Top Vintage Santa Value Tips: Determine Worth Easily

Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Collection
Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Collection

Don’t miss the opportunity to acquire a coveted Santa or Holt-Howard Christmas decor this season or determine the value of your existing collection! With prices for in-demand items set to rise, it’s the perfect time to strategize your holiday shopping or assess your Starry Eyed Santas’ worth. Use our latest Christmas Price Guide to kickstart your search or valuation process. In this post, we spotlight the charming Starry Eyed Santa, a must-have piece featuring its iconic atomic Starry Eyes. Discover pricing and availability details below to enhance your festive decorations or evaluate your current collection. Enjoy the holiday season!

Welcome to the vintage Christmas collecting series. If you’d like to review our multi-part guide you can find that here and learn about vintage Christmas collectibles from the 1950s-1960s.

Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Collection
Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Collection

Starry Eyed Santa

You can’t have Christmas without Santa Claus and there is no Santa as whimsical and charming as the Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa line of Christmas ceramics. It’s easy to see why, with his amusing charm, Mid-Century atomic starburst eyes, merry whiskers, and gold flecks, Santa Claus exudes wonderful kitschy cuteness, and many can’t wait to grow their collections with this range. The Starry-Eyed Santa has always been incredibly collectible and highly desired by collectors but this year his popularity has dramatically increased, and prices have skyrocketed.

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The Best Autumn Wardrobe Essential: Collectif’s Floral Dress

Yasmina Greco Collectif UK Eliana
Yasmina Greco Collectif UK Eliana

With a radiant smile, I am absolutely thrilled to announce that Collectif Clothing is turning my Autumnal style fantasies into a stunning reality with their beautiful Vintage Eliana Forest Floral Swing Dress! The Eliana, a design I hadn’t previously explored, immediately swept me off my feet with its charming sweetheart neckline and a woodland print that sings of the colors of fall. The presence of adorable bunny rabbits dancing through the pattern added an unexpected dash of delight, leaving me absolutely brimming with excitement to slip into this lovely number.

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Why Fall is the Best Time to Visit Napa Valley

Napa Valley Fall
Napa Valley Fall Time – Yasmina Greco

Wine enthusiasts, listen up! Napa Valley, Northern California’s world-renowned wine haven, is calling your name, and there’s no better time to answer that call than during the fabulous fall season! As the grape leaves turn to a symphony of autumn hues, Napa Valley transforms into an enchanting wonderland that’s perfect for wine lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Let’s explore why fall is the ultimate season for experiencing the true essence of Napa Valley’s charm.

The Weather is Perfect!! One of the best things about Napa Valley in the fall is the weather. During the summer months, it can get quite hot in Napa Valley. However, temperatures start to cool down in September and October, making it the perfect time to visit if you want to enjoy comfortable weather.

Fall Time California
Napa Valley Fall Time – Yasmina Greco

Another great thing about visiting Napa Valley in the fall is that you’ll get to see the leaves changing color. The vineyards and wineries are especially beautiful during this time of year as the leaves turn from green to shades of red and orange.

If you’re looking to avoid crowds, then fall is also a great time to visit Napa Valley. While the region does get busy during harvest season (which typically runs from August through October), things start to calm down again once November rolls around. So if you want to experience Napa Valley without all the crowds, plan your trip for sometime between November and March.

Napa Valley California Fall Photography
Napa Valley California Fall Photography Yasmina Greco

Whether you’re a fan of wine or just want to experience one of the most beautiful regions in California, there’s no better time to visit Napa Valley than during the fall months. From the perfect weather to the stunning scenery, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during a fall trip to Napa Valley. Bring you camera to capture all the beauty!! Have you been to Napa Valley in the fall? What was your favorite part?

Photos by my sweet hubby Gary | Camera: Polaroid SX70 Sonar by Upcycled Classics

For more Fall time in wine country Napa Valley visit my post Fall time in Napa Valley

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Square Pie Guys: SF’s Best Detroit-Style Pizza

Yasmina Greco Square Pie Guys Detroit-Style Pizza in San Francisco

Experience the best Detroit-style pepperoni pizza at Square Pie Guys, nestled in the heart of Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco. This is the ultimate destination for pizza enthusiasts seeking a deliciously satisfying square pie experience.

