Ducks make everything better

I am having a range of problems with Google and this blogging platform at present, so for the foreseeable future I will be blogging at my other site, https://thewartimewoman.wordpress.com/

I'd love you to visit!

Deb

Ps - we have ducks now, and often I will just sit and watch them instead of blogging or doing anything else useful.  Can you blame me? Ducks make everything better.

The Scary 500th Post & Why I Blog

I haven't posted for a few days. Why? Because I realized I had done 499 posts on my blog, and this next one was to be post 500! But what to write about? This question has been going around in my mind, so much that I haven't posted anything! I mean, really, why do I even blog?

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And then my eldest son popped in for a visit (and some driving time with Dad before his test next week), and I remembered why I blog. Mainly for my kids, so that if I drop off the perch they will have something to remember me by (that can't be fought over, destroyed or lost), and also for my husband, so that I don't bore him silly with all the crazy research I do into 'old stuff.' And of course for me - it's a way to keep my thoughts in order and share some of the things I find out about history and the vintage way of life, and the things I love. It's also how I store the vintage patterns I find (and ads on my tumblr blog), and remember the books I read. Obviously, despite the link to my Etsy Store, I do not blog to make money.  Although.....

When my son arrived the girls and I were just about to watch the midday movie - "The Red Shoes", a 1948 technicolor movie with Moira Shearer - old, with ballet and music, and in color - sure to please!  "And I'd remember Moira Shear from what other movies?" my son asked.  Of course my memory is terrible, which is another reason I write everything down, but I was able to say, "Oh, here, I've written a post about her," and handed him my laptop.

He was actually impressed, "wow Mum, you get comments and everything, it's like legit." High praise indeed!  So now he, like my other children, knows he can go to my blog and enter a search term, and chances are if it's about history, design or housework, I've written about it.  And if not, I probably will one day.

The me I aim for, the happy vintage (working) housewife

Just for the record, here are my stats and information you might find interesting -

• My first post was on 9 October 2009, and was about Cherry motifs in Vintage items
• My most popular all post was Steampunk Love, in September 2012
• I now get over 9000 page views a month

So, although I don't really blog for a wider audience, some people do visit, and and I have found lots of people I like to think of as friends through blogging. (You know who you are!)

And if you do enjoy reading my blog, or learn something from it, or have any questions, please leave me a comment or message me. I would love to hear from you.

Now I'm off to joint a few chickens....Hmmm, maybe I should do a post about that for the kids future reference.

Deb xx

A Blog Award Nomination

I was recently nominated for a Liebster award by Alan of Nostalgic Lifestyles.  Thank you Alan!

I have previously, about seven months ago, been nominated for this blogging award, by Denise of Retro Gran and Deborah of Hell Cat Vintage, but I was never sure if I should put up a logo or what, so I shall do it again  - it's interesting!  

What is a Liebster Award?

400 Posts!! And a Giveaway.

I have been inspired by my lovely friend and fellow blogger, Miss Fairchild, to celebrate my 400th post.

It is quite an achievement - especially for a girl who swore she would never write again after her last English exam.

I began blogging so that my children would have a bit of a record of what their mum was like.  Then I decided to keep jottings of my research on various aspects of history and fashion.  Then old movies I'd seen. And now my love of vintage, mid-century, home-making tips, recipes, fashion and old photos.

Now and then I receive a lovely comment. Which is nice. I love comments!

So to encourage a few more of my followers to leave comments,  and my readers to become followers, I am having a give little away.  I have spent ages trying to think what to have as a prize, but as everyone's loves, and sizes, are different, I have decided to simply offer something from my Etsy store.

May 1962 Home Journal on Etsy

Now my Etsy store is only small - there are about 40 listings, although I am trying to add a few each day (I actually sold five things last week!)  This store is a little hobby of mine.  It's sort of an excuse to go to thrift shops and garage sales and even vintage fairs -' I'm not going for me babe, it's for the store.'

But, there maybe something that you like.  If you do, please leave a comment on which item and why.  Each person who leaves a comment will get a 10% discount voucher, and next Friday afternoon one comment will be picked at random and win the item of their choice.  Postage will also be included, to where ever in the world you are.

Vintage 1950s Lucite Compact on Etsy

Also, if you follow my store on Etsy you will also receive a 10% discount voucher.  The vouchers will be valid until the end of September.

This blog has had 73,071 page-views in it's two years and 400 posts, with readers from Australia and around the world including the US, the UK, Europe and Brazil.  Wow! And thankyou!

Entries close midday Friday (Eastern Standard Time). Click the shop link above, or here, for my Etsy store.

Thank you again and good luck.

Deb xx

Blog award nomination Part 3 - The Questions

Sorry for the delay in questions.  I had to go out last night (to a Burlesque night, but more on that later) and didn't have time to blog.

