New Events With Mode Merr and Antique Adventuring

Good Evening to You, Dear Readers.

Mode Merr has some upcoming events. Pull up a seat and take a gander.

Philadelphia Tattoo Convention

Mode Merr will be at the Philadelphia Tattoo Convention... www.tattooedkingpin.com. Mode Merr will be sold out of Miss Ruth's Time Bomb Boutique. Take a peek here: www.missruthstimebomb.com. Angela will be there. She will be helping out at the Martha Rotten booth. Martha Rotten makes really beautiful jewelry. Find it here: www.martharotten.com. Have fun perusing all these great sites. If you find yourself in Philadelphia February 10th -12th, go to the Tattoo Convention (they are tons of fun, trust me!) and get you some Mode Merr!

The next event is Viva Las Vegas! What is Viva Las Vegas, you ask? Well, it's a Rockabilly weekend, in where else, but Las Vegas Nevada! www.vivalasvegas.net. Angela has been vending at this event for the past 6 or 7 years. She will be selling Mode Merr there once again. This event (that I really, really, want to go to) will be held April 5th to the 8th. There will be burlesque, music, a car show, etc. I am salivating as I type!!

Angela also wanted me to whisper in your ear that something is in the works for a Mode Merr event in Providence, Rhode Island. Things are in their early stages, but once I know what is up, so will you. 

We will be inside, not getting snagged on fences

Probably the most exciting news I have to relay to you is that I am hosting a Mode Merr Pop Up Boutique at my home on Saturday, February 18th. The event will run from 4pm till whenever we are done. There will be some munchies and some drinks. There will be over flowing bargain bins, as always, regularly priced merchandise, tattoo prints, and Martha Rotten jewelry. Most importantly, there will be a lot of really great ladies having a really great time! It is a private event, but if you would like to be invited, please get in touch with me and I will invite you. 

Amazing Surrey

Now that all the business stuff is out of the way, I must tell you about my adventures at the Antique Show last week. It was a learning experience, as I had never seen some of the items that were being sold. I saw a Colonial Era silver serving dish with dragons on either side of it, a Pre-Civil War Era leather pouch, which had all its everything (fascinating), white wedding slippers, etc. etc. The most interesting thing I saw was a black surrey. It was museum condition. Asking price was $3000. The seller was willing to sell at a lower price, but alas I have no place to store such a huge thing. I was completely taken with the oldness and grandness of it. All it needed was a horse, a driver and me riding in it.

My Hair Wreath

Sadly, there were no parasols nor was there any Post Mortem photography, although I asked till I was tired of saying, "Post Mortem Photography" and repeating that phrase, since no one ever understood what I was saying the first time around. I did however find an ABUNDANCE of Victorian Mourning Jewelry. (Yes, the kind made of hair.) The majority of it was in good shape, but vendors were asking rather high prices. I stumbled across a seller who had books. I found tucked among the books an oval frame. In the frame was hair arranged in a floral design. Next to the hair was a picture of a little girl. On the back was written a date and "Florence, aged 5". I brought it up to the man and asked how much. Because I was overwhelmed with sorrow for poor Florence, aged 5 who was so young and had such lovely blonde curls, I began to cry. Yes, the girl asking everyone for Post Mortem Photography, wept openly for little dead Florence, aged 5. However, little Florence, aged 5 was not dead the seller told me. He had gotten the floral hair from her mother. Aged 5 was when Florence's hair was cut. Well I hate to sound like this, but all appeal for Florence, aged 5 went out the window. My tears dried instantly. The very nice man smiled and said, "Well I do have something morbid for you, if that is what you like." He directed me to the floor, where he had placed a shadow box, quite out of sight. (Perhaps to keep it from public view, where people may recoil at it, but I like to think that he placed it there so it could wait for me to buy it.) In the shadow box was a Victorian Mourning Wreath made of hair with a little white ribbon. I instantly wanted it even though the shadow box is banged up and there is some staining inside. (I brought the wreath home for a whopping $50 dollars. The man dropped the price because he liked me and he didnt want to cart it back and forth.) I am madly in love with the piece and cannot wait to hang it on the wall. 

I also managed to get the Piratical Fiance his anniversary gift. I will not tell you what it is here, just in case he reads this Blog entry, but I will tell you it used to be alive!!!

And so, dear readers, I hope to see you at some of these events, although I will only be at the ones local to Massachusetts. (No funds, no time!!)

I hope you are all well and just tucking into your dinners. 

