Vintage Fashionista Friday: April 2, 2010

{Wonderfully fun thanks to their chipper violet hue and double use of hearts, these gorgeous earrings are also agelessly chic thanks to the fact that they’re comprised of amethysts, diamonds (3.71 ctw) and white gold. Perfect for a night out with the girls, your beloved, or any day when you want to add a splash of glamour to your ensemble, these purple heart shaped earrings, which are available for $179.00 US from myjewelrybox.com, are the sort of accessory that becomes a family heirloom.}



{Instantly evoke an old school aesthetic with this delightful little pot of cake mascara, complete with matching brush for easy application. Prior to the late 1950s and the invention of mascara in tubes, gals wanting to darken (and/or elongate) their lashes turned to pots of black mascara that were very similar to this one to do so. Those with sensitive eyes (*raises hand*) will welcome the fact that this cake mascara (which can be had for $17.90 US from The Vermont Country Store) is free of the chemical fixatives that are found in most brands of liquid/tube mascara.}



{Dripping with refined elegance and sporting a timelessly beautiful design, this Little Black Dress from the 1950s will look as sublime on any occasion you were to nowadays as it did over half a century ago. This silk and linen blend, black cocktail dress fits up to a 38 inch bust/28 inch waist, and can be yours for $98.00 US from etsy seller Thirteen Bees Vintage.}



{If ever there was a lovely black pair of gloves that effortlessly see you through any situation with ease, this is it. Fitting a size 6.5 hand, these vintage beaded gloves are an utter steal at just $6.00 US from etsy seller Vintage Orphans.}



{This is rich, darkly hued sterling silver and amethyst bracelet looks as though it could easily be an old world, antique piece, yet is in fact a modern day treasure that was skilfully handmade by etsy seller Neonglow Jewelry Design, who sells this alluring creation for $38.00 US.}



{Chauffeur your “must haves” for a night out around town in this immensely lovely black vintage evening bag covered in teeny-tiny silver dots and accompanied by a thin silver shoulder strap. Produced by Mardane, this smart and sweet snap-clasp handbag can be found for $24.00 US from etsy seller The Vintageholic Frog.}



{Every bit as versatile as a pair in white – and packing a sizeable dose more of pizzaz - these classic pumps in a soft, brushed silver hue would look enchanting with just about any evening dress, especially a LBD like the marvellous one above. These vintage Stuart Weitzman high heeled shoes, which fit a ladies size seven foot, are available from amongst the wares in etsy seller 99 Vintage’s shop.}

♥ ♥ ♥


This week’s fashionista is named after my beloved mother, whose birthday just happens to be today. A woman of timeless beauty (and a heart of gold), my mom’s style is hard to pin down – perhaps because she’s never veered into one particular fashion camp. I would say it encompasses equal parts elegance and youth, classical-ness and femininity. My mother has always been adept at picking exactly the right outfit for any occasion, thus creating a sort of effortless Grace Kelly-esque more than qualifies her for the title of vintage fashionista in my books.


Wishing you all a weekend filled with bliss, relaxation and tasty Easter treats!

Today’s Vintage Treasure: March 16, 2010

{While sunlight as a gentle and soft as a kitten’s paw streams through the burgundy damask curtains in our living, the temperate climbing today to 15°(C) for the first time since early last spring, I feel giddy with excitement over the coming season – and anything the embraces a springtime feeling.

This immensely cute embroidered handbag from the 1950s fits that bill to a tee! Swirling with a flock of vibrantly hued butterflies, this wonderful chain strap purse would look amazing as part of an Easter outfit, garden party ensemble, or as a beautiful everyday bag that would be sure to garner compliments everywhere you went. If you’re a fan of butterflies on your accessories (and vintage ones at that!) – as I definitely am, flutter over to etsy seller Allen Company Inc., where you can net this darling purse for $72.00.}


While I’m anything but superstitious, I’m almost Leary to say that winter appears to be on its way out the door here – lest I jinx things and awake to a ferocious blizzard (this is Canada after all, such radical changes over night in weather are by no means unheard of). Realistically though, I think it’s broach the subject and say that spring really and truly does appear to be on its (long awaited!) way.