Craving a hearty slice of Detroit-style pizza? Look no further than Square Pie Guys in San Francisco, offering the finest square pies in town. Perfect for a quick meal or a fun outing with friends, you won’t be disappointed with their incredible menu options.

Square Pie Guys Detroit-Style Pizza in San Francisco

On a beautiful summer day, my husband Gary and I ventured to Square Pie Guys in Ghirardelli Square. This newly opened pizza haven boasts both indoor and outdoor seating, a drink counter, and friendly staff ready to serve. Ordering is a breeze with a QR code scanning system that directs you to their app.

Detroit-style square pizza in San Francisco at Ghirardelli Square – Square Pie Guys
Yasmina Greco Square Pie Guys Detroit-Style Pizza in San Francisco
Yasmina Greco Square Pie Guys Detroit-Style Pizza in San Francisco

We indulged in the 6×8 pizza with red sauce, 48 pavone pepperoni, cheddar cheese edge, and mozzarella. With a diverse menu catering to various tastes, you can choose from cheese, supreme, white sauce, vegetarian, all meat, honey-drizzled pork and pineapple, or even customize your own pizza. Don’t forget to try their salads, chicken wings, cheesy bread, crispy asparagus, and desserts. While traditional sodas aren’t available, they offer Acqua Panna Italian water, cocktails, beers, cola, and root beer.

Square Pie Guys Detroit-Style Pizza in San Francisco

The ambiance is light and welcoming, with attentive staff ensuring a pleasant experience. Our pizza arrived promptly, boasting an irresistible aroma and mouth-watering appearance. The crispy pepperoni and perfectly balanced red sauce combined with ooey-gooey cheese made this Detroit-style square pizza a delight. The stunning view of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island added to the unforgettable experience.

Square Pie Guys Detroit-Style Pizza in San Francisco – Ghirardelli Square

Let’s rate Square Pie Guys on a scale of 1 (being lowest) to 5 (being highest): 

Style/Crust : Detroit-style – 5

Sauce: Tasty red sauce –  5

Pepperoni Toppings: 5

Taste: 5

Presentation: 5

Experience: Location/Staff: 5 (location is incredible, right in the heart of San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square, service was good)

When in the Bay Area, don’t miss out on Square Pie Guys at Ghirardelli Square. Relish their delectable Detroit-style square pizzas while soaking in breathtaking views. Can’t visit in person? Explore our blog for more tantalizing reviews.

Want more SF Pizza reviews, check out these reviews we posted?

Stinking Rose in San Francisco

Acre Pizza – Northern San Francisco Pizza

All pics by my sweet hubby Gary Greco

Keep up with our San Francisco Pizza Tour of 2021-2022 where we are regularly visiting pizza restaurants in San Francisco to find the best and tastiest pies – www.crazy4pizza.com  Instagram @crazy4thepizza and https://www.facebook.com/crazy4thepizza

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The Best Deep-Fried Foods at the County Fair

If there’s one thing that can get your heart racing, it’s a fair. Carnivals, county fairs – they’re all packed with excitement, thrill rides and delicious food. You never know what you’re going to find at a fair, which is why they’re always so much fun. This year, the Sonoma County Fair is back, and the theme is Tropical Fairadise. Dare to try out some of the rides and unique foods a the Sonoma County Fair!

Summertime is the perfect time to visit the local county fair and that is exactly what my hubby and I did the opening weekend of our local fair. I wanted to wear something that had my signature Pinup vibe and what could be better than this fun Cherry Velvet – Norma – Rainbow Ribbons – Magical Unicorn Dress. The print is enchanting with rainbows and unicorns floating through a magical galaxy with hints of glitter, hearts, and starbursts. The Norma dress is cut for curves and has pockets too!! You can read a previous post here about the figure flattering Norma dress. You can’t go wrong with a Cherry Velvet dress.

