April 24, 2014

One last wintry vintage look before that famous Okanagan summer weather returns




Outfit details

Red and cream hair scarf: Claire's 
Red plastic rose stud earrings: Claire's
1930s/40s style knit aqua scarf: Miss Beta Knits
Black dolman sleeve cardigan: Freddies of Pinewood
Fitted red top: Urban Planet (I think - bought it years ago now)
Vintage style side button jeans: Freddies of Pinewood
Vintage red knit gloves: etsy seller Stylish Light
Black crochet handbag: Thrifted (Value Village)
Black vintage-y looking lace-up winter boots: Tender Tootsies (bought this year at Walmart)
Lipstick colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Tony Cangiano





















































We're spoiled and I know it. Compared to a lot of the country, we usually see spring weeks before many folks do, so when it (winter, that is) decides to hunker down, strap itself in, and stubbornly refuse to budge, we scarcely have a leg to stand on in the complaint department. Well into early April, there were still signs of the frosty half of the year here, though now, many rain showers later and with a few jittery stops and starts, spring has returned, in full, at long last (or so one says with as much confidence on that front as they ever can in Canada).

Towards the end of March, on a day that was sitting mighty close to freezing still, Tony and I ventured out to a wee indoor flea market in the nearby tiny of Oliver (a location which I chatted about a little earlier this year here). It's an ongoing event that happens most weekends, and while there is rarely little genuine vintage, especially in the categories that interest either of us (yes, my dear chap fancies certain yesteryear items, too), as it's only about 40 minutes away, it is worth checking out every now and then just in case some marvelous treasure is waiting for us to unearth.

No dice that day, really. I say "really", because I didn't walk away completely empty handed. At one of the first stalls upon entering, I found a tiny slip (it's much, much smaller dimensionally and page count wise than most vintage or current ones) of a vintage yearbook from 1933 hailing from a high school in the province of Saskatchewan. Between my love of vintage yearbooks and the fact that I have family ties to Saskatchewan, which naturally makes me feel an affinity for anything related to it all the more, I knew it had to be mine. The seller was asking six dollars, I offered four, and she took it on the spot. I smiled gleefully all day over this sweet little find, which while not big in size, is jam packed with marvelous early 30s quaintness and fun.

Between dodgy bursts of rain that threatened to turn into snow, we headed a bit further south to Osoyoos and pulled over at one of Tony's favourite fishing spots, an immensely pretty corner of the Southern Okanagan called, I kid you not, Solana Bay (pronounced and spelled just like Solanah of Vixen Vintage's name, minus the letter "h" at the end of the word). Naturally it is impossible for me to visit this beautiful and deeply tranquil location without thinking of one Solanah herself each time we’re there.

That day I also very much had the darling aqua hued 1930s/40s reproduction knit scarf that I'm sporting in these photos on my mind. This scarf was very kindly made and sent to me by tremendously talented Portuguese craftswoman named Beta, whom I've had the truly beautiful pleasure of becoming friends with in recent months. She sells this scarf, as well as number other hand knit accessories and fashions in her etsy shop, Miss Beta Knits.

Called, so very charmingly, The Miss Marple Scarf (named after the famous Agatha Christie character), this classic neck warmer is is such a sweet, easy to style piece. In fact, as soon as it arrived a few weeks prior, it instantly became the scarf that I wore more often throughout the remainder of the winter than any other. I love that it's not bulky, that's it's cheerfully hued, excellently well made, and just plain cute to boot! As well, it can be styled to work for multiple decades, from the 1930s (perhaps even the 20s) to the early 60s, just depending on what you partner with it.

As well, the Miss Marple retails for a very reasonable $25.55 US, which an extremely good price for a piece that it knit from scratch. Beta lists various colours of this scarf in her shop, and can also make others, depending on the colours of wool she has on hand or can get a hold of. She is a sheer delight to work with, so if you'd like a scarf in a colour that isn't listed, just give her a shout on etsy and I'm sure she'd be delighted to try and help make the piece you're envisioning a reality.

Here, on this day of flea market visiting and errand running, not to mention dog park visiting, I took it in a 1940s direction and partnered its punchy aqua hue with red, black and dark denim (care of my super beloved Freddies side button jeans, natch). Layers and thick materials like denim were still a most on that nippy day and between them and Miss Beta's splendid scarf, I was able to keep the chill rising off of the water - if you'll pardon a someone obvious pun - at bay.

