Bumping Heads With Aries, The Ram in 2012

Vatican Sculptures Marry Just To Piss Off Rick Santorum

Allegedly the first gay marriages sanctioned by the Roman Church, these four classic sculptures from the Vatican’s finest collection of male artfulness have decided to take the plunge. Of course, not all four— Heavens! No, two committed couples of statuesque virtues and into all things manly. Damn, these guys invented butch!

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Cubs Fans Live Forever "Beyond The Vines" @ Chicago's Bohemian National Cemetery

Would you believe that your ashes could be put into the replicated wall of Chicago's beloved Wrigley Field? Well you can, um, mostly. Founded in 1877 Bohemian National Cemetery (Foster & Pulaski) is a very famous and often overlooked Czech cemetery; it is an ethnic Who's Who of the 19th century. Enter Dennis Mascari and his 2009 sports-interned innovation... the "Cubs Fans Forever... Beyond the Vines" Columbarium. A few short years later the cemetery now has 20 or so die hard (sorry) fans entombed in this large walled structure. 'No Beer Served After The 7th Incarnation!"

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Suffer The Suffragettes & Why Rush Limbaugh's Mother Should Slap Him Silly

Every once in a while I am reminded why I truly love antiques. Nostalgia may be a comforting word for some, but when ephemera and artifacts from a long-forgotten time reappear, we are reminded of more than just lost memory. We are reminded of history and those that made history happen. Recently an old Shakespearean phrase has been floating around cable news: “The Past is Prologue.” Though it can be interpreted to mean many things, it’s connection to nostalgia and history cannot be overstated. More aptly, think of it this way: The past is the "set up" for what’s about to happen-- We can’t get to “now” or tomorrow without it. It’s inevitable. Sometimes it’s wonderful, other times disastrous. Either way, what comes before us, historically speaking, sets the stage for things to come. Flashback the future, I like to think. The Suffragette movement of the 19th century was the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) of its time. Day One of equal rights for Women. I remember my Mom going down to Springfield, Illinois with a busload of ERA Women intent on getting then Governor Ryan’s attention, even if they had to chain themselves to the mansion gate. My Mom was that amazing!

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Pisceans Turn Up @ Red Lobster Special: Endless Fish Sticks In 2012

Songs For Valentine's Day: Our Love Was At It's Zenith, As Eternal As AM Radio...

THE 10 GREATEST LOVE SONGS EVER... For thousands of years humans have attempted to express their feelings of love through song. Learning quickly that humming alone wasn't quite enough to attract a sexual pairing, words of poetry or what we now refer to as "lyrics" were added.

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Is "The Secret of Magic Island" A Lost Classic... Or A Lame Duck?

A WATER SLIDE LIFE: Aquarius in 2012

SALLY'S PASSIONS, VANITIES & OTHER ENDEARING VICES - Collections, Re-collections & Regurgitations!

Having always had an addictive personality, and loving things in multiples, it's a wonder the invitro fertilization didn't stick or most likely I'd be dressing quints in his n' hers vintage Izods & Danskin. But as far as my collecting addictions, there are many and it's an insatiability that feeds these obsessions. Pretty little things, that's what I love, that's what I need. I always want MORE. They give me pleasure when I gaze upon them, I never feel they are excessive or unnecessary. They indeed, become a part of my patchwork Hyde Park crib of many colors.

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Tom Cruises Katie Holmes Into NY's West Village Townhouse @ $15 Million

Is it a Mission Impossible to pay over $15 million for a massive townhouse in New York’s West Village? Not if you're Tom Cruise and the same home had been listed in 2008 for $22.75 million. Such a deal/steal. This six floor, elevator-serviced, 8,000+ sq. ft. brownstone mansion is on tony 12th Street, not far from Brooke Shields’ newest digs (see previous WDMS "I'd Live There" blog). Of course Tom & Katie’s people deny all such rumors, but from the gossip pages of The Village Voice to the venerable StreetEasy.com, there’s too much hush-hush to make us blush-blush.

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Can Romney's Bain Capital Save Iconic Hostess Twinkies (& America) by Squeezing Out The Last of the Cream Filling?

Junk food giant Hostess Brands announced recently it is headed for bankruptcy… or at least reorganization in a very large corporate mixing bowl. How is it possible that the maker of some of America’s most iconic snacks cannot make a profit selling to the world’s fattest people? Sure “Twinkies Light” weren't exactly a hit, but you didn’t see the New Coke people running for cover when the carbonation hit the fan. No, they rolled up their sleeves, blamed their advertising agency and rebranded Coca-Cola Classic like an unexcused burp. “What New Coke? That never happened. Just like the Bush years.” To quote one official: “We weren’t there that day!”

