99 Unusual Questions Answered

You guys know that I love a good Q&A post and that few people I know share more of such entries - let alone ones that I feel compelled to want answer myself as well - as my lovely friend Lindsay from the blog Miss Lindsay Lane. Last year she posted a rapid fire series of ninety-nine usual questions and her own answers,  and I knew the moment I spotted them, that I wanted to play along as well.

Now that, *sniffle, sniffle*, all the fun and business of Halloween is behind us again, and before that of the winter holiday season really starts to hit its stride, I thought I'd take the opportunity this morning to respond to these questions myself.

Fear not! I've veered heavily on the side of brevity and ensure you that you can quickly read through this whole post from top to bottom in a matter of minutes. No booking a day off to get through it, I promise! :)





1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

Ideally closed, but with a kitty who likes to curl up with us as we sleep (and whose food, water, liter box, etc) are in another room, the door almost always stays open at night.



2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?

No, usually not, as we both have ones that we're loyal fans of at home. I do like taking the complimentary tiny sewing kits though - those things really come in handy sometimes!



3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

It depends on how warm the bedroom is. From about May to late September, they're usually out, but in the winter, I love to have them snugly tucked in.



4. Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

No, and I never would. I'd happily purchase a cool vintage one though, given the chance.



5. Do you like to use post-it notes?

Sometimes. I'm a big fan of lists and they can be handy for that or as reminders to take something with me before I leave the house.



6. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?

I love clipping coupons and do try to use them, but sometimes they expire before I can.



7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?

That is a really terrifying question, especially since - Winnie the Pooh style – it is conceivable that you could run into both at the same time. Neither, but in some ways I'd almost prefer the bear.



8. Do you have freckles?

No, and I super wish that I did!!! I have a few beauty spots here and there and love them to bits, but despite some of my family members (like my paternal grandma) having them, freckles passed me over (boo!).



9. Do you always smile for pictures?

Generally yes, but as touched on in this 2012 post, due to my unattractive (crocked, crowded, etc) teeth, I almost never smile in photos with my mouth open.




10. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Hard call, but I'd say that blatant cruelty and/or rudeness wins out there every time (this image is a still from 1944's classic film, Gaslight).



11. Do you ever count your steps when you walk?

Not since I was a child and was doing so just for the fun of it.



12: Have you ever peed in the woods?

I love camping and was in Girl Guides for many years, so yes, I certainly have.



13: What about pooped in the woods?

Same answer as above.



14. Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?

Absolutely! I find that joy can be a big factor in spontaneously wanting to do so.



15. Do you chew your pens and pencils?

No, never. My mom drilled the very real choking risk of doing so into us as kids and boy did it do the trick with preventing me from picking up that common habit.



16. How many people have you slept with this week?

I hope this question just means literally slept in the same bed with!!! None actually, as Tony is still in the States for work.



17. What size is your bed?

Queen. I'd love a king or even California king one day, but for now, I'm grateful to have one this big (and it fits our very modest sized master bedroom well, which is great).



18. What is your Song of the week?

Motown music and summer always go hand-in-hand for me (my parents used to play oodles of it all season long when I was a child), so I'd say that a true classic from that genre like I Heard it Through The Grapevine would be my mid-August song of the week.



19. Is it okay for guys to wear pink?

Absolutely! I'm of the mind that all colours can, and should, be freely worn by anyone who wishes to sport them.





20. Do you still watch cartoons?

You bet! Though these days they're pretty much all the sort that would be called adult oriented cartoons, such as Family Guy, The Simpsons, South Park, American Dad, and Rick and Morty. That said, I'll always have a soft spot for certain kid's classics, too, such as The Flintstones, Inspector Gadget, and The Care Bears.



21. What’s your least favorite movie

You know, and maybe this is a good thing, but there isn't one specific title that instantly springs to mind. In general I'm not a fan of modern horror movies, especially slasher films, so something in that genre might win out there.



22. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?

Wouldn't it defeat the purpose of it being secret treasure if I told everyone my answer? :D



23. What do you drink with dinner?

Almost exclusively water. In general, no joke, 99.5% of the time, that is the only beverage that I drink (due to my extremely restricted medical diet). Thankfully I love water and don't mind at all.



24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?

A mix of ranch dressing and ketchup. Sounds strange, I know, but the flavour combo is sensational!



25. What is your favorite food?

Too many to count, oh my word!!! If I had to pick just one though, I'd go with a whole cuisine and say either Italian or Chinese (clearly I love a good pasta/noodle dish! :D).



