NorthStar Vintage

Relocating

2010-01-05T17:32:00.001-05:00

To Wordpress.

It's still work in progress, so you might see the theme change 15 times in an hour, but I'm started posting over there, and have to admit that (shhhhh) I like it much better than Blogger.

http://www.northstarvintage.com/wordpress/

Portland Picnic

2009-12-18T14:05:00.001-05:00

Mr. NSV and I went to the Portland Picnic last weekend to buy Christmas presents from local indy craftsfolk.
Bad dea, in retrospect, because all we wanted to do was buy for ourselves.
A few of the things I didn't buy:
Purses from Boomchick-a-boom

Pottery from Patti Aggi Ceramics:

Earrings from Fayandrada:

Sweet weed box (and anything) from Strong Arm Bindery (who was once my studio neighbor - I could hear her binding the books, which was really cool).

I could even get NEAR the Grandma June table to look at the vintage, but I am positive that it was fabulous.

Long t-shirt from Pinecone & Chickadee

Another photo portrait by Nathan Eldridge: (because I already have one!)

Jellyfish print from Emblem Studios:

EVERYTHING offered by Ferdinand:

And about 90% of the other things offered at the sale.

Bad Taste

2009-12-16T17:12:00.001-05:00

I love the saying, "Her taste is in her mouth."

With my affection for bizarro lawn art, spooky head art, and 70's motorcycle helmets, some would probably say that about me. But I like to think I'm just eclectic.

However, I don't think eclectic explains my ardor for this 1970's black satin roller disco jacket with a sparkle uniform on the back. Especially because it's a man's jacket. But I love it. I love the man that wore this, and I love thinking that some other guy might rock this look.

Or maybe all those psychedelic college experiences are catching up.

In case you agree that this is the most insanely fabulous jacket ever, you can bid on it HERE.

Something to think about

2009-12-15T14:45:00.000-05:00

The Politics of Vintage

Including the questions:

Is wearing a fashion from an oppressive time period indeed a symbol of that oppression?
Is there such a thing as "reclaiming" these fashions so that they are symbols of power rather than domination?
Should we only make patterns from the eras that were the least oppressive to women?
If wiggle skirts and the like are offensive to those with feminist sensibilities, what is the alternative? I mean, what could we possibly wear that would establish us as feminists to those who view us?
Are 50’s wiggle skirts really that different from modern pencil skirts?
What about current fashions that are restrictive? Stilettos, Spanx, etc? Skinny jeans? Are these symbols of oppression towards women?

I need to think about this one, but off the cuff, my answer to almost every question is, "No."

Happy Holidays

2009-12-11T15:23:00.000-05:00

We've assembled the aluminum tree (sadly the color wheel does not work), put on the vintage ornaments (there was some red wine involved, so we did lost a few), and propped up Scary Santa in the Bertoia chair.

The Stig showed his appreciation by trying to eat the tree.

He was really into it for a minute, but thankfully, tinsel is not to his liking.

So instead he struck a pose and gave me my electronic Christmas card.

Happy Holidays. Life is good.

Let's try this again.

2009-12-03T17:51:00.000-05:00

Apparently my previous sale only lasted for one day.

So I've extended it until January, and deepened the discount to 35%.

Click on the 1940's lavender silk Art Deco dress (now 35% off) to go to the sale:

Christmas doesn't have to be scary.

2009-12-02T07:55:00.001-05:00

30% off all eBay store items!

Sparkly (and some not so sparkly) things

2009-12-01T18:34:00.001-05:00

Holiday clothes for women and men. Click on the photos to go to the auctions, or click HERE to see all my items.

50's Hourglass Rhinestone Studded Sheath

50's Red Satin Beaded Party Dress (XXS)

Amazing Vintage 60's Dress - COVERED with irridescent sequins and silver beads.

And for the guys:

60's Black Cashmere Overcoat XL

50's Blue Velvet/Satin Smoking Jacket

50's Shiny Rockabilly Shirt

Best Novelty Print EVER.

2009-11-29T11:20:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, I've said this before. But this one is IT.

