November 5, 2012

I'm not one to shrug off November

...instead I'll happily don a timeless navy blue shrug and welcome it with open arms!



Outfit details

Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12
Navy Blue headband: unknown (possibly back from my Girl Guide days)
Pearl necklace: Birthday gift from Tony ♥
1950s plaid shirt: etsy seller Precious Garbage 
Navy blue shrug: Sears
Vintage style eyeglasses brooch: etsy
1950s corduroy bucket purse: etsy seller Rue 23 Vintage Clothing
1950s navy blue pencil skirt: eBay
Yellow and purple bangles: Forever 21
Green bangle: Local swap meet (I think)
Faux pearl stretch bracelets: Real Canadian Superstore
White eyelet sling-back flats: Payless
Lip colour: Red Apple Lipstick's Firstorm Lip Gloss over their Red Lipstick

Photography by Antonio Cangiano
 












♥ ♥ ♥


Yes indeed, though November sometimes get a bad wrap, I can't help but enjoy it more often than not, especially when the weather wants to cooperate! November can be jam packed with pre-Christmas activity, but it also brings with a certain late autumn serenity that is a welcome treat after a highly busy summer and start of fall.

It's a month when I love to spend time at the library (loading up on wonderful reads - yes, mostly history books - shocker, I know!), predicting the first snowfall (I'm pegging it as November 25th this year, Tony's even more optimistic and is saying December 14th), cooking hearty stews, baking up rustic, heavenly scented pumpkin and fruit breads, hibernating more in my basement craft room, dusting off my heavy winter coat, and finalizing my holiday card list.

Though the temps have certainly swooped lower than they were earlier this fall now that we're into November, and while my heavy duty winter coat  is rearing to go, it hasn't been called up to the frontline quite yet. No, these days I've mostly been wearing medium weight skirts, my beloved Freddies jeans, knit cardigans, vintage gloves, and cute button front blouses (and umbrella to fend off the rain we've been getting often lately!).

This particular 1950s plaid shirt is quite big on me. I knew the sizing was a bit large when I bought it online, but I didn't realize until I tried it on just how much extra fabric there'd be around my midsection. I think its a darling top though - perfect for everything from camping trips to days, like this one, spent running errands or visiting relatives - and with a lot of tucking in of the extra material in the back, I can usually get it to look a bit more like it's actually the right size.

I'd been running around town for quite a while before these snaps were captured and didn't realize that some of the fabric had wiggled loose a tad in the front on the right side (so hence why it looks a little poofier there), but that's certainly not enough to deter me from sharing these photos with you.

The gloves, which you may recognize from this post last spring, are so sweet and lovely to wear. There's just something about looking down and seeing faded white crochet on a sea of elegant navy blue that makes me smile.

Plaid also makes me smile, and so does this adorable spectacle shaped brooch, and this 1950s pencil skirt (which I debuted here last month in this post), all of which seem like such a fun way to dress for a month that sometimes needs a bit of pepping up, due to the fading colour around us and the "in between-ness" of Halloween and Christmas (especially since those of us up here in Canada have already celebrated our Thanksgiving last month, so we don't have that to look forward to later in November).

Soon though, I know, these winter coat-less days will be completely behind us, and those few immensely hardy roses in our yard will vanish once and for all until spring's delicate return in 2013.

Hard to believe, isn't it, that we're less than two months away from the start of that year, a new year, and all the prospects and possibilities that another January holds in store for us all. Let's not jump ahead too much though. I still want to savour the moments of late autumn sunshine that remain, bake a few more pumpkin breads, and mail out those aforementioned Christmas cards first. :)

44 comments:

  1. I loved this outfit! It's way too cold to wear that here in Edmonton. I also love your vintage-styled makeup - it's always so understated, pretty, and appropriate. :)

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    1. Hi my fellow Canuck, thank you very much. Our temps have been bopping about a lot lately for sure, so it's only been on the very nicest of days that jacket-less ensembles have been possible. We haven't had snow here quite yet (have you guys?), but I'm sure it'll be along any day now.

      Thank you very, very much for the beautiful compliment, I sincerely appreciate it.

      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Those gloves are darling! The crochet lace is such a beautiful delicate detail. Love them!

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  3. Jessica,

    I too love the library. My father took us there often when we were young and I enjoyed finding a cozy corner to sit. One library about 30 minutes from us actually has a fireplace! Lucky people...I don't get over that way much but always think that I should.

    Baking is one of the best parts of cooler weather. But siting by the fireside is the biggest reason I love cold days.

