Little Jean Jean Smurf

The first costume I remember wearing for Halloween was my Smurf costume. Do kids even know who the Smurfs are anymore? I found almost the exact costume on Etsy today (and here is my little mask!) and I laughed because the packaging looks ancient! Ahhhh, remember the days when a "costume" meant a plastic mask and a wee smock? That was all you needed to feel totally decked out for Halloween. Now it seems that kids don't dare leave the house without a wig, some light-activated wands or swords and a full-body suit! I also giggle when I remember how low-tech everyone's decorations were back then. Maybe folks would throw a fake cobweb over the door and put one of those pumpkin trash bags full of leaves on the lawn. Now there are gravestones, moving zombie arms, spooky music playing from speakers, special Halloween lights . . . the works. Just imagine what Halloween festivities will be like in another 30 years!

What is the first costume you remember wearing? Or how about your favorite costume as a kid? Happy Halloween!

Miriam and Fred, 1937

My Aunt gave me this original photograph of my grandparents earlier this spring after my grandma's memorial service. I was nearly speechless. It was snapped around 1937, possibly in Chicago. It looks like summertime which means my grandparents - Miriam and Fred - had only been married for about six months. My grandma is twenty-two in this photo, the same age as Edith Piaf across the ocean (who had just been "discovered" and was starting to record music). It is difficult to imagine the world that they were walking around in at that time. The country was segregated. Women had been voting for less than twenty-years. The Great Depression was just coming to an end and World War II was looming, although they didn't know that. The Golden Gate Bridge had just opened for traffic in May. Amelia Earhart was about to disappear. And they were just out for a walk, a young couple with no kids (yet!) stopping for a photo. What did they imagine their life would be like together? What were they worried about? What were they looking forward to?

Unusual subject

I found this photograph at an antique shop this week - isn't it spectacular? Someone was really excited about doing a still life of these sugar beets, even noting the date (1902) and the farm location on the back of the print. I am going to keep my eye out for more non-figural vintage photographs like this one. I'd love to have a whole wall of them. But for now, its just the sugar beets keeping the shop necklaces company.

Step inside

I found this baby ring a few weeks ago in its original box, which is always a splendid bonus. When I looked up the company name on the box I was delighted to find some old photos of the jewelry storefront as well as information about the owner.

Joseph C. Herkner and his family arrived in America from Bohemia (Czech Republic) and settled in Grand Rapids, MI in the mid 1800s. The young Herkner trained as a watchmaker and then served several years as a soldier during the Civil War. He opened his own jewelry shop in 1870 with a modest stock and a repair bench. He was a well respected figure in Grand Rapids until his death in 1914 and people in the community considered his shop to be the epitome of quality. What I would give to walk up those steps and open the doors . . .

It is pretty incredible to think that this ring was once for sale inside this shop, sitting on a counter somewhere or maybe even in the window display. Who would have guessed that nearly 100 years later it would be offered for sale again in my little virtual shop. I wonder what Mr. Herkner would think about that.

Images via historygrandrapids.org

The job never changes

As I looked through these photos last night, I realized that I recognize these women. Their gestures, their joy, their fatigue, their easy, loving closeness with their children . . . it is all so familiar to me now that I have a boy of my own. This job of being a mom never really changes, does it? But mom-fashion does! Will someone please go back in time and snag those straight-leg trousers for me? They are waaaaay better than my mom jeans.

Images courtesy of the Life Image Archives

Happy Easter!

It seems like just yesterday that I was writing this Easter post about my dad, but it was a year ago! A lot has happened since then, including the arrival of sweet Severen. Although he is too bitty to hunt for chocolate eggs this year, when he does get around to celebrating Easter I hope that he has as much fun as Mr. Jean Jean and I did when we were tots. Actually, it looks like Mr. Jean Jean is having lots more fun than me (just look at that little face!) But my sweater is better, non?

So for all of you who plan to enjoy a plastic egg full of jelly beans or a pink foil-wrapped chocolate egg this weekend, Happy Easter! Tonight also marks the start of Passover, so Chag Pesach Sameach to those celebrating the festival!

Locket cameo ring

When I saw this ring at the antique shop I could barely believe mine eyes. A locket cameo ring? Shaped like a book? With an amazing chased band? Oh please. I've done quite a bit of looking around in internetland and I can't find anything like this. Maybe they tend to stay in families and don't reach the auction/retail market very often? I think this is a pretty special piece. Alas, it does not fit me so I just stocked it in the shop!

Victorian photo pins

I think I might have to start collecting Victorian photo pins, especially the ones with handsome, mustached men in them.  I just listed the pin above in the shop (and here is another dapper fellow from last spring!) I love the enamel accents on this frame. Here are a few more examples of that style from one of my favorite jewelry websites.

   

Images courtesy of Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Old family photos of new babies

Top: Paternal Great grandma Mamie holding Grandpa Fred, 1906
Bottom: Paternal Grandpa Fred & Grandma Miriam holding my dad, 1943

Maternal Great-great grandma Ollie holding her first child, ca. 1903

Maternal Great grandpa Sam holding baby Frank w/ my grandma Velma squinting, ca. 1930

As you may already know, I am pretty serious about genealogy. Because of this I've become the keeper of many of my family photos. This is a great honor and huge pleasure for me, as you can imagine. Recently I've been looking through them, thinking about how many people - their lives, their hard work, their DNA, etc. - are going to be a part of our baby. When I found these photos - some of them over 100 years old - of my ancestors holding the family babies, I was especially moved. All of the people in these photos, except my Grandma Miriam who is almost 96, are gone now. I am glad that we will be adding a new branch to the family tree soon.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond

These photographs were taken in New York City in 1969, when a massive (nearly 70 carat) diamond was displayed at a Cartier store. The diamond had just been purchased at auction by Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor. Although the Taylor-Burton diamond (as it was renamed) eventually changed hands, Taylor's private collection remains a source of public conversation to this day.  Christie's just announced that it will be responsible for the auction of her jewelry, valued at $150 million, later this year.

Photos courtesy of the Life Image Archives