Colossal Collection of Clocks

I don't know how I got started on clocks, but I do have more than I really need. I guess it just started the normal way. I needed a clock for the kitchen. Then I needed a clock for the living room. I needed an alarm clock too, because using my phone wasn't good enough. Now I have seven clocks in three rooms. 

My latest acquisition  was a find by my father. It was great find for an amazing price. It is a appliance timer. It is meant to have a radio or light plugged into the back. The appliance will turn on at the set time, and turn off 15 minutes later. The timer is set by little metal dials that are around the face. The dial can be pulled out at the time preferred. There is a little on off knob at the bottom of the clock to activate the alarm. 

This clock is called the Radio Traveler, and dates to the mid part of the 1930s. It also has various time zones on the face of the clock, which I'm not quite sure how it relates to the functioning of the clock. But, it does look interesting. The clock is is great condition. The only thing being wrong with it is a missing knob for the dial that changes the time. I've had it running for several days, and it has kept steady time.

The last clock I bought, has sadly been having some issues. When I use the alarm, somehow the clock looses an hour. I'm going to have to go get it fixed, along with the moonbeam clock I inherited from my great uncle, but I know it isn't going to be cheap. In the meantime, I'll be trying out my new Radio Traveler.

Mini Mid-Century Furnishings

The last thing I need is something else to collect. My entire apartment is from the 50s and 60s. Collecting furnishings, decor, housewares, and clothing takes a lot of my time and money. So, I try not to look at anything else that will sucker me into cluttering my home with more things. But, I happened to stumble across this site and fell in love with the mini mid-century furnishings. Welcome Home is a site that showcases designer Maryann Roy's creations for fashion dolls such as Barbie. I found myself ooing and ahing over every photo, and I just couldn't keep it to myself. It was hard to narrow down the pictures to a number that wasn't overwhelming. So, be sure to click on the link above to see more. (All photos below came from Welcome Home and are property of Maryann Roy.)

Attending an Estate Sale Through Proxy

I receive periodic emails about estate sales in the area I live from an estate sale company. Often the goods being offered are not my style. But, every once in a while they have a mid century estate. I received one such email last week. What caught my eye were two beautiful green chairs that would match my bedroom. I died when I saw them. The problem was the sale was about an hour away from where I live. On top of that, it started on Friday. I couldn't get off of work, and Saturday I had preexisting plans. The third problem is, I don't have a car. Fortunately, I have friends who grew up in the area. I contacted one of such friends who knew someone who loves estates sales. She would be happy to go for me.

I sent her a list of the things I was eyeing from the photos - at least the ones I could narrow down. I told her how much I was willing to spend. We talked on the phone as she walked through the house, and told me the prices of the items I wanted. As I knew they would be, the chairs were way out of my price range. But, she left my name, number, and the price I was willing to pay with the instructions to call me if they didn't sell by Sunday. I was surprised with a phone call on Saturday morning with a counter offer which wasn't much higher than the price I suggested, but quite a bit lower than the listed price. Happily I accepted the offer, and the chairs are now mine.

The second thing I wanted, a vanity set, was sold. That's ok. I already have a vanity set, even if it is made of mismatched pieces.  I also picked out four purses I wanted from the massive collection that was offered. Each had a different price, but she was able to talk them down to what I was willing to pay. Score! 

When I went to pick up the chairs on Sunday, everything was half off. A lot of things that I kind of liked, and would have purchased half off, were sold. But, I did manage to find a few more goodies. I picked up a hat, a glove box, and a hankie. My shopping companion also scored with a lot of clothes and accessories for $1 each.  Some of the photos below are some pictures that were listed on the Fine Estate Liquidation website and include some of the things I missed out on. I loved the kitchen, and wish I could have purchased that to put into my apartment. 

The dreamy chairs.

In my bedroom.

The vanity set.

The furs.

Other cool things.

The swoon worthy kitchen.

My purses.

