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