July 6, 2015

Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger: ghost hunting, rockabilly loving Jessie Diamond from Lonely Hepkat


Often times in a relatively small knit community or subculture of people, it can seem like we all know one another and while there is certainly a general sense of familiarity to be had in such settings, unless a group is extremely tiny, you can never possibly know of all the folks who count themselves amongst its ranks.

That fact was a huge driving force behind while I launched the "Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger" post series earlier this year and why I am 100% keen to interview folks not only from all around the world, but from all walks of life, backgrounds, fashion preferences, and personal passions.

Today, on this glisteningly gorgeous sunny July morning, I am seriously happy to introduce (or reintroduce, as the case may be) you to none other than a lovely rockabilly loving lady named Jessie Diamond from the blog Lonely Hepkat, who calls the most northerly state in the Union, Alaska, home.




As someone with my own strong family ties to the north (though mine are to the Yukon, not Alaska), I can't help but feel an instant kinship with those who hail from this hearty, often icy, strikingly beautiful expanses of vast wilderness peppered with pockets of civilization.

These far reaching corners of the world are not for the faint of heart and they take a lot of moxie to survive successfully in, something that our gal Jessie Diamond has in the spades. She also happens to be a passionate paranormal investigator, an avid outdoors woman, a devastated rockabilly wearer, and a die hard radio program fan.

Intrigued? So was I and that's why I recently chatted via email with Jessie to get the lowdown about her Alaskan life, her hobbies, and her rockabilly wardrobe. Read on for all the exciting details!



Welcome! You're the first interviewee from Alaska and it's a pleasure to have you here. Could you please share a bit about yourself and your blog?

My name is Jessie and I like to think of myself as a slightly unconventional rockabilly blogger. I'm super crafty (like many bloggers), but I am also a paranormal investigator (going on 16 years now) and I work out a lot (not the most popular topic on rockabilly/vintage blogs). You may notice that on my blog I use the last name Diamond, this is from Ultra Swank telling me that "it just sounds swanky".




What inspired you to start your blog, Lonely Hepkat?

My blog started out when I moved to Portland, OR in 2012 (for just over a year). I couldn’t find a job (2 BA degrees and no jobs) for the longest time and I didn’t have any friends. I was a bit lonely. I did, however, get my butt to Viva Las Vegas 2013 and that's when I made a full commitment to a full-time rockabilly/vintage lifestyle. Before that I was just a weekender, a term I use for those who do the rockabilly/vintage thing in their spare time like on the weekends.


Does the name derive from the fact that there aren't many fellow vintage/rockabilly enthusiasts where you live?

I've always been more of a loner, though I do enjoy having a small group of friends around. Currently, I'm back in Fairbanks, Alaska to help my parents and I have found a good small group of rockabilly friends. Funny thing, we're all loners who enjoy getting together once or twice a week.


How would you describe the vintage/rockabilly seen in Alaska?

The vintage/rockabilly scene in Alaska is very small. There are car shows, but they are small events, not a weekly event like you see in other places. We have a pretty good selection of vintage stores (clothing and antiques), more in Anchorage than Fairbanks. We also have one rockabilly band in the state (that I know of) – Wolves A.D. (previously The Avery Wolves). They opened up, last summer, for Reverend Horton Heat. The Rev played at the 49th State Brewery in Healy, which is just outside of the main drag at Denali National Park.


Do you identify more with the rockabilly subculture, the more traditional vintage scene, or both fairly equally?

I would have to say that it’s fairly equal for me. I tend to stay rooted in the 40s and 50s when it comes to vintage, but I have a few pieces that are out of that time frame. I am currently in the process of switching most of my clothes to rockabilly or vintage styles – the exception being my workout clothes.


When did your interest in all things rockabilly/vintage start?

