Hooray for Erin!

Erin was just featured on Black Girl With Long Hair.  Check out this awesome interview about her fabulous hair and vintage flair!

ERIN on Black Girl With Long Hair

Erin's Store "PSYCHO SURPLUS" on Etsy

Wild West Adventure With My Good Luck Horseshoe

Yesterday we got the heck out of the city and headed to the far west burbs.

We hit the DuPage Children's Museum for some crazy run around fun.  So darn crazy that this pic is the absolute best one I took, out of 50.   The kid just doesn't like to look at the camera or stand still for more than a nano second.   To get this one I had to go behind the air sucking tube he was playing with, say a couple 'Hail Marys' and cross my fingers.  

He exhausted himself to the point that he asked to go to the car.  Nice.

From there we made a super fast trip into the mall.  I've had a $15 Disney Store gift card in my wallet since who knows when and I know if I don't use it I'll loose it.  I meant to use it for cocktails on my cruise, but I totally forgot.   So we headed into the store and the kid was over the moon.  He's obsessed with 'Toy Story' and with the movie coming out soon the store was stuffed with merch.  He picked out a large, plastic, noise making Buzz.   After the card was used it cost me $10.  A small price to pay  for what followed...........Shopping at THREE STORES with a happy kid.

I found some really cute dresses.  A few 50's does 80's sundresses and some true 50's pieces too, including a great purple floral print sheath dress with sequins and some shortie shorts. Not to mention an amazing 1940's wedding dress with a 30-something inch waist.  HOT STUFF!

Until a couple weeks ago I avoided taking the kid shopping.  Now I'm realizing that he's my little good luck charm.    If all it takes is an unbelievably annoying toy every few weeks, I think I'll pay the fee.  

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!

I don't feel like getting dressed today.....

I'd rather lounge around in these beauties!

Erin and I photographed a bunch of items but I have no idea when they'll actually be listed. 30s-50s dressing gowns, Miss Elaine, Vanity Fair, Olga and Virginia Wallace nightgown and peignoir sets. Oooh La La!

Kick me in the rear, these beauties need to be shared with the world.

Spring in Chicago!

Spring has finally arrived here in Chicago and I couldn't be happier about it.  The kid and I have been spending our mornings in the back yards.  He plays with the hose while I swig coffee in a futile attempt to start my brain.

All the tulips are new to our yard.  They were haphazardly planted last fall, in the dark, while I drank beer.  I think they came out pretty nice.   Its so hard to find time during daylight hours to accomplish such a task.  My neighbors must think I'm insane.

I'd rather be doing whatever the heck she's doing....

Today I feel overwhelmed, too much to do.  Things to list, things to clean, things to organize, the kid is whiney as all hell and only stops crying if he's in my arms or if "Toy Story" is on.  I do not want to raise a tv zombie.  The pay pal well is dry and needs to be replenished.  I need dough, I need to be a good mother.   I feel like I'm doing everything half assed.  Probably because I am.

I've been in fashion frumpy mode since I don't know when.  I've noticed that the worse I dress, the worse I eat.   Its a vicious cycle.

I have a thousand things to do and would rather be doing whatever this woman is doing.  Check out that coat, the fur cuffs are STRIPED!

Photo from the Chicago Daily News archives circa 1925.  Captioned:  Informal full-length portrait of Peggy Joyce Hopkins, glamour girl and Ziegfeld Follies dance, looking to the left of the camera and holding a floral arrangement, standing in front of a passenger train car in a railroad station in Chicago, Illinois

Hidden Treasures - Hidden Pockets! Sunday in Chicago!

I recently came across this picture of Sasha of Kokorokoko and Kirsten of The Sometimes Store that was taken at the last vintage Bonanza at Berlin.

Sasha is doing a fabulous job demonstrating the practical pockets on my dress that Kirsten is modeling.

So I know you're all wondering where you can buy such wonderful outfits from such lovely ladies for 20 bucks or less....

THIS SUNDAY, April 25
Berlin - 954 W Belmont, Chicago
High Noon - 8

Racks and racks and racks of quality vintage clothing and accessories for men and women priced at $5, $10, $15 and $20.

Saddle Up! Its time for the VINTAGE BONANZA!

YEEE HAW!

Its that time of the month!  Time to sell at The BONANZA!

Sunday, April 25 HIGH NOON 'til SUNDOWN.
Berlin - 954 W. Belmont, Chicago

What makes is awesome?  They serve booze - $2.50 Mimosas!

THE BEST PART?  All items are $5, $10, $15 and $20!  - Seriously, that is rock bottom thrift prices for items that are found, cleaned, sorted and ready to go! The only way it could be easier is if I just delivered it straight to your closet.

Fabulous items from the 1930's-1990's.  Dresses, gowns, pants, skirts, shirts, lingerie, accessories, shoes, bags and swimsuits!

My personal items are from the 1940's on, but last month I spent the better part of the afternoon drooling over a pair of 1930's high waist, pin-up shorts across the way at Very Best Vintage's booth

Today, my friend Erin is helping me sort through my stock.  Doesn't she look cute holding that little tasseled 1960's sweater!

Back to finding more fabulous items!

Niki

VINTAGE NudeeDudee - One of my favorite girls!

Time has been flying!  One of the most exciting things I have done lately was visiting with my dear old friend, Kim, who was visiting from Los Angeles.  

She's one of those girls who you almost want to hate because she's just so damn good at everything, but she's way too fun.   Met Kim when I was about 20, when we were both neck deep in vintage Italian scooters.  Her with a Lambretta, me with my little pink Vespa.

The two pictures on the left were from my birthday party circa 2000 (hence, the tiara).  Check out Kim's scooter club Jacket.  I can't quite make out the sleeve on the shoulder but I believe one on the chest is a Lambretta patch and the back patch was definitely our "Screaming Mimi's" Girls Scooter Club patch.  

Kim has been a crazy-obsessive sewer for as long as I've known her.  I was lucky enough to get some of her designs pretty early, the above right picture is me in one of her creations circa 2002 (for my bachelorette party). 

In recent years she has parlayed that love into a little business she calls NudeeDudee on etsy.  She specializes in vintage reproductions with lots of 1930s and 1940s style fashions.  Her clothing truly is drool worthy and every stitch is done by her personally.  What really sets her apart besides quality is her heavy use of vintage fabric and notions.   She has a flickr account set up to showcase them and it is quite the treasure trove.  Seriously, the last time I poked my head in, I didn't emerge for nearly two hours! 

NudeeDudee on Etsy

NudeeDudee on Flikr

In honor of this fabulous woman, I changed my first song to The Misfits' "Saturday Night".  I can't hear it without thinking about her being picked up and carried off the stage while they played it.  No one has ever looked so glamorous while a bouncer was throwing them over their shoulder.   

Love you, Lady!