Buy of the Year 2014

I use to nominate Buy of the Year, just for fun.

The opevious winners are:
In 2009 a vintage immersion heater
In 2010 a vintage Pyrex measuring cup
In 2011 a lovely notebook from Etsy
In 2012, I forgot, oops
And last year it was my iPad on which I read my blogs daily.

I have never defined the nomination precisely, but in general it has to be something I have been especially happy for and which have made a difference in my life. So which buy fulfills the criteria this year? Well, it has been extremely expensive, but also incredibly fantastic. On 1 March I started working part-time, having Wednesday off, so it became my creative day. On Wednesday I relax, I am creative and my stressed brain calms down. So although it cost me about 20% of my salary (fortunately son moved just a months before, and believe me, teenagers do not come cheap), it is worth every penny, and I hope it will never end. Last spring I got my own creative room (son's old room), so now I have all my things and stuff at one place and can work on my projects while I listen to old records.

What I make? Well, many different things, a.o. this copy of a Kate Spade clutch, which I also made a tutorial for:

I play a lot with my old seed beads, which my beloved grandma gave to me as a child. I am so happy I have kept them. Here is a gift for a dear colleague:

Necklace and bracelet after a Russian pattern found on Pinterest. You can find many free patterns and tutorials there.

I paint and draw:

And I have made lots of Christmas card and to-and-from cards:

Decorated with glitter, rhinestones, and pearls.

And I've started sewing again:

On my old sewing machine, which my dad thrifted in a container about 30 years ago and repaired for me. It is so good.

Here I have sewed a top from a fifties pattern. PDF-patterns are brilliant, because it is instant-download, so you can buy a pattern and sew it right away. The fabric cost me about 3 dollars:

Yep, it is me! Finally, a photo of me on my blog. I hate photos of myself, so normally it is on Instagram you can see photos of me, because the photos are so small so you cannot see how old and unphotogenic I am. ;)

And here is a skirt sewn of fabric I bought about 25 years ago:

I really like it and would love to use the same pattern for another skirt in some wintery fabric.

My latest project:

A houndtooth skirt with big pleets:

Really nice and it doesn't need a petticoat since the fabric is very thick. It became a little too large at the waist, but I can change that next Wednesday. :)

ALT for Damerne, No. 48, 1963

Yesterday was my birthday. And precisely on my birthday ALT for Damerne (Everything for the Ladies), number 48, 1963 was issued. It is almost twice as thick as the magazines from 1955 I normally scan from, but there are also at least twice as many ads. I do want to say that there is also a lot more articles than in 1955. I don't know why, because I don't think the "ladies" had gotten more time. All scans can be clicked into larger formats. Although it is a Danish magazine, I hope my foreign readers will have fun reading my small recaps and get inspiration from the photos.

I cannot think of a more lovely cover for my birthday edition:

Yummi, my teeth are watering.

Letters to Everything and all:

Here are some great ideas for an advent calendar for mom, where her children instead of a drawing a little drawing write a task they will do for her - brilliant idea! A mom tells that she gives her little son a farm as an advent calendar, and there are lots for each day in December, counting the farmer himself, all his animals, fences, trees, etc. There is an advent calendar for the beloved ant, who is invited to a Christmas party. All sweet and useable.

Timeless everyday clothes:

The plaid skirt is indeed timeless, I've been looking for one like it for very long. But she can keep the round glasses.

Pattern on Fabric still existed in 1963:

This week a Jackie-like dress is offered. It will surely take you through all the Christmas festivities.

The earrings are back:

I didn't know they have been out, but here are a lot of nice ones for inspiration:

Mark your eyes:

Here is lots of good advice on care and makeup for your eyes:

Note the model's hair, the fifties are clearly behind us.

Decorate for Christmas:

Yep, Christmas is here before we know it, so here is some vintage inspiration:

The half Christmas tree on the door with the tiny golden ornaments is something I'll definately make one day.

Happy Santas in a ring:

Are you in need of a Christmas tree underlay, then you can quickly and easily make this one:

Here is the pattern for Mrs Clause:

Christmas gifts are easy to make yourself, and everybody will be happy to receive a pair of knitted boots:

Warm slippers are always nice to receive.

