These two vintage postcards are most likely from the very early 1930s, and while they are not of the same site, the subject tends to tie them together.  There's no way to tell where the original photos were made, but for the last one at least, I suspect East Tennessee as the photographer was based in Knoxville.

What I really found interesting about the top postcard was how the women were dressed; they look more like they are setting up a patio party than a camp dinner!  They even appear to be wearing heeled shoes.  I can't help but think they knew they were to be photographed and wanted to look their best!  Contrast they way they look with the women in this earlier hiking shot.

Even in the early 30s, most women were not wearing pants outside of the most casual of activities, and they would have wanted to appear in the accepted mode of dress.  The photo of the  hikers from the early 20s was possibly a spontaneous shot of hikers the photographer happened to encounter.

It's not that I can't think of lots of lovely places to visit, it's just that with the price of gasoline and the related problems, it's just hard to justify so much travel.  I live in a small town and I walk whenever I can.  If  I'm just headed to the post office or to my little studio, I walk.  And I'm passed by a lot of cars.  A LOT.

I read somewhere that "they" say that gas will have to get to $5 a gallon before Americans change their driving habits.  At $4.55, I can't see any change at all.  I know that so much of the traffic is unnecessary, but part of it is the result of what has happened to our commerce centers, otherwise known as downtowns.  Most of the small to medium sized towns that I visit are all but dried up.  All the shopping and business places are outside of town, and one HAS to drive to get to them.  People really have no choice but to drive in order to conduct almost any kind of business.

My little town is not much more than a village, with really just one square block of downtown.  But in that block, there is a lot of potential.  There are almost 20 storefronts.  Unfortunately, these are not the necessary types of business that bring in shoppers.  There are three "beauty shops" but no barber.  There are two places to buy flower arrangements, but nowhere to buy a pair of socks.  We have two convienience stores with groceries, but they are across a busy 4 lane highway.  And I won't even get started on the lack of sidewalks.

Seems to me that part of the solution to the gas crunch is to reduce our usage by walking.  My mother would tell about how she and my father were living in Asheville in the early 1950s without a car.  He walked or took the bus to work, and she was able to do all her business by walking.  Today, it would be very hard to live in most American cities or towns without access to a car.  Ironically, Ashevelle is one of them.  The downside to that fact is that it is very expensive to live there, as the available housing is very upscale.  But it is a promising start.

So, I'll continue to walk when I can, combine trips, and cut it to the bare essentials.  And with the money I'll save, maybe I'll plan a trip on Air France!

The first taste of summer is here:  the first of the strawberries trucked up from South Carolina.  These are not supermarket strawberries; these are picked by the families who then load up their trucks and come north to sell them by the basketful.  The only thing that could be better is next month when the strawberries here ripen, and we can go pick our own.  And of course, by then we'll be getting the first SC peaches.

Ah! Summer!

If you look through this journal, you can see I love dogs.  Dogs have been a very important part of my adult life, and I can't imagine our world without them.  But not every dog has a good home.  That's why I work with Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation.  And tomorrow will find me at the Adopt-a-thon, helping people unite with their next best friend.

If you are in the market for a dog, I urge you to check out your local animal shelter or rescue organization.  Even if you have your heart set on a particular breed, they may be able to help you find just the right pet!

I've just finished listing some great vintage fabrics at Babylon Mall and so here is a quick sneak peek:

Great antique chair print

Kittens under the Christmas tree

And Rock & Roll with Elvis!

Also, I've got over half of the 450 patterns on sale for just a week or 2, so act fast if there is one you *need*!

Thanks to Chris at Listitcafe for the use of her photo.

Rumor has it that we in the US are in a recession.  Food and gas are up, wages are stagnant, and most businesses are feeling the pinch.  It's commonly thought that luxury brands are recession-proof because they do not depend on those hurt most by recession - the average guy.  I read today that Louis Vuitton is in fine shape.