If you think about it as an octopus, then I started out with interest, but no consolidation when I was very young. I had my Elvis and Teresa Brewer cassette tapes. My mom liked to do my hair like Shirley Temple. We watched a ton of old movies and tv shows (Addams Family and stuff). I actually had a vhs tape that my aunt recorded and sent to me that had Disney music videos at the beginning – including "Stray Cat Strut" by Stray Cats and "I Only Have Eyes For You" by The Flamingos. It wasn't until 7th grade that I bought "modern" music (for example, the "Mean Street" album by Van Halen) and started to comply with more modern styles – tried to, at least.

I was never much of a fashionista. I still stuck with my love of the 40s and 50s with little things (cat eye sunglasses, Grease soundtrack, etc), though I did move into more of a darkwave/goth scene in the later part of the 90s. I don't think I really cemented anything until art school in 2003 - 2006.


What are some of the ways that you incorporate this passion into your daily life?

I dipped my toes into the water of the rockabilly/vintage culture by having a few things here and there like my retro-inspired glasses (Seraphin brand), books, music, collecting retro/vintage sewing patterns, etc. I waded out into the water by becoming a weekender. I began to try old recipes, do crafts with rockabilly/vintage flair, sew more and more articles of clothing, always had issues of Dwell (mcm nd neo-modern designs), and the hair experiments began.

Now I'm a vintage-lifer. It's an everyday occurrence. I have a pink bathroom in my apartment (pink fixtures – not just accents), I have my grandma's old RCA Victrola radio/record cabinet from the 40s, I sew, I do crafts, and I've even considered becoming a little musical (I play bass guitar and keyboards, but it's been a while). My dog's name is Lono, one of the four major Hawaiian gods. I definitely was inspired by tiki modern when naming him. I am going to be selling some Lindy Bop dresses and retro-inspired hand-painted fishing lures pretty darn soon at the summer outdoor markets.




Do you work in a vintage related field?

Currently, I am an office manager for my dad who is a mechanical contractor – meaning that he does plumbing, heating, and cooling. It's nowhere near my art or history degrees. I also just finished a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer seminar. I like to think of it as being inspired by Jacques Lalane – who I have great respect for. I would like to get into retro fashion design, but I have no clue as to how to start aside from creating my own patterns (which I'm working on).


Given that weather is very chilly for a hefty chunk of the year in Alaska (being a Canadian, I can certainly relate!), do you have any great tips for wearing rockabilly/vintage styles during the colder months?



We have talked about this numerous times over lunch and dinner up here. We all tend to go more 1940s for the winter and 1950s for the summer. The 1940s gave us some solid gold with WWII work wear. I have a pair of Rosie the Riveter coveralls, as well as the same style for trousers. I usually pair these with sweaters from Rocket Originals, a work shirt or flannel, or a cardigan. I also have some retro shirt patterns that I really like to use. One of my favorites is Simplicity 1692. I keep an updated list of retro patterns on my Pinterest account.


In addition to the fashions and hairstyles, what are some things about the rockabilly/vintage world and lifestyle that really make your heart skip a beat?

I love classic cars. In fact, there's a 1948 Ford Deluxe down the street for sale that I would love to have. Starting in 8th or 9th grade, I helped my mom restore her dad's 1956 Nash Metropolitan. I've also assisted my dad with his motorcycles and dirt bikes.

I'm also a huge fan of design – art and architectural. Exotica makes me very happy. I love the music (Martin Denny, Russ Garcia, Yma Sumac, etc) and the primitive art/style – primarily Hawaiian and voodoo themes. I also collect old billikens, which fits with the exotica. Billikens are an old good luck charm and a lot of them come from Alaskan carvers.




You're a passionate paranormal investigator. Does this interest ever overlap with your love of vintage, itself so very embodied with the spirit, if you will, of the past?

I think it does overlap with the past, quite a bit. I am the Assistant State Director for MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) and I also investigate hauntings and cryptid cases (bigfoot primarily). There's a lot of research that goes into this field that often gets over looked by people.

