Grafters: Film Biz Recycling

Have you ever heard the saying, “Waste not want not?” Well, at Film Biz Recycling that is their mission and their sentiment is more like, "Waste NOT what can be used again!" By turning trash into treasure, creator Eva Radke has found a unique way to go green. Film Biz Recycling (FBR) is a not-for-profit organization, creating socially responsible and sustainable solutions from media industry waste - ya know, like from movies, TV, commercials, etc.

Since 2008, FBR has diverted over 180 tons of materials from landfills. And for optimum sustainability, FBR redistributes 60% of the donated materials acquired to charities and local organizations like, CAMBA, Materials for the Arts NYC, Sean Casey Animal Center, Chips, Recycle-A-Bicycle, The Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Blissful Bedrooms, and Hour Children.

Another rather groovy thing about Film Biz Recycling is that they operate a shop located in a 10,000 square-foot warehouse in Gowanus, Brooklyn. It's called FILM BIZ PROP SHOP, which creates awareness for their cause, as well as expands job employment in the “green biz” sector.

You can even get involved by becoming a sponsor, an intern or rethink your "downtime" by volunteering.

Well done FBR . . . . Well done!

Make sure to watch the short film above to learn more about Film Biz Recycle's mission and check out their marvelous site here.


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She's a Good Egg

My chic, creative and talented friend Maureen Stevens of The Inglenook Decor found a marvelous use for some vintage wooden egg cups she found at my shop. Check it out here!

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An Abundance of Apparentlys

So, I am a blogger.  (Apparently.)  I own a vintage boutique in Austin, Texas. (Apparently.)  Actually, that latter is more verifiable than the former statement.  So, taking those two facts alone into consideration mean that I am supposed to be professionally committed to making posts about vintage-y type things . . . . right?

But here's the thing - I'm a little bit inconsistent.  And by "a little bit inconsistent," I mean that  . . . (insert foot stomping, shrugging, eye rolls, and whining voice) It's hard to be a blogger, a business owner, a mother, a wife, and a whiny-butt all at the same time!!!  And in my world, when you let all of that stuff mingle together, something like me is the result.

And, what that really means, other than what it sounds like, is, "Sorry I haven't posted on the blog in while, but I've got some junk and some stuff to share . . . lots of it!"

Today I will begin with a Retro Redo that I've been working on.  I'll kinda tease you with the photos above and return later in the week to show you the finished product.

Oh yeah, I forgot to add this to the list . . . . . I'm a tease . . .

See you tomorrow and happy Tuesday!

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Emerge-Hair-Care and Tire Center

The Vintage Laundry Holiday Bizarre and Open House was a huge success! The event gave me the chance to see old friends and make a lot of new ones. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated - you are all greatly appreciated!

One last bit of business before I spin a yarn I'd like to share concerning my failure to announce Day 5's prize and the winner of Day 4 in our Vintage Laundry 5 Day Giveaway. The winner of day 4 was Kate Rowe. Congratulations Kate, you're the winner of the hotel silver creamer! Our final day of the 5 Day Giveaway is a 20% discount on any merchandise in store or online.

Now to spin that yarn . . . . .

To celebrate the triumph of our Bizarre and Open House, I came down with a stomach virus or the flu, or something equally as dreadful. And, if you're gonna go and get yourself a really nasty ailment, it's always best to do it at 2 o'clock in the morning after all of the reputable medical facilities have closed their doors for the night. That way you can be forced to seek help at the Emerge-Hair-Care and Tire Center located at the corner of A Hoot and A Holler.

As the Hubbs and I waited to be seen by the Dr./Vet/Nail-tech, we were privileged to hear some of the most colorful and interesting conversations.

For instance, to the left of us sat a delicate little old grey-haired lady about the size of a Triscuit who, clearly using her outside-voice, complained about her hemorrhoids.   She said and I quote, "'They' tha size a throw pillows . . . . Those 'big-uns' from the Mart!"

Another fellow to our right who was sitting next to a young man who had his foot propped up on the chair beside him with his foot wrapped in a couple of terry cloth towels confessed that, ". . . . My brother shot 'his-self' in the foot on account a he's a dumb ass!" Don't you just love how this season makes those family ties stronger while bringing out those loving sentiment between siblings? Kinda makes you all gushy and warm inside doesn't it?

Trust me, I know about gushy and warm . . . and insides!

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Image courtesy The Healthy Home Economist 

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Day 4: Hotel Silver and the Winner of Day 3

And the winner of one of your choice of three Vera Neumann scarves is . . . . . . Insert Drum roll . . . . . . Scott Lindberg!

