January 9, 2015

Vintage snow day!



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


{Come the freezing cold days of winter, which we're all very well acquainted with by now (in the Western Hemisphere), one of my favourite ways to keep my ears nice and warm (or at least not entirely frostbitten!) is by employee the classic use of a headscarf like this 1960s red, white and green charmer. Neutral hues are fine, but an extra jolt of colour always helps to brighten my mood and serve a reminder that even the longest winter has to end sometime! Vintage scarf measures 20 inches/50.8 cm on all sides. $14.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Headscarves not your thing or not particularly well suited to a specific outfit you have in mind? How about this delightfully cool pair of deadstock band-less mid-century vintage earmuffs instead? $12.00 from Stag Vintage Goods.}




{I have three pair of snowflake earrings and wear them practically to death during the winter! They're sweet, fun, festive and great way to dress with the season. This absolutely charming vintage screw back pair included pale blue rhinestones and would be especially awesome for your next ski trip (while you're relaxing in the lodge at least! :)). $18.00 from Blue Sparrow Vintage.}




{You might as well put lip chap on the food pyramid for me come winter. I have dry lips (and skin) all year round, but in the winter it's a 24/7 battle for me to keep my lips from cracking and bleeding, so I always have a tube (or five!) of high quality lip balm at the ready. I haven't tried the offerings from this particular brand, but given their all-natural formula, they sound like one that I'd have good luck with - plus the name of this particular product, Snowflakes Vanilla Mint Lip Balm, really appeals to me. $4.00 for a 0.15 ounce tube from Lippincott Soap Co.}




{It doesn't get much more classic than this on the winter scarf front! Red and black combine to create a timeless tartan pattern on this wool blend 1950s scarf that will never, ever go out of style or fail to help keep you warm. 58" scarf, $20.00 from Transmigration.}




{How on earth I managed to list this delightfully classic red and black 1960s sweater and not tuck it away in my wardrobe the moment I found it, is beyond me! :) I have indeed recently listed it though and now you can bring it home with you, if you’d like. Fits up to a 36" bust/28" waist (unstretched). $30.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Fancy yourself quite the skiing expert? Love lounging in the lodge with a steaming cup of cocoa? Just want to sport a darling winter sport themed pin? Whatever the case, this uber cute, very reasonably priced vintage ski bunny brooch is for you! $10.95 from Granny Bean's Boutique.}




{It's scarcely a secret that I'm wild for dresses and skirts, but sometimes, especially when the mercury plummets, pants are the first thing I reach for in the morning. I own three pairs of Heyday's fantastic swing trousers and they all see wear during this icicle bedecked time of the year. I really like that Heyday offers a variety of colours and fabrics, so that you can coordinate them with your favourite winter coats, sweaters and jackets. A great pair to start with (or add to) your own collection is Black Swing Trousers (available, at the time of writing, in UK ladies sizes 10 to 20) that will serve you awesomely as the bottom half of countless cold and warm weather ensembles alike. £55.00 from Heyday.}




{Classic, sturdy, and easy to style in an array of directions (vintage, punk, goth, contemporary, etc), these Finejo brand women's black lace up faux leather boots are sure to help make getting through the long months of winter more bearable. Plus, they're a massive bargain to - fittingly - boot! :) Available in modern ladies sizes 6 to 11. $21.99 from Amazon.}





At the start of this week Penticton was hit by a snowstorm that resulted in the single largest snowfall this town has seen in decades. Coupled with the abundance of flakes that had already fallen on the weekend, come Tuesday morning, there was well over a foot of the white stuff everywhere the eye could see.

A snow warning was in effect and very rarely for Canada, a snow day was even issued schools in the area. Looking back to my own years as a student, I can only remember two times when that ever happened. Snow is a fact of life in this country and needs to be pretty serious and substantial before schools shut their doors.

It wasn't just classrooms that were empty though, the streets, slicked with immensely dangerous black ice, were near ghost towns and sadly many who did venture out found themselves either getting stuck or slowly colliding on their sides into one another as if they were playing a citywide game of bumper cars.

Tony and I didn't risk going out on Monday and I had to move one of my routine doctor's appointments up a few days because of it. For all the trouble such weather can cause (and goodness knows, things can always be worse on the blizzard front - as far as I heard, the power didn't even go down here in town because of it), there is also a certain resplendent beauty to it that will always speak to my winter serenity loving soul.

While I have been yearning for a solid snow cover to take some vintage outfit photos in, it's rather tricky (and certainly not very safe) do so in the midst of a snow storm, so this week the camera stayed in its padded bag and instead I decided to deck out this month's stylish Vintage Friday Fashionista in the kind of garb one needs when faced with such a snowy environment.

