Recovering From Thanksgiving: Post Holiday Confessions

Post Thanksgiving Secrets 

I'm happy to report that I am almost completely recovered from Thanksgiving. I celebrated my post Thanksgiving holiday by doing very little of everything. That would include:

1. staying out of any grocery stores.
2. not cooking anything more sophiticated than scambled eggs.
3. avoiding any foods that reminded me of Turkey...that would include anything from the poultry family or light in color.
4. closing the door to the laundry room for days.
5. not tidying up unless it was critical.

I'm happy to report I am totally over it.....I just defrosted a breast of turkey I bought as back up in case I needed more turkey on the big day.  I never made it...but it's defrosting as we speak.

Readers, please share with us your Post holiday experiences.

Vintage image from the collection at http://gogd.tjs-labs.com/gallery-view?year=1954

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Kitschy Thrifty Retro Christmas Decorating

Christmas Decorating Ideas from A Nice Jewish Girl aka The Kitschy Collector
Here is a post about Kitschy Christmas decorating from a nice Jewish girl who was born in Brooklyn surrounded by Menorahs. As the Kitschy Collector I do get around to all the Antique Malls, Flea Markets and second hand stores....And as expected this time of the year, I'm finding plenty of thrifty nifty Christmas decor from generations past. The best part of buying older Christmas decorations is finding new ways to use these colorful attractive ornaments and tchotkes (a little Yiddish for Christmas).

Buying Christmas Decor At Flea Markets

Some of these treasures are really worth paying attention to. Last week at the indoor Flea Market in Plainville, Connecticut there was quite a stash of older boxed and bulk Christmas ornaments, lights and decor. In one booth I thought I was back in my favorite Five and Dime Store where much of these items would be sold in the first place.

You could decorate your entire house for pocket change.

Re-Cycling Christmas Ornaments & Bulbs

Now while it is pretty safe to buy older Tree ornaments, it gets a little tricky when buying older
lights, bulbs and plug in items. It might make sense to ask the vendor if you can try out anything requiring electricity! BUT here is something retro cool to consider......do you have to use light bulbs as bulbs? Consider filling a glass bowl or colorful ceramic bowl with colorful light bulbs or even old bulb ornaments. Or mix a variety of Christmas bulbs and ornaments of different sizes, shapes, colors and textures.

Kitschy Christmas Wreath

Another Christmas Cool Idea is to form a Christmas wreath from a collection of older Christmas ornaments and bulbs. And be daring...add some other Christmas kitsch to your design such as Elves and wooden cut outs. Go crazy.....have some fun.

Kitschy Floral Arrangement

Oh, did I fall in love with this idea I found on http://fleamarket.about.com/. You know how we all save the pretty package toppers and corsages from the holidays. Well how about making a "kitschy floral arrangement". Stuff those glitzy kitschy things into a retro vase and be totally hip this Christmas.

Other decor such as lighted candle sticks (which may or may not work now) ....could be re-cycled into a Christmas center piece. When I look at a great collection of older ornaments and decorative holiday accessories at a Flea Market, I wonder...how might I use these fabulous kitschy and cheap holiday decor in a new way.


Christmas Kitsch To Look For:

1. Stuffed toys (Reindeers, Santas, Elves, Snowmen).
2. Old ornaments
3. Plastic decorations.
4. Snow Domes
5. Tree huggers
6. Package and gift toppers.
7. Corsages
8. garland
9. Beads
10. Christmas light bulbs
11, Wood cut outs

Photos Courtesy of :

http://fleamarket.about.com/od/decoratelikeapro/ig/Christmas-Kitsch/Retro-Christmas-Glam.htm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3125815557_0d5e6da9a3.jpg

inds.org.uk/flickr/photos/tagged/as/kitsch

http://thevintagelist.com/


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Using Vintage Holiday Tins for Your Cookies, Cakes and Candy

Gifting With Vintage Tins

Vintage cookie and candy tins make lovely containers for holiday gifts, especially when giving home-made cookies, cakes and candies or popcorn. While some antique tins are very special and fetch a lot of money, the tins I am talking about can be found for a few dollars.

Vintage tins come in all sizes, shapes, patterns and colors. You will discover squares, rounds, ovals, rectangles and canisters shapes. I adore the tins with handles that often were used as lunch pails after the goodies were eaten.


Tins in Holiday Colors or Special Themes

Around the holiday time, you may want to look for reds. greens, plaids, Christmas and winter themed tins. Or perhaps if you are giving a gift to a child, you might consider a container with an animal theme or perhaps a popular character such as Mickey Mouse , Garfield, Snoopy etc.

