Saturday Snapshots: September 17, 2016

 

{As the days grow shorter and the temperatures chillier, why not take an entertainment cue from this lovely group of 1950s ladies and spend a fun filled evening playing bridge? (Love their outfits and hairstyles!)}




{With another school year well and truly underway again, it's hard not to feel a surge of pep/cheerleading squad spirit (like this wonderful group from 1960 had) once more, even if you haven't sat in a classroom for decades.}



{Her outfit (those slacks!), that car, even those beautifully classic glass milk bottle - how can one not want everything in this serene slice-of-life snap from 1957?}



{And speaking of style perfection, how awesomely lovely does this mother and her two young children - also coincidentally photographed in 1957) - look in their fall time finery? (This snap was taken in October of that year).}




{Summer is definitely winding down and the days of going bare armed are numbered (if not a memory already) in many parts of the world, but while the last vestiges of warmth remain, I simply had to include this awesome photo of a chic c. 1930s young lady in her fashionable wide legged beach pajama style ensemble.}



{Sister, cousins, besties, possibly even a very youthful looking mom (on the right) and daughter? Whatever the case, one instantly senses that these two lovely 1940s gals had each other's backs no matter what.}



{Two young ladies engaged in one of my all-time favourite activities - especially come autumn - shopping for Halloween decorations. Oh, to be able to go back to the 1950s and pick up some of these delightful festive goodies with them (Plus, as a side note, check out both of their seriously cool pairs of earrings!)}




{This is such an excellent yesteryear cross section of society photo. From the gents in their dapper suits to the men in their work wear, and of course the elegantly attired ladies of various ages, images like this (from December 1942) are about as close one can get to accidentally travelling back in time and landing smack dab in the middle of small town America.}



{Vintage nighttime colour photos taken by everyday folks aren't overly common, so when I spotted this lovely (undated) one - that I'd estimate to be from the 1960s or 70s - recently, given the season that we're heading into, I knew that I had to share it here on the double. This image was captured at the Autumn Festival in Rimouski, Quebec.}



{Two youngsters (from 1942) getting in the spirit of Halloween by carving a cheerfully fun jack-o-lantern. I can hardly wait to follow their lead in a few week's time!}

{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.}

♥ ♥ ♥


Travel brings with it the potential for a near limitless array of gifts, and, unquestionably, this is one of the primary reasons why I adore it to the moon and back. It can - for some people at least - also have a darker side however, too (and I don't just mean things like the inherent risks – whatever their likelihood may be – of visiting a new destination, such as getting pickpocketed, having the airline lose your luggage, etc).

For those, such as myself, who tend to find traveling to be a time of intensely powerful introspection and deep thought, venturing away from home, even just for a few days, can cause certain concerns, worries, stresses, and anxieties to come bubbling to the surface. Or, if they were already there to begin with, to manifest even more strongly.

On our very recent adventure to Edmonton (which we returned home from this past Monday evening), I experienced precisely that for much of our time away.

Though I do not wish at this point in time to delve too much into the specific concerns that were at the forefront of my mind, the fact that they were there, like a heavy grey cloud hovering over the peaceful prairie landscape that was our holiday to Edmonton, rattled me and continues to do so, even though we're back home now.

It is far too early in the year to sum up 2016 yet, but over all this has been a strange one that has seen many ups and downs, curve balls and, to be perfectly frank, moments of being downright blindsided by certain happenings that have come my (our) way.

Throughout it, the elegant quote from Nelson Mandela that opens today’s post has often floated through my mind. As while many of the aforementioned issues were ones that I had little to no say in the (initial, at least) development of, certainly some of them stem from actions and choices that I've taken at various stages along the path that has been my life up until this very point.

I think that all of us, from the dawn of time onward, have wanted our choices to reflect our hopes and our dreams, the things that make us smile and keep our spirits alight.

