Ooh, foxy scarf lady!

Outfit details

C. 1980s paisley print scarf (worn on my head): Thrifted (Value Village)
White plastic rose earrings: Claire's
1940s style sparkly gold sunglasses: Canadian Tire
Custom handknit fox scarf: Delightful Handiwork
Forest green button front shirt: Joe Fresh
1940s style side button jeans: Freddies of Pinewood
Vintage yellow and orange Bakelite bangles, and wooden bangles: Assorted sources
Camel coloured cross body purse: eBay
Contemporary 1940s style camel coloured shoes: Swap meet find years ago
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Tony Cangiano

♥ ♥ ♥

Granted Jimi Hendrix and 1940s garb might not always be the first natural pairing that you think of, but I couldn't help borrow and slightly modify the title of this rock legend's classic track for today's vintage outfit post, as it really does suit it so splendidly well. :)

Many a photographer will tell you that shooting in harsh afternoon sun is a big no-no (even though hip fashion magazines have been doing it for decades), and in general, I'm with them on that, but sometimes it's flat out fun to venture down the unconventional path, especially if that's when you happen to find yourself on a quaint, peaceful dirt farm road in East Kelowna on a nippy April day while wearing your brand new knit fox scarf.

Designed to look resemble classic fur scarves, wraps and stoles of decades past made from whole or partial animal pelts, this gloriously adorable creation is one that I recently bought from fellow vintage blogger Michelle's Etsy shop Delightful Handiwork. She posted about her own identical scarf not too long ago on her blog (also called Delightful Handiwork) and the moment I saw this darling creation, I knew that I absolutely had to purchase one.

I zipped an email her way and before I knew it, her knitting needles were clacking away and just a couple of weeks later, this cuter-than-the-day-is-long tawny red and white fox scarf - designed in the classic Miss Marple style - had landed on my doorstep.

Fortunately since chilly weather often lingers into April (or even May) in Canada, I was able to test drive this excellently well made scarf a few times before spring really started to hit it stride and may honestly whip it out even though it now has. Say, on rainy day and/or chilly days or at an evening beach bonfire come summer.

I love supporting fellow Etsy sellers and I also adore a heavy-handed dose of whimsy in my wardrobe. This gem of a hand knit scarf delivers like there's no tomorrow on that front. At just $20.00 USD + shipping, it's also a serious bargain, too, IMO, for a handmade creation and I would happily purchase more from Michelle to give as gifts or if she makes other variations featuring different precious critters in the future.

On the day that these photos were taken, Tony and I attended our town's annual gun + antique show, which is about 98% guns and the like, both past and present, and about 2% other vintage items, so the name of this event is somewhat misleading. However, this wasn't my first time visiting it, so I knew what was in store for us there. While guns and hunting aren't personally my cup of tea, I couldn't help but think that the natural association of fox those two things made this a cheeky place to wear my new scarf to.

No one other than Tony picked up and commented on the association, but I still liked being able to have a somewhat themed accessory to sport to such an event. Very little vintage was to be had, but I did pick up a couple of small items for the shop and one seriously cool book from 1958 featuring hundreds (if not more) B&W photos all from classic mid-century movies. It's missing its dust jacket, but for $14 (the seller would only come down a dollar from his asking price of $15), it was still a steal of a deal for all of the cinematic history it houses (I will definitely try to share some pages from it here and/or on Instagram in the future).

Fashion, like sunlight, doesn't always have to take the path most followed. No matter your stance on wearing real fur (and/or hunting), you can easily sport a darling vintage appropriate handknit creation like this uber sweet fox scarf. I really adore how as time goes on, we are fortunate as old school fashion fans to consistently have creative folks like Michelle offering up products that not only look the yesteryear part, but which are skillfully made, and available to one and all the world over.

So while I don't plan to suddenly do all my photo shoots in the glaring mid-day sun, sometimes it's more than worth it to try something new and worry more about capturing the moment, than twiddling your thumbs while you wait for the golden hour to appear. When a scarf this adorable is around your neck, you want to take photos the very moment you slip it on - or at least asap, as we did that windy, golden springtime afternoon last month.

Streezie's high heeled bunny slippers are both alluring and adorable!

✯ Day 66 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

There are certain combinations of words that you rarely hear paired together in the same sentence. "Sexy bunny slippers" would be one such example, yet while visiting A Vintage Vixen's blog recently I saw what has to be the world's cutest - and yet also delightfully alluring pair of slippers that indeed fit that very description.

By taking a timeless style, steaming lining it, and then marring it with a sultry (though still very walk-able) 3.5 inch heel, Streezie has created what might just be the world's first truly pin-up worthy bunny slipper.

