Vintage Dresses: Proms, Weddings, A Stroll in the Park

Everything feels frilly & lovely, ready for summer romance, prom nights & weddings. I could drown in tulle and lace, but more often than not I'd wear them with cowboy boots. ;)

New finds in the shop now--the two negligees will be in later today, but I had to show you!

Enjoy! Dahlila xo

Color Splurge!

New find: groovy vintage pillow cover in wild navy, aqua blue & green. (I remember these in 60's ski cabins--as I grew up in a ski town. This one is plush & in pristine condition; Approx. 25" wide with tassels & a metal zipper for pillow insert. 

I'll be posting this at Scout and Rescue!

Get your groove on. :)

d xo

Miriam Haskell Earrings: The Family Theatrics

I finally sold the Miriam Haskell earrings, and I am truly pleased. It turns out they are gift for some one's daughter, how lovely. I could not resist adding this "family tale" in the package. Spectacular stories such as this one, really should be passed on with them. :-)

"Dear C,
I wanted to share this small bit of flamboyant history about the earrings, just in case it might interest you.

The Miriam Haskell earrings were a gift to my very elegant grandmother from her very handsome, but sly & swarthy 2nd husband, a “tycoon” of sorts from Los Angeles. They met in Hawaii in the late 50s and dazzled her off her after she had fled her forlorn life, a mere year after losing her first husband.

He was incredibly handsome, but a terrible cad. My grandmother, years later, told me a story that as a young man in high school, he was friends with the famous writer Lillian Hellman. The two of them, each with their own vehicle--one a Rolls-Royce, the other a fire truck raced each other to school.

I have no idea if the story is true or not, but I have always remembered it, and it is quite a tale to remember.

Enjoy the earrings. They have been tucked away in my jewelry box for over 25 years. ;-)

D. xo

Scout and Rescue

If you haven't been around--or if I haven't been advertising enough--most likely the later, I have a second shop now, Scout and Rescue, vintage home decor, kitchenware, garden paraphinella. It's mostly a great excuse for me to buy a different variety of vintage--I do love kitchenware--that doesn't really blend in well with the cute shoes and flowy scarves at Dahlila Found. So, check it out!



Meanwhile, who are the couple in the photo, you're asking? These two very, very young cuties are my parents, years before they had me, years before they were even married. Age: 15-16, I think.

I ADORE this photo, so it's my shop picture. Because, in the grand scheme of things, my family, all of us, together or separately, our motto could easily be: scout and/or rescue. ;-)

p.s. Dad loved to fly fish. Motto: eat what you catch or release them back to the river. Yay, dad.

d, xo

Found: Booby-Trap!

I spotted the old board game box box amongst a plethora of jigsaw puzzles at the thrift store, an original Booby-Trap game by Parker Brother, 1965. I gasped & nabbed it with that exhilaration reserved for great finds like Famolare wedge heels, Spirographs, a pink Samsonite train case. :-) I slipped it into my cart with a hint of glee on my face & went on my way.

As with everything, I thought it would be a great piece for the shop. Who didn't love Booby-Trap? But EBay is surprisingly covered with them and I'm a bit relieved, because now I can keep it.

I grew up in the mountains, snowbound all winter. We kids thrilled to be outdoors, building snow forts, sledding down deadly inclines, and precariously hanging from the the second story deck rail and falling into snowbanks, but eventually we'd get cold and spend the day indoors playing board games: Clue, Masterpiece, Monopoly, Yahtzee, Battleship, Life, Stratego, Booby-trap.

I don't know where the game came from, as it was toted as a bar game, not a kid game, but we had one and I loved to play. SNAP, went the trap, as you eased the wood pieces out of their tight squeeze. It was a vintage version of Jenga or pick-up sticks, it required skill, patience and a long winter.

I think I'll take this up to my parents house and teach my niece to play. We'll make popcorn and sit around the table with the family who still loves to play board games. :-)

d xo

Purses & boots, Oh My

Back on the thrifting trail yesterday, I found some great accessories. Nice transition pieces from summer to fall without going overboard on orange too early.

From left to right,: 1) A beautiful fiery red bag w/black bead work & a leather strap from Christiana. (Sorry dears, I'm keeping this one for a great date night.) 2) A super soft crochet handbag w/Vera Bradly lining & a curved bamboo handle. Love it! My dad, the quintessential swap & picker, found these at a friends basement clearance. 3) A pair of 1960's cowboy boots, real leather & fancy trim. Love them! 4) An embossed leather & hand painted handbag w/a gazillion pockets for all your goodies. Southwest fabulous. 5) Lastly, another great pair of fuzzy Snowfland apres-ski boots w/a wedge heel in excellent condition.

Stay tuned. They'll all be in the shop soon. (If you must have it NOW. Send me an Etsy convo & I'll arrange it, pronto.)

