Giving gift hand soaps in fancy boxes was a thing in the 60s. It was an A+ hostess gift. Everyone displayed fancy soaps on their bathroom vanity, if they were lucky enough to have one, right next to the guest towel. Family was forbidden from ever using the guest soap, which probably was molded in a fancy shape, or the hand towel, because those were both being kept for guests and only guests. Keeping things for best has it’s place. You wouldn’t want to wear out your ball gown from too many trips to the market. But for most things, you yourself are best. And you should use your nice things. There are two things in this week’s fresh to market vintage that would be tempting to keep for best, but we think they should be used.
This rant is inspired by Linda’s story about the social gathering where place settings were mix and match from people’s homes. How nice it would be to have that Victorian tumbler full of water on your desk instead of your usual glass. And it would be tempting to save the green starburst jewelry set for fancy occasions. But there’s nothing to say that Tuesday or Wednesday isn’t plenty fancy to wear it.
It stinks when something breaks, and it’s irksome to lose an earring. Both are always the risk when you use your best. In a cost/benefit analysis, ask yourself: does keeping those things locked up tight preemptively because something might happen to them make you happy? Or do you get happy vibes from using your pretty things? We know which one we choose…
Three Magi Candleholders
The late 1960s and 70s was a time of figurines from Japan made of composition material. They often had braid and various lacy trims glued onto them, which made them look very fancy. These Magi, or kings, are gold with the smallest of accents of silver, but rich with just the kind of trim decorations I remember. My mom would’ve loved these. She could’ve put them on the mantel and not used candles in them or she could’ve put them in her bow window in the front with candles to add to our Christmas decor.
JAC Composition Wise Men, Made in Japan, $87.99
-Mary Ellen, Aunt Hatties Attic
Green Starburst Jewelry Set
This time of year we are all beginning to fret over what to buy our loved ones for the upcoming holidays, let’s take a break and get something for ourselves. This vibrant and cheerful set of earrings and brooch is just the thing to remind ourselves that the holiday season is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Grab this set for yourself and watch for the sparkle it brings to their eyes when they see you. Just a vintage reminder to be good to yourself this holiday season.
Starburst Brooch and Earrings, $34.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Antique Victorian Floral Glass Tumbler c 1900s
I recently attended a luncheon at a local non-profit where the hostesses set the tables with vintage. The fun part was they had borrowed the table settings from households in our community. It was a diverse group from an age perspective, and I was delighted to see how taken the younger women were with the thought of setting one-of-a-kind tables for special events.
Hand Painted Green Glass Tumbler, $45
-Linda, Selective Salvage
1989 Caesars Pocono Palace Brochure
The Poconos Mountains area, conveniently located near New Jersey, Philly and New York City, was once known for their over the top grand resorts. There are still resorts, but not like Caesars Pocono Palace. Behold the champagne coupe hot tub. And look at the amenities for the Garden of Eden Apple suite. Swimming pool, dry sauna, heart-shaped whirlpool, round king size bed and…the pièce de résistance, a 45″ color cable T.V. with bedside remote control. Did you say remote control??? This is going to bring back some fond, and probably spicy, memories for someone.
Caesars Pocono Palace Fold Out brochure, $18.
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
What is a racy tourist destination brochure featuring a couple watching a 45″ color cable T.V. with bedside remote control doing in a post with a beautiful painted Victorian tumbler, starbursts of gold and green and three entirely respectable magi? Aside from making you snicker self consciously, it’s proof that whatever kind of vintage you like, you might find it here in our weekly fresh to market vintage post.
Or you might find it in one of our other posts from the previous week. Subscribe to our once a week email newsletter and you’ll never miss one of our dives into the vast and varied world of vintage.
