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December 10, 2013

What I wore for, and bought during, a lovely day of antique shopping in Vernon


 
 
Outfit details

1950s Calgary Stampede souvenir scarf: eBay
Faux pearl stud earrings: Claire's
Cherry print sleeveless shirt: Liz Clairborne
Red cardigan: Gap
Vintage (c. 1950s) cherry brooch: eBay
Reddish-brown plastic bangle bracelets: Gift from a dear online friend ♥
Vintage bangle bracelets: Assorted sources
Green skinny belt: eBay
Denim capri pants: Nine West
Vintage woven handbag with bamboo handles: Yard sale find
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Antonio Cangiano (taken using our Canon 30D, 
before we purchased the Canon 6D in September


























 photo IMG_1455_zps411e2179.jpg







In the midst of gearing up for our awesome trip to Calgary earlier this year Tony and I zipped over to the town of Vernon one afternoon (we always seem to go to Vernon in the afternoon or evening, which leaves little time for shopping - we need to head out there at the crack of dawn next time!), where we enjoyed a spot of antique shopping. While I was sorting through some of this year's photos recently, it struck me that I hadn't blogged about this fun day yet, so before the year ticks over to 2014, it seems like high time that I just did.

Perhaps more than any other spot in the Okanagan, Vernon is well populated with antique and collectible shops (though, much to my chagrin, no actual vintage clothing stores these days), several of which are located within a short walking distance of each other in the downtown business core. Just off the top of my head these include (please note, this is likely not a complete list of all current antique and vintage collectible shops in Vernon):


-Antique Ally: 2901 - 31st Street

-Antique Imports: 3021 - 29th Avenue

-Blast From The Past Antiques: 3100 - 32nd Street

-City Center Antiques & Craft Mall: 3124 - 30th Avenue

-Dodd's Auctions and Appraisals: 3311 - 28th Avenue

-Heirloom Antiques: 3011B - 28th Street


Each time I'm in Vernon (which isn't that often by any means, maybe once every four to six months, as it's located an hour and half away from us), I try to get to at least one, but hopefully several of the town's antique stores, which often sell not only items that fall into the textbook definition of an antique camp (that is to say, which are are at least 100 years old), but also plenty of vintage items, spanning everything from advertising sings to kitchen furniture, books to costume jewelry, household items, Canadiana, clocks, furniture, art, military collectibles (Vernon has a rich military history), and myriad other things, just depending on which shop(s) you decide to hit up.

Though most places have prices that I'd put on the moderate to verge of high end of the spectrum, bargains can certainly be had, especially at times on mid-century pieces, which are sometimes, I've long come to realize (and be grateful for!) not seen as being as highly sought after in the realm of antiques as older pieces. This isn't to say that there aren't some wildly pricy 1930s-50s pieces in Vernon, there definitely are, but rather that with a bit of diligence, once can usually ferret out at least a few wonderful vintage items at fairly decent to excellent prices.

The following items are the highlights of my antique store shopping trip that day (it wasn't a big haul, but I absolutely adore those pieces that I did find).



{Cute vintage rhinoceros figurine | $4.00 | I have quite the thing for adorable vintage figurines, be they of humans or animals, and if they should happen to be particularly unique, I usually adore them all the more. I can't recall ever seeing a vintage rhino like this before, so the moment I spotted her, I knew she was coming straight home with me.}

{1950s British Columbia history book | $4.99 | Vintage + Canadian history equals love in my book. In this case, quite literally! :)}



{Vintage plastic - possibly celluloid - floral carved cinnabar style bracelet | $19.99 | Sturdy, beautiful, and in great shape, this bracelet caught captured my attention, amongst a sea of bangles dating from the 30s to the present day, and kept it there, earning it a place in my shopping bag.}



{Vintage pink plastic bangle bracelet with white and black speckling | $10.00 | I love the colours in this bracelet, which sing out spring and summer to me. It partners wonderfully with black and white, and also looks great along side denim, brown, and aqua. }



{Set of three vintage (c. 1950s) maple leaf scatter pins | $15.00 | I love maple vintage brooches, both for their own beauty and because I can never get enough of anything with a sense of Canadiana about it and few things are more quintessentially canuck than the very leaf that adores our nation's flag.}



{Vintage (c. 1960s) pink gloves with decorative stitching detailing | $10 or $12 (I can't remember which) | Even finding vintage gloves around these parts is getting harder and harder nowadays, so when I come across a pretty pair like this that aren't too similar to any that I own already, are in good shape, and which are reasonably priced, I always try to nab while I can, because I never know when or where the next pair might come along.}







{Two 1940s Foncie Pulice photographs | $0.50 each | Mere weeks prior to finding this lovely pair of vintage images, I had blogged about the very man who took them - along with thousands upon thousands of others photos akin to them - famed Vancouver street photographer, Foncie Pulice, and his vast body of work, which The Knowledge Network is cataloging as part of an online project and website called Foncie's Corner.

