Crazy 4 my collectables

Peggy Sue Car Show

June 13, 2019 By: Fan

Hubby and I always look forward to the annual Peggy Sue Car Show and Cruise here in lovely Sonoma County. The car show features some of the most exquisite American classic cars and is so much fun. This year it was very hot and I don’t know if it was because of the heat but the turnout seemed smaller in terms of cars and attendees. Nonetheless there were some beauties we saw and I posed by them all. Here are some pictures captured by my sweet hubby Gary Greco and I hope you enjoy them.

I wore my fun Poodle themed dress, red cardi and my pink cadillac Kate Spade purse which matched up pretty nicely with the stunning 1959 pink Cadillac El Dorado!!

adillac El Dorado!!

1950s Chevy Bel Air - Yasmina Greco — 1950s Chevy Bel Air – Yasmina Greco

1959 Cadillac El Dorado - Peggy Sue Car Show Yasmina Greco — 1959 Cadillac El Dorado – Peggy Sue Car Show Yasmina Greco

Four Ways: One Dress, Styled Four Ways, Love Ur Look London

June 9, 2019 By: Fan

Yasmina Greco Love Ur Look Retro Pinup Dress Crazy4Me 1950s Atomic

Summer is just around the corner here in California so that means cool mornings, hot days, and cooler night temperatures and these kinds of temperatures can be hard to dress for. I am going to introduce you to a brand that I recently became acquainted with Love Ur Look London and today I am sharing the beautiful 1950s Atomic Dress that has become one of my go-to dresses for summer.

Yasmina Greco Love Ur Look Retro Pinup Dress Crazy4Me

Love Ur Look is very size inclusive with a range from Small – 5XL and in these photos I wasn’t sure what size dress would fit so I ordered from the size chart and 4XL would fit my bust so that is the size I am wearing in the 1950s Atomic Dress. I don’t want you getting hung up on size as most important is to find a dress you love and look great in that makes you feel beautiful no matter what the size on the tag says.

I love the print on the 1950s Atomic Dress with the starbursts and pops of red, green and yellow. The dress arrived rather quickly from the UK to me all the way in California. The cut on the bodice and the top has so much attention to detail and the dress is lined, made of cotton and the skirt is a perfect circle with ample fabric that holds the most stunning shape. There are also hidden pockets and a belt. I was so impressed by how well made this dress was and how comfortable it was to wear, the fit was perfect on my curvy figure, I tied the waist to take in the fabric and the style really flatters my shapes. The cap sleeves too look so pretty and I didn’t feel self-conscious wearing the dress without a cardigan.

For three of my looks I styled different colored cardigans, petticoats, and shoes to complement the colors in the dress. I love how easy it is to mix and match colors and accessories. Adding a necklace, earrings and purse can also be a great way to accessories the dress.

For the sweltering hot days of summer this dress is perfect because it is 100% cotton and will breathe and the style of the bodice, skirt and sleeves makes it so effortless to wear and you’ll look chic and stylish with minimal effort.

I can’t wait for my next Love Ur Look dress and skirt and am already making my lust list of what I need. I hope you give Love Ur Look a try as the clothing is incredibly high quality, sizes 0-24 curve friendly sizing, and has the retro vintage pinup style that makes dressing effortless and you’ll look gorgeous and feel beautiful!!

All pictures by my sweet hubby Gary Greco

Gnomes Dolores Dress

May 29, 2019 By: Fan

To me Gnomes have almost a fairytale like charm to them; they are mysterious, mischievous, and adorable. When I first laid eyes on this Gnome print dress from the latest collaboration between vintage inspired Collectif Clothing UK and ModCloth it seemed like the perfect novelty print match and I was so excited to get this Collectif x MC Copacetic Charm Midi Dress in Gnomes on my body.

The dress style is the Dolores dress from Collectif and it seems to naturally be cut for a large bust and girls with curves. It is incredibly comfortable and very figure flattering. The Gnome and mushroom print is so sweet and bright, it is perfect on the navy blue background. The details of this dress are so well done with the elasticized cap sleeves, pleated and buttoned neckline and the fit and flare silhouette make it light and can easily be paired with a petticoat for additional fluff. In these photos I am not wearing a petticoat. My accessories are very simply with red shoes to play off of the red mushrooms in the dress.

