Nautical by nature

Outfit details

Anchors and Stripes Nautical Rockabilly Bandana: c/o Inkabilly
1950s red glitter resin earrings: Summer Blue Jewelry
Red long sleeved top: Urban Planet (I think; had for years)
1940s style denim overalls: Freddies of Pinewood
1940s/1950s enamel coated anchor brooch: Unknown, had for years
1950s corduroy bucket purse: Rue 23 Vintage Clothing Mid-century vintage style beaded charm bracelet: Handmade by me
1940s style brown leather shoes: Naturalizer
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red
Nail colour: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Red Carpet

Photography by Tony Cangiano

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Pattern matching is one thing, and I do dabble in such from time to time, but blending two distinctly different geographical styles as they relate to fashion is not something I dip my toes into very often.

Pulling such off can be tricky at best and look downright wonky at worse. That isn't to say it can't be done - and indeed, some fabulous styles have been born of such marriages - but, again, it's a risky zone and one that is best approached with some forethought.

A little earlier this year, as first mentioned in this fun camping outfit post last month, I had the great pleasure to begin a working relationship with the exciting British vintage/retro/rockabilly inspired fashion and housewares brand, Inkabilly.

I was drawn to Inkabilly's creations for a number of reasons. Not only are they vibrant, fun and very well made, but the company is helmed by a passionate husband and wife team (Lee and Karl).

This really resonated with me, as a lot of business related things that Tony and I do are shared together in a similar way (for example, we founded and have both subsequently run our free weekly new book email notification service, Any New Books, together for over six years now).

Lee and Karl kindly let me select a few of their stylish offerings to share about with all of you and this week I'm tickled pink - or, perhaps more like red and blue :) - to get the opportunity to highlight another of their excellent offerings here today.

Two of the items that they kindly sent me were their signature headscarves, of which is this is the second (the first stars darling, vibrantly hued flamingos).

Like many a vintage fashion fan the world over, I have a serious love for all things nautical related. From the colours to the imagery to actually being near the water, I flock to nautical related things and love when the chance to put together a new outfit based around such arises.

We're a few hours away from the actual (Pacific) ocean, but we are fortunate to live in a town with not one, but two, large lakes (plus numerous other lakes and rivers in the general area), which can serve as a good stand in for such.

In the case of this particular shoot, we opted to take snaps in the bright, warm late afternoon sunlight recently down at Rotary Park at Okanagan Lake here in Penticton. This is a spacious, lovely swath of grass and flowers that is popular as a lounging spot with locals and tourists alike.

We've shot here a small number of other times over the years and will likely return to it again and again in the future, as it offers up a slice of both grass (aka, the “nature” in my puntastic post title, which takes inspiration from the well known rap group, Naughty By Nature) and a large expanse of beautiful blue water.

My outfit was selected earlier in the day and the location determined later on, but I knew that as I had boldly opted to partner that most classic of farmyard staples, the humble denim overall, with nautical elements, that I wanted both turf and lake alike visible in my outfit snaps that day.

It struck me that I hadn't sported my Freddies of Pinewood overalls, which I love to the moon and back, here in ages (seriously - the last time may very well have been the spring of 2013), despite the fact that I live in them year round (they, like my other Freddies pants, are my staple dog park attire, as they hold up awesomely to the rigours of Annie and her energetic canine chums).

I was in the mood to wear them on camera again, but also wanted to highlight this fantastic anchor print headscarf from Inkabilly, and so this outfit - a mashup of land and sea - was born.

It's a casual, fun look and one that suits the unpredictable nature of our weather this summer really well (though, delightfully, we were treated to some gorgeous sunshine on the particular Sunday when we took these snaps).

To echo the anchor print in the headscarf (called the Anchors and Stripes Nautical Rockabilly Bandana, which retails for a very reasonable £6.99), I opted for a fun mid-century vintage enamel anchor shaped brooch and a made-by-me vintage inspired anchor charm bracelet.

Beyond that, a basic red top, plus a tawny hued vintage handbag and forties style shoes in the same colour round out the mix, both picking up the dark golden stitching in the overalls themselves.

