House Call O' Rama

Went to a "house call" with a good friend.
It was awesome!
Lately all of the house calls for vintage 40's and 50's were actually full of late 80's and 90's clothing. I've seen some really GREAT Alfred Dunner let me tell you.
~sigh~
Not this time.
30's bias cut nightgowns and Mexican painted circle skirts and cute 50's sundresses.
The house call was my friends (it amazes me how generous she is and we have such a good time when we go hunting vintage, I can count on one hand the other vintage sellers that I think would be so kind to a competitor) so I normally pick a few things out right away and then wait till she is done picking to get anything else.
Of course you know inside I am thinking "nononono don't pick that, yessssss pass it by, good girl, move on now, nothing left to see here......leave it for me" because in the end I'm such a selfish bitch.

This time I got these saucy green suede 1940's wedge peep toe shoes. I love the little gold trim and the leaf accent on the toe box.

Fucking hot, that's what they are.
LOOK at this dress.
Look!
Atomic food novelty print.
Cocktails and B-B-Que, baby, right on your patio.
And yes, these will be on Damn Good Vintage very soon.
Be patient.

More Snow!

None all winter and now twice in one week.
I know there are those of you who have had snow since December, but I am so excited we finally have winter. Spring should be here in, oh, about one week.
The birds were crazy at the feeders.
I tried to get a few pics, but they just would not cooperate.
Little bastards.

FIERCE!!!!

That's all I have to say for now!

Snow and a Memo From A Neighbor

Well it snowed for the 1st (and probably) last time here in Central Arkansas.
Pretty in the am and gone by noon.


Last week I got this memo in my mailbox....well a few of
us did. I actually have no clue who it was from, but
I assume it is the group of morons who live up
the street who caught their pool on fire last
summer while burning trash. They have a habit
of leaving the bags just laying about until there is
a nice mountain of trash to burn on a windy day.
Brilliant, right?
I assume someone got tired of looking at it and
bitched about it to their "landlord".

Please notice the craptastic use of U in place of
the actual word "you".

I fear for all those teens out there who only seem to know
how to use netspeak as a form of written language.

I marked the letter with a red pencil, gave it a C and
mailed it back with this note:
Hiya Neighbor,
Thanks for the letter you left in my mailbox.
I have no idea what you are writing about, but have
given you a C- for spelling, the use of netspeak in a memo and a lack
of commas. Next time you might want to do a better job and
someone just might actually give a shit instead of laughing
at your note and blogging about it. By the way, it is a federal
crime to place something in a mailbox that is not actual mail.
Thanks for playing,
Your Neighborhood Blogger!

LOL Vogue

Over on Jezebel they periodically LOLcat the newest Vogue.
This is shit is gold, GOLD I tell you.
*Tard=tired...


I love the Anna Wintour fear.
BTW, is it just me or does the model in the right look to be about 12?

In Which I Seethe

This has me boiling and banging my head on the desk.
"This" being a column in this weekend's Washington Post
by Charlotte Allen titled "We Scream, We Swoon. How Dumb Can We Get?"
in regard to some woman acting like idiots over Obama.
If she had left it at that, I might be agreeing.
I'm a little annoyed at the gals who scream and act silly about Obama.
Unfortunately Allen goes on to say that all woman are the
dumber sex because some of us think Obama is hot, watch Oprah,
read chick lit and can't do math.

Seriously, you ask are you sure this is not and article from The Onion?
Yes, I would assume the gal is serious and this is the Washington Post.

Sure I think watching Oprah is dangerous, and stupid and a complete waste of time (and that one of my reservations about voting for Obama is my extreme Oprah hate and a need to make sure she does not feel more powerful then she already does) and I hate Chick Lit, but I don't think that is because women are stupid, I think it is because some women have really crappy taste.
I can't do math, not because I am a chick, but because I can't do math.
It would be just as easy to bring up all the craptastic things men do, generalize them and decide that there really is nothing more moronic on earth then a man.
If men are so smart how does one explain The Man Show and American Gladiator?

There is so much in her article to piss me off that I'll let the gals over at Jezebel and Feministing
and Firedoglake where there are tons of ~gasp~ really smart women speak for me.

I will comment on this:

So I don't understand why more women don't relax, enjoy the innate abilities most of us possess (as well as the ones fewer of us possess) and revel in the things most important to life at which nearly all of us excel: tenderness toward children and men and the weak and the ability to make a house a home. (Even I, who inherited my interior-decorating skills from my Bronx Irish paternal grandmother, whose idea of upgrading the living-room sofa was to throw a blanket over it, can make a house a home.) Then we could shriek and swoon and gossip and read chick lit to our hearts' content and not mind the fact that way down deep, we are . . . kind of dim.

Tenderness towards men?
WTF?
Maybe I'm not a chick since when I look at most men, tenderness is last emotion I feel.
Or does she mean tenderness for them because in the end they are like little kids?
Or does she...arrrggghhhh...I give up.
I think I'll go hug my washing machine and be happy to make this house a home.



EDIT: Here are a few stats about how "stupid" women are from the comments on Feministing;

"For every 100 girls who graduate from high school 96 boys graduate"

"For every 100 women who earn a bachelors degree from college 73 men earn the same degree."

"For every 100 women who earn a masters degree from college 62 men earn the same degree. "

"For every 100 women who earn a doctorate from college 92 men earn the same degree. "

(The National Center for Education Statistics)

Thriftin'

Not much in the way of garage or estate sales
lately, but I did hit one today.
Look at the cute vintage fish I got!

The little one is too sweet.

