Big Green Monster

I am officially a true member of my family lineage. I know this because I scavenge for goods the way my grandfather did. We just can't resist the temptation of free. (I do have my limits. I don't want rusty fish hooks, or dock floaters or shovel handles, as he did). But when this chair appeared directly across the street from me donning a FREE I ran to it, second thoughts be damned.

The big burly tatooed moving man hauled it home and gently placed it in my backyard. I said thank you, then turned to truly look at what I had just adopted. Yikes!

This green velvet monstrosity is now known as the Big Green Monster and for the last 24 hours has been living in my garage. It has another 48, before it must vanish again. (unlike my grandfather, I don't need to keep it all. But like my father, I will sell it.)

There's a real thrill in the discovery of something different, unique, curious, fabulous. It's treasure! I am the pirate, the sleuth, the hunter looking for gold. My gold just happens to be vintage curios, accessories & house decor, but I can--and have-- fallen for a plethora of odds and ends, large and small. Some are even living--both my dogs were found. :-)

Meanwhile, I've got feelers out for help in naming this chair, because, honestly, I don't speak furniture. But I'm looking.  Do you know? Tell me. The chair is on a time clock. It's headed for Craigslist, but it needs a good story, a background, some color. Not everything that is found comes w/a resume. Sometimes you have to create on for it. My relatives would be so proud. :-)
dahlila xxoo

Winter Arrivals

I've been busy buying for Fall even though, in the first week of November, I am running around in a skirt & light sweater. Tis the California season--cool, dry, windy and a few dots of rain. Still, winter coats call to me with all those lovely buttons. Boots and the smell of leather polish smell like heaven. I've bought so many I'm running out of room.

All things chocolate brown, olive green, cranberry, honey, creamy bone, caramel speak to me. Deep rich earthy colors. Maybe, it's their namesakes, but I want it all in my shop. And now it is.

Creamy bone white jewelry Mele jewelry box, red velvet lining, $18.

Oh, the boots! Cowboy, cowgirl, chunky lace-ups, wooly, leather, zipper, mod, campus. Boots!

Hats are on their way. They need a pretty face to model them. I love this one covered in paper flowers & light brown netting. Really gorgeous. I love hats. :-)

Thick cordurouy jacket in deep olive green, bucket pockets and optional buckle tie around. Gorgeous condition, $65. I love cordurouy. So cozy.

Now back to work. New shoes, designer scarves, ties, Christmas wear arriving soon.

Enjoy!

thank you, dahlila

DahlilaFound

These Boots Are Walking

Every once in a while I get a customer who sends me an appreciation photo & I am SO thrilled, because I know they have found a vintage piece in my shop that they really love.

This adorable customer found her boots--you know, those boots that makes you feel alluring, gives you a saunter you may have forgotten you had. These are those boots for her, you can just tell!

Rockin' Cowgirl Boots

I hope you have a pair too. Every girl should have at least one. ;-)
dahlila xxoo

1970s Suburbia

Treasuries take patience. It took me 4 days to finally post this one, but it was terribly fun as it spoke to those of us who grew up in the 70s. Even though I didn't grow up in one, it is my ode to suburbia, because The Brady Bunch did and so did The Partridge Family. The top two family shows of the 1970s.

Next treasury? Avocado and mustard, perhaps. Anyone on Etsy selling a refridgerator? Because, god help us, those were always that shade. Yikes.

dahlila xxoo

California Family Retro

This is one of my favorite photos. Right now it's my shop banner, because to me it is quintissentially Califorina vintage. This is not some random photo either. This is my mother, left and my aunt sunning on the back of the family boat, circa 1950s. Grandma is surely stearing while grandpa--always with a camera--shot this photo. They were both avid water skiers. Love aunt G's scarf and glasses. So fabulous.

I scoured the cabin searching for these water skis, but I'm afraid they are long gone. I wanted to hang one above this photo in my living room. :-) Family history makes great art. 

dahlila xxoo 

Moo Birthday Surprise

Today is my birthday. In years past I have been known to hide, in bed, covers pulled over my head until the day passes. This year I'm getting into my own little party. Not all together certain why, but it beats the alternative, so why not celebrate.

A great birthday surprise: My Moo Cards came in the mail. I'm very excited as this is one of those items on "the list" that has been waylaid too long. I have cards. I am a business. I rock. :-)

Gorgeous Treasury

This treasury was on the front page today, made by MiaBeads, and I was mesmerized by it. So beautiful, I had to capture it and keep it here. Enjoy!

Appreciation Photo!

What a great surprise. I often tell my customers, if they like, send me a photo wearing your new vintage find. And this showed up in my Appreciation Photos. Love it! The gorgeous vintage aqua stilettos, 4" heel.

Her fabulous pin-up portrait wearing them. Va-voom!

B L U E + T U R Q U O I S E + B L U E

I've grown tired of trying to get Treasuries, and I so love to make them. So I'm making my own "Dahlila Collections." This is

B L U E + T U R Q U O I S E + B L U E

I can spend hours making collections. It seems only fair to share them! Thank you wonderful Etsians for shooting great photos of such beautiful work.

dahlila xxoo

School House Rock

Who didn't love School House Rock? I learned more watching it than I learned in grade school all together. It was certainly more fun and you got to sing about it at the top of your lungs while eating cereal in your pjs. Schools should take heed.
Today, I found this great School House Rock wallet and snatched it up in good memories. It is not, however, vintage. SO, I'm having a FREEBIE contest, a little "Where's Waldo?" in my Etsy shop.

