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.

52 awesome (vintage) outfit photo shoot locations

Though my blog began its life in April 2009, it wasn't - for all intents - until we moved to my home town of Penticton, BC in early 2012, nearly three years ago now, that I began sharing vintage outfit photos here on any kind of regular basis. Sure, there had been the odd one here and there before, but our homes and the locations where we lived, coupled with the fact that we didn't have a car, as well as some of the worst years of my life on the health front, all added up to the conditions often being far from ideal when it came to shooting photos of yours truly.

Thankfully a lot of factors in our life improved when we settled into our house here and very soon after doing so, outfit shoot became a regular part of my daily world and blog alike. I've posted into the triple digits now on that front and have every intention of continuing to share my vintage ensembles with all of you as Chronically Vintage heads towards its six year and beyond.

We're blessed to live in an exceedingly beautiful part of the world (a point I've touched on in numerous posts over the years, such as this one in 2013) and I try never to take that fact for granted. The landscape - a bevy of dry soil, dusty sagebrush, verdant pine trees, shimmering blue lakes, and sky saluting mountains provides us with no shortage of stunning backdrops against which to point the camera's lens.

The same applies when we travel elsewhere in the province and country as well, as Canada really is - and I say this without a spec of bias because it's my homeland - one of the most incredibly gorgeous, diverse, inspiring countries anywhere in the whole wide world. Over the past (nearly) three years, I've had a stellar time scouting photo shoot locations near and far, be they here in Penticton, elsewhere in the Okanagan, or further afield, in both urban and wildness settings, and while reflecting on that point recently an idea popped into the ol' noggin.

In the spirit of the new year, with its twelve months comprised of fifty-two weeks, I thought it would be tons of fun to share a selection of fifty-two different photo shoot locations with all of you, to inspire both you and I alike when it comes to taking outfit photos for our blogs, social media, or any purpose your heart desires this year (and beyond!).

This list is by no means entirely exhaustive of course. You can, after all, quite literally pose and take a photo just about anywhere you go, so long as doing so doesn't break any rules and you've got the lighting and equipment necessary to capture an image. You may have noticed that in the title of today's post, the word vintage is in brackets. This is because I feel that the following list works excellently for both vintage and contemporary fashionistas alike, as well - it should be added - for those who may be working as a hobbyist or professional photographer, be it with with friends, relatives or paying clients.

I have not put these locations in any particular order, nor are they an instruction manual for the coming year, but rather an enjoyable list that I sincerely hope will help spur on your outfit photo shoots, whether you live in Pittsburg or Paris, Winnipeg or Washington, DC, or anywhere in this vast, wonderful world of ours.

1. On a foot or hiking path up a mountain

2. On the train tracks and/or at a train station (all the better if it's a vintage one!)

3. Amongst the tall stalks in a field of corn, wheat or hay

4. In front of, or inside, your childhood school (or any school where you have permission to shoot)

5. On a pier, wharf, or dock

6. Against the weathered wood of an old barn

7. In, or on top of, the sheets and blanket of a made made entirely with crisp white linen

8. Standing/splashing in, or hopping over, a puddle of rain (in a nod to Henri Cartier-Bresson)

9. On the pitcher's mound of a baseball diamond

10. At a log cabin or ski chalet

11. In your closet or dressing room

12. Jumping on a trampoline

13. While camping (in front of the fire, in a tent, etc)

14. Standing still in the midst of a busy crowd (say, at Grand Central Station in NYC)

15. On an idyllic tree lined residential street

16. On the tarmac of an airport (this will likely require getting permission or finding an airstrip that is no longer being used)

17. At an outdoor skating rink

18. Under a clothesline strung with with classic linens (like vintage pillow cases, aprons and kitchen towels)

19. At a vintage/classic car show

20. In a tunnel or beneath a bridge/overpass

21. At fair or carnival

22. Outside as the rain or snow comes tumbling down (umbrella optional)

23. In the bleachers at a sporting event

24. At a Christmas tree farm or lot

25. Beneath/in front of the marquee at a theater

26. At a laundromat

27. Standing on the balcony of a high rise apartment or hotel room

28. At a wedding (being sure of course to not steal the spotlight from the couple and their photographer)

29. On a boat or cruise ship

30. Standing (or sitting) on a flight of stairs (indoors or out)

31. Amongst the stacks of books at a second hand bookstore or library (ask permission first)

32. Sitting on the (sturdy!) limb of a tree

33. On a tropical beach with the gorgeous teal-blue sea in front, or behind, you

34. In front a famous landmark (e.g., the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, etc)

35. Outdoors at night (photographic lightning will likely be required)

36. At your workplace

37. In an orchard that's in bloom during the spring or full of fruit come summer or fall

38. Holding a large bunch of balloons in wide open field or meadow

39. At an outdoor market, street fair, or similar location

40. Standing in the snow (chilly yes, but oh-so-gorgeous!)

41. In an abandoned industrial building (ensure it's safe for you to be there first)

42. Against a fabulous solid coloured wall

43. In a lush garden or flower filled park

44. At a zoo, petting zoo, farm, dog park or other location with cute critters

45. In front, or standing on, a public bandstand

46. On a roof top (again, be sure it's safe and that you're allowed to be there)

47. Standing on a frozen lake, river, pond, etc (be 100% sure the ice is thick enough to safely support you before venturing onto it)

