Nothing says Mother's Day like...

{Tie it around your neck, jazz up a vintage 'do with it, wear it as a boho-y bracelet - the styling options are many and the beauty of this elegant 1940s - 1950s sheer floral print nylon chiffon scarf endless. $10.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}






{Oooohh, pretty! Between the classic green hue, multi-petal design, and shimmery crystal embellishments, this vintage appropriate hair flower is one seriously fun, completely stylish accessory. $7.99 from Blue Velvet Vintage.}




{Classic shape? Check! Vibrant, warm weather perfect hue? Check! Timelessly pretty floral pattern? Check! That seals it, these great circa 1950s plastic clip-on earrings are not just style winners, they’re precisely what any wardrobe - yours or your mom's - needs to add some (more) yesteryear charm to this year’s outfits. $18.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{For the last few years, each time late spring rolls around, I try to psyche myself to venture outside of my usual daily makeup routine and play with punchy shades (on my face) like I used to as a teenager, then in the end, I rarely, if ever do. This year I'm actually going to do it - if only once or twice. It's just makeup after all and you know, I might stumble on a fab new look! To help encourage me further, I've been scouring Etsy lately and looking at handmade cosmetics brands there. While doing so last week, I spotted this punchy, cheerful "Sunflower Bright Yellow" eye shadow, which really spoke to me. I haven't ordered it yet, but this brand's offerings are definitely on my wishlist now. $4.95 for a 5 gram jar with sifter from Tater Rounds Beauty.}




{A quartet of dainty, perpetually-in-bloom white and green apple hued flowers shine out on this elegantly pretty 1950s - 1960s brooch, that will look as home on a sundress in May as it does your favourite wool suit in December. $16.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Feminine florals and a fabulously fun design team up in this beautiful 1950s sleeveless dress and short sleeve bolero set to deliver one highly appealing, seriously charming hit of mid-century style. Fits up to a 30 - 31 inch bust/26 inch waist. $95.00 for the set from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Dainty as a buttercup and lovely as May's sunshine, these sheer, ruffle trimmed pale yellow 1950s gloves have darling little seed bead pearls on each wrist and are pretty enough to wear to, or for (if you're the bride), a wedding. $12.50 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Without a doubt, the most frequently used handbags in my closet from April straight on through to September are my wicker and straw offerings, so when I saw this vibrant, completely old school looking offering from the brand Tatyana being offered up on Vintage Heaven's website, I couldn't help but swoon long and hard - and then share it here with all of you on the double! :) $68.80 (New Zealand dollars, I believe) from Vintage Heaven.}




{I have such a thing for indie perfumes. I find they often appeal to me more than most department store offerings that can have a certain "oneness" to their scents. I have faves in that camp all the same of course, but I also adore trying creations from independent perfumers and small brands sometimes. This enticing mix of "wild succulent strawberries and honeyed linden blossoms" really caught my eye and sounds like it would be a sublimely pretty scent option for spring and summer. $25.00 for a 5 ml glass roller ball bottle of Primavera perfume from Reliquary Perfumes.}




{Though they hail from the 60s or 70s, I could easily see styling this fun pair of vintage slides with outfits from the 30s - 50s, plus newer ensembles, too, no problem. They're cute, kitschy and oodles of fun! Fits an approximate modern size 6. $29.00 from Aviena.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Have you guessed the answer based on the items in this month's delightful edition of Vintage Fashionista Friday? I'd bet good money that you have, but I'll share the answer here anyways: (it’s) flowers!

Greeting cards are a close second for sure, but when it comes to Mother's Day, there's nothing quite like a gorgeous bouquet of blooms or floral themed item to make your mom feel extra special. They suit this fantastic mid-spring period that we're in sublimely and are something that most women enjoy and appreciate in one form or another.

Of course though, to my mind at least, ultimately, the best way to express how much you appreciate, treasure, and esteem your mom is by telling her you love her and that you’re grateful in your life (assuming of course that such rings true for you).

