antique | Crazy4Me - The Modern Bombshell Lifestyle by: Yasmina Greco

Have Yourself a Mid-Mod Christmas

December 23, 2020 By: Fan

Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Christmas Philco Predicta Television

Holiday wishes and mistletoe kisses, Merry Christmas everyone!! Hope you all are staying safe and healthy. It’s Christmas time once again!!

I can’t believe the weeks have flown by; I tell my hubby Gary that ever since Thanksgiving it has all been a blur to me and it’s gone by so fast. So I really can’t believe that this is post five in our six-part Vintage Christmas Collecting Series and, I think one of my favorite posts because not only are we talking about the key elements of a mid-century modern Christmas but also sharing holiday fashions from the 1950s-1960s with me as your festive model.

Retro Aluminum Christmas Trees:

Yasmina Greco Retro Christmas Aluminum Tree

You really can’t have a mid-mod Christmas without an aluminum tree. These are artificial trees that were made in the late 1950s to the mid 1960s and came in a variety of sizes with aluminum branches and needles. Some trees even have pom poms on the ends of their branches like my darling little aluminum tree in these photos. True vintage aluminum trees from the 50s-60s are a very hot collectible (and seem to be getting hotter every year) so prices are up there and you can pick up a vintage aluminum tree run from around $175 to over a thousand dollars, especially if they are colored aluminum like teal or green trees. There are companies today making reproduction aluminum trees in multi colors as well as kitschy pink trees at reasonable prices if a true vintage tree is out of reach.

Vintage Color Wheels:

Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Christmas

Retro aluminum trees are lighted up by a color wheel. I have one sitting on the floor right behind me in the above photo. The color wheel turns and shines colored light onto the tree and it really is lovely with the way the colors reflect off of the tinsel branches. You can find true vintage color wheels at antique shops and on Etsy and eBay for around $50-$300 with their original boxes and in working condition. Sometimes the cords/plugs need to be rewired for today’s standards so proceed with caution when you plugin a true vintage color wheel.

Vintage Shiny Brite Ornaments:

Now that our Mid-Century Modern Christmas tree is up and has lights, we need to decorate it. Ornaments made by Shiny Brite are my personal favorite and were made in the 40s-60s by ornament maker Max Eckardt who also started the Shiny Brite company in the late 1930s. Shiny Brite ornaments are a little different than the glass ornaments made during this time frame in that they are made of glass that has a special coating of silver nitrate and that makes them stay shiny much longer than the other ornaments from the era. True vintage Shiny Brite ornaments can have stenciling with Christmas scenes and words, the ornaments are usually brightly colored and can have sparkly mica flakes for embellishment and, they have a gold topper (can darker over the years) that is stamped “Shiny Brite Made in USA”.

Shiny Brite ornaments were made in a variety of sizes and box designs. Today, many vintage enthusiasts collect the boxes as the shapes and graphics make for wonderful additions to holiday decor and displays and add a sense of nostalgia. You can find vintage Shiny Brite ornaments in antique shops and online, an original box full ornaments in great condition can cost approx. $100 but you can find these ornaments regularly, especially during the holidays and right after (antique shops tend to have amazing bargain sales right after Christmas) and it is a great time to buy them. Single ornaments can cost $10-$25 depending on the decoration. Store your Shiny Brites with care as they are still made of glass and not shatter proof.

Mid-Century Modern Fashions:

Novelty prints were incredibly popular in the 1950s-1960s and nothing screams Mid-Mod Christmas more than holiday novelty prints on dresses, tops and skirts. I adore fashions from the 50s-60s, the Pinup Girl era because they are incredibly flattering, especially on a curvy girl. I love how they nip in your waist and have full circle skirts. You can add a petticoat for additional fluffiness. The outfits I am wearing in these photographs are not true vintage but reproductions as today we are fortunate to have a handful of companies making these styles from true vintage patterns and they are size inclusive (not tiny sizes like like they were in the era) The harlequin diamond pattern (pictures above) was widely seen on clothing in the 50s-60s and I absolutely love my red and green harlequin top and matching circle skirt.

Also, the fun holiday prints on these dresses features in this post are so colorful and I just love getting dolled up in them.

This novelty print ornament skirt is one of absolute favorites!! I adore the bright emerald green color and how all the ornaments are done in jeweled tones. My top is a very bombshell style from the 1950s and pairs perfectly with this skirt for one fabulous holiday outfit.

Yasmina Greco Vintage Bombshell Pinup GIrl — Yasmina Greco Vintage Bombshell Pinup Girl

Here’s a fun party dress that is very on point with the Pinup look. It is my denim blue dress with metallic flourishes, three quarter sleeves and a skirt that makes me want to twirl and twirl. I love the feminine details of the dress with the dainty and slim neckline and nipped wait.

Yasmina Greco Vintage Christmas Old Hollywood Pinup

As I mentioned, there are a few companies making these reproduction outfits in a wide range of sizes along with shoes and accessories so let me know if you’d be interested in a post and, you can pop over to my Instagram @crazy4me and see many more outfits of mine and how I style them.

Mid-Century Modern Television

As we wrap up our post, we need a Christmas movie to watch on our Philco Predicta Television set.

The Philco Predicta television is a dynamite looking mid-century marvel that was produced for a short time from 1958-1960 and boy-oh boy were we excited when we wandered into a local antique mall and bam, there it stood, and in working condition too. Our Philco swivel-screen consolette is just amazing and it sits right in our living room. The Predicta originally came in five colors and ours is the vermillion red color and it is complete with a shelf and brass legs. I really love the style of the Predicta as there is really nothing like it today. The picture quality is exactly what you might expect from a late 1950s television but the fact that it is still working is incredible. During the holidays we really enjoy turning it on and watching Christmas movies from yesteryear and it fills us with plenty of good cheer. There are a few folks around the country that actually do restoration work on these tvs and can get them back up and running for you so do an internet search to locate them. Restored working models can run $1,200+.

Upcoming Vintage Christmas Collecting Series:

Collecting vintage NOEL Christmas candleholders, figurines, and bells – November 27, 2020
Vintage Holt-Howard Christmas collectibles
Pretty Ladies – Vintage Christmas Head Vases and Planters
Collecting vintage Christmas angels
Have yourself a Mid-Mod Christmas
Collecting vintage Christmas year-round – January 2, 2021

Join our Vintage Kitschy Christmas Facebook Group and show off your favorite vintage Christmas collections, displays, thrifting and junking scores.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

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

September 9, 2016 By: Fan

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

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

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 – 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!!

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

July 22, 2016 By: Fan

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

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

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 – 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

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

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

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!!

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

December 16, 2015 By: Fan

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.

Things to know when antiquing in Petaluma

August 6, 2015 By: Fan

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.

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 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.

Happy 4th of July

July 4, 2015 By: Fan

Hope you are all having a wonderful 4th of July!! I will post pics from our trip to Sacramento and a fabulous antique mall with tons of retro and mid-century modern goodies in the next day. Stay safe!!