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vintage cutting boards .... or the collection that never really happened

About 10 years ago I stumbled upon a vintage day of the week cutting board in a quaint little antique shop in the Quad cities.  I fell in love.  I had big plans for that cutting board.  I was GOING to find all of the other days of the week and hang them in a sweet little grouping in my kitchen.  

That didn't happen.  The above pieces are what I did find in the last 10 years.  Not an epic fail but not quite what I hoped for either.  If I would have hit up ebay I'm sure I could have completed the grouping but I just don't like buying vintage online.  It doesn't satisfy my "thrill of the hunt" needs.  I'm needy when it comes to vintage.  The hunter gatherer in me finds joy and satisfaction in the lengthy and somewhat arduous process of plotting, planning, seeking, driving, digging, running, searching, sniffing, leaping, stretching, and ultimately finding the coveted, quirky items I seek. The items I search for are not those of great value, monetarily speaking.  They are just things that make me feel good on the inside.  They might make me smile or they might be awesome examples of workmanship.  I have vast and varied tastes.  Some of my favorite collections are very utilitarian in nature such as kitchen bowls and buttons.  

The cutting boards date to the late 50s and early 60s.  Many of them have the actual year stamped on the back of them.  I've decided to let go of the boards I've collected (especially since they never got hung) and make room in my house for a new collection yet to be discovered.  I will price them out individually.  I hope at least a few of them will go on to find happy new homes.  Goodbye my friends. 

croquet stick easel .... what a clever idea!

I had nothing to do with this cute and clever idea.  I simply bought the easel made from old croquet sticks a couple of years ago from an antique shop or flea market (can't remember which).  I don't even know if it was freshly put together or was done a long time ago.  Kind of looks like it was done way back when ... the screws look older.  

I was drawn to the colors and the stripes.  I used it and am now letting it go.  You can find it at moxie. Yes, I am trying to be good and not hoard so many things.  Something comes into the house ... something must go out!  

And to think, I've been passing up old croquet sets for years!  I always look at them but somehow never go ahead and buy.  I probably still won't because I'm just not handy or crafty like that, but I thought I'd share the inspired idea with others .... I hope the original creator doesn't mind .... wherever they are! 

hudson bay blanket inspiration

Take one of these vintage Hudson Bay point blankets (this one just arrived at moxie)

and do something like this ...

via: sit and read

or, how about this ...

via: Suzanne Wexler

I have a particular fondness for vintage blankets.  I've got about 40 of them and I use many of them.  I've been collecting for about 15 years.  Mostly patterned and camp blankets from the 40s and 50s.  I've never kept the striped ones but after seeing some of these cool ideas ... hmmmm maybe I should re-think that.  That being said I did just drop off the striped one at the top of this post and I hope it finds it's way to a happy new home soon! 

Downton Abbey - I came late to the party

It's not that I hadn't heard about Downton Abbey from many of my friends... I had.   But for whatever reason the discs stayed buried on our Netflix Queue for months (thanks mister moxie)!  I guess the words "Masterpiece Classic" scared him off.  Well, I finally took the situation into my own hands and moved the first two discs of Downton to the top of our queue.  

Friday, Saturday and Sunday night were devoted to the viewing of disc one and two.  And Sunday when I finished off disc two I found myself waving my hands in the air dramatically lamenting the fact that I did NOT have the smarts to put the final disc of season one at the top of the list as well.  I had put another movie in position three to appease the mister in case the series was a total snooze fest.  But I'm happy to report that he loved it as much as I did.  

I was drawn into the characters, the clothing, the hats, the architecture and set decoration immediately.  So much visual stimulation.  I was in heaven!  All of this is probably super old news to all of you, but just in case you, for whatever reason, haven't gotten the chance to see Downton Abbey yet .... give it a try.  I think you'll love it!!

We don't seem to get lucky enough to find any actual Edwardian clothing or hats at moxie, but we do find some pretty spectacular vintage hats from the 40s thru the 60s.  Here is a little peek at some I dropped off yesterday. If you get invited to a Downton viewing party .... let us help you get all dressed up!

flying crinolines

Yes, on any given day you might find me outside of my house winging vintage crinolines into the air while spastically trying to capture a mid-air photo with the other hand.  No helpers just crazy me running in circles under vintage undergarments.  And that is why I'm sure in my neighborhood we are most likely referred to as the house where that lady is always outside doing strange things.  

