My Love Affair with Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren embodies everything exceptional about American fashion. The classic well-tailored styling of items bearing his name symbolize quality and value. Even in the secondary market, his items sell remarkably well. Some items may sell for more than their original retail price as there are also many collectors of RL items. If you purchase a vintage item with the Ralph Lauren name you can be assured it will stand the test of time and will be in your collection for years.

Born Ralph Reuben Lifshitz on October 14, 1939 in The Bronx, New York. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1957. Lauren went to Baruch College at the City University of New York (CUNY) where he studied business.

Ralph grew up playing basketball and baseball. He wanted to be Joe DiMaggio or perhaps a movie star. Lauren often draws inspiration from his heroes including the likes of Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, and John F. Kennedy.

From 1962 to 1964 he served in the United States Army, afterwards, he worked briefly for Brooks Brothers as a sales assistant before becoming a salesman for a tie company. At 28 years-old, Lauren worked for the tie manufacturer Beau Brummell, where he convinced the company's president to let him start his own line which in 1967 became The Ralph Lauren Corporation. Today the Ralph Lauren Corporation is a global multi billion-dollar enterprise.

10 Facts:

• ·         First lady Melania Trump wore a pale blue dress designed by Lauren for her husband’s Inauguration.

• ·         Ralph Lauren designs have been sported by the USA Olympic team (from 2008 through 2020) and the cast of the TV show Downton Abbey.

• ·         Ralph’s first woman’s collection for Ralph Lauren Polo was launched in 1971 in Beverly Hills, California.

• ·         In 1974 he outfitted Robert Redford’s character in The Great Gatsby.

• ·         Working at Ralph Lauren is a rite of passage for many designers who go on to become successes themselves. Former employees include Vera Wang, Tory Burch, and Michael Bastian.

• ·         Lauren has three restaurants: RL Restaurantin Chicago, Ralph's in Paris and the Polo Bar in New York.

• ·         In 1996 Lauren was presented the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research's first Humanitarian Award by Princess Diana.

• ·         In April of 2001, he establishes the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation, which supports causes including cancer care and prevention, educational and literacy programs, volunteerism and preservation and restoration efforts.

• ·         In 1998 Ralph Lauren donated $13 million to the Smithsonian to help preserve the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

• Today, his collection of more than 70 cars is perhaps the highest-valued in the world, estimated by Forbes to be worth at least $300 million.

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH HALLOWEEN

It's nearly October 31st. Soon it will be time to hear the immortal words, “Trick or treat smell my feet!”

Whether you call it Halloween or Trick or Treat. It is an American tradition that has morphed into something completely different than it was when I was a child. Back then, it meant one thing--lots of goodies.

Being a TV generation kid, naturally I dragged my parents to Kmart or Kresge and purchase a Ben Cooper (store bought) costume. Even then I loved playing dress up. My costumes included Dale Evans, Shirley Temple, Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Woody Woodpecker. The masks with these where almost impossible to see or breathe while wearing.

I was blessed to grow up in a neighborhood where EVERYONE celebrated the night! Not in a weird creepy way like some do now. There were no zombies or unattached dolls heads. No blood dripping hands rising up from lawn and no faux gravestones. Most of what we did then was harmless. More innocent and fun-loving back then. Our objective was to make a lot of noise, eat a lot of candy and try not to vomit. Reminder: This was in a time just before Detroit became known for “Devil’s night.”

The festivities would begin at school with homemade treats and dress up. Of coarse, we were scrutinized carefully as I attended Catholic school. In fact, my “go to” gypsy costume was frowned upon as it included makeup and a 1940s off-the-shoulder peasant blouse. Even the cold stares of Sister Kathleen did not deter me. The following day, November 1st, was a Holy Day and it meant no school. So I could stay out a bit later than usual.

Quite a few of our neighbors would hold open house which included homemade candy apples, cookies and cakes. They would giggle and guffaw over our costumes and take lots of photos. This all took place before our quest.

Our journey always started at my house on Edgevale Street. (The house no longer stands). the  crew usually included my friends Robin, Teresa, her sister Debbie and stray children who abandoned their parents along the way. My mother insisted on accompanying us on our hunt. She would not let us eat any candy and made us say, “Thank you.” This is why we would always ditch her.

