The T-Cozy

Paper Doll Dress Up

You may have noticed that I love to buy and sell vintage toys. Not only are these relics a welcome reminder of my childhood, I can play with them a little before they get discovered in my Etsy shop and ship off to a new home.

Yesterday, in order to photograph them for their Etsy debut, I played dress up for a while with this 1940s set of sister and brother paper dolls. Aren't they super cute? I love Sis's pigtails and her brother's cowlick. And their vintage clothes are fabulous, with paper attire for every occasion.

So sweet! I like the ensemble with the rolled-up dungarees and straw hats that looks like a cross between Huck Finn and Beaver Cleaver. Which outfit is your favorite? 

Susan

A Commuter Love Story

John and I are often asked how we met. As you may know, it was back in the mid-1980s while riding a commuter train home from work. I commuted by train from Connecticut to New York City for six years. However, John commuted for only six months. Lucky me that our paths crossed.

For your viewing pleasure, I unearthed this segment about us that originally appeared on television's Inside Edition back in 2001.

 

What a hoot! When I met John, I was the design director of the very railroad on which we were riding. So years later, when Inside Edition wanted to do a piece on couples who met on a train, they contacted the PR department at the railroad to see if they knew of anyone. And of course, my former co-workers led them to us.

You may wonder, why have I shared this video with you today? Because on this very day twenty four years ago, I married my commuter love. 

Happy Anniversary to John, my sweet husband, the love of my life.

Susan

Mommy, Mom, Mother

Depending on their age, your children may call you Mommy, Mom, or Mother. My two are still in the "Mom" stage. But every now and then, they call me "Mommy" which makes me really happy.

It's the first time in 22 years that I haven't celebrated today with at least one of my children by my side. But Hannah and Jacob are still away at college. Fortunately, I'll be seeing them both at Hannah's graduation in a little over a week. But I sure do miss them today.

Whether your kids are with you today, or are out in the big, wide world like mine, remember that although us Mommies, Moms and Mothers hold our children's hands for a very short while, we will be in their hearts forever. 

Wishing you a most wonderful Mother's Day.

Susan

An Easy Peasy Apron Project

I'm happy to report that I made my Studios magazine article deadline. Yay! And I'm really pleased with how my refurbished vegetable bin turned out. 

For the article's photos, I styled the bin's interior with items that a crafter/painter might use. I dressed up lowly tin cans in pretty floral fabric and filled them with supplies like markers, paint brushes and colored pencils. I turned the cabinet's flip top into a mini bulletin board by adding handmade magnets. And I lined the shelves with a flower patterned vinyl tablecloth. It looks awesome! I wish I could show you, but you'll have to wait until it appears in the fall issue of the magazine.  

As a side project, I made an apron to go along with the cabinet. After all, getting crafty usually means getting messy, as least for me. In fact, I even wear an apron if I'm having soup for lunch because I invariably splash some on my shirt.

Making this apron was super easy. I started with an inexpensive vinyl picnic tablecloth, purchased as Home Goods for $4.99. It has a colorful polka dot pattern on the front and a flannel backing. Using an old apron as a pattern, I laid out the tablecloth face down, traced the body of the apron with a marker and cut it out. Then I cut two 25-inch strips for the ties and one 22-inch strip for the neck strap. I used two packages of white double bias tape as seam binding and machine sewed it to the edge of every piece. Then I securely sewed on the ties and neck strap to the reverse side of the apron body. 

Voilà! An easy peasy apron! I think I'll have soup for lunch . . .

Susan

Racing with the Clouds to Meet My Deadline

Please excuse my brevity, but time is tight for me today. I am shooting my upcycled vegetable bin for an upcoming Studios magazine article. 

Here's a little glimpse at its makeover . . .

I prefer to use natural light when taking my photographs. Luckily, today is partly cloudy with a few peeks of sun. With a forecast calling for rain for the remainder of the week here, this looks like the only day to get my pictures done before Thursday's deadline.

Ooh, the sun just came out. I better get going before I lose the light!

