September 12, 2013

A darling 1940s housedress, a fun fact about the Canadian $100 bill, and just one more sleep until Calgary!




Outfit details

Caramel brown snood: eBay eBay seller tina.g-2008
Faux pearl stud earrings: Claire's
1940s floral print zip up house dress: etsy seller
ZindyLou
Bangle bracelets (some vintage, some modern): Assorted sources
Vintage woven handbag with bamboo handles: Yard sale find
Nude on nude seamed stockings: eBay
Brown round toe pumps:
Pipsqueaks and Damsel's Consignment Store
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red

 

Photography by

 
























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Okay, so my excitement levels as I sit here and try to steady my hands enough to write this post is pretty much off the charts. Not since we moved back to British Columbia early last year have I been an a fraction as excited about anything, and prior to that? Well, your guess is a good as mine, because it has been a very, very long time since I was looking forward to something as much as I am our fabulous road trip to Calgary tomorrow.

As with most final days before a vacation tend to be, today is going to be a whirlwind of activity! From dropping Annie off at the wonderful pet kennel we're boarding her at (my mom will be looking after Stella here at our house while we're gone) to doing the bulk of our packing, to getting the car cleaned and ready, so I figured I should take a moment now, before the sun rises, to pen a quick final post before we embark.

While we're away, I've scheduled some new posts to go live, however I'm not bringing my computer with me, so I won't be "live blogging" from the road while in Calgary. I do however plan to Instagram right, left and center on my phone, so be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with all my exciting adventures in Alberta as they transpire.

This is (overnight or longer) trip I've taken in Chronically Vintage's nearly 4.5 years of life, and I can't wait to finally share some of my travels will all of you (especially because I have adored venturing out into the world vicariously through so many of your own awesome vacation and road trip posts over the years). Once we're home and I've recouped a bit from our travels, there will be a series of posts all about our trip - including what we saw, did, ate, enjoyed, and bought.

Please forgive the massive amount of squinting going on in these shots (seriously, feel free to call me Squinty McSquinty, if you like). They were taken after a recent day of errand running right here on Main Stress in downtown Penticton and the sun was streaming directly into my eyes. I swear, I felt like I was smiling up a storm in them, but that's the thing about squinting, it often seems to squash, so to speak, one's smile and make you appear much more solemn faced than you actually are.

Believe me, I was smiling - or at least trying to! How could I not when wearing a super cute 1940s zipper front floral print house dress like this? As the seasons teeter on the brink of changing hands from summer into fall once more, this dress seams like one of the most fitting garments in my wardrobe that I could wear. It's cut is perfect for the balmy days we're still enjoying, whereas the classic colour palette sings with the loveliness of autumn's return, which ushers in a world teaming with earthy browns, muted greens, and vivid oranges.

While downtown, we spotted the lovely mural pictured here along with the seriously interesting tidbit of information provided on the wall beside it. Though I've passed this mural many times over the years, I don't believe I'd ever stopped to really study it before and was delighted to learn that it depicted the view (from the local community of Naramata) that once graced the Canadian hundred dollar bill.

I honestly didn't know that part of the Okanagan landscape had ever appeared on any of our Canadian currency and adoring getting wise to this cool fact. It's so neat when you live (and grew up in) in a relatively small town and are still able to discover more about it with each passing year.

And speaking of discovering new things, there should be plenty of that going on over the next few days while we're in beautiful Calgary, Alberta. It's a city I know well, having lived there for a little over two years during my late teens, but no doubt much has changed since then, and I cannot wait to reconnect with beloved old haunts and discover plenty of new favourites (vintage, antique and thrift stores very much included) all in the same go.

I sincerely appreciate all of the great tips, ideas, and comments you've shared with me in the last three weeks regarding Calgary (thank you very much to everyone who did so), and cannot wait to blog about our adventures in the White Hat City once we're back.

