2015 Vintage Purchase #3: Glassware

After replacing my truck's battery, I headed out to Alameda Antique Faire. I'm holding true to my "no clothing until May" rule. I decided that the only time I'd buy vintage clothing is during the Alameda Vintage Fashion Faire, which occurs only twice a year. On my antique shopping list: home decor, kitchen wares, bathroom fixtures.

I may not find much; sometimes I buy nothing at all. What I enjoy most is strolling about the market on a gorgeous, sunny day. I love to see antiques on display, and more often than not, sellers will design there spot like a shop window.

I did find just ONE thing. What I really want are tall drinking glasses with poodles or cats. But I thought this glass was just too cute to leave on the table. One side of the glass is a couple sitting in the country side. The other side has lyrics to a song When You and I were Young, Maggie. I have this song in my library, and it's a 1930s jazz standard. However, when I researched this song, it actually dates further back. The lyrics come from a poem written in 1864 by a Canadian school teacher who fell in love with a young lady named Maggie. They married, but she died of an illness the following year. *sigh* It was then set to music and performed around 1870 before first being recorded in 1905. It has been covered several times.

Grease Monkey

It's the first Sunday of the month and that means Alameda Antique Faire! (Post to follow) I usually leave around 8:30 when there's less of a crowd. So I head out toward my truck and click the remote to unlock the doors. Nothing. Hmmm...I guess my remote needs a new battery. So I opened the door the old fashioned way =) and I notice that the dome light didn't turn on. Odd. So I put the key in the ignition and turn. NOTHING. My battery is dead. 

I knew I needed a new battery eventually. Back in October, I had to get a jump. When I had the oil changed at Toyota, they tested my battery at 50%. So the day arrived that I had to replace it. I figured I could do it myself. All those years that I watched my dad P.M. his truck, change the break pads, change the battery, etc...I MUST have learned something.

I texted my friend that I'd have to meet him later because of the battery. I got a Lyft and rode straight to AutoZone and purchased a new battery.

It was pretty easy. Just loosen the bolts, replace the battery, red to red, black to black and tighten the bolts. The only thing hard about it is lifting the battery; it weighs damn near 40 pounds! 

But I did it! All by myself! Wearing a dress! Daddy would be proud!

Old Battery; Removal; Dirty Hands; And all done in a dress!

Transcript: First time changing a battery all by myself. Thank you, daddy for having been such a great teacher. And I did it in a dress!

2015 Hike #2: Baltimore Canyon

I went back to Marin County for my Friday hike. This time I went to Larkspur's Baltimore Canyon; a forest in a suburban community. What I love most about this hike is the sounds of nature; the trickling water along the creek, the trees swaying with the wind, birds chirping. There were no urban sounds. 

Along the hike are several bridges. For some reason, I really love the sight of rustic bridges. They really are a great feature in a woodsy area. As I cross, I just stop and take in the entire scenery; towering trees, bright green leaves, the water flowing below. It's all just breathtaking. 

2015 Hike #1: Sawyer Camp Trail

Gadzooks! It has been four months since my last hike! Darn that knee injury. But I'm back at it; just as I am back to dancing again.

Today was such a beautiful day for a hike with mild temperatures and a clear blue sky. This time I ventured to the Sawyer Camp Trail. It's a relatively easy trail with mostly flat surface and a small incline at some points. I didn't want to jump immediately into a difficult trail after a long absence. The path is along the Crystal Springs Reservoir providing breath taking views. I don't think my pictures do it much justice.

I told you it was a lovely day.

Ugh! That fence just ruins the scenery.

Such a lovely pop of color.

I just love the sound of a waterfall. It's very soothing.

2015 Vintage Purchases #2: A Perfect Match!

This Valentine's Weekend was spent antique hunting with my family. My parents came up for a visit, and since they, too, enjoy the antique festivals circuit, they wanted to check out new (to them) shops. I took them to this place off Valencia and Duboce. The place is simply called Stuff.  It has a lot of stuff, indeed, and my parents loved it. Towards the end of our perusing, my dad said, "often times I forget to look up at ceiling or top shelves." As he said, I spied a chandelier that looked awfully familiar. I pointed and said, "doesn't that look like my sconce?" Just a few months prior, I purchased a 1930s wall sconce with beading. I quickly went through the pictures on the phone and found my sconce. Sure enough, it was a match. When I purchased my sconce, it had a pair that was sold a few months prior. They actually split apart. =(   So when I saw this chandelier, I knew I had to have it.

