Meet Jessica Ebacher: Feminist, dynamic vintage fashionista, and all around (seriously!) cool lady

Whip smart, socially conscious, wittily funny (she's a fellow pun adoring gal just like me), fearlessly fashionable, and all kinds of beautiful inside and out, this month's interviewee in our ongoing Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger post series is none other than Jessica Ebacher from the fantastic blog Zella Maybe.




I've had the pleasure of knowing this fellow Jessica for a few years now and I can honestly say that her blog is consistently one of my favourite reads.

While vintage fashion (both her own and inspirational images of things that have been whetting her stylistic whistle lately) is a core component of Zella Maybe, it is by no means the only element and I return as much for Jessica's brilliant outfit posts as I do those that delve into other topics as well, such as (but certainly not limited to) history, her city, feminism, and some seriously great link roundups.

Jessica is someone that I'd secretly hoped to be able to interview from the moment this series launched, so when she kindly volunteered, I all but began writing my questions for her right then and there on the spot.

I really admire the thought and perspective that she brings to a plethora of different topics on her site. The creative, fresh, strikingly cool outfits that she sports (many of which delve into a wide range of different eras), the wonderfully active role that she takes in vintage blogging community, and fact that she seems like she'd be incredibly fun to hang out with in person, to boot.

Chicago and Penticton are thousands of miles apart, so that isn't possible at the moment, but I can, very happily, present all of us with a chance to get to know this terrific lady better via today's interview.

Pull up a chair, get comfy and settle in for an awesome interview as we discuss everything from fantasy travel plans to the vintage scene in her city to why Jessica really admires Dita Von Teese.


Thank you so much for this exciting interview, Jessica. For those who are meeting you and your blog, Zella Maybe, for the first time here today, can you please tell us what inspired your site’s name?

My great-grandmother was named Zella May, and I’ve always thought it was a beautiful and unusual name. Originally my blog was called Cakes and Cakes Vintage, because I’d intended to talk about food (cakes), and vintage pinup style (cheesecake).

After I actually started blogging, though, I hardly ever wrote about food, so when I moved from my .blogspot account, I thought it would be nice to choose something a little more personal. I think it has a fun, retro ring to it.


How would you personally define your blog at this point in time?

It’s funny that you ask that, because I’m trying to figure that out myself! I’d say right now it’s 90% fashion, 10% pop culture and politics. Although I do love fashion (to a degree that I freely admit is pretty obsessive), I’d like to put a little more energy into talking about the other things that I’m interested in – books, movies, television, and music, and social and political issues that inspire or anger me. I don’t expect everyone to be as interested in those things as I am, but one of the things that I enjoy as a blogger is the opportunity to speak my mind about a variety of topics.




If you could start over again with your blog, is there anything that you’d do differently this time around?

This might sound silly, but I wish I’d started wearing sunglasses sooner! I often take photos in very bright sunlight, and there are some that I feel would look so much better if only I wasn’t squinting so hard. I also wish that I’d gotten out of my back yard a little bit sooner. While shooting in a private location gave me the freedom to be creative with my posing, there was a big jump in the quality of my images once I moved out into the world.


What’s something you wish that people knew about your blog that few (likely) do?

I wonder sometimes if people realize quite how much of my free time blogging takes up. I only post twice a week, but in a typical week I’ll probably spend about 8 hours doing work for the blog. Between brainstorming ideas, prepping for, taking, and editing photos, and typing up posts, it ends up being a sizable chunk of my evenings and weekends. There are some evenings where I’m on a time crunch and wish I could just zone out on the couch and watch TV, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.


And what about your wardrobe?

I’m never not shopping. Even if I’m not buying anything, I’m always looking for new inspiration, or planning purchases, or trying to come up with different ways to wear the clothes that I already have. It’s a labor of love, but sometimes it starts to resemble the Augean Stables.


Never say never, of course, but are there a few items of clothing/types of accessories that you could just never picture yourself actually wearing?

Boxy 60s suits are just not my jam. I love a lot of 60s styles, particularly mod looks, but I feel like the classic Jackie Kennedy suit tends to make practically everyone look like a brick, unless you’re a leggy supermodel type.


How about one or two that you’d love to wear, but haven’t quite figured out how to pull off yet? (Socks + heels and women’s neckties are two that fall into that camp for me personally.)

