Flickr Favourites: January 18, 2013

{Milk for warmth, WPA Poster, 1941 ~ trialsanderrors}

{Fiestaware ~ L.Jacobson}
 

{Red Bird ~ MEaves}
 

{Electrolux Users Manual 1954 ~ saltycotton}  

{Green Glitter Eyeshadow ~ jordan23queen}  

{Redpath sugar cookies ~ sweetopia*}  

{1950s rare trench coat ~ Pernille Lassen}  

{Interlude ~ dovima_is_devine_II} 
 

{January 2012 ~ lily_whitebear}  

{Popular Photography 1945 ~ Captain Geoffrey Spaulding}  

{All images above are from Flickr. To learn more about a specific image, please click on its title to be taken to its respective Flickr page.}

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Now half a month into January, the hustle and bustle, the cheer and the roar of the holiday season is behind us once again. I will miss the unmistakable magic of December, but am also eager to watch a new year progress and to watch the ways in which I hope my life will further develop throughout 2013.

After the whirlwind of activity in 2012, I suspect this may be a calmer year, which is perfectly okay with me, as it means more time to focus on certain areas of my life, projects and plans I have in the works, and to continue (I hope) to create a greater sense of balance on a day-to-day basis (a topic I wrote about here last October).

So while the twinkling lights, huge feasts, ornament bedazzled trees, and festive tunes of the holiday season have come and gone, that certainly doesn't mean that January is devoid of reasons to celebrate.

Whether you're all about resolutions, find yourself embracing the return of serenity, are hard at work mapping out the next twelve months, or are simply unwinding and letting life come at you one moment at a time, in the midst of the bone chilling temperatures and pale sunlight, there's no need to let the upbeat spirit of December vanish entirely quite yet.

Instead celebrate the little things, the world of creativity, and the moments that made you smile. Start a new inspiration board, read those books you've been yearning to get to for ages, try some of those recipes you've been tucking away for longer than you can remember.

Wear bright hues to counterbalance nature's often pale January palette, clink glasses over small milestones and achievements, and stay in touch with all those people you mailed out holiday cards throughout the coming months, instead of just touching base through the post at the end of the year.

I'm eager, joyful, and optimistic about 2013, and hope that - even when those unexpected curve balls that life is so fond of tossing our way come along - I'll be able to find a different reason to celebrate every day this month, and throughout the whole beautiful year, too. Just as I hope the very same rings true for you as well, sweet friends.

WW2 Factory Fashion poster blends style and history together

✯ Day 232 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Often times as I look lovingly through vintage images, particularly those hailing from either World War, I'm struck by the fact that what seems merely charming and beautiful to us today, once served a very important social purpose.

Signs, cookbooks and pamphlets about Victory gardens, making doing or going without, and staying calm are swept up by the present day public with great gusto, enjoyed (by many of those outside of our vintage loving circle) more so for their artistic appeal than their historical significance.

It is the later point which ultimately draws me to many vintage images and items however. I'm fascinated by days gone by and what kind of things people saw, wore and were surrounded by as they went about their lives.

On the informative - and highly enjoyable - site Exploring 20th Century London, a striking three colour 1940s poster showcasing which types of fashions were and were not acceptable for WW2 factory workers really caught my eye.

 

There's a sweetness to the illustration (which was done by Grace Golden) that belies the fact that it was intended to be a very serious, informative piece. At first glance one could easily be forgiven for thinking this cute drawing hailed from the pages of a fashion magazine or clothing ad. Instead its purpose was to show female factory workers what styles were best suited to the demanding jobs they were to preform.

Of course, I like to think, there was a degree of common sense to the message (hmmm, I'm going to work in a factory, should I don an evening gown or a pair of overalls? ), but regardless it never hurts to be reminded of things that are good for one's personal safety, including the best garments to wear to a new job.

Today many of us who enjoy 1940s clothes would happily sport either (or both!) of these looks, one utilitarian, the other date night worthy. Fashion inspiration can indeed be drawn from this wonderful Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents poster, but so too, I think, can a great little history lesson.

