Meteor Vintage is Moving!

I am excited to (finally) announce that I am trying my hand at creating a website. Please set your browsers to http://www.meteorvintage.com/ in order to continue our adventures!

-Meteor Vintage

Head On Over!

I've started posting items for sale in my Instagram feed. Check out deals like these Hull Pottery coffee mugs @meteorvintage!

More Ways To Follow Meteor Vintage

Thank You!

I want to thank everyone that stopped by my Instagram page and liked my photo entry into the 1940's Ball Instagram contest. We won! I'm taking my mother and we've started discussing what we'll wear. My dancing has not improved since last I wrote about it, but everything in its time I suppose.... Thank you so much for the show of support!

Yours 'till  bobby pins on permanent waves get seasick,

Meteor Vintage

A Quick Update and a Peek at What's Ahead

Hi, Folks!

Today, I started adding details to the mannequin. Here is a photograph from this afternoon. I've since fixed her wonky left (our left, her right) eyebrow. No more dilated pupils!

Before:

After:

I'm hoping to be finished painting her soon so I can use her to post photos of vintage hats I'll be selling in my shop. "Shop?", you say? Stay tuned!!

Also, are we following each other on Instagram? We should be! Here is a photo of me at last year's 1950's Tiki Exotica Ball, my first 1940's Ball. I was so homesick! My mother is flying to Denver from Kentucky in June and I am trying to win tickets to this year's June 15th, 1940's WWII Ball so I can take her with me to her first 1940's ball. If you're on Instagram and you'd like to help, follow me @meteorvintage and like this photo. The photo with the most likes wins two tickets to the ball!  

Yours 'till bobby pins on permanent waves get seasick,

Meteor Vintage

Mannequin Madness

Stay tuned! I'm attempting to make my own mannequin head for taking pictures. Win or fail, I'll be posting about my experience here!

But, Wait! There's More!

Love Me Tender

This morning, I had to run an errand that took me past the Assistance League of Denver's Thrift Mart:

Wait, did you see what the sign said?!? Look again:

Oh myyyy! You know I had to check it out, right? First, let me say that I love the women that run this store. They are so gracious and welcoming. When I told them that I have a little vintage blog and asked if it would be okay to take some pictures they introduced me one after another to several staff members who were more than happy to tell me about the sale and point out details on several of the items being sold.  

The sale began on Friday and it has been such a hit that they've requested more vintage items from their members. At least fifteen new pieces should arrive by this coming Saturday. I'm going back for sure! A lot of what is being sold has been in these lovely people's families for years so it's important to be respectful, 'kay? Several items were hand sewn, hand beaded and still others had been hand knitted. There were items I guessed to be from the 1920's through the 1960's. This coat (poor picture courtesy of the weather and numerous store windows) was estimated by one of the women to be from the late 1800's:

Check out the tag, it's gorgeous:

I "Googled" the name and it appears this company got it's start in 1907 so I think the estimation might be a little off but still...when you get a chance to see a coat that's over a hundred years old you don't quibble over details!

I quickly became lost in vintage clothing, baby clothes, gloves, hats, hat boxes, furs, coats, wedding dresses, jewelry, children's books, purses, shoes, aprons, linens...I was in hog heaven! The items were reasonably priced, ranging from around $10.00 for a hat to $30.00 for most of the regular clothing items. Some of the more rarey pieces were priced upwards of $100.00 dollars or more. Before you scoff, keep in mind that this is a non-profit organization and your purchases go to help local folks get their needs met so they have to price on the retail side.

This is the first "letter sweater" I have ever seen up close and personal. $50.00

I used to dress up my stuffed animals in little dresses like this when I was a girl. Makes me wish I still had some of my baby doll clothes! I had all kinds of vintage goodies as a kid but I didn't know what "vintage" was back then.

The beadwork on this jacket it *swoon* worthy. Too bad for me that women were so petite back in the day. I'm 5'10" or you'd have to fight me for this one:

Check out the waist on this dress. The style reminds me of Downton Abbey.

