Join me in celebrating Tony's birthday with this delicious vintage recipe for Chocolate Coconut Marble Bars

Like many of us, my darling husband is a huge fan of chocolate - so much so, that back in 2012, I penned a post in honour of his birthday featuring ten different scrumptious vintage chocolate dessert recipes. Hop ahead four years - how time flies! - and we're once again on the precipice of Tony's birthday. In fact, it's tomorrow!

Yes, indeedy, August 6th is the big day and will, this time around, see Tony turn 36 years old (and to think that we met when he was just a young whippersnapper of 23!). Naturally this means that I've been on the hunt for a seriously tasty sweet treat or two to make for my precious man, and as such, chocolate filled recipes have been high on my list of contenders.

Of those that I've hit upon in recent weeks, this delightful looking recipe for Chocolate Coconut Marble Bars is by far one of my favourites. We're both huge marble cake fans (as discussed here), so a variation on this classic dish that includes another ingredient (coconut) that we both go wild for seems like it could be a surefire hit.

I often find coconut recipes lend themselves very, very nicely to being made in gluten-free form, too (I think the natural starches and sugars in the coconut have a bit of binding agent, which is usually hugely helpful in GF baking as one is not working with the "gluey-ness" of gluten), which means that I could indulge in these lovely bars as well if I made them as such (yippee!).



{Quick, budget friendly, and the perfect choice for any birthday (or tiki!) party, weekday dessert, school or work lunch box treat, or simple midday pick-me-up, these awesome vintage Chocolate Marble Bars are sure to be a big hit with any one who enjoys the tropical treat that is coconut. Vintage recipe image source. Click here to view a larger, easier to read version of this ad.}



Of course, if coconut isn't your bag - to borrow a great expression from our friends in the UK - you can always leave it out.

If doing so, I might sub in some slivered or chopped nuts, dried fruit (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, or bananas could all be especially fabulous here), candied citrus peel, baking chips (peanut butter or butterscotch would be a lovely pairing), or up the chocolate factor with chunks or pieces of your favourite baking variety - you could even introduce marshmallows, which would give this recipe a bit of a s'mores meets rocky road quality.

Given that we're still very, very much in throws of summer, I'd be mighty inclined to dish up thick slabs of this awesome 1950s desert with a generous helping of ice cream, sorbet, or chilled sweetened whipped cream or crème fraîche. Chocolate, strawberry, black cherry, raspberry ripple, pineapple, orange, lemon, caramel, coffee/mocha, peach, vanilla (French or regular), mint chocolate chip, peanut butter, almond, or coconut would all be excellent flavour pairings with the classic combo of chocolate and coconut.

{Cute vintage birthday card image source}

 

Tony is truly one of the nicest, most caring, thoughtful, intelligent, witty, fantastic people to have ever walked the face of the earth and I feel so lucky to be able to celebrate another birthday with him (and all the more so since we were apart for both of our b-days last year when he was working in America for the summer) - complete with a treat that, much like Tony himself, is all kinds of sweet and wonderful!


Happiest birthday wishes, my love!


And a very happy first weekend of August to each and every one of you, dear friends!

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.

Sourcing blog post ideas and inspiration from those around you

At the risk of jinxing myself, I generally don't have a hard time coming up with ideas for new blog posts. This isn't to say that I haven't had times when the muse was off taking a generously long coffee break, but rather that, as a whole, post ideas tend to spring into the ol' brain with regular frequency (a subject which I also touched on in this post last March).
 
I keep a Word document on my desktop devoted specifically to the various ideas for blog posts that I come up with, which I add new entries to on very regular basis. Sometimes I'll go through and take stock of these ideas, deleting ones that, for whatever reason, I'm not actually too keen on (for example, they may overly similar to existing posts I've written). I'll also add any new thoughts I might have had to existing entries and frequently pull ideas from the list to use in upcoming blog posts (this is a key part ensuring the blogging schedule I use runs as smoothly as possible).
 
