Florida: Thrifts, Cars and Tiki Bars!

The Saint whisked me away to Florida for the week between Xmas and New Years. We went to Sarasota, to Lido Key, which is quite swank. So immediately upon arrival in town I searched out a thrift store and a dive bar. At the thrift I scored 2 handbags, one with martini shakers on it. This has my name all over it, it practically screamed at me the minute I walked in the door.I did a victory dance in the aisle.  The other is a woven straw watermelon. Terrific!!! Who doesnt need a watermelon shaped bag? If you say you dont you have no soul. That's all I got, the Saint was waiting in the car so we could go to THE BAHI HUT, a 1950s era dive bar with a semi-tiki theme. The Bahi Hut is not exactly a tiki bar in the midcentury polynesian pop sense (as o[pposed to the Jimmy Buffet style margaritas are served tiki bar), but it had some tiki elements. This was a low key, no attitude, no bulls**t bar for serious drinking.  It was AWESOME!!!! We went there 3 different nights and I made more friends in this bar in 3 days than I have in the past 10 years. Seriously. This place RULES. I had goombay smashes and Tiki Coolers while the Saint has mai tais.  It was fabulous.

We also went to the Sarasota antique car museum, where I fell in love. His name is IsoRivolta Grifo and he is a rare and expensive Italian sports car. This was somewhat shocking because I normally like 1950s cars, like the amazing Pontiac they had on display. They also had Paul McCartney's mini and John Lennon's mercedes wagon. Very cool museum. Afterwards the Saint informed me that a used Iso in need of restoration goes for $140,000. Ugh. Well, I know I have good taste.

Xmas gifts and more thrifted stuff

Here is a shot of some of the things I got for Christmas. The pin up photo book, which I picked out at the store, is from The Saint, and the recipe box, coaster set and credit card box are from my friend Jane. The pink credit card box says "Let's talk about how fabulous you think I am.."  Therecipe box and coasters say "Make yourself at home, clean my kitchen!"  Jane also got me a few other things with the same retro ladies on them, these are perfect for my kitchen. I sell antiques and collectibles to support Jane's dog rescue group, from which I adopted my dog.

Here are 2 cookbooks I scored at a local thrift, which usually never has anything that could be considered vintage. The Betty Crocker's Hostess Cookbook is from 1967 and has a cool TIKI photo--the thrift gods smiled upon me! The paperback desserts booklet is from the 1960s also.

Vintage Xmas and new thrift find, plus new shoes

Here are a few shots of some of my vintage Christmas items.

Here are my new shoes, which, although modern and brand new, have a vintage 1940s look. The ankle strap was what go me.  Now I need somewhere to go.

Below are 2 thrifted vintage paper tablecloths. I am in love with anything hot pink and lime green, for that preppy Christmas look. The other has an astrological birthday theme.