A Pinch of Provenance, or, A Bit of Backstory

If there's one thing I love about antique and vintage goodies (especially photos), it's the background stories that go along with them... or, if you prefer the proper term, their provenance.

Recently, while driving about on a Saturday, my dearest spotted a yard sale and suggested we stop. I'm glad we did, because I found a fabulous late 1940s framed photo featuring a group of girls in sparkly hula costumes - perfect for our mid-century tropical/tiki-themed living room!


There was no price on the picture, but when we asked, the 50-something-year-old woman holding the sale said, "$5.oo?" in a rather tentative way. My dearest enthusiastically replied, "Sold!" I don't think she was expecting such an immediate positive response because she looked a little surprised. When I commented that it was a really neat and unusual picture, the woman told me that the photo was of her aunt's dance class. Apparently, her aunt had taken dance lessons when she was a girl and this was a photo of the whole class in their recital costumes. The woman also mentioned was that she'd offered to return the picture to her aunt, but the aunt has a copy of the photo and didn't need another one (yay for me!).

Now, why the heck didn't I ask which girl is the aunt??

Oh, and I got this swell coconut monkey from the same sale too, but no provenance for this primate...

Don't you love knowing just a little bit about your treasures' backstories?

Vintage Karma, or, What Goes Around Comes Around

Back in February, I had a month of giveaways, one of which included a terrific little baking booklet entitled "Learn to Bake" - here are photos from the giveaway...




At the time, I seriously debated whether to include "Learn to Bake" because the booklet was a favorite of mine. But, I finally decided that this particular vintage goodness should be shared. So into the giveaway it went...


Fast forward to June... Imagine my surprise when I found a copy of the same booklet at a local antique shop for $1.00!

Here's my favorite picture in the book - it's me, Miss CherryBubbles, baking biscuits in a past life ;)

While this alone is enough to make me believe in vintage karma, it isn't the only time I've given away something I was very fond of, only to have another one turn up to replace it. But, I think I'll save my other vintage karma story for another post.

How about you - do you have a similar vintage karma story?

Anyone Have a Time Machine I Can Borrow? I Need to Go Shopping in 1928!

A couple weeks ago, I finally purchased a 1928 Sears catalog that I've had my eye on for some time. When I first saw it months ago, the price wasn't right - for me, anyway. The catalog is in fair shape, but certainly not good enough to deserve the price marked.

Well, the antique shop owner must have decided to send the catalog on its merry way, because she reduced it to half-price! So, naturally, that was all the incentive I needed to show up with cash in my hand and a smile on my face.

And now that I've seen what was available from Sears in 1928, I need a time machine.

Here are some of the items on my shopping list...

Don't miss all the neat details - click on the pics to enlarge.

1. Dresses - and some even come in the "stout" sizes that I'd need to buy. ;) You know, I'm not sure if saying "plus" 2010 is really any better than saying "stout" in 1928. Anyway, aren't the prints and styles just darling?



2. Hats - Did you guess that I'll be buying the straw cloche with the cherries?


3. Coat - Everyone needs a swell coat and I think I'll have the jazzy plaid one on the lower right.


4. Shoes - Oh no, I shan't leave 1928 without purchasing these two terrific pairs of shoes! Sure, there were lots of fancy heels, but my feet will appreciate something a little more down to earth...



5. Fabric - These fantastic prints would certainly be incentive for getting my sewing room set up sooner! I particularly like the Dolly Madison prints in the upper right corner.


6. Cookware - I love the Energex and Table Grills! I mean, who wouldn't? You can cook an entire meal with one appliance... right at the table! ;)


7. Hammock - Well, a girl's gotta relax in style, right? Now, which one do I choose...


8. Ukulele - If you've got a hammock, you must have a ukulele too! And if you like a ukulele lady, ukulele lady like-a you. ;)

Okay, whose willing to loan me their time machine? I'll be glad to pick up a few little 1928 somethings for you while I'm there. :)

So, what would you travel back in time to buy? And where in time would you go?

Rockin' Good Giveaway at The Girl Can't Help It!

Hey kids, my pal Kim over at The Girl Can't Help It is hosting a fun-tabulous giveaway, entitled "The Vintage Housewife!" Check out the rockin' goodies she is generously giving away to one lucky randomly-chosen winner...

Okay, now that your interest is piqued, head on over to Kim's blog for all the details and to enter the giveaway! Oh, and if you haven't been following The Girl Can't Help It, have a look around and just see all the fun you're missing!

1940s Goodies Giveaway at This Homemade Life!

My pal, Kristen, over at This Homemade Life is offering a fun 40s giveaway... and it's a giveaway within a giveaway. The main package is shown in the pic above - and isn't it darling?! The top secret bonus prize is, well, top secret, but Kristen provides a little teaser in her post. Now, Miss CherryBubbles wants you to head right on over and get your entry in... the drawing is next week!

And while you're there, check out This Homemade Life... Kristen is peachy keen and posts lots of interesting things :)

Looking for Swell Summer Shoes?

Look no further than Shrinky Inky's Fine Adventures! My pal, Inky, has a couple pairs of adorable Ked's retro wedge-style shoes for sale on her blog. Go forth and see - they'd be just darling with your summer vintage outfits! And if you haven't checked out Inky's blog yet, what are you waiting for? She's a swell gal with interesting things to say! :)