Yet, objectively, sometimes our decisions are shaped or determined point blank, by our fears, concerns, doubts, and uncertainties. More often than not, it is these sorts of choices and experiences that tag along for the ride when we travel - and, let's be honest, when we're under the safety of our very own roof as well.

Over the years, I've talked here before about how the beginning of autumn has always felt like the start of a new year for me (just as, I know, it does for many others too,) - a point that, historically speaking, has a great deal of merit, as it was just that for many different cultures. No doubt this is playing into why change and choice are front and center in my thoughts at the moment.

I know that there are presently some storms in my life that I simply have no choice, given current circumstances, than to see through to the end – a time that may be months or even years away. There are others though that, ultimately, I have a greater degree of say in and where such is involved, I know that I may need to make some serious decisions in the near future.

This prospect does not scare me per se, but it does call for some tough choices, late nights of pondering, and, looking forward, a coming year that may be at least somewhat different from most others in recent times.

I do not mean to sound/be cryptic and I assure you that nothing truly insurmountable is on my plate right now. From its earliest days, at times, I have used my blog as a place to journal my concerns and, in the process, often find greater clarity, regardless of the issue(s) at hand when I do so.

It is for those reasons that I kicked off this latest edition of Saturday Snapshots with Mandela's poignant words and speak, if only in subtle terms, about some of what I'm going through at the moment.

Though I have had some tough days recently - and throughout 2016 in general - I assure you that Tony and I are both okay. And that, hand on my heart, for each current concern, there are zillions of positive things - many pertaining to autumn itself - to help balance the scales and ensure that my natural upbeat-ness isn't snuffed out at the moment.

Far from it - if anything, turning all the more to the elements of my life that bring me joy will help to make the choices I face not only more bearable, but - I truly hope - more often than not, enable them to be reached with hope and positivity as their driving force.

On Being Married to a Time Traveller

Today, on our 11th wedding anniversary, I have a special treat for you: a deeply beautiful - and incredibly touching - guest post written by my beloved husband, Tony, who wanted to share some of his poetically eloquent thoughts on what it's like to be married to a vintage lover with the blogging world.



I met my wife on the first day of spring over a decade ago. It’s the only day of the year in which day and night are equal in length. Just as she, I would later come to find out, lives equally in the present and in the past.

Before meeting in person (we met online) Jessica described her hourglass figure as akin to that of a lady of other times. A ‘Renaissance painting’, I believe, was the term that she used. Though she was referring to her curvaceous body, her description betrayed a certain nostalgia. A wistful affection for the past that I'm no stranger to myself.

Her brand of nostalgia is a special kind however. Her longing is not just for happy times lived a decade or two ago when everything was a possibility and the world a wondrous place in the eyes of our younger selves.  No. Her nostalgia is for times never lived firsthand and long gone. Times forgotten by most. But not by my wife.

The past was after all the present for so many now forgotten souls. Their hopes and dreams, their fears, their daily struggles and joys, their accomplishments and failures, their style and mannerisms, their recipes. All overlooked by most of society as quaint or even unimportant details these days. We have to live our own present and focus on the future. No time to look back; there are bills to pay, apps to run on glowing screens.

Time is a gentle wind, but it never rests. And we are all but leaves carried away, flying in the air, stumbling, touching the ground, hitting a tree or two, and then soaring, before falling again. Merely passengers sharing the same sky, occasionally flying into each other. "Avec le temps, va, tout s’en va."

Those forgotten, expired leaves in the wind deeply matter to Jessica. She takes stock of their passing like she would do for friend who left too soon, without a chance to exchange a few more tender words.

My wife is not normal. Not even close. Everything about her is shaped by her passion for the past. Her taste in movies and music, her vocabulary, her clothing, her class, and her graceful elegance. Each aspect of her reminds you of a lady living in another time.

{Image from Tony's Instagram account}

"Are you an actress in a play?", we often hear from inquiring minds. Her reply, "No, I just really love, and therefore choose to wear, vintage style all the time", surprises people. Some can hardly contain their suspicion for a person who has violated the social norm by simply showing up and being herself. A different self from what is expected. Others root for her, clearly wishing they had the same courage. Because courage is what it takes to break rank so conspicuously.

