Ten fabulous assorted vintage treasures from Buy R Vintage Junk

Yard sales around these parts lately have left much to be desired a lot of the time. In fact, I haven't bought a single thing at any of the ones I've visited so far year and that's saying a great deal right there. Granted, I'm on the prowl for mid-century (and early) vintage and antiques first and foremost, but for the right price, I'll buy newer items, if I need them, too. Nothing has swayed me to dip into my pocket of jangling coins quite yet though and this is definitely the furthest into the season that this has happened before.

Chances are, I will find a few vintage goodies on the yard sale (and flea market) front before the season wraps up in early autumn, but for now, as it so often has been for me over the years, the web is my #1 source of vintage items - not that I'm complaining there, I'm certainly not. It's really, really handy to have such a vast marketplace at our fingertips 24/7!

Sometimes when the yard sales gods are forgetting to smile on me, I turn to my favourite Etsy shops that house a wide range of old school products at reasonable prices. I love shops like this - they're a bit like a mini flea market - or certainly a very well stocked yard sale - in one handy-dandy spot and can be a great place to unearth a treasure (or ten) that you didn't know you needed, but suddenly can't imagine leaving behind.

This month I had the great pleasure of welcoming the charmingly named Etsy shop Buy R Vintage Junk as a brand new blog sponsor and goodness, does their delightful array of offerings fall into the fabulously yard sale-esque camp in terms of the diversity that they stock.

Helmed by a lovely third generation treasure hunter named Denise, who is located in Indiana, Buy R Vintage Junk, is chalk-a-block with - to quote the shop's welcome message itself - "Primitive farm finds, burlap feed sacks, vintage lingerie, rusty & salvaged metal, creepy dolls, vintage jewelry, cottage decor, retro kitchen items, old tools and more". Tell me that doesn't sound enthralling!

As a way of introducing all of you to Buy R Vintage Junk, I thought it would be fun to shine the spotlight on ten of their current offerings that really caught my eye. These are the kinds of items that I would always gravitate towards, online or off, and which I hope you'll really enjoy as well.




This gorgeous Victorian silk and straw drawstring handbag is truly gorgeous and still in very decent shape for its age. I could see this looking stunning with all kinds of 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s outfits alike and can't help but think how sensational it would be for the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party in New York state.




There is something about old flour and feedbags that speaks to my inner farm girl (I've never lived on a farm, but I have an inner country lass all the same) so very much, and this great old early 20th century Purina Steers Chow bag is no exception. It would make for such a cool pillow or framed piece of wall art.




I will never fully get why galoshes, by and large, went the way of the dinosaur (save for amongst some of us vintage wearers). They're beyond practical and they look seriously cute, too. Though this pair, at a petit size 5.5, is much too small for my feet, these are just the sort of fit-over-a-pair-of-heels vintage rain galoshes that I would love to add to my wardrobe one day.




If you ask me, most bed linens these days are far too lackluster or run of the mill. I miss the days when each piece was imbued with handmade charm, and love that we can still get that either from creating our own pieces or turning to vintage offerings, such as these splendidly pretty mid-century vintage embroidered pillow cases, both of which feature peach and green butterflies and flowers. So darling!




This vintage kitty cat coin bank is too cute for words!!! Who wouldn't want to stash their pennies away in something this smile inducingly fun? I know that I certainly would!




Perfect for use as a display piece in your vintage kitchen or dining room, this charming mid-century PY-O-MY vintage metal pie pan is sure to be a bit hit with all the vintage and pie fans in your life alike!




Look closely at this immensely lovely circa 1950s cream straw hat, for there on the band, what do you see but a row of matching coloured buttons. How fabulously fun, creative, and cute is that?




Whether you start an instant collection, or bolster your existing one with them, your winter decor will be enhanced by this selection of five elegant, timelessly pretty sparkly vintage rose shaped Christmas ornaments.




Perhaps its my family ties to gold mining, maybe it's because I adore camping, or it could just be because they're so timelessly beautiful looking, but I have always felt drawn to classic vintage metal lanterns like this age worn charmer that was used by the Chicago Bureau of Sanitation.




Long before the widespread vintage crafting scene as we know it today came into being, various books and magazines were produced that celebrated and shared old school patterns with those who were already looking to the pas for creative inspiration, including this wonderful edition of Olde Time Needlework Patterns and Designs magazine from 1973. I can just imagine that awesome designs it must house!

(All images via Buy R Vintage Junk. Please click on the photo of an item of the link in the text below it to find out more it, including that piece's price.) 

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Which of these delightful vintage finds appeals to you most of us? I'm especially smitten with the Victorian hat, kitty cat coin bank, and beautiful straw hat myself.

