Historical Series: (#2) Antique Tintype in Union Case- Circa 1865-1870's

This was one of my favorite finds recently. An antique tintype photograph dated around 1865-1870's.

Some facts: A tintype, is a photograph made by creating a direct positive on a thin sheet of metal coated with a dark lacquer or enamel. There is no actual "tin" in a tintype photograph. It's a blackened iron sheet. They can be identified using a magnet. (My husband and I tried this, it works! The magnet will stick to the glass due to the metal in the photograph. Pretty neat!) 

Unfortunately we will never her know her name or where she lived, as there's no identifying information on the photograph. She looks quite young to me, possibly 15-20 years old. I'm guessing she is young, because of the giant ribbon in the back of her hair.

My guess for the year is sometime around late 1860's to mid 1870's because of the dress style she is wearing. It appears to be a two piece button dress, but it doesn't seem to have a bustle in the back. The skirt/sleeves seem too narrow to be from the early 1860's civil war era. My guess is somewhere around mid 1870's. (This style dress seems similar). Her dress could be mourning style.

I'm curious about the pin she is wearing. It appears to be a ribbon with a dangling chain. It could be something known as a cockade, which was wore worn around that period. If anyone has experience on 19th century fashion, please feel free to comment below! I would appreciate it!

You can see below how the photograph is chipping off of the metal plate underneath due to age. There is no actual "tin" in a tintype photograph. It's actually a blackened iron sheet underneath.

The case is called a 'union case'. It's made out of thermoplastic, an early plastic. Thermoplastic is quite fragile. The hinges and part of the frame are broken on mine, but the design is still pretty. Early tintype photographs were housed in these union cases, while later they were housed in paper sleeves. It's entirely possible the case isn't original to the photograph, but we'll never know.

I'm on the hunt to add an an early daguerreotype and ambrotype to my collection next.

Historical Series:

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Historical Series: (#1) Vintage Postcards- Philadelphia 1910

Hello! I know it's been quite awhile since I last posted. I wanted to start a historical series here on the blog. I've always loved history, and one of my newest hobbies has been collecting vintage and historical items. Photos, Postcards, Vintage Advertising, Coins, Tins, Clocks, Books, etc.

The vintage postcards are fascinating, because if there's enough information you can actually research and locate the person. I prefer collecting postcards with visible postmarks of their age, mostly from the early 1900's.

I've started looking for early Philadelphia items lately, (being my hometown). The thing that caught my eye on this postcard was who it was addressed to.... F.B. If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know my husband's name is F.B. (which is his father's initials, but his legal name is F.B.) so I couldn't pass up getting this postcard addressed to a Dr. F.B. Davison, postmarked 1910 sent from a friend named Natalie who was visiting Philadelphia.

With a little research, I was able to find Dr. F.B. Davisons grave on the findagrave.com website. Dr. Francis Barker Davison would have been around 83 years old when he received this postcard in 1910, and he passed away 6 years later. He had a wife named Nancy who passed away in 1904, and one daughter. He was a surgeon and civil war veteran. Absolutely fascinating that 107 years later this postcard still exists!

I also think it's interesting how there's no street address or zipcode on the postcard. According to Wikipedia the census in 1910 said there was approximately 759 people living in Factoryville, PA.

If anyone has more information on Dr. F.B. Davison, would love to hear from you below in the comments.

My little historical nook here at home, with other items that I will be sharing stories about soon:

Historical Series:

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Tieks, Tieks, & More Tieks!

*This is not a sponsored post. My own personal opinions. 

 Note: you can only buy Tieks online.

Limited edition Pop Pink!

My Tieks ballet flat obsession began back in April 2015, when I purchased my first pair of Metallic Pewter Tieks. Fast forward two years and my obsession is still going strong. I recently purchased my 5th pair!

Continue Reading Below...

An unexpected surprise!

