Table Dresses

To be fair I just can't call them simply "table cloths".  They are so much more than mere cloths and have the ability change the look and mood of a vintage kitchen in an instant. 

Now, I know several of you share the same fondness as I do for great vintage textiles, so I thought I would spotlight some of  my own dear table dressings. 

I have been collecting for about 25 years now and following are just a few that have become the "old standbys" and are very precious to me.

I absolutely adore anything vintage South of the Border so when I found this at the Rose Bowl Flea Market,

I just about squealed with delight...

It matches my little mexican bandido on a donkey so well and it's fun to serve Mexican food with this little vignette.

His poor little burro has the task of carrying the heavy salt and pepper jugs as well, but he is such an adorable little

beast of burden.

I love the look of  abstract 1950/60's pinecone design and I found this amazing aqua table cover at an Estate Sale...

The cool thing is that I already had the dishes that matched!

I can mix and match so easily with this design. 

Just look how darlin' my vintage casserole dish fits in.

 

Cocktails anyone?

There is just something about this vintage pinecone design that makes me feel peaceful and happy.

Pink, Pink, Pink, how I adore thee...

Every vintage kitchen has to have a  pink and white striped cutie like this one. 

Oh, and a Spaghetti pitcher and tumbler set to match...a must have!

I get giddy over pink melmac!

Wowie, how many of you are state proud like me? 

I love vintage California memorabilia and I cherish this lovely piece of history. 

All of the famous locales are featured here and it's such a fun conversation starter. 

Have you ever been to...

Iron out your favorite and spotlight it on your table for a special meal tonight!

I hope you enjoyed today's offering. 

It's really fun to share my things with all of ya!

Atomic Comfort Living, That's What We Call It!

You've all seen my kitchen where we cook, eat, 'n play in a vintage way...

But now, I would like to share my living room with you too.  As you probably already know, we live in an old house. 

Not too old though, she was built in 1949.  Frankie and I have been caring for her since 1999 and from the beginning we made a pact not to mess with the original design. 

We have remained loyal to that promise and have spent years trying out just the right furniture pieces and fixtures to see if they are a "fit". 

There have been many flops and some no-goes, but I think we finally have it right...at least in this space...for now. 

Not quite sure of the style, or if it is a pure style for all of you vintage design afficinados, but we love it and we refer to it as

 Atomic Comfort. 

Kinda like

Disneyland's House of the Future-meets-Leave it to Beaver. 

It has become our trademark and we hope you enjoy it too!

This is the view from our kitchen...

I have collected so many amazing things through the years and it would take pages and pages to show, so Im only going to show you my current favorites from this room...

By the way, I love color...can you tell?

This sits on the mantel next to the atomic clock. 

This poor little doe has been expertly glued many times...

This has become the room's favorite spot with all of our guests...they always end up in this chair. 

In the credenza behind, are my most treasure items, that's why they are behind glass...maybe I should put the doe there also?

even though I am not a smoker, I am CRAZY for vintage smoking paraphernalia...it's the MadMen in me!

Atomic bar goodies are the best and I swoon over this vintage chrome spherical ice server!

This if my favorite corner of the room. 

I love this tv!!! 

Yes, it works too!

Everything is this vignette has come from Estate Sales.

ooooh!  those tv dials...yummy!

Simply "must haves" in your atomic living room, just in case...

I adore gold stars and Harlequins,

but I do think gold atomic stars are the winners.

I love, love, love this Kroehler couch with aqua and silver thread tweed.  This is "our" couch!  We sit and lay on her to watch TV, Levi plays cars on her daily, company has spilled coffee on her, but she doesn't care. 

She still looks as fresh and new as the day I found her.

I play all my vintage LP's on this amazing Magnavox...

there is nothing like the mellow sound of a phonograph spinning Billie.  

I love to hear it wafting through the house in the afternoon. 

These are THE moments!!!

I hope you have enjoyed visiting. 

Come back soon! 

Oh and please tell what you think of our domicile...