Buy R Vintage Junk is a relatively newcomer to Etsy, having opened their online doors in August 2014. Their inventory continues to expand and you just never know what yesteryear gem you might discover amongst their digital shelves. If you haven't done so already, be sure to heart/favourite them on Etsy so that you can stay abreast of all the great new (old!) items that Denise continues to stock in her shop.

Though I'm not calling this year's yard sale season a total wash yet, whether things pick up on that front or not, as I've done for nearly twelve years now, I will turn to the web and shops like Buy R Vintage Junk not only during the spring and summer, but all season long.

It's so important that we support small business owners online and as I'm one myself on Etsy as well, I can't help but have an especially soft spot in my heart for my fellow sellers and their awesome vintage wears there.

And on that note, Buy R Vintage Junk has very kindly created an exclusive coupon code just for CV's readers. Between today and July 31, 2015, you can save 20% off on everything in their shop when you use the coupon code VGT20 at the checkout. Sweet!!!

Soooo in love with my new 1950s dress from Better Dresses Vintage

Outfit details

1950s cream lace platter hat: eBay
Plastic dusty peach rose earrings: Handmade by me
Olive green cotton cardigan: Bought at a shop in Scarborough, Ontario that is no longer in business
Vintage gold tone floral brooch: Probably either eBay or thrifted (similar styles of metal brooches available in my Etsy shop)
1950s floral dress: Better Dresses Vintage
1940s/50s mustard yellow ruched gloves: eBay
Faux pearl stretch bracelets: Real Canadian Superstore
1950s corduroy bucket purse: etsy seller Rue 23 Vintage Clothing
Nude seamed nude stockings: eBay
Brown leather wedge sandals: Yard sale find
Lip colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace


Photography by Tony Cangiano

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It had been quite a while since we last did a shoot in my parents gorgeously verdant backyard, so when I slipped on this breathtaking 1950s floral print dress that I received from one of my fabulous blog sponsors, Better Dresses Vintage (who you may remember from this sponsor spotlight post back in April), I knew that it called for that particular equally lush and lovely backdrop.

I could, unbiased as the day is long, sing Better Dresses Vintage's praise until the cows came home. On BDV's independent online vintage store and their Etsy shop, Bee Dee Vintage, alike, one will find a diverse array of yesteryear fashions that are both very reasonably priced in today's ever-more-expensive vintage market and which shop owner, vintage expert, and all around terrific lady, Liza, personally sees to the care and repair of (her adventures of which on this front she sometimes discusses in her store's engaging blog - a must follow for vintage fans everywhere).

The moment I spied this beautiful 1950s floral frock on Better Dresses Vintage I was solidly hooked. Featuring a thick textured cotton fabric, colour palette that has one foot in summer, the other squarely in autumn, and numerous immensely charming details like the sweetheart necklace (my favourite type of neckline ever!), unique green fabric "v" at the waist, and charmingly pretty bow on the back (see last photo above), this dress didn't just call out my name, it begged at top volume to join my closet.

I had worried that based on the length in the description, it might be too a touch short and I'd need to let some of the (ample) hem down, but ultimately my petite length legs saved me from needing to do so and I can wear it precisely as is. That's a good thing, because it has been my go-to elegant daywear dress this summer, including when we were in Vancouver back in June.

Here I partnered it with ruched gloves, a cream lace 1950s platter hat, and pearl and gold toned (the floral brooch) jewelry, which all help bring its radiantly glamorous side to the foreground. I could however, just as easily forgo all those and wear it with a chunky cardigan and tights, for example, come the nippier days of fall and then its more casual quality would shine through. No matter how understated or ritzy I accessorize it though, this dress is a stunner and one that calls heavily on my all-time favourite colour palette: that of fall.

I'm not ready to wave good-bye to summer quite yet (not by a long shot!), but I don't mind sporting its hues in the weeks leading up to it and this stunning frock from Better Dresses Vintage lets me do just that while still remaining cool as a cucumber during these wickedly warm days of July and August.

Interestingly, and I chalk it up to the shape of the hat here (plus how I’m holding my 50s bucket purse in front of me in one of the photos), there is something about the over all look (and colours) of this ensemble that instantly, as soon as I caught my reflection that day, made me think of Canada's own beloved fictional darling, Anne of Green Gables. I know my bouncy auburn curls do their part there, too, but never have I been struck by that sense of looking like Anne when sporting them before quite as I did with this outfit. This is, for a red blooded Canuck like myself, of course another point in this vintage garment’s favour.

Much as I do Better Dresses Vintage, I love this dress. Love, love, love it!!! It's classy and classic, fun and feminine, sweet and sophisticated, all qualities I strive for with my wardrobe choices and which have ensured that this elegant frock will continue to see oodles of wear from me for many, many more sun-kissed summers to come.

