Blobfest 2017

This past Saturday, we took a day trip to Phoenixville, PA to experience our first Blobfest!  This is the 18th year of the festival, celebrating the shooting of The Blob in Phoenixville (specifically, the famous blob attack in the theater) and surrounding locations.

Blobfest from Sabrina on Vimeo.

The landmark Colonial Theater was showing the Blob all day, along with other classics like House of Wax and It Came from Outer Space.

I wasn't really sure to expect from this, but the streets were packed and the theater crowd was hyped.  Every bad line-reading, every glimpse of the theater we were sitting in, and every small victory against the alien demanded shouting and cheering.  I've never seen a crowd so excited for a movie at 12 in the afternoon!

Drinks at Bluebird Distilling

On the street, there were local artists, vendors with bootleg DVDs of cheesy movies, VHS tapes, t-shirts, pillows... etc.  The late-night movie host of Cinema Insomnia, Mr. Lobo himself, was there.  (He personally gifted us pieces of Angoratex™ with which to calm your nerves during any Ed Wood movie viewing.)  People had rolled in with their hot rods and classic cars, and bands played all day so people could dance.
It was a really joyful celebration of that time an amorphous alien mass began to swallow townspeople whole and was defeated by Steve McQueen with a fire extinguisher.

Dress is vintage
Earrings by Bow & Crossbones
Vincent Price pin by Ghoul Gang

5 Items for a Retro Perfect Dining Room

Today on Vibrant Vintage, I'm happy to present a guest post by Amy at LuxeDecor!  They offer a wide range of home furnishings with a retro touch.  They have handpicked some items that my readers will surely be interested in, especially those who love midcentury decor.  Enjoy! 

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Often referred to as the Golden Age, the 1950s were a time of funky furnishings, bold artwork and vibrant décor. Seeking to add some of this midcentury vintage drama to your dining space? Whether you want to overhaul an eating area into a total time warp or just want to add some cool graphic furnishings and colorful art pieces to an otherwise modern mealtime nook, there are plenty of options for filling a dining space with nostalgic style.

Here are five items fit for a retro inspired dining room:

Image Via Pinterest

Splashy and dramatic, a sputnik chandelier is the perfect fit for a midcentury dining room. Adding tons of light to the ceiling, this showpiece lighting fixture is a glitzy standout.

Image Via HGTV Home

Classic and cool, a metal bar cart offers any dining room tons of character. Filled with bar staples and classic mixers, this cart is bound to be a hit during parties and evening soirees.

Image Via Memorable Décor

A large hypnotic painting offers this dining room a fresh focal point and tons of dazzling retro charm. Perfect for giving an eating space a bit of glamour, this painting is a definite blast from the past.

Image Via BeeYoutiful Life

Forget a commonplace gray or brown rug and instead opt to give a space some serious sparkle with a bright orange rug. Perfect for plain or muted floors, this colorful floor covering gives a dining room a burst of energy.

Image Via Decoist

A dining room needs a space for noshing and nothing screams midcentury more than a classic table with tulip chairs. Ideal for entertaining, this Scandinavian style dining set is like an ode to 1950s family life.

Guest Post by Amy Spagnola for LuxeDecor

Heat Wave

 

Something about summertime lately makes me want to dress like a member of '70s girl gang all the time.  (The new fringe and flare jeans must have something to do with it.)

5 Keys for Instant Mid Century Style

Mid century design for the home has never truly gone out of style.  You just need to take a trip to your closest Ikea and you're sure to see how Scandinavian style influenced the homes of the 1950s and '60s.  Here are some basic things that are easy to include in your house for a touch of retro style.

1)  Streamlined furniture
Mid century modern couches, tables, and chairs usually have the trademark hairpin legs or narrow legs, which can be found on plenty of new designs, too!  DotAndBo has plenty of mid century modern inspired pieces at very reasonable prices.  If you have a piece that needs an extra something to complete the retro look, search online for hairpin legs or check out Ace hardware, which sells wooden table legs to add onto your own furniture.

2)  Atomic age motifs

A starburst clock or mirror is plenty to add some vintage flair to your living room.

From Life Magazine

3)  Geometric shapes

Along with the ubiquitous starburst, look for anything that has a pattern with clean lines.  A wall print or a cute sculpture can add a little more interest to the room.  Plus, if you're renting and can't paint, a big print on the wall (or even fabric hung from the walls) gives you a nice burst of color.

Wall art / Dot Bo mid century wall art / Photo poster

4)  A bright pop of color

Use colors that were popular at the time, but maybe with the brightness or saturation enhanced a little.

From KathyDavisAssociates.com

5)  Mixed textures

 Mixing things like patterned cushions, a shaggy rug, or gauzy curtains can add a lot of visual interest to a room.  Also, keep in mind that -- like now -- there were a plethora of influences on mid century design.  Scandinavian design was popular, as were Asian motifs.  So build on these aspects with your own style and taste, and then you'll have a unique and original room that will be just right for you.

• What's your favorite era for interior design?
• Any plans to update your living space soon?

1950s for Spring

     I'm so happy it's springtime.  I think this winter was the last straw and I'm ready to migrate south next year; I guess I'm finally accepting the fact that I'm always freezing.  Here is what I'm normally wearing out and about come springtime, when it's time to shed the dark colored clothes and heavy boots.  

     It used to feel overwhelming trying to find something vintage and comfy and pretty to wear during the day; a lot of vintage shops and stores highlight dresses over all else, and that isn't always practical.  But with some trial and error, I found my go-to outfits for a day of shopping or running errands.  I get a lot of inspiration from teen outfits in the '50s, actually.  They're cute, functional, but still body-hugging and grown up.  If you don't have a pair of saddle shoes, go get some; it'll change your life (for real, ladies).

Image via the50shousewife.com

Image via Wikimedia, from an ad for T. C. Beirne's department store

Image via VintageDancer.com

Jeans by Merona, at Target

 Shirt from Lands End

Shoes from Payless