Break out the bubbly...denisebrain is a winner!

Not to blow my horn, but, well, yes, TO BLOW MY HORN: Lulu of Lulu's Vintage has chosen denisebrain as one of her top 10 vintage websites this year! See all the winners here.


I'm honored, delighted and amazed...and opening a bottle of champagne!

Michael Jackson's gone...Everyone dance

Did you see this great scene in the movie 13 Going on 30? The party's going terribly, no one's dancing, then Jenna (Jennifer Garner) suggests a certain song...



Interestingly, on an NPR radio news show they were discussing Michael Jackson's impact and this very same story was recounted from real life, of a dance club where everyone was too cool to dance when the DJ decided to spin nothing but Michael Jackson songs. Everyone danced.

I really tried, but I can't choose a favorite song or a favorite dance of Michael's. He was an extremely professional performer, a stunning singer, an overwhelmingly talented songwriter and creative genius, encompassing not only the music and the dance, but the production of small epics of music videos. He was a force of nature.

For me, the best tribute we could give Michael is a worldwide party...and everyone dance!

Hello Good Buy!

I'm only a beer teetotaler, not a champagne teetotaler, wrote George Bernard Shaw, and I'm inclined to agree, especially if the champagne is pink...and it can be worn!

I scoured Etsy's vintage categories this morning, and here are the $20-and-under finds that give me a kick, not unlike champagne!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade denisebrain.etsy.com

You're a sight to see, Mrs. Gordon!

Every now and then I like to highlight a collection of clothing I get from one woman, such as I love my vintage clothing sources, A tiny fraction of Mrs. Alexander's Clothing, Another favorite source and The suitcase lot. Today, I'd like to show you Mrs. Gordon's clothing.

I never knew Mrs. Gordon, but I did have a music seminar with her daughter, who thought to call me when she needed to find a new home for her mother's clothing.

I don't know Mrs. Gordon, but I do think I have the right to say that she was a very stylish and interesting dresser, from the 40s right through the 70s. What do you think?

Interestingly, Mr. Gordon, who is at quite a ripe old age now, lost his eyesight from an injury he sustained during WWII; so Mrs. Gordon dressed beautifully even though her husband couldn't see her. I can't help but think that Mr. Gordon got to hear about his wife's beauty and sartorial charm. Here's looking at you, Mrs. Gordon!

List of vintage clothing reference links

From Archivia Vintage Fashion & Textiles, a wonderfully helpful list of online resources for vintage clothing appreciators: Useful Vintage, Antiques and Collectibles Resource Links

Hello Good Buy!

Does this make me look laid off? Who couldn't use a good deal these days? I did a little hunting around Etsy's vintage this morning, and found items $20 and under that I think are both really cute, and really good deals:

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade materialgirlbags.etsy.com

Vote for your favorite vintage site!

It is your chance to vote for your favorite women's vintage web site. Last year denisebrain was fortunate enough to be one of the top ten favorites on the great Lulu's Vintage Blog list. If you read this, and would be willing to cast a vote for me, please go to Lulu's voting post and leave a comment that names denisebrain.

OR, if you like, go and name yourself or some other seller that you think rocks the trade. You may vote for your top 10 sites.

It is cool to have a chance to see such a large collection of vintage sites listed in one place, and have a chance to cast another admiring glance at one's colleagues. I learn from these great sellers every day, and have the utmost respect and admiration for so many of them.

Footnote: I met Lulu, of Lulu's Vintage fame here in Spokane over the weekend, as she came to visit the Farm Chick's show. Lulu is a most elegant, intelligent and gracious person, and she and her husband charmed me and my husband. Quite aside from this contest, I am redoubling my appreciation of Lulu!

Happy Birthday Cole Porter (June 9, 1891)

The way this ends always brings tears to my eyes.

GET REAL! (vintage of course)

For my June theme I'm calling on some great women to show what real is all about. Please visit my theme page, and have your sound up for Aretha!

Then, stop by denisebrain.com to find real vintage clothing...I'm counting on you to get real!

Happy Birthday Marilyn

“No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they're pretty, even if they aren't.

“The truth is I've never fooled anyone. I've let people fool themselves. They didn't bother to find out who and what I was. Instead they would invent a character for me. I wouldn't argue with them. They were obviously loving somebody I wasn't.”

“It's better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone - so far.”

“To put it bluntly, I seem to have a whole superstructure with no foundation. But I'm working on the foundation.”

“It's often just enough to be with someone. I don't need to touch them. Not even talk. A feeling passes between you both. You're not alone.”

“Dogs never bite me. Just humans.”

“Men are so willing to respect anything that bores them.”

“I want to grow old without facelifts... I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I've made. Sometimes I think it would be easier to avoid old age, to die young, but then you'd never complete your life, would you? You'd never wholly know you.”

“I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else.”

“I've never dropped anyone I believed in.”

“I restore myself when I'm alone.”

“I am not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.”