Sunday, April 25, 2010

Spring Closet Clean Out

Here's a preview of what I'll be listing to sell this week. Not sure yet if I'll be doing Ebay or Etsy??


50's wiggle secretary's dress
waist=28.5" hip=40" bust=38"


50's cocktail dress
waist=28" bust=36"


66 piece Onieda Twin Star flatware set in box.


Killer 40's rayon dress and jacket
Jacket bust=open, length 15.5"

waist= 30" hip=40" bust= 38"


MaryDeluxe in the dress a few years ago....


My favorite 40's cotton dress
waist=32.5" bust= 38.5"


A 50's sun dress with side buttons
bust=38" waist=30"


1931 Roseville pinecone

Saturday, April 24, 2010

In the garden

Saturday in the garden with the King, the Queen, and the little Monster!









Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Trim Tred Shoe

I found these amazing 1940's Trim Tred Shoes at the Goodwill Site and knew they had to be mine! They came in the mail today....fit like a dream and are simply stunning! Much better condition then I was expecting.





Thanks All!

Wow everyone, thanks for all your comments on my last post! I'm really happy to hear that I'm an inspiration to many of you. It was kind of embarrassing for me to share my not so flattering pictures with the world. But I'm glad I decided to do it. It not only inspired some of you but it also re-inspired me. I've been doing my healthy lifestyle for so long now that I forgot how far I've come. It's weird because even today, I sometimes still feel that I look like that girl I was five years ago. Seeing the old pictures of myself, helps me to realize that I'm no longer that unhappy girl. It's true what they say, at times, we can be our own worse critics.

The best advice I can give anyone who is ready to change their unhealthy ways for healthier ones is this.....make a commitment to yourself and no matter what, stick to it. If you've fallen off the wagon for a week or even a year, forgive yourself and get back to your commitment as soon as you can. It doesn't make you a failure, it just means you're normal. Losing weight is hard work....if it was easy, there wouldn't be a billion dollar weight loss industry out there because nobody would need them. If it was easy we would all be able to eat just 1200 calories a day and have plenty of time to exercise. If losing weight was easy, we would all be walking around looking like "insert favorite famous person here" It's not easy, so be kind to yourself and keep on kicking ass!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A Five Year Weight Journey

Tonight I was thinking to myself as I was running on the treadmill....5 years ago, I couldn't have done a 3 mile run because I was overweight, unhealthy, and just plain miserable with myself. I weighed over 150 pounds... hell, I probably weighed over 155 pounds. I never would look at the scale when they weighed me at the doctor's office because I was in denial. I knew I was overweight, but I didn't want to know how much because I didn't think I could ever change it. So, I choose to ignore it instead.


Summer 2005 before starting my journey...in 150's
Not the best photos but it gives you an idea! I hated having my photo taken.


Me 2004 over 150 probably closer to 160! Hiding beside BF.

Just so you know, I have always struggled with my weight. I was chubby in HS and then got really skinny in college (105!)...go figure right...don't people usually gain weight in college?? Then I would just continue a cycle in my 20's.....gain some weight ....get motivated...lose the weight....gain it back....and so on. By 2005, I was sick of myself yet again and decided to join weight watchers! I actually went on a diet before I joined weight watchers so I wouldn't be as embarrassed when I got weighed in...I know, how pathetic! I only lasted at weight watchers about a month or so....I did lose 6 pounds but decided it wasn't really for me and joined a gym instead. I'm lucky because I do enjoy exercising and decided to use the tool I learned at weight watchers...tracking my calories with exercise. I've been doing this ever since! I guess some of you want to know how much I weigh now?? Today I weighed in at 125 pounds! I've been in the 120's now for the last 2 years. I stay in the lower 120's when I'm tracking my calories and staying accountable. When I fall off the tracking calorie wagon and the exercise regime, I will end up back in the upper 120's. 130 is what I consider my panic number and that's when I have a major talk with myself and get myself back in gear again. My goal is to eventually reach 115. I'm 5'3" so that's within the normal range for weight at my height. It might take me another 2 years to do it and that's okay with me. I'm in no hurry and I feel great!


