When I wore a younger woman's clothes

Today is my 31st birthday. Yes siree, I made it through the first year of my 30s and am every bit as excited to embrace the second as I felt on the day when they began precisely a year ago.
 
Being both my birthday and a Friday however, I didn't want to launch into a hefty sized post. Instead the idea struck me recently while listing to Sirius XM (as I usually do when shooting photos for my Etsy shop listings) to feature a few photos of myself as a youngster on my birthday when the next one rolled around for me. As you may have deducted, it was Billy Joel's classic hit Piano Man that inspired the title for this post and by the same token, the post itself.

I have some photos from my childhood, the bulk of which I have my very dear mom to thank for scanning from old photo albums and sharing with me on a flash drive a few years ago, however not that many from my the birthdays of my youth. I debated posting others that weren't from birthdays, and may do so in another entry one day (I have shared at least a couple such snaps over the years, including in this post about how my passion for vintage fashion took root at a very early age), but that didn't feel right given the occasion so I tried to find a few that were from past birthdays, save for the first one of me as a teeny, tiny baby (aww!).

I am not wearing vintage or vintage styles here (I began doing so in earnest at the age of 15, transforming my wardrobe into an into ever more yesteryear filled one with each year that followed), but you can still get a sense of my style - girly, filled with pink, classic, and fun - from these few long time faded photos, each taken on July 10ths that came before.

Please bear with the quality of these images. They're scans from old family albums that were not archivally safe and which definitely show the ravages of time, as many colour photos from that era do. I'm so grateful to have them though and that I can take a trip down memory lane anytime I want care of these old snapshots, captured almost always by mom's hand during my youth.




I don't have any photos of the me on the day I was born, but I do have this one professional one shot during my first sixth months of life. Love that eyelet trimmed dress, it would have been perfect for a birthday party!




In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not 100% certain that this was taken on my birthday, but given the bow on my head - clearly accessorizing was already an important priority to be at a very early age (I would have been about a year old here, I think) - how could I not share it?




{Back when I was a wee sprite, British Columbia had two fun theme parks devoted just to the classic cartoon characters, The Flintstones, one of which was located about 45 minutes from our home at the time. It was a huge treat to go there and visiting on my 4th, I believe, birthday as I did here with my good friend at time, Leanne, by my side, was beyond the icing on the birthday cake for me!}




I'm going to say that this in my 5th birthday, but am not 100% sure. Based on my hair, height, and what I'm wearing, I think it was though. Here I am kneeling on the brown picnic bench we had in our backyard at the time, opening a Hudson's Bay box. I don't remember what contents it held, but am sure that it was clothing and that that me one seriously happy birthday girl (I think I was one of the few kids out there who actually loved getting clothes a present - my fashionista tendencies haven taken hold very early on in my life! Plus, holy smokes, check out the box on the ground. Is that the year I got my Lite-Brite? I loved that toy so much!).




Growing up, my family always had a tradition of giving each child a helium balloon first thing in the morning on their special day, and here I am - decked out in a pastel pink party dress, natch - holding mine as my 7th birthday kicked off. Props to my mom on the fab pink streamer decoration job around the doorway!




Diving right into my gifts on my 8th birthday, with my BFF at the time, Talia, and my little brother by my side. Tal and I were the same age, but I was very short - usually the smallest in my class - as a child, so she looks much older than me here. Based on the shape of that top box, it was almost certainly a Barbie. Score!!! :D




This is the last photo I have of me, as far as I know, that was taken one of my childhood birthdays and it from my 13th, if I'm not mistaken. My teen years were incredibly difficult and tumultuous (for reasons far beyond the normal tribulations of youth) and exceedingly few photos were shot of me during that time, which makes having this one - of me sitting on a swing at a park here in Penticton - all the more precious to me.

♥ ♥ ♥

Like most of my friends back in the day, my wardrobe was not big when I was a child and my parents had a strong say in what I could wear until I hit high school, but looking back on these photos and the others I sorted thorough from my youth to unearth this tiny selection, I can still see the seeds of the style that would come to fill my closet in the decades to come.


It's often hard to believe just how quickly time passes. I can still recall the precise way that that pink party dress felt on my skin and how much I loved my long permed locks (the results of, I kid you not, three different spiral perm applications to get my naturally bone straight hair that curly) in the final photo. I can recall too with stark clarity, too, the waves of massive excitement I felt on each birthday that I've experienced, no matter what else was going on in my life at the time.



(A Dairy Queen Ice Cream cake, my absolute favourite b-day sweet treat when I was a youngster – this one from my 4th birthday. If they were gluten-free, I'd still get them to this day. Next year I'll have to devise a GF version of my own and rekindle this once favourite birthday food tradition once again.)


I love birthdays. I mean really, really love them - be they my own or other people's, and while I might have worn a younger woman's (girl’s, technically) clothes when these snaps were taken decades ago now, that wide-eyed excitement still holds true and returns each July 10th to help set the stage not only for the day's celebrations, but for the whole year ahead and each bright, beautiful possibility it holds in store.

Welcome, 31st year of life, I can't wait to see what new memories - and photos alike - you'll bring my way in the coming 365 days!

Celebrate my Etsy's shop's 1st birthday with a 30% off storewide flash sale

My word, how time flies when you're selling vintage! Today I'm elated to celebrate the 1st birthday of my Etsy vintage shop with all of you, and what better way to mark such an milestone occasion than with a massive sale.

