August 29, 2016

Two birthdays, one awesome vintage style novelty print dress




Outfit details

Gold tone metal and orange plastic triangle shaped stud earrings: Claire's
Turquoise blue cardigan: Gap
Vintage style resin sunflower brooch: Erstwilder (purchased from Vintage Pip)
Handmade 1940s/1950s kitchen novelty print dress (with matching belt worn as a head scarf): Mode de Lis
Lime green faux patent leather skinny belt: (possibly, had for years) Joe Fresh
1950s/1960s brown faux patent leather handbag: Frugal Frocks
Yellow plastic bangle bracelet: Forever 21
Vintage bangle bracelets: Unknown, had for years
Nude seamed nude stockings: eBay
Turquoise faux patent leather pumps: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Party Line
Nail colour: Essie Roarrrrange


Photography by Tony Cangiano
 








































On many a site the web over, I have hefty sized wishlists. In a lot of ways, I really don't mind that there are far, far more items in the world that I adore than I'll ever be able to actually acquire (for the record, I should mention that I don't actually consider myself to be an overly materialistic person at all; for example, on multiple occasions throughout my life, virtually everything that I owned fit into no more than two suitcases and purse, and I was totally okay with that).

Sometimes though, you encounter an item, fall madly in love with it, and then enter a proverbial game of chicken with said item and the unseen force that is the rest of the online shopping public.

The moment I spotted this awesome handmade, one-of-a-kind mid-century vintage style dress with its uber charming pattern of culinary related imagery and words (in fellow vintage blogger Lily's wonderful Etsy shop, Mode de Lis), my heart was a goner and I wanted to buy it instantly.

My budget, however, had a different agenda and so I knew that I would have to wait. And wait I did, for a few months actually. I kept the dress in my shopping cart on Etsy and would check in on it at least once a week, to see if it was still available.

Towards the end of 2015, Lily offered a generous coupon code for her shop and I knew that the moment had come to finally make this magnificent frock mine (in fact, it was my Christmas present to myself last year).

It is such an immensely sweet, pretty dress and I was shocked, down right shocked, I tell you, that no one one else had beat me to it in all the time it was listed for sale. In cases like this, I can't help but feel like the universe is telling me that it was meant to be.

Immensely summery looking thanks to its short sleeves and punchy colours, this delightful 1940s/1950s style kitchen novelty print dress is so "me", it's not even funny. From the longer length to the button front to the matching fabric belt (worn here as a skinny headscarf), it is the kind of garment that turns my knees to jelly and sets my heart ablaze.

Earlier this season, on my birthday, I wore nearly the same outfit that you see here in these snaps, however rain tumbled down all throughout July 10th, so we weren't able to take any outfit photos that day.

Hop ahead to this month. Tony's recent birthday on August 6th was a fairly warm, sunny day and as such, I knew that I had to sport this outfit again - it's too at home in summer not capture on camera while the season is still around.

I actually like this iteration of the look more than the one I put together for my own b-day, so really, it worked out better that we photographed it this month, not last. These snaps were taken in the very early evening hours in front of our next door neighbour's house.

A fabulous novelty print dress like this affords one a lot of styling possibilities. It's bold pattern meant that I didn't want to go too wild with my accessories, and primarily introduced more colour into the look care of my cardigan, handbag, and shoe choices, as well (in smaller doses) as a beautiful Erstwilder sunflower brooch (to echo the sunflowers in the dress' print) and fun triangle shaped orange earrings, plus a few bangles (natch!).

I beam with joy each time I wear this dress. It is an important reminder that patience can be rewarded and that sometimes wishlist items that seem like they may never happen for you, can suddenly become yours thanks to the right timing (or other circumstances).

This is my first piece from Mode de Lis on Etsy and let me tell you, Lily's incredible sewing skills (which are often seen in the pieces she makes for herself and shares on her blog) are off-the-charts. This dress smokes many offerings from repro companies out of the water and has the added special factor of being made by a fellow Etsian and blogger from right here in our own online community.

A super fun garment for special occasions, I love that this dress was at the heart of both mine and Tony's respective birthdays this year and don't doubt for a moment that I'll turn to it for celebrations and everyday outfits alike for many a sunny season to come.

