Meet Jessica Ebacher: Feminist, dynamic vintage fashionista, and all around (seriously!) cool lady

Whip smart, socially conscious, wittily funny (she's a fellow pun adoring gal just like me), fearlessly fashionable, and all kinds of beautiful inside and out, this month's interviewee in our ongoing Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger post series is none other than Jessica Ebacher from the fantastic blog Zella Maybe.




I've had the pleasure of knowing this fellow Jessica for a few years now and I can honestly say that her blog is consistently one of my favourite reads.

While vintage fashion (both her own and inspirational images of things that have been whetting her stylistic whistle lately) is a core component of Zella Maybe, it is by no means the only element and I return as much for Jessica's brilliant outfit posts as I do those that delve into other topics as well, such as (but certainly not limited to) history, her city, feminism, and some seriously great link roundups.

Jessica is someone that I'd secretly hoped to be able to interview from the moment this series launched, so when she kindly volunteered, I all but began writing my questions for her right then and there on the spot.

I really admire the thought and perspective that she brings to a plethora of different topics on her site. The creative, fresh, strikingly cool outfits that she sports (many of which delve into a wide range of different eras), the wonderfully active role that she takes in vintage blogging community, and fact that she seems like she'd be incredibly fun to hang out with in person, to boot.

Chicago and Penticton are thousands of miles apart, so that isn't possible at the moment, but I can, very happily, present all of us with a chance to get to know this terrific lady better via today's interview.

Pull up a chair, get comfy and settle in for an awesome interview as we discuss everything from fantasy travel plans to the vintage scene in her city to why Jessica really admires Dita Von Teese.


Thank you so much for this exciting interview, Jessica. For those who are meeting you and your blog, Zella Maybe, for the first time here today, can you please tell us what inspired your site’s name?

My great-grandmother was named Zella May, and I’ve always thought it was a beautiful and unusual name. Originally my blog was called Cakes and Cakes Vintage, because I’d intended to talk about food (cakes), and vintage pinup style (cheesecake).

After I actually started blogging, though, I hardly ever wrote about food, so when I moved from my .blogspot account, I thought it would be nice to choose something a little more personal. I think it has a fun, retro ring to it.


How would you personally define your blog at this point in time?

It’s funny that you ask that, because I’m trying to figure that out myself! I’d say right now it’s 90% fashion, 10% pop culture and politics. Although I do love fashion (to a degree that I freely admit is pretty obsessive), I’d like to put a little more energy into talking about the other things that I’m interested in – books, movies, television, and music, and social and political issues that inspire or anger me. I don’t expect everyone to be as interested in those things as I am, but one of the things that I enjoy as a blogger is the opportunity to speak my mind about a variety of topics.




If you could start over again with your blog, is there anything that you’d do differently this time around?

This might sound silly, but I wish I’d started wearing sunglasses sooner! I often take photos in very bright sunlight, and there are some that I feel would look so much better if only I wasn’t squinting so hard. I also wish that I’d gotten out of my back yard a little bit sooner. While shooting in a private location gave me the freedom to be creative with my posing, there was a big jump in the quality of my images once I moved out into the world.


What’s something you wish that people knew about your blog that few (likely) do?

I wonder sometimes if people realize quite how much of my free time blogging takes up. I only post twice a week, but in a typical week I’ll probably spend about 8 hours doing work for the blog. Between brainstorming ideas, prepping for, taking, and editing photos, and typing up posts, it ends up being a sizable chunk of my evenings and weekends. There are some evenings where I’m on a time crunch and wish I could just zone out on the couch and watch TV, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.


And what about your wardrobe?

I’m never not shopping. Even if I’m not buying anything, I’m always looking for new inspiration, or planning purchases, or trying to come up with different ways to wear the clothes that I already have. It’s a labor of love, but sometimes it starts to resemble the Augean Stables.


Never say never, of course, but are there a few items of clothing/types of accessories that you could just never picture yourself actually wearing?

Boxy 60s suits are just not my jam. I love a lot of 60s styles, particularly mod looks, but I feel like the classic Jackie Kennedy suit tends to make practically everyone look like a brick, unless you’re a leggy supermodel type.


How about one or two that you’d love to wear, but haven’t quite figured out how to pull off yet? (Socks + heels and women’s neckties are two that fall into that camp for me personally.)

