The Fairplex Garden Railroad

Last month Dave and I attended the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, CA.  This was now my third year attending with Dave.  That blog and the glory of photos will come later. This blog is to focus on my discovery at the Fairplex where the event is held.  I couldn't believe that I had passed up and walked past this amazing display for the past two years I've attended.  I'm talking about the Fairplex Garden Railroad which is possibly the coolest miniature railroad I have seen to date.  

At first sight, this area of the Fairplex looked like a gated garden.  After peeking over the gate I was surprised to see that it was miniature haven!  The garden was originally built in 1924 as an exhibit at the Los Angeles Fair.  The display continued to grow in size at exactly a half inch scale of the true sized objects it displays.  In 1935 it was moved to its current location.  It is operated and kept up by a very friendly staff of members of a local garden railroad club.  

I love the inside details as well!

The donut shop was however my absolute favorite display!

Cute little miniature graveyard.

Saloon with ladies ready and looking for "work".  

Just beautiful!!

The railroad is set up so that visitors may walk around the displays.

This classic car rail car was so appropriate for the days events.

After making Dave and his friend wait on my oohing, and ahhhing, and taking pictures of almost everything (it was so hard to decide on what pictures to share!), it was time to move on.  My interest in the railroad was not done however.  I found their website here showing their operating hours and a brief history......and....I came across this awesome video someone made of the railroad on youtube.

Make sure you check it out next time you visit the Fairplex.  I promise you will not be disappointed.  

Till' Next Time,

Suz

Thrift Blog: January 2014

Well January has come and gone and we are already almost half way through February.  Where is the time going? Here are my thrift finds for January.

We came across several of these stained glass handmade picture frames.  They even have the artist's name and phone number on the back.  This red one was my favorite.  The original sales tag was actually still attached the back showing an original price of $30.  I bought it for $2.

I bought this bowl thinking it might be from the depression era.  There are however no seams or markings and I wasn't able to find anything else like it online.  It will make for a nice addition to my ever growing "candy dish" collection whether or not it's real.

This is the closest I came to finding anything tiki in the thrift stores in Palm Springs last month.  It's solid wood, badly carved, with shell accessories.  I thought it was a pretty funny buy for $0.25.

Dave was the one that spotted this lovely ash tray which will be used as a candy dish during the fall months.

I came across a few yards of the same material that I reupholstered my vanity chair with a few months back.  It was a much cheaper buy than what I paid at the fabric store.  I thought these would be great for making a tote bag or possibly kitchen curtains.

I was extremely excited to find this barcloth Christmas themed table runner.  The metal designs match the ones that are out on our patio.

There was a bunch of cross stitch projects that someone donated.  This was my favorite of them all.  I plan on framing it and placing it somewhere near the front door.

I've never seen a Christmas themed drink tray like this.  Had to have it for just $2.

Dave and I were finally able to attend a San Diego Vintage Flea Market event.  I spotted a ton of great items, including a shirt dress that fits like it was made for me (not pictured here sorry).  I had to buy this book written about Hawaii in the late 1960's.

These were my broach finds for at the flea market.  The shrunken head was too good to be true!

Below are some beautiful broaches my grandma recently sent me.  I love the green butterfly but the blue duck is definitely my favorite.  Too cute!

I found this lovely blue and white pleated skirt.  Can't wait to match up some great outfits with it in mind.

Till' Next Time,

Suz

Big Purchase: 1962 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

A few weeks ago while attending the Grand Nationals Roadster Show, it was decided that Dave and I were ready to purchase our first "purchased together" classic car.  Dave found an ad online that was too good to be true.  We purchased a beautiful 1962 Cadillac Sedan DeVille for a very good price.

There is definitely some repair needed but mainly minor, and luckily nothing major.  We got together with Dave's car club, The Orphans, on Saturday to take a look at the breaks and assess any other problems we will need to fix immediately.

At some point we do plan on redoing the interior with a white and black vinyl theme throughout.  It's current original condition isn't that bad considering this car is 52 years old!!

I can't take enough pictures of these fins!  So sexy!

My plan is to be a part of all the planning of the car and learn some handy dandy car repair lessons as well.  It's really not as complicated as it may seem.  

We also plan to repaint the car an emerald green which is our wedding color.  We are going with the Glen Miller theme of having something old, new, borrowed, and blue on the car.  Glen Miller used to incorporate those four factors into all of his shows for his wife to pick out while listening. So romantic!

The white walls cleaned up nicely and are in very good condition.

I took the car out for my very first ride and I must say, I felt like I was driving a boat down the street but it did drive smoothly and this car has some awesome power with a V8 engine.  I will need a few more rides under my belt before I feel comfortable cruising around town.  I do however plan on driving my bridesmaids and myself, of course, to the wedding in this car!   Can't wait!

Till' Next Time,

Suz

Palm Springs: Part 3

On day three of the last day of our trip, we decided to sleep in, have breakfast and go on our merry way.  I made sure to take more pictures of the Tropics hotel before leaving.  There was so much more we could have done and seen but we were both coming down with colds and were ready to go home by day three.  There is so much potential at the Tropics hotel.  They are in the middle of a renovation of their hotel restaurant and bar area, but we however think they could go a little further and maybe update the rooms.  The interiors and furnishings of the rooms were pretty standard and really nothing special.  Definitely not even photo worthy.  However here are some exterior photos I thought I should share.

We came across Anna Nicole's cemented hand prints located near the pool.  

After coming home and doing a little research I found this clip online of her  visiting the hotel. I see she had a somewhat similar stance on the hotel rooms.

This really made me sad.  This poor tiki is rotting away.

I love the name of the bar and hope it keeps with their renovation.

Our big purchase from the trip, was more inspired by the trip itself and not even purchased in Palm Springs.  After reading this blog by Sara at No Pattern Required, and seeing how expensive vintage sputnik chandeliers were priced at in the vintage stores of Palm Springs, we were sold on the idea of purchasing one from Lowe's instead.  Being that we are renters at the moment, we will have to wait until we purchase our first house together to display the lamp.  We are however happy we purchased it when we did as there were none in the store we visited in San Diego and nearest store only had two in stock! We figured the best idea would be to purchase one now in case Lowe's ends up discontinuing them in their stores.  I can't wait to put this up!

Till' Next Time,

Suz