Monday, February 27, 2012

Vintage Nocona Reptile Boots with Original Box and Boot Shapers - Mens 7 and a half - $90.00

Perfect pair of loved vintage boots. Fabulous piece of history, men's Nocona boots in brown snake sewn in squares. Whiskey brown color with leather soles. I wear a women's 8 and a half narrow and these fit me great. These boots are great for a lady because they are quite narrow for a guy.



Box tag: JOHNNIE LEE WILLS WESTERN STORE, INC. $232.98

(This store was in Tulsa, OK for 25 y...

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

60's American Optical Men's EYEGLASSES - Smoky Gray Rounded Square - $30.00

1960s American Optical glasses and frames in very good vintage condition. Heavy plastic grayish frames with either non-prescription lens or very light prescription. Rubber ends on earpieces. AO signature at each temple, some tarnish. Inner earpieces read: "AO Flex-fit 6 M" and another number I cannot read. See photos.



Measurements:

Length across temple to temple - 14cm

Earpie...

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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Vintage Wedding Gown Dress in Ivory Dupioni Silk with Pearls and Sequins - Small - $99.00

Vintage rough textured silk dupioni wedding gown with beige sequins and pearls around the neckline and lovely floral and swirl details around the sleeves at the shoulders, on bodice, and on front of skirt. The silk itself is a medium to heavy weight silk in ivory cream. The style is slightly Victorian and has puff shoulders, long sleeves and 7 buttons at each wrist with loop fasteners. Zips up the back with hook clos...

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Friday, February 24, 2012

Asian Pride

I am experiencing a great deal of Asian Pride lately, and I'm not even Asian.  I'm about as white bread as one can get.  But I'm married to an Asian and have two mixed kiddos, so I think that gives me the right to be proud of Asians.  My husband is Filipino-Chinese, so I get to experience two Asian cultures at once!  He lumps all Asians/Asian-Americans into one big bucket (Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Filipino, etc.), so I do to.  That's ok for me to do if he does it, right?  He can joke about my East Texas twang and fair skin with freckles, my self-tanner adventures and big nose; I can raz him about that "BeBo" song by the Black Eyed Peas, his Asian Fit Oakley sunglasses (yes, they exist) and eating "balut" (a Filipino delicacy of baby duck embryo, hard-boiled in the shell), which he's never actually ingested before.

Now, for the Asian pride thing.  I'm noticing a big dose of amazing Asians these days.  Maybe it's because of my family situation, kind of like when you're shopping for a Volkswagen, you see them everywhere?  No matter the reason, I'm really excited about all the Asians in popular culture lately.  Here is a rundown of my personal favorites.

Yu Darvish- Baseball Player
This 26 year old pitching phenom from Japan signed in 2012 with the Texas Rangers for $60 million for 6 years.  His dad is Iranian and his mother is Japanese.  Pretty good mix!  Especially given he is drop dead handsome and 6'5", weighing 187.  Can't wait to see what this year is like for Yu!
Yu Darvish, #11 and new pitcher for the Texas Rangers.  Google image.








  






Jeremy Lin playing for Harvard, from Google images.
Jeremy Lin - Basketball Player
How could I not add Lin?  He's everywhere these days.  "Lin-sanity" it's being called.  At 6'3", he's not the biggest NBA player but he certainly is having a great season.  Good for him.   On The Today show this morning, ad man Donny Deutsch said he'd love to see Lin forgo endorsing Nike and instead work the Harvard angle... promoting Smart Water and other brands more like him.  We'll see what happens with this guy in the future.  Go Lin!



 Heejun Han - Singer
Heejun Han, American Idol season 11 finalist.
Not everyone watches American Idol this season.  We haven't been keeping up ourselves.  Last night, we decided to watch the final 2 episodes and there was Heejun!  I couldn't believe my ears when the 22 year old from Flushing, New York started to sing.  Great voice, fun personality and good looks (can't wait to see how he changes once the makeovers begin!).  My family was on the verge of tears as he sang "New York State of Mind" and then sealed the deal, making the top 24.  And, he works with special needs kids, making him an excellent role model.  I think the phone lines will be heating up this season!  


Tonya Xiong - Makeup Artist
Tonya Xiong, YouTube makeup maven.  Image from
her YouTube Channel.

