August 31, 2015

Vintage Link Love for August 2015


Here we sit in the last hours of the last days of the last full month of summer. Before this week is up, my beloved husband will be from his summer of working in States. We are planning to spend an inordinate and entirely wonderful amount of time together in the days immediately following his return and so excited to be reunited once more.

This month, like its sun-kissed predecessors, absolutely flew by. Though I would say that over all I favoured July to August, this month was still primarily a positive one (with some great highpoints all its own), though our area was utterly and completed blanketed with forest fire smoke, the bulk of which strong winds brought our way from the plethora of fires in Washington state, for the past couple of weeks. Ask nearly any local - myself included - and they'll tell you its the worst wildfire smoke they've ever seen in Penticton.



{Wise advice indeed, but sometimes it's Mother Nature's hand at work when it comes to wildfire and such was certainly the case for many that have raged out of control in this part of world all throughout the summer. They're a common faucet of life where we live during the warmer months, but this year's crop was especially plentiful and smoky! Vintage fire safety poster source.}


One had only to venture out in it for a mere handful of seconds and upon returning inside, you would find that your clothes (and hair) smelled as though you had been sitting around a large bonfire for hours. Some of it still drapes itself over the sage hued hills around these parts and that wood smoke scent lingers in the air, but it is slowly, thankfully, dissipating somewhat.

This summer has been a brutal one in BC and Washington state for forest fires, with numerous people tragically losing their homes to them. That is, objectively, one of the few downsides to living in a land so rich in woodland - and hot, dry temperatures that make even the heartiest of trees go up like tinder when a spark or bolt of lightning hits them.

In the midst of listing up a storm in my Etsy shop, creating numerous new YouTube videos, spending lots of time with family, doing so organizing and minor DIY work around the house, starting to get ready for the return of my favourite season (fall), replying to countless emails, and whipping up lots of fun blog posts here this month, I had to to still visit oodles of blogs and sites to glean twelve exciting new vintage, blogging, and crafting related posts and stories for you guys. I hope that you enjoy reading the following selection as much as I did finding them.



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The original Mad Men were just as dapper, but not as drunk: Continuing to have Mad Men withdrawal symptoms? (Me too!) Then perhaps this cool photo filled post from Retronaut/Mashable with colour photos of some of the real leading mid-century ad industry employees of the days will help quell your longings for more Don, Peggy, Roger, Betty, and Joan.


Seven Historical Costuming Blogs You Should Be Following: Whether you're a sewer or not, if you have a passion for historical costuming (and chances are, as a vintage fan, you do) than this great roundup of some of the best and most informative blogs on the subject that Bianca put together is must bookmark link if ever there was one!


23 Vintage Studio Portraits of Women from the Victorian Era: There is something so innately gripping about Victorian photography - not only were the pictures created in that era the first of all time, but they are the oldest we have of people that now seem so far removed from our world, yet lived a few short generations ago. This lovely post highlights 23 beautiful portraits of Victorian women that no doubt speak to you and deepen your appreciation for that chapter in history (and its elegant fashions) all the more.





Hollywood Homefront Impressions: Earlier this summer Doris corralled a terrific selection of photos from the 1940s that show famous celebrities doing their part for the war effort. It is a stark reminder of how much that long, horrific war impacted every one, no matter what rung of society they lived on.


DIY crochet snood: Clearly I'm not the only one with snoods on the brain this season, as our wonderful and very talented fellow vintage blogger Bonita demonstrates with her awesome tutorial on how to whip up a 1940s style crochet snood of your own.


Find the Girls on the Negatives: Each month at least a few very thoughtful readers send me stories and/or vintage photos that they think I'll enjoy. This month none jumped out at me more this post about the mysterious origins of handful of beautiful images that were found in slide form recently in a thrift store. Dreamy, alluring, and skillfully composed, these shots offer few clues about their history. They ling with you long after you've left that page, as you ponder who these ladies were and where these images took place.





Picture Happy Times: And speaking of great yesteryear images, I recently discovered this thoroughly lovely European blog that is chalked full of sweet, timeless vintage photos of real world people. This is a subject that has always been very near and dear to my own heart, so I simply had to share it with you. Plus the photos, and their accompanying write-ups, featured on it remind me a lot of the kind like to include in my ongoing Saturday Snapshots post series.


Embracing the joys of "as is" vintage: As some who rarely has qualms with - and sometimes even intentionally seeks out (bargain lover that I am!) - yesteryear fashions that might be in slightly imperfect shape, this lovely post on the subject from vintage blogging newcomer Holly of Vintage Voluptuous really hit a relatable chord with me.