Plus, if one day I ever had the chance to write a cookbook and needed a book jacket photo or was interviewed about cooking, I can't help but think that it would be the absolute ideal dress for a vintage gal like me to sport for just such an occasion. :)

102 comments:

  1. I love love love that print. Novelty prints are the major reason I started to transition into 50s looks and you wear them so well

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    1. What an awesome reason to start leaning more heavily on the 50s side of the vintage fashion spectrum. The sheer volume and diversity of great prints that were released in that decade practically boggles the mind! :)

      Many hugs & happy Wednesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Aww you look so wonderful and summery! Being patient is often to worth it and having such a wonderful handmade garment in your collection brings so much joy! I will be hopping over to her etsy shop to take a peek myself <3

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    1. Thank you sweetly, lovely lady. It can be for sure. I sometimes stop and reflect on the fact that patience isn't always seen as a the virtue it once was in today's "everything at the click of a button" world. Hopefully those of us who dabble in the past can help to keep it alive and kicking all the more.

      Many hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. How cheery and pretty you look. The dress is so nice to transition into autumn. I am quite familiar with putting an item in my Etsy cart and waiting until I am able to purchase. A few times things slipped away unfortunately!

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    1. Same here - far more than I could ever remember, I'm sure. Hopefully not too many get away from you in the future, dear April - if you really want/need something, it can be quite a gutting feeling for sure.

      Big hugs & happy countdown to autumn wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. This is so cute on you!! I agree--Lily's stuff is to die for!! (I really love all the pieces she made during her 1930s phase last year or the year before--they were super fab). The colors on this dress suit you so well, and your accessories are the perfect complement. Happy birthday (belated) to both of you!

    Small kwinky-dink: my sister and beloved late grandfather all share Tony's birthday!

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    1. Goodness, weren't they incredible? She is such an immensely talented seamstress.

      Thank you very much on all counts, dear Juliana. That's very cool about two of your relatives sharing Tony's birthday (which, interestingly, was also Andy Warhol's).

      Big hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. What a gorgeous outfit, Jessica!!!!! :) You look a perfect picture of loveliness in this adorable frock. I was wondering when you would do an outfit post with this one - I had seen from your review that you had purchased it. Such a perfect dress for you! Happy birthday to you, dear lady!! :)

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    1. Your comment made me beam ear-to-ear, sweet Esther. Sometimes I'll spot Etsy feedback from a familiar face as well and, if they're a blogger, wonder if said item will make an appearance on their site. It's really (!) cool that you saw my feedback on this dress and remembered a few months later that I was the one who had bought it. Love that! :)

      Many thanks & big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. I follow Lily's blog in huge admiration of her sewing skills. I think those colours are the bee's knees on you Jessica. I hope you enjoy wearing the dress and those turquise accents heaps

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    1. Hi Merrian, thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment. It's a pleasure to "meet" you, my fellow fan of Lily's awesome blog and incredible sewing skills.

      Wishing you a splendid tail end of summer,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. The outfit you have put together is perfection! I think I remember reading about that dress on Mode De Lis's blog, though I could be thinking of her state names dress. ;)

    Sarah
    www.sewcharacteristicallyyou.com/blog

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    1. Isn't that state themed dress incredible, too? Lily's creations marry whimsy and elegance superbly. If she had a full on repro brand, I'm sure it would be a smash hit amongst vintage and mainstream (modern) fashionistas alike. I feel really honoured to have been able to add this wonderful piece that she made to my closet.

      Many hugs & thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. Wow Jessica! That novelty print dress is beyond adorable. Will have to check out this shop. I am a huge fan of these type of prints. And, of course, you color coordinate and accessorize like no other!

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    1. You're all together too kind, dear Theresa, thank you so much! Isn't as cute as can be? Lily really has a magical way with novelty prints.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. Gorgeous dress! I don't blame you for wanting it so bad! The print is so adorable and the cardi you chose works perfectly with it! :)

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet Laurie. It was awesome to get to wear not only this beautiful novelty print dress from Lily, but these punchy, feel good colours multiple times this summer.

