Guess who Queens of Vintage crowned Vintage Queen #136!

...Hint, you're reading her blog right now. :)

Santa can skip my stockings right on by this year, because the coolest and most exciting Christmas present one could possibly hope for as a vintage blogger came my way yesterday morning when Queens of Vintage dubbed me Vintage Queen #136.

I've been a devoted fan of Queens of Vintage's stellar site ever since it launched back in 2009, and have especially enjoyed their Queens (and Kings and Couples) of Vintage series from the very beginning. Not only has it introduced me to several vintage folks I didn't previously know, but it has also warmed my heart time and time again when I saw many of my fellow old school adoring friends from around the world make it onto this venerable list.



{A screenshot of the Queens of Vintage's post from yesterday in which they very sweetly named as me Vintage Queen #136. Click here to read the outfit photo filled full interview.}



For years now (since the series started, to be exact), I've harboured a secret longing to one day wear the Queen of Vintage crown, and am pinching myself like there's no tomorrow over the fact that this incredible honour actually happened to me. I sincerely mean it when I say that this is my favourite Christmas present this year - in addition to being one of the absolute biggest highlights not only of 2013, but of all the years I've been a die-hard vintage lover.

Thank you so tremendously much, Queens of Vintage, you've made me the happiest lass in Canada!!!

Modeling some of Anja's incredible vintage jewelry offerings

The serene scent of winter's approach hung heavy in the frigid air as Tony and I made our way north to Lake Country, a charming corner of the Okanagan located approximately 25 minutes past Kelowna, two Saturdays ago. In the trunk, our camera gear was nestled snug as a bug in a rug, ready to snap to life in Tony's hands as soon as we arrived at our destination.

Unlike every other individual or company's whose products I've had the great pleasure of highlighting in a post such as today's over the years, the jewelry you see here was handed to me in person by one of the absolute loveliest people you could ever hope to meet.

Anja, a vivacious, charismatic, beautiful business woman and grandmother who looks far younger than her actual age, and I first meet at the seventh annual Rutland Antiques and Collectibles show last month. Her expertly arranged and curated table of vintage jewelry drew me to its offerings like a month to a flame and within seconds, Anja and I had struck up a conversation about my vintage garb, her yesteryear jewels and a shared passion for the past. Before parting, I handed her my business card and hoped that she would indeed get in touch one day (I'm always game to talk vintage jewelry).

Much to my delight, she did just that about a month later, inviting me to her home to model some of her current stock of vintage jewelry. Unlike many people who sell vintage, Anja has neither a physical store, nor (as of yet - she hopes to in the near future) an online shop. Instead she sells her immensely lovely wares primarily through vintage, antique and collectible shows around Western Canada, directly to repeat customers, and through shows and in-house viewings of her jewelry that she holds in her house each December.

It was to that very house - situated on a picturesque parcel of lakefront land, decorated so expertly that it was worthy of a magazine spread, and teaming with the same kind of timeless beauty as the jewelry that Anja sells - that we ventured and were instantly welcomed into with open arms. Anja and I had chatted briefly on the phone a few days prior, so that we could better determine the specifics of how Saturday would unfold, complete with the kind of outfit she wanted me to wear, and so I came dressed that day in a classic black and white ensemble that could easily fit right into the 1940s and 50s.

This day wasn't about my attire however, it was all about showcasing some of Anja's vintage jewelry, which she largely sources from annual buying trips during the winter to the States. As we were mere weeks away from her next, she informed that her stock was running a bit low, yet to my eyes - and certainly most people's, if they'd had the joy of being let into Anja's home that day - her current stock was not only generously sized, but expertly stored, displayed, and maintained.

Each piece (and there were hundreds upon hundreds) had its own neat spot, price tag, and moment to shine amongst the collection as a whole. Anja has been buying and selling vintage jewelry and accessories for decades and her knowledge and passion for the subject ring out as clear as the sound of two pieces of Bakelite being tapped together. As she showed me around her stock, each of us selecting various pieces to use in the day's photo shoot, we delved into the topics of vintage jewelry and fashion and very quickly knew we'd found kindred spirits in each other.

