Sin in Linen Tattoo Kitchen Linen Set Product Review

With an eye-catching - some might even say, provocative - name like Sin in Linen - one would expect a company with this moniker to deliver alluringly beautiful offerings and let me assure you, there is no risk of disappointment here!

In the latter days of 2014, I was contacted by one of the fine folks at Sin in Linen, a brand that I'd previously heard of before, but wasn't overly familiar with, and offered the chance to review one of their fantastic kitchen linen sets. I always seem to (proverbially speaking!) burn through such items (my adorable dog's penchant for stealing tea towels and claiming them in the name of canines everywhere certainly doesn't help matters on that front :D) and welcomed the chance to refresh my linen closet with open arms.

While I didn't get to pick the set I wanted myself, as soon as I found out which one I was being sent, I was totally happy and on board with it. The Sin in Linen Tattoo Kitchen Linen Set is bursting with old school tattoo art charm that is every bit as at home in a retro styled abode as it is in the realm of a rockabilly, psychobilly, pinup girl influenced, or even contemporary house.





The Tattoo Kitchen Linen Set (pictured above) currently retails for $32.00 and consists of an apron, a tea towel, an oven mitt, and a pot holder, all of which are made from 100% cotton. Surprising though it may be to for to learn, despite wearing one nearly daily, I only own three aprons, and one of them is very much on its last legs, so the apron in this set was a particularly welcome gift.

The tea towel is not the plush kind with looped fibers, but instead a durable woven cotton towel that makes for both a function item and a beautiful display piece hanging from your oven handle, a hook, or even used as a small center place mat in the middle of the table. While I wouldn't call the oven mitt and pot holder the absolute most heat-proof or durable I've ever used, I utilized both them for much of my holiday season baking last month and rarely felt the heat of what I was pulling from the oven or microwave when wearing/holding them. They've lovely quality and like this whole set itself, are a cinch to clean in the wash thanks to the fact that they're cotton.





The charming apron, which features a tie waist, a handy front pocket, and a darling little decorative bow, is my favourite item from the set and I would have no qualms with paying $32.00 for it alone (should you wish buy it solo, the Tattoo Apron retails for just $19.00 on its own, which a very fair price these days for a fuller sized, 100% cotton apron like this). Atop red and green Christmas season attire, it was especially striking and even garnered a compliment from the mail carrier, when I opened the door one afternoon while sporting it.

Sin in Linen is based out of that Pacific Coast powerful house of a city, Seattle, Washington and was founded by Sandy Glaze. On top of fabulous kitchen linens, the brand also manufactures what they describe as "out-of-the-ordinary household goods with designs that encourage women to express themselves through style that is tough and bold, while still being sexy and feminine. Sin in Linen ignites passion in the home with exciting designs inspired by retro aesthetic, pinups, tattoos and rock ‘n roll". You've got to love that business mindset!



{An example of Sin in Linen's gorgeous bedding, the Bow Duvet Cover would work wonders in all kinds of different decor settings thanks to its stellar blend of old school and classic styling, as well as its black and white colour palette. If I was in the market for new bedding, this would be very high up on my list of choices.}


Their other offerings include bedding such as duvet covers, comforters, bed skirts, sheet sets, pillow cases, and even (super cute!) baby bedding; bathroom items like shower curtains and towels, assorted kitchen items including table clothes, oven mitts, aprons, dish towels, and linen sets like the one I was sent to review here today; home accent pieces such as curtains, throw pillows, calendars, and throw blankets; and in the future, a line of Sin in Linen apparel as well (which I'll certainly be bursting with excitement to see!).

Sin in Linen's products generally feature patterns of a decidedly vintage inspired, thoroughly rockabilly nature, though some (such as those featuring spider webs) channel a goth or gothabilly vibe as well. Others are romantic, some are brazen, some are kitschy, some (such as certain florals) are more modern meets classic, and all feature the sort of images that most any vintage, rockabilly, goth, punk rock, mid-century modern, or tattoo art fan would definitely adore.

Frequently on my blog, I review clothing and accessories and adore doing so, of course, but sometimes its fun to shake things up a bit and I love that this awesome Tattoo Kitchen Linen Set gave me a chance to do just that. I really want to thank the kind people at Sin in Linen for bestowing this review gift on me and for giving me a chance to share about their terrific products with my readers. After being put through its paces this past holiday season, each piece in my set is still holding up fabulously and will continue to be used often in our kitchen (with the tea towel being kept far away from pilfering pups! :)).

Whether for your own house or to give as a gift (I can't help but think how perfect their offerings might be for 2015's Vintage Secret Santa gift exchange come the holiday season at the end of the year), Sin in Linen's offerings are well priced, very attractive, and positively chock-a-block with great old school charm and loveliness that always have a very welcomed spot in the home decor world.

Totally psyched to have a basement of our own

Basements, as a general subject, might not be the kind of thing that reeves up most people's engines - at least not in the way that a dazzling kitchen, freshly renovated powder room, or stunning garden might.

I admit, as a whole they're usually not my absolute favourite corner of most homes (in part because the largest spider - if it wasn't a tarantula it was darn near close - I ever saw was in a basement when I was a little girl), but that certainly isn't to say that I dislike them either.

So long as they're dry, well ventilated and properly finished, basements can be fantastic places. Thus is not the case for all underground portions of homes though.

Prior to moving into our current apartment, my husband and I lived in a rather dark, nearly window-less basement (the tiny windows that were there had bars on them, which yes, I know is illegal - we didn't put them on, the homeowner did long before we moved in) for over two years. It was, to say the least, a less than wonderful experience.

When we moved into that kind of environment, we did so believing that we would only be there for a few months (max!). Little did we know that events would play out in our lives that would end up keeping us there for much longer than anticipated. When the time came at long last to move, we wanted to get as far away from dank, depressing basements as was humanly possible, and so our house hunting lead us to a high rise apartment.

This home, while far from perfect either (oh the horror stories about this building I could tell you!), was a huge improvement over our previous abode here in Toronto, and for all it's shortcomings, it has served us pretty well for the past three and half years.

Now though, as many of you know, that time has come for us to move once more. Not just from this apartment building, but from Ontario. We're headed to my home province of British Columbia and to a house, that at long last, isn't just one floor.

Finally, in a charming condo, my husband and I are going to have two floors and a basement all to ourselves. This point, as you might imagine, makes me more than a little giddy!

The basement in our new place isn't massive, but it's not super tiny either. It has plenty of room for me to create a dedicated craft space, as well areas for storage, and a washer and dryer (after years of not having laundry facilities in our home, I'm beyond thrilled about that!!!).

Though the paint (and floor colours) are not the same, and there are some other differences in certain respects (there won’t be all the woodworking and DIY equipment, for example), over all our new basement (as I've seen it in photos and videos), looks a fair bit like the 1940s one pictured below.

{Industrious and attractive, this wonderful basement from 1947 is bursting with creative possibilities and plenty of space for everyone in the household to partake in their favourite hobbies, much as our new basement will allow us to do as well. Image via saltycotton on Flickr.}

To me moving into a house with a basement, the rest of which is also ours to occupy is symbolic of how we've come over the years. Are we moving into a mansion? Goodness, no, but as I sit here now, a little over a month from our moving date, I can't help but feel like this new home is every bit as significant and meaningful as if we were.

So, dear new house basement, I look forward to our impending meeting and the fact that you are the foundation upon which our whole home - and much of our home life - will be built.

Daydreaming about candy coloured vintage laundry rooms

✯ Day 323 of Vintage 365 ✯

Like many people who live in an apartment (especially a rented one), I do not have laundry facilities in my unit. Though we're fortunate to have a small number (way, way to small for the size and population of our building) of washers and dryers in the basement, and thus not have to technically leave our building to clean our clothes, I can’t help but find myself daydreaming sometimes about how great it will be when one day we get to live somewhere with our own washer and dryer again.

This isn't the first place I've called home that didn't come part and parcel with a washer and dryer, but in accessing all the homes I've lived in (from childhood onwards), more have definitely had a laundry room of their own than did not.

On those days when we're schlepping baskets and bags (the large blue $0.99 Ikea bags they sell near the checkouts are very sturdy and make for an excellent way to carry laundry, if you need something a bit bigger than your average plastic basket) downstairs and back up for hours, I sometimes help pass the time by thinking about the sort of dream laundry room I'd build if I had the means (and space!).