Back in March of this year we were looking to adopt some new pet rats. From a Craigslist ad we ended up adopting what we thought were 4 male rats... unfortunately, I should have trusted to sex them myself to make sure of their gender, but I was trusting & did not. 

When we got home we found out we had actually ended up with 2 girls and 2 boys. Two of the rats were around 4 months old (Leela & Earl), and the other two were around 3 weeks old (Chai & Lulu). The older ones had been housed together, & I was worried the female might be pregnant.... well, a week later on March 24th, 2017; Leela gave birth to 9 babies! 

Click below to continue reading!

Chicken Enchiladas: Crock Pot Style

I threw together this crockpot meal for dinner and it turned out so good, I wanted to share the recipe! 

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of enchilada or taco seasoning (I used spicy taco seasoning).
• 1 can corn
• 1 can of kidney beans (or black beans, but I think kidney beans have a better flavor).
• 1 small can black olives
• 1 can tomato paste
• 1 medium onion, chopped.
• 2 chicken breasts (cooked & shredded)
• 3 cups of water
• 4 oz of cream cheese (or if you like to live dangerously like me- the whole 8oz, lol!)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or taco style cheese
• 1-2 teaspoons of Goya Adobo all purpose seasoning.
• 1 cup of rice, cooked- (add to crockpot 1 hour before serving, so rice doesn't absorb too much of the sauce).

Directions:

1. Cook chicken breasts in frying pan whole, then shred in a bowl with 2 forks. 

2. Whisk together 3 cups of water, tomato paste, Goya Adobo all purpose, and taco (or enchilada) seasoning packet into crockpot. 

3. Add corn, kidney beans, chopped onion, black olives, shredded chicken, 4 oz of cubed cream cheese, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to crockpot. Stir. 

4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. 

5. Add 1 cup of cooked rice to crock pot 1 hour before serving. Stir again.

Additional toppings to serve with: Shredded lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese.

Enjoy!

Changes...

I don't really use this space all that much anymore, as you have probably noticed from the lack of posts. Back when I started this blog in 2008, I was more open about things. I didn't mind sharing about anything and everything going on in my life.

But somewhere in the last 4 or 5 years I've become less inclined to put myself out there. I no longer want or need to share every little aspect of my personal life, or my marriage. I've always been an introvert, but I've become much more exclusive about the friends I do let into my inner circle. I have let go of friendships as my interests or boundaries have changed. And I'm less trusting and more careful about the things I do share nowadays.

I've also been making changes when it comes to where I share on social media. My Instagram is about the only place I keep public now, besides this blog. I've made my made my Twitter private, and I've deleted the Facebook page for this blog, as I don't really feel enthusiastic about updating it anymore.

I guess we all change as we get older. I'm sure I will always pop on here when I do have something to share with you all, but I also wanted to let you know why I haven't posted as much, and why some of my social media has gone private or missing lately.

Take care,

Hey there, blogging world. Thought I would check in and say hello. And remind you all, I'm most active on Instagram these days. And if you're not on Instagram, I do share posts over to Twitter, so you can interact with me over there too. :)

As for life, I'm still obsessed with nail polish, true crime everything, (follow me on goodreads)... and my new favorite obsession. Tea! (Particularly DavidsTea & Teavana!)

We also added two new boy ratties to the family in January. (Check out my Pet Rats page). Some photos of the current gang below. Ruby, Ben, Waffles, Chester, & Dobby.

Waffles & I.

I'm still not doing any sponsored nail polish or product reviews. Now days I only show off a nail polish (or nail art) when I actually wear it. It's a much more laid back, and genuinely fun and stress free approach, compared to when I was blogging constantly. I still post all my nail photos to Instagram, & Pinterest.

33 has always been my favorite number. And so far year 33 of life for me has been really interesting, so far. I got to visit the Lizzie Borden House, (best adventure ever!) I got to visit my cousin Chrissy in Georgia! I started writing again, (albeit; intermittently), on a book I've been working on for a good ten years! (You can take a peek at the first 3 chapters here). Hopefully the rest of my year 33 is just as good as the first half was.

