30 Days of Bargains

Today, I am kicking off the start of the holiday season by introducing....drum roll please.... The 30 Days of Bargains!!! Each day in November I will have a special deal of the day!


Today's deal is for the book lovers out there......

FREE SHIPPING (to U.S. locations only...international folks look below for a great deal for you!) on the antique and vintage books in my Etsy shop!!!!!!!!!!!


This offer expires on Wed Nov 2 at 9am EST (New York time).


Click here to enter my shop...


BUT WAIT.... Here's a BONUS DEAL!!!  For anyone who purchases my books between now and 9am Nov 2 (including my wonderful INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS...if I could afford to give you guys the free shipping I would do it in a heartbeat!):


If You...... 


 1.  Follow my blog (just click the "join this site" to the left of the screen if you are not following me already) 


AND


2. "favorite" my Etsy shop (just click on the "add to favorites" link on the left side of the screen)


I will give you a FREE book (it must be one currently for sale in my shop and priced at equal to or less than the most expensive book you purchase).  Just put your "blogger/google friend" name in the "message to seller" section at checkout and let me know which book from my shop you would like for FREE!!  Can't beat this deal!!!  


If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section below or convo me via the "contact" link in my Etsy shop.  


Thanks for looking!!!  Check back daily for more great deals!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)

History Detective...Kitsch Style....

My favorite part of owning a vintage shop (besides the thrill of hunting down oldies but goodies...) is researching the items I add to the shop. I love history...any kind of history...so it's a lot of fun to play detective and decipher when a piece was manufactured and the history behind it....even on the little items like the one pictured above!   This kitschy little souvenir caught my eye on one of my latest vintage hunting trips.  I could tell by the speckled design on the top and the retro images, that it was probably from the 1950's or 1960's.  I wanted to make sure, though, so I did a little research.  I first looked up the company listed on a label I found on the bottom of the shaker.

It turns out that G Nov Co (novelty company) was in business from the 1950's-1970's.  So...it definitely meshed with the time period I had in mind.  Then I started looking up info on the sites featured on the shaker.  I learned a few interesting facts.  The Gulfarium pictured at the top of the shaker is the world's oldest marine show aquarium.

The Bok Singing Tower pictured at the bottom left (below the lion) contains what is said to be the world's largest carillon library in the world.

The first big clue to the age of the piece came when I researched Africa U.S.A. (the lion graphic pictured above).  Africa U.S.A. was a theme park-like tourist attraction that featured African wild life that roamed free.  It was located in Boca Raton and was open from 1953-1961.  This was the only attraction featured on the shaker that is no longer around.  So...I figure that the shaker was manufactured sometime before 1961.

I then researched the dates of when each attraction was built.  It turned out that the Citrus Tower (see below) was the latest one to be built..in 1956...my second big clue.  So...this piece couldn't have been made before 1956.

My research had proven my first hunch right!  It was a mid-century piece manufactured between the late 1950's and early 1960's.  What a fun little piece to research...and I LOVED playing the role of the kitsch history detective!  

Add some character to your walls....decorate Vintage Style!

Vintage items are a unique way to add some great style to your home!  Here are a few items from my shops that would just LOVE to be on your walls!  If you see something you like, just click on the pic for more info!

These cute oil paintings in wooden frames would add a shabby chic touch to small powder rooms or a guest room...

Add these 1940's era (I believe) set of 3D pictures in wooden frames to a bedroom or library........

Okay...so this one wouldn't really hang on your wall....but wouldn't this art deco frame look fabulous on your mantel or dresser???  Use this to frame a cool black and white photo, an illustration from old sheet music (like the one in the pic) or a 1920's magazine, or an old postcard for a sophisticated vintage feel!

I found this map in the back of a 1960's history book.  This one has civil war battles and other facts.  There was also another map that has historical facts about the lower 48 states.  Both maps are in great shape!  Would look fabulous framed and placed on the wall of a classroom or in your study!  I'm selling both maps and the history book together for one low price.  Just click on the map below to see more details.