Big Canada Day Etsy shop sale, July's call for sponsors, and less than two weeks to my birthday!

Phew-y, now how's that for an action packed title for yah! :)

Only two more days beyond this one still linger in June. It's hard at times, even when the mercury bubbles up to near dizzying heights, to believe that we're really into summer. I yearned, nearly desperately at times, for this season to return all winter long and am elated that it is here at long last. I want to savour each minute, ray of sunshine, sip of ice cold lemonade, and walk on the toasty sand covered beach like there's no tomorrow.

As we gear up for the seventh month of the year, I cordially invite one and all who happen to have a relevant shop, blog, or other type of website and would like to sponsor Chronically Vintage to do just that. I love welcoming new sponsors, shinning the spotlight on your offerings (or writing, DIY creations, outfit posts, etc), and introducing you to the tens of thousands of readers from around the world who visit my blog every month.

If sponsoring Chronically Vintage is something you're keen on doing, please check out my sponsor page for further information and by all means feel free to email me any ol' time your heart desires. I look forward to working with you this summer!

And speaking of time flying by faster than Annie when she's rushing after a tennis ball, in less than two weeks, on July 10th to be exact, I'll be hitting the big 3-0, a point which excited and delights me, as much as aging objectively can. It's not, at this point in my life, that I really want to get older, but as the old expression goes, it sure beats the alternative! And as I truly like the changes that have been happening both in my personal and professional life, as well as some of the ways I've grown and evolved in recent months and years, I'm eager and excited to see what the next decade - one that is often totted to be the best in person's life - has in store for me.





In celebration of both Canada's birthday on July 1st and my own a few days later, starting today and running until two weeks from now (the last day will be Saturday July 12th), all items in my Etsy shop are on sale at 25% off their regular price (there's no coupon code involved with this sale, all the prices that you see now reflect this discount).

In the past couple of weeks I've added over three dozen new vintage jewelry and accessory listings to the shop, so there's even more to fall in love with and add to your own vintage collection there these days.

This will be the only sale of the summer, so if there's something you've been eyeing in my shop, be sure to snap it up now before for at a wonderfully discounted price before someone else beats you to it!

Have an awesome last weekend of June and start of summer, everyone! I'm off to hit the garage sale scene, take one of those aforementioned walks on the beach, and load up on groceries for Monday's festive Canada Day bbq celebration!

Sponsor Chronically Vintage in June - Etsy shops still completely welcome

Did the end of this month sneak up on anyone else, too? In just a couple of days time we'll officially hit the halfway mark of 2014. Bonkers, I know! :) With a fresh month upon us again, it's high time I invited one and all to become a new or returning Chronically Vintage blog sponsor.

Having recently opened an Etsy shop of my own this month, I understand that some of you who may have Etsy or similar shops of your own are wondering if I'll still be accepting fellow Etsy shops as blog sponsors here on Chronically Vintage and the answer to that question is a resounding yes!

{Rest assured, there's amply room for all my fellow Etsy vintage and craft sellers here on Chronically Vintage this summer and always. Image source.}

One of the most endearingly terrific elements about Etsy is so many of the pieces there, whether vintage or handmade, are nearly - if not flat out - one of a kind. While we're ultimately vying for the same customers, there's no reason to see one another as competition in any kind of negative sense. My shop doesn't have the exact stock the same things as yours, or the next person's or the next's and so on. We each bring a curated collection of fabulous yesteryear finds and/or handmade items to the table and I will always use my blog as a platform to help others reach a broad audience of 50,000+ viewers a month for their Etsy shop or other business or website that is a fabulous fit for this site.

Promoting Etsy sellers in my posts and in a sponsorship capacity is something that I've thrilled to do since Chronically Vintage began in 2009, as I truly adore Etsy and love shining the spotlight on a wide array of (now) fellow sellers there. I'm dedicated to this and welcome one and all with an Etsy shop that would be a good fit for my blog, as well as all other interested folks to check out my sponsorship page for further details on how you can see your ad on my site and/or drop me a line anytime.

Many thanks for your interest  in becoming a sponsor - I can't wait to collaborate with you this summer!

Sponsor Chronically Vintage in May - big things are happening here!

At the moment (and for the past few weeks in particular now), I'm the busiest I've been since we moved across the country in early 2012 from Ontario to my home province of British Columbia. I'm burning the midnight oil, expanding great amounts of elbow grease, and in the process having a lot of fun, while working on my absolutely top secret vintage plans, which will be announced here in just one week's time exactly.

Exciting things are afoot for Chronically Vintage, not only with those plans, but in general. I've been giving in a great deal of thought and feel like I've finally reached a point in my life where, despite being immensely shy, I'd like to start making Youtube videos, so watch for the first of those, if all goes to plan, later on this year.

