happy halloween!

That's this year's pumpkin, carved by Andy! (I did consult on the design.) We celebrated Halloween a day early--with sloppy joes, Ichabod pumpkin ale, and Young Frankenstein--because we're heading out thrifting on the day itself.

I seem to be reading some especially fabulous blog posts lately, so I thought I'd do a little roundup and share them here with you.

The above image of Margaret Hamilton is from Jessica's My Vintage Vogue, which is an always wonderful compendium of beautiful vintage fashion images, but which has been particularly delightful lately, since she's been showcasing lots of Halloween themed images. Go check it out!

This post by Missa of Thrift Candy on why she thrifts had me totally nodding my head in agreement.

This lovely treasury of images on Deidre's Hinterland Vintage blog made me want to curl up on the couch and read a book (even more than I usually do).

And this roundup of funny Halloween posts on the Kitschy Kitschy Coo blog really got me in a Halloween-y state of mind.


Finally, may I suggest a film for those of you trying to transition from the spooky trick-or-treating fun of Halloween into the cozy holiday spirit of Christmas?

Yes, I'm talking about Black Christmas, the great, campy-fun Canadian slasher flick set in a sorority house, and starring Margot Kidder (four years before she became famous as Superman's Lois Lane) and Olivia Hussey. I was just reading the IMDb trivia, and it turns out this is one of Steve Martin's favorite movies. He claims to have seen it over 20 times.

Happy Halloween, everybody! Hope you get lots of candy.

xo
K

weekend with dad!

My dad came to visit us for his birthday! That's him, with Andy. Did you see the childhood pic of him I posted a few posts back? Doesn't he look just exactly the same? Cute, right? I call my dad Hoss because he worked on a ranch in Montana when he was a youngun. He's a wonderful, sweet guy--which makes sense, since he sells sugar.

Anyway, he was only here for a few days, but we had so much fun. Here, he and Andy are watching some fisherman reel in a GIANT king salmon on the Grand River downtown.




I had to walk away because I was fearful I would have to see some terrible scene, with the fisherman bashing the huge fish in the head to kill it...but he ended up letting it go.





Here's a pic of my shoes and the hem of my raincoat. I like to think of these vintage oxfords as my "lady cop shoes," but Andy keeps calling them "nun shoes." I think he is doing this just to make me mad...but he is the one who found them.

Love the typeface on these bricks.




This was Lucy's favorite. Obviously.

Leftover ArtPrize piece. Kind of Wicker Man-ish, dontcha think?




Here's Nessie in the Grand. Now she's over by the zoo.




Three different delicious shades of beer at Founders.




We went thrifting with Hoss. Luckily, he enjoys thrifting, too--up to a point. And the Birthday Boy brought us good luck! We hit several stores where I usually don't find jack, and I hit the jackPOT in nearly all of them! Or, at least, found something worthwhile. You'll see the fruits of this thrifting shortly. I'm hoping to get it photographed soon, weather/new indoor photo lab permitting.


We took Hoss to dinner at our new favorite Grand Rapids joint, Corez Wine Bar. First, I have to say: neither of us is much of a wine drinker. I do not know how to pick a wine. Sometimes I like a red, sometimes a white. I think I like dry, but maybe I like sweet and sparkly. I don't know; I am confused. Well, someone at Corez writes up the wine list in a totally funny and approachable way that makes it slightly less confusing. My dad, who does like wine, got a kick out of it.

Also, Corez has great food. Really, really great food. In two visits, we've eaten/tasted: BLT risotto, shellfish stew, steak, gnocchi, savory pumpkin panna cotta (!), olives, stuffed dates... everything was fantastic.

But the kicker (for me) was that they have a Classic Cocktail list. I know this is probably no biggie to those of you in Big Cities. But around these parts, a vanilla-melon-pomegranate concoction frothed up in a fancy glass still counts as a "martini." So when I see a drinks menu that actually includes a Manhattan made with Bulleit bourbon and fancy bitters, and a Negroni--well, I'm sold. Dad and I loved the Manhattans we had pre-wine.

If anybody ever wants to come visit us in fancy Grand Rapids (we have an ArtPrize now!), we'll take you to Corez. Not that I'm bribing people to come visit me. Yet.

xo
K

it's our first etsy-versary!

Well, tomorrow, October 29 is the actual date, but we're starting the party early!

