The Recipe for Love - and one seriously fun vintage outfit, to boot!

Outfit details

1950s green nylon/chiffon hair scarf: Unknown, had for years (possibly a gift)
1940s red plastic knot shaped screw back earrings: Purchased in person from a fellow vintage seller
1980s does 1950s chambray shirtwaist dress: (Probably) eBay (had for years)
1980s does 1950s citrus slice brooch: eBay
Brown vintage fabric belt: From a 1970s skirt purchased from Cricketcapers (see the two in action together here)
Vendula Recipe Tote Bag: c/o Vendula London
Vendula Recipe Clip Fastened Frame Wallet: c/o Vendula London
C. 1950s green gloves with ruffle details: Unknown, had for years (possibly eBay)
Yellow plastic bangle bracelet: Forever 21
C. 1950s/60s red twisted plastic bangle bracelet: eBay
C. 1950s/60s green moonglow plastic bangle bracelet: Unknown, had for years
Nude seamed nude stockings: eBay
Brown 1940s style faux leather round toe heel: Walmart
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red
 

Photography by Tony Cangiano

 
























































(As Tony frequently travels to the States for work, he often has a little bit of US currency to hand and thought it would be a fun touch to slip an American paper note into the wallet for this shot. I concur and think it really adds a delightful touch to this snap.)

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Rain, an unusually large and frequent amount of the wet stuff, has filled many of our days lately, making taking outfit snaps quite a challenge at times. On the very recent Saturday when these photos were captured, the light was changing ever thirty seconds or so and all of about ten minutes (tops) after we wrapped, the heavens opened up again and dropped countless more cats and dogs on us.

In fact, in all of the years I've live in the Okanagan (which collectively, is quite a few), I can't remember the last time we had such a damp, chilly spring (though, there have been pockets of warmer/sunnier days here and there, don't get me wrong). 

But enough of me being a hard core Canadian (that is to say, talking about the weather with great interest and detail - something of a national pastime in this beautiful country of ours) - especially since, in a lot of ways, I actually enjoy rainy weather and find there's a distinct serenity to it that really appeals to my soul.

Another thing that has always spoken to the very core of who I am and what I adore is cooking. This massively includes the collecting, creating, and using of recipes.

As such, the moment that I saw the recently released Vintage Recipe line of products from the wonderful UK accessories brand Vendula London, it was love at first sight.

Over the course of the past year, I've had the pleasure of teaming up with Vendula London twice previously here on my blog, and really adored the beautiful, extremely well made offerings that I received from them both of those times.

I have to say though, that the two awesomely lovely items - the Vendula Recipe Tote Bag and Vendula Recipe Clip Fastened Frame Wallet, respectively - are my absolute favourites to date, and I can't begin to thank Vendula enough for these wonderful review gifts.

Each of these products is bursting with shabby chic meets vintage inspired charm and whimsy, and has a design that also channels that of certain scrapbook styles, and thus appeals to me - as a long time paper crafter - all the more.

The detail on Vendula London's offerings is always impressive, but that of the Vintage Recipes collection is knock-your-socks off incredible!

Both the tote bag and wallet are double sided, with a different design on each side, and a beautiful culinary related printed cotton lining inside. Canvas, faux leather, cotton, and metal make up the various components of each are are all very durable, high quality materials.

One of the things that I adore most of all about Vendula's products is how incredibly creative they are. Each side of this bag and wallet is a work of art with unique, stylish, and timelessly beautiful elements combining to create a product that is head turningly stunning (and indeed, I've worn this bag out on two occasions and have been inundated by kind compliments from strangers and relatives alike each time I have).

Appearing on the outside of the tote bag and on the inside of the wallet is Vendula's "recipe for love", which includes such vital elements of life as humour, romance, joy, compatibility, trust, respect, sharing, tenderness, and patience.

As someone who believes in, and tries to live a life filled with, the virtues of such things this elegantly charming recipe resonated deeply with me, as I'm sure it does with many of you as well.

