My 39 New Experiences Before 40 LIST!

December 31, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, NY Blogger, Vintage Birthday, Retro Fashion Blog, Vintage Fashion Blog

Today is the big day! I have completed the blog challenge that I set out for myself a year ago! 365 days of blogging is done and I cannot believe it is over. Phew.

There were days that I thought I couldn't go on any further. I had people suggest that I stop but you see I am not that kind of girl. I don't give up easily and when I see my eye on a prize I work really hard to achieve it.

Coming from blogging on Bunny's Victory to recreating my blog via A Vintage Nerd was not an easy task as I hit many roadblocks. But that is where the idea of setting up a challenge for myself came to mind. I really want to see if I could follow through blogging a post everyday and pushing myself to see if I could complete the task. Why? Because I really wanted to prove my dedication as a blogger to myself and others.

I blogged through colds, sick kiddies, a hospitalized kiddie, oodles of late nights, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and creative blocks. But here I am to say that if you can, challenge yourself to do something you have never done before!

For this new year I am setting out to do another challenge for myself called 39 New Experiences Before 40. I will be trying out some new things that I never have done before as a way to celebrate my entry into my 40's.

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My 39 New Experiences Before 40 List:

1. Take a horse and buggy ride through Central Park with my family
2. Have afternoon tea at the Russian Tea Room
3. Try Caviar
4. Visit my mother's grave with all three of my children
5. Learn a song pre-1969, sing it, and record it for all to hear
6. Master 1960's hairstyles
7. Hell's Kitchen Flea Market
8. Do a food tour
9. Brooklyn Brewery Tour
10. Visit Federal Reserve Bank
11. See a NYC Ballet Performance
12. Have my tea read
13. Take a writing class
14. Do an Audrey Hepburn inspired shoot
15. Horse Back riding lesson
16. Spend a day in a wig (not for Halloween)
17. Find a small cemetery and put fresh flowers on each grave
18. Recreate some 1960's meals
19. Read all of the Harry Potter books

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, NY Blogger, Vintage Birthday, Retro Fashion Blog, Vintage Fashion Blog

20. Learn how to recreate an afternoon tea
21. Be an extra in a tv show or film
22. Fly a kite with my children
23. Plan out and begin to execute my dream trip
24. Meet someone I dreamed of meeting
25. Visit a castle
26. Wear a gown and go to the opera or ballet
27. Attend a stock holder meeting
28. Attend a screening of a silent film with The Silent Clowns Film Series
29. Take a proper uninterrupted bubble bath with Lush bath products
30. Make my first Youtube video
31. Create a new painting
32. Spoil myself in every way for my 39th Birthday
33. Learn how to put on false eyelashes
34. Make Paselitos (Spanish meat patty) for my family
35. Learn how to do winged eyeliner for my eyes
36. Write posts using 1930s-1960s (four posts) slang within the content
37. Take a cooking class with my family
38. Go to Dylan's Candy Store
39. Create an authentic 1960's Christmas for myself and my family

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, NY Blogger, Vintage Birthday, Retro Fashion Blog, Vintage Fashion Blog

There they are! My list of 39 things I have never done before. It was actually hard to think of things that I wanted to do (within reason and budget) that I have not done before. But in facing the questions, "what have I done and what do I want to do?" it made me realize that I have in fact done a great many amazing things in my life already.

I have lived on my own, had a professional career, been published, sang on stage, recieved a standing ovation, been told I should be on Broadway, seen Broadway shows, traveled on my own, made friends worldwide, had piercings (yes I know, I really did though), cut my hair super short, been to Hindu Temple, attending a Muslim Pakistani Wedding, learned how to wear an Indian Sari, memorized my favorite poem, met some of my favorite classic tv/film actors, learned how to play pool, got married, had three babies in four years (whoa!), and learned how to scrapbook.

That's just a few things and I am so thankful for taking the time to look back and realize that I have had a pretty spectacular life so far. Turning 40 is going to be very exciting and amazing and I really look forward to trying new things and learning new things I never have before.

I hope that you will join me on my next adventure and keep your eyes peeled for many new things coming to AVN in the new year. Thank you again for all of your support and friendship! And last but not least, Happy New Year!

December Links To Love

December 30, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Link to Love, Vintage Articles, Retro Christmas

The month of December has come and gone in a flash!I did find some great links that related to the holidays but also to events that happened this month like the passing of the last Tuskegee Airmen.

