Art Summer School 1948

Maybe it's because I spent every summer of my childhood at art camp, but I think these photos are just too great! Students of all ages are seen hard at work at "Summer Art School" circa 1948. 

All images taken from the LIFE archive

Happy Birthday Johnny Cash!

Yesterday would have been Johnny Cash's 80th birthday. I spent the day sick in bed, stuffing myself with dayquil and mucinex. So, although a day late, here are some fantastic and rare photographs of Mr. Cash himself.

 

         Just look at the western decor in this room!!!                             

    All images taken from the LIFE archive.

Underwater Fashion Show

Anyone ever wonder what an underwater fashion show circa 1947 would have looked like? Well, now you know!

        All images are taken from the Life archive.

Best Invention Ever

I would just like to take a moment to thank Solanah of Vixen Vintage for creating the single greatest tumblr of all time...in fact, the only tumblr ever worth looking at. Solanah, you are a genius!!!

--->  http://vintageryangosling.tumblr.com/  <---

The Manhattan Vintage Show

Yesterday and today was the winter Manhattan Vintage Show. There were over 80 vendors packed into the Metropolitan Pavilion...it was heaven! Unfortunaetly, there was no photography allowed of the garments, so hopefully the pictures of my findings will suffice! While I somehow managed to control my spending and only come home with a few pieces, I did find some AMAZING things! First, I bought these two bakelite rings, one a dark green and the other a marbleized black.

Second is a gorgeous 1940s rayon dress with fantastic buttons. I have been compulsively buying 40s and 30s rayon lately, as made evident by the next few purchases...

 

Next is a late 30's rayon dress with a floral print and wonderful pipping detail with covered buttons

The third (and last) rayon item is a 40s blouse with the most amazing bird/swirly print and an ascot tie

I also picked up this deadstock 40's peach silk slip...a lady can never have enough pretty underthings! 

Here is a horrible picture of what I wore to the show yesterday...I look terrible but the dress is one of my absolute favorites!

Just look at the print!!!!!

And lastly, I forgot to take a photo of the dress I wore today, but here is a close up of the adorable flamingo dancer print:

For the longest time I never wanted to wear novelty prints....I'm not sure why, maybe they just felt a little too flashy or silly. But for the past few months they are all I have been wanting to buy! Nothing beats an unusual or hard to find novelty pattern fabric, especially if it happens to be rayon!!


That's all folks,

Ruby

This Week In Pictures

Being that I have been incredibly busy this past week, I don't really have anything remarkable to share.  My fella and I did get to go to the Merchant House Museum today, which I absolutely loved! It's a house on 4th street in Noho that was owned by the same family from 1830 to 1933. When the last family member died, the city turned it into a small museum where visitors get a chance to see what upper middle class living in 19th century NYC was like. All the furniture and decor is original to the home (all mid to late 19th century) and almost everything in the house comes with it's own history and back story (via a small book that is given to everyone who enters). Unfortunately, photographs were not allowed inside the house (BOO!!) but I was able to snap a quick photo in the courtyard outside.

In other news, the winter weather has allowed me start wearing my "new" 1940s winter boots! I had searched for a pair just like this for about 2 years when I found these babies in Fraulein Caroline's Etsy shop. I almost cried when I saw them in my size and price range! In fact, I think I may have actually teared up a little. They are the perfect winter boots - they keep my toes warm and are absolutely beautiful. Definitely one of my best purchases ever!

 

And last but certainly not least, here are some pictures of my cat eating... because who doesn't want to see pictures of my cat eating? Her name is Valentina.

 Here she eats her own food.

And here she tries to eat my food.

That's all Folks!

I'm Alive!!!

                           

After almost a year of no blogging, I have decided to give it another try! What changed my stubborn mind you might ask? I recently made the horrible 21st century decision to get an iphone (4, not 4S!)...which means i can now have a camera with me wherever I go. All my other cameras are vintage or antique - meaning they require film and several minutes to set up one shot - making them not so convenient for everyday snapshots and such. So, between the regular phone camera and the instagram program (which I am ashamed to admit that I have somewhat taken a liking to) I can now take pictures wherever I go and - more importantly- have something to show on this blog other than photos taken from the internet or at home. Horray! So without further ado, here are a few random pictures for your vieweing pleasure:

  My 1940s Fiesta Ware set...an xmas gift from my parents! I love it so much.

  A few random photos of the small vintage boutique I work at.

For those of you who haven't spent too much time in tattoo shops, I shall explain these two tattoos. Every year on Friday the 13th it's tradition for a lot of tattoo shops to do $13 friday the 13th tattoos. There will be a sheet of flash - a bunch of small tattoo designs drawn up for customers to choose from - all with a friday the 13th theme. I always thought this tradition was a bit silly, but when I saw the sheet of flash that the artists at my shop drew up for the day, I decided a 4 leaf clover would be perfect for the tiny spot by my elbow. My boyfriend got a skull on the inside of his bicep.