January 31, 2015

Vintage Link Love for January 2015


Excitingly, today's post marks the one year anniversary since this end-of-the-month roundup of some of the most interesting and enjoyable links to have crossed my path lately came into existence. It has proven to be a big hit with many readers, so I've decided to continue it for the foreseeable future in 2015 (and possibly beyond – time will tell!).

This month, eh? Hmm, what can I say about it...for starters, it didn't unfold as I'd imagined, though objectively, relatively few ever do (for me at least). I began January in poor health, then things perked up and I was able to be incredibly productive for a few days, got hit with a really bad flare-up of one of my GI conditions and was largely out of commission again near the end again (and still am).


{That is the promise and hope of each new year, though as any realist will tell you, things don't always go as planned! Image source.}


Really, this is quite the average roller coaster of being chronically ill for me though, so nothing was particularly out of the ordinary there. My focus for the most part during my highly productive days was my Etsy shop, where I'm delighted to report that for the first time ever, I currently have over 300 listings in stock at at the moment (in fact, I presently have over 325 items in stock).

I've been striving to reach this milestone number for a while now and am thrilled to have finally done so. Lofty goal though it may be, as I have the stock already, I'm now aiming to have 400 listings up by the end of March.

Snow and black ice, rain as chilly as icicles melting overhead, and skies as grey as tarmac called this month home. Spring is a long ways off still, but not so far it feels unreachable. Just get through two more months, a wee voice inside whispers, and April will reward you with natural beauty so vivid and moving you'll feel as though you're experiencing it for the very first time.

Now however, right here in the present moment, winter remains and so to help inject some excitement into another damp, windy winter morn, allow me to present a dozen of the vintage related links that have caught my eye in recent weeks and which I hope you'll enjoy spending some quality time with as much as I did.




photo VintagelinkloveblogpostheaderforChronicallyVintage_zps551f30c8.png

15 things you didn't know about fashion in the First World War: Okay, objectively as vintage fashion lovers, some of us may know a few or even all of these, but this History Extra post makes for a fun, informative read all the same and will more than likely have you yearning to slip into some late Edwardian threads by the time you reach the 15th point.


How to tie a vintage style turban: This is a question I get asked, especially by non-vintage wearing strangers that I encounter while out and about, quite frequently. Now, I'm happy to say, I can point one and all towards this wonderful how-to post from Carla at Tiny Angry Crafter, who shared her favourite way to stylishly sport a vintage style headscarf turban.


50 more awesome (vintage) outfit photo shoot locations: Earlier this month one of my first posts for this brand new year focused on 52 awesome (vintage) outfit photo shoot locations. Inspired by it, Helen Mae (pictured below) from the blog Lovebirds Vintage penned her own fabulous list and includes scores of places that I'll be tucking away for future use now myself. If anyone else tries their hand at a similar list, be sure to let me/us know - I'd love to read it!





A Secret Ballroom Built In The 1800s Lies Under A Lake, Guarded By Neptune: Wow. Just wow!!!


75 Creative ways to organize your jewelry: By way of Lucky magazine - one of my favourite contemporary fashion magazines ever - comes this inspiring list of 75 ways to store, display and get the most out of your jewelry. Given how many of us in the vintage world are massive jewelry fans, there was no way I could refrain from sharing this fun slideshow of ideas.


1940s Winter Fashion Inspiration: A great entry from Swiss blogger Doris of Mrs. Button's Vintage Corner, this post that is jammed backed with marvelous forties cold weather fashion ideas that are bound to turn your knees to jelly and make you yearn for a time machine!




Caring for your woolens: Wool generally comes out to play more often during winter than any other season, but no matter the time of the year, the tips in this handy post from A Fashionable Stitch are sure to help you keep yours in tip-top shape.


21 old-fashioned fruit punch recipes (from 1969): It struck me a while ago, during the holiday season actually, that fruit punches are classic drink that don't get as much mainstream love as they once did by any stretch of the imagination - which is a shame, because their possibilities are endless and they're usually very tasty ways to quench your thirst and liven up a party or everyday meal alike. This list from Click Americana rounds up 21 great classics that will be sure to have you reaching for the feather duster and your punch bowl set pronto!


