I remember from Christmas past the decorating of our family tree. My Mom would be in the kitchen baking cookies and making gravy (for you non-Italians that's sauce for ravioli, lasagna or spaghetti!). My Dad and my siblings and I would be in the living room decorating the tree. When we were too little to really help much I can remember my Dad making the tree look just right, even to the point of moving tinsel around so that it didn't look too clumpy.

As we got older, though, things changed. My Dad would set up the tree and get the lights wrapped on it. Then he would sit in his recliner and direct the decorating of the tree. He'd point out the spots that needed more decorations and we'd do his bidding. At the age of 13 I decided it was time to join my Mom in the kitchen and bake cookies. So my siblings continued to decorate the tree with Dad while I fled to the kitchen to spend time with Mom.

After we had all moved out my Dad took over decorating the tree alone again. One particular Christmas tree is very memorable, not for its beauty, but I'll get to that. Dad, being the engineer he was just had to have everything just right. He decided to take the garland and drape it on the tree so that there were diamond shaped boxes all over the tree. In each diamond shape box an ornament was hung.

I can say without doubt that this was the ugliest Christmas tree any of us had seen, but all Dad could see was the symmetry. When I had finished looking at the tree I went out where my Mom was again baking cookies. I sat down and asked her why she never decorated the tree and spent her time baking cookies (I might also add that when I was younger and helped her bake cookies I was allowed to cut them out but she decorated them).

She told me that there are just some things that a husband and wife are not meant to do together and in their household that thing was decorating the tree. When they were first married they had a Christmas tree decorated in silver and blue ornaments and it was beautiful. The next year they had their first child (me) and my Dad insisted on bringing some bright color to the tree. From that point forward the Christmas tree became my Dad's domain and my Mom channeled her creativity into other things (matching Mom and daughter dresses come to mind as well as Mom designing the programs for the local hospital auxiliary ball and of course baking cookies).

A few years later I married my DH. I thought he was about as different from my Dad as night and day. But then Christmas came. My artificial tree was found lacking so off we went to K-Mart to buy a new tree. Lo and behold K-Mart had a blue light special on Christmas trees while we were in the store so we bought a new tree. The lights were wrapped around each branch so that the wires didn't show. Newly purchased ornaments were hung on the tree (DH is colorblind so ornaments with their varying textures catch his eye more than Christmas balls). It was our first Christmas tree together and while it wasn't necessarily to my taste it was pretty.

As time went on and we moved to a two family house, Christmas decorating took on a new life. Lights were purchased. Each year (we've been married 25 years) we take a trip to Fountains of Wayne in Wayne, NJ to buy another piece for our Christmas display. When we purchased our home 20 years ago, we went all out and are now the proud owners of a full size nativity set (minus the camel that someone stole), Rudolph and 8 other matched reindeer pulling a Santa sled (of course the deer are attached to our deck to look like they are actually lifting off the ground), a North Pole sign, a snowman, two penguins and candy canes.

We've run the gamut of live versus artificial tree from year to year. Since our daughters were born we've had more live trees than artificial. Real trees bear the weight of our tree climbing cats far better than our artificial tree (the tree has a wire wrapped around the trunk and is hooked to two eye loops in the wall).

So what was I doing while DH and our daughters were decorating the tree? Yes you guessed it. I was out in the kitchen making Christmas cookies. I've relinquished my tree duty to my daughters. I have to say that while I thought I was marrying a man completely different from my Dad I did just the opposite. DH is just as obsessed with decorating the house and tree correctly as my Dad was. And somehow there is a lot of comfort in that.

Picks of the Week from Specialist Auctions Vintage



1. Black lace evening dress and matching jacket, c. late 1930s available at Kickshaw Productions

2. Vintage 40s STUNNING CEIL CHAPMAN Beaded/Sequin Crepe Evening Dress S available at Rising Phoenix

3. 50s Vintage Emma Domb Cinderella Gown Sequin Halter w/Pink & Blue Prom Dress S/M available at Wyoming Vintage

4. Vintage 60s Silk Chiffon Ruched Evening Dress XS, S Petite, Handkerchief hem available at The Merchants of Vintage

5. Vintage 1980s Black & Blue Glitter Dress B34 W32 H38 available at Born Too Late Vintage

Here's just a small selection of what's available at Born Too Late Vintage!