Autumn in Toronto this past year was both very short and unseasonably chilly, making many here (myself included) feel as though we’d been gypped out of a proper fall. It also means that it’s been many months since we last experienced weather so pleasant would could safely venture outside without a coat on.

Today, as the mercury hovers well above freezing, my mind turns to thoughts of sending out Easter cards, the first weekends when the local farmer’s market returns, ripe with just-plucked-from-the-field produce, and daydreams of having a house with a yard so that I could string a hammock and take a cat nap with the toasty (almost) spring sun caressing my face.

What are you eager for this lively, gorgeous season to usher back into your life?

Today’s Vintage Treasure: March 11, 2010

{The moment my eyes laid sight on this unbelievably adorable coin purse, I knew I share all of its vintage-meets-kawaii goodness with you! Bedecked with a darling Hawaiian hula girl, this festively cute little bag (it measures 2.5 inches in diameter) would be the perfect thing to use as a tiny carry-all come summer, any time you’re sporting a tiki themed ensemble, or whenever you’d like to infuse a darling dose of Polynesian style into your look. This sweet-as-a-tropical-drink coin purse (which is made from vegan faux leather with a screen printed design and metal snap closure) can be had for $14.00 from a brand called Fluff and is available on Amazon.com.}


Speaking of fashionably cute things, I want to thank everyone who’s entered Chronically Vintage’s latest giveaway so far. If you’ve not done so already, be sure to swing by Monday’s post and enter for your chance to win a $100.00 online shopping spree from LA Vintage (they have some really fun pieces, so be sure that you try your luck at winning this fantastic contest).

Giant wishes for a blissful Thursday, to one and all!

Five for Friday: January 15, 2010

...Yesterday afternoon, following a week ravished by arctic winds and murky grey skies, the temperatures actually rose a tad, climbing ever so slightly above zero (Celsius). With this sudden “warm snap” came early daydreams of spring. I know it’s far too soon for the gentlest season to arrive, but there’s no reason why I can’t let my thoughts stray to beautiful things like blossoming trees, first harvest vegetables and the scent of sunshine once again toasting the air. Granted there’s still snow and ice on the horizon, but in the meantime I’ll be busy starting to plan all the lovely ways I’ll celebrate when April does eventually whirl into town...

♥ ♥ ♥


{To fill your bath with the delicate scent of orchard fruits}


{Hued like a bowl of just churned orange sherbet, this generously sized (12.5 oz) bar of Luxo Banho soap comes packaged in an immensely lovely Art Deco inspired box, and smells delightfully of fresh apricots and peaches. Available for $12.00 (US) per bar of soap from All-Pop.com.}


{The kind of timelessly pretty, wear-it-anyplace sweater that will remain a staple in your closet for years}


{If like me, you’re a giant fan of light weight, classically styled sweaters, this darling number is just the ticket! Made of soft organic cotton and featuring a charming knit bow, this wonderful turquoise top would look equally stunning in the winter with a long wool skirt or paired with sailor inspired shorts come the dog days of summer. Turquoise bow knit sweater in assorted modern ladies sizes, £52.50 (UK) from Lunacy Boutique.}


{To invigorate your mood on even the bleakest of mid-winter mornings}


{From Japan-cool brand Tokyo Milk comes “Paper and Cotton”, a crisp, airy scent embedded with notes of white sage, birch, moss and coriander, all housed in a bottle bedecked with vintage fashion images. Each 1 oz bottle of perfume in a clear glass bottle (with spritzer) is $29.00 (US) from Plasticland.}


{An endearing reminder of days both past and more recently spent at local fun fairs and carnivals}


Available in six alluring designs, these laser cut wooden brooches boast playful vintage images and are shaped to look just like ticket stubs. Pin one (or more) to your favourite coat, purse, hat, scarf or anywhere else you please and pretend you’re on your way to a carnival. Vintage style wooden fun fair ticket brooches, £6.00 (UK) per pin from The Oriental Magpie.}


{A woman can never have too many bags, especially when they’re handmade, vintage inspired ones!}


{On those days when it’s far to grim to venture outside one moment more than is strictly necessary, spend some time indoors delving into a DIY book such as Making Vintage Bags by Emma Brennan ($12.21 [US] from amazon.com). This helpful (176 page) title provides detailed instructions on how to make twenty original designs (five each from the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s), amongst which nearly any handbag enthusiast is sure to find a purse they’d love to make for themselves.}


I want to take a moment and extend massive thanks to all those who provided me with their impute earlier in the week regarding my hunt for a good source of crinolines (some of your leads look really promising!). I will be certain to do a follow up post later in the year to report how the status of my budding crinoline collection is coming along.