48. On the sidewalk (bonus points if there's a great house, fence, gate, or other point of interest in the shot)

49. In front of (or if you want to channel your inner Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita, standing inside) a water fountain

50. On the banks of a river (that's the North Thompson River in the photo below)

51. At a building/construction site (only do so with permission and if it's safe to be there)

52. Playing at a playground (letting your inner child run free!)

(All photography by Tony Cangiano)

★  ★  ★

Of course, and I realize that this may go without saying, but...always be careful wherever you're shooting. Make sure that you have stable footing (such as on a river bank or train trestle), that you're not apt to be hit by traffic, that there are no dangerous power lines nearby, that the weather conditions are suitable, that if you opt for #47, you're on ice that is incredibly solid and can support your weight without cracking; that you're not risking doing damage to any historical and/or sacred sites by taking photos there, and that you're not breaking the law or putting yourself (or anyone else) in danger by shooting in a given location.

The area where you live by be starkly different from my own, a point I tried to keep in mind while composing this list. If you live in the heart of a sprawling urban metropolis, you may not have a babbling brook or a vast expanse of desert nearby. Likewise, by the same token, if you live in the rural countryside, posing on the balcony of a high rise may not be in cards, nor would a backdrop of gritty, glaringly vibrant graffiti tattooed on a concrete wall.

While there is zero problem with reusing photo shoot locations (especially if you do so at different times of the years, with new outfits, holding fresh props, etc) - I've done so myself numerous times at this point in time - you do want to aim for that marvelous spice of life, variety, and keep your eyes peeled for new locations. Think outside the box, follow local fashion bloggers and the websites (and/or social media accounts) of photographers in your area (if there are any other) and see where they're shooting.

Believe me when I say, it's easy to live in even a small town for many years, if not decades, and to still not have thought of every potential spot to take photos. Sometimes a single wall (say, like my hugely beloved grey wall in Kelowna), majestic tree in a park, picnic table near a lake, friend's backyard, or other spot you hadn't noticed or looked at as a photo shoot location can become one in a split second.

Though sometimes, especially if you're traveling, it's best to just take photos wherever you possibly can. If time and circumstance permit, it's always fun and can really add a great deal to your images if you stop and consider the different dynamics at play. Will a backdrop clash with or compliment your outfit? Does it seem in stark contrast to the decade that you're wearing? (Sometimes this can work in favour of a shoot, at others against it - when in doubt, a natural backdrop such as the woods, a beach, or garden are always wonderfully timeless choices.)

And in the same vein, are the colours of that location so similar to your green dress and navy blue hat that you're apt to look like you're trying to camouflage into your surroundings? Will you be too warm, or conversely, too cold if you stay there for long enough to get the hundred, two hundred or more photos that many of us shoot in order to nail a small handful of really terrific images?

As touched on in a post from the fall of 2013 called How Tony and I Do Vintage Outfit Shoots, I (we) keep a running list of locations that we may want to shot at or return one day (sometimes a location offers up multiple spots to take photos in that may differ from one another, such as a public garden on the grounds of a historical building or a park with different, distinct areas and types of vegetation to be had there), that we call our phosholo (an abbreviation for “photo shoot location”).

If don't have such a list yourself already, I highly encourage you to start one. Many is the day when you want to take outfit snaps, but might not be in the mood or have the time to come up with a bracingly fresh location to do so in. Jot down anything that comes to mind or that you spot. These days I like to keep my phosholo list in Evernote, but you could use a Word or Notepad document, a note taking app on your phone, or of course the classic option of pen and paper.

I really hope that this list of fifty-two photo shoot locations has helped inspire you as we look ahead to another fabulous year of vintage outfit posts. I'd love to hear about some of your favourites, be they on this list or not. In fact, especially if they're not! Please share your top spots and/or most memorable photos shoot locations in the comments below and help inspire your fellow bloggers who are reading this post with even more great ideas than the ones I've rounded up here today.

Happy, safe, and very fun vintage outfit shooting in 2015, my sweet friends!

Twelve things that are inspiring my style (big time!) for 2015

A couple of weeks ago, my lovely friend and fellow vintage blogger Leah posted about her personal style inspiration for 2015, which really got me thinking about that topic in relation to my own wardrobe as well.

