Vintage Trinkets: Toy Stove

While trotting through all the amazing little antique shops in Bisbee, AZ. I stumbled across this cute little vintage toy stove. I always wonder about the story behind the things I find. For instance; this stove is just one lingering piece, to what was once a whole set of toy household appliances. Did this once belong to a happy little girl in the 1950's, who quietly entertained herself by mocking her mother's actions in the kitchen? Was she inspired and eager to learn the life skill of cooking?

I think it's the inner little girl, still living inside me, that draws my eye to appreciate these little trinkets of cuteness. I love to find things like this, and give them a new home. I found the perfect spot for it on a shelf in my kitchen! Across from my real stove, a mini-version if you will....It fits in quite nicely I have to say!

Movie Maven Inspiration: Claudette Colbert

Claudette Colbert was known for her natural ability to be beautiful from the inside out, without trying too hard. From just reading interesting references and tid-bits about her life over the years. She always seemed like she was a genuine intelligent person, with an honesty about herself, that allowed her to be true, content and graceful throughout her successful career. Maybe that's why I grew fond of her in movies, at the impressionable age of 10 years old. Since seeing her in Frank Capra's romantic comedy "It Happened One Night" (1934), for which she took home an Oscar, and the glamorous film of Cecile B. DeMille's "Cleopatra". Her personality was full of charisma, wit and spunk! She was originally born in Paris- France, but settled in the United States when her family relocated here in 1906. The daughter of a dressmaker, one of her original aspirations was to be a fashion designer. She made her debut on Broadway in her early 20's, and has been quoted saying that "Broadway was where her heart was, not Hollywood!"

Of course not only was I captured by her personality, but all of the glorious 1930's fashions she displayed in her roles and shoots, have never been short of breathtaking!  I once read that she preferred to do her own hair & makeup for photo-shoots and film, now that's my kind of girl! Claudette's distinctive hairstyle was usually the infamous fluff bang, which she proudly displayed in front of a short bob. She always had a bright- eyed, fresh-heart shape face, youthful look, elegant demeanor, and a clever, but classy attitude. Another swell flick Claudette Colbert shines in is "Since You Went Away" (1944). During the making of this film, Claudette was well in her 30's and was up to the challenge of playing the wife of a solider serving in WWII.

Claudette aged gracefully the rest of her life, and settled in a beautiful estate in Barbados. She made her last film in 1982 at the age of 79 years old. The film was called "The Two Mrs. Greenvilles and co-starred Ann Margaret. She took home a Golden Globe for her performance. Claudette Colbert was a true beauty and a talented actress of her time!

Snoods to the rescue!

 Flickr photostream

My post inspiration comes from my recent indulgence of wearing my snoods, day after day!

Monday

Tuesday

Today (Wednesday)

I put my little black corde tilt hat on top of my snood, kind of made it look like my own one piece hat cap version....ya think?

Once again, today my snood has come to the rescue of the sweaty-sticky-hot- humidity, that makes the curls at the nape of my neck straighter than an arrow! In Arizona, they come in mighty handy!

I have a feeling with the recent rain falling on us (which I am completely grateful for & by no means complaining). It will be snoods for a while! Speaking of snoods.....I am VERY excited that I recently found a local gal who is an expert at knitting and crochet. I have been wanting one of these crochet headband snoods made up for quite sometime now.

The hat cap snood version !

Unfortunately, I don't know how to crochet, so that was out of the question, until now! Mmmm, I want one in brown, black, green, yellow.....and so on and so on.....catch my drift?? Oh yeah, and since she knows how to knit too! Now I can have her make me up some sweater patterns, and that 1930's 2 piece knit suit, that I have been itching for, for many moons! Sorry folks, just getting a little excited and carried away. One thing at a time.... See it all fell into place, and she sure will be a busy gal with me as a client!

So ladies, tell me about your snoods, do you love to have them come to the rescue on a bad hair day too?? Feel free to post pics of your snood days.....

xoxo~Syd

Pushing 400 Giveaway!

I decided it was time for a giveaway! I am just a few away from making the 400 mark of followers on my blog! I am just so taken back by this number and could have never imagined that just a little over a year later, I would reach this amount! So with this giveaway, I am celebrating not only the readers, but a belated year mark anniversary!

