Friday the 13th

Yesterday I had a half day from work so I went over to my old hood, Bushwick, to do some cheap vintage shopping.  Specifically I was on the look out for a denim jacket I can turn into a denim vest.  For those of you who don't know Urban Jungle, it's exactly like its name.  There was a moment, when rummaging through the racks with no a/c, I thought - why am I here?!?

 However my persistence paid off in the end.  I found 3 gems and spent only $18!  I'll show you what I do with the jacket tomorrow...

 

the Warriors

It's hard to imagine these days living without certain things - technologically speaking.  I know a lot of people would say they can't live without their smart phone or their car... or their movie subscription que.  For the past few months I've been living without a movie subscription which has forced me to revisit ones we already have.  I have to say that it's been pretty entertaining - since Mr. Z has a pretty extensive collection.

The Warriors is a movie I recently re-watched.  It's a cult classic and best of all, it's set and filmed in New York City during the late 70's.  Supposedly the film caused sporadic outbreaks of violence in Southern California and Boston, when first released in theaters (see info here).  The NYC gang "the Warriors" wear a uniform that may have inspired this popular pair, don't you think?

Images from here and here

PENN-manship

A few weeks ago I watched old movies like I was in a marathon of watching old movies.  Sometimes I just get in one of those moods, you know? Lying around like a lump with the radiator whistling in the background, munching on a bunch of snacks under a blanket - kind of mood.  There's a scene in the Seven Year Itch, where the characters are inside the OLD Penn Station.  My heart ached at the fact that we can no longer see this station as it was anymore.  Seriously aches.

This Thanksgiving weekend Mr. Z and I are taking a train ride to Philadelphia to visit my uncle(s).  There's something romantically nostalgic about getting on a train to get out of the city.  Back in Denver (or Chicago) I hardly used the train at all, but on the East Coast trains are definitely a way of getting around.

I'll be going to the new {but not improved} Penn Station to take the train to Philadelphia, wishing that I was alive to see the old Penn Station.  At least I can look at these photos.  Photos via New York Public Library.

Pillow talk

During my unemployed days, I made pillows and sold them on Etsy. So when we finally received our sectional a few weeks ago, I felt like I needed to apply that handmade touch to our living room. I'm not sure why I started searching for grain sacks, but that's where I started.  I love the rustic appearance of vintage grain sacks. I found a nice selection here. They are usually made out of sturdy canvas and the logos printed on them are so unique!  I wonder if the new bags are made the same way?  I made 2 for the couch but ended up placing one in the bedroom, because it didn't look quite right with the other pillows.

Wrecked street cars

The other day Mr. Z and I went to Fairway Market in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Red Hook is pretty interesting because it's very quiet and sort of desolate, dotted by artisanal shops, hangouts, and vacant industrial buildings.  After our shopping, we took a little walk to the water and saw these old street cars. They look like they were built in the late 40's or 50's, but not quite sure... I'd be great if these were functional now, but supposedly they were really inefficient and dangerous.  I just love the green/blue they were painted!  Here's a little history of the street car in Brooklyn. (photos taken with Hipstamtic)

RESCUED JUNK by old crow farm

Now that most of our boxes are unpacked, there's so much to do, so much to buy, so many decisions to make... and this is for a small space!  I can't imagine what I'd do if I had a whole house to make my own.  In the mist of looking for things to contain my sewing things, and possibly get me inspired to start making things again (eventually). I found this store on Etsy.  I especially love the way the products are shot.  The metal drawers caught my eye first.

Antiquing part 2

We were lucky to catch the Allegan Antiques Market while we were in Michigan. There were SO many things to look at my head was spinning! We found a wooden stool, coffee table, and a light fixture soon to be in our new home. This move is going to start a lot of projects...

Antiquing part 1

Last weekend Zach and I drove over to Michigan to visit his family and search for new/old furniture, for our soon to be new/old apartment. Unlike NYC, Michigan has been untapped of antique goods, and we were able to return home with great finds (for great prices). Though we were in search of furniture, I was distracted by all the vintage packaging. So simply designed these packages were and much more enticing than all the plastic packages we see today.  But I have to say that some of the products people used were questionable...

Instant film

I'm an instant gratification kind of girl... I love the outcome of good 'ol fool proof instant cameras. Here are some I took in Mexico this past winter.

Old sewing supply packaging

I love old sewing supply packaging. Here are a few I've ended up with through out the years.