Here are some of the wonderful links I found this month:

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Link to Love, Vintage Articles, Retro Christmas




Marilyn Monroe Selfie (not really a selfie but great photos!)




A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Link to Love, Vintage Articles, Retro Christmas








I'm really grateful that so many of you enjoyed the first installment of my Links to Love posts. I find so much information on the internet sometimes that I felt that it would be really important to share with you.

Did you discover any great vintage related links this month? Which did you enjoy best from this list above?

AVN's Favorite Blogs of 2014

December 29, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Favorite Blog Posts

Being a blogger just doesn't mean you love to share your thoughts and ideas with others but that you also love reading what other bloggers are sharing and talking about. This year I decided to expand my blog reading list and venture off to some fashion blogs as well as lifestyle blogs.

I discovered that many other bloggers (non-vintage bloggers) do wear a bit of vintage here and there. Then I felt curious about what other bloggers were talking about and it felt good to expand my reading list.

In reading these other blogs I really began to appreciate my own vintage blogging community more and realized that even thought there are few of us, that we do have many things to offer the mainstream fashion and lifestyle communities.

Here are some of my favorite blogs of 2014:

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Favorite Blog Posts, Wish Wish Wish blog

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Favorite Blog Posts, Wish Wish Wish blog
Briar Rose 

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Favorite Blog Posts, A Beautiful Mess

These bloggers have really been inspiring me and reminding me the importance of having fun with your blog. They each have a unique energy about what they do that continuously keeps me not only excited to read their latest post (and watch their Youtube videos)  but also makes me excited to be a blogger.

Of course I have my favorite vintage blogs that I always read and support. I adore my vintage blogging community and I feel so lucky and grateful to be a part of it.

And are some of my favorite vintage blogs:

Chronically Vintage 

Those are just a few. I love using Bloglovin to follow blogs and keep up with all the amazing and creative writing that is happening on the internet. 

Have you expanded your blog reading list? How do you follow your favorite blogs? What are your favorite vintage and non-vintage blogs at the moment and why?

AVN Fashion Review 2014

December 29, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Fashion Blog

This year I feel as though I have finally found the clothes that I enjoy wearing and the style that suits me best. In looking back at my year in fashion for 2014 I was happy to see growth in my style but still a foundation of certain pieces like full skirts and cardigans that have remained a part of my staple.

The most important thing to remember when you are getting dressed is whether or not you feel good wearing whatever it is that you are wearing. If you feel good and choose pieces that compliment you then it is a win-win situation.

Here is AVN's Fashion Review for 2014:

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Fashion Blog 
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Fashion Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Fashion Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Retro Fashion Blog

 Have you looked back at your year in fashion and did you discover anything?  Here is to another year coming full of more vintage fashion inspiration!

Celebrating the Holidays with Crown and Glory

December 27, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog

Christmastime was made extra special this year with the arrival of my monthly Crown and Glory Glitterati box. The team behind the beautiful hair accessories, Sophie and Gareth, have really outdone themselves for this holiday season.

I received a gold headband and the most spectacular glitter bow that I cannot wait to wear with a 60's bouffant. Along with these two goodies came the most beautiful crown of Christmasy goodness that I have ever seen let alone own. Flower crowns were popular in the mid to late 60's so it made me giddy to own one that was themed to the holiday.

I love my holiday crown so much that I knew I had to share it with you all. It really did make our holidays celebrations that more fun and beautiful. My daughter has already asked to borrow it!

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Vintage Christmas
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Vintage Christmas
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Vintage Christmas
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Vintage Christmas

In my Crown and Glory box this month I also received a neat little keychain and a very sweet Christmas card. I also received my very first Christmas cracker which I excitedly opened on Christmas day. Inside was a super cute holly glitter hair clip and confetti. I loved opening my cracker so much that my husband and I decided to incorporate this tradition into our next holidays next year. I think the children would love it as much as we did.

Christmas Eve Casual Outfit:

Blue dress jeans-Gap
Peter pan collared blouse; Boden
Red standard cardigan: Old Navy
Christmas crown: Crown and Glory
1940's Holly leaf and bell brooch: Etsy
1940's Holly leaf and bell earrings: Etsy
Lipstick: MAC Russian Red



Behind the Scenes: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

December 26, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Film Blog, Behind the Scenes, Miracle on 34th Street

Christmas night I had a hankering for a classic Christmas story but one set in New York. I own a few classic Christmas themed films so I found  Miracle on 34th Street (1947), put it in my dvd player, and slipped blissfully into classic film heaven.