This is the first of two absolutely wonderful vintage inspired knits that Beta is very sweetly and generously making for me to review. The second will be arriving a touch later in the year and will be the star of its own vintage outfit post when it does. I feel blessed to have received this timelessly pretty aqua hued mid-century style accessory and look forward to many more chilly seasons to come of wearing it.




After all, if there's one thing you can be assured of in this northerly country, it's that winter will return again with a vengeance quicker than you can say "where's my Miss Beta Knits scarf?".

63 comments:

  1. The scarf is adorable! I have a thing for anything 'bow' shaped, so this hits the button for me - I'll be sure to have a look at the Etsy shop. The name is perfect too.

    These photos do have a lingering look of winter about them, it's a beauty quieter than when Spring rowdily bursts out. You look wonderful, as always - the bright colours are fantastic against the muted backdrop.

    I haven't put my winter wardrobe to bed yet, as although we're being teased by the full bloom of flowers everywhere, there's still a chill wind and a nip in the air, so I am yet to relinquish my boots, tights and scarves.

    Hope you're having a good week!
    P x

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    1. I hear you, sweet dear! I haven't entirely packed away my winter threads yet either. The rainy weather is proving a bit chilly so far, so for the most part, I can still pick and choose from either half of the year when it comes to getting dressed.

      I sooo adore bows and bow shaped items (and bow print fabrics), too. They're sweet and fun - and oh-so-girly, all elements I love in the fashions I wear.

      Thank you very much for your splendidly nice comment. I hope you're having a top-notch week as well!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Another great outfit! I have that scarf pattern and it is on my to-knit list for next winter! (Incidently, it is so called because one of the television versions of Miss Marple--bbc, recently--wears a scarf just like it in the series!) Of course, Joan Hickson will forever be Miss Marple for me, but let's not quibble, eh?? :)

    Love the turquoise and red combo--it is one of my faves lately!! Must.make.1940s jeans.

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  3. I love the red scarf in your hair, and your turquoise scarf is certainly eye-catching!

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  4. cool and fun outfit!
    the icy blue of the little scarf looks great with the hot red - and you look gorgeous in it. the pinewood-jeans are very flattering, they seem to be really comfortable.
    as a big agatha christie fan i had to have this scarf - so mum knitted it for me :-)
    but i´m wearing it not very often because if i need a scarf then it has to be one in which i can burry chin and nose....
    xxxx <3

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  5. Oh, my. Another fabulous outfit that makes me wish I was you! Looking delicious, buddy. The pants are superb (do they zip in the back or on the side?) and the little touches are so sweet. You create the nicest outfits.

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    1. Hi Ally. thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment and question. These great 40s style jeans are actually zipper-less, instead they do up with three charming black plastic buttons on the left hand side (a style that was very common during the 30s and 40s in particular).

      ♥ Jessica

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  6. How truly cute!! You know how I love a good vintage pant look and this is incorporates so many pretty colors. I have to say that I own the very same red bow headband from claires. They have the cutest accessories and retro style jewelry at a fraction of the cost for originals. :) I need to stop in the mall sometime {we rarely go anymore} and hit the sale items, they always seem to have some kind of percent off.

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    1. How cool that we both have this same great headband/headscarf! I love Claire's offerings so much, too. We don't have a real mall here (what calls itself a mall is scarcely more than a glorified strip mall laid out in a square), nor are there many shops selling affordable accessories here, so that fact that we have a Claire's a total fashion godsend! I like to try and visit them at least once a season, especially during the holidays, as they often have great sales and I can stock up on new accessories for even less than their everyday prices (which, while still quite good, have gone up a fair bit, I've noticed, in recent years).

      If we ever meet up in person, we should do an outfit shoot where we both wear our matching red and cream headbands. That would be so cute! :)

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Sweet Jessica, I have no words about this wonderful post... but I certainly have a smile from ear to ear :) Thank you so much! It's very exciting to see you sporting this little sweet scarf that I knitted with so much love for you my dear friend. To see these beautiful photographs and knowing that you like to sport it, is my best reward!

