I heart it
Have you gotten on We Heart It yet? I just found out about this site a few days ago (thanks to FerOHHHsh) and I’ve been completely addicted. It’s basically a visual reference of things that are supposed to represent your “heart” but there are infinite uses for it. It could be an easy way to visually bookmark images you see while perusing the interwebs because it links back to the original source. There is a tool that you can add to your bookmark bar to add pics as you browse the web, like Polyvore. (I can’t seem to get mine to work for some reason though.)
The main population on the site seems a bit young and there’s a no nude setting if you want to spare yourself the deluge of T&A all damn day (a lot slips through though… just a warning that it could be nsfw). I found it interesting how my “heart” has turned out. I made a point to stay away from decor and fashion… just to have a little special something for myself outside of this blog. It’s neat to see the things your eyes and mind gravitate towards when you’re just mindlessly clicking on things you like. The inside of my heart is pretty gentle, soft, fixated on the wonders of the natural world… and a little weird. What’s yours looking like? Follow me if you’re on there!
This is also a great way to get exposed to photography and art you may not have had a chance to see otherwise. I am transfixed by these polaroids by Anna Verlet posted on an impeccably curated art blog I had yet to hear about called but does it float. How magical!
Hope you have a beautiful weekend!
two worlds
These pictures are from a series taken in 1954 by Cornel Cappa of 15 year old girls (one in particular) attending their first formal dance at the Naval Armory in Michigan. You know they are beyond excited for such an experience but the young lady focussed upon in the plaid shirt seems so poised for her age. There is such innocence and grace revealed in the photos. Compared to today’s teens… don’t get me started.
Legs only view of 15 year old girls dressed in blue jeans, white thick ribbed socks & saddle oxfords as they eat around the kitchen table.
Teenage girls resting feet at first formal dance at the Naval Armory.
An image search on Cappa shows an amazing career of poignant images. He became a staff photographer for LIFE in 1946.
All of LIFE’s images are availble to view on Google. Congrats to Wendy B for achieving LIFE infamy!
things I wish I had never given to Goodwill
I went shopping yesterday, and at Urban Outfitters especially, I kept seeing things that I had over 5, 10, 15 years ago and I was having major remorse over letting some things from my past go.
I part with things really easily but, I’m kinda sick of my current wardrobe right now and would love to have a few things back to reinterpret.
- tulip shaped black skirt
- black velvet leggings
- black vinyl pants
- leopard skinnies
- vintage embroidered cardigan
- mom’s vintage jungle animal tee
- so many pairs of stripper platforms (goth days)
- vintage combat boots bought unworn from an army surplus store
- so many belts
- high waisted pencil skirts
- vintage “infinite dress”
- over the knee boots
- fox stole (with the head and feet and tail, from my grandma)
- tiger coat
- those vintage red mary janes from my Courtney Love phase
- ankle boots galore
- open knit black tunic sweater
- so many long skirts that could be hemmed
- a few pairs of Victorian style heels
- about 30 perfectly worn in flannel shirts
- corsets
- motorcycle jacket (hand painted Skinny Puppy logo and all)
1933
It’s Friday and I’ve been pretty slack with my consistency on posting vintage pics. I watched a bit of Gold Diggers of 1933 last night, an Oscar nominated movie from 1933 featuring Ginger Rogers and Joan Blondell. It was a bit ridiculous but, the clothing was really inspiring. Art Deco abound, glitz, sequins, sex appeal, and babies on roller skates!
This site said this about the movie:
Gold Diggers of 1933 was the first film Berkeley did after his huge success with 42nd Street. It’s also the first of his films with “The Great Depression” as a theme. The first production number of “We’re In the Money” was a clear sign of the times and how money had become such a problem for Americans during the 1930’s. Berkeley was a huge fan of Roosevelt and this number is his attempt to help us cope the the hard times in a similar way to what Roosevelt was doing with “The New Deal”.
milk glass
From the title of my blog, I get a lot of incoming searches from antique collectors looking for milk glass. So, I figured a post was in order.
What is milk glass? It’s basically an opaque glass that has tin oxide added to the glassmaking process to create the milky appearance. It resembles porcelain with a glassy shine. It is usually formed and pressed into molds.
Milk glass is at home in any decor because of its clean simplicity. There are figures, vases, dishes, glasses, cake stands, etc. I fell in love with it when my mom bought this tiny hobnail bud vase with milk glass gradation at an antique show. Hobnail simply refers to the raised bumps. I find this glass to be soothing, with a gentle, delicate quality.
White isn’t the only color available. Here is a French egg cup, circa 1910 in a dreamy blue shade.