To mark Chronically Vintage on Etsy's first year of life, I'm holding a storewide 30% off flash sale that will run from today (May 6th) until Saturday May 9th.

This is going to be my only storewide sale of the season, so now is definitely the time to pick up that item (or two...or ten!) that you've been eyeing for a while, or to discover a new "can't live without it" treasure there.

Don't forget that I offer very low combined shipping rates on multiple items purchased at the same time and only charge true shipping. So if a shipping overage of $1.00 or more does happen to occur, I refund it to you right away after posting out your order.



Take Mable and Peggy's lead and rush over to shop Chronically Vintage's 30% off 1st anniversary sale today! And please don't be shy when it comes to sharing about this sale on social media. Just save the image above and pepper it across the web wherever you'd like!


This past year as an Etsy shop owner, on top of being a full-time vintage blogger, has been one of many exciting learning curves, honing my time management skills, awesome opportunities, newly forged friendships, support from many of my blog readers, and tons of experiences that I wouldn't have traded for the world.

While I wouldn't call myself a veteran Etsy seller yet, I'm not the newest kid on the block either any longer either and I love that fact. I know Etsy well now and have a very good sense of what it's like to earn a living there.

It takes, amongst other things, massive amounts of work, perseverance, dedication, great customer service skills, plenty of word of mouth coverage, an unwavering belief in yourself, and the ability to continually replenish your virtual shelves with awesome new finds that are apt to speak to a wide range of vintage adoring folks.

I truly want to thank each and every one of you who has helped to support my Etsy shop during its first year in so many different ways. It would not be where it is today for one red second were it not for all of you.

As we kick off its second fabulous year, I hope that you'll continue to shop my old school wares and be a part of making Chronically Vintage on Etsy an ever-greater success!

Orange you happy it's October 16th?

✯ Day 289 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Associated most closely with autumn - thanks to wonderful seasonal elements like pumpkins, crunchy leaves, and as one of the stripes in tricolored candy corn - orange is a a hue that actually works well the whole year through.

In the colder months its intensity often deepens, veering into the territory of rust and copper, come spring it lightens up again in the form of pastel peaches and pale new blossoms, in summer it is bold and exciting, coming to us in tangerine shades, basketballs, and tropical drinks.

A strong, cheerful, fiery colour, orange is tied to everything from happiness to creativity, sunshine to soda pop. Though I tend to wear orange on either the very pale or deeply dark side of the spectrum, it's a colour that's long woven its way into my life.

This is not only due to my love of autumn and Halloween, but because growing up orange was my little sister's favourite hue. I love fact that she sought out such a vibrant, joyful colour as a child. Orange fit her effervescent, sweet, cheerful personality well.

Today is a very special day for me because it's my sister Katie's birthday, so in celebration of this delightful fact - and given how naturally this hue lends itself to October - todays' post is a diverse roundup of a wonderful vintage images featuring this splendidly chipper hue.

{Image sources: 1. Orange Cake Mix and Autumn Days , 2. Woman holding Oranges in her Skirt, 1950s, 3. Orange, 4. birthday clock, 5. 1926 Beauty Cosmetics Advertisement, 6. Lifesavers - Orange - 1940s, 7. You'll Wish You Could Wear Them..., 8. Advance 4139 1946 orange, 9. Poppy 1922 Jazz Age Botanical Lithograph, 10. 1950s orange angora sweater, 11. Vintage Car, 12. 1930 General Dual-Balloon Tires, 13. Orange Apron}

I hope that these apricot, carrot and squash hued images have brought a hearty dose of cheer your way. They certainly did for me this morning, reminding me of the many cute little orange items I used to search the shops for to give my sister on her birthday and Christmas when we were children.

Though when I stop to think about it now, I'm not sure if Katie still favours orange above all other hues, nevertheless I love that she once held this vivacious colour in such high regard and that for all of time, when I see something beautiful and orange, I will be reminded of her.

On this very special day in 1930...

✯ Day 287 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

It was a cold morning, whatever remnants of the short-lived summer may have lingered into fall had already disappeared and another seemingly endless winter was beginning to burrow into the once thriving town of Dawson.

In the dim oil lamp light a petite French woman by the name of Marie Lefebvre readied herself to give birth to her ninth and final child. Seven girls and one son had proceeded this babe's birth. Seventeen years of bringing life into the world had taken their toil on the mother's body, but deep inside her soul she was content and eager to meet the little she'd been carrying beneath her apron for three-quarters of a year.

Far away "down south", the world was abuzz with talk and stories of the economic crisis, fortunes lost, families forced to abandon them homes, jobless men trekking the country, desperate for any scrap of work. Up in the Yukon though, in their small hamlet of the north, there was still stability in 1930.

This town, once wild with the glint and fever of cold, had slowed rapidly over the decades since crazy rush of '98 that brought her husband, Charles, north on foot over the gruelling Chilkoot Trail, a thousand pounds of provisions (as mandated by the Mounties) lugged over the treacherous incline, pack load by exhausting pack load, on his strong back.

He was a good man, her Charles Burkhard. With his wavy brown hair, statuesque height, strong - but kind - features, and worker's hands, he lead the large family well, provided for his children, was sweet to her. Though more than twenty years her senior, his face - for all the toil it'd seen - was young, and few noticed the age gap between them.