    I love to see the colour combination and I must say that I find your gloves so sweet and darling! That inspires me to knit a pair like that for later year Winter coming.

    And how nice to find that vintage book in the flea market! Only for 4 dollars!
    I hope you find more treasures to share with us soon ;o)

    Miss Beta xx

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    1. Wonderfully dear Beta, thank you deeply for your fantastically nice comment and for enriching my wardrobe (and helping to keep me warm this winter) with your stellar Miss Marple scarf. I adore it to pieces and am so happy to highlight it here on my blog this week.

      Thank you again with all my heart for everything,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. Hello Jessica how are you?
    Again love your Outfit, enjoyed the scarf embellishment for hair and high-waisted pants. I love high-waist pants!
    I think you pretty much Jess!
    A big hug from your Brazilian friend Cris.

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  9. Family ties in Saskatchewan huh? Might be time to visit the prairies...maybe stop in Winnipeg?... ;)

    Lisa.

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    1. Yes, ma'am. The strongest, at this point in time, of which come from my step-dad, who was born and raised in a wee little farming town called Prelate, Sask. Several of his relatives still live on the prairies (some in Prelate) and family reunions are a common occurrence, so it's not out the question that I might be that far east again one day. Naturally, I would want to keep going all the way to Winnipeg to visit you, if at all possible. If not, we'll fly or wait for that (dream!) day when we get an RV and head out on our cross Canada trip for that to happen. But happen, I'm adamantly convinced, it will! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  10. I love the colours here but my eyes went straight to those high waisted jean/pants. Very cool!

    Kudos to your photographer that always does such a wonderful job.


    bisous
    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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  11. Love the scarf! It's on my to do list for quite some time now, but now that I see it looking so great on you, I think it will be me next project! Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  12. Still quite cold here but it's finally starting to turn. A tiny green leaf was discovered on my walk yesterday. One of the great things about the north is you know that loooong summer days are ahead.

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  13. Last winter I found a vintage pattern for that type of scarf and made my grandma knit but bucket loads of them! It is one of my favorite styles. The color on yours in fantastic and looks so good with the red:) Your yearbook sounds like a lovely find.

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  14. I really need to get myself some Freddie's jeans, I always think you look amazing in them. xxx

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Catherine. I would be up the creek without any vintage repro pants were it not for these babies (as in, my Freddies jeans and overalls in general, I mean), so they are a godsend for me and I suspect that you would adore yours just as much.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. My lovely Mother-in-Law has just kindly made me a scarf in red just like yours so I am almost looking forward to some chilly weather to bust out my winter woollies. I adore your colour combination (the aqua just lifts everything doesn't it!) and really love your Freddies. XXX

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  16. Lovely outfit, as per usual! The colours you've used really make the scarf pop, and I just adore those gloves. I hope you will share some of the vintage yearbook with us, I foolishly left several of them sitting in an antique mall in Oklahoma, along with a kind of amazing 50's life-drawing book, which I am still regretting leaving behind.

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  17. ahhh, red and blue and white, the perfect color combo! :) Your outfits are a breath of fresh in the blogosphere and I always get excited when I see you've got a new one up :) :)

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    1. That's a seriously nice (mood boosting, even!) thing to be told, dear Jaqueline, thank you deeply!

      ♥ Jessica

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  18. That a beautiful look I particularly like the Miss Marple scarf Ive been wanting to knit one

    retro rover

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  19. You look so cute! I love the red with the vibrant blue of the scarf, that's such a lovely combination.
    Your Canadian wilderness is just too pretty for words. I love being out in nature, and that's kind of hard to find in Chicago. Of course, I'm sure it will be even better once you can take the gloves off. ;)

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  20. Love those jeans on you-- they look great on your figure! Send some spring down south if you get a chance, will you? We're still waiting on it here in Providence; it's appearing in fits and spurts, but seems to have issues with commitment...

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  21. Gorgeous outfit! You look beautiful as always, and the scarf is super cute!

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  22. I think you and red are made for each other.

