March 27, 2014

A timelessly lovely Scaramanga satchel, sand, and a serious lack of spring




Outfit details

Caramel brown snood: eBay eBay seller tina.g-2008
Brown cameo earrings: Handmade by me
Burgundy corduroy blazer: Reitman's
1980s Avon plastic floral cameo brooch: Shoulder to Shoulder Military Collectibles
Thin knit wheat coloured top: Old Navy
1950s navy blue pencil skirt: eBay
1940s/50s cream cotton gloves: (probably) eBay
Brown leather satchel bag: Scaramanga
Nude stockings with nude seam: eBay
Brown vintage style lace up oxfords: Payless
Lip colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace


Photography by Tony Cangiano
















































...time weather, that is! Though we have a couple of sunny days lately, we've also been pelted with further snow and some really, really drab skies, like the ones that were out at the end of last week while Tony and I shot these photos down at the beach on Okanagan Lake here in Penticton (yet, there was still more than enough sunlight to turn me into Squinty McSqinterton again - *sigh*). Perhaps because it's so close to home, we rarely shoot on the sand proper there (we've often shot at other locations around it, such as the near the Sicamous, Rotary Park, and the gorgeous rose garden).

I'm not keen at all on how standing on sand makes my calves, which are anything but the most slender of creatures (a point which for some reason this surface just seems to highlight something fierce if I've got a dress, skirt, shorts or capri pants on), look unless I've got mile high heels on. Sometime though you have to take one for the fashion team, especially when the grass and ground around town are a soupy, semi-winter, semi-spring mess. Plus, I was in no hurry to wreck these wonderfully lovely vintage looking brown oxfords that I purchased with some of 2013's Christmas money from Payless in early January. They've fast become one of my frequently worn and highly adored pairs and fill a read void (for brown "everyday" type shoes) that I had in my footwear wardrobe.

They also happen to go extremely well, if I may say so myself, with this tremendously elegant Scaramanga satchel bag, which was very kindly sent to me for review by the awesome folks at Scaramanga. They contacted me a few months back to ask if I'd like to both receive one of their beautiful bags and also swap posts on each other's sites. I said a big yes to both and will appearing in an interview on their blog today. Very exciting!

I was given pretty much free reign of the Scaramanga satchel that I wanted receive and debated colours and sizes for hours (no joke), even bringing in Tony to get his thoughts on various shades. In the end, it came down to black and this warm, wonderfully classic shade of brown. As I didn't previously have any true satchel bags, let alone one this roomy, I knew that I wanted a versatile colour that would be easy to blend with numerous outfits in my wardrobe. Black, versatile as it is, is already quite common in my handbag collection, so ultimately I opted for brown instead and am very glad that I did, as I didn't realize until this sturdy satchel arrived just how much I needed a bag like this in my life.

The first thing that struck me in person about my new Scaramanga bag is just how well made it is. This is not thin, rinky-dink leather here in the slightest. It's thick, but still wonderfully pliable, and is partnered with secure stitching and practical, yet also pretty, nickel hardware. Being (very!) allergic to nickel myself, I do wish that Scaramanga's bags (and all handbags) were free of this metal, but thankfully the amount of hardware present is fairly minimal and I can bypass getting a bad case of contact dermatitis from it simply by wear thick long sleeves and gloves, something that I commonly do for a good chunk of the year anyhow, while using this bag.

The Scaramanga brand got its roots in 2006 when a chap named Carl Morenikeji felt the urge to bring the classic, iconic leather satchel back to the masses in the United Kingdom - and the world. I've long been a die hard fan of this style of bag - which is both beautiful and highly functional - and am very glad that he did, as it ultimately led to my first proper leather satchel appearing in my closet.

Jump ahead a few years to the present and Scaramanga has become one of the best known modern leather satchel brands, with the bulk of their inventory being created by skilled artisans in the UK and India. I sincerely mean it when I say that this is an amazing bag. It doesn't feel modern, and I say that as a very positive thing. It looks, and is, new, but it feels like a treasured family heirloom. Something your grandfather or grandmother might have handed down to you, bought back in the day from a high end leather goods shop and treasured over the decades.

