Saturday, November 14, 2015

Vintage Country Goddess

Who am I?  I am a vintage country goddess. Vintage is the key word here. Back in the 50's, riding in the back of our families' fire-engine red Ford station wagon, every August on the way to Yellowstone National Park, I would dream and create exciting fantastical adventures... With myself as the heroine, of course. In the caves along the rivers I imagined finding treasures and exotic lost worlds, becoming their beloved Goddess dressed in luminous slinky dresses and radiant jewels (you've seen the movies, right??) Over the years I did travel to exotic places and my love of the history embodied in wonderful works of ancient artifacts, such as Tibet, Ireland and India, was born.


Over the last 40 years a parallel love was evolving in my admiration of vintage collectibles and handicrafts, particularly those created and worshiped by women in this country. My sister Lyn had a hand in this being an avid antique-r and we continue to exalt in our 'hunt for treasures'. I found in these vintage items a much deeper understanding and sense of the incredible history of the USA. In exploring the art and artisans who created costume jewelry, I found out how the compassionate idea of giving shelter to the poor, the exploited, the destitute from other countries brought unlimited creative genius here or what it must have been like to be in a country at war with limited resources, or to be a woman without the vote. I still see each piece of costume jewelry from the 30's as a tiny hand wrought sculpture to bring a smile during the depression or in the 40's as mood-lifter during WW2 or a out-of-this-world conversation novelty at the cocktails parties of the 50's. I saw amazing creativity and a place for women to show independent artistry in the marvelous history of women's hats. The aprons women created in the 50's are like forerunners of the psychedelic posters of the 60's, where did that come from? Purses and compacts and boxes (why do women loooove boxes??), perhaps the Jungian expressions of our woman's jewel case? I also love fur, a sensual childhood experience of having a beaver muff and hat clinched that, and though I would never buy a new fur, I do offer some vintage fur hats, coats, collars, chokers and muffs. Silk satin lingerie... do I even have to go there? Love, love love... 

So in my ETSY store: 
Luminous Lady Vintage I will offer you the fruits of this passionate search for the shining vintage treasures of this world. On my other stores in Etsy: Bee Beautiful Vintage with exotic and Mod attire and Shangri-la Treasures and Thankas, you can find the treasures to nurture the more exotic, luminous spiritual world in your heart.


Vintage Travel Back in Time

I thought that for my first 'On the Road Vintage' entry it would be fun to go back in time to one of my favorite vintage outfits; A VINTAGE CAR. Yes, in the 80's I owned an orange and black 40 Ford Pickup, then a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Seville, then a cool sky blue Mustang convertible as my personal succession of cars. Our family cars included a 40 Ford black and white convertible, a 40 ford cherry red 2 door sedan, a navy blue 4 door sedan, a 40 Ford unfinished coupe, a 40 Ford tan and brown pick-up truck and a Lincoln Zepher. Our house was falling down but we had a lot of fun at car rallys ;-)
 This truck was hot!! A big engine that roared and a lot of muscle to drive.....

 I was told that this Cadillac Eldorado Seville was the car of choice for the 'Men in Black' in the 50's!

 A little vintage fashion 80's artist style; a 40's crinkle rayon quilted jacket, a Huiochol beaded bracelet, purple leggings, beaded crystals necklacce, zuni thunderbird inlay bracelet, purple & black striped tunic sweater, black crinkle cotton skirt, iridescent thread black scarf and Tibetan shoulder purse and clogs....Holy Moly check out the attitude....leaning on our family 40 Ford (what else) truck.
 This car was my fun freedom machine when I moved out to Green Gulch Farm Zen Center on the coast (after Norman died). The ocean breeze, my hair flying, sunsets alone on Abalone Beach....just my car and me and my grief...
 Big Blue, the family car that was a tank to drive and me as a hippy chick re-living the 60's.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Simply Vintage * BOUTIQUE Portland OR.

Simply Vintage * BOUTIQUE

 It has taken me way to long to post a blog on this lovely vintage shop in Portland Oregon and the other shops full of treasures that I visited there, during last Christmas vacation! Simply Vintage is also one of my favorite stores on etsy, (so what's a little competition, we can spread the love ;-) along with Fab Gabs, both located  in vintage central on planet Earth in Portlandia!
Sarah, who works here (not Sarah the owner) being charming in her 'oh so very cute' sweater & celluloid brooch. 
Treasures galore! I bought a fabulous green art glass bead 50's necklace, so yum yum!
Learning from Sarah that they do all the fashion shoots for etsy here in the store, so it does triple duty as a storefront, storage and photo & listing studio. Very practical, rather than just renting storage space here in the city, where space is money. This is a dream of mine, but there really isn't a market for high end vintage in La Grande, we are too far off the beaten vintage path. Boo hoo.





