Tag Archives: antique

Review: Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print – The Full-Busted Pinup Girl’s Best Friend

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Yasmina Greco - Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print

           Yasmina Greco – Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print

Bright, happy, elegant, effortless, and colorful are all words I think of when I where this dress the Pinup Couture Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print and I am so happy I snapped it up when it was restocked at Pinup Girl Clothing. The print is amazing, one of the best novelty prints I have ever seen. Reminds me of 1950s Florida and I love that the oranges range in colors of yellow to bright orange and go from small to bigger on the hanging branches.

In these pictures that my wonderful hubby who does amazing things with vintage cameras over at Upcycled Classics snapped of me, I have my Pinup Couture Wicker Baguette Purse in lime green and added a simple yellow cardigan. I felt glamorous and chic, like I was on the Riviera. We snapped some pics on the front porch with fluffy puppy Luna then headed to a lovely outdoor antique and collectible show. I was comfortable and relaxed and received so many compliments.

Yasmina Greco - Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print

                           Yasmina Greco – Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print

The Jenny dress is one of my wardrobe staples and I don’t have nearly enough!! When you are a full-busted gal like myself it is very hard to find dresses that fit, have style, and have such great novelty prints and that is why the Jenny is a staple for me. I always feel put together and effortless. The dress is styled after the 1960s sundresses. The first thing you notice when you step into the dress is that the bodice is lined, boned, and fused. The lovely orange colored straps are adjustable so you can show as much or as little of your curves as you are comfortable with. Because of the adjustable straps and boning, the dress has incredible structure and will flatter a range of bust sizes, even those of us blessed with full-bust lines can comfortably wear this gorgeous dress and feel very put together and chic. The skirt on the Pinup Couture Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print is much like the Jenny skirts, a very full circle skirt and the material is a luxurious sateen that holds pleats and shape incredibly and this version even has pockets!! Zips nicely up the back and nips in your waist. Also, this one comes with a matching orange belt and that adds just the right amount of flair. Be prepared for lots of compliments!!

Yasmina Greco - Pinup Girl Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print - Pinup Couture Wicker Baguette Purse

 Yasmina Greco – Pinup Girl Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print –          Pinup Couture Wicker Baguette Purse

 

I am wearing the Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print in a 2XL (all my Jenny dresses are 2XL) and this size accommodates my full bust, yes, it is very roomy in the waist as I take XL in Jenny skirts but I love having the option of adding a belt to take in some of the excess fabric if I prefer, depending on how much waist definition I want that day.

Yasmina Greco - Pinup Girl Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print - Pinup Couture Wicker Baguette Purse

Yasmina Greco – Jenny Dress Orange Border – Pinup Couture Wicker Baguette Purse

Hurray and snap up the beautiful Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny Dress in Orange Border Print while sizes are in stock, you will be happy with it!!

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Recap: Portland Antique Show, Bernie Dexter Pinup Shop + More!

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Yasmina Greco - Pinup Girl Clothing

Yasmina Greco – Pinup Girl Clothing – Coffee to Start

That time of year again when I head to Portland, Oregon for the Largest Antique and Collectibles Show and this has now become a tradition for me and my sister who is in Oregon. Many of you may not know that I have a twin sister. We look exactly alike too!! I don’t post pictures with her because I respect her privacy, as she is not as social online as I am.

Yasmina Greco - Bernie Dexter Pinup Shop

Yasmina Greco – Bernie Dexter Pinup Shop

I recently learned that the Bernie Dexter pinup rockabilly store is right there in Portland so of course it was numero uno on my list!! I packed very light for the show so I only had a few dresses and I wore one of my beloved Retro Spec’d Vivian in ‘Walk in the Park‘ gorgeous poodle puppy dog border print dress with my vintage poodle purse.

Yasmina Greco - Bernie Dexter Pinup Shop

Yasmina Greco – Bernie Dexter Pinup Shop

The Bernie Dexter shop is located in downtown Gresham on Main Street which has a cute trendy old-townish feel with shops and restaurants all around. The morning sun was not cooperating so pics of the outside of the store were a little hard to take (I thank my niece for trying her very best) but I think you’ll get the idea. Doors open from 12pm-6pm. Once inside it was essentially surreal because the dresses and skirts you see online and drool over on social media are all right in front of you ready to be snapped up and taken home.

