Black and White 60's Maxi Skirt

I knew you'd want an out-of-focus picture of me purchasing a couple bars of soap, so I had Mr. ETB grab a photo. Now we all know I use Yardley Lavender soap. When I was a child the bars were milled much harder, and had an attractive green colour to it with an oval shape. It was something my mother bought me as a special gift, as it was much more expensive than Dial. I liked Pears quite a bit at the time as well, but that was a real luxury item. The new bars of Yardley don't last as long as they used to, but still do better than most of the commercial brands. I haven't seen Lux in a million years, but I'm told it still exists. I like to keep bars of soap in my shoe cupboard (yes, I have one devoted to shoes) because sometimes, when I open the door, it smells like feet. I'm over-sharing, eh? Anyway, the lavender soap does the trick. I'm sure a box of baking soda would as well, but I'd knock that shit over, and have a mess. Cedar, moth flakes, air fresheners all smell worse than feet. I'm sure you can guess that Yardley isn't paying me to promote their product, seeing how I just admitted buying it to mask foot odour in the cupboard, but just for the record, I'm not being compensated in any way by Yardley. It does mask foot odour though-really, it does!

It was a long day, but at the end, Danny came home with his first goldfish. Her name is, Sunshine. Obviously he wasn't interested in any of my naming suggestions, which is probably for the best.

Outfit Details:

The only thing worth mentioning here is the maxi skirt. It is very long-I had to roll the waistband several times, and wear 4 inch heels to keep from cleaning up the floors with it. I purchased it a few weekends ago at Thrift World, for just a few dollars. I like it, but I'm not sure what I could wear with it other than a polo neck. The line of the skirt is so dramatic (and wide) it should probably have a closer fitting top to keep me from looking like a triangle, though I'm afraid it would just end up bell-like. Maxi skirts are hard to wear when you're 5'2", but that hasn't stopped me trying.

Black Friday

Click on photos to enlarge.

Well what did you expect me to do, go to the shopping centre?

Not when it was such a beautifully sunny day.

I'd already decorated the Christmas tree, so it was time to make the most of a long weekend.

First stop was the "Cornucopia of Crafts" at Mahoney State Park. It was mostly beef jerky and chainsaw sculptures. We didn't buy anything. Danny did get to talk with a sweet young woman who worked at the park about birds. She does some pretty mean bird calls. I think Danny's smitten. I think we'll be spending time at Mahoney this winter.

 Outfit Particulars:
Dress-retail, 90's
Cardigan-Thrifted Goodwill
Gloves-Mum's
Handbag: K-Mart a couple seasons ago
Belt-Thrifted
Necklace-Birthday gift from Danny last year
 50's Earrings-Thrifted
 50's Reindeer Pin-Thrift World
Bracelets-Shopko (I think)
 Vintage Hat-Thrifted, Goodwill Council Bluffs, IA
 60's Coat-Thrifted at least 25 years ago, and showing serious moth damage. I think this is the last year for it.
Shoes-Thrifted, Goodwill

 Ah, the great outdoors!

 Very well, since it has become a theme of late...

Have a super fucking nice day.

1970's Sakowitz by Joe Frank Suit

This suit has a bit of a, "Goodmorning, it is another beautiful day in the Village" vibe to it, though not nearly as much as the wide striped brown and white suit I passed over for this one. This beauty cost around six dollars, which I figured the buttons alone were worth if I hated the suit. It turns out, I like it very much.

 

 

Impossible to photograph. Look at that pattern. Scratch that, don't-it'll make you dizzy.

 

 Outfit Particulars:
Suit-Thrift World, Millard location
Shoes-Laura Ashley (thrifted)
Necklace-Thrifted about 25 years ago
Star Barrettes-Gift from a co-worker about 20 years ago
Scoop-Neck shirt-K-Mart
Stockings-Assets
Bangles-assorted thrift stores

 It does button, but I prefer jackets open.

 Look at those buttons.

Happy Hanukkah if you celebrate.

1970's Maxi Skirt and Matching Waistcoat

 

Finding something to fit beneath this set was maddening. The skirt is unlined, so the hem of any shirt shows through appearing as a roll of fat (got those as well, but at least I earned those). The navy blue, and tomato red checks should have been simple enough to match with a shirt, but it took the better part of an hour before I settled on the velour top. It was bulky beneath the waistcoat, something my already squished-up boobs did not need. a 36 D has no business wearing tight fitting anything, much less patterns. I don't think this looked terrible, but it will probably not be something I wear again-at least not both pieces together.

 

 Outfit Particulars:
1970's Waistcoat and maxi skirt-Thrift World, Millard .99 cents
1970's Velvet Jacket-A thrift store in Ottawa in the 90's
Shoes-K-Mart
Earrings and Necklace-The Mexican Shop, Evanston, Illinois early 80's
Velour top-Marshall Field's late 80's early 90's
Bracelets-Claire's a couple years ago
Pin-Mum's 60's or 70's I think

 Of course, once I put a jacket over the pieces it disguised all the flaws.

 I've had these earrings since the early 80's (at least) but never wore them much. Similar story with the necklace.

 This pin was my mothers. It may also be worn as a necklace.

The only member of this family with any fashion sense.