At 34 years old, she wasn't ancient by any means, but she sensed, in that way mothers inherently do, that this would be her last child, so she took extra care to hold onto the memory of each moment, as the contractions grew stronger, closer, and her breath became heavier.

The birth was a straightforward one, easy and - as much as such things can be - pleasant. Not to anyone's surprise, the child was a girl. Quiet and calm, she cried immediately, nestled against her mother's breast, and slept soundly as the arctic winds waltzed against the wooden walls of the small home above the bakery that the family owned, before it fleeted off to howl through the towering mountains nearby.

Looking down on her tiny infant, Marie pondered a name - something French, perhaps, in a nod to her Quebec linage. Bernice, yes, Bernice. She liked the way it matched the "B" of the family's surname, and that it had a charmingly feminine ring to it.

On this day, 81 years ago precisely, in the snow-locked land of the Yukon,  Bernice Schill (née Burkhard), my maternal grandma was born to loving, hard working parents. She would grow up to be a wife and mother herself, live in three provinces and two continents, deal with tremendous heartache (including the passing of her only son), battle chronic illness, and yet, never lose that sweet, kind disposition her mother saw in her instantly.

 

{My grandma, Bernice Schill, looking so summery and lovely, in an photo taken circa 1950.}

Though it's been a very long time she she last set foot in Dawson - a lifetime ago, really - she still has the spirit of the north in her veins, going strong as her father as he set out from his home in Nebraska for the prospect of gold in the far-flung promise land of the Yukon.

She, my grandma (who has always, adorably, spelled her chosen grandmotherly moniker as "Grannie"), is a venerable, beautiful, wise, tenacious, caring, amazing woman, and on this day, I celebrate every moment of her fascinating life, and each gift and blessing she has bestowed on mine.

From the bottom of my heart, and all of my love, happiest 81st Birthday, Grannie!

Happy 3rd birthday, darling Stella!

✯ Day 243 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Born on the streets of a metropolis city, as so many of her kind are each year, Stella was an urban feral cat from her first meow of life.

How exactly she went from that state to laying sweetly in a tiny cat bed at the rescue shelter when we found in in November 2008 is anyone's guess, but chances are she and her littermates were picked up by the local animal control squad.

Lacking early human interaction, Stella developed a shy - yet highly tenacious, independent personality. Ever-curious, bright as her name (which is Italian for "star") implies, and just about the sweetest bundle of tabby grey fur you could ever hope to encounter, Stella has blossomed and thrived as indoor cat under the loving care of my husband and I.

The first pet and we've had the pleasure of sharing as a couple, Stella is a breath of joy of happiness in our lives. She never ceases to delight us with her clever games, cute posses, elegant beauty, and inquisitive soul.

Though we don't know (as the shelter didn't either) her exact date of birth, she was approximately 11 weeks old when we adopted her, so counting backwards that would place her birthday squarely at the end of August.

Thus, from day one, Tony and I christened August 31st Stella's birthday and have happily celebrated it as such every year since.

Now turning three years old, Stella has morphed into much more of a lap cat (aka, cuddle bug), yet is still as energetic, curious and entertaining as a young kitten. We love her dearly and in celebration of her (official unofficial) birthday, I wanted to share a selection of delightful vintage cat images with all of you.

{Image sources: 1. Vintage illustration kitten with party hat, 2. Vintage Cats, 3. Honky Cat - Taken Between 1949 and 1952, 4. animal - cat and TV, 5. Woman with Cat, 6. aunt nona's cat on the car, 7. Cats - For PERSONAL use only, 8. Cats - For PERSONAL use only, 9. 1959 Sarah cat, 10. Kittens in a Box, 1960, 11. Cats - For PERSONAL use only, 12. MYSTERIES OF THE CAT 1932, 13. Vintage Cats}

And how could I note include one of my all-time favourite shots of the adorable feline birthday girl herself in this post, too?

 

I love that each year Tony and I get to cap off August - the last full month of summer - by celebrating Stella's birthday. It seems both an awesome way wrap up summer and to start autumn off on a fabulous note at the same time.

If you're a proud pet parent, too (or have been in the past), do you enjoy marking your furry friend's birthdays as well?

The next three week's worth of Vintage 365 posts

Hello, my sweet dears, happiest ongoing Canada Day wishes to you each!

As you may have read in this morning's post (which was my first in three weeks), while the medical work I had done in June is now behind me (phew!), and the two procedures I had went smoothly enough (again, phew!), I'm taking longer than initially (or perhaps or accurately, optimistically!) anticipated to recoup from them (though on the tail of the first two, I've been scheduled for a third, on July 8th, so the process of recovering may continue to take longer than previously thought).

As a result, despite July being one of my absolute favourite months of the year (for a plethora of reasons beyond the fact that it houses my birthday), it looks like in order to keep up with 2011's Vintage 365 project, another round-up post is is order.

My health is very unpredictable at the best of times, so it's tricky for me to gauge just how far in advance such an entry needs to cover, but as we went with three weeks last time, that seemed like a pretty realistic period of time to cover again today.

Just as last time, I sincerely apologize to all those who have been checking in often (or daily!) for the Vintage 365 posts this year. I've adored brining you this daily series and hope that it won't be too much longer until I'm feeling well enough to return to posting daily.