I’ve never had good luck fitting into Bernie Dexter styles. I didn’t think they are made for serious curves and large breasts, so, I was always a bit saddened because the prints are stunning and so many gals gush over their Bernie Dexter dresses but, they didn’t work on my body…until today when the awesome and helpful lady working at the Bernie Dexter store handed me a rare gem to try on in a magical style called Chelsea!!! I will do a review shortly on my new Bernie Dexter Chelsea dress because I want to let all the curvy /busty girls out there know that yes, they too can finally get a Bernie Dexter and why the Chelsea works on curvy girls….stay tuned for that post.

Bernie Dexter - Oregon Pinup Store

Bernie Dexter – Pinup Store

Here are some pictures of the inside of the shop that is so cute and charming decorated with a retro French – boutique vibe. It was great to see Pinup pics of Bernie decorating the shop. Adorable settee sofa and those racks upon racks of magical Bernie Dexter dresses!! The shop and dressing rooms are very clean and the lighting is great. The awesome staff really make it an ‘experience’ to shop there and I could see the other shoppers so excited to have their Pinup pictures taken by the staff in their Bernie Dexter dresses they were trying on. I left the Bernie Dexter shop elated with my new treasure!!

Yasmina Greco - Vintage Pink Portland

Yasmina Greco – Vintage Pink Portland

Vintage Pink is located in another trendy area of Portland called the Hawthorne District. I must say the weather in Portland was outstanding pretty much for the duration of my trip. Sunny and high 70s-low 80’s!! I love Vintage Pink and from the outside it’s hot pink color and atomic Mid-Century Modern decorations but I have not been timing my visits properly because the last couple times there, they have not yet opened. Vintage Pink is a multi-dealer reto, mid-mod, kitschy antique mall so each booth has something different. But, on this trip too, they were not yet open, maybe next time I’ll get there when they are open.

Depoe Bay - Oregon Coast

Depoe Bay – Oregon Coast

A lovely trip to the Oregon coast with a tasty visit to the Tillamook Cheese and Ice Cream Factory. Here are some pictures from Depoe Bay in Oregon. By the time we arrived it was getting a little cloudy but still we had so much fun. We stopped for some great espresso then walked along the shops and of course, we had to stop and get some fresh salt-water taffy – yummy!!

Saturday was the largest Portland Antique and Collectibles Show. Over 1,000 booths!! A couple hundred dealers outside and around 800+ inside. My sister and I arrive early so we can park and get in line. We have our strategy for maneuvering the show. This show really does have it all and something for everyone from vintage fashion, antiques, kitchen collectibles, ephemera, tin toys, furniture, atomic goodies, mid-century modern items, art, jewelry, glass, salvage etc… so much!!

Yasmina Greco - Portland Antique Show

Yasmina Greco – Portland Antique Show

Prices this year seemed higher than years past and in some cases double. Dealers were not negotiable today. I did however receive non-stop compliments on my Harlequin Jenny dress from Pinup Girl Clothing . Folks were excited by look and that was so sweet. I stopped for lots and lots photos. I did leave with some treasures and was excited to be getting back home to my husband whom I had been missing. It was a great trip full of laughter, junk food, and great memories!!

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5 Holiday Shopping Tips for Buying Mid-Century Modern, Antiques & Vintage Collectibles

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This is the time of year when we are all looking for gifts for our loved ones and friends and sometimes it seems that the ones with a passion for vintage, mid-century modern, and collectibles are the toughest ones to shop for and much of our shopping is done in antique shops where All Sales Are Final.

We are thrilled with our fantastic finds for that “someone special” until we get them home and then the dreaded “Oh No”, why didn’t I notice that before I bought it, comes out.

So, to save you some of the grief of the dreaded “Oh No”, below are 5 of my tips for holiday shopping in antique shops during this time of year.

5 Tips for Antique Mall Christmas Shopping

1.    Make sure you REALLY examine the item. Feel around the edges and nooks and crannies for chips, dings, fleabites and repairs.
2.    Have good lighting so you can see if paint color is missing or has been colored over with a Sharpie.
3.    If there is tape on the item remove it enough to get a good full look of what is underneath. Learn from my misfortune.  I recently purchased a gorgeous jam jar that had the lid taped on and when I got it home and took the tape off there were several cracks inside the jar and this was not disclosed on the tag and I would have seen this had I lifted the tape and looked inside the jar.
4.    If an item has the price tag tied on make sure to look all around and under the tag. Again, learn from my misfortune. I recently purchased a lovely vintage figurine from an Antique mall and the figurine had a price tag securely tied to the arm. When I got home and removed the tag is when I noticed the arm had been broken and re-attached and the string was covering this repair up.
5.    Smell your item(s). I know this sounds strange but smell your item. You would be amazed at the coats of paint and varnish vintage items receive prior to being put up for sale. To me, this is not ok when I am being lead to believe that I am purchasing a truly “vintage” or “antique” piece. If the seller has re-furbished the item they should state it on the tag. Also, varnish and paint can have a lingering odor for many days and if you intend to be giving the item as a gift the last thing you want is for your recipient to open it and be assailed with a whiff of varnish or paint.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Happy Holidays.

