This is just a quick preview- they all need pressed and the blue cotton dress needs a zipper repair.  Almost all the other dresses are silk.

All are about a modern size 10, I have not taken measurements yet.  They are larger then they appear in the photos as I pinned them in the back to better fit the dressform.   I will get them listed as soon as I can.

When I get a more permanent photo area set up I’m going to use some live models such as Julie’s cute daughter M

eredith and her friends.

cutie patootie

Our new puppy Colette. named after a French writer who also had red hair. She is a miniature red poodle. She can come home in 3 weeks.             Ziggy will be a little jealous but he loves other dogs and I’ll give hin xtra attention

Of course, Rick and I have to complicate things by deciding to refinish floors and add crown molding while we have rooms emptied out. I’ll post some pictures soon.  I am looking forward to having the living space downstairs, a nice office up stairs and storage for all the viintage goodies I sell.    I’s happening but it takes time. Give us a month and Rick and I can move a mountain.  I will continue to add things to the internet store.  Be patient, I have gorgeous coats, plus sizes and antique childrens cothing in storage!

Thank you, Julie, Becky, Ken, and the vintage spouse, Rick, you were all so much help. Especially since i couldn’t sleep the night before and was in a lot of pain.  So many vintage goodies left the shop! Sales were fabulous. It gives me a nice nest egg to advertise the new internet shop and buy new inventory.

 I’m up to my fanny in chaos, breaking down the store and inventoring what’s left.  I started taking pictures again today which will be added to the site tomorrow of new items for sale.   I will be adding weekly.

I did cry a little when it was all over, this was my dream and baby, but I just can’t handle the hours any more with the scoliosis pain.

Oh—- I am getting a new puppy!!!!!!!!!  In about 4 weeks she will be able to leave her mama. A darling little girl poodle.  Ziggy loves other dogs and I can’t wait.   I’m going to be posting pictures soon.    Love to all!  JoAnn

I will be featuring vintage woman’s and men’s fashion from all eras and also I am bringing back more vintage childrens’ fashion.    I am also going to be buying the largest range of sizing I can find, including plus sizes.  I really hope all you vintage loving friends will love it!!!!

Remember all the whining and moaning I did during the blizzards last winter???

It’s coming back to haunt me!!!!!   Tropical heat wave at Vintage JoAnn.  I scurry around in the am turning on fans and a few window air units before opening.  It makes it a lot cooler then outside but it’s still HOT to a menepausal momma like me.

Shop exploding with goodies like usual and I’m now working on adding a new dimension to VJ>

Soon you will be able to browse a shopping area on the website and purchase the same great items in the store.  I am busy taking pictures and listing things when I have time.   The internet store should be available to customers by Aug.  before the great Red Lion Street Fair and Vintage JoAnn Sale!!!!

On a sadder note the outdoor dance has been shelved for the time being.

Sometimes it makes me so sad and frustrated. I get some of the most beautiful, young, and vibrant girls in here and even most of them are down on their appearance.  So much pressure to be perfect when there is no such thing!!!

Damn it- people come in all their glorious colors, shapes, sizes, and appearances.  Most of it is heredity.  If your Mama got big boobs, most likely you will too.   None of this has any thing to do with your worth as a human being. 

Most of us are several sizes and shapes in our lifetime, childbearing and age take their toll. I firmly believe we have to chuck out some of society’s pressure and start being more comfortable in our own skins. All woman have something beautiful about them and a lot of it is based on self perception.

I have seen size 2 women who are convinced they are flawed and so do nothing to look nice. I have also seen women who are size 22 and  are loaded with sex appeal and strut their stuff.

Let me share my own experience with you.

Chubby kid growing up, constant shame and criticism from parents about my size.  Brief period in adolescence when I got thinner. Mostly because of smoking and depression.    Most of adult life between size 16 and size 22.  Dressed kind of matronly and dowdy.  Thought fashion was for those “other” women who were attractive and deserved it.

About 8 years ago I managed to lose about 50 lbs.  I got more confident and gave myself a makeover. Hairstyle, fun, fashionable clothing, makeup, the works. I could tell people treated me different which I thought was because I was thinner and there is such bias against fat people.

Well, I could only maintain the weight loss for about 3 or so years and eventually gained about 40 lbs. back.   But I never looked back. I liked the new person I had become and CONTINUED to dress fashionably, and make myself as attractive as possible.  People continued to treat me with the same respect in spite of the weight gain.  I finally got it.

Self worth can not be based on size. If you believe you DESERVE respect and to be attractive, you will start acting that way and people respond to that!

Forward to present. I am 52 years od. I currently wear a plus size 16. I still battle my weight and it fluctuates. I wear glasses. I have scoliosis which gives me a short torso, multiple surgical scars,and a rounded back. My boobs have headed south and my ass has gotten flat.  In spite of all that I consider myself a person deserving to be attactive. 

I have cultivated my own own individual style, wearing fun, well fitting clothing, collect vintage jewelry, get my hair cut, colored red and styled and wear makeup.  I get compliments all the time. People ask me for fashion advice all the time.

Moral of story. Take care of yourself. Love and work with what you got. No more putting yourself down. People perceive how you view yourself and treat you accordingly. You are a worth while human being and that is not dependent on size or age.

So, my lovely friends and customers, what I want for you is all those things and to know at my shop people come in all sizes and we celebrate the difference.