 

These adorable slippers are light-hearted and delightfully fun. Available in three lovely colours (Perfect Pink, Powder Blue and Classic Black), these are the kind of make-you-smile-to-no-end bedroom-worthy shoes that are sure to appeal to vintage lovers (thanks to their classic Marabou-esque styling) and fashionistas alike who are looking for some highly unique slippers.

If you're intrigued by these darling rabbit slippers as well, they retail for $59.00 (though Powder Blue is just $39.00), are available in ladies whole sizes 5-10, and really are - if you'll forgive a somewhat obvious cliché, cute as a bunny! :)

Thank you for blogging about these snuggly, yet sexy, bedroom heels, Mr. Vintage Vixen, I'll definitely be adding a pair to my vintage footwear wish list!

Today’s Vintage Treasure: March 11, 2010

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


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

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

A Valentine’s Day postcard from my blogging vacation

Greetings, sweetest readers, how have you been lately? I really cannot believe that a whole week zoomed past this my last post. In the time since then I’ve accomplished some – but not all – of what I’d wanted to (as well as other things that I’d put off and suddenly realized I had the time to complete), done a lot of thinking regarding how to approach blogging in the future, and have also just breathed, allowing myself (for whom having idle hands never feels natural) to do nothing but relax here and there.

Last weekend I estimated that I’d return from my “blogcation” today, however some of my conditions are flaring up (not because I pushed myself too hard during my time off, but simply because no matter what, several of them act up every month due hormonal reasons relating to my monthly cycle) and I’m on bed rest at the moment. Thus, I’m afraid that I am going to have to tentatively extend my blogging break until this middle of this coming week (hopefully no longer than that!). Provided I feel well enough, I’m aiming to post the next weekly recipe this coming Wednesday – and launch back into more frequent posts after that.

During these days off I’ve continued to contemplate how best to approach the blog comment situation that had been weighing so heavily on my mind recently. I still do not feel like I’ve come with the “perfect solution”. As I stated in my last post, I think that I simply have to accept that I’m not always able to visit every one of the blogs of those who visit me (much as I truly wish I could, both because I want to say thank you personally for visiting my blog, and because I love and gather immense inspiration from your own sites). Yet, I will continue to try my best to get to as many as I can, when my health allows.

I want to extend my sincere thanks again to everybody who has provided me with their own insight and suggestions regarding this situation. I value and appreciate your wise and deeply caring words greatly.

(On a different note...) Tomorrow marks the annual day of love and romance. It provides us with an ideal time to pledge (or perhaps reveal for the first time) your adoration towards someone special, to reflect on past and present relationships, and embrace the joyful spirit that love inherently imparts to the world.


{This tremendously cute pair of Kewpie dolls is here to help me wish you all the loveliest of Valentine’s Days, no matter how you choose to spend it! Vintage postcard via riptheskull’s Flickr stream.}


I realize that Valentine’s Day is not everyone’s cup of tea, but even if you can live without the flowers and chocolates, the cut-out tissue paper cupids and sentimental love poems, I hope that you’re able to join in the greater sense of amicability that February 14th represents.

Today and always, know that I love and cherish each of you, dearest friends and visitors, so very much and that from the bottom of my heart I am wishing you a delightfully beautiful Valentine’s Day!

Watching snowflakes and trying to play catch-up

Old Man Winter has moved back into town and brought his chum the North Wind with him this week! What began as a few delicate, minuscule flakes tumbling gracefully to the ashen pavement on Monday has morphed the landscape from one of rusty green grass into a world heavily carpeted with powdery snow. Despite the fiercely howling winds there is embedded tranquility that accompanies the initial (and certainly some of the subsequent) days of true winter weather that I cannot help but cherish.


{A few more inches to go and my husband and I can rush outside like gleeful little kids and try our gloved hands at imitating this adorable vintage couple and their charming snow bunnies. Image via superboma's Flickr stream.}


With the return of snow however, so ends, I hereby say “officially”, whatever semblance of autumn we had – or held onto a pipe dream of ever having. Granted the leaves changed colours, but this year lacked the vibrancy, the mellow warmth, the glistening beauty that autumn is supposed to arrive cloaked in.

Yet no sense in crying over seasons that didn’t come to proper fruition, onwards and upwards, I always like to say! With Christmas so very near, it’s hard to think of any other time of the year (though I couldn’t help but reflect for a moment this morning that tomorrow will mark five months since my birthday – or perhaps more tellingly, seven more until my next), and that suits me just fine. There’s a great deal to be said for living in the moment, whether a special day looms near or not.