26. What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

Again, there are tons in this camp! A few that really jump out at me are - in no particular order - Hocus Pocus, Grease, White Christmas, A League of Their Own, The Illusionist, Gone in 60 Seconds, Ace Venture (and the original Dumb and Dumber), Miracle on 34th Street, (1939's) The Women (for the sublime fashions!), both of the 90s Addams Family movies, and both of the Despicable Me films (I haven't seen this year's Minions movie yet, but can't wait to!).



28. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?

Yes, I was in Girl Guides for several years as a youngster and am extremely grateful for the fun experience and all of the valuable skills I picked up from my time there.



29. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

Never say never, right, but I highly, highly doubt it!





30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

I usually write a few snail mail letters to relatives and pen pals around the world each month and just penned one to a friend in Europe a few days ago.



31. Can you change the oil on a car?

In theory, yes, but I've never actually done it - just seen it carried out numerous times over the years.



32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

No, for the same reason I've not changed the oil in a car - I don't drive (for the reason discussed in this post).



33. Ever ran out of gas?

Again, I don't drive, so I haven't personally run out of gas while behind the wheel, but I have been in cars on a few occasions when such happened.



34. Favorite kind of sandwich?

It's really hard to beat a great classic grilled cheese sandwich in my books!



35. Best thing to eat for breakfast?

It truly depends on your mood, hunger level, and the season, but I think that (speaking of this type of food) it's hard to beat a cold roast turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich on Boxing Day morning!



36. What is your usual bedtime?

As touched on in my recent post called I woke up like this, I don't have a set bedtime in the slightest - but the general answer to that would be, late at night or early in the morning.



37. Are you lazy?

Humbly, no, not in the slightest. I am the polar opposite of lazy, virtually never procrastinate, and a workaholic to the point where I constantly jeopardize my health (further) because of it (even though I logically know better than to do so).



38. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?

Oh my word, yes!!! Every single year without fail - and I have continued to as an adult (see this fun post for mine and Tony's costumes last year).



39. What is your Chinese astrological sign?

The rat (not the nicest sounding critter sign to be born under, but then again, I'm a cancer in western astrology, which is represented by the crab, so I guess a rat might not be that bad after all! ;D).





40. How many languages can you speak?

Fluently, only English, but I do know a bit of French and a smaller amount of Italian.



41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

A small number, yes. To save money, I've cut back in recent years. At present I get four modern fashion magazine and one home decor magazine.



42. Which are better Legos or Lincoln Logs?

I never got the chance to play with Lincoln Logs as a kid, just Tinker Toys and Legos, so I'll give my vote to Legos.



43. Are you stubborn?

I wouldn't say I'm stubborn per se (I know that Tony is off rolling his eyes somewhere and grinning up a storm as write that), but rather that I'm both very passionate and very tenacious.



44. Who is better...Leno or Letterman?

I was always a Leno fan growing up and his was the most frequently watched late night snow in my house during the nineties, so he get my vote (perhaps to thank me he'll let me pose with some of his amazing classic cars! :D).



45. Ever watch soap operas?

Nope. I've never watched a single episode of a soap opera that I can recall . I don't hate them of course, they just don't appeal to me.



46. Are you afraid of heights?

Sort of - I'm not a fan of heights when the floor is transparent, such as on the observational desks of some sightseeing towers in cities like Calgary and Toronto, and in general, heights are not my favourite thing, but if I know that there's no immediate risk of falling, I can handle them.



47. Do you sing in the car?

Occasionally. It can be fun, especially if the other people in the vehicle are doing so, too.



48. Do you sing in the shower?

Not really, no. This one never spoke to me, though I do see the general appeal.



49. Do you dance in the car?

That would have to be a pretty spacious car, no? :) To date, I don't believe I've ever danced in a car, no.





50. Ever used a gun?

Only water pistols and cap guns.



51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?

In June, when Tony took my photos last before leaving to work in the States this summer.



52. Do you think musicals are cheesy?

Not at all - they're fun, creative, lively, charming, and often full of great costumes.



53. Is Christmas stressful?

It certainly can be, yes, though I often find the days following it to be harder, as all the activity leading up to Christmas catches up with me and I inevitably pay for it on the health front.



54. Ever eat a pierogi?

Many, many times. They're one of my all-time favourite foods. I especially love them cooked with onions and sausage or crumbled bacon and served with copious amounts of thick sour cream. Yum!!!!



55. Favorite type of fruit pie?

Ooohhh, there are very many of them. It's hard to say! I really adore apple, peach, cherry, and raisin - plus, though it's technically a squash, pumpkin.



