Vintage Levi's and bonus Jean nostalgia

How come when you can't find something anymore it becomes more desirable to you? It seems you can no longer find jeans without 'stretch.' The problem with them is, if they fit well in the change room, they don't stay that way. They start to 'bag out' once you wear them.  Not so with the jeans of my youth. 

I was intrigued by a pair of Levi's I saw in the vintage store for only $11, with all the tags attached. I didn't buy them right then, but overnight I thought they would probably fit me. I went back and they did fit!

They are super high waisted, and are made (in Canada!) of really thick, unyielding denim. I think I should be able to get away with wearing them with a longer top without it looking too weird.  My internet research on them didn't dig up anything about them. I can't tell from the label if they are late 70s or early 80s.  What do you think?

And thinking about jeans, since living in Alberta I've come across a few references to the Great Western Garment Co. which operated a factory in Edmonton until 2004.  Apparently, it was one of the only places that hired non-English speaking women.  When I was a kid a popular brand, the "GWG's" came from there. I think I had a white pair in the mid-1980s.  Check out a commercial from that era:

May Long Going-ons

I had a glorious long weekend.  Went to a friend's for Friday night libations, shopped Saturday for long-weekend necessities (see below), went for a bike ride along the river on Sunday, and gardened Monday.

We've been looking for a patio dining table for a few weeks, but were limited by two factors. First, price.  And second, I wanted something bright and white, like on Magnum P.I. Which I've been watching on Netflix in anticipation of our trip to Maui in December (this is why we have to scrimp on the patio furniture).  Almost every outdoor scene has great white, multi-coloured and yellow furniture.  It looks 'happy' to me.  See? (all images from magnum-mania.com)

  I've scoured websites and popped into stores, but unlike the selection of white furniture apparently available in 1983, all there really is now is brown, grey, black and khaki-coloured sets.  On Saturday, I had a feeling I might find something at the Habitat for Humanity Restore.  We hadn't been before, but I was able to convince Hus to go.  Success!  We found this white table for $5!

It is a little scratched up on top.  I might give it a paint later in the summer.  We purchased these folding chairs at Canadian Tire.  So far, I am happy with them.  And such a happy green!  Not shown is a yellow patio umbrella.  I 'hacked' these Ikea soap dishes, with Hens and Chicks for a table topper....

I did some other gardening.  I planted an herb garden...

 And wanted to plant flowers, but then realized none of my other planters made the move last summer.  No worry, my next door neighbour was having a garage sale and I found some awesome '60s or '70s planters.... $1 each....

Deer!  One is perched on the stump of the overgrown fir next to the door that Hus cut down last summer.  Check out the crazy cross-eyes on this one...

Here is a picture of the front of our house...

All of this gardening was really tiring, and I was baking in the warm sunshine. So we went for cervezas and I got this free hat.  Perfect for more gardening!

Here is my gardening assistant modelling it....

Looking forward to more sunny days and cervezas this summer!

A few weeks worth of garage sale/thrift store treasures

Here are some random things I've purchased over the last few weeks.  Okay, months. 

I think I bought these vintage mini-serving forks and knives (sorry - Dinkee knives) way back in February.     

Why? Because I always fantasize about inviting people over and serving appetizers.  But, I've been too busy to do it, and we don't really have many friends here yet.  And, I loved that they had their original boxes and were only $1.99 at Value Village.

More recently, I went to the Salvation Army and found these great hard-board placemats.  

They were a little pricey at $8.99, but are brand-new and I've been looking out for some for years.  When we went to England several years ago, all the B&B's had these placemats.  So sturdy and easy to wipe off!  Now, if I could only find Linda McCartney vegetarian sausages here!  They are the best.

Last weekend our next door neighbour had a garage sale, and I snagged this '70s footstool for my retro rumpus room and bar for $5 bucks.

Her husband had added wheels to the bottom; I may take them off. I'm not sure yet.  And she threw in this 1975 Avon perfume pin! 

I'll have to find someway to incorporate it into Easter decorations next year.  That means I'll actually have to put up Easter decorations.