Trays of of vintage jewelry in hand - after what was for me nothing short of a kid-in-a-candy-store kind of experience - we made our way to Anja's elegant living room, done up to the nines for the holidays, and set about highlighting several of the pieces she currently has available in a multi-hour shoot.

Anja knows her stuff, one picks up on that instantly. She's clearly a vintage jewelry expert with a keen eye, savvy pulse on both current trends and timeless pieces, and a knack for unearthing strikingly attractive, wearable, and highly covetable pieces spanning the Victorian era right on up to the present day, with a sizable amount of her offerings falling into the years of the mid-twentieth century. In fact, there are few, if any, vintage jewelry lovers amongst us who wouldn't have found at least one (if not one hundred!) items on Anja's meticulously arranged displays that they simply couldn't live without.

The following photos, each accompanied by a brief description of the star piece or pieces they feature, shine the spotlight on some of Anja's tremendously lovely, diverse, collectible vintage jewelry offerings and represent the kinds of pieces that you'd be greeted with if you went to her house for one of her sales this month or crossed paths with her at an antiques and collectibles shows throughout the year. Again, the focus here isn't on me (so, unlike most of my outfit posts, I haven’t listed or described the details for my ensemble), it's all about Anja's top-notch vintage jewelry offerings.

{Winter hues spring to life in this classically beautiful, intricate mid-century enamel and metal floral necklace with teeny sapphire blue rhinestones.}

{Anja's offerings include many fabulous vintage jewelry sets, including this super fun 1950s tangerine and turquoise beaded glass "fruit" dangle bracelet with matching necklace and earrings.}

{Engraved with the name Kate, this truly timeless Victoria sterling silver heart charm bracelet still has its original matching key, something that is exceedingly rare for this style of bracelet, especially one that's more than a century old. It was a special honour to wear not only a piece this venerable, but one that, by pure coincidence, had my little sister's name on it.}

{This generously sized, wonderfully pretty vintage lucite floral brooch with tiny green faux gems is such a fun, funky, super cute piece. It would work with scores of different looks all year round.} 

{Every bit as classic and versatile as a string of pearls, these sophisticated 1950s jet black Czech glass beads will never, ever go out of style.} 

{Anja's offerings include every type of jewelry one could ever desire, including no shortage of vintage rings like this coral hued c. 1930s carved celluloid beauty.}

{Straight up fabulous, this sunshine hued vintage rhinestone studded circle earring and clamper bracelet set has party time (or Viva!) written all over it.}

 

{Anja and I share a love of many different types of jewelry in common, very much including vintage lockets, of which her stock include dozens of different examples spanning a myriad of decades, such as this gorgeous early twentieth century monogrammed classic.}

{I couldn’t help but feel like I was channeling my inner 1920s socialite in this breathtaking, intricate silver art deco bracelet featuring turquoise hued stones.}

{Twinkling with the intensity of flames, these stunning 1950s crystal clip on earrings would make for especially awesome holiday wear.}

{It's Bakelite time, baby! I was on cloud nine throughout this whole experience, but must say I especially loved getting to select various Bakelite pieces to sport for this shoot (Anja has a great selection!). From the swap Bakelite earrings and ring to the quartet of bangles, each of these pieces was in excellent shape, vividly hued and so very much fun to dress up in for a few minutes.}

{Speaking of fantastic vintage plastic jewelry pieces, this classic 1930s over-sized cameo brooch is a statement maker that would look amazing nestled against a suit jacket, fur coat, or even pinned to a chic yesteryear sweater.}

{One can't help but think of Carmen Miranda when rocking this wonderfully fun vintage citrus hued glass bead cha-cha bracelet.}

