Lucite. Luuuuuuucite. Love it!

I love lucite; what's not to love?  It goes with anything, is useful in so many applications, has a great weight, sparkle and I do not downplay it's practicality!
The above examples are both great examples of how flexible the material can be, both in design and application.  Both available from Fabulous Mess , Tray and Cake Stand, are each $50 USD.

From tabletop to fashion accessories -told you this stuff was adaptable!  This lucite clutch with rhinestone inlays from the 50's would go with just about any evening outfit.  Available at Vintagous for $79. 

How cool is this clock??  Perfect for the retro boudoir! 

Curved design features gold bubbles incorporated within the material -genius!  From LOOKING for YESTERDAY , at $27.50, don't expect this gem to last.

Oh my, speaking of lucite in the boudoir -perfect for the mid-century retro boudoir is this lovely vanity chair.  Those lines, swoon!  At $799 from ReMod Furnishings , this is definitely an investment piece.

Okay, I think I just want to live in Fabulous Mess' Shop  This is such an elegant piece that takes up practically no visual space, but has such visual impact!  $375 for this beauty.

Wall Clocks -50's, 60's, 70's - Love 'Em!

Still working on my Retro-Contemporary kitchen and wading through many fabulous vintage wall clocks -after all, every kitchen needs a good time keeping feature.   At the end, I'll reveal the one I chose...

Love this starburst style example above; a little out of my price range at $150, from 41 Ford Gal's Vintage & More , but it makes such a fabulous statement, no?

Ooooo, faux bois is so Retro-hot right now!  This is super sweet, cheeky take by General Electric.  At only $26, it's an affordable way to add not only a contemporary trend, but Retro appeal.   Available at Fresh Era .

Here's a beautiful, softer example in pale, chippy mint. Lovely! From Grandmas Junk Drawer for $40.

If I were including red in my kitchen decor, this lovely, Deco wall clock would be a definite contender!  $35 from Fried Green Tomato .

Although each of these examples are truly fabulous and inspiring, the winner is.....

The perfect addition to my kitchen in my favourite turquoise!  An absolute STEAL at $14.50 from Pink Painter !  Now, don't think you can beat me to it, this cutie is already safe & sound in my kitchen, plugged in and keeping good time!  Do check out her shop though for lots of interesting Retro items & some sweet vintage children's books & items.

Come back soon for more updates on my decorating adventures, progress, and a lotta things that "Eye" just love!

Bread Boxes!

I'm very behind on my blogging, but overloaded on things that I love!  Having just moved houses and free to decorate & collect completely to my own tastes, I've been thrifting, Kijiji-ing up-cycling, and combing Etsy feverishly.  One thing I wish I had room for in my new funky, but sadly counter space challenged kitchen is a great, Retro bread box.  Here are a few I've been drooling over:

My current favourite colour, turquoise, in a very deco inspired, mid century plastic.  This amazingly well preserved bread box is $18 from Atomic Katz

In case you weren't sure what this lovely example of a Mid Century Mod, Danish inspired design box was for, it's conveniently labelled.  Love the lower case letters.  Available from Zen Hen for $34. 

This is so 70's Retro-cute, in the ever-popular avacado green, featuring simple kitchen item decal.  It even has a handy extra interior shelf.  $17 from Tag Sale Finds.

Always cheerfully nostalgic,  cherry printed, yellow bread box has two compartments and is attributed to the 1940's.  Thinking this would make one handy storage solution in any quaint kitchen or home office.  From Random Retro, $54. I love their tagline, it says it all; "Retro: it's not just a style, it's a LIFESTYLE" -live what you love!

Spring Sprouts

Spring is officially here; new life is sprouting up all around us.  I love the glow-y green of newly sprouting plants and leaves.  This 7x7 photographic print by Allison Trentelman captures that fresh green so perfectly.  Available at her Etsy store;  Nature Mandalas  for $24.

How about a sprout printed onesie for your own little Sprout?  This hand painted design is just too cute!  Size 6 mos, $15 from Nicole Dobbins Originals

 Not green, but definitely captures the spirit of Spring Sprouts is this adorable necklace.  A perfect gift for your favourite gardening enthusiast.  Only $24 at Sparkle Peach.

How about one of these sweet made-to order, Mini Sprout Vases from Whitney Smith?  Adorable and perfect for a single springy bloom!  $62 each.

Below, the perfect flat note card for quick correspondence; set of 8 with brown envelopes for $12 from Simply B.  I love the simple design.  

Stockings!

I know, it's officially Spring, but the days can still be quite chilly, and I for one am not ready for bare legs.  I've always loved stockings, or tights, or leggings, or whatever name you call them by, ever since kindergarten.  I remember a pair of white tights in particular because at recess one day I fell and scraped my knee -less concerned for my knee, but heartbroken by the hole in my beautiful white tights!

How about these awesome tie-dyed knit thigh highs?  They look so cozy!  Check out the other tie-dyed looks at, Tie Mee, these are only $20!

