Cockadoodledoo (outfit #53)

  My husband just got back from a trip to Chicago where he was doing training for the Illinois Historic Preservation commission.  My three sons are spending some time with their grandparents for a few days, so we used the opportunity to get out and do some "kid free" activities. (Yes, we still have the baby with us, but she doesn't run around like a crazed howler monkey!) It's amazing going from four kids to one, and how quiet things get.  We had an afternoon coffee date and then perused some of the little antique stores downtown.  I've already checked off a couple of items on my vintage wishlist, and it was absolutely amazing to find the exact items in such a quick amount of time.  Sometimes when you put your energy out into the universe, magical things happen! 
 I wore my new favorite shirt, a 1950s novelty rooster themed halter top from Etsy and my 50s black pedal pushers from the Robot Exchange.

I found the EXACT kitty letter organizer that I blogged about, and a new table lamp for the living room.  The woman who rang me up was just as excited as I was about the cat.  It happened to be from her booth and she has a lot of other items from the same designer that she's pricing to bring into the shop.  I left her my phone number, so I might end up with a collection of these little critters.  It turns out they are from a designer called Holt Howard.  They were made in the 1950s under a line called Pixieware.  If you get a chance you should google the line, because I have become totally smitten!

XOX, Hannah

Don't get lost in the move!

Have you heard? Google Reader is shutting down on Monday, July 1st.  If you haven't already, you'll need to start following all your favorite blogs with another reader.  I've made the switch to Bloglovin' and you should too!  

 You can also follow me on Facebook & Pinterest.  Click the sparkly icons on the right sidebar to get started.  I love to follow my readers.  If you have a blog and I'm not already following you, leave a link in the comments.

XOX, Hannah

Top 10 vintage wishlist for my home

As promised, a list of all the items that I'm on the look out for my home.  I love the look of an eclectic, created over time, vintage inspired home.  I don't like matching set or entire rooms bought out of catalogs.   My home is filled with pieces I've thrifted, handed- down, upcycled, bought handmade or created myself.  I'm not sure there will be a day when I finally announce that "I'm finished," much to my husband's dismay.  My tastes are constantly evolving and I like to change things up frequently.  That said, there are some basic elements that I'd like to change or upgrade from their current status.
1. A vintage electric oven.  A year or so ago, I was offered a glorious 1940s pink gas stove from my friend and mid-wife who was moving to Denver. I jumped for joy and quickly started reaching out to anyone I could think of to help me move the behemoth in an impending snow storm.  The first problem was the cost of a gas conversion since our current hook-ups are for an electric range.  The second problem was the size of the unit.  At nearly 42'', I was going to have to replace some cupboards, buy some counters, and think about moving the upper cupboards to match.  I started adding up the costs of the revisions in the kitchen, and the fact that the oven was going to have to sit in my garage for most of the winter (which meant parking outside!)  Suddenly "free" was getting really expensive, so I passed up the stove with a heavy heart.  I'm still optimistic I'll find the perfect stove.  Ideally, I'd like a stove in white, sea foam or turquoise to match my peacock blue cabinets.

2. A mid-century love seat or easy chair to match our '61, dusty rose, Kroehler sectional. We need a bit more seating to form a conversation friendly living room.  Actually, if I found a sofa and love seat set, then I would move our sectional to the basement.  Again, blues and greens are ideal, but if I found something with great lines I would make it work.

3. More lighting! Our living room is devoid of an overhead light.  I'd love to find a tall tension pole lamp or hanging swag light to fill the empty corner behind the sectional.  A few more gorgeous table lamps wouldn't hurt either.

4.  I'm always looking out for adorable 50s plastic-ware, such as dishes, canisters, and tools.  

5. Random mid-century accessories that I can't live without...even though they are not practical.

boomerang ashtray lot, found here

6. Gorgeous Mid-century textile such as tablecloths, napkins, and fabric for curtains and pillows.

7. Retro style metal patio furniture

here

here

8. Holiday decor

Now that we have our 1950's aluminum Christmas tree, the next logical step is light it up authentically.

My kids really like setting up little holiday displays.  I love the kitschy Japanese holiday figurines, such as this darling deer.  I'll be on the look out for anything Santa themed.

1950s diorama ornaments.  I would love to build a collection of these unique, usually handmade little orbs.  We had a couple on our tree when I was a kid, and they were my favorite.

9. Desk organizational paraphernalia

I've see these Japanese letter organizers in all sorts of adorable shapes; cats, poodles, wiener dogs...I totally want one!

10. A pink typewriter

Pink Smith- Corona typewriter, found here

XOX, Hannah

Top 10 vintage wishlist for my wardrobe

I've spent a great deal of time recently, perusing vintage magazines, and "window shopping" online.  I decided to jot down a list of essentials for both my home and my wardrobe, so as not to be tempted to buy every cute thing that comes across my path.  I swear, if I had the resources, I might become one of those ladies who has a different pair of shoes for every day of the month!  Today I'll focus on my wardrobe, and then dedicate another post to my home.

1. A Lucite handbag.  I've dreamed of owning a Lucite handbag ever since I saw one in an antique store when I was 16.  I've bid on a couple on eBay  but they always elude me.  The really spectacular ones can go for a couple hundred dollars!

2. Vintage reproduction 40s style shoes in green.  Okay, this is really specific.  There are certainly more practical color choices than green, but I'm loving these shoes so much that I actually dream about them!  There are some really fabulous ones over at remix, but they are out of my price range.  I need to find a more affordable options, or perhaps they will go on sale with my size still in stock.  A girl can dream.

3. A wide brimmed sun hat, preferably made of straw.  The icing on the cake would be, if it had a ribbon tie under the chin.  I'm a size 23, which I think is big even in modern sizing.  This is the burden of being 5' 10''!

4. Thanks to the Robot Exchange, I have about 4 pair of darling 1950s pedal pushers (some of them deadstock), as well as two pairs in denim that I bought on eBay.  What I really long for now, are some 30s or 40s  inspired full length pants. I'm especially fond of the sailor style button detailing.

5. A vintage knitted novelty sweater, the kookier, the better!

6. I have a little growing collection of vintage 50s-60s bathing suits.  What I'd really love to own is a two piece, high waisted cotton playsuit

7. A 1950s Paris themed novelty circle skirt.  I'm a total francophile, so a fun French or Paris themed skirt would really be amazing.  Tiny poodles, Eiffel Towers, mini baguettes....ooh la la!

8. An eye catching, conversation starting, Bakelite brooch.

9. Saddle shoes, spectators, two toned oxfords, call them what you will, but they are a darling staple of the vintage wardrobe.  I looked everywhere to find a pair of white and pink, which I now own and love, but I would like a pair in a more standard color combo.  Classic black and white or tan and white would really be the most versatile.

10.A vintage 40s or 50s puff sleeve, peasant style blouse.  These are so versatile and feminine.  I love that they pair well with so many options.  They are so flirty and fun!

Here's hoping all our vintagy dreams come true!

xox, Hannah