HVAC + Campari = An Actual Blog Post!

Changes are afoot here at the Haus of Retro Trend. 

Out with the old. 

As in the original 1961 oil furnace. 

 Note the cool Shell "Fuel for modern living" logo inspection sticker, with inspection dates from 1974.

Not to mention gauges, upgrades, and modifications, oh my! 

A lovely, brand new series of heat pumps and air conditioners are being installed as I type. And you know how this pale, heat sensitive gal feels about air conditioning. 

Nearly equally as exciting is my early anniversary present, which is scheduled to arrive this Sunday. 

It's a 1950s metal Campari advertising sign. That happens to be 6' 5" in length. Yeah. Hell yeah. 

Back to a house full of workmen, a kitten trapped in a bedroom (for her own safety), and dark chocolate. Not to mention plans for a well- deserved relaxing weekend. 

Popsicles are G+reat!

It's hot outside. And humid. Even my pooches are miserable during our short, sauna- esque walks. Unrelenting heat of this type calls for evasive action- not just cocktails, but popsicles. And since I'm probably the only person who never made popsicles from scratch, a mold was purchased. Shown above is my first attempt, chopped nectarine and orange juice pops. They are now gone.

The newfangled Zoku is shiny, but I decided to start with this simple mold instead (which I purchased at Target for $3.99, but it isn't on their website).

The second batch of pops (Latin strawberry puree from a local Korean grocer and a bit of Greek yogurt for smoothness) are also amazing. Only a couple of more to consume until the next round- possibly mango and Thai chilies. Or Watermelon with mint. Or blackberries and raspberries with basil. Perhaps adult versions should be next, with a bit of vodka. Or gin.

And, yes, I know how to spell "great". For those who have been hiding under a rock, the G+ refers to Google+, touted as "The Facebook Killer" as well as a nearly all- male social network, the invite only (for now) media vortex feels like an interesting mix between Facebook and Twitter, which I do like. So there, a female user with a mostly female circle (group of people you interact with) who is still on both Facebook and Twitter.

Since Google+ isn't allowing many business pages right now as the format is still in Beta- or if you've ever wondered how the mind behind Retro Trend Vintage works- you can find my personal page here. I won't bite. While we're getting acquainted, here's my personal Twitter account.

Enough rambling for now- enjoy your weekend!

It's March!

A quince branch in my dining room- for a burst of Spring.

Signs of Spring are popping up everywhere. Warmer and longer days, hints of color, birds chirping away. Trees are starting to bud. I'm even introducing color into my usually drab wardrobe of dark vintage basics. Yes, purple and olive are colors too.

My offerings are starting to sprout as well, like this Lilly Pulitzer skirt...

Or these French 1950s Cat Eye sunglasses...

Let's not forget these Courreges Sport Futur flamingo print walking shorts...

It's warm and a bit breezy here- time for a doggie walk. I'll post Men's Spring items later this week.

Updates and whatnot

Photo completely unrelated to a short and rambling blog post.

Me in high school, circa 1994. Can't remember who took this- it was a project in our photography class and he gave it to me after it was graded. My funky (and quite short) haircut outline (think Justine Frischmann of Suede and Elastica- I was lucky enough to see Elastica play their very first US gig at the original 9:30 club in DC), giant 1960s Omega watch and at least three layers of vintage tops got random guy an A+ grade. Stumbled across this while looking for a different scan but thought it was cool. Now ending the longest caption EVER. 

I've succumbed to the dreaded plague and feel all sorts of awful.

Had a fever over the weekend, in addition to a very sore throat, swollen sinuses and overall bouts of lethargy.

Feeling a bit better and am slowly returning to normal. Still sneezing, nose is chapped from repeated blowings, voice is slightly hoarse from so much coughing.

Also spending a lot of time planning the future of the Etsy team I recently took leadership of.

I've always joked about world domination through vintage clothing- now it seems within reach!

Another sign of world domination- this blog now has 200 official followers and countless (mostly because I feel too lousy to check my stats today) readers around the world. Also, I'm huge in South Korea. It's my second highest country following.

Enough for now, I'm out of tea and tissues.

I'll find that other photo for Wordless Wednesday.

Don't forget to check out my new Tumblr page, where I've challenged myself to use 30 different purses in 30 days. Non- stop excitement, I know.

No XOXO for you guys- I'm too sick. Enjoy your afternoons!

The Friday News Round-Up

Yup, I stole this post's title from NPR. Go ahead, send Diane Rehm after me. I'd just force her to record my voicemail greeting. Because I'm evil.

No hot dogs were harmed during the taking of this oddly phallic photograph. Get your mind out of the gutter. It's a 1970s Avon gold plated chain and hot dog pendant. For the girl that has everything, including a twisted sense of humor.

Not much to report on the Retro Trend Vintage front, but there are several items worthy of noting.

- My lovely pal, Amateurian, is having a cool give-away on her blog. You should enter. And tell her I sent you.

-Fellow Vintage Market Team member and friend, PhotographicAmy, experienced an epic technical failure today. She has a new store, Amy's Old School, and blog. You should follow her. And tell her I sent you.

{Insert promises to be a more consistent blogger here.}

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!