February 22, 2015

Flickr Favourites: February 22, 2015





{Vogue August 1942 ~ Amara}
 



{Sparkling Silver ~ Joy Russell}
 



{1954 winter fashion-skirt suit 2 ~ Mo}
 



{February 1940, Jeanette MacDonald ~ Amy Jeanne}
 



{Avondale Fabrics, February 1949 ~ The Bees Knees Daily}
 



{Vintage winter ~ Svenia Schreiner}
 



{Miss Marzie Brown - 2 ~ LLF archives2}
 



{Our Siberian Husky Mishka, loving the snow! ~ Sheila Bobeldijk}
 



{1951 ~ File Photo}
 



{Coeds Enjoy Winter ~ University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives}
 


{All images above are from Flickr. To learn more about a specific image, please click on its title to be taken to its respective Flickr page.}






Does serenity have a colour? A season? A language all its own? I think that the answer to each of those questions is a resounding “yes!”. However, what classifies as such for me, may not be the same for you. The experiences you've lived, the part of the world you call home, the things that bring you peace, and myriad other elements will all factor in there.

I believe that serenity can be found in every season, though some, such as winter, do lend themselves more so to this powerful state of mind and being. February often gets a rather bad rap. Though the shortest month of the year, it can at times feel like the longest, and for many it's the last full month of winter weather, which makes us yearn for it to just be done and over with all the more.

Here in Canada, we're apt to experience wintry weather and temperatures until April (and for some, especially in more northerly locations, until May), but nevertheless, that almost palpable sense of longing for energetic new blooms, citrine hued sunshine, and open toed shoes start to kick in right about now all the same.

This is perfectly normal and okay, of course, but if even you're feeling “so done with winter” already, I encourage to stop and savour the ingrained serenity that February delivers all the same. There is a peaceful beauty to the way the world looks, smells and feels on a bracingly chilly winter's eve, just as there is to its colour palette of steely greys, powerful whites, gentle blues, and weathered browns.

As much as you may pine for spring and summer, take a moment and think about the last time you were melting faster than a crayon on hot pavement in July, when the whole world felt dizzyingly alive, pulsating with sticky electricity, and tell me you wouldn't have happily swapped at least one night of sleeping in front of the fan, in little more than your birthday suit, covers long kicked to the floor, for the chance to take a quiet walk in the snow on a frosting February morn?

It is human nature to want what we can't have and to long for the idyllic elements of life, but as we must take the seasons as they are dished out to us (save, of course, for hopping on a plan and embarking on a holiday somewhere warm, or conversely, chilly) and serve our spirits well by enjoying the best that each has to offer. Even if doing so can, admittedly, be a bit tricky when you're shoveling the driveway for the seventy-ninth consecutive day in a row or piling on so many layers you could practically stand on a street corner, undress, and have your own pop up clothing shop.

Do I miss summer? You better believe it, but I also long for certain aspects of winter, when June, July and August are here, so for now I'm content to put up with snow chains, steep heating bills, and short hours of daylight in order to enjoy and savour those elements of the season that I know I'll yearn for when I'm practically boiling on the beach in a sundress in half a year's time. Chief amongst which will always be, the immensely lovely serenity and stillness of winter.

38 comments:

  1. Beautifully and so well written Jessica as always. You are treasure and thank you for your vision and words and the lovely way you view our world and the things around us. I happen to adore winter and all it's beauty but if I did not your words would so make me fall in love with all that is winter. Gentle and warm hugs, Beverly

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    1. Sweet Beverly, you humble me with your tremendously kind compliments. Thank you deeply for bringing such a hit of joy my way with your thoughtful words.

      Hugs always,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. I love the old pictures you find. I'd come here just to enjoy them, if it wasn't for the charm of your personality also drawing me in.