I wholeheartedly appreciate your understanding regarding this matter, and hope that you absolutely enjoy the wonderfully fun array of vintage topics below.

Without further ado, my I present the next twenty-two instalments of the Vintage 365 project.

July 1 ~ Day 182: In the spirit of Canada's Birthday, today's find simply had to feature the colours of the Canadian flag (red and white) and be perfect for this toasty time of year.

Hitting both of those targets spot on, the gingham print, halter neck Picnic Paradise top is sure to catch the eye of many a vintage fashionista. Sporting adorable red piping and a figure flattering front tie at the waist, this darling shirt would look fabulous with everything from skin-tight vintage capri pants to prim and proper pencil skirts.

Currently on sale for $29.99, and available (at the time of writing) in ladies sizes small, medium and large, this country chic, super summer appropriate vintage inspired top is too sweet to pass up!

 

July 2 ~ Day 183: One fascinating fact about today (July 2nd) is that it's the midpoint of the year, with 182 days falling on either side of it. From this day onwards we speed ever closer to 2012 (I know, how can that possibly be? We're we just giving a spirited rendition of Auld Lang Syne are all and enthusiastically blowing noise makers?!).

Another, entirely unrelated, fun fact about today is that it's the date on which, back in 1962, the first Walmart opened its doors in Rogers, Arkansas.

While founder Sam Walton (so hence the "Wal" in "Walmart") probably never imagined just how massive an empire that first little store would spawn in the ensuing decades, it's undeniable today that Walmart (whether you love it, hate it, or fall somewhere in the middle) is as much a part of the North American landscape as the golden arches of McDonalds and the mermaid adorned Starbucks' sign.

With their high volume, low price approach to business, Walmart appears to have been popular from the very get-go, if this 1962 photo of crowds eagerly queuing up for the opening for the first store is any indication.

 

July 3 ~ Day 184: Though Betty Crocker wasn't a real woman (indeed, this fictional cookery guru was portrayed - both on the radio and in person - by many women over the years), one can't help but believe through and through, that the elegant woman presenting the commercial for Betty Crocker cake mix in today’s entree isn’t really the lady whose name graced millions of baking mix boxes.

Let the hustle and bustle of the modern world drift away for a minute as you escape into the inviting world of the 1950s, where products like packaged dessert mixes were new and exciting, something tasty was always in the oven, and every TV set was a black and white one, care of this endearing General Mills Betty Crocker cake mix commercial.

 

July 4 ~ Day 185: Because, I firmly believe, that the heat shouldn't be the only thing that has you swooning this month, may I present a rather gorgeous Enna Jeticks ladies shoe ad from 1953.

Featuring five styles that are equally functional and fabulously pretty, these elegant shoes (each pair of which would work wonderfully with summertime outfits, especially the peep-toe and sling back styles) with their cute and clever name, are definitely worth getting a little weak in the knees for - and then trying to hunt down in vintage shops, or at the very least draw scores of stylish footwear inspiration from for the next time you go vintage shoe shopping.

 

July 5 ~ Day 186: As a paper crafter and a diehard vintage fan, I'm always on the prowl for products to use on my scrapbook pages and cards that instantly invoke  delightful old school charm. One recent line from the brand Crate Paper, called Emma's Shoppe, fits that bill to an absolute tee!

Bursting with soft, beautifully aged hues (think gentle pinks, grassy greens, sharp turquoises, and soft mustard yellows) and delightful vintage inspired images (like old fashioned baby buggies, doilies, children's toys, and paper dolls), this marvelous collection is bound to quickly win over tons of hearts!

Whether you like to make your own home decor, cards, scrapbook pages, ATCs, mixed media creations, or other paper related projects, the Emma's Shoppe collection (some of which I picked up, and must say, is even more precious and delightful in person), is a fabulous way to inject darling vintage charm into your summertime crafting adventures.

 

July 6 ~ Day 187: Today is a particularly special date to me because it's the day on which, back in 2004, my darling husband proposed to me - at, may I add, no less than just about the most romantic setting one could possible envision, a stunning Irish castle.

In a nod to the fact that my DH is Italian, born and breed, and the splendid setting of where he proposed (over a candlelit meal), this hearty Irish-Italian Spaghetti recipe embraces elements of both cultures for a stick-to-your-ribs pasta meal that is sure to please fans of both cuisines alike.

 

July 7 ~ Day 188: For those of us who live in climates that are snowy (or at least chilly!) most of the year and who lack their own backyard pool, summer can mean the return to swimming trips at the lake, river or ocean once more (and indeed, when I was growing up, there were truly few things I adored more about this already awesome season!).

Whether you prefer to get your toes went while sitting on an aged wooden waft or the side of a glitzy resort pool, stylish vintage swimwear is a must for all those who enjoy a good summertime dip.

For oodles of old school bathing suit inspiration to help you look your most enchanting this summer, be sure to devote a couple of minutes to this thoroughly lovely full colour video clip of 1930s swimwear (the styles of which will have you pining for a vintage bathing suit and a good splash in the water, for sure!).

 

July 8 ~ Day 189: Anytime a room comes complete with generously sized roses adorning the ceiling, there's a very decent chance I'm going to love it!

This ultra feminine bedroom from the forties not only has flowers on the ceiling, it's bubbling over with blooms scattered across the room (on the tiles, curtains, and cabinetry), all set against a captivating pink, green and black colour palette.