The Dolores is such an easy to wear style that has so much vintage inspired charm. I am wearing the dress in UK 20 to fit my bust but I will size down next time, as it is a very stretchy dress while keeping my hourglass shape. I can see many more Dolores styles in my future and they will be easy to dress up with different colored cardigans, handbags and shoes. Hurry and snap up this Collectif x MC Copacetic Charm Midi Dress in Gnomes as it is nearly all sold out!!

All pics by my sweet hubby Gary

Under the Sea: Collecting Vintage 1950s Mermaids and Fish

May 18, 2019 By: Fan

Yasmina Greco Vintage Mermaid Collection Crazy4Me

I am having a grand time enjoying my vintage mermaid and fish collection. These pictures are some of my collection I wanted to share with you. 1950s mermaids are so fabulously retro and kitschy that I am completely obsessed with them and have spent years scouring antique shops, flea markets, estate sales and online market places for the hopes of finding one of these rare sirens of the sea.

Thanks to the resurgence in the antiques and collectibles market this year after a 3-4 year slump, it’s a great time to start your vintage mermaid collection or adding-to an existing collection. In this post I am going to share some tips that have really helped me grow my collection and negotiate the best prices for these rare beauties and I hope you’ll screenshot this post and tag me on social media @crazy4me and let me know if you found it helpful. I’d also love to see the vintage mermaid treasures you are finding!!

Let’s start with a little background on vintage mermaids and the makers and manufacturers who made these so you are armed with knowledge on true vintage mermaids and not reproductions. And yes, even when it comes to vintage mermaids there are now reproductions in the market. The 1940s-1950s was the manufacturing heyday for these vintage mermaids and fish. Many of our mothers and grandmothers could buy these at the local five and dime and even at souvenir shops across the US and they were usually hung in the bathroom and around the vanity as it was lovely decor and most mermaids and fish produced were wall plaques.

Vintage Lefton Mermaid, Vintage PY Seahorse, Vintage Norcrest Mermaid, Vintage Umbrella Mermaid — Vintage Lefton Mermaid, Vintage PY Seahorse, Vintage Norcrest Mermaid, Vintage Umbrella and Parasol Mermaids

There were many potteries in California up and down the coast (the great California potteries of the 1940s-1950s) making these mermaids and fish such as Arnels, Ceramic Craft, Deforest, Florence Ceramics, Gilner, Freeman-McFarlin, Kay Finch, and Tropic Treasures. There were also manufacturers in Japan during this time producing incredibly high quality, hand painted, and embellished mermaids and fish like Artmark, Bradley Exclusives, CNC, Enesco, Josef Originals, Kelvin Exclusives, Lefton, Nameth, Napco, Norcrest, PY, Holt Howard, and Ucagco. Many potteries and manufacturers would stamp their items and include numbers and many would put their company name on a foil label and glue it to the back of the item. If the item were made in Japan it would usually have a stamp but it is not uncommon to find some really rare pieces with no markings or labels.

Yasmina Greco Vintage Mermaid Collection Lefton Norcrest

You can find vintage mermaids with blonde hair, red hair, and brunette hair. Some have the sweetest and cutest little faces and expressions and I think that is really what their appeal is. Mermaids can come with bubbles, parasols, with many different colored tailfins, and even riding on seahorses to really give the collector that ‘under the sea’ theme. Merboys (boy mermaids) are very rare to find (especially the German made ones) so keep your eyes open for these as well. Vintage mermaids can also be found as salt and pepper shakers, figurines, and aquarium figures that are usually 1-2 inches and made from either bone china or a ‘bathing beauty’ from the 40s-50s and made in Japan. You can also find vintage mermaids as vases and planters and even mugs or cups.

5 Tips for Collecting Vintage Mermaids and Fish

Top Makers to Look for: Napco, Lefton, Bradley, Joty, Kay Finch, Freeman-McFarlin, Norcrest, PY, Holt Howard. Tags and stamps intact.
Quality: Well modeled and painted features. Lots of details in the face and tailfin.
Damage: Tailfins not broken or repaired or chipped, fingers not broken or repaired. Hair not broken or chipped.
Fish and Seahorses: No missing rhinestones to eyes, no broken or repaired tails. Some seahorses and dolphins have chains so mermaids can ride them, is the chain intact and original. And they have rhinestones eyes in tact and not missing.
Price: There is so much demand for the vintage mermaids today and that has really driven up the price. Expect to pay on average for a Lefton or Norcrest vintage mermaid wall plaque that is 5-6 inches $125-$150. Ebay has really seen an uptick in auctions, you can still score an amazing mermaid for a fair price but you need to pay attention and be diligent. Best offers can also work in your favor. Facebook collector groups and Instagram seem to be the new trends in buying collectibles today so join these groups and get to know the sellers and members and it can work in your favor as well. If you are at a flea market or antique shop offering cash can get you a better price 20-25% off in many cases.

