vintage blog Archives

2014 was a fun year for me and my vintage life and so I thought I would summarize some (not all-way to many to count!) of the fun events I attended this year as we come to the final last days of 2014.

p.s. This is a picture heavy post 🙂

January 2014

Not really a vintage event but I was in Vegas for the annual “German American Mardi Gras Association” Big 2 day party! Friday night was the costume party and Saturday night was the black tie gala. I have been part of German Karneval since I was a kid so it’s a very special event for me and I look forward to it every year.

GAMGA 2014-German Karneval in the United States — The Hays with “Hay”. Best costume winners at GAMGA

April 2014-VIVA Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend

This 4 day weekend of 1950s music, vintage shopping, dancing and vintage cars is one event I recommend you attend at least once in your life. I have been 3 times and have loved every moment. This year my parents came and are already looking forward to the time they return. My husband and I are going back again this year so stay tuned for that blog post.

Frankie's Tiki Room Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 18 — The Big Question

May 2014: Frankie 100 in New York City

The Lindy hop world came together for a weekend of outstanding music and dance to celebrate the life of one of the original Lindy hoppers-Frankie Manning. He would have been 100 (can you believe he lived to be 94 and was still dancing!) and the party would have made him happy, as it showed the world how amazing the dance is. It was a highlight of my year. I even got to participate in a vintage clothing presentation showing off my vintage 1940s dress. I felt very much like Ginger Rogers that evening 🙂

Lindy hop in Central Park Frankie 100 — Dancing in Central Park at Frankie 100

Frankie 100 Lindy hop weekend in NYC — Parade in Harlem thru Frankie’s old haunts

Frankie 100 — The dance floor in Terminal 5. So many wonderful dancers!

June 2014-Barcelona (Spain) and Munich Germany

Once again not a vintage event but a big event in my year, a wedding of our Lindy hop teachers/friends that we attended in a gorgeous city outside of Barcelona and then a layover in Munich at the end of the trip. It was so much fun! and filled with friends, wine, sightseeing and beer (and bit of World Cup soccer).

World Cup soccer Germany — Cheering on Germany at the Munich Olympic stadium

Gatsby Garden Party

The historic and amazing Spadina Museum hosted it’s annual Gatsby Garden party on their grounds. Everyone comes out in 1920s finery and listens to music, drink lemonade and even learn now to play croquet. Turns out yours truly is a pro and was asked to join the team that was giving lessons 🙂

Pinup in the Park

Toronto Vintage Society hosted a picnic in the park this summer where we got to just chill and relax with all our vintage friends. It was also a chance for the TVS team to take some official photos for our website.

August 2014: Toronto Vintage Society Tiki Party

Once again TVS was back hosting our annual Tiki party at the Cadillac Lounge and this year was bigger and better than last. We had a Hawaiian dancer, burlesque, 2 bands, speciality cocktails and our awesome vintage community who came out in amazing tiki style. It was a super party and we can’t wait to do it again!

September 2014-Old Fashioned car weekend at Greenfield Village, Michigan

I did a blog post earlier this year but it was worth mentioning again, because I loved it! Full day of cars from the early 1900s, gas lamp parade, 1920s band and dancing with my vintage friends. I will be going back to this event next year, it was really magical.

Old fashion Car show Greenfield Village — Vintage Style

October 2014: Diner En Blanc

Once again not a vintage event but so fun! It was a night where myself and thousand others were taken to a secret location in Toronto where we then had a surprise pop up picnic all in white. Clothes, plates, decor etc was all white. The location this year was right on the water with a view of our wonderful skyline at Ontario Place. We had the best seats in the house I think. Wonder where next years location will be?

Diner en Blanc Toronto — All and white and ready to go!

Toronto Oktoberfest

I normally attend the big Oktoberfest weekend in Kitchener this year but the TVS gang wanted to hit up Toronto’s in full TVS style, so off I went. OMG we had so much fun! Not only did we sweep the best dressed contest but we also danced, met tons of people and became unofficial ambassadors of the event.

November 2014: Swing Out To Victory

An annual swing dance event held at the Hamilton warplane museum. It features the Toronto All-star Big Band, Lindy Hop performances, dancing and a bunch of well dressed men and women in their 1940s finery.

Swing out to victory- Hamilton warplane museum — Such beautiful swing dancers

Plaid Party at the Roy Public House in Toronto

I recently found out that there is an event called “Plaidurday” which is on Oct 3rd every year. Well we missed that date (clearly), so I suggested to the TVS gang that we do our own plaid party anyways because plaid is awesome and we need to celebrate it in classic TVS Style (which means go all out). Well as is it turned out it was also TVS creator Jacquie’s birthday so we combined the two events and had a marvelous night out.

Vintage Prom

The end of November had me going back to my prom days at the first ever “Blast from the Past Vintage Prom” hosted by the wonderful store “Rosie the Rebel”. TVS helped with decor and then the rest of the night we danced to the glorious sounds of the 1950s & 1960s. I decided to channel the 1960s for this event thanks to my dear friend Jacquie supplying me with a fantastic vintage dress from the 1960s.