People also tend to forget about paranormal events that happened like UFOs over the White House, UFO research by the military, presidents talking to ghosts and holding séances, New England vampires, and even Theodore Roosevelt's bigfoot sighting. I find that people seem to be more open with me since having switched my wardrobe and adopting new hairstyles. I think the rockabilly/vintage lifestyle is nostalgic and comforting to a lot of people.


Do you have any exciting paranormal related stories that you'd like to share with us?

Before I moved in 2012, I managed to snap a day-time photo of a ghost at Birch Hill Cemetery here in Fairbanks. I did a lot of research on the "Lady in White" up at the cemetery and figured out who she was.

Last summer was the wettest in Fairbanks' history. I found a bigfoot footprint, but it was not in a condition to cast. A few years prior to this, I was researching an old bigfoot sighting that happened in 2009. I did interviews, hiked through the woods for two months, talked to Fish and Game, and tried to figure out why the sighting occurred where it occurred.

The summer of 2009 was a big forest fire year and I believe that the bigfoot followed Goldstream Creek north (away from fires). The beastie was spotted next to an elementary school that has a school farm. With the edible plants (growing in the forest), forest animals, and the garden plants, there was a lot of food around. I sent my case file in to the Bigfoot Field and Research Organization (BFRO).

I am currently doing some historical research into Project Pinball, a military project from 1950-1959. I was reading about the Dulce Base in New Mexico when I stumbled upon a brief mention of this project. Looking into it, Project Pinball was a military project to utilize the Alaskan radar systems to track UFOs in Alaska airspace. The more research I do, the more it sounds like an episode of the X-Files.


Back to vintage...what are some of your favourite items of rockabilly/vintage clothing?

I absolutely love my leopard print bullet bra from Secrets in Lace. I wear it every day. It totally reminds me of that line from 'Cry Baby': 'Our bazooms are our weapons.' It also is nice to be able to fully pull of the "sweater girl" look.

While I was living in Portland, OR, I bought myself a pair of saddle shoes from Bass Shoes. They never needed broken in. They are absolutely wonderful and very comfortable. Not so great on ice.

It's not very exciting, but I have these LL Bean comfort fit pants that I wear all the time. I have big calves and a good set of hips on me, so pants have always been an issue for me. These are super comfortable and I can roll the cuff. I can squat and do the splits in these pants. I'm planning on getting a full length pant real soon – same comfort fit style (such as these).


Do you wear vintage/rockabilly makeup and hairstyles in addition to fashions?

I tend to keep my make up real simple: a little eye shadow, black eyeliner, and mascara. Sometimes I even throw on lip stain.

My hair, I do tend to wear in vintage and rockabilly styles all the time – except at the gym. I haven't figured out rockabilly/vintage gym hair. I'm currently in the middle of new hair discoveries since I went out and got myself some Bettie bangs.




Aside from rockabilly/vintage and paranormal investigations, what are some of your current hobbies/interests?

I go to crossfit 5 days a week and I just made green belt for ITF taekwondo. I draw, paint, sew, cook, write, and occasionally head out for a little fishing. I wrote a book that was finally published in 2013 called "The Professional Ghost Investigator" and you can find it on Amazon. I like plants and share a good size garden with my parents. Halloween is a big interest of mine. I know that sounds funky, listing a holiday, but I'm always looking for new recipes or costume ideas. I should just write a Halloween book.

Coffee is also a big interest of mine. I've been to a coffee plantation in Kona, HI, I've worked in the coffee business for a long time, and I have toyed with the idea of opening up a coffee-tea-chocolate shop for years now.


What are some things that you wish folks knew about Alaska that many outside of the State are not aware of?

Our temperatures range from -65F to 105F in most of the state over the year. You probably won't see these extreme temperatures, but it's possible to see a little snow in June or July and it's also possible to have a 50F day in the middle of winter. Just don't expect it to be cold all the time.

