Thursday’s Unique Picks – Cheers to 80 Years

Today’s Unique Picks brings us to an exciting birthday celebration for a man that recently turned eighty years young.

Express your excitement for any occasion, with this great original cross-stitch from *grace and light* on etsy.

While thumbing through the paper last Sunday the hubby happened upon this announcement in the special occasions section…

“Belated 80th Birthday Dickie-Do”

From the newspaper that gave us Ted Williams (not the baseball player), The Columbus Dispatch, we found this birthday announcement for Dickie-Do.

Unfortunately, I am not one of Dickie-Do’s “Special Friends”…just an admirer. We clipped this little nugget out of the paper and every time I see it, I have to chuckle a bit.

With such a vibrant expression on his face and a great nick name like Dickie-Do why wouldn’t it be fitting for him to be this week’s Unique Picks inspiration?

This one's for you Dickie-Do.

This cheerful birthday card from ellipsis by esauer26 on etsy reminds us, "better old than ugly". Ain't it the truth.

Sure, I don’t know the guy, but I still decided to take a stab at finding some great items from etsy sellers that would not only delight this enthusiastic eighty year old, but could be unique finds for folks of any age.

This 1980's birthday mug from hollieshobbs etsy shop, also poses another important birthday sentiment, "Age Is Mind Over Matter...If You Don't Mind, It Doesn't Matter". This is a great gift for anyone you know that whines every year about getting older.

Before we start the gift giving, I just wanted to give you a few fun facts about the year Dickie-Do was born.

In 1931:

(1931 fun facts were found on The People History and Wikipedia.)

The Empire State Building is completed, and becomes the tallest building in the world

This great original artwork from Nesta Home shows the Empire State Building in New York City. The skyline was created from an original photograph and printed on a 1929 atlas page.

The Star Spangled Banner officially becomes the U.S. National Anthem.

This large gallery wrapped canvas is a print from an original photograph from Clicks Photography's etsy shop.

Another famous Dickie makes his debut. Dick Tracy to be exact. The Dick Tracy comic strip was created in 1931 and first appears in the Detroit Mirror newspaper.

This upcycled spiral bound notebook was created from a 1941 Dick Tracy card game box, and can be found in Another Work in Progress's etsy shop.

 From my in depth character assessment of Dickie-Do, from his clipping, I would assume...

It is pretty obvious that he is a fellow with snappy taste in clothing. He seems like he may be into wearing vintage clothing. Can you say hipster.

This vintage 1940's-1950's plaid button down from Vogue Vintage Clothing on etsy seems like it would be right up his alley.

Dickie's look wouldn't be complete without a vintage graphic tee.

Perfectly modeled by Kenny, it is pretty obvious why I picked this vintage tee from skippy ha ha 's etsy shop, because it is Awesome.

But an 80th birthday calls for something a little more "special"

How about a tie?

Not just one, but four great vintage ties from Retro Homme Vintage's etsy shop.

I also brain stormed with my hubby on other gift ideas for Mr. Do.

As per hubby's suggestions:

1. Good reading light

This great reading light, upcycled from vintage books can be found in Typewriter Boneyard's etsy shop.

2. A nice magnifying glass for...

If you have to use a magnifying glass, might I suggest that you use a snazzy vintage one like this one I found in Tricky Vintage Refreshed by trix0120 on etsy.

3. Crossword puzzles

Not just any old crossword book for Dickie-Do will do. This vintage roll of novelty toilet paper from EdwardFarms etsy shop will cleverly keep you occupied.

Thanks hubby!

I personally think he might be up for something that will get his heart rate up.

I love this vintage postcard from savannahsmiles4u's shop, dotted with bathing beauties. Who needs a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue when you could be checking out these classic hotties?

And Beano...not because I think he might be gassy, I just thought he could use a break from Bingo.

This "Peppy" 1930's-1940's game is from MissMaggiesBureau on etsy. It is just like Bingo, but the word at the top of the card is "Beano". That is what makes the game peppy.

Well Dickie-Do, I hope you approve of all of these great ideas I had for birthday gifts just for you.

Could this be our little Dickie-Do? You just never know. This original photograph from the 1930's was found in Ephemera Obscura's etsy shop.

I hope that for your 80th birthday you got something better than that year you got the wagon and a pipe.

Thursday's Unique Picks - Libra-l Choices

It is September 23rd. What does that mean to you?

Yes, we have officially entered Autumnal Equinox ...as of yesterday, September 22nd.

Beautiful original artwork titled "September Rain" by Beverly Dyer on etsy.

Not the answer I was looking for. Please try again. 

I'll give you a hint...

Cardboard repurposed into a fantastic colorful birthday banner from Cardboard Sheek's etsy shop.

If your next answer is: three days away from MY birthday then you are in business.

Picture of my big toe directing you to my birth date, on this over sized birthday calender at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

OK, next question...if my birthday is in three days what does this make me?

Old.

