"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." ~ Wayne Gretzky
{Spring has sprung and this beautifully attired 1950s woman (identified as Sally Garnand Longmore) couldn't pass up the opportunity to pose with a lovely little blossoming bush rich in pretty pink buds.}
{Two Spanish fellows (Albino and Honorio Montes García) entertain a crowd with their musical abilities in this fun shot from 1957.}
{A pair of stylish 1930s gals (friends, sisters, classmates, cousins?) embrace against a backdrop of whispy trees, as their beautiful summer dresses flutter ever-so-slighyly in the wind.}
{A big smile - partly from enjoyment, and I suspect, partially from pride in herself - radiates from this darling little 1950s girl's face as she pedals her tricycle up and down the sidewalk in the winter. I love how her dark shadow falls right alongside her on the grass, almost as though an imaginary friend is riding alongside her.}
{This shot, though seemingly run-of-the-mills is terrific. I love how the pretty woman is resting her face on her hand, one finger nail grazing her lip. How the two chaps are all cheerful grins, and that we clearly make out the 7-Up labels on the bottles they were tossing back that evening.}
{Like a movie still come to life, this stellar 1930s photo is impossible to look at and not adore instantly. From his skinny suspenders to the fact that she's clutching a pipe in her teeth as she stands on the back bumper of a car, there is so much fabulous old school coolness at work here.}
{Four cute young gals (I'd guess friends or cousins, as they seem to be too close in age to all be sisters) gather 'round for a cute informal portrait shot that was snapped on October 9, 1942. }
{Beauty, elegance, and the spirit of youth radiate from the faces of this attractive 1940s couple, he in his military uniform, she in a smart dress and classic pearls. No information that would indicate such is provided by the original poster, but I can't help wondering if this was perhaps their wedding photo.}
{In an adorable novelty print dress featuring sunny lemons, a young lady relaxes on a plaid blanket at the beach in a photo that was captured back in 1947.}
{Two women ham it up for the camera as they pose behind a bride and groom's attire while at the Eaton County Fair during March of 1941. It definitely looks like they were having a great time!}
{All images above are from Flickr. To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective Flickr page.}
Recently I had an encounter at the local grocery store wherein a lovely twenty-something year old woman complimented me on my vintage outfit. I was touched, as I always am when people say nice things about my style, and thought she seemed like someone who might enjoy knowing about Chronically Vintage.
Generally speaking, being extremely shy, I don't tell strangers about my site, but I took a stab and not only told her, but handed her one of my Chronically Vintage business cards (something I've never done before with a person who complimented me in public). Even though I wasn't pushy at all and just said something along the lines of "I blog about the 40s and 50s outfits I wear here, check it out, if you like", I sensed that she was a bit surprised by the fact that I gave her my card as I felt her demeanour changed the moment I started to talk about my site. She took my card, but quickly said "thanks" and went on her way.
To the average onlooker the whole (maybe 20 second long) encounter might seem completely fine, but I felt shaken by it (and I had certainly not wanted to make her feel uncomfortable in any way). You see, I am not usually the type to take (what is in my books) such a bold move. I'd love to tell the whole world about this blog and to chat about vintage fashion with everyone I meet, but that takes a certain degree of being comfortable with promoting yourself (in person), and also not having qualms with chatting to strangers. Two things that, sadly, I definitely lack.
I'd only popped into the store to see if they had a certain type of (delicious) mandarin orange in stock, and since they didn't, I couldn't beeline it back to the car after that experience fast enough. I told Tony about the tale, and he was very sweet and understanding. He said that he knew it took a lot for me to do something so outside of my comfort zone, and then reminded me of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's fantastic quote above.
Tony went on to say that the encounter could have played out very differently if the woman had seemed more enthused about my site, pointing out that any number of positive outcomes could have theoretically occurred. He's right, and in the uncomfortable aftermath of a seemingly innocent enough exchange that left me feeling rather shaken up, I'd failed to reflect on how things could have gone more positively. It's a poignant reminder, regardless of the situation, that for every encounter, there's at least two outcomes: a good and bad.
I wouldn't say what happened that day was bad necessarily, but it wasn't ideal either and, at least until Tony's comforting words, it left me feeling foolish for working up the nerve to tell a stranger about my site. While I might refrain from handing out a card so quickly again, I won't let this experience backtrack my attempt at being a little braver with strangers.
Life is too short not to take risks, no matter how big or small (and I'm the first to say that this was a pretty small risk, as far as risks go), because you truly never do know what's going to happen when you do. Sometimes the results might be horrible, scary, or negative, but more often than not, they stand to be positive - even life changing on certain occasions.
So the next time I feel my shyness creeping in, but I want to talk to a stranger (about any topic), I'll try to remember Wayne - and Tony's - wise words, and to take the shot.
I understadn where you're coming form but if I were you I'd be shouting about it- your site is fabulous! x
ReplyDeleteMy beautiful friend Jessica ... her beloved Tony is right .. do not be saddened by situations like this ... life is too short, and aamei the part that you mention the risks ... I am fearful by nature, I choose to do, but it depends on a second and a third person to a fourth person was not hurt ... insist, invest in their vintage style, because it is WONDERFUL ... I AM yOUR FAN .... sorry I do not have income or place to dress well, as 20 years, maybe years 50 or 60 ... but that's okay, I'm poor but rich in money games to admire what is beautiful ... kisses with all my love to stand and Mr Tony ... follows his words ...
