Thursday, December 18, 2008

A Reason To Give Thanks

The merchants here in Waynesville have been helping the Village government collect toiletries and supplies for the troops in an effort called Give Thanks and We'll Thank You. From Hearth Warming Holidays in November through Christmas in the Village at the beginning of this month, we've been collecting both donations including monetary ones in exchange for a chance to win one of some great giftbaskets filled with items from the merchants of Waynesville and put together by the lovely ladies at The Pretty Pooch.

I am so thrilled to be able to say that this collection has been a huge success. So many people have been so very incredibly generous and supportive of their troops. A number of people in our shop alone donated while declining to even enter in the raffle. We raised a little under $250, many many cards and a huge amount of toiletries.

I would like also to thank all of the merchants who worked hard to get the word out, the very wonderful people who donated so generously and the people up at the Village offices who have always kept the troops and their needs close to their hearts. Most of all, Mom and I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who are serving, have served or who supports a loved one's service for all of the sacrifices and hard work that you have and continue to put forth in support of this wonderful country, keeping all of us safe each day. Thank you so very, very much. May God bless you and may you have a very Merry Christmas (or other holiday that you celebrate) and a very wonderful New Year.

If you missed this donation drive but would still like to donate to the troops, just contact the Village office in Waynesville, Ohio at 513-897-2025. If you aren't from around here but would like to help, contact your local American Legion post or your National Guard. I am sure that they can help you find someone who is collecting close to your home.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

A Vintage Christmas Tree: Shimmering Ceramics

If you live in a small space where you just can't fit a real tree (using the term in a relative sense) a great alternative is a collectible vintage ceramic tree. They are also a great item to collect. You can scatter them around a room or group on a table, buffet or mantle for more impact.

One of the most popular manufacturers was Atlantic Mold. Because they were sold as molds there is a wide variety not only of shapes and sizes but also of different color combinations. White, aqua and pink tend to be the most highly prized, particularly when it is accented with gold. The trees generally come in two ceramic pieces. There is the tree itself and then a base that hides the light and often a music box.

One of the niftiest things about these little ceramic trees are the little plastic "bulbs" that you can put on them. They light up in the same manner as a light-up house but with little holes that you can plug up with these little clear plastic bulbs. They come in an array of colors and such different shapes as bows, holly, birds (these are one of the more common shapes), flowers, etc and toppers like angels and stars. Some even are glittery! Because they are collectible too, don't despair if you find a tree you love that does not have bulbs, it might take a little work (they sometimes are a little harder to find), but you should be able to find replacements. Plus, you can pick out whatever ones you like best with your tree.

These trees depending on size and glaze, bulbs (which are collected themselves) and the nature of the base range from the easily affordable $15-$20 range to close to $200 for a more spectacular tree. Of course this is a loose range. But an inexpensive tree might make a great gift for someone in a dorm.


Right now we have four different ceramic trees. None of ours are musical but we do have some really nifty ones.

First of all we have a rather traditional and more common plain green tree on a wreath design base by Atlantic Mold. It is decorated with little multi-colored bird bulbs.



This second tree is actually rather unusual because it is so tiny. Its mini bulbs are even more minute than on a standard ceramic tree. Its white color makes it even better.



Finally, we have our two best finds. The little white one is great with its pale green, almost aqua accents. It is lacking bulbs but I think that it would look lovely with some of the same bulbs as on our best tree, the large craggy white with gold accents. It has clear twisted bulb shaped bulbs with gold glitter inside. There are one or two on the tree but the others are squirrelled away in a little bag attached to the cord. It has a vintage large red bulb inside that gives it a pinkish look when lit.

A Vintage Christmas Tree: Jewel Brites, Glitter and Glue

In addition to those great vintage glass Shiny Brite type ornaments, there are some other great non-glass vintage ornaments out there that will help to brighten up your vintage Christmas theme. There are all sorts of great handmade ornaments like the little glittered and sometimes decoupaged styrofoam ball ornaments, those great beaded and sequined old satin kit ornaments, egg shell ornaments and felt ones...whatever the muse led someone to create.

There are also a number of ornaments made by a company called Jewel Brite which just capture the whimsical nature of a midcentury Christmas quite like them. They specialized in 3D scenic ornaments. They come in a range of designs like lanterns and tear-dropped with all sorts of different items inside. There are nativity and town scenes, poinsettias, spun cotton angels, snowmen and santas. Many of which are just darling.

Take a peak at our vintage tree (it was the one Mom's parents used when she was growing up) bedecked with a variety of vintage ornaments.










Here are some more great vintage ornaments, in particular some fantastic beaded ones, on our vintage aluminum tree.