The best cakes in Denmark:

There is a lot of Christmas cakes and cookies, but since the recipes are in Danish, I've only scanned the lovely photos.

On to the ads, and there was a lot to choose from, and many in colour. Whipped cream works wonders:

I remember the school friend birthdays, when I was a kid. We were so happy to get cream horns with a little marmelade at the top. Simple, but fantastic.

Make every day festive with Taffel-chips:

I also remember a few dinner parties we attended at some of our parents' friends, where we were served chips for dinner. It was incredible! That kind of unhealthy sillyness was fortunately not for my mom.

Coca-Cola refreshes you best!:

And in a King Size bottle. I wonder how big it was, because the ad does not mention the size. I don't think it was especially big compared to modern bottles.

A watch in the kitchen is cozy and practical:

My mon had one like this for many years, I think it was named Peter. My clever dad repaired it several times, but a few years ago Peter had to give in.

Edet kitchen roll cleans the kitchen in a jiffy:

We are near the use-and-trash-era.

Fashionit, lovely twin-set:

I collect twin-sets, and have about 60,000 different.

Modern vacuum jugs from AWF:

Stop the time with Leciton soap. I really don't think soap prevents wrinkles.

Elegant, a set you collect:

And a classic - The Danish Weather is Ga-Jol Weather! It is still true.

New men's fashion from Richards:

From a time where a man did not go out of the door without shined shoes, and where shoe-shiners really was a job.

Paris, Part 2: Shopping

Last week I showed you photos from our trip to Paris, but what did I bring with med home, you ask? Normally, I never buy souvenirs, but in Paris I went all-in on souvenirs.

Of course I bought jewellery:

Two pairs of Eiffel tower earrings, a charm bracelet, a small silver charm for my travel bracelet, and a key ring DH gave me, while we stood under the Eiffel tower.

At home, I had already planned on finding a beautiful snow globe and an old fashioned souvenir scarf. Good old fashioned souvenirs, the way I like them. Here is the snow globe, which plays La Vie En Rose:

It looks lovely in my new room.

I ended up buying two scarfs:

First the black and white one, which I used in Paris, because the first two days were very cold. Later I found the perfect souvenir scarf in true fifties style. They only cost about 2 dollars each.

I also bought this lovely "pashmina" for only 8 dollars:

Nice quality and lovely woven pictures:

I have already enjoyed wearing it a few times. I just adore shawls, and have quite a collection.

And I simply had to buy a little box of Macarons with me home:

A few mixed souvenirs: a contour cut of myself, which I didn't even noticed the artist made, since I was looking at the mouse having her portrait cut. A small practical purse, nice to have in my pocket, and a funny, vintage, naked lade who dances hula, when you turn the knob under her feet.

DH found these lovely table mats, which have other pictures at the reverse side, so we have eight different motifs to enjoy:

We visited a wonderful luxury candy shop, where I bought a little, expensive box with French nougat:

But, we were in France! ;)

And I looked over the shoulders of all the artists everywhere, and ended up buying these two beautiful paintings:

In Shakespeare & Company I bought this lovely bag, which I think my needlework will live in, and two small books:

A reproduction of Make Do and Mend from 1943 and love poems. The books were also very espensive, so I had to behave.

A funny black and white watch in early sixties style:

A black and white hand bag, which I got for about 20 dollars:

It matches the black and white shoes I bought in Germany perfectly.

I bought an expensive newspare umbrella in La Fayette:

I had one about 30 years ago, and have missed it since.

I also visited an artist shop near our hotel. I looked around alone for a long time. It was lovely, and I "talked" with the sweetest elderly ladies, although they only spoke French and I don't. I bought a really nice sketch book and a watercolour palette with 18 different colours, which I look very much forward to trying:

And strangely enough, neither of the two were expensive.

And I bought dull, ugly shoes:

Because my feet hurt so much, so I had to buy myself a new pair. I first bought the beige pair for only about 13 dollars, and when I found out how comfy they were, I bought myself two more pairs. So now I am ready for walking on our future holidays.

Perhaps not the most exciting shopping, but then different, I suppose.

Next week I end my Paris theme with Nice and Mixed, so look forward. :)