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)!
The Medical Alert dog tags have been around for a while. First mainly used for those with heart problems, the tags have found many uses as a way to notify emergency personnel of a patients health status. Now, medical id bracelets are becoming popular. These bracelets are even made to look like fine pieces of jewelry. Now you can look fashionable and potentially save your life at the same time!
This is the time of year when I ask my kids what they want to be for Halloween. I usually make all their Halloween costumes and Halloween invitations so I need plenty of time to prepare.
My 5 year old son wants to be Indiana Jones this year which will involve minimal sewing on my part. My 9 year old daughter wants to be something scary. I need to take her to look at patterns so that she can get an idea of what she wants to be. I love trying to find vintage patterns. I made my older daughter a Jane (Tarzan) costume from an old pattern I found on the web. If you are looking for something unique, try searching for Vintage Halloween Costumes on Google!
Just when you thought that you would never see those styles again, there back! Vintage swimwear is making a big splash again. Not only the styles, but the colors and patterns as well.
You can purchase a Marilyn Monroe type suit:
Or, a polka-dot vintage 60s style suit:
All images from Pin Up Girl Clothing.
I just came across this bit of trivia – Albert Einstein wore a Patek Philippe watch. Patek Philippe & Co. make one of the most expensive watches in the world! In 1839, Antoni Patek started making pocket watches in Geneva. In 1845, he joined with Adrien Philippe, a French watchmaker and Patek Philippe was formed. They made their first wristwatch in 1868 and have also developed the perpetual calendar, split-seconds hand, chronograph and minute repeater in watches.
One of the Patek Philippe watches was auctioned off for $1.49 million in 2008. Some of the popular pieces today include the Patek Aquanaut, Gondolo and Nautilus. These watches are usually priced over $10,000 each!