Susan

Azalea Colors, Crafty Projects, and A Garden Niche

While out on my morning walk, I couldn't help but notice the Azaleas in full bloom. 

I love their mix of vibrant colors, so much so that I believe I was influenced by them when I gathered together the materials, below.

These are just some of the things I'll be using to transform the vintage vegetable bin I shared with you a few posts back. It is getting a makeover this week. I will be repainting it, lining the inside with pretty patterns, creating magnets, and more. Just call me Crafty Sue! Then when it's all done, it will be making an appearance in Studios magazine.

Back outside, in the same garden as the Azalea bushes, you'll find this primitive garden niche. I have always been intrigued by it. 

Lined with little bits of turquoise tiles, this domed concrete structure is situated at the very edge of the garden, right along the street. 

Nestled inside is a porcelain figurine of a girl. Over the years, the elements have wreaked havoc on her, and she's missing part of her skirt. I can sympathize. Although my clothing is intact, I sometimes think the elements have gotten to me, too...  ;)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Susan

Firefly Lodge

Feast your eyes on an adorable cottage that I pass every day on my morning walk. For a number of years, this little house has looked neglected. But suddenly over the past few weeks, it has been transformed into a charming oasis, complete with its own name, "Firefly Lodge."

I was so happy to see this home come to life and wondered what inspired its owners to spruce it up. Then last week, a "For Sale" sign appeared out front — the reason for the makeover.

Now that we are empty-nesters, John and I have been toying with downsizing. Always on the hunt for the cottage of my dreams, I decided to look at this appealing home's listing. Situated on a tidal inlet called Farm Creek, this house has water views and is located in the very desirable Rowayton neighborhood of Bell Island. Although it has 2,000 square feet, there are only two bedrooms which is not ideal. And then there's the price — a whopping $1,600,000! Wowza.

Aren't real estate prices insane in my area? Needless to say, this won't be the cottage of my dreams. 

Susan

A Not So Lazy Susan

Last week, I found this vintage aluminum and glass serving piece. It's a Lazy Susan from the 1950s that will be making an appearance in my Etsy shop soon. She spins and can hold a variety of nuts or dips in her divided glass bowl, with plenty of room around the outside for chips or crudités. 

But before she gets discovered on Etsy, I had fun playing around with others ways Lazy Susan could be useful. Shown below, an old tea kettle-turned-planter is happy to employ her as a pedestal.

Miss Susan would also come in handy in a home studio or craft area. Her divided dish, and the addition of a few glass ramekins, can hold buttons, beads, or other small supplies within easy reach while working on a crafty project.

Or how about transforming her into a beach-inspired centerpiece? Arrange some sea shells around a vintage sand pail, and you can almost hear the ocean.

Well then . . . I guess this Susan isn't so lazy after all. 

Susan

Shelf Life

I am always on the lookout for interesting vintage shelves, like this folk art one shaped like a tulip.

Seeking a little inspiration, I worked on a new Pinterest pin board this morning. I titled it Shelf Life and is features some wonderful photos of shelves stocked with goodies that I found online. I'll soon be trolling the internet for more. 

Shelves are a great way to bring focus to a group of items, be it a collection or things that just feel like they belong together. I use both large and small ones in many forms for display all around my house. Here are just a few . . .

Aren't these shelves perfect for displaying vintage items? Love 'em!

Susan

Changing the World

Last week, I finally got around to switching over the clothes in my closet from fall/winter to spring/summer. Then, I brought the items I no longer wear over to Goodwill. While there, this vintage globe caught my eye.

Although it has seen better days, I took the globe home anyway thinking that I would upcycle it. So yesterday, I searched online for some repurposed globe ideas. I came across many creative ways to change the world. Here's what I found . . .

An easy transformation is turning half of the globe into a decorative bowl. The one above, from Better Homes and Gardens, rests on a simple glass candle holder.

These pretty globe bowls were created by Cathe of Just Something I Made. I love their scalloped paper edges.