To those who think she is weird I say that they are right. She is weird to the minds of those who never allowed themselves to color outside the lines. To the rest of us, she is wonderful, imaginative, unique, herself, original, colorful. She's a 1940s feather hat in a hat-less world; a poodle skirt in a crowd of leggings. Seeing her amongst 21st century society is like a sudden rain shower in August that penetrates your clothes, to refresh and surprise you as it kisses your skin.

Being married to a time traveller is an adventure at the edge of multiple ages. Every new place that we visit is examined through the lens of the past that led to its current state. I tag along as I see her approaching this past with the respect of someone who is happily willing to listen without interrupting.

To some she is embodies a unique style no longer in vogue. Other see her as an eccentric. Less understanding eyes might go as far as considering her an attention seeker. That's not what Jess is about in the slightest. The moon doesn’t put on a show each night to be seen and admired. She does so because that’s who she is.

Make no mistake. Much like fictional time travellers, Jess cannot stay in the past indefinitely and has no desire to actually live indefinitely - where such possible - in the decades she hold so dear. Her chronic medical conditions alone wouldn’t have allowed her to survive even a few short decades ago. Her trips to days long gone then must be brief.

With each one she brings the most worthwhile elements of the past into the present. Elements worth preserving and celebrating. Never to be forgotten again. Not if she can help it at least.

So she goes on, preserving the past, surviving the present, taking romantic dates in nostalgic lands and times.

Saturday Snapshots: July 18, 2015

{Heartwarming, timeless and very easy to relate to, this immensely sweet photo from c. 1918 shows three young sisters busily engaged in needlework on the verandah of their Toowong, Australia home as their matching trio of dolls watch on.}




{This photo from 1950, which has the accompanying note of "Irma at home" lands a place in today's post because Irma's red skirt suit and sophisticated bird wing adorned hat are the kind of early 50s fashions that make swoon and then go running to Etsy to try and duplicate those same styles! :) (PS: If you click though to this person's Flickr stream, you can see lots more photos of Irma over the years.)}




{A wonderful car, elegant mid-century attire, and a great getaway to the woods. Sounds like my idea of summertime heaven!}




{It was all I could do to keep my knees from buckling when I came across this delightful vintage photograph or two friends or relatives in their causal c. 1940s daywear attire. I mean, come on, just look at that A-MAH-ZING airplane novelty print sweet. Tres swoon!}




{A once common part of youth for many women that is now all but forgotten in most circles, these lovely ladies from 1954 were all debutants that year - and what a beautifully evening/party dress adorned group they were!}




{Tourists, and likely the occasional local or two as well, exploring Windsor Castle, 1949. I'm always drawn to vintage crowd shots like this - they give you such a good look a decent chunk of the population at one time and thus many outfits and hairstyles to study, learn from, and simply enjoy seeing.}




{The caption "traveling with friends" accompanies this 1920s photo of six fashionably attired ladies who all look marvelous from their elegant shoes right on up to their jaunty cloche hats. Talk about traveling (with friends) in style!}




{This photo stirs a sense of nostalgia in me. Though you need to bump things up about three decades, this photo could easily have been taken little me along with my mom and aunts or some of her girlfriends during my childhood. Not only that, but look at that crazy cool animal and cocktail print wallpaper - I had to post this 1950s photo if only for that!}




{Two young woman (very) hard at work on the war effort front, March 1943. I always seriously admire how well dressed and put together those who did these kind of demanding manual labour jobs still managed to look day in and day out.}




{The cross section of genuine facial expressions in this 1950s colour photo is more perfect than had it been staged. You're got the visibly concerned, serious faced lady on the right, the woman engaged in telling her story on the left, the sweet, excited little gal in the middle who looks like she just saw Santa Claus step into the room. }

{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.}

♥ ♥ ♥  

Several months ago I was involved in a situation with someone for whom I went unbelievably above and beyond. I'm prone to doing this. It's in my nature not just to care, but to care incredibly deeply. I am an empath, a highly sensitive person, and INFJ, so you can likely image (or perhaps personally relate) to the fact that I quite literally feel other people's feelings and can sense a mile away when someone is in distress, is upset, was hurt - any negative or positive emotion, I'll read like a book, even if they don't say a word. In fact, it often between those proverbial lines that I pick up the very truest clues.

