OMG Overload!

I just put up several lots of lingerie in my Etsy shop HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE
Seriously, its a great deal, resellers can have a blast.

I'm running out of room in my house now that my sister and I jointly purchased a huge amount of estate clothing.  its tons of 60s - early 90s and Its going to take forever to post it all.

I'll be doing this manically until planting starts in March.

Check it out!

Store in Quakertown

2720 North Old Bethlehem Pike
Quakertown, PA


Open 11-5

Wednesday through Sunday

If you need later hours, by all means, drop me an email, lexose at yahoo dot com.
I'll answer usually within an hour or two.

Not a lot of clothing but TONS of really great stuff:

Its been CRAPTASTIC!

Yeppers! Right now my desktop PC is taking a long painful crap.  Right after I bought the iPhone 5s.  So as most of the population knows those aren't conducive to a budget normally but I wanted to treat both Paul and I to something extravagant. 

Initially it was just my hard drive, thats cool, I got a new one from newegg.com.  I get the harddrive and realize that I didn't get an SATA cable.  *SIGH* Order a cable from newegg.com (and some more RAM).  Get the cable, get the RAM, Desktop seems to be fine for about two or three days.  BAM. another windows boot error.    So I'm working on that one.

Regardless, all my pictures and wedding stuff is on that computer, now I'm working with my faithful laptop.  (Toshiba man, the best bloody laptops anyone could buy ever-it hasn't ever given me the slightest difficulty ever).

SOOOOooo needless to say, I'm not going to be updating anything wedding related anytime soon.

I did get my butt in gear and put a bunch of restoration and architectural pieces in my etsy shop.  The most beautiful Art Nouveau bathroom hardware pieces I've ever seen!

It inspired me to start a whole new section "Architectural Antiques"

Soap Holder (wall mounted)

Its going to be an interesting couple of weeks. 

Wedding reception decor - and I have some tips for brides on a budget - Part One

Three vintage books - free, a chiffon dresser scarf- .50 cents, milkglass candle holder .25 cents. 

June 1, 2013 I finally got married!  I'm so very happy I waited until I was absolutely sure I wanted to spend the rest of my life with my partner, because I will never EVER throw another wedding as long as I live.    

Our candy buffet, this particular dish cost $2.00, the scoop was another $2.50 - by far, the most expensive glassware at my wedding ;)

The entire wedding was beautiful.  It was not over the top - I didn't feel like hauling a ton of antique and vintage sofas, chairs, and other huge oddments, but I wanted the flea market feel.  So I just incorporated stuff into the wedding decorations kind of subtlety. 

I love antiques, reading and my garden.  Paul has similar interests - he loves poking around in antique shops and flea markets - not pictured are the tons of old reels, lures and other fishing related items that were scattered around.

Doilies were handmade by my grandmother YEARS ago, the scrapbook paper was $5. on a clearance pile at Joann Fabrics, the books - scavenged through the years - I love to read.  Photo Frame was from the Dollar Tree.

So here are my suggestions and tips

1. Do Not bother with thousands of dollars in decorations.  Just be simple and subtle and most importantly, reflect you and your fiances true selves.  Use the "Theme" as a way to spend LESS money, not more.
THE WRONG WAY TO USE A THEME:
Bride to be:  "OOoo, Calla Lily themed stuff!  And it all matches!" and she promptly throws her wallet at the florist, caterer, Oriental Trading Company.

Is that calla lily theme attractive to you because you absolutely love and adore calla lilies?  Do you have a garden full of them?  Do you go to flower shows to see them?  Do you spend hours caring for your lilies?  no?  Well, why choose calla lilies then?!   

2. Go to garage sales, auctions, flea markets and discount stores with your fiance, let him have a say in whats going on. Drag him to the craft stores too, then you can both commiserate over coffee later. Bridesmaids are fun of course, but you aren't marrying your bridesmaids.  

3. Browse craigslist frequently.  Don't forget about places like oncewed, weddingbee and other secondhand places.

4. Utilize and Exploit any family and friends with any sort of talent! Crafty friends are AWESOME.  Don't forget your family members.  An insane and costly part of the wedding is the CAKE.  My best friend and bridesmaid made me a lovely three tier wedding cake - it was her gift.  My sister is the craft queen, my mom can do just about anything, and my mother in law is a fabulous hostess. 

5. Nobody truly appreciates the details unless they recently had a wedding or plan on doing so in the near future.  These individuals are the minority of your guests. Spend the largest chunks of cash on the photographer and the food/alcohol - and when I say alcohol, I mean QUANTITY, not quality.

