Things that annoyed me in 2009 . . . Goodbye!

Let's say a final 'Goodbye!' (hopefully) to some annoying people and trends from 2009.


*Goodbye Jon & Kate - I used to like watching the show, your kids are fun and adorable. But now I realize that you two are really screwed up, money hungry, attention whores. Poor kids. Save some of their money for the therapy that they'll need when they hit their teens. But you'll probably blow through their money as fast as Courtney Love blows through her kid's money. 

*Goodbye to another person who is obviously desperate for attention and in need of much therapy - Octo-Mom. I just don't know what to say about that wacko except for Poor kids.

*Goodbye to Angelina Jolie. Please already. Really tired of media speculations on pregnancies, break-ups and 'secrets' to their relationship. She was a wacko before she started collecting/making kids - and that kind of wacko doesn't just go away. And if they aren't getting any attention, she'll say or do something to get attention. That relationship will end very badly.

*Goodbye to all the media attention on Tiger Woods. I hope that his wife had a 'No Cheating' clause in their pre-nup so that she can get a big payout. I'm sure the payout will be big either way. I hope that we won't be subjected to interviews and media coverage of all the slags he's been with. Oh. Too late to hope for that.

*Goodbye to those Kardashians. Please. Goodbye. Go away. 2 of them were appearing in AC at the Borgata this Summer. I kept wondering what was the 'talent' they would be sharing with their audience and what type of knuckleheads were the audiance to go and pay to see them?
 
*Goodbye to phrases like 'Fashionista' and 'Recessionista' - they've been used enough over the past few years. I'm tired of hearing them. Also 'Vintage is Green' as a way to advertise vintage clothing (sorry to my fellow vintage clothing sellers) But I'm not going to buy something just because it's 'Green' - Not that I don't care about our Earth, but I just like vintage. You know, old school vintage.

*Goodbye to 'Va-jay-jay' - totally sick of hearing that phrase too. I mean, come on grow up. Why would you call your patootie a 'va-jay-jay'?

 * Goodbye to shows about Teenagers living like 40 year olds. Are people really interested in watching overdressed 12 year olds, whoring around with their overly dramatic lives? Although I do enjoy how they make fun of those shows on The Soup.

* Goodbye to Mad Men - ok, I do really like the show, even though I haven't seen the last 2 episodes yet. So I'm not saying goodbye to the show itself. I'm just tired of seeing Mad Men everywhere else. I'm tired of seeing every other thing on ebay and etsy described as being 'Mad Men Style' when most aren't even remotely Mad Men in any way. To clarify, I am for correct use of Mad Men as a keyword, and I love how Mad Men has given attention to vintage fashion. I'm just annoyed by the incorrect spammy usage of it.
Don Draper was voted the most influential man by some website. Jeez, what does that say about our society. I mean, he is super handsome and stuff, but he is a self-centered mess.

* Goodbye to Sarah Palin. I can't figure out if she's delusional or ignorant. Maybe she's both. She can't possibly think that all the media attention she gets means that people actually like her. They are making fun of you Sarah dear.


I could probably go on and on. I tend to do that sometimes. But I will stop my list here, and maybe come back with some more things as I remember how much they annoyed me this year.

Merry Christmas to all my Vintage Friends!

I made double batches of Chirstmas cookies this year because the first Tollhouse and butter cookies went fast! There's a ham in the oven, potatoes are boiling, and I'm about to go down and candy some sweet potatoes. We open our presents Christmas Eve, ever since I was a kid, so Christmas will be over for us in a few hours. I'm looking forward to seeing Harlow and Boris open their presents. Boris already spotted some presents and he's ready to tear into them, old pro that he is.

I want to wish all of my online and real world friends a great Christmas!

Some Christmas presents for me

So. I have to buy some little goodies for myself right?
First, I got this very cute vintage wrap skirt from Deluxeville Vintage on etsy. Very cute, lightweight grey cotton with plaid trims and buttons. Check out her blog too - Welcome to Deluxeville and envy her vintage fabulousness.

I also bought an embroidered linen suit on ebay, that I'm still waiting for. The auction pics are gone so no photo to show you until I get it in my hands.

