WHIMSY Antiques: April 2012

Friday, April 27, 2012

Vintage Fashion Friday

We are so excited to share the amazing photographic talents of Emily Rose James

and this shoot shows her talents, beyond belief! I know we are showing the vintage clothing available

at Whimsy---but a huge shout out to Emily! This talented young photographer is on her way to Paris

soon to further her education as a fashion photographer--but we will be posting many more shoots before she hits France! Some of her work from this shoot was in PhotoVogue!

Now about the dress! It is a gorgeous white linen button down, belted dress, which could easily be worn

as a dress or a light coat.

Love the vintage accessories pictured~~ all from Whimsy!

The simplicity of this drape-y vintage light blue cotton dress is soft and flowing, romantic, and ideal for

Spring and Summer wear.

Stay tuned next Friday for more from this location with vintage attire that is stunning--along with the

stunning photos from Emily Rose James !

Special thanks to :

Photographer: Emily Rose James

Model: Autumn Sommers

Makeup and Hair: Celeste Jaime

Assistant: Leslie Gallant

Location/Horse: Ashley Merchant

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

New Finds Wednesday~~A Sign of the Times

We love old signs at Whimsy and always have lots scattered at both shops!

Here are a few we have at our 7th Street store aka. Whimsy on 7th.

Above is a great sign from most likely a carnival from long ago. It is actually painted on both

sides and is wood.

The Dining room sign above is also on wood and would be pretty wonderful in your kitchen pointing to the dining room, or in your dining room pointing to the living room. Does everyone eat on their couches nowadays?!

The above sign is wonderful, painted wood, and naturally aged/distressed and is 2 sided. This sign is huge!

The old hardware sign is from the 50's and is painted metal and double sided.

I actually had this one on my back patio for years before I brought it to Whimsy!

Love the 1970's graphics of the 7-UP sign! it is metal and definitely retro cool!

Your guess is as good as mine on this mechanic sign. Love the wheel on the top!

The Wrigley's sign is double sided and durable plastic. It is a classic!

We always have these cool wood signs above! Lots of colors and lots of fun!

Another shot of the 2 signs already described as they hang in our Whimsy on 7th!

The above piece is wood and not technically a sign, but we had to include it for it's

awesome graphic appeal. So cool!

Whimsy loves YOU to the moon and back!

Come see us soon!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

11 questions for me!

So, it almost feels like homework(but fun homework no one is grading me on!) and since it is Sunday, and I have procrastinated till now--I will complete the "Tag, You're it" request from Stephanie at Ruby Rose--one of my all time favorite shops full of inspiration and wonderful vintage finds just up the coast in San Luis Obispo.

Stephanie answered her 11 questions and here are the one I have been asked to ponder....I will do my best! Hope you don't get too bored!

Here are the rules:

The Rules:

....you must post the rules

....answer 11 questions the tagger posted for you

....create 11 questions to ask the people you tag ( I will get to that)

....tag 11 people (I will get to that, too)

....let them know you've tagged them (And then, I will get to that)

and here are Stephanie's questions for me:

1. Dinner party--What six people would you love to have at your table?

If I were at a fantasy dinner party (and mind you it wouldn't be one that I hosted!)--the six people I would love to be with are:

Brad Pitt (just to see if he is really as good looking as he appears on the screen--yep!), Ellen DeGeneres (I love her personality and I think it would be hilarious and I think I could be best friends with her), Bill Clinton ( I heard he is very down to earth and makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room--ok--let's see if that is true), Rachel Ashwell ( I love creative people and she started such a huge movement in my world), Carol King (I am old and I listened to her a LOT growing up), and my husband so he could share all these cool people with me!

2. Flash back to 17--What did you want to be when you grew up?

Stephanie, these are good questions! I wanted to be an art teacher. Slam dunk. There was no other career for me. I was so inspired by my elementary art teacher and even assisted him when I was in high school--preparing for my future. But alas, I found out my senior year of college that I didn't want to do that after completing the entire program and getting my B.F.A. in art education!. I still did quite a bit of art teaching throughout my life---as a volunteer in my children's schools and I taught photography for the Boys and Girls Clubs for a while, too!