Maps on the interior and a cake stand were added to this beautifully done bowl by SweetWolf on Etsy. 

Here are two examples of globes embellished with decoupage. Artist Wendy Gold, of ImagineNations, creates these whimsical art worlds using recycled materials. Aren't they stunning? Be sure to check out Wendy's website to see lots more. 

Vintage globes can even become lamp shades. The pendants, below, are from Rosebud's Cottage.

This table lamp with a recycled globe shade is by giftbaskets4fun on Etsy. Love the beaded trim!

Fun decor in a dorm room, child's room or study, this globe turned chalkboard is by amysoldschool on Etsy.

A timely solution is this Northern Hemisphere clock by IMOTIME on Etsy.

And finally, a globe mounted in a shadowbox sports an assortment of vintage letter tiles by Beth Schaleben of Patina White. Such fun!

Aren't these repurposed globes wonderful? It's hard to decide what to do with mine, but I think I'm leaning toward trying my hand at decoupage. Once I give my Goodwill globe its facelift, you can be sure I'll share it with you.

To the artists of the global reinventions in today's post — thank you for the worldly inspiration!

Susan

A Vintage Vegetable Bin with Potential

As mentioned in my previous post, here is the additional item I acquired last weekend . . .

It's a vintage metal cabinet that was used to store vegetables. I've seen these before, but usually they are smaller and open in the front. This one has a door and is quite ample in size. It weighs in at 14 pounds! Generally, when I'm shopping for things to sell in my Etsy shop, I select pieces that are small and easy to ship. This relic would be a beast to pack up, so I just may consider it a "keeper" for now.

I've placed it along the wall of my sewing corner and I like how it looks there. Plus, this bin will provide loads of storage. 

The lid flips open to reveal a large area at the top. And there is even more storage once you open the cabinet door with shelves inside and along the door.

I love the large flower basket decal on the front and the bin's chippy blue paint with bits of jade-ite green peeking through.

Perhaps I'll use this bin to store studio supplies. Or maybe I'll fill it with books and magazines. Just for fun, I loaded it up with some newly found Franciscan Ware dishes in a pretty aqua color. 

I can envision this piece on a cottage kitchen counter filled with dishes like these. Or in a cottage pantry chock full of potatoes and onions. Or even in a cottage bathroom stocked with spare towels and toiletries. So may possibilities.

I've got the bin — all I need now is the cottage!

Susan

Massachusetts Mementos

This week, I've been working on listing the vintage items below, my latest discoveries from our weekend away in Massachusetts. I'm making progress. A few of them have made their Etsy shop debut; the rest will be making an appearance soon.

I'm quite pleased with these finds. Aren't they fun? And there is yet another relic that I'll share with you, as soon as I figure out the best way to photograph it. So stay tuned!

Susan

A Spring Weekend on Cape Cod

We had the pleasure of spending the weekend in Eastham, one of the many lovely towns on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Ours friends, Steve and Sue Ellen, invited us up to their beautiful home and showed us all the beauty Cape Cod has to offer.

From its beaches and glorious ocean views . . .

. . .  to its architecture, like this ornate house that sits atop Fort Hill. It was built in 1868 for whaling captain Edward Penniman.

On the other end of the architecture spectrum are these tiny beach shacks along the sea in Truro.

Don't they look just like a row of Monopoly houses?

A trip to the Cape wouldn't be complete without traveling to the outermost tip, Provincetown. While there, we had a delicious lunch at the Lobster Pot restaurant.

We also browsed Ptown's many shops. One of them sells these dazzling mosaic lanterns and hand painted boots from Turkey.

We also witnessed a picture perfect sunset at First Encounter Beach. This is the actual site of the very first encounter between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.

Our weekend away was perfect— the weather was mild, Sue Ellen and Steve were gracious hosts, and I even found some wonderful vintage treasures that I'll share with you in my next post. 