In general though, not just when it comes to those two (fabulous!) things, I'm continually looking for fresh, fun, appealing ways to branch out and/or bring you cool new things here on the blog front, including by working with a carefully handpicked selection of sidebar ad, product review, and giveaway sponsors who offer lines and services that are in keeping with the interests and needs of the tens of thousands of visitors from around the world who visit and read Chronically Vintage every month.

{Make your website, shop or product line feel as special as Queen of May by becoming a Chronically Vintage blog sponsor next month! Image source.}

If your shop, product line, blog or other website jives with what Chronically Vintage is all about and you'd like to become a blog sponsor, I'd love to hear from you anytime. A small number of advertising sponsorship slots still remain for May and I'm currently booking product review posts for July and August (and beyond), so you could soon be seeing your shop, products, and/or blog up on here. Wouldn't that be awesome?

Please don't hesitate to email me anytime to discuss how we can make that happen for you further.

Thank you in advance and thank you so very much to everyone for your enthusiasm and shared eagerness about my ultra secret vintage plans. Just one more week until I unveil what they are!

Getting to know Cedar Taylor, the talented, beautiful and highly engaging woman behind The Vintage Wife blog

Loves dirndl skirts, Bakelite, traveling, thrifting, and crafting? Check! Is a passionate foodie who strives to cook and devour healthy, organic dishes? Check! Has been blogging since 2009? Check! Wears mid-century fashions all the time? Check!

No, my sweet dears, I'm not talking about myself here, though I very easily could be. Instead I'm happy to say that these, and many other awesome points, are some of the things I've recently learned that I, like many of you as well, share in common with one of Chronically Vintage' brand new April sponsors, Cedar Taylor of the fantastic blog The Vintage Wife.

A captivating and wonderfully enjoyable blend of vintage fashion, sewing projects (as well as posting free vintage knitting patterns), scrumptious recipes, thrifted treasures, daily going ons, reflections of life, and numerous other fab subjects fill the pages of Cedar's blog and will hook fans of any of these topics in the quickest of heartbeats. Cedar's writing is upbeat, easy to relate to, and always packed full of loveliness, so her blog couldn't possibly be a more perfect fit for Chronically Vintage and its readers.




Recently the absolutely gorgeous Cedar (a fellow redhead - yet another point we share in common), pictured above with her lovely family, and I shared a terrific interview by email, which I'm pleased as punch to bring you on this fine first Sunday morning in April. Pull up a set, have a read, and I'm sure you quickly discover, just as I did the first time I visited The Vintage Wife, what a fun, friendly and completely likable lady Cedar is.


As a fellow vintage wife, your site's name really struck a chord with me, could you tell me more about what inspired you to name it as such?

I wanted a name that would cover my interests and the focus of my blog, which is mostly about my interest in vintage and my life inside the home, cooking, sewing, knitting, etc.


What were some of the things that led you to want to start your blog?

I had been reading vintage fashion blogs for years and wanted to be a part of that fun and inspiring community.


So far, what have some of the best elements (perks, if you will) of blogging been for you? 

Absolutely the best thing about blogging has been the relationships I have formed and the people I have met. Blogs provide an easy way to build a community and form friendships with others who share your interests, I love that.


I love that you're super passionate about food, cooking from scratch and eating organic. What are some of your favourite recipes (be they vintage or modern) to prepare for your family these days?

With our close proximity to Mexico (from San Diego it is only a 20 minute drive!), we are heavily influenced by Mexican food. We eat food in tortillas (tacos, burritos, enchiladas) probably 5 nights a week. I don't eat meat, so I am always coming up with new ways to put vegetables in a taco.

Usually I will saute some onions and garlic, then throw in whatever seasonal vegetables are available, along with spices (cumin, oregano, coriander, paprika, etc.), put in tortilla, top with cheese, lots of fresh avocado, cilantro, salsa, and done! It is super easy and the combinations are endless.


What seasonal eats are you really looking forward to this spring and summer?

Heirloom tomatoes, fresh corn, and peppers! Summer vegetables are my absolute favorite. I love to roughly chop summer veggies, throw them into a simple salad with cilantro and olive oil (the less cooking in our intense summers, the better!), and dine outdoors.




Do you have any advice you'd like to share for those who are looking to get into eating almost, or entirely, organically?

Start small. There are lists on various sites for "the dirty dozen", which is a great way to get started. The produce on these lists are the ones that are most contaminated by pesticides when conventionally grown. Read as much as you can about the benefits of eating organically and expect to pay a little bit more.


You're both a sewer and knitter, which is awesome! How much, percentage wise, of your own clothing would you say that you make?

Not as much as I would like. With a toddler in the house it can sometimes take me weeks, or even months to finish a single sewing project. I tend to knit more for others than for myself, I can only use so many hats and sweaters in a winter that rarely gets below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.