I happened upon this high schooler's YouTube video "The Power of Makeup" and her YouTube channel for applying makeup to Asian eyes, to make the eyes look larger.  She is Hmong, and lives in Seattle.  She appears to film all her videos in the bathroom of her home.  Creative!  I found other videos, too, from Hmong girls talking bad about these types of videos saying they are "fake" and making themselves look like their eyes are larger, lids are deeper, lashes longer, and on and on.  Well, hey?  What woman doesn't want to make their eyes look bigger?  I have smallish almond eyes, and find some of Tonya's tips and tricks helpful for my own 40-something-mommy makeup routine.  Check her out, her tips are my little indulgence.  Give this girl a Hollywood stylist job! 

Jay Chou - Actor
Jay Chou from Bing image.

I didn't know anything about this actor until we rented "Kung Fu Dunk" on Netflix, a 2008 foreign movie about a Chinese basketball star.  My 9 year old son and I watched it, subtitles and all, and fell in love.  We even watched it again the same night when my husband and daughter got home from a daddy/daughter dance.  I think seeing a Chinese guy playing great basketball again instilled pride in my kids and hubby (waterworks again).  My son was so excited that he pretended to be Fang Shijie, Chou's character in the show, for the rest of the weekend.  Now, this is the same actor who played Kato in 2011's Green Hornet movie with Seth Rogan, but my kid hated that movie and didn't even want to associate Chou with that character.  If you are into Chinese movies, rent it on Netflix!  This guy is my pick to play Bruce Lee in a bio movie! 

So, these are my current favorites.  Perhaps you have others?  Leave them in the comments section.  Would love to hear who makes you proud!

70's Polaroid Square Shooter 2 Land Camera with Case, Booklet, Cold Clip - $16.00

I know nothing about this camera, just found it in my Dad's things.



Includes: camera, cold clip (needs to be taped back together), original instruction booklet, camera case.



Appears to be in good shape. Needs to be dusted off, but I will let the new owner do that (I do not want to do anything wrong). Has a cold clip that fits in a slot on the back but is in two pieces, needs to be...

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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Vintage Mexican Embroidered Peasant DRESS in Hot Pink - S - $35.00

Cute traditional Mexican dress with embroidered flowers. Very good condition, except for a faint stain on front. See photos. Dress is washed and spot treated.



tags - none

size - none. approximate size small

fabric - cotton



measurements with garment lying flat:

shoulders - 17"

chest - stretches to 18" across

hips - 23" across front


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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

70's Boho Sheer DRESS in Blue with Floral Print - S - $18.00

V-neck dress with criss-crossing of fabric at V down to waist. Elastic at waist, missing belt but any could be added. All sheer stretch polyester blend, so wear a slip underneath. No size, tag only reads "Mr. Duval Dallas".



Wonderful vintage condition. Washed and ready to wear.



Measurements: garment lying flat, measured across only

Shoulders 17" across back


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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Neon is back! 80's deadstock Neon Yellow Terry Cloth SHIRT New with Tags - S / M - $18.00

Pullover stretch terry shirt in bright neon yellow, new with tags. Two chest pockets. Great vintage condition!

Tag: Logistix by Huk-a-poo

Size: small (measurements below)

Fabric: 100% polyester, machine washable

Condition: Very good vintage with tags, unwashed. Some fuzz at back neck and a small pull in fabric at front left near pocket. Tiny dirt spots on left pocket and at front botto...

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60's Ecru Nylon Full SLIP with Lace and Crystal Pleats - S / M - $20.00

A lovely off white vintage 1960's full slip of pleated chiffon and lace. Similar to Van Raalte's most popular design with a lovely hem of lace and crystal pleats. The bodice is crystal pleats and lace. Silky nylon. Washed and ready to wear.



Tags - none, has been removed

Size - none, fits like a 34 or small/medium



Condition: good vintage, some flaws. There is some di...

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Saturday, February 18, 2012

40's Pink Full Slip with Sheer Chest Overlay and Rosebud Detail - Size 40 - $30.00

Lovely and delicate slip in light blush pink. Features adjustable straps, delicate sheer tulle cutout across the chest, with lace and floral detail. Two tiny pink rosebuds are sewn on the tulle. The slip is edged at the bottom in lace. Inside, all edges are pinked, which indicates pre-1950's.