      Big hugs (from Edmonton :)),
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. I love how you have added that bright hued cardigan to the dress - it looks lovely.
    Sometimes good things are worth waiting for ;)

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    1. They really and truly are, sweet Lorena, you're spot on there. Another example of that is the trip to Edmonton, Alberta that we're currently on. It took me 32 years to finally reach this big Canadian city nestled in the middle of the province, and is was definitely worth the patience it took to get here. It's a really charming place that marries urban with rural superbly. I really looking forward to sharing multiple posts about our travels in the weeks after we return home.

      Many hugs & happy September wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. Wow! This feels like it's really 'you'! It's beautiful, and colourful, I love how it looks on you. You are so wonderfully pretty! And the colours of the shoes and cardi really pop! It's just so beautiful. It truly was meant to be - it looks like it was made for you! I'm so happy you got it, and amazing job having so much patience.
    Hope you're having a good week.
    Much love,
    Mona

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    1. Thank you so very much, dear Mona. You bestow some of the all-time loveliest comments and compliments on me - and I sincerely appreciate each of them.

      Huge hugs coming your way from the road (aka, our hotel room in Edmonton),
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. Such an adorable outfit! I love pairing yellow, teal & green together, and especially love the Erstwilder sunflower brooch against your teal cardi. The print on that dress is too cute!

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    1. Thank you sweetly, Bristol dear. I really like those two together as well. As we head into fall, I've been wearing this brooch on brown garments more and more, and just adore that cheerful pairing, too.

      Many hugs & happy tail end of summer wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. So cute! Lily does AMAZING work. She always picks such perfect prints. This looks incredible on you!!!!

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    1. Thank you soooo much, darling gal! She really, really does! I hope that she continues to list more of her fabulous novelty print makes in her shop. I'd love to add more of them to my closet - as well as see them on others in our vintage fashion community.

      Many hugs coming your way from Edmonton,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. That's a really unique pattern! I'm a big believer in Divine Providence, called hashgacha pratit in Hebrew. When something is really meant to be, events come together in just the right way to make it happen.

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    1. Thank you very much for your lovely, wise words, dear Carrie-Anne. I also believe in the concept of fate/providence and that there are certain things that truly seem destined to be ours (or to unfold in a particular way). I think that we play a strong role in the outcome of our lives, but sometimes the universe lends a helping hand, too.

      Wishing you a great week,
      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  15. What a fabulous dress! So fun! Happy birthday, sweetheart, and to Tony too!

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Shelia. Hard to believe both of our birthdays have come and gone already. Quite a few of my family members have fall birthdays, so we'll be jumping into that fun season within days of returning home from Edmonton. Really looking forward to it - who knows, if the sun is still out, perhaps this fun outfit will get one more wearing this year. :)

      Big hugs from the road,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. That is such a pretty dress! This outfit is perfect for birthday celebrations :)

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    1. Aww, thanks so much, lovely lady. It really was/is - if there's sunshine with some warmth behind it still, I might sport it again for one of the many birthdays that fall during autumn in our family (mid-October, for example, sees a week with three b-days, plus mine and Tony's wedding anniversary).

      Have a fabulous start of September,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. Dear Jessica, What a lovely combo of colours...like a ray of sunshine!!! So joyful and fun :) :) I hope you are having a better week.

    Best wishes,
    Dee

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely lady. We're definitely having a better week (Tony is still duking it out with the cold he picked up two Saturdays ago though) and are really enjoying our holiday time here in Edmonton.

      I hope September is off to a splendid start for you as well.

      Many hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. I really love this dress and matching hair-scarf on you, the print is so fun, I love a unique novelty print! I also love your blue cardigan and those wonderful bangles! xo

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    1. Same here! Though I have been gravitating a fair bit towards solid hues and muted (toned) patterns this year, I know that I'll always adore (and wear) vibrant, whimsical novelty prints. They're like candy for our wardrobes. :)

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. Oh my word, this dress is so perfect! No wonder you fell in love with it, and it waited for you <3

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    1. Thank you very much, dear gal. It was a stroke of good fortunate (and timing) for sure. :)

      I hope that September is off to a splendid start for you.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. I can see why you fell for this dress with its great print and perfect style.
    Your eye for the perfect touches shines through with the bangles and brooch.
    Have a wonderful time.