At the time of that post, I'd hoped secretly to myself that maybe, just maybe, I'd chance upon a Foncie photo one day, but to suddenly find two - in a shoe box of different 40s, 50s and 60s photos selling for half a dollar each - so quickly afterwards almost seemed surreal. Without a doubt, this pair of images was the best, and most meaningful, find of the day for me and I'm going to be scanning and submitting them to Foncie's Corner for sure.}


{Vintage item photos taken by me}





Every time I set foot in an antique store, be it in Vernon or elsewhere, I ask if they happen to have any mid-century ladies clothing (and leave my business card with the owner, if I haven't already done so before, so that they can contact me anytime if they do come across some). Save for jewelry and a few accessories (at Blast From The Past, for example, I once saw a pair of metal frame 1950s cat's eye glasses and a circa 1950s umbrella), I've not encountered any such pieces yet, but I continue to hold out hope that one day I will.

Surely, I tell myself, if so many people are finding enough merchandise to stock their antique store shelves with, they must come across at least a small bit of vintage clothing in their travels (and I really hope they're keep me in mind when the do).

When we took these shots (on parents deck) it was probably in the 30s (Celsius). Today we're well into the return of winter weather and it seems like a very, very long time to go before my beloved denim capri pants come out of hibernation again. I adore the vibrancy of this outfit, the cute cherries on the shirt and brooch, and the awesome 1950s Calgary print scarf (my nod, at the time, to our then upcoming trip) which I bought on eBay two or three years ago and would say is favourite vintage scarf I own.

Much as with a day of yard saling, antique store shopping can, at times, involving a lot of walking, dust, forging for vintage finds, and sweltering temps, so one needs a look that isn't going to wilt at the drop of the hat, and this is the kind I reach for - with jeans or a long skirt subbed in for the capris and heavy duty coat added in the fall and winter - all year long, when I head out to see what kind of wonderful vintage treasures I can find throughout the Okanagan.

Who knows, perhaps my next trip will yield more Foncie images - a vintage photography loving gal can always hope! :)

56 comments:

  1. What wonderful finds Jessica, especially those photos! That's great. I have a little gold maple leaf brooch that my grandmother gave me, she was a lecturer in French and I do believe that when she was young she packed her bags and moved to Canada for a time, before she met my Grandad. I'll have to doublecheck whereabouts she was!

    Love the outfit, impeccable as always - I try and do that look but quite often fail, I can't get headscarves to look right on me.

    P xx

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    1. Merci beaucoup, sweet Porcelina! I would venture to guess that if your dear grandma hopped over the Atlantic to lecturer in French, she most likely headed for somewhere in the province of Quebec, which has the highest percentage of French speakers in Canada. That said, one encounters French speakers from coast to coast, so she could have been just about anywhere.

      ♥ Jessica

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  2. great finds! love the photos, this ladies are so chic in they´r daily outfits.
    speaking of - you look sweet like a cherry itself!

    big hug!

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  3. I love the cherry motifs on the blouse and that quirky colourful head scarf.

    I hadn't heard of Foncie before. Now when I am Estate sale shopping I will know what to keep my eyes open for.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  4. What a lovely outfit! You are making me miss warm weather. We have plenty of snow on the ground currently. I find it strange that you hardly find clothing in antique stores! In my neck of the woods, it's more unusual to not find clothing at antique stores.

    Speaking of which, I recently visited one, and they had a whole roomful of just clothing (including a drool-worthy Titanic era silk dress!) I hope that you find an antique store with a boatload of clothing one day.

    Abbi

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    1. Thank you very much, honey! Seeing these snaps again made me start to miss summer already, too. I love winter in so many ways, but it can be handy just to pop on capris and sandals and take snaps anytime you want until 8 or 9pm at night.

      It's a Canadian thing, I swear! (At least a Western Canadian thing.) Even at the antique shops we hit in Calgary and Nanton, Alberta back in September, aside from jewelry and the odd accessory (such as a pair of gloves or overpriced muff), there was next to no vintage (or antique) clothing to be had. This epic lack of vintage clothes at such stores is a sincere shame for sure, but I'm grateful all the same to have be able to find jewelry, (sometimes) accessories and various collectibles there (it beats nothing!).

      My word, that does sound incredible!!! I think it might have taken a team of wild horses to drag me away from a room like that. You're very sweet - I hope I'm able to as well!

