Polls are closed!!!

 

The Favourite Vintage Shop poll for The Poppies is now closed and I think The Vintage Laundry won by 11 votes at 289 votes!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for everyone who helped and voted - I am blessed with wonderful friends, family, readers and customers!!!!!!!!! Thank you God!!!!!

Girl Friday: Hello! My Name is Preoccupied

Dear readers, customers, friends and family,

It has come to my attention that I have become a little overly excited and well . . . .  Obsessed is the word I'm gonna use here, by my nomination to the "Favourite Vintage Shop!" category in the poll hosted by the marvelous Canadian blog Poppytalk - but, to be honest, "obsessed" doesn't fully cover my preoccupation!

I'm so grateful to the people that nominated and voted for me of their own free will.  And of course by “nominated and voted” and “of their own free will”, I mean, they were “intimidated and coerced by "some unknown force”.  And, okay, by “some unknown force,"  I mean “me”.

But still! . . . . I really can’t understand why I'm falling behind in the poll. I’m a perfect fit for the “Favourite Vintage Shop” award.

And here is the proof:

I can do FAVOURITE!

•  I sometimes spell "FAVOURITE" with the "u" (so what if we spell favourite without the "u" here in Texas.  That, in itself, shows a casual attitude towards my native language which might also be construed as a strong sense of  really having Canadian DNA.)
•  Lots of people tell me I’m their "favourite" – granted, this is after I ask them directly in a somewhat forceful, overbearing manner.
•  Why, just last week, I was the winner of the coveted "Nicest Person to Cuss Out a Telemarketer Award." And that’s practically like an Oscar for heaven sake!
•  If I ever got the chance to say "aboot" for "about", and  "prho-gress" instead of "pr-aw-gress" I’d , like, totally do it

I am VINTAGE!

•  I once posted my actual age on the internet.
•  I have publicly revealed that I was a teenager in the 1980s and wore big ol "shoulder-ma-pads" in my boyfriend jacket with the sleeves pushed up, as the John Hughes/Pretty In Pink/Sixteen Candles Review Board insisted upon.
•  My birth certificate and driver’s license prove it.

I have a SHOP or have been known to SHOP!

•  I have a website, an Etsy page, a Facebook Fan page, and I tweet (therefore, I am.)
•  I can pee without sitting down on the public toilet or port-o-potty, which everyone knows is proof that I'm a seasoned shopper/junker.
•  I think about the shop and shopping for the shop to the point of neurosis.

So, where have I gone wrong? Is it because the current leader in the poll has brushed hair and lacks a ginormous pimple on their cheek that can be seen on satellite images? Or that the current leader in the poll is not pictorially represented by a "heavily-photoshopped-taken-above-my-head-so-you-can-only-see-one-chin" profile photo taken at a distinctly jaunty angle, courtesy of "The Elect The Vintage Laundry 'Favourite Vintage Shop'" Marketing Team? Or, is it because the target audience for the poll is not dominated by southern, happy pill poppin', slightly irreverent,  junk gypsies in their mid 40s?

Whatever your reasons (and I’m sure you have them), I just wanted you to know that your "Favourite Vintage Shop" listing would be a much more colourful category with me and my "Vintage Laundry" in attendance – as anyone at the "Seriously, You've got to Get Over This Poll Fundraiser" can attest.

Yours, ever-so-slightly anxious,
The Vintage Laundress

P.S.  If you haven't voted yet - I would love you support.  The poll is open until 11:59 p.m. tonight, Friday, January 29, 2010 (Canadian time) and you can cast your vote here.

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Want It Wednesdays: Teal-I-Wanna (get it Tijuana?!)

Photos courtesy 1stdibs, Pagoda Red, La Murrina, and Anthony Todd Home

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The Favor of Your Presence is Requested

It has been awhile since I acknowledged my friends, family, readers and customers with words of appreciation.

So, here goes . . . .

I'm so grateful every hour of every day for each and every one of you.  You all are the reason I get up in the morning.  Well, that and the fact that I really have to pee.

Your dear time has been spent sending me e-mails with words of support and encouragement, and your purchases from my online shop or from markets that I participate in have strengthened my conviction to follow my passion of hoarding, re-working, re-purposing and restoring vintage finds.  I'm honestly humbled by your kindness and generosity and somehow the words "thank you" just don't begin to cover my feelings. 

Okay, are you sufficiently lubed up?  Cuz, I need a favor.   