We are well served by putting this recipe into action as often as possible in our lives and I really admire Vendula London for creating products with such a touching, soulful reminder printed on it for all the world to see and hopefully try to embody as often as one can.

When it comes to the recipe for this outfit, I pulled heavily on the colour palette from the bag and wallet, as well as the lemon slices featured on the tote.

This 1980s does 1950s chambray shirtwaist dress is, without a doubt, one of my favourite dresses that I've ever owned. Interesting, though it has appeared on my Instagram at least a couple of times over the years (including on my 30th birthday and on the ferry ride to Vancouver Island that we took for our holiday there, both back in 2014), I believe this is the first time it's appeared here as part of an outfit post on my blog.

I love this frock so much, that if someone - for whatever strange and unusual reason - forced me to whittle my entire dress collection down to just five garments, this classic chambray shirtwaist dress would make the cut, no questions asked. It's akin to the dress equivalent of a light hued pair of jeans, is incredible comfortable, and works well the whole year round (especially from spring until mid-autumn).

As the tote bag is the rightful star of the show here, I kept my accessories somewhat low key, but not entirely subtle - after all, it's hard for a large sized vintage citrus slice brooch to ever read as understated!

A hair scarf, 1940s earrings, assorted bangles, olive-y green hued ruffled mid-century gloves, and classic brown faux leather pumps round out the mix and add up the perfect sort of ensemble for a weekend afternoon of errand running - no matter the weather!

From its darling cherry faux leather charm on the zipper to the recipe for love and the awesome vintage inspired notes, this gorgeous canvas tote bag and wallet from Vendula London are every bit as much "me" as this chambray shirtwaist dress is and both instantly add up to a recipe for wardrobe happiness in my (cook)books.

Alice's Pig (Gorgeous!) Coco's Crescent Dress Review

Outfit details

Carnation pink snood: eBay seller tina.g-2008
White plastic rose earrings: Claire's
Navy blue shrug: Sears
Coco's Crescent dress c/o Alice's Pig
Vintage gold flower brooch: Unknown (had for years)
Orange faux leather skinny belt: eBay
Gold tone metal bangles: Payless
1950s orange sheer gloves: (Probably) eBay
1950s/1960s pink handbag: Unknown (had for years)
Nude seamed nude stockings: eBay
Navy blue patent pumps: Payless
Lip colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace


Photography by Tony Cangiano

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Even if you're a a huge Lewis Carroll fan, you might not instantly get the reference in the company Alice's Pig's name, but once you learn that it stems from none other than that most beloved of childhood tales, Alice in Wonderful, the moniker suddenly snaps into place and suits this (relatively) new fashion brand delightfully well.

Based out of Brixton, South London in the United Kingdom, Alice's Pig is a 21st century women’s clothing line that looks to the past for much for its inspiration, while also keeping an eye on the trends of today’s world.

It was launched two years ago in May of 2013, and while it is not a vintage reproduction company, nor, would I say, one that strictly aims to replicate styles from decades past, a lot of their pieces do certainly have distinct notes of yesteryear style and are apt to instantly appeal to vintage wearing ladies the world over, very much including yours truly!

That's why when I contacted by the lovely brother and sister team of Amanda and Nicolai who created Alice's Pig, I jumped at the chance to collaborate with this exciting brand. From their dynamic website that presents the brand's offerings in a fresh, fun, interactive way to the fact that they offer free global shipping, to the old school influenced products themselves, there is a lot to appreciate and adore about this brand and their thriving online shop.

If you're wondering about the name, besides the reference to Alice and Wonderful, Amanda and Nico opted for this reference, in their own words, because, "The brand image comes from our love for Alice in Wonderland, where crazy is normal. The name is a reminder that colliding styles and cultures can produce something interesting and that there can be beauty and surprise in anything; even in a pig."

While Alice Pig's inventory is not mammoth at present, it is well curated and highly appealing, and I won't lie, I spent the better part of day debating which of their beautiful, stylish, and very wearable looking items to select as as wonderfully nice complimentary review gift (thank you so much for it, Nico and Amanda).

