Alameda antique Sunday January 3rd!!!

 I have been waiting for this day for a month now, I have "Daisy" up and ready and a pocket full of cash to spend at my favorite place the Alameda antique!!!This photo emphasizes how much fun it is, I fainted!! hahaha....I thought it was awesome you could buy a stretcher if you wanted one!!Tomorrow Sandi and I are setting off in Daisy (her maiden voyage) to buy up the place and stock Hip Chick's for the Grand Opening.   I hope I can sleep tonight.  For those of you who have never been it's the best kept secret of treasures you'll ever find and for those who have been you know why this picture is so appropriate!! I'll see you there...............

http://www.antiquesbybay.com  
check it out.......

Daisy can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire

Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire

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Baby Buggies-Past Due Tuesdays

This beautiful baby buggy is hanging in the studio and was purchased at the Alameda antique Fair.  I just love the style, it's endearing crinkled and wholly worn top and imaging young girls putting their favorite dolls inside and pushing them throught the park on a spring day.  I was inspired to research the history of the stroller for anyone who is interested read on....
  William Kent developed an early pram in 1733.^[1] He was a garden architect in England who had become well known for his work. In 1733, the Duke of Devonshire asked Kent to build a means of transportation that would carry his children. Kent obliged by constructing a shell shaped basket on wheels that the children could sit in. This was richly decorated and meant to be pulled by a goat or small pony. By 1840, the baby carriage became extremely popular. Queen Victoria bought three carriages from Hitchings Baby Store.^[2]
The carriages of those days were built of wood or wicker and held together by expensive brass joints. These sometimes became heavily ornamented works of art. Models were also named after royalty, Princess and Duchess being popular names, as well as Balmoral and Windsor.

Pram in Assam, India about 1902

In June 1889, William Richardson patented his idea of the first reversible stroller. The bassinet was designed so it could face out or in towards the parent. He also made structural changes to the carriage. Until then the axis did not allow each wheel to move separately, Richardson’s design allowed this, which increased maneuverability of the carriages.
As the 1920s began, modern baby carriages were now available to all families. They were also becoming safer, as new features like larger wheels, brakes, deeper prams, and lower, sturdier frames began to appear.
In 1965, Owen Maclaren, an aeronautical engineer, worked on complaints his daughter made about traveling from England to America with her heavy pram. Using his knowledge of aeroplanes, Maclaren designed a stroller with an aluminum frame and created the first true umbrella stroller. He then went on to found Maclaren which manufactured and sold his new design. The design took off and soon “strollers” were easier to transport and used everywhere.
Since the 1980s, the stroller industry has developed with new features, safer construction and more accessories.

The Lovely Winged Lady

The lovely winged lady....was at this gorgeous store called Rhapsody in Sonoma.  My sister and I went on our annual overnight to celebrate her birthday and Sonoma is always so inspiring.  They have such an eclectic mix of art, shops and style.  I always come back from there feeling creatively charged.  I am going to paint this mannequin and then I'll post it if it turns out well, there's just something yummy about old mannequins, tutu's and wings don't cha think??!! So this hip chick is now cleaning up the shop, painting the floor, getting ready for the Alameda antique on Sunday (please don't rain!) and excited to have the Grand Opening in a couple of weeks.  Until then I will be painting, collecting and preparing as best I can......hope you all had a good Christmas,  if you're like me you did, and you're glad it's all done too!!! 2010 here we come!!!

It is simply Wicked!

 Merry Christmas Eve to all, this post is dedicated to "Wicked" the musical.  We splurged and bought tickets for the family to go last night and it was awesome!! First we shopped in the city and had dinner at Alex's favorite restaurant "The Empress of China" and we topped off the fun with Wicked.  It was even better than I had anticipated and for those who have seen it you know what I mean.  I loved the first half, the back story to the wicked witch's life and the costumes and songs.  The second half wasn't as dynamic but enjoyable and what's better than a broadway show??!!! If you haven't seen it I urge you to treat yourself.  Merry Christmas Eve friends!!!

1972 Ford 250- Past Due Tuesday

Here's Hip Chick's new ride a 1972 Ford 250.  Ain't it perttie???? In keeping with my love of old things I needed an old truck to haul my treasures and I just bought this baby on Sunday.  It's a creamy yellow with a Mack truck doggie as my mascot/hood ornament to show me the way to the nearest flea.  Inside it has one long seat with the old buckles, no radio (which will have to be rectified soon), a giant steering wheel and crank window handles, imagine that!!! I swear I was cracking up driving it around downtown Danville which is basically SUV and Lexus heaven.  I can't wait to get my tunes so I can crank Tom Petty's "American Girl" sport my cowboy hat and yell "yee-haw!!".  Funny thing is I don't even like horses........Now that I'm a good ole girl I will be learning more about these ole cars, I used to drive an old Plymouth Fury that I bought for $200.00 with a V8 back in the 80's and this so brings me back to that time.  This baby is LOUD too, let me tell you you'll be able to hear Hip Chick comin' from far away......hope I don't get kicked out of my neighborhood......

Grand Opening Celebration!!!

Grand Opening at Hip Chick's January 16th 12-5 everyone is invited, there will be live music, food, drink, fun and frivolity!! I am busy busy getting the place ready and SO excited to bust out and share this with all of you.  Today is my sister's 40th birthday and we get to go to "Prom" tonight as her party.  I am thrilled to wear a fancy dress and have my handsome husband wear his tuxedo and be my date.  Standby for pictures as Alex our son is the hired photographer (also helped me with my flyer, thanks Alex!) He's a jack of all trades actor, ballon artist, photographer and basic entertainer.  Things are just going fantastically for this hip chick.  Thank you all for your moral support, I hope you come celebrate at the opening party......