The details of what unfolded do not merit relaying, but the very in-a-nutshell version of things is that I did what I felt was an incredibly kind and generous thing and the person I was trying to help (who it should be noted, gave me permission to do so for beforehand) rebuked, complained about, and was mind-blowingly rude regarding what I had done.

I didn't see that coming in a million years and was floored by it (believe me, I say this without an ounce of bias, their response was incredibly uncouth, hurtful and selfish). I mean, to the point where I literally felt a powerfully crushing, gripping sensation in the center of my chest for days afterwards. I was nearly paralyzed from the trauma of their reaction and I was as good as useless to myself and the rest of the world for at least a week as I slowly began to recover from how incredibly ungrateful and hurtful they were to me.

I'm a sensitive person, there's no question about it, but I've been wronged, slighted, screwed over, used, you name it, over the years, and for all my tender emotions, I've grown quite a thick skin, so to have someone (who I barely knew) trouble me so deeply was unnerving unto itself.

Far from being bitter or even angry at that person. I felt sorry from them. Pity sprung the very core of my heart and I wondered how they could function in this world with the attitude that they possessed. I wept and in a way I grieved for them, but through it all, I never regretted the actions I had taken in my attempt to make their life better, their world happier.

During that rough patch in my life, I thought and meditated on the quote that launches today's edition (the first this year, believe it or not) of Saturday Snapshots, hailing from the mind of that wise philosopher (amongst other things) of ancient Rome, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, who said "It is another's fault if he be ungrateful, but it is mine if I do not give. To find one thankful man, I will oblige a great many that are not so."

Each time I read it, my soul calmed. My nerves relaxed, my heartbeat slowly returned to normal and the invisible elephant sat up and wandered off from my chest. It would be easy to let an experience like that one jade or sour you. To turn your spirit harsh, your heart cold. To make you stop remembering that there is good in many and that there are some people who can never truly be pleased or who lack the ability to experience genuine gratitude.

I could have, but I didn't. For I did not do so each time (with other people) at earlier stages in my life, and I will not when something similar happens down the road in the future. It is bound to. There are too many human beings on this planet to not run into at least a handful more before my mortal time expires that will cause similar feelings, provoke such agonizing reactions, and who have as little clue about how to be grateful as that aforementioned elephant does about flying a spaceship to the moon.

Today, a relatively long time after this experience unfolded, I share it with you here to let you know that if you're currently facing, have dealt with, or will one day encounter something similar, that you're not alone. This problem predated even our good man Seneca (not to mention all the lovely folks in these vintage snapshots) and it will far outlast each and every one of us here.

When you encounter ungratefulness, and I promise you that you will, think not of that individual but of those for whom your actions, words and caring soul were appreciated - and of those who stirred in you those very same feelings.

The next time someone does something from a place of love and care for you, make sure your look them straight in the eyes (or write a heartfelt thank you letter/email) and make sure that they know just how very grateful you are. Believe me, Seneca, would approve, and so will the rest of the people in today's world that you will actually want to be around as you move forward with your life after having been dealt a painful reminder that it truly takes all kinds!

Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger: Esther Wagner, vintage sewer extraordinaire

This month, with spring out in full force, I'm pleased as punch to bring you the third post in my recently launched vintage interview series. Today I have the great joy of sharing about Miss Esther Wagner with all of you.




