parted with it.

Sometimes I find these babies with tags still on them. The pale blue one below will soon be relisted on Etsy with better photos:

And this one is cute and really interesting- the Exquisite Form "Just A'Just".  The concept of cinching the center and having a back extender to adjust to any size- obviously invented by a man.  I can tell you it probably only fits a B or C.

And these are always pretty if you like or need longline bras:

Some of these have already sold, and some are soon-to-be listed or relisted on Etsy with others like them.    The thing is, only natural boobs (yes, I said boobs) can fill them out.  Furthermore, if someone convinces you that you need pointy tip inserts (unless your boobs are processed), you have the wrong bra size.
So, air out you angora and cashmere, sweater gals.  You can hand-wash those sweaters (the non-beaded ones) in cool water with mild detergent, roll them in a towel, and then lay them out to dry even though the label says "dry clean only".  It's a conspiracy.  And make sure you're wearing the right bra size, then go forth and search for bullet bras.   There's always eBay and Etsy, or the following vintage reproduction stores: http://www.secretsinlace.com/category/Bullet_Bras, http://www.vickisnylons.com/, http://www.whatkatiedid.us.com/.
Sooner or later, I'll post photos of pieces from my personal collection.  Until then, get your ducks in a row, stay warm and toasty, and happy shopping!

I'm Gonna Need a Bigger Jewelry Box...

... or I'm gonna have to list more on Etsy.  I recently decided that in addition to my jewelry armoire full of interesting modern junk jewelry, I needed a vintage jewelry box to house my vintage stuff.  It's full.  I started slowly incorporating color into my wardrobe a few years ago, and I knew it would be dangerous.

I sold one just like this a while back.  Maybe I should have kept it.  I used to have a big white jewelry box like this, given to me full of old jewelry from the 50s and 60s.  I was also given another one full of miscellaneous junk.  Both were mistakenly thrown out by someone who is not me and I don't wanna talk about it.
At any rate, I've been finding some pretty things here and there recently.  Here's the first one- clear faceted beads in hues of fallen leaves:

The next one was found in the same place- orange pearls in more muted tones- I think I have to keep these.  They almost match some pearly orange earrings I found a while ago.

And every girl needs a strand of pearls, even if only faux.  Some of us have several of them, but that's because we're compulsive shoppers.

This next one is my new favorite.  I saw this set at the Burnout http://theburnouthouston.com/ and forgot to go back to the booth before we left.  When we went to the Hot Rod Revolution http://hotrodrevolution.com/ it was there again!  My honey bought this beauty for me from the lovely ladies at Pinup Accessories.  They have an Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/PinupAccessories, a website http://www.pinupaccessories.com/ and are at just about every car show around.

I love me some green!  I've also developed an affinity for the clip and screwback earrings that tortured me as a little girl with unpierced ears. Anyone who knows me knows that I have an penchant for interesting shiny things altogether, not to mention a glitter obsession.  I think I have raccoon dna.

I'll be listing more on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrorockit?ref=si_shop...who knows what'll turn up or how long they'll be there.  A few things I listed last night sold while you slept.  (insert suspenseful music here)  I'll probably be posting Etsy coupon codes here, so keep checking the shop and keep your eyes peeled here for coupon codes, dear readers.

Fur-tastic!

It's a touchy subject, I know... fur is viewed as cruel and extravagant by some, killing innocent animals inhumanely for the sake of fashion, parading around in suffering and pain.  Vintage fur has been dead for a long time, and if I wear it, then it's still being used and not wasted. Besides, I can't keep a normal human body temperature on my own, let alone in cold conditions.  Seriously, my temperature is below normal average, and at the risk of being lectured, re-educated, and generally frowned upon by vegan and animal-loving friends and acquaintances, the long-gone creatures sure can help me stay warm.
That said, I happened upon an thrift store in a neighborhood I never go to, just the other day.  It used to be a very nice neighborhood once upon a time, and some very nice things were hanging on the racks priced cheap and then marked down on top of that.
This beauty is a very heavy wool coat from the 50s, with a fur collar.  I initially thought it was fox, but upon doing a little research, I suspect it could maaaaybe be a type of marten.  I'm gonna have to get Alyssa to take a look and play "name-that-fur".

I'm pretty happy about this find, especially since I'm afraid I'm wearing my modern wool coat into the ground.  If I told you how much I paid for this, you'd say "no way" and then come steal it from me.  They practically gave it away.  The cherry on top is the label:

 "Shagmoor".  Rrrrrewwwwrr!

The first thing I found when I walked into that store is this beauty, priced cheap and marked down and practically given away.  It's one of those things that made me quit breathing for a minute when I found it-  another case of thrift-apnea...

I initially thought it was blond mink, but there's a chance it might be some pale fox instead- fur is not yet an area of expertise for me; I'll be calling some people who can learn me a thing or two.  It does have a few splits on the sleeves, which I will be mending as soon as I get my hands on a leather needle.   The inside had embroidered strawberries and appliqued monogram patches.