I have the feeling when I use my brown leather satchel that it will be with me not just for years, but for decades, which isn’t something one encounters with a lot of budget-friendly (and in some cases, even more pricy) bags of any kind these days. Even with having to avoid the nickel hardware on it, I know that this is a bag I'm going to get a tremendous amount of use of it. It can stand up to rigors of our rambunctious dog, tote an abundance of day-to-day essentials, is easily cleaned with a damp cloth or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (my go-to cleaning tool for many leather and faux leather goods), and has garnered numerous compliments already over the five occasions I've worn it out now. I wholeheartedly adore this timelessly stylish satchel and very much appreciate that Scaramanga sent it my way.

The precise bag that I received from Scaramanga is the 13 inch brown leather satchel, which retails for £80.00. That is a bit of a steep price, I know, especially if you're shopping from outside of the UK or elsewhere in Europe, but the quality and beauty, not to mention the scores of times you'll likely use it, quickly help that price seem like an investment, instead of (just) a splurge purchase.

Not all handbags and larger bags like this satchel are created even, but thankfully Scaramanga's are at the top of this playing field, in my opinion. I would have zero qualms buying their offerings to give as gifts or for myself down the road, if I felt like I needed further leather satchels. Scaramanga ships worldwide for refreshingly reasonable rates, so you can avail of their splendid leather offerings (which leather satchels and messenger bags, silver jewelry, home goods, journals, notebooks, albums, and canvas bags, amongst other lovely products) no matter where in the world you reside.

You know, generally speaking, while I look at hundreds, often thousands, of vintage images on an average week, and I store many of them away in my mind for sartorial inspiration, it isn't every day that I see a look and intentionally want to try and emulate it right then and there. Around the time that Scaramanga contacted me, I saw a great 1940s fashion illustration again on Pinterest and knew, thanks to the similar bag that the lady in it was sporting, that I wanted to take a styling cue from it when putting together the outfit for today's post.






While I didn't have a mustard yellow blazer (I wish!) and opted for a navy blue vintage pencil/wiggle skirt, not a brown one as here, as well as swapping a snood for the charming plaid headscarf, I still very much turned to this image for inspiration while styling this great leather satchel and am sure that it will continue to inspire me as I sport it time and time again in the months and years to come.

Okay, so winter still wants to hang around for a little longer, but maybe that isn't such a bad thing - it gives me a few more days (or weeks, as the case may be) to sport the best of the season's fabrics, like the corduroy of my blazer, knit top, and this elegant, practical, immensely lovely leather satchel bag and coordinating faux leather lace up oxfords.


All things that, I'm sure, I'll be pining for at least a little bit once the sweltering days of late spring and summer finally do grace us once again. Thankfully though, no matter the weather, my Scaramanga satchel will be along for the ride as the perfect all-season, hearty, stylish, fabulously vintage appropriate daily carry bag that can take whatever life wants to throw at it.




55 comments:

  1. Hello dear Jessica,

    I think you did a great job recreating the 1940s look and style with your choice of jacket, skirt, shoes and wonderful, brown, satchel. What a great find - I love that style of bag. It is so versatile.

    I love how you look on the bright side of prolonged winter weather as a continued opportunity to enjoy these wonderful cold weather fashions.

    :) Hope

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  2. Okay this isn't about the satchel, which is great... but I cannot believe those shoes are from Payless.

    You look like you were born to wear a snood.

    I love the mix of colours. Other people don't understand why we are still dressed in rich dark colours. It is because we are still in the middle of winter. : (

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Thank you very much, Suzanne! Yes, ma'am, they're from Payless (at Orchard Park Mall in Kelowna, to be exact) and are quite possibly the most vintage looking shoes I've ever bought from that chain. They're faux leather and I can tell that they probably won't last a lifetime, if you know what I mean, but they're holding up well so far and I hope I can get at least a couple years or frequent use out of them.

      Very true!!! I just can't bring myself to bust out the chipper pastels and splashy floral prints yet when we're still getting snow every other day. Soon, I hope, but for now, I'm content to cuddle up with winter's dark, elegant palette a little longer.

      Many thanks again for your wonderfully nice comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. Love this look! And I can't believe Payless has these shoes!

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  4. 1. You're cute. Damn cute. 2. The bag is nice, but I think your snood steals the scene. It's so rare and interesting.