    I love your darling glove and that captivating pin.

    Hugs,
    Hope

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  4. You look very cute and that plaid shirt is super cute. Have you tried taking in the sides a couple of inches. It's easy enough to do that you don't need to be nervous about it.
    I'm also enjoying wearing sweaters and cardigans around the house. The nights are getting colder so I know winter is around the corner.

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    1. Thank you very much, dear gal! No, I haven't tried taking in the sides. I have very basic sewing skills and am quite leery of venturing into alteration territory (save for hems and cuffs, which I've been doing by hand since I was a little girl), but perhaps if I had someone with more sewing experience there to guide me, I'd be willing to give it a go. Thanks for the suggestion :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. Love this outfit! The navy is perfect for fall. I too have a few vintage blouses that are a bit big, but the perfect thing about loving vintage styles is you tuck it in and no one's really the wiser. The bespectacled brooch is adorable. Yay for four eyes like us! ;)

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  6. as a bespectacled one, i was instantly drawn to that brooch. as for the almost cream coloured crochet on navy - just dreamy!

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  7. What a lovely outfit, I especially like the gloves and the shoes, I have a similar pair but they aren't slingbacks. I very much like shrugs, I have a shawl like crochet one in emerald green but it molts everywhere, I find fluff from it all over the place, even if it has been months since I wore it!

    xxx

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  8. You would fit in PERFECT with Smiling Sally's Blue Monday!

    http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

    Lovely look ~

    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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  9. Ohhh, lovely! The gloves and shirt are perfectly adorable. :D You wear bangle bracelets a lot-- are they vintage style? I'm awfully new to vintage clothes, but I've never notices bangles in the old movies, ads, etc. so I'm curious. :D

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    1. Hi Dolly, thank you very much, sweet dear! Indeed, bangle bracelets (stacks of them very much included) are a vintage classic and were especially popular during the 1940s (but one sees them before and after that decade, as well). Popular materials for bangles to be made from at the time included Bakelite, acrylic, other resins/plastics, silver, and wood. Some of my bracelets themselves are vintage, others are modern or from the 70s-90s with a vintage appropriate look to them.

      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Interesting, thank you! :D I hadn't seen any pictures of 40s galls with bangles, so I was curious!

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    3. Hi Dolly, you're very welcome. I was so inspired by your question about bangles, that I decided it's high time I wrote a post all about my love of them (plus how I store my collection), so I've started the ball rolling on it and hope to publish it here in the New Year (I plan a lot of my posts out well in advance, as I find it really helps keep my blogging rhythm flowing smoothly).

      ♥ Jessica

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  10. I love this outfit! Those glove... and this brooch... awww <3 You look totally awesome!

    xoxo,
    Monika

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  11. So sad that you can't celebrate American 'turkey day.' Go ahead and celebrate anyway with a vintage meal! I made pumpkin muffins yesterday, we are happily eating our way through Fall at my house.
    Kathleen

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    1. Thank you, sweet Kathleen. It would be wonderful to get to officially celebrate both Thanksgivings, but alas, I don't see either of of fine countries going in for two in the same year anytime soon. It's really interesting though that you suggested I just go for it anyway, as my mom and I were recently talking about doing just that (especially since she has an extra turkey in the freezer already and neither of us really feel like waiting until Xmas to cook it up). So I very well may get to enjoy two Thanksgivings for the first time ever this year - yum-yum! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  12. The brooch is such a cute wee little detail. Love your gloves so much. They're so elegant with that crochet(?) details. Have a wonderful week, my dearest Jessica. Hugs from Miss Maple

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  13. I'm surprised you haven't had to get out your winter coat:) I had mine on today. It's quite cool here. I'm drinking hot coffee as we speak:) I just love your little eyeglass pin...so cute!!! Lovely outfit, wishing you a fabulous day:))

    http://dividingmoments.blogspot.com/

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  14. I wish I could share in the chilly temperatures and warm, comfy sweaters required to stay warm in Canada! Down here in Arizona, we are looking forward to November as the month when hopefully the daily temperatures dip below 90 degrees F!

    At least our nights are properly chilly (around 50-55 F) and the mornings have become crisp, which is delightful for someone such as me who grew up in Northern climes (Michigan). I miss having four seasons, but am happy to be able to experience them vicariously through your lovely blog!

    ~ Garnet

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  15. You look beautiful in blue, Jessica! I love that quirky brooch :) xox

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  16. Love the outfit! I have a top that is somewhat similar, just a bit less vintage looking since it's not actually vintage (ha ha). Anyway, you're post gives me some styling ideas for it. Thanks!