Storage Area Shelving

We've been organizing a corner of our basement.  

Actually, first Hus had to destroy a corner of our basement!  Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures, but one corner had a cold room and a creepy little darkroom circa late 1960s. Our nephew immediately dubbed it the 'kill room' since there was a shower stall immediately outside of it (He's a Dexter fan).  Well the creepiness started to get to us, especially since there was no window in the room, but  the outside of the house has one where the room is!  Who puts walls over windows?  Also the coldness was starting to get to us.  The cold room was immediate below our rather chilly bedroom.  So over a few weekends, Hus pulled it all out.  The dark room was so shoddily built, that he didn't even need tools!

Lo and behold, the window that the wall was erected over, was open a crack.  For over forty years! In Edmonton! It gets cold here; this weekend it hit a low of -38 celsius!  So with the window now closed and air circulating throughout our basement, our house is much warmer and cozier.

But where to put all of our storage?  Another trip to Ikea for utility shelving.  But I wanted to incorporate something 'vintage' from the mess that we pulled out, so we saved this groovy, psychedelic shelf liner to gussy up the boring shelving:

And I cut out some bunting for the shelving:

Close up:

This is the extent of my DIY decorating skills.  At least everything is contained now, in a non-creepy space.

Trio of Tables

When we moved provinces this summer, we came dining table-less.  We now have three places to sit (four - if you count TV trays at the couch).

We needed something immediately, so IKEA came to the rescue to furnish our kitchen in August.

It is a small space, so we bought this bamboo-veneered table.  A better picture is here.  Since the two ends flip up it has come in handy the few times we've had guests.  We decided on the Sigurd chairs, which have a great design but aren't the most comfortable to sit in.

Then in October, I decided that I needed some cheap seating for my 70s rumpus room basement bar.  Not wanting to spend much, I found this vintage '50s metal card table on kijiji.  I had never seen anything like this before.  It's in pretty good condition, and made by Cooey Metal Products.  Due to the wonders of the internet I found out that the company operated on Ontario from 1941 to 1989.  Unfortunately, the plant contaminated the site, which the province is still trying to get cleaned up.

The weird thing is, is two weeks after I bought the table, Hus came home with two of the same card tables in red (no chairs).  He got them for free while helping clean out an office at his work.  One is in our basement pantry now, and the other is in the garage awaiting a purpose.  

And just two weekends ago, I found a use for the money that I made at our moving-out yard sale in the summer.  It took months and months of trolling on kijiji, but I finally found a '60s teak dining set!

The solid top comes off and two "wings" come out from the ends to expand the table.  I'm not in love with the mushroom colour upholstery, but that can be changed at some point.  The important thing is that it is in great condition, was a reasonable price, and is small enough to fit in the space.  We had to pass over so many beautiful ones that would have just been too large.  Now I just have to find a buffet & hutch.  Hopefully it doesn't take another 8 months! 

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

....let it STOP!

Second time shovelling today!  Hus did the first round.  But the shovelling is easier in Alberta compared to the North Coast of BC where the snow comes down sodding wet and heavy.  I am also sporting my new (yes, brand new for once!) Calvin Klein parka.  At least I got it on a 50% off sale.  I am thinking that I am going to need the hood once the temperature drops some more (its about -10 C today).  

The wintery, Christmas-y title of this post also suits some of my recent thrift finds:

Like this circa-1978 embroidered picture.  If I can't get cold chills from looking out my window, I can get them by looking at my wall!  Actually I think it is really well done and it goes well with our minty-green walls.  I think I paid 5 bucks.

Maybe I'll be in the kitchen with the blinds closed, and want a reminder of the snow...

....I only have to look at my circa-1980 table centrepiece!  Can you believe that all I need is an aluminum can to complete my snow friend?  That's my kind of crafting!

While I was scouring the Christmas wares at the Salvation Army, I also bought a few ornaments, 'cause I can't help myself.

There are quite a few pink balls in the box, although from the picture you can't tell them from the red ones.  I also liked these smaller ones.  

 

What to do while my house is being shown? Haunt the thrift stores!