While this certainly isn't a room for those who lean towards minimalist or subdued decor, if vibrant rooms bedecked with gardens worth of roses set your heart aflutter, than this pretty 1940s bedroom might just be up your ally, too (seriously, how could you not love roses on the ceiling?! ).

 

July 9 ~ Day 190: South of the equator, the seasons are reversed, which means, as we're perspiring our hearts out up here on this side of the globe, those down under are contending with winter (hmmmm, how about a weather exchange program for a few days? :D).

Likewise, their spring is our fall and vice versa. This means that if you're looking for vintage summertime fashion inspiration in the dead of a (north of the equator) winter, our fine friends in Australia are a great source.

To celebrate the fact that today is the Constitution Day in Australia (which, while not a public holiday, is still an important date that's worth noting), why not garner some warmer weather sartorial inspiration from the October 1961 cover of Australian Home Journal.

Here we see two women and a young lady decked out in elegant everyday attire that would work splendidly (thanks to the shorter sleeves and hemlines) for those of on this side of the equator right now.

 

July 10 ~ Day 191: While you'll find a few more candles on my cake (a dizzying 27, to be exact), I share Shirley's wide-eyed excitement for birthdays (as seen in the adorable photograph of her below), no matter how old I get (and, goodness, does 27 seem like I'm getting on in age! Long gone are the jaunty teen years, looming ever nearer are my thirties!).

As the 10th falls on a Sunday this year, it means that my sweet husband will be home, able to spend the whole day with me. Though, writing this post ten days in advance, I'm not sure what sort of activities my birthday will include, I know that my hubby - bless his entirely dear heart - will help make is shine even more than the flames on my cake, as he so thoughtfully does each year.

{Darling Shirley Temple birthday cake photo via Songs I Sing.}

July 11 ~ Day 192: First released by Bobby Day in 1958, Rockin' Robin is one of those splendidly toe-tapping classic rock songs that can't help but put a smile on your face every time you here it.

Rockin’ Robin is also one of the first 1950s songs I remember listening to (and falling in love with) as a youngster. To this day I still enjoy belting out the words ("he rocks in the tree tops all a dayyyy long!") and imagining I'm at a good ol' fashioned sock hop, especially during these wonderfully fun summer days when something about the season just makes you want to sing and dance.

 

July 12 ~ Day 193: I'm a fan of clocks, practical yet often visually gorgeous objects that they are, especially those with a distinctly vintage feel to them. Recently on ModCloth I spied a splendidly cheerful aqua hued clock featuring a clean white face with timeless typography, darling sky blue hands, and easy to read hour numbers that really caught my eye.

I could easily see this fun, entirely cute (yet classy enough to work equally well at home or the office) 1950s inspired clock (which retails for $39.99) working with a myriad of other colours (think peppy pinks, sunny yellows, warm reds, crisp blacks, soft greys and sweet peaches, to name but a few) and in everyplace from the kitchen to a dorm room, bedroom to home library, ensuring that your walls would be beautifully adorned and you'd slash your chances of being late all in one fell swoop.

 

July 13 ~ Day 194: Help chase off the pesky heat with three wonderfully refreshing summer drink recipes from the 1950s. These classic beverages (citrus sunshine punch, old-time lemonade, and limeade) - all of which are child-friendly and call for very commonplace ingredients – are sweet and satisfying, every bit as timelessly spot on today as they were over fifty years ago.

 

July 14 ~ Day 195: Equal parts chic and fun, this fun little vintage Catalina women's clothing ad boasts a slogan that we should all adhere to during the summer: Play it cool!

From the splendidly inviting slices of watermelon these three gals are nibbling on to the playful, casual summer ensembles (don't you just love that breezy sundress?), this great ad brigs stylish July inspiration your way in spades!

July 15 ~ Day 196: Vintage compacts can be utterly stunning little works of art. From ornately decorated examples crafted from precious metals and stones to more "everyday", but no less lovely, versions, powder cases from days gone by can make for fabulous additions to your vanity and make-up bag alike.

Oftentimes fans of these handy items wonder about how to go about refilling them, especially if they're new to collecting old school powder cases. Fear not, this useful how-to post from the blog The Powder Compact Diaries guides you through the steps to take if you want to replace or refill the powder in your vintage compact.

July 16 ~ Day 197: Channelling a vibe that reminds me a bit of the slumber party in Grease, this perfectly darling two piece pajama set is just the ticket to help make getting through even the toastiest of summer nights more bearable.

Featuring short-shorts and darling bow bedecked, tank top style shirt, and a super sweet pink polka dot pattern, these cute, entirely girly jammies (which are available for $85.00 Australian from online retailer Hot Couture) have a seriously great vintage vibe to them - and would definitely be what I'd want to sport if I was holding a vintage themed sleepover of my own this season.

July 17 ~ Day 198: There's a reason he was dubbed the King, just look at the mischievous eyes and that flirty meets devil-may care expression in this fabulous Elvis photo.

Awww, Mr. Presley, you'll always be one of the coolest musicians to see us through these hot-as-a-griddle dog days (or should I say, hound dog days :) ) of summer.

 

July 18 ~ Day 199: Don a pair of Mickey ears today because it's time to celebrate the fact that on this date back in 1955, the first Disneyland theme park opened in Anaheim, California.