{Sparkles abounded across the board with Anja's expertly curated offerings, such as this magnificent 1950s AB flat crystal necklace and coordinating AB cluster earrings, which put diamonds to shame with their incredible brilliance.}

{Feminine elegance radiates from this delicate, yet substantially bold, 14K gold and madeira citrine c. 1950s ring that looks like something one would be honoured to receive as a family heirloom from their grandmother.}

{Oh my stars, how I was head-over-heels in love with this chunky, sublimely pretty c. 1950s burnished gold tone metal and watermelon crystal hinged bracelet (which instantly called to similar ones from Schiaparelli that I've seen over the years).}

{A stunning multi-strand 1950s aurora borealis necklace shines like the stars this kind of beads are named for. Partnered with a pair of vintage AB crystal cluster earrings and a dazzling marcasite brooch, this look delivers a hefty dose of bling, yet still lets your outfit shine through, too. Of course, as each of these pieces are sold separately, you could sport just one at a time - each is a work of art unto itself.}

{Classic decor era refinement and beautiful style was the name of the game for this large silver and clear stone Edwardian era brooch, which would instantly elate any ensemble to new heights of chic elegance.}

{One might argue that I saved the very best for last, and who would I be to contest that point? This exceedingly rare five piece 1950s multi-colour crystal and gold toned metal suite was nothing short of magnificent! Boasting all of the original components (earrings, necklace, brooch, ring and bracelet), it was the kind of incredible vintage jewelry that one would, no word of a lie, fully expect to see come down the Oscar red carpet on one of Hollywood's finest leading ladies, be they from the fifties or today. It was a honour to wear this suite and feel like nothing short of princess in it - just as I did while wearing all of these incredible pieces of vintage jewelry from Anja's merchandise.}

Photography by Antonio Cangiano

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There aren't a ton of people with the kind of passion for selling vintage items, nor the extensive knowledge about their area of interest, that Anja has out there - and fewer still in the Okanagan. As such, it was a profound joy for me to get to spend a snowy Saturday afternoon in the warmth of her living room, chatting about and modeling piece after breathtaking piece of classic Victorian, early and mid-century jewelry.

Should you happen to be in the Lake Country area (which is approximately 4.5 hours from Vancouver, 2 hours Osoyoos, 75 minutes from Penticton, an hour and 45 minutes from both Merritt and Kamloops, and just twenty minutes from Vernon) and want to visit Anja and her awesome jewelry yourself, whether at one of her in-home shows in December, which she'll be running them until January 5, 2014 this winter, or throughout other times of the year, she can be reached by telephone at 1-250-766-3090.

I cannot begin to recommend doing so highly enough. Anja is a warm, knowledgeable, sweet and entirely professional lady with a heart, quite fittingly considering what she sells, of gold, and a treasure chest’s worth of amazing vintage jewelry for sale.


Update: I've spoken with Anja and she wants to let everyone know that if you're interested in purchasing any of her pieces shown here, so long they're still available, you most certainly can. Shipping will be under $10.00 Cnd to any Canadian or US location. Please contact her at the phone number or by email (jackandsisko@shaw.ca) above for item prices.

Saturday Snapshots: December 14, 2013

{One of the season's most enjoyable activities - making snowmen (on a sunny day to boot!) - is captured beautifully on colour film in this c. 1950 image.}




{A million extra style points to you for the wearing of a bowtie while bowling, fashionable 1940s chap.}




{What I would venture to guess was a casual class photo (based on the ages of the youngsters and brick building behind them) from the 1950s. Group shots like this are such a terrific way to see some of the real world youth fashions of the day.}




{Part of me feels like I might have used this snap before, but I can't bring an exact post to mind, and it's possible that I've just looked it so many times over the years that it feels like I've blogged it. No matter if I have, it's so exquisitely rich in 1940s summertime awesomeness that it warrants sharing multiple times.}




{With Christmas just nine days away, there's no way I could omit a festive holiday shot from this edition of Saturday Snapshots. I totally fell for this lovely 1940s photo of a young mom sitting under the tree with an armful of (what I'm guessing are) her kid's new toys in her arms. }