This past summer I turned thirty years old and I've noticed a shifting change in some of the styles, garments and even colours that I find myself most drawn to, in part as a result of that milestone birthday and the new chapter of my life that it ushered in, and also simply, I'm sure, because I've always had massively eclectic tastes and tend to love a very wide range of looks. Plus, in the case of at least a couple of the entries in today's fun first post of this brand new year, it's more a matter of reconnecting with old flames that I haven’t sparked up a sartorial conversation with in quite a long time.

In honour of the twelve, hopefully awesome, new months that lay ahead of us in 2015 (seriously, how have we hit the halfway mark year of this decade already?), I've rounded up a dozen of the styles, pieces, and images that have been at the forefront of my lately and which I know will influence me this year and likely well beyond. Are any of them calling your name, too?

1. Nouveau late Victorian/Edwardian style

Endlessly romantic, visually poetic and deeply beautiful, this look channels, if not flat out uses, many of the styles - clothing, jewelry and (sometimes) hair alike - of these eras, while melding them with slightly newer touches like 1960s/70s floppy hats, contemporary make-up, and (again, sometimes) free flowing locks.

2. Woodland animal themed jewelry and accessories (like purses, scarves, and shoes)

Mother Nature has been beckoning me something fierce in recent months, reminding me in her gentle, loving voice that (wo)man was not designed to sit in front of a computer and/or work all day without taking a break to stop and immense oneself in her resplendent world. Just as my soul has been craving the great outdoors, so too has my wardrobe felt a calling towards all manner of woodland animal (think owl, wolf, bat, bear, fox, coyote, and rabbit, to name but a few) themed jewelry and accessories (and garments). I purchased a small, uber cute faux leather cross body owl themed bag last not too long ago and really look forward to debuting it here this year. Wolf Necklace in Solid Sterling Silver from Moon Raven Designs.

3. Coat dresses

Over the years I've discovered that double breasted, curve hugging frocks tend to work wonders on my figure and the older I get, the more I massively adore the sophistication that can accompany some such styles to boot. Coat dresses, a style that is frequently (though not always) double breasted, are immensely chic, very classic, and a stellar piece to see you through fall, winter, and spring (and even summer, if the fabric is light enough or you're wearing them in a chilly air conditioned environment).

4. Uniquely coloured crinolines (pettiskirts)

My passion and history of wearing crinolines is anything but new and I've always enjoyed them in a host of colours, but lately I've found myself very pulled towards unique and/or dark coloured examples like the 1950s beauties above. To that end, I recently ordered both a pine green and a burgundy coloured one (each from the brand Hell Bunny, purchased via Retro Glam during their big 40% Boxing Day sale) with some of my Christmas money and can scarcely wait for them to arrive!

5. Brown lace-up boots

Though it is little talked about in the vintage fashion world, certain garments or accessories trend or become popular and remain so for a good, long while. One such item that falls into the later camp in my eyes, is tall, early 20th century (or more contemporary offerings that look the part) tall brown lace-up leather or faux leather boots, the likes of which have been sported on some of the biggest names in the vintage blogging world for years now. I've been hankering for a pair since I was in my teens and would love it if 2015 was the year a pair finally landed in my closet - thus making my footwear wardrobe instantly a thousand times for fashionable in the process. Rare 1930s brown leather lace-up boots from Lucky Dry Goods.

6. Raw rock crystal/quartz and similar jewelry

I'm not sure if it's the plethora of stylish young women sporting organic shaped rock quartz, crystal, and agate slice jewelry that I've been seeing years on Pinterest now having settled in my subconscious or simply an appreciation for this gorgeous type of accessory (or both!), but goodness, if I haven't fallen head-over-heels for pieces featuring raw, unpolished, completely natural looking semi-opaque stones lately. I'm definitely going to be saving up to buy a sterling silver and crystal or quartz piece or two this year (my pesky nickel allergy means I need to work with nickel-free metals such as brass, copper, or sterling silver for all my metal jewelry). Silver Dipped Raw Quartz Crystal Point Necklace available at Kiss The Future.

7. All (or mostly all) white garments and ensembles

At the risk of sounding terribly contradictory to the twelfth entry here when you get to it (hey, I did fully admit I was eclectic after all - plus in fashion one is allowed to hop around from look to look like a bee pollinating flowers :)), in the past year or so, I've started finding the sight of all white (or nearly so) outfits incredibly appealing. It's not that I didn't appreciate them visually before, it's just that - not exactly having the figure of a lanky supermodel - the idea of actually sporting one scared me like the thought of a huge spider holding an advanced calculus exam while simultaneously confronting me with allegation of something I didn't do. While I'm still not entirely ready to dress like a bride 24/7, the idea of donning white (or cream, etc) in larger quantities isn't nearly as shudder inducing these days.