I'm always drawn to the boudoir section, it's just so girly all that satin and lace. I have so much lingerie already that I've purchased over the last 5 years to list on my 'romantic vintage' etsy store luminousladyvintage, that I could open a third store on etsy. Maybe by this Valentines Day 2016 it will finally be the priority ..

Well worth a stop to shop!

OWNER; SARAH DEATON-ZAAYER
@stutterinmama.facebook,com/SimplyVintageBoutique
3640 SE Belmont Street
Portland Oregon 97214
(503)888-0961

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The Parlor....Wallace Idaho

 THE PARLOR 
Eclectic Mix of Gently Used Clothing, Antiques etc.......

On our way home from Glacier National Park we stopped for a couple of nights in one of my favorite towns; Wallace Idaho. It is a small silver mining town with almost every building downtown on the Historic Registry. I like it because it is charming with an edge of funk and eccentricity, not slick or overly boutique y. There are several antique and vintage shops and I was in luck to catch The Parlor open this time. last time she was closed getting ready for the upcoming Blues Festival.

The owner Jackie Hayes showing off her vintage jewels.

As usual, we're goofing around with the merchandise and there is no shortage of vintage Western gear in these wild west towns.
Prom time was a long time ago, but it is still fun to play dress up and fantasize about wearing glorious vintage cupcake gowns.


A fun assortment of vintage treasures and antiques, plus a whole room full of vintage jeans!

A smashing 50's scarf that would look great with my outfit!

THE PARLOR
Jackie Hayes . 619 Bank Street . Wallace ID. 83873 . 208-512-1260

Sunday, July 19, 2015

ENDS WELL Antiques

Just outside the west gate to Many Glacier Lodge is the teensy seasonal town of Babb Montana. On an afternoon outing up to Logan Pass to meditate overlooking St. Mary's waterfall-graced emerald valley, we stopped to get gas. I finally was able to run across the street to the Ends Well antique store and was pleased to see a richly stocked store full of treasures.

All's well that ends well.

Doreen Snyder told me she and a dog were the last ones to leave town as winter approached, definitively a seasonal store, snow up to the roof most years!

Vintage treasures galore, so interesting to see what might be available here on the Blackfeet Reservation.

 I found a great 40's black coat, a 30's navy "blue eagle National Recovery Act label" Clutch and a 40's Corde Clutch in the few minutes I was 'allowed' by my ever patient husband. Actually now that he's the photographer for my stores, we both have a good time as he loves chattin up the locals.


 So if you are in the very isolated east side of Glacier National Park and start gettin' the shakes from going cold turkey for the want of an vintage fix, come on down to Ends Well and imbibe that historical aroma!
ENDS WELL . Mo Tauer Hartjes & Doreen Snyder . Box 42 .  Hwy 89 . Babb, Mt. 59411
320-249-6089...320-249-4041
Like on Facebook!

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Kalispell Antiques Market

On the road to Glacier National Park Summer 2015, we pull into the 'old town' area of Kalispell Montana, just outside the west entrance to the park. It's time to take a break and we spot the KALISPELL ANTIQUES MARKET, so we pull up on the reins of Night Rider, our blue Flex and take a load off our saddles and saunter into the shop....YIPEE YI-O YI-A!
My blood starts boiling....heart fluttering...I'm primed for the treasure hunt!

OK.... all the tourists do this!

Valarie helping me get acquainted with cowboy Woody!

OOPS I'm not sure what I  am doing here?

Valarie, holding her tin can shield ;-) She is one of the venders who has a booth in this mall and sells vintage / antique Native American and Wild West cowboy treasures.

Three huge rooms of goodies!

Lots of western themed vintage treasures.

This treasure seeker about to run to the big 'X' on our vintage map!

Double trouble!

I found a fabulous 1940's vintage nylon 3/4 sleeve blouse here for $8.00.

KALISPELL ANTIQUES MARKET
48 Main Street
Kalispell, Montana
406-257-2800

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Sandy Sparkle in Bee Beautiful Vintage Style

Sandy Sparkle sent me a photo of her shining self wearing the Retro Suit she purchased from me at my online etsy shop; Bee Beautiful Vintage.
"GREETINGS from the UK Kayla! Sorry this has been so long in coming, but as promised - here I am, pictured last weekend performing for a 40's & 50's JIVE WEEKEND and also for a 1940's vintage wedding - wearing the BEAUTIFUL suit I purchased from you! I absolutely LOVE it! There are some more shots on my main FB page. Looking forward to buying some more lovely items from you soon! ... smile emoticon SANDY x"

The picture below is my model Justine wearing the same suit. At least the suit got to travel on a vintage treasure quest to the United Kingdom....hope I get over there some day to explore the Vintage Life movement and festivals for fabulous finds!