Our Time Line.

I made a timeline of my relationship with F.B. over the years. Our relationship hasn't been the typical one, but it's been an amazing experience & adventure so far and more to come in the future.

✯ Our Timeline: F.B. & Sarah ✯

✯ 2003 ✯

September 2003: Crossed paths online at Lindsay Fan's Forum. (Lindsay Lohan.)

✯ 2004 ✯

January 2004: Began talking at Lindsay Fan's Forum.

February 14th 2004: First "Valentines" Together. F.B. sent me a picture of roses through a pm message.

March 18th, 2004: First emails exchanged outside the forum.

March, 2004: F.B. saw a photo of me for the very first time.

April 1st, 2004: The first time we ever said, "I love you.", and defined our relationship as a couple.

April 2004: Exchanged Addresses & Phone Numbers. We called each other & sent letters that month. The Lindsay Fan forum closed. We also broke up for about a week or so because of stress, family issues & distance…

June, 2004: I saw F.B.'s photo for the very first time.

✯ 2005 ✯

February 14th 2005: Our first "official" Valentines together as a couple.

April 1st, 2005: Our 1st Anniversary.

✯ 2006 ✯ 

January, 2006: We nearly broke up again. Long distance is so hard sometimes…

February 14th, 2006: Technically our 3rd Valentines Day together.

March 17th, 2006: I bought my 1st plane ticket for the Philippines.

April 1st, 2006: Our 2nd Anniversary.

December 13th, 2006: I left for the Philippines.

December 14th, 2006: The first time we met. The first time we looked in each other's eyes. The first time we hugged & held hands.

December 15th, 2006: The first time we kissed. Our first date out to the mall- we ate at 'Tokyo Tokyo' for Japanese food. Our first movie, 'Happy Feet'. First time we "made out" at the movies- (cuddling & holding hands.)

December 18th-21st, 2006: Our first couple vacation together in Makati City. Our first kiss in public outside on the bench in Greenbelt.

December 25th, 2006: The First Christmas we spent together. F.B. gave me the ring for Christmas that would become my engagement ring.

December 27-29th, 2006: We took another couple vacation to Tagaytay City, Philippines.

✯ 2007 ✯

January 1st, 2007: Our first New Years together.

January 3rd, 2007: I had to leave the Philippines to go home… that was the hardest thing I ever did… (I miss you baby).

January 10th, 2007: The day we got engaged!

April 1st, 2007: Our 3rd Anniversary.

March 2007: Bought my plane ticket for the Philippines!

✯ 2008 ✯

January 2nd, 2008: I left for the Philippines.

January 3rd, 2008: I arrive in the Philippines.

January 7th, 2008: We arrive in Makati City to spend a week. (A special date for us that we won't forget.)

January 10th, 2008: We share our 1 year engagement anniversary together in Makati City and get to go to Saisaki buffet.

January 11th, 2008: We see our first play together at Greenbelt in Makati City. 'Tuesday's with Morrie'

January 20th, 2008: We went to see a Philippine Basketball Game together at the Cuneta Astrodome. Our first sports game together.

January 24th, 2008: I return home from the Philippines.

March 10th, 2008: I buy another ticket to the Philippines. Staying 8 weeks this time!

April 1st, 2008: Our 4th Anniversary.

October 6th, 2008: I leave for the Philippines for an 8 week stay.

October 7th, 2008: I arrive in Philippines. F.B. gives me a red rose.

October 9th, 2008: I get to spend F.B.'s birthday with him and his family. Saisaki Buffet!

November 16th, 2008: For F.B.'s dad's birthday we take a family trip to Baguio for the day.

November 27th, 2008: I celebrate "Thanksgiving" in the Philippines with F.B.

December 4th, 2008: I arrive home from the Philippines

✯ 2009 ✯ 

January 10th, 2009: Our 2 year engagement.

