Pretty Link Roundup {August 31, 2009}

Good morning, my wonderful vintage dears, how was your weekend? Mine was well in general, but I’m afraid I’m a tad under the weather at the moment (nothing dire, just one of my conditions is flaring up for some inexplicable reason), so the Pretty Link Roundup is a tad late in getting out. Normally it appears on Saturday or Sunday, but this week it’s going to fill in for the Monday Muses segment.

For the above mentioned reason I’m going to jump right into the marvelous array of links that have been entertaining and inspiring me this past week. I hope you’ll all enjoy them as much as I did!


♥ ♥ ♥


* 1940s fashion – Women’s Dress Code: Glamour Daze highlights some of the wardrobe pieces and styles that were standard wear for women of the forties. A great list for anyone who loves to replicate WW2 and post-war era looks.


* 1950s hair – “The Roll”: The beautiful gal behind the blog You Were Never Lovelier takes us through a step-by-step tutorial on how she achieves an absolutely wonderful hairstyle featuring a bangs (fringe) roll and a hair doughnut (the type that can be used either as a straight “log” or curved into a doughnut shape). This seals it for me; I simply must get one of these handy-dandy hairstyling devices and then give “The Roll” a try myself.


* Top 5 vintage Hispanic silver screen stars: Queens of vintage shines the spotlight on five of vintage Hollywood’s loveliest Hispanic actresses, such as Rita Moreno and Carmen Miranda.


* Vintage inspiration - Scottie dogs: Last week I posted an entry devoted to all manner of vintage items featuring dogs, which inspired my dear friend Amanda (from Time Machine to the Twenties) to create a post of her own featuring one of the most loved mid-twentieth century dog breads: the adorable Scottie. She’s rounded up a slew of precious Scottie themed items that are not to be missed!


* Countdown: Vintage Clocks: Daisy Fairbanks Vintage corrals a fantastic handful of diverse vintage wall clocks in this post which I’m sure everyone can squeeze in the time to visit ;D (Sorry, couldn’t resist a clock/time pun.)


* Done and Dusted – A Quick Look At Duster Coats: Over at the Fashion Preserve, duster coats – which Christina informs us came about with the advent of automobiles and later morphed into more general wear, lightweight garments – and the history behind them are in the spotlight.


* Fancy cocktail hat: From the online pages of Craft magazine comes a wonderful step-by-step tutorial on how to make your own beautiful vintage looking “fancy cocktail hat”, complete with airy netting and a spry feather. The steps strike me as being easy to follow regardless of your millinery skill level.


* Suggestions and ideas from 1949 on how to wear your hair based on your face shape: Over at beauty is a thing of the past, Ricki has been posting some absolutely wonderful entries lately featuring images from a the 1949 book by the name of “A Girl and Her Hair”, that show suggestions on how to wear your hair based on your face shape. The illustrations – and the names given to faces shapes (such as “cherub” and “pixie”) are absolutely adorable.


* Looking into the past: Via the lovely pages of the blog Behind the Curtain, I recently discovered a fantastic Flickr stream devoted to a very neat way of celebrating vintage photos. This stream is bustling with shots that depict someone holding up a vintage photo in front of the same location where it was originally taken. Clever and beautiful these endearing photographss of photos are not to be missed.


* Lilyan Tashman: Allure blog routinely features wonderful, detailed, photo-filled posts about glamorous and talented silver screen starlets of yesteryear, and a recent entry about 1920s and early 30s actress platinum blonde haired actress Lilyan Tashman is a great example of why I’m hooked on this site!


* Andi B. Goode’s Debut Giveaway: Vintage fashionista and all-around truly lovely person, Andi (of her eponymous blog) is holding a delightful giveaway (her first ever!) in honour of reaching 100+ Google followers. If you’d like the chance to win a beautiful pair of flower shaped, screw-on earrings and an adorable wooden brooch in the shape of a surfboard, be sure to zip on over to Andi’s and enter her contest (plus, if you blog about it on your site and then return to comment about your post, you’ll receive a second entry!).





