Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Long Overdue Update: Midland Flea Market Finds

So... Over a month ago I went to the biggest flea market in Michigan, the Midland Flea Market. The show is held over three different dates in the summer and I always like to go to the final date, as the dealers are trying to clean out their stock and normally offer some really stellar deals. This year was no exception.

30s-40s Beaded Handbag. The frame might be bakelite, although I haven't tested it yet. $15

Pictured in this post are some of my favorite finds. Since starting to collect vintage seriously, I now find myself purchasing fewer items, but am willing to pay a little bit more. Mostly this is due to having quite a large collection and having most of my most wanted items, but also because I want to buy less stuff.

Swanky Pitcher with glass lid! I have never seen one with a glass lid before, have you? $7.50

Not pictured is my favorite find of the market, a diamond ring from my absolute favorite estate jewelry dealers. Last year I bought a really pretty diamond solitaire pendent dating from around 1890. I promise I'll post a picture of the ring soon. I took it off while helping with the dishes at my beau's house and forgot it there!

Carved Bakelite Bracelet, $5

I was super stoked to find an affordable piece of bakelite at the market. I am still amazed at how expensive bakelite has gotten. I wish I had a larger collection, but I kinda jumped on the bakelite bandwagon a little late in the game. I get excited anytime I find a piece for $10 or less.

Tin Box, possibly held candy. $2

This was one of the first things I bought at the market. I collect these little tin boxes and when the price is right I indulge myself. I think that I need to curb my habit for buying containers. I don't know what it is about jars or tin boxes or the like that fascinate me.

I also bought the most amazing enamel top kitchen table from the 30s. I forgot to take a picture of it before putting it into storage, but trust me, it is pretty great! Instead of being white on the top it is brown and looks like a woodgrain, something I have never seen before. I got the table for a real steal -- $45. Besides my ring, it was the big purchase of the day.

My beau got a lot of cool things two, including a wood carving of John Wayne and a really awesome orange travel record player. I am already starting to save a little bit of money for next year! :)

Emily

Friday, October 22, 2010

Film Fashion Friday: Mr. Lucky (1943)

Sorry I haven't been doing a good job of keeping up with this series and really this blog in general. I have a whole slew of films just waiting to be shared with you all! This film for this week, Mr. Lucky (1942), is a Warner Archive release and one that I was super excited about when I discovered the Warner Archive. Let me just say that what Warner Bros. has been doing with the Archive is really something special. I feel that it is so important that us classic film lovers and vintage enthusiasts that love old films show our support by purchasing dvds from the Warner Archive. I am by no means getting paid or sponsored to say this, but it is my opinion that if we do not help these companies willing to sell classic films on dvd, the sales of all classic film dvds might cease to exist. Anyways, I'll get off my soapbox now.....

The Players

Cary Grant.....Joe Adams
Laraine Day.....Dorothy Bryant
Charles Bickford.....Hard Swede
Gladys Cooper.....Captain Veronica Steadman

Directed by H.C. Potter
Gowns Designed by Renie

Synopsis
Joe Adams (Cary Grant) is a man in the gambling business; but when it comes time that Joe might have to gamble with his own life, he decides to dodge the draft and take his chances. Since receiving his 4-F rating, Joe is free to cook up some new schemes, which include swindling a great deal of money from a female war relief group. In order to do this, Joe must join the group and act as one of the members. Here he meets Dorothy (Laraine Day), one of the leaders of the group. The two eventually fall in love, as to be expected, and Joe must decide whether or not to go through with the job. Will he choose love or money?

Fashion Review
When I first viewed this film, I was immediately stuck by the fabulous hats the female leads and extras were sporting throughout the course of the film. While majority of the women are shown in typical 40s suits, which can sometimes be a bit boring if that's all the women are wearing from scene to scene, the hats in this film really stood out because of the more simplistic attire. I also feel that this film makes an excellent case study for how accessories during WWII were used as a way to spice up outfits and add elements of style to a rather simple look of the suit. I also like to see fashion directors to pay attention to not only their leads, but their extras as well, something this film does a wonderful job with. Sometimes it's the extras that are wearing the more interesting hat!

The only costume credit on this film is Renie for gown design. Towards the end of the film is the charity benefit, which is a formal event, and the gowns definitely do not disappoint. I do wish that there was a credit for who choose/made the hats for this film, as I feel they are an intricate part of the costume design. Renie, or Irene Brouillet Conley as she was known in her private life, had a long career in Hollywood; beginning in the late 30s and ending in the early 80s. She pretty much worked up until the last ten years of her life, which I am assuming was spent in retirement. Some of her fashion sketches belong to the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts, which seems to own quite a bit of Adrian's work as well. I am not sure if these items are always on exhibit, but it definitely has given me something to research!

Fashion Grade: 6/10 (Watch this film mostly for the hats and for the charity dance sequence)


Mr. Lucky is available for purchase through the Warner Archive and to rent through Classicflix.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Vintage Clothing Expo in Michigan!!!

[Image found from Life Magazine]

It's back! This Saturday is the Bloomfield Hills Jewelry and Vintage Apparel Show. I went back in spring and found so many wonderful items at really affordable prices. If you live in Southeastern Michigan make sure you check out this event!! Look for a full report on any and all finds after Saturday.

Emily


***Just as a note, I am not being paid to promote this event. I am simply posting it so other vintage clothing lovers may be aware of it.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Why Hello!

It's that time of year again.... School time, the time in which my life becomes devoted to homework and paper writing. It has been so hard for me to get back in the swing of things and adjust to my new routine. I have really missed blogging these past few weeks and am hoping that I can get this new schedule down so I can get back to blogging.

Way back in September, there was a DIY festival near my beau's home. I was pretty excited since there was going to be a few vintage clothing vendors there and this festival was marketed as an affordable arts and crafts fair. Imagine my excited when I came across these boots:

And these that were sitting right next to them:

Both pairs fit and were priced at $14 each. I seriously could not get the money out fast enough! Then the real surprise came. As I was paying for the boots, the lady informs me that inside each boot is a pair of heels. I was already so ecstatic about finding these boots, in my size, at a great price, and wait.... with two pairs of vintage heels too? It sounded too good to be true.
I waited until we got home to check out the heels because it was getting dark out and I didn't want to have to fiddle with them in the big crowd. I really couldn't believe what I found inside. The pair above was in the brown boots and the pair below were in the black.
My beau thought I was silly for wearing around the shoes all weekend. I was just too thrilled to take them off. Definitely one of the best deals I have ever gotten in my life. I am willing to bet that I got all four pairs for cheaper than it would have cost to by them in the 40s! :)

Emily