Congratulations, Scott, and thanks for participating and supporting The Vintage Laundry!

Today we move on to day four of The Vintage Laundry Holiday Bizarre Five-day Gift Giveaway! And just as before, all you have to do is "like" this post on our Facebook page and you're entered to win the item! Today's item is a piece of hotel silver.  It's a cream pitcher with that lovely patina that only hotel silver has.  It would make for a great starter piece to begin a hotel silver collection or perfect for that silver aficionado on your Christmas list!

Happy clicking!

Winners will be announced on the blog and Facebook page each day following a giveaway post.

Don't for get to get your tickets for tonight's Preview Party here and register for discounts for the free days at The Vintage Laundry Open House this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10th and 11th here!

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Day Three of Our Holiday Bizarre Giveaway

And the winner of the set of 3 silver plated frames is . . . . . . Insert Drum roll . . . . . . Bettielou Lane!

Congratulations, Bettielou, and thanks for participating and supporting The Vintage Laundry!

So, we move on to three of The Vintage Laundry Holiday Bizarre Five-day Gift Giveaway! And just as before, all you have to do is "like" this post on our Facebook page and you're entered to win the item! Today's item is your choice of one of these three signed Vera scarves. Vera Neumann was an American textile artist and entrepreneur best known for her boldly colored linen patterns and scarves signed simply with her name "Vera."  They are all marvelously vibrant and happy- perfect to give as a gift or to add to your own personal arsenal of winter accessories!

Happy clicking!

Winners will be announced on the blog and Facebook page each day following a giveaway post.

Don't for get to get your tickets for the Dec. 9th Preview Party here and register for discounts for the free days at The Vintage Laundry Open House on Dec. 10th & 11th here!

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Tell 'em What They've Won Bob . . . .

And the winner of the set of 12 vintage napkins is . . . . . . Insert Drum roll . . . . . . JoAnn Jackson Garnto!

Congratulations, JoAnna, and thanks for participating!

So, we move on to day two of The Vintage Laundry Holiday Bizarre Five-day Gift Giveaway! And just as before, all you have to do is "like" this post on our Facebook page and you're entered to win the item! Today's item is a set of three petite silver-plated frames. The set is a mixture of different designs and sizes. They are all polished and styled with a black and white photo within - perfect to give as a gift or use to display your babies, grandbabies, nieces, nephews . . . . .Well, you get the picture . . . . get it? PICTURE - yeah, I sleigh me . . . get it? . . . I typed SLEIGH, instead of SLAY . . . . . cuz, it's Christmas time . . . and there's Santa . . . .OK, enough!

Happy clicking!

Winners will be announced on the blog and Facebook page each day following a giveaway post.

Don't for get to get your tickets for the Dec. 9th Preview Party here and register for discounts for the free days at The Vintage Laundry Open House on Dec. 10th & 11th here!

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The Vintage Laundry Holiday Bizarre Gift Giveaway!

Tis' the season for giving, so, today is day one of The Vintage Laundry Holiday Bizarre Five-day Gift Giveaway! Just "like" this post on our Facebook page and you're entered to win the item! Today's item is a set of 12 vintage Damask napkins.  The set is a mixture of different Damask designs and have hand-stitched hems and measure 24" square.  They are all laundered and pressed - perfect to give as a gift or use on your holiday table - happy clicking!

Winners will be announced on the blog and Facebook page each day following a giveaway post.

Don't for get to get your tickets for the Dec. 9th Preview Party here and register for discounts for the free days at The Vintage Laundry Open House on Dec. 10th & 11th here!

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I'll Take Things That Are Magical for $200, Alex

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.


WOW! This video is breathtaking and as my friend Victoria over at SFgirlbybay says, ". . it is pretty magical." This has made the rounds on the internet so, you may have seen it already. But, if you haven't, you've got to take a look!

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Holiday Bizarre & Open House

'Tis the season for parties and presents.  At The Vintage Laundry we're going along with the joke and have planned, along with some of our favorite vintage vendors, a shindig to beat all shindigs. We're calling it The Vintage Laundry Bizarre Holiday Pop-Up & Open House.  If you should like to join our stable of marvelous vendors, you can fill out an on-line application here.  We will review your submission and get back to within 24 hours with approval and a link to pay for your booth.