The best salmon comes out of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean side of Canada. I think we have the best recipes for salmon too (Jessica's note: as I west coast dwelling Canadian, I completely agree!!!)


If you could travel anywhere in the world in the name of vintage, where would you pick?

Oh no! [I love traveling, so this is a hard call]. I really want to check out Palm Springs, CA. I love Hawaii and I love London, so traveling back to these places would always be a YES! I would like to fix up an old camper trailer, hitch it to my boyfriend's old Chevy, and go on a vintage road trip across the states with the dogs (a Lab and a Doberman) – see the sites, go to some shows, hit antique stores, etc. I want to mention that my boyfriend loves this idea, too!





And what five items would you take with you on your travels?

Some of these answers are based on roadtrip travel, instead of flying to a destination.

1. An old coffee grinder (hand powered). I refuse to buy pre-ground coffee unless it's absolutely necessary. I even prefer grinding my own coffee for my Keurig. It's more work, but the quality and taste is better. Right now I'm enjoying Kauai Coffee ER Peaberry.

2. Portable record player. I've been thinking about getting a Crosley, but just haven't done it yet.

3. Sketchbook. I'd either take a sketchbook with me or end up buying one when I go somewhere. It's a habit I have. Sometimes I don't even use it, but I feel like I need it.

4. My Hawaiian Pin-Up Girl Dress that I made a few years ago (seen in the photo above). It's comfortable and I feel pretty in it.

5. I always find my iPod to be essential on trips. I have no problems being mostly unplugged, but my iPod is pretty important to me. I was always that kid with a walkman or a portable cd player or even a small radio. It also allows me to listen to podcasts and shows like Coast to Coast AM ( Jessica's note: I have been listening to Coast to Coast since I was a young child and Art Bell was still hosting) and Koop Kooper’s Cocktail Nation.



♥ ♥ ♥




Now, tell me you don't want to save up your pennies for a trip to Alaska so that you go hang out with seriously cool lady!

Thank you so much for the wonderful interview, Jessie. It was a joy getting to know you (and Loney Hepkat) better and I really appreciate that you jumped at the chance to take part in this post series. I love knowing that when I finally make up the Alaska highway one day, I'll know some vintage/rockabilly folks to visit there (my dear friend Cherry from She Knits in Pearls, also calls the 49th state home and I'd seriously flip at the chance to meet her as well!).

We're racking up more virtual frequent flier miles this year care of these delightful blogger interviews than a UN ambassador, I tell yah! Coming down the pipeline next, buckle in for another exciting transatlantic flight as we jet back across the pond and talk with one of the most stylish and inspiring vintage couples not only in Europe, but in the whole wide world. I am giddy with excitement at the mere thought and know that you'll adore learning more about them, too!

36 comments:

  1. Jessie sounds so interesting! I love that she's got an interest in paranormal activity; little does anyone know but I've always had this too and went on my first 'ghost hunt' at the start of the year :) The climate questions were interesting as it confirmed something I've realised about myself recently - I tend to always dress with 50s influences in the summer too, but in winter it definitely leans towards both 40s and 60s if I look at the past one. Anyway, that was a bit off topic. Another fab interview, Jessica! x

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    1. Me, too, big time - it's something that I've been fascinated with my whole life. I take a very rational, scientific approach to things, but do fully believe that there are things that science does not yet fully understand or perhaps is even aware of. I've had a some ghost/inexplicable sightings/experiences in my own life and that has only further cemented my interest in this area. How awesome that you went on your first ghost hunt this year! How did it go?

      You're so sweet. Thank you very much! They're a blast to do and like I always say, it's hard to believe just how quickly time flies by between each one.

      Have a fabulous week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. I'm not sure if she will be reading comments here, but bangs and a high pony tail is a good rockabilly style for the gym

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    1. Great suggestion, dear gal. Thank you! Headbands are fab on that front, too.