Old like me. Awesome 1891 Libra Zodiac illustration from VeeJaysVintage etsy shop.

No, a Libra.

Thanks, mean. You fail.

This would be a cheerful greeting card for you to send me, in regards to my feelings about getting older. I found it in Artsy Fartsy by Alisson Burda's etsy shop.

 For this weeks Unique Picks, I will be featuring some Libra-l choices from great etsy sellers picked by your resident Libra, me, you know, the birthday girl.

 (Please note: it's almost my birthday so I can pick what I want to. I know I always pick what I like but I hope my Libra-ism doesn't offend any readers this week)

They nailed it. This great original typography print on canvas, is from mursblanc's etsy shop.

Libra's are balanced.

Libra: "The Scales" or "Balance", is the only symbol of the zodiac that is represented by an inanimate object.

Balanced and inanimate, like me. I love this mid century copper and pressed amber scale from Ugly Santa's etsy shop.

Hmmmm. So the symbol for the astrological sign Libra is scales. 

Around the equinox, the night and day are approximately equally long.

Libra + Autumnal Equinox = Coincidence, I think not.

The Sun enters Libra on the moment of autumnal equinox by definition on September 23, leaving it on October 22. (My reliable source on this fun fact was Wikipedia.)

Charming, hand embroidered vintage hankie with the words of a beautiful poem by George Eliot, "Delicious Autumn", found in Stitchasaurus Rex's etsy shop.

Bear with me: Over analyzing seems to be a typical trait of an air sign.

All these years I have been blaming myself.

 Libra is an air sign.

"Those with planets in Air signs lead with the head, and those wheels are always turning to analyze and interpret their world,"- ask.com.

No crap.

Soft and airy dress from aftershowershop on etsy.

"Talking with an inspired Air sign can be like skipping through a kind of virtual reality full of detail, specificity and local color."

Thanks to this article on ask.com, I can happily explain my over analysis neurosis as a trait of being an Air sign.

Ruled by Venus.

Libra-lly ruled by Venus, the goddess of L-O-V-E.

Romantic and charming

"They like the opposite sex to the extent of promiscuity sometimes, and may indulge in romanticism bordering on sentimentality." - astrology-online

Oh sweet romance, even Owl brings his date flowers. I heart this hand embroidery by Chet and Dot on etsy.
Their marriages, however, stand a good chance of success because they are frequently the union of "true minds". -astrology-online
 

So happy to find this beautiful hand cut paper banner from Ay Mujer!'s etsy shop

 

The Hubby and I have been married for nine years now, and it's good to know that I can attribute it to having "true minds", and not just a mutual love for cheap beer.
 
It's blue being a Libra.
...not really, but apparently the Libra color of choice is blue.
 

Fantastic vintage inspired lounge wear from Market [Store (Shoppe)]

I am not really sure why I am drawn to these PJ's...is it because I am a Libra and really like blue or is it because I really love the vintage design, or is it because I am expressing my Libra traits of being Flirtatious and self-indulgent?

 Bust out the Sapphires.
Libra's star stone is the sapphire.
Sapphires are considered good luck in many ways and one of the major healing stones.

Lovely little vintage Sarah Coventry birdie pin from Edismiles' etsy shop.

 In this Libra's opinion, most jewels are healing...even if they aren't real sapphires.
Wow...are you picking up on this not so subtle bird theme I also have going on? hmmmm...is bird brain a Libra trait?

What's a girly to do?
According to my extensive research on Libras and being personally involved in this study, it is reported that...
Some Libras are gifted in fashion design.

OK this is amazing. I wish I had this when I was little. I found it in lovemaestore on etsy. It is a reusable fabric wall decal. I love that you can change her outfit and restyle the doll again and again.

I don't know if I was really gifted, but I did design clothes for about seven years...
and then I thought...

This fortune scarf from Xenotees on etsy will say it all.

"Now is the time to try something new."

It's a good thing that Libras make good Antique Dealers too (according to my findings on astrology-online). Maybe "Antique dealer" is a stretch, but we can say I try and sell some pretty sweet vintage in my etsy shop.
Another potential career choice for Libras is a lawyer or diplomat...I will need to weigh these options...

A lovely little birthday dress letterpress card from Fugu Fugu Press on etsy, is what any girl would want...not just Libras.

Happy Birthday Libras of the world! 

May your cake be topped with something as cute as these "You are old" vintage catalogue picture cake toppers from VintageScraps on etsy.

The Libra-l views and picks expressed by the writer of this blog may be the direct result of her birthday rapidly approaching. Sorry...did I already mention that? Guess it's my old age.

Happy Birthday Maggie!

Just wanted to share this picture I came across the other day while going through my stash of vintage goodness.

It brought a smile to my face and I felt it was very appropriate for today!

caption on the back of the photo of Maggie

Happy Mother's Day to mothers, grandmothers and swell ladies out there that may not have any kiddies but are the mothering type!