A fabulous 40s style headscarf from Lacey Rose Creations, my dream bomber jacket, and one last snowy backdrop

Outfit details

1940s style floral print head wrap: c/o Lacey Rose Creations
Earrings: can't remember and can't really see here :)
Burgundy button front shirt: Thrifted (originally from Banana Republic)
Oxblood/burgundy lace trimmed camisole: Fairweather
C. 1950s/1960s gold tone rose brooch: Unknown, had for many years (probably thrifted; similar styles available in my Etsy shop)
1940s style brown faux leather bomber jacket: Thrifted from Value Village (originally from Suzy Shier)
Vintage style oxblood/burgundy faux leather cross body bag: eBay
Gold tone metal bangle bracelet: Payless
1940s vintage reproduction dark green swing trousers: Heyday
1930s/1940s style brown lace up oxfords: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Party Line

Photography by Tony Cangiano  

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...Before we officially put (well, in so much as such a bold statement can ever be uttered on Canadian soil) winter to rest.

Actually, we've been snow-free for quite a while now due to the milder-than-usual February and March that we've been treated to. In place of the usual lashings of snow and ice that often fill these months here, it's mostly been rain, rain and more rain, with occasional - and wholly welcomed - pockets of sunshine.

Naturally then, as you may have guessed, these photos were taken (on my parents deck) back when the world was still a Christmas card worthy winter wonderland of icicles, tranquil falling snow, and enough white stuff on the ground to make a million friends for Frosty.

Those of you who follow me on YouTube (where, you know, I post videos in rapid flurries of activity at least once a year :P), may recall when, last summer, I thrifted the 1940s style bomber jacket from Value Village (as I mentioned it in this video). Hailing from the Canadian clothing chain Suzy Shier originally, this thrift store score was a dream come true on the fashion front for me.

More often than not, bomber style jackets look atrocious on me. Like, we're talking scary bad. So much so, that I've almost relegated them to the realm of vintage garments that I (just about) never wear.

Luckily however, I didn't throw in the towel entirely and the moment that I slipped this dark brown faux leather 1940s style bomber jacket on in the aisle right there at Value Village, I knew it was love at first sight (and my sweet mom, who was with me, thought so as well, which was great to hear). Needless to say, I bought it instantly and have been living in this jacket as part of many of my casual ensembles ever since.

Wonderfully warm and fabulously old school looking, this is the kind of easy-going jacket everyone's wardrobe would be bettered by. Another thing that makes your closet even more enjoyable is when you've got the perfect 1940s, or 1940s style, accessories to pair with said bomber jacket.

For me, one of those is unequivocally this flat out awesome 1940s style floral print head wrap that my dear friend Cherry, from She Knits in Pearls, recently sent to me as a very thoughtful review present (thank you so much, darling gal!).

Last year Cherry and her mom, both talented sewers, launched the beautifully named Lacey Rose Creations on Etsy (as well as a companion Instagram account of the same name - and you can also see more of Cherry's creative happening and daily life on her personal Instagram as well), where they sell a lovely selection of handmade items, including head wraps in the same style as this gorgeous rose print number, as well as fabric headbands, kitchen linens, and other fun delights.

At first glance, you might think that this wrap was a regular style scarf tied up 1940s war worker style, but in fact, it is a brilliantly designed head wrap that strikes one as being somewhat akin to a roomy shower cap in the way its designed (I say that in a totally positive light).

It's also a bit like a snood and pre-made turban in the sense that one simply places the wrap on their head and adjusts it to fit however they want. The elastic edges keep it in place and pre-tied bow makes it look as though you are indeed sporting a traditional headscarf, only you're not.

No, this easier and quicker, and every bit (if not more so) as comfortable. It's a brilliant design and way to quickly get a 40s style look up top without a lot of time or effort (always handy for the busy lives so many of us lead). I really hope that Cherry and her mom keep producing more of these comfy cotton head wraps, because I'm beyond addicted to my first one and would love to add more to my wardrobe as time goes on.

If you haven't checked out Cherry's shop yet, I highly encourage you to do so. The items that she and her mom are producing are all terrific looking and very reasonably priced, too, may I add.

I had a bunch of cooking for family events and running around to do on the day that these photos were taken, so to compliment the casual bomber jacket and lovely head wrap, I added a pair of 1940s reproduction swing trousers from Heyday, a classic burgundy hued button front shirt, a vintage rose brooch, a gold tone bangle bracelet, an oxblood/burgundy faux leather cross body bag, and my super beloved brown 30s/40s style oxfords to the mix for a fun look that was ideal for checking a million and one things off my to-do list.

This head wrap is warm, but not swelteringly so in the slightest and I'm certain that I'll continue to wear it until the (snow covered) cows come home all year round. If I could wave a magic wand and have a hundred of them in a rainbow of colours and patterns, I happily would - especially given how wonderfully well constructed they are.

