But what about us plus size peeps? Are there vintage shops for us? You bet there is! Now I can’t say that I’ve been to a specifically plus vintage store (Oh wait! I can, but can’t remember the name. It’s in Portland, OR though!) or that I have found and purchased any vintage clothing, but what I can do is offer some web links to get you started. I have not bought a single thing from these shops, but I have browsed/window shopped and like what I see.

ballyhoovintage.com they carry mens & womens clothing. I like that you can choose a certain era. No-brainer for me to click on 40′s vintage dresses. But wait! There’s a little button at the top that says, “For Curvier Sizes” so I click and oh yeah, more what I’m looking for. The only bummer (besides price, but vintage is not cheap) is the sizing doesn’t go up to DEATHFAT and so I must keep looking for that perfect vintage dress I’ve longed for. The mens section does have a lot of cool stuff! Hmm…

dandelionvintage.com this no-frills site gives you some unique styles and great descriptions & real pictures of the items they carry. There is a link for plus size vintage. I click it and find very reasonable prices! WOW! Limited selection, but I could see myself checking back here a few times a year to see if anything grabs me. And now that I see that they have vintage bags & aprons? Well…I have a lot of looking to do. Ha!

etsy.com/shop/BettesBargains while their plus size selection is small today, I was excited to see so many vintage hats! I’m a sucker for them! Very reasonable pricing, too!  I’m putting this shop in my Etsy favorite sellers list!

daddyos.com They have a lot of good stuff. I believe it’s vintage reproductions, but they look like good quality. A little high on the pricing, but it’s new stuff so it’s expected, I guess. Very cute dresses. They go up to a 3x and for dresses that’s a 46″ bust size. Not bad, but no good for moi! This is a great place for guys, though. Lots of bowling & rockabilly style shirts and accessories. For gals there’s so much! This would be a great place to buy a unique special occasion dress that is sure to wow ‘em when you arrive! I’m thinking high school reunions and the like. Where your entrance matters! Ha!

stopstaringclothing.com Pricey end of the spectrum, I’d say. But some of their dresses are drool-worthy! Huge selection. Check out their retro bathing suits, too! If I could afford to dress like this? Well, I’m a married gal so I don’t have to worry about that anymore. Ha-ha! Love their stuff!(even have a goth dress section!)

heyviv.com If you’d prefer to focus on just the 1950′s, this is your site! Maybe you’re putting together an outfit or costume or just want to add come 50′s punch to your outfit, this would be the place! From crinolins to neck scarves, you’ll be in poodle skirt-heaven! Not a lot of plus sizes and the sizing stops at 42″ waists, but still, fun.

lavintage.com this is what I’m talking about! Plus size Vintage done right! Well, I think so anyway. I like this site. It’s easy to get around and find what you’re looking for. At the top I click clothing, then women’s clothing and then towards the bottom-left plus size. What you see are some cute retro (seems very 80′s) clothes on a cute model! Not a twiggy model, but not a deathfat, either.  The pictures? OMZ! The pictures are where it’s at. When youc lick on an item you get different views, measurements and an eyeballed size. This will be my fave for vintage stuffs so far. WOW! You can even shop by size or bust measurement…and more! So I click on the dudes clothing just to see what I’d find. Some pretty cool-ass 80′s stuff. Nice!

lanetzliving.net When all else fails, you can always sew your own vintage inspired pieces of clothing. Here you can find vintage and out of print sewing patterns! I don’t know how to read patterns yet, but this makes me want to learn! Those gorgeous lines! Those elegant illustrations! Oh my! Yes, definitely worth a check. So go check it!

What do you think? Lots of options, depending on what you’re looking for. I know there’s more out there. This was simply my first run-through of some sites that I’d found. I’m thinking I may have to start researching some local plus size vintage shops…see what I find. Hmm…

(And the song was The Beatles “You know my name, look up my number” and I actually own it, but heard it for the first -maybe- time on the radio thsi morning…weird!)

Nancy Sinatra: “these boots were made for walkin’”

These Boots Are Made For Walki…

With these:  and this:  Oh yeah!

( http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Shoes/Boots/Whistle+Stop+Boots / http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Tops/Sweaters/Dream+Weaver+Shrug )

Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs: “Little Red Riding Hood”

Lil’ Red Riding Hood (Album Ve…

With this:and this:  Too cute!
( http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Apartment/Decor/Kitchen+Bath/Red+Riding+Wood+Trekking+Bottle / http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32332599&ref=sr_gallery_2&&ga_search_query=little+red+riding+hood&ga_search_type=&ga_page=&order=price_asc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title )

Tori Amos “Mr. Zebra”

Mr. Zebra – Tori Amos

With this:  or:  This is fun!