With pieces that the duo defines as a "modern, urban take on vintage style", I was intrigued and tempted by a number of their offerings (some of which, it should be noted, take their inspiration keys from later 20th century decades, whereas others look back further to the 1940s - 60s for elements of their sartorial DNA), but ultimately opted for the gorgeous Coco's Crescent dress.

From the elegant floral and bird pattern (which, when my mom saw it, on the day that these photos were taken, she swooned over every bit as much as I did!) to the fact this dress is lined, to the seriously cool element that is the built short-sleeve bolero that can be removed, if so desired (it attaches with the row of buttons across the upper chest area of the dress), to the classic silhouette, I was thoroughly hooked (ooohh, and don't even get me started on the tremendously pretty "tail feather" style panels on the back, that lend this piece such a joyful sense of movement with each step - plus, it has pockets on the front!!!).

The dress arrived in a flash, was securely and attractively packaged, and was even lovelier, to my eyes, in person than it appeared on Alice's Pig's website. We've been getting a lot of rain here in recent weeks and so finding suitable days, or even dry hours, for photos, on those days when we're out and about has been tricky at times. Thankfully though, a recent weekend jaunt north of Penticton to the absolutely charming town of Peachland (that has to be one of the best names ever for a town!), provided a few rain-free, if still overcast, moments for a shoot featuring this sophisticated floral print frock.

I have to say, as someone who has a closet does a very good job of emulating a lush garden, I'm no stranger to pretty florals, but this one really blew me away. Not only is it stunning, but its colour palette is fresh, fun, and very wearable, especially since it offers one a wide range of hues to pick and pull from when it comes to styling the rest of your ensemble.

The quality of the fabric here (100% polyester for the body of the dress and 100% cotton for the lining) is lightweight, breathable, comfy, and nice quality. The colours of the design are even, crisp, and delightfully vibrant. This is really a great dress and just the kind of thing I'd reach for if I had a wedding, garden party, tea party (fittingly, given the brand's nod to all things Alice in Wonderland :) ), baby shower, gallery event, or cocktail shindig to attend in the near future.

Interestingly, much like this Voodoo Vixen dress that I reviewed here last summer, this tremendously lovely frock from Alice's Pig is devoid of any black or white in its design, which can potentially make styling such a garment a little bit tricky. Luckily the generous colour palette of the flower and bird design paired with the standout navy blue buttons (interestingly navy blue does not actually appear in the pattern of the dress itself, but it certainly compliments the colours of it and the combo is nothing short of striking!) eliminated that potential hurdle and gave me a lot to work with on that front.

Looking at this dress, one could easily see it being styled in a 1940s, 1950s, or 1960s direction, just depending on what other accessories, as well as your hair and makeup styles, you opted for. I was in a 40s mood that day, so I teamed it with a carnation pink snood, white plastic rose earrings, cropped knit shrug, vintage sheer orange gloves (which I love to bits!), orange skinny belt, vintage gold tone floral brooch, pink 1950s - 60s faux reptile skin handbag, gold tone bangle bracelets, classic navy blue patent pumps.

That is, I'm the first to admit, a lot of colour, but thanks to the bold beauty of the dress' pattern itself, I think it came together and worked really well. I definitely have ideas for how I'm going to style this dress the next time I wear it, and plan to pull from the both the green and the gray in the floral design.

One thing that surprised me about this dress, especially because I had selected it part because of the hemline that was shown online, is that it is a lot shorter than I expected it to be. I'm barely 5'2" and have a 28" inseam, so my legs are not exactly giving any supermodels a run for their money in the slightest. I had expected this dress to hit me at more of a mid-calf point, but as it is, it barely skims my knees. I'm very thankful that it does though, because I virtually never wear dresses, skirts or cropped pants that don't clear my knees, due to reasons of personal modesty that are very important to me.

