Girls' Own Big Weekend

It's been a big, busy weekend for VB and I. Yes, we're totally rockin' out here in the suburbs, the weather has suddenly improved this week, bringing with it a fresh surge of energy for all sorts of activities.

Since my 6-degree morning a couple of weeks ago, the heater has now been packed away, winter stock has been pulled from the racks and put into storage and my little sunroom, so cosy to inhabit during winter daytimes, is now almost unbearable after 9am and will continue to be so for the next 8 months.

Saturday morning saw a fair spot of vintage treasure hunting- and finding!

Above and below, just some of what I bought, minus the sunnies obvs.

My most exciting find was an old razor strop (on the basket behind the phone), they're not worth a lot but the lady I bought it from said it belonged to her father who had been a barber, and it was his all-time favourite.

With VB and Lisa Enright, photo by The Stitchin' Bitch

Still rockin' on Saturday night, we went to some far-off 'burbs for a (adults) roller skating birthday party. The old-style timber rink was awesome, to my mind so much better than the modern concrete equivalents. This was only VBs second time skating and she absolutely loves it, even insisting on entering the skating limbo comp, I wish I had a photo of us going under the bar as apparently she looked hilarious.

And yes, that *is* a chenille bedspread I'm wearing on my bum! I'll have to show this outfit properly later, it's a bit mental but then that's the whole point isn't it.

Painting started off our Sunday, VB 'helps' a lot as you can see, note the vegemite toast on the lawn!

Midday saw us run around the corner to a local school fete, I mostly went to meet the principal as I'm looking to send VB there next year (can you believe she's nearly 5?!) but VB took full advantage of the massive slide, so big you can hardly see her at the top there.

Ah yes, here she is, not scared at all, and still in the dress from last night. They tell me it's called 'choosing your battles wisely'.

Excuse the grainy iphone pics, but we had a lucky score with clothing on Friday, what we bought was hanging over the rack on the left, so it was time to spend a few hours hanging, pricing, steaming and properly sorting clothing stock, especially as the Brisbane Vintage Fashion Fair (our biggest) is coming up the weekend after next.

 The other side of the stockroom was equally busy!

As you can see, VB came home with several bags full of treats from the fete, the main prize to my mind being the fuzzy felts, I had several as a child and absolutely loved them. And yes, this is all tidy now.

Tired but happy

See you soon!

Ta-Dah!...New Stuff For Me!

Remember that motherlode of costume jewellery last week?

Well, the above necklace is the one I kept. Best of all, it was gifted to me by the people handling the sale for being the best and fairest dealer that they sold to.

Also from the same estate, the most fabulous red typewriter EVER! I'm not even sure why I'm so desperately keeping this...I just AM.

 

This too was a gift, this time from Katherine of theoldboathouse. She knows I'm mad for little 50s dishes with the black 'hairpin legs' and kept this unusual one aside for me. Thanks so much for remembering and thinking of me Katherine!

For those that don't know I'm a fiend for anything black and white and 50s. This polka dot pottery was made in England by H.G. Woods in 1957 and features raised polka dots. Similar was made by Australian pottery Diana around the same time. Sue found this boomerang dish for me which is a welcome addition to my collection.

And the biggest ta-dah! of all, my first gravel art!! I spied this on the stall opposite ours at Greazfest the other week, and ran for it.

Of course it doesn't match anything in my house right now, but hey, since when did that stop me?!

What glorious finds have you dragged home this week?

New Frocks!! New Frocks!!

After the sad departure of our fabulous Helga! on Friday, what better to cheer myself up with, than a few new frocks.

We've been busy working on restocking the racks since G&G a few weeks ago, as a result both Sue and I have our own wardrobes temporarily overstuffed and the stockroom is looking full again. (Lucky Helga! and Desiree, they both got a full in-person preview when they were here at my house on Friday).

Ther are many many more to prepare, in the meantime, here are a few that will be heading up to the Tamborine shop with me on Friday.

Fantastic 50s party dress, light acetate print with inbuilt stiffened lining.

I was a bit keen on this one until I tried it and it didn't fit :( So off to the shop it goes.

One for lovers of plaid and bows, 100% cotton boat neck 50s dress.

This cute 50s nylon dress comes with it's own matching mauve slip.

 

As usual my bodyform Astrid does it little justice, when I tried it on it fit perfectly and really gives the 'shelf bust' effect.

Quite a few lurex numbers are coming our way too!

Lovely little early 60s nylon, hard to get the colours right in a photo but it's a true pale lemon. Super-perfect condition and fully cotton lined, yum!

Another for the vintage print fans, this one and the lemon one above wash so well a good steaming made no difference, there were simply no wrinkles at all.

50s/60s lurex wiggle dress, another easy-care cocktail dress to wear anywhere. Fabulous Desiree tried this one on when she was here on Friday and it looked stunning (not that we're surprised, are we?!)

Lurex and animal print together....need I say more??

 

This early 60s beaded wool dress is by American designer Lilly Rubin. A lovely fine wool, it's fully lined and super-comfortable, not often I'd say that about wool but I tried it on and gave it the firm thumbs up.

Close-up of the beading.

My Latest Treats 'n' Treasures

I blame Vix, you know, it's up to here I've started liking the miserable children, now I can't get enough of them. Above, my latest Dallas Simpson, all the way from the U.K.

Continuing with the theme, retro print by Mojer, bought at Suitcase Rummage.

Also from Suitcase Rummage, this repro tin sign. I studies French for many years and have visited it twice, so I always love a reminder.

My most treasureful recent find, however, has to be this 1950s Deco style bookcase with rectangular bun feet.

It took a bit of fixing but now it's as good as gold, I now realise it doesn't fit books very well, but ah well, style is all that really matters, right?!

Tiny weeny shadow box, I've never seen this style before in such a small size, 'twas a gift from one of our regular suppliers who knows me too well, LOL.

And yet another gift, this fabulous black cat, now hanging by my hallway door. The cat itself is solid plaster, how cool is that!

The Secret is Out...We're in the WAC!!!

 

Here it is! The secret project is no longer...we have now opened shop number 2, in the fabulous Woolloongabba Antique Centre.

 

So now you know what I've been working on so feverishly. I've spent the past couple of days setting everything up...I now regard myself as a complete pro with a cordless drill, LOL!

 

We're starting off with a variety of retro and fashion and crustic goodies, many of which I've had hidden away for months specially for this shop.

 

This 1960s Sony portable record player is a beaut and totally works too. Upping the kitsch factor is the woven plastic 50s bullfighter plate.

Lots of fun anodised lamps and other bits and pieces....

Tapestry and embroidery cushions and kits....even a bit of German pottery.

Some fab 1950s glasses...yes I had trouble letting these go.

And a selection of vintage footstools, the black one in the middle still has it's original woodchip stuffing.