Friday, February 15, 2008

Rom Com



Valentine's day brings out the romantic comedies on TV.
Most suck.
‘Tis the truth.
Except for High Fidelity, I really love that movie.
Not really sure why.
Of course they really don't make Rom Coms like they used too.

I think my favorites are the Thin Man movies.
I know they are not really considered romantic comedies, but they are funny with tons of witty banter.
Myrna Loy and William Powell infuses the couple, created by Dashiell Hammett, with an adoration that is romantic without being overly sweet.
Nick and Nora Charles are funny, quirky, and elegant.

Just fun movies full of smart dialogue and fabulous frocks.
Nora really dressed well....very, very well.
Oh and there is copious amounts of alcohol.




Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Hey CNN, Fuck Off!

Wow, Chez over at Dues Ex Malcontent got fired from his job at CNN because of his blog.

S'rly.
Hell, I had no idea he even worked for them since he never named his employer, all I know is he is a man after my own heart.

I wake up every morning baffled as to why America hasn't thrown George Bush and Dick Cheney in prison, Hollywood hasn't stopped trying to convince me that Sarah Jessica Parker is attractive, gullible soccer moms haven't realized that they share absolutely no kinship with Oprah, and Fox canceled Firefly.


Firefly, sigh....that alone makes him awesome, but you can read here and here* to see why I read
him everyday.

Not sure why CNN cared that he had a blog since for the most part no one knew who he worked for.
I've pretty much given up on CNN since they hired that douche bag Glenn Beck so it is no skin off my nose removing them from the satellite "favorites" list.
It will protect me from being traumatized by Wolf Blitzer.

I guess it is a good thing I work for myself.


*I mean really, who isn't sick to death of The Oprah and that %^&%%$^(*((*)#@ Ann Coulter?

Monday, February 11, 2008

Vintage on the Runway

Project Rungay has a post about Kors's new collection.
Micheal Kors is all about vintage ala Mad Men for Fall 2008.
I am in love.
If I had the bod and the money I'd buy the whole collection.
Of course we all know that we can find the look on any number of vintage websites like Damn Good Vintage.
Here are a couple of my favorite looks:
And you can watch the show too:














Sunday, February 03, 2008

It is That Time Again

Fashion week.
So far nothing has really struck me except Vera Wang's show.
And it is not the clothing, but the models makeup.
Or lack there of.
Or maybe the idea really was to send those lovely designs down
the runway on walking corpses.
Who's idea of beauty is this?
Dracula's?



Why would anyone want to make this lovely 12 yr old look like she was dead?

Or at least like she had stayed out too late partying after the Hanna Montana concert.

I guess this is the "fashion is serious business" look.
Ah well, you can see the rest of Wang's show here.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

You Can't Save Them All


One of the things I love about buying and selling vintage clothing is being able to take a garment that you think is beyond any hope of saving due to years or neglect and bring it back to life.
In unfortunately there is a flip side to this when something you
have fallen in love with is just beyond saving.
Case in point these two awesome dresses.
They both look wonderful and lovely in these pictures, don't they?
Looks can be deceiving.
Both came in together and both had the same issue.
Dark water and mildew stains all over, but really
concentrated at the hem.



The 40's chiffon evening gown cleaned up like a dream, the
stains just melted away.
I was so happy...giddy even.
The slight shift from pale, pale pink to creamy yellow became more
apparent like a pastel sunrise.
Then I touched it.
The chiffon tore anywhere I moved it.
Sigh....dry rot had taken its tool.
The stitching has begun to tear too.
Whaaaaa!!!


The early 60's evening gown on the other hand is strong and totally wearable, BUT I cannot get a single stain to move.
The same stains that just disappeared on the chiffon are locked in on the acetate taffeta. They will not move. I have used EVERYTHING I have in the way of stain removal equipment short of setting it on fire.
I love the color combination.
I really wanted to save this one.

What can be done? Neither can be altered.

Both would be good "display garments".
In the end the 60's might be good for costume use and the chiffon could live one more time as a dead prom queen on Halloween night.
I think the fabric of the green and brown would be wonderful pillows.

They may become a couple of little girl’s favorite dress-up gowns for a season.

Let this be a lesson to those of you that either collect vintage clothing or are hording your past garments. Make sure you properly store them so they can live again in the future.

And other vintage dealers will be spared the pain and sorrow of not being able to save all the vintage dresses.


