Monday, March 4, 2013

I’ve Got Your Number

Last week, after a two week interruption in our routine, Paula and I finally resumed our Friday rounds to St. Vincent de Paul and Goodwill.  (The clerk at Goodwill even demanded to know where we’d been!)  Both stores were absolutely bursting at the seams with other bargain hunters.  I’m guessing the ninety-nine cent clothing sale at St. Vincent’s, and the 50% off all donated items at Goodwill may have had something to do with it.  Browsing was, to say the least, a little challenging-and while I didn’t find anything I wanted at Goodwill, I did find this at St. Vinnies-

rolodex

It’s an early 1960’s Rolodex.  I paid 75 cents for it.  Not bad, considering that I did some checking online and found the exact same Rolodex for 30 dollars.  I’m not sure why, but I’ve always wanted a vintage Rolodex-I guess I like the idea of flipping through the little cards in search of a phone number, while cradling the handset to an old black telephone under my chin.  It just seems so charmingly old fashioned.  Or maybe I envision myself as the head of my own detective agency, hunting down missing husbands.

There were a few names and addresses still written on some of the cards-and Paula, who’s lived in Ellensburg most of her life even knew who some of the people were.  We both got a kick out of the notation next to the name on the card above. 

She married early Oct ‘97. 

That might be a useful bit of information-should I choose to become a private eye.

In the meantime, a couple weeks ago I uncovered another remnant (no pun intended!) of the early 1960’s-this stunning avocado green Hawaiian barkcloth, which I plan to pair with the vintage tiki inspired button that I found last summer in a second hand store a few miles away. 

barkcloth and button

Stay tuned…

18 comments:

  1. What treasures! That barkcloth is to die for...

    I was married in 1997!

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    1. Thanks Dawn! And what a sweet and fun coincidence!

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  2. What a fun find! My dad has a rolodex on top of the fridge :) Brings back memories! That barkcloth is so pretty - I love the color!

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    1. Tammy-what a novel place to keep a rolodex-I love it! And I love avocado green too!

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  3. Cool fabric. Huh our goodwill never does sales. Jealous!

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  4. Oh Valerie! How fun, I love itt. Many comments today have used the phrase, "ooh la la". Isn't that funny! I haven't heard that phrase forever. My sweet brother that lived with me used to say, "ooh la la, pretty legs" to me when he wanted to pay me a compliment. Did you know my brother died? Did you know me yet? He passed on August 23rd and he had lived with me and my HM for 8 years. He was disabled-delayed from birth and was a sheer sweetheart. Ya, I miss him.

    You are such a fun blogging buddy. I love you!!!!!

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    1. Hugs, Renae-I didn't know you yet-but I want to say now that I'm so sorry about your brother. He sounds like he was a wonderful guy:) And ditto on the fun blogging buddy comment-I love you too!

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  5. It's been far too long since I've been browsing in our local antique/thrift shops. I think I need to take a lunch break this week and do just that!

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    1. Melissa-I order you to do just that, my friend! It's very inspiring, being around all that vintage stuff!

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  6. good for you!!! fun treasures...

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  7. Oh V I love the Rolex(not the watch) it makes for interesting stories in my head and I am sure yours also. Love the fabric. B

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    1. B-one of the things I like best about vintage treasures are the stories they inspire me to write. I guess it's a good excuse to keep right on shopping:)

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  8. for fun! my hubby loves old office stuff. We have a couple of old staplers and a very heavy metal hole punch that can go through like 150 papers at one time... if one may ever have the need.. :O)

    looking forward to the unveiling of the new barkcloth bag... love that green!!!

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    1. Lisa-it's cool he loves vintage office stuff. I'll be on the lookout! I've seen those old paper punches-the new ones don't hold a candle to them! The new ones can barely punch one sheet of paper;)

      I hope to unveil soon!

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  9. I might have walked right by that rolodex but you've made it into something special here. A gift you have. I love that pattern on the barkcloth - can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  10. I just love the word "rolodex"! I like to mix new with vintage items and always thought it would be neat to get a typewriter. Then I think of the space it would take up (that I don't have because it's filled with stack of books...). Maybe someday!

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