It's simple: 1) You find the photo of the wallet hidden amongst my shop goodies. 2) You post a direct message to me on my Twitter page of where you found it (what item it was hidden with). And baby, that wallet is yours!
Have fun, and while your searching, remember which School House Rock song you liked the best and sing it, preferably at the top of your lungs. ;-)
d. xxoo

Fall Fashion, Vintage Scarves

I finally got a chance to go shopping yesterday. Thrifting is so relaxing and I found some wonderful items including these 3 lovely scarves that aren't even posted yet. It's 105 degrees here today. I can only do so much. ;-)
This first beauty is by Echo, long, silk in rich shades of pink and chocolate brown. Perfect for fall. Long enough to tie up in your hair or drape around your neck.
This second screams airline stewardess in this photo, so dapper. It's made in Italy by Leonardi Designs. Fabulous geometric pattern, very sporty.

And finally, vintage Anne Klein in a deep wine, cream & dusty rose, silk. All three scarves have hand rolled edgings and all are in beautiful condition. I hope to have them all posted by Sunday.

P.S. Looking forward to autumn! I'm ready to wear scarves! :-)

dahlila xxoo

Orloff Parfumes, Jean Vivaudou Co.

This is a Jean Vivaudou box of perfumed sachets from his 1939 Orloff parfumes collection called Nikki. The beauty of this treasure is I had absolutely no idea what I had found. The satiny sachets just appealed to me, so I rummaged it out of a throw away bag at an estate sale!
There are six sachets in the 5 inch square box and they still smell heavenly. Each one is silk in pink and creamy white.

Atop the box is the Orloff coat of arms famous on Vivaudou perfumes.

Inside the box I found this hand type set advertisement. You can feel the indentation of each letter and the roses. So lovely.

I found some fabulous vintage perfume enthusiasts on line that told me what a treasure I had uncovered. Thank you to The Vintage Perfume Vault and Cleopatra's Boudoir.

This fabulous goodie is going up for sale on Ebay. If you have any questions please ask!

dahlila. xxoo

She Wore Sunglasses At Night

I want these specs for my new avatar, but the photo's not quite right. Still, they are fabulous, possibly the most fabulous sunglasses ever. And even better, they belonged to my grandmother. Stylish woman that she was. Thank you, grandma. :-)
P.S. They aren't for sale. Not now, not ever. I don't care what my mother says. ;-)

Bella Pink

My family dropped by today, unexpectedly. My niece looked so lovely, so fabulous from head to toe I made her pose with a plethora of shop accessories. The pink purse looked especially darling with her pink posie hair band. I was thrilled at how wonderfully navy blue and pink work together--bold and soft--bella signorina.

Small Joys

I keep watching the news and it's so disheartening. Jobs, homes, budget cuts. And just yesterday I found one of my favorite used books stores has up and disappeared. When a university town can't support a good used bookstore, it's just sad.
I'm trying to be courageous, have faith, keep stepping forward, but sometimes it's difficult. Everyday I reach for small moments of joy or beauty or sweetness. And sometimes I can string them together and call it a beautiful day. I hope you can too.

Take care. Have faith. Keep your loved ones close. Appreciate the small joys. Amen.

Pink Psychedelic

I posted these fabulous pieces, before I saw how fabulous they looked together. They might actually need each other. ;-) Maybe, a great fashionista will see this too. I'd love to sell them as a set, then receive a photo of the marvelous results. I love it when customers send me photos. It's the best.

Poppy's Pink Purse, $58.
80's Orange Ade bobble earrings, $7

Psychedelic 70's Polka Dot Blouse, $23.

What an outfit. Hm? I actually have a pair of fuchsia peep toe heels that would fit this outfit perfectly...

dahlila xxoo

Sweet & Pleasing

I found this festive watering can at my favorite thrift last week. I bought it to sell, but when I got it home and arranged it for photos, I fell in love with it. It's so simple and cheery and makes the perfect flower pot for long stemmed flowers. It's unique, colorful, whimsical. How can I let it go?

Normally I am a very focused vintage shopper. I love what I find, but I'm also clear that this is my business. I am buying for customers. If I kept all the goodies for myself I'd just be some hording collector. And really, what fun is that? Sharing is better.

And yet...once in a while I keep a piece or two for myself. Nothing huge or dramatic, rarely expensive, just a little something sweet and pleasing for myself. Sometimes I keep them for a while, sometimes for a very long while, but eventually most lovelies I pass on. Isn't that what Vintage is all about? ;-)

Dog Day Afternoon

After a long, fun morning of yard sales I was exhausted, so Zephyr and I bonded with the lawn, supine, staring at a breezy blue sky.
Zephyr, hardly needs an excuse. Sleeping in my flowers comes quite naturally to the furry zen guy. :-)

Late Afternoon Gardening

Today was a good day to stay close to home and garden. Zephyr hung out in the yard too, but I did most of the work.
The onions I planted last winter are flowering. I keep them now just for the explosion of purple by my back door.

The bird bath keeps the birds happy but is constantly being taken over by the lavender. I hack it back continuously. I want the vines to spread out, fill in and crawl up the bath. Patience.

Urban gardening is a challenge. So many pots, small patches of flowers, tomatoes in raised beds, squash in wine barrels. I fill up all the space I can, then shift it around with the changing seasons. The shade, the sun, the asphalt. Still, it's worth it. I can look down on it all from my window perch. And soon enough be feasting on fresh tomatoes and basil. My favorite.

Playful Joy

I've been trying to recover my playful self. She's in here, right below the surface of worry, fear, sadness--all the hot feelings of our days thanks to our economy. She just needs to show up anyway. Take over any given moment. Good for me; good for the world. (Can you hear it? I've been listening to Marianne Williamson again *blush*) Still, good food for thought.

I need to be more playful in my work too. My shop needs some loving attention and playful joy. So, I'll be adding random pieces of fun. Hopefully you'll like them too.

p.s. look for this fun flowery hat in the shop soon. If I can part with it. :-)

dahlila, xxoo