I feel like with fashion, where there’s a will, there’s a way. You might have to do a lot of experimenting with different versions of a particular item, or tweak a tricky silhouette to make it more flattering, but I can’t think of anything that I’ve really loved that I haven’t been able to make work. Of course, sometimes making it work means throwing out the rules about what is and is not flattering on your body and just saying, “To hell with it, I feel cool in this.”




Your wardrobe is comprised of a marvelous assortment of genuine vintage, vintage appropriate and newer pieces. What are some of your favourite places (online and/or off) to source wearables from?

The list is so long! One of the consequences of “never not shopping,” I guess. I get a lot of my vintage locally, at a store called Knee Deep Vintage. Unfortunately they do not sell online, but that helps them keep their prices down. If you’re ever in Chicago, you really must stop in!

If I’m shopping online, I always check out Very Vintage Store and Voyeur Vintage, both of which have a great selection of pieces at a reasonable price.

Thrift stores can be a great place to find vintage appropriate items if you’re willing to spend the time. The pants that I wear most often, a pair of 90s Ralph Lauren wool trousers that I wore at least twice a week every week while the weather was cooler, were a thrift store find. Other than that, I also shop quite a bit on sites like Asos, Zara, and H&M. Because fashion is so cyclical, you can almost find something vintage inspired.


You’re a big fan of rocking lots of different hair colours, cuts and styles. Has there been a standout favourite for you over the years?

I looooooooooved my middy cut. Seriously, the best hair of my life was courtesy of that cut. Unfortunately, it ended up being really high maintenance, and it was frustrating to never have the option to just wash and go. Still, I highly recommend getting one, at least for a little while, if you enjoy authentic vintage hairstyles.




One you’d probably not want to repeat?

My platinum blonde phase. I always love being blonde when I’m blonde, but the moment I go darker I realize just how washed out I looked.


What role, if any, does feminism play in the context of your wardrobe?

I think feminism, in that context, is the freedom to wear what I want. I can be hyper-feminine and wear pink from head to toe, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not strong and confident.

I can wear men’s clothing, but that doesn’t mean that I’m ashamed to be a woman. I can cover up without feeling like I’m conforming to anyone’s idea of modesty, or I can wear a sexy, revealing dress just because I want to celebrate my body. I don’t have to conform to a particular idea of womanhood – I can just be the person that I want to be.




You live and work in the beautiful, historically rich city of Chicago. What are some of your favourite elements of life there?


There’s so much to love, I’m not sure I can cover it all. First and foremost, the food! I love trying different cuisines, and I wanted to, I could try a different one for dinner every night for a month and still have more places to go. I grew up in rural Colorado, and it was a big deal when we finally got a Chinese restaurant in my town, so sometimes there sheer number of choices here is almost overwhelming.

There’s also great architecture, a lively music scene, and plenty of great shopping, including a number of well-known vintage stores. On a more practical level, it’s easy to get around if you don’t have a car. I never learned to drive, so safe bike lanes and a great public transportation system are really important to me.


Does Chicago have much in the way of a vintage/rockabilly/pinup girl scene?

Very much yes. I’m lucky to live in the neighborhood that I feel is kind of the heart of that scene, since I’ve met a lot of cool, stylish, and talented folks because of it. The bar across the street from my house hosts a band called The Fat Babies every Wednesday and Sunday, and so many people turn up in amazing vintage ensembles to dance, socialize, or just enjoy some tunes and a beer. It’s wonderful to have that kind of community around, and of course that’s part of the reason there are several great vintage stores in walking distance of my house.




You and your partner have found some seriously cool locations to take blog photos in. Do you have any tips that you’d like to share with us for scouting and/or making the most of unique photography locations in one’s town/city?

My biggest tip – be bold! I mean, don’t get yourself arrested, but there are a surprising number of not quite public spaces where you can get away with shooting if you try. For the most part, people don’t even question it if you act like you belong. Be safe and be smart, but if you see what looks like a cool location, see if it’s accessible.

Admittedly, this is much easier to do if you have a partner in (sometimes literal) crime. I don’t think I’d have the guts to sneak onto a construction site if I was by myself. You cover a wide range of topics on your blog, in addition to sharing your some of your awesome outfits there with us.


What are some subjects that you’re especially passionate about discussing on Zella Maybe?

Feminism is a very important topic for me, of course. There are so many different ways that women, particularly women of color, are disenfranchised in America, and I think it’s incredibly important to speak out about injustice when you see it.

Some issues are literally life and death, like the disproportionally high homicide rate against transgender people, especially trans women of color. Other issues might seem trivial in comparison, like the representation of women of color on screen, but I think that if we don’t talk about these issues – large and small alike – we’ll never see the progress that we need to achieve anything like equality.


