a darling dress liebemarlene would like

With her identifiable style, Rhiannon, who is cute and clever, is much admired at funkoma for her dedication to her muse, her style and her love of history.......

So when I saw this little cutie at the estate I had to buy it....as I buy for my shop or my listings I imagine the customer that might like it......I only buy for a few types of people....
My audience is mostly a bit older, has a pretty good idea of what fits her or him, what style they like....willing to step outside the "comfort zone" as times change and new inspirations excite them....but 2 things always are paramount:
1. Fits well, looks good on the body and is decent quality.
(meaning not a Wal-Mart shopper looking just for cheap and quick)
2. A sense of personal style, not the traditional (or trendy and unattractive) mainstream fashion in the mall today.
(meaning a sense of romance, self-assurance, and personal confidence)


liebemarlene has all these things....her love of old movies and movie stars of days past, romantic notions in jewelry and shoes, and vintage clothes with humor, sweetness, and last-ability.
******cute collar, buttons and lace ******

******ties in the back ** mini length ******

******coral gray and white floral stripe****full skirt ******

******it's a Chubby ! ******

*****now in my etsy store ---->clicky over there ---->

Clothing used to be sized for many different body types from the 40s thru today...but there were more categories than average, petite, and tall....
There was Btweens, for the "mature" figure, with a larger and lower bust line, in addition to Misses sizes.
In the 50s, Junior sizing really got going as teens became more fashion-conscious....you remember Bobby Soxers? Before the end of WWII teens mostly dressed as miniature versions of their parents. Post-war, things changed as folks got back to living a normal fun life, partly to shake the blues of The Depression and the war years.
There was chubby sizes for both boys and girls.


Tho all fashion is disposable, the garments we choose and buy, should be "used up", that is, recycled and worn by one generation and then passed on to another generation.
That requires some thought and planning, a sense of caring about the past and the future, and the willingness to be different from the crowd.......and that's where confidence comes in to the plan!

A Redhead, A Brunette and A Blonde

were wearing new dresses they sewed themselves.....and the Blonde said:
"I must be made of honey because the bees are buzzing around me!"
the Redhead said: "Oh you're made of ....it .....alright, Charmaine...."
the Brunette sighed wistfully, noticed the word "Easy" hovering over Charmaine's head...... and kept her thoughts to herself......



Do you look at vintage pattern envelopes and write a script? I sure do!

The uncles and the dads were standing around watching the old black men barbeque.....
It was a hot summer day, and for once they were very glad to be guests at a picnic, rather than the cooks!
"The wives won't let us near the kitchen stove, but stick a Barbeque unit in the backyard and suddenly we gotta be the Chef of the Great Outdoors. Where's my scotch?"


The kid was just wondering how long this creepy boring family picnic was gonna last.....
"I gotta get over to Charmaine's house and watch her make ice cubes.
And why'd Mom make me wear this dorky shirt like all the rest of my relatives. Why am I the only one who has a V on the hem? What's that mean any way?"


The B,B & R dress pattern is on etsy........and the shirt pattern is missing pieces so I won't sell it.....but the other dresses and stuff are on ebay starting July 24th at 9:30 am. Several vintage 50s, 60s and 70s dress patterns are up on ebay and etsy.
Just click the pics!!

A fab 'n oh so cute Wrap Dress....reversible if you want....



I'm in LOVE with this pattern....Look how the necklace slips through the bound buttonhole on the cowl neckline.....Clever !





I love these bodice treatments....so darn cute and cooool !



Hot Hot HOT 40s style halters....just add a wiggle skirt or sailor jeans !
Mmmm.....Perfect for car shows.....Like HotRod A Rama in Tacoma...
Aug 1 & 2 ...at the Swiss

Listening to Joni Mitchelll ....again.....

Ladies Of The Canyon...on vinyl....just youtube or google that and listen.....
these are the songs of my supple girlhood...when I was a Woman in Training....
Willy still gives me the big chills.

I had a boyfriend when I was 20-21 yrs old.
Ben Taylor. Artist. Flake. Sex. Pot & Hash. Too much money from a prominent family.
He introduced me to many things. He was my first big city boyfriend....we spent a lot of time in SF. And he was my second unrepairable broken heart. Big Time. That one took years.....but I learned what I liked and didn't like in a man. So that's why I knew the instant I laid Eyes on Mark.....he was The One For Me For Always. Thank goodness we were both single.

And Rainy Night House. Spooky.
For Free. You won't ever pass a street busker and think the same again.
This .....and more is why Joni is a Visitor From Another Planet......
that's what I call people who are too talented .....for the planet...they seem to come from some other place.....and they grace us with their presence and presents.....and we are mostly undeserving.........
And of course, Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock....
The Circle Game.
Joni and I both had children far too young.....we chose different paths to cope.
I kept the baby, she kept the faith.

