Merry Christmas. Have one for the road.

The Zero Tolerance

by Tom Reader of The Silver Hearts (courtesy of Terrible Hostess by Carolyn Mark)

Shake 1 oz. 100 proof rum with a blast of Binaca Breath spray over ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a set of car keys.

Cheers and Happy Holidays. All jokes aside, don't drink and drive!

Happy Holidays from Retro-luxe!

We'll be taking some time off to engage in some spiritual activities, eat, clear our heads and hopefully get in a little shopping. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to find a vintage light up Santa like this one Aunt Trena scored. We're so appreciative of our readers! Happy Holidays, y'all! We'll be back January 4th. Take good care!

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

Our last Craigslist roundup for the year! Hopefully 2010 will bring many more fun finds. Happy holidays!!

1950s Contour lounge chair, $850

Hollywood Regency gilded gold lamp, $39

Gold love seat, $200 OBO

1960s Mersman end tables, $60/pr.

Footstool, $65

2-section mid-century sofa, $150

Etiquette Advice

Photo found here.
My friend Hugh once gave me a hardbound copy of Emily Post's Etiquette with the inscription "Meredith- Hope this helps you get your shit together."

Of course I read the book. In doing so, I found that many of social conventions advocated by Ms. Post seem a bit old-fashioned. Regrettably, headings like "Introduction of a Domestic Employee" and "The Bow of a Woman of Charm" simply do not apply to my current social station.

The truth is that people today feel challenged by the roles of host, hostess and guest. Add to that a family dynamic in addition to holiday expectations, and well, the challenge is tripled. Never fear! Retro-luxe has these suggestions based on experience to help make your holiday gathering more enjoyable.


Tips for the Host/Hostess---
Do: Offer your guests some delicious cocktails.
Don't: Over serve. The last thing you want is a bunch of drunks at your house redecorating your living room or raiding your closet.
Tip: Always remember who is an vegetarian, who has a nut allergy and who has diabetes and needs to eat on time or they may faint.

Do: Remember to turn on the oven.
Don't: Forget to turn on the oven.
Tip: Familiarize yourself with the Kentucky Fried Chicken locations in your neighborhood in case something goes horribly wrong...

Tips for the Guest---

Do: Call ahead and ask what you can bring. For example, if the hostess if serving wine, find out what type and bring an extra bottle of that.
Don't: Retrieve unopened bottles of wine and take them back home with you.
Tip: The hostess may want to open a bottle of wine later, after you're gone, to relieve some of the post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the fact that your children knocked over the Christmas tree no less than six times.

Do: Bring a gift for the host/hostess. He/she may like flowers, West German pottery, a tidbit tray, a CD of some ambient dinner party music (but not Kenny G.), or a pannetone.
Don't: Bitch about the Watergate salad.
Don't: Overstay your welcome.
Tip: Be sensitive to the hostess' cues. After dessert and coffee, it may be time to go. If the hostess looks tired, holds her hands to her temples, is taking pills, or is passed out on the sofa, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE.

Well, I think that about covers it on this end.
Do you have anything you'd like to add, dear readers?

Santa's Little Helper

Parents, lock up your children. This Santa is all kinds of creepy!

Don't let a pesky case of anemia keep you from holiday fun! [photo found here]

I, for one, could really use a little Nembutal right about now. [photo found here]

Happy Hour Friday: Winter Distraction

We live in Texas and it doesn't often feel like winter during winter here. Mostly, winter is a series of cool fronts with lots of warm spells in between making for a challenging wardrobe dilemma - you've put away your short sleeves for the season in hopes of opportunities to layer(!), don sweaters and knee-high boots(!), but mostly you are digging out your summer tops again and again. It can drive a girl mad.

Lately, though, we are getting some consistently cold-ish temperatures, complete with a little snow(!) and grey, overcast skies. And with the beautiful orange and red leaves of the Red Oaks, we feel like winter is upon us...

Winter Distraction

1 oz. Bourbon whiskey

1 oz. Merlot

.5 oz. lemon juice

.5 oz. simple syrup

1 oz. cranberry juice

.5 oz. amaretto

1/2 lemon wheel for garnish

Shake over ice and strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Add lemon wheel for garnish.

From the iphone app Flip 'N Drink by Gary Regan.

