Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Road Trip Treasure Hunt...

Dashboard flowers...in Yakima, Washington. 
Just a few of the finds..
Hundreds of eerie wind turbines...
Modernist 40's crepe gown in color blocked grey and turquoise. Waist 28"
Emily contemplating a meal at Dinty's.

Costume supposedly worn by Buster Keaton decorating the eclectic estate...
1930's Silk Chiffon Carnation print gown, waist 34"-available now in our Etsy shop.

A collection of wasp's nests decorate a bedroom...
40's illusion neckline evening gown, that just sold in the last half hour:)

In the throes of vintage passion....that's me deep inside a closet.
1940's Tropicana rayon Pake Muu Muu from the 40's.
Fringe Benefits...1960's Alfred Werber Gown-size 10.
1940's rayon jersey dressing gown in Schiaparelli pinks and black. Waist 28".
1940's Jean Carol Black Crepe Evening Gown with gold studs. Waist 28".
Last week my good friend Emily and I took a road trip up to Yakima Washington to go hunting for treasures. I had received a call earlier in the week from a woman whose mother-in-law had recently passed away. Her mother-in-law was an avid collector and artist, who had been collecting vintage clothing for most of her life. Her father-in-law was still living at the estate and needed help downsizing some of her massive collection. As with most estates, I never know what to really expect. When we arrived at the house we were thrilled by what we found.
First off, we were hungry. The daughter in law kept saying that Jim would make us lunch. In our minds we were thinking--he want's to make us lunch?! What if it's Oscar Meyer bologna on stale wonder bread? What if everything is old and dirty? We'd rather stick to our own meal plan....We tried to find a place to eat but we couldn't, finally we surrendered to whatever non-organic creepy confection Jim might have to offer.
 But we were SO WRONG!!! We get to Jim's and it looks like we walked into a Dear Golden blog post photo spread. There's this beautiful rustic wood table with exotic Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Oil Tortas and Dalamata fig spread. Jim has this massive wooden salad bowl that he's tossing this fresh organic green salad in and grinding garlic cloves. He even has opened a bottle of the prettiest white wine (unfortunately for me I don't drink). For desert he prepared this amazing coconut milk rice pudding with orange rinds...sooo good! Emily and I were in heaven, and we hadn't even started digging through the closets yet.
When it was time to start shopping it was fabulous but bittersweet. The woman who had worn and collected these things was so present in the home. Her sense of humor and creativity was everywhere. She was the kind of woman I always wished to be-- brave, creative, sexy and fearless. She was adored by many and very sorely missed.  Jim loved her to pieces. He showed us a gem stone cutter that he had used to replicate priceless jewels she had seen in W Magazine. She would cut out the picture and he would make her an exact replica. We were astounded by what he could make. He quietly said--"well, when you really love someone you just want to do anything for them".
I ended buying a whole car load of treasures.  Lot's of the kinds of things you just don't find anymore.  Beaded 40's gowns, rayon hawaiian prints...the stuff I dream of finding.
When we were leaving Jim said how thrilled he was that his wife's things were going somewhere where they will be loved and appreciated. He invited us to come back soon and dig some more (yes please!)
 I am so honored to be able to represent this beloved collection.

We will be posting pictures and trickling things into the shop and Etsy store over the next week or so...

Thanks for reading!


3 comments:

  1. Wow. I am speechless. I think what makes me most happy is knowing that Jim's heart doesn't have to be so heavy since now he knows his wife's treasures will live on. I need to come in and see some of these beauties in person...

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  2. wow! amazing find. collections like these are becoming unheard of these days!

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  3. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us! "well, when you really love someone you just want to do anything for them."
    What a dear.

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