October 4, 2013

An absolutely awesome blogger meet-up with Laurie from Retro Reporter

Have you ever had one of those days, that even while it's happening, you know already that it's going to stand out for you as one the best of the year? This past month, while in Calgary, I had precisely one of those stellar days when my lovely friend Laurie, whom many may know from her terrific blog Retro Reporter, traveled all the way down from Edmonton (which is a three hour drive each way) to spend a Saturday with Tony and I.

Laurie and I have known each other online for quite a while now, and share much in common, but this was our first ever meet-up in person. In fact, this was also the first blogger and first meet-up with a fellow vintage lover I've ever had. Hard as it may be to believe, aside from staff sporting vintage at a few shops I've visited over the years, I had never once, in all my twenty-nine years of life had the profound pleasure of getting to spend time in person with another mid-century fashion loving lady.

Part of this is because we tend to be rather few and far between here in the great expanses of Canada, especially if, like me, you live in a small town hours away from the nearest big metropolis. For this reason, it means all the more to me that my first date with a fellow vintage lover was with a fellow Canadian.

Laurie met up with us in the lobby of our hotel, sporting a truly beautiful cream hued NOS 1940s dress with September perfect green leaves on the pockets, as well as a killer rose pattern tooled purse, classic brown peep toe pumps, a gorgeous vintage bracelet. To say that she was a vision of old school loveliness would be an understatement.

From the hotel, we headed down to Gruman's Deli on 11th Ave SE, where Tony and Laurie enjoyed some thoroughly scrumptious food (for the sake of my health, I didn't eat out at all during our trip, preferring to play it very safe and cook all my meals in our suite's kitchen instead). In fact, Tony enjoyed their fare so much, he returned again for lunch a few days later.

After that, we hopped a few streets over and visited A Vintage Affair on 11th Ave SW, which you may remember from Wednesday post about Seven of my favourite places we visited in Alberta. To say that I was in vintage shopping heaven wouldn't even begin to describe what an excellent time I had there. From the wonderfully friendly staff to the racks of gorgeous vintage items (spanning a number of decades) to the elegant decor, I was on cloud nine (and left with several vintage treasures, some of which appear in my upcoming post about my favourite purchases from our trip). The fact that I got to experience such a great shop with Laurie just made the experience all the more incredible!

Next we visited Cat's Eye Vintage on 17th Ave SW, an eclectic jumble of yesteryear and newer consignment and vintage pieces located on the second floor of a bustling building that houses numerous other businesses and (I think) residences, too. Though there wasn't much that caught either mine or Laurie's eye, I did find one chic 1950s purple suit jacket (alas, the matching skirt was no where in sight), which though it needs one heck of a thorough cleaning, was a good bargain and much needed boon to my spring wardrobe.

The rest of our afternoon was filled with an enjoyable mix of visiting antique stores (with over-the-moon high prices, for the most part), stopping briefly at a cool indoor farmer's market, and getting to know one another better through many an engaging, lovely conversation.

As the warm, prairie wheat hued sun headed down towards the horizon, we wrapped up our time together by having Tony shoot some photos of us in the little bit of yard beside our hotel. There was wind, smiles, and shutter clicks aplenty, and the photos below are some of my favourites from that day.




















 photo Laurie-Copy_zpsb53608a5.jpg




















My outfit details

Royal blue wide headband: Arden
White rose stud earrings
Red cotton cami: Old Navy
Royal blue wrap top: Thrifted
Red cardigan: Gap
Vintage (c. 1950s) butterfly brooch: eBay
Clear plastic butterfly bracelet: Unknown (had for years)
Blue plastic beaded bracelet: Unknown (had for years)
Red skinny belt: eBay
1950s butterfly novelty print skirt: eBay
Black vintage handbag: etsy seller A Vintage Revival
Nude seemed stockings: eBay
Black pumps: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by
Antonio Cangiano




It means the world to me that Laurie came down and visited us in Calgary (you can read her post all about our day together here). We so much fun that, as stellar days are so very prone to, the hours seemed to fly by at the speed of light. We chatted about vintage, blogging, where we've each traveled in Canada, our lives, and so much more. It was a joy and honour to get to spend time with Laurie in person, and I sincerely hope that we get a chance to meet-up again the next time I'm in Alberta or she happens to be out our way in the Okanagan.

Thank you again, dear Laurie for brightening my trip, and whole year, with our fabulous blogger meet-up. You are one seriously lovely vintage lady and terrific friend.


39 comments:

  1. Blogger meetups are the bestest fun. I wish I lived closer to more vintage goons like myself. So glad you had a great time!

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  2. And you look gorgeous again!

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  3. I haven't met any blogger friends yet, but as you know I have met several Facebook friends at the annual Agatha Christie Festival. I am sure you probably found the same with Laurie, but when you finally meet, they don't feel like strangers at all, because they aren't really.
    You both look gorgeous in the pics, and it sounds like a thoroughly enjoyable day.