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  3. You had me at the husky picture as you well know!! I think you're right that we forget about how ridiculously uncomfortable it can be to do a simple thing like sleep in the summer - and actually I quite often think about how much I enjoy getting cosy in bed when it's winter whereas in summer I can't wait to be out of it! But we've just got rain and no pretty snow, so winter is wearing thin on me right now! Plus I just bought a sundress and pair of open toe shoes because I can't stop myself when I know spring is around the corner ;) x

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  4. Love that Vogue cover, not everything changes for the better. I'm sick of winter by the way.

    / Avy
    http://MyMotherFuckedMickJagger.blogspot.com



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    1. Goodness, no. Change is inevitable and important, but sometimes it needs to stop and take stock of the direction it's headed in - and there are few areas, to my mind personally, which this applies more than the fashion world.

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. The best parts of a UK February are the appearance of drifts of snowdrops, the crocuses and daffodils are beginning to sprout leaves and there are a few glorious bright days when you just know that Spring is peeking round the corner.

    I much prefer February to January :-)

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    1. Same here! There are a couple months of the year, January and August, when I'm very often deeply ill for the whole month. I think it's that the extremes of the season's weather take their toll on my weak immune system and overall state of health, and this January was no exception. February, from about mid-month onward, has thankfully been much better on that front. This point of January relating to my health makes me like February all the more and the fact that it's the last full month of winter is icing on the cake. :)

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* Please enjoy some of those gorgeous snowdrops for me. They're not a common flower around these parts and I rarely get to see them in person.

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    2. Same here! There are a couple months of the year, January and August, when I'm very often deeply ill for the whole month. I think it's that the extremes of the season's weather take their toll on my weak immune system and overall state of health, and this January was no exception. February, from about mid-month onward, has thankfully been much better on that front. This point of January relating to my health makes me like February all the more and the fact that it's the last full month of winter is icing on the cake. :)

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* Please enjoy some of those gorgeous snowdrops for me. They're not a common flower around these parts and I rarely get to see them in person.

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  6. The husky picture is great! I'm more of a cat person and actually dislike dogs (especially the smelly ones with yellow hair around their mouth and sweeping tails), but the only exception to that are huskies. They look just like wolves and that's one of my favorite animals!
    I also like the snow picture. Looks just like the place were I grew up! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I guess serenity has a colour depending on your mood. :) I try to find serenity in everything I do - and sometimes is challenging lol
    Summer is my fav season but I have to say I miss winter sometimes ( I can;t believe I say that - always a summer lover....) I love the idea of dressing up very elegant in winter....
    http://inkandlacedesigns.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Likewise, my sweet friend. It is not always possible or at least not fully, but it is a noble and important thing to strive for. Serenity and happiness are BFF's and should you hit upon one, chances are the other isn't far behind, which makes achieving either all the more important.

      The elegance of winter's attire is one of my favourite elements of the season, too. It can exist in summer, too, but it's rarely the same, for the fabrics (velvet! tweed! cashmere!) are usually different, the layers fewer, and the desire for simple garments to help beat the heat far more present.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. As much as I am craving summer clothes right now, I really actually prefer winter to summer in many ways. Mostly because I hate being hot, cold I can handle but hot and sticky drives me nuts! I like being able to snuggle into layers of blankets, and in summer it is always too hot in my bedroom when I am trying to fall asleep no matter what I do. Each season has its pros and cons, but winter can be beautiful and peaceful for sure!

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  9. I love that last picture of the four girls! Vintage candid shots of ordinary people are so much more interesting than the very staged images seen in history books.

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    1. Agreed immensely. I've long cited real world vintage photos as my favourite source of old school fashion inspiration and they truly are. I find I can relate to, and see myself in, them so much more than posed magazine and Hollywood images (not that I don't madly love such things, I do, but again, they're not as easy to relate to, which is very important to me).

      Thank you for your great comment, dear gal - have a splendid week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. I like each month and season as they come because they each have their own beauty. I believe it's foolish to wish time away just to skip forward to a month that's more typically pleasing. February is often cold and wet but does that not give you an excuse to snuggle up with tea, cake and an old black and white film? It won't feel as cosy to do that in the warmer Spring days.