You deserve a little break today.....

I'm too busy to keep up with all my social obligations...and I have no time for Facebook....it's likely full of Happy Shiny People That Went To University......
so.....go here for a great laugh your ass off........
Photobombing on Facebook........via bitsandbobbins.

and the ever popular ENGRISH.....I especially Chingrish.....like much....I would then hug coleslaw.

I Can Make You Happy !

One of the best things about funkoma vintage is that folks find things here that make them soooooo happy....
Old records they have always wanted....
Record players....
crinolines....
gingham dresses....
vintage t shirts.....
vintage bowling bags....
me !!
I was regalling the sweet Shannon and the jumpin' Jessi......with tales of vintage music......I am nothing if not arrogant about growing up in the SF bay area during the Free Speech movement, Black Panthers, Mario Savio, Bettina Apthecker......Grateful Dead, Moby Grape, Country Joe, and Stanford and Berkeley and all that and the bridges.....and It occurred to me recently.

that a Left Coast girl I am and always will be......I will always live in sight of
the Pacific Ocean and near a bridge or 2.
From the saltwater I came and so I shall return....

So may I take you on a little trip today???
(Jerry, I am so sorry I missed your show at the Swiss...I was so f'n tired that night...being a vintage pimp is hard on a girl)
Let's start with Moby Grape....
8:05 remains one of my fave songs....on this vid...you have to zip ahead to 3:30.....but listen to Mike Douglas....
and try to imagine what it was like to be cool and surrounded by squares.
tho Mike Douglas is pretty cool despite all appearances....(The Moby Grapes !!)
take my word for it.....


OK the other thing on my mind is the Surrealist theme for ZeitBike
There will be a public judging of the bikes on Third Thursday Artwalk at the Tacoma Art Museum....May 15
.....which Mark will enter .....
So, when I got the artlist email, I first thought of duh,
Jefferson Airplane's Surrealistic Pillow !
and Marty Balin is so underrated as a sexy moody evocative singer...
I could listen to these 2 bottom songs below again ....and again....
And then there is the Red Octopus album....which has the classiest song ever that sings of cunnilingus....yeah, I said it....clam dip....muff diving...for pearls...


Now this is music to make love by....a 7 minute song from Jefferson Starship...Miracles
Yeah if you can't get your Happy ON in 7 minutes...check your pulse.....

mmmm, Where's Mark right now ?????

A little Jefferson Airplane....




and finally, It's A Beautiful Day.....yes......and the group.....
Shannon found a serviceable copy....she's a happy girl !!!!

Thanks for the publicity

When Alan Gorsuch was sued for fraud and misrepresentation in 1999 in the Titanic boat ticket auction, one of the reasons why he was found guilty of fraud and misrepresentation was that it was seen that he misrepresented the possible value of the ticket.
The man who originally sold the ticket to Alan had no clue what the possible value might be. Alan allowed the man to "name his price". He did. Alan auctioned the ticket.
Made bank. Big Big Bank.
How to judge if something was a case of fraud is that a buyer of the widget has to prove they did the best they could to give the seller of the widget a fair price. The court found Alan didn't do that.

When I was taking law classes, in my Litigation class, we studied the Gorsuch case as one that is so Crystal clear about what constitutes legal fraud.

I think about this all the time. I buy stuff. But unlike Gorsuch, I have little expertise in anything but crackpots, liars and vintage clothes.
Oh, I also know a lot about children, gardening, and marriage.
I know a lot about loyalty.
I know a lot about Good Faith.


If you want to read the trial documents and make up your own mind, click the link!
Court of Appeals Division II State of Washington
Opinion Information Sheet

Docket Number: 26013-1-II
Vern Westby, Respondent
v.
Alan and Cheryl Gorsuch etal, Appellants

Pierce County Superior Court Civil Case 99-2-08134-5

Case Title:	VERN WESTBY VS ALAN GORSUCH ET AL
Case Type:	Commercial
Access:	Public
Track Assignment:	Standard
Jury Size:	6
Estimated Trial Length:	4.0 days
Dept Judge:	09 SERGIO ARMIJO
Resolution:	12/14/2000 Jury Verdict after Trial
Completion:	03/09/2001 Judgment/Order/Decree Filed

Here's Why I say "You Kids......"

I always say things like:
You kids.......
Hey kids....
The youngsters of today......
Somebodies kids......
And people look at me like I"m outta my mind.....
which I am.......
But here is why.......
Also, I tend to like almost everyone...
while being true to my opinions about things.....
Sly & the family stone......has always been one of my faves....
prolly from growing up in the BayArea......
So, Here's why I say.......You kids, etc....and my philosphy of life....
be kind, be ironic.......and dance you monkey..........