If you don't know about Esther, if you're in for a wonderfully lovely treat, and if you do, you're sure to find even more to adore about this accomplished, kindhearted, incredibly talented young woman from the blog Dolly Creates.

Esther excels on the vintage sewing front, creating amazing, timelessly beautiful garment after garment using old school patterns and a gifted seamstress' eye for knowing what fabrics and embellishments to pair with what silhouettes.

I've had the pleasure of knowing Esther online for a while now and am sincerely honoured that she wanted to take part in this series. Join me, won't you, while I ask her about her blog, sewing, vintage fashion, music, cooking, her hobbies, and so much more!



For those who are new to your wonderful blog, could you please share a bit more about it with us?

Sure! I'm a Christian young lady with a passion for home skills. I love sewing, especially when I'm making a vintage or historical garment. I blog about mine (and my lovely mother's) vintage sewing creations, vintage magazines, and an occasional knit or crocheted project.




What inspired your site's charming name?

I'm so glad you asked! When I was little, I loved dolls, and had so many of them that I gained the nickname "Dolly" from my family! The name just seemed to stick all of these years, so when I started my blog a few years ago, that seemed like an appropriate title.



Whenever I visit your blog (which is often! :)), I am struck by a sense of two things first and foremost: serenity and old-fashionedness, and I say that as a wholly positive thing. What are some of the ways that you most enjoy currently bringing the past into your daily life?

Enjoying the simple things in life! Things like a walk in the garden (we call it the tour de fleur) ;), having tea-time, and playing a game together. Family has always been very important to us. Being homeschooled and having a dad who worked from the home, we have always been a very close family. We also enjoy old movies (pre-1950) and movies set in those eras.




What are some things (that you're 100% comfortable sharing) about yourself that your readers might not know yet?

I am 6' tall, the youngest of 4 siblings, and I really really don't like eggs. ;)



What is/are your favourite decades of all time from a fashion stand point?

I would have to say the 1940s are my absolute favorite. The styles are so very interesting and detailed that they have gained first place with me! I just can't get over the fact that although fabric supplies were very limited, ladies still managed to make the most gorgeous, ornate dresses! The 1930s and 1950s are both very close runners-up, however with their equally-as-gorgeous styles.




How often do you wear vintage styles?

Every day, actually! I used to love the modern fashions (chevron, infinity scarves, maxi skirts, etc), but once I discovered vintage fashions, they became my one-and-only favorite.


You are an accomplished and very creative sewer, what are some of your favourite projects that you've shared on your blog to date?

• 1950s "Redo" Dress


• Pleated 1950s Dress


• Little Black 1940s Dress


• Calico Regency Gown

(Jessica's note: a photo from each of these marvelous projects appears throughout this interview post.)


When did your love of sewing take root? Did you have sewing mentors or are you self-taught?

Last March is when my love of sewing started. I discovered a couple of ladies' blogs (Lily's and Tara's) that featured vintage-style garments that they had made, and I was just in love with the styles! I made my first vintage dress that same month, which got me "hooked" on sewing for good. As for how I was taught, my mother (very patiently) taught me how to sew! She has been sewing since grade school, so she is a very amazing seamstress. I am so thankful for her, and that she was able to teach me everything I know about it!!



What advice would you give to a novice sewer who is just starting out?

Don't let the seeming difficulty of pattern-reading, zipper-installing and buttonholing overwhelm you! They're all very easy once you have had a little bit of practice! Find an easy pattern such as Vogue V9000 (you could easily put a simple gathered skirt on it for a more '40s-inspired look) or Simplicity 1692, or an easy modern pattern of your liking.

Take it one step at a time, Google the pattern you are making to find a tutorial or sew-along on someone's blog, and have fun! You will be impressed by your own skills when you're done!




You make a lot of your own clothing. What percentage (roughly) of your closet at this point in time would you say you created with your own hands?