56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?

A lot of possible career paths spoke to me as a youngster, including the possibility of becoming a doctor, journalist/writer, scientist, and (above all else) a chef. None of them came to fruition, but interestingly, elements of each one have been a part of my professional life in some (often round about) capacity at point or another.



57. Do you believe in ghosts?

Short answer, yes. Long(er) answer I am very scientifically minded person, but I'm also the first to say that I think there are many things out there that science doesn't fully understand yet or which we might not even know about at this point, so I'm open to the possibility of ghosts and have actually had three separate possible ghost encounters so far in my life.



58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?

Yes, many times. I've also had dreams with settings and/or people that I had never encountered in real life previously and then had similar events and people occur in my life later on. I really treasure this kind of premonition actually and am grateful for each one that has occurred to me over the years.



59. Take a vitamin daily?

I do indeed, plus numerous supplements.





60. Do you wear slippers?

Yes, especially during the fall and winter. My current pair is a cute pink one that Tony gave me a couple of years ago.



61. Wear a bath robe?

Big time! Ditto for a dressing gown.



62. What do you wear to bed?

Usually loose, comfy two-piece pajamas or a night gown. I have modern and vintage versions of both and wear them all throughout the course of the year.



63. First concert?

I think it was the children's entertainer Charlotte Diamond when I was just two or three years old, but I'd have to double check with my mom there (interestingly, when I was a little bit older, say four years old or so, my mom and I ran into her at a local grocery store and I was positively star struck! :)).



64. Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?

Though, at one point or another, Canada has had all three of those chains, after Target folder earlier this year in Canada, we only have Walmart left, so it wins by default. If I could pick, I'd take a US Target or the sadly defunct (similar) Canadian chain, Zellers.



65. Nike or Adidas?

Not really a sportswear person, but I guess Nike, because I did have a pair of their sneakers as a teenager.



66. Cheetos Or Fritos?
Cheetos all the way! And if they ever want to bring back that super fun nineties classic, Cheeto Paws, I'll buy a caseload the first day (assuming they're GF!).



67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?

Darn hard call, as I truly love them both, but I think I'd have to veer more towards peanuts at the moment.



68. Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?

If this question is in reference to the 1960s American jazz group Quartette Trés Bien, this yes, I have heard of them, but don't claim to be an expert on this group.



69. Ever take dance lessons?

I have indeed. I was involved with jazz, tap, swing dancing, and (a little bit of) Irish dance as a youngster.





70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?

My spouse is already employed with IBM Canada as a software engineer, computer programmer, and technical evangelist, on top of running his own business, but if he wasn't doing that, there are so many careers that Tony would be amazing for - spanning university professor to lawyer, psychologist to (literary) author (he has already penned two IT related books).



71. Can you curl your tongue?

That I can!



72. Ever won a spelling bee?

I did! I won my grade six spelling bee and received a novel (I can't remember the title, but it was sci-fi and I really enjoyed it, as memory serves me) and a paper certificate as the prize.



73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?

Yes, with the last time being when Tony received his Canadian Citizenship in June 2012.



74. Own any record albums?

Yeppers! Not a huge collection, but a fun selection of vintage ones that I've picked up over the years primarily from yard sales.



75. Own a record player?

We do! It's a vintage style (c. 1940s) looking dark wood one that is also a radio and CD player.



76. Regularly burn incense?

Sometimes. With two various curious pets in the house, I have to make sure I do so in a room where they can't get in and to it.



77. Ever been in love?

I most certainly have, above all else, with my darling husband, Tony, for over eleven years now.



78. Who would you like to see in concert?

Ooohh, soooo many people and groups! If we stick with folks who are still alive and performing, some big contenders for me would Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, Paul McCartney and/or Ringo, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, and John Fogerty (yes, I madly adore classic rock!).



79. What was the last concert you saw?

Honestly, I haven't seen a lot of concerts in person at all. It's been so many years and I haven't been to any truly big name acts, I can't recall of the top of my head what the last one would have been.





80. Hot tea or cold tea?

Love them both, but cold/iced, please.



81. Tea or coffee?

Unfortunately, I can't drink either due to medical reasons (save for a small number of herbal tisanes), but when I could, I enjoyed both equally.



82. Sugar cookies or snickerdoodles?

Hard call! Probably sugar cookies, because I adore decorating them for the holidays.



83. Can you swim well?

Like a deep sea fish!!!



84. Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?

