This Week In History - To Catch a Princess

April 18th,1956

Commemorate the royal wedding with this fantastic collection of vintage stamps from  Coco's Room on etsy.

On April 18th, 1956, actress Grace Kelly marries Prince Rainier of Monaco. The glamorous Miss Kelly met her Prince Rainier while filming the 1955 Hitchcock movie, "To Catch a Thief", in the French Riviera. When the two met, it wasn't exactly love at first sight, at least not for the Hitchcock blond. It took a bit of time to convince Miss Kelly that this man she met wasn't just any Prince...he was her Prince Charming. The Prince started a letter writing campaign and his persistence paid off. After a year of correspondence, he won her over. Apparently, that is how you catch a Princess. Miss Kelly retired from acting and traded her star for a crown.

For more information on the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco or this date in history check out this article on The History Channel website.

Thursday's Unique Picks - Please Don't Lose The Opener

Ohhhh the anticipation...the excitement.
Anyone know what today is?
Anyone? Anyone?

How are you celebrating baseball season? Why not deck out some cupcakes with these sweet vintage  baseball glove cupcake toppers from Crickleberry Cottage's etsy shop.

Opening Day for the Columbus Clippers, of course!

Who are the Clippers, you ponder? Well they are Columbus' AAA Minor League baseball team.

Just to be clear. I don't really like baseball...but I do like Columbus Clippers baseball. Makes sense, right?

Check out my sweet new Clipper's gear. This one of a kind D.I.Y Clippers bag was a Christmas Gift from my Hubby. D.I.Y? Yes. He bought me this vintage bag (on etsy, of course) and the Clippers patch and it was up to me to assemble, since sewing is not really his forte.

So to celebrate opening day, I thought I would sing a little tune that you may know and love, accompanied by some great etsy finds that you may want to get to know and love!

1949 sheet music from the MGM musical "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" found in  Oma's Trunk's etsy shop.

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out to the crowd;

Buy me some peanuts...

Adorable vintage style peanut bags from In The Clear on etsy.

and Crackerjack,

Some may associate beer with baseball games but there is nothing wrong with throwing back a glass of vino while cheering on the team...especially if you are using these great vintage Crackerjack prize wine glass charms handmade by D&J Leis Antiques on etsy.

...and a hot dog 
(seriously, how is this line not in the lyrics?)

Fantastic dancing stained glass weiner from Western Art Glass' etsy shop.

I don't care if I never get back.

So let's root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win, it's a shame.

Hoping for a win! This great embossed copper "win" necklace is from Juls After Midnight on etsy.

For it's one, two, three strikes you're out,

At the old ball game!

Go Clippers! Bring home a win tonight! You know that they say...

If the home team loses the opener...
they won't be able to serve beer the rest of the season.

Please don't lose the opener. But if they do...you won't have to worry, if you have this great vintage beer bottle opener around your neck, from Poor Sparrow's etsy shop.

(A girly could get powerful thirsty without a cold one to wash down all of those hot dogs.)
Hope that you enjoyed our opening day inspired etsy picks and I wish all of your favorite teams the best of luck this baseball season, unless they are playing my Clippers of course.

The Bird is the Word

Hot Dog! Yes, Girly is FINALLY updating her blog!

Oh, where do I start?

A lot has been going on at the headquarters of The Unique Bird (a.k.a. my nest). As I slowly try and get back to some sort of a blogging schedule, hopefully you will enjoy a brief rundown of my adventures over the last few weeks.

Wake up and smell the coffee!

Vintage Flavo Matic percolator found in my etsy shop. A few days after my coffee maker was kaput, a customer inquired if I could test the working condition of this percolator. I did, and it perked right up! Why didn't I think to do that myself?

Or not...

A few weeks back, I awoke...not to the smell of freshly brewed coffee...but an empty coffee pot and my coffee maker blinking "error" at me. Shock. Horror. Not really a great way to start the day...or a story (I promise it gets better). So feeling under caffeinated, I trudged down stairs to check my email.

How to brighten my mood sans coffee? Insert an amazing opportunity. Imagine my now shock and awe when I was asked to go to my hometown and appear on live television to talk about my vintage treasures and my handmade vintage fabric goodies! Suddenly my day was perking up.