Florals Make Lovely Patterns for Tins

Ladies may enjoy their goodies packed into a pretty floral patterned tin. While the gentleman may get a kick out of a tin with a sports or hunting theme . Pet lovers might find tins with doggy or kitty images a sweet idea. There are so many options for special tins for special people.

In fact you can even personalize a plain tin with the person's name or a warm greeting. Visit you local craft or art store and pick up a paint pen designed to write on plastic and metal surfaces.

Buying Older Tins

You can find older tins in thrift shops, flea markets, tag slaes, antique stores, on-line auctions for a few dollars. Sometimes you can even pick up a whole box lot of tins for next to nothing. I have bought plenty of tins for pocket change. Be sure to clean the tins carefully, drying them real well with a towel. Be careful about getting any paper labels wet. After your tin is cleaned, and dried, you may want to line the tin with either foil, wax paper, plastic wrap before placing your cookies, cake or candies inside. Many people also use a layer of colorful tissue paper, decorative paper napkin or a cloth napkin in additon to the first layer of lining. This is a way to keep your
goodies nice and fresh.

Photo of cat tin courtesy of http://grannysthimble@etsy.com

Photo of Santa Tin Courtesy of HummingbirdHideawa on Etsy.com

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Celebrating a Nostalgic Holiday Using Vintage Christmas Cards and Gift Tags

Unpacking Vintage Holiday Cards and Tags

This is the time of the year that vintage shops unpack all of their holiday collectibles and decor and get them ready for display. While there are many different types of Christmas and holiday collectibles, one of my favorite categories is everyday vintage paper.

This article covers the paper goods that were used as note cards, wrapping paper, gift cards etc. Today folks are still enchanted with these
festive reminders of good cheer.


Older paper goods and notions with winter and Christmas themes are sought after by many. . Buyers look for vintage tags, gift wrap, cards, postcards, wall hangings, embellishments, paper ornaments etc. with clear, crisp colorful images. When you do find these popular collectibles, scoop them up because these treasures are in demand by collectors, crafters and others who enjoy mixing the old with the new.

Attaching Vintage Cards to Gifts

A friend of mine who owned a vintage inspired floral shop, attached old Christmas greeting cards to purchases made before the holidays. This was such a colorful and warm gesture.

Tags, greeting cards, ribbons, post cards can be easily found on on-line auctions and vintage sites. They are generally sold in small "lots" and are usually priced very fairly.

When you are buying "lots' on-line, be sure you know how many "older' cards you are getting.

Buying Vintage Cards in Lots

Often dealers mix in one or two early cards with a whole bunch of later holiday cards, so know what you are actually buying. Also review whether a tag or card has been used and shows earlier personalized greetings. On the other hand, if you are just after the image for scrap booking, collage or other craft projects, it may not matter to you if the vintage paper item has writing on the reverse side. Happy holiday hunting!

Photos shown are the courtesy of Pink Grape Fruit Style on Etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinkgrapefruitstyle

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Retro-Redheads Featuring Vintage Style Linens, Housewares and Home Accessories

Introducing Retro-Redheads
An On-Line Store For Retro Collectors

Retro Redheads is a kitchen and home on-line store that sells both originals and reproduction textiles, glassware, housewares, pottery, cookware and more. Barbara and her daughter run Retro-Redheads and are well known among "the trade".

This afternoon I chatted with Barb about all the new items she was now carrying in her on-line store. Over the years she been ordering more and more "vintage style" linens and accessories and integrating them with her originals (she is a hunter-collector just like the rest of us).

Textiles that Look Like Originals

I wondered how her long established customers felt about her carrying "repros". She said she sells a lot of "vintage style" and her customers are buying more and more.

Companies That Sell Vintage Style Home Accessories

ModaHome
Bethany Lowe
Dolce Mia

Many of the kitchenwares and textiles she has in her inventory come from very fine design houses such as Moda Home (http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/mf_new), Bethany Lowe designs (http://www.bethanylowe.com/) and Dolce Mia Designs (http://www.dolcemia.com/).

According to Barbara, the quality of the retro inspired lines she carries is excellent. She herself uses many of these textiles and decorative accessories in her own home and is delighted with the durability.

I have to admit, the tablecloths, towels and napkins look fabulous. It is really hard to tell these newly manufactured pieces from their 1940 and 1950 cousins.

Here is the link to Retro-Redheads: http://www.retro-redheads.com

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.