Merry Christmas to me...and everyone!

I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas with family and friends. Our family did their big celebration last night, on the Eve. Today, Christmas, we tend to just relax at home and cook our own meals instead of a big family one. I think this started when my younger cousins wanted to spend their day playing with all the goodies Santa brought rather than go visiting. Can't say I blame them, because this is exactly what I will do today.

I received the Mad Men series 1 and 2 sets. (Yippee!) I can't wait to watch those. Later, we will enjoy lobster, mussels in a garlic butter sauce and cold shrimp with cocktail sauce. We also have some Italian Pepper Cookies for dessert. Yum!

I hope all of you are nice and toasty, safe and sound, surrounded by love of dear family and true friends! Merry Christmas everyone!

...and now back to our regularly scheduled program. Even a holiday can't stop a vintage newbie from seeking new finds!...a dress for late summer/early fall, a wicker basket Koret purse and a navy leather Dofan bag (that was a steal!). To me, From me. Awwww...I shouldn't have!

Poor Aunt Charlotte

Esh...maybe I'm just tired, maybe it's the dreary cold day we're having. I dunno. I'm feeling very "Poor Aunt Charlotte".



Of course, I'm referring to Charlotte Vale of Now Voyager fame. Poor Aunt Charlotte, that's what they called her, the spinster in sensible shoes with the frumpy wardrobe and grey hair. Charlotte had a few issues that extended well beyond hair and wardrobe. In fact, a jaunt at Dr. Jaquith's was needed to turn her around. I'm pretty sure I just need a really good hair cut and color. LOL Yes, this "Poor Aunt Charlotte" just needs a makeover!

The trick is to get up enough umph to actually execute the transformation. First, I have to decide on a style. I'm thinking something between chin and shoulder. I was going to leave it long, but my hair gets too heavy and too flat if it's too long. I can do a bob with some layers and easily work it into a 1950's look, especially if it's left a bit longer. So, I do have a style in mind. My biggest problem is deciding on a color. I'd love to do a dark auburn, but I know it will be high maintenance. So, perhaps a more natural brunette is best, to start. I know there are a lot of gals going "natural" and working their grey. I don't think it's working for me and I feel rather washed out. Until I fix this hair, it's not even worth wearing any of my new vintage ("new" vintage? lol). I'm almost ready, almost. The holidays are pretty hectic and I'm sure salons are packed with people this time of year. Everyone wants to look their best. I'm trying to remember what my best was! LOL Oh well, one step at a time.






Hmmm...What will this Charlotte look like when she raises the hat? Is Camille Beauchamps lurking just under the Charlotte surface?

Maybe I should call it the Late Sunday Crush?

I missed Sunday again.
I was going to write about Heywood Wakefield furniture but was too engrossed finding online examples to apply myself. I thought about a few other potential crushes, but nothing seemed right. Then, just moments ago, I read this on Maggi's blog.

Just look at what her Mom made from some figures they had. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town are just my two ALL TIME favorite children's Christmas movies (toss in Little Drummer Boy and my evening is complete). How absolutely awesome, absolutely CRUSH-able are these decorations?

Maggi's Mom...You are the Sunday Crush! LOL


http://katamommydamacy.blogspot.com/2009/12/its-that-time-of-year.html

The Lippies are here!

Soooo...my Besame order arrived a few days ago and I've either been too lazy to try them out or perhaps too reluctant to post the pictoral. I'm going to be brave, as promised, and post the pics. One, you can see my new RED lipsticks and two, they will serve as my "before" pics. Three, they made me realize I desperately need a new camera, preferably one with more than 10 pixels, lol. Four, I have even MORE respect for the FL gals who photograph themselves so well in their bathroom mirrors. Good gracious, it ain't easy! I've spared you the up-le-schnoz pics. Ignore the hair and jammies, this was on the fly.

Up first, Besame Cherry Red with a light gloss over it. This is a very bright, blue red and not a true red, in my mind. I didn't think it would be my favorite but after looking at the pics, it just might be!





