100 years

Like the proverbial dead horse, all we've heard about lately is this:

I must confess, the Titanic disaster does capture my imagination...having said that though, if it had happened post 1945, I probably wouldn't be as fascinated. It's the time capsule at the bottom of the sea that gets to me.
I've borrowed a couple of favourite pictures from here:

Sad, sad teacup.

PS. no I don't like THAT movie. It made me cross...selfish selfish Kate Winslet's character.

Paul and Joe

Since I first saw the Kitten Collection, I've been a bit nuts for Paul and Joe cosmetics...they're hard to find over here, so thank God for the internet! This post shares the whole collection and I had to borrow a few photos because they're such eye candy.

The other thing I really like about the cosmetics line is that the packaging is so retro and 50s. Sweet!

Shoe love and Miss Fisher

Just ordered myself a pair of Miz Mooz shoes from here.
I wanted a pair of these too (photo above) but need more dosh before I can buy them.

Also about to watch Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries on the ABC. Loving the costumes and style.

However, am the only one who find Miss Fisher's air of smug self-satification so annoying that I want to smack her? Probably. Perhaps I need the books. But anyway, the ABC show is all about the costumes and sets. For me, anyway.

Pincurls

Pincurls on the brain.

photo source here.

This is not a picture of me, by the way.

I bought these pins from ebay the other week, I think more so because I like the packaging...they're a bit flimsy compared to my other pin curl clips.

Beauty case

Lately I've had a craving for a good old fashioned (well, 50s-60s) beauty case. I came across this one on ebay, and was smitten with it as I have the same ballerina illustration on some fabric that I covered a wire-legged dressing table stool with. Alas, my memory failed me and I didn't bid on it. So I saved a picture for eye-candy anyway.

Oh Marilyn, how I adore thee!

Swimmers

Swimmers during learn to swim week, at a suburban swimming pool, probably Wellington region, ca 1939, originally uploaded by National Library NZ on The Commons.

No special reason for posting this one, other than I like it. It's certainly not swimming weather right now. It's a bit b&w around here lately on the blog, unlike my life. I'm trying to avoid the 'flu kicking in, so have been hiding on the couch under my blankie all day. No crafting has been achieved though...I've just been a big blob. Actually not much crafting has been done at all lately, I appear to have lost my mojo.

farm boy '39

I love this image from Shorpy.

Desert boots

[image source]

...are good. Remember them?

Back in the early '80s I had a pair that I loved.

Wear desert boots, you're in good company:

Motorcycle optional.

Frock me!

Winn's Department Store, Hunter St, Newcastle, 2 October 1953, by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

I blame Toni (but in a good way) as she shared some great shopping links for those round of arse...I have a serious hankering for some new dresses. Festive and feminine would fit the bill. I'd also like to travel backwards in time and shop at some of these establishments.
I certain that this girl does.

Oh yes, I know I could try the sewing caper, but I'd like to hang onto what sanity I have left. For those of us who are lazy when it comes to clothes (much as I'd like to be excited about it), dresses are dreamy...you just pull one on, put on some shoes and you're done. Hurrah! More time for drinking tea, music, and dilettante crafting.

Holeproof hosiery display, 7 September 1948, by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

Kayser silk hosiery and gloves display (taken for Mr Guille, General Display Co), 19 September 1947, by Sam Hood, originally uploaded by State Library of New South Wales collection.

Tea'n'things

I am a grumpy bum this morning, I'm blaming my hormones and Monday-itis. So hooray for the power of happy Flickr photos. I wouldn't call myself a "shabby chic-er" but florals and vintage are so happy-pretty!

Wood's Ware utility china - Jasmine, originally uploaded by the vintage cottage.

I have a little collection of Woods Ware - Beryl (the green) and Iris (the blue)...one day I'll have a whole set.

Handiware cake tin, originally uploaded by the vintage cottage.

Oh how times have changed, cake never lasts long enough around my place to make it into a tin!

Afternoon Tea, originally uploaded by fleamarketstudio.

Colour of the teacup of course.

And now, I think I need a cuppa.