While watching the film I began to get curious about the making of the film and wondering if I could find interviews from the cast speaking about it in interviews. I couldn't find anything online at all. I do know that Maureen O'Hara is 94 now and although she does participate in some classic film events I haven't heard her thoughts and memories on this film either.

That made me think about behind the scenes photos and that if I found some perhaps it could give me an insight on what it may have been like during the making of it. I ended up finding a small handful and from what I can see it seemed like everyone got along well and doted on a very young Natalie Wood.

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Film Blog, Behind the Scenes, Miracle on 34th Street
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Film Blog, Behind the Scenes, Miracle on 34th Street
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Film Blog, Behind the Scenes, Miracle on 34th Street
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Film Blog, Behind the Scenes, Miracle on 34th Street
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Film Blog, Behind the Scenes, Miracle on 34th Street

I love behind the scenes photos of films. In it way it gives a peak into what the experience of making it may have been like.

What classic film would you love to know more about? Did you watch any specific classic holiday film for Christmas day?

Be Inspired: I Am Counting My Blessings Instead of Sheep (White Christmas 1954)

December 25, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Film Blog, White Christmas

"When I'm worried and I can't sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep. And I fall asleep counting my blessings" Sung by Bing Crosby in White Christmas

I know a lot of folks are thinking about what is the best thing that has happened to them this year and honestly all I can think about are my blessings. Our life experiences alter the way we see life and in my case the death of my mother and the birth of my children have been the two biggest life changing expeiriences. I am changed because of them but I am grateful for the change. I may not have my mother with me but because of her death I learned that life is truly short and precious. And that is not something to be sad about but something that can help you focus on all the good and blessed things in your day instead of drowning in the hard and disappointing realities.

When I think about my blessings these are the few I have thought of:

  • My first son has a classroom of really great classmates, the teacher is spectacular, and the moms are all sweet and kind. Very hard to have all three in a school experience.
  • My daughter is having the best year education wise and I hope there is more to come for her.
  • My baby has turned four and reminds me to squeeze them all a little more and little harder because time does go by so fast.
  • The never-ending support, friendship, and kindness that I get from my friends Brittany and Nick.
  • Seeing my best friend Jenny while in Florida (she lives there) and having one special day together. I have known her since I was twelve and she is like a sister to me.
  • Getting told I don't have to pay out of pocket for my new leg braces and being fitted for new ones that will come hopefully in the new year.
  • Rising above all the messed up things that happen to me blogwise and still blogging and still loving it!
  • Being able to watch my children fall asleep.
  • Being able to find my way and where I want to focus myself in the new year.
  • Having my husband listen to all my daring dreams and not dismiss them but listen and help me find my way to make them come true.
  • My loyal and super kind readers who keep me going and remind me to never give up!

For this holiday season, will you be counting your blessings? If so, what blessings are you grateful for?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all. I hope they you each have a restful and enjoyable day filled with love and joy.


Retro Food: 1960's Christmas Dinner

December 24, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, 1960's Christmas, Vintage Blog

Today many of us are prepping for our special Christmas day dinner. Last month I shared some 1960's Christmastime inspiration and now I would like to share some savory 1960's Christmas dinner inspiration with you.

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, 1960's Christmas, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, 1960's Christmas, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, 1960's Christmas, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, 1960's Christmas, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, 1960's Christmas, Vintage Blog

I have been looking into some cookbooks and would love to try out some 1960's recipes especially for next years holiday season. Have you ever tried out retro recipes and did it work out for you? Were you overjoyed with the results or disappointed?

Special Cinema Spotlight: A Christmas Story

December 24, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, A Christmas Story, Vintage Blog

Watching A Christmas Story  (1983) is almost like watching a video of your own Christmas past. I will give you a few examples:

  • Everyone has that one relative that you learn all the curse words from but never dare say that you learned it by listening to them
  • There is always that one kid at school who accepts the double dog dare (we used that a lot in the 80's)
  • There is that doting mother or grandmother who never gets to sit down to have a warm meal
  • That kid (usually me) that won't eat their food without being coxed in some way
  • A yellow eyed bully that you just wish would go away 
  • Sometimes holiday meals hit a snafu and you have to have your meal and the local Chinese restaurant instead

Honestly, I can go on and on with examples. I feel like I lived through most of what Ralphie recounts in the films. A older Ralphie (voice by the author of the original story Jean Shepherd) retells the story about his one wish to own a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. He puts magazines about it inside his mother's magazines, writes his Christmas theme paper about it for school, and asks a shady acting Santa for it at the local store. 

