Bumps and Bruises...

Sometimes life seems to think that through all the stress we are dealing with at work and organizations we're involved in, we still don't have enough to deal with.  As such, now I get to deal with this:

My poor Buick got backed into while it was sitting in front of my house this week.  I'm in the process of the awful hassle of getting estimates for repair.  I can tell you that not only is the door dented, it now sags and is slightly sprung so that air whistles around the top of the door while driving.  I'm hoping that all body shops aren't going to want as much as the first one that I visited!  Only time will tell...of course the same could be said when I ponder if I might end up having a nervous breakdown!

Have a great evening everyone!

Time For A Little Laugh

Things have been so hectic and stressful around here lately.  At some point when life gets like this, you just have to sit back and laugh for a bit.  So today I'm sharing this short Tim Hawkins video clip, just in case you are needing a good laugh like I was.  Enjoy!

Have a great Tuesday!  I've got to drive 80 miles one way to go to a training today, then back to work to finish the day.  No rest for the weary!

Movie Friday: Cleopatra

In memory of Elizabeth Taylor, today I'm sharing what could be perhaps her greatest movie ever, Cleopatra.  This 1963 theatrical release is well known for almost forcing 20th Century Fox into bankruptcy with production costs of $44 million.  Besides starring Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, the film also featured Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Roddy McDowall, and Martin Landau. 

There is a lot of interesting information about this movie on Wikipedia, which you can see here.

Have a great Friday!  I'm in dire need of a weekend!

Tuesday CL Find

This week's CL find is an amazing vintage sofa.  This gorgeous green beauty would look right at home in any 1960s living room!  The button tufted back and the curved shape top off the beautiful fabric.  Long and low, if I had room for this piece, I woudn't be sharing it as a CL find, I'd be sharing it as a "look what I got" find.  Needless to say, it's too large for the bedroom-to-den conversion, so it will have to find another happy home.  Will it be yours?  The price ain't too shabby at $128.50 (antique mall prices can be so weird!).

Want to see the original ad?  You can find it here.

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Mom Got My Birthday Present...

Okay, not really.  But back in the day, I would have been a bit jealous of anybody that I saw driving around in one of these.  Plus, while you are watching Mom enjoy her new 1957 Chevrolet Sport Sedan in this video, don't forget to check out the amazing mid-century house features.  Has anyone seen a revolving cake stand like that before?

Hope you all have a great Monday!  I'm to the point that I'm about ready to start counting down how many days are left in the school year.  It'll be over before I'm ready, that's for sure!

Praying for Japan

As many bloggers have done since last Friday, I'm taking a break from a regular post today to remember those lost and the horrific devistation in Japan from the earthquake and resulting tsunami last Friday, March 11, 2011.  If you are looking for a way that you can help, there are many charities currently collecting money to aid the recovery in Japan.  I urge you to choose a charity that fits you well and make a donation.  I personally am donating to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief).  I like UMCOR because with the way that their organization is set up, 100% of your donation goes directly to those in need.  No part of your donation is used to fund the organizations administrative costs, as they are funded through the church.  If you would like to know more about UMCOR's Japan Emergency Advance, you may click here.

Have a blessed day.

Ready for the Rat Pack

Doesn't this awesome bar look like something that would be in a getaway you would find the Rat Pack at?  Those doors on the front slide open to reveal a set of shelves.  Those shelves pivot and spin around to reveal a mini mirrored bar with a bottle rack and a hi ball glass holder.

This CL find is a little pricey for me at $350, but it sure is awesome!  You can see the original ad here.

Have a great Tuesday!  It snowed here yesterday, here's hoping that today is more enjoyable!

Movie Friday: Megamind

Alright, I know that this week's movie isn't even a year old, but I loved it when I saw it in the theatre, and now I'm enjoying it on DVD.  If you haven't watched it yet, check out the trailer above and then track down a copy!

Have a great Friday!  It's been the week from heck here, and I can't wait for it to be over!

Craigslist Oddities

I have featured several strange retro finds from Craigslist in the past.  The most unusual was an old embalming table (yuck).  This time, I've found that perfect thing for the '50s lover that has it all, and it is in 1950s pink!

