{Absolutely perfect for Valentine's Day, but not so glaringly Feb. 14th-ish that can't be worn at other times of the year, too (for example, on your anniversary), these cute-enough-too eat conversation heart earrings are inspired by the classic candy and are as sweet a way to jazz up your lobes as you could ever hope to find. $12.00 from etsy seller Dailee Dose.}
{Keep your lips kissably smooth, or bestow this delightful set upon a loved one for an extra sweet Valentine's Day gift, either way, it's sure to be a festive hit. Four-piece Cupcakes & Cartwheels Sweet Shop Cupcake Lip Gloss set, $12.00 from Amazon.}
{Let a flock of sweet little lovebirds call your neck home care of this fabulous vintage inspired Swallow Charm Necklace that featuring laser cut swallows and an extender chain in the back so as to allow you set the length you'd like. £12.50 from Collectif.}
{When I get dressed for St. Valentine's Day, I usually feel pulled either towards fabulously alluring, glamorous looks or ones that are so sweet, they teeter on the cusp of cloying. This charming 1950s Bea Young pink and purple plaid dress is closer to the latter, and has an unendingly charming feel of youth to it, but would work for ladies of all ages, thanks to its classic cute, longer hemline and flatter neckline. Fits up to 38" bust/31" waist, $75.00 from etsy seller Garb-Oh Vintage.}
{Pretty as the frosting on a Valentine's cake, these soft pink c. 1950s gloves with ruched wrists would make for a fabulous edition to any girly-girl vintage loving lady's wardrobe. (Size not listed) $12.00 from etsy seller Duryea Place Designs.}
{Boasting raglan sleeves, a full satin lining, and a single button closure, this fitted, immensely lovely 1950s purple velvet dress coat has romance and style abounding from its every seam. Fits up to a 34" bust/28" waist, on sale at the time of writing for $123.20 from etsy seller Mustang Annee's.}
{Unequivocally one of my top five favourite perfumes of all-time (I could happily wear nothing but it as my signature scent for the rest of time), best seller Romance from Ralph Loren is a grownup, gorgeous, intricate, immensely appealing blend of fresh rose, oakmoss, musk, ginger, marigold and violet that more than lives up to its Valentine's Day perfect moniker. $68.95 (for a 3.4 ounce bottle) from Amazon.}
{Covetable as the day is long, these super fun Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Lady Dragon Lips Shoes are so marvelous, you might just be tempted to kiss them when they arrive! Available in UK modern ladies shoes 3-8 (European sizes 36 to 41), £127.00 from Dollydagger.}
♥ ♥ ♥
It struck me, rather powerfully, recently while I was standing in my wee little bedroom closet of all places, just how very much I love and care about some of my online friends. Some of those folk that I know from the vintage community have in my life from five years now, others are more recent newcomers, and many came into my world somewhere in between. Save for one person, I've never met any of these people in real life. I've never even heard most of their voices, and yet I've shared my life with them and they in turn have let me into theirs.
We've swapped emails, Facebook messages, Instagram comments, Pinterest pins, and in some cases, even good old-fashioned snail mail. Five years is not a small amount of time. We could have all gotten masters degrees in that same time frame. A child born on the day we met would be kindergarten age at this point. As thoughts pertaining to the wonderfulness of online friends - of whom I have far more than local acquaintances - washed over me, I began to think of how very fitting a day, indeed perhaps the most fitting of the entire year, Valentine's is to celebrate this special kind of love.
Whether I've known a kindred online spirit for a few months, a couple of years, or that whole half a decade, my closest friends are all loved, all cherished, sincerely appreciated and seen as a blessing in my eyes. I learn from, am inspired by, laugh with, smile over, and treasure each of these people. I know that some will fade from life over time, as is the nature of friendships in general, be they online or off, but I suspect that many with be with me for oodles more years to come.
This point brings me immense happiness, and in the spirit of Valentine's Day and the feelings I have for my friends, I named today's Vintage Fashionista "Aimee", an Old French name meaning, fitting, beloved. Not all love is romantic of course, and even those who turn up their noses or want nothing to do with the mushy, gushy, sweetie pie, sugar bunny side of today, can surely appreciate that it gives us all an opportunity to reflect on those we love, our friends very much included.
To all my friends and blog readers the world over, thank you for the relationships we share the whole year through. I love and wish you an immensely happy, candy filled Valentine's Day!