We got our tickets and walked through the gates and that familiar welcoming smell of deep-fried deliciousness was everywhere!! Oh my gosh, it is that familiar smell that immediately makes you hungry and puts everyone in a good mood. Monster corndogs, giant turkey legs, burgers, BBQ, giant pretzels, giant grilled sausages and peppers, mountain-high curly fries, cotton candy, funnel cakes, churros, and so many more yummy goodies to choose from. Hubby and I had our hearts set on the giant corn dogs and they did not disappoint!!

Carnival County Fair
Yasmina Greco – Carnival County Fair

The carnival rides sure looked incredible with The Giant Pole Position Spinning Roller Coaster that is Italian made, has three levels, and five coaster cars. Everyone’s favorite the Ferris Wheel, The Vertigo Towers, Turbo Speed, Wave Swinger, Inversion, Super Shot, Zipper, Carousel and many more. There were also rides for children so definitely something for everyone from daredevils and thrill seekers to families and children.

The usual carnival games like ring toss, balloon blast, and so many more were there. The prizes were stuffed Minion dolls, stuffed unicorns, and teddy bears and one vendor had some fun looking stuffed chili peppers, stuffed tomatoes, and stuffed emoji pillows and cubes. Something fun for everyone!!

Lots of entertainment  and competitions too from 4H, to flower shows, to build a scarecrow, and lots more. You really could stay busy all day long. The fair is so much fun and it has great people watching too. It was a super-hot day so after a couple of hours we were ready to head home.

The fair was everything I hoped for and more. There were so many things to see and do, my head was spinning by the time we left. If you’re in the mood for a little bit of magic, this is the perfect dress to wear. With its enchanting print, you’ll feel like a real-life fairy-tale character come to life. I highly recommend visiting your local county fair this summer.  Hope you all enjoyed seeing our day at the county fair!!

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California beach day in my curvy girl dress by Cherry Velvet

Curvy Pin-Up

It is officially the middle of summertime, and that means one thing: time to hit the beach! The sun is shining, the waves are crashing, and the breeze is blowing. What could be better than spending a day at the beach in Bodega Bay? So grab your sunscreen, your towel, and your sandals, and let’s go!

If you’re anything like me, then a day at the beach usually means packing several items of clothing so you have something for any occasion. But not today! Today, I’m wearing my lovely Norma – Siren Scales – Mermaid vintage style curvy pin-up dress from Cherry Velvet and I’m good to go. Not only does this dress look great on the sand, but it’s also perfect for a day by the water or walking through the cute little beach towns. With its light fabric and flowing skirt, I’ll stay cool and comfortable all day long. The colors in this dress range from blue, aqua, sea-foam green, pink and darker purple pink and look absolutely stunning next to the shimmering sea. I love how this dress fits my curvy shape so nicely and enhances my figure. This dress also has pockets!!

Pinup Girl at the Beach
Yasmina Greco Beach Day in Cherry Velvet

It was a very busy day in Bodega Bay with lots and lots of people all around, but we found a lovely spot overlooking the ocean and my sweet hubby took these stunning pics of me. It felt incredible to be at the beach and feel the breeze on our skin and see the beautiful sparkling water and take a moment to be still and listen to the waves crashing. It was very rejuvenating and great for our souls.

Vintage Beach Pinup
Yasmina Greco Beach Day in Cherry Velvet

We even found a lovely mermaid sculpture for me to pose by and my little vintage fishy purse was the perfect accessory. I had my cardigan too as the breeze was a little cool at times and this dress has so many fun colors that it is easy to dress up and accessorize with a cardigan to match the colors. I received so many compliments on my dress.

Vintage Mermaid Pinup Girl
Yasmina Greco Mermaid Dress

I’m not sure what the scientific explanation is for it, but there’s something about the beach that makes me feel wonderful. Maybe it’s the endless horizon or the sound of waves crashing against the shore. In case you’re looking for a little bit of inspiration to get your summer wardrobe together, this dress is perfect for a day at the beach, for your next vacation, or enjoying your summer days so visit Cherry Velvet (size inclusive from Small-3X)  and get yours before they all sell out. If you are in Northern California and have time to visit Bodega Bay I encourage you to do so as you will most certainly enjoy your time here!!

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