      Have a terrific week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. Interesting interview! I didn't know her...she seems so charismatic!
    Thanks for sharing :)

    Follemente Fashion Blog

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    1. My pleasure, Eleonora! A huge part of the driving force behind this series is to connect fellow bloggers with one another and I'm delighted to have been able to introduce you to Jessie.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. W Jessie!..she's so stylish!
    greetings,ciao

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  5. what an interesting read! Ive never actually heard of a real life paranormal investigator

    retro rover

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  6. I had a blast with the interview! We have a very welcoming little group up here in Fairbanks. If anyone is up here and wants to grab lunch or something, just send a line. We'll meet up with you!

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    1. That's really sweet of you to offer everyone, Jessie. Thanks!!! If I ever have the great pleasure of being up in Fairbanks, I'll definitely try to take you up on it - likewise, please know that you always have an open invitation if you're down in the Okanagan.

      Huge thanks again for this wonderful interview!

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. What an utterly fascinating character Jessie is! It's really interesting hearing from someone a) living in Alaska, 2) that's into stuff like crossfit as well as vintage, and 3) is a paranormal investigator?! Blimey, that's quite a combination! I'm really enjoying this fab interview series, thank you Jessica x

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    1. Isn't it though? I thoroughly love how this interview series helps to show more sides to the people that I chat with than just their vintage/rockabilly loving ones. Most of us are hugely dynamic people, but when our blogs are centered around a niche topic, it can be easy to lose sight of that and/or to not discuss other interests/sides out ourselves often, which is a shame, because I think that doing so just helps connect us with our readers all the more.

      I love hearing that, honey. Thank you so much! I'm really looking forward to the next one, as it will feature the first couple that I've interviewed so far.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. I loooved to read this interview, and to know she is into paranormal activities - I am huge fan of that! I loved the pictures, she looks so sweet and beautiful and her style too! I think that people have a cliche picture about Alaska, with freezing temperatures - of course there must be some time, but not always. Same as other countries, like I don't know, England is always cold, but no, there's hot summer too :) I can see that the vintage life style in Alaska is small, but I guess it will increase. Alaska is or was always a place I would love to go, and I missed the chance once, but who knows soon!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Same here! Which is not something I've really discussed here before (ditto for cryptozoology, which save for a post about Big Foot a while back, I haven't delved into much on my blog yet either). I love that Jessie weaves that huge passion of hers into rockabilly lifestyle blog.

      Very true! There are lots of stereotypes about Canada, too, some of which are akin or identical to those about Alaska. We get that one, too. Canada is mighty chilly in the winter, but we get sizzling hot summers, too, especially here in my corner of BC. It was 42C last Thursday afternoon here - and I loved it to bits. There's no such thing as too warm when it's a dry summer heat (for me, I mean).

      Thank you very much for your great comment!
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. I so love these interviews Jessica. Thank you for this amazing blog and sharing your life with us.

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    1. You're very welcome, my dear. Thank you in turn for your lovely comment and for letting me know that you're a big fan of this post series - I am as well. Anything positive that helps bring fellow vintage/rockabilly loving folks together and especially if it introduces people to another another for the first time, is huge in my books and has been a guiding light behind this blog since day one (very much including last winter's introduction of the Vintage Secret Santa gift exchange, and this year with this fun interview series).

      Have a beautiful week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. It seems like a great girl and very stylish! I want to be in Alaska! Here you will die from the heat, even for this have been away from the blog world.
    It 's always a pleasure to go here from you!
    kisses

    serena

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    1. That is very sweet of you to say, my dear. Thank you so much!!! The heat is out in full force on this end, too (the warmest I've seen it get up to yet was 42C last Thursday) and I love it to bits. I swear, I need truly intense summer heat to help defrost my bones after another long Canadian winter!

      Hopefully we'll both be able to visit Alaska one day. My folks went there on a cruise many years ago and had a great time, so that just fueled my own desire to visit all the more.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. Great question about rockabilly vs vintage! I think for me I would swing more towards the vintage than rockabilly side. I have always wanted to go to Alaska, maybe one day?

