The Star Made Me Buy It

Today's star is neither an actor/actress nor a jock.

                                                     Earl Stanley Gardner

Creator of the very cool Perry Mason.

When I was really little, like age 5 or so, when Perry Mason would be on, the theme music would scare me to bits.  

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I wonder if one of these ads had Rex Stout, creator of the bo overweight, orchid-obsessed super-sleuth Nero Wolfe.

I discovered Nero Wolfe in a second hand bookstore.  I was attracted by the VERY neato retro cover art.  What was inside was even better.  

The voice in Nero Wolfe in all stories and novels is that of his right-hand man, Archie Goodwin.

Archie's tone ranges from clever to absolutely hilarious.

Thus and therefore, you should run to eBay or ThriftBooks.com and look up Rex Stout. 

FUN STUFF: Here's Dick Cavett interviewing Rex Stout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZNItgPERjo

Tickets, please

                                                        Four Weddings and a Funeral

From back when Hugh Grant was the most charming thing on two legs.

I remember liking him in this movie, and Kristin Scott Thomas was GREAT.  

And little Charlotte Coleman was very appealing. 

But Andie McDowell... well, no thank you.

What really kinda ruined the movie for me was Simon Cowell.  I don't get why, but the guy skeeves me to the max, not just in this movie, but in general.

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Other actors/actresses that give me the visceral skeeves:

Anne Jackson

Nathan Lane

Sarah Miles

David Morse. 

There are probably more, the above are just the ones I could come up with.   

February's First Haul of Antiques and Untiques

As ever and always, there are TONS TONS TONS more items in my Almighty Garage of Awesomeness, but what's here is what has exited the garage and traipsed into my Etsy store recently.  

Wanna see?

                                            two bunnies, one bird toothpick holder

Your toothpicks would rest in the egg they're holding. 

Note that what looks like schmutz on the base is actually gold paint.  I'm not sure how my camera didn't register that.  

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 Next up, Indian (from India) fabric print blocks:

 

Buy one or buy all.

Or just buy two.   

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                                                double match safe for your wall

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                                                       two framed silhouettes

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                        cherub trinket box, and more than a HUNDRED heart charms

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Lastly, but miles from leastly we have...

                                                          geishaware trinket jar

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See more, get more here:

AntiquesUntiques.etsy.com 

Lucky Dip

 Welcome to today's, i.e. January, 23, 2026 - Lucky Dip!

Some of my favorite items from my shop are here.

Wanna see?

 

                                     Victorian fashion design business card case

 Who doesn't love Victorian fashion???

Nobody, that's who.

Get it here:  www.zazzle.com/1880s_victorian_shawls_fashion_print_business_card_case-256878123650247532

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                                             Brunhilde Weeps at Sigfried’s Funeral Pyre

 This is a canvas print, PERFECT for the home of the opera enthusiast and/or the fan of Wagnerian opera and/or the fan of The Ring of the Niebelung.  (Auf Deutsch 'Der Ring des Nibelungen.')

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/brunhilde_weeps_at_sigfried_s_funeral_pyre_faux_canvas_print-256702519496739188

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Baroque to the MAX clock!

Perfect for the antique decor, high Victorian decor, ultra classy decor.

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/four_corners_baroque_square_wall_clock-256369203801380864

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                        SUPER COOL tapestry for the man cave and/or mantiques-intensive decor

 

 Get it here: www.zazzle.com/ad_1600_swiss_soldier_print_tapestry-256310051303574376

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                                              Victorian tabby cat paperweight !!

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/victorian_tabby_cat_paperweight-256088046669667099

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                                                     owl print tank top !!!
 
 I've noticed that a lot of people go crazy for owls.  

I have a very unique owl handbag (which looks nothing like the above).  Three different times I've had people ask if they can take a picture of my owl bag.

If you're crazy for owls, then this is for YOU.

Get it here: www.zazzle.com/long_eared_owl_print_tank_top-256269689305957767

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Thus ends today's Lucky Dip.

Come back next week for more! 

The Star Made Me Buy It

Today's star is...

                                                       Maureen O'Hara

This is one of the rare star ads that does not mention the title of the star's latest movie.

Just 'Maureen O'Hara, Lovely Movie Star.'

Her claim here, in her own words (so we're led to believe), is "I wanted to be sure the brand I picked agreed with my throat and tasted good, too. Camels have everything I wanted... more smoking pleasure than any other brand!"

If I live to be a zillion, I will never understand the appeal of cigarettes.  When I was around age 15*, wondering what all the excitement was about, I bought a pack of cigarettes, probably Marlboro. I remember smoking them outside the local bowling alley.  As you do.

I got to maybe to my third cigarette before having to admit that this was not something I enjoyed.  Plus it tasted terrible.  So thank God - really, thank God - I did not become a smoker.

*Back then it was not unheard of for a little kid to go the corner grocery store to get Mom Mom a pack or five of  her favorite cancer sticks.  

January 2026's Haul of Antiques

 My Almighty Garage of Awesomeness is SOOOO full at the moment.

So here are a few of the things in my Etsy shop.

Which account for about 1% of what's in my AGoA:

                                 Westmoreland milk glass 'Old Quilt' pattern creamer

This is a VERY appealing little item in person.  Some neighbors stopped by several weeks ago, and I had this out on my coffee table because I was going through boxes at the time.  

One of the neighbors was charmed to the very cockles of her heart by what a cute little item this is.

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                  Heritage Hall 'Spanish American Hacienda' pattern bread and butter plates

 I have three more Heritage Hall (aka Johnson Brothers Heritage Hall) patterns.  They all look great together.   

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                                             Japanese lacquer cocktail shaker

Note the VERY long cock's tail.

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                                                  EPIC cuteness in bunny form.

If you're the crafty type, I bet you could make clothes for our epic cute bunny.

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Next up, two very super cool tie bars:

                                                      This one looks 500% better in person.

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Thus ends today's collection.

Until next time, see more, get more here:

                                                     AntiquesUntiques.etsy.com 

The Tuesday Song of the Week

OK, I know today is Wednesday, but I wanna get this in before I forget about it.

I was shocked to learn - ten minutes ago -- that Chris Rea passed away back in late December.

I  was also shocked that the obits mentioned all these songs he did, but 'Red Shoes,' was not mentioned.

I often sing along with that in my in-car, one-person concerts.

Wanna hear it?

                                                     'Red Shoes" - Chris Rea