ReplyDelete"Life is too short not to take Risks in the matter how big or small (and I'm the first to say That this was a pretty small risk, the Risks to go far), because you never truly know of what's going to happen When You's. Sometimes the results might be horrible, scary, or negative, but more Often than not, They stand to be positive - even life changing on Certain occasions. "
My beautiful friend Jessica ... her beloved Tony is right .. do not be saddened by situations like this ... life is too short, and aamei the part that you mention the risks ... I am fearful by nature, I choose to do, but it depends on a second and a third person to a fourth person was not hurt ... insist, invest in their vintage style, because it is WONDERFUL ... I AM yOUR FAN .... sorry I do not have income or place to dress well, as 20 years, maybe years 50 or 60 ... but that's okay, I'm poor but rich in money games to admire what is beautiful ... kisses with all my love to stand and Mr Tony ... follows his words ...
ReplyDelete"Life is too short not to take Risks in the matter how big or small (and I'm the first to say That this was a pretty small risk, the Risks to go far), because you never truly know of what's going to happen When You's. Sometimes the results might be horrible, scary, or negative, but more Often than not, They stand to be positive - even life changing on Certain occasions. Oh, I loved the photos ... to the girl on the beach, the first also ....kisses..Penélope.
manias da penelope.blogspot .com.br
The gal you handed your card to will probably check out your wonderful blog out of curiosity. Then who knows you may end of with a new follower.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos! And haha omg I identify with that shyness SO much! Around friends I'm very outgoing, even a little crazy, but I tend to be very shy when meeting new people...and I would also feel rattled if they seemed uncomfortable... but I think in this case you did nothing wrong.. Its something I have to work on myself actually...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tony- I say be brave and put yourself, and your blog out there. You work hard on it, and we all love reading it! Its a great way for all of us to share our love and interest of vintage stuff...
Gorgeous photos so fascinating looking back at old photos and imagining the people and how they lived their lives love it! Makes me feel like digging through my parents old black and whites have so many and very brave of u giving lady a card she was prob just surprised but I'm sure she will be checking out your blog and loving it :) xx vicki
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about that Jessica, sometimes we do things that other people misunderstand but it should't stop you being yourself. Perhaps next time, you should just mention the fact that you have a blog and if the person seems to be interested and ask you questions, giver him/her your card?
ReplyDeleteAnd I am pretty sure you are not that shy, as wearing the clothes you wear (and which I personnally love)is not that easy to do with people staring at you and whispering sometimes so don't prevent yourself for saying what you wanna say!!!
Onya Jessica for taking this risk and thinking outside the square. The young lady in question was probably just surprised you were so prepared with printed info about your thoroughly interesting blog. I love the Saturday Snapshots and even though I live on the other side of the world these lovely shots frozen in time remind me of my childhood.
ReplyDeletei really enjoy your saturday snapshots. i think my favourite photos this week are of the little girl on the bicycle with her shadow, and the lady with the pipe in her mouth! sorry to hear that the lady you with whom you so bravely attempted to share information about your site didn't react as positively as she could have - but please don't let it completely put you off from doing so again - there are enthusiastic and appreciative people out there who will be so pleased when you take the time to tell them about chronically vintage. and then you'll be so pleased that you did!
ReplyDeleteHello dear ladies, thank you each deeply for your kind, encouraging words. After I wrote this post a little earlier this week, I spent much of the last few days reflecting on the fact that I both an introvert and a very shy person (the two, I believe do not always go hand in hand), and how often it impedes me from being as brazen as I would like.
ReplyDeleteI am spurred on by your confidence though, and plan to keep telling people about CV (outside of the interwebs, that is) as you gals are right when you say that you never know who might be interested and may even go on to become a follower.
Thank you again, my dears, I ♥ you all,
Jessica
I love old photos! They are such great little windows into time. You get to see what people really wear and how they really did their hair.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your encounter went slightly off kilter. I usually am rather shy like that as well. I often just say thank you and move on. However, if they say something about my hair if it's all fancy and such, sometimes we will get into a deeper conversation, and I may then bring up my blog.
First of all, I loooved the pics today! As for the lady in the store, she probably thought you were trying to sell her something. Had she only known you were sharing a wonderful site, she wouldn't have been nervous. I agree with someone above who said, "The gal you handed your card to will probably check out your wonderful blog out of curiosity. Then who knows you may end of with a new follower.".
ReplyDeleteI too think that the girl will end up having a look at your site, and realise, like the rest of us, just how good it is!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny you mentioned about the child's shadow being like an imaginary friend, I used to pretend mine was!
The lemon dress is very pretty, and I love the waistline on the trousers of the pipe smoker's companion!
Wonderful photos and great words of wisdom. I have trouble sharing things with strangers and new people too, and often look to deeply into interactions,even simple ones, tearing them apart then wishing they never happened...which is crazy. I think you did right, and im sure she will be thrilled when she looks you up. :)
ReplyDeletep.s. Thank your for your wonderful words lately, your comments always put a smile on my face :)
-Heather Jean
I am an artist and I blog And I hand out my cards. There have been several times when people are a bit underwhelmed by receiving my card (believe it or not, there are still lots of people who don't know what blogs are!!) but generally the reaction is quite positive and I have made blog friends. I used to wrestle with remnants of shyness (before the age of 30, I was barely able to converse with people)but I had to learn to promote myself as part of my "job". It gets easier with practice. This is a great site. I'm happy to have found you.
ReplyDelete