To that extent I’m trying to catch up on about a week’s worth of terrifically kind comments that have been left on my most recent posts, by visiting the wonderful blogs of all those who share their thoughts with me here (thus allowing me to blog “in the moment” and try to stay on top of future comments through the second half of this week). I may not get quite through the whole kit and caboodle today, but I’m trying my best – despite the fact that our internet is being rather spotty presently and cutting out continually (which I’m keen to chalk up to the aforementioned barrage of snow and howling winds – but who knows?). I’m glued to my computer at the moment, save for the fact that I’ve got a scrumptious milk chocolate, nutmeg and banana cake baking away in the oven, its intoxicating scent permeating every inch of the apartment. It’s mostly for the mister, but I may nibble a crumb or two myself :)

Wishing you each a gorgeous Wednesday filled with as much serenity as the first snowflakes of winter.

Happy first Stellaversary!

What on earth, you may very rightfully ask, is “Stellaversary”? Well, it just so happens that the word Stellaversary is a completely homemade term I created as a way of marking the date when we first brought our darling cat, Stella home. As today, the 23rd of November, is the one year anniversary of when she came into our lives, I am hereby proclaiming this date to the first annual Stellaversary!

Though both my husband and I had the pleasure of growing up in homes with pets, as a couple, Stella is the first animal that we can jointly call our own. We’re both massive animal lovers and had known from day one that we wanted a pet (or two...), but for the first few years of our relationship our lives were in too much of a state of flux (several moves – including overseas, waiting for life altering decisions from Immigration Canada, etc) for us to have responsibly taken on a pet.

Last year, for the first time ever in our life together, things began to settle down, (positive) outcomes were finally reached, and we knew that at long last it was OK for us to consider bringing home a pet. We didn’t set out on this exact date one year ago with the intention of bringing home a cat, we’d actually gone out to buy a dining room table, of all things! Well, we succeeded in finding a beautiful one of those (on sale!), and afterwards continued bopping around to various places in that part of town.

As the evening wore on we found ourselves at a PetSmart which just happened to be one of the locations that includes an in-house animal rescue adoption centre. All of the cats at PetSmart are ones that have found their way their from animal shelters (such as the SPCA) and who are looking for loving “forever” families of their own. Both my husband and I are huge supporters of adopting shelter animals, so when we saw two adorable, 11 week old kittens staring up at us through the viewing glass of the cat corner (of the store), we instantly asked if we could look at and hold them.

Though we would have loved dearly to be able to have brought them both home with us, we knew that it would be much more economically responsible for just get one cat. The pair that batted their sweet golden eyes at us were brother and sister, of whom we decided to adopt the girl, Stella (at the time she was the calmer of the two, a trait that we thought would make her a good house cat – as we live in a high rise apartment and she wouldn’t, and isn’t, allowed outside...little did we know then that she had a secret rambunctious side that would put the Energizer bunny to shame!).

After speaking with the person in charge of the cats (who told us that the kittens were feral strays, but had no further information about their background other than their age), we loading up a shopping cart (at PetSmart) with everything (and then some) that a young kitten might ever want or need, paid for our kitty supplies, and with hearts bursting to the breaking point with love and excitement, brought our new kitten home.

For the first few days she was very, very shy (she camped out under the sofa for the most part), yet after a little while our new baby cat warmed up to us. We named her Stella (the Italian word for star, as her grey fur and sparkling yellow eyes both reminded me of stars in the night sky) and suddenly we came to realize how very much our lives had been missing without this wonderful animal in it.

Jump ahead a year and Stella is every bit as adorable today as she was back then. Full of spunk and energy, she’s a bright, inquisitive, massively energetic cat who loves to run around the apartment, exploring ever nook and cranny, play with her (plethora of) toys, sleep in her kitty condo (a gift from my parents to their “grandkitty”), and curl up with my us from time to time for a good snuggle.

Stella is not the most “lap cat” of felines, but for all her playfulness, she is exceedingly sweet and often seems to know when I’m feeling extra rough health wise. On such days she’ll curl up with me in bed or on the sofa as I watch TV, purring loudly and nestling her little grey face into against me. Whether she knows it or not, Stella is a therapy pet. Though it was us that saved her, in so many ways she has also rescued us.

She is also a joy, a blessing, and a truly wonderful animal. It’s nearly impossible to fathom how life would be today if we’d not brought Stella home. Though we may very have adopted a different cat at some point, they would not have been our darling Stella. Just as with children, no two pets ever exactly alike, and when it comes to wonderful kitties we could not have found a more darling pet than our sweet Stella.