Yesterday I received an e-mail from Jan and Earl, the husband and wife team of Poppytalk, a marvelous Canadian design blog that collects inspiration and is dedicated to promoting emerging design talent.  They informed me that my store, The Vintage Laundry, had been nominated for a "Poppy" by my peers, customers, and readers at their Handmade Awards event, called The Poppies!  My nomination is under the category of "Favourite Vintage Shop".  They told me that they were posting the voting poll for my category yesterday at Poppytalk.  The poll will remain open for voting for one week, effective yesterday through January 29th, 2010 at 11:59 pm.   There will only be one vote allowed per computer and one vote per category.  There will be two awards given for each category, The Peoples Choice Award and the Jury's Choice Award.  Jan and Earl stressed that it's not intended to be a competition as much as a vehicle to bring more awareness to the vintage and handmade community.

It's an amazing gathering of artists and shops, and I am flattered to be amongst the bunch!  You can find the poll at this link, and the results will be announced by February 5th. Thanks so much for your vote and your support, and have a great week!

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Cloudy With a Chance of Scattered DIY Hissy Fits

Hands up if you've ever worked yourself up into a big ol' DIY hissy fit trying to finish a project, doing, as my friend Deb says, your best impersonation of the dog from the movie Up? (Do you still say impersonation if it's a dog impression?) Oh, look. Everyone's hand is up. What's that? You, up in the back? Two hands up, huh? Oh, I know, my dear, just calm yourself and get those narcotics like I suggested in my last stair post and life will be grand!

Da Hubbs has begun offering little impromptu DIY intervention speeches throughout this past week showing concern as to whether or not I can complete this project.

"I'm honestly worried about your chances of your finishing the stairs before the kids start collecting their social security checks," he said, all "smarty-pants" like this morning.

"I'm honestly worried about your chances of living to eat your next breakfast," I responded in an "its-possible-I-might-have-to-smother-you-in-your-sleep" like manner.

The next fifteen minutes were filled with da Hubbs practically falling all over himself trying to back-pedal on his previous statement by saying things like, "You are doing a great job, don't get me wrong - I just thought maybe you would want to make an 'in progress' post on your blog or somethin' - that's all I'm sayin'!"

Okay, so maybe he had a point and I'll delay cutting off his oxygen supply for the moment . . . . so, without any further stalling here goes:

 

 

Hopefully, I'll have photos of the finished project posted on Monday.  So, stay tuned!  I know I said that last time but what can I tell ya' - I'm tease!

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Want It Wednesdays: Kimono My House

Photos courtesy Hetty Rose, Nappa Studio and The Vintage Laundry

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How to Avoid Do-it-yourself Deficit Disorder

Because I didn't just fall off the DIY turnip truck, I'm now ready and willing to share with those of you who may be new to this do-it-your-own-self deal, the single most valuable piece of advice that anyone could ever give you.

And no, I'm not talkin' about all that junk about always prime first or make sure you have the right tool for the job, etc.

I'm talkin' real life-altering wisdom here, the really useful junk. And here it is. Commit it to memory, write down somewhere, do what you have to, but always remember these words:

•••••••••••

When starting any home improvement project you must make sure to have a constant supply of Schedule 2 narcotics.

•••••••••••

That's it. I know it sounds severe but you can plan what looks like a perfectly simple project, and then life and Diet Dr. Pepper consumption, and an addiction to surfing design blogs get in the way and, before you know it, you have 14 other projects swirling in your mind.

This is what I call Do-it-yourself Deficit Disorder - and this is where the narcotics become handy.

A person with DDD may have some or all of the following symptoms:

• easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and frequently interrupts ongoing tasks to attend to, like taking the opportunity to pee without anyone else in the room, or sit on the sofa with an unblinking stare accompanied by a small saliva thread dangling from the corner of your mouth like a cellophane noodle while the kids are at school and the Hubbs is at the office.

• frequent shifts from one uncompleted project to another - like testing out how the sofa looks against the opposite wall or tending to your last unfinished painting escapade that won't stop heckling you from the kitchen.

• procrastination - well, I'll talk about that later.

• getting up frequently to stand back and admire the 3 inch by 3 inch square that took you 45 minutes to perfectly paint.

• often dancing excessively trying to perfect your "All The Single Ladies" dance moves all Beyonce-like.

