That Touch of Mink -- Automats

I was thinking the other day about the Automat in That Touch of Mink. They were so cool and cutting edge in their day. Now it is all vending machines and such. I wonder if there are any places where there still are automats? Probably not. Enjoy.

Love these old vending machines. Sorry, don't know where photo is from.

Vintage Paperdolls for Download - Betsy McCallhttp://tpettit.best.vwh.net/dolls/pd_scans/betsy_mccall/index.html

Do you remember Paper Dolls? I do. I could spend hours dressing and changing their clothes. Well paper dolls are back. The link below will take you to the 1st 10 years of Betsy McCall and her clothing. What a fun winter activity. Or print it out as a decoupage project. Either way tons of fun. All you need is a printer, plenty of ink, some old file folders (to glue her onto for stability), or you can go by your local print shop and get a heavier grade white paper to run through your printer, either way, make some memories.


Link below for Betsy McCall paper dolls.

http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/dolls/pd_scans/betsy_mccall/index.html

Old Movies - Bell Book and Candle

Love this grouping of images from Bell Book and Candle, sorry don't know where they are from. But notice the turquoise in the pillows and the back wall, as turquoise is the color of the year for 2010.


Love the pale turquoise curtains, and the gold tan accents.

I love old Movies!! This Sunday, what a treat, Bell Book and Candle is on Turner Classic Movies. Although I have seen it, I guess, I forgot it started at Christmas. I just love everything from Kim Novak's wardrobe to the great 1958 sets. With turquoise being the color of the year, I was pleasantly surprised to see the interiors are done in a tan and pale turquoise. The turquoise accents are on the pillows and some walls. I love the sheers that separate the shop from her living space. So if your bored, check out Bell Book and Candle, fun movie.

Old Doors -- Old House -- Habitat for Humanity

Although I love the color of this bathroom. It really is the old door to the right that I am blogging about. Ooooh, and the rusted medicine cabinet. I have an old house with old doors. I wonder if it would be appropriate to have an interior door like that? Hmmmm. Oh, and the old medicine cabinet. Those are easy to find. We have a Habitat for Humanity Outlet here that has old medicine cabinets like that. It is a great resource for old home finds. Check to see if you have one in your area.

Vintage Pyrex Nesting Bowls -- What do you mix in?

What do you mix in? I actually bought a set of these at an estate sale years ago, yes I even found pink. My parents had the turquoise set. I love them. I use them for all sorts of things. I even serve in them at parties and they are always a hit. I do however, have to convince my husband not to put them in the dishwasher, as it kind of ruins their finish. So now, I am on a hunt for a set for my college student. What classic color to get her? Hmmm. They were cheaper a few years back. Now on Ebay, they are a little pricey. But, I am going to hunt her down a set. May be a great excuse to hit a few of the antique shops around here just in case there is a set hiding. So what do you mix in? So retro, so fun.

I don't know where this picture is from. Sorry.

Turquoise Shutters

Since Turquoise has been dubbed the color of 2010, I couldn't resist posting this picture from House Beautiful, with the great turquoise shutters. Living in the southwest, and on Route66, turquoise is a staple color here. Not the trend. But, I had to do a quick post about it. So, are you going to add a little turquoise to your life this year?

Wallpaper Clock

There is something so retro about wallpaper. I found this over at copycatchic.com. This is Anthropolgie's wallpaper clock for $128. Check out the alternate universe below.

Alternate universe. Target Clock picture $59.
Thanks Target for making it affordable.

Finding Replacement China

All the family dinners are done. The Holidays are over, and you now need replacement china, because some of yours got broken. Look no further. Check my Etsy store, as well as my Ebay store for replacement china. Or, get some new to mix and match for Valentines Day, or Easter.

Repurposing a Side Table - Red Pottery Barn Side Table

I love the red side table from pottery barn. (Image from Pottery Barn). I have an image of a table below in my house, that I am thinking of repurposing, in maybe red or black.

My Pottery Barn style table. I am thinking of repurposing it in a black or red.
What do you think?

Latillas as Curtain Rods - Latillas (Wood Poles)

Old houses come with their own special and unique challenges. This house built in 1947, has cove ceilings, as well as large windows, not fit, or truly square, for the standard blinds, like mini blinds or the cellular shades. So, what to do? We are here in the Southwest, so we used Latillas, pronounced, La-te-yas. They are used for the ladders you see leaning up on houses, etc. So we bought some, and sanded them, so they were smooth, and then used them for curtain rods. They were about $7.00 a piece, which is way less expensive, than poles of this length $108". I also like the way that they let the drapes hang loose and casual. So look to your hardware store for odd items to use as curtain rods. If you live in the southwest, try a latilla.

Mad Men Bar -- Armoire Bar - Make Your Own

While perusing Pottery Barn, I ran across these first three pictures of bars. As always I immediately thought of Mad Men, and how there was a bar in every house (pics below of bars in Mad Men and Rope). So it got me to thinking about an old armoire that was made to hold a TV that is in storage here at the house. I wonder if I could convert it into an Armoire Bar? Might be something for my January renovations. I can't help myself, every January I set about redecorating and renovating, not spending tons of money mind you, just repurposing. Oh, and it always involves rearranging. Maybe a bar like this will get included in my repurposing. If so I'll post pics. Hopefully this gives a little inspiration.

Above pics Potterybarn.com.

Sorry I don't know where this picture is from.

Picture of interior apartment in Rope.

Mad Men.

The Egg and I - Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray

I love old movies. Especially ones about fixing up old houses. This one is from the Ma and Pa Kettle series. It is called "The Egg and I". It is starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. It is a true classic. Great classic Black and White movie. Great story line about two city slickers that move to the country to start their own Chicken Farm. It is tons of laughs. If you have never had the chance to see it, you should take a bit and enjoy it.