Retro Cookbooks

   
     As I gear up for the holidays, there is one thing I can't get my mind off, FOOD!! I love food as much or more as I love vintage.  So as I wander through estate sales looking for cool vintage stuff, I have my eye on the prize.... Vintage cookbooks.  Not only do they look great on a kitchen shelf as an awesome retro accessory but these books are filled with old school recipes that your grandma cooked.  It doesn't get better than the jello inspired dish, crock pot favorite, mod hors d'oeuvre and a meal titled "What Men Like."  The best part is you can pick up vintage cookbooks for next to nothing.  Here are a few of my favorites and a recipe or two to follow.

Meet Sammie Brown.. Her recipe was featured in  a Texas Electric Company Cook Book

1967 Golden Press New York

1963 contents 784 pages

A couple of years ago my mom gave me this.  She found it boxed away in the garage.  She actually stole this book from the school library.  Makes me laugh every time I look at it. She is an amazing cook, so it doesn't surprise me to much, but still to funny, she just had to have it..

1952 The contents are sweet and candy coated

Chocolate Pralines

1 cup sugar

1 cup nuts-almonds or hazelnuts

12 lb  sweet dipping chocolate

Measure 1 cup sugar and 1 cup nuts into a heavy skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar melts and nuts begin to make popping sounds.  Pour into greased pan.  Let cool and then grind finely and mix with 1/2 lb melted chocolate.  Pour into a 8x11 pan which has been lined with waxed paper and mark in squares.  When cool cut and serve plain or dipped in chocolate.

Vintage Tex

     The other day I came across a vintage boutique called Vintage Tex.  I was pleasantly surprised to see such a diverse shop tucked away among trendy boutiques and restaurants that line Colleyville Blvd. in Colleyville, Texas.  Vintage Tex, offers an array of women's, children and men's vintage clothing.

 A nice arrangement of women's accessories from hand bags to jewelry surrounds the racks of clothes from the 40's to the 80's.  There is plenty of sale merchandise to entice you to purchase a little something vintage.   Prices are affordable and the selection is diverse.  I will most definitely be back!

Hours:  Tuesday-Saturday 12-7pm

5005 Colleyville Blvd (HWY 26) 

Top 3 Vintage Malls in Dallas Fort Worth

Vintage Shopping Never Looked Better

     Having been with Lula B's Vintage Mall for nearly a year now, I have to vote it as one of the best places for vintage stuff.  With over 80 plus vendors this mall is housed with vintage furniture, clothes, kitsch, records, home decor and much more.  Lula B's is unique in that the vendors specialize in era's that include the fifties through the seventies.  The upstairs floor is dedicated to funky fun vintage clothing.  If you are looking for mid-century furniture this should be top on your list.  With a wide variety of chairs, lamps and credenzas.  Lula B's is located in the heart of Deep Ellum in down town Dallas with free parking. Prices are reasonable, the staff is friendly and the location is funky.  Sister store is located in the design district.

Lula B's East 2639 Main St. 

Lula B's West 1010 N. Riverfront Blvd. Dallas

     Next on my list is Dolly Python, located at 1916 N. Haskell in Dallas.  The selection of clothing is excellent but pricey.  The quality is no doubt fabulous, so I had no problem paying $50.00+ for a vintage wrap skirt..  Ambiance is dark and moody, with lots of nooks to find things.  Great place to shop.  

     Fort Worth is home to Montgomery Street Antique Mall.  With over 62,000 sq. feet of warehouse and about 170 dealers, it won't be hard to find what your looking for.  The mall is clean and well organized with rows and rows of glass cases filled with everything from rare books to fine jewelry and pottery.   I almost got lost looking around at all the colonial and mid-century furniture.  Prices seem reasonable and there is even a cafe.   

Montgomery Street Antique Mall 

2601 Montgomery Street Fort Worth 76107

If you have a top pic.. Please feel free to comment!  Don't forget to "Top Off Your Day With a Little Vintage."

Get The Most Out of Shopping an Estate Sale!

Estate Sale Here I Come!

Seeing that tiny sign "Estate Sale" on the side of the road is enticing..  I used to drive by that sign, with buyers remorse.  Wondering if I may have missed, that once in a life time opportunity, to find something really great.  Something I couldn't live without.  Now, I make the u-turn and drive back.  With my shopping bag in hand, I wait in line, ready to rub elbows with the rest of the shopping addicts.  In the end we are all searching for that special collectible.  You really never know what you may find.  So if you've never stopped for an estate sale, now is your chance to make that u-turn.  Check out these 8 tips to shop with ease. 

1.  Don't be Shy.  Always stop when you see a sign.  Get over your fear and do it!

2.  Do your research.  Scan the Internet for upcoming sales.  Most sales will have pictures.

3.  Early Birds Get The Worm.  If you know a sale is offering something you want, get there early.  Most sales will have early lines.  I personally like to take my chances.  I'm not one that wants to get up at 6:00am and wait three hours, but hey if you have the time give it a shot.

4.  Be prepared.  Always review the terms of sale.  Most companies only take cash.  So be prepared!  Credit card sales often come with added transaction fees.  

5.  Bundle.  Bring your own bags, boxes and tissue paper.  Bags free your hands up so you can keep shopping and tissue paper speeds up your check out process.

6.  Get your exercise.  Be prepared to move heavy items like furniture by yourself.  

7.  Bargain.  It never hurts to ask for a deal.  Most vendors don't like to be asked for discounts on the first day, but it never hurts to ask.  If your not being outrageous and you have other purchases, a dealer just may say yes.

8.  Save the best for last!  Typically on the last day of an estate sale, you can receive up to 50% off.  I really enjoy shopping the last day of sales.  Less crowds and better deals! 

Warning estate sales are addictive.  Happy Shopping!

Kyle Flea Market

Hidden Relics

     Just south of Austin is a small town called Kyle. If not for the huge billboard "Flea Market", you'd miss the market and the town!  

Just drive slow and turn off at the next exit.  A dirt frontage road will wrap you around to the grass field where you'll find vendors selling yard sale items like vhs tapes, toys, books etc. on wooden tables.  Once you've greeted everyone and rummage through a few boxes head into the warehouse for the real vintage picks. 

 I found most of the merchandise to be over priced but there was so much to look at.  Take these beer cans packaged to sell...

My daughter had a great time looking for barbies and toys.  I rather liked people watching and viewing the tiny rooms filled from top to bottom with stuff.  We quenched our thirst with a a soda and walked the hallways peeking into each room hoping to find a hidden relic.  At the end of the venture, we ended up with a bag of cheetos and a few pics!  I don't think I would plan a day trip around this flea market, but if you are driving to or from Austin, it's worth stopping by for kicks.