Yes, I was walking on clouds with excitement over my upcoming television appearance, but that was a few weeks away...back to work girly! You have to get sewing. Someone had to make a fresh selection of vintage fabric wine accessories for our favorite local wine shop for Spring, and that someone was me! Suddenly I felt like wonder woman...(because I was a kick butt sewing machine...not because I was wearing a cape while sewing).

A stitch in time saves nine

My Vintage Kenmore Ultra Stitch 12.

Rolling along on my good old 1982 Kenmore Ultra Stitch 12.  Ca chunk, ca chunk, ca...whaaat?!?! Shock. Horror. My poor sewing machine finally had enough of my empty promises to give it a little rest...and had a bit of a break down. Suddenly a broken coffee maker seemed like small potatoes...this was serious.

Much like Demi Moore, my sewing machine needed to be treated for "exhaustion". Thankfully I had a back up sewing machine.

We got off to a rocky start...but pretty soon my back up sewing machine and I became good pals.

Last summer, I became the proud owner of my Mother-in-law's c.1970's Kenmore sewing machine. I have to admit...we got off to a rocky start (me and the sewing machine...not me and my Mother-in-law) but I kept at it, and we soon became close friends. I was able to deliver a new selection of my bloomin' wine bottle stoppers to Meza Wine Shop.

Bloomin' Wine Bottle Stoppers from The Unique Bird exclusively sold at Meza Wine Shop in Westerville, Ohio.

 I was also able to get started on some pretty new handmade goodies to debut on my TV appearance and oh yes...a big selection of Spring-tastic goods for our first Trunk Show at Meza's Girls Night Out Wine Tasting.

Filling up my trunk (well suitcase) with handmade vintage fabric goodies for Meza's Girls Night Out Wine Tasting and Trunk show featuring The Unique Bird and Objet Adapte! 

Welcome Home!

After a week of rehab and a few new parts, I welcomed my good old Kenmore home..and I departed to my hometown for my television debut in Dayton!

It was all very exciting to appear on Living Dayton! Living Dayton is a new lifestyle program on WDTN - TV (the ABC affiliate in Dayton, Ohio). I felt so glamorous...I felt so excited...I felt like I was 5'6" tall!

 A behind the scenes snap shot from my segment on Living Dayton courtesy of the fantastic Mr. Schmelick. No, I was not working out, but I did need a step up so I wasn't a floating head behind my suitcase filled with pillows.

Objects on the screen may not be to actual scale. Through the magic of television I actually was taller! So without further ado...yours truly's television debut.

Decorating tips from the Unique Bird: wdtn.com

Um. So there you have it. Um. not too shabby for my first time on live TV. In my attempt to not say "like" 750 times, I ended up saying "um" 950 times. Oh well, c'est la vie. Hopefully what I had to say was so impactful that it distracted the viewers from counting my...um...ums. As my sister said, it was "Um - believable". All jokes aside, I cannot thank the folks at Living Dayton enough for such a terrific opportunity to spread the word about The Unique Bird's vintage and handmade treasures!

Sew on and Sew Forth...

After appearing on Living Dayton...I whisked myself away to my favorite Kettering thrift store...just to see if there was anything I couldn't live without...

So we meet again Frigidaire Flare. In January, the hubby and I stumbled upon one of these c.1960's stoves at the Re- Store in Columbus, Ohio...and then I spotted this one in Kettering. Much to my hubby's dismay once again...I lived without it. 

Then back to Columbus to wrap up my sewing projects for Meza's Girls Night Out Wine Tasting and Trunk Show featuring handmade vintage fabric goods from The Unique Bird and Objet Adapte.

Photos courtesy of Meza. March Girls Night Out Wine Tasting 3/21/12. We had an awesome selection of  new Bloomin' Wine Bottle Stoppers displayed on the front table!

Beautiful handmade vintage feedsack handbags and accessories from Objet Adapte at the wine tasting!

It was a fantastic turnout for the wine tasting! Thanks so much to our talented friends from Objet Adapte for partnering up with The Unique Bird for this event, to Meza for featuring us, and of course, thank you to everyone that came out to support us!

