Let's party like it's the 50's DIY style

So, you wanna have a retro party, but don't know where to start, follow my post and I will show you how to have an awesome 50's style party with little work.

First we need invites, now if your pressed for time we should stop here, if you really want to pull off a great party you will need to plan and be prepared to get your hands dirty. Of course you can buy invitations at any store but where is the fun in that when you can do it from the comfort of your own home. Here are a couple of my favorite ideas:

 Nifty Fifties Sock Hop Invitation

Fabulous 50's Birthday Invitation

 Digital Custom Card- At the Hop

Now a fun idea would be to have all your guest's show up in 50's style clothing. Think poodle skirts for the lady's and for men think Fonzie style, leather jackets and tight fitted jeans...don't forget the bubble gum!

Pink 50s Style Circle Skirt

 1976 The Fonz Happy Days T-Shirt

How to decorate, you have the invites now what? Well keeping with the 50's them you will want some decorations to go along. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Fabulous 50s Cupcake Toppers

Rock Star Alphabet 4" Party Circles for Banner

So what do we feed our guest's?? Greasy food of course! Handmade burgers are easy to make the night before and you cant have hamburgers without french fries. Don't worry about the calories for one day, It's a party and you deserve it after all the hard work you put into it. Here is a cute idea for serving up your food.  Bakerella.com has a printable food tray and french fry holder, you can choose to leave them blank so they wont say "happy Fathers day"

 Bakerella

 Fill you cones with some popcorn or other small snacks!

Printable Party Cones - DAINTY Size

 

Now all you need is some 50's music and your set!

Have fun and tell me how you like to party!

 

Till next time,

Tina 

Today I

Well to be honest today I kinda lacked in the energy field...more like I was "off air" today.

So this might just be a short and simple kinda post.

Today I:

• Woke up at 6:00am had a bite to eat then went back to bed
• Did 4 loads of laundry...sigh
• Did all the dishes...well the dishwasher did, but I had to load it up...that still counts right?
• Sat on my butt procrastinating about what to do for the day
• Went for a nap...hey that took a lot out of me procrastinating and all
• Made egg salad sandwiches
• Made a chocolate cake
• Listed some items to the shop
• made this post...thinking was hard today
• Am hoping tomorrow will be a much more productive day

Till next time,
Tina

Make your own retro kitchen

I want a retro kitchen, and today I will show you how you too can have one.


Creating your own retro kitchen is actually easier than one may think. There is a ton of information out there and all is easily accessible, try looking at magazines from you local thrift store and and or your library. Online searches will bring up a ton of info for you as well.


Bold primary colors and fruit patterns were used in the 40s
The 50s sported pink, sunny yellow and tons of chrome
The 60s kitchen was the mod era of blue, orange and brown 


Grab some paint chips and walk around your kitchen, painting one wall or more. Don't forget to take the chosen paint chip color with you when you go shopping, That way everything will be a perfect match.


If you don't want to buy vintage appliances, There are several small and large appliances that will come in a retro look and color.


Don't forget all the little gadgets that will help dress up your kitchen, even if you never use them they are great for display. Glass refrigerator dishes are great for storing leftovers and are much easier to clean than the plastic type. Brightly colored mixing bowls can be used for everyday use. Vintage linens can be found at every thrift store, pick up a table cloth and some pot holders.


Another great idea if you have extra wall space is to start a collection of vintage figurines, salt and pepper shakers are an instant kitchen decor, or maybe you want a retro diner theme, try collecting some old hot wheel cars along with records. the ideas are endless, have fun with them and I am sure you will love the outcome!

Till next time,
Tina

What they wore in 1920

Today I thought it would be fun if we took a peek back in time to the 1920's. Grab your coffee and lets go back in time!


The 1920's was the "Cloche and Flapper" Decade. 


The cloche hat was very fitted and often worn tilted and covering the forehead. Women sported a short hair cut that was styled flat to be able to fit under their hats.

1920's Advertisement

The flapper dress was basically a straight and loose style dress.

Throughout the 20's the length of the dress varied. in the early 20's the dress was about calf length, In the mid 20's the dress was at it's shortest just hanging out around the knees. During the 20's the waist line dropped to the hip but by the early 30's in rose back up to it's normal waist line position. The flapper dress made women look young and boyish.

 1920s Flapper dress

So how did the evolving flapper pull off the look? 

