January 8, 2014

I want 2014 to be a lot like this outfit and photo shoot location




Outfit details

1940s/1950s navy blue hat with whimsical bow: Jardin Antiques in Okanagan Falls
Gold toned hoop earrings: Claire's
1940s navy blue crepe dress: eBay
Vintage wishbone brooch: eBay
Gold skinny belt: eBay
1940s/50 Ruched cranberry/burgundy gloves: etsy seller
A Better Time
Vintage grey handbag: etsy seller
Running Rabbit Studio
Cranberry tights: (New in pack from) Value Village
Black faux suede round toe pumps: Wal-Mart
Lip colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace

 


Photography by


 




















































Lest anyone think that Penticton got hit with either the mother of all mind winters or sudden chinooks, let me begin today's post by stressing that these photographs were taken several weeks ago, back during the fall when green grass and sunshine could still be had in wonderful abundance. These days, as for most folks the northerly portions of the Western Hemisphere, we are up to our earmuffs in slushy snow, black ice on the roads, and temps so cold a polar bear would be tempted to go shopping for an electric blanket.

Originally I'd planned these photos to correspond with America’s Thanksgiving at the end of November (Canada's falling in early October), but a fabulous review gift related post came up instead, and so as last month's holiday season got under way, these photos unintentionally got put on the backburner a little. Today I’m delighted to remedy that and to kick of 2014's first vintage outfit post on such a marvelously sun-kissed note.

No one can predict the future, but I have a good feeling about 2014 - or at least a better one than I did about last year. My head and daily life alike are swimming with more exciting ideas, goals and plans than I’ve had in ages. There is goodness and positive change afoot already (a lot of which took root during our awesome trip to Calgary last September), and I like to think that both will only continue to blossom as the year unfolds.

As the title of this post says, I (really!) want 2014 to be a lot like this outfit and photo shoot location (which just happens to be our town's resplendently pretty little rose garden, plus a small grounded vintage tug boat, both located to the left of the docked S.S. Sicamous paddle wheeler boat at Okanagan Lake; this was the first time we'd ever shoot there for the blog and the weather couldn't have been more accommodating for us that day). Lovely, bright, classic (yet also new), creative, bursting with my favourite things, and teaming with beauty and adventure.

As with most things in life, a little luck - represented in this outfit by the golden hued wishbone brooch - certainly wouldn't hurt either, but one cannot rely on luck or leave their fate up to chance entirely.

Life requires planning, direction, and initiative to blossom and become what you long for it to be, and I'm going to be focusing heavily on three of those things throughout the coming year. I'm so excited about 2014 in fact, that I find it hard to sleep some nights just thinking about all the awesome potential, terrific prospects and scores fun I sincerely hope it holds in store!


72 comments:

  1. Boy, you're rockin' the blog this year! Lots of excitement and activity here. Good to see.

    And the outfit is cute. Nice choices. Matching the tights to the gloves is my favorite part. Go, girl, go!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aw, Jessica, these photos do you really sum up what you've written perfectly. Wishing you the best of luck for your achievements and achievements for 2014, I have every faith that you'll tick off those goals one by one and attack it all with tireless enthusiasm.

    I'm excited about 2014 as well!!

    P xx

    P.S. On a purely frivolous note, I just love the red of the tights and gloves with this ensemble, it's just wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much across the board, dear Porcelina. I have a really great feeling about this year - I'm more psyched, optimistic and excited about it than I've been for a good long time about the the twelve months that lay ahead of us.

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  3. Dear Jessica, you look so beautiful and elegant, full of grace! I love these photographs. This year 2014 I have to do a nasty health treatment, and I confess that I'm terrified. So my prospects for this year are not so good as I wished for. But by reading this post makes my heart smile and full of hope that perhaps I can also make it a good year. Encourages me to embrace 2014 with bravery and a smile.

    Thank you so much for another wonderful post and to be an inspiring lady!

    Miss Beta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sweet hearted Miss Beta, I'm deeply sorry to hear that you've got some unpleasant medical related events on the upcoming horizon. I have begun many years of my life in the same boat and know what a powerful damper it can put on the prospect of what lies ahead in the coming twelve months. Please know that I'm always here for you in any way that I can be - understanding ear, shoulder to lean on, someone to vent to, you name it.

