March 14, 2014

Special St. Patrick's Day 2014 edition of Vintage Fashionista Friday


Vintage Fashionista Friday blog graphic for Chronically Vintage photo VintagefashionistaChronicallyVintag.png
 photo DeirdreVintageFashionistaFridayStPatricksDaypostheader_zps91e9342f.png



{Undeniably and endlessly perfect for March 17th Day of course, what I love even more about this gorgeous vintage screw back shamrock earrings is that they're not so glaringly St. Patrick's Day so as to not work the whole year through as well. $20.00 from etsy seller Atomic Renovation.}




{Winter weather and dry indoor heating systems can parch one's skin out something fierce! Rejuvenate your epidermis and get it ready for the return of sundress season with the help of this fantastic made-in-Ireland bottle of Irish Field hand cream. £11.95 for a 230ml pump bottle from Bog Standard.}




{Keep the luck of the Irish near your heart or on your hat, scarf, sash or anywhere else you please with this timelessly elegant vintage gold toned and faux pearl shamrock Coro brooch. $9.00 from etsy seller Pythagoras Place.}



 photo 1e90b999e21fe70842b224ae7c4cd382_zpsc81d1219.jpg

{You'll have no trouble catching a leprechaun when you're sporting this beguiling 1930s two-piece silk velvet skirt suit, as he'll be too busy admiring your stellar fashion sense to remember to stay out of sight! :) Jacket fits up to 32" bust, skirt fits up to a 25" waist. $186.00 from etsy seller Klad.}



 photo il_570xN375915374_j1kp_zps74e1e866.jpg

{Forget the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I want to find a treasure chest full of vintage Bakelite like these three lovely stacking bangles instead (or in addition to said gold - one can never have too much of either! :D). $65.00 for the set of three from etsy seller My 3 Chicks.}




{Charming as a field of springtime clover, this delightful c. 1940s woven green handbag features charming little gold flowers with "pearl" bead centers and classic amber lucite handles, and would make for a fabulous spring and summer purse for many a year to come. $45.00 from etsy seller Canal Street Vintage.}




{Still in its original packaging, completely with lovely little handwritten note, this beautiful vintage Irish linen handkerchief features crocheted edging and would a marvelous piece to tuck in your handbag, for myriad potential uses, before heading out for a night of festive fun. $10.00 from etsy seller Ardythe's Orphans.}




{Whether you chalk it up to River Dance or the classic Irish jig, it's hard for me to not want to cut a rug come St. Patrick's Day. These timelessly beautiful Aris Allen Brown Velvet 1940s 3-buckle dance shoes (which are exact copy of an actual 1940s shoe design) would let me, or you, do just that in mid-century fashion worthy style. Available in modern ladies sizes 5 to 11. $69.95 from dancestore.com.}





It is more than a little fitting that green is so closely associated with St. Patrick's Day, not only for the rich cultural and historical ties to the Emerald Isle itself, but because, if we've got a wee bit of that famous Irish luck on our side, the world is slowly starting to transform from snow white (or pallid brown) to the colour of fresh grass once more these days.

I've celebrated many a St. Paddy's Day in the snow over the years, don't get this Canuck lass wrong, but regardless of the weather, one always knows that winter's end is near. Spring itself, so the calendar says, kicks off in just three days time and that worth celebrating regardless of if you've got a drop of Celtic blood in your veins or note. Soon life will burst forth with near startling speed once more, blossoms and full on blooms shooting forth around every corner, the return of single layer dressing, and double digit temperatures.

Before we kick Old Man Winter to the curb entirely though, there's merriment to be had on March 17th. Whether you're a fan of guzzling back pints of green ale and partying like there's no tomorrow or prefer a more relaxed celebration at home, perhaps with some delicious Irish Soda Bread at the ready and a classic Hollywood movie feasting one or more of your favourite yesteryear stars of Irish decent on the telly, this is a day worth having a blast on.

If she's anything like me, and I can't help but think that she is, that's precisely what this week's stylish Vintage Fashionista, Deirdre (named for the what legend tells us was the most beauty woman in ancient Ireland) is going to be up to come St. Patrick Day. Decked out in green, whipping up soda bread, colcannon and corned beef before settling in for an evening of celebration, merriment and a good Maureen O'Hara, Gene Kelly, or James Cagney flick.

Albeit three days early, let me wish each and every one of you a splendid, fun, history, and green garb filled St. Patrick’s Day!  May the wind rise up to meet you always, my dear friends!

32 comments:

  1. Dear Jessica,

    Oh, I was so tempted to purchase those earrings! The clasp is my favorite type - they don't pinch the ears (I don't have pierced ears). Alas, I really should not spend the money right now.

    I need to buy a new curtain rod for a large window and a new lamp for my daughters room (her current lamp is one I got at a garage sale for $5, and although it is nice, it is tall and falls over on windy days).

    Sooo...my frivolous side will have to keep still and behave itself.