This week’s Blog Inspiration award goes to none other than Greetz from Tiz, the site of a beautiful and creative (she recently launched her own etsy store specializing in vintage inspired knitwear) Italian gal with a deeply rooted passion for all things vintage. With my husband hailing from Italy I feel like I have a special connection to this marvelous and historical country, and love when I find vintage themed blogs written in English by Italian ladies.

GFT, I am continually inspired by your posts (your journey through the Summer Jamboree with a joy to behold!), and adore everything about your style! Please accept this award with my heartfelt thanks for your superb contribution to the vintage blogging world.


On the video front, the clip of the week features lovely Youtube make-up/hair/beauty fan Carly (Glitterdollz7) as she takes us through the quick, easy to follow steps she uses to achieve a Dita Von Teese inspired hairstyle. A must-watch for anyone who wants to get wonderful, wavy, bouncy Dita inspired locks! I normally post (embed) the video of the week into my posts, but Carly has disabled this feature for her videos, so please follow this link to view her hairstyling tutorial.


How are things going with each of you? Did you have a lovely last weekend of August? I absolutely hope so! I certainly had a blast composing the second edition of Saturday Snapshots, and already looking forward to compiling the images for next week’s photo bedecked post.



{As the seasons teeter on the fence between the sultry heat of summer and the nippy golden light of autumn, one’s wardrobe calls for pieces that can carry you through from August into September. Take this this stunning brown dress with matching bolero dress that a stylish woman could have purchased in 1951, for example. Image from MyVintageVogue’s Flickr stream.}


Wishing everyone a splendid Monday and start of September! Here’s to the beginning of the last month of the summer and the beauteous onset of autumn it ushers in.

Saturday Snapshots {August 29, 2009}

Last week’s launch of a new post segment for Saturdays (Saturday Snapshots) was greeted with resounding support. Over thirty wonderful readers commented, indicating to me that I am far from alone in my adoration of, and fascination with, vintage photos of strangers and the histories such images carry with them.

It’s beautiful that we share this mutual love, and I am delighted to present the second installment of Saturday Snapshots to you today. As an interesting way to wrap up this, and further editions of this post, I thought that I would share a quote (a new one each week) that speaks on some level to past, the present, memories, life, emotions or some other wonderful element that vintage photos posses and transmit to their viewers.


♥ ♥ ♥



{Two women – both infinitely cooler looking than they could have ever imagined – listed as being Joy and Lillian, pose with a stunning pink car in this photo that I’m pegging to be from the late 50s. Don’t you just love everything about the gal in the pink’s eclectic outfit? Ohhh, and doesn’t the lady seated in the car remind you a bit of Rosemary Clooney?}



{They’ve got the picket fence, but is it white? Jokes aside, this handsome young couple smile for the camera in a photographer’s studio following their wedding in October of 1952, looking so sweet together. He in his dapper suit, she in her wonderful feather adorned hat.}



{A lovely young woman sits in front of the Old Mission in Santa Barbara, California, in 1952, a look that strikes me as being both reflective and confident radiates from her face. I’m not sure what organization the uniform she’s wearing hails from, any ideas?}



{I love this shot, it shows an “everyday” glimpse into the world of the once-commonplace beauty parlour (complete with numerous bonnet style hair dryers), a spot where most women used to visit nearly every week to chat, read up on the latest fashions, and treat themselves to a well-deserved dose of primping. This particular salon was located in Florida during the 1950s.}



{Everything about this pair of gregarious ladies is fantastic. From the wide-brimmed hats to their summery dresses, beaming smiles to tree-lined backdrop, this photo just makes you happy the moment you look at it.}



{There is something almost profound about this photo from the 1930s, a lone woman walking in a patch of light down an unnamed New York street. Where is she going to or coming from, what thoughts filled her head as her shoes tread across the ashen concrete?}



{While mother and daughter look-alike dresses were easy to find in department stores and catalogues during the 50s, I get the feeling that the mom in this cheery family photo whipped up these cute summer outfits herself from the same bolt of fabric, don’t you?.}



{The clarity and composition of this shot from 1953 are both deeply striking. Instead of focusing on one or more of the diners, the food on the plates or the dish in the foreground, whether intentionally or accidentally, the photographer made the lipstick red bouquet of carnations the focal point of this beautiful image.}



