growing old together

Breakfast Army was cancelled this weekend so that Toma and I could attend my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. They were married in 1962, at age 19, and are still happily (for the most part) married to one another. I think this is amazing... mostly because I don't think I will even live long enough to see a 50th anniversary. Oh and I am not married... there's that too. My entire family, which is rather small, was in attendance. My children thus far are the last of this bloodline. (fun fact: this is also true on my father's side, as I am the only member to reproduce!) We drove up to the Columbia River Gorge, and ate brunch at the Skamania Lodge. This wasn't so much brunch as it had bottomless mimosas, but I am still coming up with a name for a meal that consists soley on orange juice and champagne. But honestly, the views were beautiful, the food was yummy and plentiful, and I got to watch my grandparents blow out the candles on their 50th anniversary cake. A pretty impressive sunday I should say. My lovely hawaiian print dress is from The Urban Eccentric, and my hair is lazy left over curls piled on top of my head. Classy!

Traveling Travelers

Last weekend we bundled up our two week old baby, and made the highly unusual trek over the mountain, thru the canyons, and into the high desert to central Oregon. This trip is always a strange array of weather patterns as you can imagine. We left rain, encountered snow.. and ended in sunshine.
This trip however was not like others before it, this time the snow on the mountain was worse than usual and we, being the city folk that we are, thought we could make it over without the aid of traction devices. Needless to say, we had a very horrifying spin-out across traffic that ended with us hitting a pole and a snow drift. Thankfully, we were all safe and some lovely people stopped and helped us get un-stuck. Lesson learned dear friends! We put our chains on like good city folk and white-knuckled the steering wheel all the way out of the white flecks falling from the sky.



Above is my face just before the accident. It's like I knew it was coming!
Below, is something insane we actually witnessed in the high desert. Small towns... smaller brains. WOW.






The silver lining to unbearably cold weather, is the fact that I got to wear my AMAZING Christmas Coat! I really cant deny a oversized leopard print fur hood on a mustard coat. My new lovely shirtwaist dress I recently thrifted paired SO well with my special made belt from Cassie Stephens! I just need to match up my bordello's with this ensemble to complete the signature "Twila Jean" look.


I am taking a short break from the blog this week, I had a tooth extraction, that has left me quite worthless, and turned into a bigger problem, so finding time to dress nice and blog is hard. I will be back in full swing quite soon!

WANDA

In my mysterious world, I seldom have days off from work, and even less days off without my children. Some how through a serious of otherwise annoying and unfortunate events, I ended up with a Saturday free to do as I please. I know it might seem like the only place I ever venture to is Astoria, and really... I guess that is the only place I go, but I love it there. Toma and I got a very late start to the day and made the hour and a half trek to the Mouth of the Columbia, where Team Jessup also happened to be for the weekend! Before leaving Toma took some outfit shots of my very Wanda-from-Crybaby-esque attire. I find myself often channeling Traci Lords a la 90's rockabilly style. Toma often finds himself taking pictures that should probably not make the cut on the blog as seen by image number 2.




In Astoria we did the obligatory sight seeing that accompanies most trips to this location. Lunch at Fort George (YUM!) and Oogling at Vintage Hardware (Spectacular!)
If you ever roll through the streets of Astoria make sure to stop in at Vintage Hardware, which is located in a decaying turn of the century hotel. There are tons and tons and tons of old artifacts and what-not-ery for your hearth and home. Also, it serves for a very unique blog photo backdrop.






I am glad to have spent a lovely free day with Team Jessup and their beautiful Astoria home. And while we were in town we stopped by the Lunar Boy art gallery, where Toma submitted some of his current art. They liked it! It appears he has been offered a spot for a few pieces this coming October. Our life is so abundantly full of tiny blessings.



Until the next time Astoria, Its been real.

Endless Coastlines

If we remember correct, it would appear all festivities for my 25th birthday were canceled. Much to my surprise, Toma had other ideas entirely. Upon coming home from a doctors appointment, I found him and the children awaiting a drive to the Oregon Coast.
We spent the day and night in Seaside, OR but ate delicious food in Astoria. For those unaware, Astoria is my favorite town in the entire world (not that I have explored the entire world.. I am a little bias.) So we returned in the early morning to devour the most spectacular brekkie ever at Astoria Coffee House, of which I highly recommend flying from where ever you are to experience.
We played in the sand, saw aquatic animals in captivity, slept in a roadside motel, and ate like kings. It was a pretty good birthday after all.





On the subject of the above octopus, does anyone know for a fact if it lives in its tiny captive water cage at all times? It looked quite unhappy and claustrophobic in that prison. I kind of want to contact the Seaside aquarium to discuss further, not that I think it would do much good.