For a little while at least. :)



85. Are you patient?

Extremely so. I've always been that way, but living every day of my life with multiple chronic illnesses has made me even more so, as there often a great deal of waiting and patience involved when you're constantly unwell (from time spent at doctor's offices to simply biding my time until I have a day where I'm doing well enough to leave the house).



86. DJ or band at a wedding?

It really depends on the couple. We didn't have live music at our (uber small civil ceremony) wedding, but given the choice I would have opted for a (likely swing or jazz) band.



87. Ever won a contest?

I have, several over the years, most going back to my school days. Nothing major in terms of the prizes or notoriety attached though. Maybe one day!



88. Ever have plastic surgery?

No, never. I don't think I would ever do it electively, but I fully understand the appeal and have zero qualms with folks who want to get it done.



89. Which are better black or green olives?

I really like both, but black win out for me (especially on a pizza or sub sandwich - yum!!!).





90. Can you knit or crochet?

No, neither. I admire both classic art forms and those who can do one or both immensely though.



91. Best room for a fireplace?

It really depends on the house, but I'm a big fan of having one in a cozy den or family room. They can be breathtaking in a large enough bedroom or bathroom, too.



92. Do you want to get married?

I am and have been, to my soul mate, for close to eleven marvelous years now.



93. If married, how long have you been married?

See the answer above.



95. Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?

Dear goodness, no. That that kind of behaviour is deplorable in adults and really, children over the age of about five, in my books.



96. Do you have kids?

No, we don't have children yet.



97. Do you want kids?

With every last fiber of my being, however I am infertile and with my state of poor health far beyond that due to all of my various chronic illnesses, children have not been able to happen for us yet. If we're able to adopt (heartbreaking, and utterly bizarrely, it is illegal to pay someone else to carry a child for you in Canada, so surrogacy is exceedingly rare in this country, otherwise that would be a very real option for us), it will most likely happen in the next decade or so, but it still remains to be seen if such is possible for a number of reasons.



98. What’s your favorite color?

Pink! (Though red is my signature wardrobe colour.) Followed by burgundy, turquoise/aqua, teal, and pine green.






99. Do you miss anyone right now?

I am massively missing my sweet husband, who is in the States for work, as he's been since mid-June, and will be until early September.

*EDIT* I started answering these questions back when Tony was away this summer. He's been back for a couple of months now, but is traveling again more days than not this month of November, so I'm missing him again.

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

♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you very much for sharing this engaging series of 99 questions, dear Lindsay. I hope that you'll continue to post other Q&As that speak to you in the future, because chances are, they'll be hollering out my name as well. If any of you play along and answer this diverse assortment of questions, too, please be sure to comment below with a link so that I cap lap up your answers and learn oodles more about you.

Okay, my sweet dears. One shy of hitting the triple digit mark when it comes to questions and answers were plenty to read through here for a single day, so I'll wrap up this post in this very line and wish you each a stellar, fun filled first weekend of November!!!

I know you by your legs

Okay, potentially creepy/stalkerish sounding post title, I know, but I promise you there is an entirely innocent explanation behind it! :)

You see, as a general rule, when reading posts in my feed reader (Bloglovin'), I do so by starting with the oldest posts first, which are at the bottom of the page of new entries. Thus as I work my way from the end of the list to the top, I often see a person's feet and/or legs first as a photo accompanying an outfit post appears.

{1940s image source}

I've been reading my feeds like this for years now and have been following many of the blogs that those gams belong to the authors of, for far longer still. As such, I can often tell who a new post is from before I even scroll up to the part that says the blog's name, simply by seeing their feet/legs. I find this rather charming and hope you'll see it as such, too, for it leads me to a far greater point.

In about two weeks from now, this blog will hit 6.5 years of life. In that time I've had the great pleasure of getting to cross paths with literally thousands of fellow bloggers (vintage and otherwise). Some for the briefest of spells, others for multiple years, and some for longer still than I myself have been penning a vintage blog (I started following their sites prior to launching to my own). Quite a few of these folks have become friends - also for varying lengths of time - and a few have become so dear to me they feel like sisters.

It's scarcely a state secret that the vintage blogging world has shrunk somewhat in the last (roughly) three years (a point that I briefly touched on in this post). There are a plethora of reasons (the rise of certain "instant share" sites like Instagram certainly being one them) for this and I won't go into great deal about such here now. Suffice it to say, the vintage blogging pool is not as vast as it once was and that makes me all the more grateful for those who are still keeping at 'er, as I myself am, too.

