'The Time Traveling Fashionista and Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile'

"What if a beautiful dress could take you back in time?"

I was asked to read and review 'The Time Traveling Fashionista and Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile'. Written by Bianca Turetsky, it's the 3rd book in The Time Traveling Fashionista series and it was just published this month (12/13).

It's a fun series, aimed at young readers, but anyone can enjoy it. It's the story of 12 year old Louise, a Connecticut schoolgirl who loves vintage clothing and old movies.

For the 3rd time, Louise has received an invitation to a secret vintage clothing sale, run by two odd and mysterious old ladies -  Marla and  Glenda. She ended up on wild time traveling adventures the previous times that she went to their secret sales, and she is looking forward to another adventure this time too, plus needs a dress to wear to a special dinner party.

At the secret vintage sale she finds a lavender Grecian style gown. When she tries on the gown, it transports her back in time to 1961, to the set of the film Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor. Here, Louise finds that she is the assistant to movie costumer Irene Sharaff and ends up in a wardrobe tent full of costumes for the movie, including a whole rack of beautiful gowns for Elizabeth Taylor.

Irene is prepping for a fitting with Elizabeth, who is off canoodling somewhere with Richard Burton. Irene has Louise looking for a gold belt that goes with Elizabeth's dress, but Louise finds an old trunk marked 'Private - Keep Out' and of course she looks inside. In the trunk she finds a very old looking pearl necklace. When she puts on the necklace, it transports her even further back in time, to ancient Egypt, to the palace of the real Queen Cleopatra.

Now Louise finds herself as one of 17 year old Cleopatra's handmaidens. The clever young Queen confides in Louise that she thinks her husband King Ptolemy (who happens to be her 10 year old brother) is plotting to kill her so that he can rule Egypt alone. Her baby sister Arsinoe doesn't like her much either. On top of the scheming and plotting in the Palace, the people of Alexandria are planning on rioting. Louise just wants to get out of here and back to her own time, but Cleopatra took the pearl necklace from her, and that's her only way to get back. Yikes.


Fun, easy read, enjoyable story. I liked the references to fabrics, vintage styles, old movies and designers. Being a vintage clothing lover myself, you wonder about the lives of the people who owned the clothing and jewelry in the past. This gives you a magical little way to see the lives of the people who owned the items that Louise tries on.

I've also read the 1st book in the series The Time Traveling Fashionista   a few years back and enjoyed it. I missed the 2nd book (The Time Traveling Fashionista at the Palace of Marie Antoinette) but now I feel the need to go back and read that one too.



Check out more of the Time Traveling Fashionista and Bianca Turetsky -

***Website - http://timetravelingfashionista.com/
***Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Time-Traveling-Fashionista-by-Bianca-Turetsky/156738897708892
**Twitter - https://twitter.com/BiancaTuretsky



I wasn't paid for this review, because I have vintage websites and blogs,  I was offered a copy of the book and asked to give an honest review. I'm going to give the book to my local library.

Dandelion Vintage included in the list of 'The 100 Best Vintage Shops Online'

The 100 Best Vintage Shops Online

I'm very glad to have Dandelion Vintage included in the list of  'The 100 Best Vintage Shops Online'. It's a brand new e-book by Sammy Davis which gives a brief decsription of 100 online vintage shops with a sampling of items and also links to their shops, Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

The list is broken down into 20 etsy shops, 10 ebay shops, 10 stand alone shops, and then 5 each of shops that they feel offer the best  - Jewelry - Bags - Footwear - Eyewear - Hats - Wedding - Designer - Style Steals - Large Selection - Contemporary - Mid-century - Pre-’30s.

Dandelion Vintage is listed as a favorite in the Hats category (thanks to my big 120+ selection of hats at affordable prices)


You can purchase and download a copy of the e-book for $3.99 here -
http://www.lulu.com/shop/sammy-davis/the-100-best-vintage-shops-online/ebook/product-20730884.html

 

Desiree looks great in her super-bargain $1.00 patchwork dress that she bought from the Super bargain page at Dandelion Vintage!

Desiree looks great in her super-bargain $1.00 patchwork dress that she bought from the Super bargain page at Dandelion Vintage!

See the post from her blog about her fabulous  Patched Up outfit.
And Check out her very cool vintage clothing related style blog here - http://pullyoursoxup.blogspot.com/




Check out the Sale pages at Dandelion Vintage -

***$1.00 sale items - not much left, but still a few little goodies.

*** Under $20 Vintage Dresses - 2 pages of reduced dresses, all $20 and less

*** All Skirts Marked down to $5.00! - this is a slow selling department for me, so I'm clearing these skirts out of here.