Of course as I'm sure it did for many of you. This blog just started out as a humble way for me to share my love of vintage things and to have a place outside my small world to document them. I have had such a joyous experience keeping up with this blog, meeting other people who share similar interest and of course reading all of your lovely blogs, comments and feedback, but most importantly-hopefully building longtime friendships with many lovely people!

I thought long and hard about what it would be that I might giveaway! Some of you are experts at this already, but this is my first giveaway and I am just a rookie at it, so bear with me. I came to the conclusion that I would like to share giving away something that has a significant or distinct meaning from me. For example, a signature piece that is reminiscent of the many things I have an interest in. Something of deep sentimental meaning to me, that I would like another person to always remember me by.

I came up with two good things that I would like to pass on. The first being this lovely ceramic Lady Head lipstick holder. Perfect on any Betty's vanity.....this pretty lady is from the 1950's, equipped with 4 little slots for your red lipstick!

Isn't she a doll?

I'm sure I have mentioned this before somewhere, if not on this blog, somewhere out there in the computer world. So sorry if I'm repeating myself, but I have been collecting Lady Heads since I was a kid! My Grandmother gave me my first one right off of her dressing table, around the age of 7-8 years old. I would always go into her room and drool over it, so she finally let me have it. I proudly put it on a shelf as a child and since then it has evolved onto my own vanity. My obsession for collecting them started very young, with that first one and through the years, I have added many different looking ones from different decades, to the pile! That small fondness, pretty much kick-started a life appreciation of collecting things from the past. So I thought it would be nice to pass that little bit of meaning along. Who wouldn't like a Lady Head in their room? This isn't the one my Grandmother gave me, but I give it with love to someone who appreciates it's beauty!


The second item is this lovely little vintage souvenir purse from Mexico! I know I have bored you with my ongoing expression for the love of vintage western and Mexican collectibles from the 1940's & 50's, but this purse is just a little reminder of that charming time, when the golden age of travel brought many adventurers seeking another culture, out west to my neck of the woods, close to the Mexico border! These souvenir items along with many other little knick-knacks, were ready and available in all of the stops & shops along the way. Long gone are the days of exciting Dude Ranches & Square Dances, but some collectible items can still be found to tell the tale. A lot of these items are still made in places like Mexico and really didn't change over the years, but this one I've had for a while, and thought someone might enjoy toting this little summer basket purse around in a sundress and sandals!




So, now onto the part to get these goodies! All you have to do is simply leave a comment letting me know you are in for the drawing, and I will put your name in the hat! This will also give me a better idea of who is a regular reader. I may have 400 followers, but not all stop in on a regular basis and it is just nice to know who does, even if you are not one to leave comments, though I do appreciate all the comments and feedback! I will draw a name a week from today, so next Tuesday the 22nd of June!!

Good Luck and have a nice week ahead...

XOXO~Syd

Some Little Trinket Treats!

Don't you just love it when you go on Vintage shopping days. Hoping to come across something fabulous, even if it is a little trinket or small piece of decor. Then you find it, and at a good price!

Sometimes those are the best little things, in small packages that just make you Vintage happy!

Well over the last month or so, I have been here and there. Picking up some little goodies along the way. I just wanted to share a few of the little things that make me happy to find, collect and put in my home.

1940's era Japan ceramic figure. It's actually separates into salt and pepper shakers!

Vintage paper towel and wax paper wall dispenser (sorry for the glare) but that says paper towels and waxed paper.

Vintage eyeglass stand, just perfect enough to hold my cat-eye's stylishly on my bedside table.

1950's era Mexican siesta ceramic ashtray
In case I forgot to mention before, I love to collect 1940's/50's Mexican and western inspired pieces. The family room in my home is being decorated in this decor.

And the most fabulous find of the hunt! This milk-glass Jergen's cold cream jar. From the 1944 Three Faces campaign. I believe that Vargas was the original artist, proposed to do the artwork on this collection, however that didn't pan out and I don't know the artist that got the job. It is not the Vargas piece on this particular jar. If anyone knows, please do share. I absolutely love the three shade of hair color ads (blonde, red, brunette) that were ever so popular in the golden age of advertising. This little jar has a new home, on top of my bedroom vanity!

So what little trinkets have made your vintage home happy lately? I would love to see!

Hope you are having a swell day!

xo~Syd

Green & White Wishes!

I want to board the Santa Fe, wearing these shoes and carrying this train case!

xo~Syd

Golden Girls Garbs- Black & Yellow

Another rainy day here in the Old Pueblo! So that means a flat hair day (he-he!) My thick frizzy hair does not do well in the moist weather, the curls just fall right out. As you can see in the picture below, that was the case yesterday!