{As a group of people get ready to board an airplane, one woman turns her neck and smiles to whomever was holding the camera that took this photo in 1959. Her face seems to convey happiness, warmth and excitement, indicating to me that she headed someplace that’s definitely worth being gleeful about.}



{Two elegantly beautiful women pose for a photographer in, what I’m guessing to be, their finest winter coats, in this shot from the 1930s. Names, location, an exact date or any information is not provided, leading me to really ponder who these charming young gals were. Sisters, best friends, cousins? Whoever they were, they certainly looked sharp!}

{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.}

"You have to know the past to understand the present."
~ Dr. Carl Sagan

Five For Friday {August 28, 2009}

...The weekend draws near, August’s last for nearly twelve more months. Time to savour the best of summer while simultaneously sitting on the edge of your set in anticipation for autumn. Crystal blue skies that will soon house harvest moons, fresh picked berries give way to pumpkin pies, tumbling leaves take the place of end-of-summer roses. Celebrate the next few in-between weeks and all they hold, they’re the gentle parting kiss from summer that will help you forget just how wildly fierce it can be at times...


♥ ♥ ♥


{To ensure you wake up on time for everything from classes to craft fairs this fall}


{First spied on my lovely friend Trains and Sewing Machine’s creative blog, this delightful Crosley alarm clock is thoroughly modern (it boasts a plug for your MP3 playter), but looks fantastically vintage. Plastic and stainless steel alarm clock, $58.00 (US) from Urban Outfitters.}


{To ease you into "coat weather" in the prettiest of vintage styles}


{Darling with high waisted trousers, casual skirts or even atop dresses, this versatile hued topper would look marvelous – and help keep you warm – as we transition into autumn. Cocoa brown, faux fur trimmed coat with a 37” bust and 34” waist, $58.00 (US) from etsy seller The Greedy Seasgul.}


{To capture the essence of any season or scent your heart desires and relive it time and time again}


{From the pages of the stellar (and perpetually inspirational) blog Indie Fixx, comes a comprehensive, thoroughly well constructed article on how to make your own perfume. Sniff out all the beautiful details here.}


{To beat the sizzling summer heat while still cleverly ushering in one of autumn’s most iconic flavours}


{If you love your apple pie ala mode (and really, who doesn’t?), than this recipe, which combines flavours from both of these classic desserts into one, is definitely for you!! Photo from, and recipe for cinnamon apple ice cream on, Tarla Dalal.}


{To keep you cool on toasty nights and then to nestle beneath a glamorous vintage robe when the mercury dips}


{Lace, bows, a gorgeous pale turquoise hue, heart trimming at the hem, what’s not to adore about this absolutely lovely vintage slip that could easily double as a warm weather night gown? 1950s slip with a 42” bust and 30-36” waist, $37.00 (US) from etsy seller Shrinkle.}


Enjoy these final few days of August, my dear readers. Spend time immersed in those season specific pastimes you love, take photos illuminated by deeply golden light while it's still present, and embrace the tail-end of this last full month of summer. I know I certainly will!

Wishing you each a gorgeous and serene weekend!

Dog Days of Summer

Caniculares dies, said the ancient Romans of the hottest and seemingly longest, most drawn out days of the year, in their Latin tongue. The term for these scorching days hailing from the presence of Sirus, the “dog star”, which is most visible in the night sky during the summer. Clearly humanity has been labelling the high noon phase of summer for ages; we now know such times of the year as dog days. They are those days that become drowsy weeks of perpetual warmth, the longing for autumn, winter – anything but the present heat consuming one’s mind.

There is a beauty to such sweltering days, as I’ve touched on before on the pages of this blog, singing the praises of the wondrous elements of summer that really cannot be replicated anytime else (for those who live in four season climate). Something else besides beauty and nostalgia lives in such languid, boiling hot days, too, or more aptly perhaps, in their name: inspiration.

In this case, the inspiration behind this post is a merging of the last few immensely sizzling days (or weeks, depending on where you live) or summer mixed with vintage images and items featuring the term's namesake, dogs!

Yes, puppies of all sorts are on the agenda for this post, so prepare yourself for an onslaught of cuteness, an overload of adorableness and more doggies than you can shake a stick at (which of course said pups would want to go fetch, anyways!).