16 "spiffy" words college students used to say back in 1916: I have always been deeply fascinated by the English language, very much including the fact that it - like most languages - is constantly evolving and changing. Words that were as commonplace as bread and butter in one decade, may have all but gone the way of the dinosaur just a few years later. This enjoyable NPR piece takes a look at sixteen words/terms that were hot in the late Edwardian era. It's fascinating to see which ones are still used (at least in their 1910s context) nowadays and which have all but vanished from our current 21st century lexicon.




My top twenty reproduction vintage shops: Stylish British vintage lifestyle blogger Catherine from Vintage Frills has gathered up and kindly shared twenty of her very favourite vintage reproduction shops with all of us. How many of her terrific selections make the cut for you, too?


5 things I would have told my younger blogger self: Yes to the whole concept behind this spot on post. We grow and change as people and bloggers alike and sometimes it's helpful to think about what we would have advised our earlier blogging selves to do if we could go back in time, as this recent Queen of Jetlags entry absolutely nails.


DIY Lace Collar: One viewing of this wonderfully easy to follow how-to post from the blog Mr. Kate and you'll never look at a basic crochet or lace doily the same way again.



 

{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.}

♥ ♥ ♥


If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, chances are you know how madly, completely, giddily in love with autumn I am. It marries warm and chilly, light and dark, beginnings and ends. It gives us a magnificent bounty from the field, gorgeous harvest moons, a day of Thanks and feasting, the awesomeness that is Halloween, sweater weather, amazing golden light and countless other things that are intrinsically tied with this beautiful chapter of the year.

Though I will wholeheartedly miss summer - especially since this one was quite different for me and how it played out out in respect to Tony being away - I make no bones about my excitement to see autumn roll into town - a trail of crunchy amber, garnet and rust hued leaves in its wake - before the coming month wraps up.

As usual, you can bank on a slew of seasonal and holiday related posts and outfits here this autumn from September straight onto December. It's impossible for me to contain my passion for the third installment of the year and I wouldn't dream of doing so. No other season speaks to my soul so deeply - nor is so chalked full of fun for me.



{A huge yes to every last marvelous autumnal element of this stylish fashion filled photo from 1958. Vintage image source.}



Whether you're loath to wave buh-bye to summer or can't wait for pumpkin spice lattes, All Hallows' Eve decor, and thick tights to return again, I hope that these final weeks of our current season find you all doing well.

Should you also happen to also be counting down the days until fall returns, what, my dears, are you most looking forward to this time around?

36 comments:

  1. Just last night I saw all the pictures of the "find The girls on the negative," charming, evocative, restless and calm at the same time. An idea that won me is to find news about the two girls and the photographer .. I hope there will be news, these things a bit 'mysterious are so beautiful ...
    Thanks for all other links, are always very interesting and full of ideas on which to dream .. !!

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    1. Hello dear Serena, I too keep checking back in the hope that maybe some concrete leads will have sprung forth about these photos, and yet, you know, as awesome as that would be, I feel like these photos are a symbol of sorts for the fact that so much of the past, moments that were beautiful and perfect in the instant they transpired, will never be fully remembered or understood entirely again.

      Many hugs & happy end of August wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Thanks for the wonderful links - even though summer was far too hot and dry in my country and I'm not a huge fan of summer (preferring spring and autumn), it is with a crying and a laughing eye that I say goodbye to summer. There are still two ridiculously summery skirts on my sewing table, and realising I'm running out of time, it makes me sad that the sunny, warm days are almost over.
    While we are expecting more rainy days, I'm always happy to have such reading at hand. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hello dear Doris, you are very welcome! Many thanks again for your terrific piece on Hollywood stars and their roles in WW2.

      I can't help but thing that if you're able to complete the two projects during the chillier months, they will give you something especially lovely to look forward to when spring arrives new year. :)

      Tons of hugs & happy end of summer wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. I was intrigued to see the choices in the top 20 repro shops list - mostly to see if there were any I didn't already know! Turns out I know more than I think as the only one I didn't know was the one at the end for men :) Anyway, I can't believe we're so close to Tony's return - it feels like you were telling me he'd left about five days ago! You must be so excited :) Here's to a happy September xx

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    1. Pretty much all of them were familiar to me, at least in passing, as well - but there were certainly a few I'd not thought about in a while and I really appreciated the reminder of them. It's just amazing how many repro/vintage style brands exist in the UK. If money was no option, I can only imagine the flood of offerings I'd be ordering from the other side of the pond on a regular basis! :)

      I know, eh?! It's amazing how fast, even with missing Tony every day, this summer flew by. Given that the weather is already turning grey here and one tree to the side of our house is starting to transform into its autumn hues, I suspect that summer is nearly over this year, which is certainly early for it to do so. I'm not saying its dead and buried entirely, if you will, but it is quickly fading for sure.