No matter if such folks are blogging peers, personal acquaintances, friends, or die-hard BFFs, I know them - or in other words, I know you. Whether we've only talked through our blogs - perhaps even one sided-ly (in other words, I've commented on your site, but you haven't on mine) - or have conversed elsewhere, too, by sheer virtue of the fact that you've been sharing part of your life with me - and the world - online for quite some time, I genuinely feel like I know you and this is a beautiful thing unto itself.

I appreciate all of my fellow bloggers, particularly the vintage ones, as we walk a similar path in this new found digital world of ours. I find myself remembering fellow blogger's birthdays, anniversaries, and even due dates. I know who adores 1940s swing dresses, who can't get enough of two tone 30s shoes, and who 1950s circle skirts make go positively weak in the knees.

From BF/GF/husband/wife/partner's names to what people studied in school to favourite colours and foods, a body of knowledge has been acquired and cataloged for many of my fellow bloggers simply by virtue of the fact of how long I've known them and how frequently I've read their wonderful blogs. I have know doubt that many of you reading this post today can say the same about me and I love that fact.

Even the most raw, open and honest person never shares everything about themselves online - and that's a good thing (we all need and deserve some privacy, after all), but we all present a certain version of who we are to the world via our blogs (and social media presences) and what we opt to divulge or not.

Whether we chose to be an open book or present a very curated picture of ourselves and our lives, we still share who we are and those who give of themselves and their time to kindly follow our sites, learn about us through our photos, what we write, and sometimes even what is left unsaid.

I guess what I'm trying to say is how much I care for and appreciate every single one of you, my fellow bloggers and friends. Thank you for opening up your lives with me and allowing me to do the same here day after day, week after week, and ultimately year after year.

We've shared so much and I hope that a great deal more lies in store for all of us who continue to keep our blogs alive and going strong. I look forward to getting to know you even better - shoes and all - and hope that we can keep on supporting one another's sites, efforts (long term frequent blogging is a huge amount of work and very often a sheer labour of love for those doing so, especially in a relatively small niche like the vintage world), and cheer each other on as we continue to blog, share and grow as both individuals and an online community as a whole.

Vintage Link Love for January 2015

Excitingly, today's post marks the one year anniversary since this end-of-the-month roundup of some of the most interesting and enjoyable links to have crossed my path lately came into existence. It has proven to be a big hit with many readers, so I've decided to continue it for the foreseeable future in 2015 (and possibly beyond – time will tell!).

This month, eh? Hmm, what can I say about it...for starters, it didn't unfold as I'd imagined, though objectively, relatively few ever do (for me at least). I began January in poor health, then things perked up and I was able to be incredibly productive for a few days, got hit with a really bad flare-up of one of my GI conditions and was largely out of commission again near the end again (and still am).

{That is the promise and hope of each new year, though as any realist will tell you, things don't always go as planned! Image source.}

Really, this is quite the average roller coaster of being chronically ill for me though, so nothing was particularly out of the ordinary there. My focus for the most part during my highly productive days was my Etsy shop, where I'm delighted to report that for the first time ever, I currently have over 300 listings in stock at at the moment (in fact, I presently have over 325 items in stock).

I've been striving to reach this milestone number for a while now and am thrilled to have finally done so. Lofty goal though it may be, as I have the stock already, I'm now aiming to have 400 listings up by the end of March.

Snow and black ice, rain as chilly as icicles melting overhead, and skies as grey as tarmac called this month home. Spring is a long ways off still, but not so far it feels unreachable. Just get through two more months, a wee voice inside whispers, and April will reward you with natural beauty so vivid and moving you'll feel as though you're experiencing it for the very first time.

Now however, right here in the present moment, winter remains and so to help inject some excitement into another damp, windy winter morn, allow me to present a dozen of the vintage related links that have caught my eye in recent weeks and which I hope you'll enjoy spending some quality time with as much as I did.

♥ 15 things you didn't know about fashion in the First World War: Okay, objectively as vintage fashion lovers, some of us may know a few or even all of these, but this History Extra post makes for a fun, informative read all the same and will more than likely have you yearning to slip into some late Edwardian threads by the time you reach the 15th point.


♥ How to tie a vintage style turban: This is a question I get asked, especially by non-vintage wearing strangers that I encounter while out and about, quite frequently. Now, I'm happy to say, I can point one and all towards this wonderful how-to post from Carla at Tiny Angry Crafter, who shared her favourite way to stylishly sport a vintage style headscarf turban.