While my own hunt for a matching two-piece (or one-piece zip up) vintage ski or snow suit still continues, living in the northerly nation that I do, I do have numerous cold weather and fun winter themed items (such as the snowflake shaped earrings I mentioned above) that I wear frequently from October/November through to March or April, just depending on when Old Man Winter decides to vacate the premise. Many of which are similar those featured here today.

Though things have slowed down on the snowfall front as the week progressed, we're still up to our eyebrows in ski hill perfect powder and it's safe to say that we'll be reaching for the winter boats, extra heavy scarves, and wool garments long after Monday's official snow day (this being Canada after all!!!).

I hope that you're all staying warm and safe, and enjoying a fantastic start of January, my dear friends!

29 comments:

  1. First up..Stay Warm Jessica! It's freezing here in Toronto and I have done nothing but hibernate since I got back from my trip to Tennessee (which was not warm).

    What wonderful finds for this post:) I really love that bunny on skies and might have to make it mine if it's still available. I have been kind of in a winter blah in regards to my dressing as of late but this has perked me right up and now I'm eager to put together a fun vintage winter outfit.

    Have a wonderful day Jessica :)

    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ah, snow. It always seems such a good idea at the time... until it becomes dangerous! Or disrupts every form of transport available (that is probably more of a UK problem than anything else!). Enjoying your snow picks - I was given a vintage headscarf for Christmas and while it's not really my style to actually put them on my head, I found it was a brilliant neck warmer to go under a particularly tight coat I couldn't fit a scarf with and looked darn pretty while doing it. I'd definitely be doing so with that cute 60s little number! CC x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Today is the fourth snow day this week in Southwestern Ontario. Area roads are shut down from blowing snow. Far cry from my News Year day walk on a local trail in running shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. We had snow last night so I sympathize with your situation. Only your weather is much more harsh than ours.

    Love these things in your post. The pants especially. I've always wanted a pair like that. And earmuffs -- I've never had a pair. In my entire life. Which goes to show we all have holes in our life-experiences. Vintage objects make me nostalgic for my youth. It was so very long ago.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm with you about lip balm being on the winter food pyramid! I've started making my own, partially because shea butter and castor oil make me break out, and I find none of the vegan balms at my natural foods store works as well as beeswax-based balms. I posted the recipe on my blog a few weeks back, but gist is that it's 2 parts avocado oil, 1 part beeswax, 1 part mango butter (all by weight) and a smidge of vitamin E. It looks like butter and spreads like it, too, once you warm it a bit. I also use it on my cuticles at night, and have been known to spread it on Boyfriend's dry nose when we're spending too much time outside and he gets flaky!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those earrings are drop-dead gorgeous!!!
    And I love the ideas about keeping warm...I am freezing physically even as I type, but warm thoughts do me no end of good. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Jessica how are you?
    Here in Brazil we are in the middle of summer, but it is very nice to have these tips for clothes and winter accessories. Great taste!
    I love the black and red combination attracts me a lot. I love very much the scarves, can not resist when meeting some handkerchief or scarf to match the clothes, a versatile accessory and chic!
    Wish you find the beautiful accessories to make her comfortable and beautiful winter.
    A big hug Vintage friend, Cris.
    www.mixdacrisretro.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. While we've gotten far less snow here in Chicago than we saw last year at this time, the cold is pretty intense. It's great to see some buys that remind me that winter isn't all bad - those snow flake earrings in particular are really charming. Thanks for a sweet post! Stay warm and stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow--sounds like things are getting quite wintry up there! I've been hearing from family in Michigan that they've just received a bunch of snow too--I'm pretty happy to be missing all of that. And you're spot on with those boots--I love that lace-up black boots style so much because they're so versatile!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those earmuffs are so clever! They'd keep your ears toasty without mussing up your hair.