But the latest news is not good for at least one "luxury" brand - Gucci.  According to reports, Gucci's US sales have slipped.  This is explained in part by who the typical US Gucci customer is:  an urban career woman who earns in the low 6 figures.  This is a woman who, in boom times, can spend $2000 on a handbag, but when things get tight, they must scale back.

So Gucci has a plan:  If their typical customer can't swing a $2000 bag, she can surely afford a $900 one.  So the plan is to shift focus from their most expensive leather bags, to cheaper canvas totes.  The change will first be seen in Gucci advertising, and according to one report, new, and cheaper, canvas lines will then be developed.

What's really puzzling about this is that Gucci tried this in the 1980s, with less-than-desirable results.  In 1979 Aldo established the Gucci Accessories Collection, in an attempt to funnel more profits into his branch of the Gucci family.  The GAC was distributed along with Gucci perfumes, and the canvas items were widely marketed in the US.  The idea was to make Gucci available to a larger range of shoppers, but the end result was that the brand name was cheapened.  By 1989 Gucci products (including such items as ballpoint pens and cigarette lighters) were available in more than 1000 stores in the US.  So much for exclusiveness!

Not only that, but Gucci lost their "edge."  They continued to produce high quality leather goods, and they also made expensive but conservative clothing.  It was not until after 1990, when Tom Ford was hired to design the collections, that Gucci regained their place as a fashion leader.

It may be that the decision-makers at Gucci need a reminder of the company's history.  I suggest they read Sara Gay Forden's book, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed.

This 1980s bag is typical of what Gucci produced during that decade.

In the 1980s, Gucci made expensive but conservation silk and leather clothing.  Thanks to Carrie at Glad Rags and Curios for the use of her photo.

Why is that whenever I'm looking for something, I can't find it, but if I'm NOT looking, there it is?

You might recall an entry several weeks ago about Loretta Young Frocks.  I had pretty much forgotten about it but was looking through my old fashion magazines looking for Philip Mangone ads, when this great ad popped out at me.  And while it does not show Deb's exact dress, it is a great confirmation of the dates this line was available. 

Not scanned was the company info:  The Sterling Company, 212 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Ill.

This post is for Sue who is vacationing at Kiawah Island with her family.  Check out her great blog, Vintage Rescue Squad.  She a woman after my own heart!

This  is a 1950s ad for Florida tourism.  I think the title pretty much sums it up!

Today was the first day that really said, "Summer's coming."  That hint of coolness that has been lingering was gone by this afternoon, and now we have five warm (or hot!) months ahead. 

Sometimes I wonder how we made it without every building being air conditioned.  I can remember sitting in church as a child, sweltering, with everyone in the congegation fanning themselves with the bulletin.  At the funeral home they even gave out cardboard fans with religious pictures.

As you might guess, this is no funeral home fan.  It's from the Collinsville Bottling Company of Collinsville, Connecticut.  I try to limit my collecting of advertising to Western North Carolina companies, but this one was too good to pass up, and frankly, I doubt that such an alluring fan would have passed muster at Wells Funeral Home!

I just got home from a week at one of North Carolina's beaches, and I went looking for a vintage image of where I was.  This is Atlantic Beach, and the photo comes from the official NC Department of Transportation Highway map for 1957.  How they thought this photo would attract anyone is puzzling, but I'm guessing the intent was to prove how popular Atlantic Beach was!

I actually stayed about 10 miles south of Atlantic Beach, at Emerald Isle.  They are on the same barrier island, which stretches from Swansboro to Morehead City, and from the air you can see that this is actually one 20 mile long beach.

The difference is startling!

Part of the difference is that the vintage photo was undoubtedly taken at the height of the season, in July or August.  What a difference a few months makes!  But even in April it was very warm, and terribly pleasant. 