I really enjoy the rain, but only for a short period of time (like no more than two days in a row) and I like it when it comes in spurts. I don't think I could live in a location where it constantly rains. I need my sunshine! Oh well, I am not complaining too much, we really needed the water. Our desert was so dry, it just drank it all up!

Sorry lovely bloggers, all I have for today is an outfit post....

So here is what I wore yesterday, as I ventured out into the morning rain! At the moment I took this picture, the drizzle had stopped and I was able to take off my coat for a quick second. It wasn't really too cold, just gloomy and overcast.

xo~Syd

Outfit Details:

Yellow and black paisley print 1940's era set- made from a 1946 pattern
Black 1940's inspired hi-vamp shoes- BC Footwear
Black 1940s glass bead earrings- Razzle Dazzle Vintage
Black 1940's coat and corde purse- not shown

I think I just like the color yellow with anything really!

Mele Kalikimaka- Part 1

Mele Kalikimaka

Christmas in Hawaii sounds divine!

I thought the title of my blog entry today, was totally appropriate for this! Being that I did this set of 1940's Hawaiian inspired photos, in early December! (who would have known). Believe me, I was freezing my butt off!

Here is a sneak peak of my recent photo shoot with Vestige Photography!

Vestige Photography 2009

Location: The Shady Dell- Tiki Bus

Outfit Details: 1940's play suit- made as a gift, with lots of love by my amazing Mother.

Green 1940's inspired wedges- Rocket Originals

Accessories- I think I wore every bakelite bangle I own!

More pics to come!

xoxo~Syd Divine

Home Sweet Home- Back from San Diego!

I truly hope that everyone had a lovely New Year's Eve celebration! I am putting nothing but good vibes into the atmosphere, for a good year filled with positive happenings! I wish the same for every one of you! I hope that all your dreams, goals, wishes, desires, ambitions, aspirations, etc.,(I think that covers it!) come into play this year. 2010 is going to be the year, I just know it!

I had a swell couple of days spending time down in San Diego, California. After our University of Arizona Wildcats got their butt's kicked. We decided to stay another two days and make the best out of a quick trip. We also rang in the New Year looking out to the ocean. Just in time to catch an amazing sunset, and listen to the soothing sounds of the ocean waves at night. That was such a treat, since I don't have any ocean access, at least not within 500 miles of me. There is just something so mysterious, amazing and overwhelming about the ocean, that blows me away.

While we watched the glow of the setting sun, beam off of our son's smiling face, while he played with the sand. We talked about all the things that we have been through in our lives together, where we are today and where we hope to be in the future. It was a nice night, with lots of grateful emotions and encouraging hopes for the future. When you are in the joy of a moment, you just don't want it to end. I'm glad I was right there in that moment for the time I was.

So with that being said, here are just a few pictures from our quick trip. Even though I love to travel, I am always glad to be home sweet home, and in my own comfy bed at night. Dorothy said it best; "There's no place like Home!" So I reflect on the fact that, I am thankful for the years past and my experiences, they made me who I am today. But I do look forward to a fresh New Year!

On our way to catch the trolley to Qualcomm Stadium for the big game!

Go Wildcats! (not so much, we lost bad)

Trying to stay in good spirits for my boys and the team! Also, making sure I wear my team colors in vintage style of course!

A quick shopping stop at Wear it Again Sam in Hillcrest, San Diego (so many amazing garments)

Enjoying an amazing view over Sunset Cliffs in San Diego!

A few Art Deco buildings along the way, imagine a Denny's in this glorious pink and black 1930's building.

Aboard the U.S.S Midway

I loved getting to spend some time talking with this WWII Veteran. Such an amazing, lively person, who fought his way through German lines in The Battle of the Bulge.

Future control room officer!

We had photos from two different cameras, so I will be sure to post a few more pictures. When I sort through the rest of my stuff. I have a backlog of things to attend to, the next few days. Also I would like to express my many thanks for all the lovely blog readers, who gave me awards over the last few weeks. I promise to work on sending those out ASAP! You are all sweethearts!

xoxo

~Syd

A dose of Vintage Christmas Fashion!

I recently wrote an article all about inspirations for Vintage Christmas fashions! It was published today on Queens of Vintage and AlleyKat's! For your reading and inspiration pleasure! Please stop by and have a lookie! As always I appreciate your comments!