However, just because I'm often able to generate fresh ideas to write about and have a list of future topics to cover waiting in the wings doesn't mean that I'm not open to even more ideas. Goodness, no! In fact, I love and actively welcome them from just about any source you could think of.
 
I'm always on the prowl for things that might trigger my mind to whip up an idea for a blog article, and keep a running list in a notepad app on my phone (which I transfer to my the idea file on laptop when I get home) so that I can be sure to jot down any ideas - or even just the seeds of a well formed idea - once I get home.
 
Over the years, I've had post inspiration ideas come in from sources as diverse as modern magazine articles to vintage product packaging, famous quotes to the plethora of items I enjoy pinning on Pinterest (another of the main places where I house inspiration for future blog posts).
 
I love to get ideas from actual present day people, too, be they members of the vintage community or not. Recently I asked Tony if he happened to have any thoughts pertaining to subjects I might want to blog about in the future.

As one of the smartest (no, I'm not being biased, he's knock-your-socks-off intelligent), most analytical, creative, and well-read people I've ever know - not to mention much more of a left brain oriented person than I tend to be - I always welcome Tony's impute about this site and was eager to hear what he'd come up with off the top of his head.




{My husband, Tony, is a fantastic source of fresh, exciting posts ideas and I love to pick his brain every now and then for just this very reason. He's always game and has come up with several great vintage related thoughts before, some of which have - and will continue to be - converted into actual blog posts here. Image source.}


True to form, the man did not disappoint. In the span of about ninety seconds, he pulled four blog post ideas out of thin air, each of which I thoroughly liked. One I'd already essentially covered before (here), another has been discussed at length in the vintage community (which isn't to say I wouldn't write about my own thoughts on it at some point), and the other two are going to very likely going to become posts in the not-too-distant future.
 
One of his idea was a complete 180 from the way my mind tends to think, and that's precisely why I love - and cannot wait to do – put it into action. Tony doesn't wear vintage and isn't overly consumed by the study of history in the way that I am. He's a computer programmer and technical writer, but also enjoys writing poetry, fishing and watching romantic movies. We share a great deal in common (which certainly helps our marriage of nearly nine years run smoothly), but are also immensely different people in many respects, and it's fantastic to get his impute - which can be so awesomely different from my own - on topics related to blogging and even my vintage outfits from time-to-time.
 
I extend this same principle however to many people in my life and am always open to post idea from my mom, grandparents, siblings, friends, second cousins once removed, dentist, shop clerks I interact with, you name it!
 
Just about anyone can come up with one or more ideas when you give them a broad topic like vintage history and fashion, and it can be so exciting to hear about some of the ideas (and/or questions, which you may be able to answer in-depth in a future post) that those whose impute you readily welcome may come up with.
 
This doesn't mean that you have to run out, pen and notepad in hand, and badger every last neighbor, relative, and acquaintance you encounter, of course not (and few, if any of us, really would, I’m sure), but rather that it doesn't hurt to ask for ideas every now and then, as well as to draw future post ideas from the conversations you have with the people you interact with during the course of your dy.
 
Whether you're burning the midnight oil trying to come up with new topics to write about, having a bevy or ideas in the wings, or just want some fresh thoughts and perspectives relating to vintage, it never hurts to stop and ask those around you what they might like to read about on your blog.

Who knows, you might even do as I did and end up getting a blog post out of this very topic itself! :)

A special holiday calls for a special vintage dress

Outfit details

White hair flower: Arden
Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12
Semi-precious stone and Czech glass bead butterfly cameo necklace: Handmade by me
Grey shrug: Fairweather
1950s dusty peach lace dress: etsy seller The Church of Vintage
1940s/50s grey rouched gloves: eBay
Pink plastic beaded stretch bracelets: Forever 21
Faux pearl stretch bracelet: Real Canadian Superstore
Brown faux alligator purse: Le Chateau
Nude seamed stockings: eBay
Dark brown faux alligator heels: Pipsqueaks and Damsels Consignment Store 
Lip colour: MAC Diva   

Photography by Antonio Cangiano

♥ ♥ ♥

Last month, here in the wild of Canada (as I lovingly like to refer to just about everywhere that isn't a major city), the country celebrated Thanksgiving. Our canuck take on the event is extremely similar to that of our US neighbours and involves oodles of delicious eats, family get-togethers, pumpkin filled decor, and time spent reflecting on the blessings in our lives.