Part of me is very, very drawn to a sort of rustic chic, British manor house style down up in pale shades of cream and white, perhaps with hits of robin's egg blue or pale celadon, complete with porcelain or enamel sinks. All very understatedly posh and timelessly wonderful, I assure you.

And then (not surprisingly! ) there's the other side of me who yearns for a 1950s inspired laundry room, styled in candy inspired pastels, like the beautiful one from the 1959 pictured below to call my own.

{Wonderfully colourful, spacious 1950s laundry room image, which first appeared in the April 1959 edition of American Home magazine, via saltycotton on Flickr.}

 

More than the delightful colours at work here, I think it's the sheer size of the this vintage laundry room - with space to not only house a washer, dryer, sewing counter, and storage cabinets, but also a quaint table and fun pink bucket chair - that appeals to me.

I'm also rather partial to the great pull-out storage drawers this lucky lady had in which to sort her lights, colours, darks, delicates and so on. Very, very handy and also nicely discrete thanks to the fact that they tuck neatly away behind the brown wooden cabinet door.

The idea of having one's sewing machine in the same space as their washer and dryer is also fantastic - and immensely practical. Think of how often you discovers a loose (or missing button), sock that needs darning, or fallen hem as you're loading or unloading garments from the wash. With a sewing machine mere steps away, I think it would be very easy (and convenient) to quickly attend to the garment in the moment, instead of letting a mending pile accumulate elsewhere in the house for days or weeks on end (I'm big on tackling little chores like that as they occur, as I find doing so creates the sense of less work in the long run).

For the time being though, I'll continue to trek to the basement to do laundry and carry out my mending in the living room (I don't have a sewing machine, so I hand mend), grateful that we at least have on-site washers and dryers, but at the same time optimistic about the prospect of the day when I get a laundry room of my own to decorate in whichever classic, vintage inspired style my heart desires.

Delightfully pretty 1950s turquoise kitchen

✯ Day 316 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

In a roundup of my all-time favourite colours, you would most definitely find turquoise. At once serene and uplifting, calm yet bold, this hue captures the imagination and heart in one fell swoop.

The somewhat darker sister to aqua, both colours appeared frequently throughout mid-twentieth century home decor, appearing in forms as small as cutlery handles to entire rooms done up in this tropically spirited shade of blue-green.

As with most lively colours, the more turquoise you add to a room, the more eye-catching it tends to become, but that certainly doesn't mean that turquoise has to read as garish or glaring in the slightest - especially if you pair with neutral or very soft hues (think pale lemon, soft peach, kitten fur grey).

I've always fancied the idea of having a vintage styled home that included at least one room that was bursting with turquoise, as I know many of you do, too.

For all those seeking vintage inspiration for your turquoise adorned abodes, look no further than this striking 1950s kitchen featuring instantly eye-catching rows of turquoise cabinets.

{Appealing colourful, chic, delightful 1950s turquoise kitchen via saltyotton on Flickr.}

 

I love how this kitchen is lively and cheerful, but in no way hard on the eyes. Though first appearing in the magazine The American Home fifty-five years, ago there's a contemporary element to this room that ensures it never looks dated.

From the generous (at least to apartment dwellers like me!) banks of upper and lower cabinets to the vinyl chairs, there is an abundance of turquoise in this lovely room.

Sleek, clean appliances, a fairly subdued floor pattern, silver drawer and cabinet handles, and simple sheer window coverings however, ensure that this is a room one could easily wake up to year after year, without it seeming like you were trapped inside a bottle of blue curacao.

Beautiful, fun, and so very evocative of the 50s, this is certainly a kitchen that I'd be proud as a (similarly hued) peacock to draw home decor inspiration from anytime.

Can you guess what decade this autumn hued home is from?

✯ Day 296 of Vintage 365 ✯

{Image via my Vintage Home Decor Pinterest board; originally sourced from American Vintage Home on Flickr.}

 

It sports a palette of earthy, autumnal hues in shades of woodsy brown, rusty orange, concrete grey, and faded buttercup. Has plenty of blond wood, an unfussy sofa, and includes a bold square pattern fabric in the form of curtains and upholstered chairs. All of these elements working together to channel a sense of the late 1960s

The mood, helped no doubt by the large living room lamp with its eye-catching tangerine hued shade, is warm and mellow - you can almost envision a fondue pot or raclette being carried to the relatively small dining room table any moment now. Surely this room, you're naturally thinking, must be from the 70s.

It's not however, nor is it from the sixties. Though the hues, clean lines and mid-century furniture might have you thinking you're ready for anything from Woodstock to Studio 54, yet fans decades prior to those will be delighted to know that, in fact, this unique (for the period) home hails from 1953.

Indeed, many years before a palette that seemed to partially have its dial tuned to fall time took home decor by storm, this house - complete with dark orange ceilings and kitschy little knickknack shelves in the dining room - foresaw the colour trend that was coming (and which would last for a good part of two decades).

Yet, as one looks really closely, you can sense somehow that it's not a house from the 60s or 70s. There's something, a subtle vibe that's redolent of an earlier era, that lets viewers know they're dealing with the 1950s.

It's little touches like the hanging copper lamp, thick (indoor!) wood shutters, and built-in bookcases that speak of the fifties and the remains of more classic American style that still lingered during the decade.

Though I'm much more of a fan of the pastel and candy hues of the fifties (pink, aqua, mint green, and soft lemon, for example), I found myself instantly and completely drawn to this distinct home. Given how wonderfully suited its colours are to fall and certainly Halloween, too, and that we're knee-deep in October, I tend to think that the time of the year is why such is the case.

Or perhaps, I simply enjoyed the fact that such an unexpected marriage of hues popped up in a house well before the wild days of the 1960s and 70s had even come close to starting.

After all, once a 1950s home decor lover, always a 1950s home decor lover!

Taking a short autumn blogcation

Cheerful good morning greetings, everyone! I hope that this last Monday of summer 2011 is finding you all well and eager for the changing of the seasons that will transpire later this week. I'm immensely happy that fall is nearly here, as summer continually managed to knock the wind out my sails time and time again.

I feel a bit drained right now, not broken spirited, just physically like I've been going ten rounds in the ring with my health and life. As such, I've been giving it quite a lot of thought and decided, in order to hopefully have the strength and stamina to keep up with the Vintage 365 project right through to December 31st, it's wisest that I give myself a little breather.

As you may recall from the necessitated blogging hiatus earlier this year, just because I'm not technically here everyday, doesn't mean you don't get to enjoy the Vintage 365 project.

Then, as now, instead of a new post appearing each morning, you'll find the next twenty days worth of entries right here, in one handy-dandy location, in this post.

I'm hoping that three weeks will be enough time to recharge my batteries, and as such I have every intention, as things stand now, of jumping right back into daily blogging come October 10th (which, incidentally, just happens to be Canadian Thanksgiving).

I sincerely appreciate your understanding about this brief blogcation, and really hope you all enjoy the vintage-tastic array of topics I've corralled below.

 

September 19 ~ Day 262: Typically speaking, I am not a big fan of 1960s clothing. To me it’s the decade the ushered in the end of the era (30s-50s) in fashion that I hold nearest and dearest to my vintage loving heart, sometimes however, an item from that decade comes by which is too fabulous or beautiful to go unnoticed.

Case in point, I recently spied a strikingly lovely chocolate brown, short-sleeved, empire waist, princess seamed 1960s inspired dress that stopped me in my tracks. Channelling a distinctly (early) Mad Men secretary type vibe, this elegant, yet playful, frock (from Dress 911) is a total charmer that I would be more than gleeful to hang in my closet!

 

September 20 ~ Day 263: For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved seeing youthful women with grey hair. I know that sounds bizarre, but' it’s precisely the fact that grey hair is not typically associated with young women that adheres me to this combination.

Though the woman in this deeply pretty 1950s Revlon ad for their Queen of Diamonds line isn’t fresh out of high school, she’s far from retirement age either.

Her powerfully sophisticated look bubbles over with worldly confidence that seems to say “yes, I’ve greyed early, isn’t it fabulous?”.  And this sort of attitude, is, more than anything, is what I love most about younger women with grey locks, that they’re confident enough with themselves not to cover up those silver strands, preferring instead to let their grey manes shine.

