Monday, November 28, 2011

goin' out west where the wind blows tall

Eurailpass train travel, July 1970, photo by Carlo Bavagnoli, via Life archives.

Small Earth Vintage is taking a small vacation.  No, we won't be train traveling around Europe (I wish!), but rather automobiling it out west to visit my parents.  Doesn't this photo make train travel look fun?

We'll be away from Wednesday, November 30 until Thursday, December 8.  The Etsy shop will remain open, so feel free to shop, but tomorrow is my last day to ship.  All orders received before 2:00 pm EST tomorrow, November 29, will ship tomorrow.  Otherwise, orders will ship when we return on December 8.

xo
K

late autumn light


Those who celebrated: was your Thanksgiving good?  Mine was very nice.  This Thomas Keller leek bread pudding was my favorite part of the meal (along with leftover turkey/cranberry sandwiches).   

Our friend Stephani came to visit, and we checked out the very cool Warrington Colescott exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.  I love this wool cape Stephani is wearing...it didn't come from Small Earth Vintage, but her shoes did.  My outfit is all old stuff, but the vintage fur collar and gray wool jacket are newer acquisitions.  


I love how the light and shadows looked outside the museum on the afternoon we were there.


You'll see in the next photo why we look all squinty here.  The fur collar is (only partially) due to my Game of Thrones obsession.  We spent the holiday drinking Manhattans and watching GoT, which Stephani hadn't seen.  I was in nerd heaven.





Speaking of Game of Thrones and fashion (well, hipsters, anyway)...


Goodness, I love Hipster Jon Snow!

xo
K

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

thanksgiving...and a sale!

Mmmm...pie!  I'm not actually that big on pie, but I think the acorns on that center pie are pretty adorable.  (Photo is from a 1955 Women's Home Companion.)  We're having pumpkin cheesecake, not pie, but I hope your Thanksgiving holiday is wonderful no matter what you eat.

Because we are so very thankful to our customers and friends, Small Earth Vintage will be having a 15% off sale in the Etsy shop from Friday, November 25 through Monday, November 28.

And just a heads up, we'll be closed from November 30 until December 7.  The Etsy shop will be open for purchases, but items will not be shipped until Thursday, December 8.

xo
K

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

our new home

Small Earth Vintage finds have been available for years now not just on the internets, but also in a variety of fine vintage shops from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Montpelier, Vermont.  Andy and I have been wanting to branch out a bit beyond consignment though...to be able to sell in a brick and mortar space, but without the great expense and responsibility of our own store.  Well, we've found the perfect place here in Grand Rapids--Lost & Found.





We've been fans of Lost & Found since they opened.  Mark and Christian run the store--which is located in an old furniture factory--and have it beautifully merchandised with an amazing selection of industrial, mid century modern, and primitive furnishings and antiques.  I always kind of want to move in when I visit.




I want that rug!


Isn't this awesome?  An old lighted sign advertising the various dining areas in Grand Rapids' old Pantlind Hotel.  I totally want to have a cocktail in the Cypress Cellar!


We stopped in for a visit Friday night.  I'm wearing one of my favorite new finds: a black eyelet lace dress.  With pockets!


Here's Andy in the pea coat I made him start wearing.  Handsome!


And finally, here's a peek at our corner of Lost & Found.

If you're in Grand Rapids stop by and visit!  Lost & Found is located just south of downtown at 445 Century SW (check out their Facebook page for more information on them and their location; they regularly post great new finds there).  We'll be loading our space up with some pretty cocktail and party dresses soon, to have on hand for the Lost & Found holiday open house on December 2 and 3.

xo
K

Monday, November 21, 2011

red and black

It's starting to look rather festive here--a lot of red and black in this shop preview!  All these items are coming to the shop shortly.

1940s cranberry crepe plissé party dress.



Floral pointelle cream fringed sweater cape.



1960s green and navy blue houndstooth wool dress, by Majestic.



1960s embroidered red cardigan with satin trim.



1930s black crepe dress with velvet collar and rhinestone embellishments.


1950s red velvet full skirt.


Sequin bodice party dress, Pellini by Von Bramlett.



1950s child's buffalo and cowboy cardigan.



1950s ice blue lace party dress with satin and rhinestone bow.



1950s red diamond pointelle sweater, by Talbott.