Susan

A Few More Minutes with Andy Rooney

Being a fan of the news program 60 Minutes, I was saddened to hear of the death of Mike Wallace last week. And just a few months ago, another 60 Minutes icon passed away — Andy Rooney. Mr. Rooney happened to be a resident of my town. He resided here with his wife and four children since 1951 and called Rowayton "a great, unpretentious hometown." When I moved here in the mid-80s, I lived just down the street from Andy and every now and then, I'd see him walking home from the nearby train station. Even though he kept to himself, he was Rowayton's one and only celebrity and will surely be missed.

A few weeks ago, the Rooney house was open to the public for an estate sale. After reading the ad in a local paper, I knew I wanted to go. It stated:

Wonderful old Victorian home in Rowayton has been home to the Rooney family for 60 years — chock full of Americana, modern art and memorabilia from Andy Rooney’s incredible career in journalism and television. Period antiques and an amazing collection of American early 20th century prints and oils create a sale full of surprises and an opportunity to shop for a piece of history. 

Special offering: Andy’s antique Underwood typewriter, his vintage desk chair, pieces of furniture he made, many autographed books, vintage press & WWII memorabilia.

Although the home was lovely, I was most intrigued with the basement where Mr. Rooney had set up a home office with an unusual U-shaped walnut desk. And in the adjoining room, there was an impressive woodworking workshop with serious tools and large, unused pieces of cherry wood, pine and mahogany.

I could picture Andy sitting at this desk and clicking away on his classic Underwood typewriter, hunting and pecking at the keys. Once I remember him sharing on 60 Minutes that he only used two fingers to type — something we both have in common. By the way, silent bids were taken on this gem of a typewriter. At the end of the estate sale, it sold for a whopping $3,000! 

Just yesterday, the Rooney house went on the market. The 2,474-square-foot, four-bedroom home was built in 1882 and is situated atop a hill, within walking distance of the village and train station. Priced at $749,500, it seems like a bargain to me.

I started watching 60 Minutes in earnest while at college. After spending the day studying, my friends and I would emerge from the library and gather around a television in a local eatery to watch the show. Three decades later, I'm still watching most Sundays.

I always looked forward to the few last minutes of 60 Minutes with Mr. Rooney, even though I didn't always agree with his often curmudgeon-y views. However, I truly admired his wit and wisdom — especially this quote: "I didn't get old on purpose, it just happened. If you're lucky, it could happen to you."

Susan

Tray Story

I can never have too many vintage trays. And I seem to never run out of uses for them. Here's a peek at the array of trays around my house.

Even more vintage trays! These are offered for sale in my Etsy shop.

Trays are so helpful when serving tea, clearing the dining table, or treating someone to breakfast in bed. I like to tuck them behind items on a shelf or kitchen counter. Extra large trays transform an ottoman into a coffee table. Tiny trays provide a place for my watch and rings to rest at the end of the day. Vintage trays come in all shapes, sizes and materials. And best of all, they are both decorative and useful — the perfect combo!

Susan

Greetings from Charm City

This weekend, John and I are down in Maryland celebrating Hannah's birthday. We picked up Jacob in Delaware on our way and the four of us have had a fun time exploring Baltimore once again. I'm going to miss this city. It's hard to believe that Hannah will be graduating from Johns Hopkins next month. Seems like just yesterday that I was blogging about her going off to college.

It looks like another beautiful spring morning. We are heading to breakfast now and then back to Connecticut.

Whether you are celebrating Easter today or are in the midst of Passover, have a wonderful holiday!

Susan

Where (and What) Are They Now?

I'm proud to say that I have sold over 900 items in my Etsy shop! These vintage goodies have been shipped off to places near and far — from across the entire U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska) to Canada, Europe (England, Ireland, France, Italy, and Spain, to name a few), Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and even Thailand.

I've no doubt that the vintage items I sell have had an interesting past. Here is an example of three things with a promising future. 

Embellished with red strawberries, this cheerful sifter has a delicious new home. It was purchased by the Magnolia Bakery for their newest location in Chicago. Sweet!