In a nut shell...that is what I have been up to. It has been a crazy town at my nest over the last few weeks but it was crazy in a good way! Just think, it all started with a broken coffee maker... What's next? No more glamorous television appearance and wine tastings lined up in the near future, but I did go to my first Garage Sale of the year this morning...so it is back to normal-ish business here. I am hoping to get some new vintage pieces added to my etsy shop soon, so stay tuned!

P.S. Do you remember at the beginning of this post when I said I was going to give you a brief rundown of my adventures? For me, this is brief.

Thursday's Unique Picks - What Are You Made Of?

Valentine's Day is looming...

Uhhhh...

Adorable assorted selection of vintage valentines from Treasures of Vintage Memories shop on etsy.

What do girls want? My Husband would say, "what don't they want". 

What do boys want...gross get your head out of the gutter. 

Surely there are loads of lovely gift ideas from etsy sellers...but where to start the search. 

I thought maybe this little Mother Goose rhyme, that my Grandma used to recite to me, might give us some direction. Yeah...let's see what you are made of!

What are little boys made of?

"What are little boys made of..." illustrated poster from leesaralou's etsy shop.

Snips...

Manly grunts all around...an instant collection of vintage tin snips from It's Verily Vintage on etsy.

Snails...

When the room heats up on Valentine's Day, prop open the door with this hand painted vintage iron snail door stop from Portuguese Vintage's etsy shop 

and Puppy Dog Tails.

Uncork the magic with the tail of this little pup. This great vintage wooden dog has a corkscrew for a tail and can be found at Nickadizzy on etsy.

What are little girls made of?

Oh so nice...eye chart inspired illustrated poster from CJ Prints on etsy.

Sugar...

Sugary sweet without the calories...custom order this handmade crochet "frosted sugar cookies" scarf from Kellyz Kreationz etsy shop.

Spice...

Slip out of those pajama jeans and into something to spice Valentine's Day up...like these beautiful 1950's satin tap shorts from  Concetta's Closet on etsy.

and All Things Nice.

Mama always says...boys like nice girls. This little handmade pillow from Your Homebased Mom on etsy, is a nice
reminder...

Now that we are clear on what boys and girls are made of...hopefully, it will make choosing something special for your Valentine from great etsy sellers a snap...or should I say smooch!

XOXO

This Week In History - Define Timeline...

February 1st, 1884

Adorable handmade dictionary rings from Out Of The Blue's etsy shop

On February 1st, 1884 the first portion of the Oxford English Dictionary is published. Sure there were other dictionaries in publication at that time, but members of London's Philological Society wanted to step it up. What does Philological mean? Why don't you look it up in the dictionary? Plans to produce an error free, up to date dictionary started brewing in 1857. The concept was to cover all of the vocabulary from 1150 A.D. to present (present as in 1850's ish) into four volumes. They estimated it would take about ten years to complete. Over forty years later, after the 125th and final fascicle, the dictionary was published, complete with 400,000 words and phrases in ten volumes. Yes, I see a hand back there...What is a fascicle? You are going to have to look that up in the dictionary. 

For more information on the Oxford English Dictionary or this date in history check out this article on The History Channel website.

Thursday's Unique Picks - As Seen On TV

Don't you hate it when people say, "I've been busy...".

I mean who isn't?

Hey Girly what have you been up to?

Ummmm, I've been busy. Oh well, I am back today with a little Unique Picks blog post!

Soooo...I have been doing a little shopping around for vintage goodness lately and have spotted some pretty sweet finds.  

What kind of vintage are you talking about, you may inquire?

What is not to love about this fantastic 1960's portable TV radio from Mae and Jean Vintage on etsy? It is so sweet, petite and retro fabulous.

Let's just say when I picked up these vintage pieces, I had no idea that they were "as seen on T.V." spectacular.

Last week my thrifty adventure began in Dayton, Ohio. My mother and I went to a Goodwill Thrift Store Outlet...yes, I said outlet. Have you ever been to a thrift store where you pay for your purchases by the pound? Well, I haven't...until last week. Picture it, large bins brimming with bits and pieces to sift through. It was sort of like panning for vintage gold. 

My mom spotted this fantastic Mid Century Chip and dip set for me.

"Vintage gold" that will eventually be listed in my etsy shop.

As seen at Sterling Cooper...