Today the questions for my nominated bloggers. I hope they make you think!

Feel free to answer them in the comments, even if you weren't nominated (I'd love to know more about you).

1. Why did you decide to start blogging?
2. What does your partner/family/cat think of your blogging?
3. What is your favourite colour and why?
4. Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
5. If you could time travel, when and where would you go?
6. If you could meet anyone, alive, dead or fictional, who would it be?
7. What is your favourite book and why?
8. You inherit a million dollars from an elderly aunt…what do you do with the money?
9. When you were little, what did you want to be? And are you?
10. If you were stuck on a deserted island, what one luxury would you want to have with you?
11. What is your favourite quote? 

Add a comment when you're done so I can read your answers. Please. And thank you!

Deb xx

Blog Award Nomination Part 2

So you may have noticed my new look blog - I hope you like it!

Now to my questions form Deborah at Hellcat Vintage. Being nominated twice for an award in about a week is so nice!

1. Why did you decide to start blogging?
I research things all the time, and wanted somewhere to keep a record of that, and also a bit of info about me, that maybe one day my kids would read.

2. When did you first fall for vintage/rockabilly fashion?
I grew up watching old B&W movies, and have always loved the 1930s, 40s and 50s looks - especially the elegant suits for day wear. I loved Elvis movies too, and all those 50s and 60s sitcoms like Get Smart and Bewitched.  A a child of the 70s and 80s I thought they were so much cooler! 

Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon)

3. If you could meet anyone from any time period, who would it be?

Agatha Christie - my favorite author, and she lived in my favorite time period (30s to 50s).  And there are a few questions I like to ask her....

4. If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?

Phryne Fisher in Kerry Greenwood's Miss Fisher series. She was a lady detective in 1929 Melbourne (where I grew up), and defied her family by going to war, cutting her hair and not getting married. Love her!

Phryne Fisher

5. What is your favorite food?

My husbands home made pizza with salmon and avocado. Yummy!

6. You win the lottery…what do you do with the money?
Pay the bills and renovate the house. Mid-century style. Put money away for the kids education and a safe car each. Then go to France in the summer and rent a chateau for a month with the family, grandparents included, with a romantic weekend in Paris for just two.  And in winter go to Palm Springs and stay in a mid-century dream house....

The Alexander home in Palm Springs.

7. Do you have a guilty pleasure? Do tell….

I love a good red wine. It's often too hot here to drink it, so I make the most of winter. And reading. I have far too many books and am always giving them away.

8. If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I have a black and white stretch jersey dress with a cross over front that has great vintage style but is super comfy and easy to wash - and no ironing. I would wear it every day happily.

9. Where is your favorite place to vacation?
At home with the family. We have a pool and live near the beach. and its nice and warm.  And I get to walk the dogs each day and collect fresh eggs. Oh, and it's cheap!

10. When you were little, what did you want to be? Did you accomplish that dream?
A fashion designer - I drew dresses all day and dressed all my barbies.  Then a vet - until I visited a vet school and decided it was gross. Then an interior designer, and yes I did that. And I always wanted to be a mum - now I have five kids.

11. If you were stuck on a deserted island, what one luxury would you want to have with you?
A book. Preferably an Agatha Christie. And my weights. No, not really, just kidding. But I love this photo.

Abbye “Pudgy” Stockton, mid-century body builder

Wow, great questions ladies (I may have to borrow some).

Here are the last five blogs that I nominate:

(Apologies if you have already got the award, or have over 200 followers - just be happy that I love your blog!)

Katrina at Acting my (Vint)age
Claire at My Little Life
Lavender's Green
Lil at Little Lil of London
Helen (and her daughters) at Helen and her daughters

Tomorrow the questions for everyone.

Deb xx

A Blog Award Nomination!!!

I was recently nominated for a Liebster award by Denise of Retro Gran and Deborah of Hell Cat Vintage.  Thank you ladies - it's so exciting to know that someone actually reads what I write!

What is a Liebster Award?

It's a token of recognition that bloggers award to fellow bloggers who they think deserve more recognition. The terminology "Liebster" roughly translates to "Dearest" from German, and the guidelines of this award are as follows:

1. You must answer the 11 questions set by the blogger who nominated you.
2. You yourself then pick 11 blogs who in turn have under 200 followers.
3. You must then think of 11 questions for the blogs you have picked and also tell them.
4. You must link back to the blog that nominated you.

(It's a little bit like a 'chain letter', but nicer).

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So here are the answers to my questions from 'Retro Gran' (aka Denise):

1. What have you learned from blogging?
So much.  I have done a lot of posts on the history of fashion and inventions, and also war.  I drive the kids crazy with all the facts I find out!  I started blogging as a record for my kids so they'd know something about me, and to store all the information I find - I am a constant researcher.  It's made me able to keep track of things. I have also learnt a lot about computers ans social media.