 

September 21 ~ Day 264: One could easily be forgiven in this day and age for thinking that all pot pies came, piping hot to the table, as a pie akin to apple or pumpkin. While meat encased in a double crust (often called pate in days of yore) is a centuries old style of cooking, by its sheer definition alone, pot pie was originally cooked in a pot.

This version for just such a pie in a pot from 1933, is topped with mounds of fluffy biscuits beneath which one finds a rich stew of creamy chicken and broth.

Plainer than most modern pot pies, you could easily jazz this recipe up with any veggies you like (carrots, parsnips, onions, shallots, leeks, celery, potatoes, turnips, etc) or swap the chicken for turkey, beef or even venison. No matter how you make it though, this traditional pot pie is sure to be a great cold weather comfort food!

 

September 22 ~ Day 265: There are unquestionably certain colours that we associate with particular decades, and for the 1950s two of the most iconic hues have to be cheerful aquamarine and sweet, girly pink.

This charming kitchen from 1959 pairs classic aqua (in the form of cabinets) with coral hued countertops (perhaps foreshadowing the intensely saturated home decor hues that would follow in the next two decade to comes) and a coppery-pink coloured stove.

The pairing makes for a room that vibrant and impactful, but not glaringly bright or tricky to live in. It’s a fun, timeless colour combo that I’d be more than happy to have in my kitchen any day.

 

September 23 ~ Day 266: Can you believe it, we made it through the summer. While I know that some folks had an awesome summer, for many (in my circle at least) it was a challenging, difficult, problem ridden season that seemed to drag on longer than a foreign art film.

I, for one, am deeply elated about the fact that  fall (my favourite season) has returned, and hope to high heaven that it ushers in a season of more peace, better health, safer weather, and less stress for my family and all of yours, too.

 

September 24 ~ Day 267: When you think of Honda cars, the late 1940s might not be the first thing that springs to mind. It was, however, on this date in 1948 the famed Japanese motor company was founded.

Perhaps more so than any other car company (well, at least any other Japanese car company), I have a soft spot in my heart for Honda, because for many years my step-dad worked for this (now) massive multinational.

Though he’s no longer with Honda, I can’t see a Civic, Accord or Pilot without thinking of my step-dad and the role that this company had in my family’s life for a long time. Join me then, today, in wishing Honda the happiest of 63rd birthdays!

 

September 25 ~ Day 268: It’s probably a good thing that my modest sized apartment has, what really must be, one of the absolute smallest, narrowest linen closets of all times, because if such were not the case, I’d be massively tempted to pick up a set of these fabulously fun, cheerfully hued vintage inspired tea towels from online retailer House 8810.

 

September 26 ~ Day 269: In the history of early twenty-first century music, certain names stand out, and few come closer to the top of the list than American composer George Gershwin.

Tragically struck down by a brain tumour while in his thirties, during his relatively short life Gershwin produced some of the most famous and beloved orchestral works of the day, including Porgy and Bess, Rhapsody in Blue, and An American in Paris.

In honour of the fact that September 26th was George Gershwin’s birthday (he was born in 1898 and passed away in 1937), if you have a few minutes to spare, I highly encourage you to treat your ears to a marvelous vintage Victor Symphony recording (by way of Youtube) of the composer’s delightfully upbeat piece An American in Paris.

 

September 27 ~ Day 270: Today’s entry is the last in our series celebrating the fact that September is National Sewing Month.

I know that like myself, many of you have wished high and low that you could magically tap your heels and hop back in time to go shopping in your favourite decades. As that’s, sadly, not possible, perhaps the next best thing we can do is enjoy looking at vintage photos of our favourite yesteryear shops.

For those (who again, like yours truly) adore all things craft and sewing related, you’ll likely go weak in the knees when you peer into the storefront window of this wonderfully well stocked 1940s sewing goods shop. Pure vintage needlework and sewing daydream worthy bliss if ever there was!

 

September 28 ~ Day 271: For this Wednesday’s delightful vintage recipe, we’re journeying back to the early 1960s to whip up a zingy, warm, wonderful Spicy Butter Cake that is sure to be the hit of many a fall gathering.

From potlucks to Thanksgiving dessert, Halloween fetes to tea parties with your closest friends, this easy to make, fabulously fragrant vintage cake recipe is sure to be a popular winner.

 

September 29 ~ Day 272: I know I’m not alone when I say that it often feels like money flies right out of my pocketbook, but with this charmingly lovely vintage air mail print wallet that analogy gets taken to a whole new level.

Designed to look like a piece of old school mail (think the type that couples swapped during the war), this multi-compartment, bow bedecked, super fun wallet from UK seller Aspire Style is sure worth opening up your current (and likely considerably less adorable) wallet for!

 

September 30 ~ Day 273: While the craze for matching one’s make-up to their skin and hair tones really hit its zenith in the 1980s (remember the Color Me Beautiful series of books? This spring-autumn definitely does! ), the principle behind this concept is anything but new.

In fact, one can travel all the way back to 1925 (if not earlier) and encounter examples, such as this lovely vintage complexion chart, that guided women in what shades of make-up would be most flattering to their skin and hair tones.

Even if you don’t agree with all of the make-up colours this lovely 1920s chart suggests, it’s impossible not to enjoy it’s darling illustrations and old school charm.

 

October 1 ~ Day 274: Oh happy day, we’ve reached the first of October (and no, I am in no way saying that sarcastically!). I’m giddy with joy over the fact that my very favourite month of the year (which houses three family birthdays, Canadian Thanksgiving, my wedding anniversary, and Halloween) is at long last back.

To mark it’s return, I wanted to share the wonderfully delightful October 1957 cover of American Weekly magazine, below, with all of you. I really hope it helps get you even more in the mood for a month – and season – of vintage splendidness.

October 2 ~ Day 275: As many of you may recall from my post about Five great places to source vintage cookbooks online earlier this year, as well as from many others here on Chronically Vintage that are devoted to vintage gastronomy, I rather adore old school cookery books.

In a melding of old-fashioned recipes and modern day technology, fellow lovers of vintage recipes will be thrilled to know that the Internet Achieve houses an array of free cookbooks online, all of which are available as ebooks. Quite of few of the titles in this collection are vintage, and amongst the lot you’ll even encounter some popular collector’s classics, like a copy of the Metropolitan Cookbook.

There are definitely oodles of great yesteryear recipes on this useful site that are bound to keep your kitchen (and dinner table) buzzing all through autumn and winter.

 

October 3 ~ Day 276: When one thinks of revolutionary mid-twentieth century fashion designers, few names spring to mind more quickly (or with greater merit) than the legendary Coco Chanel and her understatedly gorgeous creations.

In this wonderful seven and a half minute long compilation video pieced together from assorted vintage film clips (spanning the 1930s to 80s) of Coco herself, as well as some of her most marvelous creations, one really gets of a sense of just how, and why, Chanel was, and will always be, one of the most important designers of the era.

 

October 4 ~ Day 277: Have you ever seen (or walked into) a home that was so exquisitely gorgeous is quite literally took your breath away?

Whether you have or haven’t before, I strongly urge you brace yourself, because the the images in this post about Dita Von Teese’s vintage decorated house are likely to make you swoon to no end!

 

October 5 ~ Day 278: Given that Canadian Thanksgiving is just five days away (oh my, still so much shopping and prep to do – not that I mind, I kind of completely love cooking big holiday meals),  I though that today’s vintage recipe should be a festive one. Enter then this lovely 1947 recipe for Thanksgiving Apple Pie.

There’s nothing (such, for example, as the inclusion of pumpkin) that makes this dessert any more Thanksgiving-ish than any other autumnal apple pie, the name alone made me smile and, loving a good fruit pie as I do, I thought it would be a fantastic  first vintage recipe for October.

 

October 6 ~ Day 279: There was a time in my life, a few years back, when I was all but obsessed with miniature toys (namely a Japanese brand of adorable little miniatures called Re-Ment), as I went about setting up scenes, photographing, and generally dreaming about tiny toys.

While, for the time being, that phase has passed, I still greatly love and admire beautiful miniatures, and few compliations I’ve ever seen can even begin, in a million years, to hold a candle to Michael Paul Smith’s stunningly impressive collection of vintage inspired miniature model scenes.