December 2014:

Toronto Vintage Society Kitschmas Party

Once again TVS was back at it hosting the best party in town. This time the theme was “Kitschmas” and featured the wonderful “Tia Brazda Swing Band”, Marilyn Monroe, Blue Suede Sue burlesque performance, Santa and the best photo booth in town! It was another packed party and we were thrilled with the turn out.

Vintage ladies with Santa — I think Santa was good this year

Toronto Vintage Society Kitschmas party — Merry Holidays!

Christmas cookie extravaganza party!

Some of the gals (and boy) got together over the holidays to share Christmas cookies we baked, enjoy some mulled wine and spending some time together just enjoying the season. My cookies were a disaster but everyone else’s was yummy!

Cookie exchange Christmas party — Toronto Vintage Society cookie steal!

1920s Christmas at the Spadina museum and Christmas Market at the Distillery District

My final vintage event of the season was with the TVS gang again at the Spadina Museum that hosted the Gatsby event earlier in the season. They had done the museum all up with vintage Christmas cards from the 1920s, hot apple cider and gingerbread cookie decorating and the best live tree around! Afterwards we attended the Christmas market at the historic Distillery district for mulled wine and wandering around.

Distillery Christmas market — At the distillery Christmas market

And there was my review. I hope your 2014 was a good year and that 2015 has many exciting events planned for you. I know I’m starting off 2015 visiting Memphis Tennessee!

Happy New a Year friends! And thank you for being such wonderful loyal readers.

Liz 🙂

(Note: This Saturday I have a fun book give-way happening and guest blog post by the author of “Birds Eye View” so make sure you pop by again on Nov 8th.)

It is with great “Fun honour” that I hereby accept this award given to me by the “Toronto Vintage Society“. Thank you dear TVS you are truly a wonderful and fun society that I LOVE being part of 🙂

Now upon receiving this “just for fun” blog award, I must now share seven random facts about myself and then share the love with other bloggers that inspire me.

Here we go!

Random Fact # 1:

My father was born in Germany and because of this I’m heavily involved in German Karneval.

Karneval in Germany — Traditional German Garde Girl-Funkemariechen

What is German Karneval you ask? Well basically it’s like Mardi Gras but instead of just one day or week it runs for several months, November 11th till Rose Monday in March. In Germany it is celebrated in the Rhineland (several areas of Western Germany along the Middle and Lower Rhine) and is a time of much merriment (and lots and lots of parties). They even have Prince and Princess of Karneval (I was once a Princess,years ago)!

I also German danced in a Karneval group since the age of 6 and stopped after 16 years when I moved away from home (fun fact: my mom danced in a Karneval troupe as well and that is how she met my dad). Here is an example of the kind of dancing I did called “Garde Dancing”. This video is from Germany and this group is outstanding!

Random Fact # 2:

I’m not actually a blonde…natural Brunette. sssshhhhhh 🙂 I have been a Blonde for gosh…14 years I believe and I don’t think that will change anytime soon.

The Vintage Inn Blog — My Grade 12 Prom-1995

Random Fact # 3:

I can’t ride a bike without crashing into things. I’m like bambi on 2 wheels when I get on one. So I let my bike collect dust in our garage.

1930s woman on bike — I wish I looked this cute on a bike-Getty Image

Random Fact # 4:

I have being watching the same Soap Opera “General Hospital” for around 20 years. I have very rarely ever missed an episode (thanks goodness for PVR) and have even gotten my husband a tiny bit into “my stories”.

Random Fact # 5:

I have a degree in Fashion Marketing from Ryerson University but I work as Marketing Coordinator at an IT company. Super far away from the fashion world (thank goodness for my vintage blog).

Random Fact # 6:

I own probably around 40 pairs of shoes and every week I wear the same ones. Why? I live in such a small apartment that my shoes are packed away nicely (to make room for other items) and it’s too much of a bother to search for what I want. One day they will have their time to shine…one day!

Random Fact # 7

I went thru a stage while in High School where I listened to nothing but the music of Metallica. Yes for about 5 mins of my life, this 1940s loving gal was obsessed with Heavy Metal.

And there you have it. I hope you enjoyed learning a few fun facts about dear old Liz of the Vintage Inn.

Onto the Other Blogger Nominations….

Now should blog awards not exactly be your favourite cup of tea (or if you’ve already received this one before and have no desire to post a “round two” of your own), fear not, you’re under zero obligation to play along. These kinds of posts are intended to be nothing but lighthearted fun, and should they not feel that way to you, by all means bow out of taking part in this one. I think blog awards are fun and a great way to find out a bit more about the blogs you adore but I understand not everyone loves them.

If though, you would like to take part, then all you have to is whip up a post of your own about receiving The Very Inspiring Blogger Award in which you link back to this post, share seven random facts about yourself, and bestow the award on folks whose sites you find to be a continual source of inspiration.

Have a wonderful day friends!

Liz

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My Vintage Year In Review-2014