Mother's Day is a joyful celebration of honouring not only the women who gave us birth and/or raised us like their own, but women the world over and from the dawn of time. We wouldn't - quite literally - be here without them and as International Women's Day is not largely observed in North America (as much as I wish it was!), I really enjoy using the second Sunday in May to pay homage to all of the important women in my life, be they family members, friends, people from my past, or those ladies throughout history for whom I have nothing but adoration.

I hope that you and your loved ones all have a splendidly beautiful Mother's Day this coming Sunday and that you know, my sweet ladies, how much I respect, am inspired by, and appreciate each of you as well.

Endless joyful Mother's Day wishes to one and all!


*PS* Don't forget about the fabulous storewide 30% off 1st anniversary flash sale that's taking part in my Etsy shop right now (and which very much includes all the items from my store that are listed here in today's post). Everything there has been marked down by 30%, but these savings won't last - in fact, they're over tomorrow and I won't be having another storewide sale this season, so now is definitely the time to shop and save big.

A big top's worth of vintage circus themed fashion fun

Before we delve into today's post, I wanted to let you all know that decided to start either putting the graphic headers for reoccurring posts like this further down in the posts themselves or removing them all together. The reason for this is that I have things set up so as to automatically post an update on Facebook and Twitter when a new blog post appears here and the app that does that takes the first image that it sees on the page for the image it then displays on Facebook.

As such, my FB followers just see the same post header time and time again whenever a new post in a series like Vintage Fashionista Friday (or Saturday Snapshots, 25 Vintage Deals Under $100, Flickr Favourites, etc) appears, not an image specific to the topic at the post of the heart itself. I want folks to see that kind of image, so again, I'll be scaling back or just getting rid of, in some cases, such post headers from here on out in most cases.

Now, on with the show! :)

{Inject a serious hit of colour and lively movement into your look with this delightful pair of big vintage beaded cha-cha clip-on earrings in a rainbow of punchy hues, that instantly make me think of bunches of balloons being sold at a circus or carnival. $18.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Whether you call it cotton candy, fairy floss, or candy floss, there's no denying that this sublimely saccharine treat goes hand-in-hand with the circus. Enjoy the scent of this sweet treat sans calories anytime when you pamper your lips with this charmingly lovely handmade cotton candy lip balm. $4.00 for a 0.15 oz tube from Crimson Hill.}




{Between the swirling pattern and juggler's balls worthy shape of the round glass beads in this marvelously lovely mid-century vintage necklace, it's easy to see why it would suit a circus themed outfit or day spent with The Greatest Show On Earth especially well. $25.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{You would be thoroughly hard pressed to find a more perfect garment to wear to the circus, a circus themed party or any kind of fun event (birthdays very much included) than this awesome 1950s short sleeve balloon and clown print short sleeve novelty print dress. Fits up to a 38.5" bust/33.5" waist. $95.00 from By Cin, By Hand.}




{When one thinks of animals and the circus, seals are often amongst the first that spring to mind. With their adorable faces and penchant for doing tricks, they suit the big top well, just as they do all kinds of delightful vintage and modern outfits alike. Why not let a trained seal of the jewelry variety steal the show with any outfit care of this darling faux pearl and gold tone mid-century vintage novelty brooch? $10.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{What would a circus be without a magician and where would that magician be without their darling white bunny tucked away in a top hat? Celebrate one of the circus's most iconic critters with this beautiful, vintage-y looking handmade brass and and shrink plastic bracelet. $45.00 from Mama's Little Babies.}




{Use it as a clutch, a makeup page, a storage pouch, a small toiletries bag when you travel, to stash receipts in - you name it, just make sure you put this cuter than cute fabric pouch, with its vintage-esque looking circus print fabric, to work. It's too adorable not to see tons of use! $10.00 from Ashley Rose EGL.}




