Meet Janey: The Disney and Southwestern loving, incredibly stylish vintage blogger behind the Atomic Redhead

"Passionate" is the one of the first words that spring to mind when I think about July's exciting new interviewee in our fun ongoing post series, Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger.

A truly dear friend and fellow veteran vintage blogger, this month I sit down with none of than Janey Ellis, (also) known affectionately to many by the name of her stellar blog, the Atomic Redhead.




Like myself, Janey has been vintage blogging for seven years now (though her blogging roots stretch further back in time than that, as she touched on in today's interview). During that time she has become on the best known and most respected vintage bloggers around, and her way with styling her gorgeous outfits is the stuff that yesteryear fashion dreams are made of.
 
Janey is a devoted blogger who posts frequently, plays an active roll in the vintage blogging community, and is keen on using social media, too. She has a multitude of different interests (a topic that we'll delve into her today), many of which are woven into the rich and exciting tapestry that is her blog. In addition, Janey is a deeply sweet, intelligent, caring person and someone that I feel sincerely blessed to count as a friend.

I was elated when she volunteered to take part in this series and equally excited to put together an array of interview questions for this immensely stylish mid-century fashion + Disney + southwestern + cosplay + so much more adoring lady.

Janey is a true delight and whether you're meeting her for the first time today, have been following Atomic Redhead for quite some time, or perhaps even know her in person, chances are you'll be as delighted as I was to learn (so much) more about her here in this post.



Thank you very much for sharing your time with us here this month, Janey. It is a true joy to chat with you! For those who might be meeting you and your awesome blog, Atomic Redhead, for the first time, can you please tell us when you started blogging, what inspired you to do so, and the story behind your site’s delightful name?

Thank you for including me in this wonderful series, Jessica! It’s been wonderful meeting new bloggers and learning more about ones I already follow!

I actually started blogging around 2003 on a movie website, where I wrote movie reviews as well as offered glimpses into my life. I didn’t have total control on that platform, and around 2009 the website was overhauled, and what little control I did have in terms of styling was taken away, so I chose to leave.

Patrick (my now husband, but then boyfriend) offered to make me a new blog, one where I would have complete control over design. So that is when I started blogging as the Atomic Redhead. I wanted to move away from movie reviews, and into vintage and sharing both my passion and knowledge if history.

The name has a rather silly origin story. When I was in high school I was up very late one night drawing, and I thought “What if I had a band? What would the name of that band be?” Of course I have no musical talent to speak of, but late nights are times for silly fancies.

I thought first of “The Atomic Cherries”, but then I thought “What if we were all redheads?” and “The Atomic Redheads” were born. I drew a lot of album cover art type illustrations for the band, but I also designed my original logo, the atom with the red flip hair-do at that time.




Much like myself, you’ve been fascinated by, and in love with, history and all things vintage for as far back as you can recall. In particular, what would you say were some of your earliest vintage related influences? Do they still continue to shape your passion for the past to this day?

My parents for sure. My parents were in the antique business, although their passion was really in Victorian furnishings. But I grew up going to antique shows, shops, and thrift stores with them. But my dad is into classic cars and hot rods, so we always had multiple old cars, and were involved in car shows. We also listened to nothing but the oldies station.

My parents were also good about showing me old movies and TV shows. Some of my earliest fashion inspirations were Jeannie (post-wedding) from I Dream of Jeannie, and Marilyn Munster from The Munsters. And, yes, I would say that these early experiences still shape my passion.

I still love old cars, and even though the mid-20th century is my favorite time period for furniture, I still love the Victorian era and its furniture, and I continue to listen to oldies and seek out outfits inspire by these early inspiration idols.


I greatly admire the fact that you are so vested in history and how it relates to your interests (including the fact that you have a BA in history). How would you say that such factors into the types of topics and outfits that you share on your blog?

Well I love sharing history. And when I learn about things, especially when the subject matter still has a physical element, like an important location/building or a museum, I want to go there, and then share that experience with readers, and hopefully inspire them to learn more about the topic, or even visit the particular location. I think a lot about the subject matter of a location when getting dressed. I love to tie in something that I am wearing with the location or persons related to it.


Your style is a stellar mix of different eras and influences. What are some of the decades/time periods and factors that currently inspire you the most when getting dressed?

Gosh! I do love nearly every decade! Lately I have been super digging the 70s. And what is funny is that it was the late 1960s and 70s where I got started with vintage fashion. When I was in middle school I told my mom I wanted to dress like the girls on the old TV shows I was watching, so she gave me some of her items from the 60s and 70s.





Is there anything in your closet that it might really surprise people to know that you own?

I have a shirt that is covered with images of Evan Peters’ characters from American Horror Story. Those that know me super well know I’m insanely in love with James Patrick March, his character from the last season, Hotel, and since the shirt had images of that character I just had to have it. And I have quite a few kind of silly and/or geeky tees that I want to start working into the blog more though that may also be kind of surprising.


And conversely, is there anything people might assume, being a vintage fashion fan, that you have, but which you don’t actually?

I’ve had nearly every “classic”, or “must have” item that people associate with the 40s-60s, and at times have called them “must haves” myself. But I had parted with many, so I actually no longer own saddle shoes or a snood.