♥ 50 more awesome (vintage) outfit photo shoot locations: Earlier this month one of my first posts for this brand new year focused on 52 awesome (vintage) outfit photo shoot locations. Inspired by it, Helen Mae (pictured below) from the blog Lovebirds Vintage penned her own fabulous list and includes scores of places that I'll be tucking away for future use now myself. If anyone else tries their hand at a similar list, be sure to let me/us know - I'd love to read it!





♥ A Secret Ballroom Built In The 1800s Lies Under A Lake, Guarded By Neptune: Wow. Just wow!!!


♥ 75 Creative ways to organize your jewelry: By way of Lucky magazine - one of my favourite contemporary fashion magazines ever - comes this inspiring list of 75 ways to store, display and get the most out of your jewelry. Given how many of us in the vintage world are massive jewelry fans, there was no way I could refrain from sharing this fun slideshow of ideas.


♥ 1940s Winter Fashion Inspiration: A great entry from Swiss blogger Doris of Mrs. Button's Vintage Corner, this post that is jammed backed with marvelous forties cold weather fashion ideas that are bound to turn your knees to jelly and make you yearn for a time machine!




♥ Caring for your woolens: Wool generally comes out to play more often during winter than any other season, but no matter the time of the year, the tips in this handy post from A Fashionable Stitch are sure to help you keep yours in tip-top shape.


♥ 21 old-fashioned fruit punch recipes (from 1969): It struck me a while ago, during the holiday season actually, that fruit punches are classic drink that don't get as much mainstream love as they once did by any stretch of the imagination - which is a shame, because their possibilities are endless and they're usually very tasty ways to quench your thirst and liven up a party or everyday meal alike. This list from Click Americana rounds up 21 great classics that will be sure to have you reaching for the feather duster and your punch bowl set pronto!


♥ Amazing vintage photographs provide a vivid snapshot of working life for British women during World War Two: 1940s history buffs and fashion fans will both be be in awe and admiration of the incredibly hard working ladies depicted in these WW2 photos from the UK that help to remind us (not that us vintage folks needed it - but in general, I mean) of how truly valuable women were to the war effort.




♥ 19 Huge Hollywood Stars Who Never Won an Oscar: From Rita Hayworth to Errol Flynn, you'll be surprised big time by the selection of actors and actresses on this list and find yourself repeating "that just doesn't seem right!" over and over again as you read though this Time Magazine list of truly talented entertainers.


♥ Make Your Own Seamed Stockings: Whether your interests in historical fashions tends to those from a few hundred years ago, the more recent decades of the 20th century, or anywhere in between, this excellent how-to post from the blog The Dreamstress is a must read and bookmark for any seamed stocking fan.


♥ Free vintage themed cross stitch patterns: Cross stitching has been one of my favourite crafts and hobbies since I was about five years old and made my first wee x shaped stitches ever. Though I haven't had a lot of time for it in more recent years, I'm hoping to start (and finish) one or two big patterns this year, working primarily on my day off each week (wish me luck! :)). If you're a fellow fan of this classic art, then you're going to flip for the delightful selection of free cross stitch charts in this great post from Portuguese vintage lifestyle blog Casa Cherry (I hope to make some of them over the years for sure!).

(Please note: this cross stitch chart is credited to Fliiz Turkocagi, T.C. Ministry of Culture Artist, Cross Stitch Designer, Turkey)



{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.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Roller coaster-esque though this month might have been, it had its positive points (which on top of the aforementioned listing milestone, also including hitting a grand total of 300+ items sold to date in my shop - I can't help but think how cool it is that both big 300 marks happened within not just days, but hours, of each other - what are the odds?) and I leave January with a similar optimism to that which I entered into it with.

I have scores (!) of post ideas and plans in the works for this year and am eager to share several of them with you in February - yes, very much including at least one or two Valentine's Day related entries. You know me, I just can't let a holiday go by un-blogged! :)

Here, my sweet friends, is to the prospect of an awesome second month of the year and all the love, goodness, (possibly) milder weather, and exciting things that it holds in store of each of us!

My Journey into Vintage by Seanna from Retro Writer

Yesterday Tony and I headed out on the open road - and ocean - to embark on what promises to be a truly fabulous two week trip to Vancouver Island, BC. While we're away rubbing shoulders with Orca Whales (or so I like to imagine ;)) , traipsing through majestic Pacific rain forests, visiting oodles of museums and historical buildings, and also aiming for some massively needed R&R, I've lined up an awesome series of guest posts from fellow vintage loving bloggers that will appear over the course of the next two weeks.