April 1st, 2009: Our 5 year anniversary.

November 24, 2009: I leave for the Philippines

December 19, 2009: F.B. & I were married!

December 19th-21st 2009: Our Honeymoon!

December 25th, 2009: Our first Christmas as a married couple.

✯ 2010 ✯ 

January 1st, 2010: Our First New Years, married!

January 19th, 2010: Our 1st Monthiversary!

January 23rd, 2010: I leave the Philippines.

April 1st, 2010: Our 6 year anniversary!

✯ 2011 ✯ 

February 4th, 2011: F.B.'s visa interview at the US Embassy in Manila. His visa is approved to come to the USA!

March 6th, 2011: F.B. arrived in Philadelphia, PA!

April 1st, 2011: Seven Year Anniversary!

July 4th, 2011: F.B.'s 1st Independence Day in the USA

Aug 31st- Sept 1st, 2011: Our Philadelphia Getaway

September 4th, 2011: The 1st birthday F.B. spent with me.

October 9th, 2011: F.B.'s 1st birthday in the USA

October 30th, 2011: F.B.'s 1st Halloween in the USA

December 9th, 2011: F.B. & I get our own place.

December 19th, 2011: 2 Year anniversary!

December 25th, 2011: 1st Christmas in the USA.

✯ 2012 ✯  

January 1st, 2012: 1st New Years in the USA. 

February 14th, 2012: Our 1st Valentines Day together!  

March 6th, 2012: F.B.'s 1 year anniversary in the USA  

April 1st, 2012: 8 year anniversary!

October 9th, 2012: F.B.'s 2nd birthday in the USA.

November 2012: 1st Thanksgiving in our new place & starting immigration again.

December 19th, 2012: Our 3rd Wedding Anniversary

December 25th 2012: 2nd Christmas in our apartment.

✯ 2013 ✯  

January 2013: 2nd New Years Eve in our apartment.

March 6th, 2013: F.B.'s 2 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2013: It's been 9 years since F.B. & I started dating.

May 2013: Immigration is finished! 

October 9th, 2013: F.B.'s 3rd birthday in the USA.

December 19th, 2013: Our 4th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2014 ✯  

January 2014: 3rd New Years Eve in our apartment.

March 6th, 2014: F.B.'s 3 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2014: It's been 10 years since F.B. & I started dating!

December 19th, 2014: Our 5th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2015 ✯  

March 6th, 2015: F.B.'s 4 year anniversary in the USA.

April 1st 2015: It's been 11 years since F.B. & I started dating!

December 19th, 2015: Our 6th Wedding Anniversary 

✯ 2016 ✯  

March 6th, 2016: F.B.'s 5 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2016: It's been 12 years since F.B. & I started dating!

December 19th, 2016: Our 7th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2017 ✯  

March 6th, 2017: F.B.'s 6 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2017: It's been 13 years since F.B. & I started dating.

December 19th, 2017: Our 8th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2018 ✯  

March 6th, 2018: F.B.'s 7 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2018: It's been 14 years since F.B. & I started dating.

December 19th, 2017: Our 9th Wedding Anniversary

✯ 2019 ✯ 

March 6th, 2018: F.B.'s 8 year anniversary in the USA. 

April 1st 2018: It's been 15 years since F.B. & I started dating.

December 19th, 2017: Our 10th Wedding Anniversary!

✯ 2020 ✯ 

March 6th, 2020: F.B.'s 9 year anniversary in the USA. 

March, 15th, 2020: Filed N-400 with USCIS to begin F.B.'s naturalization process!

April 1st 2020: It's been 16 years since F.B. & I started dating.

December 19th, 2020: Our 11th Wedding Anniversary!

✯ 2021 ✯ 

June 23, 2021: F.B. becomes a naturalized United States citizen!

(I'll try to keep this up to date by adding in new things from time to time.)