Your wardrobe is one of the most beautiful, impressive, detail oriented and inspiring I’ve ever encountered in my whole life. I realize that doing so isn’t always easy, but how would you sum it up in a few words (e.g., creative, vivid, feminine, casual, formal, etc)?


Thank you! And let’s go with… Eclectic, western, adventuress, fatale.





You have a great love for vintage Southwestern styles. Was there anything in particular that sparked this interest?

The southwest and western images are another style that has kind of been with me my whole life. I adored Annie Oakley growing up, and had a cowgirl outfit when I was little. My grandfather on my dad’s side grew up on a ranch in Texas, and while I never got to meet him, the images of him on a horse or in chaps and a hat stick with me.

Additionally, my dad, being of the baby-boomer generation was very into cowboys as a kid, and still is. I remember going to the Roy Rogers Museum when I was very young. But it wasn’t until college when I spied a 1950s ladies Panhandle Slim sweater that I really got into it.

It was so unique as it was a knit sweater, but cut and styled like a western shirt, with collar, pearl snaps, and a yoke made of a different material. I wear it very little, and I don't think it’s ever been on the blog, because it’s just so rare, I’ve never seen another one like it. But that really kicked the western wear into high gear, followed by the Mexican and Native American influences.


What are some of your favourite types of vintage Southwestern pieces to collect and wear?

Oh, so many! I love the western themed boarder print skirts, they are like a wearable painting! I also love squash blossom necklaces. I would love to have more western wear suits, like what I wore to the Autry recently (seen in the first photo at the top of this post).





On the fashion front, you’re also very keen on Disneybounding and sporting outfits of this nature. When did this passion begin and what are some of your favourite Disney inspired looks to date?

I’ve always loved Disney, but what is funny is I didn’t give too much thought to Disneybounding until some time within the last year. Mainly because I lacked a lot of solids in my closet. But I’ve slowly been able to fill that gap.

I love my Maleficent (pictured below), because she is among one of my favorite villains. I also love the Nick Wilde I did recently, because I feel like it was the most successful with color blocking to reflect Nick’s outfit.




Dream Disney related outfit that you haven’t sported yet?

My favorite Disney villain, Ratigan from The Great Mouse Detective.


You sew (and handcraft/embellish – such as your awesome Disney themed parasols) some of your own clothing and costumes (including some cosplay related ones). How much of your current wardrobe would you say is currently comprised of “me made” pieces?

Not very many actually. Sewing still very much intimidates me. I continue to admire those like Carla of Tiny Angry Crafter (who is a past interviewee in this series – see her post here), and Tasha from By Gum By Golly, who make so much of their wardrobe. But most of my sewing is now focused on repairs and cosplay.





How do you personally feel that the vintage fashion landscape has changed in the years since you first began sporting old school styles?

It’s become more mainstream. When I first started thrifting as a kid, I thought everyone did it. But I learned that wasn’t the case in a rather cruel way. When I was in middle school I scored some awesome bellbottoms with sunflowers around the hem.

I thought they were the coolest thing, and one day a popular girl told me she thought they were cool and then asked me where I got them, and I told her the truth, “Goodwill”. She laughed at me, thinking I was joking, but when I said it was the truth she showed up the next day with a bag of her old clothes, because she thought I was poor because I shopped at Goodwill. Today, especially with the popularity of Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop”, and shows like American Pickers, thrifting and finding old stuff is now in/cool.

I think the environment has also played a factor. “Going green” is more popular and people now look to vintage/antique/thrift stores for items. On a different level, things have gotten more expensive. Skirts that used to be $125 a couple years ago are now going for $300. Especially for novelty prints.


It’s wonderful that your blog is still going strong and that you’ve continued to keep on blogging, even in the face of rising social media domination. What are some of the main driving forces that keeps your blogging mojo alive and well?


History. Sharing history really. I want to let people know about historical locations and why these places are important and cool. I’m a very firm believer in George Santayana’s quote “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” So I want to share as much as I can with people so they can learn from our world’s past.





In addition to vintage fashion, you have a huge love of many other history/vintage related things, spanning architecture to 1960s presidential race memorabilia to pinup art. What are some of your favourite non-fashion related vintage things to collect?

The 1964 presidential race is really one of my favorites. Lyndon B. Johnson is my favorite president, and I find the campaign between him and Barry Goldwater so interesting. I also love the Zorro television series that Disney did from 1957 to 1959, and collect the various items that were produced for it.


Do you feel that, as vintage wearers and bloggers, we sometimes run the risk – often through no fault of our own – of being pigeonholed in a way? (By this I mean, people see our vintage attire and blogs and forget that there’s more to us than just these things.)

Yes, totally. And it is something I’ve been working on with the blog with visiting historical locations, etc., but I know a lot of people come to my blog for the vintage fashion, so I try to combine the two with “What I wore” images, followed by location images and information.

But I also want to expand out of the strictly vintage fashion aspect, and I’ve done that a few times by showcasing a more eclectic and unique style that may feature vintage elements. I also have been working to expand my geek culture type posts.




What are some non-vintage related things that you wish people knew (or knew more) about you?

I really try to cover everything I like on my blog. I want to avoid being pigeonholed, as you mentioned. But I do love cosplay very much. Along with weird comics, movies, and TV shows, (even though a lot of them tie into the time periods I like).

