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November 14, 2014

This one is for all the vintage lone wolves out there



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


{Capture the beauty and vibrancy of a walk through the woods in the fall with this absolutely lovely 1950s orange veil fascinator hat. $18.00 from My Robin's Nest Boutique.}




{To quote the listing itself, this luscious handmade lip balm is "a lightly sweetened, comforting flavor [that] is created with an interpretive blend of essential oils distilled from spices, woods, and evergreen needles". If like me, you're a fan of earthy, heady scents that channel Mother Nature, this great balm is perfect for you - especially now that November's lip parching winds and frosty chill are upon us again. $7.00 for 0.21 ounces of lip balm from For Strange Women.}




{Tapping into the theme at the heart of today's post (see text below the Etsy listings), this charming, beautiful laser cut bamboo wood brooch features the timeless side profile of a wolf howling at the moon and would great with all kinds of cozy ensembles the whole year round. $15.32 from One Happy Leaf.}




{Cuddle up and look seriously cool + cute in this wonderful vintage deer motif Cowichan style zipper cardigan sweater. Fits up to a 40 inch bust. $48.00 from Zest Vintage.}




{Spring, summer, fall or winter, this fantastic 1940s/1950s green molded plastic leaf and silver tone metal matching earring and necklace set is the perfect woodland inspired accessory for any outfit (very much including at Viva Las Vegas!). $45.00 for the set from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Enchantingly pretty and ideal for autumn, this stunning 1940s leaf print silk dress will turn heads wherever you go. Fits up to a 36-38" bust/30" waist. $206.78 from Trunk of Dresses.}





{Woooo's going to have the most adorable purse in town? Why, it's you, if you bring home this fabulously cute tooled leather cross body owl bag. Seriously, this is one darling handbag that suits autumn's rich, earthy colour palette so sublimely well. $69.00 from Sew Shoe Me.}


{Keep the inspired-by-nature theme going strong with this elegant, strikingly beautiful vintage (1960s) gold tone metal and hematite hinge bracelet featuring two marvelous oak leaves. $36.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}






{Talk about an awesome pair of shoes for a complete bargain! These charmingly fun, wonderfully sophisticated black Jack Rogers patent leather peep toe shoes feature elegant leafs on the vamps and would go with the 1940s silk dress above magnificently well. Fits a 1980s woman's size 8 foot. $10.00 from Kami Sue.}






In the world of Girl Guiding and Scouting, their is a wonderful history of allowing members who were the only person (or very nearly so) that was interested in Guiding/Scouting in their area be a full fledged member of the organization all the same (even when there was no troop or pack for them to join nearby). Girls and women who fall under this heading are known as Lone Guides or simply "Lones", and though they were more common in decades past (especially when many towns and cities were a fraction of the size they are today), they still exist in numerous countries (including Canada) around the world.

Over the years, I've often reflected on how a good many of us in the vintage realm are Lones as well. Often we live in communities, towns or even cities, where there is almost, if not completely, no one else (that we know of at least) who shares our profound passion for the past, wears vintage, and/or is a vintage blogger. There may be no vintage or antique shops, no vintage fairs or other events, or places we can go to connect with those who share our interests in the past and truly "get" what it's like to be a part of the vintage subculture.

Here in my small town of Penticton, that's a heading I certainly fall under. Though I'm fortunate to be friends with a small number of folks in our region of the province who sell vintage, and I'm very grateful for each of them, I don't have any fellow mid-century wearers or bloggers to hang out with and there are no vintage clothing stores in my town (and exceedingly few in the Okanagan in general).

Around town in fact, I've acquired the nickname of "That Vintage Girl", as that's often how people seem to recognize and know me if we haven't formally met before. On many an occasion, I'll met someone who has heard about from another local resident, and they almost always begin with, "Hey, aren't you that vintage girl?". Yes, yes, I am and I'm thrilled to be known for something that is so important and integral to my life, but sometimes it would be thoroughly awesome if I had a friend or two nearby to call up and hangout with while we wore our snazzy vintage outfits and chatted about everything from pin curl patterns to sourcing vintage fashions locally.