    You know, I am just so delighted to see that someone out there is reproducing vintage styled shoes. I makes my heart happy just knowing I can find them if I want them. I hope that the company grows and produces more 1940s and 1950s styles.

    We love our St. Patrick's Day and always celebrate with the traditional meal of Corned Beef, Cabbage, Carrots, and Mashed Potatoes.

    May your St. Patrick's Day be the best!
    ♥Hope

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely collection of items! The velvet suit is divine! I can personally vouch for the Aris Allen shoes and say that they are both comfortable for dancing and go perfectly with 1940s outfits. Happy St.Patrick's Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome to know! I've not yet tried a pair myself, but wholeheartedly home to one day. I've heard that you can have them altered by a cobbler to make them street ready, so to speak, and that's what I'd be doing, if I got some.

      Have a marvelous St. Paddy's day weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  3. Im really loving St Pats say this year, even more with this addition of your blog. Ive been dressing myself and my dogs up in green and this year we will be attendign the jersey city parade which we never have before. Thanks for sharing your fabulous St Pats day finds (also if you check out my blog today you will see another reason I am thankful to you, as thanks to you I discovered vintage and cool knitting and now have two fabulous sweaters from them!)

    retro rover

    ReplyDelete
  4. I do not have pierced ears so screw backs should be my best friend BUT they kill my ears. Are there any suggestions or tricks on how to make them more comfortable other then killing off the nerve endings in my ears?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jessie dear, thank you very much for your great question. While various styles (such as these ones: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00A02UGGG?ie=UTF8&tag=chronically-20) of clip on earring pads exist to help with styles that have the more "folded book" type of clips, there isn't a huge amount that I've found helpful for screwbacks.

      Applying a topical ointment with a bit of lidocaine in it before slipping on your earrings can help, but it's effects will only last for a relatively short period of time. I have pierced ears myself, but occasionally wear clip ons or screwbacks and one thing I've found with the later is that often you don't need to screw them on as tightly as it may seem you should at first. Of course you want them to be secure, but you don't need them to be as tight as a vice usually for that to happen. Giving them even just a wee bit more slack can often make the difference between being able to wear them for 15 minutes or five hours.

      Have a wonderful weekend & St. Patrick's Day,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  5. Fantastic, dear Jessica! The earrings and shoes especially appeal to me. I don't think I have any Irish blood (although I do Scots), but certainly appreciate the fun and prettiness your post has brought into my day x Spring is nearly here and it feels as though it's hit the UK early...hope yours hurrys along too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm thoroughly happy to know that this festive post helped splash some fun into your day, sweet Philippa. I always really enjoy it when a holiday falls near a Friday and I can tie that month's VFF post into it like this. I don't have a drop of Irish blood in me either as far as I know (I haven't turned up any in my years of extensive family genealogy research), but I do have some British blood care of one of my paternal great-grandmothers and her family line (surname Walker).

      The first signs of the season are slowly coming to light and life here again as well. Winter was so brutal until just last week though, so it will be a while more before spring properly returns and we can put the memory of winter behind us for good once again. I'm really, really looking forward to it!

      Tons of hugs & happy Saturday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  6. What a gorgeous green suit! The velvet looks so lush. Also I love the shop name Bog Standard - that cracked me up. Happy early St Patricks Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, darling gal! Isn't that green velvet suit fantastic? It's slaying me with its colour, tailoring and classic charm to no end. If it was my size (which alas, it's not), my wallet would be in serious danger! :D

      Wishing you a marvelous St. Patrick's day, too, honey!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  7. Delightful finds for a St Paddy's themed celebration. The green velvet suit is stunning and I just love the emerald earrings. May the luck of the Irish be with you and you have a fab St Patricks day! XXX

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is a beautiful ensemble compiled here! I am completely in love with those shoes and that suit. Also, I love seeing the little message written on the handkerchief box. It's little things like that that I love encountering while searching through antique shops. It reminds us that we're looking at things have their own stories and that were owned and used and loved by real people.

    Cheers and Happy Early St. Patrick's Day!
    Jenny

    ReplyDelete
  9. Green is one of my favourite colours. It's not only the symbol for hope but has such a pleasant look.
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Jessica, My name is Shanon and I own a vintage clothing store in Saskatoon SK. called Flashback Clothing Collective. I have been following your blog and have wanted to contact you but your email filter would not allow me to do so. In one of your earlier posts you mentioned wanting to find a vintage ski wear set but was not having much luck. I have a complete set, navy blue with red piping and some nice details, and several pieces, red wool pants, navy wool pants, hand knit burgundy sweater, that may interest you. Of course I do not have them in my store at the moment as they are out of season. They should be on site by August when I turn over my stock. However if you are planning a trip to the prairies which included a stop in Saskatoon, I could bring them in for you to see. In the meantime, I invite you to have a peek at my facebook page "Flashback Clothing Collective" to see what vintage items I carry. Warm regards, Shanon at Flashback Clothing Collective, Saskatoon, SK.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shanon, thank you very much for your lovely introduction and desire to try and help with my quest to find a vintage snowsuit. If the size and price were right, I would 100% be interested in the suit you described. As much as I'd love to, I highly doubt I'll be in Sask. anytime soon, but the next time I am (my step-dad is from Prelate, Sask and has a lot of family there, so an occasional trip does happen), I wholeheartedly look forward to making a trip to Saskatoon to visit your shop.

