Vintage Kamehameha 1940's Rayon Sarong With Bolero

I have this fabulous vintage Kamehameha sarong dress with matching bolero. It is made of that wonderful heavy rayon. This dress is in excellent condition for it's age. I would like any information that I can receive regarding this lovely piece.

Crown Fire Palmdale California

I live in the Antelope Valley, and the enclosed picture is what we are seeing from our backyard looking South. The fire is now moving North and East toward Palmdale and the Antelope Valley Freeway ST Route 14. Water dropping planes will soon begin their trek from Fox Field to pick up water and retardant.

Yoga The Iyengar Way

Why is it so hard to get this book, at a good price??? I have looked at Amazon,Halfcom,ebay, etc. I want the book with it's 2006 or later printing and everyone I email will not respond or do not answer questions. I guess they do not want to sell the book. Very frustrating.

Vintage Breyer Horses and Foals

Found an assortment of vintage Breyer model horse figurines this weekend at an estate sale. I have listed a couple on Etsy, including the:

Baby Clydesdale

and

Stormy, foal of Misty of Chincoteague ADOPTED!



I also have the following:


Black Beauty - Morganglanz series


Halla Noble Jumper


Merry Legs dapple Shetland Pony from the Black Beauty Family


Speck - Family Arabian - Mare Appaloosa with bareback pad.


Arabian Mare Chestnut, from the Classic series. ADOPTED!

Let me know if you are interested in any of these vintage Breyer horse figurines.

Hot In The Desert!

It is hot, hot, hot, here and not cooling off anytime soon. It has been in the low 100's for about a week now, but should be cooling off to a balmy 95 next week.

I know it is not as hot as Vegas or the lower deserts, but enough is enough!

The newest treasury I was included in has a "cool" look to it. I was also included in a blog, Please check these out. I am very excited to have been included in several treasuries and a couple of blogs lately. Thanks to all.

Check out the latest additions to my Etsy

Another Etsy Treasury! And Blog Feature!

I have been added to another Etsy treasury, and with the same shoe! Lovely amber color on this vintage Kanawha glass shoe.

Also have been featured with my retro pitcher and glasses on a fellow blogger's site.




Thanks for adding me!




Prime Desert Woodland Preserve Count

16 - Bunnies and Rabbits
08 - Squirrels

Antique Lalique Nemours Bowl With Sepia Tint

I have a beautiful R. Lalique France vintage/antique Nemours bowl with what I think is the sepia tint. This bowl is heavy weighing in at a couple ounces shy of 5 lbs. It is 10" in diameter and about 3/8" thick. It is marked in the bottom in raised relief, R Lalique France, there is a light scratch? also on the bottom. This bowl has been around a while and I think actually used by previous owner, it will need some cleaning. I found a very very tiny rim chip, and there is some very very minor roughness around the rim as well. I also found a line on the rim, which I am not sure what it is, does not appear to be a crack, please check photo. From what I have read about the marks, I believe this to be pre- 1945.






If you would like to purchase this bowl, you may click on the Paypal buy now button below. I am open to reasonable offers.  Or if you would like more information, please contact me at Gizmosetsy@gmail.com

 

Woodland Preserve Count:

18 - Rabbits and Bunnies
16 - Ground Squirrels
07 - Lizards
01 - Quail
01 - Coyote

Etsy Treasury

Wow, just added to another Etsy treasury, many thanks! Check it out and the other fabulous treasuries to be found on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c26114f18cd6d912573571f/shoes-shoes-shoes


I have added some items to my Ebay since they are offering a free listing. At least that will keep the cost down. Their fees have skyrocketed!

Hermann Tortoise's For Sale - Hermanii Testuga

I have male and female, juvenile and adult Hermann Tortoises for sale. Southern California - Los Angeles, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley,Victorville, Upland, Ontario, etc. areas only. I will not ship a tortoise, as I just do not think it is safe.

I should have some hatchlings in the fall as well.




These small tortoises have been born and raised by me on my property. They are healthy, happy, well fed tortoises, adapted to outside living, hibernating.

I will accept paypal payments.

For more information, please email me at gizmosetsy@gmail.com.

On Road To A Healthier Me

I have joined a local gym that has yoga classes, one of which is given by my sister in law. She does a great job! I have been wanting to do this for some time now. My family bought the one year membership for me for my birthday. I have started the classes and am already feeling the benefits of it.



Prime Woodland Count for June 15, 2010

27 - Rabbits and Bunnies
24 - Ground Squirrels
4 - Lizards
1 - Covey of Quail
1 - Coyote

Today's Head Count

13 - Rabbits and Bunnies
8 - Ground Squirrels

Prime Desert Woodland Animal Count

Today's woodland count is:

18 - Rabbits ( Black Tailed Hares) and Bunnies ( Cottontail)
13 - Ground Squirrel
1 - Lizard
1 - Quail, unusual since they usually run in packs

Cats Truly Do Have Nine LIves

My Cat Gizmo has been ill as of late. Twice now I have thought that it was time to take her in to be euthanized. She has had what appeared to be renal failure twice in about 3 months, and once about 1 1/2 years ago. She suddenly, will get better. The first time I changed her food and she was better for a long time, then she got sick again. This time she had an accident in the house, and she was sent outside permanently. She has a nice soft cushiony wicker bed, and a crate to go into. Anyway, she is 13, and a little slower. Her days of providing meals for us are done. ........or are they?

