Not Walking in a Retail Wunderland......

Shotguns ring, are you listening.... feel your feet, they're a blistering.....

Its that time of the year again where retail madness reigns supreme! 

I caught a commercial for Walgreens on the t.v. where very little was said, but it showed the cattle-herding insanity of shopping at a big store during a peak time.  I had to laugh- brings back many memories of elbows in the back and the strollers blocking any conceivable walking path (and, yes, I've even been one of those women wielding my stroller as a personal space preserver!)  Shuffling down an aisle, climbing over people thinking to yourself in your best Captain James T. Kirk voice, "If..... I could only get past.....this......woman....maybe I can save...the ship!" Yes, I can shop without fighting over a sweater with some little old lady who looks like a seasoned pro at caning to death competing bargain hunters while listening to my toddler scream "DOWN! DOWN!" to the tune of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.  It seems like retailers have caught onto the unpleasantness of the trend in "Christmas-kamikaze-road-rage" style shopping and extended their hours so the nutters can get their list done without the involvement of the police. 

I myself have only gone out on one Christmas shopping excursion since Thanksgiving, and they can be fun when you are in the mood and most of the people around you look sane. Gorgeous Christmas tree displays and lots of things to drool over that I could never possibly afford. Kind of like pressing your face into the glass of the toy store like Ralphie in the beginning of "A Christmas Story." This in and of itself can be torturous, so give me good 'ol online shopping! Give me my jammies, cup of Joe and specs, and I'm ready to play Santa on Etsy!

In addition to the higher physical safety factor of shopping at home (unless you fall off your chair and dump your coffee down your lap,) there is the wonderful feeling of potentially helping along another small business. Being a small business owner concerned over every sale, I can appreciate the challenge of remaining afloat with your unique goods while the big guys raffle off Kindles.  I have found some amazingly wonderful things from Etsy this year, my favorite being vintage wooden painted tree ornaments that we had back in the 60s-70s when I was little.  Most of my mom's collection has disappeared over the years so I was delighted to get a full collection of them again!  They were kind of a paint by number wooden kit, so they looked exactly the same as the ones of my youth.  Mom and I looked through them all noted the ones we remembered the best.  Hey, you can't get that at the mall! 

So, please support your favorite small businesses this season, both on-line and in your town.  We are chock full of wonderful goodies and guarantee to be safer and kinder than Walmart- we promise!

P.S. GET FREE U.S. SHIPPING AND GIFT WRAP THRU 12/31 at my shop!

Jojo's Gift Certificates are Here!

Looking for a gift for a vintage lover on your shopping list?  Consider presenting them with a beautiful packaged gift certificate from Jojo's Retro and Vintage:

Your recipient will receive a beautiful, professionally printed 8.27" x 3.74" color gift certificate as pictured on premium 100 pound matte paper with hand printed amount, to/from and redemption code. Certificate comes in a white envelope and is adorned with a pink and chocolate polka dot matching ribbon. Shipping to you or your recipient is free!

I can mail you or the recipient the physical gift certificate or can email an image if you prefer.
Each gift certificate will have a unique code which the recipient will enter in the "message to seller" upon checkout. A refund for the full amount of the certificate will be processed through Paypal within 24 hours of the order. Redemption instructions will be included with the certificate.

Stop by the shop and order yours today! http://www.jojosretroandvintage.etsy.com/

FREE U.S. SHIPPING!!!

Ok ladies, its time for a new promo!  Get free U.S. shipping on all orders over $75 now through July 4th!  Just use code USFREESHIP at checkout!  So grab that cup of joe and happy shopping!!!

FREE U.S. SHIPPING ON VINTAGE! SERIOUSLY!

Its been one year since I opened my etsy shop and want to celebrate and spread the love!

So, I'm offering free U.S. shipping on any size purchase in the shop!

Offer good through this weekend!

Just use code USFREESHIP to take advantage and save some dough on your favorite vintage!!

Model Hell......oh, and free U.S. shipping in the shop

So, today I reluctantly posted an ad on craigslist for a second model for the shop. I love my model, Sara. She is the best thing since the invention of wine. She totally embodies the Jojo look. She is tall and shapely and everything looks gorgeous on her. I get more emails about her than anything else on the site- lol. I've even had a few european men send odd love notes for her. I know I will be hard pressed to ever replace her when she's decided she's had enough. Anyway, my lovely Sara is broad shouldered and I've started a collection of items that are in the xsmall range that just don't fit her.