I had fun with this one!  Add your favorite glam photo and display this altered scrapbook page in a mid-century mod style frame!

Classy 1950's-1960's style vintage Fragonard ceramic cameos in ornate frames!  Use these in the living room, bedroom, or library!

Frame each postcard of this set of 6 moonlight postcards from the 1940's in small frames and hang them together for a really cool display!  Great for bedrooms or  guest rooms!

This cute Texaco ad from 1934 would look great in an art deco or mid-century mod style frame!  Unique item for collectors!

Talk about a conversation starter!  Add some instant kitschy history to your walls with this vintage political ephemera!  Also...teachers...you could use this little piece of history to decorate your classroom!

For creative folks.....here are some books with cool illustrations.  Frame the illustrations or use them to create collages or mixed media works of art for your walls!!

                                          This 1960's science encyclopedia is only $4.95!!!
                                          The next 3 pics show some of the illustrations from
                                          this book.....

                                          This set of 3 books from the 1960's is only $15!  The
                                           3 pics below are illustrations from these books.....

And last but not least.....ooh la la......it's a vintage French print in an old scalloped wooden frame!  

Thanks for looking!  Have a wonderful day!! :-)

Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Hi everyone!  March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.  My father is a colon cancer survivor, so I know first hand how terrible the disease is.  My dad was lucky that he caught it in time for treatment.  Many people are not as fortunate.  Doctors recommend colon cancer screening for those aged 50 and older.  If you have someone in your family who has had the disease, you should get checked NOW...even if you are younger than 50.  Colonoscopies are generally painless procedures that save lives!  Get screened today!  Don't wait for symptoms...usually by the time they show up...it's too late to do anything about the cancer.

There are some fabulous shops on Etsy that are donating either all or a portion of proceeds from items they are selling to cancer-related charities or they are giving the money directly to dear friends fighting cancer to offset medical costs.  Here are some pics of colon cancer themed merchandise they have listed.  If you are interested in any of the items just click on the picture and it will take you to the listing.  You can get some great handmade items and know that you have contributed to organizations involved in the prevention of cancer or helping those affected by cancer.  Shop for a good cause!

Love the name of this bracelet...my thoughts exactly!

Screw Colon Cancer Suedette Wrap Bracelet

by Ravishing Jewelry

Hope Cancer Awareness T-Shirt

by My Emmy Baby

Cancer Awareness Magnet 

by Tanya's Scrappin' and Stitchin'

Colon Cancer Awareness Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Silver Earrings

by Crystals of Hope

Cancer Awareness Brown Hope Bracelet

by Aunt Mary's Legacy

Have fun shopping!  And remember.....get screened!!!  Colon cancer is survivable... IF you catch it in time!!!  

Prayers for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami

Just a short post today.  Wanted to send out prayers to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.  My thoughts are with those who have lost their homes, and loved ones.  I am hoping that Hawaii and the west coast of the U.S. are not affected greatly by the tsunami.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

Happy Fat Tuesday Everyone! In honor of Mardi Gras...here are some New Orleans inspired vintage and crafty goodies... all available from several different shops on Etsy!  If you like what you see, click on the pic to be taken to the listing....

Let the good times roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Happy Valentine's Day!!! My Gift To You......

Two souls with but a single thought, Two hearts that beat as one.   

~Friedrich Halm

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Valentine's Day!  To add a romantic air to my blog today...here are some LOVEly listings from my shops.....


Also..my Valentine's Day GIFT to you....Use coupon code BLOGFRIEND in my Etsy shop for 15% off any item in my shop!  For the Zibbeters out there...message me before checkout with the BLOGFRIEND code and I will adjust the listings you are interested in purchasing today to reflect the discount!

                                Beautiful vintage notecard made in West Germany featuring a courtship scene from days gone by......

Antique postcard circa 1909 with couple...brilliant colors!

Paper hearts crafted from a vintage (possibly antique) Parisian catalog of operas and musicals....

Look at this cute Dutch couple atop a heart-shaped trinket box!

No romantic candle-lit dinner would be complete without these.....

Have a great day everyone!!!!!!