Friday, December 12, 2008

A Vintage Christmas Tree: Shiny Brites and Baubles

One of the essentials to any vintage-inspired Christmas is the tree and its ornaments. There is something about the old glass ornaments especially that adds such a cozy note to your tree. We have just gotten a bunch of "new" ones in...and just in time too because our little gold tree was definitely beginning to get that Charlie Brown look to it. As we have started our business and continued to acquire vintage treasures for it we have come to realize that there are just so many different types.

However, as you can see it is quite full again now. I think we might have to see about finding another metal tree. (We are both too scared to put them out on a regular tree...it would be our luck we'd brush against it and send them all to the floor.)










One of my personal favorites that I could not part with is a little geisha girl ornament from the 20s-30s. She is just so sweet in her pale blue and pink and I love the little touches of glitter here and there on here. She is unmarked and while I have researched and tried to identify her I have not yet found one like her. Mom has been worse than me. There have been a number of stencilled glass ball ornaments that she has been unable to part with. One in particular that we both thought was just the neatest thing was an Italian teardrop Santa face with a little mini red glass bulb nose.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Yummy Christmases Past

We have a bunch of nifty vintage cookbooks in right now, many of them with an emphasis on entertaining and parties. One of these is an old wire-bound Betty Crocker's HOSTESS cookbook: Guest Tested Recipes and Party Plans for Every Occasion.



Since Christmas is coming up I thought I would give you a "taste" of some of the yummy recipes and helpful tips inside!



Here are some scrumptious looking desserts...I can attest to the absolute yumminess of the Buche Noel...my older brother had to make one for a foreign language class Christmas party in middle school and we've been making it on and off ever since. Smaller ones are great for the little baking exchange that we do on our street each year but they are also great for teachers, friends, hostesses, and parties. I personally can't stand cherries so we sometimes mix it up and have either a cream cheese and strawberry or a cinnamon-sugar apple filling instead. My Grandma also used to make the Yule Log cake... Seeing that picture makes me think I should ask her to make another one this year!




This book also has some great decorating ideas, like making these wreaths:

Vintage Better Homes and Gardens Sweet Dolly Christmas

Right now we have a copy of the vintage Better Homes and Gardens Birthdays and Family Celebrations book. I just could not resist sharing some of it with you!



Here the dollies are busy making their cookies and candies together for Christmas. Aren't they adorable?



Isn't this vignette of the little doll family gathered around the Christmas table charming?

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Sales and New Early Bird Specials

From now through Christmas, Trendy Bindi's Boutique, as well as Red Barn General Store and the Peddler House will be opening early on Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. From 9:30 a.m. through 11:00 a.m. we will each be running different promotional sales.

For example during Christmas in the Village, this coming Friday and Saturday, we will be taking 25% off any Christmas items and 20% off the rest of our merchandise from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Each week the sales and discounts may vary so be sure to check us out!

Also, on the day after Christmas our three S. Main St. shops will be be having a huge blowout sale from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. December 26, 2008. For our shoppers, Trendy Bindi's will be offering 50% off of all of our vintage Christmas items!

P.S. Right now through this weekend we are taking 20% off of everything in our etsy shop! We are also taking 10% off any Christmas item in our Bricks and Mortar shop till Friday. Friday and Saturday will be the kick-off for our Early Bird Specials as well as Waynesville's Christmas in the Village.

From 11:00 a.m. through closing Friday and Saturday and then all day on Sunday we will be taking 20% off all Christmas items in the shop and 10% off everything else.

Christmas in the Village 2008

This coming weekend is Waynesville's Christmas in the Village. There are all sorts of wonderful things planned beginning Friday December 5, 2008 through Sunday December 7, 2008.

There will be all sorts of entertainment (some meandering throughout the village and others located points throughout the town). There will be carolers, barbershop groups, musiscians, stilt walkers and fire jugglers among others.

The shops will be lit and decorated for the holidays, many having terrific Christmas sales going on throughout the weekend as well as goodies to munch on. There will be a tree lighting ceremony at 6 pm on Friday and after dark the sidewalks will be lighted with 1300 luminaries. You can also take a ride down Main St. in a horse-drawn carriage.

We are taking 20% off all Christmas items as well as 10% off all other items in our shop for Christmas in the Village. Also, as part of our Early Bird Specials promotion we will be opening at 9:30 on Fridays and Saturdays until Christmas. If you come in for our Christmas in the Village Early Bird Special, instead of 20% off of all Christmas you will recieve 25% off and instead of 10% off throughout the rest of the store you will recieve 20% off. This special will last Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. through 11:00 a.m.