To their credit though, Alice's Pig does list the length of their garments online, but I guess because in the photos, illustration, and video, it looked a bit longer (and it was listed as being 112.5 cm/44.2 inches long in the size that I selected), I was still surprised that it was so short on me. No worries though. This somewhat shorter length works great for the roasty-toasty days of summer, and I just wanted to point out this fact, in case you are thinking of purchasing this beautiful Coco's Crescent dress yourself and were curious as to where it might hit on you.

Objectively and without a speck of bias because this was a review product (you'll never get a biased review from me, doing so would go against my own integrity to no end), I love this dress. I would have no qualms paying its £66.00 price tag, especially if I was intentionally buying it for a special occasion like the ones I touched on above, and I say that as someone whose modest personal budget making purchasing items from the UK quite the rare and special occasion. The fact that Alice's Pig offers free worldwide shipping, would seal the deal for me all the more.

I really enjoyed wearing this lovely dress, as it suits spring and summer sublimely, and getting a chance to review one of a new-to-me brand's offerings here for all you. If you haven't checked out Alice's Pig's fun website and offerings yet, I highly encourage you to do so.

And if you're interested in adding some of Alice's Pig's truly delightful fashions to your own wardrobe, the fine folks there have very kindly provided me with an exclusive discount code for Chronically Vintage's readers. Please use Alicespig10 at checkout, to save 10% off on all purchases between now and June 8, 2015.

Thank you again to Alice Pig for this gorgeous, vintage influenced floral print dress. I adore it to bits and felt like my frock had been painted by a talented artist, as the florals are off-the-charts gorgeous and the whole piece is a vision of loveliness.

Vintage peaches and cream and blueberries

Outfit details

Circa 1940s straw hat with flowers: an Etsy seller who has since closed their shop
Plastic peach rose earrings: Handmade by me
Pearl necklace: Birthday gift from Tony ♥
Royal blue cardigan: Garage Clothing Faux pearl stretch bracelets: Real Canadian Superstore

Vintage peach and blue plaid dress: Lovebirds Vintage

Mid-century vintage woven purse with bamboo handles: Yard sale find

1950s/1960s peach gloves: Probably either eBay or thrifted (had for years) 

Nude seamed nude stockings: eBay 

White pumps: Payless 

Lip colour: Made With Love from MAC

Photography by Tony Cangiano

 

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While the title of today's new vintage outfit post might sound like the beginning of a very delectable summer recipe (perhaps a cobbler, buckle, or shortcake – yum!), it in fact refers, as you may have guessed, to the colours in my outfit.

Peach is one of those hues that I love. A lot. But which does not always look the best on me, especially if it has yellow undertones. I need a true peach or one with pink/red undertones usually (which tends to push it into coral or salmon territory), unless the quantity of the colour being worn is modest and it's not not right beside my face in large doses.

This timelessly pretty vintage dress, which I recently purchased from fellow vintage blogger and Etsy shop owner Helen Mae Green's Etsy shop,Lovebirds Vintage, delivers just the right about of peach and is so, so, soooo darling for these fun days of mid-spring.

Another hue that I'm wild about, but don't necessarily wear as often as I'd like, even though it's kinder to me than peach, is royal blue. As such I loved that this outfit - sported at the gorgeous little creek right across the street from our house prior to running errands recently - combined both in hearty doses.

Now that we're finally done with winter, I'm all about spring's palette, straw accessories (like the vintage hat and purse here), light layers, the return of white shoes, and dresses like this that let you pull from their colour scheme while accessorizing, which given that I was in a peachy mood, I did here with my gloves, earrings, and pearl jewelry.

I love this dress! It's likely from the 1970s or 80s, but goodness does it look the mid-century part. Where it not for the presence of serged/overlocked stitching inside, it could pass for the real deal no problem. It's comfy as the day is long, well made, cheerful, and very cute, to boot. Helen had owned and worn it herself for a while, but felt that it didn't work quite as she would have liked for her, so she added it to her Etsy shop and I'm so very glad that she did, because I snapped it up in a heartbeat!