There are many different stories of origin out there, spanning from the 14th to 16th centuries, and possibly coming from Venice, Italy. It’s always synonymous with prosperity for some reason, but the glass produced during the Depression era is of lesser quality and has a lower value. If you are interested in collecting, The National Milk Glass Collectors Society has a wealth if information. Keep an eye out for marks/signatures on the bottom of each piece and avoid damage like cracks and tiny chips on edges called “flea bites”. (etsy and ebay finds)
Milk glass is still being produced by glass companies like Fenton. Check out this modern chandelier from Martha Stewart!
Here is an owl toothpick holder from the Westmoreland Glass Co. People don’t really go around displaying their toothpicks anymore but, for a party with hors d’oeuvres, or in your bathroom for cotton swabs (I have a little green ceramic koi fish toothpick in my bathroom), or at your bedside with a small flower, it would be adorable. I did a post about a year ago on functional/controlled collections and mentioned Degenhart Glass. They also produce a lot of toothpicks in a range of milk colors, which are super easy to collect and keep.
Omg look at this awesome dish found at this site! It was described as:
A steer’s head covered dish of opaque white milk glass more than doubled its presale high estimate to sell for $3,955 to a private collector bidding in the gallery. On a swirled rib base, the piece made by Challinor, Taylor & Co. in the fourth quarter of the Nineteenth Century stood 5 inches high and featured striking nonoriginal applied eyes.
4 grand for a 5″ high covered dish?! Makes you want to scour some flea markets and antique shows for an amazing deal once in a while, doesn’t it?
1960s interiors
My mom has a ton of books taking up a wall in her house. I wanted to share with you some pictures from a 1965 interior design book called Decoration USA. I love how a lot of the design elements and furniture styles are still relevant today. At least we have steered away from saturating the entirety of a room with a singular bright color. I spared you those eye-burning pictures.
Click the picture for a larger version.
Yay! Large scale abstract art dominating a room!
one room 2 ways
I wish all the pictures were in color. They sure loved their woven rattan in the 60s. This photo was showcasing the fireplace pit. We still see those dining chairs used today.
good grief
Not a laptop in sight in any of the desk shots – kind of refreshing!
love these chairs!
paparazzi
It’s Friday! How about a picture of a panda photographer!
maps
If you follow any design blogs, you surely saw Emily Fischer’s “Soft-Maps”, which are maps that have been embroidered into quilts. I can’t imagine the labor involved in her commission-only designs but the prices certainly reflect an enormous amount of work. Her stitches remind me of Sashiko which is simple but does take some getting used to so that it speeds along nicely. You have to be a special type of person to do this kind of work. Quilting is one craft I never got into since the traditional designs and old-fashioned fabric choices really don’t do it for me. It’s so nice to see an old art get a modern twist. Maybe it will inspire younger people to try their hand at it. Cold weather is creeping upon us and it’s the right time to think about starting a quiet evening/weekend project. This could easily be done in the form of a throw pillow or embellishment on a t-shirt, or something bold like your neighborhood slanted and incomplete at the hem of a blazer. Some embroidery needles and thread and a white or blue washable chalk pencil (to draw your outline) would cost less than $5.
I have been subscribing to the Hand Drawn Map Association for a while. They remind me of my childhood, when I would make up imaginary lands and draw detailed maps. Here is an interview with artist Shane Watt who also creates imaginary maps.
There are also companies that sell old aeriel photographs in various sizes to frame and hang in your home. You can find your hometown or a place you’ve always wanted to go.
This is one of many dresses by artist Elisabeth Lecourt. I don’t believe these are sold for wear though.
Totally wearable, I was turned onto Christian Francis Roth’s fun line of clothing Francis by gorgeous jewelry designer Wendy B. (her jewelry and her hilarious blog). She also writes for the Francis blog. Wendy helps the lost find their way in her map dress! This dress is too cute! (on sale right now!)
An etsy search for “map” revealed thousands of items.
Isotope makes awesome tees. I really like the graphic nature of maps on clothing. It’s a random geometric pattern that could be paired with just about anything and look chic peeking out from under a blazer or cardi.
Have you heard of Dream Heels? What an awesome concept! They are a take on Threadless where instead of tees, people submit and vote on which pattern of pumps they will make. This Parisian map concept is currently a contender!
This handmade decoupage plate can easily be recreated with some diy help.
Maps are also finding their way into jewelry. This pendant by XOHandworks is special to me since my dad is from Serbia.
wee
It’s been a while since a Photo Friday.
26th October 1956: Henry Behrens, the smallest man in the world dances with his pet cat in the doorway of his Worthing home. Measuring only 30 inches high, Mr Behrens has made a living by travelling the world with Burton Lester’s midget troupe. (Photo by Harry Kerr/BIPs/Getty Images).
don’t look down!
Hope you can take a break from the weekly balancing act and enjoy your weekend!
<!--