A while back, several yards of this 1960s floral fabric was bought by Louise Hedley of Sohomode. Located in New York City, Louise designs beautiful one-of-a-kind bridesmaid dresses fashioned from vintage textiles. 

This green striped paperboard suitcase was once used by a traveling salesmen. Last week, it did a little more traveling when it went to Wisconsin after it was purchased by a mother-of-the-bride. She plans to re-purposed it into a card box for her daughter’s June wedding.

It's fun to see where my Etsy shop items end up and how they will be used. I'm so pleased that they have found happy new homes.

Susan

A Day of Blissful Inspiration

I am still basking in the glow of the Etsy Success Symposium last Friday. What a fabulous event!

Just across the East River from Manhattan, Etsy is located in a section of Brooklyn called Dumbo, which stands for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass." Their headquarters are in an industrial building with a loft-like vibe. 

I was thrilled to be one of the 100 Esty sellers invited to attend the Symposium. I met people from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Toronto, Massachusetts, Missouri, Australia, and even someone from Cleveland who went to my high school! Most of the attendees were crafty types who create handmade goods. Only four other people who sell vintage items like myself were there. 

The Symposium's "Get Found" theme covered topics such as catching the eye of a curator, blogger, magazine editor or potential buyer; how to write better listings with a nod to an item's back story; the ins and outs of Pinterest; and so much more. I was treated to a one-on-one critique of my Esty shop and also had the pleasure of chatting with a literary agent to discuss a book I've been working on. She was very encouraging and asked me to send her my book proposal. Yay!

The Symposium was truly awesome — so chock full of inspiration! Now I know just what to do to take my Etsy shop to the next level. 

What impressed me most about the day was the dedication and creativity of Etsy's employees. They are forever tweaking and improving Esty to ensure it will always meet the needs of its sellers. I must say, I am proud to be one of them.

Susan

Etsy Success Symposium

I'm so excited! Today I'll be attending the Etsy Success Symposium in Brooklyn! I can't wait to see Etsy's headquarters, meet other Etsy sellers, and partake in the inspiring workshops being offered.

The theme of this year's Symposium is "Get Found" and it offers these six workshops —

Get Featured: Learn How to Grab the Eye of a Curator
Get Noticed: How to Romance Blog and Magazine Editors
Get Storied: Behind Every Product is a Story
Get Pinned: Build your Community and Brand with Pinterest
Get Out There: Using Craft Shows to Support Your Small Business
Get Found: Conquering Searches on Etsy and the Web.

For those Etsy sellers who can't make it to NYC, all workshops at the Symposium will stream live in Etsy's Online Labs for free, so anyone can participate, anywhere!

I'll share my thoughts, feedback and Symposium tidbits with you next week. Now I'm off to Brooklyn . . .

Susan

Sheep Herding Dreams: A 1909 Travelogue

I discovered this antique journal at a neighborhood tag sale. The marbled paper on its cover caught my eye, and when I peeked inside, I saw that it was filled with beautiful handwriting. I was intrigued and knew this item had to come home with me.

Even though I am aware that it is bad etiquette to read someone else's diary, in this instance, I just couldn't help myself.

On the very first page, I saw that the writer, a young man named Harold M. Willmott, was from Darien, Connecticut, the town right next to mine. His diary begins on Monday, May 3, 1909, the day he said good-bye to "Mama and Papa" and bravely left home to journey across the country.

After reading a bit, I learned that Harold yearned to work on a sheep herding ranch and would be traveling by train all the way to Miles City, Montana. Train travel was quite a bit slower back in 1909. For instance, it took Harold 3-1/2 hours to reach New York City, a ride that takes just under an hour today.

In Manhattan, he purchased a one-way ticket to Chicago for $18. Then took a boat to Jersey City and boarded a train to Illinois, where he proceeded to write about the many sights from his window along the way. Harold arrived in Chicago 28 hours later.

From there, he traveled on across the midwest. Harold finally got off the train in Steele, North Dakota where he planned to stay a while with some family friends, the Robinsons.

