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Category: personal

The Vintage Inn Travels-Memphis & Nashville Part 1

Happy New Year Everyone!! I hope you had a super duper fantastic, totally amazing New Years Eve! Mine was pretty darn good as I was in Memphis and Nashville,Tennessee visiting a friend of my husband and I’s. It was a glorious trip filled with as much food, beer and music we could devour and most times all at once. lol! So lets what fun I got myself into shall we?

Part 1 of my blog posts: Memphis, Tennessee the home of the King of Rock N’ Roll, Sun Records Studio, Beale Street, the Peabody Ducks and of course MLK.

Part 2 is HERE (Nashville).

Greetings from Memphis postcard image
Source: Retro America

The Vintage Inn Blog Travels to Memphis

I have visited Memphis once before and on that visit we went to Graceland, Sun Records Studio and the Lorraine Motel, so this time our trip was more focused on the music and kind of just hanging out in the city. On our first day there we stopped by the very gorgeous “Peabody Hotel” for the famous “March of the Peabody Ducks” from the main lobbies fountain to their home upstairs on the roof.

Peabody Hotel Memphis
On the Roof of the Peabody
The Peabody Hotel Memphis Fountain
In front of the ducks fountain home

The unique tradition started in 1932, when the general manager of the time, Frank Schutt, had just returned from a weekend hunting trip in Arkansas. He and his friends thought it would be amusing to leave three of their live English Call Duck decoys in the hotel fountain. The ducks became immediately popular with hotel guests, and since then, five Mallard ducks (one male and four females) have played in the fountain every day (Source).

Peabody Ducks at Memphis Hotel
The Ducks before the big move

In 1940, a Bellman by the name of Edward Pembroke volunteered to care for the ducks. Pembroke was a circus animal trainer and he taught the ducks to march into the hotel lobby, which started the famous Peabody Duck March. He served as the “Duckmaster” until his retirement in 1991.

The ducks, themselves, have been rotated over the years. In fact, each team of five ducks only work for three months before they are replaced by another set. The ducks are raised by a local farmer and are returned to the farm when they retire.

The custom of keeping ducks in the lobby fountain may date back even further than the 1930s. Researchers found a pre-1915 postcard that highlights the ducks playing in the fountain, and one source claims the custom goes back to the hotel’s opening in 1869 (Source).

The Peabody Ducks at the Peabody Hotel Memphis
Source: Amusing Planet

It was so cute with the Duckmaster in his dapper red jacket and the kids cheering with delight as the ducks made their move. They even had a march theme play while they walked down the red carpet right into the elevators. Ahhhhh fun!

After the ducks we walked across the street to this bar that is known for their $3 Martini Mondays and proceeded to drink for around 3 hours, some of the yummiest martinis I have ever had. My 2 favorites was the “Elvis” which tasted like a peanut butter and banana sandwich AND the “Bathtub” which had a rubber ducky in it (I’m keeping with the duck theme, can’t you tell?).

martini drink with a rubber duck in it.
Bathtub Martini

The next day we were up nice and early and ready to wander the city. I really wanted to visit Beale St. during the day so I could visit the famous A. Schwabs and Lanksys which I missed my last trip.

A. Schwab Memphis Sign-Vintage Sign
About to enter A.Schwab

The store which has been around since 1876 has a bunch of general merchandise, but the  2 best parts of the store was firstly the museum on the 2nd floor, which held some cool past merchandise. Like this goody from the late 1930s, early 1940s….

1930s / 1940s Vintage Bra as seen in A. Schwab Memphis. Surrealist late 30s to early 40s black lace over nude mesh bra with black silk satin
"hands" on cups.
Surrealist late 1930s to early 1940s black lace over nude mesh bra with black silk satin
“hands” on cups.

And the second cool part of the store was the Soda Bar!

A.Schwab Soda Bar Memphis
Soda Bar Choices

They had so many different choices, so we settled in and decided to try the sampler because we wanted them all and this was a pretty close way to do that.