The day did not start out with a plan to toss a petticoat... it just happened.  I decided to take some vintage costumes and the pink petticoat outside to get a few snaps of them to share on the blog and the next thing I knew I became weirdly obsessed with seeing it float thru the air.  I'd like to say this photo happened on one try but I'd be lying!  I think I took about 25 photos and I had to throw it up really high to give myself enough time to get a photo so I had to build up momentum by holding the petticoat in my left hand and swinging it back and forth until I could really send it up with gusto.   A good show for all of the sweet college kids walking past our house.  I'd swear one guy almost fell off of his bike he was so mesmerized by my actions.  

These old dance costumes have seen better days but they are frothy and delicious to look at.  They are stained and I think the zippers need repair but how darned cute to hang on the wall or use for dress up.  

This is the pink petticoat.  The ruffles are dreamy.  The top of it is really stretched out so I just rubber-banded it at the top and then it turned into a pink confection.  I could see this fashioned into a light shade or a hanging pom pom.  Of course you could just re-elasticize the top and use it as intended as well.  Our weeping cherry trees made the best back drop.  They are gorgeous in bloom but the blooms drop fast so I was happy to spend some time outside with them today.  Flowering trees make me happy.  

On a totally separate note... I will be sending out a coupon email blast tonight.  Yay coupon!!  So if you are not on our email list and would like to be just send me an "add to list" email at moxienews@aol.com.  Easy peasy.  And we now have a Pinterest "Pin It" button on this blog.  If you'd like to pin any of my photos feel free to and know that I'm honored if you do.  The Pin It button is underneath the posts.  Have a great weekend everyone!

black + white love

As I was packing up some new goods for the shop today I noticed I seemed to have a color story going on.  Sometimes it happens like that.  

The butterfly sequin applique is about 12" tall.... huge.  I just know someone will come up with a good use for it.  The gloves are vintage 40s and never worn.  Super soft leather.  Most awesome mens shoes EVER.  Hand mirror is bevelled and quite large.  Would look cool hanging on the wall in a vintage inspired bathroom.  The lion planter is made in Japan and looks quite like a David Stewart inspired piece.  The squirrel planter is a handsome piece.  Squirrel items never last long.  The hat is fur and adorned with feathers.  Came from a very fine estate.  The mod vase with necklace is unmarked and quirky.  The bird with nest is not old but would look fun with some faux eggs or a tealight.  

I am also packing up 5 half gallon size blue ball jars and some other finds I can't quite remember right now.  All I can say is the stuff will be rolling in as fast as I can get to it.  I have so much in storage and it is time to edit, edit, edit!  

fresh vintage finds

Tall vintage drinking glasses in turquoise and red swirl (2 of each color ).  Vintage soda shop girl planter.  Most adorable paper straws in stripes and dots. 

I like the idea of using vintage things in new ways.  The glasses and planter could hold so many items in the kitchen, craft room or office.  The soda shop planter was at my house and now I'm letting her go to make room for something new.  Sweet husband encourages me to find and keep whatever I wish so long as things go out the door in equal ratio to things coming in the door.  He is quite reasonable and practical like that.  Good thing too... because I'm much more interested in acquisitions than in selling off my finds.  So really, the mister is good for business at moxie.  He keeps the vintage rolling out of our house and into the shop.  

A freshly laundered stack of vintage tablecloths.  All of them less than 20 dollars. 

I love the look of a stack of pretty fabrics or tablecloths.  Each pattern peeking out just a bit to entice you to pick it up and look more closely.  Each one ready to adorn your table or be tossed upon a grassy knoll for a picnic.  What's not to love!  No offense to tablecloths of modern times if they are made of cotton but the majority of the ones I come across are poly/cotton and while it may make for less wrinkles, I think it makes for a less than stellar look and feel.  But then I'm a true vintage girl at heart so I would think that :)

Thanks to those of you (and you know who you are...) that have pulled me aside and told me you wished I blogged more often.  Recently I've heard that a lot and I'm shocked and thankful all at the same time.  I will try to honor your requests and get to it.  Thanks so much for even wanting to read my ramblings.  So sweet you all are !

birthday birdie

awwwwww cute!!!!  That's what I said when I found this vintage mug recently.  I mean is that not the cutest chubbiest little blue bird you ever did see.  And birdie is blowing a little noisemaker and wearing a tiny hat.  How festive, how cheery, how darn right swell.  You just don't see chubby birds engaging in party activities that often ... do you?  

