The Grand Elegance of Vintage White {Monday Muses, July 13}

As the energy-zapping, intensely powerful heat of summer weaves its way into our lives, I find myself thinking about the serenely delicate, cooling nature of the colour white.

In a way I think I’ve shied away from this ethereal hue over the years, due in large part to three reasons. One, I was told routinely growing up the white did not suit very fair skin such as my own; secondly, I’m a bit of a clean-freak and tend to find my mind dreading the thought of a white garment attracting every spec of dirt within a five mile radius; and thirdly, at some point in my life I came to think of white as looking best on waif-ish, leggy supermodel types, instead of petite, hour glass figured gals (like me).

While I have certainly owned white pieces (chiefly crisp button town shirts) over the years, it’s only been since this past spring that I’ve begun to incorporate more white into my wardrobe. A ruffle neck short sleeve blouse, a white with tiny black polka dots cotton long sleeve shirt, even a white with black floral print cardigan have all sprung up like svelte calla lilies in my closet.

I’ve learned that pale lasses can in fact wear white, it’s just a matter of finding the right white (one needs only to scope out the paint chip display to discover how many variants of this gentle hue exist), and pairing it with other pieces that work extremely well with your colouring (regardless of your skin tone, I think this approach applies when it comes to wearing white), and that white can (and does!) work well on all types of figures (in my case I tend to feel more comfortable sporting it on top, but am not opposed to a white skirt or pair of pants if they were perfectly tailored to my body shape). As for white acting like a dirt magnet, well, there’s little that can be done about that, other than vigilance and the carrying of purse-sized spot remover pen.

White has a timelessly appealing quality. It calls to mind snowflakes, wedding, sugar cubes, hotel towels, Victorian lace, marshmallows, fluffy kittens, frothy glasses of milk, and tall mountain peaks. Every home and wardrobe can benefit from a dose of white, which can act like a blank canvass or be the star of the show, all depending on what it’s partnered with (or without). Few colours evoke the tranquility and sense of purity and cleanliness that white can; it’s at once lively and subdued, warm and frosty, energetic and relaxed.

In an effort to feel as cool as possible as the high heat of July beats down on my AC-less apartment, I’ve taken to not only wearing white but seeking out images featuring this serene shade. White, sweet and inviting, angelic and iconic, is my Muse for this Monday. Flickr offered up a multitude of impossibly lovely vintage related photos featuring white pieces, which I couldn’t help but fashion into a mosaic and share with you all.


1. Vogue 1952, 2. Vintage Lace: white, 3. April 1953 - Vogue, 4. birdie and lace, 5. My new dressing table, 6. Best Bridal Shoes Ever., 7. 12_7, 8. 1954 LIFE, 9. Whispery White Petals, 10. Vogue 1953 - October, 11. Vintage Treasure, 12. the seafarer's bride, 13. British Vogue 1953 - Actress Jean Lodge. {Click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information}

Given their propensity to stain easily, white vintage pieces in good-to-excellent condition are sometimes harder to come by than those in other darker shades, yet a little sleuthing easily turns up a bounty of pleasingly pretty, summer appropriate white items in very good shape.






{I’m the first to admit I am not an expert in hat styles (though I hope to learn more about them in time!), so I’m not certain what the name of this style is, but I do know that that this chicly lovely white hat would look stunning with a myriad of vintage outfits. $68.00 (US) from etsy seller The Vintage Closet.}



{Described by its seller as being a vintage wedding handkerchief, this dainty, beautiful piece would look so elegant atop a table, as a scarf or snaked around pretty bottles and jars on a vanity. $12.oo (US) from etsy seller Zaama.}



{In fairly good shape for its age (it hails from the 1930s) this sweet little white blouse would look marvelous paired with a skirt, high-waisted trousers or shorts all through the summer months. $45.00 from etsy seller Dirty Canvas Closet.}



