Five For Friday {September 4, 2009}

...A rough week leaves the mind weary but not entirely haggard. At the same time joyful that September has arrived, using the glee that this event brought with it to help unburden some of the other thoughts from my head. A weekend for healing and relaxing, celebrating Labour Day and bringing together five delightful, entirely eclectic recent finds...


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{To give a modern invention a thoroughly old school spin}


{This adorable and clever DIY kit allows you to adhere stickers that look like classic vinyl records to any CD (or computer disk) you wish, adding a fun vintage vibe to bland silver hued CDs everywhere! Vintage Vinyl CD packaging kit with 25 label stickers, $14.00 (US) from Turntable Lab.}


{To bestow a focal wall with a huge jolt of playful yet elegant art}


{Peering inside famed fashion designer Lulu Guinness’ home, I came across this photo of a wall in her study adorned with an amazing oversized silhouette hanging. I love this silhouette; it seems to be of a woman who looks as though she could have walked off the stage of Mad Men. It is however, based on Lulu herself, and, according to the article, can be ordered from The Rug Company (though I wasn’t able to find a listing for it on the site). I adore the idea of covering one of your walls with a giant vintage or antique looking silhouette cut-out or painting, don't you? Photo via Living Etc.}


{To make snack time even more enjoyable!}


{Credit for this find goes entirely to my beloved little sister who is currently trekking across Australia. Knowing I adore all things vintage, she sent me a snapshot that she was able to take in a store there of several bags of potato chips sporting very Vargas inspired looking pin-up gals! Intrigued, I instantly Googled the brand’s name (Sultry Sally) and discovered that they’re a very low fat brand of chips that are available in four delicious sounding flavours. I would buy these chips in heartbeat just for their gorgeous packaging, but am also highly intrigued to know how they taste. According to the official Sultry Sally website, these chips (or crisps, if you prefer) are available at various retailers across Australia. Photo via Popsop.com}


{To make the act of washing the dishes about a million times more beautiful}


{Growing up I would sometimes spy tables set up at malls and craft fairs, often manned by adorable little old ladies, selling J.R. Watkins products – extracts in particular, though I don’t recall ever having any of this company’s items around our house. Fast forward many years and I’ve become a devoted fan of this brand, which I’m happy to report, can now be found from many sources (including online). Aside from the tried and true extracts and other edible goodies, this brand serves up a fantastic array of natural home-care product such as the soothing yet lively lemon scented lemon dish soap pictured above, in containers with stunningly pretty, antique inspired labels. 750ml/24 fl oz bottle of dish soap, $6.99 (US) from J.R. Watkins.}


{To delight both your bookworm and princess sides}


{Renowned as an actress, revered as royalty, and respected the world over for her impeccably sophisticated and elegant fashion sense, Grace Kelly is truly a timeless muse. Treat yourself to a hardcover book bustling with photos of this legendary lady, which I’m sure is a tremendous source of all manner of inspiration, just as Grace herself was. Grace Kelly: A Life in Pictures, $24.99 (US) from ModCloth.com.}


What are your plans, my wonderful dears, as we dash into the last long weekend of the summer? Are you jaunting off on a trip, sticking to your own town, or parking yourself in the backyard while Mother Nature is still smiling down sunshine on us?

However you spend your Labour Day weekend, I hope it’s a fantastic, dazzling and very fun-filled one for you!!!

Take a spin in a turquoise world {Monday Muses, June 22, 2009}

In one of the bedrooms I lived in as a child the walls were covered in the prettiest pale turquoise wallpaper that featured tiny – almost Liberty print style – peach and soft buttercup yellow flowers. This visual influence paired with my love from a very early age of 1957 Chevie Bel Air cars in glossy, vibrant turquoise, no doubt helps to explain my lifelong adoration of this soothing, gentle colour.

Though the mere mention of the word turquoise often conjures up thoughts of mid-century kitchens, appliances and vehicles, the use of this hue – and the mineral based gemstone from which the colour takes its name – stretches back thousands of years. Ancient as an appreciation for turquoise is however, there’s no denying the fact that its modern heyday certainly came about in the 1950s, as pastel, salt water taffy inspired hues began to permeate home decor, kitchenware, furniture, and the fashion world.


