Hey Macklemore, can we go thrift shopping?

I've blogged about Cleveland's vintage scene in the past, but never have I put together a piece on Cleveland's Flower Child. Flower Child is a chain vintage store, but I've been partial to Cleveland's for many years. When you enter, it's like walking into a time capsule, as the boutique has items dating back as far as the 1930's. Most of the prices are a bit too high for me, but it's always fun to browse through the many rooms of clothing, accessories, books and decor.

Do you have any vintage stores in your city that you frequent?

{A super vintage Kate Spade NY bag. Would you checkout those handles!?}

{As soon as I put this coat on, I realized why so many women buy fur coats-- it's like wearing a furnace it's so warm!}

  

{I've had my eyes on this suit for a while, because it was made in for The Higbee Company in Cleveland, circa 1960s/1970s. Also, it reminds me of Jackie Kennedy's Chanel suit from 1963. Is $65 too much?}

{The original "Rock'em Sock'em Robots" by Mattel}

Cleveland's vintage haven

Cleveland is known for its restaurants, but what most people don't know is how many vintage stores this city contains. For years my favorite has been Flower Child, because it is like walking through a time capsule, and is almost never-ending. 

This place never disappoints, with home decor, clothing, books and accessories ranging from the 1940s through the 80s. Some of the neatest items I saw this time were leather skinnies from the 80s, a Tiffany blue rotary phone, and a Jackie Kennedy-esque tweed matching suit/skirt.

These were popular in the 50s, as you would just fill the pump with

alcohol and rotate the shot glasses around the spinning tray. These 

may need to be brought back.

I'm sure you could spot a toy or two (or five!) here that you owned as a kid.

Not a cute color at all, but I had to try it on...

...and unfortunately the only place to try on clothes here is in their bathroom! 

Making a comeback: Hobnail milk glass

I remember seeing opaque, white glass dishes and lamps in my grandmother's house when I was younger, placed among her collection of blue, pink and green glassware. To me it always seemed very old-fashioned, and I always believed it was old enough to date back to the 19th century (clearly it wasn't. :))

Known as "milk glass," for it's milky white color, and "hobnail" for it's dotted design, it was first made in the 16th century in Venice, was popular in the early 1900s, and made a resurgence in the 60s. It may have seemed tacky in the recent past, but it looks like hobnail is once again making a comeback in the form of lamps, mugs, vases etc.

In the post I published last week on my Little Italy adventures, I mentioned going to a vintage store, where I found tons of hobnail milk glass dishware... I might just go back to snag a few items.

If you like this look, here are a few cute pieces I've found online. There wasn't much, which leads me to think that the best hobnail milk glass finds will come from thrifting.

{Mirror} {Salt & pepper shakers} {Vase}

Little Italy's big feast

After traveling to the real Italy, Cleveland's Little Italy is of no comparison, but every year they throw a "Feast of the Assumption" four-day street fair. I was a first-timer, and was surprised to see the crowds of people filling the streets. My friend and I checked out a vintage shop located in an old building, called Heartstrings. I wasn't a fan of the prices ($98 for a braided mesh headband??), but there sure was a ton of items to browse through, including jewelry, kitchenware, clothing and other quirky finds.

Cowboy boot salt & pepper shakers... yes please!

We finished the night off with Tiramisu from one of Little Italy's best restaurants and found our way through the crowd to meet up with some friends. It wasn't Italy, but it was the closest thing you can find in America!