Yup, that's right, you could have your very own 1950s dentist office at your house!  While the stuff is really neat to look at, I can't imagine anybody having an actual need for them short of a movie studio.  Plus, at $1500, I think they're going to be a hard sell.  Although, if you could just get the chair, I think it might have some pretty interesting possibilities.

You can view the original ad here.

Have a great Monday!

Movie Friday: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Wow!  I actually managed to blog every day this week!  Maybe my blogging slump is coming to an end!  I chose this movie in recognition of the passing of Jane Russell, this past Monday, February 28.  This 1953 musical comedy stars Russell with Marilyn Monroe.  Want all the details on the movie?  You can find them here.

And just for the record, this gentleman doesn't prefer blondes.  :)

Have a great Friday!

Window Shopping the Big Auction Site

Today I'm sharing some fun finds from the big auction site.  I feel like my searches are all over the place and almost seem random.  First up are a couple of fun vintage lamps.  Then, check out the awesome retro clock from England and an amazing red kitchen clock. (I keep telling myself "I do not need this, I do not need this, there is no place in my kitchen because there is no soffit...ooohhh look, it's red...")  Then as a follow up to yesterday's post, I found a 1957 Ford Fairlaine 500 Skyliner retractable hardtop...complete with continental kit.  Of course, I can't search for fun vintage stuff without looking for some Kroehler, and the desk that I found is nothing short of amazing.  I can't pass up a search for Heywood-Wakefield as well, and I found the perfect sized table and chairs for almost any mid-century home.  Of course, I can't pass up my favorite Lane design, so, I've added one of the Danish style dovetail detail coffee tables.  Lastly, as I find myself being drawn more and more to things from my family's heritage (the surnames of 6 of my 8 great grandparents originate in England), I find myself searching for things that play that up.  That's where the fun vintage wrought iron light fixture comes in.  I can already picture it hanging in the entry foyer in the house that I'm designing in my mind.

Please note that I do not receive any financial benefit from sharing these fun finds with you.  I am not the seller of any of the items nor do I know or have any affiliation with the sellers of the items I have featured.

Have a great Thursday!

Lucy Loves Her Skyliner!

Ah, Ford's great new innovation for 1957, the retractable hardtop.  Back in these days, my grandfather was a Ford mechanic (before he finally saw the light and became a GM man).  The mechanicals to control those retractable hardtops were quite complex, and Ford mechanics had to have specialized training to be able to work on one.  Granddad was one of the few that were certified by Ford to service the retractable hardtops.  Somewhere over at Grandma's I came across his training certificate several years ago.  I'm going to have to look for it again sometime.

Isn't it interesting that Ford debuted the concept of the retractable hardtop in place of a standard ragtop for convertible models back in 1957, but the concept didn't catch on for close to 40 years?  Ford's experiment was considered a falure and they went back to ragtops.

At least their sales pitch for the idea included the cast of I Love Lucy!

Have a great Wednesday!

More Weekend Finds

Yesterday I mentioned that I picked up several mid-century ceramic pieces at the auction I attended over the weekend.  Here they are!

Aren't these two matching bamboo inspired pieces great?  They are unmarked, but after doing a little research, I believe that they are Royal Copley.  I also picked up the great embroidered aqua tablecloth that you see.

This piece is marked on the bottom, but I can't remember what now.  I'd get it out and look, but it's wrapped back up in bubble wrap in a box with the rest of the stuff, and I don't feel like unpacking it right now (lazy?).

I have several pieces of Haeger in this great green color.  It is my favorite color that I have found on Haeger.  I believe this is either piece number 5 or 6 that I have in this finish.

This Hall teapot may have been my best find of the day.  It is in great shape and it was only $2!  Woo Hoo!

I was pleased to find this little aqua painted milk glass piece was marked Glasbake on the bottom.  I love the shape.  Looks like a good container to fill with all those pesky pennies that I hate carrying around.

I even managed to make it home with a new Christmas decoration!  I'm not usually a fan of art glass, but this Murano glass tree almost changed my mind.  Almost.  I do like this piece, but still didn't care for the numerous other pieces of art glass at the auction.

Have a great Tuesday!