May 27, 2014

Sometimes it's good to be a little koi




Outfit details

1940s black straw hat with yellow flowers: A Vintage Affair in Calgary, Alberta
Faux pearl stud earrings: Claire's
Black cropped cardigan: Fairweather
Vintage rotary telephone brooch: 25th annual Vernon Antiques & Collectibles Show
Black and white gingham 1940s reproduction wrap dress: Lolly Doll Clothing
Black plastic rose stretch bracelet: Thrifted (Value Village)
1940s yellow gloves: Jardin Antiques in Okanagan Falls (blogged about here)
Black patent faux leather vintage handbag: etsy seller A Vintage Revival
Black seamed nude stockings: eBay
Black pumps: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Tony Cangiano


















































Or a big one, whatever the case may be. :) This wordplay title comes from the fact that these photos were shot at a charming raised koi pond in front of a local nursery. As koi and goldfish are my two favourite fishies in the whole wide world, it only seems fitting that I finally got to pose with a handful of these darling multi-coloured aquatic beauties.

Before proceeding even a moment further with today's post, I want to sincerely thank everyone who commented on Saturday's post about our yard sale. Between that exciting happening and a jam packed Sunday and Monday, I haven't been online for the past three days and am just now reading and delighting in each of your awesome, supportive comments. I'm pleased as punch to report that Tony both adored his first garage sale (as a seller) and that the two of us made a tidy profit of $160.50. We had sunny (warm!) skies, a fairly good turnout, and got rid of plenty of items. After all was said and done, we donated nearly all those that didn't sell to two local thrift stores that both work directly with important charities, such as Women in Need.

Though not entirely over yet, this month has been nothing short of a true whirlwind for me. I fully realize that I haven't been online, or more accurately, in the blogging realm, quite as much as usual, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices in one area of how we spend time to devote those minutes, hours and days to others. I know that as time goes on and I get more Etsy shop running experience under my belt, I'll get better at juggling the two very, equally, important halves of my online vintage world.

I've already used the analogy (here) of my shop being like a newborn baby and my blog like a five year old child (as it's been online for half a decade), and much like with a brand new baby, it's only natural for a mother to need to devote more of her time, energy and attention to the newest member of the family. That doesn't mean, of course, that she forgets her older child, not in the slightest, just that at times the baby will her focus a bit more.

This isn't a veiled way of saying that I don't plan to continue to blog often, I very much do, nor that in the long run you won't see and hear from me around the blog realm and on social media. Goodness, no! Nothing like that in the slightest. I guess what I'm saying, or doing, is publically acknowledging that I've quickly come to better realize firsthand both how much time and energy running my blog the way I have for the past few years, especially the last 2.5 years, takes, as well now as how much of both of those things running an Etsy shop that I hope to turn into a very successful business in due time consumes as well.

There are only so many hours in the day, and even with both of those important areas of my life, I - like all of us - must and want to leave space for other things, too. Be it cleaning my house, cooking, reading, crafting, spending time with Tony and our pets, visiting friends and family, sourcing items for the shop, and every now and then traveling, amongst plenty of others (and speaking of traveling - knock wood - ten before we're set to departs, things are still looking positive in terms of me being able to accompany Tony to Vancouver in June).

May has not left me with a lot of spare time for vintage outfit photo shoots, but before the month wrapped up, I wanted to share another one with you that I've been bursting with exciting about for months now (the prospect of it I mean, these snaps themselves were taken just a few days ago). If you have a better memory than me :) (mine is a bit fried at the moment from burning the candle at both ends so much lately), you may recall that last August I mentioned in this post about an exciting interview that I'd had with UK vintage reproduction Lolly Doll.

I mentioned then that you'd be hearing more about Lolly Doll on my blog in down the road and today I have the great pleasure of making that happen. I've remained in touch with the wonderful woman (Lolly) behind Lolly Doll ever since our interview. At the moment, Lolly is going through a super busy period in her life and needs to focus her attention on areas other than her reproduction clothing site, which is currently offline.

However, Lolly Doll fans can still connect with the company on Facebook, where Lolly has some styles of gingham dresses (including black gingham with black rickrack, green gingham with white rickrack, and plain navy with white rickrack) available for sale in UK sizes 8 to 18 and my understanding is that she will ship worldwide. If you're interested in discussing purchasing a Lolly Doll vintage reproduction dress with Lolly, you can Facebook private message her anytime.

Lolly very kindly sent me this charmingly sweet 1940s reproduction black and white gingham wrap dress to review recently and I can say with absolute sincerity that it instantly became one of my favourite items in closet (thank you so much, Lolly, I adore and appreciate it immensely!). It is so comfortable I practically forget I have it on while I'm wearing it, which makes me think it would be an ideal frock to travel in (be it by car, boat, plane, train, you name it!). Well made, accurately sized, and cute as a button, this dress sings with the spirit of 1940s, but it is not beyond the ability to be styled in a more modern direction, too, if so desired. Lightweight, cool (a must in for sizzling summers we get here in the Okanagan), and just flat out pretty, it was the ideal piece to sport recently for a quickly errand running trip around town that including posing at the local Art Knapps nursery in front of their beautiful koi pond.