I feel like with fashion, where there’s a will, there’s a way. You might have to do a lot of experimenting with different versions of a particular item, or tweak a tricky silhouette to make it more flattering, but I can’t think of anything that I’ve really loved that I haven’t been able to make work. Of course, sometimes making it work means throwing out the rules about what is and is not flattering on your body and just saying, “To hell with it, I feel cool in this.”




Your wardrobe is comprised of a marvelous assortment of genuine vintage, vintage appropriate and newer pieces. What are some of your favourite places (online and/or off) to source wearables from?

The list is so long! One of the consequences of “never not shopping,” I guess. I get a lot of my vintage locally, at a store called Knee Deep Vintage. Unfortunately they do not sell online, but that helps them keep their prices down. If you’re ever in Chicago, you really must stop in!

If I’m shopping online, I always check out Very Vintage Store and Voyeur Vintage, both of which have a great selection of pieces at a reasonable price.

Thrift stores can be a great place to find vintage appropriate items if you’re willing to spend the time. The pants that I wear most often, a pair of 90s Ralph Lauren wool trousers that I wore at least twice a week every week while the weather was cooler, were a thrift store find. Other than that, I also shop quite a bit on sites like Asos, Zara, and H&M. Because fashion is so cyclical, you can almost find something vintage inspired.


You’re a big fan of rocking lots of different hair colours, cuts and styles. Has there been a standout favourite for you over the years?

I looooooooooved my middy cut. Seriously, the best hair of my life was courtesy of that cut. Unfortunately, it ended up being really high maintenance, and it was frustrating to never have the option to just wash and go. Still, I highly recommend getting one, at least for a little while, if you enjoy authentic vintage hairstyles.




One you’d probably not want to repeat?

My platinum blonde phase. I always love being blonde when I’m blonde, but the moment I go darker I realize just how washed out I looked.


What role, if any, does feminism play in the context of your wardrobe?

I think feminism, in that context, is the freedom to wear what I want. I can be hyper-feminine and wear pink from head to toe, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not strong and confident.

I can wear men’s clothing, but that doesn’t mean that I’m ashamed to be a woman. I can cover up without feeling like I’m conforming to anyone’s idea of modesty, or I can wear a sexy, revealing dress just because I want to celebrate my body. I don’t have to conform to a particular idea of womanhood – I can just be the person that I want to be.




You live and work in the beautiful, historically rich city of Chicago. What are some of your favourite elements of life there?


There’s so much to love, I’m not sure I can cover it all. First and foremost, the food! I love trying different cuisines, and I wanted to, I could try a different one for dinner every night for a month and still have more places to go. I grew up in rural Colorado, and it was a big deal when we finally got a Chinese restaurant in my town, so sometimes there sheer number of choices here is almost overwhelming.

There’s also great architecture, a lively music scene, and plenty of great shopping, including a number of well-known vintage stores. On a more practical level, it’s easy to get around if you don’t have a car. I never learned to drive, so safe bike lanes and a great public transportation system are really important to me.


Does Chicago have much in the way of a vintage/rockabilly/pinup girl scene?

Very much yes. I’m lucky to live in the neighborhood that I feel is kind of the heart of that scene, since I’ve met a lot of cool, stylish, and talented folks because of it. The bar across the street from my house hosts a band called The Fat Babies every Wednesday and Sunday, and so many people turn up in amazing vintage ensembles to dance, socialize, or just enjoy some tunes and a beer. It’s wonderful to have that kind of community around, and of course that’s part of the reason there are several great vintage stores in walking distance of my house.




You and your partner have found some seriously cool locations to take blog photos in. Do you have any tips that you’d like to share with us for scouting and/or making the most of unique photography locations in one’s town/city?

My biggest tip – be bold! I mean, don’t get yourself arrested, but there are a surprising number of not quite public spaces where you can get away with shooting if you try. For the most part, people don’t even question it if you act like you belong. Be safe and be smart, but if you see what looks like a cool location, see if it’s accessible.

Admittedly, this is much easier to do if you have a partner in (sometimes literal) crime. I don’t think I’d have the guts to sneak onto a construction site if I was by myself. You cover a wide range of topics on your blog, in addition to sharing your some of your awesome outfits there with us.


What are some subjects that you’re especially passionate about discussing on Zella Maybe?