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

Born Too Late Vintage is having the sale to end all sales and will be closing its doors.

So if you love vintage clothing and accessories it's time to grab a bargain. Don't forget to use that haggle button!

Thank you to our many customers who have made it a pleasure to do business.

Born Too Late Vintage will be closing its doors.

So if you love vintage clothing and accessories it's time to grab a bargain. Don't forget to use that haggle button!

Thank you to our many customers who have made it a pleasure to do business.

Come to Love Train Vintage and check out our $20 or less category!

There's just something really sexy about a hat. See that sharp dressed man in the fedora with the perfect pocket square, spit polished shoes and debonair air? What about that woman in full bloom looking well loved in a pillbox? Nothing says sexy like a great hat.

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!



and

Need a gift for that sharp dressed man? Then check out what Born Too Late Vintage has to offer. Vintage and modern gifts priced to fit your budget!

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

Haven't found that perfect gift for your loved ones or yourself? Then come check out Love Train Vintage's selection of eye popping delights!

So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

Haven't found that perfect outfit for that party? Then you haven't checked out Born Too Late Vintage!

So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!

Each of them were striking in their own way. There was Eva, with her flashing green eyes and bountiful red hair in a dress of seafoam green brocade that hugged her luscious figure.


Vintage 1950s Seafoam Green Brocade Dress B38 W32 H44

Not to be outdone there was LaRue, with her violet eyes and coal black naturally curly hair in a putty brocade that complimented her broad shoulders, long waist and even longer legs.


Vintage 1950s Putty Brocade Dress B38 W32 H48


But let's not forget Helen, with eyes of brown and honey blonde hair in a mocha latte taffeta dress that accentuated her hourglass shape and tiny waist


Vintage 1950s Mocha Latte Taffeta Embroidered Dress B40 W32 H42

or Evelyn, the ice maiden with blonde hair, navy blue eyes and a gorgeous dark navy blue chiffon dress that showed off every one of her curves.


Vintage 1950s Dark Navy Blue Chiffon Dress B38 W32 H42

Now these friends could have easily been enemies, dancing their Friday and Saturday nights away at the Laurel Villa but besides beauty, they had brains and valued their friendship above everything else.

Now their dresses are available for you. Why not make some of your own history in one? Now available exclusively at

What is with the incessant talking?? Can’t a gown get a little shut eye? Who is this mysterious woman they keep saying is going to love me? They keep saying I’m right up her alley and that she should be in today. Lucky for me I’m hanging on a rack towards the front of the store and I can see each person as they come in. Heck, I don’t even need to see them because of that darnn bell they have attached to the door. Oh no it’s that kid again. What is it about bells that make little boys grab them and clang them as loud as they can. Can’t that kid see I’m trying to rest here??

Well here comes another customer in the door. The manager is greeting her like she’s a long lost friend and now she’s saying she hasn’t been in because of all the snow and her girls being home from school, as if anyone really cares about that. She’s making a beeline right to where I’m hanging. Nope, wait, she’s starting at the opposite end of the rack. Oh well I’ll be here forever. Doesn’t anyone like the 1960s anymore??!! She’s getting closer and frowning now. Guess she’s not finding anything to her liking.


Oh my. She’s spotted me. The manager is giggling and saying, “I thought that one would catch your eye. It’s right up your alley.” Oh my gosh she’s checking out all my crochet work and she knows her stuff. Boy that feels nice after all these years. What do you know, she’s checking out my label and getting all excited. Oh wow she’s putting me over her arm and walking towards the register! I’m free! I’m free! Boy this manager is just twisting me all around to find my price. My new owner is saying “let me fold this up.“ Boy her hands are soft and she knows how to handle a fine vintage gown like me. She’s stroking my crochet work and saying how amazing the work is. Ah it feels good to be handled so gently. Boy it sure feels good to be ooohed and ahhed over. It’s been so long. Here I go into the plastic bag. I wonder where she’s taking me. Gee I hope she’s going to clean me and steam me. I’ve almost forgotten how good it feels to be freshened up and presentable again.



Vintage 1960s Fred Leighton Hand
Crocheted Ecru Gown XS B30 W34 H40

When you have to get your groove on check out Love Train Vintage at Etsy.

What do you do when you're a creative sort of person and the thing you love doing the most starts getting a little stagnant and stale?

