WI Thrifting

One of my favorite things to do when I'm in a new town is checking out the local thrift stops and antique shops.  When I was in Milwaukee a month and a half ago, I visited two really large antique malls.  One was three stories high and it took nearly two hours to see it all.  Both Jesse and I found some real gems there, like this MCM pendent light.  It's cream with raised gold lines.  I haven't found a spot for it yet, but I'd really like to work it into my home office somehow.

I found this guy at one of the other antique malls we stopped at.  He was a steal of a deal at $9!  I've always wanted one, not just because I adore owls, but also because I have limited vintage fall/Halloween decor.  I kinda think I will miss Mr. Owl after Thanksgiving when I start to switch out the fall stuff for my Christmas decorations.  Maybe he will have to find a permanent home elsewhere... 

Milwaukee

A few weeks ago I had to go to Milwaukee, WI for a film conference where I presented my work on Dana Andrews.  In between listening to panels, I checked out as many vintage shops as possible.  Right in the heart of the city is a giant antique mall in a converted factory building.  Antiques on 2nd boasts three whole floors jam packed with at least a hundred or more vendors.  Jesse and I spent a few hours strolling the aisles and both came away with several stellar finds.

One of which is this dress, found in From Regal to Retro's booth.  I was too excited to wait to wear it, so I wore it our last day to a Brewers game.  Right adjacent to the ball park was this tranquil stream, perfect for some quick blog pictures.

I'll be back later with a few of my finds.   

Pumpkin Pickin'

70s Dress: Regeneration / Boots: Target / 40s Bracelet: eBay

This past weekend, the boyfriend, my brother, and I ventured out to the pumpkin patch to select some pumpkins.  One of the perks of living in the Midwest is plenty of orchards that allow you to pick your own berries, apples, and pumpkins.  I try to check out a different orchard each year, however, I was very pleased with the one we went to this year and might have to patron it again. 

The orchard provided wagons to cart around your selections.  This was especially nice since it was top priority to find a pumpkin large enough to do this:

Pumpkin in a pumpkin!  I've been pining to do this since we named our puppy Pumpkin.  Well it only took nearly four years to do so, but I am glad that I finally did it.  I am biased, but I think it came out pretty cute!

DIY Wrap Up

Nearly four weeks ago was the Ferndale DIY (boy am I behind!).  This was my second year participating as a vendor and it was a very successful weekend!  I met a lot of other vintage sellers/lovers and many of my items went onto new homes.  On the third and final day, I was in much need of some comfy digs and pulled out this newly thrifted vintage jumpsuit.    

Last year was definitely a learning curve, as was this year.  I think after doing two of these shows I have finally figured out what works best in the space allotted and what facilitates the most business.  I am really excited for next year!

  

Old Town Arizona

A few months ago, I traveled to Casa Grande, AZ to visit a good friend from my school days. I had a great time exploring the area and doing some serious vintage shopping, not to mention seeing a cactus for the first time!

If you follow me on Facebook, then you have probably already seen this photo I snapped while walking around the historic downtown area of Casa Grande. There were so many signs like this almost everywhere we went. I wish I could have photographed them all. 

I'll be back later with a write up on this cool little soda fountain/shopping joint we visited. 

Emily

Playing Catch-Up

I can't believe it's September already!  Where has the time gone!?

Now that I am no longer a student, I find myself really missing back to school time. In order to remedy this situation, the purchase of a vintage globe is in order to make my home office feel more like a classroom. 

The one thing that is reminding me of fall and all the related activities is the Ferndale DIY Street Fair, which I am currently preparing for. It will be my second year being a vendor and I couldn't be more excited!

This dress is what I wore nearly two months ago on the 4th of July. It's a DeWeese and I scored it for the small sum of $5 a few summers ago. Since then, it's become a summer staple. And, if Michigan keeps up this hot and sticky weather, I will be pulling it out a few more times until the lovely cool fall weather arrives. 

Emily

60s DeWeese: Royal Oak Garage Sale

Butterfly Flip Flops: Kohls

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Ponderings...

It seems that I have hit a bit of a bump in my vintage fashion blogging.  

