Donation Oddities: Group Therapy

The 60s were a weird time for everyone, man.  Take for instance this 1969 Group Therapy board game.  Players take turns pulling a "therapy" card, and then completing the exercise listed on the back.  Activities include crawling into the fetal position, dealing with criticism, and one of our personal favorites, singing personally to a fellow group member as you slowly rock them back and forth.

 Game night, anyone?

New Auction Window: How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

The price is up to you, dear friends, in this snow-filled silent auction window.  Vintage cuddlies (including a Steiff chimp, polar bear and alligator) huddle closely in the corner, while a "Hillbilly Shotgun Wedding" (Brayton Laguna pottery circa 1930s) proceeds merrily on an antique wooden chest of drawers.  

 

 Well-lit with a beautiful pair of crystal lamps and Tiffany style pink pendant lamp, an Arts and Crafts coin bank, bronze bear statue and hammered copper lamp sink softly into the snow mounds.

Auction ends at 8pm, Tuesday December 21.  Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register. 

Happy Bidding!

Designer Tie Preview

Looking for a great gift for your pop, bro or honey?  We're putting out our best and brightest designer ties for the holidays.

Styles include Hermes, Charvet, Gucci, Armani, Versace, Ferragamo, Fendi, Dior, YSL, Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren and more. Over 150 to choose from.

New Auction Window: Jadite Kitchen Dreamsicle

 

This kitchen is such a dream! From the milky green jadite pieces and translucent depression glass to the spicy Fiesta ware and Pyrex mixing bowl set, everything in here has us tumbling towards nostalgia--and fast.

 This rare and beautiful bakelite  flatware set, syrup pourer and creamy butter dish certainly aren't helping. Remember when mom made pancakes in the large yellow Pyrex?

Just take one look at this retro Kitchen Aid mixer, and tell us you aren't longing for the good ol' days.  We wouldn't believe you anyway!

 

Auction ends Tuesday, December 7 at 8pm.  Bids may be placed in person or over the phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.

Happy Bidding!

For Your Listening Pleasure: Tartan Horde's "Bay City Rollers We Love You"

Inspired by the daily complements we receive regarding our store soundtrack, FYLP is an ongoing series in which we highlight a current favorite shuffling through the iPod.

Let's face it, we all have our influences. But in 1975, Tartan Horde took devotion to a whole new level. Producing a sole 7" single for release in Japan (where we hear they're big), the kilted group let's us know just how impressed they are with one of the greatest pop groups of the '70s... the Bay City Rollers. A campy song that reminds of a cheerleader socks and homecoming games, let's hear it for Tartan Horde!

New Auction Window: Pug-alicious

Ooooh, an entire room stuffed with the most exotic treasures from the East--our favorite, of course, being the adorable pug cookie jars!

We love the way their frowning grins perfectly capture the harumph of many a pug.


Other treasures include the brass lotus candle holders, red lacquer bowls and a pair of "sheaf of wheat" lamps.




And what better place to stow exotic secrets than in an ornate chest, cabinet or box. This room features four such hideaways- a lacquered Coromandel chest, a mini carved cinnabar cabinet, and two sets of black lacquered boxes (with either red or gold detailing).


The William Morris stretched fabric, pair of Oriental prints and tramp art stool are also available.

Bidding ends Tuesday, November 16 at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.
Happy bidding!

Meet Allison

Allison is perhaps best described as our resident Greek goddess (at least that's what one customer claims). A fitting title for the future Mrs. Kirstein, considering she studied Greek and Roman classics at Skidmore. Allison's background in the liberal arts (and antiques!) made her a perfect match for our books section, where she's been laying the smack down since 2007. Since she's a native Manhattanite, we wouldn't recommend bringing any sass into Allison's library, or she's bound to lay the smack down on you. Offer her a genuine complement instead, and she'll turn as sweet as pie--although, we hear she prefers eclairs.

Stop in and say hello to Allison.

For Your Listening Pleasure

Inspired by the daily complements we receive regarding our store soundtrack, FYLP is an ongoing series in which we highlight a current favorite blasting through the iPod.

Nothing gives us more spooky spirit than an age old tale of monster love. Screeched out by the decadent Lord Sutch, the surprise ending is definitely a Halloween treat.
Enjoy!

New Auction Window: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hats Club Band

Allow us to introduce to you Sgt. Pepper's lonely hats club band! Each of the vintage lamps (a swiveling chrome floor lamp and two of the mod white variety) wears a corresponding hat; there's a British Bobby helmet, an interesting Spanish Civil Guard bicorner, and near the back wall, a vintage fire chief's cap.


Also available are the set of four Niels Moller chairs (high bidder gets the option of eight) and a charming 1950s Black Cat fortune telling game.