Until next time... <3

    

An Entry of Shamelss Self Promotion

Good Friday Evening, Dear Readers, 

1940's Sterling Pin

    I am having a snug and cozy night with a hot cup of tea on the couch. This weekend (weather permitting) I am going to an antique show (for lack of a better word) in Wilmington. I am looking for specific things...Victorian Hair Jewelry, Parasols, Sleeping Beauties and maybe some Mid Century kitsch. 

Beige Girdle with Hidden Garters

   My love of vintage things started with my Grandmother she had lovely and interesting things from over the years, all of which I inherited after her passing 14 years ago. For years I refused to get rid of any of her things. Eventually I had to, however. And that is how MyYiayiaHadThat was born. 
  
    MyYiayiaHadThat is my vintage Etsy shop. What is Etsy, you ask? Etsy is an online community of handmade or vintage shops. Rules are strict. Handmade must be handmade by you or someone in your shop and vintage items must be at least 20 years old. I opened shop and filled it with things of Grandma's that I couldn't use or fit into. Granted it was hard selling her things, but since her things were going to people who were excited to get them, could use them and would give them new life, it hurt less. Of course, it also helped that money was coming in, as I was unemployed at the time. I went on to expand to some of my Grandfather's things as well as my mom's stuff. I have shipped items to all over the country as well as all over the world. My Etsy shop continues to do well. What is the point of telling you all of this?

Grandma's Italian Boots

   Last weekend, while getting ready to go to the Polynesian Pounce, I tried on my Grandmother's Long Line Bullet bra. (It is not my size, but some how, miraculously fits.) I was not wearing the right kind of sweater for a bullet bra (with hilarious results) and so I went with a regular bra. That got me thinking. What if Mode Merr fans would like some vintage undergarments to wear under their Mode Merr. And so dear readers, I have to offer to you, bullet bras, vintage slips, bloomers, girdles as well as a ton of accessories, shoes and jewelry. So go ahead. Take a look. You know you want to! 


http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyYiayiaHadThat

Strapless Long Line Boustier

 

 

 

    So, while you are busy perusing my Etsy shop, keep in mind that Mode Merr is running a little sale. 

We are having a Perfect Skirt Sale on Select Fabrics. Ruby Brocade, Red Houndstooth and Brown & Gold . These skirts are available in raised and natural waist. Now only $60!!

    

    Get them while they last ladies! I hope all of you have a warm and safe weekend! As always, I do thank you for reading!

   Until next time. <3

Pouncing Polynesian Style

Good Sunday Afternoon to You, Dear Readers,
    
    How many of you have gotten a flu shot? I have never had one until last Thursday. The new bosses asked me to get one. I agreed to but was hesitant. I have heard horror stories about people getting sick immediately after getting it. My fears were spot on! (Lately, I have been discovering that the fears I do have are completely legitimate.) I got sick and had to leave work early on Friday. I spent some much needed time in bed with AirBorne (berry flavor) and DayQuil. I was concerned that I would not be able to go to the Polynesian Pounce. But guess what? I felt better by Saturday afternoon and by 8pm I was off to the Midway.

The lovely Ramona

    I was a bit embarrassed that after living almost my entire life in Jamaica Plain, I had never been to the Midway. Despite the cold outside, the inside of the bar had been beautifully decorated (by Beck Rustic) and looked like a luau was about to go down. Most of the fellas were in Hawaiian shirts and most of the gals were in gorgeous Hawaiian style halter dresses. The bar tender was slinging pineapples (which I brilliantly called coconuts) filled with lots of booze. Beck was cool enough to be handing out leis. She even gave me a pink AND a green one to match my ensemble, because really the only thing Polynesian about last night's outfit was the fact that I placed some flower barrettes in my hair.

Mode Merr bargain bins

   I found Angela (and Mode Merr) right away. The bargain bins were overflowing with great pieces. A lot of the stuff was summery, which added to the whole warm weather vibe of the evening. I always enjoy going to events where Mode Merr is vending. Last night however seemed more fun than usual. The very best part of last night was meeting new people (which of course is what resolving to go out more frequently is all about).  I spent most of the evening with a really great couple who had just had a baby and was out for the evening, some friends of Angela's (always wonderful) and 2 hilariously funny and glamorous ladies. 

Doesn't my ass look fabulous?

The lovely Erin in a leopard bolero MEE-OW!