Feminism is a very important topic for me, of course. There are so many different ways that women, particularly women of color, are disenfranchised in America, and I think it’s incredibly important to speak out about injustice when you see it.

Some issues are literally life and death, like the disproportionally high homicide rate against transgender people, especially trans women of color. Other issues might seem trivial in comparison, like the representation of women of color on screen, but I think that if we don’t talk about these issues – large and small alike – we’ll never see the progress that we need to achieve anything like equality.


On top of your wardrobe and blog, what are some of your favourite ways to incorporate vintage into your daily life?

I enjoy old Hollywood films and watch them on a regular basis, and several of the shows that I watch are period shows – Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Mad Men, Agent Carter. Other than that, though, I live a pretty modern life. I know there are those out there who’d like to step back in time, but I’d really only want to be a time traveler if I could bring some clothes back with me.




In your opinion, what are some of the reasons why vintage fashion holds such widespread appeal to wearers the world over – and as time goes on, do you think we’ll see more/less/about the same number of 20th century fashion fans?

By far the most popular and widely recognized “vintage” look is the Dior New Look silhouette, and for a very good reason: it looks amazing on practically any woman. A nipped waist over a full skirt is just really flattering, whatever body type you may have.

I think there are a lot of women out there who love how uniquely and distinctively beautiful it can make them feel. I think Dita Von Teese said it really well when she talked about “created” glamour vs. “natural” beauty – when everyone else is rocking jeans and a t-shirt, it can feel really glamorous to put on your full, 50s style skirt, a silky blouse, and a swipe of red lipstick. Frankly, I think it’s a lot more achievable for many women. Not everyone can be a Victoria’s Secret model, but anyone can be a pinup.

Beyond that, I think there are a lot of vintage lovers out there who enjoy being part of a niche community. I love the rare occasions when I serendipitously encounter another person wearing vintage – the eye contact, the nod, the little smile. Even if you don’t stop and chat, it’s really lovely to have that moment of connection.

It’s like seeing someone wearing a t-shirt from your favorite band, or hearing someone speak your native tongue when you’re in a foreign country. Of course, vintage means different things to different people. When I wear vintage, I feel subversive, like I’m not conforming to a modern standard of beauty and style. For some, it’s a conservative gesture, signifying a sense of disillusionment with modernity. Still, the shared culture and love of a vintage aesthetic is there, and it can be wonderful.


Five people (past or present) whose styles never fail to inspire you?

There are so many! But to choose just five, I’d have to go with:

1. Audrey Hepburn: Whether she was playing a princess in romantic 1950s style or a clumsy thief in mod, 60s fashions, she always looked impeccable.

2. The Teddy Girls: More of a movement than a particular person, I love how those girls blended the new and the old, the masculine and the feminine. Every time I see a photo, I’m inspired all over again.

3. Dita Von Teese: I know, what’s more cliché than a vintage lover talking about Audrey and Dita? But clichés exist for a reason! Dita is the definition of a woman who knows what she likes and isn’t afraid to go for it. I love coming across paparazzi photos of her on the street, because her street style is surprisingly realistic, even for people who aren’t stars.

4. Blair Eadie from Atlantic-Pacific: As a general rule, I don’t follow modern bloggers, but Atlantic-Pacific is the exception. I love how much thought and detail that she puts into her outfits, and she’s always perfectly coordinated and polished. Aspirational style at its best.

5. Phryne Fisher: She may be fictional, but she’s the best dressed woman in the 1920s, and I am here for that.

{The breathtaking view from the dashboard that Jessica took while on holiday to Iceland.}

If you could only pack one (big!) suitcase and one carry-on bag for a year long trip around the world, what sorts of clothing, shoes and accessories would you want to take with you?

I like to think I’m pretty good at packing for a trip, if I say so myself! I’ve traveled for 10 days with just a dress, a pair of pants, and 2 shirts, so this is one area of my life where I don’t mind minimalism. I’m going to presume that the weather is pleasant wherever I’m going (so no coats), and say that I would bring along:

1. A nautical striped shirt

2. Two cotton/silk white button down shirts

3. Two short sleeve knit tops

4. Two lightweight cashmere cardigans

5. A pair of wide legged pants

6. A pair of skinny, cropped pants

7. Two calf length skirts in solid colors

8. A slinky cocktail dress

9. A lightweight waterproof jacket

10. Three pairs of shoes: black flats, black ankle boots, and black heels you can walk in

11. A few bright colored scarves

12. A great swimsuit

Call me crazy, but I really think that would be enough for me to travel and feel well-heeled! With the constant change of scenery, I don’t think you need much in the way of clothing or accessories. If I were really travelling for that long, I’d probably cut it down even farther so that I could make do with just a backpack.