{Though they may have originally been intended for children, there's no reason circus fans of all ages couldn't use these wonderfully whimsical, absolutely darling vintage hankies. $18.00 for a three-piece set in its original box from Oliver's Forest.}




{From their jubilant colour palette to their charming polka dots to their beautiful red rose - which can't help but remind one, in a circus context, of the water squirting faux blooms that clowns are keen on wearing on their lapels, this gorgeous pair of vintage inspired peep toe platform heels is sure to turn more heads than a fast flying trapeze artist! Available in modern ladies sizes 7 to 9 (at the time of writing) from Blue Velvet Vintage.}

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You know, I can't help but feel like there's a three ring circus joke or pun that could have worked for today's title, I but I couldn't think of one that had a positive connotation to this commonly used expression, so I skipped it and went for something more descriptive instead.

As the weather continues to warm up and the last vestiges of winter melt away, my mind turns instantly to both plans for this season and to memories of past springs and summers alike. In the case of the later, vivid recollections of afternoons spent under the big top as a youngster instantly come rushing back.

Though I must state for the record that I do not as an adult usually support circuses involving animals (their handing and care often being a million miles away from as ethical or human as I'm personally comfortable with), and haven't attended one in nearly two decades, as a child when the annual traveling circus came to town - usually around this time of the year - I did certainly watch the acts with the same wide-eyed wonder that millions other children have for hundreds of years now.

No matter your stance on circuses involving animals, I think that we can all agree that the iconic images and scenes that they present and can lend to vintage clothing is well worth cheering about. From elephants to trained seals, clowns (okay, not everyone's favourite, but cute smiling ones usually aren't very menacing unless you have coulrophobia) to top hat adorned ring masters, circus themed items and fashions are fun and nostalgic at the same time - always a winning combo for vintage lovers like us.

Circus related outfits, parties, and dinners can all be a blast and though they are especially well suited to the younger crowd, there's no reason why us "kids at heart" can't get in on the merriment as well (and to that end, I've seen a few circus themed weddings that have been shared online before and they're always a blast, too). I can't say as though I own a ton of circus themed fashions or accessories, but one can easily appropriate various items to have them fit this bill.

From the aforementioned top hats (and tails) to feathers, assorted animal themed items (think horses, dogs, seals, elephants, monkeys, rabbits, lions, and tigers in particular), sequins and ruffles like a trapeze artist or acrobat might wear, and of course, red and white stripes like the famous big top tents themselves, it may be easy to raid your closet right now for numerous pieces that channel a fun circus theme.

Spring is a lighthearted, feel good season that calls for more fun than you can shake a magician's wand at, so why not make like this week's stylish Vintage Fashionista and put together a circus inspired ensemble this year, no matter if you're headed down to the big top or not. It's a happy theme for any outfit that is sure to make you, and all who see your look, smile wider than a chipper clown! :)

Vintage pastels aplenty? Yes, pretty please!

{In the mood for a marvelous new vintage springtime chapeau? Look no further than this charmingly elegant 1950s Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue ladies cream straw hat with pink velvet ribbon, coordinating pink flowers, and clear rhinestones. It's jaunty, lightweight, and extremely well suited to the warmer half of the year. $34.00 Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Wave goodbye to snowflakes and hello to sun-kissed blooms when you slip on this pair of delightfully lovely 1950s/1960s light blue and green enamel coated metal flower clip-on earrings. $15.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Sweet-as-candy light pink thermoset plastic combines with shiny silver tone metal in this 1950s demi-parure to create a fabulous mid-century jewelry set that is every bit as chic as it is lovely - not to mention very springtime appropriate. $32.00 (for the set) from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{I swooned long and hard the moment I first laid eyes on this wonderfully pretty, very vintage appropriate Heart Cardi in Haze Blue created by the brand Louie et Lucie. Not only is it a timelessly classic layering piece in a gorgeous colour, but it features a sweet little heart motif that feels so fresh and springtime perfect all at once. Available in modern ladies sizes Small and Medium only at the time of writing. $119.01 (New Zealand dollars) from Vintage Heaven.}




