Thrift Blog: June 2013

Wow, June has just flown by!  Dave and I were busy with going to a friend's wedding, Ink N Iron, wedding planning, visiting with family in town, and Disneyland (of course).  Below are just a few photos from the mentioned events.

Dave and my Ink N Iron souvenir photo.  I made the mistake of leaving my memory card at home for my camera so this sadly is my only picture from the day.  We had a good time but this may be our last time going as the event has gotten so expensive.

 

I can never have enough pictures of the Haunted Mansion.

 

 

Isn't the Haunted Mansion wallpaper divine!  I would love to have this in my house someday.

 

The Polynesian room is my favorite part of It's A Small World of course.  I get so excited every time we circle the corner and I spot the mermaids which is the start to the room.  I think I take pictures every time as though it's my very first visit to the park.  Kind of crazy and obsessive; yes I know.

 

 

Paige is getting so big!!  Ain't she a cutie!

 

We had a lovely picnic at Balboa Park when my sister was in town.

 

So I have an update to my "Amazing Vintage Ties" thrift blog.  Dave and I made it back to the store where we made our discovery with the wonder of whether or not the rest of the vintage ties had been purchased.  There was indeed one tie left....so of course I bought it.

 

 

So onto my June thrift finds.  I found all of the below items in one glorious day of thrifting while out with Dave.  Dave and I plan on once again attending the Tiki Oasis gathering that takes place here in San Diego in August.  This year's theme is Hulabilly (a mix of Hillbilly and tiki).  I have been on the lookout for the perfect outfit.  I found this 80's floral dress and thought matched up with some cowboy boots it would be the perfect fit.  It was also helped that it had the perfect price of just $4.

 

It fits perfectly!  (please ignore my lack of make up and or nice hairstyle)

 

I had the great fortune of finding these moonshine style jugs which will go perfectly as his and hers "Hulabilly" mugs for Tiki Oasis. Aren't they great!

 

 

Purses, just more purses!  How could you possibly pass on a basket purse.

Dave was the one that spotted this beauty.  It's a Mexican souvenir framed bird (hand crafted with real feathers) likely from the 50's and or 60's.  I have seen a few of these in the past but just absolutely loved the colors on this one. 

 

Tiki spoon!  Now I'm on the hunt for the matching tiki fork.

 

This cute plaid circle size three won't fit me (not in my wildest dreams), but it will fit a friend of mine.  Easy $2 buy.

 

I'm loving the peter pan collar fashion trend and thought this vintage blue blouse would be too cute for work.  I love the pearl bead leaf detailing.

 

Yet another decanter to add to my ever growing collection.  This Kahlua decanter is not tiki but rather of Mexican origin.  It's from the 1940's according to my research findings.  There was actually a couple heated discussions of why it's not considered tiki online. 

 

I was completely excited to finally come across this vanity mirror tray.  I have come across several of them at flea markets and vintage stores but they are always asking for a little more than what I was willing to pay.  Dave is always reminding me to be patient as I will likely come across what I want thrifting.  He was right!

 

Following this blog will be an additional thrift blog of books I have found this month. I decided to give them their own blog as they truly deserve it.

 

Till' Next Time,

 

Suz

Changes

As many of you already know Google will be ending their Google Friends services as of July 1st.  I'm a little late to making sure I'm able to keep in touch with all of you but better late than never. This blog is mainly a means to "claim" my blog. Here  I enjoy doing my blog and hope to continue sharing for a long long while :)  June thrift blogs to follow shortly.

Velvet Paintings

If you would have asked me a few years ago how I felt about velvet paintings I probably would have likely responded saying they were tacky and cheap.  Well as I've grown older I've realized how talented people are that have any ability to draw, paint, create in general.  I do come from a line of artists in my family however I sadly do not own an ounce of that talent myself.