And what would some of the stops along the way on this imaginary journey be for you?

Travelling is one of my favorite things in life, so I’ve thought quite a bit about where I’d go if I could just take off for a year or two. I’d probably start in Ireland and zigzag my way across Europe.

There are so many cities and countries that I’d like to visit it would get silly to list them all, so just assume that if you’ve heard it’s cool, I’d stop and see it. After that, on to Asia – India, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, the works.

And since this is an imaginary trip, I’d also like to see an imaginary version of the Middle East, where all of the amazing history is intact and ISIL, the Taliban, and other extremist groups aren’t threatening the lives of those who live there. Iran in particular sounds so beautiful, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to see it in my lifetime.


With the ever changing landscape of the blogging world in 2016. Why do you (personally) feel that blogging still has relevance and importance, and what inspires you to keep going in the face of ever great social media dominance?

Hm. What keeps me going? Probably stubbornness. Definitely longwindedness.

At the risk of sounding like a nihilist, I don’t necessarily think that blogging is either relevant or important, but I also don’t think it needs to be in order to be worth doing. It’s just fun! I love thinking about fashion; I love getting dressed up and taking photos; I love writing about all of the different things that I get to write about. Would the world be substantially different if I didn’t do these things? Only my own little world.

I also don’t really make that much of a distinction between blogging and using social media – to me, it’s just a different way to do the same thing. Where blogging has more depth, social media has made a virtue of brevity.

On my blog, I have the luxury of space and a time. I can post half a dozen different photos of an outfit (full-length, front and back, detail shots, action shots) and tell a full story to create context. On Instagram, I would never post more than two photos of the same outfit (maybe three, if I really loved the shots), because it would be repetitive. I try to keep my captions and hashtags pithy, because no one’s going to read a long one.


Part of it, I think, is a generational thing. I’m generalizing here, but I feel like traditional fashion bloggers tend to be slightly older, and we model our posts after magazine spreads. People who started out sharing their outfits on Instagram have a much more intuitive sense how to compress a post into a photo (or two) and some hashtags. Kids these days, I tell ya. Post a photo of a lizard with the caption “me” and everyone knows what they mean.


What sorts of plans/goals/dreams do you have for your blog this year and beyond?

This year, I’d really like to push myself a little bit when it comes to blogging. I’ve always tried to create quality content; now I’d like to try and get more eyes on it. I’ve already invested in a higher quality camera and have been trying to be creative with my outfits and my shoot locations, and I’d also like to start advertising (within my budget, of course), collaborating with other bloggers, and start posting more often on a slightly broader range of topics.

I know that in order to do that I’m going to have to be better about planning ahead – brainstorming more post ideas, doing more photo shoots ahead of time so that I have some in reserve for when I’m ill or the weather is crappy.




And last, but certainly not least, can you share five things with us that never fail to bring you joy?

1. My fiancé Brian (pictured above), who is consistently kind, supportive, and dead sexy.

2. This “perfume ad” from an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. 16 seconds of pure joy, baby.

3. When a stranger on the street lets me pet their dog.

4. Pad thai.

5. A new dress.

Connect with Jessica on the following sites:


Her blog 

Facebook 

Instagram 

Pinterest 

Meet the past interviewees who have taken part in this delightful ongoing post series:

February 2015: Emileigh | March 2015: CiCi | April 2015: Helen Mae | May 2015: Esther | June 2015: Ms. Falcon | July 2015: Jessie, and Laurence & Sylvain| August 2015: Holly | September 2015: Rhia | October 2015: Franny | November 2015: Emily | December 2015: Porcelina | January 2016: Nora | February 2016: Kate | March 2016: Carla

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Massive thanks for this downright excellent – and very insightful – interview, Jessica. It was a joy and an honour getting to know you better, and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share so much about yourself, your world, and your blog with Chronically Vintage's readers.

If you're not already following Jessica's blog, run, don't walk, over there and add her to your feeds on the double!