Simple, in many ways as this outfit may be, I absolutely love it! I haven't dabbled in farm meets seafaring looks very often, but this ensemble has me thinking that I should delve into such a bit more frequently. Dark overalls like this, with their inky indigo shade, take to classic nautical shades like red and white extremely well and are reminiscent, colour wise, of classic navy blue sailors trousers.

I really like this charming nautical print headscarf from Inkabilly. It's lightweight, expertly made, has excellent colours, and would go with a million and one different nautical inspired looks. I could easily see packing it the next time we were headed to the ocean, but know that it will get plenty of wear around these landlocked parts as well, and want to sincerely thank Lee and Karl for sending this terrific vintage inspired accessory my way.

So while it might not be everyday that I meld two distinct styles like farm/land girl and nautical together, I must say, I'm very happy with the results of this experiment and love that I now have yet another styling technique to get even more mileage out of both my Freddies overalls and this great new anchor print headscarf alike.

Do you ever mix two (or more) unique styles as well? Would you wear a nautical meets farmland ensemble yourself?

Savouring spring at Skaha Bluffs (in my Freddies overalls)

Outfit details

Floral print scarf: L.C. Fashions consignment store

White plastic rose stud earrings: Claire's

Pink button front shirt: Costco

Vintage reproduction overalls (dungarees): Freddies of Pinewood

Wee little yellow wildflower tucked in my pocket: Mother Nature :)

Pink beaded stretch bracelets: Forever 21

Striped purse: Jones New York

Black 1940s style shoes: Thrifted (Salvation Army)

Lip colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Antonio Cangiano

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Last summer, in a post entitled The Intrepid Urban Explorer, I touched on the fact that I truly love to investigate and enjoy as much of the surrounding area as I possibly can. This hasn't been the only post in which this subject was raised, nor will today's be the last, I'm sure - especially when you're blessed to live a part of the world that is nothing short of breath-takingly beautiful and which always seems to offer up a new corner to explorer.

On a gloriously sunny Saturday a few days before I went in for my surgery (yes, I know, I've said almost the same thing in my last two outfit posts, too, but as I knew it would be several weeks afterwards before I'd be well enough to leave the house and take such snaps, I made sure to have a few, like today's photos, waiting in the wings to use in the weeks to follow), after a morning of garage saling both in Penticton and Kelowna, Tony and I decided to cap off the day by venturing to the outskirts of town and up a rather traitorous stretch of road.

If you've ever seen the TV show Ice Road Truckers: Deadliest Roads, picture the mind-blowingly narrow, straggly, precipice banked roads they traversed and you'll get a picture of just how dangerous the path we were on is. Lest you think I'm kidding, we have a medium sized sedan (not a huge car by any stretch of the imagination) and we could scarcely fit on the road, which I kid you not, is designed to somehow (miraculously) allow for two cars to inch past each other, one coming in either direction.

Not since I was a backseat passenger in my parents minivan on snowy winter evening trips up and down the Coquihalla Highway have I been so on the edge of my seat, muttering silent prayers of safety under my breath the whole time, as I was while we made our way up the road that one has to take if they want to go see the Skaha Bluffs.

Fortunately, it's not a terribly long road and once you reach the top, there's ample parking spot and a view of all of Penticton that is so majestic, you'd happily return again on a camel, if you had to.

Despite being a 489 hectare provincial park located just a few minutes away from town, this was the first time I'd ever been up to the Bluffs in all the many years I've lived in the area, and we couldn't have asked for nicer weather on the day when we bravely headed up that way (we had no idea beforehand that the road was so frighteningly narrow).

The warm-as-melted-butter sunshine had drawn plenty of other outdoor enthusiasts that day, some of whom had come to hike, rock climb, or bird watch, and others (like us) who just wanted to soak up fresh air and savour the view - and of course, if you happen to be a vintage fashion blogger, take some outfit snaps.

Having a new puppy in the house, my Freddies jeans and overalls have been getting more wear over the past couple of months than in all the time I'd owned them previously up until this point, as one does not want to risk having a very rambunctious dog accidentally damage a less durable item of vintage or repro clothing.