Brand: no brand

Tag: LOT SIZE 40

Condition: Excellent vintage. It appears wrinkled in...

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60's Hobe Green Enamel and Faux Pearl Brooch and Earrings Set - $30.00

Green enamel and faux pearl floral design with gold tone metal hardware and the Hobe roller comfort clip on earrings. Vintage signed Hobe. In very good condition with some faux pearls missing, see photos:



Earrings: 2 missing on one, one on another

Brooch: One missing

A few tiny chips to the enamel on earrings, barely noticeable. See photos.



Earrings: 1 inch wide/tall<...

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Kettlebells and Grocery Lists

I love to eat.  Like most folks, I love carbs, sugar, etc.  But this week, I've started a food journal to figure out why I eat poorly and how to stop.  The journal is a simple spiral notebook, where I list breakfast, lunch and dinner.  For each veggie and fruit eaten, I include a colored foil star depicting that food's "color".  My kids are also doing this, to make sure they squeeze in the good stuff!  Try it!  Really, it's fun to track the food.  It's even more fun to think of healthy, creative ways to eat.  For instance, my lunch today was a 1/2 cup of strawberries and raisins, 4 small new potatoes (microwaved) topped with hummus, tofu and salsa.  This was very filling, and tasty.  All I can say is GET CREATIVE with the good stuff!

I've also printed out a copy of 100 Foods Dr. Oz Wants in Your Shopping Cart, a sort of cheat sheet to good eating.  He is big on frozen veggies because they are picked fresh and instantly sent to the freezer to keep the vitamins in.  He also likes canned tomatoes and tomato pastes, great sources of lycopene.  Lycopene is a cancer fighter and heart helper.  The preparation process during canning helps the lycopene become easier for our body to absorb.  All of this info is on www.doctoroz.com.


Dr. Oz's Shopping List from the website.


Finally, I have to plug Bob Harper's Kettlebell Workouts Cardio Shred and Sculpted Body! I'm so excited about this workout, seriously.  First off, Bob is the bomb.  We watch "The Biggest Loser" religiously and love both trainers.  However, Bob is the one I'd have on a deserted island.  He's just fantastic at what he does.  In Target the other day, his Kettlebell training DVD was staring at me from an end cap.  Something said "TAKE ME!", so I did, along with a 7 pound Kettlebell.  At home, the workout proved tough.  Sore thighs, hips, and more.  A lady even stopped me at the supermarket to ask how my biceps got so toned!  Go mommy!  Not that I want a body builder physique...  just tone.  I was hooked.  This morning, after the kids and hubby left for school and job, I drove down to Target for the 10 and 15 pound balls.  Used the 10 pounder today and FEEL IT.  Definitely try them out.  They work!

DVD image of Bob Harper's workout trailer.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Spring Looks for Less

My good friend Robyn recommended I mirror styles from current magazines and photograph items from my shop styled in similar ways.  Today is my first attempt!  I am not a photographer, nor am I a stylist.  However, it was fun taking a stab at laying out items just like InStyle magazine and taking pics.  You may find many similar items in your own closet, or you may want to hit the thrift stores, discount retailers or vintage outlets to find something similar for less.

First off, I noticed lots of flowy dresses in the March 2012 InStyle. Specifically, pages 233 & 234. Most dresses run between $95 (topshop.com) & $750 (Suno, thecorner.com). The silk cap sleeve Alice Ritter dress for $575 is quite lovely, as is the Suno vintage-look short printed dress. I have four examples of vintage dresses that provide a similar look and can be further styled for 2012. All are available at Dianadwain on etsy.
 
At left is the spread from InStyle.  Opposite, my dresses include a pink 1970's spaghetti strap dress with tight pleats also has a jacket with peplum, cotton blend, $30. My black dress shown has 3 tiers with spaghetti straps and full lining. Late 1970's or early 1980's for $30.

Another dress of mine at left is an early 1980's flowy style with wide elastic waist and flowing skirt. 
Sheer, requires a slip or can be worn over a swimsuit.  It needs a bit of repair work, but will sell for $20 at DianaDwain on etsy.


