Random Harvest

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

It's not only the title of one of my favorite classic movies it's also the bounty I collected this weekend at a stumbled-upon garage sale. 
It was like a Pandora's box...the more I dug through boxes, the more I came home with. 
She said her uncle had died and had left her the house and it's contents...all of which she didn't want and did I mention the uncle was a hoarder...and did I mention that he had lived there for over 50 years?  
I was in heaven and was drunk with avarice and greed and found myself scouling at the next person to come walking up the drive as I was taking ownership of everything in those boxes in that garage...

Here some pics of  just a few of the wonderful things I found...if you are into the same random vintage stuff that I am, then have fun looking and remember...I stuffed two full loads into my car for only 20 bux total...SCORE!

 Mint Horsehead TV lamp


 Vintage gravel and relief wall art 36" long...huge and yummy!

 Gleaming chrome Super Chef broiler/rotisserie oven

 pretty plastic palm...so midmod!

 Super shag-a-delic feather flower tree in orange and avocado...sweet!

 Mint green glass decanter and flute set

 and speaking of vintage bar goodies...love, love, love this rolling bar and music box

 the most amazing Thin Line Sunbeam Self Lowering toaster which proudly serves up toast every morning in my kitchen now

 There was boxes and boxes of vintage linens...here is just a sampling of what I got...

 aprons...

 wonderful hand embroidered dish towels that were lovingly starched and pressed and stored in cedar...

 so precious and way too darlin' to use...

 I love the "task" towels.


 The whole set...simply divine!

 The detail on these pillowcases are wonderful and all hand stitched.

I have so much more to show ya, but simply am not able to share in a single post. 
Should I do a part two?

Hope you like Rag & Bone even tho it's not old school...It has become mine and Frankie's anthem!

Merry Christmas Past..

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Wow, busy Christmas season for the Allens.  I've missed posting and reading your wonderful comments, but I'm back. 
Let me show you a little Christmas, better late than never, then you will see why we were so busy...

I decorated a table for the Annual Ladies Dessert Night hosted at the Methodist church where my family and I attend. 
My theme this year was to use some of the precious treasures I inherited from my mom. 
So, I hope you like what I came up with using her 
Bluebirds and Cherries
My mom was a cherry-o-holic!
The guests at my table adored it and we had a great time being served by "our" men. 
Frankie was our personal waiter...lucky us!


There were 42 tables in all each individually decorated. 
(I'm wearing one of my vintage square dance dresses... one of my favs)



Here I am hosting my table seated next to my beautiful daughter, Tiffany


I really enjoyed using my mother's treasures, it made the evening extra special for my guests.

We also got to enjoy our Levi portraying a Shepherd in the production of The Nativity played by his preschool class. 
He loved using the staff.

(I'm wearing Freddies' of Pinewood side zip jeans, red bandana shirt, black beaded sweater, and black suede ReMix wedge sandals)

OK, I love to decorate vintage Christmas and I have collected some amazing stuff over the years.  I have alot and I can't fit it all in this post, so I will share some of my favorites...



The mantle belongs to Santa!


I made the stockings...



My mother made this adorable Santa in the Chair in the 1970's and the mugs also. 
I'm so glad she inscribed the bottom of everything she created during her ceramic phase with her classic signature and date. 
I cherish these pieces the most.

I picked up this so, so retro lucite Christmas tree and candleholder set in it's original box from an estate sale for $1. 
Gotta love it!

This Scary Santa as Levi has labeled him stands about 15" tall, is sawdust stuffed with rubber hands and a face. 
I found him last year at a garage sale in Sun City...mecca for all things retro!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season and shared the love of your family and friends. 
Happy New Year, make it the best one yet!