On top of your wardrobe and blog, what are some of your favourite ways to incorporate vintage into your daily life?

I enjoy old Hollywood films and watch them on a regular basis, and several of the shows that I watch are period shows – Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Mad Men, Agent Carter. Other than that, though, I live a pretty modern life. I know there are those out there who’d like to step back in time, but I’d really only want to be a time traveler if I could bring some clothes back with me.




In your opinion, what are some of the reasons why vintage fashion holds such widespread appeal to wearers the world over – and as time goes on, do you think we’ll see more/less/about the same number of 20th century fashion fans?

By far the most popular and widely recognized “vintage” look is the Dior New Look silhouette, and for a very good reason: it looks amazing on practically any woman. A nipped waist over a full skirt is just really flattering, whatever body type you may have.

I think there are a lot of women out there who love how uniquely and distinctively beautiful it can make them feel. I think Dita Von Teese said it really well when she talked about “created” glamour vs. “natural” beauty – when everyone else is rocking jeans and a t-shirt, it can feel really glamorous to put on your full, 50s style skirt, a silky blouse, and a swipe of red lipstick. Frankly, I think it’s a lot more achievable for many women. Not everyone can be a Victoria’s Secret model, but anyone can be a pinup.

Beyond that, I think there are a lot of vintage lovers out there who enjoy being part of a niche community. I love the rare occasions when I serendipitously encounter another person wearing vintage – the eye contact, the nod, the little smile. Even if you don’t stop and chat, it’s really lovely to have that moment of connection.

It’s like seeing someone wearing a t-shirt from your favorite band, or hearing someone speak your native tongue when you’re in a foreign country. Of course, vintage means different things to different people. When I wear vintage, I feel subversive, like I’m not conforming to a modern standard of beauty and style. For some, it’s a conservative gesture, signifying a sense of disillusionment with modernity. Still, the shared culture and love of a vintage aesthetic is there, and it can be wonderful.


Five people (past or present) whose styles never fail to inspire you?

There are so many! But to choose just five, I’d have to go with:

1. Audrey Hepburn: Whether she was playing a princess in romantic 1950s style or a clumsy thief in mod, 60s fashions, she always looked impeccable.

2. The Teddy Girls: More of a movement than a particular person, I love how those girls blended the new and the old, the masculine and the feminine. Every time I see a photo, I’m inspired all over again.

3. Dita Von Teese: I know, what’s more cliché than a vintage lover talking about Audrey and Dita? But clichés exist for a reason! Dita is the definition of a woman who knows what she likes and isn’t afraid to go for it. I love coming across paparazzi photos of her on the street, because her street style is surprisingly realistic, even for people who aren’t stars.

4. Blair Eadie from Atlantic-Pacific: As a general rule, I don’t follow modern bloggers, but Atlantic-Pacific is the exception. I love how much thought and detail that she puts into her outfits, and she’s always perfectly coordinated and polished. Aspirational style at its best.

5. Phryne Fisher: She may be fictional, but she’s the best dressed woman in the 1920s, and I am here for that.

{The breathtaking view from the dashboard that Jessica took while on holiday to Iceland.}

If you could only pack one (big!) suitcase and one carry-on bag for a year long trip around the world, what sorts of clothing, shoes and accessories would you want to take with you?

I like to think I’m pretty good at packing for a trip, if I say so myself! I’ve traveled for 10 days with just a dress, a pair of pants, and 2 shirts, so this is one area of my life where I don’t mind minimalism. I’m going to presume that the weather is pleasant wherever I’m going (so no coats), and say that I would bring along:

1. A nautical striped shirt

2. Two cotton/silk white button down shirts

3. Two short sleeve knit tops

4. Two lightweight cashmere cardigans

5. A pair of wide legged pants

6. A pair of skinny, cropped pants

7. Two calf length skirts in solid colors

8. A slinky cocktail dress

9. A lightweight waterproof jacket

10. Three pairs of shoes: black flats, black ankle boots, and black heels you can walk in

11. A few bright colored scarves

12. A great swimsuit

Call me crazy, but I really think that would be enough for me to travel and feel well-heeled! With the constant change of scenery, I don’t think you need much in the way of clothing or accessories. If I were really travelling for that long, I’d probably cut it down even farther so that I could make do with just a backpack.




And what would some of the stops along the way on this imaginary journey be for you?