First up, I'm delighted to bring you a personal fashion related post from my close friend and fellow bookworm, Seanna from the wonderful blog Retro Writer. Seanna is a writer, vintage/rockabilly adoring gal, and all around truly lovely person, who I'm honoured to have writing for Chronically Vintage. Thank you so much for doing so, sweet dear!

♥ ♥ ♥

I am so excited and thankful that Jessica invited me to guest post on her wonderful blog. At first I wasn't sure which vintage topic to address. Then I recalled a certain topic my sister had wished for me to write and so here it is: my journey into vintage.






I have often felt over the years that I was born in the wrong decade. If I had to go back in time, and I'd have to choose just one era, it would be the 1940s. My addiction/obsession or as I prefer to call it my undying love for vintage fashion began when I was just a girl.

As most girls in their teenage years, I did my best to find my style. I dabbled in the punk/goth with black hair, combat boots, and camo pants. I loaded my hair with gel and wore chunky leather bracelets with spikes. I even had pink streaks for a short time. I was determined to stand out. I'm sure this was my parents’ least favorite phase of mine.




{Image source}


Then I drifted to the polar opposite end of the specter of the bohemian gypsy style clothing. Think 1920s drapey dresses with tons of embroidery and a whimsical feeling to it. I even grew my hair long midway down my back.

Finally I gave up in my late teens and just wore anything that fit. I rarely wore anything vintage because I had put on quite a bit of weight and felt uncomfortable in my own skin. I wore modern styles, anything to hide my weight gain. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried to find my style, the more I realized I was trying too hard to be something I’m not. And the harder I tried, the more my desire for pretty vintage clothes grew. Though at the time I didn't think I was at all worthy to wear such pretty clothes and self-punished myself. It was a low point in my life.

There were plenty of setbacks and one that nearly made me give up not only my love of vintage, but my love of writing. When I lost my dad two years ago I didn't see how any of that mattered anymore. All I wanted was my dad back.

Then it suddenly dawned on me, just a few weeks prior to losing dad, he took me to an antique mall where I bought a few pieces and he was so proud of me that after struggling with my weight and low self-esteem, that I felt confident enough to wear such items. And it was because of my parents and my sister, and my faith that I was able to achieve such self-acceptance and finally become the unique person I was meant to be.



{Image source}


My journey into vintage isn't epic and it isn't life changing to anyone but me. But if it weren't for my love of vintage I'd still be searching for this part of me that didn't fit into this world I live in. It’s simple, I just love vintage and wearing it makes me happy. And I think it’s important that we wear clothing that makes us happy. Every single person is one of a kind. Why try so hard to fit in, when we're born to stand out?

15 photos of terrific real world 1940s summer fashions

While there is much to be gleaned from the sartorial inspiration provided by yesteryear starlets and staged mid-century fashion shoots in magazines (and goodness knows I adore both of these things unceasingly), my biggest source of vintage fashion inspiration has - and I believe always will be - the looks that real everyday women like myself were sporting during my favourite decades.

I'm intrigued to see how those on a budget dressed, to know how they did their hair, what shoes they opted for, and how they interpreted the trends and timeless looks of the era alike. Oftentimes when one sees an old photograph we know little to nothing about the person in it, and so must form a backstory for that person in our minds (a topic I chatted about in this post last year).

Then, as now, even though we swoon over the looks that most ladies sported during the time, it's interesting to keep in mind that not every gal we see would have been a fashionista, a clothes horse, or perhaps (unthinkable as this may be to many of us now) even the biggest fan of the styles of the decade. Many however, were, as us gals have always veered towards harbouring a significant love for fashion and clothing, no matter what year it was.

The 1940s aren't exactly known for being the easiest decade of all time. For most, clothing rations were in place for most of the forties, and even when items were available, many often could not afford to buy them frequently. This wartime culture created the famous make due or mend mentality which truly helped to steer people from all walks of life through the challenges of the decade and ensured that what little there was to go around was able to provide for everyone - and to last for years. I myself have often adopted this same principle, guided and inspired, by those of both the tumultuous thirties and the harrowing forties.

One season that - in the western hemisphere at least - rarely calls for the need for too much in the way of clothing is summer (a point which I'd venture to guess women of the 40s liked a whole lot). And so this week as we head into June and summer looms ever closer, I wanted to share a selection of vintage fashions - sported by real world ladies of the 1940s - with all of you that will definitely be providing a hefty dose of guidance for own fashion choices this season.