So, my dears, this will most likely (again, Canada and all) be the last snow filled post for a few months. We had a great run and enjoyed some really diverse outfits together here this time around.

As we officially embrace springtime, I'm equally excited to share a bounty of fun warm weather looks with you all once more - and who knows, perhaps this head wrap will appear here again when the mercury is as far north as it was south on the day these very snaps were taken.

7 easy ways to wear vintage and still stay warm in the winter

Back in late 2013, I penned a post called Ten Cold Weather Vintage Wardrobe Staples that was inspired by no small part by the scads of comments that I get from fellow vintage fashion fans around the world regarding how to keep sporting old school styles when the temperature is chillier than that of a snowman convention.

If you haven't read that post yet (or want a refresher) I encourage you to check it out, as every last item listed there remains a firm favourite of mine for cold weather dressing. I continue to receive quite a few queries about this topic and as such thought that while winter is still out in full force, I would share some drop dead simple tricks that I use to stay warm when the mercury plummets.

Hailing from Canada, I know a thing or two about cold, snow, ice and the lengthy season that is winter, so each of the following seven tips is one that I employ on a regular basis myself throughout the chilly months of October to April. Of course they can be used any time of the year, if it's nippy outside, and aren't in any way specifically tied to Canada itself.

So without further ado, while I stare out at a heavily snow covered landscape this morning, allow me to share some of the easy-peasy things that I do year after year to keep stay warm, comfortable, and stylish no matter how cold it gets!



1. Sport a warp, shawl, real or faux fur stole, or cape over top of your winter coat. So often we think of our coats as the last and final layer in the war on hypothermia, but they need not be. Many a stylish mid-century (and earlier) lady knew the chic fashion power of further staying roasty-toasty thanks to the addition of a shawl, thick scarf, wrap, cape or the like atop her coat or jacket and it's a trick that we'd all be wise to weave into our own cold weather looks, too.




2. Layer thick tights, long johns, or leggings underneath your pants and long skirts/dresses. This is a lifesaver of a tip for me personally, as I'm loath to part ways with my skirts and dresses during the icy months. When it comes to pants, almost any time the temps are 10C or colder, I slip on a pair of tights or long johns (I haven't owned leggings since I was in grade school, but sometimes I think I should pick up some just for this purpose), usually with socks over my feet for further warmth, and find it helps to keep me many times warmer than if I only had trousers on.




3. Take a cue from polar explorers and mountain climbers everywhere and stack up your outfit in multiple thin to medium weight layers, as opposed to one or two bulky, potentially airy options. Atop my undergarments, I'll usually opt for a full slip and/or a camisole, a thin tee and/or knit, my main garment(s), a cardigan or sweater or blazer/suit jacket, and winter coat, plus a scarf, hat, gloves, boots, and potentially a pair of tights or long johns underneath, as touched on in the point above. This approach often creates less bulk, while also keeping air out and thus helping to trap more of your naturally generated heat close to your body.




4. Wear winter weight gloves inside of a real or faux fur muff. The gloves alone are a good and very natural start, but the muff ups the icy temp protection factor a great deal and almost like having a tiny portable (insulated) house to keep your hands in while you're out and about.





5. Put a lid on it!!! Your head that it! :) A huge percentage of body heat is lost through your noggin, so try to keep your head covered when you venture out. If your favourite vintage winter weather appropriate hats (think sturdy felts, wools, and - if it's not raining/snowing - velvet in terms of material) don't provide enough coverage, consider slipping on a solid coloured fleece ear warmer band or pair of earmuffs in a similar or complimentary hue.





6. Opt for fur (real or faux) or thermal fleece lined boots. Both of my pairs of current pairs of (modern, but wonderfully vintage appropriate) winter boots are faux fur lined (and one has some at the top of the ankles, too) and goodness, does it make a world of difference. Either of their pairs partnered with thick winter socks keeps to keep my feet (which are prone to being cold in general) significantly warmer than most other types of boots I've tried over the years.





7. Turtlenecks are your friend! I know that they're not everyone's cup of tea, but objectively, a basic black, grey, or navy blue turtleneck looks great on a wide range of people, is easy to find at almost any price point, and will never go out of style. If you don't want it to be the star of the show, layer it under a button front shirt, sweater, cardigan, or even a dress and, optionally, top it further with a scarf or shawl, thus almost disguising that you're sporting a turtleneck in the first place, yet staying fabulously warm in the process.


{To learn more about a specific image used above, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

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As you might have guessed before delving into the specifics of today's list, layering is a key factor in many of these seven tips. Obvious as the advice to layer may seem, sometimes it helps to be reminded of (or introduced to, as the case may be) certain ways to do just that, particularly if you're new to dressing for extremely chilly winter temperatures (for example, if you just moved from Florida to Minnesota and have never experienced really cold temperatures before).