All pics of my collection by my sweet hubby Gary

Mermaid top by Voodoo Vixen

Mermaids I have for sale: Ebay

The Pyrex, Lefton Bluebird, Holt Howard, Catherineholm T-Shirt – a Collector’s Dream

May 14, 2019 By: Fan

The tee says it all “Searching for Treasure”, because that is what flea markets, estate sales, junking, thrifting, picking and antiquing are all about!! Tee features exclusive one-of-a-kind artwork that is screen printed onto a super soft and comfortable t-shirt. Art includes vintage Pyrex starburst, snowflake, and Catherineholm Lotus, Lefton and Topline Imports Bluebirds, and the beloved Holt Howard Pixieware jars with the tagline Searching for Treasure.

Pyrex, Bluebird, Holt Howard, Flea Market T-Shirt

This is the PERFECT tee for all you treasure hunters and if you have friends or loved ones that are Pyrex obsessed or consumed with collecting then this tee will make the perfect gift. You will not find a tee like this in any department store!! This is truly a masterpiece and will transport you to mid-century modern heaven.

Visit Crazy4MeStyle.com for this tee and a fabulous selection of retro and vintage inspired Pinup tees.

9 to 5 Chic – Curvy Woman in Tech

May 4, 2019 By: Fan

Yasmina Greco - Work Wear — Yasmina Greco – Work Wear with a Retro Twist

As a woman in tech in San Francisco it’s easy to fall into the world of free conference t-shirts and hoodies but I prefer colorful outfits that embrace my personality and I describe my style as classic with a retro twist.

My wardrobe staples are dresses and skirts that nip you in at the waist, cardigans and colorful accessories like vintage purses, shoes and jewelry. I add a brooch to tops and dresses so my cleavage is office appropriate and my outfits are generally very comfortable and effortless so dressing as a curvy women is easy with these wardrobe staples and I am ready for meetings and working with my global team.

Monday

Yasmina Greco - Curvy Work Wear — Yasmina Greco – Curvy Work Wear

Monday

I prep for my upcoming week on Sunday making sure my work schedule and game plan are set. Hubby and I run errands and we might stop in at one our favorite antique shops or pizza parlors for some lunch and treasure hunting. Outfits are washed and ironed and ready for the week. Monday comes too fast but a 4 shot espresso hubby makes gets us moving. I usually wear slacks paired with a vintage style top and blazer as it can be hectic and intense at the office with meetings, lunch at my desk, and stopping in and checking on projects and people that are multiple floors away.

Tuesday

Tuesday’s are very busy and full of unexpected meetings and conference calls so wearing a skirt and blouse keeps me comfortable and ready to make decisions and take on what the day brings.

Yasmina Greco - Curvy Office Outfit — Yasmina Greco – Curvy Work Wear Women in Tech

Wednesday

Yasmina Greco - Curvy Office Clothes — Yasmina Greco – Curvy Office Clothes

Another day of meetings and conference calls. Again, a blouse and skirt are my go-to. I add a cardigan for when the office air conditioning gets too cold. In keeping with the retro style I love circle skirts because they are comfortable and feminine and have so much style and charm. I will also wear novelty print skirts and usually receive so many compliments from my colleagues.

Thursday

Yasmina Greco - Curvy Work Wear Women in Tech — Yasmina Greco – Curvy Work Wear Women in Tech

Thursday’s are full of impromptu meetings and ‘hallway conversations’ where I love discussing new ideas with my team and colleagues. Again, I maintain my retro vibe with a pussybow blouse and pencil skirt .

Friday

We made it to Friday!! I am usually working out of the office on Friday’s and love to take my conference calls from around town where I can get some delicious lunch and spectacular views too all while taking care of business. A casual Friday outfit for me consists of denim, a comfortable top or cape (retro vibe) if it is is cool outside and a fab pair of tennis shoes to keep me moving.