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. So many beautiful details, dear Jessica.
    A true pleasure.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  6. I just adore that Calgary scarf! I might not be Canadian but I enjoy a good travel souvenir as much as the next gal, and there's always room for one more scarf in the drawer, no? :)

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    1. Absolutely!!! It's a collection I'm always looking to grow. I'd especially love to find more Canadian ones, but am open to those from any corner of the globe.

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Lovely red and white outfit, Jessica! Love all the cherries ... and the red bangle that you found in Vernon.

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  8. You look fabulous my dear! I love the cherry printed shirt. And you really did some really good finds at the antique store, the gloves and the photographs are my absolute favourites. I wish you a fabulous day!

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  9. Oh! The matching on your outfit and its details is perfection. I love the color of your scarf, lipstick, cardigan, and bracelet. And the cherry pin and your cherries shirt. And and and.

    Thank you for sharing the photos of your newfound treasures! They are so beautiful, every one. I am so happy you found the photos of your dreams, too!

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  10. I smiled when I saw all your wonderful treasures. I really love the maple leaf scatter pins. I'm a big fan of scatter pins and these are so perfectly you. The great thing about these pins is you could wear them in the winter time because of the color scheme.

    How wonderful to find photographs of Foncie Pulice so close after making your post. Very meant to be! I love that he was a street photographer and capturing people just walking by. I think this is more difficult to do nowadays as people think there are ulterior motives. Those two ladies smiling are just darling!

    I think it must be so nice to be a vintage clothing dealer and get these calls to check out stock and find out the stories of these charming ladies. I wonder too how they get their stock. I guess people must call them and they must know the ins and outs of estate sales.

    I must also comment on your lovely outfit. I love the cherry theme and your brooch is just wonderful. I bet you just love having these gorgeous thick bangs:)) Every time I see something that has a vintage edge that is in the 70s, 80s, or even today, I think about how great you are at putting your outfits together like they were from the 40s and 50s. I bought a dress last fall that it is not from the 50s but has that edge and I totally thought of you. I'll have to get around to posting about it:)

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    1. Thank you very much for your wonderfully lovely comment, sweet Joanna. I still pinch myself a few months later about the fact that I found not one, but two, Foncie photos. I really am hoping that others will follow in the years to come. Given that we're not terribly far from Vancouver (some 4.5 hours) where Foncie did his work, I don't see it as being out of the question at all.

      I adore scatter pins, too - they're so fun! I have't taken pictures of it yet, but I was wearing these pins on a headband earlier in the fall and they looked really cute there as well.

      Aww, thank you very much, that's a really terrific compliment. Of course I madly adore genuine vintage clothing and certainly own my fair share of it, but I do like to utilize modern (and 70s, 80s and, less commonly, 90s) garments to help put together vintage appropriate looks as well. There's so much great clothing in the world and limiting oneself purely to period vintage just wouldn't work for an eclectic, clothes loving fashionista like me. :) I'd absolutely love to see your 50s inspired dress anytime!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. Cute, cute outfit! I love those bangles and how can you pass up a vintage history book?? I too love them. I picked up a vintage book about D-Day from the 1950s. Great treasures!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Sean! That sounds like a terrific book. There's nothing quite like history books that were written not only by those who were there (or alive when an event/period in time transpired), but which were penned when the memories were still fresh in the author's mind.

      ♥ Jessica

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  12. I love the cherry red color and the cherry motifs as well! That color suits you to a "t" :)

    Have a great day!

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  13. As you always grab gloves when finding them, I always grab vintage stockings. I have a drawer full og them, and they do run and get ruined by use, so therefore I only use them at special occasions. But I love them, since they make me feel really feminine, elegant and vintage. For daily use I wear stay-ups.

    I have a tiny mapple leaf pin and a Tourist scarf from my family in Kelowna, very charming. I use the tiny pin during autumn, but never use the scarf, since it is mainly yellow, and I'm not that fond of yellow. But it might be vintage, since I got is as a child, ha ha. :) You look lovely, but have I ever seen you in an outfit where you didn't?! :)

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    1. Isn't it interesting how some items are easier to come by than others? I can count on one hand the number of pairs of pre-70s vintage stockings I've seen in stores like this in the last several years. If they were easier to find (and decently priced) I'd happily stock up, too. I have a small number of vintage pairs (from various sources), but much like yourself, am always a bit leery of wearing them for anything but the most special of events, as I want to help them last for as long as possible.

      It's so awesome that you have a souvenir scarf and pin from your family in Kelowna. Does the scarf have a Kelowna/Okanagan theme to it?