{Often paired with soft pink, yellow or peach, or alternatively as in the fabulous kitchen above, black and white, turquoise became a very popular colour for kitchens, appliances and home decor in general during the fifties. Image from Saltycotton’s Flickr stream.}

Be it in the form of jewelry, clothing, household goods, fabric, paint, cars or just about anything else, I always feel myself drawn to turquoise. It generally works well with my fair complexion and green eyes, I feel happy when I slip into – or adorn myself with – something in this lovely shade of sky blue meets soft green.

Perfectly suited to the cheerfully effervescent nature of June, turquoise looks smashing on almost any complexion and can be woven into the decor of most any home. Vintage items sporting the colour turquoise abound and are most certainly worth keeping an eye out for as you hit the flea market, yard sale and thrift shop circuit this summer.


{This 1959 luggage ad clearly shows that turquoise was in vogue during the later part of the decade. Though the model in this photo looks undeniably sophisticated, I wonder if it would be as effortlessly simple to pull off a full-length turquoise fur coat these days? Vintage scan via sugarpie honeybunch’s Flickr stream.}

Inspired by the following collage of turquoise themed Flickr images that I’ve favourited over time, I have decided that this calming, aqua hue – which calls to mind everything from outdoor New Mexico markets to shimmering swimming pools – is my Monday Muse this week. I know that many of my fellow vintage lovers are also diehard turquoise fans, so I’ve gathered up some stellar wardrobe pieces in this chipper, joyful colour, which I hope you’ll love as much as I do!


1. car, 2. Jewel Redux, 3. Vogue June 1959, 4. MInted Rose Locket, 5. DSCF2083-3, 6. Tiara ~ Crown Swap, 7. Turquoise butterprint Pyrex mixing bowl, 8. retro 1950's wall clock, 9. c o l o r • m e • n o s t a l g i c, 10. 1950s Turquoise Royal Typewriter, 11. Vintage tin tray by Daher (made in England), 12. Vintage Peach & Aqua Printed Tablecloth, 13. aqua rose dress {Click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information}

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{Equal parts adorable and sultry, this gorgeous turquoise and white dress looks like it would definitely hug you in all the right places! $139US from Pinup Girl Clothing.}



{Don’t you just love this vintage 1950s, rose print full skirt? Its combo of white, black and turquoise reminds me of the kitchen in the advertisement above, and I think, would go beautifully with everything from brown cardigans to red high heels. $45US from Blue Velvet Vintage.}


{Truly worthy of a red carpet event, this incredibly pretty, pale aqua/turquoise 1950s dress with matching bolero was turn heads anywhere you went! $185US from Vintageous.}



{One look at this adorable, vibrant halter neck vintage inspired swimsuit and I want to run to nearest pool and dive in! $98(US) from Babygirl Boutique.}



{From the full skirt to the button front to the v-neck lapel, I absolutely adore everything about this Trashy Diva vintage reproduction frock! $114.99US from Blue Velvet vintage.}



{Are you an admirer of turquoise but don’t want to dress head-to-toe in it? Opt instead for colourful accessories like this pretty rose and baby’s breath hair flower. $12(US) from Pinup Girl Clothing.}



{Though this stunning floral print, halter neck dress is one hot number, I get the feeling that it’s breezy neckline and shorter skirt length would do an awesome job of keeping you cool all summer long! $47.99 from Mod Cloth.}



{No roundup of turquoise fashion would be complete without at least piece of jewelry featuring this revitalizing colour. This versatile and comfortable looking stretch bracelet from the 1950s would look amazing with everything from a white blouse to blue jeans to a black evening dress. £8.00 (UK pounds) from Ji Ji Kiki (note this site offers free shipping worldwide on orders over £30).}



{Luxurious and elegant, but still playful fun, this gorgeous satin sarong dress is pretty enough to wear to a beach wedding – whether as a guest or the bride :) $130.00(US) from Pinup Girl Clothing.}



Turquoise is a beautiful, timeless colour that can add a wonderful dose of fifties style to your home or wardrobe. I personally love pairing it with hues like grey, brown, black, white, pale pink and dark red, and find that it’s one of the best colours to wear on days when you want to feel both energized and calm. Are you a turquoise fan too - and if so, what are some of your favourite ways to add this terrific colour to your world?