During the winter, try to always have extra layers either on your person or within arm's reach. My husband and I aim to keep an extra coat, pair of gloves, and warm socks in the back of our car for each of us, along with our vehicle's emergency survival kit, in case we run into trouble on the road or just happen to find ourselves somewhere that is especially chilly. I also generally have an additional pair of winter gloves, some one-time-use disposal hand warmer packs, and lots of heavy duty lip balm in my bag, too, as each one can help a good deal when you're facing arctic like weather.

Just because it's so chilly outside that ice cream is shivering, it doesn't mean that you can't still look and feel great in your vintage wardrobe during the colder months. Think close fitting layers, high quality garments, longer length pieces, seasonally appropriate accessories, and footwear that can stand up to a blizzard.

With these sorts of things in place, you're bound to look sensational even when the temperate becomes laughably low and all you can daydream about is how amazing it's going to be to sport sundresses again in a few months time.

We'll get there, of course, but right here and now, don your favourite old school winter threads and keep safe, cozy, and warm (or at least warmer) with the help of today's seven cold weather vintage styling tips.

What I wore to meet Canadian author Elinor Florence

Outfit details

1930s/1940s structural black felt hat: Armstrong Antiques
Creamy white carved plastic rose earrings: Claire's
Burgundy corduroy blazer: Suzy Shier
C. 1930s celluloid rose brooch: A fellow vintage seller in Okanagan Falls
1980s does 1940s/50s dark dusty rose shirtwaist dress: eBay
White skinny belt with brass coloured rose shaped buckle: eBay
1940s telephone cord handbag: Armstrong Antiques
C. 1940s/50s creamy white hued gloves: Unknown, had for years (likely eBay or Etsy)
Black seamed nude stockings: eBay
1940s style black faux suede pumps: Walmart
Lip colour: MAC Party Line


Photography by Tony Cangiano

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Every cold weather season, I vow to myself that I will wear the classic combination of a dress and a blazer/suit jacket more often, then almost always promptly forget, burying myself in a sea of cardigans, turtlenecks, sweaters, and skirts or trousers + blazers instead. This year though, I've been working especially hard to remember to sport this stylish pairing and kicked off the chilly season by doing so with the outfit snaps above, which were taken on the second to last Saturday in November.

That was a jam packed busy day, let me tell you! Not only was it the day before we headed off to Vancouver for a lovely spur of the moment work related getaway, but that afternoon I also had the great pleasure of going to see my lovely online friend and published novelist Elinor Florence (whom you may remember from this 2014 interview + giveaway post that we shared here on my blog) speak in person at our town's public library.

Elinor let me know well in advance of her speaking date that she would be headed through Penticton to give a presentation on both her book and some of the fascinating Canadian history surrounding the time frame (WW2) that it centers on, and I instantly set about trying to ensure that I could attend.

Luckily my health was in a cooperative mood that day and I was indeed able to make a beeline for the Penticton Public Library on November 21st and watch Elinor give a very, very lovely, informative talk and slide presentation on those very topics (which also included photos and stores about her own childhood and parents in relation to the subject matter at hand).

Elinor's novel (her first to date) is set in the 1940s, so I knew that I wanted an outfit that looked the part and to that end, opted to for the above mentioned dress (in this case a lovely dark dusty rose hued 1980s does 1940s/50s shirtwaist dress) and blazer combo. To that duo, I added a 1930s/40s black felt hat, 1940s telephone cord bag, and a smattering of complimentary accessories.

The talk lasted for about an hour and had a really nice turnout. After she had finished presenting, Elinor set aside a bit of time to sell and sign copies of her fantastic novel, A Bird's Eye View, and to chat with audience members as well.







Once the crowd had largely dissipated, Tony and I made our way over to formally introduce ourselves (Elinor and I had been talking online for the better part of a couple of years, but this was our first in-person meeting) where we shared a few minutes of enjoyable conversation, during which Tony grabbed a few quick cell phone photos to further help commemorate the day (including the two above).

As I've said here before many a time, Penticton is not exactly chock-a-block full of vintage (let alone WW2) related events, for I'm all the more grateful that I had the opportunity to see Elinor's engaging talk and to meet a fellow British Columbia with an unending passion for the past.

Whether here in the Okanagan or in the small East Kootney town of Invermere that Elinor calls home, I really hope that we get a chance to hang out again one day. And if we do, chances are you can bank on another photo filled post like today's following close on its heels. :)

Snowy days, Science World, and we got a new car!