Who knows, maybe one day someone who shares this passion will move to Penticton and we'll become fast friends, but for now, I remain the local 1940s/1950s wearing lady and make a point of counting the internet amongst my blessings, because it allows me to connect with scores of fellow vintage enthusiasts around the world 24/7 - many of whom are, again, communities of one unto themselves.

We're lone wolves indeed and so, as I was thinking about this topic a fair bit this week, it seemed fitting that I devote this month's edition of Vintage Fashionista Friday to all of my peers the world over who are the sole vintage wearers/bloggers in their respective areas and give it a wolf + woodland theme to honour that fact.

It takes a lot, no matter how much you love and enjoy doing something, to be the only one participating in it for years (or even decades) on end and I have the utmost admiration for my fellow sisters and brothers in vintage who walk this path alone, wherever they may reside.

You are each an inspiration and I strongly encourage you to always keep on doing what you're doing and know that you're never truly on your own - especially so long as you have internet access! :)

42 comments:

  1. That's amazing that you're recognised for the way you look! But I can completely understand how it would be a bit isolating, to say the least. Although I don't go all-out vintage in my outfits, I don't know anyone else where I live who dresses even remotely similar to me... and I certainly don't know any other bloggers here. This is made all the more surprising by the fact I live in a *city* - but by UK standards, population size is definitely more of a town. We have one vintage shop I know of, and by some fluke of fate it's down the road from me and it's amazing... but apart from that, I completely hear you on the lone wolf thing! But as you say, the internet makes you feel so much less alone when you see like-minded souls out there doing what you do and inspiring each other. I don't know what I'd do without the internet! It's definitely helped this introverted girl embrace the way she wants to look, rather than the way she feels she ought to to fit in. CC x

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  2. Another wonderful post! You always find the perfect words :) I really admire your writing skills. And as one of these lonely wolfs, I really like the green leaves set. Ah-woooo! :D

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    1. That is immensely kind of you to say, dear gal. Thank you deeply. Isn't that green set sensational? It actually sold very recently (between when I wrote this post and today), but it was soooo marvelous and bursting with 50s charm (as well as tying in so nicely to today's theme) that I left it in anyways.

      Many sweet thanks again - have a splendid weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. I'm sorry you're alone IRL in your passion for vintage. Thank goodness we have the Internet to connect us. I didn't really know what vintage was until you explained it to me and illustrated your point with beautiful outfits and blog-posts. You ignited the fire in me for celebrating styles of old.

    I want an owl bag! And an animal brooch! Such cool stuff.

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    1. It warms my heart to know that I've helped broaden your knowledge of vintage, Ally. I've certainly learned many things from your wonderful blog as well.

      Though being the local VLW (vintage lone wolf) can indeed be lonely at times, I'm thankful for the support of family (most of them "get me" or at least don't say anything negative about my vintage garb and lifestyle) and of course my awesome online friends, be they vintage or otherwise, who all help ensure I am never truly without a support system and friend to chat with. :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  4. I totally understand; I'm "that vintage girl" too! It's nice to stand out and be seen as a creative dress, but I totally agree that I wish I had a vintage buddy to ramble about with in snazzy outfits and talk girdles or something!

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  5. A wonderful selection again Jessica! I especially love that first orange hat, it reminds me of one I used to have with black velvet petals. And if that 1940's dress wasn't so pricey I'd snap it up. P x

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    1. Oooh, I know it's such a stunner! 1940s dresses, especially printed ones, have shot through the roof price wise in the last couple of years in particular. I was very tempted myself (it's a whisper too big, but that's what belts are for! :)), but couldn't even begin to seriously contemplate it this close to the holiday season.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment. Have a fabulous Friday!
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Fantastic post Jessica!! Some of my friends introduce me as their "vintage friend" like I am some sort of subject to be seen in a zoo lol. I tend to wear mostly modern clothing but love to mix it up with vintage coats and accessories. I live south of a very populated area, but unfortunately I am not a part of the vintage scene other than attending some of the vintage clothing shows up in San Francisco or down in the Los Angeles area. Stay strong Lone Wolves!!

    Kelley

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Kelley. Excellent point, I'm really glad you touched on that. I too have had people practically parade me around with the attitude of an old-timey sideshow barker saying, "Step right up folks, see the amazing vintage wearing girl. Marvel at her 1940s tilt hat, her 1950s novelty print dress, her adore repro shoes. Just a nickel for the thrill of a lifetime!" :D

      Okay, I jest a little there, but it's not all that far off the mark. Thankfully it's always been done with good intentions, but still, it's not the world's most polite way to introduce someone.