    I've never lived in a place that gets snow, and I've always wondered what it would be like. Thanks to your beautiful description, I feel as though I've now got a better idea! I've only seen snow twice in my life: once on a trip to the mountains and one extremely rare occasion when my hometown got a tiny sprinkling one winters day. I would like to take a holiday in the snow one day though, perhaps even enjoy a white Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love themed pins but I never seem to find them in my antique search adventures :\

    ReplyDelete
  12. Dear Jessica,

    No matter how the weather is outside, your blog is always such a joy, so refreshing and heartwarming to come to. Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. haha - i can remember a comment lately ;-)
    very wise to stay at home! there will be time to take snowy pics when the weather calmed down.
    we´r facing the second big storm within 3 days, with up to 80km/h wind speed, but very warm (today 13°C).
    lots of things got/get destroyed. we lost our biggest tree but luckily no other damage at our house........
    while the storm is roaring outside i dream away over your collection here. especially the ski bunny - totally cute!!!!
    hugs&kisses <3

    ReplyDelete
  14. I simply love that scarf! I do envy your winter weather. It's been frightfully warm here in California and I do so wish I lived in a place that experiences the four seasons. I'm sure you're aware of the many wonderful vintage and repro shops out there, but have you looked at the ski outfits from Emmy Design? (http://www.emmydesign.se/en/collections/)

    ReplyDelete
  15. That bunny pin is awfully cute!
    Hope you guys are staying safe and warm in all that snow!

    ReplyDelete
  16. oh, the little 60s sweater is really great!

    ReplyDelete
  17. As much as I keep claiming I dislike snow due to shoveling... I have to admit this:
    There is, in a way, a very special feeling when one wakes up and sees that everything is covered with fresh, untouched, pale white snow. And, there's a sense of illumination when morning sun touches the crispy show-covered streets. It makes everything look so clean, almost ideal.
    And nothing (I'll repeat: nothing) can measure up to a long walk across the field of unpaved whiteness - in case you have grass-fields, and they get snow-covered.. be the first one to thread them - the feeling is-- next to sublime. :)

    Many hugs
    Marija

    ReplyDelete
  18. The bunny on skis did make me giggle. I do like brooches that are cheery. The earrings are rather nice too. Your snowfall sounds exciting, hope you are warm and cosy. I have only experienced black ice once and just couldn't believe how hard it was to walk. Not keen on having that again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that seriously darling? I really want to add one like it to my brooch collection some day. I don't ski, but I do love looking the (vintage) part and this would be such a charming way to go about it.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  19. Those boots are unbelievably cheap! I must buy!! I love them so v.much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore them, too!!! I have black wintry boots that I love, but if not, I'd be trying to track down these classic ones here in Canada myself too.

      Big hugs & happy Monday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  20. I adore those earrings! I have never ever seen snow. I think it would be a little bit too cold for me LOL. Once it drops under about 20c here I start complaining about how cold it is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snow isn't everyone's cup of tea (or would that be hot cocoa in the winter months? :)), but it is rather sublime - at least early in the season when there's still a novelty factor to it. If doing so is something you long for, I really hope that you're able to experience it in person at least once.

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

      Delete
  21. such a pretty cake! Ive been thinking of making a rainbow layer jello mold but maybe cake is more the way to go
    retro rover

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh, I adore snow, please send some to Denmark. It sounds like you have plenty of it. :) We have lots of rain storms, quite annoying. I am also a lip balm addict, and I love to have different to choose from and have quite a collection from Etsy. I have summery and wintery tastes to choose from, which makes a necessary evil much more fun. And of course I have several snowflake jools, which I use as much as possible during winter. Snowflakes are really one of mother nature's most beautiful creations. Thank you for a lovely list of winter items. Wishing you a beautiful snow day. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Goodness, I could send you an ocean liner full, if such was possible. Our town practically looks like a ski hill at the moment (and the actual ski hill, Apex Mountain, that we have is utterly thrilled as all the recent snow has powder).

      I completely agree! Snowflakes are so sweet and beautiful. They, especially when represented in jewelry form, really help to make winter more bearable. You know, come to think of it, I doubt there's any symbol of winter that I adore more.


      Thank you very much for your lovely comment, my dear friend. I hope that your week is off to a splendid start!

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  23. I love what you have choosen here. So cute and timeless (red and black is just super for the winter), I would wear all of it! I hope you are keeping warm and cosy in all your snow. Not a sniff of it here in the UK, but while temperatures don't go down to your levels, goodness knows it's cold enough! X x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are indeed staying warm and snug as bugs in the rug. :) Thankfully our condo has a good heating system and were it to fail or if we needed back up, we have a really good space heater (from our old apartment in Toronto, which was not well heated at all!!!), so we're definitely covered - plus the fact that our pets are total cuddlers with us means extra warmth from them as well. :)

      I hope that this year is off to a great start for you, my dear friend, and that it won't be too long until spring arrives on both our ends (dressing the part can help make winter more bearable, but one does still miss the sun and the feeling of fresh green grass underfoot).

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  24. Considering I'm quite chilled at the moment, I could use a few of these like that tartan scarf or the ear muffs.

    ReplyDelete