What I wore to meet Canadian author Elinor Florence

Outfit details

1930s/1940s structural black felt hat: Armstrong Antiques
Creamy white carved plastic rose earrings: Claire's
Burgundy corduroy blazer: Suzy Shier
C. 1930s celluloid rose brooch: A fellow vintage seller in Okanagan Falls
1980s does 1940s/50s dark dusty rose shirtwaist dress: eBay
White skinny belt with brass coloured rose shaped buckle: eBay
1940s telephone cord handbag: Armstrong Antiques
C. 1940s/50s creamy white hued gloves: Unknown, had for years (likely eBay or Etsy)
Black seamed nude stockings: eBay
1940s style black faux suede pumps: Walmart
Lip colour: MAC Party Line


Photography by Tony Cangiano

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Every cold weather season, I vow to myself that I will wear the classic combination of a dress and a blazer/suit jacket more often, then almost always promptly forget, burying myself in a sea of cardigans, turtlenecks, sweaters, and skirts or trousers + blazers instead. This year though, I've been working especially hard to remember to sport this stylish pairing and kicked off the chilly season by doing so with the outfit snaps above, which were taken on the second to last Saturday in November.

That was a jam packed busy day, let me tell you! Not only was it the day before we headed off to Vancouver for a lovely spur of the moment work related getaway, but that afternoon I also had the great pleasure of going to see my lovely online friend and published novelist Elinor Florence (whom you may remember from this 2014 interview + giveaway post that we shared here on my blog) speak in person at our town's public library.

Elinor let me know well in advance of her speaking date that she would be headed through Penticton to give a presentation on both her book and some of the fascinating Canadian history surrounding the time frame (WW2) that it centers on, and I instantly set about trying to ensure that I could attend.

Luckily my health was in a cooperative mood that day and I was indeed able to make a beeline for the Penticton Public Library on November 21st and watch Elinor give a very, very lovely, informative talk and slide presentation on those very topics (which also included photos and stores about her own childhood and parents in relation to the subject matter at hand).

Elinor's novel (her first to date) is set in the 1940s, so I knew that I wanted an outfit that looked the part and to that end, opted to for the above mentioned dress (in this case a lovely dark dusty rose hued 1980s does 1940s/50s shirtwaist dress) and blazer combo. To that duo, I added a 1930s/40s black felt hat, 1940s telephone cord bag, and a smattering of complimentary accessories.

The talk lasted for about an hour and had a really nice turnout. After she had finished presenting, Elinor set aside a bit of time to sell and sign copies of her fantastic novel, A Bird's Eye View, and to chat with audience members as well.







Once the crowd had largely dissipated, Tony and I made our way over to formally introduce ourselves (Elinor and I had been talking online for the better part of a couple of years, but this was our first in-person meeting) where we shared a few minutes of enjoyable conversation, during which Tony grabbed a few quick cell phone photos to further help commemorate the day (including the two above).

As I've said here before many a time, Penticton is not exactly chock-a-block full of vintage (let alone WW2) related events, for I'm all the more grateful that I had the opportunity to see Elinor's engaging talk and to meet a fellow British Columbia with an unending passion for the past.

Whether here in the Okanagan or in the small East Kootney town of Invermere that Elinor calls home, I really hope that we get a chance to hang out again one day. And if we do, chances are you can bank on another photo filled post like today's following close on its heels. :)

An awesome phone call and tons of fun in the breeze at Three Mile Beach

Outfit details

Dusty rose 1940s style snood: etsy seller Arthelia's Attic
White plastic rose stud earrings: Claire's
Vintage red plastic bead necklace: gift with purchase from an etsy seller
Green cardigan: Second Tyme Around consignment store
Vintage floral print dress: Facebook vintage seller
Green lace trimmed camisole: Walmart
1950s corduroy bucket purse: etsy seller Rue 23 Vintage Clothing
Bangle bracelets: Assorted sources
Nude on nude seemed stockings: eBay
White pumps: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red
Nail colour: Essie Muchi Muchi

Photography by Antonio Cangiano

 
 

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Late in the yard saling season last year, towards the end of September to be exact, my mother and I were out one sunny Saturday afternoon in the nearby town of Summerland when we chanced upon a sale filled with a good number of vintage pieces (chiefly home decor items) and a friendly young seller named Daisy who said that she routinely bought and sold mid-century items (the tooled leather purse at the bottom of this yard sale finds post came from her sale). There are exceedingly few people around these parts with even the slightest interest in vintage (let alone fashion), so it was a blast to encounter her and discuss various vintage topics that day.