These are at once, cute & sex-ay!  Like getting a tattoo without the pain -and permanancy.    These are $16 from Tattoo Socks and More.  Endless designs available, but Peacock feathers are a super hot trend right now!

These don't really qualify as stockings, per se; more like legwarmers, or dare I suggest, "spats". So unique I had to show them in two different colours!   I think I would like them turned around as well, what a lasting impression your departure would make!  On sale now for $75 (remember, these are all crocheted!)  by Sannica. 

Very cool, these vintage design patterned tights!  Love the vertical stripes -very thinning to the leg.  Available for $12, from Daixiaole.

And, of course I love vintage, old new stock!  Shaped, seamed stockings circa 1941!   The real thing from Oddjects for $22.  This is a brand spankin' new store; if this is any indication of future finds there, I'll be visiting again!

Soft Spring Florals

Spring has tapped us on the shoulder today to let us know of Her impending arrival.  This, and a recent lovely thrift find makes me think of soft pastels, and vintage-y  florals.

These lovely 8x10 fine art photographic prints aptly titled "Soft", and "Soft II" from Hey Zee of Arizona would add a touch of Spring to any room.    Only $35 each. 

  

How about this unabashedly floral vintage hat?   Perfect for Easter Sunday!  This straw hat by Louise Green Millinery is new, old stock -can you beleive this Lovely was tucked away, never worn for so many years?  Available from Vintage Showgirl, worth every cent of $115.  Dreamy!

One of my favourite sellers, The Greedy Seagull offers us this lavendar wisteria, vision of a dress for $118. 

Bring Spring to your vanity, with this precious little hand painted trinket box is available for a mere $20 from C S Ceramics.                                         

Take Spring along with you, with this handy tote by my good friend, Christine at  Material Girl Sewing.  At $22, and *reversable*, this is a steal!  I have a similar one, and have to say, it's across the shoulder style & deep pocket make it a must for me when travelling & sight seeing.

And finally, the original inspirations for this collection; a sweet vintage fascinator with veil I had the fortune of finding!  Not in the best of shape, but so much fun for dress up, available for only $8, at my shop; Eye Love That.   Happy soon-to-be Spring!

My First Front Page Treasury!

There's my Winter White Pointelle Knit Jacket & Skirt Set in the upper left corner.  Thanks Linkel Designs! 

Pincushions! Old, New -Anything Goes!

With the recent resurgence in all things handmade, comes the re-popularity of all things handmakers need, like pincushions.  Now, my personal history with pincushions extends as far as the red, sand filled tomato in my mother's sewing kit.  I used to love to pull out all the pins and rearrange them in designs and patterns for her to discover the next time she went to use her sewing box!
Little did I know that pincushions have and do come in just about any shape or theme imaginable!

Oh. My. Goodness.  I fell instantly in love with this little example.  Not only is it vintage, but it's been refurbished with vintage fabric -double love!
Available at A Touch Of Vintage, just south of me in Toronto for a mere $15.  Don't be surprised if I've snatched this one up before you get a chance at it...

I "oooo'ed" at this one as soon as I saw it -how handy indeed!  A pocket for 12 spools of thread, and such a lovely retro fabric.  Love it!  Available from La Bonne Femme for $11.

Along the theme of the tomato pincushion of my memory is this slightly fancier velvet apple.  Very cute; I have quite the thing for apples, but that would make a great post theme for another time.  This one is $30, and available from Neat Curios -neat indeed!

Now on to some modern day, handmade finds.

Toooooo cute, and dare I say, a perfectly practical example of a pincushion?  A sweet take on the functional wrist worn pincushions of dressmakers, created by Bright Side Out, for a very affordable $6!  I see stocking stuffers for all your sewing friends next Christmas!

Hmmmm, wonder why this one caught my eye??  I'll give you a hint -I love my morning cuppa java!  Dottryal's shop is ALL pincushions --you have to check it out, dozens of clever designs; obviously a rabid pincushion fan!  This one is available for $19.

Mid Century Modern -Clean, Functional, Stylin'!

Such a great era for home furnishings and home decor, and very easy to find right now.  Check out your parent's basement or local garage sales come spring!  
For example, this unique little map desk; clean lines, unique finishes and metal & wood mix hardware -gorgeous!  Available from Hindsvik for $495 -I dare you to find another one just like it!

Now, how about this walnut and brass vintage lamp from Lise Vintage Lighting ?  The Mix of natural wood and metal are very typical of this style, so is that fabulous tiered lamp shade.  This is listed at $210.

At $39, this table centrepiece is an affordable addition to any mid-century mod home.  Here again, the mix of metal & natural dark wood.  Lovely!  At Avant Garage.

I'd be amiss to leave out dishes and serving platters; probably the most common Mid-Century Modern item found in the 60's household.  Fabulous, I want a whole set! 

Left, are dessert plates, set of 6 for $30 from halfCaf.   Divided serving dish and gravy boat in melmac available from Amazon Art for only $9!