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  4. How wonderful! You're both wearing the cutest outfits. Real blogger clothes. Glad you had fun.

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  5. love this butterflies!!!!
    when i lived in berlin a had a lot of friends around me, but nobody sported vintage looks. somehow thought it a pity. now in the woods - i´m satisfied with myself. possibly thanks to you and other vintage loving ladys on the internet.....

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Beate! I adore butterflies, too - they're a bit of a personal symbol for me. I know exactly what you mean. Being able to connect with other vintage loving folks online has helped me to feel far less isolated (as the sole vintage gal, as far as I know, in my town), will also helping to create many wonderful friendships in the process. If you're ever in B.C., please know that you have an open invitation as our guest.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. thank you jessica! this means soooo much to me!
      and if you and tony are ever in my neck of the woods i will be very happy to welcome you in the "bahnwaerterhaeuschen"!
      big hug!

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  6. This is so lovely that you got to meet a fellow vintage lovin' gal! It's also amazing that yours and Laurie's makeup looks so fresh after a day of vintage shopping about town. The camera took such wonderful pictures and you both look so lovely!

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  7. Such a perfect day! Beautiful vintage ladies and vintage shopping!

    I adore your butterfly themed outfit. So pretty.
    xo

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  8. Oh I love meeting fellow bloggers too! And you both are darling! Her purse is to die for!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  9. you both look beautiful its so nice you could meet

    urban hounds

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  10. Dearest Jessica, what a lovely post and how wonderful that you got to meet your friend and spend some time with her. Both of you just look so adorable and perfect together. Your photos are stunningly beautiful. I am so glad you were able to find some vintage goodies. I had my fingers crossed that you would find some goodies on your trip. I so love bringing treasures home from my trips. So happy that you had a great time. Welcome home. Gentle Hugs, Beverly

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    1. Thank you so very much, dearest Beverly. Everything about this trip was magnificent and the treasures don't stop at what I bought, as wonderful as those things are, I feel that the most amazing thing I took away from this trip was a new perspective on certain elements of my life, while at the same time making peace with others from past (a highly personal topic I plan to write about here in a future post).

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. It sounds like such a lovely, wonderful day. I'm glad you two got to meet up! You both look absolutely gorgeous :D

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  12. I'm glad you had a lovely time with your meet up. I've never met any other bloggers nor have I met anyone else who likes vintage but certainly would love to xx

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  13. Oh, gosh!
    You both look so adorable.
    No, you really do. I'm loving your butterfly themed outfit, Jessica. And Laurie.. tell her she's got another reader across the ocean! :)
    I must admit, there is a tiny bit of envy here, where I am.. seeing vintage-loving gals meeting others like ourselves, I feel a little lonesome - since in here (in my town and my area) I seem to be a loner.

    Never mind me, I'm being silly here.
    Stellar post, dear.

    Marija

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  14. ...Your post was a great reflection on connections, those that we are lucky enough to have locally close by as well as those we build with like minded internet friends...that any of the latter blossom into personal and actual friendships is a gift... I love the style of your site...the textures...My Favorite pieces in this post are the Butterfly Patterned Dress, The Carved Leather Purse and The Spanish? Bracelet...

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  15. wooooow you both look amazing! i love that red and blue outfit of yours, so quirky and adorable! and laurie looks stunning as well, i adore especially that leave detail on the pocket! amazing! i can totally understand what a special day it was for you to meet a fellow vintage passionate;)
    wish you a wonderful weekend!
    love and kiss,mary

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  16. Oh, dear Jessica. I'm so jealous ... where I live there is no blogger with the same passion for vintage fashion world. I have read every word of your little encounter with great joy, I have felt the same emotions that you have felt in this meeting. You are a wonderful communicator, dear Jessica. Have a magical weekend.

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  17. oh! so nice! and both of you are very pretty! both outfits are very pretty too!

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  18. Hi,

    Enjoy your blog but have to be brutal and say you really don't manage to pull of a 1940s authentic look.

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    1. Hi there,

      No need to worry about brutality, it's all good. For starters, I'm a die hard fan of the 40s and 50s alike, and dress frequently in pieces and styles from each, whether worn together or separately. This day, my outfit had a strong 50s spin to it.

      I adore and love to celebrate the past with my wardrobe. Some days I go for a wholly period look, others I put my own spin on vintage attire. Some people prefer to always look exceptionally period appropriate 24/7, and that's awesome. Plenty of us vintage loving folks however, like to create looks that lean heavily on the past, but with our our unique, inspiring, beautiful spins on them.

      Life is not a costume contest or akin to doing the costuming for a big budget movie - nor should anyone's vintage wardrobe feel that way, unless they want it to. Everyone puts their own stamp on vintage fashion, myself wholeheartedly included. My passion for the 40s and 50s is boundless and my desire to wear looks from, or that are inspired directly by these decades is limitless, too. If I don't look like page 283 of the Fall-Winter 1943 Sears catalog every day, that's as a-okay with me, as much as if I did. I dress in the way that makes me most happy in the moment, celebrating the past every step of the way, and in doing so am authentic to my own soul.