Yeah, we know, we used the wrong spelling - but, we mean both a "bazaar" as in a shop or market while at the same time meaning "bizarre", as in odd or unusual. We ARE in Austin and we have an obligation to keep things weird, right?!

We'll feature tons of vendors selling vintage linens, decor, furniture, clothing, housewares, art and up-cycled items and accessories, plus awesome holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list!


Preview Party
Friday, December 2, 2011
6pm - 9pm - $15 (Ticket gets you complimentary goodies, one drink ticket, and first dibs!)  You can purchase tickets here.

Regular Bizarre Shopping Hours:
Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 2011
9am - 5pm
3406 Glenview, behind the Burger King on 35th Street

Get First Dibs

'Tis the season for parties and presents.  At The Vintage Laundry we're going along with the joke and have planned, along with some of our favorite vintage vendors, a shindig to beat all shindigs. We're calling it The Vintage Laundry Bizarre Holiday Pop-Up & Open House.  If you should like to join our stable of marvelous vendors, you can fill out an on-line application here.  We will review your submission and get back to within 24 hours with approval and a link to pay for your booth.

Yeah, we know, we used the wrong spelling - but, we mean both a "bazaar" as in a shop or market while at the same time meaning "bizarre", as in odd or unusual. We ARE in Austin and we have an obligation to keep things weird, right?!

We'll feature tons of vendors selling vintage linens, decor, furniture, clothing, housewares, art and up-cycled items and accessories, plus awesome holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list!


Preview Party
Friday, December 2, 2011
6pm - 9pm - $15 (Ticket gets you complimentary goodies, one drink ticket, and first dibs!)  You can purchase tickets here.

Regular Bizarre Shopping Hours:
Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 2011
9am - 5pm
3406 Glenview, behind the Burger King on 35th Street

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Say Four Hail Marys and a No You Di-ent!

I will start by telling you that my entire existence can be summed up by one experience. And that is: You know how you walk into a room and as soon as you enter said room you can't remember why you're there? . . . . . THIS is everyday of my life. Well actually my life is more like a cocktail of that feeling and the cold sweat and the full-body paralysis you experience when you drive past a police officer going 50 mph when the speed limit is 35 mph. Basically, I wake every morning feeling like I've shown up without my homework, . . . . late, . . . . . . naked, . . . . most likely having burst into flames on my way there.

You know those driven, ultra-organized, over-achiever-type creatures who can do that multi-task thing? . . . . I'm the opposite, other kind of creature. The thing that blows my mind (and there are quite a few, which explains how little of it I have left) is how I'm the hogger of all the ADD and loser-moments in my little family. I will get my "to do list" finished . . . . eventually, but there might be a few mishaps along the way. Which brings me to a couple of funny stories that I wanted to share.

The first is a funny thing that happened on the way to an Etsy post. Last Saturday I received an email from an Etsy friend. She graciously complimented the piece I had listed and then mentioned a typo that existed that gave her a laugh, but was sure it was not what I had intended.

At the bottom of my furniture posts I put a little shpiel mentioning that due to the furniture's size, the piece requires a quote for shipping and instructions to e-mail or call me prior to purchasing. Well, where it would normally read "because of it's size" I had mistyped "because of tits size" . . . . . Gives a hole new meaning to "flat-rate," huh?!

My second flail occurred as the Hubbs, the kids, and I were shopping around in a local Catholic thrift store that we frequent. The store is run by the nuns - with the hats . . . . just like in The Sound of Music and everything! So, I find some goodies and take them up to the cash register and visit with the lovely sister about my purchases, when for some reason, feel the need to tell her that my husband is Catholic ( which is true). I continue by saying, "So, I guess that makes me a little Catholic by association (which I'm pretty sure is totally not true.) I do this . . . . I babel on and on in front of nuns, priests, ministers, pretty much all clergy types make me rattle on endlessly. Finally she hands me my receipt and says, "Have a blessed day," to which I would normally respond, "You as well" or "You also."  Only this time I had a "typo" of the mouth.  Instead of saying, "You as well or you also," I rearranged some letters, or my teeth got in the way of my tongue or something and I say, "You asshole" . . . . to a nun . . . in a Catholic thrift store . . . . . while my husband, children, and the parish priest stand staring at me with the most interesting looks on their faces. One enormously pregnant pause later, the nun looks at me, then to the priest and my family, and then back to me and says, " Oh no you di-ent!"

It's official, I'm going to hell . . .

Photo courtesy Fanpop

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City Wide Weekend!

I always get excited at the prospect of selling and shopping at City Wide Garage Sale, on account that it's the most fantastically amazing thing ever created.