The picture below is the earliest memory I have of a velvet painting.  This hung in my grandmother's living room for all the years she lived in that house.  Thank you to my parents who dug up this photo for the blog.  They said that they think they either sold it for basically nothing at my grandmother's estate sale or it was thrown into the trash.  They said that it smelled of smoke which was provided by all the years my grandmother smoked in her house.  I have fond memories of gazing up at it as a child.  I believe it was actually blue velvet versus the more commonly used black velvet canvas'. 

 

Dave and I were out weeks ago up to our usual thrifting antics and I came across this velvet work of art. 

 

My very first reaction was I love the moonlighted cherry blossom tree.  I'm guessing this is Vietnamese rice fielding scene.  A family busy at work, even into the night.  This was likely made in Mexico and sold as a souvenir anywhere between the 1950's and 1990's.  Well for $4.00 it was going to be my thrifting souvenir. 

 

I threw myself into research mode, which is pretty normal for me, when I got home wanting to know more about this painting and I came across this awesome video of this couple that once owned  the "Velveteria" which was private collection of thousands of velvet masterpieces. 

 

 

 

The museum was located in Portland, Oregon.  I read that the couple closed the museum a few years back to relocate to Los Angeles and I haven't been able to find anything more about where they may have now opened shop.  I would love to add that to my field trip wish list.  Do you own any velvet masterpieces?  How many do you own?  What are they of?

 

Till' Next Time,

 

Suz

Riding in the Lilly Belle at Disneyland

Dave and I decided to take a weekday trip to Disneyland last week.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity as I'm at a slower pace at work and Dave had a few free days before he was to start his summer job.  We chose to go during the week as this one way we could avoid some of the summer crowds.  As always I had a few things in mind that I wanted to try to do at the park that I've never done before.  Today I was determined to ride around the park in the Lilly Belle.

The Lilly Belle was built in 1976 with the aid of Lillian Disney's interior decorating influence.  It was to be used as a cab to host celebrities and dignitaries providing them with a nice private ride around the park.  The design is described best as early American Victorian.  Lots of reds, maroons, golds and burgundys.  One of the first riders was Japanese Emperor Hirohito. 

You never know when the Lilly Belle will be on the tracks so there is never a guarantee that you will be able to ride in the car.  I would suggest that you do as we did and make the Main Street Disneyland train station your very first stop (first thing when the park opens at 8am).  Find a railroad engineer or similarly dressed cast member and kindly ask if the Lilly Belle is on the tracks today.  If the answer is yes than ask if you may put your name on the list to ride.  We were gladly told "yes"!  We got on 12pm list and were told to return twenty minutes before departure.

I can hardly contain my excitement arriving at the train station.

 

Main Street USA Train Station

 

We were given tickets to ride as souvenirs. 

 

Very proud ticket holder.

 

All aboard!

 

We rode in a full car with other Disneyland guests.  We all shared the same excitement in enjoyment of learning about the history of the car.

 

Here is Steve who was our gracious and excellent host and historian.

 

Beautiful wood details throughout.

Dave sitting in a chair which came from the Queen Mary ship.

 

The smoking jacket was a replica of the one that would have been worn by Walt Disney.  The side table was also filled with a button board that I noticed Steve occasionally managed.  I'm not sure what it did but presume it was perhaps a system of keeping contact with the engineer of the train.

I just fell in love with these harp side tables.  So elegant.

 

Here is the view looking ahead out the front window towards a "normal" car in front of the Lilly Belle.

 

We were told the major reason why the Lilly Belle is kept on the down low is because of the carpet.  This is the original carpet and less guest flow means the carpet will last longer.  Have you spotted the hidden Mickey's yet?

 

Such a pretty candy dish.

 

Walt and Lillian Disney.

 

We were told that these books were the influence for Walt's obsession with trains.

 

It was a game of musical chairs as we were only permitted to stand up in the car while the train was stopped at the four stations.

