by JoAnn on 10/08/08 03:21 pm Like many of you I have been invited to a halloween party and am trying to put together costumes for my husband and me.
Just because I have a vintage clothing store doesn’t seem to make it any easier!!!!! Read On…
by Rick on 10/04/08 02:36 pm 
Here are some pictures of our wonderful niece Kristina when she visited us on Labor Day.
At left Kristina models some kind of fur (JoAnn can fill in the details when she comes back!) and below she is wearing a nifty red dress.
JoAnn’s friend, Julie M, saw a California King bird cage at a garage sale and they both went back to see if it is still there. McBeth may be getting a new home!
This leaves me in charge and also gives me a respite from working on the front porch paint project. There is so much paint on the railing that all the detail is buried in it. The paint is at least 1/8″ thick. The side railing needs one more coat of pink and some touchup while scraping is almost finished on the front railing. Hopefully it will all be primed today depending on how long JoAnn & Julie are out at the garage sale. I’m sure they’ll just stop at the one with the bird cage and not look at anything else, Yeah - right.
by Rick on 09/20/08 10:38 am 
I’m supposed to be painting the front porch right now but it’s a bit nippy out and we just watched an episode of Carson Kressley’s “How to Look Good Naked” show that JoAnn had tivo’d and I feel inspired to write about it. You might remember Carson from “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”. He was the fashion guru.
The episode we just watched was about Heather who was born with congenital heart disease. She’s a gorgeous woman who has issues with the scars left from numerous operations and, up until Carson, had trouble feeling good about herself.
Carson helped her realize that while people may see her scars, they are really not focused on them as she is. I think it’s fairly common for people with scars to believe that other people must look at them and think how ugly while most people are really wondering what did this person survive or go through. And actually that’s after they finally see the scar. It is not the first thing they see as the person with the scar might imagine. (Another clip rom the show)
I know what you might be thinking. “Uh, so Rick, Read On…
by JoAnn on 09/18/08 03:47 pm Well, thanks to all my nice customers, and a welcoming community (Red Lion, PA) Vintage JoAnn has been open one year. It’s been so much work, I’ve made lots of mistakes and have learned tons about vintage fashion, business, and people in general. I’ve also had lots of fun and laughs. The best of all is that I’ve made many new friends and have met some really cool people I never would have met without that sign out front!
One year calls for a celebration and Wednesday Oct. 22 through Saturday Oct. 25 Vintage JoAnn is Read On…
by Rick on 09/06/08 04:26 pm JoAnn went upstairs with a headache so I get to play Vintage JoAnn for awhile.
Have you seen the AMC original show - MadMen? If not click here for the schedule.
According to the AMC MadMen website the premise of the show is “The series revolves around the conflicted world of Don Draper (Hamm), the biggest ad man (and ladies man) in the business, and his colleagues at the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. As Don makes the plays in the boardroom and the bedroom, he struggles to stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing times and the young executives nipping at his heels. The series also depicts authentically the roles of men and women in this era while exploring the true human nature beneath the guise of 1960s traditional family values.”
Why mention this show here? It tries to very accurately depict not only roles and values of the era but also the fashion. Having grown up in that era and being immersed in it here at the shop it seems very realistic to me. JoAnn has trouble watching it because of the way the women are treated.
What do you think of the show? Either the fashion specifically or any other aspect. Feel free to comment below.
Here are some pictures from the show.
by JoAnn on 09/05/08 05:28 pm I know it was 90 degrees 2 days ago and I was forced to turn the air conditioner on but darn it—-It’s Fall at Vintage JoAnn!!!!
Yesterday I sold a 70’s wrap style suede coat with mink collar, a red wool 50’s style coat with a fox collar, and bracelet sleeves and a gray tweed 50’s era coat. Obviously the customers are shopping for cold weather too.
I’ve decorated the front porch and shop for autumn and folks are starting to ask for halloween costumes already.
On Labor day Rick and I had some relatives and friends over to celebrate Aggie’s (my wonderful daughter-in-law) birthday. We had loads of fun and Aggie took home a nice 50’s light brown wool jacket with a fluffy fur collar.
My friend Cindy took home a beautiful Jessica McClintock lace dress that she intends to wear for her upcoming wedding. I was really tickled pink about that!
My darling little niece stole the show when she tried on a little fluffy (cute) witch costume complete with hat. Kristina is 5 and looked adorable.
My sister-in-law Jan fell in love with an “I dream of Jeanie” type Indian costume with heavy embroidery which she happily took home.
I’ve been meaning to write about something wonderful that has happened recently in my life.
I have moved many times in my life to various states and had lost contact with old PA friends from my youth. I always envied people who still had childhood friends.
One day 2 ladies walked in the shop and I said hello and didn’t really look at them too closely. One said, “Do you know who we are?”
I took a second look and almost burst into tears! It was my friend Julie McLaughlin and her sister Sara! Their maiden name had been Goggin. I had’t seen either in over 20 years and had lost touch.
It was the same wonderful crazy Julie I loved during my teen years, And although we both look older she looked great.
To make a long story short we have picked up our friendship and I am grateful and frankly ecstatic.
Our lives developed in so many similar ways. Both of us have long term marriages and a son and daughter. Both of us are Artists and she is currently working as an artist making intricate, incredible “fairy houses” that sell for hundreds and even thousands of dollars to collectors on ebay. (Click here to see what Julie currently has on ebay)
But the most hilarious similarity is she is also completely obsessed with vintage!!!!! She also loves old houses, loves garage saleing and thrift store shopping for treasures.