      Hear, hear, vintage lone wolves stay strong!

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Hey vintage girl ;) this post hits close to home too. Nobody seems to understand my attachment to used garments, old furniture and the way I see it, things belonging to "better times". I think its fantastic that you are being recognised, even as a loner - it means that you are doing something right :)

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  8. Oh, Jess!
    You have hit the sentimental line in ts (old) girl, from the other side of the screen.

    There s a ZEN quote that I have and keep, it goes like this:
    "We are none of us alone; even as we exhale it is inhaled by others, the light that shines upon me shines upon my neighbor as well, in this way everything is connected - everything is connected to everything else"
    I find this absolutely beautiful, and since I've ventured in an online life, I have found some amazing people (like yourself) that share the same interest.. So, even when I know I'm the only one here, even when I know they call me "the One with Red Lips" - I know I am by far not the only one like this in the world.

    ...
    And isn't it strange? I too have written a post about something like this; not being alone, but being single. Great minds do think the same, darling!

    Many hugs
    Marija

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  9. What a nice idea. I am a lone wolf too and known to be special too in Denmark. I have finally found another fifties dress loving lady, much younger than me and living in Copenhagen. I follow her blog of course and don't know if we will ever meet in person. I don't think so. But I think vintage is pretty big in Sweden, our neighbouring country. So I also love to be part of our vintage community on the internet. Thank you for your lovely and inspirational list, which I always enjoy. Wishing you a great weekend. :)

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    1. How marvelous that you've found a fellow 50s loving lady in your own country. Sometimes just knowing that you're truly not the only one in your own nation dressed as though it was 60 to 80+ years ago offers a huge sense of comfort and to a degree, companionship, unto itself. Even if it seems unlikely, I do very much hope you're able to meet up one day. Connecting with the handful of vintage loving ladies that I have here so far in Canada have truly been some of the best experiences of my vintage life.

      That's really interesting about Sweden having a good sized vintage community. I knew as much was true of Finland, but hadn't heard too much about Sweden. I'll definitely have to go searching to see if I can find some Swedish vintage blogs now. :)

      Big hugs & tons of happy weekend wishes to you as well!
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Splendid post! Although I live outside of Los Angeles, where there is a healthy dose of vintage culture to be found (if you just look hard enough!), I completely understand. Being shy makes me more of a lone wolf anyway, but among my closest, best friends, whom I have known for years, I am the only one that loves vintage, it seems. The only one obsessed with an era long gone. But I trudge on, meekly holding my vintage torch. I'm glad you posted this and I'm happy to follow your blog. Your posts are lovely and insightful. Thank you!

    And that leaf print dress is lovely!

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    1. Thank you very much, my fellow shy (I'm ridiculously shy and also the total poster child for introverts everywhere) vintage loving lady. Hold that vintage torch high and proud - it's awesome to march to the beat of your own style drum. Who knows perhaps you'll inspire someone else who sees you to start wearing vintage and the two of you will become friends (I've heard one or two stories over the years of that happening to other pairs of people).

      Many heartfelt thanks again for your immensely kind comment/compliments. Have a gorgeous weekend!

      ♥ Jessica

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  11. The owl tooled bag is just spectacular!
    I can relate to this post far too well! I stick out like a sore thumb whenever I go out, complete strangers will marvel (or stare and point) at my clothing and I have to drive for well over an hour to find any type of vintage shop or fair. It's something I've gotten well used to, but I do often fantasize about having a fellow vintage loving friend who understands the thrill of finding crimplene in the charity shop!

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    1. Isn't it a marvelously darling bag? I love that it would work with outfits from a fairly wide range of decades and certainly is ideal for fall ensembles, too.

      If one of us is ever in the other's neck of the woods, we must have a thrift/charity store shopping date, dear gal.