And with that though, is attending comic conventions or visiting locations that have a significance to something of those genres. Like I have a few trips planned to filming locations of Star Trek and Star Wars. I also love auto racing. I don’t go to races as much as I used to, because it was something I did with my dad back in Oregon.


You live in sunny California these days, along with your husband, Patrick (who also has a deeply rooted passion for the past). How have you found the vintage scene (shopping, events, community, etc) to be there so far?

It’s amazing! The shopping is different from Portland, where we used to live. I shop a lot more at pure vintage clothing stores rather than resale shops or thrift stores. There are way more events, and a wide range of people create and attend them. And new ones are being created all the time!

I was overjoyed to bring Fur & Feathers to LA this year. We’ve been here a little over a year and a half and I still haven’t done all of the annual events that occur and am constantly meeting new people.




Has anything surprised you a lot when it comes to such in comparison to your previous home in Portland, Oregon?

On the vintage front, it’s how large the community is. In Portland everyone knew everyone. Here, many of us are meeting new people and making friends all the time, it feels. While not necessarily cliquey, the area is so populated that it allows for people to find and build niches around different eras. For example there is a heavy Art Deco and 20s presence, as well as a big 40s swing community, and a large rockabilly community, too.

Then there are the people like me, and many of my friends, who love all of it, and move throughout the various groups.


Your wardrobe includes a fantastic blend of true vintage, vintage reproduction, vintage inspired, and vintage inspired pieces. What sorts of garments and/or accessories, of any of those types, do you wish that you had more of at the moment?

Patrick always says I want everything, and it’s kind of true! The list is so long! There are some very specific vintage items, including several western boarder print skirts, more Re-Mix shoes, and I always want more turquoise.

But I also want to build up my vintage repro/inspired collection too, because they prove to be the best pieces to wear to Disneyland and the other amusement parks in the area.





If you could design your own vintage reproduction line, what sorts of pieces would you fill it with?

Trust me, this is something I have honestly given thought to! (Jessica's side note: So have I!) And it would be to have a line inspired by TV shows and movies. Many of my friends and I are obsessed with Lucy’s open skirt over pants ensemble, made famous in her scene with William Holden in I Love Lucy, and we dream of one day owning such an item.


What advice would you give someone who is just getting into wearing vintage for the first time these days?

Know your measurements! And carry a tape measure with you when you shop. This will make life so much easier, and means it is less likely for you to damage a garment when trying something on because you won’t attempt to squeeze into something that is too small. Which will make shop owners super happy!

Also, learn how to sew! You don’t need to learn how to make a garment from scratch, but knowing how to fix popped seams, buttons and such will add to the longevity of your wardrobe, plus you’ll save money, between doing your own repairs and being able to buy damaged pieces, which are often less expensive.


And last, but certainly not least, as a huge fan of traveling, what would your dream vintage related destination be and what would you hope to buy while there?

I’m not sure I have a destination in mind, as much as just a massive road trip coast to coast, but along the south, over through Arizona, Louisiana and into Florida. There is so much I want to see in all of those states! In the southwest though I would hope to buy loads of turquoise, vintage patio dresses, and more fun western wear!

Connect with Janey on the following sites:

Her blog

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Twitter

Meet the past interviewees who have taken part in this delightful ongoing post series:

February 2015: Emileigh | March 2015: CiCi | April 2015: Helen Mae | May 2015: Esther | June 2015: Ms. Falcon | July 2015: Jessie, and Laurence & Sylvain | August 2015: Holly | September 2015: Rhia | October 2015: Franny | November 2015: Emily | December 2015: Porcelina | January 2016: Nora | February 2016: Kate | March 2016: Carla | April 2016: Jessica E. | May 2016: Skye | June 2016: Kate-Em

♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you, majorly, Janey, for this terrific interview and for speaking about so many of the things that spark your interest and fill the pages of your marvelous blog.

I've admired you since the moment I first discovered your blog, and adore that we've become close online friends over the years. You, your blog, your creativity, and your incredible sense of fashion inspire me day in and day out, and I wholeheartedly look forward to continuing to connect with you for a long time to come.

If you're not already following The Atomic Redhead, I really can't encourage you enough to do so. Janey's site is sure to speak to your vintage loving soul to no end as well!

Next month, it's looking quite likely that we'll be climbing back into our virtual jetliner and hightailing it to Europe again.

Exact details remain to be finalized however, and as such I don't have too much of a hint to give regarding just who it is that we'll be chatting with in August. Whoever they are though, I assure you that they'll abound with style, joie de vivre, and a love of all things old school as well.

Have a fantastic week and a great tail end of July, everyone!

Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger: ghost hunting, rockabilly loving Jessie Diamond from Lonely Hepkat

Often times in a relatively small knit community or subculture of people, it can seem like we all know one another and while there is certainly a general sense of familiarity to be had in such settings, unless a group is extremely tiny, you can never possibly know of all the folks who count themselves amongst its ranks.

That fact was a huge driving force behind while I launched the "Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger" post series earlier this year and why I am 100% keen to interview folks not only from all around the world, but from all walks of life, backgrounds, fashion preferences, and personal passions.