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    1. What a splendidly nice compliment, sweet Jill. Thank you so much! I'm in love with this cheerful Erstwilder sunflower brooch. As we start to head into autumn here, I'm sporting it more and more with brown garments (and it shines there, too).

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. What a cheery outfit! It's the sort of look that brightens the day.

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    1. Why thank you, sweet Mim. It definitely does! IMO, summer fashion should be happy-go-lucky like this as often as possible. :)

      Big hugs & happy early September wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. How utterly pretty! I love how bright and punchy these colours are! xxx

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    1. So do I! They make me think of a tropical fruit salad enjoyed on a beautiful beach with sparkling turquoise waters.

      Many hugs & thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  23. This outfit really is the embodiment of summer. I was smiling uncontrollably from the first picture. Thank you for putting a huge smile on my face today!

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    1. Aww, what an awesomely nice comment, honey. I'm tickled pink (err, turquoise? :)) to know that this fun outfit made you beam.

      Oodles of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  24. What a fabulous dress! And I adore the colour of your cardigan and your shoes. Pure perfection. :) Sorry for my absense. I've been on vacation. First week at home relaxing and working on some tasks/projects. Second week we went on a river boat cruise down the Danube (our silver anniverssary trip) and I brought my iPad with me so I could read what I missed the first week, but the internet on the boat never worked so now I am seriously behind. Thanks to Bloglovin I never miss a post from my favourite bloggers. Have a nice day, dear. :)

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    1. Hi sweet Sanne, thank you so much for your marvelously lovely compliment. Your thoughtful comments always, without fail, brighten my week.

      That sounds so immensely lovely! I would so like to see the Danube in person some day as well. What a truly beautiful way to celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary.

      Please don't worry for the tiniest of moments. The internet at our hotel here in Edmonton is uber slow (think dial-up sort of speeds), so I certainly understand. I can't help but think though, when things like that happen, the universe is trying to tell us to just sit back, relax and step away from the web for a little while. It will still be there and going as strong as ever when we return home and to our usual wifi. :)

      Many hugs & happy anniversary wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  25. Such a lovely outfit! I love the bright colors!

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    1. Thank you very much, my dear. Same here! I pretty much want to sport a rainbow all summer long - but then come the first days hint of autumn, I'm all about the rich jewel tones and muted shades.

      Wishing you a splendid September,
      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  26. What a wonderfully cheery outfit, Jessica. The dress has such an adorable print and the brooch is lovely. xxx

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    1. Thank you kindly, dear Vix. It is definitely a cheerful look, I agree. Just the thing for celebrate those moments of intense joy like summertime birthdays.

      Many hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  27. Wow! Looking just lovely, you are right, you are made for that dress, it was meant to be. I hope you are feeling much better now, my dear. You certainly look well. I wish you a wonderful rest of the week. Lots of hugs honey xx

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    1. Thank you sweetly, dear Emily. I'm definitely doing a fair bit better at this stage, which is hugely appreciated given our holiday (to Edmonton) that's underway at the moment.

      I really hope that you're having a sunny, positive September so far, too.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  28. The whole look is absolutely beautiful. You have really thought about the detail. Like you, I have large wishlists on various websites as well as pinterest... The joy of online shopping:-)

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    1. Big time! I think there's something powerfully important in not being able to instantly get everything you may want. Patience really is an important virtue (even if such is, sadly, overlooked sometimes in today's world), plus most of us already have plenty, so no need to constantly just acquire possessions for the sake of it. Waiting can really help, as well, in separating the wants/likes from the needs/loves, which can ultimately benefit our wallets, too.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment. Have a terrific week!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  29. Adorable dress! And I was so taken with the matching headscarf that I had to re-read the outfit listing to see that it was actually the belt. It works so well as a head accessory! Cute outfit all around. :)

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    1. Thank you very much, my sweet friend. If I had a vintage inspired/repro line, I'd try to create some styles with belts that could double as headbands on purpose. The two-in-one aspect of such is so handy and fun!