{And speaking of hearts, why not wear yours on your sleeve, your label, your purse, your hat, your scarf - anywhere you please - when you pin this immensely pretty, and very romantic, vintage light blue guilloche enamel heart brooch to your outfit. $20.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Oh peach, how I love you (and so, coincidentally, does my husband). Though I usually need to stick with shades that have pink, rather then yellow, undertones, this is a classic colour that I'm crazy about and which I eagerly look forward to slipping into again bright and early spring (and I continue to sport it clear on through to at least September). This mid-century inspire short sleeve peach Martha blouse is just the thing if you're looking to add more of this great fruit inspired hue to your wardrobe this year. Available in modern UK ladies sizes 8 to 18 (some sizes sold out at the time of writing). £40.00 from Heyday.}




{I can clearly remember the moment I found this enchantingly pretty 1950s mint green Swiss dot and white lace trimmed skirt late one afternoon while shopping in Vancouver last year. It was too small for me and in years past, it would have simply remained where it hung, but thanks to the fact that I have an Etsy store now, it was able to come home with me and, much more recently, get listed in my said shop. It's a delightful, very classic piece that could be styled up or down, taken in a vintage direction or sported with modern outfits, too. Plus, every time I see it, it puts me in the mood for mint candy, which is never a bad thing! :) Fits up to a 24" waist/free hips. $34.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Lilacs, undoubtedly one of spring's most iconic and magnificently scented flowers amongst those smells, I've long found, that people absolutely love or can't stand. Interestingly, it has usually been chaps, in my experience, who weren't keen on it (Tony amongst them, though he says their odour gives him a headache, so it makes sense that he wouldn't love them then). I however fall into the camp of adoring lilacs and could bath in nothing but their scent all spring long. Thankfully thanks to this gorgeous lilac roll on scented oil you and I can do just that, if so desired. $8.00 for 10 ml from Etiquettes.}




{You would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful beaded mid-century vintage purse to carry for spring than this breathtaking white and pastel stunner featuring a gorgeous floral design in shades of soft pink, green, blue, purple and yellow. $59.99 from Savato Collection.}




{Hurrah!! At long last (or very nearly so) thick winter glove and mitten season is over and that means we can go back to sporting gloves simply for the fabulous fashion statement that they make, not expressly for keeping frostbite at bay. If, like me, you go gaga for mint green, then this elegant ruched 1940s/1950s pair, which suits spring and summer excellently, is just what your wardrobe needs. Best suited for those who wear a size 6.5 vintage glove. $18.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{It's never too early in the warm weather season to start thinking about your next vintage bathing suit, especially when it's a show-stoppingly stunner like this rare Tina Leser pink and white 1950s one-piece featuring dimensional pussy willow chenille embellishments. Fits up to a 32 - 34 bust/26" waist. $259.00 from The Best Vintage Clothing.}




{Give your brown, black, grey, and navy blue shoes a much needed rest this spring and slip into a pair of these alluringly stylish cream coloured Retro Mary Jane Heels instead. They'll go with just as many outfits, but suit spring's soft, elegant palette even better than dark hues in most settings (plus, they would make for gorgeous shoes for a bride on her wedding day). Available in modern ladies sizes 7 through 9 (at the time of writing). $54.95 from Blue Velvet Vintage.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Can you say the title of today's edition of Vintage Fashionista three times fast with tripping up? Jokes (and tongue twisters) aside, March really is a month that suits pastels incredibly well (ditto for April). These fledgling days of spring - or near spring, as is currently the case - are mellow and sweet, assuming winter's wrath is finally hightailing it out of your neck of the woods.

