Beautiful Books!

I am so grateful that friends around me appreciate my interest in vintage items and think enough of me to gift me with pretty and special things they find in that field.

My husband's work friend was helping downsize his grandparent's goods in their home.  One of the items to go was a 1920s book on wearing clothes in colours and cuts to suit your features.  He was kind enough to offer it to me and I was all big eyes when saying "oh! Yes please!"  I hope to take some photos of the illustrations inside and include a few snippets of the information contained within at a later date.  But for now, here's a photo of the gorgeous cover.

The next gift was my bestie, Sassy D, who was at an antique store on the Sunshine Coast when she saw a music book with an Alice in Wonderland theme.  She immediately thought of me and bought it - and I love it!  Each piece in the book is a theme for one of the characters from the tale of Alice in Wonderland.   The scores are simple enough for me to play and are very whimsical.  One day, when I feel confident enough I might record myself playing them on my piano and post on this blog.  But I'm very shy when it comes to my (lack of) piano skills so that might be a while coming!

Another book was a gift from Lady L.  She bought this from a sale of old library books, thinking of how much I'd enjoy it.  She was right.   I commented on how beautiful the cover was before she had a chance to tell me it was a gift for me.  I also love the hark back to a time when people created their own entertainment at home and parties using their own musical skills.  Again, the music in this book is simple enough for me to play and sing.

Scout-Mama C knew I would love this old cook book with a careful selection of recipes guiding a beginner through their early cooking adventures.  The pancake recipe in this was wonderful...

Still in a cookery theme, my long-time friend Ja Ce saw an old Queensland School Manual for Home Economics.  These are such wonderful basic recipes - designed to teach young people to cook.

 

Lastly I received this beautiful manual of manners in the 19th century from my lovely friend, Landlady P last night.   It has some of the most darling fashion plates and photos from the 1800s throughout.   My 2014 project list included making a 1860s outfit so this will be some good inspiration!

 It is a strange feeling when people recognise my love of something and care enough to gift me with items they think I'll love.  When the item belonged to a loved one I feel somehow great and humble at the same time - proud that I've been given charge of something that meant something to that person. 

A Very Thrifty start to July

My sister-in-law, the ever effervescent and hilarious Grosby asked me to take her out for a morning of thrifting.  Knowing it would be an absolute lark I readily agreed and arranged to pick her up early the next weekend we were both available.

We hopped between garage sales across a bunch of suburbs in Ipswich City.  I've lost count of how many we actually went to in total.  Grosby bought a few items, including a coveted game of Labyrinth that had been a favourite of hers when she was young.  I came out with quite a few items myself!

That day taught me another thrifting lesson:
Take your time and look carefully at everything.  Then take a second look!
 
I had quickly browsed items for sale on the tables, inspected a lamp and decided there was nothing for me.  I had actually said my courteous thanks to the lady holding the sale and was about to walk out when I noticed a washing basket filled with what looked like vintage men's trousers.  A bit of digging came up with three vintage scarves, two 60s knit tops and a 50s home-made dress.

 I paid $7 for the lot.  The seller was happy to see her Great-Aunt's clothes go to someone who would wear them. Win-win.

We continued on to other garage sales.  Some we left empty handed but that only fed our fever for more.  Definitely the best buy of the day was a leather Glastonbury bag (doctor's bag) in perfect condition for an incredible $20.

I must admit that I find a kind of thrill in the element of the unknown that is central to thrifting.  Will that next stop be full of great buys or instead will there be nothing to inspire?  Will you find that perfect lamp that you're keeping an eye out for or will you find something else, entirely unanticipated?

As well as my fashion goodies I bought a few items for around the house - an enamel dish to join a few other enamel items in my laundry, three tins for my craft room and a copper planter which I hope to pot with a fern and put in my bathroom. 

I wasn't looking for a tea light holder but I came across a little antique stained glass cup which reminded me so strongly of the stained glass windows at my Grandfather's house that I was immediately attached and knew I wanted it.

I hope Grosby enjoyed the morning as much as I did and I really hope we get the chance to do it again sometime soon! 

Thrifting in June #2 - and a few lessons I learned from the day.

