Eight things that have really been inspiring my style so far this year

Back at the very start of 2015, I kicked off the new year by penning a post in which I shared twelve of the things (one for each of the upcoming twelve months of the year) that were inspiring my style at the moment. I've thought back to, and drawn inspiration from, that post many times in the roughly 1 2/3rds of a year that have passed since then and am constantly delighted by the fact that each of those twelve fashion elements continues to shape and drive my personal style to this day.

Naturally, they're not the only ones that are doing as much as we start to head into the final weeks of summer, I thought it would be a lot of fun to share a brief overview of eight different things (again, one for each month that we've experienced so far this year) that have been speaking loudly and clearly to me from a sartorial standpoint so far throughout 2016.

1. Stripes

For much of my adult life, especially if we're talking the horizontal version, I largely avoid strips and didn't think that they worked all that well for me, but in the last year or two, I've been noticing a real pull towards them all of a sudden. In particular, I'm finding myself smitten with narrow vertical stripes and/or pieces that combine both vertical and horizontal lines in the same garment. I'm also discovering that stripes can work for me, especially if they're fairly thin and in flattering colours.

Earlier this year I picked up a great 1950s striped dress that I simply had to have the moment I saw it, as its colour palette instantly caused a fun fall time outfit to spring to mind and I can't wait to share such with you here in the near future. So, in short, strips and me are on good terms these days and I'm genuinely happy about that fact.

2. Vintage cartwheel/platter hats

It's scarcely a state secret that I utterly and completely love vintage hats of all types, but did you know that in recent years, I've been gravitating more and more towards especially wide brimmed cartwheel and platter styles? I find that they tend to work wonderfully well for my face type and that they suit the sorts of fashions I'm leaning all the more towards as I progress through my 30s.

Were it not for the super steep shipping prices to send such generously proportioned styles (and really, most things in general) to Canada these days, I'm sure I'd own many more than I presently do. Fortunately I do have a lovely little collection of such and as you may have noticed from some of my recent outfit posts this year, they're getting a lot of use these days.

3. Muted colours

I've already chatted about my current (huge!) passion for "all the vintage muted colours" here in at least a couple of posts this year (such as this one), so I won't do my impression of a broken record. In short, I'm currently madly in love with vintage 1940s, 50s and early 60s garments in earthy tones, be they solids or (especially) patterns, and don't foresee this interest waning anytime soon.

4. Colonial area fashions, decor and crafts

For as long as I can recall, I've felt a strong pull towards the general styles, art, and decor of America and Canada's earliest days, and in particular, am refereeing styles up until the end of the 18th century when I speak of colonial era influences.

Though such can be a bit tricky to interpret overly literally in the context of mid-century fashion, subtle touches (beyond just pilgrim collars, like those on the 1950s frocks pictured above, and shoe buckles), can be had, such as classic fabrics that call to mind those used in the 17th and 18th centuries in North America, traditional looking hand stitched details, certain styles of shawls, and various others.

In this instance, it's less about dressing as though I was from that time period (as fun and exciting as such would be!) and more about letting the general aesthetic of such weave itself throughout various areas of my life and wardrobe alike.

5. Elizabeth Taylor's look during the mid-1950s to early 1960s

From her immensely chic short hairstyles to her elegantly gorgeous attire and her perfectly on point make-up, just about everything that Liz sported during this period is right up my styling alley and has influenced me for many years now, continuing to so all the more in this decade of my life

6. Leaf themed jewelry, accessories and prints

A natural - pun intended - extension, one might say, of my current interest in muted hues and patterns featuring such, I've really, really been digging leaf and fern themed/printed fashions, especially - perhaps not surprisingly to anyone who knows me well - those of a autumnal nature. I certainly won't be retiring my beloved florals anytime soon, but they've been joined by more leaf themed pieces this year and I'm pleased as punch about that fact.

7.Claire McCardell's work

Mid-century American fashion Claire McCardell's work has long resonated with me (especially her way with wrap dresses and draping). Innovative and stylish, McCardell championed a (by the standards of the day) leisurely look and was especially keen on sport and swimwear, as well as a distinct American style that was both refined and playful at the same time.