As you, my dear readers, may know, I'm huge on finding places, urban and wilderness based alike that transmit serenity the moment you visit them and, this koi pond, mere feet away from multiple busy roads and whirl of traffic, when visited after the nursery has closed for the day (as we did for our shoot) is one of those "in town" tranquil oases for me.

The fact that it houses several (they were darting to and fro all over the place, but I counted at least seven koi of varying sizes) of my favourite type of fish certainly doesn't hurt either when it comes to putting me in a relaxed, extra happy mood - something that I need more than ever now that the dynamics of my life has shifted and I've got an exciting Etsy shop to run alongside my beloved blog.

Simple joys like visiting that greenery bedecked pond full of sunset hued fish never ceases to lift my spirits and brighten my day, which, coincidentally, is exactly how I feel when I slip on my Lolly Doll dress as well. Another point in its favour and reason why I've been wearing it more days than not as of late! :)

60 comments:

  1. Why, thank you, sweetheart! "Call" me biased, but it's one of my favourites, too. :D

    ♥ Jessica

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  2. It's a lovely dress and I think one that could be styled up or down, depending on the occasion.
    I too like the brooch, especially the 'hello.'

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  3. Hello,Ciao Jessica...what a photos...what a style...what a Beauty!
    best

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  4. What a lovely dress, and I admire how you always style your outfits. I have just bought my first pair of orange shoes, so please come over for tea and help me style them with my outfits! ;) I might even bake a gluten free cake. :)

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  5. What a fantastic outfit! I love everything about it, esp. the dress is great. And the little touches of yellow are so cute :)

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    1. Thank you very much, my sweet dear. I always feel a renewed passion for the yellow when the warm weather returns here. It's like my wardrobe wants to match the sunshine we're blessed with once again (though, funnily enough, it was grey and overcast on the day we took these koi pond snaps - I guess I was the one bringing the sunshine that day).

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Hello dear Jessica,

    I missed your post for the weekend, but I am going to go look at your garage sale now.

    It's been a very happy, busy weekend. My husband had both Friday and Monday off, so it was a mini vacation for us. Such weekends provide a welcome break. During our first years of marriage, this sort of weekend was the only time we ever had off; he did not have any vacation time, so we really appreciated any long weekend we had.

    You look absolutely adorable in these photos. I love every detail from head to toe! That dress is perfect. It is ideally suited to so many occasions. It would most assuredly be a favorite if I had it in my closet. And that Hello pin is too cute for words.

    ♥Hope

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  7. Your Lolly Doll dress is so pretty! And very nice on you too...I like also the colour, and black and white is always stilish...very nice location too, with sweet fish and aquatic plants...
    p.s.
    a new passion requires time and love!

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  8. So stinking cute! I love the gingham (I'm a bit nuts for it right now, actually; something about summer and picnic blankets and all that, I think) and the little pops of yellow with the black and white. It reallly sings.
    I received my order from you, and I will be posting a nice little write up just as soon as I get my camera back! I forgot it in another state when I went out of town this weekend. :( As much as we might miss your frequent updates, what you do with the shop will be amazing, and I'm sure everyone wants to keep an eye on that.

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    1. Thank you very much across the board, sweet dear! Wow, that was nice and speedy. I'm glad to know that our respective postal systems were on the ball and that your order reached you so quickly. I would be, as the lovely Brits say, chuffed, to see photos of these vintage pieces on you and/or at your home now anytime. That's such a cool prospect, especially for a brand, spanking new Etsy seller like me.

      ♥ Jessica

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  9. "Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring bananaphone", Oh i love the brooch<3

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  10. adorable dress and brooch. I have a similar 50s dress I got for a steal at a local vintage shop that's a summer favorite of mine
    Retro Rover

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  11. My don't you look pretty! Lovely outfit Jessica.
    I'm a little unnerved by fish, I must admit. Whales and sharks, turtles and sealions, seals, dolphins and seahorses, love them, but ordinary fish unsettle me somewhat .. though I do like black moors, they're sweet. There must be a koi pond around here somewhere as we saw the cat along the way enjoying his meal of koi. The poor fish was half eaten by the time we saw what was happening and dread to think how valuable it must have been, it was a big one.

