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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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!!
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!!