I also have Hermann tortoises. I do have babies, correction did have babies as well.

As my babies came out of hibernation this year, I found a couple with holes in their shells, very unusual, and couldn't figure it out. They both died and we discovered that a couple more were dead in the home we had built for them as well. These were my older babies, about 3 - 4 inches long. Since we live next to the desert we surmised that quite possibly a rat had gotten to them and set traps.

In the next enclosure are my little babies, mostly newborns from the previous fall and a couple of 1 and 2 year olds. I started counting heads as they came out of hibernation and all was well. One day, I noticed only a couple little babies, we opened their home and it was a killing field inside. I was and still am sick to my stomach about it. We still have not caught the rat.

At the time I told my cat, that had she caught the rat, she would have redeemed herself for her indiscretion in the house. She looked at me and went back to sleep.

Well, she once again has gotten better, might be the trout my husband and I have been feeding her. This will be her fourth life, and in this one she has managed to redeem herself!

Last night at bedtime, my husband was locking doors and checking everything and there was Gizmo meowing at the door. My husband looked down and she had killed a mouse! Not the rat that we might have been hoping for, but hey, she has been sick. Baby steps. It brought tears to my eyes, that she was better, but also appreciated us enough to provide for us once again. We gave her high praise and told her where there was one there would me more. Although we are happy that one This mouse has been caught, we know that it is not the culprit, and have to rethink the traps.

So, in conclusion, for those that do not believe that cats have hearts and nine lives, I have proof!

Vintage Stylish Hats, Bygone Era

I am fascinated by the variety of designs in hats over the eras. Such imagination, and what style. From Fur to feathers, velvet to felt. Straw and ribbons. A simple veil. Here are a few that I have in my collection, and that are for sale. Perhaps there will be something that may interest you.

A simple blue hat with faux pearl and rhinestone decoration.

A 1960's ? Dark navy blue woven hat with grosgrain ribbon and box.

Deco Dotted Black Veil

Stylish Pink Hat with Big bow

Offset Black Velveteen? New York Creations Hat with Satin ribbon

Vintage Milgrim Ruffled Ribbon Straw hat and box

Woodland Count:
21 - Bunnies and Rabbits
12 - Ground squirrels
1 - Covey of Quail
1 - Coyote

Great California Poppy Season

What a great poppy season we had this year. The first picture shows the poppies on a cloudy, cold, windy day when the blossoms are closed. The rest of the pictures show them on a warm sunny day about a week later.

These pictures were taken in one area, and it seemed that the poppies went as far as the eye could see. There were poppies everywhere, one of the best seasons in about 15 years.




Woodland Count:

19 1/2 - Cottontail bunnies and Black Tailed Hares 1 1/2 because one was the cutest tiny baby

19 1/2 - Ground squirrels, again one was a tiny baby leaping into a bush, too cute.

3 - Lizards, fence or spiny
2 - Scrub Jays, not really known for this area.

and of course numerous other bird types.

Making A Statement

Nothing makes a statement more than the lighting you choose and some of the vintage bold colored hanging swag lamps will do just that. They came in all different sizes, colors, and materials. Danish Modern with blues and greens, and wood were popular in the 60's and odd atomic shaped lamps in the 50's to 60's. I think with the "Mediterranean" era came the more chunky glass, brass and cast iron.

I have a vintage glass swag hanging lamp in my shop. Globe shaped with the "antiqued brass" look. Lamp works great!




Woodland Head Count:
19 - Black Tailed Hares, Cottontails
10 - Ground Squirrels
2 - Quail
1 - Coyote
and again numerous birds including the quail, ravens, doves, flicker, wrens, mockingbirds,hummingbirds, finches.

As we were walking along we noticed several squirrels and rabbits running at top speed, and I said to my husband, "the coyote must be out there". Sure enough as we looked to the Northwest, there he stood, almost completely camouflaged against the desert sand. As soon as we turned our heads and looked at him, he lay down, too late buddy, we saw you.

The cutest thing we saw was when we startled a baby cottontail and he ran off as fast as his feet would carry him. A great laugh for the morning!

Rare Lladro

I am offering a rare Lladro porcelain figurine for sale in my Etsy store. This piece is from the early 70's and is a rare piece. It is the cowboy boot and is hard to find, it is considered very rare. This was considered a multi-functional item and is a vase. It measures appx. 7" high and is 7" long and about 3" wide.

The spanish name for this item is Bota Campera. The original sculptor is Julio Fernandez.

This piece is in excellent condition with no chips or cracks. It is priced well under book value.