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  17. It always amazes me that we have the exact same pair of glasses, go figure. I accidentally got mine, I picked them out after they dilated my eyes which is probably something they shouldn't do. Turns out I love them, they really look good on you, always matches your outfit, or your hair!

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    1. Hi Trina, thank you very much. I began wearing glasses for the first time at the start of 2007 and these have been my frames ever since. It took a while to find the right pair (I don't have an overly big face or head, so a lot of pairs were too big on me, and I wanted something with a definite vintage vibe to them), but it absolutely was love at first sight (pun intended :D) when I did. How awesome that you have these same frames, too!

      ♥ Jessica

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    2. I guess we have coined the phrase, Great Minds Think A Like!

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  18. reading the post above and your reply...

    I don't think you can every have too many Thanksgiving Days.

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  19. You look so very gorgeous, girlfriend! :) I love the whole outfit. Can i pick a favorite part? Likely not, but i'll try. lol. I love the little brooch. It's perfect, and i adore your navy shrug! Ideal for this month! And i really really love your purse and shoes. There. See.. i couldn't narrow it down!

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  20. The brooch is amazing and the gloves are wonderful!
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  21. this is such a beautiful ensemble. your brooch is killer too.

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  22. Ah, November is my FAVORITE month! I love how chilly the air gets. You can wear your boots!! Not to mention both my parents anniversary {which sadly we won't be celebrating today}, my birthday in the middle of the month, and thanksgiving. And all of those celebrations are important, because they're always family time. Family time is so very precious!

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  23. Great outfit - the blue suits you perfectly! I am not enjoying the drop in temperature, I must say, but I have to agree that there is something wonderful about Autumn - seeing all the leaves turn orange, appreciating how warm and cozy you feel indoors, and bundling up for a day out with a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up! :)

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  24. love the eyeglasses pin and I'm sure you are well aware, your eyes are gorgeous!

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    1. That's very, very sweet, thank you so much, dear gal. My peepers started out blue and turned green around the time I hit puberty, depending on the light though, they can still look tealy-blue a bit (but by the same token, sometimes look as dark green as a Christmas tree).

      ♥ Jessica

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  25. You make November sound like the perfect month, with all those fun activities. I like the simplicity of this outfit, it looks like it could be dressed up or down, depending on what you are doing. The brooch is brilliant!
    My winter coat has already had an airing, as have my Canada 2012 thermal mittens! A gift from my Canadian Facebook friend, who I met at the Agatha Christie Festival.

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  26. I love that pin, its too cute, and that navy blue color look great on you :)

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  27. I just love this outfit and those eyeglass bling on your sweater is the cat's pajamas! You are really too cute...
    I love the 1940's I think the best even though I was born in the late 1950's :D
    Thanks for sharing your fab grace and style!
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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  28. That outfit is lovely (The colour of blue, especially)! I feel as though you can never have enough plaid for fall and winter, it goes so well with the changing weather.

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  29. Very, very cute outfit! I love those gloves!

    I can't believe it's already November either...Christmas has been on my mind and we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet!

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  30. Amazing outfit and wonderful colors<3

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  31. I love the plaid! And I really love the little glasses-frames pin. As one glasses gal to another, we have to celebrate our frames when we can! And why not celebrate American Turkey Day? I fully support finding excuses to have parties.

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  32. Thank you very, very much, everyone, for your wonderfully lovely comments! I've talked it over with my mom, and so long as my health wants to cooperate, we're probably going to do another roast turkey dinner later this month, celebrating in our own way, the US Thanksgiving holiday as well. I appreciate everyone's comments for me to do just that, and am really looking forward to having two beautiful Thanksgivings in one year (definitely a first!).

    ♥ Jessica

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  33. I LOVE this outfit! Oh and the red hair really brings out the beautiful green colour in your eyes. I am jealous! I always wanted to have green (or blue) eyes...

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    1. Thank you very much, honey. I think that you're a jaw-dropping beauty and adore your dark locks and eyes. I've often wished I could pull of being a raven haired lass, but know from the one time I tried doing so in my late teens, that black hair just doesn't seem to work well on me (for some reason, instead of creating the Snow White vibe I was hoping to channel, having really dark hair brought out the pinkness in my skin even more and made me look like I was super blushing the whole time, all the while channeling a goth quality that was not at all what I was aiming for). If such a thing were possible, I think it would be so fun to swap hair colours with one another for a few days :)

      ♥ Jessica

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