Oscar Tag...goodtimes

Jesus.
Ang over at eVintage Society's blog Vintage or Bust has
tagged me, she obviously has not noted my distaste for:
A. Inspirational Jesus Emails
B. Joke Emails
C. OK, any kind of forwarded email except LOLcats
D. "Tag Your It" blog thingees

Its blog tag time! eVintage will kick it off with some questions about the Oscar awards (fashions, not the awards themselves….who was paying attention to THAT part?)….

~sigh~ Remember, I spent the night in a haze of temperature induced hallucinations (so who knows WHAT I really saw) and various flu/cold meds.*

1) FAVORITE GOWN OF THE NIGHT & WHY?

Really, for me it was a tie between Mrs. Seal (Hedi Klum) and La Mirren (whom it can be said even my 15 year old thinks is hot)...they made the rest of the ladies look like sad little Haus Fraus.

2) WHAT ERA DO YOU THINK IT REPRESENTED BEST?
The body conscious designs of the late 50's and early 60's like those William Travilla made for Marilyn Monroe.

3) LEAST FAVORITE GOWN OF THE NIGHT & WHY?

I thought Cameron Diez (whom my kid also thinks is hot) was a hot mess. What is it with her and her "I just got in from the beach" hairstyles and makeup? Plus her dress did just not work for me and needed a good steaming.
I would add Daniel Day Lewis' wife's dress except they (as a couple) are much like Tim Burton and Helena Bonhem Carter in the wearing of the strangely goth evening wear that shows much boozums so this was par for the course for them....at least the hubby is yummy and it still is no swan dress.

4) WHAT ERA DO YOU THINK IT REPRESENTED BEST (or worst, as it were)?
The same as #2 except done wrong and it looked like it was too tight and her ass looked huge.

6) TILDA SWINTON, FASHION SCORE OR SCARE?
Score.
I really liked it, for Tilda (you have seen what she has worn before, right?) it was avant garde while still being very classic. Lux fabric, great cut....my only problem is the neckline which would look better cut bateau instead of scoop.

WHAT DID YOU EAT WHILE WATCHING THE SHOW?
7-up and crackers.

And let me just add that there is NOTHING sexier in the world then guys who bring their mom with them to an awards show instead of some starlet. Props to Colin Ferrell (even if you still looked a bit skeevy) and Javier Bardem for loving their mums.

So I will pass this bit o' torture fun on to Carol over at Jersey Girl/Dandelion Vintage.

*I'm feeling better, thankyouverymuch, and while there were a few misses on the red carpet, all in all the gowns were just lovely to behold and there was nothing truly crazy. I miss Cher and Bjork.

Obligatory Vintage Oscar Dress/Drinking Game Post

This would be my obligatory vintage Oscar dress post…..
if I was not down with The Crud.

Not the flu, but The Crud.

I feel yucky….but not OMG! Kill Me Now sick.

Just, ~meh~ I need to go back to bed and sleep.

I have done nothing for 3 days. Mr. Vintage Goddess has been a trooper. Made dinner for 3 days, cleaned the kitchen, did the laundry and cuddled with me last night when I got the chills from my temp.

That is why we get married ladies, so that someone is there a 12 midnight when you are cold or to make sure you did not fall asleep in the bath and drowned.

So here is Liz Taylor in a great dress from Edith Head in 1969. Here is a paperdoll of Liz Taylor and her hair from Fancy Ephemera:

Fancy Ephemera Paper Dolls features Brenda Sneathen Mattox's original art.
Paper Dolls include: literary heroines, royalty, Hollywood costume, classic movie stars, Victorian ladies, historical fashion, and vintage brides!

There are tons of cool links and information on her site go by and take a look around and buy some paperdolls.

I will not be taking part in the Oscar Drinking Game (which basically is a shot every time you say “OMG!”, “What was she thinking.”, “Who let her out looking like that?” and “It is called a fucking bra Gwyneth.” ) since the meds already make me feel dunk.

What I will do is begin writing down my impressions of the cracktastic Oscar fashions I see as long as I can stay awake.

Enjoy the show and I’ll get back with you later….

Please Don't Eat Jebus's Head

I've have always marveled at the crap religious stuff that is out there in "bible book stores".
It all seems slightly creepy to have Christian mints with bible passages or little Mass kits for kids to play with.

As always the folks over at Cracked.com have taken my shudder meter and made me laugh with the list is of 20 Tacky Religious Products Guaranteed to Anger God.

The list is has such gems as Grow Your Own Buddha, Teen Witch Kit and the Ten Plagues of Egypt Toy.

#14 is just wrong:

#1 is a dog nativity set:

As you're no doubt aware, the most common complaint about nativity scenes is they're too prejudiced against non humans. After all, who are the dogs supposed to pray to?

Luckily, some intrepid inventor out there took a stand and made the Dog Nativity Scene featuring Mary, Joseph, some wise men and the Messiah Himself, all as partially clothed canines. It's blaspheming fun for the whole family, assuming your family enjoys dodging angry thunderbolts and plagues.

I think eating a chocolate Jesus this Easter just might cross that "piss off God" line.
Good Times....

Yes, It is a Poddle Purse

Scans of my favorite vintage purses from my calendar for the month....so far.

Beaded Poodle Clutch, 1950
How fucking cute is this?
Comeonyouknowyouwantone!


Floral Plastic Box Baguette, Early 1950

Velvet Heart Purse, Elizabeth Arden, 1930's

Seriously, I would be happy to have any of these vintage purses to carry around.
How awesome would it have been to go out to dinner last Thursday with that 30's heart purse.

Princess Puffy Sleeves

Via Carol over at Life of a Jersey Girl.


"her dress is a hot mess"
Say what you will about him, the boy has talent.

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.

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?

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:

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.

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.

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.

Cloverfield

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


Just asking....

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.

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

It is time for the Bloggies Awards.
You know you want to vote for me.
Go ahead.
Where?
I have no idea.
Just go vote.