Blueberries for vintage fans {Monday Muses, August 10th}

The title for this post is inspired by a beloved childhood book of mine called “Blueberries for Sal”, about a girl who sets off with her mother to pick wild blueberries. Though the story does not specify the exact year it was set it, the charming illustrations – and the fact that Sal and her mom are gathering berries to put up for the winter – telegraph the fact that it was written and illustrated in the late 1940s (’48, to be exact). Though it’s been many years since I last read this endearing childhood classic, I can’t help but think of it sweetly each summer during blueberry season.

Blueberries and my family are actually quite intertwined. Relatives on my mother’s side used to run own and operate a blueberry farm in the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia, and each summer my mom would go to work there harvesting – much as Sal attempted to in her story – buckets of ripe, beautiful berries. Her early exposure to this healthy, delicious fruit instilled in my mom a lifelong love of all things blueberry related, and to this day she collects blueberry related items whenever she chances upon them.

Many fruits are at their finest during the summer months, and blueberries are no exception! So in the spirit of celebrating these wonderful little berries and their significance to my dear mother, I decided to make them – as well as their deep, inky hue, and items depicting blueberries – my Monday Muses this week.

While I’ve picked many fruits in my life, I’ve never had the pleasure of harvesting blueberries. Today however, I can happily say that I was able to round up a bucket full of sweet and appealing blueberry themed, modern handmade and vintage items for everyone to enjoy!

♥ ♥ ♥



{Blueberries pair up with a medley of other colourful fruits in this adorable circle skirt style apron, which would the perfect thing to wear while baking a blueberry pie! $22.00 from etsy seller Simply Aprons.}



{A lovely blueberry motif adorns this divided vintage Glasbake dish, which would be lovely to serve fruit or any number of other treats in. $14.50 (US) from etsy from Ravenna Girls Vintage.}



{Harvest in the compliments when you wear this elegant homemade vintage Lucite bead and Swarvoski crystal blueberry bracelet. $30.00 from etsy seller Willow and Me Jewelry.}



{While these gorgeous pocket sized tartlets look god enough to eat, they are in fact not food, but 100% vegetable oil, handmade soap! $0.75 (US) each from etsy seller Lolli Luscious.}



{Plastic beads in various fruit shapes make up this cute 20 inch long vintage necklace. Just the thing to add a splash of blueberry-esque beauty to any outfit. $18.00 from etsy seller Cuddle Bunny.}



{If, like me, you’re a huge fan of all things Kawaii, this handmade blueberry muffin pillow will have you and your couch craving berries as decor elements :) $35.00 from etsy seller Felt Like It.}



{Fill your home or summer porch with the tantalizing scent of blueberry cobbler thanks to this handmade, soy candle in a lovely old fashioned looking glass jar. $12.95 from etsy seller Bliss Candles.}



{Create the perfect crust for any pie from blueberry to apple, cherry to rhubarb with this wonderful vintage lattice top pie crust template cutter. $7.50 from etsy seller Vintage House.}



{How incredibly adorable is this 100% cotton handmade bib? Your little one is guaranteed to be a total cutie pie in it! $6.00 from etsy seller Rochelle’s Designs.}



{Keep your sewing (or hat) pins in order with this sweet blueberry pie pincushion, complete with scalloped edge cotton “crust”. $15.00 from etsy seller Quilting Corner.}



{Add a serving of super cuteness to your favourite fun and causal outfits with these fantastic homemade polymer clay blueberry earrings. $10.00 from etsy seller Tacky Tea Cup.}



{Sweet country charm fills this summery, blueberry and flower print dress, which while from the 1980s or 90s, has a distinct 1930s feel to it thanks to the simple, classic cut and soft colours. $40.00 from etsy seller Nice.}



{Moisturize your lips and add a regal hit of sophisticated beauty to your make-up bag with these incredibly beautiful Georgian lady bedecked tubes of blueberry muffin flavoured lip balm. $3.00 each from etsy seller Vintage Bella.}


What vintage blueberry themed post would be complete without a great recipe? For a batch of absolutely marvelous sounding blueberry streusel muffins, be sure to check out the blog Vintage Victuals for Ellie's photo filed recipe.

Blueberries have a special place in my heart and in the my memories of childhood bedtime stories. They remind me of my mother, tie me to my family’s farming past, and remain a favourite fruit summer after summer. Do you also adore these wonderful little spheres of berry goodness?

Monday Muses {May 4th}

After putting together a week’s worth of delicious links last night, I whipped up an equally yummy supper for myself. Nature’s Path Buckwheat Wildberry waffles with fresh strawberries and reduced fat whipped cream to celebrate the return of glorious spring flowers and days with double digit temperatures.

I’ve always adored berries of all sorts, from blue to black, raspberries to huckleberries, they’re each so wonderfully versatile and symbolic of the warmer months. Not only are these healthy sweet morsels good for your body, berry print and themed items can do your vintage wardrobe a world of good, too. This week I’m looking toward the punchy hues and crisp freshness of May strawberries as my vintage muse.


{Delicate and cheerful, this lovely brass necklace crafted by Firebirdhouse on etsy, sports a strawberry charm and section of a vintage paper strawberry seed packet; at a budget friendly $13US this pretty piece of jewelry is a great deal.}


{Bright as a just-picked-from-the-vine strawberry, this flirty pencil skirt – while vibrant as a poppy – would no doubt prove to be a versatile item year-round in many a vintage wardrobe. I’d pair it with a crisp white blouse or button down cotton shirt and wedge heels in the summer, a fitted black cardigan and Mary Janes or pumps in the winter. If you want to shake it like a strawberry, this skirt can be yours for $36US from Pin Up Girl Clothing.}


{A myriad of indoor or outdoor items such as grocery totes or placemats could be crafted from this darling vintage pink strawberry print oil cloth, thanks to the fact that it’s waterproof. A 48 inch piece sells for $15US and can be picked up from Warm Biscuit, an online bedding, houseware, and sewing goods shop.}


{One look at this incredibly sweet, ruffled strawberry and cherry print apron from SpiceRack Designs on etsy, and it’s hard not to fall in love. This photo is of the back which I felt needed to be seen even more than the front because of its awesome red and white polka dot bow. If this apron is whispering your name, it can be yours for $35US.}


{Hued like a glass full of strawberry juice, these red satin rockabilly heels (available in ladies sizes 5.5 to 9) from The Velvet Vault are a luscious deal at $26.97US. I could easily imagine combining shoes these with a gorgeous LBD and going dancing on a warm summer’s evening.}

Red is warm and bold, it conveys power, strength and confidence, yet can also be wonderfully romantic (think of a rose, sexy red lipstick such as Clinque’s aptly named “Red Red Red”, or the tinge in one’s cheeks when they blush). Like a strawberry, red can be paired with many other (fashion) flavours or enjoyed solely on its own, as I’ve tried to highlight in this Polyvore set teaming with all sorts of wonderful vintage inspired red pieces.


{Strawberry Love, created by yours truly.}

Whether eating, wearing or admiring strawberries, what are some of your favourite ways to incorporate this beautiful fruit into your world?