While we don't have a time machine to zip back to the fifties and attend the park in person, this entertaining series (a blend of both colour and B&W images) of vintage Disneyland photos from the 1950s and 60s is the next best thing (or perhaps even better, this way you get to skip the mile-long lines! ).

 

July 19 ~ Day 200: Thorough round-up lists of online links for a particular topic can be super finds. They can save you hours (or days!) of searching for numerous sites on a certain topic yourself and are just the thing to bookmark for future reference.

If you're a fan of vintage sewing patterns (and who isn't?!), then this wonderful list of websites that sell (or have information pertaining to) vintage sewing patterns will definitely tickle your fancy. Some links are geared towards more modern styles, but there are quite a few sites that deal with old school sewing ideas and patterns, all corralled into one handy-dandy spot.

 

July 20 ~ Day 201: In a season rich in incredible fruits - many of which are at their peak right now - it's hard to pick a favourite, but many-a-day I can't help but veer towards cherries, calling to mind as they do, so many charming childhood memories of days spent picking them from trees in my neighbourhood.

No matter what your favourite summertime fruit is (watermelon, peaches, nectarines, berries, etc), chances are you like cherries, all the more so if they're whipped into a scrumptious dessert. Classic as a Fred Astaire film and every bit as fun, a good cherry pie is a treat that's not to be scoffed at.

Bursting with juicy dark red fruit, sugar and just a dash of spice, this picture perfect cherry pie recipe from the 1950s is a tried-and-true standard that deserves a spot in your cookbook - and on your summertime table!

 

July 21 ~ Day 202:I'm somewhat selective about the decorative objects I display around my home. I like them to have an antique or vintage (or at the very least strikingly timeless quality) and not be too flashy (generally speaking), which is why I fell hard for this elegantly lovely pair of 1920s bathing figures from Plasticland (where the pair retails for $30.00).

Crafted from cast resin, hand painted in gorgeous shades that instantly telegraph an aged look, and distressed to further add the appearance of being weathered by the years, this pair of (6.5" tall) summertime beauties would be exactly the kind of decorative object I'd gravitate towards (as I'd imagine many of you would, too!).

 

July 22 ~ Day 203: Tumblr is one of those addictive sites that, if I were able to spend more time online, I could very easily seeing myself devoting a lot of time at (in many ways it's akin to StumbleUpon, which, a few years back, was one of my biggest online haunts). The sheer volume of diverse images Tumblr teams with is positively addictive!

Amongst that vast array are oodles of vintage finds, some of which can be seen in one the marvellously fun Tumblr account The Golden Age of Hollywood.

This charmingly fun page is chocked full of tiny (think one or two second) vintage movie and television clips, often paired with the respective quotes from those very films and shows (that the actor/actress in the clip/image said) .

The Golden Age of Hollywood is a positively enjoyable, entirely neat site that's worth bookmarking or following, no matter if you're a hard core Tumblr user or a casual visitor.

♥ ♥ ♥

 

By the time the days that this post covers have wrapped up, we'll be well into the scorching, sun-drenched, often delightfully pretty hours of late July. A time for drinks as cold as Antarctic ice, the lightest, most beguiling of vintage sundresses, and as many escapes to cooler spots (breezy beaches, picnics under shady trees) as we can possibly muster.

I hope very much that come July 23rd, daily Vintage 365 posting can resume again, but just as with June's post, we'll take each day as it comes and keep our fingers crossed for the best later on this month.

As we embrace July and celebrate the many splendours of summer, you are each in my thoughts and heart - and I'm wishing you all a month that sparkles with good times, great summer weather, and tons of happiness!!!

Celebrating my mom's birthday with classic radio shows

✯ Day 92 of Vintage 365 ✯

It's interesting, you know, on the surface it wouldn't seem as though my mom is the biggest vintage fan (not of course that's anti-vintage, heavens no!, I just mean that she doesn't eat, sleep and breath vintage like you and I do), and yet, I think she's much more of a vintage loving gal at heart than she knows.

For example, it way my mom who got me hooked as a child on going to yard sales and second hand stores, and it was my wonderful mom who taught me the timeless arts of cooking, baking, canning, and homemaking. Much like me, she adores TV programmes about history, and enjoys hearing about my latest genealogy research. Yet, perhaps the main reason why my mom will always be a vintage fan in my eyes, is because of her massive love for classic radio shows.

When I was a youngster, my parents had several cassette taps (this being the 80s) of radio programmes from the 30s-50s, including such timeless legends as Jack Benny, Fibber McGee and Molly, Bob Hope, Burns and Allen, and Our Miss Brooks. Oh how, I adored popping these tapes into my little black Walkman and falling asleep to the sound of those entertaining voices of the past. Even long after I knew every single tape word-for-word, nothing would lull me off to sleep as easily or peacefully as listing to those tapes did.

I believe that my childhood exposure to classic radio shows had a profound influence me and went a very long way in terms of turning me into the vintage fan that I am today. I'm very grateful to my parents for owning those tapes and exposing me to the incredible Golden Age of Radio shows at such a young age.

Though I very much doubt those cassettes are still around, my mom's love of old time radio is as strong today as it's ever been (she subscribes to Sirius Satellite Radio just to get the classic radio show channel - there's a woman after my own heart!), and as today is my mom's birthday, I wanted to share a (two part) Youtube audio clip of the kind of wonderful classic radio show we both love with all of you.