{Love the array of patterns on the skirts and dresses, as well as the middle gal's beautiful flower adorned hairstyle.}


{Stripes, cuffs and saddle shoes while sitting on the sand - that's a look I could easily see myself sporting, as I like to remain fairly well covered at the beach most of the time.}


{The caplet-esque collar and generously sized plaid pattern make this summer dress a real standout.}


{A trio of classic 1940s warm weather button front daywear dresses and three very pretty smiles, to boot.}


{A ruffled neckline and cute plaid pattern don't discuss the sense of plucky spunk I see radiating from this cool gal's face.}


{It's short shorts and strappy sandals for this stylish pair of girlfriends. (Love the overall/jumper style of the shorts on the right!)}


{In part because I rarely expose my bare arms completely, I often includes lightweight knits in my outfits during the warmer months, and could totally see myself wearing this sweet little short sleeve sweater all summer long.}


{Two gals munch on something yummy on a stick - taffy perhaps - while out camping. One sports shorts, the other pants, and both look completely cute - and comfortable - for a day spent out in the wilderness.}


{The tunic-like quality of this tie neck (and waist) blouse is so airy and appealing for the dog days of summer.}


{I love longer hemlines on my vintage dresses, and would happily don either one of these pretty summer frocks - as well as the adorable (and highly practical) wide brim straw hats.}


{Plaid Bermuda shorts, a short sleeved knit top, saddle shoes, and dark red lips add up to one thoroughly terrific warm weather casual look.}


{Romance and style abound in this heartwarming photograph of a 1940s couple. He in his military uniform, she is a wonderfully pretty summer dress and ankle strap sandals.}


{Though casual, there is an undeniable sense of elegance to this beautiful woman's outfit which comes through in the timelessness of the trousers and blouse, as well as her sweet little watch and voluminously curly hair.}


{Another excellent pants based 1940s summer look, this time partnered with a short sleeve suit jacket.}

{A quintet of fashionably fabulous 1940s dresses, each stylish and highly covetable to this day. I'm especially fond of the ruffled pinafore number in the middle and the bow collared floral number on the far right.}

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

♥ ♥ ♥

Whether humble and simple, or fancy and elegant, there is such a timelessly wonderful appeal to the looks of this era. Interestingly, even though the 1950s are often seen as being a decade filled with youth culture (and it certainly was), I've always thought that there was a beautifully youthful quality to many of the looks of the 40s, too.

Perhaps that stemmed from the way many of the 1940s classically tailored pieces hugged the figure, the fact that for much of the decade hemlines were relatively high, or that handmade and mass produced garments mingled side-by-side in most peoples' wardrobes.

Whatever the case, whether gaily youthful or starkly sophisticated, the forties are a decade I never tire of looking to - and dressing from. I hope that today's images of fashionable gals just like us will provide you with as much inspiration as they will for me this summer - and well, well beyond.

Are your Halloween decorations up yet?

✯ Day 298 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Counting today itself, there are are just seven days to go until we land on October 31st. I don't know about you, but that has me giddier than a ghost at a buy one, get one free sale on heavy chains!

Though I opted not to mention it at the time, earlier this month I was very ill for a few days, so as a result it took me a longer than it has most years to decorate my home for Halloween.

Luckily, though I'm still feeling the aftershocks of those rough days, I was gradually able to deck my halls with pumpkins and witches, scarecrows and monsters of all sorts am now completely ready (sans donning my costume and pouring treats into the Halloween pirates treasure chest candy serving container that I use each year) for October 31st.

I love decorating our little apartment for All Hallows Eve - in fact, I love decorating any house or locations (school gym, public library, etc) for this most spooktacular of holidays. So you can image my delight when I recently came across the marvelous forties photo below of a group of lovely ladies adorning a room for Halloween.

{Marvelous vintage photo of a decorating committee getting ready for a Halloween party via dragonflydesignstudio on Flickr.}

 

The person who posted this great image on Flickr didn't provide any background information for it, and I don't recognize any of the women in it as being famous faces (do you?), so I'd venture to say that this was a group of "every day gals" who were part of a decorating committee (perhaps for a ladies auxiliary or PTA).

I adore that in this vintage photo we not only see an array of causal daytime fashions and hairstyles, but also get to observe some charming Halloween decorations from the era, including illustrated wall hanging and festive garlands.

If you haven't had a chance to decorate your own surroundings, and are planning to this year, for Halloween, I hope that this absolutely wonderful 1940s photo will help give you that extra little push of encouragement you may need to get started, as I certainly did the trick (or treat) for me!