Outfit details
C. 1940s/1950s tawny brown felt hat with orange and green feather: Christmas gift from my parents
Gold tone metal & clear rhinestone bow shaped earrings: Good question...possibly Claire's
Navy blue blazer: Suzy Shier
C. 1950s/60s gold tone flower brooch: Unknown, had for years (possibly thrifted)
Pumpkin coloured thin cable knit sweater: Eddie Baurer
Navy blue 1940s style swing skirt: Steady Clothing via Blame Betty
C. 1950s green gloves: Had for years, either thrifted or a nearby antique shop in OK Falls
Dark brown faux leather purse: eBay
Nude seamed nude stockings: eBay
1940s style tawny brown leather shoes: Local flea market find
Lip colour: MAC Party Line


Photography by Tony Cangiano

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For my final outfit post of 2015, I had sincerely hopped and planned to bring you a sneak preview of the gorgeous 1950s style dress from Unique Vintage that I will be sporting this year for New Year's Eve.

Alas though we've been getting pummeled with snow day in and day out for over a week now and unfortunately that does not make for very safe (particularly for the camera and lens themselves) shooting conditions. Thus, for the time being, we just have to wait for a dry day to capture that outfit on and then I'll post my final festive ensemble of the holiday season asap (so excited!).

Aside from hampering our shooting abilities, I do enjoy the snow, which is soothingly peaceful to watch tumble to the ground during the brief hours of daylight one experiences in early winter. It has been a relaxing counterpoint to the breakneck hecticness of this whole entire month.

As mentioned in this post back on the 11th, one of things that had been filling our days a great deal as of late was the search for new (to us) vehicle. I'm happy to report that after about three weeks of super intense research, scouting and plenty of test driving, we finally found "the one".

Our beautiful new set of wheels (which I'll try to get some photos to share on social media and/or here as well once the snow lets up!) is a silvery grey hued 2012 Buick Enclave with only 55,000 kilometers on it that it is in like new shape.

We got a very reasonable (financed) priced on it that include a trade in with our old car. This vehicle is everything and more that we've both been dreaming of for years and we are so elated with our choice and the abundance of room that we finally have.

The first couple of times we grocery and Christmas shopped in it almost felt surreal after so many years with a teeny, tiny amount of cargo space. We hope to be able to keep this vehicle for several years at least and can hardly wait to continue experiencing the many, many ways it will help and enrich our lives - very much including when we take road trips like last month's jaunt to Vancouver.

We did not have our new car yet then (in fact, that trip was the final straw, so to speak, in leading us to decide that the time had finally come to invest in a new set of wheels with a much larger cargo capacity) and it was, as always, a legitimate challenge to get two suitcases and a small array of other needed items into our car. Those days are now a thing of the past though and I'm so excited for the next time we get to travel - it will probably feel like we have a small moving van by comparison.

The photos in today's post were one of  a couple of shoots that we were able to take this time around in Vancouver. As mentioned here before (don't want to veer into broken record territory :)), this was a work trip for Tony and he put in very long hours on it most days, which meant that the brief time we had together was usually long after the sun had set. On two days however, we managed to squeeze in some time to not only take pictures, but also do so sightseeing, visiting, shopping, and exploring together.

On this particular afternoon, we made a beeline for Science World, a longstanding pillar of scientific education and fun in this province. I hadn't been since I was about 14 years old and Tony had never been to this particular science center, so given that we're both massive science fans, it seemed like an ideal outing. We had a blast, saw all of the exhibits, and even grabbed a few snaps outside before heading indoors (when we arrived), as the light was fading fast already and we knew it would be as good as gone when we existed.

This is a cozy, classic outfit of the type I usually wear when traveling, especially if a lot of walking is going to be involved. Don't let the red wall behind me in most of these snaps fool you, my sweater is in fact a very pumpkin-y shade of orange, not crimson, but aside from that, things are true to life in terms of how the rest of the ensemble appeared that day. Normally we wouldn't shoot against such a similar hued background, but it was just about our only option in that immediate area, so when in Rome - or Vancouver... :)

My dears, it is genuinely hard to believe that we have very nearly come to the end of another year. In less than two days time we'll be finishing our dates with a number 16 and celebrating all the possibilities, joys, and promises that the new year always holds in store for us.

With all my heart, I want to thank each and every one for your for your awesome support of my blog, Etsy shop, and social media accounts throughout the year. In ways big and small, you motivate, encourage, inspire, and delight me day after day, week after week, month after and month, and ultimately, year and year and I could not do what I do to the same degree without you.

Whatever the future holds in store for us next year, we'll face and celebrate it together. We'll laugh, we'll cry, we'll share and we will continue to grow as individuals and as a community alike.

I don't know what 2016 will deliver, but I do know that I'm champing at the bit to experience it and can hardly wait to share much of what transpires in my life here with all of you.

To the new year, may it be a brilliant one for each of us.

Vintage snow day!

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




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




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




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




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




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




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




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




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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