Given that it's tax time on both sides of the 49th parallel right now, this humorous George Burns and Gracie Allen radio show seems extra fitting, though it's every bit as fun to listen to any time of the year.

To all my fellow old time radio fans and vintage lovin' friends out there, I wish you an absolutely splendid first weekend of April! And to my beloved mom, happiest of birthdays to the most incredible woman I've ever had the honour of knowing. May this day sparkle with every joy you deserve! <3

Happy 1st birthday Chronically Vintage!

On a day quite like many before it, something deep inside my soul stirred, a longing to put pen to paper (or in this case waltz my fingers across a keyboard) and share my lifelong adoration of all things vintage with the world.

While I’d like to regale you with an eventful tale of how Chronically Vintage came to be, its birth was really was rather on the quiet and unassuming side. Like a gentle breeze across the springtime landscape, this blog spun into existence softly, but with immense passion fuelling its creation onward.

Perhaps not all that surprisingly, I’ve always enjoyed reminiscing about the past – even when that past is, in this particular situation, only twelve months old. It’s fascinating to mark one’s life by the years created between various dates. As with most stretches of time, the span between this April and the last has been filled with its share of ups and downs, rough days and moments of unbridled joy. It’s created a year in which I feel I’ve found myself more at home with who I am – which I’m sure comes in part from getting old, but also from the comfort and courage that accompanies time spent amongst others who understand, care about and encourage you.

This blog would, unequivocally, not be what it is today without my amazing readers. There are scarcely words to thank all of visitors and blogging friends, not only for your comments, support, understanding and camaraderie, but for “getting” me. As many of you can no doubt relate to, it can be strange to be the only (or one of the only) vintage lovers in your family/social group/town!, and as such it means even more when through the powers of the internet you suddenly find yourself a new home brimming with fellow vintage fans.

Through your own sublime blogs I’ve learned enough in the last year to fill a small library! Your pages have given me a lifetime of inspiration and twelve months of splendid happiness. The thoughts you’ve written down, the images you’ve discovered, the outfits you’ve sported, the history you’ve preserved, all of these things have propelled my own thoughts in fantastically diverse and creative directions. You’ve influenced my wardrobe, make-up and hairstyles, my home decor, my collection of vintage items, and perhaps most of all, my blog writing.



{Adorable vintage birthday card via Vintage-Mouse’s Flickr stream.}

Thank you, everyone, for supporting Chronically Vintage both directly with your comments and behind the scenes with the inspiration I garner from your own marvellous posts. It’s been nothing short of a fabulous year on the blogging front, and one that I honestly cannot imagine having never taken place.

This blog came to be at a time when I really needed a creative outlet to get my mind off of countless pressing, uninspiring, downright heavy issues, and it has been a cathartic, artistic outpost of felicity for the past twelve months – just as I’m certain it will continue to be in the future.

To say I’m looking forward to Chronically Vintage’s second year of life would be a serious understatement! I’m positively bursting with excitement over what my second year of being a vintage blogger has in store, and can hardly wait to share each and every moment with you all!

Happy 1st birthday, Chronically Vintage, I love you!

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!

A small handful of photos (of me) from 2009

As we sit here on the 26th day of the first January of this new decade, it feels almost unreal to reflect upon the fact that more than a month has now passed since Christmas – or, from a different perspective, that 2010 is nearly 1/12 complete!

Before this fresh year starts feeling like an old friend, I thought it would be wise to post a few photos (of myself) from 2009 that I’ve thus far not had the chance to blog about. Aside from the fact that I’ve been wanting to share these images here on Chronically Vintage since the moment they were each snapped, by posting them I will be able to clear the photo slate from last year and henceforth share snapshots from 2010 (without the lingering feeling that I should be posting ‘09’s images first).

I made a bit of a promise to myself last year that I would post images on my blog as a means of helping myself work on my self-esteem level and related issues pertaining to sharing photos of myself publicly. Prior to 2009, I’d never been able to work up the courage to post my own image online, but (happily) having finally gathered the nerve to do, I want to make sure I don’t revert to my former photo reclusive self – and what better way to ensure that doesn’t happen to put together posts just like this one?

Two of three separate days featured below are presented in mosaic form, the last entry however is not, as some of the photos taken that night were snapped in such a way as to capture my whole outfit and I didn’t want those particular images to get cropped by the photo tiling application that I use.


{My sun-kissed 25th birthday}


{Captured in the gloriously invigorating, crystal clear July light, these photos document what I was sporting fashion wise on the loveliest birthday I’ve thus far experienced as an adult. I hope they also transmit the immense joy I was enveloped in that wonderful afternoon, for my sweet husband showered me with surprises, gifts and countless reasons to smile from dawn to dusk, and truly made turning a quarter of a century old one of the most memorable days of my life.}


{An autumn evening with Madame Butterfly}


{Notes of opera swirled through this past fall, upon the discovery of a local programme which allows those under 30 years of age to purchase opera tickets a deeply discounted rate (reduced price tickets are highly limited though, so you have to try and snap them up as soon as they’re released!). As a result of learning about this, we able to take in not one, but two, absolutely splendid opera performances last year: The Nightingale and Other Short Fables (blogged about here), and Madame Butterfly.

