It Was 'Wind Song'

Herman took one last swipe at the whitewall tire and threw the rag in the bucket. 

The ’57 Bel Air was a great car, dependable in every way.  Dreamy thoughts of that white ‘60 Impala down at Palmetto Chevrolet came to mind and he just couldn’t get the long sleek lines of that fine automobile out of his head.

He’d just drive by again…one last time…to take one last look…before someone bought that white beauty off the lot…

~~*~~ 

What did Daddy always say?  “Good intentions paved the road to hell.” 

~~*~~

 

“Honey, come look!  I got this little bottle of perfume when I went to the car place…  I bet it’ll smell real good on you!”

Betty peeked out the window, “Herman, there’s a strange car in the driveway.” 

~~*~~ 

During the 1950s and 1960s, it was a big deal when the new car styles came out in September.  It was tradition to go to Palmetto Chevrolet in Conway, South Carolina, to see the new cars and it was tradition to get one of the little crown-shaped bottles of Wind Song perfume that they gave away.  That's my first experience with the classic fragrance that was created in 1953.  I wore it in high school and would revisit it over the years when I felt nostalgic for that slightly green floral scent.  The bottles were very pretty to sit on the dresser with their golden liquid inside and the pale green color of the creme perfume.  Alas, the regal crown-shaped bottles gave way to a generic glass container and they no longer have the charm that they once did.

Happy Birthday To Past Pieces Vintage

Past Pieces turned 3 years old on August 6, 2011.  Only this year have I devoted most of my time to nurturing it and treating it as a full-time pursuit instead of a diversion.  It has evolved since then and probably will continue to evolve as I devote even more time and effort to it; to decide in which direction I really want to go, although that’s pretty well settled.  Today.

When I started Past Pieces, I was a full-time caregiver and wanted something to distract me from that day to day business.  I wanted a venue in which to sell some of the vintage dinnerware and bits and pieces that I’d collected.  It was a way to gently divest myself of my treasures before I was labelled as one of the currently disturbing darlings of the reality television shows…the hoarder.  Having a Goodwill store open locally didn’t help my malady, and soon the garage became a repository for the steel shelving I bought for my “inventory.”  Hence the need for an online shop.

Wonder of wonders, once I opened my Etsy shop, I sold a few things.  There’s nothing headier than making money and I was on my way.  It languished for the first two years, but I sold an item every now and then, but I was too distracted by other things to put my heart and soul into it.  Now, I have the time, and a bit of heart and soul, so we shall see what happens.

As I mentioned, my direction is changing from the original dinnerware and collectibles to what I plan to become a place for vintage clothing and accessories.  Add some vintage lingerie and linens and it’ll be an eclectic brew of various decades.  

Will it keep evolving?  Yes.  Will it keep growing?  Yes.  Will my interests keep changing?  Yes.  Do I know where it all will lead?  No.  

Saturday's Mystery Box

There's nothing more exciting than a cardboard box and crumpled up newspaper hiding treasures beyond belief.... Well, velvet boxes with pearls are more exciting, but we're talking bargain basement excitement, not 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' excitement!

I love to stop by a favorite shop with no expectations and find old dinnerware; something that has been loved and appreciated in another era. Due to time, death, relocation, downsizing, economics, lack of appreciation, or something shinier and newer, things tend to get cast off. It's a shame, really, but it's also my gain.

My latest treasure is a set of yellow teacups and saucers. Boldly and delicately yellow with graceful swirls and shapely handles. Eight each, which isn't as usual as you would think. Lovely. The plates and bowls? Long gone, maybe, as they were the dishes that were used most often. Teacups were stacked on the top shelf and hardly ever used. Somewhere along the way we moved from the polite teacup into mug territory. I think that's a metaphor for our society!

These lovely teacups are by Franciscan. I haven't done any research on time yet, so I don't know the pattern.

Another find is a cute lil Lefton wall-hangy-doodad; the kind of which people don't really hang on their walls anymore. Well, some grandmama someplace might, but I have a sneaking suspicion that most of them have been tossed in the attic. The yellow flowers made me happy and I had a theme going on so I went with it.

The completion of the theme were four Mount Clemens plates. Roses. My favorite theme. These plates are in great condition and like the teacups and saucers, I don't yet know the pattern.

Emilo Pucci Formfit Rogers Gown and Robe

I was strolling down the lingerie aisle at a favorite charity store and this fabric leaped out at me. It was a splash of color in a morass of tired flannel and saggy teddies. It was immediately special. I'm a fabric toucher and a label reader, so when I saw the two words "Emilio Pucci," I knew I had a winner. It was a very good day.

In 1959, Emilio Pucci decided to create a lingerie line. His atelier in Rome advised him to develop the line abroad, avoiding the difficulties of a decade earlier in matching available fabrics to the patterns of his first swimwear line. As a result, Pucci came to Chicago giving the lingerie contract to Formfit-Rogers mills. The venture proved to be successful, and Pucci was made vice president in charge of design and merchandising for the company a year later.

This peignoir set is vintage 60s or 70s. It features Pucci's signature bright colors of hot pink, rusty orange, light pink, and pale chartreuse with his initials being a design element. Known for his bold kaleidoscopic prints, this pattern is almost dainty in comparison with rows of loose bows on a lacey border. Pucci designed in Italy and his garments were American made. The borders are pieced on the gown and robe with tiny darts forming the circular border around the neck of the robe. The nylon fabric is thin and fine. The set is a lovely example of quality American made lingerie.