Travelling is one of my favorite things in life, so I’ve thought quite a bit about where I’d go if I could just take off for a year or two. I’d probably start in Ireland and zigzag my way across Europe.

There are so many cities and countries that I’d like to visit it would get silly to list them all, so just assume that if you’ve heard it’s cool, I’d stop and see it. After that, on to Asia – India, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the works.

And since this is an imaginary trip, I’d also like to see an imaginary version of the Middle East, where all of the amazing history is intact and ISIL, the Taliban, and other extremist groups aren’t threatening the lives of those who live there. Iran in particular sounds so beautiful, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to see it in my lifetime.


With the ever changing landscape of the blogging world in 2016. Why do you (personally) feel that blogging still has relevance and importance, and what inspires you to keep going in the face of ever great social media dominance?

Hm. What keeps me going? Probably stubbornness. Definitely longwindedness.

At the risk of sounding like a nihilist, I don’t necessarily think that blogging is either relevant or important, but I also don’t think it needs to be in order to be worth doing. It’s just fun! I love thinking about fashion; I love getting dressed up and taking photos; I love writing about all of the different things that I get to write about. Would the world be substantially different if I didn’t do these things? Only my own little world.

I also don’t really make that much of a distinction between blogging and using social media – to me, it’s just a different way to do the same thing. Where blogging has more depth, social media has made a virtue of brevity.

On my blog, I have the luxury of space and a time. I can post half a dozen different photos of an outfit (full-length, front and back, detail shots, action shots) and tell a full story to create context. On Instagram, I would never post more than two photos of the same outfit (maybe three, if I really loved the shots), because it would be repetitive. I try to keep my captions and hashtags pithy, because no one’s going to read a long one.


Part of it, I think, is a generational thing. I’m generalizing here, but I feel like traditional fashion bloggers tend to be slightly older, and we model our posts after magazine spreads. People who started out sharing their outfits on Instagram have a much more intuitive sense how to compress a post into a photo (or two) and some hashtags. Kids these days, I tell ya. Post a photo of a lizard with the caption “me” and everyone knows what they mean.


What sorts of plans/goals/dreams do you have for your blog this year and beyond?

This year, I’d really like to push myself a little bit when it comes to blogging. I’ve always tried to create quality content; now I’d like to try and get more eyes on it. I’ve already invested in a higher quality camera and have been trying to be creative with my outfits and my shoot locations, and I’d also like to start advertising (within my budget, of course), collaborating with other bloggers, and start posting more often on a slightly broader range of topics.

I know that in order to do that I’m going to have to be better about planning ahead – brainstorming more post ideas, doing more photo shoots ahead of time so that I have some in reserve for when I’m ill or the weather is crappy.




And last, but certainly not least, can you share five things with us that never fail to bring you joy?

1. My fiancé Brian (pictured above), who is consistently kind, supportive, and dead sexy.

2. This “perfume ad” from an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. 16 seconds of pure joy, baby.

3. When a stranger on the street lets me pet their dog.

4. Pad thai.

5. A new dress.

Connect with Jessica on the following sites:


Her blog 

Facebook 

Instagram 

Pinterest 

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

♥ ♥ ♥

Massive thanks for this downright excellent – and very insightful – interview, Jessica. It was a joy and an honour getting to know you better, and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share so much about yourself, your world, and your blog with Chronically Vintage's readers.

If you're not already following Jessica's blog, run, don't walk, over there and add her to your feeds on the double!

Next up, in the gorgeous mid-springtime month of May, we'll be staying putting in the good, ol' US of A when we talk to another awesome vintage fan with a razor sharp wit all her own, who just happens to be especially fond of shirtwaist dresses, fabulous hats, red lipstick, reading, and the theater (clearly we share much in common!). I can hardly wait!

As always, my marvelous dears, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of this ongoing "Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger" series and for the love you shower on the blogs of those who take part in it as well. It is hugely, hugely appreciated by all involved!

If I could turn back time (aka, in which I join Lookbook.nu)

Gosh, I'm on something of a borrowed-from-a-popular-song title kick lately, aren't I? (See this post and then this one, for other recent examples of this in action.)

It must be something about the return of warm weather, as that always puts me in the mood to crank up the tunes and let the music play out as the natural soundtrack that it is for the summer.

But I digress...today's post isn't an introspective look at great regrets (of which I've had a few - oh, see, there I go again with the song references... :)), instead it's a brief reflection on the fact that after more than six years of blogging, it's safe to say, there are some things that I would do very definitely, if I could turn back the hands of time.

