Etsy Finds: retro coffee mugs

1., 2., 3., 3., 4.

It has been so cold lately that doing anything besides hiding under several blankets doesn't sound appealing. That, and school started again. So not much going on here in the world of fashion. Just some new wool socks, winter boots and experimenting with different lip balms.

Focus has shifted to drinking lots of tea, hot chocolate, and soup. Is it dry out or what? I've been eyeing up fun colorful mugs to use. I keep going back to 70's retro mugs on Etsy. They're so unique...a little hideous....but fun. They have me tapping into my inner Mary Tyler Moore a bit. Which is good; I need some inspiration around here. Because if Mary could live in cold and blustery Minneapolis and still look fabulous, there's hope.

Inspiration: Weekend Flea Market

Confetti Lucite Bracelet
Cucumber photograph
Rustic Laundry Cart
Dahlias Farmers Market Photograph
Apothecary Collection
Tapestry Coin Clutch
Vintage Jumper Dress
Set of Flower Glasses

The Elkhorn Antique Flea Market is this Sunday!!! I am uber excited and can't wait to see what I find. I'll be there, as always, at 7am with a thermos of home-brewed Alterra coffee in hand. Bright and early on a Sunday IS an oxymoron. I never know what I'm going to find, but I do come with a plan. I have a few specific buildings, dealers, or rows that I hit up first, so I jet out like a madwoman (hence the need for caffeine).

Some tips:
Early buyer fee is $25, gets you in Saturday 1pm or Sunday 5am.
Free maps can be picked up in the main office
The best coffee is at the Turkey Leg stand near the front gate
Some rows can be quite muddy and the grounds is huge so wear good shoes
Parking is free, but some nearby houses have cheap closer parking for about $5.
I always grab my vegetables/flowers/herbs from Cindy's Greenhouse (right next to the front gate) on my way out
My favorite food is the barbeque stand by the North Hall
Bring smaller bills, banks aren't open on Sunday so ATMS and small change goes FAST.

Vintage Decorating: St. Patrick's Day

botanical print, coffee mugs, sweater, book, cauldron, skirt, postcard



http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/85956502.html

Vintage Decorating: Oil on Canvas Paintings

I often pass up oil portraits at antique stores. They're usually hiding in a large box on the floor with dozens of cheap prints and plastic picture frames. I just can't get past that it's weird to have a painting of a stranger in my house. But I do like the idea of grouping them with similarly painted oil on canvas pieces. Many old paintings in corner antique stores or flea market booths are the scenic or still life paint-by-number paintings from the 50's and 60's or the work of an amateur, long-forgotten local artist. They should cost under $60 depending on their size and condition.




These images are from the new-ish print zine, At Your Leisure from J3 Productions. It looks great and it's so nice to have print creeping back into the fold.

Vintage Decorating: Math and Science

I am a big fan of decorating your house with items that have some "personal meaning" to you (ie I don't own these). I love incorporating vintage pieces that reflect your profession. For writers--a vintage typewriter. For gardeners--botany prints. For teachers--an old desk or dictionary. For musicians--old instruments or records. As a nurse, I have a mini microscope in my office area and old Florence Nightingale book. If your job or hobby is in math or science here are a few ideas....

(FYI: The Elkhorn Flea Market is tomorrow! I'll be shopping at the crack of dawn and then working at the front desk in the office for the rest of the day. Stop by and say hi if you're there!)



1. Vintage Abacus from GreaterRetroArea 2. Vintage Math Flashcards from SaturdayAMVintage 3. Moon Globe from JHerrmann 4. Vintage Utility Scale from havenvintage 5. Vintage Phrenology head from creamcityvintage 6. Space Telescope from hindsvik 7. Molecular Model from CathodeBlue 8. Black Pepper Botany print from Holcroft 9. Vintage First Aid kit from vintageseventyfive

Decorating: Monticello

On the overseas plane ride, I read the entire Elle Decor magazine (among like 5 others). Yes, READ it, instead of "reading" only the pictures. This month's issue had an article about Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia that just underwent a mini makeover thanks to a donation and help from Polo Ralph Lauren. Unlike some makeovers that make the decor a little more modern and current, this makeover strived to make the room's furniture and wall paint more authentic to how it was originally. The results: my, that Jefferson had some good taste for the 1700's.