What you can't see, however, is the incredible growth this area has experienced, most of it coming in the past 10 to 15 years.  When I first visited Atlantic Beach in the 1990s, there were 2 hotels and lots of cottages.  There were very few buildings at all in Emerald Isle - just the commonly seen beach cottages.  Today there is scarcely a foot of oceanfront property left undeveloped.  And many or the houses are huge - as many as 5 stories.  And that is for a single family home.  It's very disheartening, as the cottages are long gone,

Interestingly, many of these McBeachMansions have for sale signs on them.  I really think many people buy a beach home without considering the massive upkeep required.  Many times they end up being more work than the buyer bargained for.  In fact, the house we stayed in is on the market.  We are hoping it does not sale!

Hello all.  I'll be away for the next week, as I take a little trip to the NC coast with two of my very best friends, Cindy and Carole.  And while there will be no new posts, I'll be catching up on my reading and who knows what will come of it once I return?

Enjoy the week, I'm sure to!

Lizzie

For the past year I've been working with 6 other vintage sellers on another art project.  My theme was Vintage Movies, and each person chose a favorite movie to celebrate in collage.  I think the results are fantastic:

Bringing Up Baby by Carol at Dandelion Vintage

Gentleman Prefer Blonda by Athena Cavallero

Kiss from Pam at Glamoursurf

The Thin Man by Gabi at Morning Joy Vintage

Wait Until Dark by Carrie of nomusicnolife

Casablanca, by Me

1.  Where else can you see a sweet sleeping doggie wrapped in his own faux fur?

2.  There are great booths like this one of vintage goodies.  The woman who owned this one actually had a Ceil Chapman silk print dress from the 40s, which sadly, I had to turn down due to staining issues.  But she also had about 10 men's silk shirts from the 1920s, all in the most fantastic striped fabrics.  When I commented that these were just too pretty for a man, her answer was, "Dandies."

3. Spike, the Scotty whom everyone loves and who loves everyone.

4.  You see things you have never seen before, and quite likely will never again encounter.  An example: this Edwardian era hair net sales display.  There are cubbyholes on the back which hold the hairnets, and yes, there are nets still in their original envelopes.  The entire thing is made from wood and is in beautiful condition.

5.  You get to see dogs like Muffy dressed in cute costumes.  She didn't like her hat though and you can see what is left of it in her mouth!

So there you are; the first flea market report of the season.  It was a bit rainy and chilly but I still had a fantastic time and I found some fantastic vintage.  Now I'll be anxiously waiting three weeks to till the next big one!

Sometimes it gets lonely here in the Blogasphere. One gets tired of bugging her friends to read and post, and so unless the blogger is lucky enough to have a large following, at times she gets the feeling she is talking to herself!

So it was nice when I got an email from Suzanne Broughton of Broughton Hospitality, who wanted to mention the Vintage Travel Journal in the Broughton Quarterly, a travel magazine published by Broughton:

Broughton Hospitality offers a family of boutique hotels whose design and ambience celebrates the uniqueness of their cultures and locales throughout California and in Ubud Bali, Indonesia.

So the Spring 2008 issue is out, and I'm in the upper left corner of page 10:

Broughton Quarterly, Spring 2008

So, to any of the Quarterly's readers, thanks for checking me out, and to my regulars, thanks for reading!!

Pictures of this label and dress were sent to me by Deb, who found my site while looking for information about Swirl.  For those of you who think celebrity involvement in fashion design and manufacturing is something new, it may come as a surprise to you that it began at least as early as the 1920s.

By the 30s, it appears to be a fairly common practice.  One of the first was Shirley Temple, whose parents sold the rights to her name to a dress manufacturer who made "Shirley Temple" dresses.  Over the years, many celebrities have cashed in on their names.  How much input they had in the design process is not known, but I assume that for the most part, it was minimal.

Along with Miss Temple and Loretta Young, you might also run across a Dorothy Lamour, Ginger Rogers, Esther Williams, Gloria Swanson, Billie Burke or Margaret O'Brian garment.  I think I'd love to find a Billie Burke; how great would it be to have a frock from Glinda the Good Witch!

Angie at eHappy was able to dig up a reference to the Loretta Young line.  In the Sheboygan Press, June 9, 1938, there was an ad for Loretta Young Hollywood Dresses.  And Deb's frock certainly falls in that era:

And best of all, the dress has the original hangtag.  What a great piece of history!