      Have a fantastic week!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  30. Aww, this is such a great story! I definitely have those moments sometimes with clothes or things online that I absolutely adore but that I know I can't afford or don't have any reason to buy. But if it's meant to be then sometimes it all comes together and it comes back in stock or no one else has bought it and you get a discount code or it goes on sale and then you know the time has finally come! And, for me anyway, those items you can't get out of your head are always the ones that you cherish the most in your wardrobe and that bring you the most joy every time you see or wear them.

    littlehenrylee.net

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    1. Aren't they though? Very well said, honey. I really agree. The 1950s berry + greenery print dress that I wore this past spring for the shoot we did on a suspension bridge (in Castlegar, BC) was another piece like and is all the more special now, too, because it was part of a fun little getaway.

      I really hope that your month is off to a great start and that all is well on your end.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  31. This print is so fun! I love how you styled it too!!
    xo
    www.laurajaneatelier.com

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    1. Thank you sweetly, dear Laura. It truly is - novelty prints don't get much more darling (or summertime perfect) than this, in my books. So happy to have been able to add this awesome fifties style frock to my closet. It's going to get tons of wear for many summers to come.

      Sending lots of hugs your way from Edmonton,
      ♥ Jessica

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  32. Way too delicious a dress to do any work in the kitchen! (But, sipping something delicious and watching someone else working in the kitchen...that would work!) I have this theory, Jessica, if I see something I fall in love with - and can't have immediately - I trust that if it's meant to be mine, it will be there for me, otherwise I accept it's not meant to be. So, this one was obviously meant for you. You look stunning and the longer length is a wee bit different from your usual styles. xx

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    1. Thank you sweetly, dear Elizabeth. That is a wise, wonderful way to look at things. I try to adopt that sort of mindset in such situations as well. Ultimately, I'm so blessed to own what I have already and truly need so little more, so reflecting on that can help quell strong shopping desires, too.

      Many hugs & happy September wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  33. that dress was made for you!! totally!!!
    it is so sunny, bright and pretty and whimsical! and i love your turquoise shoes!
    you even can pull that dress towards your fav season - autumn - with picking up more of the burnt orange tones in the print - hello pumpkin hues :-)
    big hugs! xxxxxxx

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    1. Thank you very much, my sweet friend. I adore these shoes, too. They work especially well for spring and summer, but I'm going to see if I can work them into an autumn look or two as well (especially since orange and brown both play really nicely with this shade of cheerful blue).

      I hope that you're doing well and enjoying a splendid tail end of summer (we're currently in Edmonton and having a great time here).

      Many hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  34. Hi Jessica,

    Really very nice Outfit, very vivid colours and bright :-)

    I know you´ll be going away on a road trip to Edmonton and I wish both of you the best. Try to relax and enjoy the time as much as you can, I hope the weather will also be nice.

    On my side I will be in Ireland for few days and I already began to pack for Canada! I´ll take some dresses with me ;-)

    A big hug from Luxembourg/Germany

    Eva (from Luxembourg/Germany)

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    1. Thank you so very much, lovely Eva. It's exciting that we're both filling our Septembers with so much fun travel. I hope that you're having an awesome time in Ireland and that your trip to BC will be an unforgettably fantastic one.

      Big hugs coming your way, too,
      ♥ Jessica

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  35. Definitely, a garment for special occasions, good that you could wear this lovely dress now! You look so beautiful! I loved the words on the dress, loved your earrings, bangles and shoes too, as well as the lovely sunflower brooch! It's nice that you checked the basket once a week and no one bought the dress! Well done! I do believe that things are meant to be. I read a story about it. A woman went to a shop and fell in love with an antique wardrobe. Too expensive for her. The shop owner reports that 2 years after that, the wardrobe was still there, although people showed interest, but decided for other items. She said she believes that the woman who first wanted it put her stamp, her energy on it! I do believe it! Hope you are having a great time! Hugs and regards,
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. What a touching story, dear Denise. Two years is definitely a long time to year for something. I'm sure that she'll treasure that wardrobe for the rest of her days.