Me... end of March 2010...compare with the top picture. Hello 27" waist, and petite curves...I love you! I also have worked really hard to get you!!!

The last 5 years of my life has been about me working at a commitment I made to myself back in 2005. I couldn't stand myself any longer and decided to stop denying my weight and unhealthy life before it became much worse then it was. I don't know if I had an "aha" type moment or anything, it was more about me choosing to take better care of myself, work hard and kick ass! Losing all the weight at once wasn't something I did right away either, just like I didn't gain all my weight over night, losing weight is a slow process for me. I lose weight, hit a plateau, stay stuck for awhile, get unmotivated, fall off task, get excited again, get back on track...etc.... hahaha is it the " Oprah cycle" or perhaps I should just call it living life but not losing sight of the commitment I made to myself 5 years ago. It's never to late to change your life!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Ahoy Sailor!



This winter, I found a set of sailor uniforms at auction that belonged to a service man who served on the USS Mattaponi during WWII. Nothing can beat a cute pair of vintage sailor pants. They looked awfully small at the time but when I got them home and put them on they fit perfect. One thing I love about vintage sailor pants is the waist.... it's completely adjustable and can be made to fit tighter or looser. I always have that problem with my pants, when the hips fit the waist is to big.



Align CenterHistory of the USS Mattaponi:
The Mattaponi was a fuel ship which served in the United States Navy during World War II, periodically during the 1950s, and in the Vietnam War. She was the only U.S. Navy ship named for the Mattaponi River in eastern Virginia. The ship was decommissioned in 1970 and sold for scrap metal in 1973.



The Outfit:
Perfect for a chilly Spring day!
Vintage WWII wool sailor pants
Fluff Sailor girl T-shirt
1940's Bakelite bracelets



I did eventually do my hair today too..... I call them lazy rolls with a rolled bang!




Saturday, April 17, 2010

A Saturday Surprise

I had an appointment this morning at 9:30 so, I assumed that my Saturday morning would be consumed with driving to the appointment and driving home. Giving me no time to make it to any auctions or morning yard sales to find anything fun! How wrong I was. On my way home, I decided to stop in at a local auction house that I would be driving past just to have a look see. I knew my chances would be slim pickings as it was after 12 o'clock and most of the box lots would have sold at this point. But hey, ya never know right? There was a few areas of box lots left so, I went off to take a look. Nothing in that box, nothing in that box, and so on. I was beginning to lose hope until I unwrapped some newspaper and saw a Salem North Star design on a gravy boat! That gravy boat also had friends...and not just in one box but also in the box right next to it. Two glorious boxes full of Salem North Star!

Now, the problem with box lots is this...all kinds of things are thrown into the boxes and sometimes dish sets and things that go together might not all be in the same box or even close together in boxes. Even though I got a 37 piece set, there were no bowls in the boxes. Were there bowls and other pieces in other boxes that day?? There could have been and I wasn't sharp enough to find them all. That's probably the biggest negative to box lots. But now I will show you a big positive to box lots. You sometimes will get valuable things in your box that others and even you did not realize was there. Today was one of those days for me. Since both boxes contained pieces of the same set, people stopped unwrapping the newspaper covered pieces to look at all of them. They just assumed like I did, that all the newspaper wrapped dishes were the same. How wrong we all were. When I got home and unwrapped ALL the pieces, down at the very bottom wrapped up tight, was this beautiful piece of Roseville Pottery!





Now, I don't know much about Roseville Pottery other then it seems people at auctions like to collect it! The little research I did tells me this: This design is called Pinecone. Roseville pottery introduced Pinecone in 1935. Pinecone became the most successful and highest volume pattern produced during the existence of Roseville pottery. The pattern includes over 75 different shapes in blue, brown, and green.

Pretty neato! Something tells me that when someone packed up the contents of the house, they didn't know what it was and just stuck it in the bottom of the box. I'm sure you're all wondering what I paid for my box lot?? I paid $27 and got a sweet Saturday surprise.

