Bummer Town

Valentine's Vintage Bazaar

2012-02-09T17:53:00.002-06:00

Bummer Town will be wishing you a Sad Valentine's Day this weekend at The Vintage Bazaar. This time the event returns to where it first started - at the Dank Haus in Lincoln Square. You will find us in the 5th floor ballroom at booth #23, at two of our favorite places to be: close to a fire exit and not too far from food. Not only will we have things to put on your body but we will also be bringing things to put in your house, like housewares and some furniture that will hopefully fit in our booth. Here's some useful info from The Vintage Bazaar ladies to get you ready.

Here's a quick preview of some things we'll have:

This picture doesn't do a good job of showing you the insane proportions of this jacket. So avaaannt gaaarde.

Liquid bronze top. Comes with MATCHING PANTS.

Candy colored restraint shirt! Whaaaat?!

Puffy reversible Mickey comic pullover top

Birds & Butterflies cotton Ungaro dress

Yeti sweaty

Tulip style high stools

See you there!

-M

Another Vintage Bazaar - Special extra soggy edition

2011-09-19T14:25:00.003-05:00

Well I blew it again and forgot to post about it here before it happened but Bummer Town participated in yet another Vintage Bazaar here in Chicago. The organizers Libby and Katherine brought it back to The Congress again, this time expanding it outside to the adjacent street and empty lot so there was more room for everyone to move around.

Unfortunately, it was drizzling or straight up raining most of the day, from when Liz and I set up at 9 a.m. until we left around 6:30. But this is why we love people in Chicago who love vintage - it didn't stop them. People still came and had a good time, brought their umbrellas and boots and were still as excited about our stuff as they would have been if it were perfectly sunny out. This is what kept us going despite being damp and freezing, dressed in as many layers as possible and giving off a "hobo with nice accessories" vibe.

So for those of you that were there, thanks for stopping by! Here's a few pictures of some of my favorite items that we sold yesterday. There were more plenty more that I didn't have the time to take a picture of so if you bought something from us that you love, please feel free to email us a photo and maybe we'll put it up here, if that's okay with you!

This all leather fringe cape was easily one of my favorites! I hope she wears this everywhere, like to school, to the grocery store, to sleep, to her wedding, etc.

Sam debated on getting this monochromatic muppet sweater for a little while but I'm glad he finally decided to go for it It's pretty perfect on him and not a lot of people could pull it off.

This girl was really cheery and cute and picked up this classy ivory wool ribbed cape. It has a hood! And pockets! I didn't capture the details. Whoops!

Sasha's one of our favorites because of her wild styles. Sasha "gets" us. You know? Look how perfectly this "Theo Huxtable at a party" leather and wooly sweater/jacket works on her.

This lovely girl got this densely sequined black blazer with structured shoulders. I think it looked pretty good with what she already had on.

Look at the textured venetian blind effect on this crazy sweatshirt! I never could figure out what it said, if it said anything.

So thanks again to everyone who braved the gross weather and checked out The Vintage Bazaar and especially to those who stopped into our booth. We'll be working hard at finding new old things for you for the next time! Also, keep an eye here or on our Facebook page for updates because we'd like to restock the Etsy shop eventually and I'll post about it here first.

:)/:(,
Mia

Big hair & bold colors

2011-07-22T12:04:00.000-05:00

I was stuck at home for a week but fortunately had just picked up a pile of VHS tapes at a video store that's supposedly going out of business but which has been "going out of business" for close to half a year, so I'm hoping that means they'll be around for a while. Many movies were watched on the TV/VCR combo that week, and let me tell you, cheesy 80's movies are a no-fail mood lifter. Here's your video Prozac:

Just One of the Guys, 1985
Classic teen movie themes of nerds vs. jocks, high school crushes and prom mixed with drag and a little brother with a lot of great lines.

Making Mr. Right, 1987
A young John Malkovich plays both a scientist and his own creation - an android in his own likeness. The rest of the movie isn't that great but the double Malkovich is all I needed to enjoy it.