1960s navy blue knit dress with belt, by Rodier.



1950s plaid taffeta party skirt with velvet waistband, by Rosecrest.



1940s black crepe evening dress with rhinestone and beaded collar.


Pendleton green and red plaid vest.


1960s lace mini dress; matching jacket has a big satin bow on the back.



1950s red plaid corduroy pencil skirt.



1940s pewter gray whitecaps on a a stormy sea dress with rhinestone buttons.

xo
K

Thursday, November 17, 2011

feet, eyes, home

Things in this shop preview for all three.  Coming here soon!

1980s chestnut brown cowboy boots.


Beaded Minnetonka moccasins.


1950s men's work boots.


Wingtip Dr. Martens brogues.


Suede and faux fur winter wedge boots.


Black Nocona cowboy boots.


1950s aluminum feather embellished eyeglass frames, by Tura.


1950s black plastic and silver metal browline frames.


Set of 4 Vera Neumann sunset geese print napkins.


Framed cute mod couple Fallarda print.

xo
K

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

fancy legs

I saw this image of patterned stockings from Life magazine on Tumblr the other day, and I've had legwear envy ever since.  I used to have a couple plaid pairs similar to 1895 in the late 1980s/early 1990s.  They looked awesome with my combat boots!  Right now, my patterned legwear runs to a couple pair of pointelle/crocheted tights (though I also own fishnets that I never wear).  I'd love to have all of the pairs shown above, though.  Do you wear patterned or printed legwear?  Do you have a favorite brand for tights?


I did a little internet searching for patterned tights and turned up these nifty options.

Anna Sui flower crochet tights from Sock Dreams.

Look from London peacock feather tights, from ModCloth.

Textile tights, Hansel from Basel.

Paisley Due tights, Hansel from Basel.

xo
K


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

i'll take manhattans

The Manhattan is my favorite cocktail, especially in cold weather.  It is a bracing drink, spicy but smooth, and easy to drink if made properly.  It--along with its Scotch brother, the Rob Roy--is my go to wintertime cocktail.  I'm going to show you how to make one.  Now, before any cocktail purists get all upset with me, this is not the definitive Manhattan or anything.  It's just how I like a Manhattan.

What you need:
*Whiskey.  Rye is the preferred, traditional brown liquor, but if all you have is bourbon (like my Old Weller Antique), it will do.
*Sweet vermouth.  Now this is important.  I use Carpano Antica, which is a bit pricey, but completely worth it.  It is spicy, rich, and sweet, and quite drinkable on its own.  I tried using grocery store sweet vermouths like Martini & Rossi, but they lent my Manhattans a funky flavor.  I've heard good things about Punt e Mes and Vya sweet vermouths, but they--like Carpano Antica--are a bit harder to find.  I think the search is worth it, though.
*Bitters.  Angostura are traditional, but ever since having a deliciously orange-y Manhattan at New York's Von, I use Fee Brothers Orange Bitters.
*Dry vermouth.  Actually, this is an alternate ingredient.  Manhattans only have sweet vermouth in them, but I prefer a Perfect Manhattan, which uses half sweet and half dry vermouth.
*Ice
*A cocktail shaker or pitcher for mixing 
*A jigger or something to measures 2 ounces and 1 ounce of liquid  

Put a few cubes of ice in your shaker/pitcher.  (I have a metal shaker with a strainer I sometimes use, but I also like using my Blendo pitcher, especially if I'm making more than one drink.)  Pour in 2 ounces of whiskey.

If you're making a regular Manhattan, you'll now add 1 ounce of sweet vermouth.  If you're making my preference, the Perfect Manhattan, you'll add 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth and 1/2 ounce dry vermouth.  Shake in 2-3 drops of bitters.

Stir.  Vigorously.  For a full minute at least.  You could shake, but I prefer stirring.  It's purely cosmetic, in my opinion.  I don't think it makes any difference in taste, but stirring makes a clearer, less cloudy drink. 


You can serve it up (no ice) in a chilled glass (cocktail or martini glasses are often used), or on the rocks in a tumbler.  I prefer mine served up.  Manhattans are traditionally served with a Maraschino cherry as a garnish, but I prefer a twist of orange peel.  I didn't have an orange on hand though, so I made this one with no garnish.


Chin chin!  Cheers!  Sláinte!

xo
K

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