Today, on this glisteningly gorgeous sunny July morning, I am seriously happy to introduce (or reintroduce, as the case may be) you to none other than a lovely rockabilly loving lady named Jessie Diamond from the blog Lonely Hepkat, who calls the most northerly state in the Union, Alaska, home.

As someone with my own strong family ties to the north (though mine are to the Yukon, not Alaska), I can't help but feel an instant kinship with those who hail from this hearty, often icy, strikingly beautiful expanses of vast wilderness peppered with pockets of civilization.

These far reaching corners of the world are not for the faint of heart and they take a lot of moxie to survive successfully in, something that our gal Jessie Diamond has in the spades. She also happens to be a passionate paranormal investigator, an avid outdoors woman, a devastated rockabilly wearer, and a die hard radio program fan.

Intrigued? So was I and that's why I recently chatted via email with Jessie to get the lowdown about her Alaskan life, her hobbies, and her rockabilly wardrobe. Read on for all the exciting details!



Welcome! You're the first interviewee from Alaska and it's a pleasure to have you here. Could you please share a bit about yourself and your blog?

My name is Jessie and I like to think of myself as a slightly unconventional rockabilly blogger. I'm super crafty (like many bloggers), but I am also a paranormal investigator (going on 16 years now) and I work out a lot (not the most popular topic on rockabilly/vintage blogs). You may notice that on my blog I use the last name Diamond, this is from Ultra Swank telling me that "it just sounds swanky".




What inspired you to start your blog, Lonely Hepkat?

My blog started out when I moved to Portland, OR in 2012 (for just over a year). I couldn’t find a job (2 BA degrees and no jobs) for the longest time and I didn’t have any friends. I was a bit lonely. I did, however, get my butt to Viva Las Vegas 2013 and that's when I made a full commitment to a full-time rockabilly/vintage lifestyle. Before that I was just a weekender, a term I use for those who do the rockabilly/vintage thing in their spare time like on the weekends.


Does the name derive from the fact that there aren't many fellow vintage/rockabilly enthusiasts where you live?

I've always been more of a loner, though I do enjoy having a small group of friends around. Currently, I'm back in Fairbanks, Alaska to help my parents and I have found a good small group of rockabilly friends. Funny thing, we're all loners who enjoy getting together once or twice a week.


How would you describe the vintage/rockabilly seen in Alaska?

The vintage/rockabilly scene in Alaska is very small. There are car shows, but they are small events, not a weekly event like you see in other places. We have a pretty good selection of vintage stores (clothing and antiques), more in Anchorage than Fairbanks. We also have one rockabilly band in the state (that I know of) – Wolves A.D. (previously The Avery Wolves). They opened up, last summer, for Reverend Horton Heat. The Rev played at the 49th State Brewery in Healy, which is just outside of the main drag at Denali National Park.


Do you identify more with the rockabilly subculture, the more traditional vintage scene, or both fairly equally?

I would have to say that it’s fairly equal for me. I tend to stay rooted in the 40s and 50s when it comes to vintage, but I have a few pieces that are out of that time frame. I am currently in the process of switching most of my clothes to rockabilly or vintage styles – the exception being my workout clothes.


When did your interest in all things rockabilly/vintage start?

If you think about it as an octopus, then I started out with interest, but no consolidation when I was very young. I had my Elvis and Teresa Brewer cassette tapes. My mom liked to do my hair like Shirley Temple. We watched a ton of old movies and tv shows (Addams Family and stuff). I actually had a vhs tape that my aunt recorded and sent to me that had Disney music videos at the beginning – including "Stray Cat Strut" by Stray Cats and "I Only Have Eyes For You" by The Flamingos. It wasn't until 7th grade that I bought "modern" music (for example, the "Mean Street" album by Van Halen) and started to comply with more modern styles – tried to, at least.

I was never much of a fashionista. I still stuck with my love of the 40s and 50s with little things (cat eye sunglasses, Grease soundtrack, etc), though I did move into more of a darkwave/goth scene in the later part of the 90s. I don't think I really cemented anything until art school in 2003 - 2006.


What are some of the ways that you incorporate this passion into your daily life?

I dipped my toes into the water of the rockabilly/vintage culture by having a few things here and there like my retro-inspired glasses (Seraphin brand), books, music, collecting retro/vintage sewing patterns, etc. I waded out into the water by becoming a weekender. I began to try old recipes, do crafts with rockabilly/vintage flair, sew more and more articles of clothing, always had issues of Dwell (mcm nd neo-modern designs), and the hair experiments began.

Now I'm a vintage-lifer. It's an everyday occurrence. I have a pink bathroom in my apartment (pink fixtures – not just accents), I have my grandma's old RCA Victrola radio/record cabinet from the 40s, I sew, I do crafts, and I've even considered becoming a little musical (I play bass guitar and keyboards, but it's been a while). My dog's name is Lono, one of the four major Hawaiian gods. I definitely was inspired by tiki modern when naming him. I am going to be selling some Lindy Bop dresses and retro-inspired hand-painted fishing lures pretty darn soon at the summer outdoor markets.




Do you work in a vintage related field?

Currently, I am an office manager for my dad who is a mechanical contractor – meaning that he does plumbing, heating, and cooling. It's nowhere near my art or history degrees. I also just finished a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer seminar. I like to think of it as being inspired by Jacques Lalane – who I have great respect for. I would like to get into retro fashion design, but I have no clue as to how to start aside from creating my own patterns (which I'm working on).