      Many hugs & happy end of summer wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. Hello Jessica! Thanks for posting such great links, i'll check them all!
    Happy International Blog Day <3

    XoXo, Pri
    vintage.blogspot.com

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    1. You're so wonderfully sweet, dear Pri, thank you very much! Joyful International Blog Day to you as well!!!

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. Such a lovely post. <3 I absolutely love the look of the DIY Lace collar. I really want to try that one out, thank you so much for sharing! And the " 16 "spiffy" words college students used to say back in 1916" post is absolutely hilarious. I might start saying a few of these words, just for funs. They're a lot better then words we use now-a-days!
    x Angela // missangellane.blogspot.com

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    1. Agreed completely!!! I don't use a lot of super modern slang/terms myself (for example I just never felt "that's my jam" or using "killing it" in a positive context), but do say some vintage ones (such as "swell", "nifty", and "neat-o") on a regular basis. Why not some Edwardian options as well? :)

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

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  6. I loved this post, as usual, and I am just checking out the recommendations - loved the tips on blogging, the Victorian portraits were really impressive, I am fascinated by the spiffy words( a dish, in some languages, can still be used to stunning women :) and so, I loved your post, as I said! I also love fall, cause it's not to hot, not too cold... it''s perfect and all the beautiful shades of fall! I am sure that reuniting will be so nice - and I am very glad for it! Hugs and kisses, dear Jessica!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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  7. Ahh I do enjoy the photographs of the ladies in the ocean and on the beach. I saw those photos on the news about a month ago; someone was putting on a massive search to try and find out who the women in the photographs were/are! Personally, I find it quite delightful to just sit and ponder about what their lives must have been like when the photographs were taken. Sometimes, all the details aren't everything!

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  8. Those were fun links, thank you!

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    1. My pleasure, lovely Shelia! I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed this month's link roundup.

      Big hugs & seriously happy start of September wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. Thanks for the link Jessica! Those photos of the mystery women on the beach are so stunningly beautiful! I'm glad to hear Tony will be back with you soon, and fall is just around the corner too! I am dreaming of lower temperatures so I can break out the sweaters and tartan here, it is still way too hot out for the time being. I am excited to read/see what you have planned for fall :)

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    1. You're very welcome, sweet Bianca. I'm so pumped about autumn's return as well - given how quickly the temps have dropped here in the last week (earlier than usual for this part of the country), it might be here quicker than imagined. I've already started writing seasonal posts and making videos, so there's going to be tons of fun autumn happenings here this year.

      Big hugs & happy start of September wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. I run away and hide in my disaster of a life and come back and you are flourishing even more than before! Etsy store! Travelling! Living alone for awhile! Go you. Such an inspiration to us spoonies.

    Thanks for the links. Very, very interested in the costuming ones as I have just been comissioned to do two hats set between 1860 & 1890 in Australia for a local production (set at the Werribee Mansion...I think you would love this building).

    ((((hugs)))) much love to you beautiful lady.

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    1. That is tremendously sweet and immensely touching of you to say, sweet dear. Thank yo from the bottom of my heart. I am wholeheartedly sorry about all of the challenges that your life and health have been facing as of late. Please know that I am here 24/7/365 if you ever need someone to talk to about anything on the face of the earth.

      Giant hugs & joyful start of September wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. love every one of that pumpkin colored outfits!!!
    do you know that that historical sewing blogs were the ones that draw me into blogland?!!! i was searching for theater costume inspiration and stumbled over this ladies. and discovered a completely new world! and now i´m here and have my own blog :-)
    thank you jess for all that fine reading!!!
    hugs&kisses

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    1. Me too - so much! Dark orange is the most flattering type of orange on me and I flock to the small number of pieces I have in this hue the moment the first leaf even contemplates turning yellow. :)

      Huge hugs & the very happiest start of September wishes, dear Beate!
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. This is WILD! It is the 1 of September and I've read the VLL!!!!!!! :D I know, I haven't gone through last month's edition yet, but hey, I will very soon, and then I'm not a month behind anymore. The problem is that I really want to take the time and truly enjoy the list, but today I did.

    First of all, thank you for opening the links in a new window. I have wanted to let you know to do so, but kept forgetting. It is so much easier to read and return to your lovely post this way. :)

    What I especially enjoyed this time?

    * The real Mad Men - I loved the photos and enjoyed finding details in their office and outfits
    * Hollywood stars working during WWII - although some of the photos surely are publicity photos, it was a joy to see they took their turns too.
    * And a snood pattern - I like to think you posted this for me! :) I will sure give it a try and hope I am able to read an English pattern.
    * Find the girls on the negatives - those photos are amazing and very professional, so I don't think they just took turns and photographed each other. I will take a look at IG to see if the mystery will be solved. And you are right, they are still in my head. So beautiful and a bit strange, why do they walk into the water?
    * As is vintage - is right up my alley. If a dress just needs a new zipper, buttons, a hemming or a good cleaning, then I'm in for a bargain, and I also feel I "save" the dress, because so many people nowadays trash such things.
    * UK repro shops - many of these are already on my DK/UK repro list, but I will link to her list as she has such great descriptions.