Approximately 96%, with the other 4% being store-bought sweaters and a couple of t-shirts and old skirts for exceedingly dirty jobs (tree-felling, painting...you get the drift.). My goal when I first started sewing garments was to have a completely handmade wardrobe, and I have finally reached that point!



What are some of the benefits that you find sewing enriches your life with?

•The ability to make my garments exactly as I want them. Being 6' tall, it wasn't an easy thing to find clothing that fit the way I wanted it to! Sewing allows me to personalize every little detail, making the whole experience quite enjoyable!

•That same aspect runs into many different areas as well; I can make clothing for my future children, linens and household items all in a specific way!




Your top five favourite sewing notions, tools and/or types of fabric would be?

•My very favorite sewing tool is the Pilot Frixion Erasable Marking Pen. I used to use the water-soluble markers, but then I would always have to either spritz or wash each garment after completion before I could wear it. With these pens, the marks iron out instantly!

•I also find the Nancy Zieman Sliding Gauge to be very helpful! It is a very useful tool for measuring with that long, straight edge.

•Cotton fabric! Probably 95% of my garments are made from cotton, and I just love it! Yes, it does mean a lot of ironing, but it is the most widely available, quality fabric in my area, and it usually works quite well for most patterns.

•A serger. We are fortunate enough as to have a serger, and it is just wonderful. It's so nice to have all of your raw edges taken care of - no worries!!


•Other ladies' sewing blogs. It is immensely helpful to be able to look at what other ladies have sewn for inspiration, directions, and encouragement!




Any exciting WIP's on the go right now that you can share with us?

I am in the middle of a late 1840s-early 1850s summer day dress right now. I took a short break from it in the last week or two, but I am looking forward to finishing it! Another 1950s blouse (Simplicity 1278) out of excess fabric from a previous project. I just love that pattern!

We just got an original '30s pattern last week which I am about to start making out of a gorgeous fabric inspired by that era. I'm very excited about it!



Please tell us more about the area where you live. It always looks so tranquil and beautiful in your photos.

We live in the Midwest, in a rural area surrounded by fields, woods, and a lovely little creek. It's a very lovely area; we're away from the hustle and bustle of town, but near enough to it to shop, eat, and all that good stuff! I've lived here all my life, and I definitely love it.




Do you currently live in a vintage/heritage home? (And if not, would you like to one day?)

No, our home was built in the '70s. I would love to live in a "vintage" home, although the idea of the upkeep that comes with such a house is a little daunting! Even so, I would like to one day!



When not sewing or blogging, what are some of your favourite things to do?

Playing the piano, gardening, baking, cooking, and fishing! The county we live in is just full of lakes, so we have plenty of opportunities to fish. There's just nothing like sight-fishing some panfish on a bright, warm spring day!




Like myself, you're a big fan of cooking. Do you enjoy making vintage recipes?



Surprisingly enough, I've never made any particular vintage recipe! (Shocking!) Some of the recipes I make are from my grandmas, so they may actually qualify as "vintage," but I have yet to delve into the realm of vintage cooking. Now I'm eager to try it!



What are some of your favourite dishes (vintage or contemporary) to whip up?

Oooh, hard question! It's hard to limit it to "some." ;) Anything chocolate, whether it be cookies, cakes, pies, candies or anything! Bread. There's something about making it that is quite satisfying! Spaghetti, plus steak and onions (with mushrooms).


Music is another big passion of yours, can you tell us more about which types and/or artists speak most deeply to your soul these days?

My favorite types of music are old-fashioned hymns, classical music, and Deanna Durbin songs. Chopin is definitely my favorite classical composer; nocturnes and waltzes are my favorite pieces. They are packed with so much emotion and feeling!!



I certainly see you as such, but I'm curious, do you consider yourself to be a highly creative person?

Well, to a certain extent, yes! I am not creative in the area of art (drawing, painting); I never have been. I have absolutely no talent in that realm! It's rather amazing, especially since all of my siblings are wonderful artists! Apparently I missed inheriting that trait! But I do consider myself to be quite creative in the area of sewing and handwork.




