All About Maxine

Yesterday, the 30th of March, Mr. Vague and I traveled back to the little town I grew up in for a plaque dedication ceremony at the public library in honor of my grandmother, Maxine Jeraldine LeMieux Huber.

My grandmother's beloved library, like the town itself, is small, simple and unassuming, but it was her pride and joy.

During the dedication service, several people spoke about Maxine and I learned many new things about my grandmother - and her resolve - that I'd never heard before.

After mothering more than half a dozen children and a full 25 years after graduating high school, Maxine returned to the learning arena, putting herself through college while working full time and managing a household.  The former she had to do in secret, fearing the disapproval of her husband (who, after a time, did come to feel proud of his wife's accomplishments).  I learned that, as town librarian, she could read her patrons like an open book, knowing their taste in literature sometimes better than they did themselves.  My Aunt Vay recounted how once, a library patron lamented that she couldn't check out books without Maxine because, as she put it, "I don't know what I like".  

But grandma always did.

{ above:  her son Phil read a touching bio he wrote about my grandmother's accomplished life.  Phil and his mother graduated from college on the same day.

below:  Aunt Vay read a nice poem about the joys of reading, and uncle Tom told a funny story about a dog who got a library card (much to Maxine's chagrin). }

Though I was quite young when she passed away, I understood even then that Maxine was an important figure in the community, providing limitless worlds for the citizens of her town, and inviting them to come and visit anytime with her and her "shelves of friends".

 { above:  the plaque (still hidden behind brown paper) is right inside the front door, just above the book return box; a prominent location.  

Below:  The very dignified plaque, designed and worded by my uncle Tom. }

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{ above:  a happy and hopeful Maxine on her wedding day.  Wasn't she beautiful? }

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{ below:  my sisters of a different mister.  L to R: me, Maggie, Kyla, Ambrosia.  My grandmother is featured in the background of the painting we are standing in front of. }

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Happy birthday, grandma!

My Grandma

March is National Reading Month here in America, and so it is doubly appropriate that this Saturday, March 30th, on what would have been her 91st birthday, my grandmother Maxine Huber, librarian of the people, will be honored in a ceremony dedicating a plaque at the Egelston County library in her name.

Maxine was a self-motivated woman who didn't fit into the cookie-cutter mold.  She gave birth to seven children, went to college, owned and operated a grocery store and later attained the position of librarian. 

My grandma not only instilled in me a love of reading, but her library shelves opened for me a million necessary worlds to escape into.  And it was almost certainly her lingering influence that guided me in my adult life-- consequently I spent seven years working in a library, too!

I considered my grandmother to be my best friend, and her unexpected death when I was just 11 years old turned my little world inside out.  But knowing that she would be proud of the woman I am today, and the hard work I've put into creating my own business (just like she did back in 1950) makes me stand a little taller, look a little farther onto the horizon, and motivates me to climb ever upward.

Thank you for everything, grandma!  

{ read an article about the dedication HERE }

Artist - a - Day

Hooray!  Today's artist on Artist A Day is our very own pal Julia Haw!

{ Talent and beauty, Julia did some fantastic modeling for our shop. }

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{ check out her write up here. }

PHOTO SHOOT 26.MARCH.013

and here's the rest of our power-shoot with Ambre!

so much good stuff, where to begin?!...

{ ...how about with this incredible 1950s linen skirt -- my new fave thing! }

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{ stunning navy blue silk 1920s dress with gorgeous beading }

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{ very cute folksy dress in polka dot flowers }

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{ fabulous 80s-does-40s beaded top }

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{ awesome Pendleton pants suit }

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{ sweet antique dress and apron set }

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{ 80's power suit!  top and pencil skirt }

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{ lovely antique cotton blouse }

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{ here we see Todd profilin' a sweet vintage shirt }

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{ lovely paisley frock in black and white }

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{ super slick vintage grey leather jacket }

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{ ENTER THE SHOP HERE }

PHOTO SHOOT 25.MARCH.013

We had a fabulous shoot last night with our pal, Ambre!  

It was maybe the most volume we've done in one photo shoot, so I'm editing and posting in segments.

Here's the first half:

{ a very sharp dickie-style top with open sides that tie.  circa 1950s. } 

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{ lederhosen.  represent. }

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{ such a sweet gown!  antique, delicate and divine. }

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{ vintage figure skating outfit in ice blue with hot pants?  yes please! }

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{ this antique blouse is just lovely! }

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{ awesome 1960s denim pants in summer floral }

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{ sheer blouse with ruffle and back buttons }

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{ luscious antique velvet coat! }

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{ Saks 5th Ave vintage mid century fedora }

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{ gorgeous and understated flapper dress with pleats and drape at the sides }

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{ ENTER THE SHOP HERE }