Though tragically, her life was cut short due to cancer when she was in her 50s, Claire McCardell was able to leave a very lasting impression of the mid-century fashion scene and is a name that deserves to be known and appreciated by fashion fans everywhere (plus she was an engaging author, whose book, What Shall I Wear?, is one of my favourite written about contemporary style during the fifties)

8. Celestial stars

I can't remember a time when I wasn't drawn to star imagery and fashions pertaining to such (and of course absolutely adore the real twinkling deal, too), but in recent years I've been going all the more wild for such and would love to add another celestial print garment or two (I have a lovely vintage star print dress already) to my closet in the near future. Who knows, perhaps their landing there is already - *cough, cough* - written in the stars! :)



{To learn more about a specific image used in today's post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

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Now granted, for some people, such is strongly the case, but I think it's very important to make the distinction that what we wear doesn't always equate to what is actually inspiring us - at least not in glaringly obvious ways. It's totally possible to draw inspiration from something, but not to channel it literally in your wardrobe (or home decor, for that matter).

With some of the eight entries above, it's easy for me to weave them into certain ensembles, but for others - such as my passion for colonial era styles - such is not always overly feasible, but that doesn't mean that these things don't hold sway over us and/or that they aren't manifested in subtle, no less important, ways.

Sometimes simply reading about and/or looking at images that speak to us can drive our style and that is one of the most exciting things about inspiration itself. We're free to interpret and run with it however our heart desires (at least within the scope of our means).

I wouldn't say that my style has undergone any radical changes in recent months, though I do notice various subtle things evolving on that front as I get older (including certain points that I raised in this post), and also in part thanks to the various elements that are inspiring me at any given moment.

For example, while I still love (and own a delightful little collection of such) hair flowers, I haven't felt pulled towards wearing them very often lately (florals crowns though, big time!), nor have I been rocking many square shaped necklines, as I've come to realize that such (much like collar-less styles and v-necks) are not always overly becoming on me.

Little things, but ones that I take notice of, just as I do those style elements step in to take their place in terms of what I may opt to wear more often.

I've said it before, but I will happily say it again. Our closets should continue to evolve as we do. It's easy to grow stagnant in what we wear, but continually seeking and recognizing inspiration, as it strikes, can be a powerful tool in combating such.

As we delight in this final month of summer and head into my all-time favourite season, fall, I look forward to seeing how the eight things shared here today continue to influence what I wear, how I'll interpret them in the outfits I share here, and what other fun/beautiful/unique elements will shape my style in the second chapter of 2016 and beyond.

Naturally, I'm sure many of them will enjoy at last a moment or two in the spotlight here. After all, if a vintage fashion blogger can't readily share what's inspiring them on their own site, who can! :)

Answering the A to Z About Me questionnaire

✯ Day 322 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

On a number of different sites recently I've been seeing a fun blog game pop up in which people share quick facts about themselves based on an alphabetized series of questions. (Each time I spot this neat game, I find myself struck by how well many of the 26 answers would work as prompts/inspiration for blog posts unto themselves.)

I rather enjoy quick sets of questions like today’s “A to Z About Me” one that help capture little everyday moments and facts about myself  in a handy list form that I can reflect back on in the years to come (who knows how many of my answers will still be the same in ten, twenty, or more years), not to mention share more about myself with all of you.

So without further ado, I present my answers to the…

 

A to Z About Me blog questionnaire

 

A. Age: 27 (and four months!).

B. Bed size: Queen (which houses me, the mister, and our kitty)

C. Chore that you hate: Scrubbing out dirty garbage cans (especially in the summer!).

D. Dogs: Love them to no end (especially English bulldogs!), but do not currently have any.

E. Essential start to your day: A kiss from my husband.

F. Favourite color: It's a three way tie between pink, burgundy and turquoise.

G. Gold or Silver: Honestly, copper or bronze, but of the two, gold.

H. Height: 5'2" (love being on the petite side!).

I. Instruments you play: Unless instruments of make-up application count, I’m out of luck here!(Because I don't know how to play any musical ones.)

J. Job title: Daydream believer (or, as I’m more commonly known as, a commercial photographer and writer).

K. Kids: One fine day.

L. Live: Each day with passion and joy.

M. Mother’s name: Lynn (sweet and beautiful, just like her).

N. Nicknames: Too many to count...Piccolina, which is the Italian female form of the term "little one", is a beloved favourite that my husband gave me years ago.

O. Overnight hospital stays: More than I care to remember.

P. Pet peeves: No, just a pet cat . Jokes aside, one of my pet peeves is when stores are messy and their shelves are in a state of disarray. This bugs me so much that on numerous occasions, I've actually started cleaning up said messy shelves while in the midst of shopping.

