Sometimes black and blue can be a very good thing

When it comes to fashion, that is.

Like many of us, my wardrobe has a decent sized chunk of black pieces in it, but I'm certainly not a colour shy person and can happily report that you'll find also veritable rainbow of hues on my hangers, too.

Perhaps it harkens back to the colours of my little brother's nursery when he was a wee newborn whippersnapper, or perhaps it's the association with a clear sky. Whatever the reason I've always been a big fan of shades that fall on the pale to bright baby blue side of the spectrum.

There's something so fresh, upbeat and timeless about a chipper, feminine shade of blue, so when I spied the 1950s skirt (in the images below) earlier this year (while in the midst of shopping to fill in some of my wardrobe gaps) on etsy, I just knew it was destined for my closet.

Though various boxes of clothing and accessories (so hence the lack of gloves and/or a hat and/or a handbag in these shots) still remain to be unpacked, I've pulled out enough items to have the basis of a good, workable vintage wardrobe while I plug away at getting to the others.

Last Thursday I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting my maternal grandma, Bernice Schill, while she was briefly in town. This was, mind boggling as this fact is (for me), the first time we'd had the pleasure of seeing each other since my wedding back in October 2004, and I wanted to wear something sweet, girly, and not too formal (she was just popping in for a casual afternoon visit), so I decided it was high time I broke out my new (to me) baby blue skirt.

I've always enjoyed pairing pale blue with black, so that's the colour combo I went for with this outfit. Incidentally, I think it's a great set of hues for this time of the year, as we straddle the changing of the seasons - winter with its sombre, dark shades and spring with its airy, gentle colours.

Outfit details:

Blue hair flower: Ardene

Tiny black ribbon hair bow barrette (worn in the back): Dollar store

Black rhinestone earrings: Payless Shoes

Pearl necklace: Birthday gift from my husband ♥

Black cotton and lace top (worn under cardigan): Suzy Shier

Black cotton dolman sleeve cropped cardigan: Freddies of Pinewood

Faux pearl stretch bracelets: Real Canadian Superstore

Deadstock blue 1950s buckle waist skirt: etsy seller Garnet Vintage

Seamed stockings: eBay

Black pumps: Payless Shoes

Lipstick colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Antonio Cangiano

As avid readers may recall from the post about my four fun goals for 2012 back in early January, I vowed to try and share more "what I wore" pictures with all of you once we moved into our new home in British Columbia (while I have technically posted a few outfit images over the last three years, they've been rather few and far between).

Now that we're beginning to settle in and those aforementioned boxes of vintage clothes are getting unpacked, I can begin to make good on my promise - a point which I'm pretty much giddy with excitement about.

These photos were taken in front of our new house (the porch railing needs a paint job, I know; come slightly better weather, it's going to get one), so you can expect to see many others featuring this location as their backdrop over time.

Earlier this month I announced that the mister and I recently purchased our first car ever, and as some of you expressed interest in knowing what kind it was, I couldn't help but include a shot of our gorgeous new four wheeled baby here (it's a Jaguar that Tony found for a truly stellar deal down in the Lower Mainland...yes, I am still pinching myself in disbelief over the fact that we own a Jag!).

I'm constantly, perpetually inspired, impressed, and encouraged by the photos of the outfits that many of you ultra stylish vintage fashionistas post on your blogs, and wholeheartedly hope that from here on out I'll be able to do the same with my fashion shots for you gals, too.

Have a richly beautiful Monday and week ahead, sweet friends!