Plaid is perennial favourite of mine, no matter the season, and it's been a while since I last added a frock in this classic pattern to my closet, so I was excited about this lovely vintage offering all the more. I've worn it at least three times now since it arrived and know that it will see plenty of play throughout the these roasty-toasty months. It's so comfortable actually, that were I hopping on a plane or train somewhere, I'd have no qualms wearing it for a lengthy journey (no such plans at present, but it's great to have garments like this in your wardrobe that you can turn to if the need arises).

As you can see here, the sun is out again and I'm one seriously happy camper about that. In fact, knock wood, May has been going a lot better than April in many respects and I have a good feeling about the rest of the spring and summer. If it's as upbeat as the colours at work in this outfit, it stands to be a memorable and highly enjoyable one for sure. Fingers crossed! :)

Twelve beautiful, springtime perfect fashions from Voyeur Vintage

In a mere four days, we'll usher in the return of what is, arguably, even with all of the inherent rain and thunder storms it is often prone to, the most gentle, and genteel, of all the seasons: spring.

I know that like myself, many of you have been champing at the bit for spring's return, ready to drop your winter coats and boots like a scalding hot potato and slip into breezy fashions once again quicker than you can say "Easter bonnet".

As I've touched on in other recent posts, I just didn't feel the same adoration for winter this time around as I usually do, and as such, I've been eager as a beaver to see it vanish once more for months now - very nearly since it started, to be exact. Though it hasn't packed up and hightailed it out of town here entirely, we're a bit closer to the point at least and as such I've begun putting my spring wardrobe out again and cannot wait to start to dressing from it again soon.

There are a few items (vintage blouses, I'm looking at you in particular!) that I need more of this year, so on the quest, I decided to visit the etsy shop of one of Chronically Vintage's new March blog sponsors, Voyeur Vintage.

I have the great pleasure of working with various etsy shops in different sponsorship capacities each month and I always flat out love it when one is not only teaming with covetable vintage fashions, but when those items are well priced to boot, just as Voyeur Vintage's are. On top housing a terrific selection of mid-century clothing and accessories, this shop is rife with precisely the kinds of vintage items that I myself love to purchase and sport all year round.

Launched by fellow Pacific coast dweller Tania Van Winkle of Spokane, Washington, Voyeur Vintage is the sort of etsy shop whose listing make me wish we had a vintage store here in Penticton that sold precisely the same kinds of items - and at the same kind of very wallet friendly prices. We don't however, but that doesn't phase me in the slightest because Tania's shop is of course accessible to shoppers the world over 24/7 and can shop from it whenever my heart desires (just as you can, too).

As I know many of you are also shaking the cobwebs out of your warm weather wardrobes again and looking to breathe new life into them with some fantastic springtime vintage pieces, I thought I'd take the opportunity on this breezy Sunday morn to share with twelve fabulous items from Voyeur Vintage that would be as welcome an addition to any wardrobe as the return of sunshine is to our lives as we gear up to head into the second season of the year.

Welcome a hearty dose of tropical spirit and warm, summery colours into your closet care of this fabulously fun 1950s birds of paradise novelty print dress (don't you just love the crystal clear plastic buttons on it?). Fits up to a 38" bust/29" waist. $58.00.



The perfect handbag to help you transition between winter's dark palette of blacks, browns and greys and summer's white, creams and straw hues, this shimmery, beautiful 1950s metal framed gold kiss lock purse would be the perfect piece to take with you on your next date or girls night out. Measures 10.5" at the longest point/2.5" wide/7.25" high. $22.00.



With spring's triumphant return comes the increased need for protection from the sun once again and few methods can deliver such as stylishly as an amazing pair of vintage 1950s cat eye sunglasses like these elegant, ladylike pearl white hued ones that would go with just about everything in your wardrobe. Frames (without lenses) $60.00.