In reality, making a list of such things is largely pointless, as I've either since done them, fully realize that it's too late, or that some of them, objectively, wouldn't have actually been smart moves for my site and it’s better that I skipped them from the get-go. Some, and these I'm rather excited about, can still be done though and that is awesome!

It's easy, very easy actually, as an established blogger to fall into a certain pattern and to forget that just because you're not the freshest greenhorn on the blogging block any more, it doesn't mean that you can't go be newbie elsewhere.

When this blog began life back in in the spring of 2009, for a myriad of reasons (the incredibly poor state of my health at the time and for the first three years of my blog's existence being the biggest one of them), I didn't pen outfit posts on a frequent basis. There were a few prior to 2012, but they were very few and far between to say the least.

I think that had the two gone hand-in-hand from day one, I would have joined the wildly popular outfit photo sharing site Lookbook.nu straight out of the gate. There is zero, and I mean absolutely zero, reason why I didn't do so when I began sharing outfit posts on a regular basis over three years ago now and I do regret not joining back then.

But as they say, there's no time like the present and so I am delighted to report that a few days ago, as part of my very active ongoing desire to introduce some great new changes into my life, I joined Lookbook!

{A quick screenshot that I grabbed mere minutes after joining Lookbook.nu and uploading my first photo there.}

Please feel free to follow/fan me there: http://lookbook.nu/chronicallyvintage


I'd love to connect with those of you who use this site, too, and will try to follow every one of my readers who follows me back (you can always leave a link to your Lookbook page in a comment below to ensure that I can easily do so).

I realize that Lookbook may not be as wildly popular as it once was (especially after Instagram took off like wildfire), but it's still a very thriving site and I'm happy to be there all the same.

This is just one small example of things that I plan to, or are already, change/changing in my life, online and off alike. It’s also a testament to the fact that no matter how long you've been blogging, you can always introduce something new into your world - especially if you've been meaning to do so for years now, as I did with Lookbook.nu.

So while we can't actually turn back the hands of time (epic 1940s shopping spree, if we could!!!), we do have the power to decisions of all kinds of magnitudes right here and now, and that fact alone can help propel change like nothing else!

The Soubrette Brunette's favourite vintage fashions

Wowzers, my lovelies, do I have a special treat for you today in the form of a guest post by one of the most stylish, sweet, beautiful, kindhearted, and seriously inspiring ladies I've ever encountered online: Sammi Cohen from the magnificent fashion blog The Soubrette Brunette (thank you so much for guest posting while I'm in Vancouver, my dear friend).

If you don't know Sammi yet, chances are you'll quickly fall head-over-heels (girl crush material? you bet!) on this awesome and wonderfully talented lady who imparts an positively glorious sense of whimsy, femininity, and charm into everything she wears and blogs about.

Though Sammi isn't a strictly vintage sporting gal, many of her looks are a distinct nod to various elements of the past and she's certainly no strange to donning yesteryear threads either. Today Sammi is sharing about some of her favourite vintage items from her (jaw-droppingly-amazing!) wardrobe – complete with equally stunning photos - with all of us.

Pull up a chair, devote a few minutes, and see why one encounter is all it takes to make you a firm fan of The Soubrette Brunette.

Hello, readers of Chronically Vintage!  I'm Sammi from The Soubrette Brunette, a fashion and style blog that focuses on everything retro, kitschy and girly!  I'm an actress, singer and cat-lover from Upstate New York, and I'm a longtime fan of Jessica's beautiful blog.  I was tickled pink when she asked if I'd be interested in doing a guest post in her absence; not only does she have impeccable style, but she one of the sweetest ladies in the whole blogosphere.  I am constantly inspired by Jessica's keen eye for -- and knowledge of -- vintage fashion, and I thought it might be fun to share some of the most beloved vintage pieces from my own wardrobe for my guest post.

Floral and plaid dresses: Cricket Capers
Pink house dress: Great Lake Outfitters

Since I come from a theatrical background and grew up with a huge costume closet at my disposal (I was rather dismayed to learn that this was not part of every child's experience!), my sensibility definitely tends to sway towards the costume-y.  I draw from many different eras and cultural facets, but I really love the fashions of the 1940s-1960s.  I love pin-up and rockabilly culture, and I often mix in a dose of sweet lolita street fashion, too.  To put it simply, I just love playing dress up!