Amazing vintage photographs provide a vivid snapshot of working life for British women during World War Two: 1940s history buffs and fashion fans will both be be in awe and admiration of the incredibly hard working ladies depicted in these WW2 photos from the UK that help to remind us (not that us vintage folks needed it - but in general, I mean) of how truly valuable women were to the war effort.




19 Huge Hollywood Stars Who Never Won an Oscar: From Rita Hayworth to Errol Flynn, you'll be surprised big time by the selection of actors and actresses on this list and find yourself repeating "that just doesn't seem right!" over and over again as you read though this Time Magazine list of truly talented entertainers.


Make Your Own Seamed Stockings: Whether your interests in historical fashions tends to those from a few hundred years ago, the more recent decades of the 20th century, or anywhere in between, this excellent how-to post from the blog The Dreamstress is a must read and bookmark for any seamed stocking fan.


Free vintage themed cross stitch patterns: Cross stitching has been one of my favourite crafts and hobbies since I was about five years old and made my first wee x shaped stitches ever. Though I haven't had a lot of time for it in more recent years, I'm hoping to start (and finish) one or two big patterns this year, working primarily on my day off each week (wish me luck! :)). If you're a fellow fan of this classic art, then you're going to flip for the delightful selection of free cross stitch charts in this great post from Portuguese vintage lifestyle blog Casa Cherry (I hope to make some of them over the years for sure!).



(Please note: this cross stitch chart is credited to Fliiz Turkocagi, T.C. Ministry of Culture Artist, Cross Stitch Designer, Turkey)



{All images throughout the list of links above come by way of the post that they are displayed directly beneath the write up of here. Please follow the links provided to learn more about these images.}


♥ ♥ ♥


Roller coaster-esque though this month might have been, it had its positive points (which on top of the aforementioned listing milestone, also including hitting a grand total of 300+ items sold to date in my shop - I can't help but think how cool it is that both big 300 marks happened within not just days, but hours, of each other - what are the odds?) and I leave January with a similar optimism to that which I entered into it with.

I have scores (!) of post ideas and plans in the works for this year and am eager to share several of them with you in February - yes, very much including at least one or two Valentine's Day related entries. You know me, I just can't let a holiday go by un-blogged! :)

Here, my sweet friends, is to the prospect of an awesome second month of the year and all the love, goodness, (possibly) milder weather, and exciting things that it holds in store of each of us!

30 comments:

  1. Thanks for including my post, and thanks for being the original inspiration!

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    1. You're very welcome, my dear! Your list was the bee's knees and then some and I've already told Tony about several fosholos I want to try and use from it this year and beyond.

      Have a marvelous weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. I deeply appreciate your "Vintage Link Love", there are so many wonderful blogs worth visiting, but well hidden. Very often I ended up reading far more than just the linked post. You're doing a wonderful job to pick so many awesome links I probably would never ever detect. Thank you therefore, dear Jessica for mentioning my blog post, I feel very honored. :-)

    This time of year is a bit dreadful, winter seems too long, spring too far. Lots of time for reading those wonderful blogs. Thanks especially for the link about women during WW2 and the colorful cross stitch pattern, it totally cheered me up!

    xxx Doris

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    1. Sweet Doris, you are very welcome. I couldn't agree with you more about wonderful blog that don't cross enough people's radar, which is why I try to include stories and posts from a wide variety of sites around the world in each edition of this end-of-the-month post. I adore your blog and always find myself inspired by what you share there, so it only seemed right to spread the good word about it and hopefully help others to walk away with the same positive benefits from it that I continually derive.

      Sooo true! We really are in the last, long legs of winter. It will be a couple months more in all likelihood before we see spring again where I live, but even just knowing it's that close perks up my spirits and makes me want to (proverbially) dust off my sundresses and straw bonnets again. :)

      You're very welcome, lovely lady. Thank you in tern for your great comment. I really hope that you have a fun, fabulous month of February!

