Vintage 365: Vintage Cunard ocean liner ad stirs my desire to see the world by ship

✯ Day 16 of Vintage 365 ✯

As lovers of the past we are on very familiar terms with the allure of a great many things from yesteryear, some of which we know we will never get the chance to experience firsthand ourselves. We may come close, but certain elements of life that were once commonplace are now relics of the past. Seeing the world by ocean liner is one such example of a once common practise that is now (virtually^†) extinct.

For reasons unbeknownst to me, I've always had a burning desire to cross an ocean on a large ship. One might think that seeing James Cameron's Titanic as a youngster would have shaken this dream from my soul, but if anything the grandeur of that opulent liner on caused me to pine more strongly for something that could never be. Sure we have cruise ships today, but we don't use them to cross whole oceans; nowadays we have airplanes for that. To their credit, planes do get you from point A to point B on either side of the world tremendously quicker than even the most advanced vintage ocean liner ever did, but for me that is exactly why I find the idea of crossing the sea by ship so massively appealing.

If we look at old school ocean travel in a positive light, focusing on trips made for pleasure (as opposed to the hardships so many endured as they immigrated to north America or elsewhere by ship), there is something wildly romantic about the notion of packing a set of trunks, walking up a gangplank, following a porter or steward to your cabin, and then settling in for several days or even weeks spent at sea. As this jaunty vintage ad (which comes via What Makes the Pie Shops Tick’s Flickr stream) for the Cunard line of ocean vessels says, getting to one's eventual destination by ship was half the fun.

Though by the 1960s most ocean liners had stopped ferrying passengers across the seas, airplanes now taking over that job, ads like this still exist and serve as beautiful and poignant reminder of a time when travel wasn't just about how quickly you could arrive at your destination, but rather about enjoying every step of the journey - a message that ultimately rings true for life itself.

^† Technically there are still a very small number of ships on which passengers can take a multi-day journey across the ocean, though they’re almost all on what’s known as passenger freighters and working merchant ships (such as those trips offered by the Maris Freight Cruise service). To the best of my knowledge, boats such as those in the Cunard ad here (and the traveling experience one would have had on them) are truly, sadly, now just relics of the past.

Vintage 365: 1950s butterfly sweater clip is sure to set your heart aflutter

✯ Day 15 of Vintage 365 ✯

Cardigans are my friends. Be it a bone chilling day in January or a steaming hot August evening, there's a fairly good chance that I've got a cardigan on - or at least have one within reach. These classically tailored wardrobe workhorses are staples that I really couldn't fathom getting dressed without. They add instant vintage charm to everything from satin blouses to sundresses (of course they can also look smashing when worn buttoned up from top to bottom and worn much like a sweater), and can be dressed up or down in virtually endless array of stylish ways.

If, like me, you also have a soft spot in your heart (and a chunk of closet space devoted to) cardigans, then you, my fellow sweater girl, may be in need of a old school little cardi bling. Enter the sweeter guard (aka, cardigan or sweater clip), a darling little accessory that is scarcely scene these days, but was once quite popular amongst women of all ages.

This clever contraption consists of a short length of chain that is joined to two (generally decorative) clips, each of which attaches to one side of your cardigan. Aside from serving as a beautiful piece of jewelry, this device is also useful for keeping your sweater drawn round you (without actually having to do the buttons up - which can be especially handy if you have a lovely garment on under your sweater that you'd like to ensure is the star of your ensemble that day).

The whimsically charming, (faux) pearl bedecked 1950s number in today’s post is amongst the most beautiful sweater guards I've ever seen – and would certainly be a marvelous addition to any vintage lover’s jewelry box. Like many awesome vintage treasures, this gorgeous butterfly sweater clip is available on etsy, where you can pick it up for $18.99 from seller Hey Viv's great shop.

Vintage 365: Beautiful pink and white vintage inspired kitchen chases away the winter blahs!

✯ Day 14 of Vintage 365 ✯

For many in the western hemisphere, the world around us during the harsh winter months can veer on the dreary side. Though there is an unmistakable elegance and delicate beauty to this glistening and grey time of the year, it can be hard on the soul and lacking in cheer - which is all the more reason why it helps to surround ourselves with lovely, fun, colourful items to help carry us through (and keep our spirits high) until spring's triumphant return.

The moment I spied the stunningly pretty vintage inspired kitchen above amongst the gallery pages of the wonderful UK decor magazine Ideal Home, I went weak in the knees. The half foot of snow outside on my balcony ceased to exit and suddenly it was April. Flowers were blooming like fireworks, and the sun once again had warmth in its rays. No matter the time of the year, I would jump for joy to have a kitchen like this.

Rich in feminine beauty, timeless charm, and immensely upbeat (yet in no way glaring) hues that would be certain to perk up your mood each morning. Teaming with darling polka dots, lush cabbage roses, and a classic colour palette of mint green, milk white, bubble gum pink, and champagne beige, this easily liveable kitchen is the sort of stylish meets timeless room that steals your heart and leaves you suddenly wanting to redecorate! :)