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Inspiration Folder: Moonrise Kingdom + win tickets to a screening!

2012-05-24T19:00:55Z

I got a chance last night to see a sneak of the latest Wes Anderson film Moonrise Kingdom. And while I'm sort of over Anderson's twee-fueled scripts and plots ("Oh, let's nerdily dance on a beach while listening to Francois Hardy on a portable record player," what?), I basically wanted to buy one of those tiny islands in Lake Superior so I could re-create the whole visual aesthetic. The sets and props in this movie will make you want to decorate a lake house circa 1965, I can assure you.

Check out Bill Murray giving a tour of the set:

Click through to see my mood board as inspired by the film and enter to win tickets to a screening here in Chicago.

Vintage Recipes: Deviled Eggs

2012-05-24T14:00:50Z

There seems to be a lot of egg talk on the internet this week. The New York Times, The Hairpin, and The Awl all got in on the game. Since eggs are my jam, I just had to share some of my favorite recipes.

Yep, I have an eggs-centric cookbook. (Ha ha!)

200 is kind of a lot to cover in one blog post, so I am going to stick to my beloved deviled eggs because they are delicious and perfect for Memorial Day picnics. You can go classic with the standard yolk, mayo, mustard mixture with a sprinkle of parprika sure, but why stop there? How about adding in sweet relish, pickled jalapenos, or crumbled bacon. Spices like rosemary, curry powder, thyme, tarragon, or chili powder are also tasty. Or impress your friends and quick pickle your hard boiled eggs in beet juice for a stunner BBQ table spread. Recipe here.

Photo via Chow

I am planning to try this recipe for Sriracha Deviled Eggs with pickled daikon. I hope it tastes like a tiny banh mi. Oh hey, speaking of banh mi! Another food truck has joined the TVB family. Make sure you come out June 10 12-5pm to snack on some Vietnamese treats from the Duck N Roll Truck!

Photo via Amy Le

Roundup: Record Stores, 1977-1982

2012-05-23T19:00:14Z

With the rise of digital music, more and more record stores are closing their doors. What we're missing, more than the smell of vinyl discs sliding out of dusty paper sleeves, is the record shop banter -- and the recommendations! Who didn't love discovering new music while browsing the stacks?

Nowadays I spend a lot of time listening to music programs where robots make recommendations and choose the playlist (based on my personal taste, of course, but is an algorithm really better at deciding what I should be listening to?). So when I need a break, I tune into CHIRP. They actually still have live DJs that take requests, and you can hit them up on Gchat if you're afraid of calling into the station.

Click through to see more nostalgic images of vintage record stores.

Get the Look: Green Card

2012-05-23T14:00:58Z

Guys, I would do just about anything to have an attached greenhouse and rooftop garden like Brontë's in Green Card. Lush plants, a dining nook, and a fountain? Yes please.

(Set designed by John H. Anderson)

Oh and this skylight. Come on!

You can mock a greenhouse/garden style by loading up on plants and mixing in vintage finds. In fact, if you come out to TVB on June 10 you'll find everything you need. Plants from Acorn and garden-friendly furniture and decor from Apartment 528, Hot House Market, cushionchicago, Emerald Avenue Antiques, MrModern, Rivich Antiques, Hello Good Buys, and Take 2 Vintage to name just a few.

Inspiration Folder: Vintage Dog Accessories

2012-05-22T19:00:50Z

I love repurposing vintage items to use for my pets. It's sometimes cheaper than buying new accessories at a big box store and it's way more environmental. Not to mention stylish.

By the way, did we mention you can bring your well-behaved four-legged friends to the Vintage Bazaar on June 10 at Aragon? Don't forget the poop bags!

You can buy these things here:

Pair of vintage enamelware bowls

Green vinyl placemat

Brown leather dog collar

Hendryx pet bed, 1940s

Vintage wooden crate

Repurposed fishing rope leash

Nostalgia: Raleigh Chopper Bike

2012-05-22T13:48:50Z

via Flickr user PaulWrightUK

Alan Oakley designed the Raleigh Chopper bike in the late '60s to mimic the "chopped" design of dragster motorbikes. They were popular in the '70s and then again in the '90s. You can find them on eBay for a pretty penny. Here's one that's going for nearly $2,000.

via Flickr user Allan Kingdom

Vendor Profile: Lisa Cipriani, Suburban Secrets

2012-05-21T19:00:13Z

Name: Lisa Cipriani

Business name: Suburban Secrets

TVB: Tell us a little bit about your business and how you got your start.

LC: I opened Suburban Secrets in November with the help of my mom (Judy Cipriani). My grandma started an antique club in the 1970s and since then my entire family has been active in the antique business. I was the one grandchild who showed an interest in vintage. I have always been interested in fashion so I went to school for fashion merchandising and decided that I would love to open a vintage clothing store. I didn't waste any time after graduation and decided to open my store as soon as possible. Although I'm considered an owner, it is definitely a family effort, which makes everything a lot more fun.

What do you sell?

We sell vintage threads mainly from the 1950s - 1970s. We are very selective about what we carry and also have a wide range of fashions to suit any individual style at affordable prices. You can also get retro furniture as well as various nick knacks and housewares. There's really a little something for everyone.

What will you be bringing to the Bazaar this summer?

We'll be bringing some great sun dresses, evening wear, tops, skirts, sets, accessories, and also some items for the fellas.

Art + Architecture: Kintsugi

2012-05-21T14:07:32Z

Kintsugi, which means golden joinery in Japanese, is the art of fixing broken pottery. The cracks are healed with a lacquer resin that is spinkled with powdered gold before drying.

Donna Summer the Last Dance

2012-05-18T14:00:37Z

Neighborhood Guides: Uptown's History

2012-05-17T14:00:27Z

Aragon Ballroom in 1976 via Uptown Update

One of the most exciting things about TVB's new HQ in Uptown is the neighborhood's history. As we've mentioned, we'll have free tours during the June 10th event and the guide will be sharing tales of the neighborhood and historic Aragon. In case you want to prep, you can read up on Uptown's glittery and gritty past on the Uptown Chicago History blog.

Uptown Theatre interior via Chuckman