Her home is SO cool! She has collected all kinds of 40’s pottery and vases, has a tiki bar , decorates with bark cloth and has the greatest vintage stuff you ever saw! I want to steal the huge stuffed peacock she has in her living room. The whole house is done with such creativity and style.
Like me ,Julie does this all on a very tight budget. She has a pet cockatoo and I have an African gray parrot named McBeth who lives in my shop.
Anyhow, Julie, I’m so glad to have you back in my life and look forward to spending many years getting reaquainted. She has already taken me to a killer garage sale where I found all kind of cool red 50’s stuff for my kitchen.
Here’s to friendship and vintage shopping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by JoAnn on 08/28/08 02:08 pm As some of you know, I have been sick for weeks, but I am finally better and back to my old self.
The short version- cyst in cheek, infection, resistant to antibiotics, cat scans, oral surgeons and other assorted unhelpful specialists, pain, fatigue, 2 root canals, stronger antibiotics that made me sick, months of not feeling well and one whole week in bed, and I missed my friend’s wedding!!! whine!!!!!!!
Feel sorry for Rick, he had to hear EVERY DAY how crappy I felt.
If it wasn’t for him and Julie Ollivett, Vintage JoAnn wouldn’t have been open for a while.
Thank you Julie, I so appreciate your help!!!
Anyhoo, I’m back!!!!!!!!!! Not a 100% but feeling better then I have in months.
I have brought some great coats and fall and winter clothing in and the whole shop is bursting with new inventory. Lots of costume material for halloween and back to school ideas.
There is a fab full length white faux fur coat here that is begging for a fashionista to take home.
I am getting more cool weather items almost daily as people have been bringing in their treasures to sell.
Thanks to Julie Olivett, we always have a huge assortment of jewelry.
I have a big pile I am currently pricing today.
What is selling well? Vintage bustiers, jewelry of all types, camisoles, cute vintage dress of all eras.,hatsof all eras,and a lot of shoes and purses. Formal wear is always popular.
Update on Ziggy, my bichon- He is totally recovered from his staph infection, his sores are healed, he’s on better dog food which controls his food allergies and thanks to Anne Marie’s pet beautique, he looks like a little cutie pie.
He is a total mommy’s baby, and yes, I have turned into one of those pathetic fifty yr. old women who talk baby talk to their little dogs. Oh well, gotta be me!!!!!!
by JoAnn on 08/10/08 08:07 pm Whewww!!!!! Yesterday was the st. fair in Red Lion and I am exhausted!!
The shop opened at 8;30 am. when the fair started. Not being a morning person It was painful but I was excited.
People started coming in right away and the store was packed all day.
It was a sucessful day but there were a few let downs. I had applied for the space in front of my shop for my outside booth. I had a tent, a helper and lots of jewelry and sale items ready to go. Imagine my surprize to find out that space had been given to a lemonade stand. I was placed across the street and down the block. That wouldn’t have worked very well to draw people into my shop which was the whole idea! Then I was further annoyed to see other retail establishments with their booths in front of their shop. Actually everyone but me.
So I apologize to my customers that there was no out side booth as promised. All the reduced items were inside and everyone came inside anyhow. Needless to say I did not set up down the street.
Later I took a break as Rick took over and checked out the fair. On the positive side there was lots of good entertainment in several areas that folks were enjoying. The food all looked good and I had a pit beef at the Legion that was the best ever! Attendance was great, the weather was perfect,
On the down side the poor lemonade people (who are lovely folks that I do not blame for the situation) had trouble competing with the free bottled water several churches and busnesses were giving away. They actually eventually gave up and moved but by then I had told my helper I would’t need her and the store was full.
I was also sad to see a large booth close to my place selling conterfeit designer bags. I’m not talking designer inspired but bags using actual fake logos. That happens to be illegal as well as immoral.
I would have loved to see more artists and craftspeople instead of made in china stuff as many people told me there was’nt as much to buy as they hoped. There were some good crafters and venders and I wish I would have had more time to look at the nice items in front of the antique and decor place on main st.
Geez- I sound like a grouchy old lady and I probably am tonight!!
by Rick on 08/09/08 12:48 pm 
Today is the Red Lion Street Fair & the shop has been hopping! The Borough blocks off both Main & Broadway for a couple of blocks in each direction from the square. All kinds of vendors set up booths in the street. There is food, crafts, artists, historical displays, dance studios, karate studios and more.
During the day there will demonstrations and music in the square including a chile cook off. A good time WILL be had by all.
by Rick on 08/02/08 06:31 pm We had an unexpected surprise Saturday. JoAnn was in the shop and I was working on our kitchen remodel. The phone rang and caller ID said it was our daughter, Jen. I answered “Hey how are you sweetie!?” and my son-in-law’s voice answered “Just fine and you?”. Never trust caller id I guess.
After a few more pleasantries he asks what we’re doing for lunch. “I don’t know - why? Where are you guys?” They were 15 minutes away in Leader Heights getting off the highway to come see us on their way to a friend’s in Baltimore. Jen & Jason live in Queensbury, NY which is about an hour north of Albany, 7 hours from Red Lion.
In the background Jen says somethng about needing something (anything) to eat with Old Bay on it. Since JoAnn couldn’t leave the shop I called the best damn crab place in York County, S&S Crabs, and ordered a couple of dozen. When Jen & Jason got here, Jason and I went to pick up the crabs, got some fresh picked corn from a farm stand and somehow or another a couple of 6 packs of beer jumped in the car too. Well those of you familiar with Chesapeake Bay bluefin crabs know you can’t possibly eat them without some beer.
So if you were at Vintage JoAnn’s on Saturday and thought you smelled something wonderful coming from the kitchen you were right on.
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