Just to keep you updated- YES it is still a gigantic work in process here!!!!!  The new Dining room (part of old shop) is done as far as walls and floor go and now it is piled with furniture and stuff as we work on the parlors(also part of previous shop)  All the old paneling has been torn down thanks to the efforts of the vintage spouse, exposing a fine view of damaged plaster and various hideous wallpapers.  New wiring has  begun and next comes veneer drywall and floor refinishing,  painting, and new crown molding.  TIRED yet? God knows poor Rick and I are.  This stuff goes slower when you are in your 50′s, especially with my *## back!!

My new office upstairs continues to evolve as I get all the stuff out of there that goes in other places.  Poor Rick has to tote everything as I get it packed.  It’s been hard to photograph listings for the website and I long to get this area squared away so the pics improve in quality, I even have some live models lined up when that happens.  I do keep chugging along, as my back allows, slowly listing a feww new things every week so people don’t forget about Vintage JoAnn until I can get back to full speed.

You won’t believe all the vintage clothing and accessories I have to list!!! The beautiful coats alone!!!!

My goal is to eventually blog more about vintage fashion(oh yea- that’s what this is all about!)  when this Mess is done.  I don’t function well in disorder!!!!!

Ps- new puppy Colette is amazing and keeps me laughing.

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.

I finished sewing my red rose dress today from the 1957 pattern.  I wore it with modern peep toe pumps I got from penneys a few years ago. They look so vintage, you can’t tell!  Sunglasses, bead necklace and bracelet- all vintage 5o’s.  The red crinoline is enormass with many layers- looks great but not for everyday! Scratchy!!

The navy blue dress is a vintage early 1960′s shirt dress made of lightweight poly with polka dots.  I wore it with a netted navy blue circle hat (50′s) and a 60′s enamel flower pin and pink beaded 50′s coil bracelet. Shoes, belt and hoop earrings are modern with vintage flair.  I hope this inspires you to send pictures in.  If my aged, chubby little self can have fun doing this– so can you my lovely vintage lovers!

The blue 50′s dress with the lace and tulle looks adorable, and I LOVE the hat!  Also 50′s netting and blue millinary flowers.

The leopard skirt was a 60′s find and very cool as the fabric was actually furry!!!!

Thanks Mandi, you are the best!

You can see more of Mandi’s photos in Vintage JoAnn outfits at the Models section of our Photo Gallery and go to her website on Model Mayhem by clicking here – Mandi’s Model Mayhem site.

Merideth and her friends attended their homecoming dance looking elegant and sophisticated beyond their years wearing lovely vintage eve. attire from Vintage JoAnn.

Please check out all the girl’s pictures , as they all looked adorable!

It’s been a busy few weeks here at the shop as several local dances had retro or Hollywood themes and I had the pleasure of watching these young ladies discover all these beautiful vintage garments.

Check out Meredith’s 1940′s era red mink stole, which complimented her hair.  These girls looked like they were ready for the red carpet and I know they had a wonderful time at the dance.
View other Homecoming pictures here.

Amanda in the Green Dress

Last month a very attractive young couple stopped in and and I enjoyed their visit. One of the items they bought was a bright green halter dress, form fitting and dripping with long fringes, like a 20′s flapper dress, even though the dress is circa 1970. She looked absolutely fabulous and they left but not before I asked them to send me a picture to put on my website.

A few days ago she popped back in the store with pictures. Her name is Amanda and she models. The pics were done by a pro photograher and were fabulous. She is also featured on Model Mayhem just like another favorite customer of mine, Kurvy Kara.

Amanda, Barely in the Green Dress

You can see Amanda in this dress at http://www.modelmayhem.com/1143519 which is a Model Mayhem site she set up for her “Green Dress” project. Amanda is trying to get as many photographers as possible to shoot her in the green dress. You can see the rest of her portfolio here -  www.modelmayhem.com/341000.

These girls are really cute and I’m so thrilled they got things here. Amanda bought a long petticoat and a lace parasol her second visit for a southern belle shoot.

My customers are so much fun. thanks ladies!!!

Va Va Va Voom!

Kara is one of my customers who is also a model and comes to the shop for outfits for photo shoots.  Everything Kara is wearing in this photo came from Vintage JoAnn except the headband and thong. I was tickled to death when she came in on Saturday and gave me this picture. You can see more about Kara and get information on hiring her at her Model Mayhem website.

 I love to work with models and photographers. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks Kara!!

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.

What a doll!!!!  Of course we could not resist dressing her up in vintage style for a photo shoot.

Check out her pics in the photo gallery.

She is modeling everything from a 1940′s golden mink scarf to various lovely hats from the 50′s plus necklaces and cat’s eye glasses.

The dear little thing actually enjoyed all the attention as we adults got totally goofy.  She smiled through it all.