A Virtual Birthday Party for Me!

Well, times are tough and money is tight, so I thought I would give myself free reign to shop for virtual birthday presents! Off the top of my head, and with just a short time to search around the 'net, I came up with a little virtual goodie bag for myself. Here ya go!

This Fisher Price Roly Poly Chime Ball that I had as a kid:

from RetroClassics on Etsy

A pair of Wade hedgehogs (I've collected these Wade miniatures since I was in grade school! And they're hedgehogs - too cute!)

from MoonDoggie on Etsy

Yes, another bag from AtomicLivin - this one is Pretty in Pink!

AtomicLivin on Etsy

A genuine Eric McGrew (aka JEM 'n' Tonic from Amidst Mod)
This is RF Sign:

Amidst Mod on Etsy

And, of course, one of my fondest wishes for some years now, a vintage Mini:

This is a 1966 Morris Downton Mini Cooper from
MiniGuy.com

Maybe I'll come up with some more fun stuff to give myself tomorrow! This is really fun - all the thrill of shopping with no bills to pay, and I can come to look at my goodies right here any time I want - and they won't clutter up my house or need to be filled with gas.

And oh yeah....I'm 41 today. Let's hear it for all the 1960's babies! Woo hoo!

A Rooty-Tooty Fresh-n-Fruity Giveaway!

The delightful RetroModern Housewife is giving away this very Carmen Miranda-esque bracelet!

Go take a look-see at her blog to enter yourself in the contest if you'd like. She's got a fantastic blog of retro fun!

Happy Anniversary Anthony & Tommy!

Congratulations on your first year of marriage, and 19 years as a couple. Here's to a lifetime of love and happiness! You guys are my dearest friends and darn cute to boot :)
Your wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life, as I know it was for you!

My Flickr Groups

Quite a while ago, I got pretty caught up in Flickr. Still am, actually. It's another place to link up with fellow mid-century, vintage, retro enthusiasts. Of course, Flickr has members from all over the world, and of every imaginable interest, so if you want to find a group of photos dedicated to "Geraniums of All Kinds" you can (that's an actual group).

http://www.flickr.com/groups/sealife-midcentury/



If you are interested in collecting images along a certain theme, and you don't find a group, you make one! I'm up to five groups that I started. Of course, I'm a member of many, many more. Just can't seem to stop once you've gotten started!

I'd like to share my groups with you, since they are all obviously things that interest me quite a lot, and I'm hoping they'll interest some of you, too. Oh, and if you have a "Contact" on Flickr and you're intrigued by their photos because you share common interests, you can look up their contacts, and what groups they belong to (kinda like a blogroll and followers on someone else's blog). Therefore, the length of the chain you create is probably virtually endless! It's like being a great big club where everyone likes the same weird stuff you do (especially exciting when your neighbors, friends, family, random strangers, perhaps even your spouse think you are nuts).

Without futher ado, the Groups of Tikimama (TikiLisa on Flickr):

http://www.flickr.com/groups/paint-chip-fun/


http://www.flickr.com/groups/mid-century-wood/


http://www.flickr.com/groups/atomic-tea-party/


http://www.flickr.com/groups/mid-century-hostess/

Well, it's about time!

Oh happy day! I WON Welcome to Deluxeville's giveaway of that fab clock! I never win in contests, raffles or giveaways, it seems, so I was so shocked and happy - I was totally acting the fool last night when I found out, dancing around and singing to my daughters "I won, I won, I won!" If they ever doubted that their mama was crazy, they doubt no longer.

Thank you so much, MaryDeluxe!

And, on top of that, I've reached 100 followers! Yes, the magic number where all bloggers must celebrate, it seems. So, a giveaway on Atomic Tea Party is in the works!!

(Did anyone get my clever pun in the title? ;)

A DeluxeVille Giveaway!

I love giveaways - who doesn't? One of the first blogs I found and followed, courtesy of the mother-of-them-all, Retro Renovation, was Welcome to DeluxeVille by the gorgeous MaryDeluxe. She has the most amazing home, and her collection of lamps is stunning! She is quite the handy-woman, too - she does everything herself around the house, and I'm so impressed. She even dresses vintage, from her fantastic collection of vintage clothing. That's something I've never quite managed, and I'm so envious of the girls who do!

So, in celebration of reaching over 100 followers, Mary has decided to give away this fantastic atomic clock. Isn't it just loverly?

If you would like to enter yourself into the giveaway, go here. But definitely check out DeluxeVille and become one of the loyal followers.

By the way, there are almost 100 followers of Atomic Tea Party, so I'm planning a little giveaway of my own. Hmmmm....what should it be?

Sometimes the old-fashioned way is for the birds

This was me, the entire past year we have lived in this house:

Doing dishes by hand is one of my least favorite chores. Do you have any idea how many cups, bowls, spoons, etc, etc two little girls can go through in ONE DAY?!
I'm ashamed to admit I was doing a little happy dance, complete with song, this morning when our dishwasher was finally restored to working order by an angel from heaven (Sears repairman).
Of course, as I type this, there is still a sink full of dirty dishes, but one must be true to one's priorities!
I remain, as always...

Images via the brilliant Anne Taintor
making smart people smile since 1985