While in Steele, he enjoyed many walks over the prairie where he often spotted Native Americans. He stated, "I like this country pretty well. You can lead a grand free life and be your own boss."

On May 18, Harold left Steele for Montana where he hoped to find sheep herding work. Sadly, when he arrived in Miles City, his dreams were dashed. He found out that he was two weeks too late and all of the herding jobs had been taken.

Eventually, Harold found work on a farm, where he rose at 4:45 a.m. every morning to begin his chores — milking the cows, plowing the fields, and planting potatoes. A month after he left home, Harold writes, "The hours are awful long here. I work 17 hours and only sleep about seven."

Then, on June 11, he decided he'd had enough and quit his farm job. After doing odd jobs for a couple of weeks, he headed back to Steele where he found employment at the general store. Working in the dry goods department suited him and he seemed quite content.

Unfortunately, the entries in Harold's journal end abruptly on Tuesday, July 20, 1909, while he was still in North Dakota. Why did he stop writing so suddenly? Since I found this travelogue right here in Connecticut, I can only assume that Harold eventually headed home. And after reading this relic from cover to cover, I have decided it truly is a vintage treasure. So I will be donating it to the Darien Historical Society. 

I often wonder where the antiques I find have been. After all, every vintage item has a story. But few can share theirs as beautifully as this one does. 

Susan

Miniature Eye Candy

I just can't resist these miniature dressers. Once used to hold doll clothes, today, these relics become a focal point when perched on a full-sized piece of furniture. And their little drawers are perfect for storing small items, from jewelry to art supplies.

Just like babies, puppies and kittens — isn't everything cuter when it's in miniature?

Susan

Let's Do Lunch

Lunchboxes have been finding their way into my Etsy shop lately.

As you may know, I adore and collect old picnic tins, and these vintage relics are a smaller, cuter version that I find equally appealing. They evoke memories of my elementary school lunch room, where my box contained a PB&J sandwich, potato chips, carrots, and a chocolate chip cookie, or two. Yum.

What was in your childhood lunchbox?

Susan

Pinterest Inspiration

Several times over my years of blogging, I've shared this special notebook with you. 

The cover is a clue to what is inside — page after page of tear sheets from favorite shelter magazines that never fail to inspire me. 

Not long ago, I pasted in pictures on the notebook's last page, so I was planning to buy a new one. However, that was before I discovered Pinterest.com.

What is Pinterest? As stated on their About web page...  Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard that lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.  

I finally found some time to create a few of my own pinboards, but I've just barely scratched the surface. With 14 boards so far, my head is filled with all sorts of themes for more.

I love how Pinterest is connecting people around the world who have shared tastes and interests. Can I assume that if you are a reader of this blog, we have a similar style sensibility? If so, I hope you will take a peek at my pinboards. If you like what you see, please follow me. And if you are creating your own Pinterest pinboards, I promise to follow you, too.

Although my inspiration notebook has served me well, Pinterest has quickly become my preferred method of viewing visual inspiration. And whenever time permits, I'll be pinning new things and creating more boards. But let me warn you — pinning can be addictive!

Susan

The Case of the Upcycled Case

Every so often, I get the urge to transform an object that has seen better days and turn it into something useful once again. My latest project — a lighted makeup case from a local thrift store. Although its white vinyl, faux alligator exterior had seen better days, I was sure that this 1970s relic had potential. All it needed was a little upcycling.

I was so excited to begin working on this project that I completely forget to take a "before" photo. (Sorry!) So what you are seeing is the refurbished case that is now pretty as a picture. 

Originally manufactured by Dunston Leathers of New York, this makeup mirror's snazzy new look was achieved by applying vintage paper that was once 1940s curtains. (Yes, they actually made curtains out of paper back then!) It has a beautiful Asian-inspired pattern of branches, leaves and flowers in shades of pink, brown, black and green on a gold and cream background. Love it!

The case opens to reveal a round double-sided mirror and four bulbs that turn on via a switch on the cord. So theatrical! I've added a velvet ribbon at the bottom to help pull out the mirror section and place it on an angle for easy viewing.