• forgetfulness in DIY activities (for example, sitting down for a break on the wet stair step that you just painted 2 minutes before and ruining your best pair of "I-got-a-ka-donkey-donk-butt-from-eating-too-many-Christmas-cookies" sweat pants).

• frequent shifts in conversation, trying to change the subject when the Hubbs asks, "How are the stairs are coming?", not keeping one's mind on task, and painting your knee caps, your elbows, and hair instead of the stairs.

Just thought I'd share my insight, cuz, knowledge is power, y'all - Am I right?

So, hopefully, the next post that I do about the stairs will be accompanied by jaw-dropping photos of the finished project. But its time for my meds and a little drool time, so, I really must go.

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Want It Wednesdays: Petal Pushers

Photos courtesy 1stdibs, Lumiere Inc., Ruby Lane, Old Beginnings Antiques, Luxury Divas

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Girl Friday: Get-over-your-freakin'-self

I have an aversion to change - it scares me, I question it. Even if the "same old, same old" is bad and stressful, at least it's predictable - I know it, so, its comfortable. This mentality reeks of stupid, and as a matter of fact, it might give a stupid thought the will to live - so, its time for change, and lots of it!

In thinking about my new year resolutions, it occurred to me that my life, more often than not, seems constantly embattled, waiting for the next crisis. This tends to be corrosive (this constant stress). Life needs peace. Peace needs balance. And, balance begs a certain amount of "get-over-your-freakin'-self." Recently, I was reminded of an old Swedish proverb; "Fear less, hope more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Hate less, love more; And all good things are yours." After a year of suffering through my mood swings, it was the Hubbs who reminded me of this mantra. So, for Christmas he bought me a mood ring figuring it would be helpful in monitoring my disposition. We've discovered that when I'm in a good mood, it turns green and when I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a big red mark on his little forehead!! Seems I've become a bit of a wench-lotta!

I've decided to resurface in 2010 a new LeAnn, after a year of being plagued with what the Hubbs claims, are peri-menopausal symptoms. (“Peri-menopausal” being the much less sexy version of “Menopause”) But, to be frank and honest here, there is no new LeAnn - its just the old LeAnn with less caffeine, a taller stack of self-help books, a mani/pedi appointment, and lots of ideas.



My most recent idea involves my stairs, some paint, bloody fingers, and mild streams of profanity. I'll have photos of the finished project in a few days - stay tuned!

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"Sex and the City" Brunch

I'm back and feeling like a lighter version of me only with a higher dosage of happy pills. I give credit not to my psycho-pharmacologist, but to my recent trip to New York. The alarmingly hectic, albeit wonderful, year of 2009 left me feeling a little spaz-tastic and weary, but my new year has begun with a renewed sense of excitement and lots of plans for the coming months.

In the next several posts I will be sharing photos and experiences from our trip as well as presenting plans I have for The Vintage Laundry, the blog, and other endeavors. But first, I'd like to share this:


2009 brought many opportunities, one of the most valuable being the chance to not only meet Stan Williams, but be given the gift of his friendship. The second day of 2010 was spent with Stan and Veli at their home in the NoHo neighborhood in Manhattan. Stan whipped up a very "Sex and the City" brunch - armed with relentless joie de vivre, his favorite vintage printed tablecloth, his 1970s mushroom tray from J.C. Penney, cheese, crackers, scones, muffins, coconut macaroons, and lots of tasty Prosecco champagne. Truly a master thesis on "effortless hospitality" - A "vintage glam" time was had by all!! Stan, you are one of the most clever, wickedly talented, dearest creatures on this planet - I'm so grateful that you are in my life and I hope 2010 has even more marvelous things headed your way!!



Photos courtesy Olivia Stephenson.
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See You In 2010!

At the close of 2009, I'm looking forward to 2010 with much anticipation. I am so grateful for the opportunity you’ve all given me to share the things that inspire me, make me laugh, make me cry and make me reach for the "happy pills". Thanks to all of you for your friendship - I'm so very thankful that this past year brought each and every one of you into my world! I will see you after a few days of fun, family and goofin' off.

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Want It Wednesdays

Photo courtesy Olivia Stephenson

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No Really, On Fire IS How I Prefer My Turkey!

