Mimomito

Sorry I have been MIA for quite awhile. I've joined a new blog called Mimomito and I'm handing all of my Mid-Century related info to that. Check us out. :)

Mexican and Japanese people of the 50's

I've been collecting a lot of popular magazines from the 1950's and 60's and it breaks my heart that there are zero people of color in ANY of the magazines. I decided to do a little research about what some of the people from my cultures were lookin' like in those days.


This is a Japanese house wife. Still abiding by the American 1950's gender roles.








These are men that are working on a film crew.










Japanese prostitutes.








A lovely Japanese pinup girl.




















A Mexican woman in 1960. Lookin' so beautiful!















A dance in Mexico.


















Mexican American mother and daughter.

I'm from California and in Los Angeles members of the Mexican American community are still heavily involved in Rockabilly culture. Here are some beauties from Los Angeles.

...And apparently there is a Rockabilly scene in Tokyo, too. That's pretty awesome!

It was a graveyard smash!

I am getting jealous of the Halloween decorations that all you lovely bloggers are putting up. I've made it a goal to collect more while I'm out thrifting/ yard sailing. Since I don't have cool retro decorations, I thought I'd talk about one of my favorite things about Halloween.

Of course, I just love Bobby Boris Pickett's "Monster Mash". I was just about the only kid on the block who prefered doo wop, 50's-60's music and rockabilly jams at the age of five. Both of my parents were into the Pachuco style, so of course I inherited their great taste in music. Given that ... Monster Mash was always an October hit in our record player.

I was listening to other covers (including Misfits) and there is nothing like the original. 'Tis the best!

Kitchen Table

So, right when I moved into my new house I picked this baby up at a yard sale for 20 buckaroos. The chairs were in terrible condition and needed to be reupholstered, but 20 bucks for a 1958 formica dinette was just too good to pass.

I am usually a very comitted gal and I loved the table dearly, but I just couldn't help myself from having a wandering eye. When I stumbled across an ad for a "retro table" on Craigslist in a nearby town I knew that I had to check it out. The photos weren't that good, but I could already feel the strong connection between the table and I.

I drove 45 minutes with my good friend Jenn to check the table out and as soon as I saw it I knew that it was love at first sight. I seriously got emotional because it was the most beautiful table I'd ever seen.



This is my new love ... say hello! She has original vinyl and my boyfriend cleaned what little rust that she had off of her legs. Looks brand spankin' new, especially for a gal that is approaching 60 years of age.

The table was was purchased by the mother of the woman who was selling it. Her husband only wanted new things in their home and said that this outdated table had to go. *swoops*





A blemish free cracked ice table top.














I bought this step stool at Goodwill for 10 dollars, so that my table can have a matching friend in the house. Isn't it a cutie?














Oh, and don't worry about my last table. I sold her to a nice lady from Craigslist and they hit it off right away. Happy endings all around!

Wear ever cookie press and frosting tips

I'm in the process of collecting more mid-century goods for my spot at the 57th st Antique Mall and I've been thrifting almost every day. It has been totally awesome and I can see myself doing this for quite some time (depending on my sales, of course). Anyway, while I was a the Goodwill two days ago I came across this awesome cookie press. This is a photo that I found online, mine is actually in a lot better condition and I didn't spend 100 bucks.

I can't wait to use it. I will be sure to share photos of whatever I create with it.

party ware

Yes, we all love vintage Pyrex, Fiestaware and Franciscan ... but lately I can't get enough of Melamine and Melmac stuff. I want it all (in turqouise, of course) and I have been hoarding it like crazy. Most of it is for resale, but I just think that it is so darn cool and completely practical.

Eventually I will have an awesome set like this --- except mine will probably be mismatched because I'm not tryin' to spend $230 :

This is one of my favorite sets that I have for sale. If I collected orange dishware, I'd totally want to keep it. I love Birds of Paradise!

Oh, Texas Ware, Dallas Ware, Russel Wright Ware, Miramar, etc ... I love you!

I love to dance!

It's true! I just love it. I have taken some swing classes (I'm still pretty terrible) and it is way too much fun. Unfortunately I have not been able to make it to as many classes as I'd like, but this Friday I am finally going again. At this point it looks like I am even going alone ... unless you'd like to join ;) Midtown Stomp is having a 300th dance celebration and this band will be playing 50's swing tunes

Phat Cat Swinger - Rock Around the Clock / Video by Vim Crony from Vim Crony on Vimeo.

Here are some of my favorite dance videos to get you inspired to come out and dance with me:

Lindy Hop - this is so flippin' intense. Could you imagine moving your body like that?




This 50's swing video is pretty awesome. I love all of the clips.



Lastly, I'd like to share this jitter bug silly instructional video. It is very cute!

I'm a hustler baby, I just want you to know ...

I have recently begun my side project of finding cheap mid-century furniture and other goodies at yard sales/ thrift stores and selling them to people on Craigslist. It has been pretty fun and successful so far. Yesterday I picked up six Danish chairs for $15 (that are in need of some serious work) and immediately listed them on Craigslist for $125. I have five people interested in paying full price for all six chairs - broken and all. It is nuts!

Here are some photos:

Life Magazine 1955-1965

I was browsing the shoe section of my local thrift store (called Thrift Town) when I saw a guy sitting down reading old magazines. I nearly snatched them out of his hands, but I remained patient and decided to loiter around the shoe section until the man either bought the magazines or put them down. Lucky for me, he put the whole lot down. They were each $2.99 (and I had a $5 off coupon) and I bought the best condition seven.

Here are some ads from the 1956 issue (that I actually forgot to take a photo of).

For some reason this photo wants to be on it's side, so I'll let it

recent kitchenware finds

This was a house warming gift from my old neighbor Jeff. I'm not sure when it was made, but I think that it is so freakin' adorable! It was left in the house that he purchased from a little old lady that had lived there for 30+ years.















I found this Pyrex dish for five bucks at an estate sale not too long ago. It came with a darling stand to warm up whatever you prepared. I don't know too much about vintage Pyrex or serial numbers, but I just love this color.
















On Saturday I met this really awesome guy that was also a collector. He was a having a yard sale for all of the things that he hadn't been able to sell on EBay and I bet he racked in the dough. We chatted a bit and he invited me in to show me all of the awesome furniture that he and his partner had found at flea markets, yard sales, etc. They seriously have a great eye! Anyway, while in his house I saw this cute dish and he said he really didn't want it anymore and sold it to me for $2. It is going to look great on a coffee table (if I can ever afford one). :)






















I found a bowl, and two plates in this pattern for 50 cents total. It matches a recent Goodwill find of the cups and saucers. The brand is Taylor Smith and Taylor and the I've seen the design called "Jamaica Bay" and "Cathay". If you know the difference, please share.





















Patrick and I drove to Placerville yesterday and stopped at some yard sales. I found this for 50 cents. I'm not sure what I am going to do with it. Maybe use it for lemonade? Iced tea? The possibilities are endless.