It's been a fabulous, fun-filled year. Seriously, I don't think I would be enjoying my work nearly as much right now if I hadn't found Etsy. And I am truly grateful--to the site, and to all the wonderful, vintage-loving, stylish customers I've had the privilege to share our finds with.

(Above image is from the Etsy shop of aymujer, who makes incredible papel picado banners and flags. I really want one of her gorgeous, intricate, colorful banners.)

To celebrate and to thank our customers, SmallEarthVintage is offering FREE US SHIPPING on all items (and $8.00 off s&h on anything shipped internationally) today, Wednesday, October 28 until Monday, November 2. Shipping refund will be posted to your PayPal account.

I'll be adding a few new items every day between now and then, too, so go shop--for yourself or early holiday shopping--shipping is on us!

xo
K

the island of misfit toys

I have to admit, the Island of Misfit Toys in the Rankin/Bass Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer always made me sad. I also get a little verklempt when I see abandoned stuffed toys at thrift shops. I'm a bit of a sap.

In that vein, here are a few items that have been sitting in the "back" of my Etsy shop, that, frankly, I think deserve a little love! You can click the photos to link directly to the item in the shop.

Deadstock ankle booties/oxfords! Yes, never worn. Size 5 1/2.




I keep hearing how everything in my shop is "so small." Well, an awful lot of it is, since I've been loading the shop up with selections from the petite fashion-lover whose estate we bought. However, this beauty is not only also deadstock, but fits a size L-XL! It's wonderful, and I can't believe no one has snatched it up.




Black suede bejewelled and beribboned flats that are so Audrey Hepburn! Marked size 7 1/2 B.




A sweet salmon pink blouse with a Peter Pan collar, size M-L.




A unique, tiered skirt 1960s abstract print party dress, size XS.




A plaid wool wiggle dress in the best fall colors, size XS.




And finally, my favorite print on a Vera tunic so far (and love the orange/gray/yellow color combo)!



xo
k

happy things

The world's cutest pair of wee bird vases, by catherinereece on Etsy, filled with dried flowers from my friend Roberta.

Spicy, smoky lapsang souchong-scented perfume, ideal for autumn.

My new necklace from Etsy's whiteowl. I'm not usually one for the bling, but I could not resist this necklace's burnished coppery-brassy tones. (And my honey, of course!)

Autumn leaves, even when they are sodden with rain. Maybe especially when they are sodden with rain.

These ridiculously delicious peanut butter and strawberry jelly truffles from VintageConfections on Etsy.

Dino and Shirl.

My dad coming to visit for his birthday! (That's a photo of him as a cute little tot.)

Oh, yes. And these beauties. The Circus b'zerkus handmade red leather pumps by Zerkahloostrah on Etsy. Which Etsy bought for me the other day. Yep--for real! As if I didn't already love Etsy enough. They bought me shoes. HANDMADE shoes. How amazing is that?

xo
K

a successful treasure hunt...

...includes not just the finding of wonderful items, but the eating of delicious food and, y'know, a little good cheer. Like the potato pancakes and Polish beer at Legs Inn.

We were lucky we were able to get there before they closed for the season. The joint was all decked out for their end-of-season Halloween party.




We felt like we deserved the treats, since we had a couple days of successful hunting! For example, these fabulous 1960s shoes, some still deadstock in their boxes!






Those red loafers have coiled snakes on them!


And here is a preview of clothing coming to the Etsy shop shortly, some of which are finds from our treasure hunt.


A Halloween-y orange swirl print wiggle dress.




Raspberry knit wiggle dress.




Leafy vine pointelle cardigan.




1970s black velvet coat.




Houndstooth print double-breasted dress.




Liberty of London pink lilies blouse.




1980s Evan-Picone high-waisted blue slub skirt.




Pink and blue scooter dress.




Cocoa and slate flower print wool cardigan by Huddlespun.




1960s forest green boucle wool suit by Tailorbrooke with nifty hidden buttons!




Blue and gold boucle pencil skirt.




Sepia art nouveau floral print dress with ruffle bow sleeves by The Jones Girl.




Olive floral print tunic.




Gorgeous 1940s cranberry dress.




1950s rose cardigan.




1970s ivory Irish wool zip-up cardigan sweater jacket.




A beautiful 1950s rosy-red party dress.




xo
K