Is there one garment that you've sewn or knit for yourself that really stands out as a favourite in your mind?

A very simple dirndl skirt. I have made several, and love them not just for their simplicity, but for how comfortable and versatile they are. I followed the instructions given on Gertie's Blog for Better Sewing, and I plan on making a few more in different colors and prints in the coming months.




Do you sew for your children, husband and/or family members as well?

Yes! I actually end up sewing more for my daughter than for myself, mostly because the small scale projects are much faster and require a lot less fabric. I haven't sewn for my husband yet, one of these days I hope to make him a nice button down shirt as a gift.


What would be your dream vintage sewing project?

I want to get good at sewing and tailoring pants. I would love to whip up a pair (or more) of perfectly fitting 1950s cigarette style pants.


Do you live in an area with lots of vintage resources and/or fellow vintage lifestyle folks?

I do! There is a large rockabilly community here, there are vintage flea markets, several vintage stores, there are burlesque troupes, bands that play vintage sounding music, and more. I am very lucky for this and really need to take advantage of it all more.


Can you describe your personal (fashion) style for us in five words
Simple, comfortable, classic, nutty, always-changing


Some of your day-to-day vintage wardrobe "must haves" includes?

A dirndl style skirt, a comfortable cotton blouse, vintage cat eye sunglasses, lipstick, and Bakelite, lots of Bakelite!


Are there any types of vintage styles that you'd like to wear (or wear more of), but haven't (or haven't often) done so with?

I have always been in love with vintage Western wear. I would love to get a few 1950s squaw dresses in different colors to wear, but they are so costly. I keep hoping I will stumble upon one that fits me perfectly in the thrift store.




You recently announced on your blog that you're pregnant with your second child. That's so wonderful, happiest congratulations! Do you dress your first sweet child in vintage styles and if so, will you doing the same with your second bundle of joy?

Thank you! My daughter wore vintage all the time when she was a baby, but now that she is almost three and very particular about what she wants to wear, it doesn't happen often. I try to sew her vintage looking dresses in prints I know she will like, these go over a bit better than the real vintage dresses do. I really look forward to dressing the new little baby in vintage.


Aside from vintage, sewing, knitting, great (healthy!) food, and blogging, what are some of your other passions in life?


I love to travel. As a one income family we don't really have the means to travel often, but we try to take regular weekend trips to Palm Springs and other close destinations. We are lucky to have so much mid century history near by. I always seek out fun, kitschy and off beat places to visit. I am also a fine art painter, but haven't really had much time for it since my daughter was born.


What are some vintage related dreams that you hope to accomplish as the years go? And on the blogging front?

My biggest (and not entirely realistic!) vintage dream is to get an old station wagon (late 50s or early 60s) and a vintage trailer to tow behind it. I would love to travel the country seeing the sites in style. As for my blog, a year or so ago I quit making outfit posts on my blog, I am planning on bringing those back with some vintage maternity posts in the near future.


On top of visiting her vintage lifestyle blog, you can stay up-to-date on what's going on in Cedar's world by following her on/at:

-Her etsy shop: The Vintage Wife's Sewing Room

-Instagram

-Pinterest

-Twitter

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{All images used throughout this post via The Vintage Wife. Please click on an image to be taken to its respective corresponding TVH blog post.}

Every now and then you encounter a fellow vintage lover and their blog and both instantly feels like kindred spirits. That is precisely how things are for me with The Vintage Wife. This is a site I love visiting, reading new posts on and discovering more about the skilled, smart, ambitious, wonderful lady who runs it (such as the fact that she appeared in a French edition of Glamour magazine), just as I know you all will, too.

Thank you very much, dear Cedar, for sponsoring Chronically Vintage this spring and for the great interview. I look forward to each new post you'll share with us, as well as preparing lots more of your stellar recipes (I've already whipped up your Quinoa Bell Peppers - they were AMAZING!!!), and continuing to discover, I'm sure, scores more things that we share in common.

Sponsor Chronically Vintage in April, save 20 to 25% off from various vintage sellers, and say hello to a stellar historical sewing blog

Of course, you don't have to do all three, but you're more than welcome to if so desired. :)

March saw a wonderful wealth of new sidebar sponsors join the roster here on Chronically Vintage, and I'd like to moment sincerely thank each and every one of the following shops and blogs for their first time sponsorship this month:


-Honey Pot Creations


-Guermantes Vintage


-Manhattan Hippy Vintage


-The Closet Historian


-Vintage Cuteness


-Voyeur Vintage

 

Some of these sponsors, as well as two earlier ones who were with us again in March, have very kindly offered my readers discounts at their shops. All of these discounts are only on until the end of March, so if you want to take advantage of them, now is the time to do so!