One Lovely Blog Awards

Last week the incredibly kind hearted “Just a Gal” bestowed not one, but two lovely awards on my blog. Talk about making a girl blush like a bing cherry! Given that Chronically Vintage is something of a newbie on the blog scene, I was especially touched that a vintage blogger that I really admire would list me as one of her award recipients. A giant hug and a very heartfelt thank you goes out to the wonderful Just a Gal, for being so sweet!


{Save or copy this graphic to pass it along to those you bestow your “One Lovely Blog” awards to.}

I’m going to continue on with one of the awards she bestowed on me, the “One Lovely Blog” award, and pass it on to 15 other people, as the “rules” suggest. If your happen to spot your name on this list, the following, according to Just a Gal, is what you need to do to keep the award train going :)

”You are to pass this award on to 15 people whose blogs you think are really lovely and who are new to you. This helps newcomers also. If you do not have 15 new to you, just choose those you think have lovely blogs. This award is yours to take and post on your side bar with the name of the giver beneath. Remember, I think you are wonderful!”

Selecting 15 blogs out of the plethora of incredible sites I try to pop by and read regularly is not easy, but I managed to whittle down my list. Please note that if you don’t see your blog listed here, it certainly does not mean I don’t think you’re worthy of many an award!

In completely random order, here is my list of “One Lovely Blog” award recipients.

{The immortally graceful Audrey Hepburn accepting the Oscar for her role in Roman Holiday. Photo via Modern Dreamer’s blog.}


1. Miss Red Lips. My vintage soul sister, I’m so happy our paths have crossed!

2. Super Kawaii Mama. Vintage lover/expert, blogger and hair styling extrodinare!

3. Casey of Casey’s Elegant Musings. Not only is Casey’s sense of vintage style to die for, her blog is gorgeous and never fails to inspire me.

4. A red lipstick. Her feminine sense of style is amazing – as are the vintage photos of everyday life she includes in some of her posts!

5. Anja from One Clever Nettle. Her creative, artistic photo-filled posts are true works of art.

6. Miss Matilda of Matilda’s Delights. A lovely fellow vintage soul with fashion taste that is right up my alley!

7. Katie of Old Hollywood Glamour, who blogs about some really terrific (vintage) Tinseltown related topics.

8. Emma of Love❤Fashion. This wildly fashionable gal has a terrific sense of style!

9. Lisa of Lisa’s Retro Style. There’s a little of everything on this fun vintage blog, the eclectic-ism of which is right up my own style alley.

10. Alana of Alana’s Vintage Collecting Blog. Covering a vast array of vintage related topics, Alana’s site is always provides a fascinating read that I find myself relating to through and through.

11. Little Rascal. Visiting Little Rascal’s vintage blog always peps up my energy thanks to her creative posts and colourful, pretty photos.

12. Counting Your Blessings. Like a trip to a wonderfully feminine and shabby chic vintage clothing and housewares shop, this blog never fails to leave me pining for all things lace, perfectly faded, and elegant.

13. Rhiannon of Liebemarlene Vintage. Her photo collages and sense of style are both sublimely beautiful.

14. Mary Deluxe of Welcome to Deluxville. Her mid-century taste in decor is the stuff vintage home design dreams are made of!

15. Just a Gal. I couldn’t leave the marvelous lady (and her awesome blog) who gave me this award off my list!

I’ve never been a stickler for rules that are not set in stone though, so if you don’t want to pass along this award, don’t worry for a moment. It’s really just my way of letting some of my favourite bloggers know that I absolutely love their blogs and the endless sources of vintage inspiration they supply me with.

Thank you again so much, Just a Gal! Your awards really helped to brighten a hugely stressful and busy week! And many thanks to all those whose blogs and I mentioned for being such amazing sources of vintage inspiration and fun.