Flickr yielded up a pack of both fashionable (such as magazine spreads and the perpetually lovely Audrey Hepburn) and cuddly dog themed images from the 40s and 50s, some of which I compiled into the following inspiration mosaic.



{1. Audrey Hepburn, 2. Vintage Coloring Book Puppy Dogs, 3. 1950's fashion, 4. dog apron, 5. A Girl and her dog, 6. Ken-L-Ration ad, 1950's, 7. Puppies! Book cover, 8. lots of dogs " Mister Dog ", 9. two dogs and a lead, 1930s, 10. Junior Bazaar Cover 1954, 11. Dog on the swing about 1959, 12. pooch, 13. Rummaging through the American Fantasy.}


While the poodle may reign supreme when it comes to the most popular pup of the 50s, the truth is that, then as in now, a bounty of dogs adorned all manner of things during the mid-twentieth century. Below is a selection of such items ( please note, all prices are in US dollars) which are sure to have you sitting at attention, ready to go retrieve any one of them for your own collection :D





{As if spun from fine sugar, this delicate looking gold toned poodle brooch would look so fantastic on array of sweaters, cardigans, blouses and coats. $22.00 from etsy seller Paleorama.}



{A snugly pair of spaniel pups poking out of hat boxes grace this beautiful red vintage apron. Each of the dogs has a bead and a sequin on its eyes for an extra dose of whimsical charm and sparkle. $34.00 from etsy seller Maiden Rapture Vintage.}



{“What happened, Lassie? Did Timmy fall in a well again?” Where would the 50s and 60s – not to mention poor Timmy - be without the world’s most famous collie? Add a dose of Lassie’s timeless heroism and gentle nature to your bookshelf with this classic Little Golden children’s book from 1956. $7.00 from etsy seller The Bakers Daughter Too.}



{Take one look into those immensely soulful eyes and tell me this isn’t just about the cutest piece of cocker spaniel pottery you’ve ever seen in your life! Made in Japan and hailing from the 50s, this pair of pups is actually a plant holder, but you could certainly use it on its own as a decoration or fill it with anything you fancy. $25.00 from etsy seller Anne’s Accumulations.}



{A spunky trio of red terriers top this vintage celluloid pin, reminding me ever-so-adorably of the famous children’s storybook character, Clifford the Big Red Dog. $16.00 from etsy seller Carmen and Ginger.}



{Scottie dogs were another extremely popular breed of pup during the 40s and 50s, both as pets and on all manner of fashion and decor items, such as this folksy pair of wonderfully cute wooden bookends. $28.00 (for the pair) from etsy seller Dovely Sells.}



{Sitting atop a backdrop of wheat hued gingham, oodles of adorable golden cocker spaniels call this vintage “semi-circle” skirt home. $46.00 from etsy seller Maiden Rapture Vintage.}



{Cocker spaniels also seem to abound on items from the middle of the twentieth century, the apron above and this charmingly sweet pin-up print from a vintage calendar (entitled “triple threat”), both feature these playful, friendly pups. $15.00 for etsy seller Paprchas}



{The focus is on Lady in this colourfully and prettily illustrated 1954 Disney children’s book featuring on the most beloved cartoon dogs of all time. $4.25 from etsy seller Vintage Vice’s Paper Emporium.}



{This sweet little pup looks as though she could be anything from a golden retriever to a cocker spaniel, something about the shape of the ears even reminds me of an Irish setter. Whatever breed she’s supposed to be, she is cute as can be would make such a nice little decorative figurine anywhere around your home. $5.99 from etsy seller Vintage Delights for U.}



{Where would a roundup of vintage doggy themed pieces be without an authentic, straight from the 1950s poodle skirt? This beauty features a white poodle on a gold leash set atop a solid navy blue background of lightweight denim, and would be absolutely perfect for any lover of full, circle or poodle skirts! $45.00 from etsy seller Sally Marie.}



{While at first glance this wonderfully illustrated vintage tin looks like a can of dog food, it is in fact a coin bank! So novel and fun – and in pretty good condition, considering its age, from the look of things. $18.00 from etsy seller Souvenir.}



