It's CONTEST Time! (And... The Friday News Round- Up)

Another week is coming to an end and there's lots to discuss.

Let's begin with THE CONTEST!

 It's been a week of milestones.

Over 1,300 Facebook fans, over 2,000 Twitter followers and over 500 retrotrend shop hearts.

My way of saying "Thank you!" is to give away this INCREDIBLE set of four Mid- Century dipped (insert Gigi reference here) quicksilver High Ball glasses.  

How does the contest work?

Complete any of the following steps (Complete more than one step and be entered more than once!):

1- Follow this blog and leave a comment on this post.

2- Become a fan on Facebook and comment with the details below.

3- Tweet about this contest and comment with the details below.

4- Link this blog post to your Facebook (personal or fan) page and comment with the details below. 

One winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011. The winner will be announced here.

Back to our (somewhat) regularly scheduled program. I was the recipient of two lovely blog mentions yesterday, from Amy'sOldSchool and GarageSaleGirly, featuring this bag and these ties, respectively. Thanks, guys!

If you're a regular reader, you'll recall this post from August, all about my vintage glasses frames buying adventure. Well, I went back a few days ago and purchased more frames, which will be listing in the next few weeks.

And SOLDES is still going strong, for a few more days.

35% off of nearly every retrotrend item!

25% off nearly every RetroHommeVintage item!

15% off of every ObjectRetro item with coupon code "15OFFYAY".

I'll enjoy the snow, you enjoy the savings.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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!

A Vintage Rescue + Winner Annouced!

When it comes to vintage clothing and accessories, I am a purist.

For example, maxis should never become minis unless damaged beyond repair. If it is stained or has large holes, a mini is better than no dress at all. 

Simple alterations to make an item fit you? Of course!

On occasion, I come across damaged vintage that can not be otherwise used.

 Like this large size 1960s black lizard bag that tugged at my heart strings. The body looks fantastic, the strap was barely attached on one side.

 Cracking, splitting, tears to the lizard and the inner leather layer- a complete loss.

I removed what was left of the original strap.

 I have a pile of damaged belts and vintage hardware for just this reason- sometimes an item can be saved if rethought. A heavy gold tone metal chain link belt (from about the same era), split into two sections (shoulder and hand length), then attached to the original brackets at the top.

 The clasp is a brighter, brushed gold tone but the overall look is luxe and timeless. Not original, but a very good fit and now an enjoyable piece of history.

I'll almost always use as a shoulder bag but do like the hand carry option. Both straps look equally great swagging against the glossy lizard skin body.

Contest update:

There were two entries I really liked but in the end, "Mrs. Robinson" won out.

"Suzi Quatro" was an inspired suggestion and will be used for a variation of the classic Mrs. Robinson. Or a reinterpretation of an Aviation. 

Thanks to all who entered! 

 While Emily's e-mailed suggestion noted that she didn't want a prize, she did score this dress last week, after I force- fed her copious amounts of wine. And cookies were hand- delivered last weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It's Contest Time! Name that Cocktail, Please.

Fan appreciation? Giveaways? Who knows?

I like my contests interactive and my themes a bit kooky (go figure).

And, I need your help.

Cocktail? Yes, please!

This is my special "I've made it through another day" treatail, usually occurring on a nightly basis.

The recipe:

-about 1/2 oz. lemon juice

-a few drops of Campari

-2 oz. - 4 oz. of Plymouth gin (one of the only brands worth drinking, in my humble opinion)

-a splash of (diet for me, please) tonic

Mix (or shake, if you are feeling frisky!) the lemon juice, Campari and gin over some ice cubes. Add tonic to taste.

Optional garnishes:

-a few loose berries shaken with the alcohol and lemon juice

-a toothpick full of Haribo Gummi Bears balanced on the rim, arranged in some sort of visually pleasing colorway

-stellar MCM Roly- Poly glasses with gold doohickey designs or any (preferably) old (and shiny) low ball glass. I am a fan of these examples.

Why should you care?

RetroTrend enjoys cocktails, this is nothing new. This doe's favorite cocktail does not have a name.

That's where you come in.

The terms:

This is a blog only contest.

Comment with your chosen name for my chosen cocktail.

It is a bit bitter, girlie, and likes to kick it old school, just like me. Bonus points for anatomy, indie music, Mad Men or fashion references, of course!

Start shopping! You'll need to include which item/s you'd chose from one of my shops if you had $50.00 to spend.

retrotrend

RetroHommeVintage

ObjectRetro

If your drink name is chosen, you'll win a one time use, $50.00 credit to one of my three Etsy shops.

This contest ends Friday, November 5th, at 12 noon EST. The winner will be announced here.

Good luck!



What's in your bathroom?

Reading or rinsing, plucking or pooping, people spend loads of time in the loo. Don't ignore one of the most visited rooms in your house. Choose a bold color, a large piece of art or anything that will make you smile. A bit of kitsch goes a long way!

Large painting and retro YSL hand towels.

"Approved Sample" pewter box and an antique chamber pot filled with travel toiletries for unexpected guests.

1970s wooden signs. Peter Meter conveniently hangs over the toilet.

Cotton balls are stored in the "Grease" can. Feathers in the "Salt" beaker.

Don't forget to enter my FAN-tastic Fans Giveaway, winner to be chosen Friday!

Purses as works of art?

Yup, it is Friday the 13th! I did venture to the post office today for a very important reason. Mostly I spent the day at home, photographing lots of new vintage goodies that will be listing soon.

Looking around every single room in my house, I find vintage and retro items that inspire me. I've shown you some artwork and furniture already. Today, let's focus on display pieces that really change the feel of a room.

This antique trunk doubles as blanket storage and as a coffee table in the guest room. Lucky guests are allowed to play Simon.

Turn of the century "A Lunatic" metal trunk holds an original Simon game, copyright my birth year.

I spend quite a bit of time in my office. And I have a severe vintage bag addiction. My office needed something on the walls and screamed for pegboard displays. 1960s framed student fashion drawings hang off to the left, bags ranging from a 1940s wool clutch with mink front to a 1960s Morris Moskowitz crocheted straw bag with gold chain strap.

The black bag display.

The colored bag wall- featuring bakelite handles, a kelly green satin and lucite evening bag, a floral tapestry bag with bamboo handle... And so much more.

The colored bag display.

And the reason for today's trip to the post office? My Facebook page's contest winner was Lisa of Weezi fame. She picked a crazy pink silk and velvet floral petal hat with pearl detailing, circa early 1960s.

Here I am, modelling the winning hat.

Here is the hat on my display head.

Here's to a wonderful weekend, with or without crazy retro hats!

Items we love! Contest

Two quick updates:

I am holding a contest on my Facebook fan page!

If you comment on the FB fan page post (from Monday, August 9th), telling me which item (or items) you'd purchase if you had $50.00 to spend at RetroTrend and/ or RetroHommeVintage, you'll be entered into a drawing to win a one- time use $50.00 credit. The contest ends on Friday, August 13th at 12 noon EST. The winner will be announced Friday afternoon.

Happy Treasury Tuesday! Maybe I'm not so hard to shop for is a list of items I wouldn't mind receiving. It includes some stellar vintage, upcycled and new items, from 16 fantastic Etsy sellers.

Have a great afternoon!