( http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Tops/Short+Sleeve+Shirts/Zebra+flection+Tee / http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26071770&ref=sr_gallery_2&&ga_search_query=zebra+NOT+hair&ga_search_type=&ga_page=4&order=price_asc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title )

The Beatles: “Do you want to know a secret”

Do You Want To Know A Secret -…

With this:  and this:   Super cool! ( http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32176476&ref=sr_gallery_11&&ga_search_query=secret&ga_search_type=&ga_page=5&order=price_asc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title / http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29917519&ref=sr_gallery_12&&ga_search_query=secret+NOT+survival+NOT+sale&ga_search_type=&ga_page=2&order=price_asc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title )

Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirv…

Oh c’mon, you knew it’d be these:  or  ( http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32320497&ref=sr_gallery_2&&ga_search_query=black+converse&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=price_asc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title / http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28991486&ref=sr_gallery_1&&ga_search_query=black+converse&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=price_asc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title )

What do you think?

From custom leather goods to personalized stationary or t-shirts, Etsy is the place for all things custom and personalized (yes, even license plate frames)! It’s what I love most about it. You can order dog tags or cuff links with your name or any other info on it. And please, don’t fear being judged! I have made some strange requests of sellers on Etsy and have never had anyone so much as blink an eye at it! So dive on in! The crafty waters are perfect! (Got a gag gift in mind? Post in the “Alchemy” section and let sellers bid for your project or contact a seller directly!)

I would say that the neatest thing I’ve found on Etsy is the personal care (aka: health and beaty) items. From organic to vegan and fragrance free (my husband won’t buy the fragranced stuff) you can find or request anything your heart or your body desires! Even custom undies!!! Yes, you can get Fight Club soap to show off to your friends/guests! You can get all things liquor/beer related from soaps to artwork. The sky is the limit!

Keychains? Yep! Shaving soap refill? Uh-huh! Macho bracelets/necklaces? Oh yeah! If you can dream it then there is someone out there willing and able to make it for you (depending on the project and your budget). Halloween stuff, too! I even found fridge magnets that look like real bacon! Sweet! And baked goods, too! Yeah, too lazy to bake for yourself or go to the store? Buy some goodies on Etsy! You can taste your way around the world! From jams to cookies and lollipops and cake…custom blended teas and coffees…did I mention the sky is the limit? Yeah, ’cause it is!

And clothes? You can get custom made garments for the same price you’d pay for ready to wear stuff in the store! Ridiculous-cool! Hunter S. Thompson passport cover? You got it! Giant Bruce Lee wall decal? Sure! It’s all in how you work the keyword search. See, all the stuff below I slapped into my fave list for your viewing and linking pleasure. And there’s so much more than what you see here! Check out more of my manly faves: http://www.etsy.com/favorite_listings_public.php?user_id=51553 (only the first 5-6 pages are for men). All I did was type in “for men” into the keyword search box at the top of the homepage www.etsy.com and sorted by price (or you can set other parameters and click on categories, too) and went window shopping!

So, check it out, give it a shot and tell me what you think! Thanks fellas! =0)

All Prices have been reduced and you’ll get free shipping through August!!!

Once I got the color out of the way (I posted a pic in a recent post with the little sectional I got at Target), the woods and other touches started coming in. While I am happy with my chairs and counters, I thought about the other things. So I thought I would share some of my ideas with you, my beloved and cherished readers!

The one thing I HAD TO HAVE (or OMG I would explode!) was this gorg little wall clock from Target (I’m a junky!):

http://www.target.com/Oval-Metal-Wall-Clock/dp/B0013M4KKK/qid=1248994413/ref=br_1_9/184-6383267-4813656?ie=UTF8&node=15832391&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

Isn’t it adorable? In a way it’s me in a nutshell. I mean, it’s timeless and classic yet elegant and just a little funky (oval?). I haven’t hung it up yet, but I adore it! And at $25 it’s a total bargain! I think it’s simple silver, white and black will be just enough to pop on my near-Tiffany blue walls.

I personally love clocks and watches and all things representing both the past, present and future (as time and their keeping pieces often do). Target actually has an incredible and diverse selection of clocks for the home. They’ve even made your online shopping easier by including several sub categories (color, room, etc.). http://www.target.com/b/ref=in_br_browse-box/184-6383267-4813656?ie=UTF8&node=318884011

I also have a big huge major problem: A big black brick wall! It is enormous! I just ordered some samples from this fabulous web site: www.dalidecals.com (love the name!) and can’t wait to test their stickiness on this wall o’ mine. I am planning on buying this gorgeous and whimsical tree to fill the gap, bring the outdoors in and remind everyone of the city they are in while being comfy and cozy in my tiny cafe:

                                                                http://dalidecals.com/product.php?productid=145&cat=2&page=1

I think it will attract kids and their parents, too. It will give the cafe a more open feel (it needs all the help it can get at 40o square feet) and remind people that nature is everywhere and should be loved, cherished and respected (or she’ll kick yo ass!). It’s a bit pricey, but it’s cheaper than hiring a muralist and it will be quick and fun to stick it on the wall.