{Add a subtle hint of shimmer to your favourite looks all year round with this vintage white and silver floral brooch. $22.00 (US) from etsy seller Walker Street Vintage.}



{If a light, pretty frock is calling your name, you’re sure to serve up a lot of vintage "love" while sporting this tennis dress from the 1940s! $40.00 (US) from etsy seller Splendid Vintage.}



{I am awe-struck by the simple yet enchanting beauty of this creamy white hued vintage embroidered parasol. If I had a wee bit of mad money to spend, it would have been added to my cart in a heartbeat! If your pockets are deeper than mine, this incredible umbrella can be yours for $50.00 (US) from esty seller Deja Vu Vintage.}



{Every vintage fashionista needs at least one pair of short length white gloves in her accessory collection, why not make them an authentically old pair like this hand stitched one? $12.00 (US) from etsy seller Vintagous.}



{This stunningly lovely, classically tailored creamy white hued, 1940s, beaded frock is so striking it could even work as a wedding dress. $119.00 (US) from Mystique Vintage.}



{Pretty as a garden of lush blooms, this beaded floral print purse from the 1950s would be the perfect accessory for any summer outing. $58.00 (US) from etsy seller Encyclopedia Botanica.}



{While they do tend to show scuffs and dirt easily, white shoes have the added advantage of going extremely well with a wide array of outfits, and this comfortable looking pair of vintage size 8.5s peep-toe slingbacks from the 1950s would be no exception to that rule. $28.00 (US) from esty seller Mona Sue Vintage.}


Vintage white seems to take on a life of its own, fading a little over time and taking on a sort of ageless patina that speaks of the many days it’s survived in this world. Romantic, cheerful and definitely calming, white might not have the power to turn a scorching day into a snowy one, but it can put you in a serene mood and keep some of the heat at bay, if you opt don to this wonderful Muse of a shade.

On the Cusp of Summer {Monday Muses, June 15th}

It rains one moment and exudes glistening sunshine the next, teetering between seasons June can be one of those months where it’s always wise to dress in light layers and carry an umbrella – at least in some parts of the world.

Here in Toronto we’ve had a mixed bag of weather so far this month. Some days have been stunners, others stormy, wet messes. Nature has embraced the idea of summer, but is still a tad hesitant to part with spring. Warm mornings and cool nights, or perhaps the exact opposite can pop up as easily as perfectly balmy days.

Jeans and shorts are both kept at the ready, sandals and gumboots sit side-by-side in the entryway. It’s more summer than spring, but far from the stifling heat of August that leaves you languid and in dire need of a constant stream of cold drinks.

The middle of June smells like fuchsia roses, Hawaiian Tropic, campfires, garden soil, and dusty rain. It’s like a child about to hit adolescence, certain of its impending growth but still tied to the comforts of its innocent past. Mid-June is a time to string badminton nets, sit outside until midnight hoping to glimpse falling stars, and gather (or at least admire) as many of the lingering lilacs of May as you possibly can.

There is so much warm beauty to this rich time of the year, when daisies begin appearing and everything suddenly seems a hundred times tastier when consumed between gulps of fresh air. Pivoting between seasons, this brief window of toasty, but not scalding, heat is a treat to behold and experience. This week my Muse is the cusp of summer, that magical time right before school lets up for the year and the dog-days of July come roaring in.

The following photos – and mosaic of pictures – all fill my soul with an instant fondness for this lovely, tranquil moment of the year, while providing wonderful ideas regarding what sorts of vintage looks to don for the arrival of summer. I hope that you too will enjoy the delightfully pretty, playfully fun time that mid-June brings with it (or at least the romanticized notion of such).