My sconce had cost me $200. I figured this chandelier would be twice that amount. In fact, the other chandeliers were going for at least $500. This one didn't have a tag so I inquired about its price. The store clerk priced it at $150. (STEAL) "I'll take it." I didn't even hesitate. It's in great shape, but it will need to have the wiring repaired; that's an easy fix.  Rarely do you ever find a matching antique fixture. 

Chandelier on the left. My sconce on the right.

Later, we ventured down to San Mateo to our favorite antique shop. I purchased another quilt fit for the upcoming spring season. I also found some great antique table mantels, but I'll get those next month. Now that I have a quilt for winter and spring, I'll need to find one each for summer and fall. 

Back in the Groove!

Back in October, I suffered a very painful knee injury. As I was walking down a flight of stairs, I kept my hand on the rail (as I always do) and came to a part that was detached. I lost my balance and my knee twisted. I felt and heard a loud pop! I had to keep it stabilized and walk with a cane. An MRI revealed that there were no tears. I only suffered a severe sprain. Whew! So after months of healing and physical therapy, I was given the clearance to live my active life again. 

In January, I got back on the dance floor slowly. I did my performance with my dance troupe, DJ'd our events, and then had two or three dances thereafter. I started going to the gym to strengthen the muscles around my knees. I considered going to Verdi, but I'd hesitate and sit it out another week thinking the following Tuesday would be the night to go. 

This past week, my friend, Burnie, asked me to DJ his event at Berkeley's Ashkenaz. I obliged and considered it a test-run of my endurance. It was also a live band performance so I made it a point to dance as the band played and not during my set. With pre-recorded music, you already know the duration, beats, stops, and the melodic shifts of each song. A live performance is unpredictable. I had several dances without missing a beat. The leaders complimented me on my grace. A few ladies approached me complimenting my dance skills. This has definitely motivated me to get back on the floor on a regular basis.

This morning I awoke and felt no soreness in or around my knee. I am completely healed! Yay!

At Ashkenaz - Band: Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
The selfie was more about showing my tattoos more than the hair.

Shifting on to a related topic, Burnie had introduced me by several names since I have so many: First my real name, then The Painted Lady, RoseRed, Rosie etc. The Painted Lady is just a profile handle. RoseRed is my chorus girl name. I'm considering ditching the name Rosie all together and just using my true name. However, being introduced as "The Painted Lady...Noemi" has a good ring to it.

The dancers out there loved my setlist. The one song that wowed them the most was Lalo Guerrero's Chicas Patas Boogie. It is a Spanish language cover of Oh Babe. One of my friends asked if it was a modern cover. She was surprised to learn that the recording is actually much older. I informed her that Lalo Guerrero was a Chicano musician very prominent during the late 30s-50s, and he performed during the height of the Pachuco subculture. This song, itself, was recorded in 1950.

Here is my setlist from last night's dance good for Lindy Hop, EC Swing, Balboa, and Shag.

Goodbye Little Star

It was about that time...

That's right. A trip to SoCal requires a visit to my favorite tattoo parlor in Orange. I was completely undecided on which design to tattoo; Robert DeNiro Portrait, a 1920s diver, Wonder Woman. For some reason, I just wasn't ready for either of those. So I decided on an old idea I once had; the gramophone. After all, I enjoy classic big band jazz. I own a 1912 gramophone and I DJ 1920s-40s music.

At first I was going to place it just below the ditch of the arm; I've always been afraid of that pain of tattooing on it. When I approached Bud (my artist), I told him, "ah hell with it, cover the stars." I knew that meant going into the ditch. He said, "I'm not going to lie; it's pretty harsh." I gave about 5 seconds thought, and just said, "let's do it." 

I got the stars many years ago for no good reason other than to see the ink-slinging process. My dad hated them because it reminded him of the Dallas Cowboys. And us being die-hard 49ers fans...eww! So I really started to hate them. I got them lasered twice; light enough to easily cover them. Now that was PAINFUL! I figured anything else would be more pleasant. And I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't really much pain in the ditch. Bud loves tattooing me because I give him the concept and complete control on design and color. I trust his judgment completely. As an added bonus, I never flinch as he tattoos.