We would traverse 3 or 4 blocks and quickly had our paper grocery sacks filled. When Mom got tired, I would send her home with the booty and then the real fun would begin. We would chart anywhere from  5 to 8 more blocks. As not to miss out on the guy who worked at Better Made Potato Chips and the lady who gave out small cartons of chocolate milk or cups of ice cream that her husband who worked for Twin Pines Dairy would obtain. I would usually not return home til 10pm.

The year I was in 8th grade, my mother deemed me “too old” to go trick or treating. I was in Girl Scouts and we participated in a scavenger hunt. It was not much fun and most of the girls disappeared to smoke or make out with boyfriends. The following year I attended a party where I played “7 minutes in Heaven” with a guy who did not like me. He said I was not funny enough.

My night would usually end up at home with mom administering liberal amounts of Ponds cold cream (to remove makeup) and Pepto Bismol. We would carefully sort the candy and goodies. Mom would quickly pilfer any Black Jack gum, peanut butter kisses or Mary Janes she found.

I have compiled a list of Best & Worst treats from back in the day.  Do you agree?

Worst  Treats

• Necco Wafers--very dry like communion wafers
• Milk duds--these pull your fillings out  
• Peanut butter kisses--these do not taste like peanut butter 
• Kraft caramels--not bad candy--too small and they always melted quickly 
• Black jack (gum)--BLAH!!

Best Treats

• Candy cigarettes--not really candy but VERY cool!
• Wax lips/fangs--again not candy but COOL!
• Any regular size chocolate bar--I hate those fun size bars!!
• Cracker jack--always got a prize
• Toy--some were better than others

VIEW FROM THE CORN FIELD

Well, here we are in the great state of Iowa. It has been nearly a year since we packed up and moved ourselves, 2 dogs and a kitty cat from our dream home in Alabama some 950 miles to Davenport, Iowa. I must say, I was not exactly thrilled to leave the south. I had after all, lived in the southern culture for almost 30 years. I had grown accustomed to macaroni and cheese as a vegetable. 

In October, 2012 we arrived in front of our little house, the weather was quite warm. Of coarse, I knew that would change. By late November I began to remember why I left the Midwest 28 years prior. I just keep telling myself that shoveling snow is great exercise!

When I closed up my beloved little shop in Centre, Alabama my husband promised me that we would find another spot to open in our new area. I had even looked into opening in Le Claire-- home of the American Pickers. Never did I allow myself to think that not only would I have a small shop there, but be right in the heart of the best shopping and restaurants.

As we explored in all directions and visited several cities within a reasonable radius. We found the rental rates in the city of Davenport to be far too high. Moline and East Moline had reasonable rents, but not much traffic. We took a day to visit Le Claire and spoke to several shop owners and posed the question of a vintage clothing shop. Most were very positive. By the time we made our second trip, one of the shop owners was planning on renting her space (next to where we are located now) for a very reasonable price. It seemed to be happening very quickly and I  generally do not like to rush into decisions, I prefer to explore options. By the time we had gotten back with her, a few weeks later, she had the space rented. However, the building next door was coming up for rent as the current shopkeeper was moving to a larger space. I could not believe my good fortune when I received a pm on facebook from her telling me that the other shop was up for grabs! I called the owner immediately and made an appointment to look at the space. The only drawback was that it was quite small at about 500 sq feet. But a darling space right in the heart of everything. Of coarse, we were not the only potential renters. In fact, there were probably 15 businesses that applied for this particular spot. I am glad we were chosen. We are enjoying the area very much.

Of coarse, my Bear built fitting rooms (trimmed in cedar) and fixtures,  painted the walls and even installed some additional lighting. Naturally, he is a great support in many other ways.

As some of you may know, I did have a bit of a rough time this summer. I was dealing with diverticulitis and shingles. It took a toll on me and on sales. Now,  I am back at it and planning lots of activities. We also involved with our Etsy shop, also named Cedar Closet.
We sell what I call “previously loved”, vintage and handmade. Again I have tried to involve local artists. I also do consignment on classic items and vintage. We have a large selection of vintage and handmade jewelry as well. I love that we get visitors from all over the country. As well as locals from surrounding cities.

We opened our shop on July 1st of this year. We are located in a lovely building that is over 100 years old. Although it is quite small it has a charming courtyard outside and is topped off with a cheery blue  and white striped awning.  If I peer closely between the buildings I can actually see the Mississippi river. It is hard for me to believe that it has been less than a year and Cedar Closet is back up and in full swing! If you ever find yourself in Le Claire, Iowa stop by and say, “Hello!”