Inside, you'll find a lift-up flap with a small compartment for storing makeup and one for the cord when the case is not in use. 

It also has two channels along each side which are where the bulbs go when the case is closed. 

I am very pleased with how this refurbished case turned out. Wouldn't it would look great on a vanity table or dresser? Just listed in my Etsy shop this morning, it is now a perfect mix of 1940s glam and 1970s functionality. I'm hoping it will be discovered by a girly girl with an appreciation for vintage things.

Susan

Green Day

Green is one of my favorite colors — tranquil and refreshing, it is the color of peace and ecology. As the emblematic color of Ireland, green represents the vast green hillsides and Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick. 

You will always find green items around my house and offered in my Etsy shop. And although I won't be wearing green today (it makes me look sickly), I'm sure there will be plenty of it around.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Susan

Now Playing: British Women with Vintage Names

Imogen, Florence, Adele — these are names one might expect to hear at a retirement home. However, there are three young women with these retro names who happen to be some of the best female singers of today. And they are all from the UK. 

For your listening pleasure, here are a few of my favorites . . .

 

 

 

LOVE their music! Imogen, Florence and Adele are all I've been listening to these days when I walk with my iPod and while working in my studio. 

What have you been listening to lately?

Susan

A Place Where Time Has Stood Still

Where, oh where have all the variety stores gone? I suppose they have been replaced by Dollar Stores, those junk-filled shops that can't compare to Woolworth's or Scott's, the local Cleveland 5-and-10 up the street from the house in which I grew up. These establishments were general stores that stocked a little bit of everything — kitchenware, records, notions, sewing patterns, hardware, toiletries, school supplies, toys, and small pets like hamsters and fish. Allowance in hand, my friends and I would spend a good part of a Saturday morning browsing around. Often times, I would look through the McCalls or Simplicity pattern books to select a new dress that my mom would sew for me. I particularly loved the photo booth that my pals and I would all pile inside, pose, and then eagerly await the strip of four black and white pictures that would eventually emerge from a slot in the front. Then we would head to the luncheonette counter, sit on the tall stools, and down grilled cheese sandwiches before continuing to peruse the vast array of affordable wares. 

A couple of months ago, while poking around the historic New York village of Rhinebeck with John, I was thrilled to come across A.L. Stickle, a truly vintage variety store. They call themselves "a place where time has stood still," and it most certainly has. In 1946, Alfred Lee Stickle came home from serving his country in WWII and purchased the Ben Franklin Store in Rhinebeck that he renamed "A.L. Stickle." A few years later, he bought a property on East Market Street and built a new building to house his business. 

Over 50 years later in 1998, Mr. Stickle offered the business to his grandson Matt who, to this day, still operates the store the way his grandfather did. Everything is priced by hand, orders are written in simple spiral notebooks, and you always can count on a friendly hello when you walk in the door. 

The store, with its original fixtures and checkerboard tile floor, is chock full of new and old stock. You'll also find vintage toys and other relics displayed on a shelf just above arm's reach around the store. And in the back is the "Knitting Garage," a spot for crafty types to congregate.

How wonderful that A.L. Stickle is still around after all these years. It was a brilliant move when Mr. Stickle bought land and built his own building, because a shop like his could have never survived this long if it had to pay rent. I attribute the demise of this country's "mom and pop" stores (and my tea room, as well) to greedy landlords who care more about charging high rents than allowing small businesses to thrive. (I'll stop now and not rant on about this topic, as it makes my blood boil.)

So if you ever find yourself in lovely Rhinebeck, New York, make sure to stop by A.L. Stickle at 13 East Market Street.

Susan

Selection Sunday

I was told by John that today is "Selection Sunday," the day when college men's basketball Division I teams are picked to enter the tournament known as March Madness. And I'm doing a little selecting myself, because today is when I announce the winner of this blog's 5-year anniversary giveaway.

