July Finds: Playmates & Bathing Beauties

One recent find was an awesome 1970 issue Playboy "Playmates" calendar. Featuring a lovely array of girls in skimpy or completely missing outfits. I love the retro hairdos and the "let it all hangout" attitudes of the ladies.

This one is gonna get a sunburn on her fanny......

This is a "tamer" collectible. A vintage California pillow with some very modest seaside bathing beauties. These girls would never take off their clothes.

July Finds: part one

The merchandise is flowing into the Rita Deco Shop. July has been a great month for new fabulous finds! This is the recent stash of ceramic goodies. Lot's of solid mid-century pottery, decor, and tabletop. Available now in the shop. Stay tuned......more in the next few posts.

A wonderful 1950's apron to go with all that vintage kitchenware. This item is in pristine condition and features a retro western theme: "Jackson Hole - Wyoming"

A Message to BP Oil

Hey BP..........

(a special thanks to Lady Gaga for her participation)

Welcome to the World

Welcome....to the world of smartphones. After years of never wanting or having a cellphone.......I took the plunge and entered the world of mobile phones. I decided it was time to join the masses and become connected. I don't text. Let's get that clear right now. I will use this machine mainly for social networking, ebay, and websites. Oh yes....I will make a call occasionally.

I've spent a small amount of time "working" with the phone to set up screens and lists. I only labor for a short time and then put it away. The phone is smart....I'm not that smart. We are getting to know each other. But in one day....I linked my emails, found ebay and facebook, and made a few calls. I'll tackle more tomorrow!

Friday Stuff....

A couple of boxes arrived at the shop this week. Included were the following yummy finds:

An original 1960's "Napco" lady head vase....

Printed 30's sheet music: "Chong, He Come From Hong Kong"....

Two beautiful (older) Japanese figures....

A 1970's ceramic vase from Eduador. Made by Eduardo Vega (this is a nice piece!)....

Art deco "travel salt & pepper". Includes case and shakers....

English ceramic basket (about 1960)....

Vintage sewing skirt marker....

Makes A Teen A Queen !

North Portland Pickin'

This week I had another chance to "pick" a basement that was being prepared for an estate sale. I was let in to take first grabs before the sale began this weekend. It was heaven and I ended up with a truck load of good grabs. Below is a small sample.

Old and original world's fair souvenirs.....

An amazing original 1930's 'art deco' ceiling light fixture.....

Mid-Century glass and pottery finds.....

Carnival glass, miniature chairs, jewelry, and decorative ceramics.....

Footstool and various boxes/trims with girly-girl florals.....

1930's Royal typewriter with forest green keys!

Fabulous 1960's hand-tooled western handbag.....

This is just smidge of the cool finds. I will be showing more goodies in upcoming posts.

All available right now at the shop!

Sunday in Sandy

Last Sunday we traveled east to the town of Sandy. We went to the plant sale held by the Sandy Optimist Club. Local nursery outlets donated some outstanding trees and shrubs for this fundraising event. The prices were amazing for the size and quality of the plants. The sale will also be held this Saturday, May 8th. Located at Hwy 26 and Wolf Dr. at the east end of town. Hours are 9am - 5pm. Plenty of great plants still available.

These Japanese maples were only $15.00!

We stopped for a yummy breakfast at the Tollgate Inn restaurant. They feature a great breakfast menu and hearty portions. The complex features a restaurant, lounge, and large store and bakery. The store had cute retro gift items, books, and souvenirs. The bakery had fresh pies, cakes, muffins, bread, and cookies. This is worth a visit if you are traveling to Mt. Hood or central Oregon on Hwy 26.

Portland Pickers: Freestylin'

"Freestylin" is a vintage picker's term for driving and finding treasure without a map or plan. Last weekend, I went to a few sales that were on my list. I was out and away from home so I decided to "freestyle" on my journey back to the house. I stopped at a couple of very "un-advertised" driveway sales (you know the ones where people just drag a bunch of crap onto their driveway). I bought an amazing array of vintage photos from a man who had them in a cardboard box that he dumped on his driveway. There were many large photos including vintage fashion photography, old buildings, swimsuit modeling, pre-1920 family photos, military soldiers, and a packet of snapshots showing deep sea bell diving. I bought the entire box and was on my way! Here's a tiny sample of my "freestylin' finds".....

Portland Pickers: Part Two

Part two of the basement dig that happened on Friday. All of this stuff was found in a house in North Portland that's being emptied out before it's sold. Included were: a wonderful floral tea cart, mid-century lamps, round beveled mirrors, 1940's mirrored pictures, knick-knack benches and shelves, decorative planters, old 50's prints, retro glassware, and Xmas goodies. Everything is very clean and quite wonderful! All stock is now available on the store floor and ready to go home with you!