Friday, January 25, 2008

More Vintage Purse Scans

Here are 3 scans of my favorite vintage
purses of the past week from my purse calender.
Cushion-top boudoir bag.
1988-89.
Not really sure why one would need a bag in
the boudoir (sex toys, maybe?) but it sure is pretty.


Pouch purse in velvet with decorative cameo. Europe. 1900's.
Satin handbag with poodle clasp, 1960's.
'cause its a purse, with a poodle on it.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Cloverfield

Am I the only one who hopes that the Cloverfield Monster
is The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man?


Just asking....

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Coming Soon

I know I took a week off, but I am back!
How about some vintage dresses and a bit of shameless self promotion?

Coming soon to Damn Good Vintage.
This great vintage 70's dress from Frank Usher.
How awesome it that bodice?


These 40's dresses, very noir looking, one a black crepe with sequined
flowers on the shoulder and the other with a great sculptured peplum .


I love this vintage 50's patio dress from Alex Cloeman.


Last a pretty, pretty new look dress.



Monday, January 07, 2008

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Caturday Purse




I take part in a Secret Santa each year and this Christmas I
bought my SS recipient this purse calender.
I liked it so much I bought one for myself too.
Oh, there are some great purses.
Some are vintage and some are not.
I've decided to scan my favorite purses as I come to them.

The scan above is of
"Harle" calico cat bag with thread "hair" and
applique from Priscilla Snyder, 2005.
Yes, that is a purse.

Vintage champagne-bucket evening
bag in black suede by Anne Marie of France, mid 1940's.



Waving "Quelle Idole" (what a doll) Kelly Bag. Hermes, 2000.






Friday, January 04, 2008

A Man Got To Have A Code


I loves me some Omar.
And this Sunday I'll get to begin enjoying him and his code
when The Wire begins it's 5th and final season on HBO.


The truth is this just maybe the best show ever to air on American TV.
If you are not watching it, you should be.
It is a sin it has been completely overlooked by The Emmys for so many years.
(I'm not saying that the folks who vote for the Emmys are racist, but ya gotta wonder why a show that is this well written and this well acted does not ever get a nod except that it is about an American inner city and alot of the time all the faces you see are black.)

If you have HBO take a look.
If not grab the DVDs and begin watching.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

I'll Love you Forever

Just a hint.
If by some small chance of fate you decide to clean out all the old cassettes you have in the wardrobe and you come across a tape that has all the lullabies you sang to your teen when they were itty bitty.
Don't listen to it.
In particular don't listen to "I'll Love You Forever" which you sang every night to said teen from day one till about age 7 or 8 when they requested that you stop singing to them.

If you do you will melt into a mess of blubbering, sobbing mommy goo.
I'm just warning you.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Everything Should Taste Like Bacon


"Everything Should Taste Like Bacon"...that is the motto of the folks
over at J&D's Bacon Salt.
And except for The Boy's "everything is better with pie" there
really have been no truer words.
This is some good shit.
Bacon flavor without the calories.
So far we have used it on smoked turkey sandwiches,
omelets
, in potato soup,
on baked potatoes, cheese fries,
Rhamen Noodles and hot dogs.
So far, so good.
The Boy likes the peppered better, I like the original.
They even have a blog with recipes and updates.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Fab But Flawed


Over on Zuberbia the writer has a post on Dec. 21st discussing the value of vintage clothing with flaws.
Finding beauty in imperfection, Wabi Sabi.

Wabi Sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection. Instead of shunning decay from time, weather, love and age, it celebrates it. And for a vintage fashionista, that means learning to embrace frayed edges, subtle color fading, minor snags and other imperfections.


It is a lovely way to live your life.
It is also a great way to buy and wear vintage.
Not only because you will stop worrying about the chance you might get a spot on that mint condition vintage dress, but also you will spend less on it.

The 40's suit above is a great example. Lovely color, sharp Noir lines, but it has flaws.
I would wear it in a minute if it fit me.

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve

Here is what I'm doing.
Sent The Boy and Mr. Goddess off to Mass at the Cathedral.
I am home with a Vodka Cran, tons of presents to wrap
and A Christmas Story on the TV.


Before


and after!


"Deck the Halls with brows of Howrey, ra ra ra ra ra rarara....."

Buddy Christ


I've taken pictures of Buddy Christ all over the place.
He likes to travel....don't judge me.....
The newest image is him sitting on top of my signed copy of American Gods by Neil Gaiman next to my Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club mug (yes he is now the Pope, but I've had it since he was just a Cardinal in charge if the Office of the Inquisition) "putting the smackdown on heresy since 1981". Three of my most treasured "stuff".
The things I would grab if the house was on fire.

