Absolutely beautiful photo booth friends

Sometimes I find myself thinking about all of the incredible pictures – whether for their subject matter or skill level – that have been taken since the invention of photography. I would venture to guess that most of them were taken with the hope of preserving a moment in time for as long as possible. This common thread amongst photos is a large part of why people adore taking them so much. We all want to grasp onto the present, however fleeting it may be.

Many of the photos taken over the decades – and now centuries – have been lost to the hands of time, but thankfully (and perhaps almost amazingly given the very delicate nature of photo paper) some of them have been preserved. I adore old pictures even if I haven’t the slightest clue who the people in them are. In fact sometimes not knowing is part of the joy. You can write your own narratives for the faces – and the lives behind them – of the people in these wonderful snapshots of history.

Such was the desire I was struck with as soon as I chanced upon the photo below. The two women in this seemingly simple photo booth shot are undeniably gorgeous. Their hair, make-up and outfits appeal to me on so many levels. Yet I am equally struck by how happy – content in the moment, perhaps – they both seem. There is a glint of flirtation in the brunette’s dark eyes, a sense of worldly wisdom in those of the blond. Each woman is strikingly attractive on her own, together they are even more majestic.

I wonder, looking at this decades old photo, who were these gals? Were they friends, sisters, cousins, classmates, coworkers? Had they been in each other’s lives for years or only recently meet? Were they taking the photo to remember they day themselves or to pass it along to someone else? Could they have possibly known at the time how wildly stylish they were?


{Vintage photo discovered via Hastingsgraham’s Flickr stream.}

I like to think they were lifelong BFFs. Deeply similar in many ways and starkly opposite in others. Through the good and the bad, the rough and the incredible, they were always there, with perfectly coiffed hair, for each other. Their unwavering bond preserved forever in this moment as photo booth friends.

Introducing Able Grable, a beautiful new vintage reproduction line

If you follow the vintage blogging scene you may already be familiar with Miss Matilda and her fantastic blog (if you’re not, be sure to visit her site at once, it’s chockablock with informative mid-century history, images and photos of MM herself sporting wonderful vintage looks). I’m a big fan of her site and was positively excited when I read a recent post announcing the launch of her own stylish vintage reproduction line Able Grable, which will be specializing in 1930s and early 40s designs.

On her blog MM states that each dress is, “each inspired by the film actresses I admire”. What a lovely approach to art of reproduction tailoring. In terms of the line’s name she goes to say, “I share my birthday with Betty Grable and the name of my frock shop comes from the war time slang for a good looking woman, an Able Grable. So the first frock is a tribute to Betty Grable.”

The first piece in this gorgeous new line is a red polka dot, satin dress with white trim and collar that instantaneously calls to mind silver screen elegance and the sort of styles ladies of the time might have donned for those days when they needed something extra special to wear.



Available in sizes small through 3X, this sweet frock is limited to a twelve dress run. If you’re interested in picking one up for yourself, email Matilda at ablegrable@gmail.com for further information and pricing.

I think this dress is wonderfully pretty and can’t wait to see what other excellent designs Able Grable has in store for all of us vintage frock loving ladies!

Ten summery vintage dresses to inspire you right now

The eternally beautiful dress, in my mind there is no more wonderful garment in existence. In fact to this extent, when I was a grade school student, I tried to rally my female friends and peers into forming a group devoted to the act of wearing dresses to school every day. On a jungle-gym and rope swing bedecked playground though, my dress loving movement didn’t gain the momentum I’d been hoping for, and I, for a time at least, carried on the act of donning a dress each day by myself. While I do wear pants – and absolutely adore skirts – dresses will forever hold a sweet and special spot in my heart.

Come the smouldering heat of summer there is no other item of clothing I’d rather put on morning, noon or night than a light weight, vintage (or vintage inspired) dress. It can be dressed up or down to your hearts’ content and instantly makes you feel a little glamorous in the midst of a sweltering heat wave (which as many of us know firsthand, is a time when you tend to feel more like a melted pool of crayon wax than the gorgeous bombshell you are).

With June – the month that heralds the arrival of summer – just days away I’ve gathered up ten absolutely fantastic vintage dresses that I hope will leave you as excited for summer frocks as I am (keep in mind that many of these pieces are sold by vintage sellers who are likely to only have one dress in a particular size in stock, so be sure to check the links for detailed sizing and availability information). Who knows, maybe they’ll even inspire you to start your own dress lovers club!


{Equal parts sweet and sexy, this red and white gingham print sundress from Pinup Girl Clothing would become an instant staple in my wardrobe if I owned it. I’d pair it with a cut little black, red or white cardigan at night to keep warm, and nothing but cat’s eye shades when the sun was out in full force. This dress is available in sizes XS through to 2X and is priced at $72US.}


{What would summer be without trips to the beach or at least the wearing of clothes that invoke a nautical vibe? This charming blue and white, 1950s, sailor inspired dress with two rows of lovely white buttons seems positively made for a day at beach or a backyard poolside party. It’s currently available from Viva Vintage Clothing for $85US.}




{One look at this gorgeous accordion pleat, cotton blend dress and I instantly want to slip on a pair of vintage wrist-length gloves and take a stroll around a beautiful summer garden. Something about the swaying movement of the full skirt’s pleats invokes the feeling of petals swaying happily in the breeze. If you can also see yourself in this dress, it can be yours for the very reasonable price of $32US from etsy seller Retro Renegade Vintage.}



{Sporting a breezy, almost peasant inspired white top and full, delightfully fun navy blue polka dot skirt, this short sleeved dress would be the perfect look in which to dance any summer night away. This reproduction frock from Unique Vintage can currently be pre-ordered in sized XS to 2X for $98US, to be shipped out to you in early June.}



{This sophisticated multicoloured, notched neckline silk dress from the 1950s seems right on trend with the current revival of soft, watercolour like floral prints that were all over the spring and summer runways. It’s available from Viva Vintage Clothing for $70US, and I think it would work wonderfully well for an evening cocktail party, dinner party or other event where you want to dress up a little.}



{I love grey, it’s a wonderful neutral and fantastic alternative to black during the dog days of summer. If you also dig this hue, why not check out this lovely hater dress with pink polka dots from Dandelion Vintage, where it’s selling for $65.00US}



{Celebrate Independence Day, Canada Day, Labour Day or any other day of the summer you please in this fun, red trimmed frock complete with full circle skirt. This vintage dress can be yours for $85 from etsy seller Allen Company Inc.}



{With its full skirt, short sleeves, soft ivory colours and incredibly cute stitched strawberry print, don’t you just want to eat this gorgeous summer dress right up? If like me, you do, you can help yourself to a vintage serving for $80US from clothing seller Vintageous.}



{Selling for the bargain price of $26US, this bright, joyfully floral print dress from etsy seller Turquoise Heaven is from the 1980s, but the cut definitely has a distinct fifties feel that could made even more vintage looking with the right summer shoes and hairstyle.}



{While the final dress on our list comes in with the highest price tag ($155US), it is also one of the most striking and whimsically lovely vintage frocks you could hope to encounter. Graced with a lovely rose poking up beyond the neckline, this gem of a summery frock, from Planet Claire Vintage on etsy, would be perfect the perfect thing to wear to a garden party!}


Both stunning and functional (who wants to wear pants and long sleeves in August?), all these elegant dresses have a positively timeless quality to them that will see you through summer after happy summer in vintage style.