Go vintage or go home

Liam got this old pedal car for Christmas. (Thank you Mike and Debra.) As an antique fanatic and mom-who-hates-loud-light-up-pieces-of-plastic-laden-in-lead, I couldn't be happier. Not only will this little car see endless hours of pedaling, it'll look great as kitschy decor in his future big-boy room.

To hear David's dad tell the story, it all started when David was a little boy. He looked and looked for one but came up empty. I'm sure these days a quick eBay search would bear fruit, but that sort of robs it of the specialness, don't you think? Thirty years later, this car was found at an antique store and given a fresh coat of paint for a much-beloved grandson.

Three vintage-like wishes

Someday maybe this vintage gem will hang on my kitchen wall. The Crosley 302 Phone

Magazines and recycling — what could be better?
My 1950's hankering extends to music as well. Diner Jukebox, Select-O-Matic style.

Aunt granny Mary's jewelry box

She's been gone for years now, but her possessions remain. I was given her jewelry box to which I found a treasure-trove of goodies, including some old receipts. This brooch was my favorite plundered item. I had forgotten about it until recently. I can see her wearing it, tinkering away on her next ceramic masterpiece. What a fantastically bizarre woman. Her story — a future post perhaps.

Old is new again in this crib

I came across this vintage sign while visiting relatives in Northern California. What it cost to make the thing in 1957 — $5. The money wasted on yet another item my father would scoff at — $30. The way it pops against our new kitchen/dining room paint color — priceless.


Everybody should have at least one old whiskey bottle. I found mine at an antique shop in the old Woolworth's. I won't tell you how much I plunked down.



When I was a kid it seemed like every household had a bunch of grapes like this sitting on the coffee table, you know, right by the standard ornate ashtray. I grabbed these without a second of hesitation.


Another find from the NorCal flea market. My house was built in 1959, so it's time I start entertaining like it's 1959. Well, maybe not. I don't think that hot pink dress would suit me.