Does anyone out there have anymore information about Roseville pottery they would like to share with me? Does anyone have a collection of Roseville pottery? I could imagine that this type of pottery would be fun to collect!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sunday with George

When we last heard from our favorite 1940's cad, he had just broken up with Fran. Lets see how he gets outta this one shall we??

Nov. 22 1941
Wed.
Dear Fran

Won't be able to make it Thursday, as you have already noticed, but will see you Sunday evening.
Who the hell said anything about saying goodbye?
Love George
P.S. Keep your nose clean.




Poor Fran, having to share an outhouse with all those gals! Fran is the one holding the door open. I hope she's keeping her nose clean!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Pushing Daisies


One of my favorite TV shows....that got canceled in only 2 seasons. What I loved most about this show was the candy colored world all the quirky characters lived in. The wardrobe and set design was amazing. I wanted to move to town, live in Olive's apartment, and eat at the pie hole!













Did anyone else enjoy this show too? If you haven't seen it, check out the video below!


New Lamp Children

At Saturday auction I found these. You all know by now that I have a serious lamp buying problem...do I smell an intervention?? I just couldn't pass up this set of Continental Art Company lamps. Some where along the line they have lost their original shades and someone painted them that poop brown color...sad but true... they did a really good job of repainting them but I'm hoping to remove the brown with a little turpentine? I'll see if that works. They have no chips in the chalkware (which is rather amazing) and all the lights work, I just need a new bulb for the one flower. I also took off the ugly 70's shades and put on a cool set I already had from another set of lamps.



To see some of my other lamp finds.....
Pink Lamps
Pink Flower Lamps
A very first post about my lamps
That's just some of them!
See I told you all I have a lamp obsession...

If you want to see more amazing lamps to drool over and you have a flickr account, go check out Ms. Atomic's group: 1950's Lamps, Lampshades, and Lighting Fixtures.




Monday, April 5, 2010

Recent Auction Finds

I haven't been to auction in a while and decided to get a fix today at a local auction house I haven't been to before. Most of the things they were selling weren't really my taste but I was able to find some things I did like! Including feeding my obsession for Hey-wake! I even stayed within my budget.



My new 3 piece Hey-wake Ashcraft set, Atomic clock, and 50's Oriental Lamp. The fabric on the cushions are not original but I still love the print. I checked and did find the original fabric still intact under the slip covers. The auctioneers did not know this was Heywood Wakefield ....they called it a bamboo set. That's why I think it's important to inform yourself about the things you are interested in collecting. Don't rely on someone else to tell you what something is or what they think it might be worth. People don't always know what they're talking about, even the so called professionals. I have also noticed that anything mid-century, atomic, 1950's is super hot at auctions. Expect to pay more for it now then you did a few years ago. It's selling like hotcakes and reselling even better!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Deluxe Mailbox

Welcome To DeluxeVille!








Not quite done with the mailbox yet but I ran short on time....so for now it will have to do! Wish I could see the look on the mailman's face tomorrow...priceless hahahaha.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Doris Day

Today is Doris Day's 88th birthday! Happy Birthday Doris Day!!!



Doris Day Biography

(Doris Mary Anne von Kappelhoff)

  • Born: 03-04-1924
  • Birth Place: Cincinatti, Ohio

Doris was initially known for her talent as a singer, singing with big bands and becoming famous on the radio, one of the first "pop stars" of the 1950s.

She was persuaded by Micheal Curtiz to appear in what was to be her screen debut, 'Romance On The High Seas'. Fame on the big screen came in the early 1950s, and Doris was beloved as an actress in the "girl-next-door" mould. She was a popular choice for female lead and stood out thanks to her vocal strength. She starred in such musicals as 'April In Paris', 'Lullaby Of Broadway', 'Calamity Jane' and 'Lucky Me'.

In the mid-fifties she appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Man Who Knew Too Much', a decisive move away from musicals to dramatic film, although she did sing a song in it.