Holiday Hullabaloo

The holidays can be tricky. Lots of shopping, preparation, wrapping, trips to the post office, money literally flying out of your wallet, cooking, the constant threat of being electrocuted by your "vintage" Christmas lights that may not be up to code....it's a lot to deal with! When feeling stressed by all the holiday hullabaloo, it's a good idea to simplify. For example, I've decided that a traditional Christmas dinner will be too much work, and too redundant coming on the heels of Thanksgiving. Instead, I'll serve this:



Bacon...Wild Turkey...it's a win-win!

I'm sure the presentation of it will be enhanced by my ETSY treasures that I've been dying to use all year!
Elfin napkin holders (I'd credit the source but they were a gift and I'm not sure).


Orange compote from Modish Vintage:



There, I feel better already!

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

Hey, check out this tip! inumbr.com allows you to create a free, automatically expiring phone number that will forward calls to your phone. Perfect for keeping your information protected when purchasing cool stuff on Craigslist!

I really didn't see that much in the way of furniture this week, but several interesting houseware items...

Huge set of 1950s Noritake china, $50 [check posting for more photos]

1950s punch bowl set, $50

Avocado-green metal canister set, $15

Vintage Pyrex bowls, $30/set.

Hamilton Beach chrome mixer, $45

Oster/Sears harvest gold blender, with accessories. $40

Get your Astro Weenie On!

Here is Mr. Charles Phoenix pictured with his lovely "Astro Weenie" whimsical tower of hors d'oeuvres. Click here to see his lovely "astro weenie" gallery.
Here's how you can do it:


Retro-luxe is game! We say "YES" to the astro-weenie challenge. How about you? Send us (and Mr. Phoenix) a photo of your astro weenie tree and we'll feature it here!

To Jennie--ok, will this work? I was hoping we'd do this, get famous, and be able to quit our day jobs. Are you feeling it?

Retro-luxe Fashion Icon: Little Edie

"You can always take off the skirt and use it as a cape."



Good advice for a Monday morning.

Happy Hour Friday: Gibson

If you ever want a stiff yet elegant drink that is savory rather than sweet you might just whip up a Gibson. Maybe it's because you are in a kind of mood when you feel like biting into an onion, just to make a point, like Bette Davis did as Margo Channing in All About Eve. Know what I'm talking about? This cocktail doesn't mess around and gets right to the point: a buzz within 30 seconds of your first couple of sips and onion breath on top of it.

The Gibson. A drink of so many "rare qualities".....

Margo, you're my heroine.

Gibson

2.5 oz. gin or vodka

.5 oz. dry vermouth (Get some high end vermouth. It's worth it!)

3 cocktail onions, for garnish

Stir or shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Breathe onion fire on your companion(s) whilst making snarky comments all evening.

Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night.

Retro-luxe Gift Guide: Who We Were A Snapshot History Of America

Who We Were is...as close to a true self-portrait of the American people as you're likely to find between covers.
It's now only $29.95 and you can order it here. Buy this book!!!

For a taste of this book, visit Square America, a site dedicated to preserving and displaying vintage snapshots from the first 3/4s of the 20th Century. Here's a little taste.

From the "Dance Lessons" gallery found here.

From the "Family Dynamics Gallery:"
Found here.

Found here.

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

Happy hump day, everyone!

'70s orange MASSAGING recliner, $175

Retro steel cabinet, make an offer!

Bamboo/rattan secretary and side table, $95 (I really want a Polynesian-inspired room!!)

Buffet/credenza, $475

Walnut dining table, $250
Walnut dining chairs, $300

Retro-luxe Gift Guide 2009

Retro-luxe Gift Guide 2009 by Retro-luxe
All gifts under $50!
From top left to right...
Ann Taylor Luxe Scarf, $45
Mod Cloth Peacock Tights $29.00 Somebody, PLEASE!!!!
Holy Toast Bread Stamp $3.99 Start your day of with an inspirational apparition!
Understand Your Mother Breath Spray, $4.99 Perfect for that holiday family time!
Lumiere Candles from CB2, $2.95 to $4.95 Not for any home with children.
Love Rocks Lip Gloss Ring, Victoria's Secret $12.00 Remember how much fun these were?
Dallas, seasons 1 and 2 on DVD, $20.49. Because JR's antics were always entertaining...
Fabulous 50's advertising calendar, $13.99 These are so much fun!
Imperial Palace Earrings from Mod Cloth, $11.99
GurglePot pitcher, $40.00 Gurgles as you pour!
Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick, $30.00 Because it's the very best!

The Sanitarium

The demands of being working mothers are leaving Meredith and I feeling like Sue Ellen in this episode of the fine television series Dallas. Check back tomorrow for some captivating new content.

