Crazy 4 my collectables

Review: Whistle Stop Antiques in Santa Rosa

February 18, 2019 By: Fan

It was a beautiful sunny weekend but windy and cold. Dressing in layers is always a good idea when antiquing as well as bringing a great tote bag to carry your treasures home in. I had a comfy warm coat on; my favorite new tote bag and my Hell Bunny pinup dress so I was feeling fantastic for a day of antiquing.

I am so excited to tell you about a fabulous multi-dealer antique mall located in the heart of downtown Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square called Whistle Stop Antiques. Visiting Railroad Square would make for a great day trip if you are looking to spend the day in wine country as you drive up from San Francisco. Whistle Stop is located on trendy 4th street next to restaurants and shops and has nice spots for lunch or dinner and wine tasting.

Whistle Stop Antiques is located in a 2-story brick building that has so much charm and was built after the 1906 San Fancisco earthquake. Whistle Stop is a multi-dealer mall (my fave) and has a variety of treasures because no two booths are ever alike. Whistle Stop Antiques is very clean and well lit and the staff is super friendly and helpful so you do not have to wait, and wait, for someone to come by and offer to open up a glass case. You will find a vast selection of vintage ephemera and vinyl, antique furniture and toys, fun retro kitschy kitchen goodies, lots and lots of costume jewelry from the 40s-60s, vintage cameras, vintage sports memorabilia, and mid-century modern furniture and lighting.

This past weekend my husband and I scored some great finds at Whistle Stop and I was so thrilled to find this vintage Dean Martin record. Some of our favorite scores have been a Philco Predicta TV, Pyrex, 1950s mermaid wall plaques and Carlo of Hollywood paintings. If you are a collector, are into antiques or love the flea market then Whistle Stop Antiques is a place you won’t want to miss.

All pictures by my sweet hubby Gary

Valentines Day Outfit Inspiration that’s Cupid Approved

February 10, 2019 By: Fan

This year it felt like retailers really didn’t get into the Valentines Day spirit. I didn’t see very many outfits with hearts or lips and very few red or pink dresses. Also, being a curvy girl I found the selection of Valentines Day outfit sizing to be on the smaller side this year and although I waited till it was nearly too late in the hopes that my go-to brands would come out with something, they didn’t, so, I decided I’d reach into my fabulous wardrobe and put my own Valentine inspired outfit together.

For those that have followed my blog for a while you know how much I love themed and novelty prints. What better outfit could I wear then my vintage inspired Valentines Day circle skirt and my ruby red sweetheart top!! I love the combination and the way my hubby shot the outfit. I added a fluffy pink petticoat for lush fullness under my skirt and wore my pink shoes along with adding my sweet sweater that goes perfectly with the novelty print of the skirt.

Even our Mid-Century Modern set was all ‘sweet and love’ inspired from the pink drapes to the vintage pink Pyrex!! Red roses, pink flowers, and heart-shaped box of chocolates. Love was definitely in the air for our Valentines Day photoshoot. If you are in a relationship or single, Valentines Day is the perfect day to get dresses up in a fun outfit and go out!!

All pics by my sweet hubby Gary Greco

Top: Sophia by Steady Clothing

Skirt: The Oblong Box Shop

Sweater: Sweet Sweater – Heart of Haute

Shoes: Baitfootwaer

Winking Honey

January 30, 2019 By: Fan

I am so excited to share my latest design with you all. Many of you know I have my little shop Crazy4Me Style that has a great collection of vintage inspired tops and accessories and today my latest design Winking Honey just landed. My Winking Honey top is my most versatile design yet and can easily be worn under blazers and cardigans for work or add a circle skirt or pencil skirt for some retro flair and, it also pairs nicely with jeans or leggings for a fun casual outfit.

My Winking Honey top is screen printed with custom artwork featuring stunning red lips and a winking eye with long eyelashes on a baby blue ribbed scoop neck top that is so very soft and stretchy. I am thrilled to offer my tops in regular and plus sizes 2-20 for all you honeys!! I wear the curvy size XL and it hugs my curves perfectly. Hurry and snap yours up while they last.

All pics by my sweet hubby Gary

Retro Glamour by Phoenix Optical and Eric Jean Eyewear

January 21, 2019 By: Fan

I usually wear glasses when working at my computer and recently my peepers needed a bit of an update so that meant a new pair of eyeglass frames. My hubby Gary gifted me for Christmas with new frames from an exclusive eyewear boutique in Petaluma called Phoenix Optical and when I opened my gift I was over the moon thrilled and excited as he packaged it into a vintage 1950s advertisement for glamorous eyewear complete with $100 bills made into origami hearts. I really do have the sweetest and most generous hubby!!