      Just out of curiosity, how did you try to email me? I don't have any filters in place that would bare you from contacting me. Quite the opposite actually, I happily welcome emails and encourage vintage loving folks to write me anytime for any reason they'd like. I want to make sure that's always possible and that some kind of filter I might not be aware of isn't in place, so if you could let me know, that would be wonderful.

      I've liked your shop's page on Facebook and look forward to connecting with you/it there from here on out.

      Many thanks again & have a terrific weekend,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  11. You have selected the most delightful pieces to celebrate St. Patrick's day! I always like to learn more about other countries cultures, so I have read your post with great attention!
    Green is a very nice colour ! I prefer olive shade on me ,and I find it goes perfectly with coral colour...
    I love the earrings from your selection and also like very much accessories made from bakelite...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet Dan! I too adore learning more about various holidays and celebrations around the world. I became friends with two different ladies from Germany last year online who have both been educating me further on the holidays and festive customs in this country. Having a husband who hails from your own country, I've become quite well versed in Italian holidays over the years, too! :)

      I adore Bakelite, too! I love all vintage plastic jewelry, but of course there will always be that certain impossible to pin down magic to Bakelite that makes it so fabulously covetable.

      Have a terrific weekend & St. Patrick's Day,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  12. That nineteen thrities suit is to die for! love that shade of green.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the choices, especially the Bakelite bracelets. We're not Irish but my mother had red hair and her favorite color was green. She had some jade bracelets that are similar to the simple style of the Bakelite ones.

    Here in Chicago there is a very big Irish population. Here in the suburbs there are a lot of families from Irish ancestry and there are many girls who take Irish dancing. They're just adorable! The city gets so into St. Patricks Day that Irish or not you feel a part of it. I think of it as a step toward spring too!

    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your mother sounds like such a stylish, beautiful woman. Jade is gorgeous material. I don't own much myself, but I'd really like to add more to my jewelry wardrobe as time goes on. The soft, muted, earthy hues in it always remind me of winter/early spring in the Pacific Northwest, where I spent the first few years of my life living.

      Wishing you and your family a marvelous St. Patrick's Day!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  14. What adorable picks!!!I love all the sites especially My 3 Chicks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet Kim! That shop is really charming, I totally agree. Their jewelry listings in particular always make me go weak in the knees! :)

      Have a splendid St. Patrick's Day!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  15. Wow that skirt suit is so beautiful! Beautiful picks as always :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a happy look at St. Patty's day. I know they aren't green but I'm most intrigued by the shoes. I haven't bought a pair of Aris Allen shoes yet, but they do call my name. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That shoes are one of my favourite elements of this festive look, too. I haven't bought a pair yet either myself, but I really, really want to one day! It's not the price that's holding me back (they're fairly reasonably priced in today's shoe market), it's my somewhat hard to fit feet and the absolutely rotten luck I've had over the years trying to buy shoes online that I haven't tried on beforehand. As unlikely as it may be, I keep hoping that I'll hit upon a shoe or dance wear shop that sells them in person and then I'll know one way or another if some of the offerings from this great brand would indeed work for me (or not).

      Big hugs & tons of happy St. Patrick's Day wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  17. St. Patrick's Day has always been a big deal in our family. Even though we celebrate it with simply a quiet dinner at home, my grandma (where the Irish blood comes from) was very proud of her Irish roots.

    I simply love that pin and the lovely handkerchief! I've been meaning to look for a proper green and white hankie or silk scarf for the occasion.

    I also love your list of Irish actors. The Quiet Man, a truly great film, is a St. Paddy's Day tradition at our house. I've also been writing about various classic Hollywood Irish actors this month and James Cagney and Gene Kelly are some of my favorites!

    Wonderful post!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely colours in the bangles and I do like the handkerchief with the note. It is great to find something with a personal touch like that.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really love this post! I'm an Irish lass as well and adore all things Scottish and Irish {which is where the majority of my ancestral heritages originates}. Though I grew up Protestant and supposedly you should wear orange if you are Protestant and green if your Catholic...instead I like to mix the colors since green is my favorite color!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can't wait for Spring to Pop this year. It's been a long winter. Thanks for a very green dosage of Spring!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome, my dear. I second your enthusiasm for spring's return entirely. It's been a long, very snowy winter here as well and I'm more excited than I've been in many years to see the temperatures hit double digits again!

      Fingers crossed spring starts really soon for both of us!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  21. I have never understood St Patrick's Day, but I adore all the green items and especially jools that pops up around this time of the year. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  22. We do not celebrate St Paddy's but i surely enjoyed your collection - specially the velvet suit and the handkerchief. I felt kind of bad the owner never used it!

    ReplyDelete