The rest of the haul.

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

How exciting is an entire post dedicated to an alarm clock? To me, it is quite exciting, especially when clocks are an important part of our lives. The alarm clock I had been using was a modern battery operated Big Ben clock that was inspired by the 1930s Big Ben clocks. It served me well over the years, but I had always wanted to replace it with something that was actually period. But since it worked, I couldn't justify getting a new clock.

Then one morning I woke up a half an hour late and realized that my alarm never went off. This had happened several times before, but I also questioned if I had just forgot to turn the alarm on. This time, however, I distinctly remembered that I had set the alarm. So, that day I set out to find a new old one.

It wasn't an easy task. Most of the alarm clocks for sale were from the 1960s and 1970s. I was looking for something from the 1950s or 1940s. I honestly didn't know what to look for, though. I had no idea about the evolution of clocks. To make matters worse, prices were pretty high. I even saw a 1990s digital radio alarm clock, the kind that are pretty common at thrift stores, for $30. Most clocks $30 and under didn't work. When shipping is added to the price, it can get a little expensive. 

I did a little research so I knew what I was looking for. I found two great sites. One listed all the Telechron clocks over the decades, and the other listed the Westclox line including Big Ben. I picked out a few that I liked, and searched for those particular models. In the Telechron models, I looked for the Troubadour, and the Dispatcher. In the Westclox, I looked for the 1948 Electric. I actually do have a Moonbeam that I got from my great uncle when he passed away, but that stopped working years ago as well.  In my search, I also discovered that my kitchen Telechron clock, the Buffet, is a little older than I had originally thought. 

The next obstacle was finding one that was in good cosmetic condition. As you can imagine finding a Bakelite or plastic clock without cracks isn't easy.  Most clocks, even metal ones, really look like they have been thrown across the room. Most clocks, as mentioned, were out of my price range. Then I found one that I really liked, but was outbid with just one second left in the auction. That frustrated me and I thought all hope was lost. A couple days later I found the clock that I ended up purchasing. It was on the high end of my price range, but I am extremely happy with it.

It is a 1948 Electric Westclox Big Ben dating from late 1948 to 1952. It runs remarkably quiet, even quieter than the modern clock it was replacing. There isn't a ticking noise, but a very soft, barely audible sound of the motor. It keeps great time so far. The hands are softly illuminated, which is nice for me so that I can tell what time it is when my upstairs neighbor wakes me up in the middle of the night. There are two options on the alarm - soft and loud. I used the alarm for the first time this morning. I set it on loud since I wear earplugs to bed. I wanted to make sure that it woke me. I was in the middle of a dream when it went off, and the loud quite startled me. Tonight I think I will put it on soft. 

I was so excited to use it, that I haven't taken the time to clean it up yet. There is a small crack on the front, but it isn't very noticeable unless looking for it. So, though alarm clocks don't seem like something to create a whole post on, I was so excited, I just had to share.

Estate Sale - Time Capsule

While jogging around Lake Merced yesterday, my friend and I saw signs for an estate sale. After our run, we drove over to check it out. The home was a mid-century three bedroom house with full basement. There were lots of vintage goodies, though they were priced pretty high. What I fell in love with the most was the kitchen. It hadn't been touched since the home was built. It was a fairly small kitchen, but had great features. The cabinets were white metal. The counters were white and yellow tile. In the corner, there was built in bench seating with a  green formica table in front of the padded seats. Above the stove (a fantastic stove) was a sky light, giving the entire kitchen a bright sunny feeling. I wanted to pack up the entire kitchen and bring it home with me. Since my kitchen is yellow, this kitchen would work nicely in my apartment. Even the ceiling light would be perfect. I didn't ask if they were going to sell the house. Since real estate is so expensive in this area, I know I could only dream of living in a home like this. I do hope that the next owners don't gut the kitchen, like so many do. But, rather appreciate the vintage charm that it has to offer.