A big THANK YOU to everyone whose items were showcased in the article. I truly appreciate you letting me show off your fabulous goods!

*Able Grable

*Adeline's Attic

*Lulu's Vintage

*Dorothea's Vintage Closet

*Posh Girl Vintage

*Black Cat Vintage

*Ebay & Etsy

I look forward to writing some more Vintage fashion articles in the future!

xoxo,

Syd Divine

Christmas Glamour

I'm sure most of you can relate to the fact that when, your love for era's of the past becomes your lifestyle. So does every aspect in your life, including the interior of your home. My home is sort of Vintage eclectic. Each room in my home is a different theme and has decor, inspiration and pieces from things I've collected over the years. Ranging from the era's of the 1920's through the 1950's. I took the inspiration for the living room or sitting room of my house from the 1930's and early 1940's Hollywood Regency era. Some familiar names in that interior design style were Dorothy Draper and William Haines.

The original inspiration for this look was taken from the lines and foundations of French Provincial and some of the key elements to incorporate, while styling this look are; mirrors, velvet, satin, damask, fringe, feather's, marble, glass, crystal chandeliers, lacquer, lucite, brass and pops of vibrant colors. This glamorous style of decorating resurfaced itself in popularity again in the later 1960's, after the atomic age, but was already a style that was originally choice of some of the Golden Age of Hollywood's screen stars.

I decided this year, I was going to set up an extra Christmas tree,to match my Hollywood Regency living room. Aside from the more traditional one that I set up in my family room every year, which is where we spend majority of our time. I will call it my Christmas Glamour tree! My new little tree is a small table top tree, but it definitely makes a statement of glamour for my living room. I made sure to use a few of the elements in this Hollywood style not only on the tree, but I added a few small touches of Christmas in other places around the room to continue the flow of Christmas glamour. Such as ostrich & peacock feathers, vibrant turquoise, crystal, gold, sparkles, marble, chandelier ornaments, candles, etc.

Here are a few pictures I would like to share with you. Let me know what you think???

This is just a start, as I hope to add more decorations for next Christmas. Yup that's right, I'm one of those people that waits for all the decorations to go on sale after Christmas, and I stock up for the following year.

Yes, that is an ostrich tree topper and little silver peacocks!
And I still need to get a mini tree skirt for it.

Blue and white sparkly poinsettias and gold peacock feathers!

I completely realize that I am not the best photographer in the world. With lighting and all that good stuff, but the images are there right? I am a stylist, not a photographer, but I do need to take some classes and learn the skill. Oh yeah, and invest in a fancy camera too-lol!

xoxo,

Syd

Vintage Christmas Linens

Happy Monday lovely readers!

With the Christmas spirit heavy in my home. Over the past few weeks, I have been putting out the Christmas decorations, that I have collected over the years. I also went to a yard sale over the weekend, in which I acquired a few new ones to add, a whopping .25 cents an ornament! I try to add a few more every year. You used to be able to buy Vintage Christmas decorations by the plenty, and at reasonable prices too.

I find that gets harder each year, as the popularity of Vintage Christmas decorations grows. I saw some in an antique store the other day for $7.00 a piece, whew! While I was doing some baking over the weekend, I had a thought for a blog post. I love this time of year, simply for the old fashioned spirit, coziness, decorations, yummy baked goods and food, but also because I love to take out and use all of my Vintage Christmas linens!

I snapped a quick photo of a few of my favorites (tablecloth, apron, hankie). How many of you are also addicted to collecting vintage linens?

Green Sweaters

Over the last couple of days, the weather has been consistently cold enough to wear sweaters all day. I have to admit, since I live in hot climate most of the time, I really enjoy this weather. These are some of the sweater combination's, I have put together the last couple of days! Oh yeah, did I mention green is another favorite color of mine!

Outfit Details: Green sweater- Forever 21* Navy 1940's trousers- reproductions made from a 1940's pattern* Green 1940's inspired wedges- Rocket Originals *Accessories- emerald and sapphire brooch was a hand me down from my Grandmother, green chiffon headscarf from Desert Vintage.

Outfit Details:

1940's moose print cardigan- Thrifted
1940's reproduction dungarees- Freddies of Pinewood
Brown wedge tennis shoes- Converse
Orange chiffon scarf- Desert Vintage