What's one crafty/creative thing you'd like to try that you've never delved into before?

Bobbin lace. It looks immensely difficult, but I like a challenge once in a while! And the lace that you can make is stunningly gorgeous.


And last, but certainly not least, what are some of your dreams/goals - sewing, blogging or otherwise related - for the future?

•Working on my Etsy shop (also called Dolly Creates), which I just launched this month. It is devoted to handmade vintage and historical fashions for women and children.

•After I get more of an "established" wardrobe built up, I would like to focus on some sewing for my hope chest. I would love to make table linens, curtains, pillowcases, aprons, and other things for my (Lord-willing) future home. I also want to sew many more children's clothes in order that I can someday clothe my children almost entirely in handmade clothing.

•I look forward also to (Lord-willing) getting married one day, having children, and serving the Lord in whatever way He directs!

Jessica's note ~ You can also connect with Esther on Pinterest.

♥ ♥ ♥

I have nothing but the deepest respect for Esther and her passion for sewing, the past, domestic arts, music, and blogging. On top of being a gifted lady, she is also a truly sweet, caring, giving, smart, lovely individual and someone for whom all of our feed readers will be/are bettered by following, no matter if you're a sewer or not.

As you can see from this bevy of photos, Esther has a great knack for putting together period appropriate looks that are sure to inspire one and all, on top of sharing many helpful how-tos, ideas, resources and other can't-miss features on her fantastic blog.

Thank you so much for the beautiful interview, Esther. I truly adored getting to know you and Dolly Creates better, as I'm sure my readers did as well.

Next month, for June's vintage blogger interview, we'll be jetting back across the Atlantic to talk to one of the most stylish old school loving gals in Germany. I can hardly wait! :)

Saturday Snapshots: September 6, 2014

{Image source}




{It is yesteryear images like this - the ones that depict real world women wearing wonderful fashions in the most charming of settings (inspiring me greatly in the process) - that help ensure this series will keep going strong for as long as Chronically Vintage exist - which I hope is very long time to come!}





{This immensely cute snapshot of a young girl holding two darling kittens has been in my "to use" list of Flickr favourites for years now, but I don't believe it's appeared here before. On the off chance it has, no bother - a photo this precious deserves to be seen twice.}





{There's just something about summer and sherbet hued party dresses - no matter if you're a schoolgirl or sophisticated woman of the world - that go together so smashing well, as these sweet little lasses from 1956 clearly knew.}





{A newsboy cap, bobbed (or possibly simply tucked under) 'do, and rugged stripped ensemble give this c. 1920s gal such an awesome air of menswear inspired style and understated elegance.}





{Though it was written a decade after this great street scene snap was captured in Atlantic City in 1954, the moment I saw it, the opening lines from the classic song Under the Boardwalk sprung into my head.}





This wonderful 1940s group shot of several Alpha Phi sorority members instantly made me think of my maternal grandma, who was a teenager herself during the decade, and I'm sure posed for a few similar snaps with her friends back in the day (though I don't believe she was ever in a sorority).}




{You guys know I'm a big fan of vintage photos that are chocked full of interesting background details, and this fun 1950s image of two female employees at work on the grand opening day of a pet shop just such cool details in spades!}




{Unique perspectives just happen to be another type of vintage image that I've always been keen on, so the moment I spotted this lovely vacation snap of two tourists gazing at the castle on St. Wolfgang Lake, Austria back in 1959, I knew it was destined for this month's Saturday Snapshots post.}




{As with many of the most engaging vintage wedding photos, this 1930s group shot depicting a bride, groom, maid of honour, and three bridesmaids is teaming with a wide array of facial expressions - the very cheeriest of which appears to me to be the groom’s.}




{From her lovely green dress to the darling dachie, those fab white peep-toe heels to the the Chevy they're posing with, there isn't a single element of this delightful 1940s snap I don't adore.}


{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.}


♥ ♥ ♥  

Have you ever encountered a quote that - while you didn't go out of your way to find it - came into your life at precisely the right moment, lifting up, shaping, or changing your outlook on some element of your existence, your world, or your future?