I retrieved this window shutter from the garbage.  I bought the green paint and spent two dollars on the place setting cards.  I think the total for this project was $4?  Something like that.

Flameless votives were a precautionary choice with the drunkards and children running around.  The wedding cake topper was found in a box of old junk in a barn, along with the mason jar.

 

So my entire wedding, including the ceremony cost me approximately $4000.00.  And that is including my dress, accessories, the DJ, the photographer, and such.

  I had some advantages that most people don't have, such as a miracle working mom, a freelance cake decorator, and I am an antiques dealer as is my sister.   

I didn't have a videographer because I would never watch the DVD.  Who wants to see the ceremony countless times...I mean, get your uncle to do it.  Professionals are insanely expensive.

In a few days I'll have part two up.  :)

 

My partner and his groomsmen were threatening me with full frontal nudity.

 I still have a lot of stuff to share, so this is one of two blog entries...All of these beautiful photographs were done by the most amazing photographer (reasonably priced and genuinely good people) BIRDS OF A FEATHER PHOTOGRAPHY.

Mad World - Indirectly I'm famous!

Last night I received an order for a 1960's bedspread that I had listed in my Etsy shop for a few months. 

The individual asked me to please express ship it (a very expensive procedure) and I was happy to comply. 

Turns out the individual works as a set director for the Television Series "Mad Men"!

Ack!  My spread is going to be on television!  Probably made into a fabulous outfit of some kind!  I AM TOTALLY FAMOUS!  Well, my bedspread is.

A couple of months ago I received another order from yet another studio, this time it was for a 1940's WWII rayon pajama set. 

That individual worked on the set of "Bomb Girls" a TV show in Canada, (soon to be broadcasted in the USA!).

I've also had someone ask permission to use my photograph in their book - but that was published in the United Kingdom, I never had the opportunity to check this one out.

Several people who create costumes for plays have bought from me as well.  I don't usually ask, but when an abnormal request for super expensive shipping occurs I have to search out of curiosity.  As for shop updates, I added a bunch of Feed Sacks and some fabrics.  I'm going to be adding stuff slowly, due to time constraints with my wedding on June first and working at the greenhouse again.

Fine vintage lingerie will be updated as well, I have some great lingerie to post! 

Shop update

 I have added some 1940s (and older) fly fishing reels.  They are fully functional and would be a great gift for someone who fishes or collects old fishing tackle.  Fly Fishing Reels

 Two 1940s little black dresses, the details on both of these are astounding!

 1930s wire framed glasses and 1950s cats eye glasses!

There are tons of other updates as well HERE

August 22 2012 Shop Update

Fine Vintage Apparel Update

Beautiful White Wedding Microbeaded clutch bag with rhinestone clasps.  Here

Hawaiian gown with sweetheart shelf bust and beautiful construction details.  Here

I have mentioned this play suit before in my blog.  I have replaced all the elastic throughout the garment, reinforced seams, made it completely wearable again.  I've had it in my closet for a long time and I haven't had the opportunity to wear it.  So I'm offering it up for sale.

Men's size 9 1/2 W Loafers - all leather and in beautiful condition, nary a scuff upon them.  Here

there are several size 12 Girls Pajama sets New old stock and a pair of cotton flannel new old stock pajamas for women as well.

I'm having a sale - enter the code FALLSALE and get 15% off your final purchase.
 

Using Vintage as an affordable alternative in your business casual wardrobe

I got my Pendleton fall catalogue recently and as usual I drooled all over everything in it.

Fashion usually recycles itself, and Pendleton is no exception.  I adore their stuff, but there is no way I'm spending $178 on a blazer, no matter how lovely it may be.

An affordable alternative is buying a vintage skirt suit and using both pieces in creative ways for example

 This is a great jacket.  It has pockets, chunky buttons and most importantly it looks really comfortable.  Sadly, I can't afford $178 for a jacket.  Well, I could but I wouldn't be able to buy much else.   Incoming vintage suits.







This is a 1960's blazer that comes with a skirt of the same material. 
If I replace the buttons with something more contemporary I have a beautifully tailored garment.
The collar is a bit wider than the original, but if that bugs me I can have a professional tailor alter it for me.
Grand total cost of Suit, Shipping, and Buttons might be $90 and I still get a fabulous skirt that I can wear with boots and tights, maybe a turtleneck or a sweater.

Much like the Debbie Bias skirt it has a no band darted waist and would look fabulous on any figure.