8. Cute/cool vintage or vintage appropriate t-shirts worn with vintage skirts or high waisted jeans

This a look that I've long admired on fellow vintage bloggers such as Janey and Solanah, and do wear occasionally, but not nearly enough - especially come the sweltering summer months. I know that in part this stems from the fact that t-shirts weren't overly common for women in the 40s and 50s (at least not anywhere near to the degree that they are these days) and while not full on vintage purist 24/7, I sometimes all but forget about certain more modern garments, even those I really like. I have several fun, vintage-y ones with images/patterns I just adore and it's high time they saw more action.

9. The Mori Girl look

The Mori - which means forest in Japanese - Girl look is a street style that arose, and is currently most popular, in Japan (it is the softer sister, if you will, to the Japanese Dolly Kei style). It is largely based around soft, loose fitting dresses, cardigans, skirts, shawls, fur scarves and wraps, and sweaters, often in natural fabrics and fibers, frequently in muted, gentle hues and delicate, feminine patterns like florals and gingham. Boots (suede, rubber wellies, leather, etc), chunky (such as clogs), understated jewelry, tights, and flowing curls commonly partnered with bangs, are also mainstays of this fashion style. The overall look is sweet, tranquil, folksy, sometimes vintage-y, and redolent of someone - very much including a fairy tale character - who might live in the woods or a on quite country farm.

10. Silver...everything!

I adore most metallic shades, but silver (and white gold) have always had a particularly big spot in my heart. As of late, I've been feeling everything from silver eye shadow to silver clothing, and of course good, ol' silver jewelry - all of which this strikingly elegant early 1950s image includes.

11. Solid coloured dresses

It's no secret that I'm crazy for all kinds of patterns, from florals to plaid, novelty prints to polka dots, but sometimes, especially during the winter, I really, really just want to wear solids, particularly in dress form, which I usually them accentuate with solid or patterned accessories, a killer vintage hat, and grey or black vintage winter weight vintage princess coat.

12. Goth and Gothabilly fashions

Way, way, wayyyy back in time (or so it feels more often than not!), like many teenagers, I went through a goth phase. It was a look and subculture I adored (and still do), yet for some reason the styles never really clicked for me. As I've essentially said here a time or two over the years, I ended up looking like I had a mild sunburn (black hair + black clothing brought out the pink undertones in my skin something fierce) and was perpetually sporting a Halloween costume. Not cool and not substantial, so as my style shifted into the vintage world, I all but relegated my black maxi skirts and fishnet tights to the back of the closet.


Then suddenly last fall, like a bolt from above, the desire to rekindle my goth side came out with a fiery passion (and I indulged it in my choice of Halloween costume). As much as I madly love colour (which, goth clothing, for the record, does not have to be devoid of entirely by any means), and no doubt always will, black was beckoning me and I suddenly started wearing more of it again. Certainly the icy cold winter weather and darker palette outdoors plays a roll there, but I feel like my inner goth girl has been awoken - from her crypt? :D - and is here to stay, be it in big or small doses of this particular style channel.

{To learn more about a specific image, please click on it - or the name of the shop it hails from, where applicable - to be taken to its respective source.}

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I firmly believe that one's personal style should be a continually evolving entity of sorts. There's absolutely nothing wrong with gravitating to the same key styles, decades, garments and accessories, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't at least be open to drawing inspiration from alternative sources and shaking things up sometimes. We only live once after all and that very much applies to our fashion choices as well.

If an image/style speaks to you, that doesn't mean that you have to interpret it literally. You can take subtle hints, reinterpret it in your own way (I do this frequently with looks from decades prior to, and later than, the ones that I usually dress in), or simply give it a full go in the privacy of your own home. If it doesn't feel like you, seems too costume-y for your comfort level, or otherwise just doesn't hit the mark, you haven't even stepped foot outside and no one (save perhaps for anyone you live with) has to know. You tried and you'll try again with different styles in the future, no doubt finding many that do make the grade - and then some, in certain situations!

It always helps to look at your wardrobe like you would the meals you cook. While you might adore pizza, tacos, pho, grilled veggies, red velvet cake or any other dish to no end, but chances are you'd never want to eat it and it alone for the rest of time. Variety is the spice of life on all fronts and fashion is most definitely no exception. Try new wearable "recipes" if you will and have a blast!

I plan to do just that this year and look forward to celebrating old favourites and new loves alike in my outfits, many of which will no doubt show up in photos here. I'm psyched to have so many great things inspiring me as we kick off the new year and hope that some of them speak (or flat out shout!) to you as well.

Here's to the prospect of truly fantastic, adventure filled, and very stylish 2015, my dear friends!