Next is Besame Noir Red. In person, this is like the deepest, darkest wine red in my opinion. I thought it would be my favorite and actually, while I adore it on others, I think it's my least favorite. I think it might just be the liner, which is Besame Red/Cerise. I used the red side for all the shades.



The final contestant is Besame Merlot. It's more of a dark brown red, not at all flashy. By this time I didn't even bother to reapply the liner (which I don't think is correct for this shade)or slap on a coat of gloss. Plus, the pic is pretty grainy, sorry. I think I can work this as an everyday color with the right liner and a gloss to lighten it a bit.



Overall, I think I could get used to red. This from a diehard mauve gal. The Besame colors are rich, very rich with pigment. Eventhough I used a silicone primer on my lips to keep it from staining, stain it did. This isn't a bad thing! For those of us unaccustom to cream, almost matte, lip color, you will definitely want a gloss. Be prepared though, the gloss really magnified the color! I think a better application can be had with a lip brush instead of directly from the tube. I still want to try their Red Velvet. It might be warmer than I'm used to, but I think it will be a truer red.

Okay...so there you have it...er Me.
The New Old Me is not accepting hate mail, pointing and laughing at this time, however hair color suggestions are always welcome! LOL

Sunday Crush (a day late and several dollars short)

Tinsel Lights

Oh man, I fogot my Sunday Crush installment. Well, I think you'll forgive me since I was shopping for my latest crush...Vintage Christmas.

We lived with my Grandparents from 1967 to about 1977. Christmas at my Gram's house was always a big, BIG deal and she always held a huge all-you-can-eat (and drink) Christmas Eve party. She decorated with the usual stuff, tree, train, little houses, garland, plastic figures, candle holders, salt and pepper shakers, the usual.

My Aunt still lives in that house and we do still celebrate Christmas Eve there but just with immediate family. Some of the decorations are the same but others don't get put up, have been gifted away, were junked or are otherwise MIA. I am an extremely sentimental person when it comes to my childhood and when I started finding the exact items my Gram once displayed, well, I had to have them.

Up first, my most sensational find! An aluminum tree with all it's branches, original box and base. Looks to be in pretty nice condition too. I watched this same item go for $81 at auction, did a little searching and found this one for sale at a little over half the price! Now, it's only 2 feet high because I'm using it in my bedroom. It's a safety hazard to put electric lights on aluminum trees. Instead, you use a color wheel which illuminates the tree in a couple of colors. I'm just not sure a 2 foot tree needs a 12" color wheel. I may try to rig up some other light fixture with a single color (Pink?) bulb or small spot light.



Now, my Gram never had an aluminum tree. She's probably rolling over the fact that I'll have one. She hated them and always had a fresh tree. I remember a neighbor in the "new" housing development full of modern ranches had a pink aluminum tree that rotated in their big bay window. I thought they must have been uber rich to have such a fancy display! In truth, if you want a 5" or 6" PINK aluminum tree, you had better have $ to burn because they go for thousands of dollars!

Here's a link to some info about the history of the aluminum tree plus a pic of a Pinky!
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/artifacts/archives/001924.asp

www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/artifacts/archives/001924.asp
(sorry, may have to copy/paste in your browser as I can't seem to get links to come up)

Something of my Gram's that I did score were these Knee Hugger Elves. I swear the green one is an exact duplicate of the ones that sat in the ledge of her kitchen window! I *think* she might have had a red one or maybe even this white one but it became discolored from sun or somehow damaged and my Gram pitched him. The cool part is that the tags say, "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Stuffed Toy Registration Number 85 Approved". As I live in PA, I told the seller I am bringing the boys home! LOL





Another of my Grammy's decorations are these Snowman Salt and Pepper Shakers. These were on one side of the kitchen window over her sink. The other corner had a set of Mr. and Mrs. Claus Shakers which I am still hunting down but getting warmer. (I found them but they were "repurposed" into friggin tree ornaments. arrrrggghhh)