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  12. That phone brooch is the cat's pyjamas : )

    I've been away so I need to check out your Etsy shop.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  13. Totally love the pun-ny title, and what a fab outfit - the yellow gloves really make it pop! Also, I completely understand what you mean about trying to find time to have a life, blog, AND sell things online (I've only been doing the latter in a few spurts here and there recently, and it is exhausting!). Keep up the good work, though! I've been eyeing several items in your shop that I hope to purchase very soon once I sell some more vintage of my own. :)

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  14. It's an adorable dress. The colourway looks great on you and I love the way you've accessorised it, too. I know what you mean about little oasis...I feel calm when I walk the dogs near the fields and can look out for miles without seeing much in the way of buildings. Very mind clearing! X

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  15. What a beautiful spot to take photos! Just gorgeous colors and koi! I really love your hat too with its little cluster of flowers. Congrats on a successful yard sale, most of our recent attempts have been a lot of effort for not much payoff but it sounds like you guys had a bit more luck :)

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet dear! I know what you mean, they certainly can be hit or miss at times. While I would have liked to have made even more, it's not a bad pay off for just a few hours of our Saturday in the slightest and I'm very glad that we had this sale. Fingers crossed that your next one goes a whole lot better!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Ohhh black and white combo like I did this weekend heheh Great vintage minds think alike! And bravo on the yard sale $$. I used to do them too. Loved them but they got tricky once the kids figured out how to open the door and look at what mama was selling haha xox

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  17. Really lovely photos. The dress is very pretty and I love that telephone brooch! Quite amazing that you got one of the koi to pose for the photo too :)

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  18. Ah, gingham...something there's just not enough of in this world! *lol*

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    1. Agreed entirely! I love gingham. It's like plaid's softer, sweeter, and at times, more feminine looking, cousin. I never tire of wearing or seeing it, especially in vintage or repro form.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. well look at that; spring has sprung! glad to see you're finally getting some pretty spring colors and blooms up your way, Jessica. you look so darling in your gingham dress and i love the way you accented with gold/yellow tones.
    ~Abigail

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  20. You looks stunning and AMAZING as always! I Love the colors <3

    XoXo

    vintagepri.blogspot.com

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  21. Glad to hear the sale went well. I like how you worked in the yellow gloves. Sometimes a pop of colour in an unexpected accessory can bring the whole thing together-you're especially good at that.

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    1. Thank you very much, darling lady! That is a seriously fantastic compliment which means a great deal to me as I try to put a lot of thought and attention to detail into my accessories.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. Another gorgeous outfit post! You have such a knack for combining vintage and modern to create a timeless and chic look. Congrats on the opening of your Etsy shop, too! You've certainly got lots of wonderful items there, and I wish you great success.

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  23. Beautiful clothes, amazing brooch, lovely feminine poses. Combined with the high quality of the photography, this is a great post.

    I'm sure you'll find the right balance between blogging and your new baby. Hang in there until that emerges.

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  24. That dress is just perfect, I love it and the way you've paired it up with other things. The yellow gloves are the perfect touch!

    The balance can be difficult to figure out at first, and can even change with the seasons—this time of year I spend a great deal of time gardening and canning (of course) and more time shooting (also of course), so the blog is sort of necessarily a bit lower on the priority list. But eventually you'll settle into a rhythm and things will feel settled and relaxed again!

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  25. What a darling outfit! And that brooch! It's too adorable!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  26. Lovely as always! But that rotary phone brooch.... AMAZING!

    <3 Jackie @ Let's Go Thrifting

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  27. Love the koi pond, love the clothes, and I really love the brooch!!

    Wishing you lots of summer fun in the coming weeks!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Jennifer, that's wonderfully lovely. I hope you and your family have a seriously marvelous summer as well!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  28. jessica - you´r such a cute goldfish!
    you look sooo pretty here. that lolly doll dress looks perfect and your styling with a little gold/yellow is trés chic!
    just a short hello here from me - i´m still making my way thru the post/mail mountain piled up in a week at venice........
    hugs&kisses

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  29. I love everything about this outfit! Gorgeous. And what a wonderful urban oasis. Finding nearby places to help us relax is so important, and this looks like a great one. I'm trying to get out into the bush more often and let myself reconnect with nature, and I'm finding it makes such a difference. Even just my own garden, as untended as it is, brings me a lot of peace.

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  30. Fantastic dress, it looks very pretty on. I think gingham and ric rac is always a great combination. Your telephone brooch is a great find, it must make you smile every time you look at it!

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  31. Well done on the yard sale, I bet it was hard work though!

    I think this outfit is just delightful, and I am so pleased to see you wearing that darling telephone brooch, does the received lift off?! I'd be making pretend calls all day. How lovely to have another vintage repro dress company starting up, I'll be sure to check out Lolly's designs. Your pairing of the black and white with the yellow accents is so Spring-like, though Summer is not that far away now.
    P x

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Porcelina. While the receiver doesn't lift up (that would be so cool!), the wee little rotary dial can be moved in a circle just like the real deal and while admit to gleefully doing just that for a few minutes each time I wear this fun vintage novelty brooch (we had just rotary phones, as did all my grandparents, when I was a really young, so major nostalgia at work there :)).

