Ladies, do take note...

Home Economics For Women In The 1950's
From a 1950's high school home economics textbook, teaching girls how to prepare for married life.

1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time.
This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.

2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking.
He has just been with a lot of work- weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables.
Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.

4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes.
They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.

6. Things to avoid: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner.
Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.

7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes.
Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.


10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.


This had me in stitches..oh to be a housewife in the 50's!

Vintage Swimsuits

I love vintage, I love the 40's and 50's and I love these vintage swimsuit pictures.

I may have mentioned before I have an old calender with vintage Vogue pictures some of which I have been planning to frame for quite a while (yes, another unfinshed project...).

Hopefully I will find them if I ever finish unpacking and can get them up somewhere in our house...hmmm

all images via myvintagevogue on flickr here

Weekend thrifted finds

$10 vintage travel clock (as previosly mentioned, I have an issue with collecting clocks...) and pretty floral and blue polka dot table cloth

Do you remember these adorable little double mirrors? You pull out the back mirror and it flips around so there are 2 mirrors-a standard and close up mirror...so sweet!

Looks quite scary with those beaded eyes but with a coat of paint I am sure he will come up cute as a button!

This flamingo pair kept calling to me but sadly I left them there. I keep thinking about them so I think I am going to have to go back and get them. They are a darker pink in real life. Don't know where in my house they they would go, hmm, minor detail.

Bundle of vintage linens- sheets, tablecloths and pillowcases. Perfect for some upcoming projects I am trying to start...

It was quite a productive weekend at my fave thrift/junk shop.

Lots of new projects to start and hopefully some will even get finished sometime soon!

Little Wise Owl

Aren't they just too cute? - made by Becky from Little Wise Owl (love the name!) on madeit.com here.

I want want want that gorgeous bag made from vintage noahs ark fabric. I can so picture my mazie carrying her books in it or wearing it flung over her shoulder teamed with her new apple green smock dress and funky coloured fabric necklace or fabric broach...

Becky's items really have me inspired to get stuck into my stash of vintage sheets, pillowcases and fabrics and get some sewing happening around here!

all images via little wise owl on madeit.com

It's Giveaway Day!!!

OK, I have been through my box of goodies of my items for {Bits & Bubs} and have chosen these 3 items for all you vintage style lovers out there.

The giveaway parcel consists of a white Tank with vintage Holly Hobbie applique (available in size's 1-5: if you win just let me know the size you want), adjustable fabric necklace and a yo-yo broach with vintage fabric covered button detail. (the dark fabric didn't picture too well- its a soft and lightweight dark denim).

How to win? Its easy! Simply comment on this post and you will be in for the chance to win.

Do a post on my giveaway and link back to my blog and your name will be entered an additional 4 times!! ( be sure to let me know!) If you win and have blogged about my giveaway you will also receive a mystery prize!

If you like my giveaway items check out more {Bits & Bubs} items at my madeit shop here (new items will be added over the next few days).

Comments/entries close 5pm Monday 1 June Australian eastern time (12pm Sunday 31st May Pacific Time for U.S. - hope I have converted that right!)

The winner will be chosen at random by a random number generator and announced Tuesday, 2 June 2009.

Please leave your contact details when you comment or check back here on Monday to see if you are a winner!

Oh, and I will ship internationally!

Check out who else is joining in the giveaway day fun here

A Vintage Beach Wedding

Here are some pics from a beautiful vintage beach style wedding I went to on the weekend.

It was so nice to go to a non traditional wedding - no sit down meal, very informal and at such a gorgeous location.

The reception was held at an absolutely divine cottage style coffee house called The House of Gabriel, in Tumbulgum on the far north coast of NSW.

I am definitely thinking I have a winner for my wedding reception (have I mentioned I have been engaged for around 6 years???).
I absolutely fell in love with the place and took so many photos which I will post another day.

It really was a lovely evening...the champagne flowed, the fairy lights twinkled and the jazz band crooned as the sun set over the mountains behind the river...bliss.

Sunshine on a rainy day...

A bright and cheery bedroom on a cold, rainy day...

I found these pics recently on flickr, by Jek in the box. She also has a shop on etsy where she sells her crafty items.

She has a very bright photo set of her bed which she makes up differently every month with her collection of mis-matched linens! Love it!

Very eclectic chic with her mix of vintage & retro linens - a lot of which are thrifted finds.

Obviously this style is not for you minimalists and neutral lovers (me) out there but, how can you not smile looking at these sunny pics??? And who wouldn't love a "new" bedroom each month?

Finally, items at the {Bits & Bubs} store!!!

Jaynie's Jammies in "all wrapped up"
$24.95 (4 piece set)

Sadie's Smock in "I'm a little teapot"
$22.95

Sissie's Singlet in "Vintage Holly Hobbie"$9.95

Well today I finally managed to add some items for my {Bits & Bubs} store on madeit.com.au. Check them out!