Then I bought some things from Forever21. I cannot resist cute cheap clothing, that's the only kind of new clothing that I'll buy.
I saw and ordered the boots below at the end of my shopping, and they made me the most happy when the order arrived. About 20 years ago I had a pair of lace-up boots with flat heels by Esprit (I think) I loved them and wore them for about 10 years until they were tattered. I haven't been able to find another pair like them since. Until now. These are taller than my original pair, and the heel is about 1/2 inch thicker, but they will do very, very well. Love them. They actually zip up the side. Under $40!

And I also bought this plaid coat (love). A cape-like fitted jacket/top, a pretty pleated aqua blouse with puffed sleeves and a red gingham wrap top.Sweet.

And finally, I bought this book Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles with Step-by-Step Techniques - it looks great and I can't wait to try out some of the styles.

Lots of snow. I'm not a fan but Harlow is

The 'Big Ole Snow Storm of December 2009' is here. I woke up to about 4-6 inches of snow, and it's still kinda sleety out there now. This is the front yard, with my Mustang totally covered.

More front yard. Yeah, the trees do look pretty. But it's supposed to be really windy later today,  so I hope that none of them fall down. We're way back in the woods, so our front yard is all thick with oak, holly and laurel.

Here's Harlow, running linke a banshee in the snow. She enjoyed it very much. Boris stayed inside and snuggled up for a nap.

Then she was exhausted, but unwilling to go to sleep after her mad dashing through the snow. Plus I made cookies for the next few hours, so that kept her awake because she wanted to know what was going on in the kitchen.

Another Happy Customer - In a Vintage dress for a Glamorous Christmas

Angela from Proper Vintage Clothing  is the lucky gal who ended up with this beautiful 1930s charmuese gown from my store Dandelion Vintage.
Oh, if only I had somewhere to wear a dress like this, but I wouldn't look as good as Angela does in it. She bought it to wear to a Christmas party. What a Glamorous Christmas! Doesn't she make you jealous?

Be sure to check out Angela's website - Proper Vintage Clothing
Proper Vintage Clothing is an online vintage store based in Vancouver, Canada. Run by designer and long time vintage collector Angela.
Proper offers unique, handpicked vintage items from the 1920’s to the 1980’s. You'll find everything from vintage dresses and vintage shoes, to coats and accessories. Proper Vintage Clothing specializes in bringing you quality and timeless vintage items, when you're looking for that originality and style that can't be found at the local mall.
 
 

Here is a sample of some of the vintage goodies at Proper Vintage -

Butter cookies. Yum

Classic butter cookie recipe from my Nan. I think she got it out of Good Housekeeping many years ago.
I made some today, just to test out my new cookie press. They turned out yummy. They weren't all perfectly shaped, I just posed the pretty ones together for this photo.



Butter Cookies -

2 cups sifted flower
3/4 cup butter
1/2 sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla


Cream butter, then add sugar gradually and cream until light and fluffy.
Add egg yolk and beat well
Add small amounts of flour, mixing thoroughly after each add
Add vanilla and blend well

Put through cookie press. Add optional sprinkles. Bake at 400 degrees for 4 to 5 minutes. Makes about 6 dozen cookies

Eat. Yummy.

Happy Birthday Jane

Today is Jane Austen’s 234th birthday.
'A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of' - Mansfield Park

'I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.' - Jane Austen

'We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be. ' - Mansfield Park

'I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.' - Emma

I want this fabric!

I caught a glimpse of this fabric when someone posted it on the Fedora Lounge. So cute. Must have. But what to make with it?

The fabric is from 'In the Beggining Fabrics' - it's designed by Sharon Yenter and the print is called 'Housework . . . Whenever'.
I found the fabric along with the co-ordinating fabrics for sale here - http://www.quiltedstrait.com/novelties/houseworkwhenever/housworkwhenever.htm
It's $8.95 a yard.

Cute.

Another happy customer!

Cheri recently purchased a sweet yellow rayon nightgown and a 1940s print jersey dress with peplum from me here at Dandelion Vintage.

She sent me the link to her blog post where she very prettily shows off her purchases - 50's nightgown and Peplum dress
Be jealous of her purchases and check out the rest of her blog!

The portrait is finsihed - and I love it!