-Honey Pot Creations: Save 20% on all purchases from this marvelous milliner's etsy shop by using coupon code MADMARCHSALE


-Jenstyle Chic Vintage: Save a wonderful 25% at their etsy shop with coupon code: Jessica


-Manhattan Hippy Vintage: Save a lovely 20% off at their etsy shop when you use coupon code Spring20


-Sullivan Entertainment: Own a piece of television history when you purchase the vintage clothing and accessories available from this famed Canadian production company's online store, where you can save a generous 25% with the coupon code VINTAGE25

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This month I haven't been able to get enough of The Closet Historian, whose blog is rich with a vast array of stylish vintage fashion inspiration, as well as scores of projects that the talented lady (named Bianca Esposito) behind it posts. Her work is skilled, highly creative, and spans a number of different time frames, as well as being stunningly beautiful. In addition, Bianca is an engaging writer and all-around splendid person, so while it was her sponsorship that led me to discover her captivating blog, I'll certainly be following it from here on out, regardless of if we're working together or not.

I'd love to have welcome you and your shop, products, blog or other website as a sponsor in April, and still have a small number of spots available (they fill up quickly and many have already been secured for the coming month). For more details on becoming a sponsor, please see this page and/or feel free to email me for sponsorship rates and with all inquires anytime you'd like.




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It's hard to believe that we're getting ready to head into the last weekend of March. Though the weather here, as touched on in Thursday’s post, is still more akin to winter in many ways that spring, it won't be too long now before that world famous Okanagan sunshine returns and the world is once against sparkling with new life, stunning blooms, and temperatures that mandate the wearing of breezy, beautiful vintage sundresses.

Coming up on the calendar in the next month is Easter, a timelessly special holiday that I'm hoping will be every bit as warm and wonderful as the last one was here. I've already got my thinking cap (or would that be my thinking Easter bonnet? :)) on when it comes to what I'll be wearing, and depending on what Mother Nature is in the mood to do that day, have both a chilly and warm weather ensemble picked out and ready to be donned at a moment’s notice already.

This weekend, I hope to finish up (or very nearly so) with our spring cleaning, which was started all the way back in early February (we haven't worked on it constantly since then, just in spurts as time and circumstances permitted), including getting items sorted for a yard sale that we're planning to have in conjunction with my parents in April. It's been ten years since I last held one and as I adore putting them on every bit as much as I do going to them, it's something I'm truly looking forward to in the coming month.

I hope that these last few days of March and start of spring find you all well, my lovely dears, and that you have plenty of great things on the horizon yourself as the world suddenly burst back to life after being in sleepy hibernation for so very long.

Happy Friday wishes!!!

Start spring off on the right foot by sponsoring Chronically Vintage in March

With the shortest month of the year just three days away, one's thoughts turn to March and glorious return of spring that comes with it. Even if snow is still a constant in your world for a while longer, chances are you're already starting to gear up for the sweet warmth, gorgeous greenery, and resplendent new life of early spring. You may also be thinking about where you'd like to advertise your website, shop, and/or products, and I'm delighted to say that you needn't search any further!




Here at Chronically Vintage we help you instantly reach a vast target demographic of tens of thousands of viewers every month, will work with you to shine the spotlight on your site, shop and/or products, and sincerely care about each of our fantastic sponsors. We have the following three ad sizes available to meet your marketing budget and advertising needs:


-Large: 250 width x 300 height (or any size up to those measurements)

-Medium: 250x200 (or any size up to those measurements)

-Small: 250x150 (or any size up to those measurements)

-Each month, one premium "top spot" large (which can be any size you desire up to 250 x 350) ad space is made available on a first come, first serve basis.


All new first time medium, large and large top spot sponsors have the option of receiving a dedicated sponsor spotlight post all about their site, shop, etc, which can be…

-An overview style post, such as this one featuring fab etsy shop Maejean Vintage.

-An interview, for example, this one about the awesome vintage, sewing and knitting blog Lucky Lucille.

-A product review post staring your item(s) in a series of professional digital photographs taken my by talented husband, Tony Cangiano. Like as this one featuring a beautiful rainbow crinoline from Pettiskirt style.

In addition to a dedicated spotlight post for medium and large sidebar ad sponsors, all sponsors receive social media shout outs (on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest (where Chronically Vintage has 38,000+ wonderful followers) and/or Instagram, as applicable) and organic mentions in Chronically Vintage blog posts throughout the duration of their sponsorship and in many cases, long after as well.


During February, Chronically Vintage had the great pleasure of welcoming the following quartet of stellar new sidebar ad sponsors, in addition to working numerous ongoing and returning blog sponsors this month.


