The Perfect Barbie: Tippi Hendren

Hollister and I were never much for playing with Barbie dolls. Hol was too busy with trying on designer diaper covers and I preferred Jem the Rocker. But maybe if we were presented with Tippi Hendren from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds it might have been a different case. Visual perfection -- the green suit, the birds, the pumps and handbag. Mattel really out did itself this time.

More Paper Dolls

Just adore these paper dolls.

(via agence eureka)

Tom Mix: The Real Cowboy

Ebay Shopping: Tom Mix Silent Film for Toy 16mm Projectors

There's nothing that I love then a good cowboy and Tom Mix was one of the first. A true pioneer staring in 336 film and only 9 of them were silent. Pick up one of the silent ones off of ebay -- bids are only around 10 bucks. Looks like Cowboy Mix might have taught John Wayne a few things or two.

Ebay Shopping: Vintage Roller Skates

As little girls growing up, we owned a few pairs of these old roller skates. That is until our mom found some fabulous wroght iron gates from the 1920s that were discarded in the trash. We strapped the roller skates on to the gates and tied a rope to our car. Now talk about fireworks! There were more sparks flying then the Macy's Forth of July display over Manhattan. Awww, one will do for some beautiful metal work. Of course kids don't try this at home -- we suggest just strapping them onto an old pair of sneaks and let the fun begin. Bids are at $5.32 for these little gems with about four days left. Good Luck!

Squirrely Squirrels

Last weekend we ventured far, far away to the New York Botanical Garden and discovered not only the pleasures of the gardens themselves but also their wonderful little gift shop. We pick up these fabulous 3D animul cards! Can't wait to send one off to our squirrel loving Aunt!!

Loretta Lux and Her Big Headed Kids

Thirty-nine year old German photographer Loretta Lux has hit her stride with her surreal portraits of children. In the same grand German tradition like the famous Becher duo each photo is framed almost exactly the same and the child almost in the exactly same position -- the end result is a bit eerie and beautiful. So, ok, these prints aren't vintage -- but it's nice that she adds the vintage touch with her props and little outfits. The photo on top is on action at Phillips de Pury for an estimated 3,000 - 5,000 pounds.

Things We Love: Charley Harper

As everyone knows, the Hoveys LOVE the little animules. And nothing beats the HUGE book that Todd Oldham helped put together celebrating the wonderful illustrations of Charley Harper. Haper descirbed his style as "minimal realism." Talking about his art and nature he said:

When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.

Ebay Shopping: Fantastic Mr. Fox!

This little guy comes from the '30s and he may or may not be a Steiff. Either way, he's adorable! The reserve hasn't been met yet, so good luck!

Things We Love: Watermelon! Sparklers! Holmes Lake Fireworks!

Growing up, we spent all our 4th of Julys at our grandpa's house in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lived right by a lake where he'd take us fishing and make us touch the bait worms. His backyard had a great old-fashioned clothes line and a beautiful garden where the world's most delicious tomatoes and cucumbers grew. He'd use those cucumbers to make us jars and jars of pickles every year. On the 4th, we'd always grill and eat watermelon and then sit back and watch the fireworks go off over that lake as our aunt told us ghost stories.

Best News Ever: Pig in Boots

This little piggie was afraid of the mud! Her brothers and sisters would splash away, but she cowered alone, along the fence, unwilling to sully her tiny little hooves. Figuring that all happy pigs must learn to play, her owners grabbed some miniature Wellie pencil holders and slipped them right on. It worked! Little Cinders Keeble now mucks it up with the best of 'em.

Ebay Shopping: Action Figure Cricket Kit

Fancy a spot of cricket, Ken? Dress up your favorite action figure in proper cricket whites! Bids for this tiny set hover at GBP3.30 on British Ebay.

Ode to Laura Ashley

Oh how we love Laura Ashley. Oh how we love little girls wearing Laura Ashley dresses. Oh how we loved our mom when she made us wear these little flowery frocks! You just can't mess with a classic. It makes me think of 1985 all over again.

Songs We Love: The Beach Boys - Wouldn't it be Nice

An Afternoon Snack . . .

Can't mess with a classic. A peanut butter and banana sandwich. YUMMY IN THE TUMMY.

Ebay Shopping: Vintage Fly Wind Up Toy

Ewwwwwww!

Even though I hate bugs I just love this wind up toy from the 1920s/30s. Bids start at $175.00 so don't swat this one down.

Coney Island Chic

Even though the only thing on our radar this weekend was the launch of Hovey Vintage, other New Yorkers celebrated the annual Mermaid Parade at Coney Island. My friend and fellow photographer, Bradford Robotham, took me for the first time two years ago and we followed in so many great photographers footsteps and tried to captured its essence and history. It's sad to think that this might be the last year. This 1938 Morris Engel print, Water Fountain Coney Island, is up for auction on Artnet -- bids are starting at $1,300.

HOVEY VINTAGE Comes to Life!

What fun we had yesterday!  HOVEY VINTAGE came to life on Saturday, in a simply ideal spot next to the adorable (and delicious) Bedford Cheese under a shade tree, against a lovely brick wall.  As soon as we re-stock our supplies, we'll be back! But if you have your eye on anything, drop us a line and we can arrange a pickup!  Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by!

  

HOVEY VINTAGE Finally Hits the Street!

Porter and I will finally be setting up our HOVEY VINTAGE shop on Bedford Ave. tomorrow morning to sell our small size early 20th century finds (and a few newer things, to boot!). We've got the ladybug soap box derby car from the spring Kate Spade ads! A 1959 pram! Riding boots! Riding pants! 1930s Navajo moccasins! A nearly perfect 1960s Smoky the Bear! Piles of 1920s-40s linen playsuits! Leiderhosen!

Look for us next to Catbird on Bedford Ave. in Williamsburg, between North 4th and North 5th Streets from about 10-6 on Saturday.

Family Reading Time

Grandpa Bill reading a story in to Hollister in California.