      Countless gentle hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  4. Oh, you look gorgeous! Those colors are fantastic in general, but they look especially lovely with your skin tone. I'm also hoping for a special 2014. 2013 was tough, and I wasn't exactly sorry to see it end. Here's to a brighter 2014 for all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You look so lovely, my dear, in that graceful ensemble, and with your hair curled to perfection! A fabulous outfit full of romance, health and beauty, and may your 2014 be full of these qualities too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wowzie!! Amazing dress and accessorizing, dear! :) You are my idol! Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bless your heart, honey, thank you so very, very much (that is an incredibly lovely and uplifting thing to be told).

      Joyful New Year wishes to you as well - here's to an amazing, vintage filled 2014!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  7. What a beautiful location and outfit! I agree completely, and wish my 2014 looked a lot like this, too. Unfortunately I don't see mine turning out this way, but I certainly hope yours will. Not that things are bad here, but just that my life has taken another unexpected turn, a good turn, but a turn nonetheless. You are such a sweet person and I pray your 2014 is full of hope and promise for brighter and better things!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I absolutely adore the colour palette in this outfit, and I have never seen such a cute hat! With your hair colour the navy is just fab! I am sure with the positive attitude your a glowing right now 2014 will be a good one:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're all kinds of lovely, dear Daphne, thank you very much! It is a thoroughly darling hat, I agree. I just love a bit of whimsy in my vintage hearwear choices - like is too short not to have oodles of fun with our accessories.

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  9. "Life requires planning, direction, and initiative to blossom and become what you long for it to be...."

    I'm realizing this more than ever now (I'm a late bloomer, lol).

    Gorgeous outfit! I was stunned that the shoes were from Walmart, what a great retro-inspired find!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, dear Betsy. I've had many similar comments on these shoes over the years - they really do look like genuine vintage! They're my best Walmart footwear purchase to date. I don't recall precisely when I bought them, but I'd guess it's been at least six years now, possibly more. I've worn them, no joke, hundreds of times (they're super comfy) and they're still holding up great - best $20 (or thereabouts) footwear investment I've ever made.

      Big hugs & the very happiest of New Year's wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  10. what a calm, beautiful spot this garden is!
    and you are looking so self-confident, like a women who go´s at the next moment to work in her own global group - press, shipping company (navy blue!) steel mills, .....
    i understand why you want the new year to be like this pictures!
    hugs <3

    ReplyDelete
  11. Totally in love with this hat Jessica! I've been wanting a 1940s navy blue felt hat like this for ages but I find it so difficult to buy hats online!

    Stay safe in the snowy weather! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Jessica, that dress looks absolutely stunning on you! I love it with the colored tights too. In Ohio it got to about -10F.....I have never been colder in my life. I realize you are farther north, so it probably got even colder, I can't even imagine! Stay warm dear:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, now that is mighty chilly indeed! We've had some days here so far this year that dropped down around that cold, too, but not all that many...yet. While Canada as a whole does get notoriously chilly in the winter, being so close to US border (and thus part of Southern Canada), our area (the Okanagan) tends to get slightly milder winters than some other parts of the country. Nevertheless, they're still long, snow filled and typically well below freezing for a few months every year.

      Big hugs & many thanks!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  13. I hope 2014 turns into all you are planning.

    I have been "anti" planning my whole life. Maybe I need to give it a try.

    That wishbone brooch is simply exquisite.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love everything on your pictures... it's so hard to find good locations for a few pictures for an outfit post!
    You look perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm glad to see you're so optimistic about 2014! It's refreshing, and I have to say I agree with you! Gorgeous outfit, too; I love the navy and cranberry combination (although this shoot definitely makes me long for nicer weather!).

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love you Jessica! And the hat is just so cute...
    I think everybody wants a 2014 like that outfit.
    You're pictures are always so nice to see, I wish I had somebody who could help me with all that because I always have to ask my parents and they also have a lot of other things to do, so I try to do everything on my own but that isn't always easy.

    xoxo Little Miss Bamboo ~
    http://littlemissbamboo.blogspot.be/

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love, love, love the cranberry tights and the hat! Absolutely gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many sweet thanks, dear ladye. Isn't that hat just as cute and fun as the day is long? It's one of my favourite vintage purchases of 2013.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  18. Lovely post and equally lovely ideal to focus upon in 2014! I am excited about the volunteer work in store for me, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's wonderful, dear Kathleen, I really admire your tireless, terrific volunteer work.

