Cross Country Road Trippin'

There were days not to long ago when a road trip involving moi driving across the country would've meant, at the very least, a plan set in place one month in advance and a suitcase packed 1-2 weeks prior. Those days are so far gone I can't even see them in my rear view mirror.

Here we are going on the Wednesday before the long-haul begins and I can barely conjure the excitement to plan said route, I still haven't UN-packed my suitcase from northern California not to mention packed for five days across the country and five in NYC. And I need to be ready to go by Saturday!

Please forgive me if I sound as if I'm complaining, I certainly am not, honestly I couldn't be more excited. I'm merely stating my awe over time and how it gets the best of us - just another cliche ringing true as they all tend to do.

But I digress. I finally sat down and mapped out the trip, and even though we won't be venturing along any of the routes on the above map (Route 66 was considered) I thought this website, www.roadtripusa.com was worth a mention. It's the only place I was able to find on the web that lays out optional routes. On top of this places of interest in the various states are highlighted. I only wish someone would do THAT for my random route.

Here you have it, and any suggestions along the way are welcome!

I-15 through Nevada, Arizona and Utah
I-70 through Utah and Colorado
I-76 through Colorado into Nebraska
I-80 through Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio
I-90 through Ohio, Pennsylvania and we're almost there!

Any thrift store suggestions are VERY welcome.

Just Smurfin' Around

Who loves a smurf?!



I do! It's been a whole lotta years since I've seen one of these cartoons and I'm curious, is it like watching Loony Tunes again or Duck Tales? Because if it's anything like Duck Tales, spare me, but Loony Tunes has only got better with age.



As a kid I owned one of those traveling record players in a Smurf motif, and if ever I find this again watch out because I'll fight you for it. But how I did not know about these fantastic Smurf Trading Cards I just don't know. I'm in love, they're so fun, so cool!



I have Scott to thank for the intro to these. Like the New Kids on the Block trading cards, like the Elvis trading cards, like the Beetle Juice trading cards, etc, etc, etc... total randomness.



So what do you think? Do you share my nostalgia? Wanna trade?



Let me know... maybe I can convince Scott to spare a set for some lucky lurker.

TGIF

Happy Friday Ya'll! I hope whatever you're busy doing this weekend is as delightful as these Red Velvet Cupcakes Miss Meli Homemaker here is busy cookin' up.

Tomorrow's the big day - family reunion! I am utterly impressed with the ease in which the whole thing came together and even more so with the level of expertise my aunt brought to the table. I guess that's what happens after three kids and all their parties. I have a lot to learn but definitely contributed my share to the party and will have pictures of the cool flower arrangements made from thrift store "vases" to share with you tomorrow, not to mention these cupcakes so long as I can keep sticky fingers across the table from snatching them up when I'm not looking.

Here's to great weekend for everyone. Cheers!

A few of my favorite BLUE things

Is it August already? Wow. I do this every month, have for the past five years but really, we're already a full week into the month? The family reunion I've been hard at work on is only a day away (more of that to come this Saturday), I'm still reeling from the trip to northern California, and heading out for a cross-country road trip in only a week!

Finally there are so many photos of favorite road trip buys that I've decided to break them into color categories and spread the love out for a couple of days.

I thought I might just let the pictures speak for themselves but I can't help but rave about how in love I am with these nesting serving platters made in France by Carvelle. They're called Sizzling Servers and have the cutest little picture of the Eiffel Tower in the logo on the bottom of the plate making these my favorite newest find. Unfortunately I didn't have the insight to photograph the bottom but I will.


It seems so obvious now that these are a pair of egg cups, the cutest pair of egg cups I must add. But it wasn't so obvious to me in Solvang when I knew I was buying them but was clueless as to what it was I had decided to buy. I promptly figured that out with the help of the sweet older lady I got to chatting up.


These here salt & pepper shakers come courtesy of Sandy and are believed to be Fiesta however if they are I can't find evidence of this design anywhere online. Do you know?


Just a cute large Made in Japan Mikasa platter.


Suddenly I have three egg baskets! Where this obsession came from I have no idea but I definitely look out for them these days. And this one... it's a little bit of adorable don't you think?


Part of a Lazy Susan that will make great hors d'oeuvres plates. Still though I can't help but be a little sad I was unable to dredge up all three.


I don't think you can tell from this picture but these four bowls managed to make it all the way to the Goodwill without a ding which is an amazing feat considering I'm terrified to even pull them apart without breaking them. And yeah, managing to chip one in moving has opened my eyes to the need of bubble wrap. Not sure who made these but they definitely have that 50's flare I love!


What do you think thus far? And... thanks for looking!

Road-Trippin' the 101

It's only Tuesday yet this week is shaping up to be a great one. It's week one on a long list of getaways through mid-September and already I've thrifted some great finds. The normally long drive along Highway-101 between Los Angeles and San Francisco increased by five hours yesterday when my detour to the Danish community of Solvang turned into a three hour excursion and the need to thrift pulled my car into two more towns along the way - Paseo Robles and Gillroy.

It was a long day filled with self, beautiful surroundings, good music and the periodic thrift store. As of Wednesday I'm going underground for some good times surrounded by good people, a camp fire, and lake-side adventures not to resurface until after the weekend.

For now I'll leave you with the 101 play-list inspired by my good friend Nic, down-loadable here. If you're interested in receiving one of nicsmix's on a regular basis let me know and I'll make it happen!
; )

Enjoy!

Etsy Selling Bloggers

As of late I've been helping to plan a family reunion for close to one-hundred guests. Some of the many things this has had me doing is scouring Etsy for a guest book and thrift stores for basically anything that can be used as centerpieces - success on both accounts.