Q. Quote from a movie: "From the moment we enter this life we are in the flow of it. We measure it and We mock it, but we cannot defy it. We cannot even speed it up or slow it down. Or can we? Have we not each experienced the sensation that a beautiful moment seemed to pass to quickly, and wished that we could make it linger? Or felt time slow on a dull day, and wished that we could speed things up a bit?" ~ Edward Norton as Eisenheim in The Illusionist.

R. Right or left handed: Right, but as a child I taught myself how to be ambidextrous, in case something ever happened to my right hand.

S. Siblings: Indeed, a younger brother and sister.

T. Time you wake up: Varies just about every day.

U. Underwear: Corsets for show, French lace for day-to-day practicality.

V. Vegetable you hate: (Though technically this is a veggie turned into a dish/ingredient...) I've never been crazy about sauerkraut.

W. What makes you run late: If I forget that Daylight Savings Time has begun.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: See "O".

Y. Yummy food that you love: Anything my mom makes - especially her chicken pot pie, cheddar broccoli soup, and mind-blowingly good cinnamon buns.

Z. Zoo animal: Otters holding hands at the Vancouver Aquarium.

 

{Lovely vintage cross stitch alphabet that you could easily use for both embroidery and paper crafting projects alike, via April-Mo on Flickr.}

 

I'm not going to tag anyone else specifically to answer this series of questions, but definitely encourage all of my readers to take a few moments and fill it out yourself (you can blog about it, or keep it private for your own eyes only).

I adore how in a matter of minutes I've put together a fantastic list of starting points for everything from future blog posts to scrapbook pages, and hope that the same will be true for you ,too,  if you decide give this fun blog game a spin.

I’ve discovered the addictive joy of Pinterest

✯ Day 255 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

While Pinterest is by no means a hushed secret any more (it’s already been hailed as one of the 50 best websites of 2011 by Time Magazine), it wasn't until about a month or so ago that I began using it.

Last spring a very dear friend sent me an invite, which I accepted at the time, but for various reasons I wasn't able to devote the time needed then to properly explore the site and all it had to offer back then.

Jump ahead to this past August – after continually seeing mention after mention of Pinterest online – I decided it was high time I go see what everyone was buzzing about.

At its heart Pinterest is a giant online inspiration board. Members find (or "Pin") images (of just about anything you can imagine) online and then bookmark them to their Pinterest accounts.

Pinterest combines the practicality of an online bookmarking service with the seek-and-discover fun of StumbleUpon.com (a site that I was a major user of a few years back).

Users create categories (called boards) within their account and then organize the images they've saved however they desire. Members can (and most do) re-pin items that fellow Pinterest users have added to their boards. This makes for some wonderful communal sharing of fantastic photos (you can also comment on any and all images you - or other Pinterest members add).

This site is easy-as-pie to get the hang of, and let me tell you, highly (ridiculously) addictive!

 

I've already created more than 60 boards and have hundreds upon hundreds of pins (which you can see a sampling of in the screen shot above), all created in the span of about a month.

Now granted, I've mildly obsessed with Pinterest at the moment and won't usually be devoting anywhere near as much time as I did recently to it, but I definitely see this being a site that I'm going to use in the long run. It allows me to quickly create a virtual inspiration board that I can refer back to any time, use images I've pined for blog posts, and even turn into a wish list of sorts.

As you might expect, I've already started adding oodles of great vintage related images, which I’ve organized into different boards such as The Crazy Thirties, Fantastic Forties, Fabulous Fifties, Fantasy Vintage Wardrobe, Vintage home decor, Hollywood Past, and Vintage in a Modern World (amongst many others).

If you've not jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon yet, I highly recommend you do. It is a fabulous replacement (or supplement, as the case may be) for a host of bookmarking, wish list, and photo saving sites that quickly and easily allows you to corral all of the images and sites you find online and want to remember into one super handy-dandy spot.

For my Chronically Vintage readers who are already fellow Pinterest users, I'd love to see your boards and follow you there. You can find me (probably spending far too much time) on Pinterest under the username Vintage Blog (natch! :) ).

It's been a long time since a new communal website really captured my attention, but I can definitely say that Pinterest has and I couldn't be happier about it!

*PS*

Please feel free to pin anything you'd like from my posts here on Chronically Vintage. The more image sharing on Pinterest, the merrier! 

A terrifically pretty turquoise living room that will leave you feeling anything but blue!