Those suitcases aren't going to pack themselves though, so I best get a shove. Until we chat again, my sweet friends, please know that I'll miss you dearly and be thinking of all of you while we're on the road.

Alberta, here we come! Yee-haw!!! :)


60 comments:

  1. You are as always a revelation of beauty and color composition! Your colors even sync perfectly with the 100 dollars wall painting :-)

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  2. Probably missed your departure now - but have a FABULOUS time! Wish we were there.

    Love the fabric pattern of that house dress. It really works with the snood and those bangles. You put outfits together so effortlessly! I also really enjoy the way you give the places you found them. Minerva x

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  3. I hope you have a wonderful time, Jessica, and I look forward to hearing all about your adventures.
    I think this dress is lovely, I really like the shape of the neckline.

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  4. What a fun dress! I hope you have a great time on your trip. Be sure to take lots of pictures to share when you get back! ;)

    Brigid
    The Middle Sister and Singer

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  5. Gosh that is such a pretty dress! Have a wonderful, wonderful time. x

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  6. Autumn colors look FAB on you! Almost as good as green.....please wear more green! xx

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  7. Wow, sounds like it'll be a lot of fun - do enjoy!!
    And a fun fact about the new $100 Canadian dollar bill...apparently it smells a little like maple! Can't wait to get my hands on one to check that out!

    Have a terrific trip! :)

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  8. ohhh - what a cute dress! and a cool housewife style with that snood! bravo!

    i wish you SO MUCH FUN for your trip!
    and i´m looking forward to some gorgeous travel pictures........

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  9. Love that dress! Good luck packing and have a fabulous time on your road trip to Calgary!

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  10. Love the snood! I'll be traveling back home while you are on your trip! Safe travels to both of us.

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  11. I have to agree that is a perfect dress for this time of year! As well as the gorgeous colours I love the shape at the waist and under bust. Very flattering! Happy holiday to you!

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  12. I have a sewing pattern from the forties that is almost identical looking to your dress, zipper, ruffles, and all. I was hesitant to make it, because I didn't know how it would look with a zipper, but yours is cute. So, I guess I'm now on the lookout for a super long zipper. Wish I could find a metal one.
    Hope y'all have a great trip!

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  13. I am so very happy for you both! I know that you have had a recent tragedy in the loss of your mother-in-law and I hope that this will be exactly what you need to keep you moods up. :)

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  14. I wish you a fabulous vacation, and good health too, so that you can really enjoy it. :) I love your dress, the sleves are so lovely. :)

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  15. Have fun on your trip! I am looking forward to reading about it. I hope that it won't set you back too much, health wise.

    And that dress is so lovely, I absolutely love 30s and 40s dresses that zip up the front. It's very high on my to buy and to sew list!

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  16. Hey I wanted to let you know of some fabulous places to eat in Calgary :) There's a cute little breakfast place called Oeb breakfast Co. and a lovely restaurant called CIBO. I'm sure if you ask around they will tell you where they are. The breakfast place is amazing, I truly loved it!!
    Hope you enjoy your trip to Calgary!!

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  17. Eeeee! I'm so excited for you, can't wait to hear about it/see a lil glimpse on the old instagram.

    Love love your dress, I'm such a sucker for zip fronts, whether they be housedresses or evening gowns. And that fabric! Well, hello there.

    Happy travels!
    Sara

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  18. How fun! Road trips are the best, but be careful on the Coquihalla!

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  19. It drives me crazy how you can wear every colour unter the sun and always look fantastic doing so!
    I hope you enjoy your holiday and relax a lot :)

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    1. *Blush* What an awesomely nice compliment, honey, thank you very much! It's all about shade - I'm convinced that 99% of people can wear any colour, it's just a matter of finding the shade or shades that looks best with their colouring. One of these days I'll write a post just about that topic. :)

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. Lovely outfit and lovely you. The first photo - I think - looks pretty much artful. Tony is becoming better all the time. The large light blue background looks great against the floral pattern of your pretty dress. Best wishes!