*** $5.00 Sale Hats - select hats have been marked down to $5.00

Vote for Twila Jean at the Mad Men Casting Call!

Banana Republic is sponsoring a contest to win a walk-on on an episode of Mad Men. Please check the link below and cast your vote for a true vintage gal!
Vote for Twila Jean

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 -

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!

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!

"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

7 Favorite Blogs and 7 things that I love

I recently received the 'Kreativ Blogger' award from Jaynie over at the fabulous Here's Looking Like You Kid - Now I have to pass the award onto 7 of my Favorite blogs and then tell you 7 things that I love.

In no order -
Jane Austen Today - for all things Jane Austen, who I have been especially obsessed with reading this Summer
Fashion For Nerds - I always enjoy looking at this gal's outfits. She's a real gal, like someone I would know, or see around town (if I ever left my house) She's NOT one of those girls that you see everywhere online now - spindley legged, pigeon toed waifs with strangley hair and a vacant look who would probably laugh at me behind my back for wanting to dress cool.
She has a great eye for color and pattern combinations.

Glamour Splash - Because I love vintage swimsuits and I am eternally jealous of her fabulous swimsuit stock on her website.
Sew Retro Blog - This blog is a multi-poster blog where people show off their sewing projects that use either vintage patterns or vintage fabrics. Everytime I check it out I think 'damn, I gotta get some sewing done'
Starlet Showcase - I love looking at Vintage Hollywood photos
It'll Take The Snap Out of Your Garters - more great vintage photos, and vintage lifestyle and she knows about Jersey.

Vintage Bulletin - Let me whore my own little vintage promotion project, but no really, I'd enjoy the blog anyway. I started this co-op blog the 'Vintage Bulletin' for vintage sellers and collectors to show off their stuff. Many people didn't have their own blogs, or many where looking for easy ways to promote what they were selling, or wanted to share information they thought would be interesting to pass onto vintage clothing lovers. There are over 60 registered posters on the blog and I enjoy checking out what everyone has to share, all in one nice spot.


OK, now the 7 things that I love, in no order.
Strathmere NJ - The best place in the World for me. An old fashioned, quiet, seashore town. My future retirement home, if I can afford it.
English Bulldogs - we've had 3 of them - Ms. Fatty (I miss her so much) Boris and Harlow. They are sweet, goofy and funny little beings. I love all dogs really. I prefer dogs over children. Someone comes by with a baby - ehh, baby. But come by with a doggie and then I'm interested!

Vintage/Antiques - I grew up around them, about 80% of the furniture and things in our house are old. I love collecting things. I don't like minimalism, or sleek modern things. I like antiques and layers of clutter. But not dirty clutter.
Green - it's my favorite color, I like all things green. I'm a big fan of green kitchenware like Depression Glass and Jadite. I love green fabrics and clothing, housewares etc.

Mustangs - my favorite car. It was my first car and I drive one now, and my next car will be a Mustang too. Because of my Dad I like old cars too, 1930s Fords, real Hot Rods.

Boudoir Dolls and pretty lady things - like half dolls, vintage linens with embroidered ladies, pictures, paintings etc. Oh, also vintage mermaids, but I'm kind of picky about the ones that I like. I also like Rose O'Neill Kewpies.

Old Hollywood, especially the 1930-40s. Myrna Loy, Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, James Stewart, William Powell, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn etc. I don't see modern movies, I haven't been in a movie theater for 25 years (why pay when they'll show it on tv for free someday?) I just prefer the actors of yesteryear, they had more talent, true charisma and style.

And the winner is . . . Talented!

So I put the names of everyone who signed up for the drawing on little pieces of paper, put them in a box and pulled out a winner. And the winner is Kate! Thanks to everyone who signed up. It was fun to put together this giveaway, and I'll do another little goodie box giveaway like this again.
So, being the nosey gal that I am, I checked out who this Winning Kate gal was and found out that she is a talented artist, with several shops on etsy.

Check out these super cute and fun Flappers Eloise & Ramona at http://www.flapperdoodle.etsy.com/




And her Movie Star artwork at http://www.silentsandtalkies.etsy.com/



Plus you can Check out Her Profile - for information about her other shops, and the shops of her talented family!

Cute for Baby - Retro Print Baby Bibs

I've been invited to a baby shower in June. It's for the daughter of a lady that I am friends with. I've only met her daughter once or twice and I won't be going to the shower (you know that I'm a hermit, plus it's in Phila.) but I want to send along a present, because it's my friend's first grandchild.
So I've been seeking out some handmade baby items on etsy. This morning I came across Colby Lane Designs . They make baby bibs with chenille backing, in over 200 designs.
They have a bunch of great retro prints that are really cool, plus some unusual geekery prints, dots, stripes, animals, food etc.
An example of a few designs I'm showing here are Hula girls, sock monkeys, paper dolls, comic strip, faces, vintage Valentines and retro kids on a rollercoaster.
Really cute, only $8.00 each, low shipping cost ($2.75 for 3 bibs)
If you need some cool bibs for your baby, or for a gift, go check out Colby Lane Designs .