Often starring in pictures with Rock Hudson, one of her best performances was in 'The Pajama Game', in 1957. In the light comedy 'Pillow Talk', Day's performance as an interior designer, to Hudson's archetypal bachelor, won her an Oscar nomination.

During the sixties her power as a box office draw started to diminish. Her last feature film was 'With Six You Get Egg Roll', in 1968.

That same year her husband of 17 years Terry Melcher died. Upon his death, Day discovered that her husband and his business partner Jerry Rosenthal had squandered her earnings, leaving her deeply in debt. Day sued Rosenthal and won the largest civil judgment up until that time in California, over $20 million.

After quitting the film industry, she was granted her own TV variety slot, 'The Doris Day Show', which ran from 1968-78. From this point the only acting she was involved in was in adverts. Her memoirs revealed that she was happy to retire from acting, considering her time as an actress to be a troubled one.

Her talent as a vocalist endures and her own recordings, as well as the soundtracks to her films, continue to sell well.

In 1975, Day released her autobiography, Doris Day: Her Own Story it revealed to the general public many of the painful events in her private life that belied her sunny public image. In particular, the book detailed Day's first three difficult marriages to musician Al Jorden (1941-43), George Weidler (1946-49) and Melcher.






Doris Day Films and Television:

With Six You Get Eggroll (1968)
Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? (1968)
Caprice (1967)
The Ballad of Josie (1967)
The Glass Bottom Boat (1966)
Do Not Disturb (1965)
Send Me No Flowers (1964)
Move Over, Darling (1963)
The Thrill of It All (1963)
Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)
That Touch of Mink (1962)
Lover Come Back (1961)
Midnight Lace (1960)
Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960)
Pillow Talk (1959)
It Happened to Jane (1959)
The Tunnel of Love (1958)
Teacher's Pet (1958)
The Pajama Game (1957)
Julie (1956)
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Love Me or Leave Me (1955)
Young at Heart (1954)
Lucky Me (1954)
Calamity Jane (1953)
So You Want a Television Set (1953)
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)
April in Paris (1952)
The Winning Team (1952)
Starlift (1951)
I'll See You in My Dreams (1951)
On Moonlight Bay (1951)
Lullaby of Broadway (1951)
Storm Warning (1951)
The West Point Story (1950)
Tea for Two (1950)
Young Man with a Horn (1950)
It's a Great Feeling (1949)
Romance on the High Seas (1948)







New Project....Sneak Peak 2

Sneak Peak 2
Can you figure out what I'm working on now??? I bet you can! I've been wanting to create an atomic mailbox for DeluxeVille for a few years now...this has been a fun project so far. I still have a few atomic wood pieces to cut out yet but I did get paint colors done today on the pieces I have cut out and sanded. I also ripped down my current mailbox after the mail came and gave it a fresh new coat of paint. I am trying to recycle as many things as I can to do this project. The template laying on the mailbox, will get cut out tomorrow and I think I'll be painting it black. Hopefully all will go smoothly and the mailbox will be up Monday so that I can receive my mail! Geeee, I wonder what the postman will be thinking??? Or better yet, my neighbors!! hahahaha Lucky I don't live in one of those evil neighborhoods where they tell you what colors you're allowed to paint your house and measure how tall your front lawn is! I would so be the home owners associations worst nightmare. hahaha Fun times at DeluxeVille!


Thursday, April 1, 2010

New Project...Sneak Peak



I started on a new project that I've been wanting to do for a long time. I love warm spring weather and long weekends...it's very motivating to me. (For some reason, my Easter Spring Break has always been a project oriented holiday break for me???) Last Spring break I made a head board for my bed. Here's the project! I'm a handy gal...I also love power tools and I'm not afraid to use them. I'm not gonna tell you all what I'm making yet...a little suspense never hurt!

I cut out a few of my templates so far but I've got lots to do yet. I also have to hit up the hardware and craft store tomorrow for supplies! I'll post pics when I'm all done!