Yes, I know this title is already taken, but these are not the same rules.  These rules are for you to adapt to your own needs.  I'm talking flea market rules.

I first wrote this list two years ago, and since flea market season is upon us (first big one in my area is this weekend!!) I thought it would be a good time to remind myself of my own rules.

Every year I miss some good stuff at the first market just because I forget to follow my own rules.  I thought writing them out might make them stick, kind of like the teacher making you write "I must not chew gum" 100 times!

1.  Go prepared.  Many of these events are partially or entirely out-of-doors.  I keep my VFG totebag packed with a hat, sunscreen, lipgloss, hard candies, tissues and antibacterial lotion.  I usually throw in a snack and a bottle of water.  Keep in mind that restroom facilities may be primitive (so stop at the closest fast food place before entering) and handwashing not possible.  Food is often of the carnival variety, so a healthy snack might be more to your liking.

2.  Don't take stuff you don't need.   If the fair is in a field, a rolling cart is pretty much useless unless it has very large wheels.  Leave your big and full-to-bursting handbag at home, and carry a small bag with just the essentials.  Do not bring along family members or friends who will slow you down and whine about being bored.

3. Take cash.  Many vendors will take a check, but few take credit or debit cards, and they don't give the best deals if they have to pay bank fees.

4. Dress comfortably.  For now and the fall, layers are great.  The mornings are cool, but the afternoons hot.  And wear comfortable walking shoes that you are not afraid to get dirty!

5. Identify yourself.  With your clothing, I mean.  I carry a Vintage Fashion Guild tote or wear a VFG or Fuzzylizzie Vintage tee shirt.  Both have the logo that identifies me as a person who is interested in fashion items.  I also often wear a Scottie dog pin, as I also collect Scotty items.  Dealers notice these things, and will offer you things you might have overlooked.

6.  Buy it when you see it.  I don't care how big it is, I don't care that your arms are full, I don't care that the vendor is very busy and you are in a big hurry.  If you spot something that you intend to buy, do NOT leave the booth without buying it.  If you do, one of the following will happen - You will forget about the item until you are half way home.  You will go back to the booth just in time to see another buyer happily paying for YOUR item.  You will forget where the booth is and spend hours searching for it a second time, but never finding it.  Trust me on this one.  If I had time I'd tell you about the 1920s velvet cape with a Paris label, but it always makes me cry.

7.  Don't be afraid to ask for a discount.  Most dealers will give you at least 10%, and if it is near the end of the show, often they will offer quite a bit more. But be nice and not demanding.  Please, don't be greedy.  If the price is $1, just pay it!  If you pull a pristine Pucci scarf out of a box of ratty old linens, please give the guy his $2 asking price.  It's good Karma.

8.  Ask dealers if they have what you are seeking.  If you find a dealer who seems to have a lot of vintage clothing, or whatever you want, ask if he or she has more.  Chances are they do, and chances are you'll be going to other fairs where that dealer will be selling.

9. Carry some of your business cards and give them to anyone who might have leads on what you are looking for.

For some time now I've been trying to include items in my collection which came from local stores.  By local, I mean Western North Carolina, but mainly the fashion center, Asheville.  From its early days as a tourist destination, Asheville has been thought of as a fashionable place, not because the local people were particularly fashionable, but because of all the visitors who came to town with their big city wardrobes. 

But from the turn of the 20th century there were more than just dry goods stores in Asheville.  Probably the earliest fashionable store was what became Bon Marche. 

I can remember what was the last location of Bon Marche in downtown Asheville, but the location I was most familiar with was the Bon Marche located in what was a new idea when built in 1956, a strip shopping center.  Called Westgate, at that time it really was at the gateway to downtown.  Today, it is just one more bit of urban sprawl, but in the mid 60s it was still novel.