Another weekend in June saw me getting up early to go to another garage sale which sounded promising.  Unfortunately, when there I found nothing that excited me except a small decorative jug - and I wasn't going to be rude enough to ask the seller to break a $50 note for a $1 purchase! 

 Lesson #1 - Have change!  Large notes are often unwelcome to the seller and might limit what you want to or can buy. 

The weather was unseasonably wet and I was feeling miserable as I drove back home.  En route, I spotted another garage sale and faced the wet once more to see what this one had to offer.

 I saw a little red transfer-ware decorative saucer with a hunting scene on it. It came with it's own hanging wires and was $4.

A dig through a box of linens produced two barkcloth curtains.  I wasn't sure if it was enough to make a short skirt from but for 50c I was willing to try.   I asked the lady running the sale if she had any sewing patterns.  She replied that she didn't but a few minutes later dug out a 1950s sewing manual which she sold to me for 50c. 

Lesson #2 - If you are after something in particular it pays to ask the seller.  The clutter at garage sales can sometimes hide that prized item.

My husband has a decanter with Brandy in it but we've been on the lookout for a nice and reasonably priced one with matching glasses for his whiskey.  I saw this decanter and glasses set for $35.  I asked the seller if they'd take $25 for it and they were happy enough to agree.

Lesson #3 - Don't be afraid to haggle on prices.  Often people just want to get rid of things and are flexible on price.  

I had better luck finding clothes and accessories at my next thrifting attempt.... but that's another post.

Thrifting in June #1

In June I decided to try 'thrifting' to see what Brisbane had to offer at op shops (goodwill stores) and garage sales (yard sales).

The photos of my success below make it look like Brisbane is awash with thrifting goodness but the truth is that for every win I had there were also three visits to garage sales or op shops that ended in empty hands and wasted car fuel.

This first lot of goods below were bought from a garage sale in Cooperoo (South Brisbane).   The whole lot was $50.

I loved the sweet little 1940s hooks and eyes still with original packaging.  The coffee coloured lace is tatted - I haven't yet measured it to see how much there is but it looks to be about 3m.  The light blue sateen fabric will be made into a project sometime in the far off future (we all know what a slow-going seamstress I am!) but the white lace collar is finished and ready to wear immediately. 

I was sorely lacking a nice, medium sized crystal vase so I jumped at this one.  The little glass jar will join others in my bathroom to store some lavender for baths.  The pretty jasperware plaque (much lighter green than the processed photos makes it look) is already hung up in my downstairs hallway above a washstand.  The little embroidered doily was too pretty to pass on and the small cherry serving bowl took my fancy. So pretty!  I wonder if I can lace ribbon through the slits in it for a nice effect?

There was a soft sheepskin hat like a shaped beret, I think from the 60s. A floral bandeaux style half hat covered in blue and white flowers and ribbons took my attention and for $3 I couldn't say no.  But the real find was a sage green 1950s (60?) hat heavily decorated with flowers.  Both of the large hats were $5 each. *gasp*  

Sassy D has already poo-pooed the sheepskin hat and husband has said I look like Ivona Humpalot from Austin Powers when I wear it... but I love it.  The other accessories I bought were three scarves, a pair of gloves and a light green bag.

Who can say no to pretty 50s aprons?   Not me, especially when they are sheer blue with flocked polkadots on them. 

I spied a set of 1950s nylon Pajamas in lavender.  I spied a pretty pink bed jacket.  I spied a long slip.  And I spied a mint long sleeved, long nightie which would serve me well for cooler weather.  God bless my husband for putting up for my love of unattractive 'grandma' sleepwear! 

Last of my buys from that garage sale was a lot of linen.  There were three table cloths - a light blue damask one (top left), a pretty minty-blue barkcloth one with fruit and walnuts printed on it and a pink runner with lace inserts.   I also picked up a little mint napkin which I intend to embroidery as a placemat.  I also loved the traditional style tea-towel with red and white stripes as well as a funky 70s tea-towel and a quaint blue and white tea-towl... cute dutch girls and boys. Argh!