With these two pieces in hand for less than a Jackson, it took a bit of self-control not to dance out of that place singing a gloating song sprinkled with happy obscenities.  I know, I'm a mess.  I do have a lot of mending on my hands now, though.  In addition to the aforementioned fur coat, I've also been meaning to repair these pretty things:

I bought this chocolate mink cape from my friend Foss.  There's one split on the back that I need to stitch up, and then it'll be good as new.  It appears to be postwar 40s.  Those are not sleeves, but slits that are gathered underneath, making a nice little hammock for your hands.

Cozzzzy. And the label?  "Lurch".  What better name for luxurious ladies' furs? Ha!

Last, but not least, I acquired this baby in a hand-picked lot at a private sale.  It's Persian lamb from the 50s, but it needs a lot of love.   It had been improperly stored for a long time and has a lot of little splits that I'll be repairing soon.

One of the splits on the shoulder is visible on the photo, but there are a lot more across the back.  With some love and my conservation training, it'll be beautiful and wearable again in no time.

Seriously, how could I not salvage this piece?  It's lined in faille and has a pleated ruffle at the collar, for bleep's sake!  Not to mention that it's from an old Texas department store!  This one will be a challenge, but I will make it happen.  

Until next time, stay warm and toasty, and continue to have Happy Holidays. <3

Holidays, Schmolidays...

Despite my scatterbrained tendencies (I still stand by my statement that I used to be organized and punctual, really.... I did), I usually have all of my holiday shopping done by Thanksgiving.  Not this year.  I have to run out into the madness, where people threaten each other over parking spaces reserved in their own minds, and grab a couple more things for my family and my mancreature.  On a happier note, I also have to pick up a vintage pearl-encrusted bolero and a Victor Costa dress that a very sweet colleague thinks should live in my closet instead of hers.  (Thanks Barbara!)

So while blitzing a local charity shop, I did come across a box of records from the 80s.... all 45s and all in flawless condition!

The top row is all Duran Duran, some of which are still sealed and include posters.  I did find one more record, but I can't show you 'cause I know my mancreature reads this blog and it's already under the tree anyway.  Some of these are going to a friend's collection, a few to my brother's collection, but the Cinderella one is definitely mine. Not only are these in great shape, but they also cost less per piece than a gumball out of a machine these days. (Remember penny gum machines? Those were the days...)

So I bid you "adieu" as I prepare to brave a couple of retail stores (resale is my natural habitat) and wish you good luck if you have to do the same.  I'll be watching Charlie Brown, the Grinch and Pee-Wee's Christmas specials tonight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wed1lI3B7Xk  Amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, Merry ChrismaHanuKwanzikah...Solstice... Whatever you celebrate, make it a good one, and count your blessings.

Jackpot!

I stopped at an estate sale last week on my way from one job to the other (I would have told you earlier, but I just found my camera).  Lucky for me, acting on my impulses, it was CHOCK FULL OF VINTAGE PATTERNS!

I bought most of them. :)  The lady told me there had been more.  (I have GOT to get on estate sale mailing lists.)  This type of stuff really makes my day!  All of these are from the 40s and 50s.  I'm particularly excited about some of the older ones.

I acquired a few more party dress patterns in Austin over the weekend, and another I'll tell you about later from eBay.  Patterns make me happy.
I have some more stuff to purge and reorganize, a new shelf thanks to Alyssa, and need to learn how to upload photos from a new camera courtesy of Erin.  There will be more, I promise, and I still owe you a delayed lingerie week now that I found my camera.  Thanks to those of you following my blog, especially my estate-sale-thrift-store-garage-sale-blitzing-partner-in-crime Carlos. <3

Once Upon a Time....

...I used to be organized.  Then I got busy and I think I have ADD.  At any rate, if you follow, you may have noticed Lingerie Week didn't happen, or that nothing happened and I haven't posted an entry in a long time.  I'm bad, I knowww.
I've been up to a lot.  I've been reorganizing and making messes and reorganizing again.  I've been lifting patterns from vintage dresses and blouses (although not nearly enough).  Since it got cold in Houston, I've been cashmere hunting.  I hunt angora, too.  A few friends call me Ed Wood.  I just decided about two years ago that there is no room in my closet or my life for ordinary sweaters.  Therefore, I hunt cashmere and angora, and I can spot it on the rack without touching anything. 
Hunting habits aside, I will be blogging more frequently.  Lingerie Week will happen.  Then, you can see the vintage nylons I found today, among the other treasures I've come across recently.

So I leave you with this:  

Vanity Fair started making novelty prints in the mid 1950s.  I collect their leopard print, among others, and there's more where that came from.  This piece sold a while back.  In addition to posting more blog entries, I need to list more pieces on Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrorockit?ref=pr_shop