Being the vintage vixen that I am, not just any old pair of frames would do. We stopped into Phoenix optical the day after Christmas and took a look at their high-end collection of frames, which are amazing. The staff at Phoenix Optical is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable working right along with you to fit you with the best frames for your face shape and personality. Phoenix Optical has a vast collection of vintage eyewear dating to the 1930s and they also custom make shapes, colors, materials and finishes. As with most things in life, it is the attention to detail that matters and Phoenix Optical lives up to that.

I love retro glamour and all things 1950s so I was immediately drawn to the cateye frames. Phoenix Optical also has a stunning selection of genuine horn and acetate frames and a great retro selection with lots of 1930s-1980s styles. Here I am trying on a few beautiful 50s styles and let me tell you just how hard it was to select a pair of frames. I ended up falling in love with these forest green beauties designed by French eyewear designer Eric Jean in Paris, France. Back in the 1980s Eric Jean was a stylist for Valentino, Oscar De La Renta, Nina Ricci and Alain Mikli. Eric Jean’s eyewear is handcrafted with the best acetate plates, sophisticated color designs, circular geometric patterns and are handmade.

The friendly team at Phoenix optical measured my head/face perfectly and was even able to get my lens prescription filled and within a few short days I returned to pick up my glasses. The fit is fabulous, there was no need to bend or twist or adjust, I put them on and they felt incredibly comfortable. Now, I want to wear my beautiful glasses all the time. If you live in the Bay Area and are in need of new glasses or just want to update your eyewear then I highly recommend Phoenix Optical for you to stop in and check out. Phoenix optical has a couple locations to serve you around San Francisco and the North Bay. Let me know which frame(s) you select???

All pics by my sweet hubby Gary

The Prettiest Curvy Girl Floral Spring Dress

January 13, 2019 By: Fan

I know it is snowing even blizzarding in many parts right now but living in California we are truly blessed with gorgeous weather. This weekend it felt like Spring was in the air and I was so excited to wear my new Marie Dress in Olive Flora from one of my very favorite brands Heart of Haute and even made a little video for you all here.

I have featured many fabulous outfits from Heart of Haute on my blog from the Betsey Blouse, to the Donna Dress, to the Dragonfly Marie Dress, and also the Amanda Dress. I love Heart of Haute so much because they make such beautiful clothing for sizes XS-4X and have the vintage flair in all their designs. I know I can always order my standard 2X size and I will look chic and fashionable in it.

I have loved the Olive Flora pint in the Marie dress since it came out and it is even prettier in person!! The colors of the flowers and print are beautiful and bright. The front and back have a V-neck and the skirt is a nice full swing skirt with tie belt and pockets. The cut of the bodice is exquisite and enhances my curvy shape. The Marie really does look great on all body types. I styled the dress without a petticoat as the skirt has beautiful movement and enough fullness and added my cardigan Sweet Sweater in orchid color (also from Heart of Haute and they stock a lot more colors) and my orchid colored heels. I felt like a radiant blooming flower!! The Marie dress is so comfortable and made of very high quality cotton so it can be worn for all seasons. You can mix and match cardigans and shoes, wear it in summer without a sweater even. Add tights, boots and coat for colder months. You can go from desk to dinner in the Marie dress with ease and how about wearing this stunning dress to a wedding, get ready for compliments!!

Spring is just around the corner and Heart of Haute is already releasing some stunning prints and styles here on their New section. You can view all the Marie dresses here and the Marie I am wearing in Olive Flora is on sale so hurry and snap yours up before they are all gone!!

All pics by my sweet hubby Gary Greco

The World of Charles and Ray Eames at Oakland Museum of California (OMCA)

January 1, 2019 By: Fan

Hubby and I spent the most amazing day at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). This post can go on and on because there was so much to see and do at OMCA and I don’t want to overwhelm you all so I am keeping it to sharing some of the highlights only.

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is located between Lake Merritt and downtown Oakland, California and is a mid-century modern architectural masterpiece. You will see thoughtfully curated exhibits and the most awe-inspiring rooftop tiered gardens and sculptures with a prime view of the lake and downtown Oakland. So plan your trip to the museum with time to spend in the garden.

We had heard OMCA had The World of Charles and Ray Eames exhibit going on and being the mid-century modern lovers we are we were super excited to experience it. The exhibit is incredibly interactive so dress knowing you can sit, stand, recline, and experience first hand the furniture, the films, the slide shows and more. Lots of personal items from Charles and Ray were on exhibit so we got to see handwritten cards and letters and personal photos. New inventions from the era like the Polaroid SX70 Camera were on display as well as the informative advertisements and movies about it. A detailed slide show of The Powers of Ten and the Relative Size of Things along with an in-depth look at IBM Pavilion at the NY World’s Fair 1964-1965, the making of the Eames Fiberglass Chairs I found to be particularly interesting and there was so much more to see and experience.

I will be doing a followup post with more pics and videos that show the art and science exhibits and more of the fabulous gardens. I can’t wait to return to this amazing museum.