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  12. A wonderful interview.
    I truly enjoyed reading it. Jessie sounds like a great person and I will be more than happy to introduce myself to her.. So, I'll hop over to her blog and say hello.
    You know, you should be a journalist, these interviews are done so well and professionally. Two thumbs up 👍

    Marija

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    1. That is truly touching compliment, sweet Marija, thank you deeply. Journalism was actually one of the career paths that spoke to me a great deal as a child (back then I pictured myself as a front line war correspondent or the like), so I love that I get to let that part of my passion for writing and documentary work shine through in these delightful posts with fellow bloggers.

      Huge hugs & happy July wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Jessie is sure one fabulous lady! I am so interested in getting to know other bloggers and where they all started! I loved to read when she started loving the style and incorporates it into her daily life!

    Rebecca
    www.winnipegstyle.ca

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    1. Ooohh, me too, massively! What was a big driving force behind the launch of this interview series. Even in relatively small knit online communities, it's impossible to know every member and even if you are familiar with someone, chances are there's always oodles more to learn about them and that help you feel a deeper connection with the that person, and that's something I seriously strive for with this fun posts.

      Thank you very much for your great comment. Have a beautiful week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. Great interview Jessica, love her style and photos! x

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  15. It was so nice hearing form Jessie. As a Rockabilly enthusiast, or as she'd call a weekender, I loved hearing about her faves and even a love of the paranormal. :)

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    1. That's fantastic to hear, sweet Seanna, thank you for letting me know how much you enjoyed this interview. I had a blast chatting with Jessie and loved that we got to cover so many different, fascinating aspects of her action packed life.

      Huge thanks for all of your thoughtful blog comments today. I sincerely appreciate them!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. What an interesting conversation !
    I had never "met" anyone who actually researched UFOs and Big Foot!!!

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  17. I love the rockabilly look.

    the-renaissance-of-inner-fashion.blogspot.co.uk

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  18. Another great blogger! I'm looking forward to the next instalment already.

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    1. Thank you very much, darling gal! I am as well - it's going to be the first time the spotlight has been shone on a vintage loving (and wearing) couple here in this interview series and I can hardly wait - watch for that post coming up (all things willing) on July 29th.

      Big hugs & happy Tuesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. Great interview with a lady with a lot of different interests. I really like that you have interviewed a rockabilly fan for a change. When you wrote Alaska in your previous interview, I was sure it was Cherry, whom I follow. I will give Jessie a try, she has great glasses too. ;) And she should write a Halloween book, I know both of us would buy it in an instance.

    And next we visit France, I'm sure. If it is Laurence and Sylvain, I can say, they are the best! :)

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    1. Hi lovely Sanne, you powers of deduction are very cunning and skillful indeed - though that is all I will say publicly, as I do so adore keeping the mystery of the next interviewee a secret until the big day arrives. Hard as it to believe, that very day is almost upon us again and the next "meet a fellow vintage blogger" post will be going live this week on Wednesday.

      She definitely should pen a Halloween related book! That would be so cool and cue up to purchase it right away. I'd love to interview Cherry for this series, if she's ever interested. The more vintage/rockabilly folks from Alaska, that merrier!

      Big hugs & many sincere thanks for all of your terrific blog comments today,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. I haven't come across Jessie but will be taking a look at her blog. Another really great interview, it was so interesting to read all about her. My best vintage gym hair do is a big quiff and a big pony tail so she could try that!

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Kate. I really enjoyed chatting with Jessie, as we delved into such a diverse range of topics and I felt that doing was an important reminder/example of the fact that many vintage folks, even if vintage is a huge part of their lives, do have other areas of interest as well.

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. Thank you very much! Hard to believe more than half a year has passed already since this interview went live. Time sure flies when you're having fun living the vintage life! :)

    ♥ Jessica

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