      ♥ Jessica

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  3. Thank you for sharing these links, very interesting! I do not have a lot of time to search good post, so your post is very helpful for me!
    Amitiés de Normandie!

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    1. You're very welcome, dear Maud. I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed this post and that it helped bring some new stories and sites your way. If you ever come across any that you think would be a good fit for a future edition, please don't hesitate to share them with me.

      Big hugs from Canada,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. A great selection of very useful posts my dear. Hope you will be feeling better soon and things will pick up for the health front. Happy happy New Year,
    May x

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    1. That's very kind and caring of you, dear May, thank you deeply. I hope so, too. There's so much I want to do and blog about this month! :)

      Tons of hugs & happy February wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. A secret underwater ballroom?! Wow!!

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  6. Dearest Jessica, I am sorry to hear that you have not been well. I have been struggling as well. Moving to Korea has been a very exciting time for our family but the travels and setting up a new home here has taken it toll on me. So hard has been my journey that I keep looking back thinking I want to feel like I did before the move. I always see myself in your words and I feel you know and I mean really know what it is like. that is a rare thing to find when there are so many others that just don;t understand. I hope February will be a healing month for you and for me. Here's to better days and the coming of Spring. Hug, Beverly

    PS I looked at a few of your recent post. I love the post with the seals. You look so beautiful and happy and the background was amazing.

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    1. Sweet Beverly, thank you deeply. I'm immensely sorry that your recent move has really taken its toil on you. Moves are brutal on most folks, but especially on us chronic illnesses fighters. Having lived abroad while being CI (chronically ill) myself several years ago (we lived in Ireland for a couple of years at the start of our relationship/marriage), I fully know what that does to a body and how long it can take to slowly regain the levels of (often poor to begin with) health you had before the boxing boxes were packed up in the first place.

      I do fully and understand am touched that you sense as much. I likewise have always known than that you "got it" it too when it comes to living life with the daily challenges of serious health problems.

      My sweet friend, please know that I'm always here for you in any way that I can be and that I am sending countless gentle healing hugs your way.

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Some great ideas. can't wait to check them out :)

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  8. Thank you for including my post, Jessica!! I'd love to see some cute scarves on your head soon, haha!

    And I hope you feel better! I'm sending hugs and warm sun rays from SD <3!

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    1. You're very welcome, dear Carla. It really is a terrific how-to and I knew the moment I spotted it that it would landing in this post.

      Ooohh, I madly adore headscarves and wear them often. Before I became a wig wearer, I leaned on them heavily to help camoflauge my thinning hair and since becoming one (in late 2012), I've sported them often to help make my wig look like real hair (I find that if you "dress up" a wig with a had, head band, bows, hair flowers, scarves, etc, people almost never assume you're wearing a wig). Here are three of my favourite more recent outfits from the past couple of years that have included headscarves worn in this classic 40s style way:

      http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2013/09/1920s-yellow-1940s-peach-and-plenty-of.html

      http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2013/12/what-i-wore-for-and-bought-during.html (That is probably my fave vintage scarf in my collection; as I madly adore Calgary, Alberta, where I lived for a couple of years in my late teens, and it's a c. 1950s gem from the world famous Calgary Stampede there.)

      http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2014/09/a-beloved-vintage-shirtwaist-dress-for.html


      It's practically a given that I'll sport this same kind of style again in outfit photos for my blog this year. It's so handy, fun, stylish and delightfully old school. :)

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. Lovely post! I really love that anchor brooch on the post before too - gorgeous outfit and just adore the brooch! :D

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Chantal. I love that anchor brooch - and nautical themed jewelry in general - as well. It really was the perfect piece to bring with me for our recent trip to Vancouver Island.