{1. Even the best of us must rest sometime, 2. A vision of cuteness, 3. "Mommy, mommy", purred Stella, "I saw another one, it's up there, look!", 4. I'm not vicious! You just caught me mid-yawn :), 5. Contemplating everything that flutters, flaps or flies, 6. Pink is the love you discover, 7. Stella wishes everyone a sunny Sunday, 8. Stella ponders whether or not she should steal yet another strawberry from the "human's" curious display of temptation, 9. Sunshine makes me sleepy, 10. What is this strange, warm, wonderful light?, 11. Reach for your dreams, 12. Such a very serious look, for one so young, 13. I'm so precious. Twelve images, to represent each delightful month that we’ve had her, plus one more to symbolize my love for Stella, make up this mosaic that shows the many expressions and moods of our precious grey tabby. All photos were taken by me and are from my Flickr stream.}

My dear friends, please join me in celebrating one year of a life filled with the pitter-patter of four tiny paws, and in the merriment of my endless love for my cat, as we mark the first ever Stellaversary!

Vintage Deal of the Day: November 2, 2009

{Who doesn’t love to be thrifty and kind to Mother Nature the same time? I know I do! Add a preciously adorable, vintage looking kitty into the mix and I’m sold every time – especially when you can pick up a wonderful cloth tote bag like the one above for an absolute song! It’s just $3.99 US (on sale from $9.99) from the fantastic folks over at ModCloth. If that isn’t a purrfectly lovely bargain, I don’t know what is! :D}


I want to take a moment and thank each of you who commented on my Halloween outfit post earlier today. I am ridiculously shy when it comes to posting images of myself online (that post was only the second time I’ve ever done so anywhere - the first was back during the spring on this blog), but I am trying, challenging as it is, to work past through this (irrationally silly) shyness and also many issues regarding self esteem and my own appearance that I have.

Though I get butterflies in my stomach thinking about it, I am going to set a goal of sorts for myself to try and include a “what I wore” style post at least once a month here on Chronically Vintage. The truly kind and uplifting comments many of you left for me today have already helped me to feel a bit more confident about sharing snaps of myself publicly. Thank you so very much for that, precious dears!

Five For Friday {September 11, 2009}

...The first traces of autumn’s telltale chill drift across the early morning air. The sun will pounce again with intensity before too long, but for the moment the calming scent and feel of the season that lies ahead invigorates my mind, body and soul, calling forth the need for elements that continue to capture the inherent beauty of early September...


♥ ♥ ♥


{To celebrate the enchanting splendor of roses before the first frost hits}


{Granted in this day and age all manner of roses are available year round, but much as I try to eat what is in season, so too do I (often) aim for flowers that speak for their key growing seasons. This arrangement of hydrangea, wax flower, willow and ballerina-esque peach roses seems to capture the crisp whiteness of summer the orange hues of early autumn to a tee, making it an ideal addition for your “between seasons” table setting. “Wedding Centerpiece in glass bubble bow”, $99.00 (US) from 1-800-Flowers.com.}


{To satisfy both your sweet tooth and love of vintage inspired packaging}


{Cast in molds from 18 vintage buttons, these rich milk chocolates from UK brand Hotel Chocolate are almost too lovely to eat. Yet don’t feel bad if you do give into the urge for a nibble, the antique inspired, robin’s egg blue box they come in is also sweetly gorgeous. 100g package of milk chocolate buttons, £6.00 (UK pounds) from Hotel Chocolate.}


{To inject an instant dose of visual tranquility into your weekend}


{I adore photography of all types, but have a particular fondness for both shooting and viewing images that hone on the resplendent elegance that lurks in everyday items or paired down moments in time, such as the soothing, stunning photos that make up the Pure, Simple and natural Flickr group (which the four images above hail from).}


{To ensure your walls are anything but drab through this coming winter}


{A little bit colonial, a smidge Victorian, and boosting a delightful dose of vintage charm, this quirky – but still entirely elegant – wallpaper features hand-drawn sketches and is designed with larger walls in mind. I would love to paste it in a stately study, cozy dining room or inviting front hall, but could also see it working well in a good sized bedroom or kitchen, too. Ten metre long roll of “Silbodal yellow green background” wallpaper, 1,300.00 (Swedish Kronor, approximately $186.00 US dollars per roll), from Swedish online decor shop Wingbud Wallpaper.}


{To make you smile every time you look at their adorable, slightly cheeky faces}


{This pair of tiny vintage kitten figures would look so sweet perched on any shelf, window sill or dresser top. Available for an absolute song at just $2.00 (US) for both cats, from etsy seller In His Word.}


Today’s date is a sombre one that holds many meanings and links to powerful memories for all who recalls its occurrence eight years ago. I would just like to take a moment to think of those affected, in whatever capacity, by the events of September 11th and the aftermath that followed. May peace be with you all.

To my wonderfully dear readers, I wish you each a deeply serene and beautiful weekend ahead.