Pendleton 178 + 142 = $320
Vintage $90 (with new buttons and shipping)
Another Jacket I absolutely loved in the catalogue was the Debbie double breasted jacket.

A price tag of $218
Ack!

A beautiful blazer that is "vintage inspired"
well, that means that one could find a 'true vintage' jacket and  possibly save some cash.











This is a true vintage 1960s blazer, with shipping it is $53

Again, adding decorative buttons wouldn't be difficult.  This attaches with snaps and sewing on 8 buttons wouldn't be a huge ordeal. 

New: $218
Vintage: $53

Another two piece set $63

- A-line skirt
- Tailored jacket
- Quality construction
-Very Reasonable price



So vintage is the way to go, at least in my opinion.  The stuff is better quality and you are far less likely to show up at work wearing the same thing as someone else.

Our wedding

Wedding decorations are often overpriced when marketed as such.
For example if you look up "Wedding Centerpieces" and the attached price tags, you will pay at least double what you would if you just looked up "milk glass vase" or "Mason Jar"

I loved the idea of incorporating tons of antiques and vintage items in my wedding centerpieces and I am extremely fortunate that my sister and I have been collectors of antiques and collectible vintage for years.   I feel for the brides that have to go out and start their collections from scratch.

Here are some great wedding centerpiece ideas and my personal favorites are below.

 

 One other thing I have an excess of is doilies.  Dear god,  you would be able to cover every dresser, end table and surface of my neighborhood with my doily stash.  Its seriously ridiculous.  

 I mean, it is OUR wedding so we need to mesh our personal hobbies into the decor somehow I'm guessing. 

 I planned on incorporating books in my centerpieces due to my voracious appetite for reading, and perhaps throwing some fishing-related items for Paul's hobby. 

What caught my eye in this duo was the mason jars.  See the rest of the wedding here

Thanks to the intarWeb I have tons of inspirational photos to guide me along.

Things I have decided I am NOT DOING:
1.  giving out really tacky and useless favors.  I'm thinking either a candy bar or something useful like a tape measure keychain.  I've had one on my keyring for several years now and it is most useful!
2.  Save the dates.
Postage + Stationary + what if I change my mind and the guest list changes?
3. Florist Costs are going to be minimized
Instead, I am making my own corsages and boutonnieres
I'm making my own centerpieces (see above) and picking flowers from my garden.  My sister owns a greenhouse so that is completely feasible for my wedding.     I'm kind of out of luck as far as a bridal bouquet goes.  Everyone hated the brooch bouquet idea so I am seriously outvoted. 
 4.  Engagement Pictures
Seriously, these are totally unnecessary.  If a couple doesn't have photos of themselves doing fun stuff together they need to be engaged longer and do more fun crap together.  Paul and I have HUNDREDS from over the last couple years! Staged photos never look as good as the real thing anyway.

The hardest part is finding a reception location that we really love.  you can't rely on the weather to be nice so we are trying to find a happy medium in our price range.  Our budget is $8000.00 (good luck to me right?)


I could increase the budget but I absolutely will not.  Weddings are totally blown out of proportion nowadays and there is no way I am going to put up with these over commercialized "wedding necessities".  Its just stupid.  Paul and I are absolutely vehement about spending more then we have too.  Its just a party and a dress (Which coincidentally I have already purchased along with a veil so our budget is now 7500)

Updates will be forthcoming!

Fine Vintage Apparel and Fine Vintage Lingerie Updates 8/19/2012

  Two Bedjackets from the 1960s, an authentic circle skirt from the 1950s and my favorite, a Gunne Sax wedding gown from the 1970s.  All are HERE

Fine Vintage Lingerie updates are HERE

A beautiful peach Silk Early 1930s slip or gown:

 Green Bakelite Dresser Set with nail accessories:

 A New Old Stock Dresser Scarf

 A Sterling Silver Pocket Mirror from the 1950s

 A Celluloid Brush and Mirror Set

 A Lavender Rayon Satin Nightgown with a Gathered Bust and Pink Satin ribbon tie

A Beautiful Quilted Rayon Pajama Set with Capri Length pants!

SHOP Updates for 8/16/2012

A pink gingham (cotton) pajama set - new old stock with original store tags here.

 

A Gilead nightgown, also deadstock, but no tags here

 A Gunne Sax long ivory and green gingham dress here

 

A Girl Scout Cadette Uniform Blouse (never too early to think about halloween costumes!!!) here

 

A very naughty piece of lingerie, completely sheer bust.  :O!  Here!