Long Distances

Last week I, Toma, and both kids loaded up the car for a vintage thrift road trip through Oregon. I absolutely love vintage road trips, small town thrifting and antique malls are so exciting. We stopped at all of my favorite places like the Deschutes river, big canyons, mountain coffee shops, and ended in the desert at Toma's parents current locale. His parents place had a fun log cabin built for children that was too adorable.




We did lots of retro style sight seeing on the trip and stopped at one of my favorites Peterson Rock Gardens in Redmond, OR. If you ever find your self in the center of Oregon, the rock garden is a serious must-see. There are peacocks and horses, lakes and kittens. Also, plenty of rocks. Monuments hand crafted out of rocks.




Of course I bought a lot of vintage. A lot. I have plenty of things that will be wandering into the store this week if I get the time to actually list. I wish I could live on the road collecting vintage, but alas I am back home and back to blogging about my travels. Until next time dear friends...

Vintage Roadtrip 2011 + Giveaway Winner!

Last weekend, I slacked off. I didn't go through all the entries to my give-away. I went on a road trip instead. I have not had a weekend off from work in nearly 3 months, so I took full advantage of my consecutive free days and hit the road. We wandered off through out Oregon, and thrifted in every town we came across. We crossed mountains, canyons, and a few high deserts covered in snow.



I acquired a good deal of vintage that's heading into ye olde Etsy Shop this week, and spent some much needed time relaxing and having fun.

But, now.. On to the good stuff! Who won the fantastic awesome give-away sponsored by Lolita Girl Clothing, Lucky Cupcake Hairclips, and The Witchery Vintage?
Let's See...

By a random number pick via Random.Org the winner is... DRESS DAME!!!!
Please email me at it.twila.jean@gmail.com Miss to claim your lovely prizes!!!!

Thanks to all who participated, it was great fun! I look forward to many new followers and exciting giveaways in the future.

Back to the Middle of Nowhere

Weekends, in my tiny metropolitan world, are known as "Epic Bacon Weekends." They aren't really unlike a regular weekend, I just like to dub things with names. During said weekends, I recruit friends and cohorts to embark on mini adventures, and of course eat lots of bacon for brekkie. This weekend, I found myself (and Toma...) wandering back to the Farm from last weekend. It is dreadfully pretty out there when the sun is shinning, and I am so pleased we were able to get a few pictures before heading back for lunch.

The dress I am wearing is a great 1930s black wool staple piece I got from Solanah in a trade. I love all the great detail work on the bodice. Of course I am wearing my Bordello's... I don't generally leave home without them.

After we left the Farm we headed into Oregon City for lunch. While in this tiny blip of a town, we found this magnificent structure... A glorious lift to the top of the city, in a very retro elevator. We stopped in the hallway to nab some pictures, then headed to the upper most deck to catch a view of the city.

Once we descended, we headed home to put an end to a lovely weekend. We said goodnight to Team Jessup, and worked our way back into monday. I can't wait for next weekend, I wonder where I will end up next...

Aurora, not the borealis kind

Among a rather large list of things that get me very excited, road trips are somewhere in the top three. I can not, and will not ever turn down a trip anywhere, especially when promises of vintage are involved. (As you might recall... Epic Vintage Road Trip.) This weekend's short distance road trip landed us in Aurora, Or. This is the kind of town that you see in antique magazines for being a destination location of expensive antique acquisition. Basically, its a tiny town that is nothing but antique malls, with heavy price tags.

(Photo taken by Toma Amendolara )

Solanah, of course came along. Where would I be without my best vintage buddy? Toma of Blank Pages notoriety drove us, and brought along Rena who is also a major contributor to the zine.
After being accused of being day-walking vampires, and buying a few pieces of fancy serving dishes we headed out of the town to a farm that belonged to Toma's family.

(photos by Solanah.)

Solanah and I wandered through overgrown grass at the farm and snapped pictures. It was an amazingly sunny and clear day, like a pristine winter day with just the right chill to the air. Thankfully I was wearing a fabulous brown wool dress that I got from Solanah in a trade, it kept me warm while we wandered around barns and hen houses. The hat I am wearing is also from Solanah. It's a handmade 30s style hat from Red Star Art based out of Portland. (Which, as it were, is impossible to find. This artist seems to not want to be found.)

Overall I came home with next to nothing, but the trip itself was quite fun. We stopped at McMenamin's for lunch and pints and then found ourselves back home. I am thankful for little things in my life especially the wonderful friends I get to surround myself with. I had a wonderful weekend, and hope you can say the same.