Vintage Photo Friday: That Haunting Quality

There's just something spooky about this shot of Bobby. 

Ordinarily, 1950s polaroids of children named Bobby don't give me the creeps. But since visiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art a few days ago, I've been looking at my collection of found vintage family photographs in an entirely different light.

I paid visit to the museum specifically to see the exhibit of Ralph Eugene Meatyard, a somewhat obscure photographer who staged his family members in a choreographed creepy atmosphere with masks, dolls and dilapidated conditions. And the exhibit, aptly titled Dolls and Masks, was right down my dimly lit alley, let me just tell ya. 

Untitled. Ralph Eugene Meatyard 

It was unintentionally haunting, eerie, even disturbing. The youth of his children in the shadow of abandoned buildings and overgrown landscapes, surrounded by broken dolls was more than enough to absorb. But add the anonymity of the masks, the wrinkles and age spots in the illusion of old age. Just creepy, all around. 

And...well Bobby...He looks fit to wear one of the Meatyard masks, to cast away a broken doll in an abandoned property. Of course it only lends credence to the creep factor that Meatyard shot the above photo around the same time that this polaroid of Bobby was taken. Hmm. Interesting. 


What do you think?

         

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Remember this one!?

One Lonely Little Elephant & The Great Outdoors Adventure: A Thrift Story

He looks awfully glum. 

This is the story of one mod little elephant planter I thrifted way back in March from my local Goodwill for just $3. How I love him. His stumpy square legs. His rotund body and uplifted trunk. Just adorable!

But all alone he sat on my desk for months as I long in vain searched for the perfect plant. I looked far and wide for the perfectly proportioned plant...a succulent that wouldn't require drainage. 

So onward I traveled, exploring a vast wonderland of flora...

Oh how will I ever find my way through this strange land?

Gee, I hope I find a plant soon...

And just then I saw it. A plant not too big, not too small. It was perfect. So I began the long journey back home.

Would this plant be worthy of such a grand adventure? 

It was a long, tiresome journey through the rolling hills of the countryside in search of the perfect plant. Upon my arrival home, I took the lonely little elephant planter in my arms and gingerly placed the new plant inside, keeping wary of the thorns. 


The sleek, mod, creamy white little elephant planter looks just darling with this Crown of Thorns plant. Don't you think? 

The great thrift adventure was a success! 

Thorns at the stalk, rich green leaves and itty bitty pink flowers. 'Twas a lovely plant indeed. And the lonely little elephant... wasn't lonely anymore.

THE END.

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Vintage Photo Friday: Like...Totally

 Is that a Cosby sweater? 

The striped sweater with those pearls, so totally 1984. You just know this woman was dissing all the other 80's ladies at the table. Like, I'm so sure she was the most totally tubular gal there. Psyche!

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I made you a mix tape about my feelings. 

What The Thrift!? An Underground Fight Club!?

Better sit this one out, Granny. 

While organizing my collection of vintage photos, I came across evidence of what I believe to be an all-ages underground fight club. And from the looks of things, this sweet ol' lady got the crap kicked out of her by those preschoolers. At least the one in the red skirt helped patch her up with a few bandaids before hopping back into the scuffle. 

The moderator is clearly inebriated and letting those girls fight dirty. just look at the blonde lunging at her opponent.  

This one photo was found in a thrifted album of otherwise docile men, women and children. But in this particular scene...things got ugly. Which only beg the question...

...What the thrift!?

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Vintage Photo Friday: Father's Day Edition

A jolly vintage family from April of '55.

In honor of Father's Day this Sunday, Let's Go Thrifting! would like to take a few moments to acknowledge all the dads in the house. There's a lot of broken families out there. Divorced parents, dad's who've pulled the disappearing act, marital infidelities that have strained the entire family. 

I'm fortunate and thankful to have two parents that care for me just as much now at 28 as they did when I was 2. They've both been there for me and continue to support me.

And in special honor of Father's Day, I'd like to make a brief notation of a few things I've come to appreciate, thanks to my Dad: 

• Classic rock. I remember when I first heard Led Zeppelin blasting through the speakers of the car stereo cruising down the AC Expressway in my dad's car. I was hooked instantly. That Christmas my dad bought me the entire Zeppelin discography and we had a totally rockin' holiday season.

• Stephen King. Both my parents loved my insatiable appetite for books when I was young. But it was my love of horror movies when I was a kid that led my dad to push me towards the dark side of the library. My sister is reading IT right now. I was about 14 when I first read it. And like my dad, I was utterly creeped out by the clown beneath the sewers. 

• Action heroes. Bruce Willis, Arnold, Stallone. My dad is the typical blue-blooded American who likes his violent movies with a lot of one-liners. He could likely quote all of them. And though blow 'em up action movies with little substance other than high-octane explosions don't interest me,  I can always appreciate my dad's Arnold impersonations. 

This list is by no means exhaustive. These are just a few little things I've picked up over the years that just somehow habitually, inherently and inexplicably define of my dad...and me.  Happy Father's Day! 

Thrift-Gifting at a Snail's Pace

Thrift-Gifting can be a sllllooooow process.

Do you ever wonder how I come to own so many lovely, little finds from the thrift store? While I am tempted by a miscellany of secondhand wares at the thrift, hunting the perfect thrifted gift doesn't always come as easily to me.

I see potential in much of what I discover while thrifting. But would my friends and family be so impressed by a collection of creepy dolls or bizarre books as a thrifted-gift?   
(Well, some of them may be). 

Some of you may recall some of my tips on the fine art of thrift-gifting. And again, I must say that the two big takeaway points to remember when looking for the perfect secondhand present are time and patience. 

This is especially true when you're not sure what, if anything, you're are looking for specifically. I happened upon this quirky little find over a month ago. 

Not one, but two snails. Perfect! 

As soon as I spotted these sparkling gastropods I knew which of my snail-loving friends would be getting a special thrifted-gift as one of her birthday presents. This little pair was a big hit. And what's more?

Snail bonus!

These snails can hold teeny weeny trinkets in their conch. Sweet! 

So, again...my key tips on thrift-gifting are:

• Dedicate time to the pursuit long before the gift-giving occasion.
• Be patient. Don't buy items you're not convinced will be loved for lack of finding anything better.
• Snails may not be admired by all. But to the right person, this thrifted-gift can be a rare delicacy indeed. 

Vintage Photo Friday: A Woman's Work is Never Done

Mowing the lawn, 70's style.

What I have to wonder with this week's Vintage Photo Friday entry isn't why this hip, frock-wearing woman is mowing the lawn. I want to know who the hell thought it would be cute to steal a candid snapshot...while's she's doing all the work. 

She certainly does not look pleased. 

The photographer was damn lucky if that cigarette she's holding wasn't stubbed out...right in his eye. 

Vintage Photo Friday: Party Time, Excellent!!

Duuuuuddddeee...

Maybe it's just me. But whenever I spot two partying dudes on a dated couch I immediately think of Wayne's World. While neither of these guys particularly resemble Wayne Campbell or Garth Agar, there's just something oddly reminiscent about the pair.  Look at the posture. The body language. The goofy faces. 

"We're not worthy! We're not worthy!"

Just slice a few holes in those jeans, shave that facial hair. Slap a cap on the dude on the left and give the other guy the Garth bleach job and it's totally Wayne's World down in that basement. This Vintage Photo Friday is a total sha-wing! 

"Wow! What a totally amazing, excellent discovery!" ~ Wayne.

What do you think? Way Or No Way? 

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