Good Times.
This was also a reason to try out my early Christmas present a Cannon, PowerShot A570 IS. It has this thing called "image stabilizer" that really makes taking pictures inside without a flash so much easier.

Kitties!


I'm not sure what Nico did to piss off Mr. Kitty, but he spent the evening with his back turned to the rest of us.


Kitty loaves.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Drunk Actors

The Golden Globes will air Jan 15Th.
If the writers strike is still on there will be no script.
This is like a gift from the gods.

Drunk actors on TV trying to not act drunk and show their asses.
This could be one of those golden moments that will go down in history.

I can't wait.
Good times.

If you are in the least bit interested in the strike Deadline Hollywood Daily
is a good industry blog to read. A lot of the folks leaving comments are writers and others
involved in the business.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Dear Abby Approves


Guess what?
Even Dear Abby knows the value of a good vintage dress:

Dear Abby: I go to church with a woman who is generous and means well, but she likes to give away her old hand-me-down clothing. Recently she gave me two old dresses that fit me, but I wouldn't be caught dead in. I'm 15, and she doesn't understand that.

I didn't want to hurt her feelings, so when she asked if I liked them, I told her they were pretty.

My mom is planning to donate the dresses to charity. But now the woman is saying she wants to give me more of her old dresses. I don't know how to handle this.

-- Second-hand Teen

Dear Second-hand Teen: Your neighbor is both kind-hearted and generous. She also appears to be into recycling, which is a good thing.

Before you turn your nose up at what she is offering, please consider that vintage clothing can be valuable. Some of it is "classic" and can be worn regardless of what the current fad may be. Members of the Hollywood crowd, as well as fashionable members of New York society, already know this. I often see their photos in magazines wearing some of the marvelous items they have collected. However, if your neighbor's dresses are really not your style, then you should be honest and graciously tell your neighbor that they're not for you.


So there you go.
Wear VINTAGE, Dear Abby said so.
And where are these old ladies who like to give away their vintage clothes?
I need one of them in my life.

New Look vintage dress shown above is here at Damn Good Vintage.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

PS

I should have added to my last post a bit about some of the Christmas songs I just hate.
Songs like The Christmas Shoes, The Little Drummer Boy, Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time, White Christmas (why? I have no earthly idea.) and that horrible Dominic the Donkey song.
Jesus, that one sucks.
It makes me want to cut a bitch.



I also neglected to mention how much I love Christmas All Around By Billy Mack (An aging rock star looking for one last big hit to start a comeback. A brilliant bit of acting from Bill Nighy in Love Actually) in all of its cheesy brilliance.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Christmas Songs

I just spent a bit of time downloading a few I did not have on my computer.
I think my favorites are:
Fairytale Of New York, The Pogues with the late Kirsty MacColl


Mary's Boy Child
, Boney M


All I Want For Christmas is You, Mariah Carey (Don't judge me)


I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Sarah McLaughlin
A great version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman from Chet Atkins

and a slew of Christmas standards from Frank.
Sinatra that is.


ALSO some of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas.


So what are your favorite songs I should have?

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Thriftin'



I was heading out to Big Lots today to pick up a new pillow (one of those memory foam ones) that a friend recommended. They were $12 and the same brand is sold at "Bed, Bath and OMG! You don't Need This Shit Beyond" for around $50.
I thought since I slept so well on our new memory foam mattress topper last night I would try one.
(and really I slept really well. I woke up only once, I normally wake up 2 or 3 times, and my back did not hurt as bad as normal.)
There is a huge thrift on the way.
Of course I stopped.
I do not look for vintage clothes at thrifts, I don't have the time and really, for the most part don't find anything older then the 1980's on the racks.
I do look for clothes for The Boy and myself and always check out the "household" stuff.
You never know when some one will donate a house full of vintage Danish Modern furniture or an awesome Haywood Wakefield sofa. I'm on the lookout right now for a MCM tall and narrow china cabinet for my kitchen. Always have an eye out for a cool two tier fiberglass lamp shade, or kitschy stuff or a flash of turquoise and gold.
Today I saw some turquoise and gold.
Look at what I did find today:



Those are some awesome glasses.
$1 each.
I love them.
I actually said "SCORE" when I walked up to the shelf.
I got six of the gold and turquoise highball glasses and six of the cocktail glasses and then six of the red and gold cocktail glasses.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

10 Years of Vintage


This month Dandelion Vintage Clothing is 10 years old.
Wow and Congratulations!
Think of all the amazing vintage clothes that Carol has had
the pleasure of selling.
To celebrate her 10 years of selling she is doing a "give away a day" promotion on her blog, Life of a Jersey Girl:

December marks the 10th Anniversary of Dandelion Vintage Clothing going online. Check out the website for a month long celebration with sales, gift bags, drawings for vintage giveaways and gift certificates and gift items from other websites. Something different every week!