I know you’re not opening a cafe, but if you’ve seen my “J’Adore Decor” post you know all about my love of the wall decals! You can find them everywhere now! I’ve seen them at Michael’s (craft store), Lowes (hardware) and even Walmart! Nuts, I know! But hey, they’re fun and not permanant. So you can change up your space as often as your budget and fancy allows!

I also love the idea of bringing the cafe vibe into the home! As a dear friend and I quickly became obsessed with baking cupcakes and going out for afternoon tea (we have Lisa’s Tea Treasures nearby, delightful!) we also began to include these themes in our home decor! (I will say that she took the classy/elegant route to perfection while I prefer more bold or slightly more european over British tea time trends). The cupcake trend thing really took the world by storm and thus created a near cult-like love for all things related! I love this and glad I didn’t see it sooner (I’d be broke!):

                    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28430675&ref=fp_feat_9

I love this idea:

                                          http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27428309&ref=fp_feat_7

Just gorgeous! Yet…simple! In fact, this www.etsy.com seller has many styles like this candle for sale: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5948726 In fact, all of etsy has thousands of sellers just waiting for your attention, affections and business! Check it out! This all lead to my own etsy shop, I admit. Due to our baking obsession, I began searching for aprons. I bought one on etsy and then decided to make an apron for my two best gal-pal’s 30th b-days! They loved their aprons and I got the confidence to make aprons and sell them online: www.notblueatall.etsy.com

You can find bistro sets (both indoor and outside versions) almost anywhere lately. I’ve even seen some impressive ones at Orchard Supply Hardware (some even bargain priced!). But for those of us without a balcony, patio or other outside space to relax and entertain in, we’re left to our own creative devices. When entertaining I love to serve freshly ground and brewed organic coffee. The best kitchen gadgets aren’t always plugged into the wall, darlings! Nope! In this case I prefer the old French Press! It’s simple, sleek, can be washed and stored ridiculously easily and impresses people who’ve never seen one used before! While they average around the $30 mark, you can sometimes find sales or bargains or better yet…vintage! (Some parts may need replacing for some very old or soiled ones.) If you haven’t already noticed, French Presses or “Press Pots” are a rapidly growing trend among coffee lovers. This won’t die anytime soon either…these are no mere fondue pots! These are useful and simple tools for your kitchen and at-home cafe! And while I coudl talk all day about coffees and espresso blends, I shant bore you dears.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_press

Target: http://www.target.com/b/184-6383267-4813656?node=13386071&LNM=french_press&CPNG=Appliances&AFID=yahoocom&LID=86021194&ref=tgt_adv_XSYH0463

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/search.aspx?query=frenchpress (although this bargain huntress can’t stand to spend so much on so litte!)

And always be sure to at least appear as though you know exactly what you’re doing: http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot

Artwork always helps when it comes to decorating the home/apt on a budget! Why buy when you can DIY?! Even if you’re not the next Basquiat (J’Adore!) or Picasso, you can certainly paint a coffee or tea cup! And if you can’t do that, there are stencils, decals, photos, magazines and other items you can affix to your final masterpiece! Or if you must (because we’re all so busy lately) you can buy vintage prints and posters. Or, better yet, buy handmade!

 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28504315&ref=sr_gallery_17&&ga_search_query=cafe&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28343219&ref=sr_gallery_6&&ga_search_query=cafe&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=11&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21223333&ref=sr_gallery_20&&ga_search_query=cafe&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=11&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28331227&ref=sr_gallery_21&&ga_search_query=cafe&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=11&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Or at the very least you can get an air freshner, candle or other aromatic: http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=handmade&search_query=coffee+scent&order=date_desc&ship_to=

Why not have some friends over for tea and coffee? You can make mini-sammies and serve scones and other small delectables! Hit your local thrift store for some vintage looking tableclothes and settings or just get some cheap paper doilies and cover your coffee table! (Michael’s has a Martha Stewart section that is to die for! And I seriously resisted liking that section.)

For me? I prefer the funky and mismatched more punk style of tea service. Why not try some of those flavored Baily’s Irish Cream liquers (original, caramel and mint!)  in your evening coffee soiree` or book club meetup? Sounds like a party to me!  You don’t have to be a whizz in the kitchen, but your guests will be quite impressed I assure you! The music you choose may also enhance the mood. Check iTunes for cool cafe inspired playlists. I know of a few country themed ones (ie: paris, rome, etc.)

Have you incorporated anything cafe related in your own home decor? Tell me about it! Or send me a pic! Comments, suggestions, etc are always welcome and appreciated!