Put a Little Mad Men in Your Home

I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait for the final episodes of Mad Men to start!  Not only will  it be exciting to see how the series will end, but I am really looking forward to my weekly podcasts with Tobi of Space Lion.  

Until then, I've been rewatching old episodes and pining over all the fabulous interiors.  It's been hard not to take a lot of inspiration from this past season of Mad Men as I decorate my new place.  I really adore Megan's place out in California and really just everything about her character this past season.  I know there are a lot of Megan haters out there, but you have to admit she looked fierce this season!

If you're like me, then you are always lusting after something in one (or all!) of the Mad Men dwellings.  Lucky for you, some of the items used this past season can be hanging in your own home!  For the first half of season seven, the designers at Mad Men used several prints from Deltanova, an original print shop featuring retro designs. Martin, who runs the shop and designs all the prints, is inspired by retro and space age designs.  I love the orange circular print in the top photo and might just have to find a way to work this into my new home.

Shop Deltanova

I'll be keeping an eye out for anymore of Martin's fabulous prints while I'm watching the final episodes!  

*photos provided by Deltanova | Deltanova is a sponsor of Livin' Vintage

Wild Bakelite Round Up of 2014

At the start of 2014, I decided it would be a fun experiment to keep a record of all the bakelite I found while I was out treasure hunting.  One of the things that can really hinder a bakelite collector is how expensive it can be.  And, while this is true for much of what you find for sale online and at antique shows, it is possible to find bakelite out in the wild and thus, at much cheaper prices.  The majority of what I came across this year was nothing too fancy, but I did come away with 13 bracelets and 2 pairs of earrings.*

The thrift stores were good to me this year!  I hope I'm not jinxing myself ;)

2014 was the year of green bakelite, finding five different bracelets in varying shades and sizes.  My best finds have to be the purple marbled hoop earrings and the yellow carved painted one - I bought it on a whim that it would actually test positive at home.  I'm not too good with the rub and sniff test in stores, so I rely on the weight and feel, along with the clunk test.

I always thought you'd find a lot more bakelite at estate sales than I've found to be true around these parts.  I really can't put my finger on why that is.  Regardless, some of this year's fancier finds were acquired at estate sales.  

My first rhinestone piece! And by far, the best find - the chunky striped laminated bracelet.  This one has already gotten a ton of wear since I found it over the summer.  *I also found a pair of carved apple juice earrings at the last sale I went to for 2014, but no photo yet  :(

Although this next bracelet was found in an antique mall, which I don't really consider to be the wild (aka thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales, etc) I couldn't do a bakelite round up without including it. I have long sought after a true end of the day bakelite bracelet ever since discovering one while flipping through a bakelite book several years ago.  They seem to be some of rarest pieces of bakelite, so you can image my surprise when I spotted this lone bracelet in a case full of nothing but rhinestone jewelry.  This might go down as one of my best finds yet!

Did you find any bakelite in the wild this past year?  I'd love to see! 

What's Inspiring Me Vol.1

Happy New Year!!  After a rocky 2014, I am determined to fill 2015 with nothing but good, positive things! One goal of mine is to share what's inspiring me every so often.  Currently, I've been searching out lot's of home design inspiration.  

Towards the end of last year, I moved out of my grandma's house and into a small rental home filled with nothing but white walls -- a change I was actually excited about.  I am just now getting settled in and am finally starting to add my decorative touch to the new space.

I have really been enjoying the bright cheery atmosphere the white walls create.  And, after living with a lot of dark walls at my last place, it's been a refreshing new start.  This move was also an opportunity to purge a lot of possessions, lightening the load and allowing me to change up my design aesthetic.

I hope to be back soon with some photos of my own place.  This little house has thrown a lot of design challenges my way, but That's half the fun of arranging a new place isn't it?

All images can be found on my HOME pinterest board.

Giveaway Alert!

Just popping in to let you all know I'm having a little Christmas themed giveaway over on Instagram this weekend. One lucky winner will receive this vintage "plastic snow" box and a vintage flocked santa ornament. 

All you have to do to enter is:

follow @livinvintage

Repost this photo

Tag @livinvintage & #lvgiveaway

Giveaway is open to everyone and you can enter once per day. Giveaway closes Dec. 22nd and winner is announced Dec. 23rd. 