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  32. Your outfit is fantastic! I love the combination of yellow and black and that hat is so perfect.
    I love it when a dress or an outfit just makes you feel good and becomes so much fun to wear and am glad to see such a great repro dress is available.
    Hope all is well.
    Sarah

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  33. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, I LOVE that phone brooch! So cute, and I love that the rotary actually moves! And as always, you look gorgeous. Gingham has been my weekend uniform recently. I can't get enough of it!

    I know what you mean about needing those little oases in our lives! Koi ponds are always good for that--so tranquil and they're such pretty fish. I've been visiting as many parks and nature trails as possible lately in an attempt to find tranquility. It's not always easy because everyone else always has the same idea, haha!

    Cheers!
    Jenny

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  34. Oh my goodness, your brooch is soooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!!! I love it! Your new Lolly Doll dress is also very lovely. Lolly is one of my friends here in the UK, and I can confirm that, as the name suggests, she is an absolute doll! :)

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  35. I believe I'll continue the line of *sight*-ing by saying: your brooch is divine!
    I'm glad your garage sale went well, and I haven't for a second had a doubt in your good intentions, so to read about your donations feels so natural and logical.
    As for your intensity in blogging - I can fully gasp the idea of being overwhelmed by everything (in my case, on some periods, it's my work).
    I hope you shop will continue to flourish!

    Hug
    Marija

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  36. Looking good as always. My husband is convinced he can get a small fish pond onto our flower beds in the back yard. I guess well see.

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  37. You look so cute! I love the brooch and the yellow gloves especially

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  38. I can't get over how perfect your eyebrows are - strange comment, I know!

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    1. Oh, wow, that is an awesome comment, not a "strange" one to me, dear Bex, thank you very much. My natural eyebrows are pretty much non-existent at this point in my life (and have been for many years now) save for a few very pale blond hairs on the halves closes to my nose, so I have to draw these puppies on. I used to do higher arches in the middle, mirroring similar ones I'd seen in some 1950s fashion images, but between my own desire to soften their look and some rather mean comments I received on them, I've been doing gentler brows for a while now. I like where they're at now and think I'll keep them this way for the foreseeable future. I'm quite self-conscious about my brows, because they're the product of makeup, not Mother Nature, so your comment really does mean a great deal to me.

      ♥ Jessica

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  39. I looked at some of her items and they really do seem pretty reasonable. Especially for reproduction items. Gingham is definitely a favorite of mine. Throw on some tights and a cardigan and it can be worn well into the fall.

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  40. this is the year of gingham ... but what is beter than gingham? gingham with ric rac ... i love it. :)

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  41. I loved this looks the yellow gloves and the gingham, whoozah! Everytime I see your outfit pictures it reminds me to go and out and put on a brooch! Love the comments you leave on my blog as always sorry I have a bad habit of thinking I left comments when really I just ogle your pics.

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    1. Aww, that's awesome!!! Brooches for the win in my vintage books! :) You're very welcome, sweet dear. Please don't worry in the slightest if you read, but don't leave comments. I appreciate the visits all the same and am always delighted to hear from you.

      Have a marvelous weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  42. I love this outfit! The yellow details are so great with the gingham dress!

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  43. I can't believe that dress is a repro!! It had me fooled. You look beautiful, as always. :)


    Lisa.

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  44. Perfect outfit, you're so pretty!

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  45. Gloves! Never enough gloves!

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  46. Lovely! I adore that brooch, and I love how the bright gold and pale yellow go so nicely in the photos.... they almost look like the same shade! And that hat! It is always nice to find a little calm space, and that koi pond looks just delightful.

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  47. Darling Jessica,

    I have only just seen this post (I know!) and I can't thank you enough for your kind words. You look absolutely beautiful and it makes me very proud to see you making my dress look so pretty, I couldn't make asked for a better model. Your accessories are just perfect, and there's even goldfish <3 - that I wasn't expecting. As always, it was an absolute delight working with you from afar and I wish you endless luck in your new venture.

    Much love

    Lolly xx

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    1. It was a thoroughly awesome pleasure and honour to work with you as well, dear Lolly. Thank you very much both for an awesome collaboration, as well as for the gift of this, frankly, fabulous 40s reproduction dress. To say that I love it would be a significant understatement. It's super comfy, cute and charming - the perfect fashion trifecta for me!

      It was a joy to work with you and I welcome the chance to do so again anytime, if you'd like.

      Huge, heartfelt thanks for everything!
      ♥ Jessica

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  48. You always look radiant, but there is something magical about these pictures - maybe its the colours, I don't know but I just love these shots.
    I am just learning about your yard sale experience and Etsy shop venture. I have not been around much and have 200 posts to catch up on :/

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