Many thanks as well to all those who have left comments on other Chronically Vintage posts lately, too. Over the course of the weekend, amidst such pleasant activities as writing snail mail letters and hand washing a gorgeous vintage skirt that arrived in Thursday post, I will do my best to catch up on at least a portion of your wonderful comments and visit each of your gorgeous blogs.

Recently a dear visitor commented that she found the smaller font size that I often use directly under images to be a bit hard to read. I’d wondered before if that font was too tiny and upon knowing that some find it to be, I’m happy to report that from here on out instead of reducing the front size (below photos, graphics, etc) to differentiate it from the rest of the text in my posts, I’ll italicize it. I always welcome your feedback on any element of this blog and appreciate the person who mentioned this doing so (I hope you find the font easier to read now, sweetie).

Wishing one and all a sublime weekend filled with warmth (be it derived from hot cocoa or the weather itself), serenity and many lovely memories.

Five for Friday: January 8, 2010

...After a brief hiatus away, the weekly Five for Friday post returns, bringing with it the first handful of what I hope will be a slew of wonderful, diverse, creative items, ideas and images to fuel the fires of inspiration for the coming year...

♥ ♥ ♥


{Utensils of timeless beauty}


{Everything in this elegantly serene collage of antique silverware speaks directly to my love of graceful, gorgeous items that have clearly endured the effects of time yet grown more sublime with each passing year. Something about these photos (which hail from sadieolive.com) reminds me of a classic saying that seems especially fitting around the New Year, “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold”.}


{Prettier than all the snowflakes in the arctic combined}


{Winter camouflage never looked so lovely! This darling two piece vintage suit with its fur collar (I'm hoping it's faux, but you'd have to ask the seller) and decorative bow channels a Russian princess vibe and would be the perfect way to stay both stylish and warm all season long. 1960s “Lilli Ann” suit, fits up to a 38 inch bust/32 inch waist, $165.00 (US), from etsy seller LipStick Whiskey.}


{This precious
little bank wants us all to love piggies once more}


{If being money-wise is amongst your resolutions this year (or if you’re all ready a saver whose looking for a charming place to stash your pennies), why not save every extra coin possible in this exceptionally cute, ever-so-slightly rococo ceramic piggy bank? Featuring cherub-esque gold wings and coming in at 6 inches tall, this massively adorable piggy is sure to become a treasured part of your home decor. Juicy Couture “If Pigs Could Fly” bank, $48.00 (US) from Revolve Clothing.}


{Proudly show winter it can’t defeat your passion for stunning open toed shoes!}


{Boasting a 4 inch stiletto, delicate ankle straps, cream hued fabric bow and a glossy black patent sheen, these intensely beautiful heels have exactly the right combination of elements to ensure they remain beloved favourites for many years to come. Black ankle strap stilettos, available in standard women’s sizes and half sizes (please note that some sizes appear to be sold out online at the moment), $34.00 from Newport News.}


{Help ensure you see everything 2010 has in store with crystal clear clarity}


{Tiny glistening rhinestones adorn the front and sides of this wonderfully pretty pair of 1950s cat’s eye glasses, adding instant pizzazz to whatever else in your wardrobe you opt to team them with. Vintage 1950s aurora rhinestone eyeglass frames (lenses not included), $127.00 (US) from etsy seller Vintage 50s Eyewear.}


Unsurprisingly the world outside is colder than the back of an ice cream delivery truck, the sidewalks slick and dangerously covered with a solid frosting of ice. One longs for the sight of bare, snow-free ground once more, but knows that such a resplendent treat is still many a week away in these parts. Consolation comes in the form of the odd sun-kissed day that appears, transforming the lacklustre snow in a brilliant playground of sparkling diamonds, as if to remind you that even the darkest season can radiate with majestic beauty.