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    1. That's very sweet, dear Debra, thank you! I do seem to receive a great deal of compliments when I wear it and since I love it so, I tend to do just that often. True and blue based reds work best with my - what I call - "strawberries and cream" complexion, so those are the shades I reach for most often.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  23. oh wow! such a cute outfit, Jessica. as you probably know, i just love vivid colors and scenery.
    i'm serious, though, i really need to get some of those vintage pants/jeans. i've been seeing a lot about them in the blogsphere and i'm really starting to love them. and you, dear, wear them so well!
    ~Abigail

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  24. Hello there,Ciao...nice post...great photos and your outfit is a dream!

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    1. Thank you very much, Aure! You always leave me such splendidly nice comments on my outfit posts.

      ♥ Jessica

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  25. To me this is just such a lovely classic dressed down look and the colours are perfect too. I like the sound of your little yearbook and the day you had - that's the kind of day I love (and never get enough of!). I think I forget sometimes how cold it can still be in other countries at this time of year (having said that we had an extended winter and it was cold into May last year but that was very unusual). I'm wearing skirts with bare legs fairly frequently, the winter vests are in the drawer and the clematis is out early. We seem to be having the opposite weather to North America - yours is unseasonably cool and ours is unseasonably warm!

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    1. How thoroughly terrific that spring is out in full force for you already this year. I remember well how long winter hung on for the UK in 2013 and am very glad to know that it is not giving a repeat performance on that front again this year.

      Thankfully spring has begun to arrive since these photos were taken and the weather is more on par with that of my last outfit post a couple of weeks ago - well, with plenty of rain showers thrown into the mix for good measure now. I do (knock wood!) think that winter is behind us now and that it will be unlikely I'm quite so bundled up again on camera for a few months now. One never knows though in Canada - I've experienced (when I lived in Alberta) snow in June!

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  26. Such a cute hair band and scarf! I love how you accessorize your outfit Jessica, it really makes it pop. That teal scarf is darling, as are your sweet gloves! I'm glad that spring will be coming soon for you, but it is also nice to see some winter inspiration for our cooler weather. ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Bonita. I was thinking about that fact as I was writing this post, how my outfit would work well in either hemisphere at the moment. It's a small window twice a year when such is true, but I do certainly like to take advantage of it while it's here and post outfits like that that may inspire my love friends who live below the equator.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  27. How can you look so beautiful (the red color I think hihihihi) I love your outfit and I love knitting so ....
    I try to understand all your articles it's a good job for me in english, my teacher will be happy

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    1. Bless your kind heart, dear gal, thank you very much for the wonderful comment. I adore knowing that my posts are helping you further your English skills. I'm married to someone who is ESL (Tony's first language is Italian), so your comment touched my heart all the more.

      ♥ Jessica

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  28. OMG, I just love the trousers! And you look great in them!

    We had such a warm, mild winter in Switzerland, very unusual, but then, I'm living in the lowlands... The roses are about to bloom right these days, more than a month too early... But we (the kids and me) enjoy staying outside, me working mainly in the garden as everything is exploding. No vintage garden wear, though, but I am constantly thinking about it. Is there any decent vintage (style) garden clothing? If you're doing a post about this, you would definitely be my heroine! :-)

    Hope you can enjoy spring/summer very soon as we do. Take care!

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  29. I love finding treasures like that while at flea markets! Vintage yearbooks are a favorite of mine as well because you get a glimpse as to what real women looked like-not just famous starlets and such. I really need to 'steal' some of my grandmother's college yearbooks this summer when I visit her!
    Your outfit is a dream! I really love Freddie's jeans, but never bought a pair myself. The pocket/side button detail is so fantastic!
    And I do so adore your little aqua scarf. I've been wanting to learn to knit for years and this makes me want to learn all the more! It is such a beautiful color and I'm convinced red and aqua are the best two colors to pair together.
    I could drone on, but let's just say you're always inspiring me :) Have a lovely day!

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  30. What a darling outfit! I adore the scarf--the color is so bright and fun. While this is still a nice, wintry outfit, the aqua really gives it life. So cute.

    Love the jeans, too! I know we've discussed height before, and I've always been afraid to take the plunge and buy a pair of Freddie's because I'm on the shorter side. Do you have any tips on sizing them? Did they need to be altered at all?