In the mix are stories about his friends, his bully, his baby brother, his father and mother, and the notorious soap incident. So many of the quirks and old fashioned themes playing throughout the film many of us have lived through as children ourselves. I think that is one of the reasons this film, which was set in 1940, has become a modern holiday classic. 

That BB gun Ralphie wants equates to that Cabbage Patch doll that I went bonkers for back in 1985, the soap in the mouth, saying the "bad" word in front of your parent, being bundled up so much that you couldn't put your arms down, and having to wear that outfit that a relative made but you cannot bear to wear it-it all happened to me. 

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, A Christmas Story, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, A Christmas Story, Vintage Blog
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Christmas, A Christmas Story, Vintage Blog

Has this film become a must see for your family during the holidays? What are you favorite parts of the film and why?

Movie Madness Monday: Ho, Ho, Ho Santa Claus

December 22, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Classic Film Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Christmas Films
Since it is almost Christmas I thought it would be appropriate to include some Santa themed film recommendations for today's Movie Madness Monday. I must confess I have not seen the last three films but they are on my queue on Netflix and I do intend to get to them. It ended up being tricky to find Santa related themed films prior to 1970 but I did find them.

The second selection is in Spanish and the last two got horrendous reviews but I don't judge a book by its cover. I actually enjoy a good cheesy, off the wall movie from time to time. The 1960's films I included about Santa seem to be oozing with cheese so to me they seem fun.


A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Classic Film Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Christmas Films


A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Classic Film Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Christmas Films


A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Classic Film Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Christmas Films, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians



A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Classic Film Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Classic Christmas Films, The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

Miracle on 34th Street is one of my favorite classic films. Seeing a young Natalie Wood and the whole idea of proving that Santa (aka magic) exists is always thrilling to watch.

Have you seen any of the others on this list? Like I said, I do have them on my queue on Netflix, so they are available online to see. Let me know if you do (or have) seen them and what you thought of them.

Frolicking with Anthropologie

December 22, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Anthropologie, Retro Fashion Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Retro Fashion

The other day when I was answering some of my readers questions I posted photos wearing this fabulous cardigan but I didn't share more information about my outfit and now here I am to do so.

My staples as of late are simple ones that can be paired with a terrific cardigan and a brooch as a conversation piece. This specific outfit has two of my favorite staples; a white Peter Pan Collar Blouse  from Boden and a black Cotton Skirt with pockets from eShakti. You cannot go wrong with those two pieces. Pair it up with a fun cardigan and you can change that up over and over and still look fabulous.

For this outfit I wore a Anthropologie cardigan called Shoreline Scallop Cardigan Sparrow in yellow. They come in different colors and I scored mine via Ebay. My conversation piece is this incredibly beautiful brooch handmade by Rose Hudson whose shop on Etsy is called Happy Rose. I really love her work. She is so creative, the brooches are made of high quality, and she packages everything like so beautifully that I always yelp with joy when opening them.

I have worn a brooch of Rose's before in my Lady in Green... post in September. She also will make a brooch of the character of your choosing and right now I am debating between Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Great Tyrant from Barbarella. I may just ask her to do both! She is that good.

And there you go. Pick two staple pieces from your wardrobe and add a little zest to it with a unique top or cardigan and a conversation piece like a brooch, handbag, or flower crown. My Frida brooch means so much to me because I am a big fan of Frida Kahlo's artwork and how she lived her life. There is no doubt that this has become one of my favorite brooches in my collection.

A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Anthropologie, Retro Fashion Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Retro Fashion
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Anthropologie, Retro Fashion Blog, Retro Lifestyle Blog, Retro Fashion

 Do you have staple pieces in your vintage or modern wardrobe? Have you ever shopped at Anthropologie before?

TCM Presents The Wizard of Oz on The BIG Screen

December 21, 2014
A Vintage Nerd, Vintage Blog, Classic Film Blog, Old Hollywood Blog, Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz is coming to the BIG screen! Save the date for January 11 & 14, 2015. I think there should be screenings of classic film all the time. I have seen about eight or nine now and I wish I could do that every weekend. It's magical. It really is.

To find out more where The Wizard of Oz will be playing in your town, simply click HERE and check it out via Fathom Events!

Have you seen this film on the big screen? What films have you seen or would like to see on the big screen?
 
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