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  5. Hi Dear Jessica !
    I love to write to you because you are very helpful and do not let your readers unanswered . Visit some blogs that do not pay attention to readers then end up discouraged and do not comment further. The way you conduct your blog is perfect . Jessica got her look wonderful, beautiful place that is this beach. I love your look. Your bag is beautiful too , I love brown because it is a good color to match clothes. Here in Brazil the original leather bags are very expensive .

    The fabric of her skirt is jeans? It has the effect of crumpled anyway? I have several denim skirts in my wardrobe Jessica . I think you can make some looks . I love coats , here in Brazil we also call blazer . Jessica I do not believe it was you who made these gorgeous earrings ? Congratulations , Jessica. I also loved his lovable shoes that combined with the bag.
    I'm preparing an email with some questions for you to help me . Many many hugs my dear friend sweet Jessica . Love, Cris .

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    1. Sweet Cris, thank you very much for your tremendously kind comment. It means that world to me that you like the way in which I engage with my readers and fellow vintage bloggers. Being an active member of our online community has always been extremely important to me, as is acknowledging and showing my appreciation to, and for, those lovely people (like you!) who take the time to interact with me and my site.

      The fabric of this skirt looks a bit like denim, I agree, but it's not (it was a tad wrinkled from being out for a few hours, including with our dog, before this shoot took place). It feels a bit like a very thin gabardine, but is likely just cotton with a bit of sheen to it.

      You're all kinds of sweet, lovely and nice, honey, thank you again for blessing my day with your terrific comment (and compliments).

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. the earrings, bag and shoes are, like, the most perfect things i've ever seen in my life. the mustard blazer in the picture is darling, as well. congrats on that awesome bag. i love it. surely it's the perfect thing to tuck a sketchbook, snack and camera into for a day of exploring to a more dressed up shopping trip or church social. i really cannot get over it.
    thank you for sharing :)

    ~Abigail
    http://sweetergetsthejourneyblog.blogspot.com/

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  7. Sorry that spring is slow in coming to your way this year. It started to get warmer where I am, but this week it got cold again, so I'm right there with wishing the weather would cooperate. I love the pairing of the cameo brooch with the burgundy blazer, I have the same one (the brooch, that is) and seeing you wearing it makes me want to get it out and find something to wear it with!

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  8. You know before I scrolled down to your lovely illustration and was reading about these satchels, I thought they had such a vintage vibe to them. Yours is so lovely and I bet it carries a lot. Sometimes you need more than a small purse. Also, I'm glad you did a beach shoot. You look grand and there is nothing troublesome about your calves. What a wonderful backdrop and I love how you sported a lovely corduroy jacket. Lovely dear Jessica!

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    1. You're such a kind soul, dear Joanna, thank you very much. I skirted around using many full body shots here because I wasn't keen on how they looked, though mind you, the beach shoot I did back in February for Valentine's Day was much worst there, IMO. Ultimately, it's silly, I know, and I do try to get past most of my hangups about my body, but sometimes I feel like I need to say something when I don't like how certain body part looks in a given shoot. We shouldn't apologize for or well like we need to explain our bodies though, so I'll try even harder not to do so in the future (unless of course there's a solid reason, like say a medical issue, to do that aside from the fact that I'm just not happy with said feature).

      Very true! I do tend to gravitate towards small and especially medium sized purses, as they suit most vintage looks better than modern hefty sized bags, but there are days when a big one like this (or the c. 1930s tapestry bag from Maejean Vintage that I brought to Kamloops in January) really are a must and it's great to now have a versatile satchel like this to aid me on that front.

      Tons of hugs & the happiest of weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. This is beautiful! I love the stellar color combo you picked, and it's wonderful even without a mustard blazer! One day, girl! ;)

    xoxo
    -Janey

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    1. Ooohh, I seriously hope you're right!!! I need way more (vintage and vintage appropriate) blazers in my wardrobe, let me tell you. I have a few, but not near the amount I'd ideally like to, nor the colour range. A mustard one is topping my list at the moment (along with both a green and a brown one), so hopefully this will be the year I find one and can channel the spirit of this great 40s ensemble all the more in a future outfit post.

      Thank you very much for your lovely (encouraging) comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Spring where are you?! Here too in MI it was snowing today. Oh goodness how I would love to be at a beach and not freezing to death!

