Friday, May 30, 2014

Enid Collins Handbags

I love 1960s fashion.

And I'm a Texas girl.

So of course, I love Enid Collins vintage handbags.  I've collected them for years.

Enid Collins, in her studio!

If you're not familiar with Enid Collins, she designed and actually made these really gorgeous jeweled handbags, primarily in the 1950s and 1960s.  Some were canvas and leather "bucket bags", and others were wooden "box purses".  The designs are simple, yet blingy and beautiful with all those adornments.  Hollywood loved these bags, and owning one (or several) became something of a status symbol back in the day!

Here are a few links to learn and see more of Enid Collins and her designs.  First, a Pinterest board that's a pretty awesome tribute HERE.  Next, an interview with her son, so you can learn a little more about her HERE

The following pictures are 4 Enid Collins Purses from my own collection that I am selling in my Resparkable Vintage shop over at the ETSY site.  They're all in great vintage condition and they are all very special!  If you'd like to see more pictures and details about any of the bags, just click the link beneath the photos.  So fun!
Enid Collins "Jamboree" Bucket Bag

Enid Collins "Cable Car" Bucket Bag

Enid Collins "Cable Car' Box Purse
Enid Collins "Pavan" Bucket Bag

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

I Want To Be an Early Bird

I'm not an early bird.  I'm not really even a night owl.  I'm just sort of an in between-er.  I'd say my sweet spot is about 3pm.

But I wonder if I can change that. 

The idea of being an early bird sounds so appealing. 
Getting up with the sun. Checking stuff off the to-do list right off the bat.  Being the first one out of of bed in the morning.  Maybe even being the one that makes the Vitamix in the morning... (Fermin would LOVE that!)

I realize that in order for that to happen, I've got to start going to bed earlier.  So we'll see...

Last night, or earlier today I should say, I went to bed around 1:30am, but I woke up around 5:15am.  Of course I didn't actually get up.  But I awoke, and never went back to sleep.  I actually got out of the bed around 6:30, because anything earlier than that, at this point, scared me.  I realize an afternoon nap may be required, but that certainly isn't a bad thing. 

I'm going to try to consistently get up before 7am this week and see how that goes.  Hopefully, just by setting the intention, alarms won't be necessary.  I actually set my Jawbone to vibrate around 7...  It's so much more gentle than a buzzing alarm, which I am so against.  Maybe eventually, I can fearlessly (ha!) get out of bed before 6:30!

Summer's just about here, so it's a great time to adjust my circadian rhythm to an earlier schedule.  And if I'm lucky, catch some worms!


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Hello, You Beautiful Thing!

There are two things I buy a lot of- and if you've read my blog ever, you probably already know what those two things are... Vintage jewelry and CDs.  And sometimes, vintage CDs, which is sort of the way a lot of people think of all CDs in these days of downloads.

It pains me to think of missing out on the hard copy of a CD. The artwork, the song order intended, and of course, the lyrics for my hands to hold and my eyes to follow along with, as I listen to the CD the first few times.  My whole life, I've always combed over those written lyrics and I think that's a big part of the reason I know the lyrics to so many songs.

Earlier today, I was sitting with my guitar, playing a lot of older covers that I use to play, but haven't in years.  It was so fun.  Just playing for me, and my dogs, with no goal or end result in mind.  One thing led to the next, and I was eventually on Amazon ordering a few CDs.

I came across a notice for pre-ordering the new Jason Mraz CD thru iTunes.   Of course, my initial reaction was, "No! to an iTunes download...I'll get the CD!"  BUT, with this CD, you get a song a day leading up to the CDs release if you order thru iTunes now.  And it's Jason Mraz, who I've loved since his first CD.  I had seen some YouTube videos of a couple of songs from the upcoming CD last night and they were so good (also, he traded in his Jesus look, thank God).  And I am a girl that has a hard time being patient.

So, I pressed the button to download/pre-order the CD.
YES! CD artwork

For Jason (and the fact that I get the songs a little early), I am willing to step into the 21st century.  But I have to admit, it feels a little wrong.  Fortunately, he sings clearly and I can understand all the lyrics thus far.  As for the CD  artwork, well....  I'll just have to look at it online. 