I got Harlow & Boris' portrait in the mail today, and I am so, so, very happy with it. There were tears and jumping around all giddy and joyful from me, that's how happy I am with it. In less than 10 minutes I knew that I had to give it to my parents, because I could never wait until Christmas to give it to them. So I asked if they wanted it now, of course they did. And they both are very happy with it and with the way that the artist captured those little faces that we love so much. There's something so special about a portrait, that symbolizes so much. We love our doggies.

So, if you are thinking of having a portrait of a person, pets or house done, please check out Stephanie at here etsy shop -  http://www.etsy.com/shop/lime914 or at her website - http://www.clarityartanddesign.com/

She was really great to work with, and listened to my input all along the process.

The Annual 'Christmas Dog Torture'

It's that time of year again - time to torture the dogs and get them to pose for the Fabulous Chistmas card!

"But we don't want to go out in the cold, it's so warm and snuggley here"

"nnnnnnnnoooooooooooooo-oooooooooohhhhhhh"

"yeah, we're out here, but we're not going to be good, or sit still or be pretty at all"

"don't keep telling me to sit still"

"ok, we'll be still but we won't look at the camera"

"oh, we're done. ok 'Cheese' - aren't we pretty"

Yep, the very last photo was the best in the bunch and the one we'll be using for the card.

Gift suggestions, for when you are Christmas shopping for me!

Just spending time looking at pretty things on etsy that I want.

Portrait Update - Harlow & Boris

I can't wait to get it! The artist says a few finishing touches and she'll be sending it out!

And the winner of the Vintage Goodies giveaway is . . .

Twila Jean!
Check out her blog The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan Housewife
and her etsy shop - Exquisite Bones

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the drawing. Keep a watch for another Vintage Goodies Giveaway!

Boris & Harlow portrait - Progress photos

I'm having a portrait of Boris & Harlow painted as a Christmas present for my parents. I chose Stephanie at 'Clarity Art & Design'. She works from etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/lime914
and her own website -http://www.clarityartanddesign.com/

This image is the photo that I want painted and below are the first 4 progress photos that Stephanie sent me.



Cool, cool, cool. I love it so far! I'm going to be so excited when I get this, I'll probably give it to my parents right away, because I won't be able to wait until Christmas! Stephanie is very easy to work with and is open to suggestions. I thought that Boris' eyes were a little too close and she is working on adjusting them.

Here is the latest progress photo from today -

You can see that more detail is going into their faces now and she is going to move Boris' left eye a little more to the left next.

Some more photos of my room. I just moved my bed away from the window, because of the approaching cold weather. Of course I had to move everything else in the room too. I actually ended up moving a piece into the room, because I somehow ended up with more space.

To the left is a nook in my room next to the closet. I moved my wicker desk over there and the chair that no one sits in. Actually 2 of my boudoir dolls sit in the chair, see them below. 
Stack of vintage hatboxes and a very cool Vogart embroidered/stamped garment bag.




Here is a closer view of two of my boudoir dolls. I made the clothing for both, using vintage fabrics. I also replaced their hair with old mohair too. On their laps is a smaller boudoir doll.
Below, a desk behind the bedroom door houses some glassware and other vintage goodies, and hides a bunch of papers and junk. .



The white shelf below is the piece that I ended up moving into the bedroom, previously it was out in the hallway. It's just another catch-all for vintage stuff. Lastly is a very cool Oriental Lady paint-by-numbers. That just sets on my nightstand, behind the alarm clock.

I hope my money is dry

I found this photo online, from one of the local newspapers covering the recent flooding they had at the Shore last weekend. I live on the mainland, but my bank is in Ocean City, which is one of the barrier island hit with flooding. That's my bank in the photo there with about a foot of water in the street. This area is usually safe from flooding, but this storm brought water in everywhere. I heard yesterday that the WaWa on the next block from the bank ended up with 8 inches of water inside and they are still closed. The water has gone now, Thankfully, and the towns are left to clean-up.

Vintage Goodies giveaway!

Time for a Giveaway!
Anyone can sign up for the giveaway by posting a comment below (include your contact info) or by sending me an email at dvintage@comcast.net

A winner will be chosen - 11/23

This giveaway is another 'Little Vintage Goodies in a Hatbox'.
It includes everything shown in the photo to the left here, and it is all vintage stuff.