 

Till' Next Time,

 

Suz

Thrift Blog: April - May 2013

I've combined April and May for this thrift blog as I didn't get much of anything in April as I was busy working 80 hour plus weeks the first two weeks for the ending of the tax season.  May was a fun month filled with lots of catching up with friends and family.  There is always a little pressure to want to see everyone right away but I know it's also important to make sure I have some time for myself to relax as well.  Dave and I are almost done and completely moved in.  We have few pieces of rogue boxes and furniture that we will either continue to hoard in our spare room or garner the courage to sell or donate.  I've always loved the saying "a messy house is a messy mind".  So the mess must be taken care of!

Wedding planning is also going smoothly.  We have just over a year now until the big day.  I feel like I'm so on top of everything that if we had to we could have everything ready for the wedding a few months from now truly wanted.  We have a few big decisions to make and then the rest are just minor details.  Okay....so let's dive into what I found these past few months already!

I love royal blue.  It's such a great color and I don't mind adding more pieces of it to my wardrobe when given the opportunity.  I bet this was a suit set.  I looked through the skirts but didn't find a matching piece.  There were no labels or signs of previous labels so I'm not sure how old this is.  Dave guessed 50's my guess 60's as it's a cable thick like material.

Aqua or sea foam green I've noticed are some pretty popular colors lately.  I couldn't pass on the choker or yet another additional bamboo bangle.  I actually passed up four bamboo bangles recently.  I'm pretty sure I currently have enough.

This 99 cent clutch was a sweet find.  I can't make out the logo for the life of me.  Any one have any clue what the brand is?

My grandma swept this up for me at a local rummage sale in her town.  The handles are Bakelite and there is a cute penguin pattern in the chrome.  Sorry the picture doesn't showcase the penguins better. This was a common ice bucket of it's time as my aunt has the same exact one and said she bought it as it reminded her of the one her grandmother had as well.  I actually walked into my aunt's house, spotted the bucket and assumed my grandma decided to give it to her instead.  Now we both have the same one!

Here is a sneak peak of Dave and my items merging together.  Dave sat his bar up against the dining room mirror wall and I must say that it works out perfectly (as most bars have a mirrored back).  The table set is an awesome addition as well. I was happy to get rid of my set to make room for his no problem.

I found the hand blown pink and aqua blue Christmas tree topper on the same outing when we found the bulk treasure of vintage ties (see previous blog).  My grandma actually gave me these bulbs in their original boxes.  I'm excited to do a pink and aqua blue themed tree this coming Christmas.  What  a great find Grandma!

This hat was recently passed down to me by my Aunt Carla.  She said it belonged to her late grandmother.  The netting is in perfect condition! No tears, rips, or holes. I'm however not sure what outfit I would pair this up with.  It will have to be for a special occasion.

Cute black velvet bow at the back!

I have been meaning to read Julie & Julia as I loved the film and I've heard that Bruce Campbell's books are a good read as well.  At 99 cents a piece these were a nice little score.  Don't forget to check out the book section of any thrift store: you never know what you might find.

At first glance I thought the basket was cute.  I then lifted the lid to find a mirror inside on one of the top flaps.  It was definitely going home with me.  I have used a few times all ready.  Such a fun piece! I was thinking I might dress it up with some plastic fruit or flowers.  Nice DIY project for the summer.

This is now my second vintage fur item to date.  I have a cream wool coat with mink collar purchased last year.  I have been wanting a vintage red coat and was truly excited to have come across this beauty.  Now I do not agree with the killing of animals for clothes, however my feelings towards vintage furs are a little more neutral.  I have no idea what animal this might have been.  Fox maybe??  There were no tags other than a Union made tag.

My very first Alfred Shaheen dress.  If you are not familiar with Alfred Shaheen's fabulous tropical hand painted clothing please click here.  I came across this dress on eBay about a month ago for a very reasonable price.  It fits me perfectly and I couldn't be prouder to own of piece of clothing history such is any Shaheen piece.  I may be debuting it at Tiki Oasis this year. 

 

Well that's it for now.  I'm already on a roll with my June finds which includes my very first velvet painting!  Any good finds for the past few months for you?

 

Till' Next Time,

 

Suz