Auction ends Tuesday, November 2 at 8pm. Bids may be placed in person or over the phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.

Happy bidding!

Fall Preview: Our Best Vintage and Designer Bags

Beginning this Friday, Oct 22, we'll be unhoarding our amazing collection of vintage and designer bags in a special fall preview. Below, a few of our favorite bags and trends:

Luxe leathers look great with statement making hardware. The ultimate in downtown luxury.


The New Neutrals are muted and warm, from barely there blush to mushroom, oyster, taupe and tan.


Tribal Textures add a wild streak to your everyday ensemble. Animal skins, leopard and pony hair are right on trend for fall.

The Classic Satchel is making a huge comeback thanks to Proenza Schouler's PS1 and the ubiquitous Celine bag. Get the look for less with vintage Dooneys and Coach. (We've got a great selection!)


From totes and handbags to satchels and convenient crossbodies, a list of some of the labels you can expect to see:

Adrienne Vittadini
Blumarine
Bottega Veneta
Carlos Falchi
Coach
Cole Haan
Dooney & Bourke
Francesco Biasia
Gucci
Hayden-Harnett
Mark Cross
Michael Kors
Monsac
Mulberry
Louis Vuitton
Prada
Stella McCartney for LeSportSac
Yves Saint Laurent
and more...

Model Coco Rocha Loves Vintage Thrift

Coco Rocha illustration by Lyndon Hayes, via NYMag

We love the fact that industry insiders--designers, models, celebrities and stylists alike--consider us their secret little hot spot. In this week's New York magazine, top model Coco Rocha gives us a shout out as one of her go-to retro stops.

You might recognize the Canadian beauty from her high-end ad campaigns (think Chanel, Dior, Lanvin, D&G etc) or her many mag covers, like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, W, Dazed & Confused and Numero.

Earlier in the week, we spotted not one, not two, but THREE buzz worthy models perusing our aisles. There must be something in the water.

New Auction Window: The Velvet Opera

As if enclosing the scene of a secret opera, the sateen curtains draw back to reveal a room full of treasures. The plaster kitten and graceful porcelain hands vie for the spotlight, but it's the plush pink club chair and starburst clock that really steal the show.


Supporting roles go to the over-sized, wall mounted mirror, a set of two 1950s crystal lamps, and a vintage uranium glass ink well.
At the end of the night, only one word can be heard and that's
"Bravo!"

Auction ends at 8pm, Tuesday October 19. Bids may be placed in person or by phone (212-871-0777) on the auction clipboard near the register.


Happy Bidding!

Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah

Today, we are closed for Shemini Atzeret, the "assembly of the eighth" day. It is perhaps best explained as a sort of residual celebration reserved for those of Jewish faith following the conclusion of Sukkot (a holiday intended for all peoples). The day after Shemini Atzeret is known as Simchat Torah, the "rejoicing of the Torah".

Throughout the year, a few chapters from the Torah are read at synagogue each week. Beginning with Genesis I and closing with Deutoronomy 34, the final chapters of the year culminate on Simchat Torah. The cycle is immediately begun again (with Genesis I) as a reminder that the Torah is a never-ending circle.
An image of the Torah.

Simchat Torah is a time of great celebration. There are processions of the Torah around the synagogue, as well as much singing, dancing, and drinking. Like any good holiday, work is not permitted.

You know, a person could really get used to all of these three day holiday weekends.
(Don't worry--we'll be back on Sunday.)

Martha, Martha, Martha!

On Monday we attended the live broadcast of Martha Stewart's special on consignment and thrift store shopping.

The set was even more beautiful in person (the lighting situation was particularly spectacular), Martha was charming as usual, and OMG... Iris Apfel was the special guest!


Iris styled several mannequins in her signature look (bold separates complimented by even bolder accessories) and discussed how she first fell in love with fashion on a shopping trip at age 11. Martha joked that little Iris wears 25 lbs of jewelry--judging by those heavy bangles and multi-stranded beads, we're not sure how much of a joke that is.


Other guests included international model Tatiana Sorokko and designer Ralph Rucci showing off a few of Tatiana's favorite vintage pieces. Cited as one of the "best dressed women of all time" by Harper's Bazaar, 60 pieces from Tatiana's personal collection are currently being shown at the Phoenix Art Museum.


All of the audience members were bedecked in their best vintage, consignment or thrift store finds. The Martha assistants liked our look so much, they gave us prime second row seats, next to the live Martha "tweeters." The leopard jacket, floral pin and vintage rings are all from Vintage!

The Martha Stewart Show airs weekdays on Hallmark Channel. Check your local listings for showtimes.