Given that weather is very chilly for a hefty chunk of the year in Alaska (being a Canadian, I can certainly relate!), do you have any great tips for wearing rockabilly/vintage styles during the colder months?

We have talked about this numerous times over lunch and dinner up here. We all tend to go more 1940s for the winter and 1950s for the summer. The 1940s gave us some solid gold with WWII work wear. I have a pair of Rosie the Riveter coveralls, as well as the same style for trousers. I usually pair these with sweaters from Rocket Originals, a work shirt or flannel, or a cardigan. I also have some retro shirt patterns that I really like to use. One of my favorites is Simplicity 1692. I keep an updated list of retro patterns on my Pinterest account.


In addition to the fashions and hairstyles, what are some things about the rockabilly/vintage world and lifestyle that really make your heart skip a beat?

I love classic cars. In fact, there's a 1948 Ford Deluxe down the street for sale that I would love to have. Starting in 8th or 9th grade, I helped my mom restore her dad's 1956 Nash Metropolitan. I've also assisted my dad with his motorcycles and dirt bikes.

I'm also a huge fan of design – art and architectural. Exotica makes me very happy. I love the music (Martin Denny, Russ Garcia, Yma Sumac, etc) and the primitive art/style – primarily Hawaiian and voodoo themes. I also collect old billikens, which fits with the exotica. Billikens are an old good luck charm and a lot of them come from Alaskan carvers.




You're a passionate paranormal investigator. Does this interest ever overlap with your love of vintage, itself so very embodied with the spirit, if you will, of the past?

I think it does overlap with the past, quite a bit. I am the Assistant State Director for MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) and I also investigate hauntings and cryptid cases (bigfoot primarily). There's a lot of research that goes into this field that often gets over looked by people.

People also tend to forget about paranormal events that happened like UFOs over the White House, UFO research by the military, presidents talking to ghosts and holding séances, New England vampires, and even Theodore Roosevelt's bigfoot sighting. I find that people seem to be more open with me since having switched my wardrobe and adopting new hairstyles. I think the rockabilly/vintage lifestyle is nostalgic and comforting to a lot of people.


Do you have any exciting paranormal related stories that you'd like to share with us?

Before I moved in 2012, I managed to snap a day-time photo of a ghost at Birch Hill Cemetery here in Fairbanks. I did a lot of research on the "Lady in White" up at the cemetery and figured out who she was.

Last summer was the wettest in Fairbanks' history. I found a bigfoot footprint, but it was not in a condition to cast. A few years prior to this, I was researching an old bigfoot sighting that happened in 2009. I did interviews, hiked through the woods for two months, talked to Fish and Game, and tried to figure out why the sighting occurred where it occurred.

The summer of 2009 was a big forest fire year and I believe that the bigfoot followed Goldstream Creek north (away from fires). The beastie was spotted next to an elementary school that has a school farm. With the edible plants (growing in the forest), forest animals, and the garden plants, there was a lot of food around. I sent my case file in to the Bigfoot Field and Research Organization (BFRO).

I am currently doing some historical research into Project Pinball, a military project from 1950-1959. I was reading about the Dulce Base in New Mexico when I stumbled upon a brief mention of this project. Looking into it, Project Pinball was a military project to utilize the Alaskan radar systems to track UFOs in Alaska airspace. The more research I do, the more it sounds like an episode of the X-Files.


Back to vintage...what are some of your favourite items of rockabilly/vintage clothing?

I absolutely love my leopard print bullet bra from Secrets in Lace. I wear it every day. It totally reminds me of that line from 'Cry Baby': 'Our bazooms are our weapons.' It also is nice to be able to fully pull of the "sweater girl" look.

While I was living in Portland, OR, I bought myself a pair of saddle shoes from Bass Shoes. They never needed broken in. They are absolutely wonderful and very comfortable. Not so great on ice.

It's not very exciting, but I have these LL Bean comfort fit pants that I wear all the time. I have big calves and a good set of hips on me, so pants have always been an issue for me. These are super comfortable and I can roll the cuff. I can squat and do the splits in these pants. I'm planning on getting a full length pant real soon – same comfort fit style (such as these).


Do you wear vintage/rockabilly makeup and hairstyles in addition to fashions?

I tend to keep my make up real simple: a little eye shadow, black eyeliner, and mascara. Sometimes I even throw on lip stain.

My hair, I do tend to wear in vintage and rockabilly styles all the time – except at the gym. I haven't figured out rockabilly/vintage gym hair. I'm currently in the middle of new hair discoveries since I went out and got myself some Bettie bangs.




Aside from rockabilly/vintage and paranormal investigations, what are some of your current hobbies/interests?

I go to crossfit 5 days a week and I just made green belt for ITF taekwondo. I draw, paint, sew, cook, write, and occasionally head out for a little fishing. I wrote a book that was finally published in 2013 called "The Professional Ghost Investigator" and you can find it on Amazon. I like plants and share a good size garden with my parents. Halloween is a big interest of mine. I know that sounds funky, listing a holiday, but I'm always looking for new recipes or costume ideas. I should just write a Halloween book.

Coffee is also a big interest of mine. I've been to a coffee plantation in Kona, HI, I've worked in the coffee business for a long time, and I have toyed with the idea of opening up a coffee-tea-chocolate shop for years now.