-4TheLoveOfVintage 


-Heyday Vintage Style 


-Jenstyle Chic Vintage 


-Sanne's Vintage Jools


A small number of sidebar ad sponsorship slops remain available for March 2014 (most have already been spoken for already). If you'd like to book yours before its gone, please email me anytime for rates and to discuss this exciting possibility further.

I wholeheartedly look forward to welcoming you as a new blog sponsor in March and ringing in spring’s triumphant return together!

Treat yourself to a wonderfully well priced Valentine's Day gift from Sanne's Vintage Jools

Jewelry is one of the most sought after, highly prized, and most beloved accessories of all time. And indeed, we have been adoring ourselves with it, in its most primitive forms at least, since time immemorial. While twenty-first century men may not sport jewelry to the same degree or with the abundance as some of their forefathers once did, most women still adore and wear it as frequently, if not more so than ever before - and those of us who are old school fashion lovers are certainly no exception there!

Though vintage and antique jewelry can certainly fetch a pretty penny sometimes, thankfully there are still numerous places (aside from merely thrift shops and yard sales) really affordable old school accessories can still be had. Today I'm delighted to introduce you to one of, Sanne's Vintage Jools, who just happens to be one of Chronically Vintage's brand new blog sponsors this month.

Based out of the sweepingly beautiful , history rich European city of Copenhagen, Denmark, this etsy shop (which ships internationally) boasts not only splendidly reasonable prices, but also a great selection of vintage and second hand costume jewelry (including brooches, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets), shoes, handbags, gloves, men's neckties, and an assortment of other yesteryear collectibles such as records.



{A selection of absolutely beautiful, Valentine's Day perfect offerings from etsy seller Sanne's Vintage Jools. From top left to bottom right: 1950s three string faux pearl necklace | 1950s pastel rose earrings | Black satin shoes with lucite rhinestone heels | Red and grey Italian silk men's necktie}


Founded nearly a year ago to the day, by the shop's namesake, Sanne Green (whom many of you may recognize from her vintage blog, Pinterest account, and/or the wonderfully nice, caring and insightful comments she frequently leaves on other peoples' blogs) Sanne's Vintage Jool's currently features items from the mid and later decades of the twentieth century, with a particular emphasis on jewelry.

If you're anything like me and go positively gaga for old school bling, this point is sure to make you a happy camper - and all the more so when you see how reasonable Sanne's prices are. Honestly, in an ages when it seems like everything, vintage clothing and accessories very much included, is getting more expensive with each passing week, it's a breath of hugely welcome fresh air to encounter someone like Sanne, whose offerings don't come anywhere near breaking the bank.

Whether you're in the mood to do a spot of Valentine's Day shopping for someone you hold dear or want to inject some new (old!) life into your own accessories collection this February, be sure to swing on by Sanne's Vintage Jools and avail of her marvelously well priced vintage jewelry offerings, which are every bit as a terrific as the Danish lady behind this lovely etsy shop.

Show your shop or site some extra love by sponsoring Chronically Vintage in February

Hard, and I really mean that, as it is to believe, we're two days away from wrapping up the first month of the year. What an exciting month it's been here on the Chronically Vintage front, especially when this blog got a fabulous new makeover last Sunday that brought its design squarely into 2014, while also conveying and maintaining a charming spirit of vintage approved timelessness.

If you've been looking for a terrific spot in which to advertise your shop, products, blog or otherwise, I'm delighted to let you know that a select number of sidebar sponsorship spots are still available for February 2014.

With the new blog template, comes a three column design and due to the dimensions of those sidebars, I'm now able to offer even bigger ad spaces. From here on out, the new sidebar ad spaces are as follows:


-Large: 250 width x 300 height (or any size up to those measurements)

-Medium: 250x200 (or any size up to those measurements)

-Small: 250x150 (or any size up to those measurements)

-Each month, one premium "top spot" large (which can be any size you desire up to 250 x 350) ad space is made available on a first come, first serve basis.


All new first time medium, large and large top spot sponsors have the option of receiving a dedicated sponsor spotlight post all about their site, shop, etc, which can be…

-An overview style post, such as this one featuring fab etsy shop Maejean Vintage.

-An interview, for example, this one about the awesome vintage, sewing and knitting blog Lucky Lucille.

-A product review post staring your item(s) in a series of professional digital photographs taken my by talented husband, Tony Cangiano. Such as this one featuring a beautiful rainbow crinoline from Pettiskirt style.


I care deeply about my sponsors and work hard to give them the love, time and attention that they deserve. In addition to a dedicated spotlight post for medium and large sidebar ad sponsors, all sponsors receive social media shout outs (on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and/or Instagram, as applicable) and organic mention in Chronically Vintage blog posts throughout the duration of their sponsorship.