But before I do, I want to thank those of you who left comments on my giveaway post. It was wonderful to hear from so many kindred spirits. I was thrilled to read that my blog has inspired you to carve out a place in your home that is all yours, that the T-Cozy is a welcome retreat from your hectic day, and that it even encouraged you to start your own blog. I loved hearing about your favorite posts, be it Jacob's first shave, our many vacations on Martha's Vineyard, or how John and I met on a commuter train to NYC. Please know that I enjoyed reading each and every comment. They truly touched my heart.

This morning, I used an online random number generator to select the winner. Congratulations to the lucky winner — Meg Brookman!

Here is Meg's comment:

The T-Cozy is my happy go-to place. And that's especially true if I'm under the weather or feeling a bit buffeted by the world’s knocks. The transformation from moody to over the moon is instantaneous. Childhood memories and what I call ‘the T-Cozy high' turn my gray disposition into a joyful rainbow of lovely thoughts and images. After some bountiful browsing, I inevitably return to my day a renewed, positive me. PS: My favorite blog of yours is peeking into your tea room. I can smell and savor the teas. And tasting everything that Cathy puts on the table (without gaining a calorie!) is pure clotted-cream heaven.

Thank you all, once again, for your heartfelt comments, support, loyal readership and friendship. You're the best! And since I can't send gifts to each of you, I am offering 20% off in my Etsy shop for the remainder of today. To receive the discount, type in the coupon code SUSANTHANKSYOU at checkout.

Susan

Enter My Fifth Blogiversary Giveaway!

Today marks a major milestone for my blog. The T-Cozy is five years old today! And you know how I like to celebrate an important occasion such as this — with a giveaway. Yay!

The lucky winner will receive this array of T-Party gifts — a new Bee House aloe green ceramic teapot with a built-in stainless steel infuser (just like the ones used at my former tea room); a matching Bee House aloe green tea mug; a handmade tea cozy made by me from a re-purposed vintage tablecloth; a cellophane bag filled with Comptoir Du Sud rough cut cane sugar cubes; and a 4-ounce tin of Lavender Lace, a caffeine-free loose leaf herbal infusion that is soothing, light and fragrant, containing lemon verbena, spearmint, cinnamon, lavender and rosemary. 

To enter my giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. For those of you who feel ambitious, do some digging in the T-Cozy's archives from the past five years and let me know which post was your all-time favorite and why. If you do, you will be rewarded because I'll enter your name a second time to improve your chances of winning. (And if you reference a post that is older than the ones shown as you scroll down, I'll really be impressed.)

If you are shy about leaving a comment, please don't be. I'm not looking for anything profound here, just a little feedback on what has interested or inspired you on my blog. Are you new to commenting? Read the instructions titled "How to Leave a Comment" found in the column on the lower right.

The deadline for leaving your comment is midnight on Saturday, March 10. The winner will be selected at random and their name will be revealed in a post on Sunday, March 11. 

This is my 898th post, so I hope you don't mind that while you are busy perusing my blog this week, I will be taking a breather to recharge my blogging batteries. And please know that even if you choose not to enter this giveaway, I truly appreciate your readership, comments and kind support over the last five years.

Many, many thanks!!!

Susan

M'm! M'm! Good!

This pull toy was one of my estate sale acquisitions this past weekend. Isn't it darling?

Made by Fisher Price in the mid-1950s, this wooden farm truck features none other than the cherubic Campbell Kids.

These rosy-cheeked characters were created by illustrator and writer Grace Wiederseim Drayton, who added some sketches of children to her husband’s Campbell's condensed soup advertising layout. The kids were a hit and they have been selling Campbell's Soup since 1904. 

At first, Campbell Kids were drawn as ordinary boys and girls. Later, they took on the persona of farmers, policemen, sailors, soldiers, and other professions.

This old toy has so much character. I can picture it holding alphabet blocks in a child's room or markers in an art studio. Or how about on the kitchen counter, filled with small pads of paper and pens for writing out the grocery list. Too cute!

Susan