Before we parted ways, I gave her my card (and cell number), as she said she had some vintage clothes that she thought I might like to take a look at one day. Autumn turned into winter, winter and spring, and every now and then I'd wonder to myself if Daisy still had my contact information and if I would hear from here again.

Last month, early on a Saturday morning, I was wonderfully surprised to receive a call from her, asking if I'd like to come over and take a look at some vintage clothing and other items she had, as she and her mom were holding another big yard sale (she gave me first crack at her fashion items before she put them out for the yard sale going public to see, which I sincerely appreciated). Daisy has told me last year that she thought a lot of what she had veered towards the 1960s and 70s, but that there could be some earlier pieces, so I jumped at her invitation and we quickly hightailed it out to Summerland.

Most of the clothing she had was indeed from those two decades, however I found four pieces that I utterly adored (a black Persian lamb's wool coat that could honestly be from anywhere between the 1940s and early 60s, but which I think is likely late 50s or early 60s; a large white polyester shawl with flowers on it that's probably from the late 60s or early 70s; an elegant white faux fur shrug that screams 50s; and a cute little early 60s style houndstooth blazer, that I think is actually modern with the tags cut out, but which is certainly vintage appropriate) and was able to get for the thoroughly reasonable price of $30 for all four items.

I'm sure you'll see each piece here over time (save for the shawl, they're more fall and winter than summer appropriate), especially because the Persian lamb's wool coat is going to become my go-to vintage winter coat (it fits like a glove, which is something that almost never seems to happen to me when it comes to vintage coats, especially winter weight ones).

Each time I've encountered someone here in the Okanagan that has any kind of interest in, or business relating to vintage, I've told them about my passion for vintage fashion, discussed my blog, given them my contact info, and let them know they're welcome to call me anytime if they happen to find 1940s and 50s clothing or accessories they think I might like.

So far Daisy has been the first and only person I've heard back from, but I'm not complaining at all - one beats none for sure, and I love that she kept me in mind and gave me a ring all those months later. She doesn't run her own shop (online or off), or else I'd point you towards her, too. I really enjoyed connecting with her again and hope she'll give me a shout again in the future, if she encounters any mid-century vintage pieces she thinks I might like.

The outfit snaps pictured here are from that wonderfully fun Saturday, and were taken later in the day on the stairs leading down to Three Mile Beach just outside of the neighbouring community of Naramata (you may recall Naramata from past outfit posts such as this and this).

Oh, my dears, if only I could share the heavenly temperature of that afternoon with you - air like something scooped out of the tropics, gentle golden light dancing across every last grain of sand, and the kind of breeze that truly makes you grateful to be alive. And breezy it was, let me tell you! As you can see from these photos, the wind was having a jolly old time blowing the skirt of my dress to and fro all over the place, though thankfully never over my head!

I was very glad I'd opted for a snood that morning once we were down by the water (which hadn't been planned earlier in the day), because it would have been mighty tricky to keep a hat on my head (unless it has an elastic strap or was pinned firmly in place) with the way the wind was waltzing all over the place.

This dress is a new acquisition this year, which I picked up from a fellow vintage loving (and wearing) lady Treen Been, who many may remember from her blog, which (so very) sadly she opted to shut down a few months back due to a cyber stalker that she was contending with. I also bought two other lovely, summery vintage frocks from her, which really gave my warm weather wardrobe a great early boon this year.

I love Three Mile Beach so very much. There are dozens of beaches that one can swim and spend time relaxing at here in the Okanagan, but this truly has to be one of my very favorites. It's small, secluded (yet easy to access), and so tremendously peaceful. On days when I really need to clear my head and channel a hefty dose of serenity during the warmer months, it has become my very favourite local outdoor destination to head to for that very purpose (I also adore going there on other kinds of days, too, say after a fabulous vintage score at a yard sale!).

From start to finish, this was a terrific day - it's great that Daisy contacted me and that I was able to purchase four timeless, beautiful items from her. I have a new (super warm and cozy) winter coat and some other fab outerwear to help me great fall's return in style and comfort, which is fantastic.

Though, thrilled as I am about my recent purchases, I do hope that autumn takes its sweet time in rolling around again - I want to enjoy about a hundred more days like this down at Three Mile Beach before then! :)