{Puppy themed pins were clearly quite in vogue during the 40s and 50s, in putting together this post I came across at least 10 on etsy alone, and am sure that eBay and other vintage jewely sellers would yield plenty more. Up for grabs here is a trio of silver and red hued poodle brooches that would take best in fashion show any day! :D $28.00 from Planet Claire Vintage.}



{The cuteness factor that's present in this delightful pair of vintage salt and pepper shakers is through the roof! Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever seen cuter puppy themed S&P containers in all my days. $19.99 (for the pair) from etsy seller The Toad House.}



{Cheerful silver-grey poodles sporting adorable red bows adorn this vintage linen tea towel, which the seller describes as being in very good shape. I don’t think I could bring myself to use this as an actual towel (it’s survived this long, why tatter it up now?), but I would be happy to hang it in my kitchen as a decoration. $22.00 from etsy seller Call Me Jasper.}



{A second puppy themed, tie-waist apron – this one sporting beautifully hand cross stitched poodles – rounds out our trove of vintage dog themed items. $10.00 from etsy seller Vintage Paper Girl.}


Dogs have always been a perennial favourite theme, they appear in scads of classic (and modern) paintings, play lead or supporting roles in movies, books, and TV shows; and have truly been one of man's - and woman's – best friends for countless years. The star Sirus inspired the ancients to call the toastiest days of summer “dog days”, but there’s no reason why an adorable vintage pup can’t find its way into your wardrobe or decor all year round.

Whether you have a lifetime of treasured pups to recall fondly, are a first time dog owner, or simply adore animals of all sorts, it’s handy to know that vintage pieces bedecked with pups (often at very reasonable prices) are easy to chase down and even easier to fall in love with – just like a real dog!

And the winner of the Alessi kitchen timer from AllModern.com is...

A wonderful response followed the announcement of Chronically Vintage’s first ever giveaway, over twenty people entered for a chance to take home a chic Alessi kitchen timer. Your comments were each terrific! It was marvelous to read what you’d use this darling vintage looking timer for, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everybody who took the time to enter.



{The immortally beautiful Grace Kelly holds up the Oscar she won for best actress in 1955. Via Hollywood Golden Guy.}


Using a random number generator I imputed the number of comments that the giveaway post received, calling the first comment "number one" and so one (there were 24 comments from readers so the winning number was generated from between the numbers 1 and 24), and I’m super delighted to report that the entirely random winner is...

Comment number seven, which belongs to Tracey of At Home on the Ridge! Tracey left the following lovely comment as her entry.

“Looks great,, I love how retro it is. I have to say my favorite recipe really doesn't need a timer, but I'd still like to have one! It's called an Icebox Cake. My mom used to make it for our family and it's very easy. The hardest part is finding sponge cake! I can't seem to find it anywhere, it I guess I'll have to break down and bake one when the weather gets cooler! Looking forward to 100 more!”

Huge congrats, Tracey, I’m delighted for you! Please contact me any time via email with your full mailing address and selection of timer colour (red, blue, or black), so that I can pass along this information to the fine folks over at AllModern.com who will be mailing out "Anna" the Alessi kitchen timer (shown below) directly to you.

Many thanks to everyone who entered this contest. Each of your comments and feedback was greatly appreciated. Sincere thanks also to AllModern.com for pairing up with me to help make my first blog contest such a shinning success!

I plan to hold many other contests on this site in the future, so please stay tuned for your chance to win the next Chronically Vintage giveaway!

Summer lightning storms, a flash of inspiration {Monday Muses, August 24th}

In the midst of summer the heavens sometimes decide that they’ve had more than enough and spill forth with wrath and fury. One such occurrence took place in the evening on the 8th of August here, when the most intense lightening storm I’ve ever seen in my entire life struck Toronto. For nearly two hours straight rapid forked and flashing sheet lightening ripped apart the carbon grey sky, bolts snapping every few seconds (sometimes two, three, four or more at a time), thunder cracking like a whip with vigour against songs of pelting rain.



{A resplendent capture of the lightning that snapped crazily in the skies above Toronto earlier this month. Stunning photo by wvs on Flickr.}


While the ever-present and rather relentless warmth of summer is still bearing down on us here, I can't stop thinking about the (wonderful) fact that autumn cannot be that terribly far off, and with the change of seasons can come a switch in wardrobe colour pallets. In place of the perky pinks, bright blues, tranquil turquoises, buttercup yellows, punchy peaches, zippy greens and light-hearted lilacs comes a return to deeper, more sombre (but no less stunning) hues.

