The Perfect Gingham Dress: A Review of Collectif’s Swing Dress

Yasmina Greco in Collectif Clothing Roberta Gingham Swing Dress
Yasmina Greco in Collectif Clothing Roberta Gingham Swing Dress

When I wear gingham, I feel like sunshine and picnics. Nothing says hello summer more than a pretty gingham dress. In fact, gingham is the biggest trend of the season and it never goes out of style. It’s the first weekend of June, and the weather couldn’t be more perfect for a day out with my sweet hubby Gary, so I am wearing my new 50s inspired Roberta Gingham Swing Dress from Collectif Clothing.

Yasmina Greco in Collectif Clothing Roberta Gingham Swing Dress
Yasmina Greco in Collectif Clothing Roberta Gingham Swing Dress

Collectif Clothing: Celebrating vintage styles UK-based Collectif Clothing offers a unique blend of vintage and retro-inspired styles, all designed with high-quality materials and an eye for timeless aesthetics. Their size-inclusive collections, which range from XS-22, elegantly celebrate every body shape and size, re-imagining the enchanting fashion of the 1940s and 1950s for the contemporary woman.

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The Best Antiques Guide Along Northern California’s HWY 101

Gin'gilli's Vintage Home
Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home

There’s something incredibly romantic about the open road. The scenic beauty, the freedom, the adventure. This 4th of July weekend, my sweet hubby Gary and I decided to immerse ourselves in just that romance, exploring the breathtaking Northern California’s Highway 101.

Encircled by lush vineyards and the intoxicating beauty of the wine country, this route is an adventurous blend of stunning nature and charming towns filled with hidden gems in the form of antiques shops and vintage home decor boutiques. Our journey was a fantastic one – the perfect blend of relaxation, sightseeing, and of course, treasure hunting for antiques and collectibles.

Our itinerary included three must-visit places: Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home in Geyserville, Mill Street Antiques in Cloverdale, and Country Porch Antiques in Hopland. So buckle up and get ready for a recounting of our treasure hunt along the beautiful highway!

Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home, Geyserville

Our first stop is the quaint town of Geyserville, home to the delightful Gin’gilli’s Vintage Home. As soon as you step inside this charming shop, you’ll find yourself transported to a bygone era. Its collection boasts an eclectic mix of antiques, salvage, furniture, vintage cameras and vinyl, vintage toys and collectibles, jewelry, vintage furniture, crafted creations, and distinctive home decor that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Every piece tells a story, from rustic farmhouse tables to Victorian-era curiosities and retro-inspired home accessories.

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Mastering Mid-Century Antique Shopping in San Francisco

Stuff Mid-Century Modern Furniture San Francisco
Stuff Mid-Century Modern Furniture San Francisco

Today we’re mastering mid-century antique shopping in San Francisco. One of the premier places to find mid-century antiques is “Stuff,” located in the Mission District. This vast 17,000 square foot space is brimming with unique pieces from various eras, but the mid-century offerings are particularly noteworthy. From vintage Eames chairs to Danish teak furniture, you can find stunning MCM pieces that cater to every budget. The rotating inventory ensures a new surprise on every visit, offering you a treasure hunt experience in the heart of San Francisco.

Stuff San Francisco Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Stuff San Francisco Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Furniture

You can read my post about Stuff Antiques and see pictures of the treasures I saw in this blog post – San Francisco Antiques and Mid-Century Modern at STUFF

Past Perfect,” another fantastic store located on Union Street, has two locations loaded with mid-century pieces. Their meticulously curated collection ranges from stunning MCM lighting fixtures to stylish furnishings that encapsulate the clean lines and organic curves characteristic of the era.

Flea Markets and Antique Fairs

If you enjoy the thrill of hunting for antiques, San Francisco’s flea markets and antique fairs offer plenty of opportunities to unearth mid-century treasures. The Alameda Point Antiques Faire held the first Sunday of each month, the largest antiques show in Northern California, are must-visits for MCM enthusiasts. Here, amidst the bustling activity, you can find a variety of mid-century items, from furniture and lamps to ceramics and art. We’ve had some amazing scores at this event with finding vintage Freeman McFarlin mermaids, Franciscan Starburst dinnerware, vintage Cathrineholm enamelware bowls, to Holt Howard pixieware and more.