    I hope you're having a wonderful Monday Jessica xxx

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    1. The sun is shining and I'm powering through some correspondence and reply to recent blog comments, so that's certainly a positive start of the week, thank you, sweet dear. I hope that Monday is smiling (and shining!) on you as well.

      February really is a marvelous month for hibernating and cozying up inside, I completely agree - that's actually one of the things I love about winter in general. I'm quite a homebody in general, so I don't usually mind that winter in Canada means six months of doing my grizzly bear impression - though by about this time of the year, I am usually itching to get outside and to feel some much needed warmth again.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. February has always been a bit of a double-edged sword for me. I used to be a high-mileage runner and would run through the winter (usually training for a spring marathon or half-marathon) and February was the month where I really felt like I'd never be warm again. But it was also the time when I realized that in the coming months the weather would only be getting warmer, so I could layer up with all my cold-weather gear and not have to worry about acclimating myself to a temperature and have it get colder.

    Now that I spend more of my free time indoors, February is the month where I wrap myself in all my blankets and have tea or cocoa. But I still like to escape outside because the cold means fewer people venture out to the trails and parks than in the spring and summer, so it is quieter. That said, I rather miss my sundresses.

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    1. I too enjoy that element of winter and must say, only walking on a warm, breeze kissed summer's night or a crisp fall day with crunchy jewel toned leaves underfoot beats wandering in a still, snow filled winter setting for me.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment, my dear. Here's to the hope that sundress weather greets us both again in the very near future!

      ♥ Jessica

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  12. i do enjoy this. sometimes i find myself buried in instagram photos of minimalist color palettes and it's so refreshing. i normal go for color, especially with vintage adds it seems so wonderful, but a bit of 'bland really is simply lovely.

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    1. I'm with you entirely. I love colour and rarely venture to far away from it, but sometimes, the serenity that comes from a calm palette of soft wintry hues is just what the doctor ordered.

      Big hugs & happy Monday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. I feel just like you, but I also adore all seasons, no exception. I really adore snow, the quitness and the beauty. We don't get much snow in Denmark, but right now I am in Austria and the snow is tumbling down. Ahh! :) I wonder what the "dark-eyes" are? A hair dying colour of some sorts, like the ones we have for lashes today. Wishing you a lovely day, dear. :)

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    1. Snow does have the ability to be incredibly soothing and tranquil, I agree. It's almost as though it insults the world from some of the noise of daily life. Taking walks in the snow, especially when it's freshly fallen, is amongst my favourite outdoor activities ever - and something that I do certainly miss from time-to-time in the summer.

      Dark Eyes was a product that could be used as both mascara and and as an eyebrow colouring agent, so indeed like a temporary dye of sorts like those on the market today. I wonder how well it would stack up (effectiveness wise) compared to those we have nowadays?

      Oodles of hugs & happy Tuesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. Thanks for the images, and the beautifully written post.....only you could make February seem magical! Loved the pic of the tweed dress & jacket.....I once owned a skirt in the same fabric and style......LOVED that skirt....thanks for the happy memories!

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    1. It is truly my pleasure, dear Marjorie. Thank you ever so much in return for your wonderfully kind compliment.

      How lovely that this post brought happy memories your way. Tweed is one of my favourite fabrics ever. I've been slowly adding more bits and pieces of it to my wardrobe in recent years, with the latest being a thrifted modern, but very vintage appropriate, blazer last year.

      Thank you again - have a splendid Tuesday!
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. you know i´m all about enjoying the moment!
    the already bright sun but icey temps of february are wonderful for me as the tender greens of may are. or an foggy autumn day.....
    and i take that pepper&salt suit :-)
    hug you <3
    xxxxx

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    1. You are indeed, dear Beate, and that is such an admirable, fantastic way to live your life. I aim to be the same way as well. All any of have is the here and now, why try to rush through it (assuming it's not horrible for you). In even just a year's time, you'll wish to have that day back in a sense, for every one that we put behind us, is one less ahead. A sobering thought, yes, but also an excellent way to be reminded of the importance of living in, and celebrating, the here and now.