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Things to know when antiquing in Petaluma

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Petaluma Antiques

We went to Petaluma, CA for a Sunday of antiquing. It was so warm. I was excited as I got to wear a new dress of mine, the Dolores Doll in Atomic Flamingo print from Collectif Clothing London.  I loved the fit and that it has a vintage 50s circle skirt and lovely pink flamingos amidst a pattern of atomic mid-century modern starburst, tiki and fruits. I added a cherry necklace and red cardigan/belt and my wicker purse.

Atomic Flamingo Dolores Dress on Crazy4Me

Petaluma has some great antique shops, bookstores, and the downtown area is really clean, there are lots of restaurants and coffee shops and it’s a really nice place for families to spend time at.

We went to Vintage Bank Antiques on Petaluma Blvd. N. and it’s an old bank turned into a multi-dealer mall with lots of high end items and paintings along with some collectibles. Summer Cottage Antiques on Kentucky Street is a cute shop with lots of shabby chic and chalk painted furniture items. White Rose Antiques is another fun shop and it is located on the corner of H Street and Petaluma Blvd. and they have a lot of pottery and glass and also a nice selection of lamps. We stopped in at Sienna Antiques on Petaluma Bld. N. and it has a European flair of items from Italy and France with a nice selection of furniture, sculptures, painting, lighting, porcelains and pottery.

Petaluma Antiques Linen

 

Petaluma Antiques Chalk Paint

Petaluma is located North of San Francisco and it is wine country, you’ll see vineyards along the way as you drive up. Lots to see and do in Petaluma, you will have a nice visit.

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Pinup Girl Vintage Living

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Crazy4Me Pinup Girl Vintage Flamingo Circle Skirt

Happy Memorial Day blog friends!! A lot of exciting things have been happening and I wanted to share it with you. As many of you know, I love the 1950s-1960s and but what you may not know is that I have a real affinity for clothing of the 1950s. The 50s lifestyle; the values of yester-year where family, a glamorous wife, a handsome husband, and a beautiful home that was stylishly decorated and hearty dinners were served every day of the week all while wearing a beautiful dress, and having hair and makeup all done up. Wearing beautiful pinup girl dresses that have just the right cut and style to enhance women’s curves beautifully.  That magnificent cat-eye winged eyeliner and vintage victory roll hairstyles.

I am embracing the fashions, and have been wearing my vintage style circle skirts, pinup dresses, wiggle dresses, cardigans, and lovely stockings and heels. At first I wasn’t quite sure how to incorporate my new pinup girl look into the office atmosphere as my curvy figure in a wiggle dress (think more Joan Harris from Mad Men) or a pencil skirt and conservative though form fitting blouse would be way too much, I have been able to wear some pretty circle skirts with a blouse or cardigan and also some dresses. It does take a little more time getting ready for work in the morning especially when adding the vintage makeup touches of a cat-eye and putting on stockings and heels but I have to tell you that it feels fantastic! I feel pretty and feminine and proud to go to work. My former style was a pair of pants with a causal work appropriate top or sweater, and though I always put on my face and did my hair, wearing 50s pinup style dresses and skirts with heels just makes you feel so pretty. I also put my hair in a simple up-do or when my curly hair cooperates, I can pin the front and sides up a little to form a mini victory roll look. I am not quite ready for pin curls and curlers yet but stay tuned! I have also received so many compliments from female co-workers that want to know where I am getting my clothes. I work from home on occasion and love cooking dinner for my husband and I get my self all dolled up in a pretty pinup dress with petticoat for additional flair (think Betty Draper from Mad Men) who was prim and proper, looked so pretty in her 50s dresses that nipped in at the wait and were so flirty with the petticoats underneath. The twirling these dresses make you want to do  – oh my!!

Pinup Girl Clothing

Weekends are my favorite time as I can wear my fun pinup girl or swing dresses that are really curve hugging and enhancing!! I add a vintage handbag, sometimes a vintage chiffon scarf and of course the eyes and hair are all done up. I love wearing this look to the antique fairs and shows and when out at the antique and collectible shops. I have so much fun, the dresses are really comfortable while enhancing all my curves and I receive so many compliments.  I’m loving my classic pinup girl look!  My husband is so sweet and supportive and tells me how pretty I am!!

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