Enjoy! d xo

p.s. Not to confuse you, but the baby cowboy boots are at Scout and Rescue, my new shop! Their link will take you directly there. :-)

Lavender, Lilac, Purple

Whatever you call it, purple, was my favorite childhood color. I wore it whenever I could and with anything: red plaid skirt, lime green socks, purple paisley shirt. My mother was horrified. There was always a battle. She probably won. I don't remember.

I found this darling purse in a deep soft suede. I snatched it up and cradled it like a teddy bear. It's dreamy. I love it. It matches my new top. :-)

And yet, this fabulous purse is in the shop, because even thought I LOVE IT, I can't keep everything I love. I'd never Sell anything! Which wouldn't be good. Then I'd have to live in my jeep, and really, there's just not enough room for my life, let alone my purses.
Still, doesn't it look JUST DREAMY with my boho blouse & Nancy Botwin skirt? Oh, the torture.

If YOU have an outfit that can't live without this purse, I might feel better. Do you? Show me and I might sell it to you...if you can tear it from my fingers. Did I mention I love purple. :-)

love d, xo

Color Belts!

Some fab finds in the colorful cool belt dept.  I love it when I find pieces with a theme.

All three are in the shop now!

d, xo

Thrifty Spring Finds--Some For You, Some For Me

I can never have too many sweaters. They dress up the drabbest t-shirt, add a quick lift or cover up to a top. I scored these three great sweaters, plus some accessories for ridiculously little. Some are vintage and some are not. Some are for me and some are for you. :-)

Darling pink sweater w/embroidered apple blossoms, Garnet Hill; White frilly trimmed tank top, The Gap; vintage 80's sunglasses, Faith, France; white woven floppy hat (one of my hat staples), red faux-alligator leather wallet, Abas; white Italian leather vintage wallet--mine! ( I LOVE this wallet. Organized & compact. I paid $2 for it). Total: minus hat, $11.

Light pink 100% cashmere sweater, Jones New York; Pink green plaid blouse, Old Navy; white red vintage shoulder bag, no tag. Total: $9. Yes, you read that right. The CASHMERE sweater has a pink prick moth hole in the sleeve: $3. It's almost like stealing.

Red Converse Tennies, made in USA. I love the red ones. Will be in shop soon. :-)

 Cute light turquoise sweater, Christopher & Banks, white tank, The Gap, my white wallet & a dreamy soft pair of Cole Haan slipper flats. Sweater, $3. Slippers, $4.

I can't wait to wear this sweater! I love it and I also have it in pink. :-) Merona, $3. Groovy olive green vintage tote is in the shop now. And it totally works with this sweater...keep, sell, keep, sell. . . hm?

I have quite a few purses just now that work great with this sweater. Here is my latest Etienne Aigner shoulder bag in navy blue leather. Darling & in shop now. (I also have it in cranberry). Again, my white hat & wallet. I love them.

The best duo yet, with the Blackwatch tartan plaid bowling bag. Tell me this isn't spectacular!

And for the dudes--the bowling works for you too. The white Converse tennies are a size 13. In shop soon. Having trouble finding laces that long!

I'm keeping the darling swishy charcoal top by Rocker Girl. The distressed leather boho bag will be in the shop soon, although I am VERY tempted to keep it. Cute top: $3.

Whoever said you can't find great fashion finds at thrift stores hasn't shopped with this vintage maven. :-)

d, xo

Dahlila Found Vintage

Weekend Finds: best of the '60s and 70's

I stumbled upon a new shop tucked away behind a power mall. It was a sweet find. Lucky me.

A few of my weekend treasure finds:

A plush corduroy suitcase. Yes, corduroy, both sides and all around. It's insanely soft like your favorite pair of 70's bell bottom cords. A great stash for your winter sweaters or favorite books, a hideout for your cat or curl up with it and call it a pillow. :-)

These are the sweetest, daintiest leather Mary Jane's in a soft pearly champagne. Beautiful for a wedding. I actually have an evening dress that matches perfectly, but they don't fit this Cinderella. Sigh.

Made in Belgium by Defaux.

Size 8 narrow. In shop now.

 It kind of looks like a pizza here, but it's actually a table cloth adorn in bright yellow and orange flowers, with some avocado green leaves.

Flower power for a round table.

In shop on Sunday.

Wild 60's cocktail hour sandals with amazing faux granite rhinestones. Low sling backs named "Siren" by Magdesian. Dreamy.

p.s. don't make fun of my toes. There all I have. :-)

d, xo

Savory Scones

I may have picked the wrong night to turn on the oven (heat wave, 83 degrees today. Yuck.) but I had to make these Tomato Feta Scones by Savory Sweet Life on the Etsy blog and they are delish!

