Adventures in being me

When the luck of the Irish meets Murphy's law, you get something like me.

I had a pretty nice morning today, and was looking forward to attending the wedding of a sweet family friend.  When it was time to go I was ready.  Had my pretty vintage dress on, had my hair wrangled into a nice 'do, makeup on, card written out, gift in a spiffy bag with pretty tissue paper, new stockings, super cute shoes and vintage bag with my camera tucked inside, and I was on schedule to get there in time to get to a seat without awkward timing issues or anything.  And then...  my keys were MIA.

Gone!  I looked everywhere.  Then I looked everywhere again.  Then I pulled up the couch cushions and looked under the furniture and my hair all fell down and i started to sweat and I was getting my probably 50 year old dress dusty, and by then I was already late for the wedding and my keys were still nowhere in sight.  So I said screw it.  I tossed my cute shoes in my raggedy old everyday bag, put some slightly more comfy ones on, grabbed my spare house key, both bags, and the big shiny silver gift bag and marched outside and up the street to Chippewa to the bus stop.  I was determined to get there.  I dug enough change out to pay for a ticket with a transfer for the Grand bus, but so far the bus was nowhere in sight.  So I walked up to the next stop, and then the next, before finally the bus came.  Did I mention it was threatening to rain at this point?  But the bus came before the rain started, and I got on and rode toward Grand, thinking I might get there before the end of the wedding.  Then the bus driver stopped.  I guess he was ahead of schedule, so we sat for 10 minutes or so between Gravois and Grand.  Just enough time that by the time we got to Grand, the Grand bus had passed by already.  So I waited.  For a good long time.  And the rain started (thank you God for a shelter at that bus stop!).  A lady sitting on the bench commented on my gift bag, and I told her I was late for a wedding, and feeling like a bit of a mess today.  And she said yeah, we're all a bit of a mess aren't we? And then she very kindly pointed out my stockings.  Which, by the way, were the most expensive part of my outfit today.  And were snagged all the way up the back.  Already.  And just as we saw the bus coming up the block, my phone rang. My Mom calling.  Where are you??  The wedding's over.

Sigh.

So she and my Dad drove down and picked me up from the bus stop.  They have a spare of my car key at their house, and the reception wasn't until 6:30, so we headed their way.  The rain was really coming down by then, and we decided to get a bite to eat at Psghetti's in Glendale, which involved getting kinda wet getting in there, with one broken umbrella from my parents' backseat for all 3 of us.  And it poured and lightening crashed and the whole bit, but I was hungry after my ordeal, and the food there is So Good, and we had a laugh as I told my folks about my day up to that point.  And also we watched a very wet but clearly happy dog lope up and then back down the side of Manchester Road, pursued first by his (presumably) owner, and then by a slow-rolling police car with it's lights on, which seemed to be trying to make sure the dog didn't run into the street.  During a lull in the rain we made a slow dash for the car and went back to their house where I retrieved my spare key and collapsed on their couch and watched last week's episode of Project Runway.  Mom and I ran to Walgreen's, again in the rain, to buy new stockings, something to re-wrangle my hair with, and two new umbrellas, and by the time we got back to their house, the rain had mostly stopped and I was able to go outside and marvel at their gorgeous cherry trees, which if it rains any more tonight, will probably be bare by morning, but were still gorgeous at the time, especially against the stormy skies and new green sprouting everywhere!  So allow me to share with you some of my favorite shots:

After that I made a halfhearted attempt to re-wrangle the hair (involving about 30 seconds and a clip, and it showed), but still, I had the pretty dress, so:

We went to the reception, and the bride was as beautiful as I knew she would be, the people were as warm and funny and genuine as they always are, and the food was even more Yum than lunch had been.  I brought my camera, but here's all I got in the dim light of the reception hall:

The favors were little green St Patrick's Day chocolate coins.
The back said "Let the Shenanigans Begin".  Perfect!

And here's another self-portrait to show off the dress/shoes/bag one more time before I call it a night:

Here's hoping you all avoided Murphy and enjoyed the luck o' the Irish today!

A few more lovely things that will be going into the shop

Hey all!  Just thought I'd share a few more bits and pieces that I've got pics of, that will be going into the shop:

Royal blue wool coat.

Spiral bound floral photo album.

I love the font on the photo album, and this one came complete with a few pages of actual old photos.  I haven't decided yet whether people will like it better with or without them inside, so I'm not sending this to the booth right away.  What do you think?

Vintage fabric - an old curtain panel.

\This fabric is amazing.  Its not very big, but what an impact!  I can't for anything imagine who designed it or who thought it would make a good curtain, but I'm glad they did!

Two planters and a small vase.

The green planter is a Haeger piece - stamped on the bottom, and there's a sticker still adhered to one side.  The other two are unmarked, but nifty.  I like the origami-esque nature of the brown and cream pot, and the speckle finish and sweet green interior make the little vase special.