Pink dress and peach dress: Newman & Hall
Teacup novelty print swing dress: Soulrust

I absolutely love vintage fashion, and I could spend hours -- nay, days! -- swooning over gorgeous (and pricy!) frocks in pristine condition, but most of the vintage pieces in my closet were inexpensive finds.  I do the bulk of my vintage shopping online, which can scare some people, but I've found that being completely familiar with one's measurements and the most flattering silhouettes for one's body type really takes most of the guess work out of the process.  Etsy has always been my go-to platform for vintage finds, but I've recently branched out to eBay and Instagram for some of my browsing and buying.

Because I'm an artist by trade, I don't have a ton of extra income for expensive pieces, so I know that many of my pieces may be of the "1980s does '50s" variety (which still counts as vintage, technically!).  Though nothing can quite substitute for "true" vintage, I do love retro reproductions, and I think it's a really great way to build one's vintage collection while staying on a budget.  I honestly don't know the origin of most of my vintage pieces (though I know zippers and tags are a great way to tell at first glance), but since all of my pieces were well under $100, I know that it's absolutely possible to at least achieve a retro look without breaking the bank.

Pastel plaid dress: Crush Vintage Candy
Blue plaid dress & house purse: eBay
Watercolor print dress: Cricket Capers

Blue dress with peplum: Hep Threads Vintage
Bunny appliqué dress: The Kissing Tree Vintage
Striped floral dress: Sam and Milly Vintage

I've also found that other bloggers are a great resource for vintage finds!  This green floral print dress (below) was a trade with my friend Elana from Room 334.  We both blog for Flock Together, which is a style collective that focuses on remixing swapped pieces from other members.  Elana loved a dress of mine (to which I didn't have much emotional attachment), so we decided to permanently swap!  Lauren from Someone Like You has a little online vintage shop, which is where I snagged this gorgeous pale blue number, and I purchased the citrus print dress from Kate of Scathingly Brilliant in a "shop my closet" sale in her shop.  I'm lucky to have friends with such excellent taste (and who were willing to hand these pieces over to me)!  I love the idea of finding vintage treasures through this community.

Green floral dress: via Elana
Blue vintage dress: via Lauren
Lemon and lime print dress: via Kate

Some of my favorite accessories are vintage, too.  One of my favorite pair of heels -- a pair of silvery-white Mary Janes -- was a lucky find at an estate sale store.  I have some vintage novelty purses (including this wooden one that's shaped like a house) and a few vintage hats, too.  My favorite vintage hat was a gift from my friend Polly, who runs PaulinePaulie Antiques.  I also have a thing for novelty brooches!  Two of my favorites are this telephone one, and my green milkshake brooch.  I especially love this daisy one, which is not only vintage but is a hand-me-down from my fashion-loving mom!

Milkshake brooch: Good Goody Girls Jewels
Telephone brooch: Kitty Cat Shop
Daisy brooch: hand-me-down from my mom

Shoes: estate sale store
House purse: eBay
Cherry hat: c/o Paulie Antiques

What are some of your favorite vintage resources?  We only have a couple of brick and mortar vintage shops near me, so if you have a favorite online vintage shop, let me know in the comments!  I love finding new vendors!  Thanks so much to Jessica for asking me to guest post today, and thank you all for tuning in!  I hope to see you around my blog sometime.  Have a wonderful day!

xox Sammi

In which I am humbled and touched beyond words

Originally, I didn't have a post slatted for this gloriously warm last Friday of July, but then something happened that moved me to my core and which I wanted needed to blog about immediately, and so I'm doing just that right now.

I've had the great pleasure of knowing Lorena - a very talented artist from Brisbane, Australia - through both of her engaging, beautiful blogs (Balea Raitz Art and In Vogue One Day) for quite some time now, and we've long enjoyed swapping comments on each others sites.

Lorena had indicated before to me that she was interested in drawing me, and I'd happily said I would be honoured to have that happen anytime, but I didn't know that she was hard at work on a sketch this month, nor that she posted it on Balea Raitz Art until today. Imagine my double take inducing surprise when I visited her blog a few minutes ago was greeted with an illustrated image of myself.




This is the first time I've ever had anyone draw me as an adult, and I truly cannot begin to express the mixture of joy, appreciation, and amazement I'm feeling at the moment over the awesome image of me that Lorena so thoughtfully created (which is based on a photograph from this outfit post taken in the spring of 2012).