There was also an Edwardian era parasol that I bought but I seem to have deleted the photo I took of it and am feeling too lazy to take another one.  (I know! Bad blogger!)

It was a splendid buy and I don't know that I'll ever find another garage sale to match it's great value.

A Closer Look - 30s Celluloid Brooch

I like roses, a great deal actually.

So when this little brooch came up for sale on the 'classifieds' email group at my work I snapped it up zealously!

30s Painted Celluloid Roses Brooch

Bought from:  a private seller from work.
Paid:  $15
Era:  1930s  
Materials:  Painted celluloid with the original brass pin on the back.
Size:  It is tiny - only 2.5cm x 1cm in size.  This means that it's good for wearing on collars, ties or scarves but when I wear it on the bust of a blouse it looks a little lost.

A Closer Look - 60s Green Princess Dress

It has occurred to me that the way I do my outfit shots doesn't allow you to see all the details of the clothes or accessories that make up the outfit.   This is a real shame because it is those little details that make vintage pieces beautiful.

This is a new series of posts which show one of my vintage wardrobe pieces in detail with closeup shots and other details I can provide about it.  For these posts I will be using photos without a filter so you can see the true colour of the items.

The first item on display is one I call my '60s Green Princess Dress'.   I call it this because one day when I wore it to work one of my colleagues told me she thought my dress was very 'princessy today'.  The seller had it marked as being a 60s dress

Green 60s Princess Dress

Bought from: Cassie's Corner stall at the Brisbane Vintage Fashion Fair (Bris. 2012)
Paid:  $76
Era:  1960s
Fabrics:  Mint green plissette (?) cotton and white cotton lace.  The fabric is rather sheer (you can see through to the coathanger in the photos below.)

Interesting facts:  I thought the length of the dress was a little short and that the hem looked recently done.  Later I found the exact same dress for sale on Etsy (seller daisyandstella) but with the original full length.  This not only proved my theory about the change of hem length but also showed that it wasn't a home-made piece as I had thought.

Worn in oufits:  here and here and here.

The Unexpected Gift Bracelet

Dinner with my landlords (what a stuffy word that is!) is always a great pleasure. Their home is furnished with carefully selected antiques which brings a sophisticated and warm atmosphere to their home. They are not afraid to set their dining table with beautiful, antique china and the food served up is always delicious. More importantly they are both wonderfully fun and genuine people who bring intelligent and witty conversation to the table.

It was after dinner this week that I was having an enthusiastic conversation with Landlady P about our mutual love for antiques and the extra thrill we get using (or wearing) an item that was owned by our mother, grandmother or one of the greats before.

Quite suddenly Landlady P exclaimed that she had a 50s bracelet that had been her mother's. She could never wear it herself because of an allergy to the metal used in it. With no daughters of her own to pass it on to, she asked if I would have it and wear it.

Of course I replied that if she was sure she didn't mind giving it up that I would be delighted. She could be sure that it would be well loved and worn often.

She bought out a bracelet made of sweet baby-bubblegum pink lucite bars on an expandable metal frame. It was so sweet and perfect that I'm sure my eyes went sparkly as I looked at it.

True to my word, the bracelet is getting a wear out today with a light pink shirt, black slacks, pink shoes and a pink feather headband. I built the outfit around the bracelet which I'm sure is an unusual thing to do.

Admiring how my new bracelet suited, I wondered how easy it would be to find others like it. An Etsy search turned up a few 50s expandable bracelets.

I hope Landlady P is happy in the knowledge that her mother's bracelet is being worn and loved again.

An Amazing Gift from Lovely C

Lovely C went on a holiday to the USA over the Christmas break.

She had a brilliant time traveling about, seeing family, visiting historical places and doing a great deal of shopping.   On Facebook she wrote a post about how cheap good quality vintage is in America compared to prices in Australia.

And bless her from the tips of her toes to the top of her blue-haired head!  She bought us all vintage hats as gifts.  Each of them were so well chosen - a perfect pick for the person!  Particularly mine, as I've been yearning after a hat like this for a while but haven't found one in good enough condition for a price that was affordable.

This is my beautiful, amazing hat...

Thank you times ten Lovely C!   I'll be wearing my hat today!