3 What does a perfect day look like to you?

I am fortunate and grateful to actually live a life that feels perfect most days. I wake up rested, and it is low tide. My husband and I go to our favorite secluded beach and hike in on a weekday when no one is there. The walk there is magical--and I love when it is foggy and cold--the birds are chirping, the trees are misty, the scents are fresh and invigorating, the path is perfect and then we hike down the bluffs and see our beach! We see the fields of pebbles and find tons of sea glass and sea-ramic (which are pottery shards). When I am doing this, my mind is clear and free and I dream of great ideas and if I have a problem, I always figure it out at the beach. My other kind of perfect day is one that I had yesterday! I went to amazing yard sales and found treasures that make me "know" that I am doing the right thing with my life. I LOVE the thrill of the hunt, and bringing the "vintage goods" to my stores!

4. Favorite movies?

I like mysteries that have me trying to figure out "who did it" or thrillers that aren't gory. All time favorites like "Sound of Music" and "Wizrd of Oz", too. I see a lot of movies and the ones that I think about for days afterwards--that inspire me in some way are the ones I remember. I see plenty that I forget in an hour.

5. Online shop or "touch and feel" shop?

I am definitely a toucher at shops. I love thrift shops (of course) antique shops (of course), garden shops, and my favorite chain store is Anthropologie. I do buy on ETSY sometimes, and I am never disappointed. I have to touch fabrics for clothing, though!

6. Who or what has had an impact on your life?

Having children had a huge impact on me. All the stages. The challenges (of which there have been so many and still are) are really life changing. My son has Crohn's Disease and when he went to a camp for kids with Crohn's and he realized he wasn't alone--and this changed his world --it also had a HUGE impact on me. I realized my other calling was to be a facilitator for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and I lead a support group and I am extremely involved with CCFA. I love helping people.

7. I have a 16 year old--What advice would you give her now that you can look back on that age?

Have fun and play every day. Don't take anything too seriously, especially relationships with boys.

8. What would surprise us to know about you?

I not only run my 2 Whimsy stores, but I started a photography business 35 years ago, that we still have today!

9. What five things would you grab if your house was burning down?

my sea glass marbles, family photos, a few jars of sea glass, not much more...

10. Do you blog daily, weekly, monthly? What do you do when there is a lack of inspiration?

I do a twice a week regular blog post ---New Finds and Vintage Fashions. This schedule keeps me hopping--it is a LOT of work but fun. I love the virtual world and so much I need to learn.

11. Fly or drive to a vacation?

LOVE road trips--and the ease and comfort of driving...but it has been too long since I have actually had a vacation and I am READY! I want to get on an airplane and go somewhere I have never been, which is a lot of places--like the whole world!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Vintage Fashion Friday

This week's Vintage Fashion Friday finds us just downtown Carpinteria

featuring this adorable pastel floral and flowing dress.

The high yoke button up dress is casual and lightweight--perfect for these

warmer days. Love all the jewelry and green italian vintage clutch, all found at

Whimsy {Town & Country} on Linden Avenue.

The shorter length makes it ideal for wearing as is, or with your favorite leggings or jeans.

Next is this great vintage navy blue dress with western styling, yet sheer sleeves

make it dressy and fun! Tiny silver buttons on sleeves and to waist--and a belt at waist--

with pleated style skirt bottom.

Love the amazing vintage retro glasses with changeable lenses depending on what color you feel like wearing. Find the complete set in our jewelry case. This is one of a kind and in wonderful condition!

Hope you pop in soon and see the loads of vintage clothing in stock!

We have tons of vintage cashmere sweaters perfect for pairing with any of our dresses, or to wear with you contemporary clothes. They are soft and luxurious!

See you soon at Whimsy Antiques!

Special thanks to :

Photographer--Emily Rose James Photography

Model: Suzanne James

and Suzanne Marie,

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

New Finds Wednesday

Everyone needs an "A" to pull around!

Whimsy is known for all kinds of sign letters--small to very large...and all colors and fonts!

Just in are these rustic crates--painted fun "sea glass" colors and versatile!

Stack 'em for shelves, turn them over for tables, stash kids toys in them---you get the drift!

Our signs are are charming for a child's room or any special place in your home or office.

Our theme seems to be "multiples"!

Above we have a great selection of kid's pots and pans.

A great customer bought one today to melt butter in!

Have a ball!

The best selection of vintage enamelware!

Check out these vintage bottles!

Tons of frogs scattered through the store--Whimsy{Home & Garden} is loaded with them.

Gale has an amazing treasure hunt going on in her spaces!

People spend tons of time finding unique pieces hiding out in her rooms!

Heidi of Recycled Denims is coming up with all kinds of clever ideas!

Here are vintage button brooches on denim!

Laurinda has an inviting array of cottage wonders filling her space. Her colors are so refreshing--love what she does---and her items sell FAST! You can ask to be on the waiting list--we actually call people after Laurinda has brought things in!