About a month ago things were really busy around here. I was doing something insane, which was packing up every last morsel of everything I have ever owned, that had lived at the city house for over 15 years. Because really, the country house is my true home, and has been for years.
A lot has found its place here, but a lot of it is still packed.
The gallery is stuffed with boxes and bags, and boxes and bags, of my stuff.
Mostly clothes and bags and accessories.
Treasures I have kept since high-school and college, plus other totally wearable frocks.
I have to go through it all, but it is too hot for that, so I have to do it at midnight or at 4 a.m. We'll see.
The fun thing is that I am finding things that were packed in the storage room at the city house, which I have not seen for over 10 years.
The other day I was moving a bag that ripped and out tumbled giggle worthy vintage dresses and coats…
I used to spend a huge amount of my time in thrift stores in my 20's.
I had clothes for every mood I could possibly be in.
Vintage, glam, rocker, funky, 80's, elegant, fancy, fun, silly, outrageous, antique and much more.
I collected during a time before thrifting and antiquing became as explosive and part of everyday, as it is today.
Some of my greatest treasures were found as a 19 year old.
I am so glad I was into thrifting.
As I had never been to a yard sale or a thrift store, or an antique store for that matter, until after I left home at 18.5 years old.
The first time I went into a thrift store, I think I heard angels.
Fast forward to the 100% polyester dress days…
Or should I say, rewind?
Hello Monet…
I don't know when or where I bought these?
But I know it was long enough ago, that my memory is empty.
They were so fun to find.
They remind me of something a little old lady monitoring a high-school dance would wear, and I just love them.
The paisley one needs a belt for sure.
I put a brooch on it to jazz it up.
Aren't they a hoot?
Not sure I'd wear them.
Tee hee.
It's so humorous to me that I own these.
Where did I think I was going in such polyester finery?
Haha!
Oh and, don't forget the silver handbag.
Which I might add, is made especially well.
Back when things were made to last for nearly ever.
And they have.
My fave part is accessorizing.
I have so many baubles it's a crime, I know.
But, I can't pass them up.
Not including all the baubles I make.
I told Mister Lovee I might have to start a Friday Flea Market here on this bloglette, and share some of my found treasures.
Since really, when and how could I ever wear it all?
I could practically start a costume shop.
I can't pass up anything that sparkles and has just the perfect feel to it.
You know how, you just know when the item is right?
Someone shows you something, and they say, oh you would love this.
And you think, hmmm, no not really.
But then only you know, when the item is just totally you?
And isn't that wonderful?
That we all have our own style and love of things.
It's so fascinating to me.
I have so many old coats and kimonos and things.
And shoes, oh the shoes….
7 or 7.5
That's me.
I wore heels for soooo many years.
From the time I was 15 to about 4 years ago, I wore heels every single day.
Now I only wear them when I leave the house.
You know how when you are young and you are in stilettos, and older women come up to you and tell you, one day you will suffer for that.
Then they look at your shoes, and you roll your eyes?
They aren't lying.
Darn.
Tough way to learn.
🙂
My poor feet.
And I have to say, they are so much cozier in high heels than flats.
That is not uncommon when you spend almost 20 years in heels, I hear.
Well, that's all for this Friday.
I hope you have a scrumptious weekend!!!
Love, V
ps: The summer edition of Pagan Living Magazine is out, and it is so lovely! You can read it online, it is so inspiring and packed with ideas and tales. Really a fun find if you don't read it already.
This issue has sections with some of my gypsy and garden photos, along with a smattering of other photos throughout. You might recognize my moon lady on the cover 🖤
pss: I am salad obsessed. Salad for breakfast lunch and dinner is where I am at these days.
So refreshing and yumm.
When I forget my basket, I use my hat.
Garden pickings…
(my hat is almost done it seems, I have back-up waiting)
Lead to…
Vanessa! What find, huh? Can’t believe it! That must be so neat, to just go and find something that you had completely forgotten you had! It must be like shopping in your own home! What fun!
I think I only have one proper frock and it’s the Alice dress my mother made for me this past year. I love it pieces, but sadly, the world doesn’t appreciate good Alice finery when it sees it. Booohooo! I really want to wear it in public, though I’m not sure how well that would go over…maybe I could get away with it at Disneyland? Though it look so much like the original, I might get little girls asking me for their autographs, haha!
Anyway, I’m rambling 🙂 Have a lovely weekend! I hope you are feeling well rested and a ton better!
**Whoops, for MY autograph, excuse me! I am having typing problems today 🙂
Oh yes please and thank you!!! I would LOVE to come to your Friday Flea Market! Truly, with my entire heart I would!