✯ Day 155 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Whereas earlier this spring I was heavily feeling purple (particularly when it came to my wardrobe choices), as spring marches ever closer to summer, I find that recently  my mind has been drawn heavily to crisp, confident shades of feel-good blues and turquoise.

Perhaps it's daydreams about Caribbean beaches, where dusty white sands march in perfect harmony with the nearly surreal aquamarine seas, or maybe it stems from the fact that cheerful blues tend to feature heavily in summertime decor (think melamine dishware and punchy hued throw pillows, for example).

Whatever sparked my current colour fixation, I'm pleased that it did, because there are few more soothing - yet equally lively - shades out there than a zesty turquoise blue, precisely like the one in the captivating living room below.

Hailing from the UK website House to Home, this photo gorgeously showcases the allure and charm of a living room done up in sparklingly pretty hues of perfectly summertime worthy blue, snowman white, and fresh-from-the-garden pink.

Weaving old school elegance (such as the ornate mirror atop the fireplace mantle and the curvaceously legged furniture) with a whimsical touch of modernity (e.g., the intentionally unfinished paint job at the top of the walls), this spacious living room is the sort of chic, fresh, very appealing space that captures the same sense of turquoise's unfailing beauty as the tropical waters mentioned above.

Whether you're drawn to the colours, the design, or the timelessly lovely pieces at work in this marvelous vintage inspired living room, it spills forth with an abundance of blissful bright blue to inspire your home decor and summertime wardrobe pieces alike all through the season and well beyond.

Vintage 365: CV post inspires vintage blogger's beautiful 1940s looped braid hairstyle

✯ Day 20 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

The response to the Vintage 365 daily post here on CV has been tremendously positive so far, and I believe that as the year progresses things will continue to shine. Though the project is less than a month old at this point, I've already had a some people contact me to say that they blogged about one of the Vintage 365 posts that really caught their eye (thank you, sweet dears!).

One such person is the immensely lovely Tasha of By gum by golly! , a delightful vintage and craft centred blog, who wrote to say that the vintage magazine cover image I used for the January 13th Vintage 365 post Slide show celebrates 125 years of Ladies Home Journal magazine, inspired her to recreate the darling 1940s looped braid pigtails the the mother and daughter are sporting on that cover.

Not only did Tasha recreate this charming, seriously adorable hairstyle with immense success (see image above), she detailed the steps she took to do so on her blog, so that she could inspire her readers to try this playful style on their own locks.

For me one of the best elements of being a vintage blogger is the continual inspiration I gather from both yesteryear images and my fellow old school bloggers, and I was touched deeply to know that Tasha drew such stylish inspiration from one of my posts. Though my own hair is far to thin to pull off this immensely cute 1940s hairdo with any degree of success, I adore the how Tasha tied cheerful ruby hued ribbons around the tops of her pigtail braids, and I'm now inspired to dig into my craft stash and start wearing more ribbons in my hair (and should I have ever a daughter one day, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be trying the looped pigtail look on her!).

Thank you very much, Tasha, for sharing how an edition of Vintage 365 inspired you; I absolutely loved seeing your wonderful hairstyle and am sure you'll inspire scores of vintage loving gals to copy this super fun look!

Vintage Fashionista Friday: April 16, 2010

{Instantly invoke an cultured and worldly sort of charm with this gorgeous pink parasol, the design of which is intended to mimic umbrellas of the Edwardian era. I think however, that its gentle curves and classic shape would permit this lovely parasol to work wonderfully with many looks from the 30s through to the 50s. This marvellous – and delightfully feminine – umbrella (which is waterproof, meaning you can use it to shield yourself from both the rain and the sun) is available for £14.95 UK from Dotcomgiftshop.com}



{Few things conjure up thoughts of an elegant woman more than seeing a beautifully laid out vanity, rich with bottles and pots, little trinkets, shinny bottles and pretty grooming tools. This art deco era set of brushes (the larger is a hairbrush, the smaller brush is to be used on clothing) teeters on that fine line of looking both modern and wonderfully old school; it’s chipper nearly bubble gum pink hue would surely bring happiness to anyone who used it on their locks and garments. Two piece vintage enamel brush set, $19.00 US from etsy seller Vintage Pickle.}



{Serenity and grace radiate through this delicate looking hair clip, a masterful work of art created from pure silk dupioni and Japanese chirimen crepe. Sculpted and folded to look like flower petals, these materials make up a barrette that’s so beautiful it could very well turn into a family heirloom. Handmade white silk flower hair clip, $40.00 from etsy seller Petal Mix.}