      ♥ Jessica

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  19. I love your bag! I just adore laurie's hair. Oh it would be so nice to meet up with another vintage gal...

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  20. Both of your outfits are absolutely adorable!

    Best Wishes,
    Amanda

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    1. Thank you very much, my sweet friend. It was such a fabulously fun day! We didn't discuss our outfits in advance, and I rather love the we just happened to wear a look from a different decade (Laurie's being 40s, mine 50s).

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. Oh! I dream of blogger meet-ups! I'm tingling just reading this post. It's so true...Canada is so large and it seems that our vintage blogging community is smallish and spread out...
    Now I'm cooking up thoughts for a country wide blogger meet-up weekend...wouldn't that just be amazing?!

    So glad you two had fun. I'm sure you were quite the sight all dolled up so nicely touring the town together.

    Lisa.

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    1. That would be over-the-moon awesome! Tony and I have actually talked - just in a sort of brainstorming sense, nothing more concrete at this stage than that - about perhaps one day organizing a vintage festival here in Penticton. Maybe combining a place for vintage vendors to sell their lovely offerings with a large scale (by Canadian terms) vintage blogger meet-up. A smaller (at least initially), more Canadian take, in some respects, on Viva Las Vegas. Again, it's totally just a "maybe one day" idea at this point, but it's one that's there for sure and which I would be ecstatic to see come to life some day, even if that day isn't for many years to come still.

      More probable is that we'll come see your gorgeous city of Winnipeg one day and than you and I can have our own fabulous blogger meet-up!

      ♥ Jessica

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  22. Hello Jessica,

    Thanks for your supernice comment on my blog. I got maybe a little bit toooo about it, since I am a huge fan of your blog. Hihihi
    Oh, and of course, as always: I adore your outfit in this post. You are really a queen of colormatching.
    And I wish I would be brave enough to cut my hair as short as Laurie's.. *sigh*
    How do you both have such a plain complexion? You two look like porcelain dolls. Envyyyyy...

    xoxo, Saperlotte

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    1. *Blush!!!* My dear, you are all together too terrifically sweet, thank you very much. I'm touched to know that my blog comment meant so much to you. Your blog is a genuine delight and I've really enjoyed reading through some of your back posts lately and getting to know you a bit better through. By the same token, I look forward to enjoying lots of future posts, too.

      Aww, thank you! I'm quite pale naturally, though my skin does have some pink undertones to it. I like to loving refer to my complexion as "strawberries and cream". It's (knock wood!) always been fairly smooth and blemish free, though very dry and sensitive, so a gentle moisturizer at least twice a day is a must. I keep my skincare routine quite simple - by and large, I'm what they used to call back in the day, a "soap and water girl". I blogged more about that topic in this post last year: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2012/04/you-asked-my-skincare-routine-revealed.html

      Matte foundation and powder help to give a smooth, even finish as well - as does having a skilled photographer to take your picture in flattering light! :)

      Tons of hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

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  23. What a lovely time you ladies had! I really would love to have a blogger meet-up and have even considered a blogger-reader meet-up, since several of my readers are local to the area. I think I might try to organize something!
    <3 Jackie @ Let's Go Thrifting!

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    1. That's a terrific idea, Jackie! I know of a few fellow B.C. folks who are readers and would always adore the chance to meet any of them in person as well. A fellow vintage/thrifting fan meet-up would be super cool, too. Hope yours goes fabulously, if you organize one!

      ♥ Jessica

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  24. A butterfly skirt? Oh, be still my heart! And I love that you have a perfectly matching butterfly brooch to go with it. I love Laurie's purse as well, and her dress looks so cute on her. I've always thought it would be so fun to go shopping with someone who is as into vintage as I am. I am fortunate that my husband and I both love vintage, but he's not as into shopping, lol.

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  25. I am sure you spent a delightful afternoon together! To meet friends and share thoughts...is there anything better? A friendship started online...
    You two, girls, look so cute, stylish and happy in the photos!

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  26. What a perfectly lovely day! How very exciting and marvelous to be able to meet up with a fellow vintage lover and blogger friend in person!! You both look absolutely stunning!! You must have turned many a head as you went about town. ;) I adore that red and blue on you. And that butterfly brooch and matching butterfly skirt are fabulous!!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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  27. Sounds like a perfect day and you both look divine.

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  28. How lovely to get to meet up. That kind of thing has to be one of the huge advantages of the internet and of the vintage and blogging communities. Hope you got lots and lots of chatting done!

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  29. I also wish to find like-minded vintage lovers in Denmark, but never had. I'm glad there is the internet, or I would have been all alone.

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