I hope dearly that each of you has enjoyed a peaceful, happy first week of this new decade, and that your weekend ahead will be an amazing one!

Seven stunning vintage holiday season outfits

With December now underway, it’s time to take to think about the bevy of holiday get-togethers, both large and small, that may be looming on the horizon for you. From office shindigs to Sunday afternoon cookie baking parties, Christmas lunch at Grandma’s to a swish cocktail gathering, there is something ingrained in the festive spirit of the season that makes you want to dress up and really sparkle!

Whether you prefer to go all out (think head-to-toe sequins or yards of taffeta), shine on a small scale (a beaded cardigan, say, or a gorgeous pair of satin high heels), or meet somewhere in the middle (a shimmery brocade sheath dress, for example), few amongst us are sour on spicing up our wardrobe for the winter holiday season. Some may find that they already have a trove of fantastic pieces to pull from their own closets and drawers, others might be in need of some immediate shopping to supplement their winter garb, and others still may have a full closet, but feel the pieces there are getting a bit ho-hum and in need of some snazzy new companions to keep them company.

Whatever the case may be, I’ve compiled seven outfits, inspired by different types of vintage styles, to help inspire those days and nights in the coming weeks when dressing up is on the bill. (I myself tend to veer into the small to moderate amount of flash category, but when it comes to beautiful dresses with feminine touches, there’s no limit to how fancy I’ll go!)

Because the holiday season is already enough of a drain on our poor wallets as is, I’ve tried to keep the bulk of the items in these lovely looks on the more budget-friendly side (please note that the prices for all items in this post, unless otherwise specified, are in US dollars). It makes a lot of sense to approach your party wear with your pocketbook is mind, as the fancy pieces you purchase now may not get a great deal of use throughout the rest year, thus making their cost per wear higher than those of your more “everyday” type of garments.

If you feel like splurging on yourself however, now is the time! Treat yourself to a brand new (and by “brand new”, I mean “new to you”, the item itself may very well be vintage – and all the better if it is!) dress, string of beads, glistening brooch, elegant hat, or killer shoes. You’ve been good all year, so why not give yourself a little present this holiday season, too?


{Chronically Vintage's 2009 Holiday Fashion Guide}


~ The Sophisticate ~

Always impeccably dressed and on time to any event, the sophisticate favours elegant pieces in timeless shades that will see her through many Christmases to come. Strong lines and crisp tailoring are favourites, too, but she isn’t a minimalist by any means and enjoys the ingrained beauty of a regally inspired frock as much as that of a simple LBD.


{Long sky blue vintage evening coat with oriental inspired “frog closure” at neck , listed as fitting a “medium or large”, currently on sale for $30.00 from etsy seller Undone Eclectic.}



{Vintage faux pearl and gold toned metal clip-on earrings, $5.00/pair, from etsy seller Boxer Loving Lady.}



{Blue velvet, short sleeve 1940s dress with beautiful rhinestone detailing, fits up to a 35 inch bust/28.5 inch waist, $115.00 from etsy seller Planet Claire Vintage.}



{A forever classic, Chanel No. 5 in a 3.4 ounce bottle of Eau De Parfum, $115.00 from Essence of Perfume.com.}



{Navy blue and gold toned 1950s Margolin box purse measuring 8 inches long by 6 inches wide, $26.00 from etsy seller Bajue Boutique.}



{Stripped black and dark blue peep toe 1950s Herbert Levine heels, fits a size six, from GlamourSavvy.}



~ The Jitterbug ~

It’s as if you were born with the swing era in your blood. You love 1940s dresses and shoes, you own more bobby pins than you can count, and you’re always ready to cut a rug. Your style merges war era practicality with Hollywood glamour, part Rosie and part Rita, your holiday look could easily be home sewn or from Macy’s, but no matter what, it has a truly timeless feel to it.