Alameda Point Antique Faire
Alameda Point Antique Faire
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Kitsch Creations: Vintage Cards for Modern Memories

Welcome to a nostalgic adventure with my latest line of vintage kitsch greeting cards, these kitsch themed cards are perfect for modern memories and rafted to transport you to a bygone era while adding a unique touch to every occasion. My kitsch range features vintage Pyrex-inspired patterns to retro Halloween, Vintage Christmas, Mid-Century too, find the perfect card for your occasions.Visit the Crazy4Me Cards shop.

This eye-catching range includes delightful designs inspired by Pyrex patterns, eerie yet charming retro Halloween themes, vivid floral prints, and cheerful birthday greetings. Additionally, we offer a selection of heartwarming encouragement cards for those days when you or your loved ones need an extra boost of positivity.

With new designs introduced every week, my kitsch cards promise to be a continually expanding treasure trove of vintage-inspired cards for every occasion. Join us on this journey as we help you commemorate life’s special moments with a dash of retro enchantment.

Ready to explore the world of Kitsch Greetings? Visit the Crazy4Me kitsch card site and start your voyage through time today!

1950s Kitsch at its Best: The Ultimate Poodle Purses, Skirts, and Dresses

1950s Poodle Purses and Poodle Dresses

If you’re a fan of the swinging 50s, then you’ve got to check out this latest trend – novelty poodle purses and skirts! These classic mid-century pieces are so fun to wear and collect. Whether you’re an avid vintage fashionista or just starting out in the retro style game, poodle skirts and purses are essential items for any wardrobe. Let’s take a closer look at 1950s kitsch at its best with the ultimate poodle skirts and purses and why these kitschy pieces are so popular!

The History Behind Poodle Purses & Skirts

Yasmina Greco with her vintage style 1950s poodle Pinup Dress, vintage 50s poodle purse and 1956 Nash Metropolitan Classic Car

The first poodle skirt was created in 1947 by Juli Lynne Charlot, a designer based in California. She drew inspiration from Parisian couture and used felt appliqués to create her signature designs. The skirts quickly became popular with young women who wanted to express their individuality through fashion. In the 1950s, they were often seen paired with matching blouses or sweaters, as well as novelty poodle purses.

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The Best Tips for Collecting Vintage 1950s Spaghetti Poodles

Yasmina Greco Spaghetti Poodle Collection 1950sToday I am thrilled to share one of my passions with you all – collecting vintage Spaghetti Poodles! These little guys are positively precious, and they add a wonderful sense of cuteness while perfectly fitting into my mid-century modern aesthetic.

My favorite pieces from the collection have got to be the 1950’s Norcrest poodle trio in glasses & bows on the tray plus Lipper & Mann’s ‘NOEL’ set for Christmas time. Also included in this beloved assortment is an array of delightful lipstick holders, planters, vases – it just can’t get any better than that!

UPDATE: You can ready about my collections on a recently published piece in the Antique Trader

Norcrest Napco Lefton Spaghetti Poodle Collection 1950sTake a step back in time and revel in the kitschy cuteness of 1950s poodles! Back then, these furry four-legged friends were everywhere – from classic Poodle skirts to intricate spaghetti art ware figurines. Ceramic artists crafted unique pieces using a special technique that mimicked the pup’s fur and sparked an excitement for all things “spaghetti” poodle!

Spaghetti art wear is made from clay, porcelain, and ceramic which is applied as “fur” to form various textures of a poodle’s hairdo. To accomplish the spaghetti look, ceramicists and designers would have different techniques like using tea strainers to push the material through to form strands that were then attached to the poodle giving it a pom-pom look or they would swirl it onto to the poodle for a curly look. The spaghetti is very fragile and tends to break or chip over the years.

Norcrest Napco Lefton Spaghetti Poodle Collection 1950s Yasmina Greco

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