Yay! Short sleeve weather is, or will soon be (depending on whereabouts you live), upon us again! Why not welcome it with open (partially bare) arms in this immensely pretty vintage pink plaid blouse that boasts a darling peter pan collar and lace detailing down around the collar and down the button area on the front. Fits up to a 38" bust/waist size not listed. $20.00.



Celebrate the return of spring's gloriously green colour palette with a delightful vintage pencil skirt (featuring pockets and double knife pleats) that gives even the most well hydrated grass a run for its money in terms of vibrancy. Fits up to a 30" waist/42" hips. $20.00.



Long sleeved frocks like elegantly beautiful golden floral print 1950s dress this are ideal for the cooler days of spring, as well as summer evenings, and then onto the first weeks of fall. I could easily imagine wearing this dress to everything from a casual spring wedding to an evening picnic in July. Ohhh, and as a seriously cool added bonus, this dress comes with a matching men's necktie so that you and the special chap in your life can sport coordinating ensembles. Dress fits up to a 36" bust/26" waist. $69.00.



Every vintage fashion loving lady needs at least a couple of fun, yet elegant, solid coloured frocks in her wardrobe that can be dressed up or down and used as a great backdrop for her favourite jewelry, and this wonderfully pretty bubble gum pink 1950s shirtwaist dress delivers on that front big time. Fits up to a 34" bust/24" waist (could be made slightly larger by moving a snap). $34.00



Wonderful for layering under a lightweight cardigan, suit jacket or blazer now and wearing as a stand alone piece when the temperature really ramps up, this 1960s floral print blouse has an elegant air of artistry and sophistication to it that makes it a truly timeless warm weather piece. Fits up to a 40" bust/waist size not given. $20.00.



A marvelous piece to see you from the office, PTA meeting, or afternoon of running errands straight onto cocktail hour, this chic 1950s brown sheath dress delivers both ageless style and warm weather comfort thanks to the fact that it is sleeveless and made of breathable linen. Fits up to 38" bust/30" waist. $65.00.



Perfect for these early days of spring, when the thermostat is still registering closer to the temperature of a popsicle than weather that calls for consuming one, this awesomely lovely 1950s beaded rose cropped cardigan is one of those amazing yesteryear pieces that is sure to elicit compliments every time you wear it. Fits up to a 40" bust/34" waist. $38.00.



I swooned long and hard when I first saw this incredibly lovely rose pink 1950s pencil skirt and have continued to with each subsequent viewing. It's flat out gorgeous and boasts a colour that to my mind, is as springtime perfect as they come. Fits up to 30" waist/41" hips. $39.00.



Whether you wear it while tending your garden, visiting the local farmers market or chowing down on some of the season's yummiest fresh produce, this whimsical, completely charming 1940s fruit and vegetable print dress is sure to help you get in the spirit of the season's harvest all the more. Fits up to a 34" bust/26" waist. $49.00.

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Seriously, aren't these pieces terrific!!! I love everything Voyeur Vintage has to offer, and let me tell you, it was tricky to stop at just twelve of my favourite of their current offerings! Do you have a favourite for the items highlighted in today's post? I'm hard pressed to pick just one, but I think the rose print cropped cardigan might just be it. Goodness, does that take my breath away every time I look at it.

With reasonable prices, lovely photographs, detailed listing descriptions, wonderfully friendly customer care, frequently updated stock, and worldwide shipping, this is an etsy shop that you'll want to favourite and bookmark right away. In addition, if you'd like to stay abreast of all the exciting going ons in Voyeur Vintage's world, you can connect with them on their blog and the following social media sites:

-Facebook

-Instagram

-Twitter


Even if you've still got snow tires on your car, icicles dangling from your gutters, and four layers of clothing on, soon enough, my dear friends, the magic of springtime's vivid warmth, beautiful light, verdant landscape, and lighter clothing will upon us again and I absolutely cannot wait! Especially when there's clothes shopping to be done in preparation for it from amazing etsy stores like Voyeur Vintage.