A Vintage Valentine

When I was in high school our student council would sell pink carnations with a Valentine heart attached. Secret admirers would write messages asking their crushes for dates or to attend the upcoming dance. Popularity was always measured by the amount of carnations you were carrying on Valentine's Day. The flower hierarchy created plenty of hurt feelings. Although I received my fair share of flowers I never really appreciated the holiday and always considered it to be a corporate excuse for excessive spending. 

Now that I am married I have a slightly different take on Valentine's Day. I use the holiday as a way to celebrate the connection my husband and I share. In my Etsy explorations I found some super cute items to add to my wish list and a few that I think my husband would enjoy- Can't leave him out! 

1. Vintage Valentine

2. 1950s Red Dress

3. 1940s Red Lingerie

4. Pin Up Swim Suit

5. Love Wall Art

6. Love Tokens

7. Custom Coffee Mug

8. Bear Valentine Art

What are your plans for Valentine's Day? Do you like to celebrate or do you choose to boycott as I once did?

Last Minute New Years Eve DIY Projects

A last minute invitation to a New Year's Eve party has me thinking of some quick favors and decorations to add some festive surprises to the gathering. 

1. New Years Eve Crackers

2. Sparkling Ice Cream

3. Glitter Candles

4. New Years Confetti Countdown

New Year Celebrations

I decided against following the lead of the multitude of bloggers who created "best of" lists for the New Year and instead decided to look forward with these lovely finds to celebrate. I know that I would be happy to have any of these finds. In fact, I plan to wear a little black wiggle dress on New Years Eve myself.

 How will you be celebrating?

1. Vintage LBD

2. 1940s Gold Shoes

3. Vintage Champagne Glasses

4. Art Deco Calendar

Oh and don't forget to enter the New Year giveaway contest!

A New Year, A New Contest!

Make your friends green with envy (see what I did there) by winning the Retro Kitten Vintage New Year Contest! You can be the proud owner of a fabulous new handmade vintage 1950s reproduction floral apron and an amazing green vintage 1960s Mad Men era purse.

To enter to win just comment on this entry and follow the Retro Kitten blog. The winning name will be drawn on New Years Day!

The contest winner will be randomly selected. Only residents of the United States are eligible to enter.

Instant Holiday Cheer: The Vintage Eggnog Bar

My family has always had an unnatural affinity for egg nog . As children living in a poor rural community my brothers and I would be so excited when we would see my mother bring home the festive carton.  It was an extra special treat only to be enjoyed, usually once, during the holiday season. 

After reading about vintage inspired eggnog bars I knew that I had to attempt to create a Mid Century modern egg nog bar for my family to enjoy when they visit this holiday. I have been scouring Etsy for the best in mod bar carts and accoutrements. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Vintage Chrome Bar Cart- Imagine this lovely stocked with shiny glassware and top shelf beverages

2. Mid Century Winter Bar Glasses- The perfect shiny accessory for the above cart

3. Danish Modern Bar- Less portable, but still lovely

4. Mid Century Bar Tool Set- What bar is complete without the necessary tools

5. Cheers! Cocktail Sticks- Festive cocktail stirrers in 60s turquoise of course

6. Dark Chocolate Eggnog Truffles- A little treat to accompany that nog

7. Turquoise Ice Bucket- A useful conversation piece

8. 1940s Bartender Guide- A sweet and thorough guide to vintage mixology

For those who are extremely ambitious, why not try to make your own egg nog at home? I never really realized what ingredients combine to create egg nog....

Source

And to add a special touch to any party these egg nog whoopie pies sound amazing! I may be trying my hand at making these this afternoon. 

Source

Tips for a Happy Vintage Holiday

1. Use some spare pine boughs trimmed from your X-mas tree or perhaps if you are lucky enough to live near a forest, take a winter walk and trim a few branches. Decorate with special family ornaments to create a beautiful centerpiece. You can find the image here.

2. I love handmade wrapping paper. Display your wrapped gifts on stair rail or banister with natural twine for a beautiful decoration. As each guest departs for the evening give them a little gift. Photo inspiration found here.

3. Create this beautiful DIY pine cone garland with instructions Here

4. Who doesn't love a well stocked bar? Vintage bar carts are the perfect way to inject some mobile Christmas cheer into any holiday party. You can find plenty of bar cart decorating inspiration here. Or why not even take it a step further and create a Mad Men style egg not bar. Directions here.

5. I have been collecting miniature house holiday decorations for years. With these easy templates you will be able to create an entire village for a few cents! Templates can be found here.

Santa Baby

When my husband's family suggested we all participate in a secret Santa gift exchange this year instead of our usual gift buying frenzy for each and every family member I was a bit relieved. Although I love carefully selecting gifts for family members, the annual gift bonanza has gotten a little out of hand in recent years, with family members receiving many more gifts than anyone really needs.

My relief quickly transformed into panic when I realized the name that I had drawn was a certain technology obsessed family member. My mind raced... What gadget to buy someone who seemingly owns all gadgets? And how is someone who for all intents and purposes spends her days living in the past supposed to select such a modern gift?

Then I realized- How would the person who ended up drawing my name feel about purchasing a gift for moi? Even my husband finds me to be difficult to purchase for at times. I would never give someone a list of suggested gift ideas, (I love surprises) but if I did it would look something like this:

1. Vintage 1940s Red, White and Green Dress

2. Vintage Emerald Shoes

3. A Jess Quinn original Art Doll

4. Vintage Brass Cat Trinket Tray

5. 19th Century French Wedding Throne

6. Vintage 1940s Red and Green Heels

7. Vintage Kitschy Elf Doll

8. Vintage 1950s New England Cook Book