This particular Thanksgiving was immensely important to me because it was the first time that Tony and I had been able to spend it with my some of my relatives (as, prior to this, we'd been living thousands of miles apart). The small group that gathered that evening at my parents house to share a meal that my mom and I each prepared dishes for (I brought the gluten-free stuffing and dessert, plus the black olives and gherkins - both "musts" for me at any Thanksgiving spread), consisted of Tony and I, my mom and step-dad, and my sister (plus, her ultra cute dog, Beau, who you may recall from this post last summer).

Though our numbers were small, the festive spirit we all shared that night was huge and there wasn't anything lacking, be it a second helping of spuds and gravy or a warm smile from whomever was sitting across from you at the table (which you can see in the photo below - decorated by my wonderful mom).





I've always loved dressing up for the holidays and knew that I wanted to wear something extra special for this joyous celebration. I gave my choice a lot of thought, but even on the day itself, I still wasn't sure and tried on about six other dresses in my closet before settling on this beloved vintage dusty peach lace frock. The colour seemed so well suited to the palette of fall, the waist  on it isn't very tight at all (so I knew there's be no risk of feeling uncomfortable after a big meal), and the aged lace seemed to speak for the timeless beauty of Thanksgiving itself.

Though I adore lace madly, it really struck me that particular day how very little of it I have in my closet at the moment, which makes this dress all the more important to me. I wanted the emphasis of the outfit to be on the frock itself, but as it wasn't an overly warm day, vintage ruched gloves, a much loved grey shrug, and a necklace that I made earlier this year helped round out the ensemble.

My enthusiasm for donning fancier threads come holiday time is shared by Tony as well, who looked mighty sharp in his dark grey blazer, black shirt, and handsome grey and black stripped tie (my sis snapped the photo here of me and Tony with Tony's camera). I loved that though we didn't set out to match our outfits, the grey in both helped them to coordinate so nicely.

I can honestly say that this was one of the most serenely relaxing, wonderful Thanksgivings I've ever celebrated, and it's a day that will standout as one of the nicest of the whole year for me.

I hope that as my lovely readers in the States gear up for your own celebration later this week, you each have an equally marvelous Thanksgiving, and that life always gives you more blessings and reasons to be thankful than you can possibly count.

Orange you glad we got these birthday photos?

Outfit details

Orange hair flower: Ardene
Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12
Peach rose earrings: Handmade by me
White cardigan: Suzy Sheir
1950s silver coloured poodle brooch: Gift from Tony ♥ White vintage slip: eBay
Cobalt blue wrap top: Smart Set
Orange vintage a-line skirt: etsy seller Lady Kitschener's Vintage
Orange bangle bracelet: Forever 21
All blue bangles: Thrifted/second hand
White bangle: Me She Designs Striped bow adorned sling-back wedges: Payless
Lip Colour: Red Apple Lipstick's Almost Red lip liner

Photos of me and the dining room by Antonio Cangiano, photos of the two of us together, taken by my mom with Tony's camera.   ♥ ♥ ♥
                                          ♥ ♥ ♥  

For years Tony has maintained that we do not have enough photos of the two of us together, and he's completely right. I've always agreed, yet year after year, it seemed we'd be lucky if we got even so many as a few snaps of the two of in the same shot. In part this was because our social circle wasn't always huge, and also due to the fact that I was/am often not feeling well enough to accompany him when he goes someplace.

Fortunately however, since moving to Penticton and suddenly having lots of more friends and family members around, we now often have people at the ready for those times when we want a photo of the two of us together. Few times of the year lend themselves as naturally to the act of taking pictures then holidays and birthdays, and it was precisely the latter which we celebrated last month when Tony turned 32 years old.