Next up, in the gorgeous mid-springtime month of May, we'll be staying putting in the good, ol' US of A when we talk to another awesome vintage fan with a razor sharp wit all her own, who just happens to be especially fond of shirtwaist dresses, fabulous hats, red lipstick, reading, and the theater (clearly we share much in common!). I can hardly wait!

As always, my marvelous dears, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of this ongoing "Meet a Fellow Vintage Blogger" series and for the love you shower on the blogs of those who take part in it as well. It is hugely, hugely appreciated by all involved!

Book Giveaway & Review: A Decade of French Fashion, 1929-1938 from Dover Publishing

The years spanning the crash of the stock market in 1929 to the outbreak of World War II in 1939 were some of the most troubled, fascinating and, at times, even lively, that the world has ever known. They were also, despite the immense hardships faced by many, some of the most fashionable and at that point in time, the design houses and clothing companies of France still held major sway over what the world sported.

While, of course, many people could scarcely survive - let alone think about keeping up the the Jonses on the fashion front - for those who were fortunate to still find themselves in a middle class or higher income bracket, the world of style carried on, by and large, much as it had for not only decades, but centuries before.

New names emerged, vying sometimes with well established favourites. Trends came and went with the seasons, hemlines - much like the infamous stock market itself - bounced from high to low and back again over and over, and certain looks would emerge and forever cement themselves as the defining styles of that decade.

The gorgeously illustrated book, A Decade of French Fashion, 1929-1938: From the Depression to the Brink of War from Dover Publications does a marvelous job of highlighting some of the most engaging and stylish looks of the nine - ten years between the end of era that brought us The Bright Young Things and six years of indescribable horror, as WW2 tore like wildfire though huge portions of the globe.

This was a period of glitz and glamour on the fashion front, where talkies entered the picture in Hollywood and movie stars – and what they wore – began to take on a status akin to that, traditionally, held only for royalty. It was time of uncertainty and excitement. Elements of the now often said expression "you only live once" remained from the party filled heydays of the 1920s, yet they were tempered with a more sophisticated refinement and serious air in the uncertain days of the thirties.

In A Decade of French Fashion, 1929-1938: From the Depression to the Brink of War, readers are presented with a splendidly detailed array of fashions from the era as they first appeared from the leading clothing designers of France at the time.

Save for a lovely written introduction, there is exceedingly little text in this 112 page soft cover book (which was released by Dover in July 2015). Instead the spotlight is shone - as I'm certain many a 1930s fashionista and starlet alike would approve of - on the clothing of the era itself. Such is presented through a well curated bevy of full-colour illustrations that first appeared in the pages of French catalogs which were geared towards especially towards the international market.

From the lingering notes of 1920s trends (think drop waists, handkerchief hems, cloche hats, etc) to the strikingly different styles that saw many a woman through the start of the second World War, such as hemlines that hit just below the knees, bold shoulder pads, and waistlines at one's natural waist, a flip through this book instantly highlights many of the trends, creative ideas, and beautiful details that called 1930s fashion home.

Being so devoid of text, this elegant book can be enjoyed in one quick sitting, though many a vintage and historical costume fan will want to savour it for far longer that - and both will find it to be indispensable in furthering their knowledge of, and appreciation for, looks from the third decade of the twentieth century.

From chic daytime ensembles (including that sort that you just know 1930s ladies who lunch were sporting en masse) to jaw dropping evening looks, the styles presented in this delightful book span the last breaths of the flapper era to the softer, and yet at the same time, also more rigid styles that would set the tone for fashion well into the mid-1940s.

This is a book to read and time and time again, each new viewing helping further details - from button placements to hemline shapes - to present themselves to you, the reader, as you soak up and savour the supreme elegance that was 1930s fashion for those with the means to buy from the best that France had to offer.

Though I myself rarely wear looks from this period (most, especially those before 1937, are anything but becoming on my short, hourglass shaped figure), I appreciate them immensely and have a strong affinity for all things art deco era fashion related.

Thus, it was with no small amount of pleasure that I readily, and happily, accepted Dover's wonderfully kind offer to both receive a copy of A Decade of French Fashion, 1929-1938: From the Depression to the Brink of War to review here, as well the opportunity to give one lucky Chronically Vintage winner the chance to win their own copy of this fabulous vintage fashion resource.

Read on to find out how you can win!