He came out with a beautiful design and the cover up is just awesome. Now let the healing process begin.

The BEFORE and AFTER

Post Script: As I was getting tattooed, Kenny Baker's "Goodbye Little Star" kept playing in my head. Appropriate for this tattoo post. Enjoy!

Noir City 13: Unholy Matrimony

It's that time of year! The Film Noir Foundation descends upon San Francisco's Castro Theatre for a 10 day film-fest of classic noir known as Noir City. I must say, though, the selection has been less than stellar. The movies are good, but I think the foundation can do a better job of selecting films that are true film noir. There is too much emphasis to fit the marriage theme more so than they did showcasing noir. Of the double-features I attended, only ONE is a true noir. The others were just melodramas that used few elements of noir; very few. Dark shadows and sharp camera angles aren't enough to sustain the mood required to be a noir. There are some true noir films on the bill, but unfortunately I'm not able to see those since:

     A) I have my rehearsal
     B) My first day of Portuguese class is this week
     C) I have double duty DJing and performing with my dance troupe at a private event.

Woman on the Run was a great noir film, though. The best one at the festival so far. What was even better about the film, it was set in San Francisco. Great to see how it looked in 1950, but a little disheartened to see that many of the places were demolished to occupy parking lots or really plain buildings today. The film maker cheated a bit too, by filming a few scenes in Los Angeles and passing it off as SF. Otherwise, it was great noir flick and Ann Sheridan gave a great, witty performance.

IF I decide to go back to the festival, it won't be until next weekend. But on the bright side, going to Noir City is all about the fashion show, and of course I am going to go all out.

NIGHT ONE

I went with my femme fatale look. I wore true vintage 1940s black dress and pumps. To finish off the look, I wore Cuban heel stockings. I must say that I really love my posterior in this photo (and, no pun intended, it's one of my best assets).

I kept my hair simple styling it only in a side part that was very popular during the 1940s. My make-up was subtle using only a bit of color on the eyes and cheeks, the cat-eyeliner and red lips. 

NIGHT TWO

I thought about wearing all black again, but I opted to go more traditional 1940s. I wore an early 1940s green dress paired with late 1930s ankle straps and milk glass earrings. Now the hair!

The hair! I decided to go big on the front reverse roll. Now I've done this style myriad times, but I decided to tease it up for more height and volume. After I was done, I had the "whoa!" look on my face. How long did it take, you ask? About a minute. Throughout the evening people were complimenting me on my hairstyle. Even as I was walking down Castro St., people stopped me to ask about my style. 

Between the two styles, I prefer the femme fatale. It's simpler yet far more glamourous. I always enjoy any opportunity to doll myself beyond the usual 50s daydress and pageboy hair that I wear to work.

2015 Vintage Purchases: A little this a little that

These next three items have the distinction of being my first vintage acquisitions of 2015. All items were purchased at a local antique shop in San Mateo. It's your typical mom and pop shop and the gentleman who runs it is super sweet. He always has something new since many locals bring in antique items, or he is contacted to retrieve items from those who have lost loved ones. His inventory consists of furniture, linen, housewares, garage items; pretty much everything that isn't clothing.

This is what I brought home:

 Nothing makes your applying lipstick more glamorous than a vintage compact.

 A trivet for those hot pots when placed on the table or counter

And a lovely tablecloth to accentuate the dining area.

So as the year continues, expect a little more antiques for the home and a few accessories here and there. I have a huge wardrobe as it is, so I may purchase fewer dresses. If I do, I'll be eyeing more day dresses.

Ciao!

What's in store for 2015?

Happy New Year! It is now 2015 and although the year's just begun, I still see no flying cars or hover boards. All kidding aside, here are this year's commitments:

1. Go to church every Sunday and FINALLY start the process to complete my Catholic sacraments.

2. Get my knee back to 100% (or closer to it) so that I can continue dancing and hiking regularly.

3. Fix my surfboard and get back to longboard surfing.

4. Learn Brazilian Portuguese

And most importantly, continue to be successful, happy, and healthy in body, mind, and spirit.

Cheers to a new a year and many blessings in 2015.