There will also be weekly special on her website so make sure you stop by Dandelion Vintage Clothing often this month!

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Greedy Much?

In an radio interview on NPR a woman from Iowa, a REPUBLICAN voter said:
"I make a great deal of money through my own hard work. I don't want to pay for someone else's child to eat breakfast at school anymore."

I.
Am.
Speechless.
Even the Witch King is blown away by the evil, ugly, greedy honesty of her statement.

So we will let Devilstower on Daily Kos respond:

"Get that? She makes not just enough money, but a "great deal of money." How dare anyone take it away for something so frivolous as feeding a poor child? And yet Republicans, through their actions in blurring the lines between church and state, have become the "party of faith." Because they say so. Because they are bold in their actions and snarling in their defense.

We need to be just as adamant. We need to not hide behind any abstraction or evasion. We need to be unafraid to address this voter and say "I am going to take some of your money, and give it to that poor kid, because it's more important -- both to the child and to society -- that he eat, rather than that you have an extra week in Cabo."

Note that we should not pretend that "a program will take your money." Or "the government will take your money." This is a democracy, and we are the government. I will take your money. I will. Some of that money you worked hard for and want to keep. I will give it to a kid who is hungry. If your concern is that poverty should be addressed by individuals, then there's a simple solution: feed him. If there are no poor children needing food, I won't have to take anything for them. If your position is that people would be more generous if only the government would stay out of it, then sorry. I'm not willing to put this child at risk to as part of your experiment. Besides, if that were true, then why were their more hungry kids before we started these programs to give them a little breakfast? If your position is that your being able to keep all your money is more important than a child being fed, then I simply think you're wrong. And sick. You want to keep that money? You better beat me at the polls."

If it helps these greedy bastards who don't want to spend their money on things like free food for poor kids, I'd rather not spend my money on the war in Iraq.
and in the end money spent feeding poor kids so they can do better in school benefits not just the children, BUT all of us when most of those kids go on to be tax paying adults. It works in the same way the GI bill worked after WW2*, for every dollar the Government spent back then, seven dollars were put back into the economy after those guys became college grads with good jobs.

Just a reminder that there is an election next year and that there really are folks like that woman in the Republican "I got mine, screw you" party. These are the folks who elected Bush, who love Bush and see nothing wrong with him or the hatred exposed by the Religious Right.

For Democrats the whole entry is good read. Like Kos says "we do not need to elect Democrats, we need to elect BETTER Democrats".


*just a reminder. Today's vets do NOT get the same GI Bill of the 40's and 50's, theirs is crap compared to that one. Mostly in Bush's America we like to just screw our returning war heroes.


Thursday, December 06, 2007

Bringing The Cute Back To eBay

Normally I only list once a month on eBay and for the most part
it is vintage clothes, but this week I decided to do something
different.

How can you refuse?
Teh cute-ness is overwhelming, is it not?
Look at that poor little kitty working so hard everyday of the week.
~sigh~
They really are as sweet as can be.
The vintage kitty cat Days of the Week towels can be bid on here.

I also decided to list a group of old vintage photographs of miners at a mining operation.
I think it is in Rhode Island, but it is hard to read the writing on them.
I find old photographs fascinating, epically ones of folks at work.
Here is a peek.
and this cute little toddler (with old man eyes) all bundled up in a sweater.
You just know that when he (she?) walked they will just waddle like the brother in A Christmas Story when his mom bundled him up to go outside.


Last I put a group of vintage sewing patterns up on Sew-Retro and thought this one deserved a shout-out. It is the perfect rockabilly wardrobe (if only it had some sexy cigarette pants) in one pattern. It looks like a vintage halter dress, but is actually a button on skirt with 3 different blouses; a sexy off the shoulder number, a great pin-up wrap blouse and the halter top.
That would make a killer vintage dress with ANY of the tops.