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  11. great casual outfit!
    i see this kind of bags all over the net lately. if i had to work outside the house this would be the choice to carry around my stuff.
    perfect with your brown oxfords!
    send you some warm spring-y air!
    <3

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Beate. Very true, I too have noticed a surge in vintage-y looking satchel bags online in recent months. There's another UK company that sells them and is sending review products to a lot of bloggers, especially in their home country, so that likely accounts for some of the reason they're suddenly everywhere (I haven't worked with that company before, so I can't speak to the quality of their items).

      Thank you for the warm spring wishes - no luck yet here on that front this week, but hopefully soon.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. Your outfit has me longing for autumn which is taking just as slowly to show up round these parts! I think you look gorgeous and I hear you about the calves. I've never been happy with mine but… we can't change what we can't change! :)

    xo

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  13. That bag is just beautiful, and I adore the color scheme of this outfit. It all comes together so perfectly, and so do the textures; the corduroy, the leather... and those shoes! Those are to-die-for. Fabulous ensemble! It's outfits like these that I'll miss once the weather actually does decide to warm up. :)

    Cheers,
    Jenny

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  14. Oh how ironic-I am about to purchase a satchel for myself as well heheh love yours! I think it is a definite must have-such a classic piece and very useful too! xox

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    1. Very exciting, sweet Daffny! What colour are you opting for? I think another hue that I'd really like to get a satchel bag in is navy blue. I only have one navy blue purse at the moment and it's immensely small (especially by modern standards. I often find myself pining for a larger one, a requirement with a satchel this size would certainly meet.

      Can't wait to see your bag if you post it online, honey!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. Ugh, seriously WHERE IS SPRING? I concur. Great bag! It reminds me a lot of Cambridge Satchel Company. I love the pairing of the bag with the oxfords - very timeless and 40s.

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  16. Hello,Ciao Jessica...nice post,great post and your outfit is breathtaking...chic...artistic...cheers!

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    1. Ciao Aure, thank you very much for your enthusiastically nice comment.

      Have a beautiful weekend,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. This is a great casual look. I think people often assume vintage is just for dress up, you show people its not. I try to wear vintage every day whether its casual or fancy, and its usually casual

    retro rover

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    1. What an awesomely nice compliment, sweet Kate, thank you so much! I think there's a lot of truth to what you said. As someone who has been sporting vintage for half my lifetime now, it's just second nature to me to think of all (or at least 99% of) my outfits in vintage terms, but for those outside of our realm, the perception likely is one that vintage is something people sport when they want to look glam/fancy. In reality though, most of us vintage wearers don't "put on the ritz" to the hilt everyday and a lot of our outfits are on the causal side like the one here.

      Big hugs & oodles of happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. Lovely-as always. That satchel is a winner, and I'm sure you will use it heaps in the cooler months. I find myself seeing an image from time to time that inspires an outfit (and often a lengthy quest for parts that make it up). I never would have thought of putting a mustard snood with blue and purpley colours but it works so well- and ties in with the original picture so well. xx Shauna

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    1. Many sweet thanks, dear Shauna. I love this colour palette, it's actually quite similar to one we have in our master bedroom (swapping in light pink and dusty green for the blue) and always speaks to me, especially during the chilly months.

      Tons of hugs & joyful weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. I love your hair styled that way! And we are also lacking spring--it's snowing as I type!

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  20. Your springy ensemble looks absolutely delightful, Jessica!

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  21. The warm colour of your handbag is very versatile indeed and has a timeless style! And it matches very well your lovable earrings and brooch!

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  22. What a lovely outfit! I love all of these things together. Especially the shoes! Oh I have been looking for shoes like that for quite a while now. I was hoping that with Australia going into winter now that i might see some in the shops soon.

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  23. This color combo is a double killer for readheads <3 I'm crazy about satchels - wish I could fit my entire world in one of them!

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Charlotte. Your wonderfully nice comment has sparked a future post idea for me - shinning the spotlight on colour combos that work especially well for redheads. Thank you for the inspiration!

