This is the pole lamp Merilee found meQ Can't waitClock that Bryan, my daugters boyfriend, found this for 1.99This pix turned out a little dark, but I love this 60's terrarium. My sis had one in her mod apartment back in the day! I already planted some herbs in it! Cha cha cha Chia??!!Thanks India and Bryan for knowing what Mom likes at the thrift stores and helping me find it. I trained you well! And, my best friend Merilee!

Good News!

Well, I am so happy to say that Mick, from Everybody goes to Mick's -received his give a way package. My first! I am so glad he liked his stuff! And more winners have been drawn, and pkgs on the way as we speak. Now, more good new. Every time I hit the next 10 followers, like 40,50,60-etc... I will have a give a way! YES- I have a LOT of stuff, and want it to have a good home!!

Also, I found my PROJECTOR! I found it at the first Pawnshop I went to this weekend for a really good price. I made them hook it up and project a movie on the wall!!LOL. Can't wait to start showing movies in the backyard. Thanks Mick for the ideas!
...

Winner! Celebratin 30 blog followers!

This is the items that are being given away..a tablecloth, rooster appliance cover, and a matching potholder. And the winner is...Miss Cherry Bubbles! Congrats, and send me the info to send at xbettiexdoll@aol.com

28 followers! I feel another giveaway coming on

Ok all you rooster lovers. This is a preview of two of the things that will be given away when I hit my 30th follower..More tonight.

Also, while Micks giveaway goodies have been sent, the last winners haven't responded with contact info!! So....don't forget-send me your info at xbettiexdoll@aol.com, so I can get the stuff to ya!

Enid Collins Purse!

Ok, I haven't found any of these for a while! The ones I had sold really fast in my shop, but I now wish I had kept them. This is Enid Collins Roadrunner "box" purse. It's in pretty good shape! So cute for the Summer season! I love her jeweled little purses! Found this one at Salvation Army tonight.

Almost time for the Easter tacky blo molds

Ok-first off, the snow is melting! And secondly, I am off part of the day tomorrow, so I say...the light up Easter decor needs to come out of hiding!
Also.... winners of the giveaway...I am shipping in the morning. I need Vintage Christine to email me at xbettiexdoll@aol.com so I can know where to send your stuff! Mick, yours is on the way!!! Zootsuitmama

Mick's Prize!! To Kick Off His Summer Season...

OK-Here's Mick's prizes as promised! A Hawiaan state plate, a California scarf, a Hawiaan thermometer paper weight, and a Florida glass - Congrats Mick, these will fit right in at the Casablanca!!

Winner, redraw surprises!

Vintage Christine! You are a WINNER! You won the redraw tonight! Let me know at xbettiexdoll@aol.com and I will send your prize! Also, since I had a redraw, and some guys have shown some interest, AND, this is my first giveaway...I drew two times. Mick-you are the lucky GUY winner! I will post a picture of your prize on Sunday! Stay tuned for the next giveaway, when I reach 30 followers! I am at 24 now, so tell all your blog friends to check me out!

This is so much FUN!!
Zootsuitmama

Saturday...NOT in the park...I wish it was t he 4th of July

Yuk!After days of beautiful weather in good ole Missouri, I woke up to 4 inches of snow! Oh well, it'll give me time to work on some stuff I've been wanting to do, like getting my covered deck back to looking cute. I spend a LOT of time out there in the warm weather. Great for napping. I am so jonesing for garden weather. So, I am going to plant some seeds inside in my little covered thingy. I found a grow light at the Salvation Army- but it needs a plug in. That's another goal today, go to the hardware store and get it going. Seeing the sprouts come up gives me hope that there will be another Spring.
In the meantime, I wanted to show this bullet planter. Does anyone have one? I'd love to see pictures. I remember having one in the living room when I was about 7-8 years old. I'll try to hunt up the picture. A fellow blogger, Atomic Ranch House, missed out on one on Ebay. Sorry! I know how that feels.

Don't forget. REDRAW for the Giveaway is tonight!! Spread the word! I will post the winner by midnight tonight! Zootsuitmama

What's a girl to do?? Redraw??

Not sure what to do, but I am in need of some blog advice! What happens when you have a giveaway drawing and the winner doesn't respond?? REDRAW? OK, if no contact by tomorrow, I will not only redraw for a new winner, but ADD some surprises! Now tell one and all, and I will repost what the give away included....Fifties' Me...going going gone! I will keep trying to reach ya!

Zootsuitmama

Another Independence Missouri icon

Guess where I had dinner last night? Yep, me and my Mom had a Super Zip burger from Mugs Up! This place has not changed since I have been born! Still serving up loose meat sandwiches topped with a glob of Cheez Whiz. Heart healthy? NO, but soooo yummy. Sometimes, I just crave em! The root beer is still served in the glass mugs. I remember stopping here for a gallon carton of root beer and a big bag of popcorn before hitting th Drive In movies.

Is it a UFO, is it a hat? No! It's the opium den hanging light.

Gue

guess what surfaced from my basement? Yes, it is the great Oriental lamp from 14 years ago - my best friend Merilee bought it cuz "it went with all my Oriental stuff", and I never did put it up. So..I am glad I found it and put it up this weekend, because it's perfect!Just goes to show ya, time passes quickly and I need to shop in my own basement for "new" old finds! It's fun and also maybe I'll find some items to post on the new "trading" blog!