Every Thursday my family piled in the car after school and work to travel the 20 miles to Asheville for  our weekly shopping trip.  We always ended up at Westgate because there was a Winn Dixie where Mama bought groceries.  While she shopped, my brother and I were allowed to go wherever; just be back at the car by 8.  When I was younger, most of the time was spent in the two "dime stores" at Westgate, or in the hobby shop, but as a preteen I discovered the delights of Bon Marche.

They had a great teen department, and the clothes of the mid 60s were so much fun.  I found I could spend the entire time just looking and getting ideas for the clothes that I made for myself.

The above label comes froma circa 1957 suit, and I imagine the Resort Shop was gone by the time I "shopped" in the store.  But its a nice reminder of one of my all-time favorite stores.  Sadly, Bon Marche is no more.

The photos below are 2 postcards in my collection, both from around 1960.  The top one plainly shows the sign and location of Bon Marche.  The next one is enlaged and it more clearly shows the size of Westgate.  The bottom postcard shows how undeveloped the surrounding area was at that time.  Cross the bridge (now 2 bridges) and you were in Asheville.  The land directly behind Westgate was bought and developed by Hilton Hotels as a resort and golf course in the 1970s.

March is birthday month in my family.  My  niece Lindsay turned 22 earlier this month, niece Amelia became 18 yesterday, and niece Amari is 26 today.  Her little boy Jacob will be one year this week, and I'll be 53.  So March is Birthday month around here.

Yesterday I went to a birthday party, but this was for a new friend, Clara Worley.  I met Clara through my uncle,  who met Clara at what she calls The Lodge.  The Lodge is actually the rest home where they reside, and Ms. Clara turned 100 last week.  I had really just met her, but very quickly I've been made to feel like I'm a part of her family.  The party was a real treat.  It isn't often that one gets the chance to welcome someone into their second century!

The calendar has announced the arrival of spring, though the thermometer might disagree!  We've had yet another mild winter here in Western North Carolina but the first day of spring has been blustry and cold.  On our morning walk with the Spookster, Tim and I noticed snow on the highest peaks of the Smokies in the distance.

Still, spring flowers are popping out all over, and I've been watching a bluebird building a nest in the neighbor's box.  And most importantly, flea market season starts in two weeks! 

Welcome spring!

One of the things I like best about working on the VFG Label Resource is that I get interesting emails.  The latest was an email from Nick Mangone, the great-nephew of Philip Mangone, famed maker of women's suits and coats from 1916 until his death in 1957.  I've been an admirer of Mangone's work ever since I found a Mangone suit in a thrift store about 10 years ago.  At first I thought the suit was a modern, high-end item, and then I saw the label.  It was hard to believe it was actually about 50 years old.

Mangone was known for his ability to judge the quality of woolen goods, and from the quality of my suit, it's easy to believe that he was a true master.  The suit is first-rate in every way.

Mangone opened his business, Mangone Models, in 1916. By the 1920s, his coats and suits were being sold in over 200 stores nationwide. He continued making woolen garments throughout the 1930s, and during WWII, he designed the uniform for the WACs.

After the war he continued designing suits, many of which were military inspired. He also opened a blouse business, Greco Blouse Company, which made blouses to coordinate with the Mangone suits.  He was not a big follower of the New Look, and many of his early 1950s designs continued to have broad shoulders and narrow jackets. He also was known for his novel usage of fur.

Mangone traveled often to Europe to buy fabrics and to view the Paris collections.  In 1919 he was arrested and charged with smuggling upon his return to the US.  Seems as if he had bought a jeweled mesh bag in Paris which he had not declared at customs.  His biggest travel adventure happened in 1937, when he returned from Europe on the Zeppelin Hindenburg.  He was badly burned when the Zeppelin crashed, and spent most of the next year recovering in hospitals.  The first thing he did when released was to take a flight to Chicago, to prove to himself that he was still not afraid to fly.

In 1957, the 20th anniversary of the Hindenburg crash, Mangone was interviewed about his experience.  To save himself, he actually jumped as the airship neared the ground.  He was severely burned, and was said to be the most badly burned of all the survivors.  A few months after the interview, Mangone died at the age of 73.