Sunglasses Vintage and New

I finally got around to unearthing my vintage sunglass collection and thought it might be nice to show them here. Most I've had since the late 70s to mid 80s and I stupidly used to sell brand new unused vintage sunglasses to flea market vendors -- oh how I wish I had them now! I also included a few of my fav pairs of newer sunglasses as I wear them so much (don't trust the UV protection on the really old ones.)


Here's a group shot, I'll break down my favs into smaller pics.


These are probably my favorite because they belonged to my grandfather who died when I was just 4. They're "Cool Ray Polaroid" in a classic wayfarer style, tortoise frame. I don't wear them as often as I'd like out of paranoia -- today I realised in about 2 years they will be certified antiques!


Look at the fab carving and crystals on these 60s French sunglasses! Tres jolie!


The colour isn't showing up properly but these are purple metallic wayfarers from the 60s!


I can't believe I never wore these fab 70s shades! That's going to be rectified immediately!


These 50s sunglasses have fab light blue glitter along the top!


Here's another pair I never wore (what's wrong with me?) they still have their tags and are French made, from the 50s. Can't you just imagine someone like Brigitte Bardot wearing these on the French riviera?


These are vintage YSL cat eye sunglasses I found on eBay last year. You can still find them as the seller in Canada has a stockpile of them, and I might even wind up with another pair as I wore them to death last summer!


Newer acquisitions -- on the bottom are Alexander McQueens purchased last year, and the top are some Gucci shades I adore for hiding my cheekbones which have gotten sun damaged from sticking out ):


These are some older Gucci shades, I love them as the quality is amazing and they last forever!


How fab are these 50s huge cat eyes? Love them!


No vintage collection is complete without some crazy hippie half shades!


Sylvester! Need I say more?


These 50s shades were my favs for years. Also French made, and I had them in a gorgeous blue too. Sadly the lenses are too scratched for wear now ):

I hope you enjoyed my little collection! have you any fab vintage shades to share? I'd love to see them!

XXX

Vintage Picnic Find

Since it was so warm last Monday I decided we'd have a BBQ and our first al fresco dinner on the patio. I really just wanted an excuse to use the unused vintage picnic set I had picked up off eBay at the end of last summer and had yet to use! It's from the 70's and quite cleverly put together so that everything fits in an easily transportable little container. You need to add the few extras like vintage tablecloth or place mats, napkins, and maybe bigger cups along with your feast. I'm quite enamoured of it, and mainly took the pictures so that I could figure how to get it back together again! It's quite a puzzle! At under $20 including shipping I was very pleased, as I couldn't find something near as innovative on the market today!


This is how it looks all bundled up. The cart it's sitting on was picked up a few years ago at a rummage sale for under $5. It's from the 60's and collapses for easy storage in the garage during off season. Quite useful next to the grill for keeping everything to hand, as well as moving the cooked food out of the way.


Top off, revealing the first layer.


1st layer reveal -- dinner plates in front, in back is a bowl & stack of glasses, to the front of that is salt & pepper shakers.


There is a large serving bowl in front, which was taken off the top revealing the cutlery (still inside main bowl with handle.)


Remove cutlery to find the last layer which are the little dessert bowls in front. The bottom part with handle becomes another serving bowl.


Close up of the clever little salt & pepper shakers and the lovely vintage shaped cutlery and cups.

There you have the whole set! It's going to get loads of use this summer when we hit the pool and bring our picnic lunch or have a BBQ dinner after swimming. Ahhh warm lazy summer days, I can't wait!

XXX

PS for those of you who are interested, there were tons of these very sets on eBay for a variety of prices. I went for the unboxed set -- at a lower price -- as I'd never use it. I think I found them by searching for "vintage picnic set" or similar.