Have you ever heard of a show called Mad Men? Stop that laughing...I know...who hasn't. I have to admit I just started watching it a few weeks ago and the hubby and I are now hooked. (we are just in the middle of season two, so don't spoil anything for me)! Part of the fun of the show (for me) is seeing all of the vintage. Imagine my delight when I spotted the matching ice bucket to the above chip and dip set, in one of the offices at Sterling Cooper, in one of the first few episodes of season two. I sure do wish I had a screen shot just to prove the provenance of this vintage gold.

At our second thrift store stop, I was united with these pretty wall hangings. My Mother said, "I think my Grandmother had those". Who knew my Great Grandmother had such fantastic taste.

Brilliant Botanical 1960's Syroco Wood Wall Hangings. Just added to my etsy shop, The Unique Bird, today!

As seen in the Draper residence...

...Don and Betty's master bedroom to be exact. My Husband's eagle eye, spotted some wall hangings pretty similar to these, in one of the episodes we watched a few days after I picked these up.

Photo from casasugar blog post and AMC.

Photo from an article on Woman's Day.

The article on the Woman's Day magazine website is about Mad Men inspired home decor. They tell you where you can score a headboard, lamps and bedding just like the Drapers have, but they don't tell you where to pick up those fabulous wall hangings...hmmm...I know exactly where you can find some.

I can't wait to watch more episodes of Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Men to see if I have any more vintage items "in stock" that are like ones on T.V.

A few days after my thrift store adventures with my Mom in Dayton, the Hubby and I headed over to Re Store in Columbus. If you have never been to a Re Store, it is like a home improvement thrift store run by Habitat for Humanity. Folks will donate items for the home; cabinets, wood, appliances, sinks, etc. You name it...they might have it. It isn't all vintage, but sometimes there are a few old gems in there that can be refurbished for a retro renovation.

Bewitched by an oven...

I didn't exactly snatch up this 1960's Frigidaire beauty (much to the chagrin of my husband)...but I did snap a few photos. 

Oh, it needed some...well, a lot of love to get back into tip top shape. I can't say that I am in the market for a new oven right now and my husband doesn't currently have the know how to overhaul a vintage appliance...(not that you couldn't honey).

The Frigidaire Flair we spotted at Re Store in Columbus, Ohio 1/21/12.

True retro flair for only $150.

Now where have I seen an oven like this before?

As Seen on Morning Glory Circle...

Of Course, Mrs. Stevens has a slightly more deluxe model in her kitchen.

Bewitched, happens to be one of my Favorite classic television shows!

Image from Kitchen and Residential Design blog post of Samantha Stevens' kitchen in Bewitched.

Image from Certain Ladies blog post of the Flair and Samantha in action.

Image from Kitchen and Residential Design blog post about The Frigidaire Flair.

I am pretty impressed with my "As Seen On TV" sighting and scores over the last week. It is like going to Hollywood and spotting the T.V. stars walking down the street. (kinda)

 As if the hunt for fantastic vintage treasures wasn't already fun...now there is a reason to shop and catch up on my T.V. viewing...

Geeze, I don't know how I am going to squeeze blogging into that tight schedule.
Let me know if you have any sweet as seen on T.V vintage beauties in your shop or home!

This Week In History - Man, That Is One Ugly Mermaid

January 9th, 1493

Hubba, hubba...this pretty little vintage mermaid paperweight was spotted in The Colonies shop on etsy.

On January 9th, 1493, While sailing near the Dominican Republic, Italian Explorer Christopher Columbus, spots three mermaids.  According to Mr. Columbus...these sirens of the sea were "...not half as beautiful as they are painted".  Now, I understand that being at sea for months at a time with a bunch of scurvy mates may cause one to long for the sight of a vivacious little mermaid, but you see Mr. Columbus, what you really spotted while at sea was a little less Ariel and a little more sea cow. Sorry Charlie...I mean Christopher, those ugly mermaids were actually manatees. You know, 1,200 pound slow moving, plant eating, aquatic mammals. Mr. Columbus, you might want to stick to discovering "A Whole New World..." (My Bad. I guess those lyrics belong to a song in a different Disney film, but if the shoe fits...sing it).

For more information about Christopher Columbus or this date in history be sure to check out this article on The History Channel Website.