Vintage Fashionista Friday – May 14, 2010

{Understatedly pretty and perfectly versatile, these vintage screw back earrings feature small red ruby coloured crystal stones and brass-gold hued metal, that work splendidly together to telegraph a sophisticated yet playful vibe that would make these earrings at home as much on a picnic as they’d be on a formal dinner date. “Cherry Red Stone Vintage Earrings”, $10.00 US from etsy seller Cozy Studio.}



{Vintage grace tumbles forth from this exquisitely lovely 1950s gold coloured compact, which comes complete with a lipstick tube and a perfume tube, respectively, attached on either side (brilliant!). Ideally suited for even the tiniest of handbags, this gorgeous vintage compact could easily be refilled and used today, or alternatively, put to splendid use as a purely decorative object on your vanity. “1950s Gold Tone Compact”, $39.00 from etsy seller Cassie’s Attic.}



{This dress is like a quick wink from an admirer across a crowded room. It’s alluring yet not intimidating, flirtatious but still entirely ladylike, it’s the sort of reach-for-it classic that all glamorous women should have in their fashion arsenal. Sporting a faux leopard skin print around the collar and cuffs, a wildly feminine fitted skirt, and 1/2 length sleeves, this vintage reproduction dress is one of those stellar frocks that would see you through any season – or situation! “Blondie” dress, available in ladies sizes up to 3X, $178.00 US from Stop Staring.}



{I really do believe my heart skipped at least three beats when it I discovered this enchantingly wonderful Anna Sui nail polish set. Bursting with intoxicating beauty and feminine elegance, this rose bedecked kit features a sublimely gorgeous carrying case/make-up bag, two shades of impossibly pretty nail polish, an emery board, and jewel nail stickers, for that added dose of sparkly charm we all crave from time-to-time. Anna Suit “five piece Nail Colour Set 02”, $48.00 US from Yesstyle.com.}



{Glitz and glamorous collide in this glimmering beige stain clutch, complete with tiny feather and rhinestone detailing atop a gorgeous double bow. Couldn’t you just imagine carrying this purse with you on a warm summer night, its sandy hue just the right compliment to your gently sun-kissed skin. Carlo Fellini.”Tuscan” clutch handbag in beige (it’s also available in black and purple), currently on sale for $39.99 US from ebags.com.}



{Sweetly little red camellias, vintage 1940s glass pearls, and antique brass team up in this beautiful handmade bracelet, which would look divine with a myriad of outfits, from sundresses to cashmere winter sweaters, felt skirts to playsuits. This delightfully lovely bracelet measures 7 inches long (plus a 1.5 inch extender chain, for a total maximum length of 8.5 inches), and is available for $29.50 US from etsy seller Bumbershoot Designs.}



{Lively colours, ageless construction, and a jaunty 4 1/2 inch heel combine in this sleek pair of 1940s inspired pumps to create a positively knock-out pair of shoes that would be an amazing accompaniment to many a stunning ensemble. “Tempt Champagne and Black with Bow Heels”, available in ladies sizes 6 to 12, $65.00 US from Unique Vintage.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Dreary weather this past week and a lack of energy myself, have left me yearning for bright colours, gobs of vitality and anything upbeat. In particular I’ve been craving the colour red (I often “crave” having a certain colour stand out prominently in my life for a spell – does anyone else feel this way too?), so hence why this week’s gorgeous vintage fashionista, Laurinda, is decked out in this radiating, invigorating, timelessly powerful hue.

Red evokes thoughts of luscious roses, just-plucked-from-the-tree cherries still warm from the sun, romantic hearts doodled in school notebooks, fiery chili peppers, sumptuous velvet robes, perpetually gorgeous lipstick shades, and (in the more recent of eras) the crimson soles of a certain brand of designer heels. It’s a regal, fascinating, moving colour that seems right at home in the middle of May, a month that can be such a turbulent blend of weather extremes and the prolific appearance once again of gardens teaming with this passionate shade, that never ceases to give me a much needed jolt of vigour.

On the blogging front, I want to say thank you dearly to everyone who left comments on Chronically Vintage posts this past week. I truly appreciate – and adore – your visits, and want you to know that I treasure each thought you share with me.

Wishing one and all a deeply lovely weekend, complete with countless moments of tranquil 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!