The colours that danced wildly across the dusk sky on the day of that mammoth lightening storm conjured up thoughts of an autumn wardrobe, of all things. Replete with sultry greys, onyx black, smokey amethyst purple, searing hot white, and dusty navy blue, it was almost as if Mother Nature was showing off her fall look book.

I couldn’t shake thoughts of the majestic and inspiring beauty of that storm from my head for days after it occurred and as such quickly realized that it had become one of my Muses this month. Thus the hues that fill a storm-kissed sky are my Monday Muses this week. I hope that their cool tones, classically beautiful shades and timeless appeal will inspire you and your upcoming autumn wardrobe, too!


♥ ♥ ♥



{With a subtle sheen and a hue that instantly calls to mind the shifting of the sky from calm to wild, this dusty blue vintage skirt is made of taffeta and delicately embroidered with a subtle floral pattern. $30.00 (US) from etsy seller Cheesecake Vintage.}



{This crisp, timelessly elegant navy and white stripped blazer reminds one of rain tumbling down from against a mysterious and foreboding sky. 1950s dark blue jacket, $23.50 (US) from etsy seller Green Dragon Lady Vintage.}



{A little flashy, a little eccentric, entirely adorable! These vintage cat eye sunglasses would be the perfect pair to wear during a storm to shield your peepers from blinding flashes of lightning. Plastic sunglasses with a fantastic vintage glasses case included in the price, $30.00 (US) from etsy seller Jack’s Jill Vintage Miscellanea.}



{Twinkling and shimmering like bolts of lightning against an afternoon sky that still managed to stay blue during a gale, this wonderful 1950s crystal necklace would work just as well for the office as a night on the town. $24.95 (US) from etsy seller Metro Retro Vintage.}



{Soft as a cloud and hued like concrete, these peep-toe heels would work in nearly as versatile manner as a black pair in your wardrobe, the matching bow on the front sophisticated and in no way Minnie Mouse-ish. Grey Suede and leather three inch heels, $48.69 (CND) from Overstock.}



{Sleek, wonderfully easy to pair with a myriad of outfits and bedecked with beautiful clear rhinestones, this thermoplastic vintage bracelet is pretty enough to set off a storm of compliments! $110.00 (US) from Eclectic Vintage.}



{From the cut to the textured wool to the graphite gray hue, everything about this modern button front cardigan sweater has a wonderful vintage feel to is. "The Nina Cardigan", $39.99 from ModCloth.}



{While grey, black, platinum and inky blue instantly spring to mind when you think of the hues in a stormy sky, I also equate muted shades of dark purples into the mix. This wonderful vintage Mexican dirndl skirt invokes thoughts of a violet sky bursting with a swell, zig-zagging bolts of lightning crashing across its eggplant hued front. $58.00 (US) from etsy seller Vintage Starr Beads.}



{This classic bucket shaped cloche hat is made of wool felt (with a grosgrain ribbon) in three elegant colours that all smack of a stormy sky’s majestic hues. "The Changeling" hat, $49.99 (US) from ModCloth.}



{Catching the light and dancing with brilliance, these silver and rhinestone vintage earrings from the fifties are clip on, meaning that they could also do double duty as brooches, if you so fancied. $15.00 (US) for the pair, from etsy seller HossyBoy’S Grammy’s Vintage.}



{Little creamy white and navy hued beads are peppered across this lovely dark blue vintage purse, reminding me of hail stones pounding the ground during an intense storm. $14.99 (US) from etsy seller Vintage Starr Beads.}



{Shades of turquoise and indigo blue swirl like clouds racing against a violent sky on this elegant, alluring, abd artsy vintage rayon dress with matching belt. $69.95 from etsy seller Metro Retro Vintage.}



The pieces above, from a soft knit cardigan to the sparkling bangles are each redolent of a storm, the beauty and power - not to mention the sense of adventure - it posses. They are strong, but in no way overpowering colours that will add a jolt of ageless intensity to your vintage wardrobe.