Handcrafted with a true artist’s eye, it really takes a moment for one’s brain to wrap itself around the fact that what you’re looking at is not a full scale, real world movie set, but instead an intricately composed, deeply awesome universe of incredible model displays.

 

October 7 ~ Day 280: Though a legion of devoted record collectors still exist (be they fans of old or new records), as the years roll on and digital music becomes ever more prevalent in our lives, I fear that an ever increasing number of classic records (the physical records themselves, I mean not, per se, the music on them) will be lost to the hands of time.

If you’re one of those folks who loves to collect records, but has wondered how best to display your favourites, you need worry no long longer. The fine folks over at Urban Outfitters are now selling a classic black photo frame designed specific to house record sleeves.

With the help of this clever album frame, you can now pick any number of your most cherished albums to display on the wall, their covers standing out as the superb works of vintage art that they rightfully are for all to see.

 

October 8 ~ Day 281: In the world of autumn desserts and sweet treats, there are some rather fabulous entries that make picking just one favourite next to impossible. Pushing aside pumpkin pie though, if I really and truly had to pick my most beloved fall treat, I think it might just be caramel apples.

While you can definitely make caramel for your festive treats from scratch, the ease and convenience of using good quality store bought caramels is hard to beat. Perhaps the most classic of all ready-to-melt (or eat straight from the bag!) caramels are those produced by Kraft.

Kraft caramels have been an autumn time institution for generations now, stretching back to the 1950s (as this fun vintage Kraft ad shows), if not earlier (if so, does anyone know how early?), and can provide the instant blanket of sugary goodness you need to drape your apples on a stick in, Halloween after sugary treat filled Halloween.

 

October 9 ~ Day 282: To wrap up this three week selection of vintage topics, I thought it would be lovely to end on a particularly heartwarming note in the form of this beautiful colour photograph from 1940 that shows a young mother and her daughter working together to roll a ball of yarn for their knitting projects.

Homey and endearingly sweet, this still wonderfully vibrant vintage photo is sure to make you smile (weather you’re a knitter or not) ear-to-ear.

♥ ♥ ♥

 

Thank you all deeply for your understanding, as well as for your terrific support of the Vintage 365 project and Chronically Vintage in general. I will miss you all a great deal, and wholeheartedly look forward to sharing oodles of new posts with you again in three weeks.

Be well, sweet friends, and know that I'm sending out scores of wishes to you all for a marvellously amazing, completely gorgeous start of autumn!

Charmingly pretty vintage family name vinyl wall art

✯ Day 223 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Vinyl wall art and text has been exceedingly popular for the past several years. While it's wide-spread home decor adoption may have flourished most prolifically in the States, it has certainly made its way up here to Canada and to many other corners of the globe, too.

It's easy to see why. Much, much easier (and often considerably less expensive) to put up then wallpaper, far more temporary (if you so choose) than a coat of paint, and able to be removed in the blink of an eye, vinyl wall decals are a whimsical, charming, often very beautiful way of adding anything from sass to elegance, pizzazz to intrigue to any room in your house.

Though not a mid-twentieth century decor touch per se (smaller decals, often featuring lovely illustrations of flowers or fruit - were available at the time that could be applied certain types of smooth surfaces like glass), amongst the myriad wall art designs on the market today, one can certainly find some that telegraph a delightfully old school vibe.

Some of the most interesting - and beautiful - vinyl words I've chanced upon so far are those offered up by etsy seller Single Stone Studios. In between sighing and drooling over the many beautiful designs (that run the gamut from chicly modern to sweetly old fashioned) that this vinyl art specialist serves up, I spotted the Vintage Style Family Name listing, which allows buyers to have a custom wall decal designed and manufactured with their own personal details (family surname and year your family/relationship started).

I'm such a sucker for a beautiful antique or vintage looking font and the one used in this decal nails it perfectly. Calling to mind yesteryear advertisements, playbills and even early movie posters, this great font would look marvellously at home in many vintage lover's abodes.

Measuring in at 36" wide x 10.5" high (though they offer custom orders with different sizing, if you'd like, just convo Single Stone Studios on etsy for more details), this self-adhesive, waterproof vinyl decal is designed to last for five years outdoors or (to quote the company themselves) virtually forever indoors. It can be applied to pretty much any kind of smooth, flat, clean surface from doors to windows, walls to home appliances, kitchen tiles to wooden furniture.

In this case however, I think that a wall or very large door would probably be the most fitting place for such a strikingly lovely celebration of your family's name. I'd be inclined to put a decal like this in my living room or (were it larger) my entryway, as a lovely - and loving - reminder of when my family began and importance of our last name.

Retailing for reasonable price (especially when you consider that this is a customized decal) of $28.00, this endearingly pretty vintage style wall decal (which you can have designed in a broad range of colours) would make a fabulous present for a newly married couple, anniversary, baby shower, house warming, hostess gift, birthday or Christmas gift.

Of course, you can definitely pick up one for your own vintage loving – and styled - home, too.

Cream and blue 1930s kitchen shines with liveable appeal

✯ Day 216 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

It was the chairs in this classically elegant 1930s that caught my eye first. They're quite similar to the set (which was painted white) that sat around our kitchen table when I a little girl. Swooping backs, gentle angled legs, and solid wood construction saw us through countless meals, evenings spent doing homework, weekend afternoons of spirited board games, and the catch-all spot for years of family memories.

Beyond the chairs, there is a lot that draws you into this good sized, nicely arranged vintage kitchen. It's crisp, almost modern feeling palette of creamy ivory and serene dark blue is really chic. You could throw in hits of dark red, lush green, tranquil turquoise, sugary pink, chic chocolate brown, or punchy yellow, amongst others, if you wanted to expand the hues further in a similar room.

{Pretty, almost nautical hued 1930s kitchen image care of clutter shop on Flickr.}

 

I really like the open floor plan that allows for a very nice number of cabinets. The cute little pot-and-pan nook, charming pair of windows (with both curtains and blinds), and eye-catching (but not startlingly so) floor are all terrific touches.

What this kitchen lacks though, is an abundance of counter space, so if one was to model their cooking arena after this 1930s design, you'd probably want to make more room counters - and a dishwasher and fridge for that matter, too (unless you really, really want to go for an authentic 1930s look and feel! ).

These small cons are outweighed by the many lovely charms of this kitchen though, very much including those back-hugging wooden chairs, which all add up to a great image for your vintage home decor inspiration file.

Perfectly vintage looking, enamel kitchen canister set

✯ Day 210 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Having a place for everything and everything in its place really is a wonderful thing. If your storage options are both functional and beautifully vintage looking, all the better! Few places need practical, attractive spots in which to stash the sundry elements of daily life more than the kitchen.

Tracking down full sets of vintage food canisters that are in good shape, in colours the that match your decor, and which are for sale at a reasonable price can be tricky, especially if you don't have many (or any) local second hand or antique stores to scour (and the internet shopping gods are not in the mood to smile on your hunt).

I absolutely adore vintage canisters and always make a point of bookmarking any that I come across for home decor inspiration. Unusually sellers only have one set available (the canisters being vintage items after all), but UK home decor seller Dirty Dollie is currently stocking a four piece canister set that looks every bit the vintage part, yet (I believe) has been produced in recent years.

This darling pale cream and light jade green canister collection features a tin each for pasta, bread, flour, and biscuits (though you could certainly store anything you fancy in them). Made of classic enamelware, these dry goods storage containers are sure to add a marvelous dose of old school charm to any counter or shelf in your kitchen or panty.

 

The set retails for £50.00, which may seem a tad steep, but is honestly quite comparable to what I've seen similar sets from the 40s and 50s going for in recent years (actually, I was watching a similar pale pink set on eBay last year that ended up selling for nearly $200!).

Should you desire, there's also a darling little matching tin for string available, too (for the much more wallet-friendly price of £8.00; scroll about 3/4 of the way down this page to find both listings).

If you're smitten with this lovely vintage style canister set, but don't actually need it in your kitchen, you could easily use it to store everything from craft supplies to fashion accessories, small tools to candles in any room of your house.

Sweet, cheerful and splendidly mid-century looking, this four piece canister set is a terrific way to stay organized and add a hefty dose of old school allure to your decor.