{If ever there was a vintage dress fit to wear on Easter Sunday, to a fancy garden party, or even for a wedding (be it as a guest, bridesmaid or bride), this marvellously pretty 1950s frock is it. Bursting with the sweetest white and pink flowers set atop a pure white background, this vintage dress comes complete with a built-in crinoline, features cap sleeves and princess darts, and has a positively wonderful large pink bow in the front for an extra dose of girly charm. Sized to fit up to a 32 inch bust/27 inch waist, this enchanting party dress can be found at Dear Golden Vintage’s etsy shop for $165.00 US.}



{Perfectly aged to a shabby chic patina, this alluringly fun vintage bracelet is comprised of silver and pink coloured heart and flower shaped charms, and would look splendid paired with everything from sun dresses to twin sets. This sweet little bracelet, which measures 8 inches long, is available from etsy seller Past Enchantments for $9.99 US.}



{Beautiful enough to use as clutch, should you so fancy, this glamorous pink bag is in fact a jewelry roll. Lavishly bedecked with dainty white (faux) pearls and cheerfully fuchsia hued ribbon, this jewelry roll is exactly the sort of thing I could imagine on the vanity or dressing table of a wildly popular 1930s or 40s film star, such as Greta Garbo, Rita Hayworth, Mae West, or Betty Grable. If you’d like to store your precious gems and costume jewelry alike in this splendid roll, it can be had for £15.00 from Laura Ashley.}



{To call the classic, deeply lovely style of these sophisticated white satin pumps timeless would be an understatement. They’re the kind of shoe that will see you through countless ensembles and situations, from weddings to cocktail parties, their chic, yet understated beauty is every bit as ageless as a pearl necklace. These rsvp brand white satin pumps sport a 4 inch heel, are available in women’s sizes (and half sizes) 5 through 10, and retail for $65.00 US from Zappos.}

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Soft hues and serene moments are swirling around in my mind as another week begins to draw to an end. Like a whispered lullaby, the colours that I’m envisioning this week’s vintage Fashionista, Angelique, wearing are the embodiment of cherry blossoms spun into an outfit. They’re gentle as a lamb and perfectly fitted to the milder, yet still immensely pretty, days of late April and early May.


I just want to take a moment and thank you dearly to those who have shared their comments on recent posts with me lately, your words are as uplifting as a warm spring breeze. I adore hearing from my readers and sincerely appreciate your comments!

Wishing everybody a peaceful, highly enjoyable Friday and weekend ahead!

Today’s Vintage Treasure: April 12, 2010

{Fuchsia can be a tricky cool to pull off successfully (especially if you’re a fair skinned redhead like yours truly!), but it’s such an engagingly upbeat hue that it really deserves a spot in every woman’s wardrobe. If, like me, you’re not one to don head-to-toe fuchsia, the solution lies (naturally enough) in accessories and shoes featuring this vibrantly gorgeous colour. To my mind fuchsia is synonymous with the warmer months; its ruddy mix of crimson and violet has always struck me as a colour that was plucked right out of a lush spring or summer garden.

Though fuchsia is a commanding colour, it can also be surprisingly delicate when employed with gentler mediums, as in the case of these sophisticated lace kitten heel pumps. Almost architectural-like beauty seems to exude from this chic pair of heels, their open-weave design permitting the wearer’s bare skin (or stocking covered foot) to peak through alluringly from between the swirls of lace. A modest two inch heel means that this is a pair of shoes you could likely spend more than a few minutes in before your feet started to scream. Sized to fit a woman’s 8.5, these beautiful 1950s shoes are roomier in the length department than many vintage pairs that surface nowadays. Should these darling fuchsia heels be calling your name, they can be had for the not-too-rough-on-the-pocketbook price of $35.00 US from etsy seller Capricious Traveler.}


While the temperatures haven’t quite reached full-on balmy spring here, at least the sun – rich, soothing, yellow daffodil hued sun – is shinning with quite a fair bit of might this afternoon. I know it’s hardly uncommon for one to feel this way, but I really do sense that the sun is bolstering my energy levels, which is such a welcome treat indeed.

I really hope that each and every one of your weeks is off to a similarly beautiful – and sunshine laden – start, and that you all had marvellous weekend! (I’d love to hear about it, if you did!)

