Rockasilly Vs. Rockabilly WEEK 2

 

I don't believe anything needs to be said about this one... 

Always, 

Ruby B.

Bakelite & Fakelite

Today I went to the Brooklyn flea market, which proved to be mostly disgustingly overpriced. However, the whole trip was worth it for two reasons: in the winter, the flea market takes place inside a beautiful old savings bank, and the vendors are inside all of the tellers windows and even the original vault! I wish I had brought my camera, but I've just never been the sort of person to take snapshots...perhaps I should change that - for blogging's sake. The second reason is that I got the most AMAZING deal. Long story short, I picked up a beautifully carved purple bakelite bangle, which was priced $25!! Now, if you know anything about bakelite, it's that colors like blue and purple - which faded to brown and green over the years - are both hard to find and very pricey. I rubbed the bangle to smell it an sure enough it emitted the deliciously gross smell of real bakelite. When the vendor saw me doing this, she immediately said "Oh, that's french bakelite, it won't smell" ...which was very strange, because the only french bakelite that doesn't smell is fake french bakelite...so did this woman think she was selling me fake bakelite? And how did she not know that it smelt? Perhaps she thought it was fake and that is why it was priced so low, but she did not want to tell me that? The whole thing was very very strange, but in the end I walked away with a beautiful purple bakelite bangle for about a quarter of what it should cost. Victory!! And  just to make any other bakelite lovers jealous, here is a photo of my new love:

Also, I came upon a wonderful website with everything you need to know about testing bakelite and the warning signs of "fakelite" - which is being produced and sold at shocking rates! I thought this might be useful for anyone new to the wonderful world of bakelite: www.fakelite.com

Always,
Ruby B.

A Short Rant and Carolyn Jones

Today I walked into a vintage store - which shall remain nameless -  with the most outrageous prices I have ever seen in my entire life (and I grew up in Los Angeles)!!! There were moth bitten acrylic 1950's sweaters that would otherwise be crowding the shelves of thrift stores, priced at $150! I walked over to the the lingerie section, and a single pair of 1960's stockings that could be bought in bulk on Ebay were $30 each! Not only were 90% of the pieces in the store completely ordinary and not one-of-a-kind whatsoever, but NOTHING was in great condition! The sad part is, there is a reason why vintage stores - in large cities in particular - can get away with this. Not a single customer in that store knew anything about vintage...or at least, they did not look it. Thanks to the popularity of Mad Men, Katy Perry and the like, every fashion magazine is now telling women that "retro" is back in style. So these women who would normally shop at whatever department or chain stores are currently popular (not that there's anything wrong with that) are now walking into vintage stores ready to pay a pretty penny to look "fashionable". Vintage store owners recognize this, and take every opportunity to up their prices accordingly. Obviously, I fully understand how this would benefit the store owners and that they have every right to adjust their prices according to current demand, but true vintage lovers are being robbed! One can only hope that this fad ends as soon as possible and the price of vintage will go back to normal.


On a side note, an adorable little old lady stopped me in the street today to tell me that I looked like Carolyn Jones (I assume she means Carolyn as Morticia Addams, as I have long black hair and a heart shaped face)...I love little old ladies.

Ruby The Tattood Lady

I CONSTANTLY have people telling me that I would look so much nicer without all my tattoos, or that "tattoos don't go with vintage," but they are wrong I tell you! Wrong! People must think that tattoos were invented in the 80's! I love my tattoos (well, except a few that I got under-aged...) and I think they are just as important to my outward appearance as my floral dresses and bakelite jewelery. Most of them are even vintage inspired or taken straight from antique flash...so how they do not go well with vintage is beyond me.

Here are a few tattood beauties:

And the "Original" Tattood Lady (as she liked to call herself):

Always,
Ruby B.

Sick Day and Vintage Advice For A Cold

I had initially planned on doing my first outfit post today, but instead I woke up with a terrible cold! Actually, I think it's a mix of bad allergies and a cold...needless to say, I have been stuck on the couch all day watching bad ghost hunting shows.

Here are two entries I found in a vintage home economics book for "Recipes For Overcoming A Sickness":

Milk Toast

Arrange two slices of toast in a hot dish and pour over them 1 cup hot milk, to which 2 tsp butter and 1/2 tsp salt have been added.

Hot Lemonade

Wash and wipe a lemon. Cut a thin slice from the middle and squeeze the rest into a bowl. Put in 2 tbs sugar or honey, pour on 3/4 cup boiling water, and strain into a cup. Serve with the slice of lemon on top.

I think the milk toast actually sounds delicious....might be trying that later.


Anywhoo, I hope to have a good outfit post within the next day or two (health permitting, of course!)


Always,
Ruby B.

Billy Vs. SILLY

As it is something that comes up in day to day conversation for me, I thought it would be funny to do a "Rockabilly vs. Rockasilly" weekly post. If you have never heard the term before, "Rockasilly" simply refers to items (clothing, accessories, etc.) that were taken from something rockabilly and turned into something "edgy" and modern, so people can wear or use these things and think of themselves as "retro" or "rockabilly". But really, they are not...

I will try to stay pretty literal with these posts so that it is clear which is which. After seeing WAY too many of these modern hooker versions of a classic spectator or mary jane pump, I thought this would be perfect for the first post.


Always,

Ruby B.



P.S. Though I don't really care for a lot of rockabilly culture these days, it used to be very important to me in high school and I still find it offensive when people mislabel things as "rockabilly".

The Most Beautiful Celluloid Pin

This is the most beautiful 1940s celluloid valentine pin I have EVER seen! Maybe by next valentines day I'll actually be able to afford it...

First Post!

Hello World,

After a year of much debate about whether  or not to start a blog, I have finally decided to give it a shot. I have been following numerous vintage blogs for a while now and feel like it could be a great way to A) be productive in my spare time B) document a little bit of my life - as I always fail to keep up with journal entries or taking vernacular photographs - and C) organize and vocalize some of my thoughts, which are seemingly uninteresting to others who's interests do not include historical accuracy, 19th-20th century history and vintage snobbery (though I am not really a snob, just a well read enthusiast). I don't know how long I will be able to keep this blog going for, but for now I aim to add new posts at least a few times a week. These may include anything from vintage/antique finds, drawn out rants about absolutely anything and everything, found photos, current projects and events, music and movie reviews, tutorials, and the like...all for the love of vintage, of course!

Always,

Ruby B.