2. How much time do you spend working on your blog?

At present not much, as I have been away and returned to full time work, so I am re-organizing myself.  I tend to spend about an hour each night reading blogs on my list and doing my own post, and I try and fit in a bit during the day during the slack times at work or when I grab a coffee.  I was spending upto 8 hours a day on each post when I was not working!  I am trying to start a website now too.

3. What is your guilty pleasure?
Red wine. In a nice glass. Once the younger kids are in bed..

4. Are you punctual or tardy?

Punctual. Usually early.  Except when taking the three youngest kids to school as there is always a last minute rush for shoes or homework. I usually set the kitchen clock 10 minutes fast to avoid this, but it's just stopped working.  I hate being late.  I usually have a book with me to read if I am too early anywhere.

5. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Paris. Of course. I went as a seven year old, and really didn't appreciate it.  I'd have to bring my husband (but probably not the kids). and I'd love this vintage tour.

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6. What's your favorite book, tv program, and film?

Agatha Christie in all of those ( I have almost every book).  I also love Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series of books, which is currently filming its second tv series, and I love the book and movie of 'Out of Africa' (Isak Dinesen).  I also love the tv comedy  show 'Black Books' with Dylan Moran, because he is just so bad he makes me laugh and feel like I am a good person!  And Dr Who. Yes, I admit it.

7. If you could throw a dinner party and invite anyone in the world, living or not, who would you invite and why?

Agatha Christie, Kerry Greenwood and Isak Dinesen (Karen von Blixen-Finecke), as they are all wonderful story tellers and no party would be boring with them around.  Clark Gable, Cary Grant and Sean Connery  for some male glamour and wonderful voices. Ella Fitzgerald, Bille Holliday  and Frank Sinatra, who may be encouraged to sing a little.   Coco Chanel, because I'd love to see what she'd wear, and Dylan Moran, because he really couldn't be like Bernard Black in real life.

8. Do you have a particular style icon or guru?
Not really.  I do love Chanel, and Schiaparelli, because they were both so modern and ahead of their times.  I also admire Wallis Simpson - her 1950s outfits were always perfect, and she looked great without being stunningly beautiful like some of the actresses of the time.

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9. What do you draw inspiration from, magazines, films, blogs or something else?
Everything. Even pieces of fruit.  My new favorite color is tangerine, because they're just so glorious!  I love reading other blogs - some of the outfits of the day are really inspiring, and much more real than magazines with air-brushed models.  And I love old movies - the fashion and the interiors are inspiring.

10. If you had to live in any other time period besides now, which one would you pick?

That's a really hard choice. I think I would have liked to be born in about 1935.  Just after the depression, too young to lose a beau in the war and hopefully with a father too old to fight, and just in time for the best of the 1950s.  I'd also hopefully have all of my parents wonderful 1930s things to keep. My mother in law was born in 1935 and seems to have had a wonderful life (except for losing her mother at a young age).

11. What is your proudest moment thus far? 

Bringing up five beautiful, clever, socially capable children who will have the skills to be able to look after themselves and others.

8 year old Livie learning to knit

Tomorrow I'll answer the questions form my other nominator, Deborah at Hellcat Vintage.

Here are the first six blogs that I nominate (I'll do the other five tomorrow, and hopefully the questions for them!):

(Apologies if you have already got the award, or have over 200 followers - just be happy that I love your blog!)

Joe at Josie-Mary
Lynn at Sea Angels
Sandra at Rag Rescue
Su at Sweet Cherry Pie
Laura at The New Vintage Wardrobe
La Joya at Mid-Century Pink

Deb xx

A blogging journey

My blog is changing. With me.  I hope you'll join me on the journey.

Saturday Evening Post, 9 July 1955

I love a variety of vintage styles. And I love history.

I don't dress vintage. But I dress vintage inspired. Sometimes 30s, sometimes 60s, sometimes 80s.

My car's not vintage. But I wish it was. I did drive a 1971 beetle once.

I love old music, old books and old films.

I was born in the 60s, so I am vintage myself.  So is my house.  It's not a real style, but it is a mid-century home.  So that's where, finally, I have decided to focus my energy. On mid-century vintage - design, fashion, architecture - everything.  It's taken a while to learn that I do love it.

Funny how things we grow up with we can sometimes fight against.

So there will be some changes to my blog. The style, the colours, and perhaps the name.

I am also working on a website.  'Mid-century modern home style'. My new baby.

And seeing I am now fully recovered from my illness an am back at work full time, it will be a slow process - turtle (vs hare) style.

I hope you'll stay with me.

Deb xx

PS
And to the lovely ladies who have nominated me for a blog award - I will get to the questions soon, and thankyou!!