      Big hugs & many thanks for all your terrific recent blog comments,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. I don't usually go for things that I find too cutesy, but that owl purse is pretty divine. I think it helps that it looks like a nice leather bag and not just something cheap or plastic.
    I've always found it a little difficult to make friends, vintage loving or otherwise, but that's something that I'm starting to work on. Despite the number of vintage loving ladies in Chicago, a couple of which I would almost call friends, I don't really have anyone to go shopping with, or dress up and grab a drink, or just hang out and talk about the stuff that we have a common interest in. The internet is pretty helpful in that regard, but you're right that it would be nice to have that personal connection.

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  13. wonderful woodsy things! love the grumpy owl bag!!
    you know - i´m in the same boot. two times. why? even if there are some vintage lovers in a 50km circle - they would be half my age.....
    anyway - i found you and the internet to not feel so alone with my vintage-y style and that hubs sports it too helps a lot!
    love! xxxxxx

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    1. That is a very good point, my dear friend. A few lone wolves travel in mini packs of two - as husband/boyfriend/wife/girlfriend/life partner and their mate, alone together on the vintage fashion front in a sea of 21st century jeggings, Ugg boots, and yoga wear. It's so awesome that you and your husband share a mutual passion for vintage styles. That must be such a blessing to you both!

      I love that internet has brought us together and forged our friendship, Beate. Here's to many more years to come of enjoying each other's company across the miles and through the computer screen. :)

      Tons of hugs & happy Friday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. A great post, I used to be a lone wolf in my area too but i'm very lucky that there are now regular vintage fairs in several towns by me. My job at a living museum also means that i've met some like minded people who understand my love of vintage but are not quite as obsessed! It's wonderful to read your blog and others to see that there are some like minded people who all share a love of times gone by!

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Hayley. I think that a fair number of us vintage folks, not surprising, are drawn to careers and/or hobbies that let us find ways to connect with others who have an interest in history, even if they're not full blown "vintagers". Your job at a living museum is a great example there and I'm so happy for you that you're able to make connections there sometimes with folks who "get you". That's awesome!!! My own first real (aka, not babysitting and the like) job as a teenager was in a living ghost town for a few months and it was a great way for me to feel the same sort of thing at such a young age (I began wearing vintage at 15 and had loved it for as far back before then as I can recall).

      Thank you very much for your terrific comment!
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. Wow I am loving that owl bag! Autumn makes me want to go buy more floral dresses even though that's like 80% of my wardrobe already. I can't get enough.

    I love vintage but there's just not enough of it in shops and there's no events here.. I can't even get excited to see how others dress up. I did read a blog that had some kind fair awhile back and I was so jealous. There's really no shops but at least there's Etsy. Someone has really got to start some kind of meet up :D

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    1. Hello dear Crissy, it's really interesting that you mention that last point. I've long thought, have been especially contemplating the logistics of, a meet-up for vintage lovers would be an incredible thing. Of course there are various big events like Twinwood, Viva Las Vegas, and the annual Jazz Age Lawn party that are already nailing it on this front, but there hasn't been, as far as I know, a really big event organized for vintage bloggers. I don't have any concrete plans in the works, but one day down the line, if there was enough interest in it, I would love to try and start one myself here in the Okanagan (during the summer, probably, so that attendees could enjoy a warm, wonderful holiday in the process).

      Big hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. I love that owl bag. This is yet another great round up, Jessica! So lovely
    And I'm a bit of a lone wolf in my neighborhood. And I suppose in my city? I know there are other vintage lovers, as there are shops and flea markets around, but I've yet to find someone just meandering down the street who lives close to me. I had some classmates who like vintage, but we lost touch. I do have a friend an hour or so north of me, so that's fun!
    I'm very thankful for the online community, I've learned so many things when I first fell down the rabbit hole, and I'm always learning. I've been able to come out of my shell more, and I couldn't be more happier.

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    1. That's awesome, dear Carla. I think that we're all immensely fortunate to be able to learn and connect with one another online. Of all the benefits the web has brought into my life over the years, my vintage friends are by far one of the very best and most important.

      It's wonderful that you have some shops and flea markets around that sell vintage. We don't have any vintage clothing stores in Penticton, but there are a couple antique stores in a 20 minute range and a more if you branch out to a two hour radius (at the far end of which you'll finally find a small, wonderful vintage clothing shop in a tiny town called Armstrong).

      Big hugs & many thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. I hear ya! I'm so grateful for our online community. I have friends that are into vintage but not quite the same level and they aren't bloggers.