After Hours, 1985
How had I not seen this before? This is Martin Scorsese's dark comedy of one man's surreal night in New York, starring Griffin Dunne, who was also the star in An American Werewolf in London. If you haven't seen this, you need to watch it! I believe this is also streaming on Netflix right now.

Night of the Comet, 1984
There were some pretty good lines in this campy movie about two sisters trying to survive in L.A. after a comet kills off most people and turns the others into flesh-eating zombies (or just mutated jerks, in the case of some mall employees) but the radio station set was my favorite part:

-M

Cover girl

2011-05-13T16:53:00.000-05:00

Our lovely makeup artist and model Jamie's shot from one of our Etsy listings popped up on The Vintage Bazaar's blog and subsequently on Apartment Therapy today in anticipation of tomorrow's pop-up market. Thanks for the love, TVB!

Spring sale!

2011-05-13T12:27:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since we've done a sale but we're beyond excited to participate in another fine Vintage Bazaar event. This time the pop-up vintage market is in Pilsen, the home of some of our favorite places to eat & meet.

Find us at Booth #5 this Saturday at 2229 S. Halsted from 12pm - 6pm to check out our new clothes finds as well as shoes, accessories and a good amount of housewares. Sneak peaks can be seen on our Facebook page. We'll even have the ever-popular $5 (and $10) bin in tow! Hope to see you there!

Tastes like death or maybe just pad thai

2011-05-11T09:42:00.000-05:00

The dark lord careth not about spelling.

Totally square

2011-04-19T15:42:00.000-05:00

Have you played with the ToneMatrix Flash application by Andre Michelle? Do it now!

Click the squares to sequence tones on the grid, kind of like a pared down Monome or Tenori-on. It's a little more twee but a lot more free.

Neoprene scene

2011-01-19T12:12:00.000-06:00

BT + VB

2010-08-22T09:36:00.001-05:00

This is where we'll be today! I'm running on 1.5 hours of sleep so maybe you will catch me snoozin' at our table. Feel free to draw obscene things on my face if that happens. -M

The Vintage Bazaar, Booth #134
August 22, 2010
Congress Theater
2135 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL
12pm-7pm

Bazaarza!

2010-07-22T14:49:00.002-05:00

We're back in action for a quick sale at a new venue. It's called the Bazaar at Beauty Bar and though it's put on by the Bonanza Vintage Sale people, it'll be more of a mix of vintage and handmade items.

There will also be martinis and manicure specials, as is the Beauty Bar way. If you've got some time tomorrow afternoon or early evening, stop by!

More details here.

The real cause of the oil spill?

2010-07-22T14:41:00.001-05:00

Too early?

All the Single Ladies

2010-07-15T10:22:00.001-05:00

We've been taking a bit of a break lately while we try to enjoy the hot, sticky, Chicago summer but we'll be back in action in late July and August. Bear with us while we struggle to peel our thighs off of sweaty vinyl surfaces all over the city. For now, be entertained by the joys of video dating via the Found Footage Festival.

Hoop Dreams

2010-06-01T15:42:00.003-05:00

Upgrade your chola status with these hoop earrings. Perfect for the summer, let these beauties stretch out your lobes so you can feel the warm breeze blow through them.

Vintage Heaven!

2010-05-01T21:06:00.001-05:00

We're doing yet another sale! Today was the first day but we'll be at Vintage Heaven again tomorrow from 12-6pm. Our bin of $5 items (or 3 for $12) will be replenished, as will the snacks. What's an event without snacks?

Heaven Gallery<<<<<
1550 N. Milwaukee Ave.<<<<<

Bonanza redux

2010-04-24T23:02:00.001-05:00

Come visit us and other local vintage and craft shops tomorrow at another Bonanza Vintage Sale & General Store event! We'll all have clothes and other items priced at $5, $10, $15, and $20 with the added bonus of free jelly beans at our table.

Berlin<<<<
954 W. Belmont<<<<
1-7 pm<<<<

It's a BONANZA!