With Chronically Vintage looking better and more beautiful than ever, if I may say so myself, thanks to its recent revamping, why not give yourself and your site or shop an extra big dose of love this Valentine's Day by becoming a blog sponsor in February.

For further sponsorship details, including sidebar ad rates, please see this page and/or feel free to email me anytime. I sincerely look forward to welcoming you as a new blog sponsor!

Maejean Vintage - something gorgeous for everyone!

It was the opening words of a piece from Irish poet Thomas Moore that sprang to my mind instantly when I first began to flip through the pages of listing in etsy seller Maejean Vintage's shop, for Moore wrote, "Rich and rare were the gems she wore, and a bright gold ring on her wand she bore", and this beautiful line - penned more than two hundred years ago, seemed especially fitting for a seller with a profound passion for yesteryear jewels.


{Just a few of the timelessly lovely, fashionable, and totally covetable pieces of vintage jewelry in Maejean's excellently well stocked etsy shop. From top left to bottom right: 1950s-60s gold tone clear floral or grape cluster brooch | 1940s gold filled sweetheart stretch bracelet | 1930s art deco gold tone clear faceted glass necklace and earring set | Adorable 1960s sterling silver kitty cat earrings}

 
Helmed by two sisters every bit as vibrantly beautiful as the treasures they sell, Maejean Vintage is a thriving etsy shop that stocks a vast array of items from the the late 1800s to the 1980s, with an emphasis on unique, high quality, endlessly wearable vintage jewelry including rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and cuffs.





In addition to serving up an expertly curated collection of well priced jewelry, Maejean offers shoppers an array of vintage clothing, accessories (such as hats and handbags), jewelry boxes, (vintage) cameras, plus housewares and home decor and the occasion other cool old school item that has caught the eye of sisters Laura Mae and Amanda Jean (pictured above), the dynamic duo behind this highly appealing etsy shop.


 

{Four of the strikingly lovely vintage fashion accessories that Maejean offers. Can we say major swoon factor?! From top left to bottom right: 1940s black straw hat with flowers and veil | Large 1940s floral tapestry handbag | 1950s black suede gloves with brown letter detailing | 1920s-3-s art deco floral pattered belt/sash}


 
Founded just three years ago in 2010, Maejean Vintage took off like a shoot, boosting an impressive 3,800+ sales to date. With business booming, Laura Mae quit her day job last year in order to focus on the shop full time (a fact that was highlighted in this great post on the official etsy blog last year). The fact that both sisters are incredibly passionate about what they do shines through in each of their well detailed listings (which, at present, total more than seven hundred!) that feature several clear, beautiful photographs of each and every item they list.

One need only spend a few moments at Maejean Vintage's etsy shop to quickly see how and why they're amongst today’s leaders in the field of online vintage jewelry and accessories. The pieces they list perfectly embody a sense of timeless beauty and show stopping modern appeal. Large cocktail rings nestle beside delicate gold chains, rhinestones waltz with opals and classic silver and diamonds twinkle like stars in the night sky, beckoning shoppers to quickly fall in love and take home a treasure (or ten!) of their own.



{Antique and vintage rings are one of Maejean Vintage's specialties, and a wide array of captivatingly beautiful, budget-friendly pieces can be had around the clock in their shop. From top left to bottom right: 1970s Sarah Coventry silver tone and ruby red glass heart ring | 1960s gold tone adjustable floral costume jewelry ring | Antique 10K rose and yellow gold art deco cameo ring | Vintage silver plated spoon ring}


In addition their thriving etsy business, Maejean Vintage can also be found online in a number of spots, including their blog and the following sites:

-Facebook

-Instagram

-Pinterest

-Twitter

 
As you likely know, I'm a firm believer in accessories and adorning oneself with at least one piece of jewelry for almost any occasion. The ways in which one can express themself and their sartorial vision through jewelry is truly limitless and doing so allows us to dress our look up or down in a heartbeat, meaning a LBD, for example could work for anything from date night to a day of shopping with the girls. Throw vintage into the mix and I'm all the more smitten with accessorizing, so it was with no small amount of pleasure that I welcomed Maejean Vintage as one of Chronically Vintage's newest blog sponsors this month.


In putting together this post, I spent time going through each and everyone of the more than thirty pages of listings up on Maejean's stellar etsy site, and found myself thinking towards the end not only of Mr. Moore's poetic lines, but also of Elizabeth Tailor and her boundless love of jewelry, as well as the passion for vintage accessories and clothing that so many of my readers and I share.

It is truly a safe bet to say that there is something for just about everyone at Maejean Vintage, which no doubt is a big part of the reason why they're growing more and more popular each day, as well as why I am sincerely delighted to have them as a sponsor and to get the opportunity to introduce you all to their top-notch etsy shop this fine Monday morning.