{1940s golden wheat hued straw hat with red grosgrain ribbon, measures 20 inches at the interior point of the ribbon, $70.00 from Damn Good Vintage.}



{Dior lipstick in shade #622 “Graffiti Red”, 3.5 gram (0.12 ounce) tube, $23.50 from StrawberryNET.com.}



{Gold toned (vermeil over base metal) floral leaf brooch with red and clear rhinestone accents (swivel pin back), measurements not specified, $16.00 from etsy seller Carmen and Ginger.}



{1940s two piece red and gold crepe dress with matching belt, blouse fits up to a 38 inch bust/29 inch waist (skirt fits up to a 28 inch waist), $55.00 (for all three pieces) from etsy seller Little Things Vintage.}



{1950s “Kelly style” red, gold and black beaded handbag with black Bakelite handle, 11.75 inches long by 8 inches high, $169.00 from etsy seller Archivia.}



{Red 1940s velvet peep toe shoes with ankle straps (deadstock), size 8.5, $125.00 from etsy seller Planet Claire Vintage.}



~ The Gamine ~

Whether young on paper or at heart, the gamine falls head-over-heels for pieces that are sweet and airy, ethereal and delicate. She may sport a shoe with a stacked wooden heel, but the body of that shoes is bound to be made of silk, satin or another gentle material. She loves chiffon, bows, jewels in her hair, and styling her outfits like those looks one finds in the outdoors-in-a-meadow fashion shoots of couture fashion magazines.


{Handmade peach and peacock feather headband style fascinator with gold toned metal and rhinestone detail, $15.00 from etsy seller Plumes et Fleurs.}



{Hand woven, pastel faux pearl flapper era necklace, 36 inches long, $12.50 from etsy seller True Colours For You.}



{Gold toned fan shaped vintage compact made by (and signed) Henriette, $95.00 from Michelle’s Vintage Jewelry.}



{Beguiling 1940s peach hued tulle and lace formal, full length dress, fits up to 42 inch bust/31 inch waist, $84.00 from etsy seller Fab Gabs.}



{Pale dusty pink and silver beaded 1920s purse (that was made in Germany), 8.5 inches long by 4.5 high, $24.00 from etsy seller Vintagous.}



{Peach (pale pink) t-strap peep toe, AK Anne Klein shoes with a 3.5 inch tall heel, available in modern foot sizes, $49.99 from Shoefest.com.}



~ The Bombshell ~

Alluring, playful and perpetually channeling her inner pin-up girl, the bombshell adores pieces that showcase her sensuous curves. She veers towards either skin-tight skirts and dresses or those with copious amounts of volume – perhaps requiring a crinoline to hold up their abundance of fabric. Her favourite accessories are the lingering scent of her signature perfume and a mega-watt smile which is always dressed in red lipstick.


{Mauve and taupe hued rose and raspberry red jasmine blossom floral hair clip, measures 6 inches long, $32.00 from Retro Glamour Girl.}



{“Leopard Love” velboa faux fur vintage inspired capelet (stole) with black tie bow, one size fits all, $38.00 from etsy seller Talulah Blue.}



{Wiggle style burgundy velvet dress with a portrait neckline, available in stock in size “small”, $115.00 from Babygirl Boutique (on a personal note, I’ve been lusting after this particular dress for months!).}



{Shiny black vintage patent leather quilted handbag on a delicate silver chain, 9 inches long by 6.5 inches high, $22.00 from etsy seller ebielli.}



{Seemed, 15 denier fully fashioned stockings (thigh highs) with a classic point (French) heel available in black (as shown) or nude, £17.75 (UK pounds) from What Katie Did.}



{Black satin 4 inch high wedge heel shoe with rosette detail, available in sizes 6 to 12, $48.99 from Retro Cuties.}



~ The Sexy Secretary ~

Long before the office pool gals from Mad Men burst on the scene you were rocking the sultry secretary look to the max. With a penchant for pencil skirts, upswept hairdos, and prettily manicured nails, you love to extend these same style ideas to your holiday finery, adding in a touch more eye make-up and perhaps one of those swanky suit clad Sterling Cooper style gents on your arm.