That yellow, called "chrome-yellow", is actually a replica of the orginal paint scrapings they found on the dining room walls. Such a bold yet pretty color! A lot of the furniture is orginal to the house, including some Chippendale pieces. Here are a few pieces I found on Etsy that have that same federalist, neo-classicism style of Monticello. Click on them to view the source. Look for some of these at the Elkhorn Flea Market this weekend (8/8)!

Decorating: Fiestaware

Happy Cinco de Mayo, y'all. I have always wanted a small set of Fiesta dinnerware (or Harlquein because it's cheaper and I can't tell the difference), but I hestitated, saying "when would I ever use bright multi-color plates?". Then it hit me today: Cinco de Mayo! Real fiestaware can be kind of expensive because it's pretty sought after. I also didn't want to spend a lot of dishes that have an over 50% breaking at my house. So here's my back-up plan:
- Kohl's stores sell reproduction Fiesta. They even have my favorite turquoise color.
- Macy's has the largest selection of fiestaware, including silverware and glasses. And a bunch is on SALE online!
- For readers in Milwaukee, Clinton Street Antiques on S. 1st St. has a lot of bright multi-colored dinnerware in the window!

Woman magazine

The real Fiesta dinnerware, or fiestaware, was first introduced to Americans in 1936 by Frederick Hurten Rhead and sold by the Homer Laughlin Pottery company. The original designs were modified several times to include new colors and styles that were mass produced until 1972. The original 1930's fiestaware in the orginal 5 colors (red, green, blue, white and yellow) is the most coveted and collected meaning it's also the most expensive. An anniversary version of fiestaware was remade in 1986. You can tell because the ink stamp on the bottom is in all capital letters.



Foltzsa


perfectbound


tenacious snail


littlehonda 350

Daily Fix: vintage Dior scarves

I don't think I'll ever be able to afford real couture like the people pictured in The Sartorialist, but sometimes I can afford vintage pieces. Thank god vintage couture is uber-chic, otherwise people would know that I'm cheap. 70's and 80's Dior is really reasonable. Here are some great scarves from Etsy. I like to wear them as headbands, neck scarfs, or if long enough, belts. And pair them with a neutral colored outfit so they really pop.



from top to bottom: Vintagous, Vintage Style 101, , Babouches, VJones1

Daily Fix: vintage handbags

Remember Carrie's vintage Dior handbag from Sex and the City--Season 6?

Ever since then, I have tried to find classic vintage pieces that will be stylish for a lifetime. It takes a lot of sifting and searching through bad vintage clothes to find the good stuff. However, I have found some. Here are some handbags from Etsy (I am in love with the top white beaded one).



Vintage Whiting and Davis White Chainmail Clutch from Lollycrispvintage



Vintage 1940s Queen Elizabeth clutch from Modhuman



Vintage Etienne Aigner Taupe Shoulder Purse or Clutch from thepuddingstorevint

Dores Winter Collection is here!

Fellow Milwaukeean, Stephanie Renee of Dores unveiled her Winter collection on Etsy this morning. I love how simple yet feminine her jewelry is. It can easily be layered or worn alone, dressed up or dressed with jeans. Here are two of my favorites: the signature hand cast brass holiday necklace (now in a longer size) and the brass and leather drop necklace. Can't wait to see more of her stuff in the future....in the meantime, if you're into vintage clothing check out her vintage shop.

Daily Fix: Vintage Thanksgiving

All things from Etsy.com

Shopping List: Vintage finds on Etsy

Here are some more things the Fed Ex man will be delivery this week:


I can't wait to use this at Christmas dinner; for putting napkin/silverware bundles, for putting pinecones in, for putting little wrapped presents in. Trophies seem to be big this year: see what i mean



I am creating a small collection of white porcelain/pottery to display in my dining room's built in china cabinets. I found a bunch on Etsy. This one was only $10.00



I love vintage Vera Neumann designed fabrics. They are always colorful, easy to find, and generally inexpensive. These napkins are ROUND instead of square. Great for a ladies lunch or summer holiday party. I don't usually host those kinds of things, but I really want to!