I also found three of her old cookie tins and was "this close", had them in my shopping cart and everything. The only problem is that I don't usually bake. I could bake, Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate Chip (you use chocolate cake batter, chocolate chips and walnuts) and Cherry Winks (dates in the batter, rolled in crushed cornflakes and dotted with a snip of marachino cherry...nobody loved these except my Gram and I). My Gram made all of these as well as Oatmeal, Peanutbutter and Hello Dolly's (made in a pan, layers of graham cracker, condensed sweetened milk, choc chip, coconut, nuts and just keep repeating until you are outta room). The only thing is that we are watching fat and cholestorol. I think maybe my Gram would prefer if I saved my money on the tins and skipped the cookies in exchange for our health. I dunno. We'll see...I may get them yet!

Oh geesh! I just remembered...I found Gram's tree topper and I need to go back and get it! I hope it's still there! I always wanted to know the angel's name and Gram finally said it was Gabriel. I was so in love with this angel that I would hide it when they were packing up the decorations so I could have it all year. I always got caught. My Aunt still has this one and uses it. Still my favorite angel. :)

Update: Gotchya! She's made with something referred to as "spun glass"



Okay...gotta go shop a wee bit more!
I have NO ornaments for my swanky aluminum tree and that must be rectified pdq!

If I could step onto a movie set...

If I could leave reality and step onto movie set, there are two places that fascinate me sufficently to take up residence. The first is the 1940's swank single girl apartment of Miss Laura Hunt. A little over the top, perhaps, but right up my ally. I can just imagine the records playing and the cocktails flowing whilst I saunter about in something dreamy going over my next high profile ad campaign. The other dream spot is really just a room, but what a room it is. I'd be perfectly happy to move into the first Mrs. DeWinter's boudior. The enormous sheer curtian divider and floor to ceiling windows are incredible. The wardrobe and the pull out drawers that hold her delicates are every (okay THIS) woman's dream. Let's face it, the ocean view would be sweet too.

So, the first comes with a nut job who coiffes you, styles you and tries to kill you. The second comes with a nut job who isn't interested in brushing YOUR hair and will try to get you to kill yourself. Decisions, decisions...

Here are just a few photos I could find.










About the only thing that tops Laura's place is Waldo's bathroom. Talk about a throne room! Good golly!


Here's a hint of Rebecca's boudoir...Hiya Danny!

Danny before the divide

Etsy vs Ebay

I only have a few moments to get this together because I work the overnight today. Drat! Oh well, tomorrow is pay day. Did you hear that Etsy and Ebay? I said Payday! LOL

So, I decided, Etsy is like your BFF, very best gal pal in the universe. She's fun, she isn't pushy, she's diverse, and when you shop together, she'll answer you honestly. Hey, if it won't fit, Etsy will find you something else and if you like it, you buy it.

Ebay, on the other hand, is like an abusive boyfriend. He's got tons of stuff going on all the time and very little of it focuses on you, he dangles temptation in front of you and then lets you down, or worse gives it to somebody else. He treats you bad but you just remember that one great bargain and keep going back, like a drug, a love drug.

Okay, I'm sort of kidding! Seriously, after years of retail management, I am finding a few pet peeves. Sellers, you're in this to SELL. Why do people list garments and tell you nothing, nada, zippo? "Pin Up Sweater, Kim Novak, Vavavoom" but not a size, not a label, any buttons missing, nothing. It's like pulling teeth. Eesh! But that's nothing compared to my biggest gripe. What the heck is the deal with Plus Size adverts? OMG! We know we are plus size. We appreciate that you photographed the item on a plus size model. Really, we do. But why, oh why is she in hoochy momma poses????? Good Lord! We're curvy not slutty. Not a single plus size woman I know arches her back, sticks her chest out with her hand behind her head and one leg up with her foot on a brick wall...wearing a 1950 circle skirt. Give us a break!

Speaking of brick walls...Do you find it strange that vintage models are decked out in the thing you might buy but sitting on a dirty stone wall, or a dead tree stump or some other place you and I would never sit in our best duds? All I can think is, "Great, there's probably a big dirt mark on the rear now!"

Okay...coffee clutch is over. LOL