What are some things that you wish folks knew about Alaska that many outside of the State are not aware of?

Our temperatures range from -65F to 105F in most of the state over the year. You probably won't see these extreme temperatures, but it's possible to see a little snow in June or July and it's also possible to have a 50F day in the middle of winter. Just don't expect it to be cold all the time.

The best salmon comes out of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean side of Canada. I think we have the best recipes for salmon too (Jessica's note: as I west coast dwelling Canadian, I completely agree!!!)


If you could travel anywhere in the world in the name of vintage, where would you pick?

Oh no! [I love traveling, so this is a hard call]. I really want to check out Palm Springs, CA. I love Hawaii and I love London, so traveling back to these places would always be a YES! I would like to fix up an old camper trailer, hitch it to my boyfriend's old Chevy, and go on a vintage road trip across the states with the dogs (a Lab and a Doberman) – see the sites, go to some shows, hit antique stores, etc. I want to mention that my boyfriend loves this idea, too!





And what five items would you take with you on your travels?

Some of these answers are based on roadtrip travel, instead of flying to a destination.

1. An old coffee grinder (hand powered). I refuse to buy pre-ground coffee unless it's absolutely necessary. I even prefer grinding my own coffee for my Keurig. It's more work, but the quality and taste is better. Right now I'm enjoying Kauai Coffee ER Peaberry.

2. Portable record player. I've been thinking about getting a Crosley, but just haven't done it yet.

3. Sketchbook. I'd either take a sketchbook with me or end up buying one when I go somewhere. It's a habit I have. Sometimes I don't even use it, but I feel like I need it.

4. My Hawaiian Pin-Up Girl Dress that I made a few years ago (seen in the photo above). It's comfortable and I feel pretty in it.

5. I always find my iPod to be essential on trips. I have no problems being mostly unplugged, but my iPod is pretty important to me. I was always that kid with a walkman or a portable cd player or even a small radio. It also allows me to listen to podcasts and shows like Coast to Coast AM ( Jessica's note: I have been listening to Coast to Coast since I was a young child and Art Bell was still hosting) and Koop Kooper’s Cocktail Nation.

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Now, tell me you don't want to save up your pennies for a trip to Alaska so that you go hang out with seriously cool lady!

Thank you so much for the wonderful interview, Jessie. It was a joy getting to know you (and Loney Hepkat) better and I really appreciate that you jumped at the chance to take part in this post series. I love knowing that when I finally make up the Alaska highway one day, I'll know some vintage/rockabilly folks to visit there (my dear friend Cherry from She Knits in Pearls, also calls the 49th state home and I'd seriously flip at the chance to meet her as well!).

We're racking up more virtual frequent flier miles this year care of these delightful blogger interviews than a UN ambassador, I tell yah! Coming down the pipeline next, buckle in for another exciting transatlantic flight as we jet back across the pond and talk with one of the most stylish and inspiring vintage couples not only in Europe, but in the whole wide world. I am giddy with excitement at the mere thought and know that you'll adore learning more about them, too!

Super stylish UK vintage gal CiCi kicks off CV's new blogger interview series!

There are certain people whose blogs you encounter and instantly mesh with. You see in the person behind them and the blog itself something of yourself and a kindred spirit element emerges. That is precisely how I've felt since day one with my lovely friend, and fellow vintage adoring gal, CiCi's seriously marvelous blog CiCi Marie.

Not only is CiCi a terrific blogger and one heck of a gifted fashionistas, but this UK based lass has a fantastic, compassionate heart, is smart as a whip, loves to chat about a wide range of topics, and never, ever fails to inspire me. The fact that we've become online friends is the icing on the (vintage) cake and I truly love that today I have the great pleasure of brining you a one-on-one interview with CiCi that kicks off Chronically Vintage's new blogger interview series.




The response to my post last month about this series was completely positive, with dozens of folks getting in touch regarding wanting to take part and be interviewed. I've already booked such posts until the end of 2016 (yes, seriously, the end of next year) and I really hope that more vintage bloggers will continue to let me know if they've like to be interviewed here so that we can hopefully keep this great new series going for many years.

Thank you deeply, CiCi, for being the first person to respond to my call for posts and for this awesome interview. I loved getting to know you even better and am sure my readers will as well.

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Right off the bat, what would you like readers to know about you and your blog?

I’m a twenty-something girl living in the UK who blogs largely about the ways that vintage style inspires my own, being especially fond of the fashions of the 50s.



What lead you to launch your blog?

In a word: coercion! When the blog launched it had two authors, which is why it was called CiCi & Marie, not just CiCi Marie - ‘Marie’ is my offline friend who persuaded me to blog in the first place. I’d followed a few vintage fashion blogs for years by this point, but had no intention of starting my own - I was terrified of the idea of sharing so much of myself in such a public domain! Once I’d been convinced to contribute we worked together on the content for the first year, when she handed the reins over to me (her heart wasn't really in it) and I transformed the site into the vintage style blog I wanted it to be. I am so grateful, now, that I was talked into it! It felt much less daunting starting out with a friend and was definitely the push I needed to get into blogging.


Can you sum up your personal style in a line or two for us?

