Five for Friday {November 13, 2009}

...Whether you count yourself as superstitious or not, today is one where you can’t seem to help looking over your shoulder every now and then, all the while hoping that nothing odd befalls you. Onwards to the weekend, it’s time to relax and unwind; perhaps you’ve got snow already or maybe you’re being blessed with an Indian summer, either way, it’s the middle of November and that means the weeks are dwindling until the winter holiday season arrives – yet there’s still enough time so as to afford you a serene weekend that isn’t jam packed with a million hectic tasks to complete. Relish these days, they tend to become fewer and further between as the end of the year rolls on...

♥ ♥ ♥

{To channel your inner Francophile via your decor}


{Iconic images of the Eiffel Tower and other well known Parisian landmarks envelop this chic, beautiful throw pillow, which would look amazing upon anything from a vintage sofa to a silk sheet covered bed. Available in various sizes, the 50cm x 50cm version of this wonderful pillow retails for €44.00 (Euro) from Bonjour Mon Coussin.}


{To satisfy both your sweet tooth and any desire you may have to nibble flower petals}


{For most of this past summer I craved marshmallows relentlessly. As to where this pining for these squishy, delightfully sweet treats came from, I really don’t know, but I kept thinking it might have hearkened back to childhood summers spent toasting marshmallows over backyard and Girl Guide camp fires. Whatever brought the desire on, there was no shaking it off and so I gave in, churning out batches of homemade marshmallows to savour slowly over the intensely humid weeks of July and August. If you too are a far of crafting your candies, be sure to give these marvelously pretty, pale blush pink hibiscus flower marshmallows a try. Recipe on, and photo from the gorgeous culinary blog, not without salt.}


{To keep you toasty on those days that call for long sleeves but not quite the full on weight (and warmth) of a jacket}


{The sweetest little collar adorns this vintage dusty rose hued wool cardigan, that sports a line of matching coloured buttons up the front. Pair this coquettish topper with pencil skirts for a Mad Men secretarial style look, with high waisted vintage trousers when headed out for a day of Christmas shopping, or over top your favourite full skirted summer dress to stretch your warm weather wardrobe well into autumn. Vintage 1950s boucle wool sweater, fits up to a 33” inch waist/40” bust, $46.00 (US) from etsy seller Small Earth Vintage.}


{To help ensure the preservation of the daisy population ;D}


{Save the petals and spin this immensely cute vintage brass necklace instead to help you determine if he really is that into your or not. “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” charm and chain, $30.00 (Australian Dollars) from Made It seller Suga *N* Spice (note, this item features free shipping for those located in Australia).}


{To help ensure your lips stay kissablely soft in the face of even the harshest, freezing cold November winds}


{Bedecked with an image of the brand’s creator taken in 1945, this elegant container of lip balm smells (and tastes) enticing of fresh from the oven brambleberry pie, and is sure to win you over as much for its scent as its wonderfully pretty tin. 0.8oz tin of Brambleberry Rose lip balm, $7.00 (US), from Sephora.}


Aside from having a (fortunately entirely inexpensive) glass dish of freshly peeled persimmons go flying out of my hands and shatter into a thousand (literally) tiny shards this morning, things have been perfectly normal – and in no way spooky – here this Friday the 13th. Not one to cry over spilled fruit, I’ve been in cheerful spirits all day and am optimistic that no other strange occurrences will transpire before Saturday rolls around.

How has your day been going, my lovely dears? I really hope that you’re having an excellent Friday that’s free of any peculiar going-ons!

Five for Friday {October 2, 2009}

...A chilly wind unfelt for many a month rattles the windows and screen doors, inside sweaters are slipped on, long simmered meals are prepared and thoughts turn to the upcoming (Canadian) Thanksgiving holiday on the 12th. Indoor festive shades of burnt umber, haystack gold, and mossy green come out to play in autumnal decorations, outside the sky is as grey as a tarnished mirror. A sense of comforted happiness weaves itself through the upcoming weekend as conversations are shared over steaming beverages sipped against toasted peach hued sunsets...