Vintage 1950's Dress with Atomic/Abstract Dogs and Dogwalkers. (up for sale now on eBay)

The best part? It reminds me of my friend Holly, world's toughest dog walker (she's in Chicago!), and vintage clothing dealer extraordinaire.

Oh dear.

2009-11-22T13:36:00.001-05:00

There are some insanely beautiful items coming up for sale in the Christie's Fashion Through the Ages auction in London on December 3.

If I'm on your Christmas list, here are a few suggestions:

1950's Strapless Lace Dress

1920's Sheer Fortuny Tunic

1980's Alaia Leather Halter Dress

1920's Lanvin Embroidered Gown

And if you're on this side of the ocean on December 3, here are a few doozies from the Christies Country Music Auction

Dale Evans Nudie Suit

Hank Williams Tie and Tie Tack

And of course - a Johnny Cash Suit, by Manuel.

Over here!

2009-11-18T19:36:00.000-05:00

I've been ignoring this blog because I've been working on my new blog/website (as soon as I figure out a couple of CSS tweaks I will be DONE!). Still, I've been posting on Facebook and on Twitter, and have been listing party dresses on eBay, clothing on Etsy, drinking bloody marys, eating ring-ding-a-ling cake, watching Dexter, and playing with Captain Puffy Pants.

Change

2009-11-11T19:27:00.000-05:00

It looks like I'll be integrating my blog into my new website, and unless I can figure out a decent looking feed (really, it should not be that hard, but it is), I'll be relocating this blog.

I hope I can bring all of you along. And don't worry, it won't happen any time soon.

In the meantime, I've been listing some killer vintage. Click on the coolest smoking jacket ever to go to my eBay store:

The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping

2009-11-09T09:32:00.000-05:00

by Melody Fortier.

as reviewed by Sandra at Debutante Clothing.

I need to get my hands on this book!

Big Cats

2009-11-07T08:35:00.000-05:00

I love big cats. Specifically, this big cat (The Stig a/k/a Captain Puffy Pants)

I love the big cats on this Serbin dress too:

They're angry!

You can read more about Serbin here. You can check out the dress auction here.

Serendipity Redux

2009-11-06T15:15:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago I was so moved by this article in the local Maine paper, about the 70th reunion of the Cony High School Class of 1939. "This is our last hurrah," is what really got me.

And then I found this:

I am a sentimental monster, but not so much so that I didn't put the jacket up for sale on ebay.

Karma. Flattery. Plaid.

2009-11-03T18:34:00.001-05:00

As I've been training for a half-marathon, I've been listening to A LOT of podcasts.

One of my recent favorites is The Sound of Young America with Jesse Thorn. I listened to the entire catalog of podcasts throughout September.

I was pleased to find out that Jesse and Adam Lisagor had started a new blog about clothing, called Put This On, first because I've become a fangirl, and second, because I'm into blogs about menswear.

So you cannot imagine my freakout I had when my pod-nerd/ vintage menswear geekery merged together : One of my auction items featured on the Put This On blog.

This coat is not necessarily the item I'd like featured in a major blog. It has issues - lots of them. But it's one of those pieces of vintage menswear with an elusive quality (it's work wear from the 1940's) that makes it very desirable.

I am as pleased as punch!

Second best vintage leather jacket ever.

2009-10-28T20:34:00.001-04:00

If I didn't already own the best vintage leather jacket in the world:

(it's a Brooks 60's cafe racer jacket with stars on the cuffs), then I would keep this for myself:

It's a 40's Horsehide leather jacket with iridescent lining. And it's up for sale now.

One more reason I love my job.

2009-10-28T17:42:00.001-04:00

I'm a geek for research.

While searching for information about this Conmar Zipper on a 1940's Horsehide Leather Motorcycle Jacket (to be listed momentarily)

I came across this blog post....with lots of pictures of vintage zippers, including this gorgeous Deco Conmar:

It's always good to know that others share my enthusiasm for these weird, small things.

Noir

2009-10-26T20:19:00.001-04:00

In acknowledgement of daylight savings time I've just listed some gorgeous black 1940's clothing on eBay.