About a month ago, I started working for a local estate sale company, setting up sales and helping them open their brick and mortar store -- a "vintage and local artist boutique."  At first, I really enjoyed working for them.  It was exciting to enter a new home each day and see what treasures it held.  However, as the weeks have progressed, there have been less and less work for me.  I knew this job wasn't going to be permanent, but I was hoping for the best while I was working there.

At this new job, it is pretty hard for me to wear anything vintage -- not that I have been doing a lot of that anyways.  I have become almost downright lazy when it comes to dressing and it doesn't help that my work clothes consist of t-shirts and leggings.  I feel a bit lost on the direction of my dressing.  While I still absolutely LOVE vintage fashion, I am beginning to wonder if my drifting from fulltime vintage dressing will be a permanent switch.  I certainly hope not.

So Dear Readers, how do you cope with a slump in your dressing tendencies?    

Emily 

50s Southwest Dress

So I know blogger changed while I was on my studying hiatus, but can I just say that I am not a big fan?  Hopefully soon I will get the hang of it.  I must be getting old; I really dislike when websites change the way they operate.

I love this dress.  I found it mislisted on eBay and as such, won it for a real steal.  Love when that happens!!

Emily


50s Dress and 50s Wedges: eBay
Belt: Hand-me-down
50s Yellow Beaded Sweater: Regeneration

Why Hello!

It's officially summertime here!  Which means no school, no deadlines, no paper writing (well maybe a little), and lots more time for gardening, thrifting, and getting my house whipped into shape.

One month ago, on a very very cold afternoon, I walked across the stage at the outdoor venue at Oakland University, receiving my Masters of Arts in English.  To say this past two years were challenging would be a complete understatement.  There were many tears shed, lots of papers written, and many headaches trying to wrap my brain around the material.  However, it has been all worth it, especially now that I am done!  

I am now contemplating my next move.  Do I get a teaching job at a junior college?  Do I work on my PhD?  Do I move out to L.A. and take advantage of a potential job offer in the film industry?  To be completely honest, I am a total Midwest girl at heart and would really love to stay here.  So for the next few months, that's what I am going to do --stay put-- until I figure out where my life is headed.

What I have been doing since graduation is enjoying my home and time off.  First on my list was to put some flowers in the ground -- something I wasn't able to do last summer.

This is along the back of my house.  I picked up the bench, which is in rough shape (read shabby chic), for $3 at an estate sale.  It was hidden in the basement, where the best things normally hide.  The watering can is vintage and was my grandma's.  

You can tell I rather favor it, as it appears in this photo as well.  I really love this little spot on my back patio.  The chair is the only real vintage metal chair I own.  I pulled this out of a basement as well and probably didn't pay more than $1 for it.  I bought a huge lot of stuff at the sale and was given a bulk price for it all.  The vintage side table was found at the Salvation Army for $3.  It could use a new coat of paint, but for now I am enjoying the little bits of rust.  It adds character, right?

Emily 

All work and no play....

source

...makes Emily a very dull blogger! Two weeks from today I will have completed all my course work for my Masters degree and will be able to regain my life! :)

I want to thank all my followers who have chosen to stay with me during the lull in postings. You guys are the best!!

During the research process for my thesis, I have come across some really neat resources for viewing vintage magazines online and in archives. For example, the Michigan State University Special Collections allows practically anyone to come and comb through their extensive collection of vintage magazines, both movie fan magazines and women's interest. You are even allowed to take pictures of the pages. Bowling Green State University also has a similar collection.

If you still want to check out old magazines and cannot access these collections or would rather do it at home, the Media History Digital Library has tons of digital copies of early fan magazines for you to view. Their most stand out piece (IMO) is their collection of early Photoplay. While the collections are limited to publications related to media and film history, for vintage fans, the website is certainly still valuable. Being able to view early fashion spreads in these magazines is so interesting and definitely inspiring! Plus, I am a huge advocate for the preservation of these publications and websites like these are important to keep the cause going.

If anyone knows of similar websites, do share in the comments!

Hope to back back soon!!

Emily