Classically beautiful, sweetly elegant vintage style bedroom

✯ Day 207 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Perhaps its the wearing of breezy linen, the gentle tones of a sandy beach, or pale wicker deck furniture, but there's definitely something about summer that makes it perfectly suited to soft colours.

There can be a fine line between looking like a candy store and injecting ladylike light hues into your home decor though. Starting with a neutral base in a colour like white, grey or cream and then building up the palette of pale hues is often the best way to go about filling you abode with soothing, refreshing pale shades.

Instantly looking sophisticated, this charming bedroom (which comes by way of UK decor site House to Home) is girly, but in no way little girlish. It’s stylish, and instantly telegraphs a strong vibe of elegance that makes it truly timeless in so many ways.

 

From the stately paneled wardrobe cabinets to the swooping headboard, the shabby chic bedding and curtains to the wonderful little bench loveseat at the foot of the bed, everything in this room works together in perfect harmony to create a stellar old school vibe that is positively gorgeous.

With elements of the room - like dark wood ceiling beams and an aged brass chandelier - that feel quite antique, and others that are more mid-twentieth century (the sparkly decorative throw pillow, for example), this is the kind of softly hued boudoir that will always look wonderful.

Ripe with inspiration, pale summery hues, and fantastic little details that up a room's appeal from nice to absolutely marvelous, this terrific vintage styled bedroom is like a breath of fresh air that many of our homes could definitely use this summer – and well beyond.

The next three week's worth of Vintage 365 posts

Hello, my sweet dears, happiest ongoing Canada Day wishes to you each!

As you may have read in this morning's post (which was my first in three weeks), while the medical work I had done in June is now behind me (phew!), and the two procedures I had went smoothly enough (again, phew!), I'm taking longer than initially (or perhaps or accurately, optimistically!) anticipated to recoup from them (though on the tail of the first two, I've been scheduled for a third, on July 8th, so the process of recovering may continue to take longer than previously thought).

As a result, despite July being one of my absolute favourite months of the year (for a plethora of reasons beyond the fact that it houses my birthday), it looks like in order to keep up with 2011's Vintage 365 project, another round-up post is is order.

My health is very unpredictable at the best of times, so it's tricky for me to gauge just how far in advance such an entry needs to cover, but as we went with three weeks last time, that seemed like a pretty realistic period of time to cover again today.

Just as last time, I sincerely apologize to all those who have been checking in often (or daily!) for the Vintage 365 posts this year. I've adored brining you this daily series and hope that it won't be too much longer until I'm feeling well enough to return to posting daily.

I wholeheartedly appreciate your understanding regarding this matter, and hope that you absolutely enjoy the wonderfully fun array of vintage topics below.

Without further ado, my I present the next twenty-two instalments of the Vintage 365 project.

July 1 ~ Day 182: In the spirit of Canada's Birthday, today's find simply had to feature the colours of the Canadian flag (red and white) and be perfect for this toasty time of year.

Hitting both of those targets spot on, the gingham print, halter neck Picnic Paradise top is sure to catch the eye of many a vintage fashionista. Sporting adorable red piping and a figure flattering front tie at the waist, this darling shirt would look fabulous with everything from skin-tight vintage capri pants to prim and proper pencil skirts.

Currently on sale for $29.99, and available (at the time of writing) in ladies sizes small, medium and large, this country chic, super summer appropriate vintage inspired top is too sweet to pass up!

 

July 2 ~ Day 183: One fascinating fact about today (July 2nd) is that it's the midpoint of the year, with 182 days falling on either side of it. From this day onwards we speed ever closer to 2012 (I know, how can that possibly be? We're we just giving a spirited rendition of Auld Lang Syne are all and enthusiastically blowing noise makers?!).

Another, entirely unrelated, fun fact about today is that it's the date on which, back in 1962, the first Walmart opened its doors in Rogers, Arkansas.

While founder Sam Walton (so hence the "Wal" in "Walmart") probably never imagined just how massive an empire that first little store would spawn in the ensuing decades, it's undeniable today that Walmart (whether you love it, hate it, or fall somewhere in the middle) is as much a part of the North American landscape as the golden arches of McDonalds and the mermaid adorned Starbucks' sign.

With their high volume, low price approach to business, Walmart appears to have been popular from the very get-go, if this 1962 photo of crowds eagerly queuing up for the opening for the first store is any indication.

 

July 3 ~ Day 184: Though Betty Crocker wasn't a real woman (indeed, this fictional cookery guru was portrayed - both on the radio and in person - by many women over the years), one can't help but believe through and through, that the elegant woman presenting the commercial for Betty Crocker cake mix in today’s entree isn’t really the lady whose name graced millions of baking mix boxes.

Let the hustle and bustle of the modern world drift away for a minute as you escape into the inviting world of the 1950s, where products like packaged dessert mixes were new and exciting, something tasty was always in the oven, and every TV set was a black and white one, care of this endearing General Mills Betty Crocker cake mix commercial.

 

July 4 ~ Day 185: Because, I firmly believe, that the heat shouldn't be the only thing that has you swooning this month, may I present a rather gorgeous Enna Jeticks ladies shoe ad from 1953.

Featuring five styles that are equally functional and fabulously pretty, these elegant shoes (each pair of which would work wonderfully with summertime outfits, especially the peep-toe and sling back styles) with their cute and clever name, are definitely worth getting a little weak in the knees for - and then trying to hunt down in vintage shops, or at the very least draw scores of stylish footwear inspiration from for the next time you go vintage shoe shopping.

 

July 5 ~ Day 186: As a paper crafter and a diehard vintage fan, I'm always on the prowl for products to use on my scrapbook pages and cards that instantly invoke  delightful old school charm. One recent line from the brand Crate Paper, called Emma's Shoppe, fits that bill to an absolute tee!

Bursting with soft, beautifully aged hues (think gentle pinks, grassy greens, sharp turquoises, and soft mustard yellows) and delightful vintage inspired images (like old fashioned baby buggies, doilies, children's toys, and paper dolls), this marvelous collection is bound to quickly win over tons of hearts!

Whether you like to make your own home decor, cards, scrapbook pages, ATCs, mixed media creations, or other paper related projects, the Emma's Shoppe collection (some of which I picked up, and must say, is even more precious and delightful in person), is a fabulous way to inject darling vintage charm into your summertime crafting adventures.

 

July 6 ~ Day 187: Today is a particularly special date to me because it's the day on which, back in 2004, my darling husband proposed to me - at, may I add, no less than just about the most romantic setting one could possible envision, a stunning Irish castle.

In a nod to the fact that my DH is Italian, born and breed, and the splendid setting of where he proposed (over a candlelit meal), this hearty Irish-Italian Spaghetti recipe embraces elements of both cultures for a stick-to-your-ribs pasta meal that is sure to please fans of both cuisines alike.

 

July 7 ~ Day 188: For those of us who live in climates that are snowy (or at least chilly!) most of the year and who lack their own backyard pool, summer can mean the return to swimming trips at the lake, river or ocean once more (and indeed, when I was growing up, there were truly few things I adored more about this already awesome season!).

Whether you prefer to get your toes went while sitting on an aged wooden waft or the side of a glitzy resort pool, stylish vintage swimwear is a must for all those who enjoy a good summertime dip.

For oodles of old school bathing suit inspiration to help you look your most enchanting this summer, be sure to devote a couple of minutes to this thoroughly lovely full colour video clip of 1930s swimwear (the styles of which will have you pining for a vintage bathing suit and a good splash in the water, for sure!).

 

July 8 ~ Day 189: Anytime a room comes complete with generously sized roses adorning the ceiling, there's a very decent chance I'm going to love it!

This ultra feminine bedroom from the forties not only has flowers on the ceiling, it's bubbling over with blooms scattered across the room (on the tiles, curtains, and cabinetry), all set against a captivating pink, green and black colour palette.

While this certainly isn't a room for those who lean towards minimalist or subdued decor, if vibrant rooms bedecked with gardens worth of roses set your heart aflutter, than this pretty 1940s bedroom might just be up your ally, too (seriously, how could you not love roses on the ceiling?! ).