As I've touched on at various times here over the years (such as in this post), I have struggled with some really hefty self-esteem, self-confidence, and body image related issues over the years (which are not helped one iota by my battle with severe chronic health problems). Though I have gotten somewhat better in this regard, it took me a very long time - almost all of my life - to not look in the mirror and think that I was horrendously, hideously unattractive.

I am exceedingly well aware of the fact that I'm not, in most peoples' eyes, what one might call conventionally beautiful, and between all of these points, I honestly never imagined that anyone would look at me and choose to see me as a source of inspiration for their artwork - let alone want to draw an image depicting me.

At the age of 29 years old, I am incredibly humbled learn that I was wrong. Dead wrong. Someone found inspiration in me and created art with that. My goodness, I can think of nothing more touching or uplifting for my soul, spirit, and self-esteem.

Lorena's incredible piece exudes a sort of radiant beauty that I have honestly never seen in myself when I looked at my reflection, but which, clearly she was able to wisely see and transform into art.

The words "thank you" fail to do justice for gift of this incredible illustration, as well as for what, in one lightning fast instant, it taught me to see in myself. However, I will say them with as much conviction and sincerity as anyone has ever held before all the same: thank you deeply, dearly, and forever, Lorena.

Honoured to be featured on That's a Pretty Hat

Though, like many of you, I (proverbially) eat, sleep, and breath vintage fashion day in and day out, that doesn't mean I'm not inspired by other peoples' styles, too, even if they veer more on the modern side of things. This rings especially true if a fellow fashion blogger and I happen to share a passion for a particular brand, garment or accessory.

Earlier this year I discovered a wonderful blog that's helmed by a very stylish lady named Kathleen Lisson (pictured below in a sublimely lovely Ellen Christine hat and Reiss dress). What makes her site - called That's a Pretty Hat - especially noteworthy is the fact that Kathleen in a hat loving woman after my own heart. From casual to royal wedding worthy, this well dressed blogger's posts are jam packed with one inspiring, beautiful hat after hat another, each of which is paired with Kathleen's refinded, elegant modern style (which strikes me very much as being 21st Jackie O or Grace Kelly).

We've been commenting on one another's blogs for a while now, and it was with much excitement that I recently received an email from Kathleen asking if I'd like to be included in part of a post she was planning about hat fellow loving bloggers. As you can imagine, I jumped at the chance and enthusiastically wrote back at the speed of light.

Kathleen asked me to share some of my thoughts on the wearing of hats as an accompaniment to the two photos of me (which long time readers may recall from this shoot last March) included in her post, which you can read here.

I adored getting a chance to share some virtual page space with a handful of fellow hat lovers, whose styles, though much more modern than mine, are certainly inspiring and joy to find myself amongst. If you haven't had an opportunity to discover Kathleen's blog yet, it's a definite must for hat fans of all sorts, whether you reach for the mid-century designs like I do, or straight-off-the-F/W 2012 runway styles. (and everything in between!)

Many sweet thanks for including me as part of your first post on fellow chapeau adoring gals, Kathleen. I can't wait to see, and be inspired by, future editions of this series!

My interview with wonderful Brazilian blog Menina Maca

A few weeks ago, as 2011 was packing up its bags for good, I was contacted by a deeply sweet, stylish gem of a gal named Charlotte (pictured below, looking cute as a button!), who hails from Brazil. She wanted to interview me for her delightful fashion blog as part of a series she runs there called Top of the Vintage Style.

 

Past entries in this interview series have included some of my favourite vintage blogs, and I felt thoroughly honoured that she wanted to peak inside my mind - and vintage world - for a little while.

This past Saturday the interview that we did went live on on Charlotte's blog, Menina Maca. The interview itself was conducted in English, but the post about it is written in Brazilian.

Here however, is the English version of the interview that was conducted via email. I loved answering Charlotte's questions about my love of all things vintage, and hope you'll enjoy reading my replies.

 

Where are you from? Where do you live?

At the moment I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with my endlessly sweet husband, Tony, and our darling little grey tabby cat, Stella. Originally however, I'm from the province of British Columbia, where I lived in various towns and cities while growing up. After that I spent a couple of years in (the province of) Alberta, then living abroad in Europe for the first two years of my marriage, before we landed here in Ontario.

Since when you've been dressing up on 'vintage style'? Tell me some more about your fashion icons from the past.

I've been interested in vintage clothing and the general subject of history for quite literally as far back as I have memories. When I was a little girl (about six years old) I asked my mom to make me a poodle skirt, because I was already enamoured with the 1950s, which she sweetly did, and I ended up wearing that once I got home from school just about every day for the next couple of years. Jump ahead to my teen years when I began buying my own clothes and the first places I started shopping were the little thrift and consignment stores in my hometown.