2010-03-29T16:18:00.001-05:00

Err.. it WAS a bonanza. We forgot to give the heads up on this blog but we were a part of the Vintage Bonanza sale yesterday at the Berlin club on Belmont. It was exciting to meet people, including other vintage sellers, and we'll definitely be doing more live sales around Chicago in the future.

There were a few hiccups, including our clothes racks crumbling like a Jenga stack when people were browsing, making the Bummer Town name a reality but even that provided a good laugh. We will not forget to post about future sales, we promise!

-M

Happy St. Patty's Day!!

2010-03-17T14:55:00.001-05:00

La Biblioteca

2010-03-08T14:21:00.001-06:00

Have you gotten into "Community" yet? I was resistant at first but now I'm hooked, especially because of Abed and Troy. Whenever any show puts all of their episodes online, I am 1,000% more likely to watch it. Why don't all shows/networks do this now?

Oh, yes!

2010-03-02T16:29:00.001-06:00

We updated our shop with some cold weather cozy clothes and also some shoes with some more listings to follow. It's always cold somewhere. Check it out if you feel so inclined, internet pals! (Click pictures)

Never gets old

2010-01-13T16:02:00.004-06:00

Dave Chapelle: Prince plays basketball - watch more funny videos

-M

Get out your Hamiltons!

2010-01-10T22:30:00.005-06:00

Click image to go to our shop for the super sale. We will also be adding more items to the shop this week.

-M

Meow Mix Tuesday

2009-12-22T16:23:00.002-06:00

Okay, that title would have worked better if it was Monday but I don't have a time machine or any patience to wait until next week! Here's a meow mix for today:

(Also posted over here on our Facebook page)

-M

Windchilly Willy

2009-12-10T14:53:00.004-06:00

2°F with a -12°F windchill - that's how cold it is in Chicago today. Ah, Chicago weather! It really keeps you on your toes. This spiked hot chocolate via Poppytalk will help you get back off of your toes.

☃
Stay cozy, pals,
-M

Isn't music grand?

2009-09-30T13:09:00.004-05:00

One of the original Bummer Town models and friend Meredith granted me permission to submit some of my current favorite tunes to her weekly "wednesday playlist" feature on her blog, olivetti studio. Ain't she sweet? Not only does she have terrific personal style, but she is a skilled domestic artist who draws a lot of inspiration from the past. Have a gander at her blog where you'll find posts about her adventures in home decorating, sewing projects, treasures she has/would like to have, and travels. She presents pretty excellent photos as well, yes?

Party animal!

Red Romper

Thanks Meredith!

Also, I've been pretty into Star Wars lately especially after realizing that Carrie Fisher and I have the same birthday. She has amazing hair.

-L

Sweaty legs

2009-09-28T13:43:00.004-05:00

These are baggy sweatpants turned inside out and splattered with paint which are perfect if you're going for the whole "college co-ed on summer vacation making money painting houses" look.

Is that look popular right now? I must not be keeping up on the latest fashion trends. Plus, I think they may have misplaced the decimal point on the price. Oh, Erin Wasson, you sure do know how to make a girl laugh.

-M

Super Powers!

2009-09-03T14:56:00.001-05:00

Not usually am I a huge fan of female vocalists (sorry, ladies) but the ones I do like are truly fantastic. Recently, Dolly Parton and Cher have come up in conversation and these two superhero-superstars get my support 100%. Both were able to broadcast their over-the-top personas to the masses without censorship and with the help of outrageous clothes and exceptional make-up (oh, and pipes), the public - for the most part - accepted their often ridiculous, overblown style with open arms.

"I think that the longer I look good, the better gay men feel."

"I look just like the girls next door... if you happen to live next door to an amusement park."

The make-up gods have bestowed upon us the amazing Jaime to show us that we too can be Amazonian glamor gals. A little make-up goes a long way.

*Note to self: plan a trip to Dollywood.

-L

P.S.

2009-09-01T21:30:00.001-05:00

Have you seen this yet?