Winter's palette, dark, alluring, vampish even at times, was fabulous December, but it feels heavy now - like trying to eat a rich five course feast on a sweltering July day, when a light salad and lemon ice are all that want to put in your mouth. Pastels are the sweet confections and frozen treats of the colour world. Though they can be a touch twee (not that that's a bad thing), they also have the ability to be sophisticated and very chic, say in vintage skirt suit or 1940s tilt hat form.

I adore pastels - even if a few of them, such as orangey-peach and lilac - are not amongst my most flattering colours and thus must be avoided in large doses and worn near my face - and intentionally sport them primarily during the spring and summer months (though I have warmed up to them a bit for winter, as I chatted about in this post last year, they'll never feel like autumn to me, so I rarely wear them then).

While one certainly can, you don't have to sport head-to-toe pastels in the slightest. A small hit of baby blue, cotton candy pink, or newborn chick yellow against darker neutrals or complimentary shades of the same colour can look immensely beautiful and perhaps, some might go so far as to say, become a grownup up take on pastels. I wouldn't agree with that entirely, as again, a pastel suit, cocktail dress, evening gown, or pair of gloves, for example, can all be wildly sophisticated and appropriate for fashionable folks of all ages.

We often think of just a few shades when pastels spring to mind, but really they're a fairly vast category that can, and does, encompass everything from the hues already mentioned in the paragraphs above to  light grey, pale aqua, soft plum, sweet apricot, the gentlest shades of brown, cream and ivory, nude and buff, whisper faint metallics, lavender, and toned down citrus shades, amongst others.

Though I will sometimes go full on pastel, I usually like to use these soft, but very sartorially powerful hues, as accent notes in my wardrobe, such in the form of a pair of earrings, hair flower, snood, shoes, handbag, or (in a somewhat larger dose) a skirt or cardigan. They're fun and markedly cheerful, and signal to all who see you that you've embraced spring's return with open - and very stylish - arms.

Whether you feel the siren's call of periwinkle, soft blush, sage green, or starlight yellow, why not make like our well dressed Vintage Fashionista and deck yourself out in some sugary sweet, absolutely beautiful pastels this spring?

A dark romance

{Sumptuous, inky black velvet and gorgeous dusty maroon hued millinery blooms call this exquisitely lovely 1930s/1940s does Edwardian era wide brimmed hat - which is in stellar condition for its age - home. $75.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




{Come the ice covered days of winter, I can never get enough of a dark merlot coloured lip. What seems heavy and out of place so often in the spring and summer, is positively at home amongst the shadowy hues of this frozen season. VIP Cosmetics Lipstick in 331 Burgundy Wine, $11.00 from Amazon.}



{Red roses and blue violets not really doing it for you this Valentine's Day? While not slip on this strikingly lovely 1950s black plastic flower necklace instead and celebrate winter's colour palette and spring's triumphant return in the same go and write your own kind of style poetry in the process. $26.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Turn heads at the speed of lightning when you sport this incredibly glamorous Old Hollywood inspired champagne satin and black lace evening dress on February 14th or any day of the year. It's a timeless stunner if ever there was! Available in ladies sizes Small to XL. $160.00 from Blue Velvet Vintage.}



{Locks and keys are symbols that I always associate with Valentine's Day and the fact that the locks in this fantastic vintage silver coloured charm bracelet are heart shaped just feels like the icing on the festive cake. $20.95 from Jewelry Created For You.}



{(Speaking of which…) I don't think there's any beauty brand on Etsy whose offerings I want to try for the first time more those from world famous For Strange Girls. I've been lusting after their heady scented, poetically beautiful offerings for ages now and hope that 2015 will finally be the year I'm able to give them a spin. Each of their enticing looking offerings sound appealing, but for Feb. 14th, I can't help but feel that their decadent Black Forest Cake solid perfume would be especially fitting. Brass mini compact with 2g of perfume, $36.00 from For Strange Girls.}