Homemade Soda from A.Schwaub Memphis
Which one to try first?

My favorite was the Sour Cherry and my husbands was the real Ginger Ale.

P.S. Can you spot the Flamingo Brooch? I just got it from TinselTownAccessorie and I LOVE IT!!

A.Schwab Soda Bar Memphis
Mandatory Selfie with the Soda

After that we stopped in at the famous “Lansky Brothers“-The Clothier to the King..yes the King himself, Elvis so that I could touch and ogle all the fantastic clothes. Gosh their stuff was NICE! oh so nice. I could see why Elvis was drawn to them.

Lansky Brothers Memphis
The sign says it all!

Friends! When in Memphis I really suggest that you make sure you stop into their store on Beale St. Not only are the clothes fantastic but the store is filled with lots of cool memorabilia of Elvis and many other famous people who have come to Lanskys. A must see in my books.

Lansky Brothers Memphis the clothier to the King-Elvis presley
The King is in the House!

After the ogling and the wishing I was rich so I could outfit my husband head to toe like young 1950s Elvis, we jetted off to a few other stops before hitting up Beale St. again at night for some Blues at the always popular “Rum Boogie Cafe“.

Rum Boogie Memphis
Awesome night of Blues

On New Years Eve we hit up my first ever live Basketball game-Memphis Tigers! It was a blast and they won!

Memphis Tigers

Then we made one last stop before beginning our festivities, Joe’s Liquor store where I stumbled upon the coolest sign..ever! A Vintage “Roto-Sphere” created and produced by Warren Milks and on site since 1962 (with a full restoration happening in 1999 by the store).

It was seriously super cool and the “Sputnik” even rotated! Awesome!

Vintage Sign Memphis-Roto-Sphere. Mid Century Sign featuring a Sputnik
Roto-Sphere

New Years Day we decided to walk off our mini “champagne” headaches by heading to “Overton Park” to hit up the dog park. While the dog was being run around, I decided to slip away from the husband and our friend to explore some statues I could see in the distance.

Well the statues turned out to be a Veterans memorial park and it was very moving and well done but there was one particular statue that actually made me happy to see (as opposed to solemn and sad). The statue of the famous “Memphis Belle“.

Memphis Belle Statue in Overton Park
The Memphis Belle with their Good luck charm Scottie Dog-Stuka

The aircraft was one of the first B-17 United States Army Air Corps heavy bombers to complete 25 combat missions with her crew intact (Source). The name “Memphis Belle” was actually the namesake of pilot Robert K. Morgan’s sweetheart, Margaret Polk, a resident of Memphis and now forever immortalized in this statue.

Memphis Belle statue Memphis
Me and Margaret Polk

And that famous Pinup girl on the side of the plane…That was a George Petty drawing which he took from a drawing he did in the 1941 Esquire magazine.

Such a cool find!

Memphis Belle featuring famous Pinup girl on the side of the plane...That was a George Petty drawing which he took from a drawing he did in the 1941 Esquire magazine.
Source: Ken Mist

That night it was a trip to the historic and newly restored Layayette’s Music Room for some Blues, Beer and dancing. A great way to end part 1 of our journey in Memphis, indeed.

Lafayette's Music Room Memphis
Great Night of Music

Take a look at my Nashville trip HERE

Question time: Have you ever been to Memphis? Did you like it? What did you do? Please share because I intend on going back.

Liz 🙂

My Vintage Year In Review-2014

2014 was a fun year for me and my vintage life and so I thought I would summarize some (not all-way to many to count!) of the fun events I attended this year as we come to the final last days of 2014.

p.s. This is a picture heavy post 🙂

January 2014

Not really a vintage event but I was in Vegas for the annual “German American Mardi Gras Association” Big 2 day party! Friday night was the costume party and Saturday night was the black tie gala. I have been part of German Karneval since I was a kid so it’s a very special event for me and I look forward to it every year.