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"When Danny Met Sally" Lights Up Times Square Billboard

Let's be honest. You're first thought is: Photoshop! Clearly this is another crazy publicity ploy by the people who brought you talking dogs, Martha Stewart's real estate woes and nudist antique dealers. Oh, that Danny & Sally: Short of setting one another on fire, what won't these two do for attention? (Wait, they did that already. Damn!) No, dear readers, this is the real deal. As part of our shout out to friends, fans and stalkers of all ages, our 2012 New Year's blast went over the wire services to hundreds of media outlets across the country. Apparently the Gods must be crazy for Vintage because our Kitty Cat Antique Dealers made it onto the Great White Way hawking, coincidentally, a White Sale! Now for those of you who STILL don't believe this explanation (family members included), this offers the perfect moment to discuss reality-- or at least reality as we once knew it. Today we live in a Photoshop Universe. Perceptions can be tweaked with the click of a mouse. Destinies can be altered, as well as breasts, thighs or a bucket of chicken from KFC. Models on the runway can be made so skinny that only transparency remains the final deduction. Six pack abs? Please. Eight, Ten, Twelve! This is America. It's not what you get, it's what you see!

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Modern Vintage Chicago's upcoming Spring Fashion & Jewelry Explosion!

Mark your calendars now for April 21 and 22, 2012 for Modern Vintage Chicago: A Spring Fashion & Jewels Explosion!

Are you a vintage fashion freak???? Do ya wanna plotz, come and dress yourself in fantasy clothing, gorgeously made frocks, jewelry, belts, hats, sunglasses, gloves, and odd and fabulous curiosities?

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Out Of Options? Can Downsizing Save the Day? Mara Lazar & The Brothers Salamon Know The Way

Death, Divorce and Downsizing. These are the constants in our lives. Whether your Dear Aunt Edna left you a bungalow full of clutter... or she's still hanging in there (God Bless Her) and decided to downsize into a smaller abode... (see you CAN cheat death!)... You, my friend, are in need of help. "Overwhelmed" isn't around the corner: It's filling up the basement or attic of a rented home. You are now officially on the clock. This is where downsizing specialist Mara Lazar shines. After pairing up with her industrious brothers, Brad and Brett Salamon, they've been on a 20 year odyssey of helping people move along... what needs to be moved along. Just imagine if you could separate the vintage "Wheat from the Chaff.." Wouldn't that be an artful skill these days?

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Danny & Sally's Top 20 Vintage Trends For 2012: It's A Catastrophe!

Nostradamus gazed into a font of water to see the future. Often he dropped solid gold coins into the bowl just because he liked that "kerplunk" sound. Jeane Dixon used a fax machine and a hair dryer-- making mostly inaccurate prophesies from her bathroom. Her secret? Sponge baths and foot soak. Trends. Futuristic forecasts. Oh, how unpredictable the predictable can sometimes be.

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BILLIE GOAT ROUGH: The Capricorn in 2012

Occupy Santa Land: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas Video Mix

OCCUPY SANTA LAND

‘Twas the night before Christmas and you just lost your house... The eviction so served by George W. Mouse. Those stocks that you lost in the Madoff affair? They smoked up the chimney in the last fire there. The children were sold to a Grinch made of Newts… Who said: “Little hands make the best handmade suits!” And Momma in her hot pants, now working the corner... And I in my pimp hat, paying cops off to warn her… Sprang down the street in my last pair of jeans... Spotting the limo of the Charlie of Sheens. As the moon cast a glow on my wife’s unpaid breasts... His car skidded slowly-- like a snow tire test. When what to my lasik fixed eyes should arise? No, not Charlie’s anatomy, but a sled filled with lies.

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The One Percent Retail Solution (or) 99% Off What's Left of a Dream

In this staggering economy, retail stores open like a drunk on a lost weekend; they come thirsty, overindulge and then… well they fold. It’s sad, as every store that falls was someone’s dream. “You know, I always wanted to open a (fill in the blank)…” says the wide eyed optimist as he signs away a portion of his financial life in a triple-net lease. For many the dream is opening a restaurant, though I for one can never fathom. The preparation of it all, from the food shopping, the cooking, the staffing, the long hours, the ever-critical public. (Did I mention your landlord HATES you?) It would be less painful to hire a hit man to put a contract out on yourself. Better yet: Wait for the YELP reviews and let a lone keyboardist… with a grudge and a cat to scratch… come along and kill you! But every year tens of thousands follow that small, seemingly inedible voice in their head and open a restaurant. God bless them, every micro bacterially inducing lawsuit of one… or dozens.

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Broadway Antique Market's Holiday Party & Sale, Dec. 8-15

2011 has been an incredible year for Broadway Antique Market (BAM). As our trademark line echoes “Recycling 1950 Since 1990”… so this 21st year has held great renewed excitement. Lost in a myriad of projects, such as propping countless films and TV shows including NBC’s failed “Playboy Club,” BAM also took to the road exhibiting twice at New York’s Pier Antique Show. Those New Yorkers sure love their BAM fix! But BAM itself became the center of media scrutiny in 2011 with large features in Apartment Therapy, Huffington Post, Maine Antique Digest and even HGTV, where our vintage furniture won the makeover stage at Trump Tower. But just this November thousands of Chicagoans went even further… and voted Broadway Antique Market “Best Vintage Furniture Store” in TimeOut’s Annual “Best of…” competition. Our first ever win! (The sincerest hugs and accolades come from those closest to you!)

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