I had to make a few minor adjustments to the recipe. I didn't have garlic salt, a food processor, a baking stone or even parchment paper, but I made due and if someone doesn't take them away soon, I may eat another. I really love savory baked goods. If you have the ingredients, they're an easy to prepare treat. Great with wine or coffee. :-)

My adjustments:

1) For garlic salt I used Mrs. Dash, Original Seasoning Blend (salt free, which is good because the feta & the butter (oh, I didn't have unsalted butter either) are plenty of salty.

2) Instead of roasted red tomatoes from a fancy (read expensive) deli, I used Green Chile & Roasted Tomato Chunky Salsa from Archer Farm. Next time I want to try real roasted red peppers (I roast them straight on the gas range. Super yummy, but tomatoes, I'm not sure how that works. Experiment. You may find something better.

3) I love feta cheese so it was a must, but cheddar or Swiss would make a good substitute if you're making them for kids or someone who's not a feta fan--I can't imagine.  

4) No parchment paper or baking stone, no problem, a lightly buttered baking tray worked great.

5) Mine were thicker than 1" when I flattened the dough & stickier (surely from the salsa) so I cut them into 6 pieces instead of eight. They're big, fluffy and dreamy.

6) Also, because of the size & density, I baked them for nearly 25 minutes. Check on them often.

Thank you Savory Sweet Life. This is exactly what I've been wanting.

dahlila xo

Lemons & Clover: Sunny Spring Finds

I took a big jump I've been meaning to take for a few months now. I opened a new Etsy store. I'm not ready for you to see the inside just yet. There are only a few posts and a simple banner, but once I get it all dolled up I will invite you all for the grand opening.

Part of me feels like I'm deserting Dahlila, Found--and I'm not!! (I'm telling myself this more than you.) It's a bit like having a second child: you still adore your first baby, but now she has to share the love.

Below are some great spring finds you will soon find in the new shop: bright colors, sunny yellows, grassy greens, cobalt blues. Fun for stashing cookies or planting flowers. I am going to love running this shop!

dahlila xo



Secret Stash: Celluloid Vanity Case

It's time to take down another box from the closet, dust it off and share it with you. This case blesses the Top 5 of vintage goods I'd grab if running from a burning building. (Number one is my grandmothers leopard skin pill box hat with matching muff.)

So, without further ado, let's draw the velvet curtain. Lights. Camera. Say, "oooooooohhhhhh!"

THE ALLIGATOR LEATHER CELLULOID VANITY TRAIN CASE
I'm not certain if it's real alligator. (You can't see it well from here). The handle is also leather. I love the pointed "spades on each tip). Notice, there are TWO latches, for two separate compartments. AND the main compartment has TWO small skeleton keys and they work...

Now, look inside, "voila!" A celluloid vanity set in marbled chartreuse with light translucent gold underlay. (When the latch pops "click!" and opens, even I hold my breathe.)

From left to right: pieces of a nail file, a soap box, a shoe horn, a horse-hair brush, a hairpin box, a toothbrush box, a shoe hook. Below: a powder box (still filled with a dreamy sweet powder) and a comb.

 Opening the second compartment...

A full view, with the beveled mirror. The lining is brocade. 

The full bottom compartment: three stretch pockets along the bottom sides and a larger one on top. All the elastic is good and holds, the fabric is dreamy. It's okay to swoon now. I'll get the smelling salts.

I'd like to research my case a bit more. There's not a single tag on it anywhere. Nothing!

Some days, I imagine a lady of leisure carried it with her on a train, laid out on fine linen while she brushed her hair and powdered her nose. Others, I imagine a traveling salesman carried it great distances selling each celluloid piece to ladies across the country.

What do you think?

dahlila xxoo



Red Treasure Trove

I took a little day trip out of town yesterday. Just a sunny day, coffee out, see another town, kind of day. So, of course I had to stop at the local thrift--SPCA thrift that just happened to be having a 30% off day. It was like picking cherries from the vintage tree.

Completely darling Amelia Earhart red suit case with pink satin lining! Love it!

Bright red 60's handbag with gold hardware.

Vintage Anne Klein scarf in holiday plum, forest green & mustard yellow.

Antique Audubon lithograph of Carolina Parrots.

I was oohing and awing over a white wicker dining chair, upright, tall in chipping PINK, but I am so out of room! Oh, a vintage sigh. 
All these goodies will be showing up in the shop. First they need a run through spit-and-polish.
Keep your eyes open. They won't last long.

d. xxoo

True or false: vintage

I like Anthropologie as much as the next stylish femme, but sometimes flipping through their website I think, "I've seen that--I own that!" And mine is vintage.

Refracted ambiance jar, Anthropologie, $18

vintage make up jars, copper lids, 2 for $12. SOLD



You can own it in vintage too. :-) 

dahlila xxoo