About a year and a half go now, in the midst of deep discussion with myself - and some days with my husband, as well as with a treasured online girlfriend - about my own appearance and the struggles I've encountered throughout my whole life regarding self-esteem and how (I feel) society views me from an aesthetic standpoint (a topic that I discussed last year in this post, sparked by one of the most touching, incredible gifts I've ever received), today's quote from Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk and author Thich Nhat Hanh appeared in my Facebook stream one day.

Quite literally the night before Tony and I had been waist deep, so to speak, in the thick of a conversation about my perception of myself vs society's actual take on my appearance (by which I mean my physical appearance, not my vintage attire), which really hadn't lead anywhere more productive or helpful than past discussions on the topic had proved to be.

I know that many of us struggle for some, or all of our lives, with issues pertaining to self-esteem, self-confidence, and body image. I am by no means alone on this front, and am sure that quite a few folks out there battle these things on a much greater level than I do, but they've been present with me - like unseen, nagging passengers - ever since I was a very little girl, and I am, quite honestly sick of them (which is part of the reason why I finally mustered the courage, to hone in on one of them, to show the world my crooked/bad teeth on camera via my YouTube videos for the first time this summer, as I discussed in my second ever video here).

For a very long I could scarcely bring myself to even look at my own appearance in the mirror, and if I was out and out in public (where I generally feel substantially more self-conscious and shy) I would intentionally divert my gaze from my reflection in any kind of surface for many years. This carried on until I was about twenty-five - though I still do it occasionally, old habits dying, as they tend to do rather hard.

I saw no beauty in my face or body whatsoever for most of my life. I could, after a certain age grant you cuteness perhaps, but beauty was as illusive as a unicorn, and I longed to have even an inkling of a sense of what that word - that single little subjective adjective - actually felt like.

I wish I could tell you that reading Thich Nhat Hanh's endlessly wise quote delivered that sensation my way, that I woke up the next morning and felt gorgeous, self-confident, no longer at odds with my appearance, but I didn't - well, not entirely. Something had changed that following day though, because I was suddenly more at peace with the face looking back at me in the mirror (much as I was after I received Lorena's beautiful aforementioned gift). I liked how I looked a whole lot more, and I honestly felt like I cared considerably less if others viewed me as aesthetically pleasing or not (again, I'm absolutely not talking about my fashion choices here, happily, I'm very confident on that front).

I am not shallow, and I try never to judge another person based on their looks, but we all critique both ourselves and each other, if only on a silent, internal level sometimes. In the Hanh's words I found the permission to stop judging myself so harshly, and perhaps just as importantly, had a light bulb moment of realization that being myself is its own kind of profound beauty.

Miss Universe I may never be, but I am my true self, as best and honestly as I know how to be each and every day. I am a wife, a sister, a best friend, a chronically ill individual, a blogger, a crafter, a pet mama, a photographer, a daydreamer, a bookworm, a vintage lover, an Etsy shop owner, a traveler and so very much more, and each of these things conspires to make me beautiful in my own unique way.

Just as the passions, stories and telltale characteristics that make you who you are - who each of us has been since the dawn of time - transforms you into a deeply, perpetually lovely individual, too.

Many months have passed since this quote appeared in my Facebook stream, but it hasn't left my side for a day. I turned it into my desktop background image for nearly a year and have reflected on it scores of times since then, trying to embrace and better live its message on a deeper level each morning, noon and night.

Few snippets of sagely advice has resonated as profoundly with me, and so I knew that the time had come to pass it along to each of you, in case you're also in need of the important reminder it carries, and the powerful feeling that comes with accepting yourself right here, right now, exactly how you are in the moment. Beautiful, in more ways than you will ever possibly know.