Second Hand Chicks: July 2009

Friday, July 31, 2009

My Own Private Idaho

I'ts road trip time for the Second Hand Chicks or at least one of them. While Connie mans the shop I'll be driving north to Idaho, hitting all the hot spots ( Deseret Industries thrift stores) along the way. My final destination...Driggs and the home of Dawn Wells (you know her as Maryann from Gilligan's Island). She's moving back to California and is unloading the bulk of her worldly possessions at what I hope will be the best estate sale ever. Apparently she is not as wholesome as her TV persona would lead you to believe....Dawn has a rap sheet. Check out her mug shot at http://preview3.accesshollywood.com/dawn-wells/gilligans-mary-ann-sentenced-to-five-days-in-jail_article_8731

Between you and me, the fact that she's spent some time in the pokey, makes me like her even more!

So the next time you hear from me, I'll have a van full of treasures from the Great Northern Wilderness.

Love, Kelly

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Pas de Deux

I'm certain all of you baby boomers out there remember when paint by numbers sets were all the rage. They've made a comeback apparently and are very collectible sometimes fetching hundreds of dollars. Paint by number works have just recently been classified by art historians as true American folk art. Pretty impressive for a post-war suburban hobby for conformist would-be artists with too much leisure time on their hands.

Anyhow...my sweet friend Nancy Majeras brought these into my shop today and I fell in love. I'm selling the set of 2 for $60. These would be an adorable addition to any little girl's bedroom.

They won't last long.

Love, Kelly

P.S. Are you reading this, Molly?

Take a Seat

Just finished painting this set of 4 chairs this refreshing shade of green. Green is the must-have color this year. The best part is that the paint is an "oops" color from the Home Depot that sells for $5 a gallon. The chairs are old school chairs so they were built to last. We purchased them from a government surplus website: http://www.publicsurplus.com/ They sell a variety of merchandise from tables and chairs to filing cabinets, building materials and even automobiles.

Love, Kelly

Monday, July 27, 2009

Connie Channels Audrey Hepburn

It all started with the hat. A fabulous vintage wide brim hat came into the shop and Connie had to have it. Normally my employees have to wait 30 days to purchase items but it was apparent that if I didn't let Connie buy the hat immediately if not sooner, there would be hell to pay. She was saving this dress for a funeral but oh well, death will have to wait. Then came the gloves and sunglasses but sadly, cigarette holders are a little hard to come by these days. I wonder where Cruella Deville buys hers.

"I've got to do something about the way I look. I mean a girl can't just go to Sing Sing with a green face!"

You just never know what kind of transformation will take place when you shop at Second Hand Chic.

Love, Kelly

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Maryann's Moving Sale

So I'm doing my usual Sunday morning perusal of the classified ads for estate sales and lo and behold...

DAWN WELLS

"MARYANN"S

MOVING SALE"

One time event! Dawn Wells aka

Maryann of Giligan's Island is holding a moving sale at her

estate in Drigg's, Idaho.

Join Dawn August 1st at 10:00 AM.

I could scarcely contain my excitement. Driggs, Idaho, here we come! The best part is Maryann, I mean "Dawn" will actually be there during the sale so I can ask her all those questions I've been wanting to since the show aired in the 1970's like: did you and the Professor have a "thing"? And were Giligan and the Skipper actually gay? And why did you always wear the same outfit and Ginger always wore different outfits? Important stuff like that.

Stay tuned for all the details of this fabulous upcoming event and the subsequent blog post to follow.

Love, Kelly

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Thrift Store Blood Bath

Warning: The following blog post contains graphic material that may not be suitable for young children.

Since it's Saturday, I thought about risking heat stroke and hitting some yard sales around Sugar House. I vowed never to shop at "The Boutique" (Deseret Industries) on the weekend because it's just too dangerous. But since I had no cash on hand and was still recovering from my photo session in the sun yesterday I thought, "What's the harm in just popping in?" It was as horrifying as I had remembered.