      Big hugs & many thanks,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  19. I hope you are right about 2014, but I have the same feeling. Last year I wanted to and "decided" that it should be a good year, but alas ... it was a very mixed year, with more bad than good. I know years are supposed to be mixed, but I would prefer it to be reverse, with more good than bad. Let's cross our fingers. :) You look lovely as always, I admire how you contrast the dark blue dress with red gloves and stockings, fabulous. :) And your comment on a polar bear buying an electric blanket just made my day. I've got a keyboard for my iPad (which I use for reading blogs on), so now it's much easier to write a comments.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The light in these photos is so lovely, and what a lovely garden :) Love your hat too x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yet another fab little photo shoot - loving the navy and burgandy colour combo - looks so stylish :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I don't know why but I can also predict good things will happen...
    And as it said: "good things happen to those who deserves it " ;)

    I like this sweet 'kiosque' its a nice place indeed !
    Xoxo,
    Lorna

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your wishbone brooch is darling and I adore your outfit. Such a classic and elegant look and I love navy and red together.

    Yay for 2014!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  24. PS I hope you're keeping warm?!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Happy New Year! I hope this year does turn out to be wonderful for you. Once again you have made what might be an ordinary dress fabulous by linking little details that others overlook. That hat is perfect, love the shoes and the gloves and tights make it all sing. The location looks pretty too. YES! x

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is such a gorgeous outfit, you look fabulous in it. Navy blue is such an underrated colour and I love how you have paired it with cranberry. Your hat is such fun and not nearly enough use is made of the word whimsical don't you think?! Very pretty location too. I hope plenty of lovely, fun, exciting things are coming your way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true - and one can only guess at why (perhaps because it's a hue that's so often associated with various uniforms, such as police officers and the actual Navy). I adore navy, always have, always will. It tends to perk up my fair skin better than black, so I reach for it just as often, if not more, than black itself, especially if I'm going to be wearing a dark neutral close to my face.

      Agreed as well regarding the word whimsical. One saw much more use of it fashion magazines a few decades back, but rarely encounters it in such publications in the 21st century.

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
    2. That is a good point about skin tone. I too am very pale and find it does more for me than black, although I do like black, I just need to wear a brighter cardigan or scarf with it.

      Delete
  27. You have some very lovely bags. You really know how to pick them. Navy is a wonderful color for you and I just love this dress. What a perfect hat for your dress! Seems like forever since I didn't need to bundle up in a coat to go outside:) Here's to a great 2014!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Beautiful outfit, beatiful location, and beautiful ideas for 2014

    retro rover

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love the look and your stockings are gorgeous!
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is a great outfit and photoshoot, and I hope your 2014 feels this special all the way through. I absolutely adore the hat and the wishbone brooch!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Darling you look just divine! Wishing you only fabulous things for 2014.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the little whimsical wish bone brooch and cute hat. I have a hopeful feeling about this year too. Sounds like you have lots planned. Can't wait to check back and see what you have in store for your readers :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a lovely outlook and what a lovely notion toward the future!

    xoxo
    -Janey

    ReplyDelete
  34. That hat had me at hello my friend! How fun! And it looks just perfect with that gorgeous dress - beautiful outfit. :)

    Lisa.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I hope you 2014 prediction will be true.
    First off (this I must write):congrats to Tony on amazing ability to "catch the light" on the second image. It's illuminating everything around you, making the shot look surreal and fantastic.
    The outfit?
    How loud can I say it: I WANT IT. No ,seriously.. this is magnificently put together; a lovely colour combination. The hat is a story on it's own. I absolutely love it. Hats are our saviours: not only do they protest our heads from freezing (sorry to hear your're got the ice-cold weather); the hats cover up our "bad hair days" and they help enhance the glamour or our garments.
    Gazebo behind you is a thing I'll have to show my dad - last year he build one in our back yard (it's great for taking tea on summer days)

    Many hugs
    Marija

    ReplyDelete
  36. Gosh darn you are pretty! Just started getting lost in your blog...I'm in love with it! You're an awesome writer and your hair is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love that dress on you and that pop of colour in your tights is superb! A beautiful location too. With the optimism you have I'm sure 2014 will be great for you.