      Big hugs & tons of happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  24. My brother and I took satchels just like this to primary school every day! I'm kind of wishing we'd kept them now. Also, I am currently using a modern bag that is just like the vintage one in the drawing! It's a little smaller than your satchel and it is my every day bag. I had no idea it was such a classic. I like it even more now :) Overall I think you rock a great vintage look in these photos, I really like it. It's just a pity it's still so cold. Maybe you will have an extra nice summer to make up for it - I hope so! X x

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    1. How wonderfully lovely that you took satchels akin to this one to school with you as a youngster. My youth had no such marvelously elegant bags, just various backpacks, but I've longed for a satchel like these since those early days (and indeed, associate them more with the UK than any other country, as that's where I first remember seeing them in movies and books).

      Thank you! Realistically, I shouldn't bemoan the weather much. In many parts of Canada, winter always (or almost always) lasts until April or May every year, it's just that here in the Okanagan, which is so famous for its toasty temps and abundant sunshine, one does start to feel shortchanged when winter overstays its welcome come springtime.

      Tons of gentle hugs & happy Saturday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  25. What a truly beautiful bag! I have always wanted a satchel - they just seem so practical as well as stylish. I may have to start hunting now as I think one would be perfect for our winter. XXX

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  26. I'm piling up comments.
    I'm sorry about that, but these are the rare moments that I have to be online, and not working. And, in these few moments, I like to see as much as I can, since I dislike missing out on what's new in the Blogosphere.
    Your outfit is adorable, dear.
    Bag is magnificent. To me, it's a reminder of "the one that got away" - she was on the discount, and she looked just like the one you're holding. By the time I made my decision, she was gone. That taught me an important lesson: "If you like it -buy it.. now!"

    Marija

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    1. Aww, honey, please don't worry about it for the tiniest of moments. I love hearing from you anytime, whether you leave one comment or a hundred. I very frequently leave multiple comments on the same blog (on different posts, natch) myself and really don't mind you doing that for me at all. With our busy schedules and all we try to stay on top of online, that strategy is often a must.

      I'm sorry that a similar bag to this classic brown beauty got away from you. I have some items like that (including a grape print 1950s skirt and 1940s/50s aqua cartwheel hat) that "haunt" me to this day, too. If I ever see a smashing deal on one like it online, I will be sure to share the link with you, sweetheart.

      Big hugs & tons of serene Sunday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  27. I've been eyeing the AE brown oxfords because they are so darn cute and have my eyes on a brown and green satchel {a men's satchel, but still so pretty} on ebay for a decent price. Really love how you were able to put your spin on the vintage 1940s add.

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    1. They're terrific shoes. The heel is 3.5" inches, but because it's very solid and conical (not spindly, say, like a stiletto or fashion boot), and the shoes themselves are comfy, I find them a breeze to wear and walk in for many hours at a time. I even had them on a few weeks ago when my mom, Tony and I did a few hours of power thrifting at a 50% Value Village sale and my feet were totally happy campers still at the end of the day. I hope you're able to pick up a pair, too. They're sold out here now or else I might have gone back for a second (for when these bite the dust one day).

      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* Thank you very much for all of your wonderful blog comments yesterday. ♥

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  28. Those shoes are just perfect! Sorry to distract from the satchel, which I love too (having recently acquired a satchel myself!) but the shoes, for a bargain brand, are really excellent. Good find! Nice to see you in sheer tights/stockings, but I'm not brave enough yet myself to ditch the opaques. We've had the most incredible cold mist this morning that isn't showing signs of clearing yet. Loved your other post about Spring fashion inspired by the '50s, I definitely could do with some pretty circle skirts to see me through the season ahead. P x

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    1. I don't mind at all, they're a major standout here for me as well. Will they last for life, (if I use them on any kind of regular basis), no, but they're really, really charming and look the vintage part so immensely well. I'll do my best to keep them going strong for as long as possible. Sometimes Payless is surprisingly good on that front. I have a pair of red and white (fairly 40s looking) peep-toe summer wedges from that that must be on their seventh year or life this point, which are still, though somewhat clearly worn, holding on and will be put into rotation again this year. Considering I paid somewhere in the $30-$40 range for them and have worn them countless times, that's really not bad at all.

      Have a joyful, gorgeous April, my dear friend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  29. I love all the little details that you have put together in this outfit, the earrings, the brooch, the snood. Fabulous. Those shoes look great and look comfy too. I love satchels, especially classic shaped ones such as this. I think you were right to go for brown, it is timeless and will go with so many things. Great to see the image you took your inspiration from. A mustard blazer? Wouldn't that be glorious?!