I’ve always felt a kinship to lightning storms and can often sense them coming by an inexplicable surge of energy (and an increase in heart rate) that suddenly washes over me in advance of their arrival. Provided one is as safe as possible during a storm, I find their intensity and phenomenal natural strength and gorgeousness mesmerizing.

What do you love (or dislike, as the case may be) about a summer storm? What was the wildest storm you’ve ever seen – and did it inspire you in any way?




*PS*

For some utterly odd reason whenever I try and post a comment in the comment section of this post I get an error message! I've tried to post my reply to all your guys' wonderful comments several times over the past three days and am always met with the same Blogger error, so I thought I'd post my comments here, as part of the initial blog entry, instead.

@ Karyn, thank you very much! I'm beyond ready for the seasons to change! I keep thinking they're on the verge because we'll have one somewhat cooler day or morning, but then the sizzling temps will rear their head once again.

I'm very sorry to hear you've been under the weather, sweet dear. Don't worry about not being around for a split second, it's totally ok. Take care of yourself and know that I'm sending you tons of healing get well hugs!

@ Chrisy, thank you very much for the prettily said comment, my fellow storm lover.

@ Lorla, thank you, sweetie! It was a joy to compose this electrifying post! :D

@ aramblingfancy, I hear you there, my dear. Their prices really are quite reasonable in this day and age, but still my poor wallet hasn't been able to do anything but window shop so far. Hopefully I'll be able to change that sooner than later, as I really do adore

Thank you very much for sharing that story about your mom with us, sweetie. Thank goodness the neighbour was home and able to warn your mom before a tornado hit!

@ Amy, they really are fab, I agree!

@ Amanda, thank you so much, sweetie pie! You should definitely treat yourself to that cloche, it's such a deeply beautiful, timeless piece.

@ Gina, it really was intense! We had another one last week that actually turned into a hurricane that touched down just a couple of towns over from where I live. I saw the funnel cloud, but only for a few seconds as there was
intense fog going on at the same time. Very frightening in a way, but I am always so engrossed by the sheer beauty of a storm that it's hard to truly feel afraid.

@ Dustjacket Attic, thank you, honey. I adore that first photo, too. The use of a solid colour backdrop gives it a really professional touch.

You're not alone at all, I worry about that, too! My darling kitty (Stella) gets freaked out my thunder and takes refuge under our bed until it's over. But once the storm has passed, she's as happy as ever. I think it's so sweet of you to worry about animals, honey.

@ Cait, how wonderful that your uncle gave you some cat eye glasses, are they vintage or reproduction? Don't worry for a moment about if they embarrass your sister when you wear them out, I bet you look absolutely beautiful!

@ Nora & Lola, thank you deeply, darlings!

@ Maggi, thank you, honey! No worries, storms are not everyone's cup of tea, and that's a-ok. One great thing about storms though, is that once they've passed you're often left with a gorgeous rainbow! :)

@ Aire, you are so very welcome! Thank you deeply for stopping by to leave a comment. I am counting down the seconds until fall right along side you, my dear!

@ Annie, thank you sweetie, so glad you loved the clothing in this post.

@ Sher, thank you, hon! That hat made me think of you because of the teal band (teal being so close to your beloved turquoise).

@ Metro Retro (Laura), thank you very much for the lovely words, sweetie.

Your etsy shop is a joy and continual source of online inspiration, I'm delighted to feature items from it.

@ Sashindoubutsu, thank you so very much for the beautiful comment!

@ Natasha Minsk, you're very welcome, my dear. Thank you for your comment and for selling such fantastic vintage pieces!

@ Trains and Sewing Machines, I just adore those earrings, too! Sparkles up near the face - especially vintage ones - a perpetual fave of mine.

@ AlicePleasance, I just saw my first hurricane ever last week. I only saw the funnel cloud for a few seconds, but it was incredibly intense - almost surreal. Turns out it touched down in a nearby down, causing a lot of property damage and actually claiming one life, which is truly sad. It just goes to show you that you never know which storms are going to be wild and which are going to be vicious! (Summer storms make me think of my childhood too, sweetie - another cool thing we have in common.)

Thank you each deeply for your wonderful comments!

Oodles of hugs - and joyful Friday wishes, everyone!
♥ Jessica