      You've seen these denim capri pants before in various posts in 2012 and 2013 (they're my only pair and I wear them like mad in summer), but this outfit as a whole is making its debut on the blog here this week.

      Thank you for your terrific comment, my lovely friend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. Such a cute and casual look -- I love the headscarf and the brooch!! I haven't been to an estate sale or antique shop in faaaar too long!

    xox Sammi
    www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

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  15. Those photographs are lovely, what a great find. I also like your maple leaf brooches, so pretty. Looks like a fun day out.

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely Kate, it really was a terrific day! I've done the Vernon vintage store rounds once again since then (last month), but didn't have anywhere near the luck I did back in August (we had another fun day all the same though).

      ♥ Jessica

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  16. You look adorable!! I completely agree with you about what to wear for a long day of shopping. I tend to always tie my hair back in a scarf or turban, and I most definitely wear jeans! But I've never looked as cute you do here!!! :)
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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  17. I LOVE seeing what little treasures you picked up amidst the sea of options you probably had! Perhaps I'm just noticing the same charm that any vintage lover would, but I really feel like that sweet little rhino is just the most sweet, perfect find. Which doesn't even get into the heart palpitations I get looking at that celluloid bracelet! Early plastics. No single material is more charismatic.

    And it practically goes without saying, but you look absolutely stunning. I'm so glad you offer detailed shots, like the one of your cherry brooch. I think it's partly your own special magnetism, and partly your perfectly petite frame, but themey outfits like like this convey the most delightful sense of both earnest beauty and quirky fun. A perfect balance. :)

    http://dresseduplikealady.com

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    1. Cammila dear, you are a thoroughly skilled wordsmith and I always adore it when you put this gift to work in the tremendously lovely, detailed comments that you leave for me.

      It's a pleasure to know that you enjoy the detail shots in my outfits. They're important to me as well, and I'll share a little something with you, they matter to Tony, too. You see, we have this charming ritual wherein, after we've taken all (or at least most of) the head and body shots for a given day, Tony will look at me and, in his soul meltingly wonderful Italian accent, ask, "And what details would you like?". This special ritual has become one of my favourite elements of our shoots.

      Many thanks for your stellar comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. Oh those are such lovely gloves! And I really love the set of pins.
    :) Hope

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  19. Such darling vintage finds Jessica! I particularly love those little scatter pins.
    xo

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Teresa. I adore them as well and couldn't wait to bust them out as soon as autumn arrived (as seen earlier in the season in this outfit post: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2013/11/giving-autumn-colour-palette-helping.html). They're in such versatile hues though that, really, I'm sure I'll continue to wear them through all three of the other seasons, too.

      ♥ Jessica

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  20. I love the red carved bracelet! I found a very similar (or possibly even the same) design in pink at a vintage fair and walked away from it but I wish now that I had bought it.

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  21. What a fabulous outfit, I love the cherry brooch. The carved bangle is pretty special too.

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  22. Those bracelets are really beautiful! Especially the carved one - I would have snapped it up too. :)

    Lisa.

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  23. Love the black and white photos!

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  24. Gorgeous outfit Jessica :) Love the purse! :)
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  25. Those photos are a real find! all of the items you picked up and fabulous. I have been on the hunt for a metal cat eye frame myself I should try leaving my name at the shops next time! Hopefully a shop owner calls you one day:)

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    1. They really are the find of the year for me. I still pinch myself sometimes over the fact that I found two of my very own Foncie photos. Fingers crossed that others will cross my path (and be able to come home with me) in the years to come.

      If I can ever be of any help to you in your hunt for cat eye frames, please don't hesitate to ask, dear Daphne.

      ♥ Jessica

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  26. You look absolutely adorable in this outfit, and seeing it makes me wish for warmer weather again. Looks like you found some great stuff. I love looking at old photographs, too, but had never heard of Foncie before. I really enjoy seeing ordinary people wearing their everyday clothes doing their usual daily things. I will definitely try to spend some time looking for Foncie's Corner. Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Loving your casual outfit-super cute and comfy looking! And that shopping-swoon! Nothing like that in NY at all although I am going to try my hand at the Manhattan Vintage Show with Joanna this January but I can imagine how pricey things will be-at least I will be filling my eyes with pretty things thought, right? hehe xox

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    1. Thank you very much, darling gal! Oooh, how awesomely exciting that you and Joanna are going to be meeting up for a day of visiting the Manhattan Vintage Show. I wish I could tag along with you both, but alas I'm wayyy over on the other side of the continent. I hope you both have a stellar time!