It includes - 1 Velvet hat, ivory cotton crochet sz7 gloves, a very cool gold striped hatbox with clear plastic sides -

A black fabric clutch purse with fancy closure, two very pretty embroidered hankies and some vintage photos -

Also a cute pink gingham apron with cross stitched hearts, a 1960s Vanity Fair nylon slip, size medium with pretty lace. A red and white crochet doily, a group of plastic buttons and fun novelty promotional swimsuit gal comb from the 1960s (never used, in original holder)

Joan Paper Doll - Season 3

Joan Paper Doll - Season 3
Originally uploaded by Dyna Moe

Great fun! Get your own 'Joan' from Mad Men Paperdolls, one set for each season. Season 3 features the 'Lawnmower Dress'!

"Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau"

Let me introduce you to a new magazine that I just received this week - "Zelda : The Magazine of the Vintage Nouveau" From their Facebook page - "Coming Fall 2009, Zelda is a new publication for aficionados of early 20th century culture! Photography, fashion, arts, illustration, music, cocktails, social events, and special features : Zelda includes pieces on both vintage subjects as well as contemporary culture in the style of vintage. Created by Diane Naegel, proprietress of Wit's End in NYC ( http://www.clubwitsend.com ) , Zelda will be published biannually and will launch in Fall 2009!"
 
It is a small format magazine, 52 pages, very nice quality paper, nice clear color photos. It is not exclusively about vintage clothing, it's about all things vintage including arts, lifestyle, events etc. Interesting stories, I really enjoyed this first issue and I look forward to more!

The Zelda Magazine is currently being printed twice a year in Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer issues, and in 2500  copy runs. It's being distributed a vintage events and select bookstores.

Visit their webpage to order, and join their Facebook page -
http://www.zeldamag.com/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110402567228&ref=ts

Carol Baker - Wildlife Photographer presents : Turkey VS Deer

5 big male turkeys, enjoying the seed buffet in the yard. Along comes the young deer that's been hanging around the yard. Lead male turkey tries several times to chase off the deer. Turkey is very serious, but the deer seems like it wants to play! It kept coming in close to tease the turkeys, and when they left, the deer followed them.

Nice mention of my website and the Vintage Bulletin blog

Check ot this article from examiner.com -

Online Vintage Clothing Shopping - Good, Bad or Nirvana?

Cute sneakers for me!

These cute sneakers arrived in the mail today. I won them on ebay for $12 including shipping.

They are brown Converse with wedge heels. Cute. I think I'm going to seek out a pair in black too.

Some stuff in my room

I took a few photos in my room of some of my stuff, because I like my stuff. To the left here is a cubby in my room, next to the closet. It's one of those spaces that's perfect for displaying stuff and it not being in the way. It has a few of my Boudoir dolls, some old Bessie Pease Gutmann prints, hatboxes, purses, and a Jadite lamp that I bought on ebay several years ago





Below is a super cute set of vintage buttons shaped like Bulldogs. Cute. Plus you can cut out the little bulldog, kind of like a paperdoll, but even better because it's a bulldog paperdoll!
The other photos are items in a desk that's in my room. The desk has a glass cabinet on the side and I have some dishes and figures displayed in it. The fairy is new of course, but the laying doll is a Rose O'Neill Kewpie, and she is wearing a little sweater.

Finally is a cheap display shelf that I bought out of someone's basement. I painted it and I use it to display some of my mermaids, half dolls, compacts and paper items.

I still love them

Since I saw them on the Tom Snyder show in March 1981, I've loved U2. If you know me in real life, you know that I was madly fanatical about U2 back in the day. I guess that I have mellowed over the years, but I still love them. I caught part of their live concert broadcast on YouTube last night.  But it was way past my bedtime, so I didn't watch all the way to the end (can't stay up as late as I used to back in the day!)

They are still as awesome as they were in 1981. Older (except for Larry, it seems he hasn't changed at all) and Bono's voice isn't quite as strong as it used to be, but he still gives it the gusto.

Even though I am a hardcore, die hard fan, even I get tired of Bono yapping about political and social issues all the time. Great, you want to heal the world, but sometimes I just want to say 'Shut up and sing Bono'

15 years+ ago their shows cost over $1 Million a night to put on, I can't imagine how much all thet techno junk costs now to haul around and set up.

So this morning I dug out some U2 CDs and I'm listening to them while I work.