Have you ever gone to an estate sale and come across some old tatty vintage umbrellas? Such beautiful prints, but alas the fabric is ripped? Well, I do. A lot.
Last year, I saw this beautiful umbrella in the garbage at an estate sale and plucked it out for free. Who doesn’t love a cheery yellow umbrella on a gloomy rainy day? But the side rip was a real downer.
Until I decided to fix it! Fifteen minutes later and I was walking on sunshine with my dandy new umbrella.
Let me show you how:
Easy peasy, right?
So, next time you see one of those charming busted brollies in the trash at the estate sale, grab it!
Happy crafting, friends!
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Long before tans, bedazzled bodysuits and feathered hair clips were a glimmer in Bruno and Carrie-Anne Inanba’s eyes, there was Arthur Murray. Arthur Murray was the master of the ballroom  and his famous chain of dance studios were all the rage back in the 1950s. The country was really embracing “exotic cultures” and Latin influenced music  was extremely popular. Everyone was dying to learn how to cha cha or mambo and that, of course, meant DANCE CLASSES baby!
I thought it would be fun to take a look at these amazing photos from a Chicago-area Arthur Murray Dance Studio back in 1958-1962. I love that couples would get all gussied up and spend the night twirling away. “A beguiling mixture of awkwardness and grace.” Oh yes!
Images: Square America
Makes me want to put on my dancing shoes! And you know, just in case you are wondering….So You Think You Can Dance is on Wednesday and Thursday and we’re JUST in the audition phase. C’mon. You know you want to.
Via: Kitsch and Curious
I don’t know about you, but I had one of those ballerina jewelry boxes that I loved so much. Not because I had oodles of fine jewels that needed to be protected, but of course because of the wonderous twinkly toed ballerina spinning away to a little tune.
Of course I wanted to be a ballerina. I mean, isn’t it almost a right of passage for little girls to want to be a dancer? But I must admit I think I wanted to be a ballerina for one reason only–the fashion of it all.
Oh, if I had a dime for all the things I did because I liked the outfit. Please note that that will be a separate post on its own.
Of course there were the class photos with the other well turned out ballerinas, like these below…
I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a similar photo of myself like this…
I also remember wanting one of these ballet boxes so badly. Â You can find a few on Ebay every now and then. Â Here are some other cool ones.
And of course ballerinas were a great design/style theme across almost all decades.
Don’t you love this sparkly little ballerina?
Or this high relief ballerina in a frame?
Or your could start your little one’s love of ballet with a ballerina jewelry box–maybe just like the one you had as a kid.
Hee! Did you take any ballet classes as a child? Did you love it or hate it?
Mad Hatter ain’t got nothin’ on that sassy dame. And look who we have here….casually chillin’ by the pirate ship. “Loving yer haaaarrrrrrrrrrr, lady!”
Let’s look closer….that HAT! Divine!!!
This one kills me….all lounging against the Pinocchio whale.
That tiny waist…..wowza! And the little girl in the background almost steals the show.
And finally, The Matterhorn Maddness:
Oh yes. Closer please:
I should have called this one the “Whatsa Matterhorn?” I love Mickey in his sassy little boots and hotpants!!! And those rosey cheeks? Makes me think Mickey’s been hitting the mai tai’s over in the Enchanted Tiki Room!!
Thank you so much Kevin for sharing this amazing AMAZING find with us! Like I said, please visit his blog….it is so full of fabulous stuff, including Kevin’s fantastic art work. I feel a special Vintage Disney Post in the works….stay tuned!
As you all know, I have a major vintage obsession. I especially love the colors and shapes, soooo I thought it would be fun to take a look at one of my favorite colorful accessories: the vintage pin. Small but mighty, vintage pins can really pack a punch and show off your personality beautifully!
Look how pretty these pins are! I love sparkly rhinestone ones—especially those in whimsical shapes like starbursts and butterflies.
I have to say my heart belongs to those quirky enamel flower pins from the 60s. Theyâ€
re so playful and fun.
The classic way to wear a pin or brooch is on a cardigan. I love them this way! Iâ€m a maximalist—so one is never enough. Donâ€t be afraid to pile them on.
While you can definitely wear pins on cardigans and dresses, I wanted to show you some other ways to rock the vintage pin. Itâ€s the perfect way to add a little punch to any outfit. First up—cuff ‘em!
This is a sweet and unexpected way to add a little personality to yer jeans. I had never seen this before and was just inspired one day to add a little something fun to my outfit. I love how it looks!
Youâ€ve tackled your cuff, why not add a fun pin to your hatband for head-to-toe cuteness? It works on any kind of hat (a floppy sunhat! a cozy ski cap!) but I love the incongruous look of a masculine fedora with a sweet flower.
