Car hops and Vintage Shops

I didn't expect to go vintage shopping today since the second weekend of any month is pretty slow. My friend invited me over to Alameda to do some vintage hunting at boutiques along Park Street. Generally, I don't like to shop and brick & mortar stores; there's no room for haggling, but I opted to give it a try.

When we got to Park St., I was pleasantly surprised to find a classic car show in progress. I'm a Chevy girl so I was more in awe of the vintage and classic Chevrolets. Usually I see 50s, but there was an abundance of 1920s-40s autos. My tastes in classic autos have changed a bit. Though I still love the 56 Bel Air 2-door hardtop, I really love the 19teens, 20s, 30s autos and trucks. I'm actually considering perhaps investing in an auto from the earlier decades. AND, I'd prefer it to be a functioning rust bucket. As beautiful as those cars at the show are, I can appreciate a muted paint job. Let the car reflect its age.

The first shop we ventured was Juniper Tree. The prices were decent with a huge inventory. Most of it was 50s and 60s (a lot), but among the mix were a few 30s and 40s clothing. I spied a pink eyelet dress from the late 1930s. For $38? Heck yeah I bought it.

My friend found a hat that he thought would be perfect for me. I have so many hats already, but when he had me try it on, I handed it to the shop clerk to add to my purchase. What I like most about the hat is the swirl and netting. Very film noirish.

The next shop we explored was the Rocket Reuse Bookstore. It was a bookstore and vintage clothing shop in one. I didn't find anything there, but I loved its artistic take on the vintage era.

Another good vintage shopping weekend. Next weekend will be a busy one. 2 days of Alameda Vintage Fashion Fair, the F-line Frolic, Stanford Theatre, Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival and the 49er game. Whew!

Can't repeat the past? Why, of course you can!

3/4 of our dance troupe take over Gatsby Afternoon

Each year, the Art Deco Society of California has their annual Gatsby Picnic at the famed Dunsmuir Historic Estate in Oakland, CA. It is an afternoon transported back to the Jazz Age when music and entertainment was at its apex. It is an afternoon to enjoy the days when ladies and gentlemen dressed in their Sunday bests, feasted on homemade picnic goodies, enjoyed a foxtrot or charleston on the dance floor and interacted with myriad patrons scattered across the lawn.

I chose to wear my vintage chiffon gown; a light fabric to keep the body cool on a steaming hot day. My picnic items consisted of vegan sandwiches, vegan potato salad and sliced watermelon. I met with my fellow chorus girls and established a seating area where we set our blankets/sheets and emptied our picnic baskets of sandwiches, deserts, fruit and mixed drinks. We sat enjoying friendly chatter while a live band played period appropriate jazz music. There was an endless parade of patrons walking about the grounds toasting their champagne glasses and making small talk before venturing off to the next picnic area. 

Later, the DecoBelles performed their number and sad to say, I was less than impressed. Here we are kicking our butts with our rigorous routines, and theirs was just a number prancing about in circles. 

I walked about admiring the vintage fashion and auto show all the while grasping my iPhone for the latest 49er game updates. I am a 49er Faithful and it pained me to miss the home opener. Following this entry are the pictures I snapped of the picnic. Would I do this again? Perhaps, but to shell out $50 just to sit on a lawn where we have to provide our own food seems a bit ridiculous. Though I definitely enjoyed the experience with my dance troupe. We'll see what I decide next year.

Annual Antique Fairs

In addition to the monthly fairs around the bay area, some communities will hold one large annual antique fair. So far this year, I've been to three: Petaluma, Pleasanton and Niles (Fremont).  What I like about these communities is the old town charms each city maintains and the friendly neighborhood atmosphere that is severely lacking in San Francisco (with the exception of West Portal; my favorite SF neighborhood). I try to make the most of my short trek to these communities. I'll wake at dawn, ready myself in comfortable vintage attire, and take in the sites as I make the hour drive to my destination.

These local affairs are always put together by local business owners, police and firefighters, cafes and various other associations. A pancake breakfast is guaranteed at these functions, and for being an assembly lined preparation, the food is quite good. The best part is chumming it up with person randomly seated at your table. I always enjoy sitting with seniors. They always "remember when this place used to be..." A living, breathing history book.

Petaluma and Pleasanton have some very good sellers. Many antique housewares, vintage clothing, furniture and old time entertainment are prevalent throughout the fair. Niles, on the other hand, for being such a historic district with pride in its silent cinema routes, there were hardly any vintage or antique items. Most of it was modern goods that were cheaply made sold at a high price. Oh well, strike Niles off my "revisit" list; at least not for the antique fairs. It's definitely a place I'll return to for their silent film museum.

Petaluma

Pleasanton

Niles