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    1. Hi lovely Lisa, though not the same as having full-on vintage loving/wearing friends, it must be nice to have a few folks who share some of your interested to chat with in person. I'm friends with a few fellow vintage sellers/dealers/collectors in our area and elsewhere in the province and adoring chatting with them. They don't wear(save for jewelry in some cases) or blog about vintage, but even just connecting with folks who are likely to what what Prystal, silk crepeline, or a Lefton Bluebird teapot is, for example, can go a very long way towards making one feel less alone in the vintage world.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. I adore that cowichan sweater
    Retro rover

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  19. Jessica, what an exciting post! It is so refreshing to know that others love vintage as much as I...but I have to admit that I don't wear vintage clothes (but I really should, because even though I was born in 1956, I have such a love for so many things before my time!) Clothing, music, recipes, everything. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  20. Ooooh man I just discovered your blog- I'm in love! I just opened my first vintage business and have been hunting for some solid blogs I can identify with and this is totally up my alley. Can't wait for the next post! xxx

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    1. Hi Mimi, thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment and for discovering my blog. I'm delighted that you have and hope you enjoy each and every visit here. I've been blogging for 5.5 years now and have posted about 1,180 entries in that time, so if you're in the mood for some older post reading, you'll have plenty to keep you busy. :)

      I always love receiving suggestions from my wonderful audience for post topics, so if there's ever something you'd like to see me write about, please don't hesitate to ask.

      Many thanks again & my warmest welcome to Chronically Vintage,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. Lovely collection of items here which match your theme perfectly. I very much like the hat, dress and owl bag. That bag would always make one cheerful. I think one of the greatest things about blogging is being able to connect with people all over the world who are into the same things as yourself.

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    1. Definitely! That is truly one of the best and most important blessings the internet has ever delivered my way. I love that it has not only brought like-minded souls, but dear friends (such as yourself) into my life as well. Technology and the web may not always be perfect, but their ability to bring vintage loving folks together from all corners of the earth is definitely a huge point in their favour! :)

      Tons of hugs & happy Sunday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. The fascinator is amazing!
    http://inkandlacedesigns.blogspot.com.au/

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  23. This is so perfect! While there are a few ladies who do enjoy a good 50s style repro frock in my area, they are all about ten years older than me... It's not that I'm against having older friends, but there are a lot of people out there that don't want to be friends with a younger person because of young-person stereotypes. To be honest I feel like it would be great to have a friend that I had anything in common with, but I am so used to being on my own, that i don't even know where to start. Sometimes being alone is very comfortable :)

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    1. It certainly can be at times, yes. I'm incredibly shy and introverted and have never been a big social butterfly in real life (unlike my brother and sister, who excel on that front), so I can really relate to what you mean there. I have friends (online and off) of all ages though and love that the older I get, the easier it becomes to mingle with different age groups and not have (most) folks bat an eye. Maybe hitting my 30s is the sweet spot on that front now? I have friends in their early 20s and others as old as their 70s, and others in between that fifty year span, and adore that I can relate to and chat about both similar and different topics with all of them. I bet that the ladies who are a decade older than you would be delighted to strike up a friendship with a mutual love of vintage/vintage styles at its heart. I know that I'd be over the moon happy if a younger local lady approached me, said she was into vintage, and wanted to start a friendship. To know that there was someone else here that shared my same kinds of passions would always trump age for me.

      Big hugs from your vintage loving friend in Canada,
      ♥ Jessica

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  24. Fall is my favorite time of the year and November my favorite month! :) Love all the leaf themed items here!

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  25. I too am a lone wolf and it warms my heart to find that I am not alone in my passion for vintage. The internet keeps that passion alive for me especially as I'm not 20 something but almost vintage myself. ;D It would be wonderful to have vintage loving friends to hang out with in real life but I'm certainly not lacking in them through the many blogs I read and for that I'm thankful, especially you Jessica as you write with such enthusiasm and love!

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    1. That is wonderfully sweet, dear Shelly, thank you very much. I do have a boundless about of enthusiasm and love for vintage (and blogging and selling vintage), it's true and I really appreciate that you can sense as much in my writing.

      Sending huge hugs across the many miles to you, my fellow vintage lone wolf,
      ♥ Jessica

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