{From the headscarf to the shades, the pair of bracelets to the seriously sleek convertible, there's much to adore about this warm weather 1950s shot.}




{Three young female students from the Kehl School of Dance pose in their pretty ballet outfits, likely during the 1940s (pictured from left to right are Jo Jean Kehl, Joan Batz, and Jo Ann Kehl).}




{A group of Patrons enjoying a refreshing drink at Koecher's Bar in Theresa, Wisconsin on July 7, 1950 (all of whom are identified by name on this photo's Flickr page).}




{This image has a bit of a posed feel to it, though no background information is provided for it, so it could have just been a well timed slice-of-teenage-life shot. Either way, it's tons of fun and has me wishing we still had a good old-fashioned carhop drive-in around these parts.}




{Vintage snowday sweetness at its most blonde curled, rosy cheeked, mid-century adorable.}


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


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As we open our eyes to another frosty December morn, it's almost hard to believe that this year will be a memory in little more than two weeks time. Though it's a touch early to recap 2013 just yet, I couldn't let another day pass by with out writing about something that I've been keenly aware each and everyday through the past eleven and a half months: The balance of positive and negative.

No, I'm not talking about magnets, nor ying-yang signs, or even pregnancy tests, what I mean might be more akin to karma, but ultimately, I believe, has a lot to do with one's perception of life.

Nearly every day we each encounter good and bad - people, moments, news, discoveries, expenses, you name it. Some days, the bad far outweighs the good, and others the good dominates, but the lingering pain of the bad (recent or distant) can make it challenging to see the positive that is all around us.

This year was not same as the last one for my husband and I. Few years mirror each other blow for blow, and that's ultimately a good thing - one wants newness and change, growth and exploration with each notch they add to their belt of life. No, 2013 was a lot rougher around the edges. It threw plenty of those aforementioned blows; showed little mercy at times, and tried to tap us dry at every corner.

Was it the worst year ever? Goodness no, and thank that very same goodness that it wasn't, but in the light of such a (by and large) incredible year in 2012, it often seemed that 2013 was being a bit harsh. Yet that is only if we go by the headline stories, what one might not see is the many, many times each month there was goodness and happiness, smiles and joy, so often brought about by the unending kindness of others.

By about mid-July, it struck me that for every rough day, eye-rollingly unpleasant moment, or sudden expense that came our way, there was kindness of the greatest caliber just waiting around the corner. This goodness wasn't always related to the tough situation, stress, or worry, sometimes it was a million miles apart and that was awesome, because it meant that I (we) had something else to focus on for a while.

In speaking of kindness, I would be remiss if I didn't touch directly on that which has come, time and time again, from many of my online friends - as well virtual strangers I encountered in the vastness of the interwebs.

It can be all too easy, thanks to media outlets like the evening news, to think that the world is filled with nothing but sinister, cruel or violent people, but the truth is that nothing could be further from reality. There are so, so many wonderful, caring, giving, concerned, resourceful, understanding individuals out there, and I have been blessed by many such folks all throughout this year of ups and downs.

My deepest of heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of them, not only for their friendship, support, assistance and/or generosity, but for reminding me again of all of the good, the righteous, the sweet, and the beautiful that exists in humanity (as well as to be extremely thankful of these heartwarming gifts from those I’ve interacted with).

It is not merely the events that happen to us in life that add weight to the constant balance of good and bad, it is those who touch our lives and add an immeasurable amount of positivity to the good side that help make getting through even the rockiest times more bearable.

There will always be sunshine and storms in each of our universes, but I fully believe that if we opt to focus on the good and the kindness bestowed on us by those in our lives, instead of dwelling on the negatives, it is more than possible to end the year feeling like one's cup runneth over with positivity and happiness.

I know mine certainly is as we set our sights on 2014, and I hope dearly that the same is able to ring true for each of you as well, my dear friends.