Milestone

I was remarking to Mr. ETB this morning how nice the calendar from Hy-Vee is, and that I should pick up a few more next time we're there, as they're free. Mind, I can only make use of one myself, and it was with a bit of terror I realised I have become the older person snagging free calendars to send my younger friends. In my youth, I never had need to purchase one as older friends and relations would send them to me-now the role has reversed.

I haven't started hanging out in the lobby of the bank on Saturday for the free coffee and doughnuts (whether I bank there or not) but I'm not ruling it out.

Now get the hell off my lawn-and take a calendar before you leave.

Fiber Arts Show-Saturday

If you find yourself in the Omaha area tomorrow, the Omaha Weavers and Spinners Guild is hosting their 15th annual fiber arts show.

Saturday 23 November 2013
Westside Community Center
5334 S. 108th Street
Omaha
9-4 pm

I never leave without some wonderful item (last year it was a beautiful silk and bead necklace). There are spinning, and weaving demonstrations, exhibits, and beautiful handmade items just perfect for your holiday giving (commercial!).

See you there.

In Turtle Land

The vintage turtle figurines I purchased last month have found a home in Danny's room where he has transformed a high edged serving tray into a turtle garden complete with moss, rocks, and dollhouse furniture. Recently, I found them on chairs round a table enjoying tea from a miniature porcelain set I had as a child. I dare say, the turtles have better furniture than we do.

Today, I gave Danny ten dollars to buy what he wished in the miniatures department at Hobby Lobby (aka, "My Happy Place"). He bought a bookshelf (that's my boy!) with mini volumes that can be taken off. After a while, he came downstairs to help with dinner.

"So, how are the new Turtle Land items working out?" I asked.
"Fine, but you know that shelf of books?"
"Yes?"
"There's a bible in there! I don't want a bible. Who would put that in there?  The turtles are Atheists."

I guess I could make a new cover for the offending volume, and turn it into a Dawkins book or something. Oh well, what do you expect at Hobby Lobby?

In A Belted Coat, I Secretly Knew That I Hadn't A Clue

 

 
I wasn't sure about this jacket, but I received several compliments from people that I suspect didn't know it was from the 70's. Marty Gutmacher was a brand that catered to old ladies, and most of the jackets came with matching elastic waist pants. Sadly, this was a solo purchase, but you can be sure I'll be checking Ebay to complete the set.

 I paid .99 cents for the jacket and figured at worst, I could harvest the cool buttons if it didn't fit. It fits, though it really needs a long skirt. I tried it with a knee length brown pleated skirt, and I looked like a gourd. I finally settled on this longer skirt, and now I look like a gourd with an elongated stem, which is better, as gourds go.

 

 This cameo is plastic, but that doesn't stop people from thinking it is real. To me it looks quite fake, but as part of an overall outfit, maybe it comes across better.

 

 Outfit Particulars:
1970's Polyester Jacket-Thrift World
Polo-neck Bodysuit-The Limited, 80's
Skirt-Jordan Marsh (RIP) 90's
Shoes: K-mart
Earrings-Von Maur
Bracelets-assorted thrift stores
Plastic Cameo-thrifted

Vintage Family Circle Magazines 1935-1943

I bought these last summer at the Sarpy County sale for .50 cents (the entire lot, as it was near the end of the sale). Some of the issues are in better condition than others, and it seems the original owner was a bit of a coupon clipper, so a few spaces are cut away, but overall they are in excellent condition.

 Click on images to enlarge

 I do enjoy an apple dumpling.

 Well it was wartime, and there was rationing, so a Spamburger was probably a feast.

 The 1935 issue was pretty fragile but it had an article with great photos of shrunken heads. Then, because I have an anthro degree, I felt compelled to explain to Danny how it is done. He's pretty freaked out by it.

 The kiddo rolled his eyes when he saw this ad for, "Eatmor" cranberries. You can roll your eyes as well.

 Me? A Husband charmer? Uh, I dunno. Depends what I have to do. Let's see, greet him at the door graciously (uh...) take his hat (uh...well he doesn't wear one most days), and offer him a glass of ginger ale? I guess I could greet him at the door tonight with a glass of ginger ale, he's had a bit of a stomach bug of late, so that would be a thoughtful gesture. I don't think he'd be charmed by it (concerned, maybe) but I'll give it a go and let you know...wait, he doesn't have a comfortable chair I can seat him in...in his honour. Fuck it, I'll toss  him a can of Bud and call it a day.

 Vegetables spoilt by careless canning?! Oh dear, I'd be upset too! Wait, the fact two jars spoiled is the selling point? Geez. 900 jars? What's she doing, sending them to the Front?

 An article regarding whether you should discipline another child if they act up at your home. I'm old enough (not as old as this magazine, thanks very much) to remember being screamed at by friend's parents right along with their kid. My mother once dragged some kid home by his ear because he bit my sister or something. I doubt it would fly today, but we were expected to behave properly when we were guests at a friend's home, and if we didn't...whoo boy, were we gonna get it! I mean, look at that little bastard dipping the girl's pigtails in the ink well. What a fucking arsehole. He should get a spanking.

 Wow, who knew chewing gum was a way to relax during the war? Gets rid of all that nervous tension.

 Don't worry, there's enough skinless wieners (ouch) for the soldiers, and the homefront.

I'll try to feature more of the ads, and articles from time to time.