The one hiccup in our upcoming move is that our current house has not sold yet.  I thought with our awesome kitchen renovation, that I blogged about here, new windows, roof etc. that it would have sold by now.  But no luck. We had one nut-job put a totally unacceptable offer on it,wanting it for a song and for us to finance the mortgage!  We turned it down flat, but he persisted to put in a second offer. Hopefully it will be the last, as it is a waste of time for both parties.

So the house showings continue, and I only have a few places to disappear to for 45 minutes to an hour at a time.  One of them is thrift stores (and garage sales on weekends)! Here are a few (easily packable) things I found at a garage sale the other week:

Danish Rosti salad servers for .10 cents!  With my new love of melamine, how could I turn these down?  And, I only have one set of salad tongs, so a second set is not extravagant.

And a needlepoint advent calendar (I cut off the first and last days of December in the photo).  Handmade for $1 dollar.  I thought it was very Scandinavian looking with the cute elven figures.  Can't say I love the placement of the one whose back is towards us, though.  Sorry, my mind often goes to the dirtiest places! And what is that he's holding?  A snow ball.  Now I'm not sure I'll be able to hang it up at all!

Happy Birthday to...

Me!

Bought a package of 8 of these vintage invites at
the Sally Ann for 25 cents

I wanted to show you these cute invitations I bought, but unfortunately I haven't sent them out.  My birthday wish this year is to be left alone.  I know that sounds horrible, but I've had a stressful few weeks and really just wanted some downtime.  So I took the day off today, haven't answered the phone or checked e-mail, slept in until 9:00, and didn't get out of my pyjamas until 2:00.  But, I'll take birthday greetings later tonight.
Tonight Hus will take me out for dinner, then we'll probably come home and start watching his gift to me.  Season one of Game of Thrones. 
I received a few other gifts some weeks ago when we were back in our hometown for Easter.  My sister gave me these really cute Matryoshka doll lunch containers, and my mother-in-law bought me the most awesome high-waisted sailor pants at Sears. My parents also bought me some new PJs. Thanks everyone!
Next year is the big 40, so that milestone birthday party will make up for this lack-lustre one!

Sundresses and Vanity Sizing/Size Inflation

Last Spring I thrifted a bunch of new (to me) sundresses, but they didn't see the light of day since we had such a horrid and cold summer in British Columbia.  But, when we went to Mexico in February, I finally got to wear them.  Hopefully, I'll get more chances this summer.  Two are vintage (late 1980s) and the other one is newer - but all are made in Canada.
First the vintage ones...

 I got this one at a clothing swap fundraiser for a donation of $2.  Made by Les Mode Jolibel Inc, is is 100% cotton.  Notice how snug and well-fitting it is?  Size 10.  It is totally something I would have worn back in the day.  When my mom (who was in Mexico with us) saw it, she said I looked like I did back in the 1980s.  I take that as a complement!

 This one was purchased at Value Village in Coquitlam, BC for about $17. I love the pattern.  Although it feels like linen, it is also 100% cotton made by Seaqueen beachwear and swimwear.  I have a little shrug that dresses it up nicely.  It is also a size 10.  I also love that both of these vintage dresses have pockets.  So handy!

And finally the new one....

 This is Joseph Ribkoff, a Canadian design house that has been around since 1957.  Purchased at Value Village in Prince George, BC for about $15.  No pockets, and a synthetic material.  It also fits my torso well, but as compared to the size 10 1980s dresses, this one is a size 4!  Obviously, there is some discrepancy here.

And it is not just this dress. I have recently purchased a pair of jeans in a size 4, a few skirts, and many tops.  There is some controversy whether this trend is 'vanity sizing' (manufacturers purposely putting smaller sizes on clothing so vain consumers purchase the clothing) or 'size inflation' (manufacturers changing their sizing to reflect today's 'average' which is heavier and taller than it used to be).  Of course, studies show that even men's trousers (ostensibly measured in inches) do not reflect an accurate measurement.  A size "31" may actually measure as a "35."