{This incredibly charming photo hails from a blog that I just discovered this month called wildflowers::pretty. I love the gentle beauty that flows through its creator’s photos and posts.}



{Johanna Öst looking superbly pretty in her new navy blue and white, button adorned swimsuit. Something about the fuller cut makes me think of the cooler water temps one generally encounters in June.}



{Anja of Clever Nettle looking about as sweet-faced and adorably set for early summer as one possibly can be.}



{This photo from Esme and the lane way does such a strikingly excellent job of conveying the sort of fading sunlight glory that summer ushers in.}



1. Vintage Style Outfit in Living colour, 2. Summer 1950, 3. laundry day!, 4. 081258 01 00A, 5. Cherry nosegay vintage button necklace, 6. Casual 50's look, 7. The California Barbecue, 8. It's not so easy as it maybe seems to take a picture at this angle, 9. Happy Birthday Mutti!, 10. 50's fashion , 11. A Patio Somewhere in Suburbia, 12. 8/6/08, 13. May 25 1957 {Vintage June joys of all sorts abound in these photos! Click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information}

Do you love the sweet tenderness that June can still posses or do you favour the passionate heat that comes later on in the summer? Does June inspire you or leave you wishing it was time to shovel snow from the driveway again?

The divine beauty of pale pink {Monday Muses, June 8th}

Perhaps it was the rose bushes that laced the fence in our little backyard growing up, maybe it ties back to the gentle hue of strawberry ice cream eaten on the beach, or it could have to do with the adorable little sundresses my mother placed me as a child, whatever the reason there is something about the onset of June that always makes me think of the softer shades of pink. Those sorts of hues that call to mind a kitten’s nose, antique bedspreads and Gooseberry patterned Pyrex.


{Gathered from the pages of Flickr, each of these marvelously sweet, serene, beautiful images inspires me and instantly enlivens my mood. 1. Pink dress and turquoise shoes, 2. pink tuesday..., 3. pink dress - detail, 4. 05.04.09 {birthday fun}, 5. a ribbon addict, 6. i <3 girly and sparkly things, 7. Pink vintage millinery dress form, 8. my little favorite corner, 9. ooo, 10. ♥ 1950's Pink Rose Print Day Dress w/Tiny Lace Details ♥, 11. 50's Pink Junior Dress, 12. 1950s Pink Embroidered Dress, 13. PINK White Gingham Check 50s 60s Corset Tie Dress - View 1. Click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information.}

From weddings to sunsets, pink suddenly seems to flourish this time of year, as if brought back to the world through a kiss from the sun. As such soft shades of pink are my Muses this week, inspiring me to send letters on floral print stationery and reach for the gentlest shade of pink in my lipstick arsenal. The following are an array of images and items, each imparted with the graceful beauty of pale pink that have made my heart flutter lately.


{Lovely as the cosmetics in this vintage ad from sugarpie honeybunch’s Flickr stream are, I think it’s the models ever so gently pink satin gloves that steal the show here for me!}


{Skip a pricey trip to the salon for a manicure and opt instead to give your nails the loveliest hint of pink at home with this subtle shade of Essie polish. “Not just a pretty face”, $8.00US.}


{Strikingly realist looking, this stunning silk rose clip from Flowerclip.com – which sells for $34US – would add an incredible dose of elegance and summery beauty to any outfit.}


{While I tend to favour the modesty (many) one piece bathing suits provide, the incredibly cute, itsy-bitsy polka dot pattern on this pale pink, vintage inspired swimsuit would be exactly what I’d reach for if I was in the market for a bikini. If you’d like to add one to your summer wardrobe, you can do so for $134.99US on Mod Cloth.}


{Whether you want to stay cool during the day or heat things up at night, this fun pink feather fan (that measures 20 inches when open) from the Red Hat Society’s online shop is sure to bring a smile to your way. Pluck one up for $12.00US.}


{Black flowers dance across a sea of pale pink and white gingham on this wonderful 50s style halter dress from Vivien of Holloway. One of which can be yours, if you so fancy, for £59.00 (UK pounds).}


{Dusted with light peachy-pink accents, these charming vintage looking heels from Mod Cloth would work extremely well with everything from skirts to slacks, bathing suits to garden party dresses. A pair can be yours for $49.99US.}


{A deeply pretty example of the perfect shabby chic, pink injected kitchen, discovered via Just a Gal’s wonderful pages.}

The mere sight of pale pink as the mercury rises somehow seems soothing, relaxing, and enticing. I want to cloak myself in the tint of a blushing carnation from head-to-toe, meander through a garden of salt water taffy pink flowers, and conclude each meal with pale coral coloured meringues.