 

July 9 ~ Day 190: South of the equator, the seasons are reversed, which means, as we're perspiring our hearts out up here on this side of the globe, those down under are contending with winter (hmmmm, how about a weather exchange program for a few days? :D).

Likewise, their spring is our fall and vice versa. This means that if you're looking for vintage summertime fashion inspiration in the dead of a (north of the equator) winter, our fine friends in Australia are a great source.

To celebrate the fact that today is the Constitution Day in Australia (which, while not a public holiday, is still an important date that's worth noting), why not garner some warmer weather sartorial inspiration from the October 1961 cover of Australian Home Journal.

Here we see two women and a young lady decked out in elegant everyday attire that would work splendidly (thanks to the shorter sleeves and hemlines) for those of on this side of the equator right now.

 

July 10 ~ Day 191: While you'll find a few more candles on my cake (a dizzying 27, to be exact), I share Shirley's wide-eyed excitement for birthdays (as seen in the adorable photograph of her below), no matter how old I get (and, goodness, does 27 seem like I'm getting on in age! Long gone are the jaunty teen years, looming ever nearer are my thirties!).

As the 10th falls on a Sunday this year, it means that my sweet husband will be home, able to spend the whole day with me. Though, writing this post ten days in advance, I'm not sure what sort of activities my birthday will include, I know that my hubby - bless his entirely dear heart - will help make is shine even more than the flames on my cake, as he so thoughtfully does each year.

{Darling Shirley Temple birthday cake photo via Songs I Sing.}

July 11 ~ Day 192: First released by Bobby Day in 1958, Rockin' Robin is one of those splendidly toe-tapping classic rock songs that can't help but put a smile on your face every time you here it.

Rockin’ Robin is also one of the first 1950s songs I remember listening to (and falling in love with) as a youngster. To this day I still enjoy belting out the words ("he rocks in the tree tops all a dayyyy long!") and imagining I'm at a good ol' fashioned sock hop, especially during these wonderfully fun summer days when something about the season just makes you want to sing and dance.

 

July 12 ~ Day 193: I'm a fan of clocks, practical yet often visually gorgeous objects that they are, especially those with a distinctly vintage feel to them. Recently on ModCloth I spied a splendidly cheerful aqua hued clock featuring a clean white face with timeless typography, darling sky blue hands, and easy to read hour numbers that really caught my eye.

I could easily see this fun, entirely cute (yet classy enough to work equally well at home or the office) 1950s inspired clock (which retails for $39.99) working with a myriad of other colours (think peppy pinks, sunny yellows, warm reds, crisp blacks, soft greys and sweet peaches, to name but a few) and in everyplace from the kitchen to a dorm room, bedroom to home library, ensuring that your walls would be beautifully adorned and you'd slash your chances of being late all in one fell swoop.

 

July 13 ~ Day 194: Help chase off the pesky heat with three wonderfully refreshing summer drink recipes from the 1950s. These classic beverages (citrus sunshine punch, old-time lemonade, and limeade) - all of which are child-friendly and call for very commonplace ingredients – are sweet and satisfying, every bit as timelessly spot on today as they were over fifty years ago.

 

July 14 ~ Day 195: Equal parts chic and fun, this fun little vintage Catalina women's clothing ad boasts a slogan that we should all adhere to during the summer: Play it cool!

From the splendidly inviting slices of watermelon these three gals are nibbling on to the playful, casual summer ensembles (don't you just love that breezy sundress?), this great ad brigs stylish July inspiration your way in spades!

July 15 ~ Day 196: Vintage compacts can be utterly stunning little works of art. From ornately decorated examples crafted from precious metals and stones to more "everyday", but no less lovely, versions, powder cases from days gone by can make for fabulous additions to your vanity and make-up bag alike.

Oftentimes fans of these handy items wonder about how to go about refilling them, especially if they're new to collecting old school powder cases. Fear not, this useful how-to post from the blog The Powder Compact Diaries guides you through the steps to take if you want to replace or refill the powder in your vintage compact.

July 16 ~ Day 197: Channelling a vibe that reminds me a bit of the slumber party in Grease, this perfectly darling two piece pajama set is just the ticket to help make getting through even the toastiest of summer nights more bearable.

Featuring short-shorts and darling bow bedecked, tank top style shirt, and a super sweet pink polka dot pattern, these cute, entirely girly jammies (which are available for $85.00 Australian from online retailer Hot Couture) have a seriously great vintage vibe to them - and would definitely be what I'd want to sport if I was holding a vintage themed sleepover of my own this season.

July 17 ~ Day 198: There's a reason he was dubbed the King, just look at the mischievous eyes and that flirty meets devil-may care expression in this fabulous Elvis photo.

Awww, Mr. Presley, you'll always be one of the coolest musicians to see us through these hot-as-a-griddle dog days (or should I say, hound dog days :) ) of summer.

 

July 18 ~ Day 199: Don a pair of Mickey ears today because it's time to celebrate the fact that on this date back in 1955, the first Disneyland theme park opened in Anaheim, California.

While we don't have a time machine to zip back to the fifties and attend the park in person, this entertaining series (a blend of both colour and B&W images) of vintage Disneyland photos from the 1950s and 60s is the next best thing (or perhaps even better, this way you get to skip the mile-long lines! ).

 

July 19 ~ Day 200: Thorough round-up lists of online links for a particular topic can be super finds. They can save you hours (or days!) of searching for numerous sites on a certain topic yourself and are just the thing to bookmark for future reference.

If you're a fan of vintage sewing patterns (and who isn't?!), then this wonderful list of websites that sell (or have information pertaining to) vintage sewing patterns will definitely tickle your fancy. Some links are geared towards more modern styles, but there are quite a few sites that deal with old school sewing ideas and patterns, all corralled into one handy-dandy spot.

 

July 20 ~ Day 201: In a season rich in incredible fruits - many of which are at their peak right now - it's hard to pick a favourite, but many-a-day I can't help but veer towards cherries, calling to mind as they do, so many charming childhood memories of days spent picking them from trees in my neighbourhood.

No matter what your favourite summertime fruit is (watermelon, peaches, nectarines, berries, etc), chances are you like cherries, all the more so if they're whipped into a scrumptious dessert. Classic as a Fred Astaire film and every bit as fun, a good cherry pie is a treat that's not to be scoffed at.

Bursting with juicy dark red fruit, sugar and just a dash of spice, this picture perfect cherry pie recipe from the 1950s is a tried-and-true standard that deserves a spot in your cookbook - and on your summertime table!

 

July 21 ~ Day 202:I'm somewhat selective about the decorative objects I display around my home. I like them to have an antique or vintage (or at the very least strikingly timeless quality) and not be too flashy (generally speaking), which is why I fell hard for this elegantly lovely pair of 1920s bathing figures from Plasticland (where the pair retails for $30.00).

Crafted from cast resin, hand painted in gorgeous shades that instantly telegraph an aged look, and distressed to further add the appearance of being weathered by the years, this pair of (6.5" tall) summertime beauties would be exactly the kind of decorative object I'd gravitate towards (as I'd imagine many of you would, too!).

 

July 22 ~ Day 203: Tumblr is one of those addictive sites that, if I were able to spend more time online, I could very easily seeing myself devoting a lot of time at (in many ways it's akin to StumbleUpon, which, a few years back, was one of my biggest online haunts). The sheer volume of diverse images Tumblr teams with is positively addictive!

Amongst that vast array are oodles of vintage finds, some of which can be seen in one the marvellously fun Tumblr account The Golden Age of Hollywood.

This charmingly fun page is chocked full of tiny (think one or two second) vintage movie and television clips, often paired with the respective quotes from those very films and shows (that the actor/actress in the clip/image said) .

The Golden Age of Hollywood is a positively enjoyable, entirely neat site that's worth bookmarking or following, no matter if you're a hard core Tumblr user or a casual visitor.

♥ ♥ ♥

 

By the time the days that this post covers have wrapped up, we'll be well into the scorching, sun-drenched, often delightfully pretty hours of late July. A time for drinks as cold as Antarctic ice, the lightest, most beguiling of vintage sundresses, and as many escapes to cooler spots (breezy beaches, picnics under shady trees) as we can possibly muster.

I hope very much that come July 23rd, daily Vintage 365 posting can resume again, but just as with June's post, we'll take each day as it comes and keep our fingers crossed for the best later on this month.