Well, you open another vintage store on another venue to make things exciting again. We've opened on Etsy under the name Love Train Vintage. We're offering a different sort of vintage on Etsy, more colorful, crafty and just a tad on the flashy side. You'll see new items there on a weekly basis and if we see something isn't being looked at then it's gone, so get it while the getting is good.

You'll find leather jackets, swing shoes, gowns, purses, hats and more waiting for you.

So when you have to get your groove on make sure to check out Love Train Vintage.

Very occasionally I will write about something personal that touches my heart. Today I'm writing about my husband's grandmother, Jane.

Jane passed away Tuesday at the age of 92. If you read her obituary you wouldn't have a clue how amazing her life was. It reads "she was a homemaker."

What is a homemaker? Well if you were Jane it would mean that you managed the household finances right up to the end of your life. It means you raised your four children and assisted in a major way raising your two oldest grandchildren. It means you buried a son and a husband and still found a way to continue on, although it was very hard. It means you helped your kids and their kids when times were tough and they had nowhere to turn.

It also means great family parties during the holidays, christenings, communions, confirmations, graduations, bridal showers and weddings.

Most of all what Jane was by being a homemaker was that she was the center of her family. While it will be more than difficult to live in a world without Jane, Jane has instilled in all her family the strength and guts to go on using what she taught us to get through this very difficult time.

I have had the honor of being married to Jane's oldest grandson for 25 years. I have seen many times the important things she taught my husband come into play in many difficult circumstances that we've dealt with.

So this is my tribute to Jane, great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, aunt, sister, cousin, grandmother-in-law and homemaker. I hope she knows what an impact she has had on all of our lives. We love you Jane.

Only two days left for the Sale at Specialist Auctions! Come choose from an array of vintage patterns, vintage dresses, vintage accessories, vintage compacts, vintage notions and vintage jewelry galore!



So what are you waiting for? Let's go shopping!

Today's the day! Fantastic vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories at great savings! The site wide sale at Specialist Auctions October 1 through October 17 All items $30 (17 GBP) or less!




So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!

You heard it right! One more day until the site wide sale at Specialist Auctions!

Looking for that special something? Can't find what you're looking for? Try looking somewhere different, somewhere new, somewhere exciting! Check out the vintage sellers at The Sale at Specialist Auctions.

Check out the great bargains in all sections! There's something for everyone!

I've been spending my Wednesday nights with my daughters watching Project Runway. My oldest daughter wants to be a designer when she's older and my youngest is also interested in fashion as well.

After watching the last several weeks we all have varying opinions on who we like, what outfits we've liked the best, however, there are two things that we all agreed on.

No more Kenley. At first we appreciated her vintage look, however, the first time she got snarky with Tim Gunn we were pretty much finished. What happened to having some manners? What happened to thinking whatever you want but keeping your opinion to yourself?

What happened to taking a great opportunity and learning from it? Tim Gunn is not some rube on the street who knows nothing about fashion. The three of us cheered when Tim finally took Kenley down a peg or two or three.

Instead we've been subjected to a whining primadona who should have been aufed for the horrendous construction of her "hip hop" outfit. The only hip hop I thought might be there was when Leanne had to hip hop to get into those pants. Granted Leanne could have played the hip hop part better walking down the runway but the three of us don't think anything really could have saved that outfit.

We'll all miss Suede. Even though we really didn't like the third person thing and we didn't like a lot of what he made, Suede gave his all on the runway when he sold the whole punk persona. We hope that Korto appreciated his generosity.

It's a blow out sale of dresses and gowns at Born Too Late Vintage!

All dresses and gowns are available at the best prices ever including our plus size dresses! Here are just a few examples of what we have available.


Vintage 1950s Pink Rockabilly Pinup Naughty Lucy Dress B 34


Vintage 1940s-1950s Tan Gingham Dress Plus Size 28 1/2 NOS B 48 W 44 H 52


Vintage 1980s Rockabilly White Rhinestone Dress & Jacket B32


So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!

And have you seen the patterns and buttons at Specialist Auctions Vintage??

So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!

Are you kidding me? When do the sellers stop at Specialist Auctions Vintage??

So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!

You mean still more sellers at Specialist Auctions Vintage??

So what are you waiting for?? Let's go shopping!