    Again I have to scold you for taking so much of my time, dear. ;) No, I thank you for a very interesting and entertaining post, you really mix it like the best cocktail one can wish for. XOXO from Denmark

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    1. Hi lovely Sanne, thank you very much for your detailed, wonderful comment. I know, eh, about the photos - the walking out into the water, even if it was just purely for artistic effect (or maybe because they were warm) is so much of what makes it haunting and one's mind could easily take things in a dark direction, though I don't really sense as much from these images. Whatever secrets they house, it's rather amazing that we even get to see them at all, as these were just old negatives thrifted by chance and shared online. You can believe that if I ever buy or are given any mysterious photos/negatives, I'll be turning to the web as well for help in trying to learn more about them.

      Those real Mad Men photos are so awesome!!! I've gone back and reread that post about seven times since I found it. I simply can't get enough of the quality and detail of the images, how stylish they all were, and how much I think I would have loved working in that industry back then.

      Huge hugs & happy start of September - before the month is out our favourite season will be upon us again. Soooo excited about that!!!

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Ah, your blog is like a breath of fresh air, Jessica! Thank you so much for sharing all the vintage images as well as the links, which I am on my way to check out now! :)

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    1. That is deeply lovely of you to say, dear Linda, thank you very much - I feel the same well about your stellar, inspiring, uplifting, delightful blog as well.

      Many hugs & the happiest start of September wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. Awesome list again hun! I love what you find! The slang one was right up my alley! Don't you love discovering that we still use slang from 100 years ago or more? I love it!!!! xox

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  15. Great blog, Jessica! So many things to read and ponder over. I'd say, September 7th is the official day of Autumn for me as its my brothers birthday and the kick off to seasonal fun. My 10 year wedding anniversary in early October followed by The Novembers. We have 8 of them. Myself and my Husband included. Pumpkin spice scones and lattes leading into Thanksgiving but let's not forget Halloween! Disneyland is already dressing the park in decorations and Halloween Time starts next week!

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    1. How awesomely exciting that you have a lot of great things to look forward to this autumn as well! My happiest congrats to you and your DH on ten beautiful years together!!! Tony and I tied the knot in October as well (the 14th) and will be celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary this year.

      There's so much to be giddy about this season! I've already started putting out autumn (though not Halloween quite yet - very soon though!) decor and switching into a fall colour palette with some of my outfits. I'm ready to embrace my favourite season with open arms and tons of fun, festive blog posts (and outfit shots, I hope, too) in the process.

      Here's to a gorgeous, fun filled fall for both of us!!!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Another fantastic list! I really enjoyed the "Real Mad Men" post, that was very cool.

    YAY for having the hubby back :) Enjoy your time together Jessica, I know you have missed him so.

    Happy Long weekend!

    Liz :)

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Liz!!! I second your cheerful "yay" entirely!!! Tony got home yesterday and we're both gleefully happy to be reunited again. We both worked our respective tails off this summer and are going to just take things nice and easy this Labour Day long weekend to recoup and gear up for the busy autumn (and winter) ahead.

      Tons of hugs & joyful long weekend wishes to you and your honey!
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. What a clever idea with the doilies!!! So glad that your husband is back! Hooray!

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    1. Thank you very much, honey. We're both over-the-moon happy to be reunited. Thankfully the summer absolutely flew by, but it was still tough to spend so long apart.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. I hope you are having a fabulous time together now that Tony is back and also that he enjoyed his time working away. I am planning my autumn wardrobe, I don't do normally but I want to have a go at sewing a 1940's skirt and a 1950's skirt and want to plan my knitwear to co-ordinate. I just love this time of year, the colours, smells and the snuggling up in a blanket so I am very excited!

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    1. Same here!!! There is what I like to call a Goldilocks quality to these brief, wonderful in between seasons days. Not too hot, not too cold - just right and ideal for wearing nearly anything, from either the summer or the winter side of the closet, that one desires. I wish they could last for ages, but perhaps so much of their charm and irresistible allure resides in how fleeting, and thus all the more special, they are.

      Tons of hugs & happy autumn sewing,
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. Some great links this month. The collar necklace looks exciting. I have made a few of those back in the day.

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  20. HI Jessica, thanks for sharing these links, I am heading over to the collar necklace suggested link, seems like something even I could pull off !

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    1. Hi lovely Lorena, I could see that looks sensational on you! I'm delighted to know that one of the featured items here caught your eye. If you purchase it, I hope it works out splendidly for you.

      Happy mid-week wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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