One of these days I will contact you about meeting in Tucson. Brawny Man and I have a little something we saved from the Old House just for you, our little New Age Hippie. Oh, and it cannot be mailed…
**blows kisses** Deb
Thanks for the link to Pagan Living,going to check it out. I adore that pretty blue dress. I so love to rock that if it was in my size.
Happy Friday Vanessa, You sound Ssooo WONDERFUL today, Girl!!! Wooweee love your stuff and I think it’s what they call “A Blast from the Pastâ€! Tee He HE! I think you should rock some of these outfits with your shoes and jewelry for us in your house and garden and have Mr. Lovee take some pictures. Did u collect hats as well?
Your salads look Sssoooo healthy and yummo!
You have some wonderful picts. through out the Pagan Living magazine!
Enjoy your treasure hunting and sorting! <3
You HAVE to wear those dresses!!! They are so fun and the colors are amazing 🙂 YES you also HAVE to do a regular flea market soiree on your blog. What a fantastic idea.
Wow! I could not picture you wearing those dresses, Vanessa. It must have been fun finding all these treasures you bought long ago again. I’d love to see what else you found and I’d love to check out a bloggy flea market! Your hat makes me think of that favorite pair of jeans ~ you just wear it until there’s nothing to it anymore.
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
Hello gorgeous! I love that you still have all these vintage clothes and most of all, your baubles! Such treasures. You are so right that sometimes things speak to you in a way that makes it practically impossible to resist! Can’t believe you’ve cleared the town house – where will you put it all??!! Maybe you need to host a giant flea market at midnight or 4 a.m. when it’s cool enough? 🙂 Miss you! Hello to Mr. Lovee and your Killer Dog. 🙂 xx
My evil stepmother wore that dress last year…that must have been where you got it! I had no idea she was giving it away! Perhaps your country mice and birds will fix it up nice for you, so you can actually wear it in public without being ridiculed!
Have a happy and lovely day,
Cinderella
When I was a teen and early twenties polyester was THE fabric to sew with. I had so many polyester dresses I made. But I really love cotton and prefer that nowadays. I had so many things that I got rid of years ago that I’ve seen on ebay, etc. Funny I was wearing original vintage.
Sounds like you are having fun with the treasures.
Maybe my fashion sense isn’t all that, but I swear that Monet number would make an awesome tunic. 🙂
Reading Pagan Living was a great way to start off a quiet Sunday morning. LOVE the Gypsy article.
Hope you’re doing well!
I actually have a dress made of that same fabric (the Monet inspired floral) which I cut in half in an attempt to make a skirt and blouse to wear separately. Then I lost interest in the project and never finished the blouse or the skirt. I picked it up several years ago at a vintage shop in Chicago, though I can’t remember if it was Ragstock or Hollywood Mirror. Now I wish I’d left the dress in one piece. It must have been a popular fabric, as I have seen it many times on Etsy. I think I might buy another one. 🙂
Oh golly I have loads and tons of thrifted dresses and other treats as well. I can’t help myself in thrift stores. I go mad. The best part is most people wouldn’t want what I would hahaha so it’s left there waiting for me. But I can’t help but feel like sometimes once I get there that most of the good stuffs already been picked through. Like they give first dibs to some lucky old lady or something. JEALOUS! I ADORE your dressed. I would also simply expire with glee if you started a Friday flea market sort of dealio. Oh my, I went to a yard sale about a week ago that you simply would have DIED for. I can only picture you now sifting through the treasures.
I have a question for you. I have been feeling like this a lot lately. Do you ever feel like it doesn’t matter how many treasures you find, you’ll have always missed out on some? Like when I stay home on the weekends instead of yardsaling I feel like I am missing on some things, and then it almost depletes the value of treasures I have already found, because of what could have been found… oh ignore me now. I sound insane.
Those dresses and baubles and heels–so lovely.
But that salad! Oh that salad! With the beets.
Yum. Yum.
How lovely to see some of your thrifted treasures! Maybe you can repurpose those that you aren’t sure what to do with any longer? I know you can create something new and lovely! Oh…and those shoes! I used to LIVE in high heels – now it’s flats or wedges for me. LOL Nice article in the magazine – how fun to review it all online! Salads are my favorites this time of year, too. And I’m obsessed with avocados. Yum! xoxo
Oh, Vanessa.. I wish I knew how to say this… your art and talent is so wonderful, but that magazine will not work for me. Sorry, my dear.. the name alone makes me queasy..