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  21. That is such a pretty housedress. :) I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing trip!

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  22. Hey dear Jess, I wanted to ask your opinion on a couple of bags: satchels and the Louis Vuitton speedy.

    I have 4 satchels from cambridge satchel already and considering to buy one or two more, this time batchels (satchels with a handle), but the ones I already have were bought before I switched to buying vintage reproduction clothes, and even though I think they are vintage appropriate I would like your opinion on the matter.

    The ther one I plan to buy is a speedy 35 from Louis Vuitton. My 13" and 15" are great, but there are days I need a bigger bag to carry all I need during the day and the speedy 35 would be the perfect size, plus I really like it's style.

    Do you have any vintage bag guide that includes bags for different occasions and different sizes? I can't find any. :(

    I hope you enjoy yourself on your trip!

    ps:I started following you n instagram, my username there is uilaengelblank

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    1. Hi honey, thank you very much for your comment and question (and for following me on Instagram, I followed you back there yesterday, I believe). I'm personally of the mind that if you love something, wear it. Sure, it can be fab to rock a period appropriate vintage look from head to toe sometimes (or all the time, if such floats your boat), but I don't see loving/wearing vintage as any reason not to enjoy other fashion items that you're a fan of as well. The designer bags you've talking about are statement pieces, investments, and modern day classics, I'm sure you could weave them into your vintage looks with ease and not have them seem like they really clashed.

      Thank you - I can't wait for tomorrow morning! My excitement levels are off the charts! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  23. How fun and delightful! Your excitement is palpable. And of course, I must say, you look fabulous! I adore your snood -- and your wonderful facts about Canadian currency! ;D


    http://dresseduplikealady.com

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  24. Jessica, I love the dress and it's nostalgic print. The ruffles are so charming, I especially like them on the bodice with the sweetheart neckline shape. I wonder if the full zipper front was risque at the time? At least it must have been a "new modern look". It's such a treat to see you sporting vintage frocks ( I just had to use that lovely word, lol) and you do it so well, thank you! I actually have a frock in my shop with the label "Penney's Cotton Frocks" I got a giggle out of that one. I hope you have a wonderful trip and find some vintage treasures. I look forward to your after trip posts. :)

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  25. I adore this ensemble! What a great color palette!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  26. I live your housedress - such pretty material. Have a wonderful time on your trip to Calgary, hope you really enjoy it.

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  27. Your hair is such an inspiration. ♥

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  28. Hello my wonderfully sweet friends,

    Thank you each so much for your awesome bon voyage (bon road trip?) wishes and terrifically nice compliments on my outfit (and these photos). Things are moving a mile a minute here today, so it won't be possible for me to visit your blogs, as I usually my best to do when you so thoughtfully visit mine. The same goes for the duration of our trip, but once we're back I'll be online and coming by to visit you all again - with plenty of tales of Calgary to share.

    Big hugs & happy wishes for the coming days,
    ♥ Jessica

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  29. Have a great road trip. If I can get down to see you, I'll let you know. Otherwise, have a swell time in my home province! :)

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Jill! It would be amazing to get together if possible, but if not, just knowing we're (briefly) in the same province brings me joy. It's an incredible part of the country and I'm ecstatic to finally be heading there again for the first time in a decade.

      ♥ Jessica

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  30. Such a darling dress and I love how the little flowers match the colour of your hair!