♥ ♥ ♥


{To add a sense of elegant whimsy to the everyday}


{A juxtaposition of glamour and salt-of-the-earth practicality merge in this sublimely light image, that suddenly makes me long to wear vintage both satin heels and classic wellies. Photo by Philip Newton.}


{To capture the natural beauty of a summer garden forever}


{The brilliance behind this gorgeous, handcrafted necklace is the fact that its floral pendant is actually a real copper hued rose entombed in poly resin. Such an utterly wonderful – deeply creative – idea! Rose, carnellian and turquoise sterling silver necklace, $59.00 (US) from etsy seller Island Girl Designs.}


{To keep your stomach warm and your scenes delighted all weekend long}


{A time-honoured classic gets a decidedly autumnal update in this scrumptious version of bread pudding which adds pumpkin into the mix. Photo via, and recipe on, epicurious.com.}


{To keep your lips gorgeously supple no matter how fierce the whipping autumn wind becomes}


{I’m not sure which one I’m more in love with, the flavours and scents that this etsy artesian imparts in her products or the sublimely moody, elegantly pretty photos she takes of her goods. Either way I’ve fallen hard for her handmade products such as this silvery tin of all natural rosewood flavour lip balm, which is $6.00 (US) from etsy seller For Strange Women.}


{To add a splash of sweetly macabre decor and light to your home}


{Discovered via the splendidly festive pages of the blog A Nostalgic Halloween, these monotone, slightly eerie, entirely endearing candles would be the perfect decoration to keep out all season long. Paraffin wax crow candles, $10.00 (US) each from Pottery Barn.}


May you each have a serene and cozy first weekend of October, my dear friends!

Five For Friday {August 7, 2009}

...The first week of August rolls to a close, summer still blaring, the heat very much at our heels. Time for bright, joyful, carefree moments and a generous dose of something sweet and beautiful, whether it’s edible or not...



{To banish the drying effects of sun, saltwater and air conditioning on your lips}


{A lush balm in a preciously pretty vintage inspired tin, perfect worn alone or as a moisturizing gloss of sorts over your favourite lipstick. Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm, $7.00 (US) from Sephora.}


{To wear to any – and all – occasions that call for utter fabulousness!}


{Each week I encounter a slew of vintage items that my make heart swoon, many I would love to own but simply admire from afar because they’re not the right size or infinitely beyond the scoop of my budget. This is a dress that if it was my size, I would really and truly snap up in a heartbeat and happily buy nothing else for the rest of month because of. $85.00 (US) from etsy seller Fab Gabs Vintage.}


{To capture the splendour of summer blooms in a china cabinet all year long}


{Cindy from My Romantic Home has a house and trove of incredible, gorgeous, often vintage and antique items the likes of which many of us can only dream about. Her blog and house are perpetual sources of sublime inspiration for me, and the moment I spotted this beloved chintz tea cup of hers in a recent post, I knew I had to share a photo of it with you. If you’re on the prowl for similar pieces be sure to check out etsy, estate sales, antiques markets and shops, eBay, plus your relatives' china cabinets. For something soothing, but still very summery to enjoy in your favourite tea cup, why not try a lovely caffeine-free tea blend full of fruit flavours, such as “Angel’s Kiss” from Vintage Tea.}


{To recapture the spirit of top 40 lists past in the most glamorous – and adorable – way imaginable!}


{Quite possibly the most awesome looking vintage inspired modern radio of all time! Available in a host of lovely colours (including the pastel pink model above), the Roberts R250 radio (which can run on batteries or an adapter) would add a huge jolt of vintage charm to any room – or trip to the beach. £95.00 (UK pounds) from O’Gormans Direct.}


{To add a scrumptious dose of whimsy to two timeless classics: cookies and watermelon}


{Many intricately shaped and iced cookies can seem tricky for a non-cookie making pro to tackle, but I think these charming, cheerful watermelon cut-out cookies would be a snap to whip up after a trip to the local baking supply store. They’d be absolutely perfect to serve at barbeques, outdoor parties, picnics and birthdays all summer long! Photo from, and recipe on, The Decorated Cookie.}




Scores of thanks go out to everyone who stopped by to leave wonderful birthday wishes yesterday for my husband, from both Mrs. & Mr. Chronically Vintage. Thank you so very much!

What, my darling dears, do you have on the agenda for this coming weekend? Aside from compiling this weekend’s Pretty Link Roundup, I haven’t quite finalized my plans yet. I’ve got a backlog of email that I’m eager to tackle, but feel like the glorious August sunshine demands my attention, so I’ll definitely try to sneak in some time outdoors, too.

However you spend the next couple of days, I wish you each a tranquil, blissful, marvelous weekend!