Don’t the items and photos above seem to positively burst with sweet, summertime joy, thanks to their cheerful pink hues? I certainly think so! Do you associate June’s ushering in of summer with pink or another lovely shade?

Monday Muses {May 25th}

Rarely does a week goes by when a particular colour (or combination of hues) isn’t on my mind, inspiring and enriching my life (and sometimes my wardrobe) in one or another. I’ve always been deeply wild for the rainbow, crazy about the colour wheel and positively giddy when staring at a wall of paint chips. As we’ve now passed the less-than-a-month-until-summer mark, I can’t help thinking about a wonderful – one might say luxurious – colour that has once again returned, via the marvel that is sunlight, to my world: gold!

From the pricey metal in bar form to bottle of nail polish in this rich hue, warm gold and golden sunlight are my Muses on this last Monday in May.

It almost goes without saying that gold can conjure up thoughts of the rich and famous, of opulence and grandeur, yet it can also sweetly simple and understated. Think of a plain gold wedding band, a pair of gold hoops adorning a child’s ears as her first earrings, the wrapper inside a chocolate bar.

The colour (as opposed to the metal) gold fades in and out of vogue continually. One has only to think of the “harvest gold” kitchens of the past or the way this shimmery shade ruled discos everywhere to be reminded of gold's trend-ability. Yet gold is also timeless. Worn tastefully it works as well today as it ever has – perhaps even more so given the wide range of gold toned fashions on the market these days.

Where once wearing the colour gold was reserved more for evenings out, fancy events or dancing alla Studio 54, over the past few years metallic colours have become considerably more mainstream. Gold bags, shoes, shirts, make-up and certainly accessories seem to have become a fixture in many clothing shops. Style experts like Stacey and Clinton from What Not To Wear have even said that it’s perfectly alright to mix metallic tones within the same outfit (thus lending gold even more versatility).

I can never pick a favourite metallic shade. One day I feel that silver looks the best against my pale skin, the next gold seems to bring out the green in my eyes more vibrantly, and yet the next I’ll love the way bronze highlights the red in my hair. For those days when I’m in a golden mood though, I definitely want to embrace this gorgeous colour in such a way as to seem timeless/vintage, as opposed to like I have disco fever or am trying imitate a Renaissance monarch.

Luckily gold spun its way into numerous looks from the 1940s, 50s and early 60s, all eras that I strive to dress like. As a fabric colour gold blends excellently with cream, ivory, brown, fawn, dark and sage greens, deep blues, royal purples, pumpkin, and many shades of red, amongst other hues. With these same colours and certainly others, gold can also make for a sophisticated and timelessly pretty accent throughout your home, such as in the mid-century dresser below.


{Practical and pleasing to the eye, this hand painted vintage dresser from etsy seller Decor8 Renov8 is available for $400US (which includes free shipping within the continental US), and would make a lovely and functional piece for a bedroom, guest room, craft room or anywhere else you need storage and a glimmer of gold.}

Whether in astoundingly high priced designs or the more affordable realm of costume pieces, gold is most definitely at home in the world of jewelry. I don’t own much real gold, but I do have a few gold toned and gold plated items such as earrings, which I certainly put on when I want a subtle twinkle near my face. As gold has been such a popular medium for centuries, most certainly including the twentieth, jewelry collectors can easily find pieces from any decade of the last century to suit their budget and tastes.