GAMGA 2014-German Karneval in the United States
The Hays with “Hay”. Best costume winners at GAMGA

April 2014-VIVA Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend

This 4 day weekend of 1950s music, vintage shopping, dancing and vintage cars is one event I recommend you attend at least once in your life. I have been 3 times and have loved every moment. This year my parents came and are already looking forward to the time they return. My husband and I are going back again this year so stay tuned for that blog post.

Frankie's Tiki Room Las Vegas VLV 18
Frankie's Tiki Room Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend 18
The Big Question

 

May 2014: Frankie 100 in New York City

The Lindy hop world came together for a weekend of outstanding music and dance to celebrate the life of one of the original Lindy hoppers-Frankie Manning. He would have been 100 (can you believe he lived to be 94 and was still dancing!) and the party would have made him happy, as it showed the world how amazing the dance is. It was a highlight of my year. I even got to participate in a vintage clothing presentation showing off my vintage 1940s dress. I felt very much like Ginger Rogers that evening 🙂

Frankie 100 NYC Lindy hop weekend
Lindy hop in Central Park Frankie 100
Dancing in Central Park at Frankie 100
Frankie 100 Lindy hop weekend in NYC
Parade in Harlem thru Frankie’s old haunts
Frankie 100
The dance floor in Terminal 5. So many wonderful dancers!

June 2014-Barcelona (Spain) and Munich Germany

Once again not a vintage event but a big event in my year, a wedding of our Lindy hop teachers/friends that we attended in a gorgeous city outside of Barcelona and then a layover in Munich at the end of the trip. It was so much fun! and filled with friends, wine, sightseeing and beer (and bit of World Cup soccer).

Barcelona Spain Gaudi
Barcelona
Spain
Wedding location-Spain
Spain
The happy couple 🙂
Munich city street
Munich
World Cup soccer Germany
Cheering on Germany at the Munich Olympic stadium

Gatsby Garden Party

The historic and amazing Spadina Museum hosted it’s annual Gatsby Garden party on their grounds. Everyone comes out in 1920s finery and listens to music, drink lemonade and even learn now to play croquet. Turns out yours truly is a pro and was asked to join the team that was giving lessons 🙂

Gatsby Garden Party Spadina Museum
Gatsby Garden Party-TVS
Gatsby Garden Party Spadina Museum
Lessons anyone?

Pinup in the Park

Toronto Vintage Society hosted a picnic in the park this summer where we got to just chill and relax with all our vintage friends. It was also a chance for the TVS team to take some official photos for our website.

Toronto Vintage Society
Toronto Vintage Society

August 2014: Toronto Vintage Society Tiki Party

Once again TVS was back hosting our annual Tiki party at the Cadillac Lounge and this year was bigger and better than last. We had a Hawaiian dancer, burlesque, 2 bands, speciality cocktails and our awesome vintage community who came out in amazing tiki style. It was a super party and we can’t wait to do it again!

Toronto Vintage Society Tiki Party
My husband and I dancing

September 2014-Old Fashioned car weekend at Greenfield Village, Michigan

I did a blog post earlier this year but it was worth mentioning again, because I loved it! Full day of cars from the early 1900s, gas lamp parade, 1920s band and dancing with my vintage friends. I will be going back to this event next year, it was really magical.

Old fashion Car show Greenfield Village
Vintage Style
Old fashion Car show Greenfield Village
Dancing to the wonderful band

October 2014: Diner En Blanc

Once again not a vintage event but so fun! It was a night where myself and thousand others were taken to a secret location in Toronto where we then had a surprise pop up picnic all in white. Clothes, plates, decor etc was all white. The location this year was right on the water with a view of our wonderful skyline at Ontario Place. We had the best seats in the house I think. Wonder where next years location will be?

Diner en Blanc Toronto
All and white and ready to go!
Diner en Blanc Toronto
Stylish friends and husband in white
Diner en Blanc Toronto
Ontario place with a view of Toronto
Diner en Blanc Toronto
Sparkler time!