Note that this is an acknowledgment, not a celebration. I'm not really a fan of daylight savings time, but it does give me an excuse to put on my pajamas and drink red wine an hour earlier.

40's Silk Velvet Jacket

40's WWII Art Deco Crepe Dress

40's Black Wool Fitted Flared Coat

40's Pinstriped Gangster Suit

Snow good.

2009-10-19T19:00:00.000-04:00

Snowfall in October does not bode well.

But last night's mini-squall forced me to acknowledge winter, and list accordingly (though grumpily).

Here's my first batch of winter coats. There are more to come. If there's anything I find lots of here in Maine, it's winter coats. So...many...winter....coats.

(click on the photo to go to the auction).

70's Pink Abercrombie & Fitch Trenchcoat

1950's Faux Leopard Coat XL

1970's Gray Wool Belted Coat w/Huge Fur Collar

1960's Mod Snow Leopard Coat
(not really a winter coat, but oh well)

Why I hate October

2009-10-17T14:28:00.001-04:00

As I'm sure you're all aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, even without the official designation, I'm pretty damn aware of breast cancer during this month, as my mother died of breast cancer on October 31, 2002. And it was not, to reference the facetious title of Simone De Beauvoir's memoir, A Very Easy Death.

As a participant in the VFG's Shop Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Sale, until the end of October I will donate 10% of the purchase price of any item purchased from my eBay or Etsy store with the word "Pink" in the title, and I'll match the amount (which I realize means I'll be donating 20% of the purchase price - math is not my strong point.)

I'll be making the donation to the Susan Komen for the Cure Foundation in memory of my mother, Florence Smith.

If you'd like to donate without making a purchase, you can do so online.

Some of the items available:

1950's Pink Strapless Lame Gown

1950's Vanity Fair Pink Nylon Chiffon Nightgown

1950's Dark Pink Taffeta Dress/Bolero Set

Vintage 80's Pink/Purple Oversized Glasses

Vintage Tammis Keefe Cat Scarf

CLICK HERE for all my pink eBay items.

And HERE for my Etsy store.

Thank you to everyone who participates!

Boots!

2009-10-15T19:11:00.001-04:00

As mentioned in a previous blog, or, rather blogs, boots, both wearing them and selling them, help me deal with the cold weather.

Here are a few I have listed right now: (click on the photo to go to the sale)

I love it when this happens.

2009-10-15T12:29:00.000-04:00

In my 10 years of selling, I've only been able to find the original ad for an item of selling twice. One was for a Bali-Bo bra, which had an extended run, so it wasn't even an exact match (sadly the link is dead). And once for a Sears Girdle - and it wasn't even an ad, it was the catalog listing (which made it very easy to write the description).

So I was thrilled to find the original ad for this crazy Avon pendant.

From a 1974 Avon Catalog. I encourage you to check out the catalog (links at the bottom). I had no idea that Avon made such cool jewlery. For example:

Stars!

And this one is my favorite:

Of course Avon was not without its clunkers:

To me cuddly and jewelry are not words that should go together.

If you want to make yourself look 20 years older.

The Mayan pendant and some newly listed jewelry, pocketbooks, and belts can be found on my

Etsy Site.

The screens go off. The storms go on.

2009-10-13T09:33:00.000-04:00

It's always a sad day when the screen windows come off, and the storm windows go on. Not only because it involves cleaning the glass (using vinegar/water/a dollop of detergent and newspaper - it works really well) but because it symbolizes the end of the warm weather and the start of the eternal Maine winter.

Still, there are good things about fall - black tights, Frye boots, fur collared coats, cashmere, and red wine.

And now I can finally get behind listing all the cold weather clothing I've been accumulating over the year. It's Maine, so I find a lot of it. I'll also be working through a big estate, including some KILLER 30's and 40's dresses.

Stay tuned!

Vintage Inspirations

2009-10-05T19:39:00.000-04:00

At the Vintage Fashion Guild.

So much eye candy! I can never get my act together enough to participate, but I encourage you to check out those who did!