Whenever I started shopping and then eventually selling at the City Wide, I felt a little bit like Markie Post or Meredith Baxter Birney in one of those Lifetime movies about the perils of addiction - "Unraveled: The LeAnn Stephenson Story" - in which I rob from the kids' chore money and pawn my pancreas to get one more shopping fix. 

The way I figure it, everyone has a vice of some sort or another.  I probably will never have a drug addiction, or gamble my inheritance away, or take up a smoking habit in which I smoke so much that I spontaneously combust. 

My vice is vintage and antique shopping.

The first time I experienced this particular show, my eyes immediately caught fire and my heart raced when I saw booth after booth of vintage goodies awaiting me.  In my opinion it's the finest example of vintage shopping porn in central Texas.  I recall having to catch my breath, sit down, and put my head between my knees so I wouldn't pass out the first time I visited.

I always find amazingly groovy junk, I mean treasures, from the many vendors at City Wide.  And because I had specific request from a faithful stalker, I mean reader, I want to show you some of the goodies I picked up at this fall's Antique's Week that I plan on bringing to this weekend's sale.

Lots of beautiful needlepoint . . . .

. . . . . tons of new vintage frocks . . . .

. . . . . rainbow colors of vintage crystal inventory . . . .

. . . . . and of course piles of vintage textiles, napkins and damask tablecloths.

The sale is at the Palmer Events Center here in Austin.  I'll be set up near the red skirted info desk. There is a $7 charge to park in the garage or there is a free parking lot at One Texas Center on the Southwest corner of So. First and Barton Springs Road, as well.

Saturday morning between 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m., City Wide offers early shopper passes for $10 each.  This allows those who so choose to have early access to the show and get first dibs on vendors' merchandise before the general admission customers enter at 10 a.m.

I hope you get a chance to come and see me, cuz I have some really marvelous goodies this show!

Have a great weekend and I'll see every back here Monday!

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I Don't Think That's a Thing: Dude!

OK, so, I have a story . . . . Not just any story . . . . . But an "I Don't Think That's a Thing" story. And I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the eighty-something year old little lady that was an essential part of making my day last Friday.

To begin with, I should share some pertinent information prior to relaying the details of the story. Just a few blocks from my house is this great car wash that will wash and dry your car by hand while you wait out on a patio and lounge in one those humongous cedar rocking chairs and watch them detail everything on your car, down to buffing the rims of your tires and hubcaps.

"Well, . . . . I don't know what to tell you, that's what the guy said," the lady sitting next to me hissed defensively into her cell phone. "Yeah," she continued "a 'HAND JOB' . . . . a-a-a-a-and he even said he'd throw in a 'RIM JOB' for free since it was Senior Day!"

I decided at that point that it would be an opportune time to put on my sunglasses and turn my head so that she wouldn't see me bite my bottom lip in an effort not to laugh. As I turned, I caught a glimpse of the little high school guy sitting on the other side of me. His jaw had dropped and his gaze was fixed on the little old lady - he leaned slightly my direction, without taking his eyes off the lady and loudly whispered, "Dude! I can't wait to get old!"

Image courtesy IMDB, Alcon Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox

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Simply Brilliant: Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

I had to post about this amazing establishment in London called Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, and their work through The Ministry of Stories.  Being this close to Halloween I also couldn't resist posting some of these images!

The Ministry of Stories was founded by Nick Hornby and co-directors Lucy Macnab and Ben Payne. Hidden away at the back of The Monster Shop, the Ministry of Stories provides a free space for young people to write. Mentoring is provided by volunteers, local writers, artists and teachers, all giving their time and talent for free.

The aim of the The Ministry of Stories is to inspire young people and to help transform their lives through writing. They believe that unleashing a young person's imagination can build confidence and self-respect.  All forms of writing are encouraged - from song lyrics to play scripts, screenplays to journalism, blogging to games, poems to graphic novels.  In short, they strives to inspire a nation of storytellers.

	Love these rules written on the front doors!

	Too funny!

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Photos courtesy The Ministry of Stories, Hoxton Street Monster Supplies and Mark Wu

Update on The Vintage Laundress

Under the cover of night, The Vintage Laundress ran away from her shop in Austin and is now hold up under a circus-type tent at The Texas Rose Antique Show during Antiques Week.  She loves treasure hunting in overstuffed markets like this one and is under the impression that she has a lot of self-control when it comes to purchasing vintage goodies and that she looks good in skinny jeans (sadly, neither is true.)  Amazingly this is her tenth year to participate in this event.  The show began Saturday, September 24th, and will run through Saturday, October 1, 2011.