I turned the mug around and it said "happy birthday."  This sweet mug needs to get filled with a little gift of some sort and given to a birthday gal.  My birthday isn't until next month and well it wouldn't be any fun to give it to myself.... so who is going to snatch this cutie up and put it to good use?!?

Vintage Goodness

I do not know if these cameras work or could ever work again, but I do know that they make for cool decor. 

This child sized Hazel Atlas vintage space theme mug is perfect for the sci-fi lover.

The frame is Victorian as is the etched metal vase.  The scotty dog is probably from the 40s or 50s.  

Most adorable pink boomerang jewelry box with mirrored top.  Totally 50s and uber cute!!

Oh my goodness....I have been shopping up a storm.  Just got back yesterday from a visit with friends in Minneapolis and like usual they indulged us in a tour of estate sales.  So much fun!!!  Found lots of divine vintage Christmas along with cute clothes, fabrics and knick knacks.  I will be bringing new stuff in a couple of times a week from now until infinity.   Yes, I've got enough goods in storage to keep the shop full for eternity. I'll try to keep taking lots of photos.  You tell me you like to see the goods (especially my out-of-towners) and I'm happy to do it for you all. Looks like we are going to have some beautiful weather here in Northern Illinois this week.  Perfect for a drive to DeKalb.  Come see us....we'd love that!

Ideas for Fall Decorating or things Megan does when she should be doing something else.

Take stuff like this that you might have around the house 

Add some Autumn goodies like these....

Then have fun doing something like this ....

The idea is to use things you have around your home cute bowls, candle stands, flower pots, little  items in fall colors and add pumpkins, gourds, indian corn, leaves, mums, candles etc.

This grouping of items were all getting ready to be sent into moxie so I thought it would be fun to add my pumpkin and gourd stash  in with them for a little photo shoot.  

 I am slowly starting to part with some of my Gurley candle collection.  Very collectible (just don't store them in a hot place.....they will get mis-shapened! Sadly I know this from experience).  I am letting the big turkey and Mr pumpkin go for now.  Pilgrims and a few others might appear in the shop soon.  The big black dot bowls are from Fire King.  Hard to find.  Imagine one filled with halloween candy.... super cute! 

I'm always repurposing candle stands and sweet vintage flower pots into other things.  The fabric piece on the table is simply a 60s curtain valance.  The graphic pattern is just as great for today as it was in the 60s.  

The leaf bowl is by pyrex.  You know stuffing would look even tastier than normal served in that bowl on Thanksgiving.  The owl fairy light is hard to come by.  Use it with a tealight and he flickers gently with candlelight.  Gilt mirror has an easel back making it perfect for a vanity top.  The scalloped yellow pot is one of 20 plus pieces of pottery that will be making its way into moxie this week.  

Here is what I've spent my weekend doing....

When the shopping part is done....that's when Bob the taskmaster steps in.  He kindly unwrapped all of my recent purchases for me onto the kitchen table so I could "get this stuff priced immediately".....gosh he's so sweet! In previous posts I might have mentioned our Felix and Oscar type relationship.  I'm Oscar of course.  Good thing he keeps me in line or I'd definitely end up on Hoarders.  Couldn't you just see it.  Me sitting in a chair in the middle of a sweet vintage junk pile of a living room with Bob and Courtney making sad faces while shaking their heads in disgust and fear to the camera while I was arguing with the counselor about why I couldn't possibly get rid of this or that.  Good thing he's around....that way there is more awesome vintage schtuff for moxie and way less for me.  You definitely should pop by moxie this week if you are into vintage....these photos do not cover all that will be arriving just this week.  We display most all of the vintage on the SECOND FLOOR of moxie.  It is not just clothes up there.  There is pottery, art, tons of fabrics, dishes, kitsch and more.  If you skip the second floor, you are missing a bunch of great stuff.  Hope to see you soon!