PROGRESS REPORT: AGENT MORGANA MARTIN REPORTING IN FROM THE FIELD . . . .

Field investigations are always unpredictable and full of obstacles but,  despite some episodes of balky or hidden internet access here on this Australian assignment, all is going well.  I do have to work around the schedules and missions of my fellow agents (who are not assigned to the same  investigation, but try to be supportive).

In spite of everything, I DO continue to discover more buried true vintage treasure at almost every stop, which I will continue to share with you.  So far, most of my finds are from the 1960’s.

I’ve not spent any significant time in a big city yet, so I expect the picture to change somewhat when I do.  Stay tuned to this frequency . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy

Blog:  Magicvintagespy.com

SUCH AN INTERESTING HUNT – AND IT’S ONLY JUST BEGUN . . .

SUCH AN INTERESTING HUNT – AND IT'S ONLY JUST BEGUN . . ..

SUCH AN INTERESTING HUNT – AND IT’S ONLY JUST BEGUN . . .

As I’m getting a sense of the sleuthing in this country, where I’ve never been before, I’m learning a bit about vintage Australian brands and am very impressed with Australia’s network of charity stores.

The Salvation Army (shortened to SALVOS here) and St. Vincent de Paul (VINNIE’S) are VERY visible here.  Both are leaders in providing assistance to the poor and disaster relief worldwide.  I’ve been told that GOODWILL also has stores here, but I haven’t seen any yet.

There are numerous others, which are more local here and serve various causes, including the RED CROSS.  Such a positive thing!

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy

Blog:  Magicvintagespy.com

CHICAGO UPDATE

     Hello, again.  It was a fabulous weekend and, no, I didn’t do any vintage buying, but the things we did do had a real vibe and here’s my report.

Of course, Chicago (or almost any big city in the U.S. or Europe) has tons of history and vintage architecture to enjoy.  One of the activities we took in, besides walking the Loop area (so sorry to learn that Marshall Field’s has been sold to Macy’s!) and looking up, was to take a PedWay tour.  This is a walkway which connects many stores and other buildings (including the Cultural Center which used to be the public library.  A true vintage gem!).  Most of it is underground and contains many surprising features and places to go, shop, eat and most people don’t know about it!  There’s also a lot of municipal history and politics involved with this and your guide may not feel free to share it all with you, but you might be able to tease some of it out of him or her (we toured with Margaret).  Fascinating.

We got event tickets at VERY reasonable prices and saw:  Hank Williams – the lost highway.  Set between 1949 and 1953.  A good little history byte, GREAT music and entertainment, even if you are not a country music fan.  You’ll know all the songs.  Very intimate performance in a small theater.

Ditto for The Magnificent Quartet.  I might be getting some of these names not exactly right, but you can find them.  Set in 1956, it is the story of Sun Records, owned by Sam Phillips and its relationship with Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.  This little recording studio gave them their starts on fame.  Good story and, again, a history byte.  Great clothes, fabulous music.  You’ll rock.  Also performed in a small theater.

Cirque Shanghai:  Performed at Navy Pier.  A Chinese Cirque de Soliel, basically.  Never seen Cirque de Soliel (yet) and I understand they would be better, but this group was great.  SO disciplined, incredibly strong, great costumes and sets.  Their timing and strength are amazing.  So professional and executed to perfection – if not they would die.  We were very impressed and entertained.

The REDHEAD PIANO BAR (downtown, I think it’s 43 Ontario Street).  A nice little place – it’s part of vintage Chicago.  Fabulous martini concoctions of all descriptions, good old music by request and a lot of fun.

     Tomorrow I’ll have a little something that includes the guys and we’re continuing the little series of red things for the next 2 or 3 posts.  See you on Tuesday . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy

WOWEE!! A NEW MODEL HAS JOINED THE OTHER GALS.

WOWEE!! A NEW MODEL HAS JOINED THE OTHER GALS..

WOWEE!! A NEW MODEL HAS JOINED THE OTHER GALS.

While I was away last weekend, I found Stella. She’s been around since the 1950’s and is beautiful in all those stunning Fifties frocks. And, yesterday I found a gorgeous ’50’s black crepe cocktail dress that is dynamite on her. It fits perfectly in my current black & white collection series so you’ll be seeing her in a day or two, strutting in the new LBD.

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com

TO MY FOLLOWERS . . . ..

Hi, everybody – This new WordPress format (whether from them or a figment of my computer/firewall/etc.) is causing me to make some changes to my posts. The big pictures seem to be a thing of the past, unless you click on the image. Then, you’ll get a nice large view.
I also have to publish a bare-bones post, then go back and add the things I want – such as the photo, etc. Therefore, you may receive this basic one first and I don’t see any way around it.
Sorry for any inconvenience . . . .

Morgana

TO MY FOLLOWERS . . . . . . .

Will be traveling this weekend, so the posts may be interrupted. No worries – stay tuned.
Sorry that WordPress is publishing a smaller size photo now – they have some kind of new process. You can click on the photo to enlarge it. If anyone knows how to use their new set-up process better, I’d love to hear.

Have a great weekend! Morgana Martin

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS – LATE 1950’S UGLY

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS – LATE 1950'S UGLY.

TRUE VINTAGE STILETTO HEELS – LATE 1950’S UGLY

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OK, you may not agree with me but this is my commentary. As much as I have disliked the super-elongated toes on shoes that have been popular for about the last 10 years, these are almost as bad.

Even though I am likely to love almost anything vintage, it seems to me that these toes are really unflattering on anybody. But, if you like them, what better than a 100% leather pair that have lasted for about 55 years?

What do you think?

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available on Amazon.com