{Bright blue velvet vintage pill box hat with bow, measuring 21 inches at the brim, $35.00 from etsy seller Becky Drolen Vintage.}



{Shiny blue and soft cream floral clip-on earrings with rhinestone and faux pearl details, $9.00/pair from etsy seller Mean Old Bags.}



{Silver toned, stretch band ladies vintage Bulova watch (note this timepiece needs a new battery and possibly some other remains to set it working again), length measures 5.5 inches before being stretched, $44.00 from etsy seller Bajue Boutique.}



{Light aqua blue 1950s satin wiggle dress with matching bolero jacket, fits up to a 34 inch bust/25 inch waist, $105.00 from etsy seller Sara’s Attic.}



{Vintage silver hued, top clasp purse on a chain strap, 9 inches long by 5 inches high, $8.69 from etsy seller An Eclectic Collection.}



{Gorgeous 1960s multi-coloured silk (I’m guessing) brocade flats (with a half inch heel), fits a size 7, $20.00 from etsy seller Funky Fugal Fashions.}



~ The Girly-Girl ~


The antithesis of a tomboy, you embrace your feminine side with a force to be reckoned with. From scads of lace to piles of jewelry, floral prints to soft, luxurious fabrics, you seek out and gleefully sport pieces that personify the elegance of ladies wear to an absolute tee.


{Long, soft white/ivory faux mink fur wrap (stole), measures 65 inches long by 14 inches wide, $55.00 from etsy seller Romancing Juliet.}



{1950s coral pink lace, short sleeve party dress with cap sleeves and a velvet bow accent at the waist, fits up to a 32 inch bust/25 inch waist, $68.00 from etsy seller Cheap Vintage.}



{Ivory white hued vintage wrist length gloves with pretty floral embroidery detailing, measurements not specified, $28.00 from etsy seller Blueberry Deluxe.}



{1950s vintage clutch purse with a silk flower vignette behind a layer of plastic overlay surrounded by a gold hued metal frame. Purse measures 11.5 inches long by 5.5 inches tall, and is $45.00 from etsy seller The Greedy Seagull.}



{“All My Love” 1950s style golden brass hued metal charm bracelet, measures 8 inches long, $89.00 from Babygirl Boutique.}



{1950s pink and green rose print heels with rhinestone detailing on the front, size 7.5, $32.00 from etsy seller Planet Claire Vintage.}



~ The Christmas Queen ~

While you’d never in a million years risk being caught dead in a tacky Christmas sweater, you utterly adore embracing the colours of the season and weaving them not only into the holiday decor of every room in your home, but also into the pieces you wear when gathering to celebrate. From the red of Santa’s suit to pine needle green, you’re as decked out and ready to shine this season as a string of vintage Christmas lights!


{Early 1950s green velvet hat with rhinestone trim (labeled made in France), 11 inch diameter, $36.00 from etsy seller Babylon Sisters.}



{1950s festively wrapped Christmas gift set of clip-on earrings and a (swivel clasp) brooch in gold toned metal and plastic, $24.00 (for the set) from etsy seller Carmen and Ginger.}



{Three piece set of vintage (1930s, 40s and 60s) red and green Bakelite bangle bracelets, $44.00 (for all three) from etsy seller Bakelite Bakery.}



{1950s emerald green velvet and satin dress with tulip (bubble) style skirt, fits up to a 35 inch bust/25 inch waist, $135.00 from etsy seller My Favourite Vintage.}



{1950s golden lucite and woven reed handbag with lucite handle and clasp (and a white “spill proof” vinyl lining) in excellent condition. Measures 10.75 inches long by 8.75 inches high; $65.00 from etsy seller BBBDesigns.}



{1940s Daniel Green peep toe slip on heels (mules) in a sparkling golden fabric with rosette details, fits size 6, $110.00 from etsy seller Peaceforevermore.}


After putting together this delightful selection of looks, I suddenly have the intense urge to send out party invitations and don an evening dress! While I wait for my RSVPs to come back (naturally you’re all invited), I’d love to hear your thoughts on these styles.

Do you identify with some of the fashionista profiles above or does your winter holiday wear veer in an entirely different direction? Whatever your taste in festive garb, I hope that you all get a chance to dress up this season and celebrate to your heart’s content!