I like to think that no one approaches the holidays gracefully. I find myself imagining that there are other women, just like me, all over the world that bounce from self-imposed stress (Will my guests notice that the inside of the microwave looks like a gerbil blew up in it? How well can my family control their, "No really, on fire IS how I prefer my turkey!" statements?) to total euphoria, to "happy-pill-popping" apprehension. My greatest concern in playing "hostess-with-the-most-est", which seems like an unequaled hell, is that my hostess genome is MIA and my "most-est" number clocks in around the "training bra" size when compared to the "D cup" group of hostesses that I come from.

But, as luck would have it, I got a wonderful boost in my confidence, as well as lovely compliment via an email sent to me from Jack Mitchell, publisher of a newly launched website called, All Things Cottage. It is a marvelous site that, among other things, presents information and articles for those who enjoy cottages and the lifestyle they offer. As a regular feature, they will be discussing blogs related to cottage living, including home décor and design, arts and crafts, cottage plans and gardening. They will also feature blogs on related topics, especially food and cooking. Periodically, they will showcase and feature blogs, too. And guess what? I'm among their featured blogs this week! I'd love it if you had the time to go and check it out - it can be found here.

And to Jack and All Things Cottage, I can't thank you enough for including me in your blog showcase. I look forward to more wonderful features and information from your site.





Photos courtesy All things Cottage and Lara Blair of Modern Prairie Girl.

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WhisperWood Cottage Giveaway

Had to let you know about a little goodie that Amy has going on at WhisperWood Cottage: Start Your New Year Off in Style with this Giveaway!: "So, how do you get your very own autographed copy of this book? Here are 5 ways to enter..."

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"Stan-tastic" News

I feel the need to borrow a term from my friend Ruth Handel and let you know about some "Stan-tastic" news. Apartment Therapy named Stan's book, The Find, the No. 1 Design Book of 2009.

As one of his biggest, honkin'-est, Texan-est fan girls, I went immediately to post a "gush or two" about how great the book is and I would encourage the rest of his fans to do the same if you felt moved to be supportive and junk! You can do that here. He has a dear post about yours truly here, today.

Thanks to all of you for loving Stan's book The Find as much I do!

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Snow White and Heevin' Dwarfs

It's a little known fact that The Vintage Laundress is, in fact, Snow White. The past three days of this week have marked the beginnings of an "indy" production of her life entitled, Where's That Apple, Snow? : The Later Years. She was unable to continue production on that film and her weekly "Want It Wednesday" blog post because she needed to tend to three of her sick dwarfs - Pukey, Barfy and (H)earl.

She was, however, able to host her radio program called Move Over, I'm Next.

She will make a brief appearance later this week with her regularly scheduled posts! Have a lovely Thursday and pass the Pepto!

Photos courtesy Kandee Johnson

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Happy Birthday Tin Man

Today is the Hubbs birthday and I'd like to recognize it with a little something more than my usual speech entitled, "Sorry Your Birthday is Overshadowed by Christmas but I'm Pretty Sure Your Birthday Would Have Been a Bigger Deal If You Had Been Conceived by a Virgin." So, I decided to get him one of those cards with a photograph of a couple caught in one of those nauseatingly "I love you so much it hurts" trances, and underneath their picture is printed the phrase, "You Complete Me." On the inside I wrote what I think is a lovely sentiment:
I don't mean to get all "Jerry Maguire" on you here, but my life truly would not be the same without you - honestly, I mean that! I'm speaking from my heart here. (But I do wish you weren't so old . . . . and maybe you could draw a bigger salary. . . and YOWZA! Do you need a haircut . . . . . . . but any who . . . . I hope you have a Happy Birthday.)

As I tossed it to him racing out the door to finish up some Christmas shopping, I said, "Hope you appreciate this, I spent 4 seconds looking through all the cards at the "Stop & Rob" and then stood behind this guy in line who kinda creeped me out cuz he reminded me of the fella I had to sit next to in 9th grade algebra who raised chinchillas and smelled like broccoli!"

Yeah . . . . what can I say, I just bleed sentiment . . . . I know . . . . . . I'm soooo "touchy-feely" and thoughtful and junk.

Happy birthday my love - you are still "as fine as a dime!"

Photos are from a "make-out-sesh" in a photo booth on his birthday in 1993.