Giveaway details:

This giveaway is for one copy of the soft cover book A Decade of French Fashion, 1929-1938: From the Depression to the Brink of War from Dover Publications. It is open to readers (participants) worldwide and will run from today's date (Monday April 25, 2016) until 11:59 PST on Wednesday May 4, 2016.

The winning name will be drawn using Rafflecopter's random winner tool once the giveaway has wrapped up and the winner will be contacted via email shortly thereafter. Your book itself will be shipped out to you directly from the fine folks at Dover Publications.

You may enter using however many of the following ten Rafflecopter methods you desire. The only entry that is mandatory is that you please leave a comment on this post in which you share with me one or more of your favourite elements of 1930s fashion.

The more ways that you enter, the greater your odds of winning become. If you have any questions about this book giveaway, please don't hesitate to email me anytime.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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There was, and will forever be, an unmistakable sophistication and understated beauty to 1930s fashion. It took its inspiration from countless sources and culminated in a streamlined, refined style that could be blazingly minimalist or enchantingly whimsical. Very often it fell somewhere in between, with lengthy lines, bias cuts, and all sorts of marvelous details – that still make fashion lovers say "oh-la-la" to this day – calling the looks of this decade home.

I feel fortunate to be able to add A Decade of French Fashions, 1929 - 1938 to my collection, as well as to be able to offer one lucky winner a copy of their own, and want to sincerely thank Dover Publications for another exciting and very generous collaboration. My thanks all go out to each and every one of you as well, who take part in this exciting vintage fashion book giveaway.

Best of luck to all those who enter!

15 Earth Day Perfect Vintage and Handmade Finds

It's a little known fact, but I absolutely, completely love Earth Day. Always have, always will. By the time I came along in 1984, this annual event had already been underway for fourteen years and when I growing up, in grade school, it was always something that was acknowledged and celebrated in some capacity or another - from making papier-mâché globes to discussing ways we could do our part to recycle and compost at home.

Created, perhaps to little surprise, during the heart of the return-to-the-earth movement of the sixties and early seventies, Earth Day is a once yearly happening that takes place on April 22nd and shines the much needed spotlight on ways in which we can protect, nurture and love the beautiful living rock of a planet that we call home (Wikipedia has a great Earth Day history overview, if you want to learn more about this event).

One does not have to be a Green Peace activist by any means to embrace Earth Day and indeed, our world stands to be served all the better by huge numbers of ordinary folks doing than part than simply through the valiant efforts of a much smaller group of demonstrators (though of course it's wonderful that such exist and of course they make a big impact, too, don't get me wrong).

{Vintage image source}

The ancient Greeks called the personification of Mother Earth Gaia (celebrating her as one of the primordial deities) and I cannot help but think of April 22nd as her unofficial birthday. It's easy to take the earth for granted. To think that it will always be here, that no matter what we do, she'll keep on providing for us, but as developments in recent decades - from global warming to over harvesting of the world's seafood resources to clear cut logging - show, such is categorically not the case. If we as citizens of the 21st century, don't take massive and far reaching steps now to turn things around, this world that we hold so dear maybe a footnote in the history of the universe in no time time at all.

Of course, as a perpetual optimist, I like to think that we'll make it. That we, as a species will not be our own ultimate downfall, despite the valiant attempts (re: nuclear war, genocide, etc) that have been carried out at times. I want to believe that we'll exist as a species for as long as this planet survives in its natural state. No one can say for certain if such will happen, but it is epicly foolhardy of us to treat the earth in any other way.

The fifteen items in today's post won't save the planet unto themselves, of course, but each of them does tie into one or more marvelous aspects of just how diverse, beautiful, inspiring, giving, incredible and/or resilient this world of ours is, and would be a perfect way to help celebrate Earth Day all the more in future years to come.



1. This is so incredibly true. No matter our differences, we - like every human who has ever lived - all share the same planet. Downloadable art file, $6.00 from Noted Provision.




2. Handmade twig pencils have always appealed to me immensely. There's just something so satisfying about holding a tangible piece of nature in your hand while you jot down your thoughts. These paint dipped beauties are an especially chic and stylish modern take on this age old writing utensil. $12.60 for eight 3" long natural wood pencils from Storie Brooke.




