garage sale girly: May 2010

Thusday's Unique Picks - Say it Ain't Faux...

I recently stayed at a very cute Dutch themed inn...

This hotel lived up to its name and was filled with Amish and Dutch inspired decor.

I was wandering down the hallway and came across this...

Silk flowers are not really my cup of tea. So if you love them that is cool. I understand their purpose. As you know I have serious issues keeping real plans alive. What alarmed me though, was the amount on the price tag! WOAH! That must be some seriously fantastic silk used to create this faux floral display.

I was confused, when I think Amish decor, I think about natural and hand made products. (Who knows though, maybe these fake flowers were composed from silk that was hand harvested from a local worm and woven right there in the Mission Meeting Room)

Take a closer look...more sticker shock!

I have nothing against fake decor. Let's just say that my taste for faux may differ slightly from Das Dutch Village.

This week's Unique Picks are devoted to fabulous fakes that are a little more Garage Sale Girly style and all from great etsy shops.

The faux flowers I like don't really have that "real flower" look at all, but are simply shaped like flowers.

You probably won't accidentally water these picks.
(but I really don't think you would accidentally water those silk floral arrangements from The Dutch Inn either)

Let's face it, you are not fooling anyone with those fake flowers so why not have a little fun with them...

Pretty with a primitive look Fabric floral bouquet from Homespun Handcrafts.

Crochet Chrysanthemums from Suili's Craft Shop on etsy.

I have made picks from this seller before because I think her crochet flowers are really fun and unique.

Succulent plants are supposed to be pretty indestructible, so why go faux? Go faux because you can't buy aloe plants from the local nursery that have a great floral print on them, like this printed fabric aloe plant from Jane Joss.

Pretty paper posies from Paper Platypus on etsy. This is a kit so you can grow your own paper flowers!

Picked directly from the AstroTurf...

These are vintage kitschy carnations from Magpie Vintage's etsy shop.

Another lovely vintage plastic floral arrangement from Your Pretty Things.

Having enlightened you with my picks for fantastic faux flowers, I now, would love to show you some "wood look" picks that tickle my fancy.

You can be too cool for school when you bring your coffee in this 1970's "wood look" Thermos from The Amiable Leaf's etsy shop.

"Knock on wood" if you like this faux wood grain look plate from Rae Dunn's etsy shop too.

Another awesome faux wood grain find from Your Pretty Things on etsy. 1970's PortaFile box.
I swear my dad used to have one of these.

Why not go over the top and wrap your fantastic faux wood grain gifts in this "wood look" wrapping paper from General Store's etsy shop.

"Wood" you like to see some more fake picks that look a little more real?

Although I do not advocate tricking your house guests, I do feel that you could have a little bit of fun with these next picks...

Sweet treat...maybe not so sweet to eat. I can't get over how real these baked fruit pie soaps look from AJ Sweet Soap's etsy shop.

Real soap. Fake crackers. Too much fun. These are sold in Love Lee Soaps etsy shop.

My last pick of the day is a fantastic example of Tromp L'oeil...I know I was fooled.
It totally looks like this bride and groom are standing in front of a grand sweeping stair case.

This vintage photo is from Vintage Warehouse's etsy shop.

Always remember, Just because it's not real doesn't mean that it isn't spectacular.
Unless, in my case, it is a silk floral arrangement...

Thursday's Unique Picks - That's Hot Dog

Hope you have the Gas-x handy because this one might cause a little gastritis.

The Hubby and I have a partial season ticket package to The Columbus Clippers minor league baseball games.

scenes from the hot dog race that takes place during every game.

Within each package you are guaranteed tickets to one magical night...

Tensions were high on Monday. The rain had been coming down all day. The game had to go on! We packed an umbrella and I made sure to wear a non-white shirt. (I really didn't feel like participating in an impromptu wet t-shirt contest from a pop up rain shower). And to our surprise the drizzle dwindled away.

It was not that home run that was hit by our team, or even the grand slam that delighted us...this magical night was Dime-A-Dog night. Yes hot dogs for a dime!

new vintage looking t-shirt by Homage.

I know what you are thinking, "Boy, that Garage Sale Girly is a cheap date"! Yup.

Cool or not...I really do love hot dogs. It is not like I eat them all the time, so I guess that is why I savor them when I do get them.