Also, the daughter is using the Christening dress that my friend made from her wedding gown. She made it for her children's Christenings, now her first grandchild will wear it too. I made a few repairs on the gown for her so that she could get it cleaned. I was glad to be able to help her with such a special item.

The baby who rode in this antique stroller sure rode in style!

I just came from the auction preview at - http://www.bertoiaauctions.com/

Bertoia's Auctions in Vineland NJ is the top toy auction house in the country. Just walking through their showroom to preview the items is amazing. They have a big, state of the art auction house and beautiful showroom. Very professional, and yet they still have the feel of a family business, giving special attention to the collectors that they deal with.

This upcoming auction is the first of several where they will be selling the toy car related collection of Donald Kaufman. Mr. Kaufman has the largest and rarest toy car related collection in the world. 1000s of pieces (there will be almost 1500 pieces in the first auction alone) ranging from tinker toy sized to large pedal cars 5-6 feet long. Also trains, airplanes, advertising, even car related antique Valentines.

I went with my Dad to check out the preview, and we were not disappointed. There are just so many cool things there. I snapped a photo of this antique baby carriage, made out of wicker, to look like an old style car. It's very cute in person. Made by Haywood Wakefield. And yes, you actually pushed a baby in that.

A sewing basket shaped like a car -



One of the large standing Valentines -

Very cool Hubley Circus wagon with revolving monkey cage (the estimate is $30,000.00!!!!!!)

Bulldog puppy cam

The Chicago English Bulldog Rescue just started a live webcam of 2 puppies. They were born the December 28th to Sophia Rose who was rescued from a puppy mill.
Here is their homepage with info about there other rescue bulldogs who need homes and donations for their care. http://ebullymatch.com/

****UPDATE 1/15 - Sadly, the smaller of the two pups died. Read About it Here

Some cool vintage related blogs that I just found

A Love Affair with Vintage Life - http://www.darhling.com/#home
Betty Lou Got A New . . . http://bettylougotanew.blogspot.com/
Esme and the Lane Way - http://esmeandthelaneway.blogspot.com/
Casey's Musings - http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/
Flapper Girl - http://flappergirlcreations.wordpress.com/
From Betsy with Love - http://frombetsywithlove.com/
Little Rascal, Born in the Wrong Era - http://rascalkosher.blogspot.com/
Diary of a Vintage Girl - http://diaryofavintagegirl.blogspot.com/

Check out my Clecktion!

Holly from Lucitebox - http://www.lucitebox.com/ - does a special feature on her blog about what people collect. The feature is called 'Clecktions' and my green kitchen stuff is featured in this month's Clecktion's post. Check me out - http://www.lucitebox.com/blog/?p=55


***Hey! Do you collect stuff? Holly is looking for more people to feature in her Clecktions. So contact her about your stuff and you could be featured too!


Also, check out a cute pair of shoes being worn by a Dandelion Vintage customer on her blog -
http://www.thehavingfunclub.org/blog/?p=214
She gets a discount on her next order for mentioning my site, and posting a cool photo of her purchase. Another gal who purchased a dress this morning let me know that she found me through the blog link. Cool!

Vote for Maggie/denisebrain

I'm sure you've seen her auction on ebay, and I featured an interview with her on the Vintage Bulletin a little while back. She is one of my longtime favorite vintage sellers. She models her own vintage (one of the first to do so on ebay) and she always looks like she's having fun doing it.

Maggie is in a contest sponsored by More magazine - Re-defining the F-word. Maggie's F-word is Finery:

I was right when I was 6... Playing dress up makes you happy! Now 47, I've made a second career of vintage clothing and I never tire of the finery!

Maggie is one of the 25 finalists in the contest, and now they are doing an elimination round. The top five vote-getters will be considered for the prize of $1000.

You can vote every day from now through September 15. So visit the site and vote!

My pretty blue slips

Several of my pretty blue slips have been featured in a post on A Slip of a Girl -

http://aslipofagirl.blogspot.com/2008/06/vintage-slip-blues-in-such-good-way.html


Thank you!

So Cool - Custom Felted Likeness of your Dog - by Amelia

These are very cool, I spotted the ad for them on Cute Overload. They are custom made felted sculptures of your doggie by Amelia Makes Art - I must have one of Boris!

Check out her Etsy store above and also check out the Gallery of her work - with hundreds of little felt doggies