    When I wasn't socializing, I was assisting Angela in helping customers (new and old) find sizes or styles, answering questions and of course, showing off how great my ass looks in a Mode Merr Perfect skirt. Once again, there were a lot of sales and once again, buyers were beautiful ladies of all shapes and sizes. Part of my socializing last night was telling the story of how found Mode Merr and met Angela to one of her friends. When I finished my story, I told her that my one of my favorite things about Mode Merr is that the sizes are so vast as to fit a wide range of bodies. When I was 70 pounds heavier it was nearly impossible to find clothes, let alone clothes that I liked in my size. I had this wild fantasy that one day I would learn how to use a sewing machine and make all the styles I wanted for all sizes. Well, I never learned how to use a sewing machine (although I have hopes that I will one day) but I found Mode Merr, which is just as good! Angela's friend pointed out that the xxs to xxxl sizing is considerate. I could not agree more.  

    Something I notice every time I am at a Mode Merr event is that women tend to hold up clothing to their bodies that is absolutely too large for them. I saw it on 2 occasions last night. One of the lovely ladies I was assisting was trying on sizes medium and large. She came back and said these are too big (which I had thought in the first place). I suggested she try the small or even the extra small. It turns out the small was the size she needed. She was surprised that Mode Merr, "was cut for actual women's bodies" and "was consistent". GO ANGELA!!!!

Music!

 

    If you were not at the Polynesian Pounce last night, you really missed out. The atmosphere, music and especially the company were all wonderful! 


   In the coming weeks, I plan on putting the Pop Up Mode Merr Boutique plan (which I will be hosting) into action with Angela. And of course keeping you informed of the new goings on at Mode Merr, events, and all other good things. 

   I hope you are staying warm on this bitterly cold Sunday or that you are reading this somewhere where it's not so very cold out. 

   Until next time. <3

Why Hello There, It's Been Awhile!

Good Evening Dear Readers,
   
    I must begin this blog with an apology. I have not been able to keep up with blogging about my beloved Mode Merr due to life (which I will fill you all in on shortly). I really have missed blogging, as I found it a great creative outlet and a wonderful stress reliever. One of my New Year's resolutions was to get back to blogging. So here we go!

   In October, I moved to a new apartment. The place is adorable and decent sized. However it has had a million things go wrong with it in the 2.5 months I have been living here. To spare you the dire and at times nauseating details, the oven was broken, there is a rodent issue, the shower head broke and most recently the handle on the toilet does this trick where it just falls off... None of this would be SO bad if the land lord would actually do something about it. But no...it is up to me to arrange for repairmen, exterminators, etc and take the fees out of my rent. The landlord is crazy and has gone as far as to tell me where I can and cannot park on the street. Sigh.
  

Mode Merr Closet

   The first and no doubt most important thing I did when I moved in was set up my Mode Merr collection in its own section of the closet. This is not my entire collection. I have 2 dresses that I could not hang, and so they reside in the same closet, just in their own hanging cubicle. 

Costumed and Engaged

    On Halloween, the Piratical Boyfriend became the Piratical Fiance. I was a staked vampire and he was, of course, Captain Jack Sparrow. The whole thing was very us and fun. It will be a great story to tell our kids.  

Moo Cow. My latest creation.

    In November, I finally got a job. (Some of you may know that I got laid off from teaching about 4 years ago and have been trying to find stable employment ever since.) I am a nanny to an absolutely blissful 6 month old. She is wonderful as is her family. For the first time in my life, I actually look forward to going to work. I have started making my charge little felt finger puppets because they make her laugh so much.

Engagement dinner. Mode Merr in blue!

   In early December, the Piratical Fiance's grandmother threw us an engagement party where parts of our families met for the first time. It was a lovely evening, with great food and people that love us very much. And guess what? I wore Mode Merr! You can't see it so very well, but I am wearing a blue satin Perfect Skirt. It was the first time I wore it and I was immediately smitten!

Our pretty tree that we picked and lugged!

   Needless to say the end of 2011 was spectacular for me. My life has been completely turned around for the better. For the first time I hosted Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my new apartment.  My life is blessed and I am grateful for it!

I hope she's there on Saturday!

   Well now it is the New Year. Like I said, one of my resolutions was to start blogging again. The other was to get out and socialize more often. Which I am planning on doing this coming Saturday, January 14th. The Midway Cafe will be hosting the Polynesian Pounce from 8 pm till 2 am! The Evil Streaks and The Skeleton Beats will be playing. Mode Merr will have a pop up boutique set up (think $20 bargain bin size xxs-xxxl). It's only $10 to get in. Remember, it is Hawaiian themed so wear your best hula skirt and coconut bra!


   A very happy and healthy 2012 to all of you! I hope to see you at the Midway on the 14th!