Eventually, I'll have to make the digital switch anyway.  Years of CD collecting has left me with little additional space for new ones.  Somethings gotta give.

But no one said it would be easy.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Happy 20th Anniversary!

There we are, 20 years ago today!
May 22, 1994
What babies Fermin and I were.  And we had already been dating for 6 years by the time we got married!  BABIES.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again today:  I wasn't making great choices for the most part, in my early 20s, but as far as the choice that mattered, I made a brilliant one.  I found my partner in life (and sometimes, crime) at a very early age.  I chose him, and he chose me. How lucky.

I'm posting this song from the 70s, "Still The One" by Orleans.   I love that although it's a happy love song, it doesn't overly sugar coat the truth of love.  The opening lines are,
"We've been together since way back when, Sometimes I never want to see you again..."
And it's true!  Love is sometimes like that.  Especially long and lasting love.  But the other parts of the song are true too...
"You're still the one that makes me laugh, Still the one that's my better half
We're still having fun, and you're still the one"


Fermin and I are still totally having fun.  And there is no one I'd rather spend my days with.  And there is most certainly, no one who can better scratch my itch!!   Ha.

Anyway, Happy Anniversary to US.  20 years.  And we're still having fun! 


Monday, May 19, 2014

Music Monday- Paramore "Ain't It Fun"

I love this song-  It sounds so fun and happy, but lyrically, it isn't happy.  Which I think is cool.  The official video on YouTube is pretty annoying, altho I do think the singer is visually so cool looking- That bright red hair against some of those gray images is striking.  But the thing of setting dumb world records during the video was such a distraction for me.  So I'll post that one, but also a lyrical video someone has made that was sorta nice.

The self titled Paramore CD that "Ain't It Fun" is on reminds me a lot of No Doubt/Gwen Stephani.  The cool thing about the singer, Hayley Williams is she can make her voice sound totally different for different styles of songs.  There's a few more quiet songs that you realize she has a really nice tone to her voice.  This song, "Ain't It Fun", however, is my favorite.  Sometimes I immediately just hit "repeat" I like it so much!

Happy Monday!  Ain't it fun?!


Friday, May 16, 2014

Goodbye Babs!

I just finished watching "The View".  Which may sound a little decadent, indulgent and even lazy,... watching tv, in the morning, on a Friday.

But I knew it was a historical day in television.  Today was Barbara Walters' last time to appear as a host on the show she created nearly 20 years ago.  This day also marks the end of her long history on network tv.

All these years I've watched "The View", I was never much of a Barbara fan. In fact, I have never really liked her at all.  She seemed a little stuffy.  I felt like she was trying to show her funny and "real" side on the show, and I just couldn't buy into it. 

But, after this week of watching her final shows, I have become a fan, somehow.  It shifted for me when she seemed to be so surprised and flattered that Jimmy Kimmel stopped by and brought her roses one day.  For Barbara to get that excited over Jimmy was just really sweet.  (I would get at least that excited over Jimmy Kimmel bringing me roses, but c'mon, she's Barbara Effing Walters!) Once my opinion of her shifted a little, I then started noticing how humble she was being when people would thank her for all she's done for women on television.  She seemed so genuinely flattered, thankful, and even a little embarrassed by all the kind words. 

True to Barbara Walters form, her very final words to her audience today were a plug to watch her Primetime special later tonight on ABC.

I've already set my DVR.  Because now that she's leaving, I'm kind of a fan.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Music Monday- Sarah McLachlan The Sound That Love Makes

I am loving this song.  Love the sweet lyrics.  Love the little swing of the ukelele.  Love the light arrangement and production. And for me, Sarah has one of the most beautiful voices. I think this song and her voice singing it is actually the sound that love makes!  She brilliantly chose it for the last song of her new CD "Shine On".  I can't help but hit reply after this sweet song, and listen to the entire CD again as soon as it ends.