    Is that a paddle steamer in the background? Can you go on the lake on it? When I was young I lived near a maritime museum which my uncle used to take me, my sister and my cousins to all the time. In a huge hall it had a paddle steamer ( a real one) which you could clamber around and a viewing area to look down onto the paddle wheel. So I have a soft spot for them and have always wanted to go on one for real, on water that is!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Kate. They really are comfy shoes (on my feet at least - what's comfy for one person, might kill another with shoes, so I'm always leery of making sweeping generalizations on that front). Even with 3.5" heels, I have no problem wearing them for hours (14 has been the longest continuous stretch so far) on end without my feet throbbing at the end of the day.

      Ohhh, a mustard would be sublime!!! It, along with a brown one (or a brown skirt suit) are topping my future cold weather shopping list (along with my ongoing hunt for vintage snow/ski wear) now.

      It is indeed a paddle wheeler, great spotting! It's called the SS Sicamous and it used to ply the lake (Okanagan Lake), but has been permanently dry docked for for decades now (it's open to the public as a pay-visit museum and to be rented out for functions). I blogged about it two summers ago here, if you'd like to read a bit more on it: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2012/08/savouring-summer-at-sicamous.html

      Growing up with this boat here in Penticton, I too have a total soft spot for them in my heart. What a lovely thing we share in that.

      Big hugs & tons of happy start of April wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  30. I will look up your previous post on the boat. It sounds so like the one I grew up with. It was called a The Reliant. I can't remember where it was originally from though.

    I have a brown 1950's jacket with a mink collar and us talking about brown and mustard is making me want to knit a mustard jumper to put under it. I have been wanting to knit in mustard and in burnt orange for a while now but have yet to find a suitable yarn. I keep looking though!

    I am very impressed at how long you can where those shoes for, they must be comfy! They do look gorgeous.

    Hugs to you. Hope your week has started well.

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  31. I have been looking at satchels for a while but have not made up my mind on one yet--- this one has the perfect color... little did i know they were 1940s fashion - and wait Payless shoes ?woa, really?! what a great find.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Lorena, I really think they were as well. They're my favourite shoes I've bought in years. I hope they last for ages - if parts that can be repaired go, they'll be headed to the cobbler's for sure. I want these vintage looking beauties around for as long as possible! :)

      Tons of hugs & sincere thanks for your many wonderful blog comments this week,
      ♥ Jessica

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  32. I didn't notice your calves, dear. I think you are your worst critic. Congrats on the bag, it is truly lovely. We have had sunshine in Denmark, but it is also quite cold here too. :)

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    1. Oh, I really am, you're spot on there. I've always been so harsh on myself (I could prattle on about different points of my body I'm anything but keen on in most outfits posts, but that's not who I am, so I usually refrain from doing so), which I know comes in part from the fact that certain relatives were far harsher still on how I looked as a young child. Their criticism of me (as well as merciless bulling in school) fostered low self-esteem and self-confidence in me that, while I've worked very hard to try and improve/curb over the years since then, will likely never leave me entirely - though, I must say, I have gotten a lot better on that front from my mid-20s onward.

      Many hugs of heartfelt thanks,
      ♥ Jessica

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  33. this 40s inspired look is so lovely ... the satchel goes so well with it.

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  34. I totally missed this blogpost! I love your outfit. The colors go so well together! I must admit i'm a bit jealous ;) you're wearing my perfect blazer. I have a similar one i bought like 10 years ago but it's really worn and i cannot wear it anymore. I need replacement and your blazer would be perfect :-)

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Anthea. I love this blazer so much, too. It was a thrift store piece bought on a 50% off sale day years ago (I think I paid the princely sum of $4.00 for it) and it has served me so well ever since. I'll be crushed when it bites the dust one day, much as you are about yours now. If I ever see a similar online, especially for a good deal, I'll be sure to share the link with you right away.

      Tons of hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  35. I have a satchel that is the same style but black with white dots :-)

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    1. That sounds awesome! Polka dot purses are so fun. I have a black and white (smooth canvas material) one bought at Payless many years ago that I sport often, especially during the summer months (I find it suits that hot weather better).

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment, my dear!
      ♥ Jessica

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  36. I love how those coulour matches so well together!
    You are amazing!

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