I adored this sleeper set:

Beautiful "Greek key" detail on this black dress:

This dress looked as though it might fit me but I don't have much occasion for this color:

Sweet white blouse:

Several beautiful hats today. This brown cap has fur details in the back. $20.00

I love hat boxes. It was hard not to buy one but I'm trying to be conservative with my money. These were around $10.00 each. The cream colored hat on the bottom was around $4.00 and the tag said it was ermine. I'm not a big proponent of fur but I recognize that fur was a sign of status when this hat was first worn. Aprons on this rack were around $7.00 and in very nice condition.

Another impossible waist on this wedding dress. Women got married in their teens back then (and no one knew what a "double cheeseburger" was).

This lovely wooden ironing board was only $20.00. I thought this was reasonable given that I paid $10.75 for one of these a few weeks back but mine is in need of serious repair.

You're asking yourself what I purchased, aren't you? Well, I bought a 1969 Premium Saltine Crackers tin, a celluloid (?) set of salt and pepper shakers and a pair of plastic aqua clip on earrings:

If you're local, stop by and see these ladies and write your own ticket to a better place (figuratively speaking). It was so much fun to see and touch these items up close. It really helped my sad heart to visit with these ladies and "geek out" about vintage.

Yours 'till bobby pins on permanent waves get seasick,

Meteor Vintage

I'll See You in My Dreams

Blogging friends, Ashen passed away on her own during the night.  We have known she was sick for some time and I wonder if she hung in there until Indigo could pass on, as he did last week.  Last night, I sat with Ashen on the couch talking and cuddling and I am so grateful for that last bit of time we had together.  She was always such a lady.  I will miss her and her brother greatly.

my sweet girl

Heartaches by the Number

Tonight, Ashen has laid very still on my shoulder. They were talking about elves on t.v. and I told her a story about when her mama was in high school, admiring the ears of a crush who'd come into the cafeteria one day with bright red ears because it was very cold outside. He became known amongst our group as "Elveres" because one of the gals misheard when I said he looked like he had "elf ears". As a fifteen-ish girl, this was a very big deal and I recognize that the re-telling lacks identifiable significance but all of this is to say I am savoring every moment I have left with my girl. I can tell she doesn't have much longer. I hate chronic renal failure.

The Days of Sand and Shovels

Waylon probably didn't mean the beach but warmer temps have me thinking ahead.  I'm posting this vintage beauty for you to take with you to your next picnic, garden party or bridge game: A lovely 3-tier cake tin and dessert carrier.  Item has some light wear but is in overall great condition.  $30.00

Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?

As you might have guessed by my continued absence, things have not improved much at the crater. I decided to continue Ashen's treatment with a different veterinarian. She is responding to fluids and we are taking things day by day.

Last week, I asked one of our new vets what signs I should look for when it comes to Ashen nearing the end. He told me that if she began to have trouble walking, urinating or suddenly began hiding that I would know things had taken a turn. To my surprise, I began noticing these symptoms in Ashen’s brother, Indigo. On Friday, I took him to be examined and, sadly, my suspicions were correct.  Indigo has chronic renal failure (CRF) too and, in fact, his health is worse than Ashen’s. 

I can’t believe I missed it. I feel like an idiot for not knowing. The signs were all there.

Indigo has not responded to the fluids he received on Friday. He has difficulty walking and is not eating or drinking normally. He’s restless and listless and I don’t think it’s fair for him to have to continue this way. It’s been a hard decision to make but we are taking Indigo to the vet today for the last time. 

Please keep us in your thoughts.

my lovebug

Meteor Vintage

Share Day

Just when I thought I was getting my blogging moxie together, real-life decided to throw me some curves. To begin with, I got the flu. I was so cheery in my last post, thinking I was on the mend and then the flu hit both Axl and me like a ton of bricks.

After the flu dissipated, I made an appointment to see the-other-kind-of-doctor because I suspected something was off. Turns out, I was correct:

Now, before you get excited, that's not a bun in my oven. That dark, egg-shaped spot is a four centimeter wide cyst hugging on my left ovary. Benign ovarian cysts are common among women my age and, even though it unnerves me, it does not look like anything serious to my doctor. We just have to watch it to see if it shrinks. If it does, we're all good. If it doesn't, I have to have surgery to have it removed so Axl and I can eventually have little meteors.

