Nursing uniforms have certainly changed from years ago. The traditional nursing uniform was a dress, apron and cap. The were originally derived from the nun’s habit. Before the 19th century, the care of sick and injured were often left to the nuns. When lay women were first trained as nurses, the uniform was first designed based on the nun’s habit.

Miss VanRensselaer, a student at Miss Nightingale’s School of Nursing designed the original uniform for students at the school which consisted mainly of a blue outfit.

Today, nursing uniforms are more varied and comfortable as can been seen here http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/. This uniforms as easier to clean, take care of and work in than the old style dress, apron and cap!

If you like modern furniture, then this will not be up your alley. A Nicholas Brown antique secretary that was originally made around 1760 was sold at Christie’s auction house for $12,100,000. This is the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of American furniture.

If you can find a Chippendale antique secretary originally made by the Goddard-Townsend family of cabinet-makers than you probably could make just as much money. It is believed that no more than seven were made.

Kourtney Kardashian recently revealed that for her son Mason’s first Halloween she bought him four Halloween costumes, one of which was a pirate. The boy is certainly a cutey and I am sure that Kourtney wanted to show him off. Of course, she may be sending out birth announcements soon since she is pregnant again. I guess her and her boyfriend Scott are back together again. Who knows why. I don’t think there are many people in America who like or trust him.

A cardigan sweater is a sweater that opens in the front, unlike a pullover sweater that has to be pulled over the head. It is most often machine or hand knit from wool or cotton. Both men and women wear various styles of cardigans. The sweater was named after James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, a British military commander, due to his heroism in the Crimean War. Since cardigans come in many styles and color they are always popular choices for men, women and children. I am always on the look out for good quality cardigan sweaters for the fall and winter seasons!

Nowadays, stereo cabinets are slick and small. But, do you remember the classic stereo cabinets? They had integrated speakers, a turntable and a big radio. When the cabinet was closed it looked like just another piece of furniture. These cabinets were popular for living rooms where they integrated well with existing decor. Isn’t this one a beauty?

What sold for a few hundred thousand dollars in 2005 and recently sold for $1.7 million in a Hong Kong auction? A Patek Phillipe watch of course. Quite a good investment!

The watch, made by a company that has been in business for more than 150 years, is the Sky Moon Tourbillon. Not only is it very rare, but very complex as well. The watch actually has two faces. The front is opaline white with gold hour indicators. There is a perpetual calendar, retrograde date, equation of time, time with hours and minutes and the moon phase. The other side of the watch has a celestial view.

Everyone I knew in the early 70s had one of these lighting fixtures in their dining room or over their kitchen table. The light could be pulled down and had a funky piece of metal in the middle. The one we had eventually rusted a bit and the pull down and up function did not work as well. They also were very easy to dent since they were made from aluminum.

These lamps are sometimes available on eBay and originally sold for $34 to $40. This picture is from a 1961 lighting catalog.

William Mathias Scholl decided that he wanted to devot his life to the “science of foot relief” and thus was born Dr. Scholl’s Shoes. He created shoes that fit better and would alleviate foot pain. Dr. Scholl received a MD degree from Illinois Medical College (Loyola) and then started his shoe buiness. The Exercise Sandal was introduced in the United States in 1968 and was instantly popular. By 1972, he had sold over one million pairs. The shoe, which was popular in the 60s and 70s, regained popularity again in the 90s.

Recently, MBT shoes has taken a similar concept and is having success. The uniquely designed sole achieves a more active and healthy posture and walk.

Did you know that The King of England is credited with making suede golf shoes popular? King Edward VIII was King of England from January to December 11, 1936 at which time he abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson (a twice divorced American socialite). His title then changed to Duke of Windsor and he loved playing golf. The shoe, a “reverse calf” or suede was worn in the United States by Edward. It never hurts to look stylish when you are hitting around some golf balls!

More than fifty years ago, the Desert Trek shoes from Clarks shoes were all the rage. These shoes were introduced in 1950 and based on boots that Nathan Clark’s army friends had purchased in Cairo. Later Clark would introduce the Wallabee, the classic shoe of the 70s (I had a pair)!