Next up, denim. Super looks for the spring and very versatile, as the article states regarding jackets on p. 242.  The jacket below left is by Armani Jeans and sells for $325 (armani.com).  I especially like the fading at its shoulders.  At right in this same article, the look is from Levi's for $78 (levi.com).
My look at far right is a DKNY 1980's blazer in denim with some stretch for extra comfort.  The fading is there, with a gold antique tint to look tea stained.  It is worn over an '80's black sequin mini dress with a cutout back.  The canary yellow beaded bag, big '80's Liz Claiborne shades, and Van Eli sandals complete the outfit.  All vintage, available in my shop.

Finally, p. 244 shows a bright yellow cotton jacket from Gap, $90 (gap.com). A very clean, nautical look over a striped Lynne Hiriak tank ($78 cardigannewyork.com) and denim 7 for All Mankind mini skirt ($169, 7forallmankind.com).   My version is a 1980's zip up track jacket from Cos Cob with a blue boy's tee (literally... my 9 year old son's) from Target and cut-off vintage Levi's shorts. The 1960's straw bag (Simon Styled by Mr. Ernest, Hong Kong), gold toned chain necklace and vintage tortoise shades complete the look.   

This has been a fun experiment! Flipping through magazines is fun, but we can't always afford to go out and buy the latest fashion trend. Sometimes, shopping vintage, thrift, and our own closets can be all we need to look fashionable for the season.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

The Gypsy Wagon Flea Market

So, last Saturday, the girl and I shopped the flea market at Gypsy Wagon on Henderson.  (Click on the link under Favorite Shops at right to see more about this place.)  Artisans and junk dealers of all kinds showed up at the twice yearly flea market to sell their wares.  I picked up a vintage needlepoint purse.  The girl wanted the black rotary dial phone, but I didn't have the $25 cash to spring for it.
She took photos of her favorites.  Here are a few.  I especially love the smoking, pearl-wearin' vixen painting. 
Cushy, old chair we almost purchased.

Wreath made of old book pages.  Hmm.  Maybe I'll try this at home.

Original painting of woman.
Bottlecap magnets.  Should have picked up a few of these cuties.

The girl, self photo.


Pretty patchwork ottoman.
Madonna and child decoupaged on wood.





My fave. 

Friday, February 3, 2012

Vintage Cake Taker for Superbowl Sunday

Functional and pretty metal cake taker by Lincoln Beautyware. Dates to the 1950's or 1960's. Flecked copper sides and solid color copper top. White plastic handle. Tray the topper sits on is copper colored metal. Two side clips hold the top in place as you carry your cake to church, dinner on the ground, or holiday meals!



Brand: Lincon Beautyware

Condition: very good vintage. Ple...

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Thursday, February 2, 2012

Vintage Valentine Lingerie

Love this ultra feminine Vanity Fair peignoir set in pink that features a gown with double chiffon, lace neckline that dips elegantly low in back, elastic waist and satin long tie ribbon at back. Stunning! Capelet features 3 covered buttons at neckline, neckline trimmed in lace, swing style with front that opens, and lace sleeves with elastic placed in such a way to create balloon sleeves.




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Blah, Blah, Blog

I've been putting off creating a blog. Not sure my life is interesting enough to write about. A friend suggested I just write about what I do every day, and my "adventures" in shopping. Well, I do shop. Much to my husband's dismay. I love to search bulk trash, garage sales and thrift stores for cast-offs to salvage, collect or repair. You could say I'm in the "search and rescue" business. Like helping the dove with a sprained back in our driveway and the stray kitty that lived on our porch for years... and people, too.
Collecting is another thing I do. I collect dolls, vintage eyeglasses, clothing, old pictures, purses and textiles. I started selling some of these treasures on etsy. Check out my shop to see those finds. If you ask my kids "what is your mom's job?", they answer "etsy" or "shopping". Guess they are right!
So, the common themes I see here are rescuing, salvaging, repairing and collecting. Everything deserves a good life, a new life and a chance to be saved. I think that will be what my blog is about, my adventures in salvaging, repairing and collecting and what happens along the way.
Last weekend, my daughter and I shopped at The Gypsy Wagon flea market. She's learning the art of the flea, and documented some of her favorite finds. Best was a black rotary dial phone. She fell in love with that phone, exhausted after dialing a seven digit number.