So, I finally listed an ad and now have the unpleasant task of trying to sort through pretty women to see who has the right look for the shop. Its tough. They have to have a young face that can pull off many different eras, not to mention needing a 24" waist. So many young women today look,well.... too modern. I need a girl that can pull off a 60s bouffant or a sleek 40s or 50s look. I guess I'll know her when I see her. Hopefully this process will be easier than a root canal. Best to have a cup of tea and calm my nerves.

Anyway, etsy came up with a great new coupon code system to offer free shipping. So, for a break in this model mayhem, I thought I'd try it out. Right now I'm offering free DOMESTIC U.S. SHIPPING on anything in the store using coupon code USFREESHIP (yes, I know it should be "modelhell" to tie this all together, but I'm a mom that operates on little sleep. )

See you at the shop!

SALE AT JOJO'S!!!!!

Today and tomorrow I'm offering 20% off anything in the store with coupon code SUNMONFUN at the checkout.


Its a great time to snap up some spring or wedding/prom season dresses at a discount!

SEE YOU AT THE SHOP!

In honor of Valentine's Day, now through Feb 14th,

all items in store at Jojo's are 10% off.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FascinatingHobbies

"It's Valentine's Day..."

Words that strike loathing, sorrow or excitement in the hearts of many- whether single or married. If you are in the dreading category, don't be unprepared and spend the day sulking while gorging yourself of the chocolates left in the office lunchroom!

No good soldier goes into battle unprepared! Make a plan to defend your psyche and self-esteem! This year, treat yourself to something wonderful... a lovely cologne you've found in a magazine (you know, the one where you rubbed the paper sample all over yourself,) that vintage dress you've been drooling over on etsy, or if money is tight, just a soak in a (cheap) champagne bath while listening to your favorite tunes and sipping some of said bubbly. Toast yourself that you are contented and happy without "old whats-his-name!"

Here's a soothing bath suggested by Kristin Fraser Cotte, founder and CEO of The Grapeseed Company as seen in Dec. 2010 issue of Health Magazine:

"Combine 1 cup powdered milk and 1/2 cup Epsom salts in a bowl; add 1 or more cups of any sparkling wine (no need to splurge on the pricey stuff) and 1 tablespoon honey warmed in microwave for 30 seconds. When the tub is full, add in rose petals - they're a natural emollient that hydrates and tones. To double your indulgence, sip a glass while you soak!" Relax- your figure is safe-its only 78 calories per 4oz of dry Brut. Just don't overdo and slide under- safety warning: keep head emerged at all times (and dont make the water too hot!)

Once you've dried off, wrap yourself in something feminine, beautiful and lovely- all just for you! Heres a few suggestions from etsy shops to top off your lovely refreshed self:

antique 1930s aquamarine lingerie by GoodGodMan

60s long pink chiffon gilead gown from thedabaras

vintage vandemere chiffon and satin penoir by GeneralWhimsy2

bemberg rayon nightgown by Jojo's Retro and Vintage

Happy Valentine's Day! See you at the shop!

Just Think Pink!

January and February are a time for the romantic creamy whites, passionate pinks and a few shots of red hot to spice things up a bit. Valentines Day is coming up, so lets get you in the mood with some vintage imagery. Lets start with Mancini's Pink Panther playing in the background- in a truly cool universe, everyone would get a personal theme song as stealth and hip as Mancini's 60s sexy sax melody.

Nothing says sexy better a 50s-60s siren in lingerie- think of Jayne Mansfield's famous cleavage bearing photos....this one in a lacy number.....

Now think of Liz Taylor in a slip in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof....or maybe Marilyn in her skivvies....

Or a slinky satin and lace nightgown or robe a la Ava Gardner

I had alot of fun putting together this Valentine's Day collection and hope you see something that makes you feel cool and hot and pink all over! Lots more in the store and new items added daily. Get a little lovin' from Jojo's with 15% off any purchase by entering coupon code NEWYEAR15 at checkout.