     While we're on the topic of scary stuff, I think I might have mentioned on here that I developed an irrational fear of flying after a ten year absence from soaring the friendly skies? Well, I am taking steps to alleviate that. United Airlines, along with the Colorado 99s, an organization of women pilots, offers an eight-week course here called Flight without Fear. The course is designed to systematically desensitize and educate you about flying. At the end of the eight weeks, you take a graduation flight with your class. I'm still scared but, now, I'm kind of excited too. I'd like to beat this so Axl and I can travel to see our families and go on some proper vacations. I hear Hawaii is nice...

This last bit is on the sad side so, if I haven't thoroughly bummed you out with my troubles, now is the time to click elsewhere. It turns out my female cat, Ashen, is struggling to stay with us.  In 2009, Ashen was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The causes of chronic renal failure in pets differ depending on who you talk to but, from what I have read, it is possible that it is caused by the FVRCP vaccine.  Ashen is twelve years old and I have struggled with the thought that vaccinating her when she was younger may have lead to her having this disease. I feel like I should have known but, when the vet scheduled Ashen's vaccines, I didn't question it. I thought I was doing the right thing. Then, Ashen started peeing on the floor a lot, I began finding blood in my cats' (I have three) stools and the doctor became really hand-wavy when I would ask questions. That didn't set right with me. So, I switched vets and I am so grateful to Southland Veterinary Hospital and it's wonderful staff (past and present) for keeping me sane (and baring with me) these last few years.  Now that we're in Denver, I'm on the hunt for a vet again.  The pro-tip I received was to look for an AAHA accredited veterinarian. Meanwhile, the vet I visited on Monday let me know that if I had not brought Ashen in when I did she probably would not have made it another two months.  He showed me Ashen's blood work and let me know that my furry baby girl may have turned a corner we can't return from.  Again, I feel like this is all my fault. I should have found a vet for Ashen right after we moved here and been meticulous about her meds and diet...I have no excuse. Monday, Ashen received fluids, meds and renal diet food. We'll re-test her levels soon to see if she's stabilizing (e.g. comfortable and as healthy as a cat with CRF can be). I cannot express how sad and guilty I feel right now. Animals have always been a soft spot for me.  Especially my own.

She is so.  stinking.  cute.

In a nutshell, that's why I've been away from blogging this month. Thanks for sticking with me! Your posts and comments are always welcome and a huge inspiration to me on tough days. More details as events warrant!

Yours 'till bobby pins on permanent waves get seasick,

Meteor Vintage

Let's Catch Up!

     Axl and I enjoyed the 1940's White Christmas Ball.  However, I had a sinus infection coming on and both my man and I managed to wear shoes that caused our feet to ache so we gave up and went home early.  Kind of a bummer, but what can you do?  I was disappointed not to be able to watch the 1940's Starlet Competition but I was able to say hello to the lovely Haute Rockabilly Fashionista and wish her and her equally lovely friend, Tre, good luck in the competition.  These ladies have amazing vintage taste and style.  It was no surprise to me that one of them (Tre) won the competition.  

    The pictures Axl and I took at the ball did not turn out very well.  Especially, our picture with Santa.  I expected Santa to kind of ham it up and, from other photos I've seen, he did.  Maybe you had to request said hamming?  In our photo, Santa is just kind of...creepy.  To be fair, we are too.  Talk about some frozen smiles: 

I like this one better:

And this one:

     I found it odd that the theme of the ball was the movie White Christmas but they had props from It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story.  To each their own.  Maybe I'm a purist?  

     Because I am afraid of flying and because it is a 24-hour drive across several states in what could be snowy weather to get back to Kentucky, we decided to stay in Denver for the holidays.  It was tough to be away from our families but we had a terrific first Christmas as a newly married couple.  Axl surprised me with several gifts:  

I am in the process of making him a cowl scarf:

Denver had a white Christmas this year so Axl and I headed out into the snow.

Cheesman Park

Cheesman Park

Cheesman Park

Cheesman Park

The Big Blue Bear (a.k.a  I See What You Mean)

Cool violin maker's shop we passed on the way to Trve

Hellion at Trve Brewing

The sign in the bathroom at Trve.  I love it!

     The evening ended with the 'Doctor Who' 2012 Christmas special.  I am so excited to have (finally!) watched one of these as it aired on Christmas day.  Thanks, BBC America!

Illustration by Alice X. Zhang

Yours 'till bobby pins on permanent waves get seasick,

Meteor Vintage