My high school was located on my town's main street within walking distance of a few such shops, so sometimes on my lunch hour I'd pop down the street to try and find some charming 40s or 50s pieces (or at least ones that looked the part) before returning to my next class after lunch. I look back at those fun memories very fondly.

Though I do have some modern style garments, the bulk of my wardrobe since I've was about 16 years old has been either genuine vintage items from the 40s and 50s (my two favourite decades of all time), reproduction vintage, or modern pieces that channel the look and feel of those two decades. I'm especially drawn to Dior's New Look, so many of the items in my wardrobe have a highly feminine late 40s/early 50s style to them.

My biggest style icons from past have actually always been everyday women, people like my grandmothers and their friends who lived ordinary lives, got married, had children and were wonderful people who today inspire me constantly. I love imagining that if I was suddenly transported back in time to say, 1950, I could instantly blend in with other ladies on the street. There's something special about that thought and the way that it makes me feel deeply connected with the past, even though I didn't actually get a chance to live the decades I adore most first hand.

 

Do you use to create your own outfits (like sewin' or handmade...)? Where do you usually buy/find those beautiful things?

So far I've bought my vintage clothing, but dream of one day getting a sewing machine, improving my sewing skills (I can sew a bit, but don't claim to be an expert sewer at all) and hopefully making some of my own garments. I've been collecting vintage sewing patterns for a few years, as I've come across ones I liked, so I'll definitely be ready to go when I do get a sewing machine.

When I was younger (teen years and early 20s), I bought most of my vintage clothing from second hand, thrift, consignment and vintage stores, as well as a few pieces from garage sales and flea markets. In more recent years though, I've primarily been sourcing my vintage items online (particularly from eBay and etsy, but also from other assorted websites).

 

How do people behave/react when they see you walking on the street on vintage style?

Living in Toronto, one encounters all kinds of people with countless different styles, so usually my vintage fashions don't provoke too much of a reaction. Occasionally I'll have someone come up and ask me if I'm going to a party or wedding, or if I'm an actress, but generally people are polite and don't say anything that isn't positive.

One of my favourite things about wearing vintage looks is how happy I know it makes some elderly people, who really get a kick out of seeing a woman dressed in the styles of their youth. One time a few years ago an older woman on the bus said to me that I was the "first well dressed young person she'd seen in fifty years" and then continued to keep complimenting me on my vintage outfit. I was really touched by her kind words and delight in knowing that how I dress helps bring back fond memories of decades past for some people.

 

Tell me something (vintage related) that you want to have badly.

There are so many things on my vintage fashion wish list, but one that is right near the very top for me would be a well fitting vintage wedding dress. When my husband and I got married in 2004, we had a very small civil ceremony and I didn't get to wear a formal wedding dress because it was a causal affair. That day was endlessly special and meaningful for both of us, but we hope to one day (possibly for our 10th or 15th anniversary) have a wedding vow renewal ceremony, which we'd like to essentially be like the traditional kind of wedding we missed out on initially. If that happens, I am definitely go to try and track down my dream vintage wedding dress!

 

Indicate a blog (or pages) that you really love reading.

As the mile long blogroll on Chronically Vintage attests, there are tons of amazing vintage blogs that I love to garner inspiration from, so it's tricky to mention only a few. That said, some of my perpetual sources of inspiration include Andi B. Goode, By Gum, by Golly, Tea with the Vintage Baroness, The Glamorous Housewife, Vixen Vintage, and Yesterday Girl. A new edition to the vintage blogging front this year (note: technically last year now) that quickly became one of my must-reads is The Musings and Adventures of a Pinup Mama.

Another huge source of online inspiration for me is the thousands of wonderful vintage photos and images (ads, illustrations, etc) that people have uploaded on Flickr. I've gotten a lifetime's worth of vintage inspiration from Flickr alone.

♥ ♥ ♥

Menina Maca is a sartorially inspiring, upbeat, highly fun blog that encompasses both vintage and somewhat more modern style, though always with a definite eye to the past. If you haven't popped by before, I encourage you to do so - with a little help from Google Translate, you can even translate Charlotte's writing from Brazilian into English or whatever language you'd prefer.

I want thank Charlotte dearly for her interest in Chronically Vintage and myself. It was a complete and total pleasure getting to know you and your stellar blog! Muito obrigado!