As we embrace July and celebrate the many splendours of summer, you are each in my thoughts and heart - and I'm wishing you all a month that sparkles with good times, great summer weather, and tons of happiness!!!

Covering 20 days with one post

My sweet dears, I'm afraid that I'm going to be slightly MIA for the next little while. You see, I'll be heading into the hospital (to have to two surgeries) on June 14th and most likely may not be able to blog for a spell both before that date (there's quite a lot of prep work involved) and afterwards. Fortunately the procedures I'm having are fairly routine and, baring (goodness forbid) any complications, I should be on the mend and back blogging (daily) again in a couple weeks or so.

I'm not entirely sure how long my recovery will take, but I'm determined to keep the Vintage 365 project alive and well (happy to report that I haven't missed a date yet and we're nearly half way through 2011), while I'm feeling not quite so well myself.

To that extent, I thought that I would put together one post today with twenty different interesting vintage related topics to see all of you through the remainder of June (ideally, I'll be able to launch back into writing a post per day at the start of July).

I apologize to those for look forward everyday to each new Vintage 365 instalment and hope that this "all-in-one" post, with brief entries for the coming 20 days, will still help brining you a hearty dose of old school history and style alla Chronically Vintage.

 

June 11 ~ Day 162: It the warm, almost cocooning apricot light that grabs your attention first when you peer at this 1950s photo taken inside of a Dior shop in Paris, yet fractions of a second later your mind sends fashion alert flashes your way letting you know that there are vintage (Dior!) treasures aplenty to be spied in this captivating image.

Though not a sweepingly large photo, there is such much resplendent beauty to be gleaned from the box of chic high heeled shoes, the garden's worth of delicate silk blooms, and sundry other millenary supplies in this captivating photo. It speaks to an age of unmatched grace, proper high couture, and unshakeable style in the way that only Dior could ever truly deliver.

 

June 12 ~ Day 163: Though today, and for the last few decades, Cuba, is and has been a downtrodden land in desperate need of freedom, during the earlier days of the twentieth century, this lush, wonderfully pretty country was busting with entertainment, art, fashion, great cuisine, tourism, nightlife, and plenty of fantastic views that beckoned holidaymakers from around the globe.

Today’s  interesting, nicely narrated Youtube video clip shows 1930s Cuba during its heyday, when this fascinating tropical destination was busting with life, possibility and no shortage of fun ways to pass the sunny days.

 

June 13 ~ Day 164: Every now and then someone in my building (intentionally) leaves a couple of copies of the current Avon catalogue in the laundry room of my building. Though I very much enjoy flipping through them as my clothes just all sudsy, I'm rarely struck with the urge to actually purchase anything.

Avon makes some wonderful products, don't get me wrong, and over the years I've enjoyed the items I have bought (or received gifts) from this well-known brand, it's just that I sometimes feel like their catalogue pages teeter a bit on being infomercial-esque (absolutely no offence to anyone reading this who is an Avon rep).

They lack the show stopping glamour of their yesteryear counterparts and rarely standout from the sea of beauty advertisements one encounters in any run-of-the-mill fashion or ladies' magazine.

Not so in 1959 however, when this captivatingly  lovely Avon cosmetics ad hit the scenes. Featuring a pretty brunette model with a mile-wide smile, this ad show cased five Avon cosmetics products, every single on of which I'd order right this very moment if they still came presented in such charming packaging and by way of such wonderful ads.

 

June 14 ~ Day 165: Though I'll be sporting a hospital gown today (so glam, I know), there's no reason I can't help keep my mind off of the day’s medical activities by fantasizing about this truly, completely breath-taking floral print, 1950s inspired dress from Trashy Diva.

Featuring a full skirt, flattering V neck, fitted bodice, invisible side zipper and a wide waistband (that will flatter a host of different figure types), this stunning silk-like rayon frock is simply too amazing to pass by unnoticed. Its bouquets of blooms sing out in hues of purple, teal blue, burgundy, rose pink, black, grey and white, all nestled atop a peridot green backdrop, making for a show-stopping, deeply sophisticated look.

If you'd like to join me in yearning for this sublime frock, swing on by online retailer Blue Velvet Vintage, where you can pick up one of these beguiling vintage inspired dresses (in ladies sizes 6 to 14) for $135.00. If you’re only going to treat yourself to one new dress this summer, I highly recommend giving this gem some serious thought.

 

June 15 ~ Day 166: Have no fear, just because I'm away, doesn't mean that a new (errr, old) recipe won't be the subject of choice each Wednesday. For the 15th, I think we should all take advantage of the fact that berry season is in full swing and whip up a dish featuring these marvelous little bit sized fruits.

Looking back all the way to 1936, this lovely sounding recipe for Blackberry Roly-Poly (wonderful blackberry stuffed pastries) would be a stellar way to use up some of the season's choicest berries.

If blackberries aren't your favourite, you could very easily swap in raspberries, huckleberries, blueberries, strawberries, or (red or white) currants here instead (or why not channel a "fruits of the forest" vibe and use a combo of your most beloved berries for an extra special dessert!).

 

June 16 ~ Day 167: Care of the ever-fabulous blog The Mysterious Life of the Metropolitan (ex) Housewife, comes a handy-dandy instructional page from the 1950s on how to wash rayon.

I bookmarked this post back in the fall of 2009 and have been meaning to mention it ever since, as I know many of us (myself included) own vintage (and/or vintage reproduction) rayon items that require proper laundering to stay in pristine shape. The easy-as-pie tips here are bound to help ensure you you're able to keep all your rayon pieces in top-notch shape.

 

June 17 ~ Day 168: With a name like Vintage Soul, it would be downright impossible for this charming Liz Clairborne perfume not to nab my attention. If the moniker alone didn't do it, surely the softly curvaceous bottle and subtly art nouveau inspired graphics would.

Featuring an engaging blend of lily, freesia, cactus flower, green lotus leaf, jasmine, blue tiger lily, gardenia, tuberose, blond wood and nutmeg, this lovely perfume sounds like a complete - and entirely gorgeous - garden in a bottle.

Should you wish to sprinkle a little old school spirit on yourself each day, be sure to head over to amazon.com where you can currently pick up a bottle of Vintage Soul perfume on sale for just $16.53.

 

June 18 ~ Day 169: The mercury is bubbling over, but that doesn't mean one has to resort to being unfashionable, especially not if you turn to this delightfully fun 1940s summer fashion clip for your sartorial inspiration this season.

Featuring an array of warm weather looks (from playsuits to dresses), this quick little Youtube video (it's only about a minute and a half long) is teaming with oodles of vintage fashion ideas that are sure to capture your heart this summer.

 

June 19 ~ Day 170: $18.00 is a lot of money to pay for one light bulb, no ifs, ands or buts about that. However, sometimes there's a good reason behind why a seemingly inexpensive item gets slapped with a hefty price tag.

In the case of this Sunday's objet du jour, it's because this slim, gracefully shaped light bulb is a spot-on replica of an early Edison bulb, right down to its eye-catching looped filaments and rich brass base.

This bulb - which is available from Anthropologie - is not the kind that you'll screw into any old lamp or light fixture (unless you've finally found a tree that grows money and can now afford to pay $18.00 per light bulb), instead it is meant to be displayed, hanging artfully from a pendant lamp or shining out from an unadorned socket.

It's a little piece of the past that you can use, quite literally, to illuminate the present, and somehow knowing that makes $18.00 almost forgivable.

*PS* Merry, cheerful, immensely fun Father's Day wishes to dads out there. I hope today is a utterly fantastic one for you fellows!

 

June 20 ~ Day 171: Though one of the key elements that I love about vintage fashion is how it grants me free creative license to dress as splendidly femininely as I please (think full skirts, sweetheart necklines, crinolines, and lashings of red lipstick!), I can't help but stop from time-to-time and think about the Teddy Girls of the 1950s. These (sartorially) daring young women eschewed many of the conventional styles of the day, preferring instead to follow in the footsteps of some of the male peers who were opting for the Teddy Boy look.

For a engaging post about these UK style rebels of yesteryear, be sure to swing by Betty Swallow's blog for her post on the Teddy Girls, which includes interview excepts from a former teddy gal, as well as scores of wonderful black white photos of (apparent) tomboys whose style still managed to seem somehow more feminine than most of the looks one encounters on the street today.