      I hope that you're doing great as we launch into this new month!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. thank you for this fun and interesting links my dear! especially liked the 15 WWI "secrets", the winter wear musings from doris button and WWII pictures of female service members.
    and, of cause, the underwater ballroom! to have a party there! (after some cleaning and decorating :-) )
    wish you a wonderful start into february!!! hugs&kisses!!!!
    <3

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    1. That underwater ballroom is simply amazing! And you know, much like the story that I shared here in this same post series a few months ago about the hidden collection of mid-century cars that were discovered in the woods of Belgium, discoveries like this make me wonder what else is still tucked away and quietly hidden from the whole world still, just waiting for the day that it is discovered anew. Only time will tell - but each such marvelous discovery that I catch wind of is likely to appear on my blog at some point. :)

      Tons of hugs & joyful start of February wishes to you as well, my dear friend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. I always enjoy these types of posts, congrats on listing and selling over 300 items! You deserve it the time and care you take on your listings is inspiring:)

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet gal, that's a really lovely and touching compliment. It's almost hard to believe that between items that have sold and items currently in the shop I've listed a combined total of more than 630 things so far in just under nine months. It will be really fun to see where those numbers are at come the shop's 1st anniversary in early May.

      Have a beautiful Sunday,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. such a great list, winter can be such a hard time to remain stylish so I love that winter vintage style link

    retro rover

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  13. Thank you for sharing some of internet finds! I am especially enamored with the vintage winter wear inspiration. I also love the punch recipes! I am not much for drinking alcoholic drinks, and you're right, the humble fruit punch doesn't get a lot of coverage... now if only I had a punch bowl and enough friends for a soirée...

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  14. Gostaria de ter tempo para visitar cada um desses links adoráveis.
    Destaco os lugares para fotografar com o blog Loverbirds Vintage inspirados no seu post, adorei os dois. Também gostei do ponto cruz da Vivi Casa Cherry.
    Ainda não aprendi ponto cruz mas tenho certeza que é uma ótima terapia. Um grande abraço!

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  15. Marilyn Monroe also never won an oscar, and should have for The Misfits!! That was such a great film. And on a random thought, I think I need that pink frock from the add. Please let the vintage fairies send one to me!! :D

    Psst...I hope my comments are taking, google and wordpress have been acting wonky for me today.

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    1. They are indeed, fear not! :) And thank you again immensely for each and every one of them. That was so sweet and downright cool of you to go through and comment on so many recent posts. I really appreciate it and am totally enjoying reading everything that you shared with me today.

      If I find that magical vintage fairy or godmother, I will definitely ask her to make us both one of these great pink dresses! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Dear Jessica,

    I am so sorry to hear you haven't been well, my heart goes out to you. Having had (and having) health issues of my own, I deeply empathize. How kind of you to share all these wonderful things! I have much to explore here, and I thank you so much for pointing out all these things that I didn't know about until now. Warm hugs.

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    1. Thank you deeply, dear Linda. I'm so very sorry that you've had to walk a path of life with chronic illnesses and chronic pain, too. It is a perpetual challenge for sure, but it sounds like we've both tried to make the best of things and not let our health problems squash our spirits - or our blogs - entirely (thank goodness!).

      Love & countless gentle hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. I am meant to be going to bed but have been sidetracked by these great links! I particularly enjoyed the 1940's winter inspiration - amazing outfits and the facts about WW1. The photos of women working in WW2 were really interesting too. Well done on both your selling and listing Etsy goals being reached, that is fantastic! I hope you are feeling a little better soon.

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    1. Thank you so much, lovely Kate. It was so exciting to reach those numbers. I've grown my listings count quite a bit more already this month and am currently sitting in the 360s. I hope to list more items either today or next week (or both) and honestly believe that I'm on track to hit 400+ not by the end of March, as initially predicted, but by (or before) the end of February. I'd love to get to 500+ by the time summer rolls around. We'll see! :)

      Tons of hugs & happy weekend wishes coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. Oh, my favourite series, which always takes way too much of my time. And again there was links I will send to my parents, the Neptune Ballroom for example. Very strange, and fabulous. I will also keep the free embroidery pattern, so cute. I sincerely hope you are feeling better, dear. And I will look forward to V-day posts, I am just like you, I LOVE holidays and traditions. :) Wishing you a lovely weekend.

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