Saturday, March 21, 2015

GLAMPING...Glamour Camping ;-)

Had to post this when I found it .....just too purrrfect for words....you go girl!..... can't wait to read it, the book got great reviews....
"Glamping, or glamour camping, one of the MaryJane's pet concepts, is about the juxtaposition of rugged and really pretty, grit and glam, diesel and absolutely darling."-The New York Times.

"Glamping-unleashing your inner wild while wearing a pair of fishing-lure earrings-is for every woman (or man!) who ever had a get-away-from-it-all fantasy (with a few frilly embellishments thrown in). Learn about the never-fail campfire, cooking with cast iron, how to change a flat, and much, much more. Follow the growing Glamping movement at maryjanesfarm.org and nationalglampingweekend.com.
Like the infamous Calamity Jane, who said, “I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one,” MaryJane Butters coined the term glamping years ago when she founded her unusual Idaho canvas wall-tent bed & breakfast, which was featured in The New York Times Magazine and Travel & Leisure as “the place to be.” Legend status achieved, MaryJane lives in Moscow, Idaho, where she runs her many businesses, which include a successful organic farm, product lines, a bed & breakfast, and MaryJanesFarm magazine. This is her fourth book." from amazon description 

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Meet CAMI, my new model!

For over a year I kept hearing about a mysterious young lady who embodied the "Vintage Life style" here in La Grande. Everyday, she was said to deck-herself-out in the elegant and feminine; hair, make-up, and styles of days gone by and completed her retro look by driving a vintage car. As you've seen from earlier postings, this was a girl after my own heart in terms of the ultimate vintage accessory; a vintage automobile! When my lovely model Justine decided to move and go to law school, I decided to finally go on a quest for this 'vintage treasure gal' that was ghosting around town in all her vintage glory and see if she would model for my Bee Beautiful Vintage store on etsy.

Retro Red Hot Crepe Pant Suit . Vintage 80's does 40's . Satin Surplice Collar & Bow . CDC Caren Desiree label . 40's style slacks . size 6 Purchase here. I just added a great 50's red and silver thermoset necklace for style punch! Cami's Marilyn Monroe hairstyle and retro makeup did the rest! #80sPowerSuit #Valentine

Unfortunately that same week in September 2014 she was in a life threatening car crash as a passenger, so it was several months before I actually laid eyes on her lovely healing self. In the meantime as she faced her injuries with admirable courage, I had connected with her on facebook and could tell she was a truly fascinating creature with her own unique spin on vintage. Finally in early 2015, after the last of her surgeries to repair her leg, I suggested again that she might model for me. Cami was shy about her scars, but I wasn't worried, I knew her good heart glow and beauty would carry the day and it did. She is an amazing model, fun to work with and has a sharp mind when it comes to vintage and history....oh yes and her heart is set on becoming a librarian....Here are some photos she's allowed me to share and a few from the last fashion shoot....

Cami in her day job as a librarian, perhaps THE LIBRARIAN ;-)
#TheLibrarian #VLM


With her beloved car Flannery...
#VintageAutomobile #VintageLife


Doing the pin-up thing with a Cami style prop; a whitewall tire!
#PinupGal #RetroPinup

a pin-up style retro reproduction, though she's for real!
#RetroStyle 

Classic 40's Bacall Style. Vintage Black Satin Hostess Pants . Peplum Top . Cream Lily of the Valley Satin Jacquard . Evelyn Pearson label Purchase here. A preview from our newest fashion shoot!   #BacallStyle #40sFashion #VintageHostessChic


a 50's golden silk pencil skirt and chic top
SOLD

this one's fun, a 60's gold tinsel robe with odd-shaped covered buttons

Vintage 60's Gold Tinsel Embroidered Hostess Robe . Asian Revival . Chartreuse Magnolia . 7 Novelty Buttons . Lounge Craft Original label Purchase Here.  #60sFlash #60sGoldLingerie 



one of my favorite treasure finds; a mid 30's wool jacket in perfect condition with the Fair Labor Standards and Recovery label from the depression years. #30sSkiJacket #30sChic
SOLD

a great 40's swing jacket from a local estate that sold as soon as I listed it to the Florida Grand Opera in Miami!  SOLD