Lizzie Borden- Bed & Breakfast Trip: Part 2

*Note: If you haven't read part 1 of our trip, please click here to read.

Overview: My husband and I recently decided to travel to Fall River, Massachusetts to visit the Lizzie Borden House Bed & Breakfast. It may be a bit macabre, but the case is absolutely fascinating to me. (If you're not familiar with the story, check out wikipedia here for a quick overview).

92 Second Street, Fall River MA 

  

The barn (gift shop) in the back is not original, it was re-built.

I became a little bit obsessed with Lizzie Borden about a year and a half ago. I'm already quite addicted to history, and true crime stories. Lizzie's story really fascinated me. Not so much because she "allegedly" committed parricide, but more so because of the time period; (The murders happened in 1892). The way the case was handled (bungled?), how certain relevant circumstantial evidence was left out of the trial, and Lizzie's various stories about where she was at the time of the murders. "I was in the kitchen, I was on the stairs, I was upstairs, I was in the barn, I was eating pears...", and because after all that, she was acquitted! Once you delve into the story, it's really intriguing.

I found out the actual Borden house was turned into a bed & breakfast museum in 1996. (The house was built in 1845, the Borden's were the 2nd owners). I kept looking at the website wishing I could visit. Finally, I found out there's a bus terminal only a 3 minute walk from the bed & breakfast, and that kind of sealed everything for me. I booked the trip!

This is a long winded picture heavy post so please click below to continue reading!

Lizzie Borden- Bed & Breakfast Trip: Part 1.

Hello there. Long time, no blog. :)

My husband and I recently decided to travel to Fall River, Massachusetts to visit the Lizzie Borden House Bed & Breakfast. It may be a bit macabre, but the case is absolutely fascinating to me. (If you're not familiar with the story, check out wikipedia here for a quick overview).

Tour sign near the gift shop at the back of the house.

I became a little bit obsessed with Lizzie Borden about a year and a half ago. I'm already quite addicted to history, and true crime stories. Lizzie's story really fascinated me. Not so much because she allegedly committed parricide, but more so because of the time period; (The murders happened in 1892). The way the case was handled (bungled?), how certain relevant circumstantial evidence was left out of the trial, and Lizzie's various stories about where she was at the time of the murders. "I was in the kitchen, I was on the stairs, I was upstairs, I was in the barn, I was eating pears...", and because after all that, she was acquitted! Once you delve into the story, it's really intriguing. 

I found out the actual Borden house was turned into a bed & breakfast museum in 1996. (The house was built in 1845, the Borden's were the 2nd owners). I kept looking at the website wishing I could visit. Finally, I found out there's a bus terminal only a 3 minute walk from the bed & breakfast, and that kind of sealed everything for me. I booked the trip!

 92 Second St, Fall River MA

 This is a long winded picture heavy post so please click below to continue reading!

Reminder...

If you read last weeks blog post... 

I just wanted to remind everyone, I will still be posting casually on my Instagram & Twitter. Heads up: There will be other things mixed in with my casual nail polish posts, it's not nails only- reason for this is because I want to get back to what I love, and it's less stress for me. I am no longer doing any product reviews or sponsored content. Honestly, I'm not sure where this blog is headed at the moment... which is another reason for the break...

Instagram: http://instagram.com/tunaynamahal82 

*I am not currently accepting any products for review or advertisement. Emails for such solicitations will be ignored.

Cirque Colors: Coronation

 

Mentality Nail Polish Scandal & Alternative to Gala

Updated August 2015:

DO NOT purchase Mentality Nail Polish: See Why, Here!

Article: LabMuffin What's to Blame for The Mentality Nail Polish Problems?

Groups: Mental Madness Facebook Group

If you would like an safer alternative to Mentality Nail Polish 'Gala', Model's Own Indian Ocean works perfectly! Just layer two coats over a turquoise base (I used Zoya Rocky below), and top with a matte topcoat.

Read more below....