These overalls are also a great go-to piece for days when I'm yard saling (warm, comfy, sturdy, pockets - what's not to love!), and the two reasons combined is why I was sporting them that Saturday. We'd not begun the day knowing that we'd be headed up to the Bluffs, but the fact that we did added a third reason why they were the perfect thing to wear for a spot of wilderness fun.

A woven raffia bag, pink button front shirt, pair of iridescent pale pink stretch bracelets, cute floral print scarf, and my endlessly reliable 1940s style black shoes rounded out the look.

I love the fact that even though Penticton isn't terribly large, it - and it’s many surrounding towns, communities and off-the-beaten-path locations - offer up such an abundance of things to do and see - not to mention serve as fantastic photographic backdrops.

I'm really looking forward to the coming summer weather months and the numerous local places, new and old alike, that I hope we'll get to explore - trusty camera in hand every step (and steep mountain curve) of the way.

In which I hold my first guinea pig ever!

To date neither wordsmiths nor science have come up with an adequate method by which to describe or measure how much I adore guinea pigs - diligently as I’m sure they’ve tried. I've always loved these ultra cute little bundles of precious fur, yet somehow the chance to hold one had never cropped up before (I must have been one of only a few kids who didn't either have a piggie or have any friends who did).

Recently however, on one of the absolute loveliest days of a very damp season, Tony and I jumped in the car in and headed a little ways south of town to the charming orchard and fruit stand studded community of Keremeos. We went there will the sole intention of visiting the area's only (as far as I know) petting zoo, because, quite frankly we're two adults who's love of hanging out with snugly, feed-able animals rivals that of any kid on the face of the earth.

This daytrip was unplanned, which worked out perfectly actually, because I think if I'd know about it the night before, I genuinely would not have been able to sleep. Donning my Freddies of Pinewood overalls, a fun fuchsia plaid top, and some sturdy (forties-esque) walking shoes, I couldn't bolt out the door fast enough, my excitement mounting with every mile that ticked away.

We reached Farmer John's Petting Zoo shortly after they opened and were greeted by both a friendly staff and a gorgeous day that included a seriously lovely breeze. Having paid our admission and purchased bags of animal feed, we set off for a couple of hours of some of the best solid fun I've ever, quite frankly, had in my whole life.

Be forewarned, my dears, this post is rich in photos (captured with our little compact camera, not the usual Canon SLRs we use for most shoots) - but with so many ridiculously cute animals everywhere, it was impossible not to get a little snap happy!



This petting zoo is terrific, they have a really fun mix of farm life, rabbits, and guinea pigs, such as this darling little fellow - who like most of the cavies there, was busy scurrying all about, with next to no interest in what we humans were up to.




Another precious guinea piggie, this one poking out from under a wooden fence, intrigued by a branch that strong winds the night before had knocked down into its habitat.




It took the help of one of the farm’s staff, but after a little while we were finally able to catch a guinea pig, which I lovingly cradled in my hands for a couple of minutes. That look on my face? Complete and total bliss at the fulfilment of a lifelong desire (to hold a guinea!).



How much to do I love guinea pigs you may ask? Enough that, for the first time ever in my life, I’ve posted a picture here which shows a front view of (part of) my teeth. That might not seem like a big deal, but I have very crooked, crowded, unattractive teeth and virtually never smile with my mouth open as a result (a point which I could never even bring myself to talk about online before this post) . The staff member who took our picture kept talking to us as she was snapping though, and as a result the best photo she grabbed of Tony and I – with the massively cute piggie in it – was this one. Trust me, it will likely be a very long time (if ever) before you’ll see even this much of my (absolutely awful) teeth again.




While I could have joyfully held onto that endlessly sweet little black and white piggie all day, I was a good sport and let Tony have a turn too.




There were two areas (located very close to one another) with bunnies in them, the younger rabbits being placed in the same enclosure with the guinea pigs and the older, larger ones in an area unto themselves. These two fluffy cutie pies were chilling with the cavies.