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Simply Brilliant: Vintage Scarf Dress

A dear friend sent me this thinking that I might like it . . . . . Uhm . . . yeah!!!

Now if I only had $3450.00 and that model's body.

Photos courtesy Comme Des Garcons


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Madam Secretary

At The Vintage Laundry we believe in being aggressively pink and this marvelous Louis XV Style Secretary/Roll Top Desk meets our manifesto.

It would be just the thing for "A Room of One's Own." I'm thinking Virginia Woolf herself would have put this secretary on her wish list! It has 3 small drawers above the interior cubbies and one large drawer below the writing surface. Patina-d brass drawer pulls and a retractable roll top all perched on 4 elegant cabriole legs. Painted a glossy black with The Vintage Laundry signature pink covering the interiors of all of the drawers and the cubbies.

Check it out in our new bricks and mortar store, on our site or our Etsy.  And don't forget our 20% Off promotion we have on our entire inventory.  Offer valid through August 10, 2011.

 

Don't forget to like our Facebook fan page and join our mailing list to receive coupons and other info about events, workshops, book signings, etc.

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You Can Do It!

Are you familiar with that saying, "Taking the world by storm?" Well, that's what I had imagined would happen when I officially opened the doors of The Vintage Laundry shop last week. Well . . . it seems that storm I was anticipating has been downgraded by weather experts to the equivalent of having someone spit out of their car window as they drive past my shop.

We opened our doors on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. and were an instant hit - like meatloaf at a vegan potluck or the Santa Dreidel. We brought a spoon to a knife fight, basically.

We were not a hit.

But yesterday was a different day because we had customers who must have seen something of value in my quirky little shop (20% off coupon) because they decided for some reason (20% off coupon) to come in and shop and make actual purchases. "This is it," I thought. "Here comes my storm!" I don't know why I'm so confident (20% off coupon,) I just am. So, I'll just keep on keepin' on in my usual overwhelmed state, reacting to these little traffic hiccups with grace (20% off coupon) and optimism (larger discounts coming soon.)

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First Liar Doesn't Have a Chance

 "You name it."

These are the three words that leave my mouth when the subject of what I carry in the shop arises.  Which it does, and quite often, and not without a twinge of self-promotion and most often with a little competitiveness thrown in for good measure.  I find myself thinking, when listening to what a customer collects, "I'll see your salt and pepper collection and raise you a mess of printed tablecloths from the 1950s.  I'll see your Eames lounge and ottoman and raise you a Louis XV armchair.  And I'll see your Vera Neumann scarves and buy 'em."  These conversations have no end and no goal, and frankly I have no idea why I carry on so, except maybe I'm just one more vintage find away from starring in the next episode of A&E's Hoarders . . . . check your TV listings, I may already be there.

From the moment that I caught the vintage bug until today, I have lived by the philosophy that it is better to have dumpstered and dived than never to have dumpstered at all.  I have acted as host and restorer to just about every vintage item I could squeeze through the front door.


The other day my son began to question a new friends long term viability, noting that he lived in a house with his mom and dad and no old stuff.

"Not even any vintage knickknacks!"

"Not even," he says like his parents were unfit and smoking crack for lunch.

"But how does that work, exactly?" he asked.

"I don't know, I guess their family just likes a minimal look to their home."  I try to explain.

"Sounds awful."  he says.

So, apparently it's genetic.

I can't think of a smooth segue from there to photos of the shop.  So, here they are,  the "can't-get-no-minimal" shop photos.  Oh! . . . . and don't forget to join The Vintage Laundry on Yelp, Foursquare and check in when you visit and receive a discount on any purchase or you can join us on our Facebook fan page or follow my Tweets to get updates on new merchandise, deals, invitations to exclusive events, workshops and lots more.  Special grand opening specials begin next week and you don't want to miss out!!

Comes see our collection of vintage china, crystal and silver . . .

. . .  or peruse our vintage chandeliers . . .

. . . or linger in our vintage clothing room . . .

. . . . and don't forget about our Grey Gardens Collection, where you can customize and furniture purchase with paint and upholstery of your choosing . . .

 

. . . or maybe you have a wedding, dinner party or event that you're planning . . . . check out our vintage rental inventory . . . .

 . . . and of course there is always our vintage textiles and linens to Ooooh and Aaah over!

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