EVENT BULLETIN:: SEPTEMBER

It's time for the September installment of the "Events Bulletin" series. What's going this month? Let's find out!

TCM Film Festival 2016

We highly anticipate the TCM Classic Film Festival held each year in Hollywood! This years theme was MOVING PITCURES...

STYLE INSPO - Gidget

Carefree, colorful and adventurous- Sally Field in the 1960's TV show Gidget has made most of us, if not all, dream of being a 60's surfer chick. Lets take a look and see what Gidget always keeps in her closet!

EVENT BULLETIN:: JUNE

It's that time again! The event bulletin is here! Here are two features for the month of June!

EVENTS BULLETIN:: APRIL-MAY 2016

Hello lovelies!

Just wanted to feature some cool vintage events here in Southern California.

A.)

If you're the type that enjoys dressing up and loves Disney nostalgia than Dapper Day might be a fun event for you! I have never been but it seems like fun! It's coming up soon on Sunday May 1st 2016 in Anaheim, CA.

JUNE'S Go To Items

Welcome to the first post of the "Go To" series!

Every month it seems that there are items we gravitate toward- like the shoes you throw on with every outfit and the lipstick that's constantly in your bag. Last month these four things were my go to items!

REVIEW SF Vintage Shops- Pretty Penny & Haight Ashbury

I'd like to start off this post by saying that I am not a San Francisco native and I've only been to the Bay Area twice. But while I was there in March, these were the two places that stood out to me as great places to find vintage at affordable prices. I'm sure there are many more! 



at the Mission District store

REVIEW- LA Flea Markets- Rock n Roll Flea Market



THE INFO
Rock n Roll Flea Market
Every 1st Sunday

The Regent Theater in Downtown Los Angles

10AM-3PM

$2.00 Entrance Fee

FEATURES

Drinks

Vintage Clothing

Vinyl Dealers

Stars On Bikes...

Hi! How is everyone?
Sometime ago the girls and I went to Warner Brothers Studios, (more details on that will be in another post). When we were taking our private tour I noticed people riding around on bicycles, people that worked for the studio. I remembered that back in the day to get around the large lot of the movies studios the classic stars would ride bikes to get to point A to point B.

That's why the theme of today's post is "Stars on Bikes", I found a few neat pictures of celebrities at the studio and out and about hope you enjoy them!



Robert Taylor

2nd Liebster Award

 

Hi!!!

We have been nominated the the Liebster blog award by the vintage home sewist! She is a lovely blogger from Georgia who blogs about her sewing adventures.

(http://thevintagehomesewist.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/my-first-award/)

 

Here are the 11 questions!

 

1. What inspired you to start your blog?

I enjoyed reading other girls blogs about sewing and vintage fashion. We have a mini library of many vintage books on sewing, decor and lifestyle and thought it would be nice to contribute to the blogging world.

 

2. How long have you been blogging?

I think its been about two years maybe three.

 

3. What motivates you to get things done?

I love to accomplish things- so the satisfaction of completing something Ive stared is a big motivator.

 

4. Do you have a favorite old movie?

Its hard to pick just one- lately my favorite movie has been 12 Angry Men. That movie is superb!

 

5. If you could be any fruit, which fruit would you be and why?

A pineapple- its might seem hard on the outside but its all goodness on the inside.

 

6. What is an oddball fact about yourself?

I sweep the kitchen everyday- sometimes multiple times a day.

 

7. Why did you choose the name of your blog?

The girls and I made it up while watching a Burt Lancaster movie and like the sound of it.

 

8. What is your favorite book?

I actually don't have a favorite book, but I do love a good vintage mystery.

 

9. What is your main goal for 2014?

Sew up a new wardrobe!

 

10. What color eyes do you have?

Light brown

 

11. What is something that makes you really happy?

Spending time with my sisters 

 

Los Angeles skyline view from the Hollywood Hills

 

Okay now for 11 facts!

 

1. I'm the youngest sister.

2. I've never died my hair.

3. Ive only lived in California

 4. My favorite decade is the 1930's and 1960's

5. I learned to sew at 15yrs old .

6 I enjoy having an Etsy shop

7. I'm addicted to thrifting

8. I enjoy listing to 60's rock and big band music

9. I know a little bit of American Sign Language

10. I have two cats

11. I enjoy creative writing.  

 

Thank you Bessie!

 

Sincerly, Vera

The Mod Factory

 Hello! How is everyone?

 

 

This week we opened a new shop on Etsy- The Mod Factory! This was an idea we've had for a long time, even before we started this blog. On this shop we will sell items for the 1960'-1970's that encapsulate mod and groovy style. We search the west coast looking for high quality,striking and unique clothing. Find out more about the story of the shop on the About section on our Etsy.

 

Feel free to take a look!

Till next time--
Sincerly, Vera



A Quick Look at September's Vintage Finds

We'd gone to a few estate sales and thrift stores in September and came home with a few goodies. Too bad none of them had vintage patterns--this was probably for the best because I think we may have V.P.S....Vintage Pattern Syndrome. I don't want to know how many we have....

One of the estate sales we went to was in a really cool 50s-60s house that the owners used as a "party house". It had a blend of mid-century and Japanese decor and many of the items for sale were made in Japan. The owners also had good taste in music, so we bought a bunch of records.