      Thank you so much for your wonderfully nice compliments on this cheerful outfit. I adore this brooch, too. Now that we're heading into autumn, I'm matching it up with shades of brown, which is works really nicely with as well.

      Many hugs & thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  36. Good photo. You have a very beautiful color of lipstick.

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    1. What a lovely compliment, dear gal. Thank you so much!

      Wishing you an excellent week,

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  37. Dear Jessica,

    What a dress! This is one of my favorite of all the dresses you own. I love the look of your total outfit; every detail is perfect.

    I popped over to Mode de Lis on Etsy and also the blog, which I am now following. I favorited Lily’s shop and also this adorable dress:1950s Caribbean Blue Print Womens Dress - I would love to own this dress! Lily makes such a perfect model for her vintage looking clothing; she is very lovely, feminine, and wholesome looking, which in my opinion is the whole purpose of vintage styles.

    I could see you on the front of your own cookbook wearing the darling dress; it would be a fantastic cover indeed :)

    Thank you for sharing your dress and Lily’s shop and blog. I am excited about what a delightful encouragement and resource she can be.

    Love and hugs,
    ♥Hope

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    1. Thank you ever so much, dear Hope. It's a definite favourite of mine as well (which makes me wish we saw more vintage style garments splashed out with text).

      That is a marvelously lovely dress as well. Lily really creates some jaw dropping pieces. I admire her great eye and immense talent to no end.

      Big hugs and thanks for your wonderfully lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  38. What a sweet dress, and I love how you accessorized it! Hugs xxx

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Ann. This is such a fun dress to accessorize. With it's punchy palette, you can pull on so much cheerful hues and change your accessories many times to create lots of great looks around this eye-catching garment.

      Big hugs from Edmonton,
      ♥ Jessica

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  39. Jessica, it sounds to me as if this dress was meant to be yours! And it suits you well. I absolutely love the entire outfit and how well you have coordinated the colours.

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    1. Thank you sweetly, dear Linda. You always brighten my blog and week alike with your wonderfully upbeat, thoughtful comments.

      I hope that you're doing well and enjoying a great start of September.

      Big hugs (from our hotel room in Edmonton),
      ♥ Jessica

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  40. Yay for cheerful summery outfits! I will be sad to say goodbye to them very soon :( Love love love all the colours in this one - just makes you feel happy looking at it :) glad to see that little sunflower brooch again - they're so versatile xx

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    1. Same here - especially with true summertime weather being soooo sparse this time around (on both our ends). It's okay though, there's no season I love to dress for more than autumn, so that helps to make parting ways with summer a bit easier to swallow. :)

      Many hugs & thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  41. Awwwww, yay!!!!! I always love seeing customers wearing their purchases, and this is no exception! Jessica, this dress really does suit you so well! Your accessorizing is spot-on (as always!) and adds so much to this dress. :-) Safe to say that my mom and I both agree that the dress has found a happy home. :-)

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    1. Thank you (and your sweet mom) so much for your awesomely nice comment, dear Lily. I couldn't possibly adore this awesome dress more. You did an amazing job with it. So well made, stylish and fun. I'll cherish it for many years to come and am already looking to sporting it again next summer.

      Thank you again for everything. You and your Etsy shop absolutely rock!

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  42. Such a gorgeous outfit! I love love love the brooch, and every other detail. ;-)

    Many hugs,
    Sandra <3

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    1. Thank you sweetly, my dear. I'm beyond in love with this happy-go-lucky Erstwilder sunflower brooch as well. It's proving to work a treat for fall outfits, too, especially when paired with shades of brown.

      Many hugs & cheerful start of September wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  43. Lovely outfit, I love how everything works together. The dress is very beautiful and has a nice print, I'd love to have some kind of shirt dress myself, but I'm so picky I still haven't found a perfect one! x

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    1. Thank you very much, my dear. When it comes to shirtwaist dresses, most of mine are genuine vintage (spanning the 1940s to the 1980s), but sometimes you fan find repro/vintage inspired offerings like this that nail it to a tee. A good starting place for you (which I own quite a few of myself) 1980s does 1940s/50s shirtwaist dresses. There were some really fantastic ones produced in that decade. They're often cotton, easy to wash, and (can be) more durable than older mid-century versions. I've sourced most of mine on Etsy and eBay, where they're still fairly reasonably priced in general.