3. Hailing from the 1960s - 1970s, but very classic looking and amply large enough to wear as a 1940s style headscarf, if so desired, this sophisticated earth toned Jacqmar square scarf has a beautiful foliage and butterfly pattern on it and strikes me as something that Mother Earth herself might enjoy wearing if she was a fashion blogger. $16.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




4.You might not be able to hold the whole world in your hands, but you can wear a slew of planets on your wrist anytime you fancy with this absolutely charming handmade solar system bracelet, that, naturally, includes Earth in the mix. $23.50 from Diana Jewelry Design.

5. Where would nature be without its countless stunning blooms? You might not be able to wear a literal garden, but you can plant one in your closet and jewelry box, with few events suiting floral themed items better than Earth Day. For April 22nd and the whole year through, may I suggest this beautiful little c. 1930s molded celluloid flower brooch, whose colours have aged - rather fittingly - into delightfully pretty earth tones. $15.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy. 



6. Hand painted in vibrant, eye-catchingly lovely hues, this precious little ceramic bird is equal parts cute + beautiful and would look as at home in a vintage decor setting as a 21st century one. $68.00 from Pearle’s Painting.




7. Made from laser cut real wood and recycled blank pages of paper, this awesome 90 page spiral bound notebook is such a fantastic way to keep track of anything your heart desires, from travel plans to your annual garden planting list. $7.73 from ADRGB.



8. Ideal for the sunny months that are upon us now, this immensely pretty mid-century vintage Swirl blue and white gingham dress is made all the more sweet by the floral embroidery on the skirt that channel a straight-from-the-garden vibe and suit Earth Day superbly. Fits up to a 36 inch bust/28 inch waist. $85.00 from Blue Velvet Vintage.



9. The earth depends on its inspects to survive, immensely including its bees. I've always been drawn to bee imagery and jewelry, especially when its on the cute side of things, like this darling vintage inspired honeybee and honeycomb brooch is. $45.00 from Tangerine Menagerie.




10. I just adore how these featherweight, vibrant mid-century vintage marbled plastic bead clip-on earrings resemble the earth as seen from outer space. $14.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.


11. Few things symbolize the earth quite like the sight - and scent - of verdant grass as far as the eye can see. If, like me, you're a huge fan of the aroma of a freshly mowed lawn, thank this wonderfully appealing sounding artesian Green Grass Perfume is for you. $23.00 from Wylde Ivy.




12. Boasting the classic earth hues of blue and green and looking rather like our planet when viewed from the heavens, these delightful handmade bath bombs - which are available in an assortment of different shapes - would make for such a great gift for any Earth Day fan in your life. $3.50 - $6.50 each (depending on size/shape) from Coraline & Zeus Bath Co.





13. Warm, inviting hues that telegraph the spirit of sprawling desert landscape call this elegant mid-century vintage polished river rock bracelet home, and would look sensational with a wide array of spring, summer and autumn outfits. $17.50 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




14. Perfect for Earth Day revellers of all ages (and perhaps even cooperative long haired dogs, too :)) this super cute little felt planet hair clip is a sweet, darling way to inject some festive fun into any hairdo. $4.50 from Haylee's Boutique.




15. If you're looking for an especially apt piece of handmade jewelry to sport on Earth Day, may I suggest this wonderfully aged looking, patina enhanced bronze recycling symbol pendant necklace. $15.99 from Pure Impressions.



{To learn more about a specific item or image featured in today's post, please click on the link in the text below it to be taken to its respective source.}

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In whatever way(s) that you can, I encourage you to take some time today and reflect on what the earth means to you and how you can help to keep our planet health and happy for future generations.

Certainly, many of us in the vintage world already do a wonderful service on the front by virtue of the fact that we choose to wear vintage and thrifted - and/or handmade - clothing, often eschewing the fast fashion world and being very aware of the true cost of the modern day industry that produces the items that we wear and fill our homes with.

On Earth Day, I always like to spend as much time as possible. To - weather permitting - walk barefoot on the grass or sand, to sit quietly in the woods and listen as nature speaks to me. I don green and blue in honour of the two colours that make up so much of our world, and I make sure to assess the current state of my life and look for ways that that I can help do my own small part to help Gaia celebrate countless more birthdays to come.

Happiest Earth Day wishes, everyone! May today and the coming weekend abound with sunshine, fun, and many wonderful spring/autumn time reminders of why we're truly blessed to call this amazing planet home.