I would have absolutely loved to have held a bunny, too, but none of them seemed game for it, so instead I was more than content just to capture photos of them – especially this ridiculously darling little black and white one hiding under a bench.




In the second rabbit enclosure one encountered sweetie pies like this sandy hued fellow, who’s long eared shadow reminded me of the classic shape of a chocolate Easter bunny.




While the rabbits weren’t too keen on being held, they were more than a little happy to take all of the delicious pellets we were feeding them (I wonder if this one liked my pearl bracelets?).




The bunnies were a little more shy around Tony, but eventually a couple of them warmed up to him and I was able to nab this shot of one inching its way toward his outstretched hand.




As you can see by the wind sock that was flapping around over the guinea pig enclosure, we were sharing our day with quite a breeze. Not that I minded in the least though, it helped make for the best temperature and weather you could ever want for a day like this.




This darling black and white piggie, who was on the verge of giving birth in just a few days, was so sweet natured and friendly. She’s allowed to wander about the farm amongst the visitors and was immensely happy to lap up all the treats we offered her.




Some of the penned animals had names on their fences, and this super friendly mule’s name was Cooper. He was a total doll who just loved having his face rubbed.




Like all the critters, big and small, that we encountered that day, Cooper the mule was also extremely fond of being feed a few handfuls of pellets.




While that day marked the first time I got to touch a guinea pig, it might surprise some to know that it wasn’t my first up close encounter with a llama (my mom and step-dad used to live right beside some people who kept a few and I used to pass pet them all the time on my way to and from walking up the hill to catch the school bus).




I do believe though that this may very well have been the first time I’ve ever had a chance to feed a llama – or in this case, two shaggy haired sweeties!

Feeding llamas was also a first for Tony that sunny, wonderful day.

The petting zoo is located just off of main stretch of the highway that runs through the little community of Keremeos (seen in the background here), an area famed – and much beloved throughout the province – for its excellent produce and many fruit stands.




This pony was as cute a button, however he also had a bit of a jealous streak! A second (white) pony was located in the paddock right next to him and the moment I started feeding that one instead of him, he stomped his front hooves against the metal fence, demanding that we feed him again, too!




Like most petting zoos, this one had a number of goats, all of who enjoyed being feed and petted (which was great because I couldn’t get enough of running my hands through their ultra soft fur!).

And as you can see in this shot, neither could Tony!

These little pygmy goats were so eager to get to the treats some were head butting each other to reach my outstretched hand first.




As you can imagine, this big fellow wasn’t for petting, but he was still fun to see nevertheless and he certainly put me in the mood for autumn’s return.




Contently at peace with the beautiful world – and generous abundance of ultra darling animals – around me.




The petting zoo is designed so that one follows a natural path that leads them past all of the varying critters, but at the same time also allows for easy backtracking if – like me – you just have to go see the bunnies again before carrying on with the rest of the sights.




And, well, if you’re saying hello to the rabbits once more, you definitely better wave a cheerful hi to the guinea pigs as well (even if they’re too busy nibbling away on straw and grass to pay much attention to you).




Though the sunlight was a tad harsh, the moment I spied an open (to the public) barn with bales of hay and a red rake in it, I just knew I had to pose for a photo…

Or two! (That’s me daydreaming about the next time we get to visit Farmer John’s!)

Outfit details

Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12
Blue and white polka dot headband: Arden
White rose stud earrings: Claire's
Fuchsia flannel plaid shirt: American Eagle
Faux pearl stretch bracelets: Real Canadian Superstore

Vintage reproduction overalls (dungarees): Freddies of Pinewood
White socks: Zellers
Black shoes: thrifted (from Salvation Army)
Lip colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace  All animals: their own fur or feathers

Photos of me by Antonio Cangiano, pics of Tony and the critters on their own taken by me, and the snapshot of the two of us together taken by one of the petting zoo staff. 
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I tell yah, on the awesomely enjoyable, ultra adorable animal filled scale, days just don't come much more fun than this, and I absolutely know that there will be many a trip more to the Keremeos petting zoo in our future - especially when the overwhelming urge to spend time with a guinea pig strikes again!