{If Valentine's just isn't, well, Valentine's, for you without at least a little hit of crimson (even in the midst of a darker palette), then may I suggest this gorgeous oversized 1930s red celluloid bow brooch? $49.00 from Best Ever Vintage.}




{Don't let a little bit of wear put you off, this strikingly beautiful c. 1940s black velvet kiss lock purse still has oodles of life - and love - left in it to give and would be the ideal evening back for any romantic or otherwise exciting rendezvous this month. $24.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{These endlessly chic D'Orsay Black Faux Suede Closed Toe T Strap Platform Heels bring a serious dose of old school footwear elegance and allure to any ensemble. I'd be tempted to partner them with a skinny black pencil skirt and sheer lace vintage blouse with a merlot hued camisole underneath for a seductively lovely Valentine's Day dinner look. Available in ladies sizes 5.5 to 10. (Only!) $39.99 from Blue Velvet Vintage.}

♥ ♥ ♥

When this year kicked off a few weeks ago, I welcomed it by sharing Twelve things that are inspiring my style (big time!) for 2015 as my first entry for January. Amongst the dozen entries on that list, were some that either directly or more subtly channeled a darker fashion spirit - one teaming with shades of black and grey, aged creams, regal burgundies, and burnished metallics - that has been calling my name especially powerfully since last fall.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day next week, I knew that I wanted to devote this month's edition of Vintage Fashionista Friday to this annual wintertime celebration, however I wasn't feeling perky pastels or overtly saccharine shades of red and pink this year, no, my mind went instantly to a place of black lace, time worn jewelry, sensuous fabrics, and style elements that spell romance in a more mysterious and captivatingly alluring tone of voice.

So hence the title of today's post and indeed, more likely than not, the kind of outfit I'll be sporting this year for Valentine's Day. There's no right or wrong palette for any holiday and if Cupid's busiest day of the year doesn't exactly send a jolt of joy through your soul, then perhaps slipping into a darkly hued vintage outfit like this and focusing less on romantic love and more on the fashions that you adore wearing is the way to go.

I have few qualms with Valentine's Day and am the first to admit that I love love, so to the speak, but I want to shake things up this time around and celebrating the first big holiday since New Year's Day with an outfit that lets my inner goth girl run free seems like a fitting tribute to a branch of the fashion family tree that I adore to no end.

Black lace stockings, rich velvet dresses, and aging turn of the century jewelry, here I come!

Vintage snow day!

{Come the freezing cold days of winter, which we're all very well acquainted with by now (in the Western Hemisphere), one of my favourite ways to keep my ears nice and warm (or at least not entirely frostbitten!) is by employee the classic use of a headscarf like this 1960s red, white and green charmer. Neutral hues are fine, but an extra jolt of colour always helps to brighten my mood and serve a reminder that even the longest winter has to end sometime! Vintage scarf measures 20 inches/50.8 cm on all sides. $14.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Headscarves not your thing or not particularly well suited to a specific outfit you have in mind? How about this delightfully cool pair of deadstock band-less mid-century vintage earmuffs instead? $12.00 from Stag Vintage Goods.}




{I have three pair of snowflake earrings and wear them practically to death during the winter! They're sweet, fun, festive and great way to dress with the season. This absolutely charming vintage screw back pair included pale blue rhinestones and would be especially awesome for your next ski trip (while you're relaxing in the lodge at least! :)). $18.00 from Blue Sparrow Vintage.}




{You might as well put lip chap on the food pyramid for me come winter. I have dry lips (and skin) all year round, but in the winter it's a 24/7 battle for me to keep my lips from cracking and bleeding, so I always have a tube (or five!) of high quality lip balm at the ready. I haven't tried the offerings from this particular brand, but given their all-natural formula, they sound like one that I'd have good luck with - plus the name of this particular product, Snowflakes Vanilla Mint Lip Balm, really appeals to me. $4.00 for a 0.15 ounce tube from Lippincott Soap Co.}