This italian purse was only $1!!



BEFORE
Scuffed with filthy shoelaces...


AFTER!

Like new! And those are the same laces by the way...

 

1960s Bausch & Lomb glasses

...Recognize this hat from Instagram?

Driving gloves!!

I geeked out when I saw this purse. I love the box purses of the 1940s-and now I have one!!

That's it for September. Happy thrifing!

--Viola



Tell Me...Do You Know Andre?

Many apologies for being terrible about blogging--as you well know, life can get in the way!

But today I am excited to spotlight the Andre Studio Collections, which are available to view online.

Some of you may recognize the site from our links page, whrereas others may already know of this wonderful collection of sketches from 1930-1941. This was part of a project, as the New York Public Library and Special Collections of the FIT Archives put it, to "virtually unite a collection of spectacular quality and historical significance".

When I originally stumbled upon this site, I was thrilled at the orginization of the collection, and quality of the sketches. The collection consists of original, hand-colored and reproduced fashion drawings from Andre Studios, a small desgin company that competed to sell their designs to manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada. It's safe to say I was mildly obsessed with it, dreaming of sewing up my own versions of almost everything I clicked on...

To search for something specific is very simple, you can choose to browse their labels/categories or type in the search box. And its easy to share or print 'em out for personal use. You may just click on every one!

 Happy browsing!


--Viola

TCM Film Festival 2013- Dial "M" for Murder 3D

Hi!
Today we have a post about the annual Tuner Classic Movie Film Festival, it's been some months since the Fest but it's never to late to share!
 

 Sunday April 28th 2013, day three of the film festival we went to Hollywood accompanied by a friend to see a Hitchcock classic- Dial "M" For Murder, starring the iconic Grace Kelly, along with Ray Midland and Robert Cummings. The movie was being shown on the big screen at the Chinese Multiplex 6, this is located on Hollywood Blvd. next to Grauman's Chinese theater.
 



We were especially excited because it was going to be shown how it was originally intended- in 3D. Unlike expected, the 3D in the 1950's was surprisingly high tech. Film critic Lenard Malton spoke with Norman Lloyd before the film an actor, director and friend of Alfred Hitchcock. He was 98yrs old!!! And is most known for his part in Saboteur and for directing over 20 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents in the 1960's. TCM events are always well planned and have great guests, we all had a great time and can't wait for next year!  

 

in the theater before the movie

  

after the film at the front door

Inside the hall leading to the theater
(Bette Davis)

Julie Andrews



Steve McQueen

Sincerely, Vera

What a Nice Day For a Swim!

 Hello everyone!

It feels great to be posting again! We've been busy but we still haven't stopped sewing, thrifting or researching. We've found and made some really neat things and cant wait to share it all! Today I wanted to share these lovely swim suits. I give the photo credits to My Vintage Vouge, it is such a great website for vintage images from the 1920's-1960's. They've given me a lot of sewing ideas and inspiration while pairing new outfits. So if you haven't seen this site already I would definitly check it out! Most of these suits are form the 1940's and 1950's- Enjoy!
 

 

Sincerely, Vera

'What's On the Menu?' A Look at Vintage Menus

Earlier this month, we stopped by an estate sale and discovered a small collection of vintage menus and mementos. The prices were a little steep and bargaining didn't help as much as we had hoped, but we snapped up as many as we could. I did a little research to see if some of the places are still around and tried to find a photo of what the restaurant looked like inside. A tall order (no pun intended), but I had to try!

 

Welch's of Long Beach

Who can resist a vintage kid's menu?! I was surprised to see this among the other menus. This certainly brought back memories of ordering from the "fun" kids menu. But there was never prime rib or sole fillets on my menu!

 

 

Maynard L. Parker, Courtesy of The Huntington Library, San Marino, Calif.

 I tried to find out more about this restaurant, but kept getting photos. Click this link to see more pics of the inside!

 

The Hotel Statler

The Hotel Statler company was one of the earliest hotel chains in the U.S.. Catered to travelling businessmen and tourists, it was founded by Ellsworth Milton Statler in Buffalo, New York in around 1907. Looking at the design, graphics, I'm assuming this menu is from the 1950s. Some of their locations have since been demolished, but others still exist and are being used as offices, apartments, or as another hotel. Apparently, the Los Angeles location where this menu is from was demolished in 2011 and is the site where the Wilshire Grand Tower will be built.  Click here to see which ones are still operating hotels!

 

I can just imagine myself sipping a "Sunnybrook" highball next to this lovely pool under a bright yellow umbrella-after all, it's only 75cents!
 

Hotel Pere Marquette

 The 14-story Pere Marquette was built in 1926 in downtown Peoria, Illinois. It is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel was recently closed for an entire year in 2012 for extensive renovation and expansion into a full-service, upscale Mariott hotel.  The year I found for this menu is 1942. I love this blue-on-blue color for a menu!

I didn't realize how terrible this pic was--sorry!

Here's a close-up of the "Plate Luncheons" section

 

I really like looking at them for authentic design/color ideas. I was suprised that the owner managed to keep them in a safe place. Paper usually somehow gets damaged.

There are a few more coming, so keep an eye out!

-Viola