Vintage Fashionista Friday: April 9, 2010

{Bring the lively beauty of a vivacious spring garden to your locks all year round with this wonderfully over-sized, ruby red dahlia floral hair clip (which stays in place thanks to an alligator clip). Whether clipped to your hair, the strap of your dress or onto a handbag, this splendid faux bloom – which sells for $28.00 US from FlowerClip.com – is bound to make you smile every time you look at it.}



{Like a gorgeous fiery sunset, these timelessly lovely handmade earrings feature Mexican opals dangling from elegant gold leaf chandeliers. I could easily see these glistening earrings pairing wonderfully with everything from white cotton blouses to saucy black cocktail dresses, always ready to bring a marvellous splash of warmth to any ensemble. If these lovely earring have caught your fancy, too, they can be found for $49.50 US from etsy seller Made By Sam.}



{Enticingly mysterious in their jet black and crimson wrappers, these sublimely scented soaps from the renowned Spanish brand Maja, are filled with floral essential oils such as rose, carnation, jasmine and geranium, as well as rich Spanish olive oil, making them heady enough to rid you of the need to dab on perfume. A set of three round bars of Maja soap, complete with a deeply beautiful, artistically captivating box can be had for $14.00 US from TheSoapBar.com (and I can’t help but think they would make an amazing hostess or thank-you gift for anyone who loves vintage packing and/or tremendously pretty soap.}



{Keep warm during those spring months of unpredictable weather or on chillier summer nights with this graceful, agelessly beautiful 100% merino wool knit lace shawl from etsy seller Resurrection of Romance, who sells this stylishly cozy wrap for $139.00 US.}



{As vibrantly spicy as a chili pepper, this charming red hued 1950s Western/Mexican/Square Dance dress is sure to inject a wonderful dose of stylish charm to your warm weather wardrobe. This engagingly fun frock, which fits a 36 inch bust/22-30 inch waist, can be yours for $145.00 US from etsy seller Retro Threads.}



{Delightfully rustic beauty resides in this wonderful vintage clutch, which features colourful embroidery work on a woven straw-like material. In excellent shape, this sweet little handbag would look so terrific at the beach, on a picnic, or at any outdoor activity where the dress code veers a little more on the casual side. If you’d like to bag this chipper purse, it’s available for $26.00 US from etsy seller Olden Vintage.}



{All eyes will be on your feet when you step out in these fantastically lovely 4.5 inch wedge heel sandals adorned with vintage looking tattoos – including some adorable little swallows. Part rockabilly, part pin-up girl and part drop-dead gorgeous, these heels are sure to make anyone who sees them swoon! Available in ladies sizes 6 to 10, these playful shoes hail from Babygirl Boutique, where they’re priced at $53.00 US a pair.}

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A week of perpetually drab, sullenly grey weather has left me pining for all things eclectically bright, bold and full of energy, such as the pieces above that I imagine our stylish Senorita, Esmeralda, sporting as she made her way to an evening of fun, friends and scores of lively dancing.

I absolutely hope that each of your weekends ahead will be just as bright and gleeful as these darling Mexican inspired pieces, and wish you all a fabulous next couple of days!

Introducing Flickr Favourites

Few sites continually inspire me with the same degree of creative, endlessly beautiful wonder that Flickr does. I’ve professed my undying love for Flickr here before (and like to think it comes through in my Saturday Snapshots posts, as well as many other image filled articles), but have been wanting for ages to launch a regularly occurring post devoted squarely to this amazing image filled site.

Instead of assigning this new reoccurring post a set day of the week (for example, Tuesday), I’ve decided to put together a Flickr Favourites post whenever the mood strikes – which will certainly be on a frequent basis (I’d tentatively say one such post every week or two).

While Saturday Snapshots focuses solely on vintage photographs of "real folks" (as opposed to famous people, magazine pictures featuring models, etc), the images that appear in “Flickr Favourites” will be a tapestry of old school snaps and modern photos with a vintage slant (or ones that I simply find to be too resplendently lovely to not share with you). Sometimes the images that appear in a given post may have a common theme, on others might be entirely random, tied together simply by their inherently breathtaking vintage related subject matter.

Last June I wrote about ten of my favourite Flickr groups devoted to various vintage topics, and many of you shared with me how much you enjoyed that roundup. Since that time I’ve thought often of that post, wanting to have a regular outlet in which to share more vintage related Flickr groups, so in addition to a selection of assorted images that have captured my imagination recently, each time I write an edition of Flickr Favourites, I’ll be including a previously un-blogged about Flickr group that’s focused solely on some marvellous aspect of the past.