Spot of op

As my new real estate agent's office is around the corner from Savers, of course I had to drop in yesterday afternoon. And I'm glad I did, for it was rather yielding in kitchen related items. I often wonder why someone like me that hates cooking loves kitchen paraphenalia so much?


I think these are my favourites - a Pyrex dish in my favourite colour (White Daisy pattern) and some very cute vintage cups and saucers. They are marked underneath "Roslyn fine bone china, Made in England." The stamp dates it from 1958-63. Might be time for a tea party soon.

Normally I don't worry about buying stacking mugs, but this was rather special. And the iphone camera totally failed in picking up it's real colour, which is a lighter washed out aqua-blue.


I think this pattern must have been very popular in the 60s/70s as I often see it about...not really my cup of tea though, but I loved the blue so grabbed a cup and saucer. (English - Staffordshire Potteries Ltd.) [Check this pattern out, how groovy!]


A funny new Japanese sugar jar for 2.50, can't complain about that. "Flour" was there too but I left him for someone else. Visitors to my place are always looking for sugar, so I figure if I fill this one right up, everyone will be happy.

And the piece de resistance, some lovely art glass. I saw this and went "Oooh!!" ...and then thought what a lovely pressie it would make for my friend Nat, who is developing a nice little collection of pink and blue mix art glass. You know I want it for myself, but the fact I got it for a good discount (!) told me that it's meant to go to Nat as a thank you pressie for looking after us with her rental property. Plus it will look stunning in her lovely home.


I also grabbed some vintage teatowels and doileys, and a big crochet tablecloth that's become a bedspread. I'll give you a pic later when I've finished washing linen and remaking the bed.

Every time I do one of these posts I worry if I'm too materialistic? And God bless Hubert, who had to listen to me boof on about vintage Pyrex last night when I was filled with post-purchase excitement. As one of my mates said "He's a keeper."

Op-shop china

Yesterday's trip to Savers was rather fruitful, although there were a lot of things I left on the shelf, mainly due to that spreading disease Ridiculoulslyoverpricedluenza. Damn viruses. So I took a few pics instead:

Small Pyrex bowls - pretty but the designs didn't thrill me.

This one I liked very much - English Staffordshire dinner set, but at $3.49 a dinner plate, it was staying there. And I couldn't find the cups to go with the saucers, so couldn't even get a teaset out of it. (Today's whinge at Savers - WHY THE HELL DO YOU SEPARATE TEACUPS AND SAUCERS?!!!!) Yes I am yelling.

Just cute. I love that clear blue glaze. And boy do I need to rectify this no-camera situation.

Not my thing but most groovy!

Pretty New Zealand-made dinner set. 'Autumn Leaves' (I think) is the pattern.

This is what I did end up taking home:
Japanese casserole pot with phallic mushrooms, lidless deery cookie jar, glass of orangey goodness and one of the cup and saucers from the 'Autumn Leaves' dinner set. (And a vintage sheet and pillowcase, more white ones for stitching, and a Jeff Buckley cd.) Also my crochet blankie. I also left a cute 50s wooden coffee table there, and was beaten to a wooden sewing box thingy on legs by a determined (read: aggressive) woman and her mother. Oh well, I was happy with Bambi.

It should be noted that the $80 cannister set had gone... had someone bought it? Did they discount it first? Who knows?

Flickr finds for stitching

I made believe he was my first husband , originally uploaded by letslookupandsmile.

Subject matter notwitstanding, this would make a FAB embroidery!

As would this one, as it makes me chuckle:

And I remember wondering...are ALL men so absolutely rotten?, originally uploaded by letslookupandsmile.

From the Flickr group 'Love is Hell (Vintage Only)'

We all want one!

, originally uploaded by mitsib.

...a vintage caravan that is...childhood memories...camping...cuteness on wheels...etc...etc...

And even better?

Vintage vanning, originally uploaded by highplains68.

Your vintage van towed by an FJ Holden. Hurrah!

Of course, I know you want to see the inside of the first van:

inside my van, originally uploaded by mitsib.

inside my van, originally uploaded by mitsib.

And check out this one:

Caravan, originally uploaded by mark.ed.

Hubert, I think we better make room for a van in the backyard of house-to-be...okay?