The Sound That Love Makes
Can you hear it? This is the sound that love makes
The fingerprint of a snowflake
It paints a picture of you

Can you feel it? This is the flavor of sunshine
The way your body moves mine
I can taste you in the coolest of raindrops

One hand in the other unlike any other hand I know
I'm seeing the sun in all the darkest grey skies

This time I'm going in for the sweetest kill
I'm gonna eat till I get my fill
So delicious are my lips on your skin

One hand in the other unlike any other hand I know
I'm seeing the sun in all the darkest grey skies

Sweetness, this is the rhythm of thunder
from up above or down under
I love you

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Tips on Keeping a Journal

My friend's daughter has a really cool YouTube channel, that I just discovered today.   Her daughter, Sadie, is only 16 years old and has made some super cool little videos.  I've only watched a few so far, but already, I'm hooked!

just a few of my many journals
Like Sadie, I've always kept a journal.  However, I get a little bored with how mine visually looks, because it's all writing.  I've tried adding art before, but I just don't stick with it, probably because I want it to look cute, but I just don't know how to go about it.

What I DO know, is when I'm consistent about journaling, something about it feels really good.  I'm currently a little out of the habit.  But after watching Sadie's video called "Journal Like a Bad Bitch" about the very topic of journaling, I am re-inspired.  I'm going to take her advice and break up the monotony of my journal by adding a little color, and some meaningful quotes.  Here's her video, about journaling.  It's probably going to inspire you, too!

 
It's true what Sadie says... In a journal, you're really only writing for 2 people:   your current self, and your present self.  It's different than blogging, tweeting, Facebooking, etc for that very reason.  You can lay it all out on the page and be perfectly honest with yourself.  Doesn't that sound good?! 

Do you journal?  And if so, why do you? How long have you kept it up?

Monday, May 5, 2014

Music Monday- "Home" by Ingrid Michaelson

Home.  It's both the song and the topic that I wanted to write about today.

Over the past month, my husband and I have been on 3 great trips- The first, to NYC.  I gushed (here and here) about it on my blog a few weeks ago.  It was one of my favorite trips ever.  Then, less than two weeks later, we went to The Big Island of Hawaii, and it too was a great vacation!  (I blogged about that one too, here.)A few days after returning from that, we took a little road trip down to Boerne, Texas for one of our favorite friend's wedding.  All 3 of these trips were wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and I feel so fortunate we were able to go to each of them.

Ricky and Lucy
But it's true what Dorothy said, all those years ago~  There's no place like home.  And I certainly don't mean the physical location of Dallas, Texas.  I mean home.  Where all the comforts are...  Where all that's familiar is... And where the ones I love the most, reside.


My two boys- Ricky and Fermin
I'm a big fan of Ingrid Michaelson.  Her latest CD came out a couple of weeks ago, and this is the track that opens it up.  HOME...  She sums it up so well with these lines that ring so true to me:
I know everything about this place
It wears your face
Even when my body blows away my soul will stay

Happy Monday!

Thursday, May 1, 2014

May Flowers... in My Etsy Shop!

Happy May! Well, there weren't a lot of April showers around here... however, I have listed a few flower-themed earrings in my Resparkable Vintage (Etsy) shop recently.

These pretty white floral dangle earrings are sweet and simple.  The vintage components are the flowers (taken from a pair of earrings) , and the gold backing they're attached to (these were part of a gold Monet necklace from the 1970s).  I added a pretty tear-drop crystal, and the ear wires.
Vintage Assemblage Flower Dangle Earrings
The next two pictures are vintage earrings.  So cute, I thought they might be best left as is.  They are both clip earrings, but if requested, I can certainly change that!  Some people still like clip earrings though, so I'm offering them that way first.
Flower Power!  Blue and Orange Daisy Dangle 1960s Earrings
1950s Damascene Earrings from Spain
Aside from these May Flowers, I've also listed an incredible Enid Collins purse that is in near perfect condition... It's from 1964, and those Enid Collins bags are such a great thing to collect.  This one is such an eye catcher!
Vintage Enid Collins "Cable Car" 1964 Bucket Bag
I've made several new necklaces, bracelets and earrings, but still need to take pictures and get them listed.  The creating is just so fun, it's sometimes hard to stop and list for Etsy.  But I will... SOON!