Far and above Tony's favourite colour is orange, so ahead of time my mom and I decided that we'd adorn her dining room (pictured above, where we celebrated his birthday) with orange birthday decorations, and to keep the colour theme going, I slipped into one of the few orange pieces in my closest. This was going to be a day dedicated to both Tony and his most beloved hue.

As we all know, orange can be a tricky colour to wear. It's very easy to unintentionally veer into Halloween territory if you partner it with black, brown, grey, or even green sometimes, or to look a bit like you got attacked by a highlighter if you opt for head-to-toe bright orange. This punchy colour also looks better on some people than others, and certainly not every shade works on me (so hence the scarcity of it in my wardrobe).

I have a few orange pieces however, chief amongst which is this fun skirt. Knowing that I definitely did not look like I was ready to celebrate All Hallow's Eve, I opted to pair it with crisp white and a shot of upbeat cobalt blue (which, ultimately, is only one colour off of the classic red, white and blue nautical palette).

I liked how this outfit came together and would definitely sport these three colours together again. Had I not gone white blue, beige or pink might have worked, too. I don't wear this skirt all that often though (it will definitely need to get more play next summer), so it was a treat to bring it out for this wonderful occasion.

I'm happy to report that the birthday boy had a marvelous celebration from sun up (in the morning he and my parents went fishing at Skaha Lake where he was greeted by a lovely peachy-orange sunrise that he grabbed a snap of, pictured above, with his iPhone) to sun down (we shared a scrumptious bbq dinner with family at my parent's house where he opened his gifts - including fishing related ones from me), and that this was the most orange he'd ever been surrounded with on his special day.

Mission successfully accomplished - complete, finally (!), with photos to document this awesome birthday celebration.

Ten seriously scrumptious vintage chocolate desserts

Given the hefty heat wave that much of the world is melting away under right now, the first day of August might not seem like ideal time for a post about chocolate desserts. Valentine's, Easter, or Halloween perhaps, I hear you say, but I have good reason for busting out the vintage chocolate as we launch into the eight month of the year, sun a blazing away wildly over head.

You see, next Monday, the 6th, just happens to my sweet husband's birthday, and Tony is a chocoholic if ever there was one! Though he's the first to admit he has a sweet tooth in general, chocolate has always been his dessert passion and culinary guilty pleasure of choice, so in honour of Tony's 32nd birthday, I thought it would be oodles of fun to gather of ten vintage chocolate based desserts that I've been stashing away to use in recipe posts for some time now.

As it's a birthday that we'll soon be toasting, there you'll find several cakes amongst the list, but there are also mouth-watering recipes for splendid looking pies, a silky cream roll, and a comforting chocolate bread pudding, too. It's safe to say that there's at least one recipe here to please nearly every chocolate fan!

{Chocolate Chip Cake}

{Chocolate Pear Cream Pie}

{Chocolate Bread Pudding}

{Checkerboard Cake}

{Chocolate Fudge Pie}

{Choco-Walnut Potato Cake}

{Chocolate Meringue Pie}

{Chocolate Almond Cream Roll}

{One Bowl Chocolate Cake with Chiffon Frosting}

{Double Chocolate Marble Cake}

{All vintage recipe images above are from Flickr. Please click on an image to be taken to its respective Flickr source.}

♥  ♥  ♥

While August often dictates frozen desserts, iced coffees, and no-bake cheesecakes, should you happen to have a birthday or anything else important that you're planning to celebrate this month, I hope you'll find one or more awesomely yummy yesteryear chocolate recipes from amongst this selection that will fit the bill for your special event to a tee.

Though Tony's big day is still nearly a week away, I can't help but feel giddy with excitement about it already! Now though, the real question becomes, which of these sweet, sinfully fabulous chocolate desserts should I make him?


*PS*

Tony's not the only one who's in line to receive a delightful treat soon. If you haven't already, be sure to enter Chronically Vintage's giveaway this week for a $40.00 gift certificate from Malta based etsy vintage fashion seller Fairyfiligree, and you too could see soon be celebrating with a fantastic new gift of your own!