{Isn’t this gold toned, cat-eye glasses pin too cute for words? If this pin – which is available from Viva Vintage Clothing for $15 – was mine I’d be tempted to wear it with just about every button front cardigan I own, especially when heading to the library! :)}

Gold is certainly not reserved for jewelry alone though, it can take pride-of-place in a dress, glisten subtly via metallic threading in a skirt or be used as the stitching colour in a pair of jeans, for example. Gold goes well with most skin and hair tones and can easily be worn by people of any age. When I think of gold hued clothing from the past, I always think of graceful, well dressed women with their hair up serving guests at a dinner party or attending a fête someplace lavish and lovely.


{One look at this sublime, embroidered vintage dress and your eyes can’t help but light up. The pairing of gold and a gorgeous emerald meets turquoise hue is down-right enchanting. At $58US, this reasonably priced frock from etsy seller Beta Boutique will make for an absolutely gorgeous buy for one lucky gal.}



{Should you be looking for more of a subtle spark of gold, why not slip into a fantastic pair of dancing shoes such as these 1940s black velvet and gold heels that UK vintage seller Candy Says currently has a pair of for £60 (UK pounds).}


Like most members of the yellow family, gold is a cheerful, slightly energizing colour. Its natural luster and adaptability as a metal, and a hue, make it suited to the fashions of any era, the not the least of which is mid-twentieth century - as evident by this delightful selection of gold infused images from Flickr.


{Vintage Midas Touch}

1. Nancy Tang 054, 2. West Bend Harvest Gold Salt and Pepper Shakers, 3. 04-20-2009, 4. Gold laurel vintage nut dishes, 5. gold brocade, 6. Vintage Gold, 7. Vintage Glass 24K Gold Jar 03, 8. fancy lady vintage gold cocktail bag., 9. Avon puffed leaf solid perfume pin, 10. locket, 11. vintage gold + grey, 12. Golden Slumbers Vintage Button Pin, 13. Everything gets a little better with Salvatore Ferragamo {Click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information}


I hope this post has spread some golden sunshine (and vintage inspiration!) to your day – putting it together has certainly done so for mine.

Monday Muses {May 4th}

After putting together a week’s worth of delicious links last night, I whipped up an equally yummy supper for myself. Nature’s Path Buckwheat Wildberry waffles with fresh strawberries and reduced fat whipped cream to celebrate the return of glorious spring flowers and days with double digit temperatures.

I’ve always adored berries of all sorts, from blue to black, raspberries to huckleberries, they’re each so wonderfully versatile and symbolic of the warmer months. Not only are these healthy sweet morsels good for your body, berry print and themed items can do your vintage wardrobe a world of good, too. This week I’m looking toward the punchy hues and crisp freshness of May strawberries as my vintage muse.


{Delicate and cheerful, this lovely brass necklace crafted by Firebirdhouse on etsy, sports a strawberry charm and section of a vintage paper strawberry seed packet; at a budget friendly $13US this pretty piece of jewelry is a great deal.}


{Bright as a just-picked-from-the-vine strawberry, this flirty pencil skirt – while vibrant as a poppy – would no doubt prove to be a versatile item year-round in many a vintage wardrobe. I’d pair it with a crisp white blouse or button down cotton shirt and wedge heels in the summer, a fitted black cardigan and Mary Janes or pumps in the winter. If you want to shake it like a strawberry, this skirt can be yours for $36US from Pin Up Girl Clothing.}


{A myriad of indoor or outdoor items such as grocery totes or placemats could be crafted from this darling vintage pink strawberry print oil cloth, thanks to the fact that it’s waterproof. A 48 inch piece sells for $15US and can be picked up from Warm Biscuit, an online bedding, houseware, and sewing goods shop.}


{One look at this incredibly sweet, ruffled strawberry and cherry print apron from SpiceRack Designs on etsy, and it’s hard not to fall in love. This photo is of the back which I felt needed to be seen even more than the front because of its awesome red and white polka dot bow. If this apron is whispering your name, it can be yours for $35US.}