      Best of luck to you with your search.

      Lots of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  44. Patience pays off sometimes and the joy is all the better for it!

    And I can just imagine the front cover of that cookbook! This outfit would be perfect :)

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    1. Very well said, my sweet friend. That it is! Waiting deepens appreciation and there's much to be said in favour of patience.

      Many hugs & thanks,
      ♥ Jessica

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  45. How awesome to score a piece sewn by Lily, her work constantly astounds me with just how detailed and accurate her pieces always turn out! I hear you on the multiple wishlists thing, I even have a favorites list on Etsy called "Dream Time" where I save things I can't afford in case I ever win the lottery and can go back and snatch them up ha ha

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    1. That's such a fun idea for a wishlist. If I won the lottery, I'd go wild on both my Etsy and Amazon (book) wishlists. It's awesome to daydream sometimes - zero harm in it and doing so can be a great way to garner inspiration and knowledge in the process.

      Thank you for your great comment. Big hugs!

      ♥ Jessica

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  46. What a fun dress! I always love the sewing projects Lily shares on her blog, so that is so cool that you were able to get this lovely dress. It looks like a perfect fit (both size and style!)
    The Artyologist

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    1. Same here! Lily's sewing (and styling) skills are off-the-charts incredible. I'm continually inspired and impressed by everything that she makes and shares on her blog.

      Thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment/compliments.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  47. The dress is great and most especially I am loving those triangular earrings! I want them!

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    1. Thank you sweetly, dear Holly. They're really fun earrings. Triangles have been a big theme in jewelry (again) for a few years now, but most (especially in the limited nickel-free sphere) of the pieces I've encountered so far haven't been all that vintage appropriate. I think these fit that bill really nicely and they're a great boon to my earring collection, as I have almost no orange pairs. I picked them up right around the end of last November (at Claire's), so it's possible they might still be available there.

      Wishing you an awesome week,
      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  48. Love this outfit. So great you were able to acquire this dress on sale. I really admire Lily's work! Such gorgeous things she makes and her attention to detail blows my mind. I can totally relate to the chicken game with items on Etsy. ;)And yes! I can totally see these photos making it on the jacket cover of a cookbook should you ever get around to writing one :)

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    1. Thank you very much across the board, my dear. Lily's work really is incredible. She's a deeply talented seamstress with a wonderful eye for historical styling. I feel very fortunate to own one of her marvelous creations and to have been able to wear it for multiple special occasions this year.

      Big hugs from Edmonton,
      ♥ Jessica

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  49. This dress looks so good on you with your coloring! It's what I dreamed it would look like, but alas... I'm a "greenish blond" and it was less than flattering. I'm just so tickled that it found a loving home with you. :-)

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    1. Hi Karen, thank you very much for your lovely comment. It's really neat to hear that you were eyeing this delightful frock, too, but ultimately opted against it due to your colouring. I hope that another of Lily's marvelous creations will catch your eye, too, and work beautifully for you and your blonde locks.

      I really appreciate your comment and am delighted to "meet" you.

      Many hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  50. You look fabulous, my dear! You actually look excited to be wearing such a fine frock. 😊 I always love seeing what Lily comes up with and this is no exception. 😄 "Good things come to those who wait" has been true for me many a time as well.

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    1. Great eye, my dear! That I was - this dress makes me extra bubbly (folks don't always pick up on such through my posts, but I'm a really laid back, easygoing, and very bubbly person in real life) and was such an awesome garment to sport for this summer's "birthday season". :)

      Many hugs & happy September wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  51. I love all the colours in this outfit, so sunny and cheery! What a fun dress! I'm glad it waited until you were able to buy it.

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    1. Thank you sweetly, my lovely friend. I'm so happy as well! We returned home from Alberta to (knock wood!) some really beautiful sunshine, so I'm hoping to get in one or two more wearings (of it) this year before fall, followed oh-so-quickly by winter, returns in full force again.

      Scores of hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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