All I know is that I never wore a size 4 when I reached adulthood and started shopping for myself.  Twenty years later, even with changing sizes, I still can't think of myself as a size 4.  I prefer to think of myself as a perfect (size) 10! Ha Ha! 

Friday's Freebie: Mid-Century Coffee Table

Somehow I neglected to post about this awesome 'freebie' that Hus and I received from his sister in the summer.  It is a teak and tile coffee table Hus's stepfather bought in the 1970s from a Danish interior store.  Hus's sister had it for a few years, and with two rambunctious boys, it is a little worse for wear from dribbled chocolate milk and the like.  She decided to give it up to us before it got any more damaged.

Now we have to do some research about how to refinish or refresh the teak.  

Vintage Baubles for Me; Vintage Decorations for my House

Here are a few things I purchased over the last week from garage sales and the thrift store.  I am still finding vintage jewellery to add to my collection.  Below is a golden Coro brooch, a red enamel one, and a strand of tiny irregular pearls.

I've already worn the pearls several times, and the Coro brooch once.  At the same garage sale I found this good quality bedskirt, so I paid $15.50 for the lot.

Perhaps that is a little much, but I was already looking for a bedskirt for my newly repainted bedroom and didn't think I could find anything close to this at conventional stores.
At a different garage sale I came home with something that I didn't need....

....this plastic, orange, mushroom-shaped 70s lamp.  I am a sucker for the colour orange, and since such things are so rare, I couldn't leave it behind.  Afterwards I told Hus I had buyer's remorse and he wondered how much I had paid for it.  When I replied "three dollars" he looked relieved and reassured me that it was a neat find for that amount of money.  It is now residing in our office, and I expect it will stay there.


During the week I visited the thrift shop and found two plates for the decorating project I want to do in our stairwell.  

The top one is Myott, English china that I am unfamiliar with.  Don't you think it looks like a contemporary design?  But the stamp on the back looks like it is from the 1960s or 1970s.  And the bottom one is Kathie Winkle; the pattern is Calypso. A dollar each.
And finally I threw in these .25 vintage cupcake toppers.  (or at least that's what I assume they are)

I guess that commits me to making cupcakes next Valentine's Day!


I am linking this post of my thrifted finds to Flea Market Finds over at the blog 'Her Library Adventures.'

Shiny Thrifts for Christmas and gift giving

I also purchased a few Christmas things on my three month hiatus from this blog.  

Four older christmas ornaments from an antique shop for .75 cents each, and some mini-bulbs in the original box.  Someone came by and also wanted his picture taken at the same time, so here is a gratuitous dog photo....

Anyway back to the mini-bulbs.  I bought these at the Salvation Army.  I have to admit, I bought them mostly for the box, with its three-colour silk screen, 60s (?) font and the whimsical winter scene, but at a quarter this could be justified.

I'm sure I'll use them somewhere.  

I also bought a few Anchor Hocking dishes that my sister over at Carpe Diem Acreage is collecting.  She's been a great help in adding to my Kathie Winkle collection, and I'm happy to return the favour.

These came from the same antique store and Sally Ann as my Christmas stuff.  I got the side plate for only .50 cents, which my Sis tells me is a good deal.  Too bad she'll have to wait until Thanksgiving for me to deliver it!

Portobello Road Find

One of my destinations in London was Portobello Road Market to browse its vintage and antique shops.  We got there on one of our last days!  Here is the picture I made Hus take (we only had to wait for someone else taking the same picture to get out of the way).

Unfortunately, we didn't have incredible amounts of time that day, nor luggage space to do extensive shopping.  We took only one carry-on bag each.  I was, however, able to ferret away one small and cheap item - only 20p (about 30 North American cents).

It is a bread and butter plate by Biltons.  I am not planning to use it in the kitchen, but I loved the colours and have had a decorating project in mind using colourful and unique plates.  I want to use thrifted plates to add colour to my stairwell.  Here are a few pictures of what I have in mind...

I guess I have a lot of thrifting left to do since I only have this plate and one other for my project!  Hopefully I'll be able to find a Catherine Holm plate like the orange one in the top photo