-M

The Etsy gods have smiled down upon us

2009-09-01T20:56:00.002-05:00

Bummer Town was lucky enough to be featured on the front page of Etsy a few weeks ago:

(3rd row, middle)

and in an Etsy Storque article about planned improvements to the checkout process that appeared in a rotating image, also on the front page:

(Top right)

and even in the Etsy Vintage Gift Guide:

(First row, 2nd picture)

We were also featured in another treasury listing from a seller that never made it to the front page but we weren't able to grab an image of that before it expired. Regardless, it's hard to believe all of the Etsy love that has come our way in our short time on the site. Seeing our headless torsos all over the site is pretty encouraging. Thanks, Etsy people!

In other news, we shot a new series of photos this weekend and will work on listing them soon. Also, Bummer Town now has a Facebook page. We hear it is the wave of the future and all who don't ride the wave will be left behind to sob all day in a pool of Commodore 64s.

What a steal! Act now!

-M

Whew!

2009-08-18T14:40:00.001-05:00

We finally got a lot of listings up on Etsy at one time, plus there are more to come. We're almost finished with all of the older photos which means we get to have another photo shoot soon! Yes!

Just Be Yourself!

2009-06-03T23:05:00.001-05:00

In Bummertown, we want everyone to feel free to be you and me. Expressing and nurturing our characters through wardrobe, artistry, song and dance is what our foundation was built upon! When being true to ourselves, sometimes we have to live our lives seeming slightly contrary to this positive message. For instance, you should almost always keep your cool even when you're excited or distressed about something. Or even if you're sleepy and know that you'll be mentally unbalanced the next day at work, you still get up and do something stimulating or go out that night.

The goal is to be able to wake up without regrets and thank yourself for an energizing experience while saying: I'm so glad I (insert good times at a place you went, cool you kept in a lively situation, lovely dress you bought, etc.)! And don't sweat it even if you find yourself in the morning still dressed from the previous evening holding a half eaten sandwich with all the lights still on. We've all been there!

B(
-L

Zzzappp

2009-06-01T13:56:00.001-05:00

Looking for a way to pull off that subtle nautical look or wondering how to put together a jumpsuit ensemble? I got you.

-M

Spring things

2009-05-04T12:21:00.001-05:00

Saw this great video on Refinery 29 today with NYC based Swedish stylist and vintage shop owner Malin Landaeus. I like the idea of taking some of the pretentiousness out of fashion and making it more light-hearted and playful, which is an approach Bummer Town takes with our photo shoots and inventory. Also, I've been on a major chambray kick lately! It's like this lady is reading my mind!

Image via Garance Dore

Yay!

2009-04-28T12:41:00.001-05:00

Hey pals! Remember us? Believe it or not, Bummer Town has not been abandoned by its mayors and inhabitants. We are slowly preparing things for the virtual ribbon cutting of the actual site but for now we are listing some items on Etsy.com. Come take a look at what some of our friends looked like a year ago.

bummertown.etsy.com

Baby's first mod sale

2008-08-08T14:12:00.001-05:00

Our website is still not quite ready yet but you can catch us in real life tomorrow, Aug. 9th at the Bottom Lounge from 11am-4pm at the Chicago Hard Mod Weekender's jumble sale (look under "events"). We'll have loads of colorful 60's dresses in tow as well as some of the cutest bathing suits, housewares, and shoes from our stash. There will be some dude wear as well, dudes.

Keep us company and show us some support for our first outing as Bummer Town. Let's get this town party started right.

1375 W. Lake, Chicago

"Good things come to those who wait" or "Waiting is the hardest part"

2008-07-09T14:40:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Bummer Town! Choosing the above cliche to kick off the "Cliche of the Day" portion of the Bummer Town blog seemed very appropriate to me. We have closets overflowing with glorious vintage frocks that we can't wait to unleash! Sadly, between our busy rabbit care-giving, summer socializing, full-time job working schedules, things have been moving a bit sluggishly. But if you stick with us, we won't disappoint! Or will we...

Sike! We totally won't, girlfriend(s)!

Enthusiastically,
Liz