Did you know that these flower pins were often giveaways? Its’ true! My awesome friend Karen (of 97 Things to do Before I turn 97) gave me a lovely daisy pin still in the package—it’s so cool. According to the label it was hanging around a bottle of Rose’s  Hand Lotion. So cool! Alas, I forgot to snap a photo. I’ll do it soon, I promise!
Scarves can be a little slippery. A sweet pin guarantees your scarf stays in place. Itâ€s also a fun alternative to a necklace. Iâ€m using flower pins in this story, but a rhinestone pin would be just as cute.
I bought this simple cloth tote at Old Navy. It was cute but it looked a little plain, soooooo I added some a handful of my favorite pins!
re not in the mood to wear a bright accessory on your outfit, think about adding a little touch on the collar of your coat.
So there you have it. Cheerful, sweet and super easy peasy to style! Whatâ€s not to love? You can easily find them online at Etsy or eBay!
Last month I told you about a new, monthly supper club that Dottie and I started with some great gal pals: The Dames. It was the brain child of our friend Doe, who is one of the most creative, organized and talented people I know! We realized that we wanted to see each other more—and we wanted to connect with other cool mamas. The concept? Get 10 or so rad mamas who love dressing up and once a month we hit a retro restaurant and have a fun night out! Last month we went to Joe’s of Westlake, an old school Italian restaurant with fab architecture. This past month The Dames decided to go to the historic John’s Grill—a cool seafood joint made famous as a setting in Dashiell Hammett’s novel The Maltese Falcon.
BUT before we met at the restaurant, our friend Shona suggested we meet at the Union Square Macy’s 6th Floor bathroom. “The Macy’s Bathroom? Whuhhh?” Sounds a tad strange, but hear me out. The Macy’s 6th Floor Bathroom is somewhat historic. Upon entering, you pass through an unremarkable, generic bathroom with the classic row of white sinks. Turn a corner, however, and you are suddenly met with this:
Off the main restroom is a square room made of green and cream marble. There are pedestal wash basins, a lovely crystal chandelier and a gilded ceiling. It’s FABULOUS! The walls are covered with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and it’s not until you push on the mirrors that you realize that all of the stalls are hidden behind them.
One of the snazzy metal and marble wash basins. The faucet got cut off but it was golden…
The bathroom was actually designed as part of the old I. Magnin department store back in 1948. I’m not sure why it was never renovated—but we were sure glad it survived! While we waited for everyone to show, we took pictures. I think everyone who actually had to *use* the restroom thought we were crazy. Festive! But crazy.
Dueling leopard was glamorously hilarious!
I look so serious! haha
Finally we made it to John’s Grill! This time there were 9 of us—and we branched out to include some “non-mama” friends but very groovy girlies. Alas, Dottie couldn’t make it this time but she was very missed! The beauty of The Dames is that it’s low stress—can’t make it one month? No biggie, just show up the next month!
For some reason our table only had half the place settings. I snuck around and grabbed them off the other tables, “I think they had us confused with The Broads…..we’re The DAMES, dammit!”
The elusive Maltese Falcon, used in the movie of the same name. I am not quite sure why there is an Emmy in the case too but any chance to pose next to an award? I’ll take it!
The food was fab and the company even more delicious. I was just so nice to get out and get to know this lovely group of ladies. I highly recommend starting your own little monthly supper club! You don’t have to be vintage obsessed—mix it up! Here’s all you have to do:
1.  Invite a great mix of ladies. You can get together with your besties, but  you don’t have to even know everyone well. Honestly it’s kind of more fun when you don’t. Our group is a mix of a few women who are already good friends and a handful I didn’t really know that well to start—but I’m soooo enjoying getting to know them better! Start with 2-4 people and let each person invite one extra!
2. Pick your “thang”. For us, it’s finding retro, old timey restaurants, but there are so many options. You can pick the newest restaurants in your town (and discover new favorites), you can explore different cultures (thai! sushi! ethopian!), you can pick a favorite food (pasta? pizza, seafood?) and try all the spots in town in a quest for the best….the possibilities are endless.
Getting a little time out on your own is so important for a mama—and even if you don’t have kiddos, quality hang time with your ladies can be so rejuvenating. Once a month isn’t a big commitment either. Give it a whirl! And be sure to let us know if you try it! Do you belong to any other groups? Reading groups? Crafting circles? Or do you just have a standing date with a best girlie? I’d love to hear!
PS Â Pssst! Due to a nasty looming cold, I wasn’t able to go to the third installment of The Dames, which was held last week at Spenger’s Fish Grotto. Miss Dottie was there representin’ and I must say it looks like she had things alllll under control. Dottie rules!
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