Happy Hour Friday: Bouldin Creek Boiler Maker

The original Boiler Maker is thought to have originated near the steel mills of Pittsburgh. After a long shift the steel mill crew would head to the local bar for a shot of whiskey followed by a pint of beer. First the shot, then they would slowly sip their beers while hanging out with the buddies. They were like one big family; the men worked together, celebrated together, socialized along with their wives and children together and pretty much spent their entire lives amongst each other and each other's families.

Here's my version of a Boiler Maker, something a little like a whiskey sour with beer!

Bouldin Creek Boiler Maker

1.5 oz Maker's Mark Bourbon

.5 oz lemon juice, fresh squeezed

.5 oz Saison Dupont Ale simple syrup*

cherry and orange slice for garnish

In a shaker filled with ice combine all ingredients and shake. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice, garnishing with a cherry and an orange slice.

*To make the simple syrup:

Heat one 750ml bottle of Saison Dupont (or try another belgian ale - or any flavorful beer of your liking) and add 20 oz. sugar. Do not boil! Stir until dissolved and remove from heat and cool a bit. Skim the head if necessary. Add 10 oz. of vodka and stir. I poured most of this back into the beer bottle, added a pour spout and keep it in my fridge. It makes a TON so share your leftovers. I'll be drinking these all winter - with friends!

Holiday Gift DIY!

Photo by Jack Gould, from PAD.
Sluggish economy got you down? No money in the coffers to splurge on your friends and loved ones this year? Don't despair! Here's a fun DIY project that you can make easily and cheaply. Your "Cousin It Tissue Cozy" will be the hit of the holiday season!

Here's what you'll need:
Ruler, crayon, chalk or pen, X-acto knife, needle, thread, 20 X 12 piece of fur material(try the craft or fabric stores), and square tissue box.

Here's what you do:

*Lay the fur fuzzy-side down on a work surface. Trace all four sides of the tissue box. Make sure that the grain of the fur falls from top to bottom. Trace the box top.

*Cut out each form with the X-acto knife (use a ruler to help keep it straight), then cut a 3.5 inch slit in the center of the top piece.

*With the fuzzy side face down, sew together the four side pieces, side by side. Make sure that the grain of fur falls in the same direction.

*Sew together each edge of the top piece to each top edge of the four side pieces.

*Turn inside out, slip over tissue box, and fluff.

From PAD: The Guide to Ultra Living by Matt Maranian, 2000.

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

Friends, today I decided to do the Craigslist post around a more specific theme: French provincial (provencal?) furniture. Something about that white finish and curved legs really appeals to me, but since I'm outnumbered by boys in my house, I don't think it'll ever make its way into my own decor.

But a girl can dream...


Curved bench, $180.

Bar, $400.

Bedroom set, $500.

Dresser w/mirror, $450.

Bedroom set, $650. See posting for more pieces that are included.

Nightstand, $20.

Retro-luxe Thrifting Secrets Revealed

The Next-to-New store on Burnet road is a Retro-luxe thrifting secret. It's on Burnet road, which is the greatest place to shop. If it's not on Burnet Rd. friends, you don't need it...After you get done here, you can walk right across the street to Ginny's Little Longhorn and have a Lone Star and a pickled egg. I digress! I'll admit, prices at Next-to-New can be too high. They do have this thing where the prices drops after a certain period of time, so there's really three prices on a tag. Check the date! I've gotten some great deals there. I've also waited for the price to drop and gone back there and the item was gone. Which is frustrating. Which is why it's good that Ginny's Little Longhorn is so close by...At any rate, this is a great place to do your holiday shopping if you like any of the following:

Dishes--
Candy dishes--

There's a lot of this kind of stuff at Next-to-New--


These Episcopal women have the most amazing barware...champagne anyone?


This is a great place to shop if you need a punch bowl--


Or a soup toureen--


There's usually some interesting mid-century pieces, but they know what they have and price it high, hookers.


This sofa would be right at home in Elvis' Jungle Room. Use your imagination and picture the coffee table with a mannequin underneath--


These lovely cups would be divine to serve mint juleps in at your next Kentucky Derby party!



One more thing. The nice ladies who work here are volunteers. And they're not in a hurry. They have time to chat! Please do not shop here if you are in a hurry! And please, don't get snippy when it takes awhile to wrap up your package due to idle chit chat. If you want speedy, go to the big box!