      ♥ Jessica

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  28. Darn you're cute! And you have taste I aspire to. I dream about shopping with you and this is close to that so it's fun to read. Thanks for the vicarious thrill.

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    1. You are wholeheartedly welcome, Ally. It's awesome that the web allows for such a vicious encounter to transpire even with thousands of miles between our corners of the continent.

      Thank you for the wonderful comment and compliment!
      ♥ Jessica

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  29. You look lovely as usual :) Nice finds from your Vernon vintage shopping as well.
    -Viola

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    1. Thank you very much on both counts, dear Viola. Have you found any exciting vintage items yourself lately?

      ♥ Jessica

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  30. Thank you for sharing your finds - they are very lovely! I do love the photographs and can only imagine how excited you were when you spotted them :) I think this outfit is one of your best - it's really different to see you wearing such simple outfits, but its outfits like this that prove that you are a vintage girl at heart. You do not need to look over the top to look vintage :)

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  31. Absolutely adorable cardigan. It has all the features I like: it's length of sleeves is great, the color is perfect and the addition of sweet cherry brooch - spot on.
    Now, let me take a look at what you've bought.
    Figurines are, by my standards, the best way to welcome guests. Their sole reasone for existance is to brign a simle to the face of the one watching them. One day, when I get my own place (hopefully) I'll make sure to fill it with these little gems.
    I'm a firm believer that the vintage books are the best books. Not only because of their great binding, but the way printing is done, the delicate pages and (this happens in my country alot nowadays) misprints-per-page used to be non existant back then.
    As much as I dislike plastic furniture and plastic kitchen dishes.. I adore plastic jewelery. Bangles, earrings, I love them! Why? Because they are light, easy to wear and cause no irritation.
    Another pair of gloves? :)
    Mr. Pulice's photos are truly lovely finds.
    What a wonderful "catch" you've got there, Jessica.

    Hug
    Marija

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    1. Thank you very much across the board, dear Marija! I love the thought, time and detail that you put into your fantastic blog comments. They're always so well presented and enjoyable to find waiting for me to approve (instantly!).

      I love how you described the purpose of figurines, I couldn't agree more. Being the type who adores smiling and usually has a sunny disposition, surely that must be a good part of the reason why I'm so very drawn to cute vintage figurines.

      Tee-hee, indeed, another pair of gloves - they're like stay animals, they just seem to follow me home wherever I go! :)

      Thank you again for the great comment - oodles of hugs!!!
      ♥ Jessica

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  32. great finds and a beautiful outfit.
    i especially love the cherry blouse. very cute.

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  33. Oh the cherry print on your blouse is lovely Jessica and of course the pin - what a coincidence, a few days ago I also wore a cherry print belt.
    The jewellery you picked up is also pretty unique, I can actually imagine you wearing them already- tell me how you store these gooodies. I have a hard time storing things.

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    1. Your cherry print belt is awesome!!! I'd love to find one just like it. Cherries have always been one of my favourite fruits to sport in fashion form, thanks in no small part to the fact that Penticton (my town) is famous across the country for its mouthwatering cherries (which we used to pick pound after pound of to can and eat fresh alike as kids).

      Storing bangles can be tricky for sure. Here's how I personally do so: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2013/01/how-i-store-and-why-i-love-bangle.html


      Thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  34. I love your glasses, I'm not sure how I haven't mentioned that before--and how perfectly shaded they are for your skin tone. I'm always interested in how people manage to find signature pieces that bring a glow from their skin tone (i.e. Kate Winslet's lipstick in _The Holiday_), perhaps because I haven't quite found that shade for myself!

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  35. Another cheerful outfit! Perfect for the dreary days. I love, love, love reading about your antique-ing finds. I do believe I need to pencil in another day trip for me and the hubby!

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    1. Aww, thank you very much! Sometime in early 2014, I'll be posting about all the goodies I got at this year's annual antiques & collectibles show in Vernon back in September, so they'll be more recent old school finds coming your way then. The skies above the shade of chalk dust and spitting Kleenex shred-like snowflakes today, so I need a reminder of gloriously warm summer weather like this myself, too.

      Happy two weeks until Christmas!
      ♥ Jessica

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  36. I love finding vintage pictures. I just snagged some this past weekend from one of the antique shops by my house. It's so cool that you were able to find ones taken by that same photographer. Great finds and, as always, I love your outfit!

    Deborah
    Hellcat Vintage

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  37. Such a great outfit - perfect for a day out shopping! x

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  38. You look so cute and playful in that colorful array! Love the headscarf and the bangles are perfect with this outfit! Glad you got to go for an antiques outing. Those are always rare for me too and I so enjoy them.
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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