I am not sure if there could be a happier sight. A large girl hot dog smothered in onions

I am not ashamed to say that I find the scent of hot dogs and grilled onions wafting from the little hot dog carts simply intoxicating.

I was thrilled that she was able to stop for a photo with me and the hubby.

FYI: July is National Hot Dog month. Get your grills ready.

Part of my personal stash of vintage fantastic-ness, picture from 1956 Better Homes and Gardens Barbecue Book.

So in honor of my love of hot dogs, and because we were able to attend Dime-A-Dog night, I am dedicating this week's Unique Picks to this delicious food and the fantastic folks that are purveyors of hot dog paraphernalia.

Vintage Gumball Charm from finderskeepersauctions on eBay.

Dear little dachshund sausage on a roll, where did you come from?

Did you know that sausage is one of the world's oldest forms of processed foods? It was even mentioned in Homer's Odyssey dating it back to the 9th century B.C.

Although many lay claim to the invention of the hot dog on a bun, that we know and love today, it was probably first sold from a push cart by immigrant German street vendors in the 1860's.

Read more about the history of the Hot Dog at HungryMonster or on What's Cooking America.

Fantastic original collage found in Dadadreams' Curious Collage Creations etsy shop.

So how do you like them cooked?

Boiled?

Split open and cooked on a griddle with some butter?

Barbecued over some charcoal?

WOW! Vintage chrome Hot Dog Bar-B-Quer in the box! Found in Rec Room Vintage's etsy shop.

Steamed?

Although this vintage hot dog steamer reminds me of the contraption that heats up the hot rollers for my hair, I am sure it would steam up a mighty fine dog. I found this from CLC Garage Sale of Michigan on eBay.

Heated over a bon fire?

I have tried them every one of those ways and can't say that I would discriminate.

But I can honestly say I have never sampled a dog that has been cooked in a machine quite like this one.

This vintage hot dog cooker was found on eBay from seller 4-stars. I think it would be quite dangerous if I had a machine like this. I would always want to fire it up, just to show it off. Then I would have to eat all the hot dogs to ensure the food wouldn't be going to waste.

But if you bought it and asked me over...

Vintage post card from Vintage Cats Meow's etsy shop.

I would gladly come over to assist you in digesting the delicious dogs.

What a wonderful world we live in, that you can buy a crochet pattern to make your own hot dog and condiment toys. Sold in annapaulaoli's etsy shop.

How do you dress your dog?
According to Hot Dog Etiquette on The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council's web page (yes it does exists. Just like the Easter Bunny and Santa).
"Don't use ketchup on your hot dog after the age of 18."
"Mustard, relish, onions, cheese and chili are acceptable"
However you choose to dress them, I would highly recommend picking up some fabulous retro Tupperware ketchup and mustard dispensers to dispense your condiment of choice.

This pick can be found in The Retro Life's etsy shop.

This set of "frank you" notes was designed by HawkGerber, Ink and is sold on etsy.

I would like to just give "Many Franks", to the Countess, on The Real Housewives of New York City, for teaching me that "Elegance is Learned".

In my opinion...

It would be very elegant to serve hot dogs to your party guests using these paper hot dog bags. I found these in Poof It's A Party's shop.

Add this to your powder room

Custom cool embroidered toilet paper from Flat Out Fun's etsy shop.

Be a gracious host, by letting your guests know that they are in for a delicious dining experience at your BBQ.

By the way, according to the Hot Dog and Sausage Council, another don't:

"Don't send a thank you note following a hot dog barbecue. It would not be in keeping with the unpretentious nature of hot dogs."

They might approve though, if the thank you note is hot dog related.

"Franks Very Much" note cards sold in the RASILISK's etsy shop.

But whatever you do please do not deny your child the pleasure of eating a hot dog.

"Hot Diggety" toddler tee from DogBoneArt on etsy.

I am not saying they have to have one every day, but in moderation they can enjoy a fantastic tube steak treat!

"Missing You" hot dog postcard set from Tinkering Productions on etsy.

Gee wiz! Don't let those little ones miss out on the frank-ly awesome fun!

This print from Whale and Bee's original artwork, found on etsy, properly expresses my feelings on this subject.

Hot dog humor is not lost on me, and I was able to find so many great examples. So I would now like to share a few..

This pick is appropriately named the "Wiener Pad" and is found in The Paper Chef's etsy shop. This hand bound note pad is perfect for jotting down your shopping list for your next cook out.