I’m so excited about this delightfully fun new post, and sincerely hope that the images below, as well as all that follow in future editions, will provide you with scores of inspiration, help to fuel your vintage daydreams and brighten you day in the sweetest of ways.


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{Vintage Turquoise Creamer by ethanollie}



{Floating spoons by saltycotton}



{Still life 5 by lucy.loomis}



{A Symphony of Pink and Turquoise by Charm and Poise}



{Spring Journey by Magpie’s Fancy}


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Teaming with images of lovely treasures, retro kitsch, family heirlooms and other items gathered and saved from yesteryear, the Flickr group Vintage Beauty – Thrifted Bliss teams with photos of assorted vintage items and photographs that people have found while out thrifting and want to share, or are hoping to sell (elsewhere, Flickr itself has a strict no selling policy).


{1. Stewardess from the 1950s, 2. 60s mod, 3. hairdyer1, 4. Romance is in the air}

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As spring ever-so-slowly creeps out of hiding here, my mind is evidently being drawn to shades of turquoise and blue, both hues that contain the ability to be serene and invigorating at the same time, much like this very season itself.

Wishing you each a radiantly sunshine filled Monday – and a week ahead bursting with bliss!

Vintage Fashionista Friday: April 2, 2010

{Wonderfully fun thanks to their chipper violet hue and double use of hearts, these gorgeous earrings are also agelessly chic thanks to the fact that they’re comprised of amethysts, diamonds (3.71 ctw) and white gold. Perfect for a night out with the girls, your beloved, or any day when you want to add a splash of glamour to your ensemble, these purple heart shaped earrings, which are available for $179.00 US from myjewelrybox.com, are the sort of accessory that becomes a family heirloom.}



{Instantly evoke an old school aesthetic with this delightful little pot of cake mascara, complete with matching brush for easy application. Prior to the late 1950s and the invention of mascara in tubes, gals wanting to darken (and/or elongate) their lashes turned to pots of black mascara that were very similar to this one to do so. Those with sensitive eyes (*raises hand*) will welcome the fact that this cake mascara (which can be had for $17.90 US from The Vermont Country Store) is free of the chemical fixatives that are found in most brands of liquid/tube mascara.}



{Dripping with refined elegance and sporting a timelessly beautiful design, this Little Black Dress from the 1950s will look as sublime on any occasion you were to nowadays as it did over half a century ago. This silk and linen blend, black cocktail dress fits up to a 38 inch bust/28 inch waist, and can be yours for $98.00 US from etsy seller Thirteen Bees Vintage.}



{If ever there was a lovely black pair of gloves that effortlessly see you through any situation with ease, this is it. Fitting a size 6.5 hand, these vintage beaded gloves are an utter steal at just $6.00 US from etsy seller Vintage Orphans.}



{This is rich, darkly hued sterling silver and amethyst bracelet looks as though it could easily be an old world, antique piece, yet is in fact a modern day treasure that was skilfully handmade by etsy seller Neonglow Jewelry Design, who sells this alluring creation for $38.00 US.}



{Chauffeur your “must haves” for a night out around town in this immensely lovely black vintage evening bag covered in teeny-tiny silver dots and accompanied by a thin silver shoulder strap. Produced by Mardane, this smart and sweet snap-clasp handbag can be found for $24.00 US from etsy seller The Vintageholic Frog.}



{Every bit as versatile as a pair in white – and packing a sizeable dose more of pizzaz - these classic pumps in a soft, brushed silver hue would look enchanting with just about any evening dress, especially a LBD like the marvellous one above. These vintage Stuart Weitzman high heeled shoes, which fit a ladies size seven foot, are available from amongst the wares in etsy seller 99 Vintage’s shop.}

♥ ♥ ♥


This week’s fashionista is named after my beloved mother, whose birthday just happens to be today. A woman of timeless beauty (and a heart of gold), my mom’s style is hard to pin down – perhaps because she’s never veered into one particular fashion camp. I would say it encompasses equal parts elegance and youth, classical-ness and femininity. My mother has always been adept at picking exactly the right outfit for any occasion, thus creating a sort of effortless Grace Kelly-esque more than qualifies her for the title of vintage fashionista in my books.


Wishing you all a weekend filled with bliss, relaxation and tasty Easter treats!