It’s that time of year again! Here are a couple of fantastic small business items that are worth a buy!

Toy Shop Milo:

Toy Shop Merci Milo- “A magical neighborhood toy shop in the heart of Los Angeles and portland, Oregon. Each toy is hand-selected and curated for the shop, where we invite children to explore hidden treasures in an abundance of whimsy. From wooden toys to art supplies and one-of-a-kind collaborations. Each piece will be loved forever and ever. “

This fantastic small business is located online in Los Angeles and Oregon!

Their online store is available here: https://shopmercimilo.com/

Their favorite item is Nanchen Mini Cuddle Toy- Clown #1. The link to buy is here

https://shopmercimilo.com/collections/new-items/products/new-nanchen-mini-cuddle-toy-clown-1

Seance Jewelry- “Seance Jewelry is a brand for the creative and fearless! We are playful, eccentric, and a little naughty. Just brand to enhance your wardrobe whether it be jeans and a T-shirt or haute couture. Good things happen when we are bold!”

The feature item is the Josephine Necklace (pictured above). The link to buy is here: https://www.seancejewelry.com/necklaces/josephine

Shipping deadline: orders should be in by December 15 to arrive by X-mas in the continental US.

Their online store is here: https://www.seancejewelry.com/

Nooners Books:

Nooners Books: ” Nooners Books is a curated collection of Vintage Erotica meant to tempt, titillate, tease, and turn on the imagination. “

Shipping deadline- “All items are shipped within 3 days of ordering.”

The link for the online store is here: https://noonersbooks.com/contact-us/

Cult Superstore:

Cult Superstore: “Cult Superstore is a small couple-owned vintage store that specializes in cult vintage fashion. Most recently we released a collection of 50 cult tees to our website.”

Their favorite item is this Frankenhooker t-shirt:

https://www.1800cultsuperstore.com/shop-all/p/90s-era-frankenhooker-film-t-shirt

Their online store is here: https://www.1800cultsuperstore.com/

Shipping deadline is Shipped via USPS Retail Ground 3-8 business days after purchase.

Really Great Drawings: “Self taught artist Emily Caulfield offers up laughs and head scratches and mind boggling beauty and emotion in her work, which spans from sketchbook-inspired and uninhibited doodles to collage to deftly controlled, fluid, and flowing lines. She makes originals, prints, and loves to collaborate on commissions. She likes to describe her style as a “dirty joke” and believes nothing makes a better gift than art.”

Her favorite item from their store is Lot Lizards #The Cougar

Their website is here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ReallyGreatDrawings?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1601491864&from_page=listing

Instagram is @dearemilycaulfield

The store’s shipping deadlines are:

December 18, 2023, is the last day to order existing work to be delivered by Christmas Eve 

December 9, 2023, is the last day to order existing work before the last night of Hanukkah. 

Invader Comics:

Invader Comics: “We care about comics. We care about putting out quality books, and that
goes for the narrative, the art, the production, and the print itself. We’re
not cutting corners with the things we love, and every single book we put
out will be something you’ll be proud to display on your shelf or see in your
digital library. We’re not looking to add to the never-ending pile of
mediocre content we see out there. If it’s not special, we won’t put our
name on it.

We’ve spent years combing the creative fields to find the talent that the
mainstream outlets ignored and beam them up to our brand. Our legacy of
accuracy elevating talent to new heights can’t be denied. And when the big
names had personal stories they wanted to tell, they came to us too. Our
tentacles reach everywhere. Soon they’ll reach you, too.”

Their favorite item is

“Vic Boone, Vol.1: Malfunction Murder – Chosen as one of IGN’s Best Indie Series, Vic
Boone is a blend of bizarre 50s Hollywood sci-fi and pulp detective noir set in a
futuristic Portland. “Malfunction: Murder” collects the first arc of the
award-winning series, including four previously unreleased Vic Boone shorts.
Talking gorillas, mad scientists, and human flies – Vic Boone has it all. “

The link to purchase is here: https://www.invadercomics.com/store/p/vicboonevol1

The store’s link is here: https://www.invadercomics.com/store

Shipping deadline: “Order the digital copy, and it can be delivered as late as Christmas day.”

Glow Worm Goods:

Glow Worm Goods: “Owner Natalie Cooper takes pride in crafting bespoke candles that resemble delectable food items. From intricately detailed Hotdogs to mouthwatering Pickles, each candle is meticulously designed and 100% handmade and unique. Glow Worm Goods candles not only illuminate spaces but also serve as delightful conversation starter in your home.”

Favorite item:

Bagel Candle. The link to buy is here: https://www.glowwormgoods.com/product-page/bagel-candle

Shipping Deadline is December 16th!

The link to the store is here: https://www.glowwormgoods.com/category/molded-candles

I thank Caroline, Silvia, Crystal, Destiny, Emily, MIles, Destiny, Mike, and Natalie for taking the time to do this!

I enjoy shopping at small businesses because it is a personalized, unique item you cannot get anywhere else. As well as supporting friends and recognizing the incredible talent they have!

What is your favorite item from the list? Comment below!!

I look forward to the Barnes & Noble Criterion Collection sale every November. With so many titles, it can become overwhelming, and I often tend to over-buy during this sale. So here are five of my picks during this great sale!