    ReplyDelete
  38. You look so pretty in these pictures Jessica, I just love the one of you leaning against the building. Wishing you the best of luck with your achievements this year, I have a feeling 2014 will be a good one x

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love this outfit on you! The matching tights and gloves are very pleasing to my sense of colour-coordination, and I just love your hat, and that wishbone brooch! A really well put-together look and suits you so well. I hope that 2014 brings you all that you wish for, Jessica! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweetheart! I love that you're a fan of well colour coordinated accessories (and shoes, hosiery, etc) as well. It's amazing how matching (or very nearly matching) two or more such pieces can instantly elevate an outfit from "nice" to "terrific" - not to mention head turningly polished.

      Wishing you unending happiness and tons of vintage fun in 2014!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  40. Hello there,Ciao Jessica...what a photos!...what an outfit!...what a Style!...You're a great Artist of Style indeed!
    Greetings from Italy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grazie mille, Aure. That's a wonderfully nice comment - and compliment.

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  41. Dear fried,
    excuse my lately writing.
    I wish you a happy new year. i know its yet "old" but the wishes come from the buttom of my heart=)
    Thank you vermy much for your comment to my litte cupcake
    I found a nice plae for it and its perfect I displayed it on my vintage commode with my big mirrow and it looks cute=)
    Your letter is still in progress and I bought a lots of nice stickers.
    So you will (I hope so) a big suprise=)
    Lots of love yours Jen

    ReplyDelete
  42. That extra pop of colour added by the tights is fantastic! So is the wishbone, what a fun piece of jewellery.

    ReplyDelete
  43. What a wonderful outfit, I adore those cranberry tights! And the second photo is just stunning! Happy 2014 ~Anna~

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hi there Jessica!

    What a cute hat! I know just what you mean, not being able to sleep at night when thinking and planning keep me too excited. I have great expectations for 2014 as well.

    Hugs~
    Hope

    ReplyDelete
  45. How beautiful! I simply love this color scheme, and that hat and wishbone pin are divine!!

    xox Sammi
    www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. love the matching tights and gloves and the pretty location!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Fabulous beyond words, dear Jessica, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I am in awe of your unique style.
    Love and sunshine
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

    ReplyDelete
  48. Lovely as usual. I just love everything about that 40s dress.

    ReplyDelete
  49. you are a vision, i thought first this is blue and red, which is my favorite color combo, but pink tights are even more fabulous to this wonderful navy blue dress! and i´m in love with your hat!
    love and kiss,mary

    ReplyDelete
  50. I don't know which I love more: your gorgeous wishbone brooch or that fabulous hat! Here's wishing you a fantastic 2014!

    ReplyDelete
  51. You have chosen a delightful place for a post! I love your feminine style so full of grace! Black and red is a classic combination of colours which is always beautiful. Your outfit is very special, and your hat and bag lovable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet Dan. This shoot and outfit were both amongst my favourites of last year. As lovely as the snowy landscape out there right now can be at times, I'm already looking forward to the return of days with weather like this again. :)

      Have a fabulous weekend - big hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  52. oh wow, what a beautiful 40s look. the dress is gorgeous - but the hat totally hits the nail.

    ReplyDelete
  53. What a fun hat, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it!

    ReplyDelete
  54. ahh, as soon as i saw the photos i knew exactly what the title of your post meant! these are beautiful and the weather looks so lovely (even if it was several weeks ago) but the lighting is just right and you look lovely. i very much hope your 2014 is just like these photos. :)

    little henry lee

    ReplyDelete
  55. Incredible outfit and location!
    tHis hat is perfection.
    `Nella Fragola

    ReplyDelete
  56. Incredible outfit and location!
    I love so much your hat, it's perfection!

    Nella Fragola

    ReplyDelete
  57. That hat is super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  58. You are looking like an angel in that blue dress, really, really beautiful Jessica.
    I must add that my favorite item here is the hat. I have never seen anything like it !
    I am sure 2014 will have great moments for you.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Just lovely!! That hat!!! I'm in love with that hat!! And the gloves paired with your stockings-- so perfectly adorable! 2014 is starting out wonderful for you!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

    ReplyDelete