shop preview

A short but sweet preview of items coming to the Small Earth Vintage shop this week.  Enjoy!

1950s rose print taffeta party dress.

1970s swimsuit/romper from Seascamp by Camp.

1960s red rococo cherubs print cotton sheath dress.

1960s Jantzen pink gingham skirt.

1950s bohemian print voile dress with rhinestone and lucite buttons.

1960s floral patchwork jumpsuit, by Lanz.

1950s white lace jabot blouse.

xo

K

fresh from the attic

No, they're not the greatest photos--just quickies to show you a small selection of the nice vintage buy we made yesterday.  Everything needs cleaning, much needs mending, but I thought I'd show you what some fresh-out-of-the-attic vintage looks like.  (Click to enlarge photos.)  I'll be working nonstop to get these ladies ready for their close-ups in the shop.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  We have beautiful weather and friends visiting, so there is much happiness on Lake Freska!

xo

K

billy rose's aquacade at the 1939 new york world's fair

Here is a fun flea market find--the souvenir program for Billy Rose's Aquacade at the 1939 New York World's Fair.  The Aquacade was a swimming and dance show that actually premiered in 1937 at the Great Lakes Exposition in Cleveland.

It starred "aquadonis" Johnny Weissmuller...

...and "aquabelle" Eleanor Holm.  And featured several other egregious usages of "aqua" as a prefix, to wit: aquafemmes, aquagals, aquadudes, aquabeaux, aquabuilders.  (Esther Williams replaced Holm in the Aquacade after it moved from NYC to San Francisco.)

I would totally make this my own personal coat of arms.  Maybe stick a martini glass on there and a vintage dress.

I can have these shoes, please?

In this building, a visitor could see "absorbingly interesting scale models" of "famous places" like...Jones Beach.  Or, you could hop a train or drive a car out to Jones Beach.  Just sayin'.

Holy crap.  These green gloves by Merry Hull with snap compartments almost make me want to take up smoking!  You could probably stick a lipstick and a little cash in there instead.

The back of the program is pretty destroyed, but I had to post it because I have a soft spot for PBR, and the ad promises that PBR is "brisk bodied and never syrupy or logy."

xo

K

shop preview

It would be difficult for me to pick a favorite from this shop preview, but the first dress set would probably win--followed closely by that White Stag trench coat!

1950s chartreuse and gray fern print sundress with matching capelet.

1960s white blouse with eyelet lace ruffles and bows, by Mardi Modes.

1960s L'Aiglon daisy print dress.

Mod 1960s trench by White Stag with lots of zippers!

1950s deadstock beaded peach taffeta cocktail dress with illusion neckline.

1950s chartreuse and tangerine print full skirt.

1960s Lilly Pulitzer yellow floral print dress.

1950s white cotton blouse with front button detail.

1950s blue tropical flower print sundress, by Bobbie Brooks.

Black floral print maillot swimsuit, by Roxanne.

1950s pale pink voile dress with embroidered daisies and bow at neck.

xo

K

art and nature

It was not planned, but this post follows my last post, about artist Anne Siems, kind of perfectly!  Local Grand Rapids arts group SiTE: LAB put together another show at Blandford Nature Center, and because Andy and I have to check out anything SiTE: LAB related, we went on Friday evening.  (We went last year, too.)  Just like last year, it was sultry, but beers from Brewery Vivant kept us cool and our thirst slaked.

Blandford has beautiful wooded trails, and the artists make great use of the setting.  I love this macrame tree cozy.  

Blandford also does great work, taking in injured wild animals for rescue and rehabilitation.  Andy once brought a turtle in who had a cracked shell after it was hit by a car.  We stopped by and visited the large outdoor cages of rescued owls, hawks, turkey vultures, and even a merlin!  You can see some of  the rescued residents on Blandford's website, but be forewarned: if you're like me, you'll end up spending hours listening to the linked audio files of various owl and hawk calls.

Hee hee!

These sea creatures were mounted in the small stream that runs through Blandford.

Aw!

xo

K

anne siems

These paintings by Anne Siems are enchanting.  I would love to see them in person; I get the feeling I could stare them for hours.  Well, a very long time, anyway.  I love the dark, rich colors, the animal and nature imagery, and the Regency fashions on the human figures.  You can see more of her work here.

Suddenly While Reading, 2011

Owl, 2010

Insect Lover III

Plant Wisdom, 2012

Lynx Cap, on paper with embroidery, 2012.

Rose Crown, 2012

xo

K

pilgrims...

...are what May flowers bring.  Ha.  May inspiration brings a black-and-white versus color showdown!  Which do you prefer?  I kinda love both.

1. London at Night, a Sketch Book by Frederick Carter, 1914 / The Victorianist

2. branches and buds from a 1925 book on the trees of Ontario / sandmarg

3. ca 1920s photo of singing group The Boswell Sisters / Back to the Five & Dime

4. According to the Tumblr I first saw this photo on, this is a "Nina Leen, 1952" photo.  A Google image search didn't provided much more info, but this blog claims the model is wearing replicas of ancient Sumerian jewelry offered for sale by New York's "Metropolitan Museum" (of Art?).  Seems plausible.  I'd love to know more about this photo/photo shoot.  And send me the jewelry, too.

5. 1938 photo of English actress Gertrude Lawrence powdering her pup's nose, by Peter Stackpole / dovima_is_devine_II

6. Bill Brandt, The Adelphi, September 1939 / Facie Populi

1. vintage floral wallpaper in Elisabeth Dunker's Swedish home / Design Sponge

2. Russian Fairy Tales, illustrated by Henry R. Martin / skinny laminx

3. great look from Rabia Lockwood's Ginny & Jude collection / Honey Kennedy

4. Camera Obscura--obsessed with their songs and style / Under the Radar

5. detail of an embroidered linen tablecloth by Ann Macbeth, ca 1900 / V&A

6. Elsa Schiaparelli brooch, ca 1938 / 1stdibs

xo

K