The images above show what I wore to see the tragically, sublimely beautiful masterpiece that is Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (I honestly cannot recommend a viewing of that opera highly enough, even to those who profess to dislike opera – it is a tale that transcends its medium and speaks directly to the heart), as well as a serenely lovely, vintage style poster for the play that I discovered online and wanted to include with this mosaic.}


{The hills were alive with the sound of theatregoers}






{It’s not every day I get to take in a live musical performance, let alone one featuring my favourite Julie Andrew’s film of all time, The Sound of Music – not mention get the chance to see such a show with someone who had never watched the movie before. Though this classic and inspiring tale is beloved the world over, my husband – who grew up in Italy – had yet to view the film and only had a vague idea of the plot.

It was with immense excitement that then that we headed off downtown to catch the show (the fact that I was wearing a new dress that I found on sale for $40, also bolstered by happiness that eve), and I’m delighted to report that we both adored it! All through the evening I sat there singing along in my head to the familiar tunes, captivated by the talented cast’s performances and the utterly magnificent prop work the show included. Though it was the first musical we’ve had the pleasure of seeing together, I sincerely hope it’s only the beginning of our mutual theatre going adventures!}


Looking at these photos of some of the days I really cherish from this past year, I can’t help but feel a bit giddy with excitement thinking of what new memories (be they of fancy nights out or more run-of-the-mill day-to-day happenings) lay ahead in the coming months of 2010.

I’m also excited (silly as it may sound to those who are much less shy than I also) about the fact that I’m gaining a bit more self-assurance when it comes to posting photos of myself. I have each and every one of you, my terrifically sweet readers and friends, to thank for this, as your supportive feedback on past photo posts have done wonders to help boost my confidence.

Many thanks for taking a quick stroll down some of the events that stood out for me last year, everybody, I can’t wait to share some of the best days of ’10 with all of you, too!

Happiest Birthday wishes, little sis!

This is a week chocked full of jubilation and activity for me. On Monday we celebrated the bounty of the harvest and the blessings of life with Thanksgiving, on Wednesday my husband and I shared in the elation that came with that day being our 5th wedding anniversary, and today is my sister’s 19th birthday.

To say that my sister is dear to me would be an understatement. I love that child, who is now no longer a little girl, but a truly wonderful young woman, with every ounce, fiber and molecule of my being. From the day she was born I have treasured her in my heart and strived to be there for her with my love, guidance, and friendship every day. Both of us experienced challenging childhoods and have had to overcome a great deal in our lives, but no matter what came her way, my sister has held strong and persevered. She is a beckon of inspiration, a treasured spirit, and my perpetual angel.

Thank you for all that you are, everything that you inspire me to be, and each moment you’ve been alive, honey. You mean more to me than I can ever begin to put into mere words and I could not ask for a better or more beautiful sister.


{Flickr image source}
As you embark on this last year of your teens, and for all of time, I wish you immense serenity, scores of creativity, the ability to reach and exceed every dream you set, and a lifetime of joy.

Always and forever, I love you, my darling sister. Happiest Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, My Love!

The act of celebrating the positive moments in life is not to be underestimated. Whether the festivities are lavish or subdued, a fortunate spent or a priceless memory created, I believe that it is always important to embrace the wonder of a special day.

August 6th is one such occasion that I embrace with glee, upon which twenty-nine years ago my husband entered this world. While he is not always overly keen on a fuse being made in his honour, I do try my best each year to make today extra important for him. To do anything less for the light of my life seems unimaginable.

Recently a very kind (and creative) blog friend of mine, trishiekoh of Under Lock and Key tagged me with a lovely blog award in which the recipient is to list some of their absolute favourite things in this world. In honour of my husband’s birthday, I thought I would put a spin on this award and instead list various things that I know bring him joy (done up with a mix of vintage and modern images).


♥ ♥ ♥

{The wondrous marvels of mathematics}


{1. Easy as pi, 2. #120 My homework in vintage theme, 3. crunch some numbers, 4. I liked mathematics :-))).}


{Animals big and small}


{1. Not available, 2. Not available, 3. colin, 4. Black Cat N Gold Fish.}


{Chocolate! Sweet, rich, gorgeous, taste bud pleasing chocolate}


{1. Malted Chocolate Mousse Cakes, 2. milk chocolate and passion fruit macarons, 3. nutella cheesecake squares, 4. Vintage Hershey's Chocolate box, 5. Not available, 6. chocolate and meyer lemon mousse petit gateau, 7. coconut grove candy bar, 8. nutella ice cream, 9. Donut Factory, 10. chocolate cake, 11. Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes I, 12. Warm Chocolate Cake, 13. german chocolate birthday cake.}


{The invigorating, jubilant energy of the colour orange}


{1. Not avaiable, 2. Orange Wall With Light, 3. vespa, 4. CN00033587.}


{Both the literary and aesthetic pleasures of a wonderful book}


{1. Old Books, 2. vintage children's books., 3. Vintage baby book bottom, 4. Vintage Tom Swift Books Detail.}

{To visit an individual image, please click on the corresponding link below each collage.}


Thank you very much, Trish, for bestowing this award on my blog. I openly pass it along to all of my readers, and invite you to write a post detailing some of your all-time favourite things.

To my dear and amazing husband, I adore you with a boundless passion. You are my happiness in times of despair, my rock when I am fragile as the wind. I could not comprehend a universe without you, and am thankful every day that you were born. Happiest birthday, darling, I love you so very much!