Toronto Oktoberfest

I normally attend the big Oktoberfest weekend in Kitchener this year but the TVS gang wanted to hit up Toronto’s in full TVS style, so off I went. OMG we had so much fun! Not only did we sweep the best dressed contest but we also danced, met tons of people and became unofficial ambassadors of the event.

Toronto Oktoberfest
My dirndl I purchased in Munich earlier that year
Toronto Oktoberfest
The beautiful ladies of TVS
Toronto Oktoberfest
Finally someone way taller than me!
Toronto Oktoberfest
On stage for the best dressed contest. I did not win but our friend Joy did!

November 2014: Swing Out To Victory

An annual swing dance event held at the Hamilton warplane museum. It features the Toronto All-star Big Band, Lindy Hop performances, dancing and a bunch of well dressed men and women in their 1940s finery.

Swing out to victory- Hamilton warplane museum
Such beautiful swing dancers
Swing out to victory- Hamilton warplane museum
Hanging out in front of the Lancaster Bomber

 Plaid Party at the Roy Public House in Toronto

I recently found out that there is an event called “Plaidurday” which is on Oct 3rd every year. Well we missed that date (clearly), so I suggested to the TVS gang that we do our own plaid party anyways because plaid is awesome and we need to celebrate it in classic TVS Style (which means go all out). Well as is it turned out it was also TVS creator Jacquie’s birthday so we combined the two events and had a marvelous night out.

Vintage plaid party
Elevator fun!
Vintage plaid party
Plaid everywhere!

Vintage Prom

The end of November had me going back to my prom days at the first ever “Blast from the Past Vintage Prom” hosted by the wonderful store “Rosie the Rebel”. TVS helped with decor and then the rest of the night we danced to the glorious sounds of the 1950s & 1960s. I decided to channel the 1960s for this event thanks to my dear friend Jacquie supplying me with a fantastic vintage dress from the 1960s.

Vintage Prom
TVS prom picture
Vintage Prom
My handsome husband and I
Vintage prom
Vintage prom style-Jacquie of TVS fame and Shermy of shermette.com. Shermy is wearing her wedding dress

December 2014:

Toronto Vintage Society Kitschmas Party

Once again TVS was back at it hosting the best party in town. This time the theme was “Kitschmas” and featured the wonderful “Tia Brazda Swing Band”, Marilyn Monroe, Blue Suede Sue burlesque performance, Santa and the best photo booth in town! It was another packed party and we were thrilled with the turn out.

Vintage ladies with Santa
I think Santa was good this year
Toronto Vintage Society
Reindeers!
Toronto Vintage Society Kitschmas party
Merry Holidays!

Christmas cookie extravaganza party!

Some of the gals (and boy) got together over the holidays to share Christmas cookies we baked, enjoy some mulled wine and spending some time together just enjoying the season. My cookies were a disaster but everyone else’s was yummy!

Cookie exchange Christmas party
Toronto Vintage Society cookie steal!
Cookie exchange Christmas party
What to eat?

1920s Christmas at the Spadina museum and Christmas Market at the Distillery District

My final vintage event of the season was with the TVS gang again at the Spadina Museum that hosted the Gatsby event earlier in the season. They had done the museum all up with vintage Christmas cards from the 1920s, hot apple cider and gingerbread cookie decorating and the best live tree around! Afterwards we attended the Christmas market at the historic Distillery district for mulled wine and wandering around.

1920s Christmas at the Spadina Museum
Tea anyone?
1920s Christmas at the Spadina Museum
My scary gingerbread man
Distillery Christmas market
At the distillery Christmas market

And there was my review. I hope your 2014 was a good year and that 2015 has many exciting events planned for you. I know I’m starting off 2015 visiting Memphis Tennessee!

Happy New a Year friends! And thank you for being such wonderful loyal readers.

Liz 🙂