{Hued like a glass full of strawberry juice, these red satin rockabilly heels (available in ladies sizes 5.5 to 9) from The Velvet Vault are a luscious deal at $26.97US. I could easily imagine combining shoes these with a gorgeous LBD and going dancing on a warm summer’s evening.}

Red is warm and bold, it conveys power, strength and confidence, yet can also be wonderfully romantic (think of a rose, sexy red lipstick such as Clinque’s aptly named “Red Red Red”, or the tinge in one’s cheeks when they blush). Like a strawberry, red can be paired with many other (fashion) flavours or enjoyed solely on its own, as I’ve tried to highlight in this Polyvore set teaming with all sorts of wonderful vintage inspired red pieces.


{Strawberry Love, created by yours truly.}

Whether eating, wearing or admiring strawberries, what are some of your favourite ways to incorporate this beautiful fruit into your world?

Monday Muses {April 27th}

While Gene Kelly was happy to be singing in the rain, I can’t say as though I’m quite as chipper as he was about the moisture that Mother Nature has been throwing our way for the past several days. I don’t hate rain, not at all – in fact, to me falling asleep to sound of raining softly hitting a roof is one of the single most serene and soothing noises on earth – but given the very short springs that tend to come Ontario’s way (blink and you’re apt to miss spring entirely, and instead be left wondering how you went from -30°C to +30°C over night), it would be rather nice if we could have a few weeks that were neither plagued by snow/rain or suffocating humidity.


{A sweetly flirtatious pin-up model has fun in the rain, in this image I discovered through Photobucket.}

Still, as the old expression we all know by heart goes, April showers bring May flowers, and I am gleeful about the thought of seeing new blooms again soon.

All the rain lately though has shifted my colour mood into the arena of greys and blues, some sombre, others blissfully cheery. In the latter category I would most certainly place the incredibly gorgeous, flat-out amazing outfit that the beautiful Super Kawaii Mama recently wore for Easter. Not only is that full skirt and tattoo inspired necklace too cool for words, her fire engine red crinoline quite literally has me going weak in the knees! That, my vintage dears, is one heck of a stellar outfit!

However, if you were venturing out on a blustery day in such pretty attire, you would definitely want to come prepared with an umbrella and perhaps a hat, such as any one of three these wildly fashionable ladies are gracefully wearing (if you look carefully the hat on the right even appears to have some sort of see-through plastic/cellophane – or other material – on it which might have helped to make it more weather resistant).


{Image served up via myvintagevogue's inspirational hotbed of a Flickr stream.}

If however you’re more in the mood to snuggle inside your nest on a drizzly day, why not whip up something crafty, homemade or otherwise yummy in one of esty artisan Boojiboo’s incredibly charming umbrella print, vintage inspired aprons! (They’re also available in a bounty of other vintage themed prints and styles; this particular design sells for $28.75US)



Alternatively I always find it so relaxing to cuddle up with a classic mid-twentieth century read on a stormy day, such as Richard Llewllyn’s How Green Was My Valley (the 1941 movie version of which I also highly recommend) or Christopher Morley’s Kitty Foyle (which also went on to be adapted into a movie; it stared Ginger Rogers and coined a new name for a popular style of dress at the time featuring a dark body and sleeves with white or light coloured cuffs and a collar, the Kitty Foyle dress).


{The always wonderful Ginger Rogers in sporting a Kitty Foyle dress in the movie of the same name. Found amongst the many movie themed pages of a75’s Flickr stream.}

As the week begins anew and seven crisp days of possibility lay ahead of us, I hope that the rain will soon go its separate way and leave me with a touch of balmy weather before my city does its Amazon rain forest impression. In case it doesn’t though, I’ll just have to take my wardrobe cue from the images in this Polyvore set I whipped up, and give singing in the rain the old college try :)


{Rainy Day Blues.}