When the cart rolls out of the backroom, all hell breaks loose! They swarm like drunken sailors on shore leave at a whorehouse.

It's a life and death gamble...reach in to grab a Shirley Temple commemorative plate and you could pull back a bloody stump.

The crowd has thinned out a bit so it's now safe to approach the cart.

Can you imagine risking life and limb in order to score this sleepytime bear in the nightshirt and cap?

George, he's my favorite D.I. employee. He knows my taste and always gives me a heads-up when something good is about to emerge from the back.

While all those losers were hovered around that cart with the stupid sleepy teddy bear, I swooped down and nabbed this great table.

Look what Spence scored at the cart...a Maxfeild Parish print. He almost lost an eye wrestling it away from the competition but it was worth it.

Just another day at the office.

Love, Kelly

Friday, July 24, 2009

Signs of the Times

Considering that today is Pioneer Day, a statewide holiday commemorating the history of Utah, I thought I'd share with you this visual essay of some cool vintage signs around Salt Lake City. The City Creek Inn on North Temple.

Some old signs in the Sugar House area. Fortunately, Craig Meacham doesn't own any of these buildings, otherwise they would have been torn down.

Since I never clean my house, I don't own a vacuum so I have never been in this establishment. They have a really cool sign, though.

Central Book Exchange on 1100 East and 20th South is a great place to bring all those books you've already read that are gathering dust sitting on your shelf. When you trade in your old books you get a discount on new ones. The staff is really helpful, too.

Sterling Furniture, in Sugar House. Corner of 2100 South and 1100 East.

The iconic roto-sphere Granite Furniture sign built in 1964. Fortunately this sign will become part of the new building design in the works.

I'm not sure what "He She" means. Perhaps it refers to the feminist science fiction/cyber punk novel "He She and It" written in 1991 by Marge Peircy.

The Stark Automotive Sign: on the corner of Mclelland and Hollywood. Stark Automotive is gone but the sign remains.

This odd little storefront has been unoccupied for several years. When you look through the front window the former popcorn/candy shop seems frozen in time. There are even some really stale peices of taffy sitting on the counter. My theory is the building is haunted because at times I have seen a mysterious figure in the window upstairs.

The Judge Building, built in 1906 sits on the corner of 300 South and Main.

Backers Bakery; 434 South Temple. These guys were making yummy cupcakes before they became a trend. They also carry some really adorable retro style aprons.

McKay Diamonds; opened in 1949. It's the ultimate Main Street survivor.

Exchange Place, one of downtown's Historic Districts.

Once considered one of Salt Lake City's premiere financial zones, Exchange Place Historic District is nestled between 3rd and 4th South and bounded by the East on State and the West by Main.

700 block of State Street...that frosty beer mug is making me thirsty. It must be 100 degrees out today.

New Era Garage: NW corner of 600 South and 200 East.

Affectionately refered to as "The Roachman" by local diners.

Wow! Free TV and phone in every room! Talk about plush.

Ritz Bowling Lanes, 2265 South State...another great example of googli archtitecture. After 47 years it's still a great place to wear other people's shoes.

All this traipsing around town in this triple digit heat has been brutal. Time for a frosty mug (or cardboard cup as the case may be) of A & W rootbeer. It's time to head home to the AC. There will be more signs to come...stay tuned readers.

Love Kelly

Apparel Sale!

It's time for Second Hand Chic's Apparel Sale!

Starting tomorrow, Saturday July 25 all apparel and accessories will be a whopping 30% off the marked price!

All Clothing.

All Shoes.

All Handbags.

All Belts.

All Scarves.

All Jewelry.

All Hats.

You'd be crazy to miss this one, ladies.

Sale ends Saturday August 1.

Love, Kelly

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

New to You

It's the post you eagerly wait for every week...new arrivals! Here's a peek at some of the new goodies at Second Hand Chic.

Embroidered pillow case sets: $8-16