The easiest/briefest way to describe it is ‘vintage inspired’. Rather than being faithful to particular eras, I pick and choose elements of vintage fashions that work for me and mix modern, repro and vintage pieces that nod to the past when put together, in varying degrees of subtlety.




You have a phenomenal eye for fashion and knack for putting together outfits that blend modern with vintage and/or classic styles. How long have you sported old school influenced looks and how has your personal style changed (if so) over the course of that period?

As I touched on in a recent post (so apologies for boring anyone with the same story!), it all started with the humble pencil skirt, when I was grappling with how to look more professional and adult for my first job post university. I was hugely inspired by Marilyn Monroe (who I had a bit of an obsession with back then), along with what bloggers I liked were wearing and just found that wiggle shapes really worked for my figure.


As part of me has always desired to look a bit different and has been largely switched off by current fashion trends, building my look for my work wear wardrobe went hand in hand with developing my weekend one. For a while, I wore pencil skirts most of the time regardless of the situation! Over the years I’ve definitely branched out and moved away from this slightly unforgiving and somewhat formal form-fitting style and these days I experiment much more with more flared shapes and pieces inspired by eras other than the 50s. 50s looks are still my favourite though, I just think they’re so endlessly feminine and flattering!




Are there certain colour and/or colour combos that you're continually drawn towards and do you put them to work in your outfits?

I can never seem to get enough of leopard print! I think what I love about it is how even though it's a pattern, it actually works great as a neutral because of the beiges and browns - it’s so easy to put with so many other colours. It also immediately screams old school glamour and, these days, rockabilly - which I can’t deny I kind of like! Apart from that, I’m always drawn to red accessories - shoes in particular; red shoes have the power to make most outfits that bit more exciting, to my mind. Often, however, being drawn towards colours is a seasonal thing and this spring, I can feel a pull towards mint green...




Inspiration can be found just about anywhere and I think that those of us who are bloggers are especially tuned into our environments and the things in that influence/touch us. What have been some your biggest sources of inspiration so far in the course of your vintage/fashion blogging journey?

I’ve kind of touched on this above, but to elaborate, my biggest source of inspiration (apart from a slight obsession with Marilyn Monroe that will never really die) has definitely been other bloggers. The first blog I ever read routinely was Ulrika’s- she is one effortlessly stylish woman and I was in awe of how she worked vintage looks into her everyday wardrobe, not to mention how diverse her style is - one day she's in a full-length 30s floral dress, the next she's in a 60s shift with a beehive! Now, years later, I read so many blogs and take inspiration from them all in one way or another. I love this blog because no one can top your colour co-ordination, Jessica! Nor your glove or hat collection, come to think of it. I often feel like my style is a bit of a melting pot of all the looks of other bloggers I’ve seen and enjoyed!


Is there much in the way of a vintage scene (community) in Cambridge, UK, where you live?

Not that I know of, but it’s worth pointing out I’m a bit of a hermit so I might not notice it even if it’s on my doorstep doing a jive! I know there’s a swing dance group locally and the odd vintage shop, but compared to a lot of cities I’ve explored, I’d say the scene in Cambridge is small in comparison - or certainly more tucked away. I certainly get odd looks more here than in London and don’t tend to see anyone looking particularly ‘vintage’ when I’m out and about...


How about vintage and/or repro centered shops?

There’s a vintage shop at the end of my road which is amazing, but other than that while we’ve got a lot of charity shops, not that I’ve noticed… I tend to buy more repro than vintage though, so I would be more likely to stumble on vintage shops than going looking for them - and to be honest, I've always done the majority of my clothes shopping online, vintage or otherwise. Something that does happen fairly regularly is we get vintage ‘fairs’ pop up that have lots of stalls for vintage vendors. I did check one of these out recently, but it wasn’t really for me - mind you, when I shop I tend to go looking for something in particular which isn't especially helpful for vintage ;)




What are some items that you prefer to buy in vintage and/or repro form (e.g., circle skirts) and what are some that you generally opt to purchase new?

Most of what I buy is either repro or new - and when I do buy vintage it’s much more often accessories. I just feel more comfortable with the fit and fabrics of modern materials and have a tendency to feel frumpy and awkward in a head-to-toe vintage outfit. Vintage can’t really be beaten for glasses though - no modern frames are as beautiful of those of old, in my eyes! The quality is also vastly superior. I love a good vintage handbag too. Otherwise, I find new best for simple pieces in classic shapes like Bardot neck tops or pencil skirts, whereas repro tends to be better for more specific unique pieces that high street shops don’t sell that often like retro outerwear (Hell Bunny and Collectif have had some amazing coats lately) and novelty print circle skirts.



Like myself, you're 5'2" (love that!) and are passionate, as I am, about dressing so as to make the most each precious inch of your height. I think you do a smashing job on that front! Could you please share a couple (or more) of your favourite fashion tips for petite lasses?

My main tip is: don’t swamp yourself! If you want to wear a midi skirt you can, but find the length that is most flattering for your height and get anything longer altered so you’re wearing the skirt and not the other way round! Tops can often be too long or loose for smaller frames too - but not if they’re tucked in and perhaps shaped with a waist-belt; that’s one of my favourite tricks! Other than that, I’d say it’s wise for petite ladies to be careful of what they put on their feet - a shoe that shows off as much of your foot as possible will have the effect of lengthening your leg e.g. ballet bumps and court shoes with low vamps. Shoe-boots or brogues (particularly flat ones) will make your legs look shorter.