      Yes, pretty please! I'd joyfully take one of those timelessly gorgeous suits as well. :)

      Big hugs & many thanks for both of your wonderful blog comments today,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. I love all these vintage things here, Jessica, and your posts are always interesting and thoroughly enjoyable, and you write so well. :) Thank you so much for sharing, you made my day today, as always.

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    1. Hi sweet Linda, thank you very much! I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed this post and am absolutely touched by your kind compliments. It is my sincere pleasure to share and connect with you and my other readers/online friends here. Thank you as always for being a part of my wee corner of the internet and for the joy and inspiration that yours always brings to my week, too.

      Giant hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Hi sweet Linda, thank you very much! I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed this post and am absolutely touched by your kind compliments. It is my sincere pleasure to share and connect with you and my other readers/online friends here. Thank you as always for being a part of my wee corner of the internet and for the joy and inspiration that yours always brings to my week, too.

      Giant hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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    3. It is my heartfelt pleasure, dear Linda. Thank you in turn for the many marvelous things you share with and inspire your readers as well. Your blog has truly become one of my favourite reads and sources of uplifting, inspiring quotes.

      Have a marvelous day!
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. I really like Winter, even the endless rainy parts so I am in no rush for it to go away. I like cosying up at home and sitting on the sofa doing my knitting without feeling like I must go outside! I think it can be a very calm and peaceful time of year. These pictures inspired by lovely winter colours are great. I want the gloves from the first one, all the outfits and that lovely fur rimmed hood!

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    1. It definitely can be - the serenity of winter is one of its most enduring and beautiful qualities, if you ask me. Those gloves are fantastic! I've seen a few checkered pairs over the years, but don't yet have any in my (admittedly fairly large) collection yet. I'll be sure to let you know right away if I find any for my shop and offer to them you first, my dear friend.

      Thank you very much for all of your great recent blog comments. Huge hugs!

      ♥ Jessica

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  18. As always - your post make me think. ... I really have to say: i'm a summer person and I long for summer when it is winter season - and I feel like crying, when fall finds it's bitter cold end. for sure there are a few weeks in the season Iike to wear cardigans, jackets and tights ... but actually I'm so bored about my winter wardrobe. cardigan on a dress, cardigan on a skirt, cardigan on pants ...cardigan on my sandwich. gaaaah! I really can't wait till I can leave my cardis at home ... Hopefully soon!

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    1. Hopefully very soon!!! As this season slowly winds down, I find myself longing for spring and summer again, but also being very aware that there are elements of it that I'll miss fiercely. Thankfully though, even with the wrath of global warming, we still have four seasons each year and that means that no matter how long one may seem, the next is always just around the corner and before we know it, we'll be missing summer in winter all over again (or vice versa).

      I really do hope that spring greets you soon, my dear friend, and that you can put those cardis into hibernation for many months to come!

      ♥ Jessica

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  19. Sparkling Silver WOW what a beautiful photo! Wintery imagery <3 And the husky, awww :)

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  20. Seeing the wintery images you've posted reminds me of what I woke up with this first day of March. If we got a little more I'd call it a full on blizzard. Only in Indiana and only in March! :) So much for escaping winter's grasp soon. I'm ready for spring!

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    1. Ooohh, what a rough way to great the new month. Objectively, after the blizzard in early January here (which even set a new record for biggest snowfall in one day for our town), we've not had an overly snowy (by Canadian standards) winter. That said, there's still time for another storm or two to strike as spring has not returned yet and I certainly wouldn't rule out that possibility until we're well into April.

      I really hope far nicer weather returns to your corner of the continent soon, my dear friend!

      ♥ Jessica

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