Drum roll please...the winner is....

Remember when everyone was asking to see the "real" you? Vintage Housewife, Shrinky Inky..? Well, this is the real me, after being off, Spring cleaning and no makeup for 4 days...I will try to be more glamo next time...

50's Me!! Congrats and let me know how to get ahold of you...I'll ship tomorrow...Zootsuitmama......!!

Give away items! One more follower til drawing!!

Hey y'all..Here are the give away items for me hitting 20 followers. Just one more to go! I will send the lucky winner a mint condition pink and white/roses tablecloth, a gold and pearl pin, a gold lipstick holder and matching hairspray cover, and three ballerina pictues.

Tell one and all..the drawing will be Monday or Tuesday. Thanks to all who enter...and after I hit 30-another giveaway awaits!

Friday ...more clues about the giveaway

Ok, I  have revealed the three Ballerina pix, but today I will add some other items..granted, this is kind of a Girly giveaway, but there will be many more to come. Soooo....please, tell one and all to tune in to Zootsuitmama blog tonight for a full picture of the give a way items. It will be a huge amount of goodies! Here's another shot of what will be given away....A Gold metal hairspray cover (who wants to see the ugly can??) and a matching lipstick holder for your dressing table!

Retro Independence Bowling alleys

Strike n Spare, Sterling Lanes and the Diamond Bowl are all a part of my childhood. The signs are the same but not the interiors, alas, they are very different. Some things, however, remain, the lockers, the Verona Room bar sign, and the cigarette and candy machines.

The Diamond Bowl was refurbished into a retro dream! I remember going there with my parents when I was very young, and even the first location that was later torn down. There was a movie theater, The Granada. that has also been torn down. My sister, cousins and I would see movies such as the Three Stooges, "Around the World in a Daze".  The new location has an awesome bar and snack bar, leather pastel couches and pictures of Harry Truman bowling on the walls. Glad the McClain family has moved in to make the Independence square a cool and "shoppable" place again!

Give a way

Hey all! I want to start my first give a way! Tell all your friends that when Zootsuitmama gets to 20 followers, there will be a fabulouso give a way! More tonight! Zootsuitmama
PS The ballarina pix are only a small part of the pkg!

Queen City and Great Western Motels

The Queen City Motel is all about the sign! It looks so awesome at night as youre driving down 24 highway! The Crown blinks -I mean what more can ya ask for? It's ok inside, too, but not what you'd call vintage styled. It's clean and cheap!

The Great Western is also on 24 highway, only East.
24 was probably very busy as a highway during the forties and fifties, and the motels were jumpin'-

Hey kids, let's play mini golf!

Cool Crest is named for both the era of "coolness" and the fact that it is located on a hill, which enabled the pre-airconditioned world to catch a breeze! So retro and fun, it still has mini golf, go karts, pizza, availablity for birthday parties, and of course, now, video games. Another popular date spot, "for those who think young".

More Independence Missouri grooviness

This is the original pizza and pub in my home town. Lots of birthday parties were held here. I went to the location closer to my house, but this one still stands and operates today. I can't say the interior decor is my favorite, it's dark early 70's wood, but I love their pizza and there are so many memories here... The big plus was that it was by Cool Crest Mini Golf and pool. They are still around, too, and that will be my next post! Stay tuned.

18 and counting Thanks, all you followers!

The Katz Drug Store on the square in Independence was exactly like this one. I wish Katz, Woolworths and Kresge's were still around. Alas, none are. However, there is a soda fountain and lunch counter in the old drugstore there that Harry Truman worked in that serves the old time favs. This building is now Ophelia's a high end restaraunt.

I'll gladly pay you Tues. for a Hamblogger today?

HiBoys opened in the 50's, as did Big Boy. They are similar in taste, and some rumor has it they are owned by the same family. The double cheeseburgers are hugemongus...and the fries are best when dipped in my chocolate shake. The location above hasn't changed at all since day one. It's on BlueRidge Cutoff, and it's my favorite.

Sunday feature: Cool Independence Missouri Retro!

Today I woke up and thought it was Monday! Thank God I was wrong. So -Now I can slow down (yeah, right!) a little, and piddle around. But first, I must unveil the next locations of businesses in my hometown that are still sporting vintage signage or even better, still operating!! This particular movie theater is on the "square", or downtown business district of Independence. It was a theater, then a dollar movie, and became kinda run down and stinky. Your feet would stick as you walked down the aisle stinky! I remember on the 4th of July in the '70's seeing "Funny Lady" with Barbara Streisand. (Am I dating myself? Well no one else will!) Art Deco Heaven, that movie!  Enjoy! A local family bought the place and restored it, inside and out. The marquee on the front and back door are awesome, especially at night.  Zootsuitmama

Cool signs

Some of the businesses are gone, but the signs are still there! I always want to find out how to persuade them to sell the sign to me. (Maybe for a headboard??) There is a Gas Station that is still around, and a little store called the Milk Jug, that is closed but the storefront, etc..is still up. It was a precursor to Quik Trip and 7-11. I love the signs, though! ZSM