The Last Picture Show, directed by Peter Bogdanovich (Spine # 549), is a preorder item. It will not be released until November 14, 2023; however, it is part of the sale. This movie is shot in gorgeous black and white, and it feels like an intimate look into the townspeople in a small Texas town.

The link to preorder is here:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-the-last-picture-show-criterion-collection-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-blu-ray-peter-bogdanovich/40359620?ean=0715515289412

Mean Streets, directed by Martin Scorsese. Spine #1198. This is one of my favorite movies by Martin Scorsese, next to The King of Comedy and Goodfellas. This is also a preorder but, once again, is part of the sale.

The link to preorder is here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-mean-streets-criterion-collection-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-blu-ray-robert-de-niro/40359624?ean=0715515289511

Targets directed by Peter Bogdanovich (Spine # 1179). Some scenes in this movie look documentary-style, and it has Boris Karloff in it! So it is a win-win!!!

The link to buy is here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-targets-boris-karloff/3624894?ean=0715515283519

The Others is directed by Alejandro Amenabar. (Spine # 1195). I was excited to hear this movie would be part of the Criterion Collection! I enjoy watching movies where you want to just walk into the screen and be part of their world. And this movie definitely makes me want to do just that!

The link to buy is here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-the-others-alejandro-amen-r/5689028?ean=0715515288019

Freaks/ The Unknown/ The Mystic: Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers (Spine #1194). Freaks have been such a childhood favorite of mine, and one of the best biographies I have ever read was about Tod Browning.

The link to purchase the movie is here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dvd-freaks-the-unknown-the-mystic-tod-brownings-sideshow-shockers/1144319429?ean=0715515287814

What movies is everyone planning to buy? Comment below!

Until next time!

Eastern State Penitentiary was a prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was an active prison from 1829 until 1971 with such famous inmates as Al Capone and James Bruno.

However, there is one particular inmate and his story that stood out to me.

In August of 1924, Pep the dog was taken into police custody at the prison. He got his mugshot taken and was given an ID number:

When it was time to book his name into the prison ledger, he was given a nickname, ” A dog,” and the reason why he was being jailed was listed as “murder.” He was convicted of killing Governor Gifford Pinchot’s cat.

However, this was an elaborate story made by a reporter during that time, and in actuality. Pep’s owner was the Governor. He was given to the Governor as a gift from his family.

However, Pep lived at Eastern State Prison because he was a companion for the prisoners. After all, the Governor felt that animals could be a healing force and good for morale in the prison. Pep lived out his days at the prison, helping and being a comfort to those who needed it.

Sources:

Daily Mail, NPR

The first movie I ever remember watching was Freaks, directed by Tod Browning, which was made in 1932.

It left a lasting impression that I would watch it repeatedly every few months. One actor in the movie stood out to me. His name was Harry Earles.

Harry Earles was a stage name and would also perform under the name of Harry Doll. He was born on April 3, 1902, as Kurt Schneider in Stoplen, Germany. Acting and performing was a natural thing for Harry because he and his family were all performers. They called the group “The Doll Family.”

The Doll Family consisted of family members Kurt, Hilda, Frieda, and Tiny. They were popular in the circuses and sideshows in the United States from 1915- until the group decided to retire in 1958. They regularly performed circuses like Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, singing, dancing, and performing.

Kurt and his sisters migrated from Germany to California in 1916 due to their father’s insistence that they should work in show business. Soon after they arrived in California, Kurt and his sisters met Bert W. Earles and his wife, who were agents and quickly had the group signed to them. Kurt and his sisters, Hilda and Frieda, decided to change their names. Kurt became Harry Earles, Hilda changed her name to Daisy Earles, and Frieda became Gracie Earles. All four of them changed their last name to Earles, after their manager, to have a more memorable last name for films.

(Daisy Earles and Harry Earles are pictured above.)

However, all four changed their last name again in 1926 to Doll when their manager unexpectedly passed away.

Harry was the first out of the four to have a film career when he was hired to be part of a Tod Browning/ Lon Chaney movie called “The Unholy Three” (1925).

Harry played a character named Tweedledee. He is part of a gang from a show side of the circus who get together and rob many businesses.

When sound was becoming a new feature of movies, “The Unholy Three” was made again in 1930 with a different director, but Harry was asked to be part of that movie as well. Harry and his family did double duty, performing in the circus and many comedies with Laurel and Hardy.

It was not until 1932 that Harry and his sister Daisy were the main actors in the movie by Tod Browning called Freaks:

There was a lot of backlash to this movie when it was released, and it was banned in England or deeply re-edited in many countries, including the US.

Tod Browning with the Doll family pictured above.

Harry went on to play a feature role as part of the Lollipop Guild in The Wizard of Oz.

Harry is the one in the blue on the right. His sister was also part of the film and played extra roles as Munchkins during the Yellow Brick Road scenes.

However, there were not a lot of role options for Harry and his family, so they went back to touring through sideshows until they all retired in 1958.

Harry and his family were very close, so they pooled their earnings from the circus and bought a house in Sarasota, Florida, to all live in. They ordered custom furniture to make the home more livable, and they all lived there until their deaths. Harry passed away on May 4,1985, at the age of 83.