{It doesn't get much more classic than this on the winter scarf front! Red and black combine to create a timeless tartan pattern on this wool blend 1950s scarf that will never, ever go out of style or fail to help keep you warm. 58" scarf, $20.00 from Transmigration.}




{How on earth I managed to list this delightfully classic red and black 1960s sweater and not tuck it away in my wardrobe the moment I found it, is beyond me! :) I have indeed recently listed it though and now you can bring it home with you, if you’d like. Fits up to a 36" bust/28" waist (unstretched). $30.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}




{Fancy yourself quite the skiing expert? Love lounging in the lodge with a steaming cup of cocoa? Just want to sport a darling winter sport themed pin? Whatever the case, this uber cute, very reasonably priced vintage ski bunny brooch is for you! $10.95 from Granny Bean's Boutique.}




{It's scarcely a secret that I'm wild for dresses and skirts, but sometimes, especially when the mercury plummets, pants are the first thing I reach for in the morning. I own three pairs of Heyday's fantastic swing trousers and they all see wear during this icicle bedecked time of the year. I really like that Heyday offers a variety of colours and fabrics, so that you can coordinate them with your favourite winter coats, sweaters and jackets. A great pair to start with (or add to) your own collection is Black Swing Trousers (available, at the time of writing, in UK ladies sizes 10 to 20) that will serve you awesomely as the bottom half of countless cold and warm weather ensembles alike. £55.00 from Heyday.}




{Classic, sturdy, and easy to style in an array of directions (vintage, punk, goth, contemporary, etc), these Finejo brand women's black lace up faux leather boots are sure to help make getting through the long months of winter more bearable. Plus, they're a massive bargain to - fittingly - boot! :) Available in modern ladies sizes 6 to 11. $21.99 from Amazon.}

♥ ♥ ♥

At the start of this week Penticton was hit by a snowstorm that resulted in the single largest snowfall this town has seen in decades. Coupled with the abundance of flakes that had already fallen on the weekend, come Tuesday morning, there was well over a foot of the white stuff everywhere the eye could see.

A snow warning was in effect and very rarely for Canada, a snow day was even issued schools in the area. Looking back to my own years as a student, I can only remember two times when that ever happened. Snow is a fact of life in this country and needs to be pretty serious and substantial before schools shut their doors.

It wasn't just classrooms that were empty though, the streets, slicked with immensely dangerous black ice, were near ghost towns and sadly many who did venture out found themselves either getting stuck or slowly colliding on their sides into one another as if they were playing a citywide game of bumper cars.

Tony and I didn't risk going out on Monday and I had to move one of my routine doctor's appointments up a few days because of it. For all the trouble such weather can cause (and goodness knows, things can always be worse on the blizzard front - as far as I heard, the power didn't even go down here in town because of it), there is also a certain resplendent beauty to it that will always speak to my winter serenity loving soul.

While I have been yearning for a solid snow cover to take some vintage outfit photos in, it's rather tricky (and certainly not very safe) do so in the midst of a snow storm, so this week the camera stayed in its padded bag and instead I decided to deck out this month's stylish Vintage Friday Fashionista in the kind of garb one needs when faced with such a snowy environment.

While my own hunt for a matching two-piece (or one-piece zip up) vintage ski or snow suit still continues, living in the northerly nation that I do, I do have numerous cold weather and fun winter themed items (such as the snowflake shaped earrings I mentioned above) that I wear frequently from October/November through to March or April, just depending on when Old Man Winter decides to vacate the premise. Many of which are similar those featured here today.

Though things have slowed down on the snowfall front as the week progressed, we're still up to our eyebrows in ski hill perfect powder and it's safe to say that we'll be reaching for the winter boats, extra heavy scarves, and wool garments long after Monday's official snow day (this being Canada after all!!!).

I hope that you're all staying warm and safe, and enjoying a fantastic start of January, my dear friends!