Today's head count for the woodland is:

8 - Rabbits and Cottontails
8 - Squirrels

We went a little later and it is a little cooler today and windy, so guess we missed the little critters.

Flora and Fauna, Well just Fauna

It has been awhile since I have posted. Thought today I would talk about the woodland near our home.

The woodland is a desert area, that has been set aside for preservation. It is a prime example of such an area here in the desert. Since it is directly behind us, we will never have homes behind us. We do not look out on a forest of houses, but instead have great sunsets.

This one is a the best.

There are trails that have been set up within the woodland and we try to walk there as many times a week as we can. Besides the Joshua trees, creosote bushes, junipers, and other desert flora, there are animals to see.

Along with numerous birds, here is my headcount for this morning:

39 - Cottontail and Black Tailed Rabbits, including some adorable babies.
13 - Small ground squirrels, including the cutest little babies.
1 - Coyote

I happened to look to my left while walking along the northern trail, and about 50 yards away was a head and two alert ears watching me. It was a coyote lying down in the brush. As soon as I pointed at him for my husband to see, he stood up and backed away ever watchful. We see them quite frequently, and see them in packs as well. I believe there are about 5 - 6 that live in and frequent the woodland. We have also seen them trotting down the street. At times we hear them yipping loudly, sounding like there are dozens instead of the few.

Announcement for my vintage shop, Gizmos on Etsy. You will get a free handmade compact tote bag with purchases of $25.00 or more excluding shipping.

Have a great day!

Added to Etsy Treasury

A fellow Etsian has added one of my items to her treasury.

Check out the treasury here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=118143

Always fun to look at the myriad of vintage items.

New Year Ahead

Hope all will have a prosperous and healthy new year.

I am back to working on my Etsy shop, after the holidays. Enough time off I guess.

Have posted a few new things, and more to come.

Today I have added some sewing patterns for handbags, and accessories, all uncut.

They are mostly McCall's patterns, and a couple are vintage. There is also a couple of cute stuffed dog patterns from Burda.

I also have listed some nice items on Ebay as well, such as this great vintage graphic metal picnic basket

Also, there is a really nice vintage egg scale for that farmhouse kitchen decor.

Have a great day!

Who Loves Vintage Purses?

I love vintage bags, and the changes they have made over the years. Following are pictures of some of mine I have collected. I am especially fond of box style for some reason. As you can see though, this madness also includes, compacts, lipsticks, compact purses, sunglasses etc.
First 3 pictures include but not limited to:

Steel beaded french bag with nice pattern and in excellent condition, carved lucite box

Whiting Davis in mint condition, all rhinestone evening, and round iridescent copper beaded and bakelite boxy bag.

Whiting and Davis alumesh with celluloid/bakelite handle and frame

I have some smaller purses as well, and use some of them for when we go out. Here are a few more pics:

Navy faille with lucite closure, white plastic beaded boxy bag, another faille with lucite closure, black beaded box,wood beaded Czech bag with plastic link chain.

A lucite, a stunning white glass beaded box, black velvet rounded box, faille pouch with carved chunky lucite closure,beaded clutch,whiting davis metal mesh and whiting davis gold metal mesh clutch with rhinestone closure

In the background is a unique box / compact purse with petit point embroidery. I have another regular style compact purse in the same design. Purchased them together.

In this picture is a mandalian mesh with drops in excellent condition, an Evans metal mesh compact bag, and in the background a pouchy Charlet Paris all beaded bag in coppery brown sparkling beads and hanging on the right is a large Whiting and Davis white beadalite mesh bag with milk glass closure.

Background is a clear plastic evening back studded with bright rhinestones, but what makes this back special is the row of rhinestones that line the top and a large rhinestone on the clasp. Also in the background is a Ilene lucite clutch with rhinestone design, this bag can be found in other colors and rhinestone designs. In the front is a goldish greenish Wilardy lucite boxy clutch.

In the back are two popular clear carved lucite clutch style evening bags. The one on the left has a carved cherry design with rhinestones, and the one on the right in the corner has a criss cross pattern, also with rhinestones. Immediatetly in front is a tortoiseshell lucite small boxy clutch and to the right is a lucite confetti embedded compact purse.

There is a variety of glass beaded flapper style bags in this picture and in the center top is a Whiting and Davis dresden mesh bag, in excellent condition.

In the background are two Charlet glass beaded bags. One is a clutch style ( standing up on left) in a mossy brown color and in the background is a black box style in immaculate condition. In front is a sweet vintage Japan beaded with a bow decoration, and behind that is a small brass with lucite top and a tortoiseshell/rootbeer lucite box.

This picture shows part of a vintage plastic bag with flowers and lucite handle, a telephone cord purse,a black crocheted with beads and round plastic bottom, lucite handles, a small tortoise plasit/lucite box purse, a fabulous iridescent blue glass beaded Charlet bag, another Czech wood beaded clutch and one of my favorites, a brown Corde box purse.

Hope you have a fabulous New Year!