Garage Sale Finds

A few weeks ago, my friend told me about an annual blocks long garage sale. I love garage sales. So, I made arrangements to meet her in the morning to go treasure hunting. We met at a restaurant, and started the morning  each with a bellini.  Then we made our way down six plus blocks (both sides) of vendors. Not only were there people selling their possessions, but there were a ton of food vendors. I settled on Salvadorian chicken tamales, which were delicious. Prior to starting our adventure, my friend told me that every year she makes a wish list, and every year she finds exactly what was on her wish list. I didn't believe her. The stuff I had been looking for had eluded me for years - especially one item. As I walked along the streets, trying to find something to spend my money on, I saw it. It was the perfect color too!

I had been looking for a white metal cabinet with formica top. This one was in great condition. The formica top was yellow, the color of my kitchen - where the cabinet was to go. It wasn't just any yellow. It was a vibrant sunny yellow that made me smile. I don't like to haggle. I am just not good at it. I will just walk away from an item, if I feel it is too expensive. I didn't have to walk away from this perfect item. It was a good price. I bought the cabinet and was on a high for several days afterward. It fit perfectly in my kitchen area. It also gives me more room to store my pantry items.

The other item I had been keeping my eyes open for, was a Scott paper towel holder. I had seen plenty of these on ebay, but never at a price I wanted to pay, especially the new ones. I came across one sitting on a table of an older gentlemen's sale. I picked it up, pulled it out of the box, and stared at it longing to be able to put it up in my kitchen. I was scared to ask how much it was, figuring it was more than I could afford. The gentlemen saw me looking at it, and told me it was collectible. Of course I knew this, but it made me even more scared to find out the price he was asking. I thought to myself, though, that if I walked away from it, without asking the price, I'd beat myself up later. So, I bit my lip, and mustered up the courage to ask. He said $3. My mouth dropped. I said you just sold it! I gave him the money, and skipped away happy. You can see the holder in the picture above. The box had wonderful graphics with the price tag still attached. It was marked as a color of ivory, but looks more like a butter yellow - which of course fits into my yellow kitchen.

I now believe my friend when she said that she find everything on her wish list. Things are so much more exiting when you find them at a good deal at a thrift store or garage sale, instead of buying things on ebay. It is the thrill of the hunt to find that one item you love in a pile of stuff you don't. I am already looking forward to next year's event!

A little deviation..

I love my 99 year old apartment. I love the charm and the location. I love how it feels like home. What I don't love is my insomniac neighbor and our squeaky floors. I've tried everything these last three years. I've written her letters and notes. I've talked to her. I have made suggestions about things that would help her sleep. I am so tired of constantly complaining that I've stopped. I wear earplugs to bed; the best I can find. I have a noise machine near my head. But, none of this helps 100%. Short of putting an anti gravity machine in her apartment so that I won't hear the heavy footsteps, the things that drop on the floor, and the furniture sliding across the floor, there is nothing I can think of to help this problem.

Last night was the worst. With only four hours of sleep, she is now spending the morning cleaning her apartment. I wouldn't normally mind the noise during the day, but when I've been kept up all night, it can be nerve grading to hear it during the day too.

We spend so much time making our place of dwelling a home, that we just want some peace -- and quiet. Moving is not an option. And living in apartments is always a gamble. What are some of the neighbor issues you have dealt with? What have you done to resolve those issues? Do you have any suggestions that would make my living situation bearable?

My home

May 5, 1953

Tomorrow is payday. I can't wait to get my first check. I am already thinking about ways I can decorate. One of the girls let me have some of her old magazines. I found this lovely idea for making a headboard for my bed. Since I won't have a lot of money to decorate, I have to think of cheaper ways to do so.

February 2, 1953

Eddie hasn't taken me out in a few days. He's been so busy with making money. I want to go out and have some fun. Instead I'm flipping through the catalogs over and over again.

Fabric for new dresses

If I ever get my own place again.