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Want It Wednesdays: Musical Chairs

Photos courtesy 1stdibs, Sarlo, Urban Remains and Samantha Hahn

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Going Coastal Instead of Postal

So, here I sit tapping away at my keyboard while stuffin' my cake-hole with sugar cookies and dreaming of a white Christmas - but if the white runs out, I'll drink the red - HA! I sleigh me! - get it "sleigh" instead of "slay!" Obviously, I've found my Christmas "Spirit" or shall I say, "Spirits?" I have to be honest here and let you know I'm good for at least another 5 or 6 more puns, so brace yourselves! In the last 48 hours, I've gone from zero to "freaking-festive" in like, no time flat. As those of you who read my last post know, I have had an extremely hard time this year getting hyped for the holiday season. It's been like an episode of the "True Tales from the Grinchy-Humbuggity Club" around here, but no longer. I'm practically Cindy Lou Who and all the citizens of Whoville put together, only with extra "Ya-hoo-door-ray" on the side.

It might be the "happy pills" talking here, but I reckon my newly-found merriment is due to a combination of several different events. To begin with, I was serenaded into a "right jolly old soul" by my childrens' holiday choir concerts this week. Additional factors helped as well, namely . . . . A little booze . . . . The onset of chilly temperatures . . . . A little more booze . . . . . And the arrival my of my Coastal Living. I've been flipping through it's pages and have been inspired to not only to deck the halls, but throw a party after the decking, cook for said shindig, and become a little bit more cocktail-savvy as a bartender. I even found a solution to a few hard to buy for friends in the 50 Coastal Finds Under $50 pages. And, if you will indulge me, I'd like to share some photos that are sure to increase your serotonin and "Ya-hoo-door-ray" levels . . . . Cuz, that's me . . . . I'm a giver!



I was inspired to get creative with my displays. Here they had a groovy idea for those without a fireplace. They cleverly hung Christmas stockings on an old cherry-picking ladder and suggested that when the china’s taking up table space, display holiday cards in a glass cabinet. I've also decided I NEED that cabinet!



Christmas is at my house this year, which droves of family all needing a place to sleep. Naturally, I loved this idea of outfitting extra spaces with coastal touches like nautical ornaments, tiny spruces in red pots decorating the coffee table, along with swags of garland - so happy and bright!



I am quite enamored with the beachcomber ideas. Beach finds can be used anywhere, for example, to trim the tree or front door, or even decorate wrapped gifts. The idea of using a large sea star at the top of the wreath instead of a bow gives me tons of ideas for my front door. Tons of other great ideas can be found here.



At my shindig, I plan on spreading the love with these crowd-pleasing appetizers. I'm thinkin' the smoked salmon and fingerling potatoes look mighty tasty and the peppered pancetta-wrapped shrimp look yummerific, as well! You can find both recipes here and here.



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I Am Christmas (And So Can You)

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Black Friday is officially in the books. Merry old soul or not, the Christmas season is officially upon us. And, this past Monday marked what is called "Cyber Monday," which to me, sounds a lot like the business-end of a pervy 1-900-number conversation, only online. But, the reality of Cyber Monday shapes up more like Black Friday on your computer, only without those pesky retail chain policies like "no jammies or fluffy fake fur slippers."

This year, my sugar plum imagine-ings have been slow in coming - my festive spirit missed it's flight and is on stand-by, and I'm thinkin' this lack of merriment basically makes me a heathen! And as it turns out, my children and the Hubbs agree with the "you-be-a-grinch" diagnosis and have begun speaking with accents to try and get me in the Christmas mood. Five days of these accents, which really sound more like speech impediments, have caused me to wish all 3 of them harm. The accent consists of forming the letter "s" in the back of their mouths along with buckets of saliva which sounds like "zzzsssccchhh."

A typical conversation over the Thanksgiving holiday went something like this:

MY SON: "Mama, it'zsh time to meazshure me - I think I've grown - Do you know where the yardzshtick is?

ME: "I'm gonna chase you with that yardstick, if you don't stop it with the accent!"

MY SON: "Zshorry."

MY DAUGHTER: "Mama, I'd like to zshing you a zshong. It'zsh called I Zshaw Three Zshipzsh . . . . and ah one . . . and ah two . . . and ah three . . . "

ME: "Liv!" (said with a crazed look in my eye!)

MY DAUGHTER: "Zshorry."

THE HUBBS: "Yikezsch!! Thizsh cold weather izsh making me zshneezsh and wheezsh!"

ME: "Zshcott!"

So, to put an end to the "spit fest," I did a little exploring on the internet for some inspiration on "Decking of the Hallzsh" and I'd like to zshare a photo with you that kinda exprezshzshezsh my lack of energy.



Photo courtesy Apartment Therapy.

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