A favorite thing about shopping on Etsy is the level of service. It has been an amazing experience in working both with buyers and sellers. And I highly recommend working with Julia over at Red Otter on any guest book needs you may have.



But I digress, that's not what this blog entry is about.

In my searching naturally I am pulled off in unintended directions and to my satisfaction I have discovered some inspirational Etsy selling bloggers.

She Can't Decide was featured in an Etsy Finds email - congratulations to her! Coming across this blog was like learning of a long-lost sister, let's see..."I am girl who can never decide." - dang why didn't I think of that. I wonder if she has a birthday in October too?!

And then there's the quirky blog of Sweet Love Vintage. This girl is just adorable with her writing, really you can't help but love Sweet Love Vintage.

Well, what are you waiting for check these ladies out. You can thank me later.

The Novice

It was three days ago when I completed my first eBay sale that I decided I would post about the ease of selling on this platform. For years I've considered eBay but even after the decision was made procrastination set in. It's the procrastination that you get from the prospect of wading waters unknown. I'll spare you the boring details and tell you this, I have these fantastic yellow wedges that have been sitting unused in my closet for over a year now because they pinch my fatty feet and so I gave them a go - no reserve, just sell.



And sell they did! A steal at $24.50 for a $135 pair of shoes. But you know what, two emails and three days later the bidder still hasn't paid and I'm heading out of town on Monday. So I'm wondering, is this normal? I've always been a prompt pay and I've assumed that's the way to be. Guess I assumed wrong.


This probably happens all the time but it's my first encounter since I'm new at this an all. Do you sell on eBay? Is there anything I should look out for?

xoxo

What a Week, and it's only Wednesday!

There's a rule - bad things come in threes. I only hope that applies to good things - threes, fours, fives, but I'll take the two thus far!

After a month of selling nothing on Etsy the tides have turned and this week I sold one item 5 minutes after I posted it, and the crystal ashtray that I absolutely love, hate to see go and conflictingly am so excited about.

And the winners are:

Oopsy - Busy!

Oh gee, I've been busy and neglecting my blog - the shame! What's that you ask? What have I been up to?! Well... let me tell you: shopping, sorting, photographing, moving and listing.

It's so much more fun to show you though!

I love to entertain and have a very real affinity for any item that makes my job as hostess easier. These low ball glasses are gorgeous and the mid-century style carrier is just right to stun your guests. I just hate to let it go!



Pyrex is one of those items that makes cooking down right delightful hence the popularity of this vintage kitchenware. I was so lucky to find this casserole dish in mint condition.



Isn't this the cutest?! I haven't a clue about it's use but I just love it.



This is a vintage AVON piece. It's really pretty but I mainly bought it because I know there must be someone out there who wants to buy it from me - I just know it!



All of these goodies were bought on recent thrifting trip to Ventura. There's more but I haven't shot those items yet. And a city guide to come!

Vintage Mag Ads - Oh My!

Sorry I've been MIA this week my darling readers, really there is just no good excuse. But I'm coming back at you with this fantastic collection of magazine ads ranging from the early 1900's to the 1970's. They're inspirational, they're fun, and... they're for sale! Most anyway.



Wrangler 1978



Foster Grant 1967 featuring Woody Allen



Carlye 1952

Liliann 1954



Peck and Peck 1952



Ship 'n Shore 1952



Monte Sano and Pruzan 1949



Himelhoch's 1949



Acme Gloves 1949



Revillon 1925



GD Corsets 1902


Aren't those little gems fun. I can't tell you how much in love with magazines I am - always have been. It's such a shame what has happened to that industry due to this "recession" that we are in, all of these fantastic magazines have gone under. I can only dream that when things pick up again we'll see a swarm of new and wonderful titles hit the shelves.

Oh la la - vintage dresses!

Traditionally I have two rules when shopping for a vintage dress, these rules also apply when shopping in general:

1. Do I like it?
2. Does it fit?

Pretty simple. But now that I'm Selling Vintage I'm finding myself considering and making myself crazy over clothes that fall under "other".

Things that go through my head:

It's cute but has shoulder pads (a loud shriek ensues).
Doesn't fit.
Would someone like it anyway?
Is it worth anything?

The frustration over having these questions and the inability to promptly locate the item on my Iphone gets to be too much - I toss it all back and leave. That's what happened today anyway.

Below are a few photos I took before jumping ship, I would love to hear what you think.


Cindy Mancini spilled red wine on her mother's white suede dress, could this be it - died to cover it up!



Paired with a belt and pretty tan flats this vintage dress could be the closest thing we have to a winner.



A little electric blue number could add a lot of fun to any closet but this one isn't worth it's $7 price tag.



Those are separate sleeves with what I assume looks like a necklace on, and the dress... velvet. Need I say more?

Promptly upon arriving home I jumped online to see what I could find out about some of these dresses, and promptly I was side-tracked by the dance dresses at Posh Girl Vintage. The images in the collage of photos above are taken from their website - merely a handful of the goodies available.

I have one last question for you - bring back the 50's mom with me?

Adding to Etsy

Opening an Etsy account has been a very exciting thing so far, not in the rah-rah kind of way of course but in the something new to work on kind of way. Adding new items to the store has kept me busy, in fact deciding which items to sell on Etsy kept me pretty busy today.

I made a pilgrimage to good 'ole Antique Station to load up and out, choosing a few new items for Etsy that I don't mind gracing the house. The Etsy store is up to a big eight items, check them out: www.sellingvintage.etsy.com.

The photo above is of one of those things I REALLY enjoy around the house. It's pure crystal and super heavy, I had to guess $20.00 to ship it! Wows ah.