 

June 21 ~ Day 172: Happiest summer solstice, everyone! Can you believe that the first official day of summer is really here? Are you happy about that? Or does this sizzling heat have you pining for snowmen, winter boots and steaming mugs of cocoa?

Over all I'm pretty excited about it - how could I not be when the birthdays of everyone in my house (hubby, kitty cat, and I) all fall during this magically lovely season.

 

In order to ensure this post was able to load without taking an eon and a half (not everyone has super high speed internet!), I weighed the matter carefully and decided not to post an image for each of the twenty days ( if you click on the link in the write up for each particular day, you should be taken a page with at least one image, or video clip,  for each respective topic).

However, there was no way that I could let the inaugural day of summer slip by without celebrating it with an image - and what a charmer this one (the marvellously illustrated June 1948 cover of Better Homes and Gardens Magazine) is!

I can’t wait to hopefully get in plenty of the activities depicted on in it myself this season, just as I'm sure tons of you are, too!

 

June 22 ~ Day 173 : This coming Friday is my little brother's birthday, and since one of his favourite desserts when we were growing up was lemon meringue pie (peanut butter cookies were another sweet treat he adored back then), I knew that in honour of his special day, I had to dig up a super delicious sounding vintage recipe for this wonderful classic (which, like most citrus flavoured foods, seems to be especially useful at helping you bet the heat, especially if served cold).

I think this yesteryear version (which is quite similar to my tried-and-true, handed-down-from-my-mom recipe) would be sure to please even the most discerning of lemon meringue connoisseurs, no matter their age!

 

June 23 ~ Day 174: By way of the great blog Vintage Chic, comes a page from 1946 called Make Up to the Day, which is chocked full of entertaining/helpful suggestions for what colours of make-up are best suited to brides-to-be with various complexions and hair colours. From redheads to ash blondes, there are tips here to see many-a-gal through her special day in beautiful 1940s style.

 

June 24 ~ Day 175: This day is a joyful one for me because it's my brother's birthday (how can you possibly be 24? If that doesn't make - soon-to-be-27 year old me feel ancient, I don't know what does!), and while he doesn't share my love of all things vintage (I'm the vintage black sheep of my family), I do distinctly remember one splendidly fun old school cartoon that we enjoyed watching as a child was The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

Featuring everyone's favourite cartoon moose and squirrel, as well as the bumbling dastardly villain duo or Boris and Natasha, this entertaining children's show was every bit as much fun for us in the early 90s as it was for those who watched it air the first time around decades earlier.

I devote this clip - of the opening theme of Rocky and Bullwinkle - to you, little bro, happiest birthday! Here's to always striving to have as much fun in life as we had as youngsters watching cartoons!

 

June 25 ~ Day 176: There's a school of thought that suggests that if one surrounds themselves (or wears) cool colours they'll feel colder (and vice versa that warm hues will help you stay toasty). Given the visual weight that colours carry, I think this idea makes a good deal of sense.

I for one would not be too inclined to spend much time during the summer in a fiery orange or red room, but I would however rush to relax at the end of another dizzyingly hot June day in this charmingly sweet soft pink, mint green and sleek black bathroom from 1953.

Done up in sherbet and licorice inspired hues, this pretty powder room just looks cool when you gaze at it. The swirl patterned tiles evoke thoughts of serene pools of sea water, the pink curtains, towels and paint (used in the built-in wall shelves) are as revitalizing as a tall glass of strawberry lemonade, and the glistening black elements seem to give the distinct feeling that they'd be smooth as ice to the touch.

Indeed, there is much to be loved about from this inspiringly fresh, entirely beautiful 1950s bathroom, no matter if it's the hottest day of summer of the nippiest of winter - because truly beautiful interior design is always refreshing.

 

June 26 ~ Day 177: Let's face it, cat (and pet in general) furniture often isn't the most stylish thing around. Cumbersome kitty condos, litter boxes glaring out at you from random corners of the house, and oversized plush napping pads eating up half your living room floor can be practical and cozy (for said feline companions), but again, they rarely win any awards in the design department.

To that end, one clever etsy seller (Atomic Attic Upcycled), came up with a splendid idea for kitty beds that are both function and wonderfully fun to look at.

They’re constructed of vintage and retro suitcases that have been fitted with short, sturdy legs and fluffy cushion inserts (which are removable and washable). Averaging around $59.00 a piece, these smile-inducingly cool vintage suitcase cat beds are leagues more chic than most pet beds I've seen and are definitely the kind of thing I could see both me and my darling kitty hopping on board with!

 

June 27 ~ Day 178: While I tend to put on my make-up (and style my hair) before I don my ensemble for the day, there are times when all of us need to (for whatever) reason to apply our cosmetics (or merely touch-up our faces) while dressed, which can mean introducing the potential of getting powder, lipstick, eye shadow, mascara - you name it! - on our vintage outfits (which is definitely not a good thing!).

In 1938 that problem could be cut off at the pass by donning the Playtex make-up cape, a charming little caplet (with a fun front tie neck) that draped over the wearer's shoulders and upper chest, thus helping keep her clothing as clean as whistle while she went about her beauty routine.

I think this is really good, entirely practical idea and so went hunting around the web for a modern day version. While I couldn't find a make-up cape that was quite as cute as the 1930s version, I did find a Scalpmaster Nylon Make-Up Cape on Amazon for the reasonable price of $11.99 - which is certainly less than a trip or two to the drycleaners (to try and remove make-up from your favourite garments) is bound to run you!

 

June 28 ~ Day 179: Despite the often surface-of-the-sun like temps of this season, there is something about summer that makes me want to cut a rug to absolutely no end! I know why that is actually, it's because as a youngster I spent many a summer day bopping about the living room, classic big band and 1950s rock and roll tunes blaring out from the CD player, any friend, sibling - total stranger in sight a potential dance partner (ahhh, the carefree things we did as kids!).

When my feet start a tapping these days, I love to look up awesome old school swing  dance tunes and movie clips on Youtube (such as this terrifically fun 1950s clip of Bill Hailey and Comments playing the song Razzle Dazzle while the dance floor bursts to life, despite some squares in the crowd) and put on a concert of some of the most enjoyable music of all time - and should I happen to wrangle someone into being my jitterbug partner again, all the better!

 

June 29 ~ Day 180: It's Wednesday again, my lovelies, you know that means, time for another scrumptious vintage recipe to see us through the week. Given the scorching hot temps of June, it's high time we all kicked back with a sweet, ice cold treat!

Do just that with a handful of ingredients in snazzy 1953 style care of this tasty sounding Seven-Up Sherbet recipe. I bet this would be great with various other sodas as well, such as ginger ale, Orange Crush or Mountain Dew. Whatever pop you put to work in this recipe, it's sure to help stamp out the heat for at least a few minutes.

 

June 30 ~ Day 181: While we've just gotten through 20 days of posts, the fact of the matter is that it’s still June 10th as I write this blog entry, and I don't only know the 30th of this month will be like for me.

With a good heaping of luck however, it will be better day on a lot fronts than right now. I hope I'll be in the mood to celebrate the outcomes of my medical procedures and that by today, I'll be feeling better in a lot of different ways.

June is one of those months that lends itself so naturally to celebrating and feeling joyful. From graduations to the start of summer, picnic weather to Father's Day, there is much to adore about the six month of the year - not the least of which are June weddings.

Let's wrap up this twenty day round-up of Vintage 365 posts with on a very, very lovely note, by celebrating the 1942 wedding of Lewis and Helen, a dapper young couple who had their whole lives still in front of them that glorious June day.

♥ ♥ ♥

 

I will miss you all very, very much. Due in part to the Vintage 365 series, it's been quite some time now since I wasn't around these parts and I know that it’ll feel strange to suddenly be out of the blogging loop.

As in the past during these kinds of situations, my wonderful husband (Tony) will be helping to hold down the fort for me here (and should anything that warrants announcing publicly occur, he will come here to post on my behalf and let you know what's going on). I sincerely hope to be back soon and must say again just how much I'm going to miss you, my darling friends!

Until we chat again, know that you'll be in my thoughts, and that I wholeheartedly hope you each have a truly sublime start of summer!!!