Half a dozen Nancy Drew titles.

I don't know much about Nancy Drew, but I do love the cover art.  On one of them, the bottom corners of many pages are torn, or possibly chewed.  The others are in much better shape.

Bovano of Cheshire Connecticut ashtray

I love this thing.  The company is still in business, but hasn't made these glass-enameled copper trays since some time in the 60s (according to their website).  It's just such a cool mid-century Mad Men cocktail party kind of thing.  But I can't imagine smashing out your butts in something so pretty.  It should hang on the wall like the artwork it is!

Small desk lamp.

Sorry the picture of this is so dark.  Suppose I should have plugged it in and turned it on.  He may look shy, but just wait till he lights up - he's a handsome little guy.

Fabulous mid-century clock radio

This little lady isn't going into the booth just yet.  I haven't tested her out yet, and to be perfectly honest, I'm enjoying looking at her too much to be disappointed if she doesn't work.

Look how cool she is!

Autumnal kitsch - tin mural-clock.

I need to get some batteries and test this guy out as well.  So awesome - the image is printed on metal, and I love the font of the clock.  I could have kicked myself when I bent one of the hands slightly (after it had survived all these years unscathed), but it went back into place with no signs of a problem.

Semi-sheer red and white polka-dot dress.  AB FAB!

What can I even say about this one?  It's a show stopper.  Can't you just see it in a movie musical from back in the day?

Sneak peek - vintage coats and winter clothes

I'm so excited you guys!  And totally nervous, but in a good way.  As I start to gather up my goodies for the grand opening of my booth (can I have a grand opening of something that doesn't even have a door?), I'm starting to think I've got the goods to actually make a go of this.  I've picked out some wintry vintage - coats and clothes - to go into the booth for the first 2-3 weeks.  I plan to rotate things in and out pretty frequently, and will go all spring fever on you guys once March hits, but while we're still in February, I'm hoping to tempt folks with my brrr-licious wares (so weather, could you go back to winter for a couple of weeks, starting the 11th? Or maybe the 12th, so it will be nice while I move things in...).  So here's a little sampling of some of the items I've picked out for the booth.  Please forgive the awful lighting, I didn't have any daylight, so it alternates between fl*ash, which makes the colors wonky, no-flash, which makes it grainy and dark, and lots of random lights turned on and working at cross-purposes, including a red-tinted flood light I got at a Goodwill in Chicago.  Anyway, here you go:

Berman's leather sports coat, so soft I wish they made pillowcases!

Red cropped 80s jacket: Pioneer Wear, 100% Lamb Leather.
For your edgy Valentine.

Menswear wool and suede or chamois
cardigan: "D'Italia, a high fashion design".

Red jersey knit jacket - I believe this one was from
the estate of a teacher who made her own clothes.
For your demure valentine.

Peachy polyester double-knit maxi dress - no label.

Olive green wool blend blazer by Newsport.  I Imagine it
with a crisp white blouse and trousers a la
old Katherine Hepburn or Lauren Bacall movies.

Brown and black polyester doubleknit shirt/jacket
with awesome Spirograph-style pattern.  No label.

Another doubleknit monstrosity.  Brown and white, also no label.

Menswear cardigan.  Synthetic.  Zipper.  Oh-so-retro!

I can't stop imagining the cardigan above on a
date with this awesome Brady-Bunchy dress.

A pair of girly plaid shirts.  Early 80s cowgirl chic!

Wool kilt with leather/brass buckle.  Labelled
"Laird-Portch of Scotland, Pure New Wool, Made in Scotland".

Kilt pin included, to avoid any accidental flashing.

Fabulous red cashmere coat: Ultima, "Tailored by Mr Vincent".

Pretty buttons.
This one's for your vintage luxury Valentine.

No idea what PB is.  Peanut butter?  Police bureau?
For your Barb Valentine!

Long lightweight charcoal gray wool cape with bright red lining.
For your bloodsucking Valentine.

Bright orange mohair/wool/nylon blend sweater, "hand made in italy".

Light green 60s dress- fabric is snythetic, no label.

Blue 60s dress - wool look/feel on the outside, but it's synthetic. 

Same dress as above, with flash.  Color is somewhere between the two.

Covered-sexy!  Black jersey dress with curves built-in.

Black/purple/orange/green maxi-dress.  The "belt-area" is sort of bedazzled.

Psychedelic awesomeness!

Oxblood leather jacket, Opera.

Red velvet full length coat.  Surrey Classics of Canada.
For your romantic Valentine.

This is just a sampling of the clothing.  Tune in next time for "A Tale of Two Coats".  For just as I have sent a dress and a cardigan on a date above, I have just about an entire screenplay to go with a pair of coats I have not yet shown you.  

Can't wait to show you some accessories, and some non-clothing-related items, too!