Heavy makeup was used, They had kohl rimmed eyes, lot's of blush and the look of bee stung lips. Let's not forget the heavy many layers of beaded necklaces they wore along with art deco pieces.

1920's flapper girl

Till next time,

Tina 

Winnipeg, you know, In Canada...

Most online friends that don't know me too well will ask, where are you from...I sigh and type, Winnipeg. Of course that leads to a zillion question like, where is that?....ummm in Canada I say. Canada...where is that? HUH! 

Now to be fair I am uncertain what they teach in American schools. But in Canadian schools...we know first hand that we are from North America Canada (/ˈkænədə/) is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean. Spanning over 9.9 million square kilometers, Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, and its common border with the United States is the longest land border in the world.( Taken from Wikipedia ) Funny thing is, Canada sits right on top on the United States! So why on earth do the Americans not know this...maybe they don't have maps out there....

Anyways, I am not here to dog the Americans, but for you all to see a bit of Canadian history...Vintage style of course...;)


The pictures I will list are from Winnipeg where I live...yes still in Canada.

 Pepsi-vintage-brick-wall-advertisement

Copyright:Francis Vachon - info@francisvachon.com

 Billy Mosienko Mural
A Canadian hockey player for the Chicago Black Hawks
Home town: Winnipeg 

 Winnipeg Jets, Left us in 1996, Now back in 2012!!

 Legislative Building, Manitoba, Canada

Until next time,

Tina

Today I:

First of all I want to apologize for my unplanned hiatus from blogging over the past month or so, Ya know life and kid's....ha!

So doing this blogging thing is really hard, gaining readers is even harder. Most times I have know idea what to blog about..should it be my shop, life or just meaningless ramblings. There are so many many blogs out there and I have know idea where to start.... So today I will start with rambling...I am very good at that!

Today I:

• am remembering playing the piano with my sister
• went to the thrift store and came home with a mother load of goodies
• got a much needed hair cut
• had a foot and leg massage from a machine at the "as seen on t.v store" HA!
• am still doing laundry at 11:00pm...does it ever end?
• really have no idea what to blog about
• am wishing my boy would take a shower after a hockey game
• just realized I have to make more cookies
• am wondering who ate all the cookies
• am missing when my boys were just babies
• love that I have a new nephew that takes the baby urge's away
• want to get married again...to my hubby
• would love to have a vintage wedding
• just thought of a next day blog post...Yay!
• loved how sunny it was outside
• am missing summer
• need to start exercising again...sigh
• am going to try and go to sleep early

Until next time,

Tina

What do you like to collect?

Like the title says, what do you like to collect?

Now of course there is a difference between collecting and hoarding. I am talking about collecting....doll's for some and stamps for others. My collection is vintage, of course! I love to collect little vintage figurines. But not just any kind. To me they need to look happy and tell a story...does that make sense or am I talking crazy talk again...lol. 
My plan is to one day have our youngest boy's room and turn it into my own little studio where I will be able to nicely display all of my figurines on an antique hutch of sorts...but he is only 11 and I think we might have a ways to go. So for now they sit in our room on our vintage water bed headboard that we fixed to fit our queen size bed frame. 
This is just a few of the ones I have. I would love for you to share with me some of the items you have collected over the years...;)

Far left is an elephant an old friend gave to me for good luck, Nesting dolls, Sisters holding hands ( given to me from my sister as a gift for being her made of honor ) Dove to hold rings and such, cute pig and a hedgehog.

Far left is the three little bears, these are for Tetley teas, Sunbonnet girl, Peter Rabbit

Mom and baby dear, Two little kittens which I adore, They remind me of drawings my great Grandmother drew....That is for another post sometime...;)

Something old

Well for some that title should read: something new, but with keeping to the theme of my vintage shop, it will be something old. I have not been on Blogger for some time now, I have had a couple of blogs in the past, none of which I was impressed with...it kinda showed in the lack of viewers/readers I had. But today is a new day, New year and I think I am ready to commit to doing this full time. I like writing and sharing with readers what I have found. Be patience....I am taking baby steps.

This is a 1905 Victorian home

I love this style, I have always wanted a home that has a wrap around porch.

Check out the porch! Sigh...I could spend all morning sitting back and drinking coffee.

  

Now I am unsure which impresses me more...the banquet sized dining room or the furniture.

Such an elegant parlour.