Good Luck! 

Special Cyber Monday Savings

Today only, the shop is 50% off!!

SHOP THE SALE

I've never had a sale with this deep of discounts, so stock up on your favorite LV pieces now!

Sale ends at 11pm EST

Black Friday Sale Starts NOW

Surprise! The Black Friday Sale starts now!

SHOP THE SALE

All items in the shop are 25% OFF, including the fine estate jewelry! 

Happy Thanksgiving

This year I am cooking up all my Thanksgiving favorites, vegan style.

Want to see my feast?  Follow along on instagram @livinvintage

***

Happiest of Thanksgiving to all that celebrate.

  

Two Festive Holiday Dressings from 1960

Time Saver Corn Meal Dressing

(for 10 to 12-pound turkey)

A moist flavorful dressing, with an eggy "base" of corn meal mush 

1 cup cornmeal

2 cups cold water or stock

1/2 cup butter

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 chopped onions

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

5 cups toasted bread cubes

2 eggs beaten

Combine cornmeal and water in a saucepan. Add butter and cook until mixture thickens, stirring constantly.  Combine hot mush with remaining ingredients.  (Use an additional 1/2 cup warm water for more moist stuffing.)  Stuff lightly into neck region and body cavity of turkey.  Roast according to standard roasting directions.  Dressing may be baked in covered casserole in slow over (325F) 50 to 60s minutes.

Oyster Corn Bread Dressing

(for 10 to 12-pound turkey)   

An heirloom recipe which lends itself to many delicious variations

6 cups crumbled corn bread

5 cups soft bread crumbs

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper 

1 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 chopped onion

1/2 butter

1 cup oysters drained

2 eggs, beaten

liquid from the oysters, plus enough milk to make 1 1/4 cup

Combine crumbs and seasonings.  Lightly brown celery and onions in butter; stir in oysters.  Add to crumb mixture, mixing lightly.  Gradually add eggs, then oyster liquid and milk.  (Use an additional 1/2 cup milk for more moist stuffing.)  Stuff lightly into the body cavity and neck region of turkey.  Roast according to standard roasting directions.  Dressing may be baked in covered casserole in slow oven (325F) 50 to 60 minutes.

Photos From the Past: Thanksgiving

Like many vintage devotees, I have a soft spot for vintage photos.  I've always felt that old photos offer a unique window into the past -- a seemingly more realistic one verses the carefully crafted Hollywood films of the time. 

 I love that so many of these photos are at awkward, canted angles or capture unexpected moments -- something we are missing out on in the digital age.

I am also fascinated by the way people lived generations before me.  How did they keep their kitchen?  How did they arrange the furniture in their living room?  How did they hang their curtains?

And all the sweet handwriting.  Some of my most prized possessions are vintage photos with my grandma's handwriting on them.

Don't get me wrong, I love my digital camera and the camera on my iPhone.  The ability to carry around a small, convenient camera with me nearly at all times is amazing.  I get to capture special moments no matter when or where I am.  But, sometimes I do miss the excitement of waiting to get my film developed from my camera, not knowing what the result would be. 

These photos are all from mid 20th century Thanksgivings and can be found on my Vintage Thanksgiving Pinterest board. 

Whoo's Got a New Dress

Recently, eShakti invited me to pick out a dress to review.  It was so much fun looking through all the wonderful retro style dresses they offer and so many of them I loved, so it was hard to narrow my choice down.

After much deliberation, I selected this adorable owl dress -- prefect for a Michigan fall.

What drew me to this dress, other than the ridiculously cute embroidered owl on the skirt, was the classic a line shape.  When I'm not wearing actual vintage, I tend to stick with classic silhouettes.  And there's pockets too!   

The other fabulous service eShakti offers is dress customization, such as hem length, sleeve style, and different necklines on most dresses.  I opted for a simple scoop neck and the below knee hem.  I will admit, it was a bit scary ordering without seeing the changes on the dress, but I couldn't be happier with the dress.  Having a brand new dress is a rarity around these parts, so it was truly a treat to receive this dress!

From now until December 6th Livin' Vintage readers can save 10% off their next purchase with the code: livinvintage. Offer only good towards new purchases and may be used as many times as you'd like over the sale period. Please enter it in the promotion code box.

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