Five garments and/or accessories that you currently can't live without?

Top of the list is definitely my berets! Such a simple way to add some class to any outfit and my growing collection now boasts five colours (including leopard print, of course!). A very close second is a pair of tan lace-up heeled boots from BAIT that cost me a fortune in shipping and are technically too small, but I still love them anyway because they seem to literally go with everything!

Number 3 has to be my new Rebel Kate jeans from Collectif, because a lot of the time at the weekends I’m milling around the house and they’re perfect for that, while still adding some ‘retro’ to outfits with their high waist. I can’t go a week without wearing my fairly new cat’s eye glasses that are a perfect blend of vintage and modern and last but not least, as we're emerging from the cold weather, fleece-lined tights!! Couldn’t have made it through this winter without them...




Your hair is seriously gorgeous and always styled so cutely/beautifully. Any hair care and/or styling tips that you'd like to pass along?

That you can make your hair do almost anything with some gentle backcombing for volume and several kirby grips (bobby pins) that match your hair colour! Most of my styles are the result of pinning bits of hair where I want them to lay and don’t require much more skill than that. I am absolutely hopeless at curling my hair, so I basically avoid what I can’t do, rather than doing a poor job! If I want to achieve a particular up-do I’ll watch various YouTube videos and then borrow bits probably from several of them to create the look I want (which is usually a simpler version, because I’m quite lazy and impatient!).




In your beauty arsenal at present, what are some of your favourite products?

I've recently discovered the joy of face powder - a bit late to the game, but this is now an essential tool in the battle to keep my oily face matte! I use Mac's Studio Fix and I love the way the subtle colour smooths out small flaws in my skin. It also sets my foundation so that it doesn't crease on my eyelids, which is a great bonus. This won’t be news to most of the female population who have been using powders for years..! I'm also a recent convert to Benefit's Cha Cha Benetint - their pink shades are a bit too cool toned for me, but this one goes on bright orange and somehow miraculously dries to a pinky coral and works wonders with my colouring. It also stays on all day, which is a bonus!




Any beauty cheapies that you can't recommend highly enough?

I've got a post ready to go on exactly this subject in the very near future and will reveal more there!:)


Your blog does a wonderful job of covering various fashion, beauty and lifestyle topics. What are your favourite kinds of posts (in general) to pen? If there anything you'd like to write about, or about more frequently, but that you haven't yet?

At the moment I still find simple outfit posts the most rewarding - they're the most time-consuming too, but the finished posts can be so satisfying because of this, when they finally come together. Generally I don't think I've experimented that much with different types of content - so my feeling is there's probably lots of topics out there I haven't tackled yet that I'd enjoy, but I just don’t know it yet! I haven't written about home decor before, but would like to once I feel more comfortable I know what I'm doing - and I'm hoping to buy my first home this year, so this will work better when I've got my own place to put my stamp on. :)




Do you have any long term goals for your blog that you can share with us?

My main goal is to see what happens - in the past six months I've seen a big increase in my following and I'm honestly so thrilled that the hard work is paying off and readers seem to like what I’m doing. I’d love to work with more brands - which is something I’ve only started doing this year and has been great so far. Other than that, although it can be kind of taboo for bloggers to admit to, I do hope one day to generate some sort of income from it. I'm under no illusion I'll be eating caviar in the Maldives any day soon, but if it could help supplement my shopping habit I'd be delighted!


When not working or blogging, what might we find you doing?

Well, vast amounts of online clothes shopping is probably almost a given, so aside from that one of my main hobbies is reading, which is pretty much what led me to a day-job in book publishing - I've got a particular fondness for dystopian fiction (think A Brave New World etc), which probably makes me quite morbid in my spare time! And although I’m currently renting my house, I've begun buying bits and pieces I can take with me to a new home - I’m enjoying hunting down and adding mid-century modern style homeware to my living room and dining room currently.

Can you tell us what your perfect day pertaining to vintage might look like?

It would definitely involve dancing! I would absolutely love to learn how to jive. A little while ago I interviewed on another blog and mentioned that one of my secret passions is the Just Dance video games - but really, this is just an extension of a love of dance generally that I’d love to build on properly some day (I’ve done various lessons through the years, but not very consistently due to long commutes). 

So, I’d probably learn how to do a jive routine and work up an appetite that could only be satisfied by a huge cheeseburger and a strawberry milkshake in a 50s-style diner… And then I’d drive around in an open top Mustang while the sun beats down on me, probably to the nearest drive-in… At this point I realize I’m describing the day in the life of a character from Grease - but that wouldn't be so bad (as long as I’m not expected to join in a chorus of Summer Lovin’ as I can’t sing to save my life)!

(Jessica's note) You can also connect with Cici on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Twitter

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Thank you again immensely for this great interview, CiCi, and for being the lovely, engaging, beautiful person (inside and out) that you are. It was an honour and pleasure getting to interview you this month.

For the second post in this new series, which will appear here in April, we'll be interviewing another awesome lady from the UK - but that's the only hint you'll get from me. You will just have to tune in for that post to see who I sit down and chat with next! :)