Monday 22 July 2013

This Week's Haul--Patterns, Books, Vinyl, and a Mersman Table

Hiya!
As I mentioned in an earlier post, my Pip and my mom's Tavish ate my camera chip recently.  That little mishap means that I can't take photos...well, actually I CAN take all the photos I like but they've got no way to hop on here!  I was going to wait to do a haul post until the situation was remedied, but realized that I could easily find pics of the items online..maybe...and use those to illustrate my finds!  So, here goes!

A couple of weeks ago, I popped into the Goodwill in my little Hamlet.  Not something I usually do as they've turned to crap in the past couple of years.  Nothing but a sea of last season's Walmart clothes and new in package junk from the same type stores that cost more at Goodwill than if you bought them from the store itself.  Bottom line, nothing more than 2-5 years old makes it onto the shelves there very often.

I didn't find much, but I did get this great book:


I saw the mid-century spaceman themed graphics on the spine and snatched it in a snap!  I've not begun reading it yet, but it sounds fabulously cheesy!  Can't wait!

I also found a trivet like this one...out of it's package of course!...I'm a trivet fiend.  I can't help myself.


I did a spot of thrifting today and picked up some great stuff.

I'd seen a table on Saturday in a thrifty I don't patronize often.  The reason I don't is that it's one of those churchy ones that I like to call 'Jesus thrifties' and, while I normally find these to be the best both inventory and price wise (there are a couple of fantastic ones where I live that I go to often), this one is just, well, uncomfortable.  They're always having bible class on the sofas, they look at you like a freak most times, you'll likely stand at the counter for up to ten minutes waiting to pay while they do prayer stuff just feet away, and they're that weird blank-faced unfriendly that sometimes accompanies cults.  That said, I've found a few good things at great prices there, so I suck it up and deal with the heebie jeebies every now and again.
Anyway, so I saw this coffee table Saturday and didn't bite.  I thought about the thing...and it's $5 price tag!..all day Sunday and today decided to go and see if it was still there.

It was.  It's a Mersman and is very similar to this one:


It doesn't have the groove in the side of the top and the legs are straight up and down instead of angled out, but otherwise it's pretty much this table!  The top has a few discolouration issues, so I'm actually thinking of painting the whole thing gloss black and sealing it and using it as my outdoor table on my carport with my four vintage solair/saucer outdoor chairs once we have enough sunshine for me to be able to repaint them.  It'll be GREAT for entertaining!

I also stopped by another 'Jesus thrifty' that I DO like!  I got a couple of fun things there.

These two books:



I know!  I can't wait to read up on Penelope the Damp Detective!

I picked up a pattern too:

I also found another trivet--this one with a mod shamrock pattern--and a great velvet 1960's purse, neither of which I could find a match to online.  Boooo!

Most everything is closed on Monday where I live, but the Opportunity House thrift store was also open and I popped in there quickly as well.  They're another that I've kind of shunned lately as their prices have skyrocketed and they pull the 'vintage' stuff to sell at silent auction now and again (at silent auction that always takes place when I'm working.  Grrrr.)  But I do find the best price in town on patterns and every now and then I stop by to shuffle through the boxes.
Today I found a few goodies:




They have box upon box of LP's and though most are from the '70s and '80s, I did find Lord Creator's 1964 platter, Big Bamboo.  



Here's a few of the risque tunes for you to check out!  Too fantastic for words!







Naughty, naughty!  Ha!

What have you tidbits been up to?  Any great finds?  Are you a trivet queen like me?

Friday 19 July 2013

Let's Hit The Beach!---Florida Vacations, 1950's





Hi hi!  Since the old laptop's acknowledging the existence of my USB for a change, I thought I'd regale you with some family photos of  1950's summer holidays!  I've got a 'haul' post in the works and was going to do a spot on the progress of my bathrooms, but alas Pip and his best friend Tavish ate my photo card recently!










I give you Florida, mid-century:



These were taken by my grandparents between 1952 and 1959.

My grandfather, Harold.  Handsome devil!

The most beautious beach babe, my grandmother Margaret:







My grandfather with my uncle, Fred, and my Dad, Sam....





My grandfather had become friends with the owner of the 'Sea Spray' motel when he was in WWII.  Therefore, the family always stayed there on their annual summer vacation.  Here's my dad in front of the sign.....

The motel next door was called the 'Sea Gull' and somehow one of their towels ended up in the possession of my grandparents.  I found it a couple of years ago and it now hangs in one of my bathrooms.  It says "Sea Gull Motel-52"!








My grandfather and my great-grandfather, Charlie.  Snappy dressers!....


Beefcake!
I like how you can see my grandmother's head shadowed in the foreground taking the pic!



Just as handsome fully clothed!....





My dad and uncle bothering the life guard!....


Well, hi there, sailor!  How cute as my dad?...








My grandmother and my dad.  I want her entire ensemble!!  Gorgeous!....







I actually have the swimsuit my grandmother's wearing in this photo!  And it looks brand new!...






















They loved photbooths apparently and had their photos taken pretty much every year, which is great as you can watch my dad and uncle grow up!















Don't they make you want to pack up the Studebaker and head off to the beach?  Of course it won't be nearly as kitschy sweet as it was back then, so may be best to just revel in the joys of summers past....