It's the merging of these two points - style with fact, history with beauty - that perpetually endears me to the past and happily keeps me on the lookout for engaging vintage images like this beautiful British Factory Fashion Notes poster.

Vintage 365: Super fun Keep Calm and Get Your Craft On t-shirt

✯ Day 61 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Ok, while it's too soon to bust out the lawn chairs and picnic basket just yet, March's return means that (Mother Nature willing!) in a matter of weeks we'll soon be able to bop about outdoors without the need for a jacket - or even long sleeves. (Yay! I adore my cardigan collection, but sometimes - especially after a frightful Canadian winter - a gal just wants to feel the sun tickle her skin again!)

Though I veer towards short sleeved blouses in the warmer months, sometimes I encounter a t-shirt that's too fantastic to pass up. More often than not said tees feature a vintage image of some sort, and when that old school element comes via a creative take on one of the most iconic posters of WW2 (the classic - and once again much loved - "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster), I'm (so!) all over it.

Being a creative/DIY kind of of gal myself, this great, vibrantly red Keep Calm and Get Your Craft on t-shirt marries two of my loves: vintage and crafts together into one delightfully well prices t-shirt (it retails for just $12.00 from etsy seller The Bold Banana, and is available in ladies sizes small through XL).

Indeed, beyond the charming aesthetics of this fun top, I love the sensible message it carries. Sometimes, when life is bearing down on you, there is much to be said for taking the advice that comes from the motto Keep Calm and Get Your Craft On. A little creative therapy can do wonders for the soul, and I think this snazzy t-shirt could definitely go along way in that direction, too! :)

Flickr Favourites – May 18, 2010

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{Shabner December 52 from sweetbettie_67}



{The perfect Pair by to be, inspired}



{Midori enjoys baking by Girl Least Likely To}



{Bird’s Custard Blancmange UK 1920 from sweet_bettie67}



{Les Girls [A 1957 movie] from hytam2}



{Coral flower on Yellow by tanakawho}



{Vintage Yellow Buttons by texassurlymonkey}



{The Pink Parakeet by stylesmith}



{Yummy Ice Cream Journaling Spots by chelstastic}



{Caffeine Spider by Ariana Jordan}


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With the temperatures shooting up faster than a fireworks display in many parts of the world right now, it’s entirely natural to let you mind wander to thoughts of outdoor cooking. While these days both gals and gents partake of barbequing, during the mid-twentieth century, the grill was often the domain of men and men alone. Though women (generally) ruled the kitchen, whipping up summertime foods like potato salad, sweet tea, and ice cream cakes, the fellows were outside ensuring there was plenty of perfectly grilled meat to go around.

While flipping burgers, turning chops and sizzling steaks over the grills, chaps often wore aprons to help keep their duds clean and tidy. Recently I chanced upon a Flickr group devoted solely to the topic of vintage images of men in aprons – both of the well known barbeque variety, as well as of guys wearing aprons in an assortment of situations.

Proving that there’s a niche Flickr group from just about any topic, Men in Aprons (Vintage Only) is a fabulous look back at the yesteryear garments that fellows donned when cooking, cleaning or otherwise busy at work.


{ 1. Personal Use Only - 1954 AD, 2. Welcome to My Eternal & Virtual BBQ!, 3. Jerry, Full of Stuffing, 1952, 4. Vintage Apron Decals}

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Bright and jovial, turquoise and crisp lemony yellow pair up throughout this week’s selections of Flickr favourites, though their match really wasn’t intentional – I must simply have been drawn to these two hues lately while browsing the always sublimely inspiring pages of Flickr. It’s easy to see why that was the case though, for these exuberant colours radiate with the warmth and optimism that late May brings, when summer looms so close on the horizon you can wave to it.

I’m certainly looking forward to the coming months, they bring with them birthdays (mine, my husband’s – even our darling cat’s!), Canada Day, and a hugely anticipated visit at the start of June from my parents, amongst millions of other reasons to adore this most toasty of seasons.

What colours are on your mind at the moment, and what sorts of things are you eagerly looking forward to this summer?