    Have a super fantastic trip dear lady. I look forward to seeing your Instagram pics.
    xo

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  31. Have a wonderful sweet trip!!! I can't wait to hear all about it. You look so cute and sweet in these pictures but then you are just this! Lovely outfit Ms. Jessica:)

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  32. Oh, how pretty you look! I shall forever envy your porcelain doll skin :) Have an epic trip, darling! x

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  33. How fantastically fun! Have a great time! I'm sure we will all look forward to your gorgeous instagram pictures, and blog posts when you return!! :)

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  34. Yay!!! I'm so excited for you!!! I've ventured over the border into British Colombia, but never gone any further. I can't wait to see all your pictures! Have a wonderful trip!!!!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn
    PS. Love the snood! ;)

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  35. Jessica, I recently realized that ALL my comments on blogs were not being submitted properly and all my blog friends had no idea I had left them any comments. So I finally got that fixed and I am so hoping you will actually see my comment now!!!! Okay, your dress!!!!!!!!!! Your dress is so adorable and I can't even believe it is a house dress. It is so precious on you with the tiny ruffles and the v neck with zipper. You just look amazing. And you guys are off on your adventure. I know you have been counting down the days to your trip and now here it is, time to go. I wish you and your Tony the most marvelous and wonderful trip. May you find all sorts of great places to see and visit and that includes thrift shops filled with vintage goodies. Preferably the things you love!!! have a safe and lovely trip looking forward to your post when you get back. Gentle Hugs, Beverly

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  36. Finaly, the time has come!
    You are on your way!
    HAVE A GREAT TIME, darling!

    Marija

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  37. Enjoy your vacation, be safe and don't forget to share with us the vintage goodies you buy!

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  38. I absolutely love this outfit! It's the style of dress I've been looking for forever, and the pattern is adorable. Love the snood too! Have a great holiday.

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  39. I love this dress on you, it's so sweet. Have a great trip and see you when you get back! x

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  40. Well i hope you have a marvelous vacation dear :)
    May i also add that your husbands pictures seem to be getting better and better - these are some lovely shots.

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  41. What a fantastic dress! I love it and you, as always, are perfection. I hope you have loads of fun on your trip and I can't wait to hear all about it. <3

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  42. Beautiful outfit and gorgeous photos, wow! Have a great trip!

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  43. I love your dress! You look beautiful. Have a wonderful time on your trip

    urban hounds

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  44. Have a fantastic trip (Sorry I'm rather late in wishing you well)! Looking forward to hearing all about your adventures. Beautiful dress by the way, it looks perfectly classic and easy to wear for any kind of day.

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  45. The print on that dress is gorgeous, and I love your snood. Is it handmade?

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  46. have a good trip, dear gal! i hope you'll see some great new places and find some new beautiful treasures ...
    this outfit is fabulous! YOU LOOK STUNNING!
    the dress with the zipper is beautiful ...

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  47. Such a pretty floral house dress, I love the combination of glamour and practicality of a good 40s tea dress, and this one looks like it was made for you! Have a brilliant holiday my dear!

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  48. What a fabulous dress, love the flower pattern! I hope you're havving a really amazing trip sweet gal!

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  49. You look as darling as ever and I hope you are having the most lovely of times on your trip Jessica!!!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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  50. such a pretty dress, and i love the little frilly details on it too. i hope you're having an amazing time on your road trip! it's wonderful to just get away and do something a bit different every now and then and from your instagram it looks like you're have a great trip! :)

    little henry lee

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  51. I have just loved listening to how excited you are about your road-trip! Your enthusiasm has been such a breath of fresh air, and totally charming! From the looks of your Instagram, you are having the most wonderful time, and I am so glad, because you deserve to have a fantastic holiday! xxx

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  52. Looking just beautiful as always. I am so glad you are off enjoying a well deserved holiday and I am enjoying following along on instagram.

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  53. Gorgeous dress and snood. Hope you are having the most fabulous time in Calgary.

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  54. Oh sweetpea! You look lovely, perfect even! I adore your outfit and you are just a cutie! :) Have the best day kitten! I am procrastinating photoshop jobs I have to, HAVE TO finish today! Bah, blogs are more fun! \^.^/ Zoë xxx

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  55. oh what a cute dress! i love especially the neckline! and those colors look really great on you orange and beige! you are always a vision of vintage perfection!
    love and kiss,mary

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