LA Day Trip

We took a fun day trip to AMAZING, AUTHENTIC, ORIGINAL

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES...yesterday. 

It's about 60 miles from where we live, but oh so worth the ride.

Our goal was to dine at the wonderfully unique and very kitschy Clifton's Cafeteria on Broadway St...check them out here

I remember many birthday parties at this fabulous place when I was a child, and you have never tasted baked macaroni and cheese as delicious as this I can guarantee.

Clifton's is still a family owned business using the same recipes since it's opening in 1935

But what makes this place truly amazing is the wonderful atmosphere inside...you feel as if you have stepped into a

vintage forest wonderland

complete with running waterfalls and rivers, yes rivers! 

Around every corner there is something to be explored. 

Levi was in heaven!!! 

We lingered and enjoyed our lunch and every delectible morsel we placed in our mouths to the fullest. 

Darn, we didn't have any room left to sample goodies from their famous bakery though...next time?

After lunch we drove up Broadway to

Chinatown!!! 

Let me tell you, there is nothing like the funk and vibe of Chinatown LA 

The items in each shop are so fun to explore and just look at the amazing eye candy in the presentation. 

I simply could not get enough and bought some fun stuff for my patio...

but that is another post.

I hope you get the opportunity to experience the funkiness that

Old Downtown Los Angeles

has to offer at least once in your lifetime...if you do, you will come away impacted!

Welcome to My Trailer...Come On In

Many of you have asked to see more of my little trailer from seeing The Vintage Housewife's gracious sneak peek of her.

Well, what is following is probably more than you want to see but I hope you have some fun looking.

The facts: We bought her about 7 years ago from the ORIGINAL OWNER WHO WON HER ON THE PRICE IS RIGHT...YES, THE PRICE IS RIGHT. She's a 1969 Scotsman, so she's not as old as she looks.

Frankie and I spent that whole summer fixin' her up and I think she likes her new clothes and make-up alot better.
We love her and wish we could take her out more, that's comin...soon...so, for right now, we just "play house" in her.

We have tried to stay with a vintage "travel" theme inside of her, but have ended up mixing in a little gingham, bar-b-que, picnic, and honky-tonk western (all vintage, of course).

I'm going to try and not talk anymore, so you can come in and relax and enjoy the snapshots and just have some plain 'ol fun with us...

What can I make for ya?

Just look at these darlin' plastic Solo Cup holders...and yes, I also have the original box of disposable inserts to go in 'em too!

This vintage Bar-B-Que tablecloth is one of my very favorite things

These are the vintage Solo Cup disposable inserts that go to the cuties hanging over the sink... of course I don't actually use them...I want to have them forever!

Me 'n Levi having a coke and a blast at our"faux" picnic.

Here's my Hunny Bunny, Frankie...isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw?

and a little honky-tonk just like I promised...

Hey, what are they checkin' out???? Must be a cool car...

Don't I look like a cigar smokin' bad girl here?
(I'm not really bad, and I don't actually smoke it was just a fun shot).

I hope you had alot of fun and I hope you get to go camping with us soon!

Hooray, it's Springtime and those long, lazy days of Summer spent by the pool are almost here...Yummy!

I can almost feel the magic in the air and I am getting ready for it in my

Va Va Voom Rose Marie Reid

of California

vintage swimsuit.

I stumbled across this one at the estate sale of a dear old precious darlin' who was my exact size...

almost everything in her closet fit me perfectly.

I do love the way these modest suits of yesteryear show so little skin, but are

oh-so flattering to the figure...

These vintage suits are so fun to wear, especially when I get invited to a "modern" pool party.

I think women need to feel beautiful about themselves again and there is no better way to

show off your shape girls

than to wear one of these great suits with confidence!

Ladies, be proud of the figure that God gave you.

He made you uniquely YOU!

And YOU are a wonderful asset in today's world!

pssst...don't you think Frankie did a great job at capturing the feel of the era in these photos?