    Cheers!
    Jenny

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    1. Hi lovely Jenny, thank you very much for your great comment and question. Always happy to discuss Freddies jeans, no matter if we've chatted about them before or not. My number one tip is to keep in mind that they (at least the styles I own from them) have virtually no stretch, so if you're between sizes or find your weight fluctuates a bit (whose doesn't?!), you may want to size up. I'm fairly short (barely 5'2") so I hemmed mine the "quick" way, just by tucking them in and pining them in place, that way I can adjust the hem length depending on the shoes or boots I'm wearing on a given day. Other than that, I haven't altered mine at all and they're still going strong nearly 2.5 years after I bought them (save for my overalls/dungarees). For what it's worth, there's no other repro purchase I've been more happy I made than all my Freddies denim. I'd be vintage style pants-less without them. They hold up well and have more than paid for themselves in number of wears.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Thank you so much for the tips! I've always admired them from afar, I just haven't taken that plunge yet! Since they come so highly recommended, I image I'll end up getting a pair eventually.

      Thanks again!
      Jenny

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  31. Such a bright and cheerful outfit! I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I ADORE this color combination. Those gloves and the bow neck scarf are a fantastic combination, too. And thank you for the re-inspiration: I put down a red bow neck scarf that I was knitting some months back, and I definitely want to finish it up after seeing yours!

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    1. Oooh, this style of scarf in red would be the bee's knees! I can picture you sporting it and looking fabulous already.

      Thank you very much for your great comment, sweet Tasha. I hope you have a beautiful, fun filled weekend!

      ♥ Jessica

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  32. Lookin' good Jessica! I love the key-hole scarfs to bits. I have made a few as Christmas presents and women love getting them. They add a touch of elegance to any outfit.

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  33. I love your color palette for this outfit! I once had a 60s chiffon blouse in that shade of blue and red, and I wore I until it basically fell apart. If you can believe it, I've never seen this type of scarf before. Looks like I'll have to stop by Miss Beta very soon!
    I'd love to see some images from that year book. I have an ever growing collection of vintage year books. I can't pass them up when I come across them. My favorite is a 1942 volume from Boone, here in North Carolina.
    Fabulous post, as always!
    Cheers,
    .Ravishing-Ruby.blogspot.com.

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  34. I adore the aqua and red color combo! Old yearbooks are so much fun to look through, what a lucky find!

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    1. It's one of my all-time favourite colour pairings, too. I've love to do a room (or even multiple rooms) up in it one day.

      Big hugs, dear gal!
      ♥ Jessica

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  35. very cute look. love the gloves ... they are so fun!

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  36. wonderful pants and gorgeous location!

    Would you like to follow each other on GFC, bloglovin? It would be great, just let me know :)

    Kisses,
    Maria
    http://retrostreetstation.blogspot.de/

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  37. The yearbook sounds fascinating. I would love to see one of those. Great pictures, such a nice casual outfit and I like the colour combinations. The bow shape of the scarf is lovely.

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  38. I love Freddies and you look so cute in yours:) What a lovely scarf too! You look so pretty in your outfit dear Jessica:)) I love the by the water pictures you take.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Joanna. I'm happy to know that our frequent water filled backgrounds are ones that you enjoy. With such a rich abundance of lakes (and the like) around these parts, it often makes sense to turn to them for our backdrops, especially when we don't want much (if any) modern elements (cars, buildings, etc) distracting from the vintage vibe of the outfit I'm wearing.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  39. The small knitted scarf is really delightful and its bright colour is very nice !! To be precise, every inch of your outfit is delightful, and you are wonderful wearing those pants!

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  40. Jessica, you look so wonderful in this entire outfit, this red perfect for you. Such great pants , fit and style made with you in mind. I too enjoy your locations taking me back to a Canadian trip long ago, thank you my dear.

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  41. Marvelous colours my dear Jessica - oh as your winter ends, my rainy season is about to begin - or at least I hope so. We've had terrible droughts and electricity rationing.

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  42. Agatha Christie is one of my all time favorite authors- So I am loving on that Miss Marple scarf!! :)
    You look beautiful! I swear red is your best color!!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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  43. You look lovely! I was all excited for spring here, with temperatures up in the 60s.... but we've dipped back to the 40s for a few days and I'm suddenly feeling cold again. I just love the jeans you're wearing in these photos... they look so comfortable and cozy.

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  44. You look fabulous as always. I adore the red gloves with the bows, wish I were able to knit gloves, but I'm still learning. Wishing you a lovely weekend. :)

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