Flamingos (and hiccups) in the snow

Outfit details

C. 1940s/1950s black velvet platter hat with rhinestone embellishment detail: eBay
Gold tone metal and clear rhinestone earrings: Claire's
Black button front shirt: Thrifted
Turquoise blazer: Cleo
C. 1960s gold tone metal and yellow thread brooch: (Possibly) Jardin Antiques
1950s/1960s pink gloves: Purchased from a fellow vintage seller
Mid-century vintage black patent purse: Etsy (seller does not appear to be in business any longer) Gold tone bangle bracelet: Payless  1950s style flamingo print skirt c/o Violet Vixen
Black seamed nude stockings: eBay
Black pumps: Payless
Lip Colour: MAC Partyline



Photography by Tony Cangiano








































{Epic stocking bunching throughout, I know now after the fact - the result of trudging a few hundred feet through the snow, my shoes completely full of the icy white stuff, to reach the spot in which these photos were taken.}

♥ ♥ ♥

No, I'm not speaking metaphorically here with the title of today's outfit post, in this instance, I mean literal hiccups. Fortunately, I'm not prone to such on a regular basis, but when they do strike they last for hours and hours (usually no matter what trick/technique I try to make them vanish).

On the icy, overcast, snowy day not too long ago when Tony and I grabbed these photos down near the shores of Okanagan Lake (in West Kelowna), the hiccups were out in full force for me. I'd had them for about 90 minutes already that morning, then they returned in the afternoon and proceeded to hang around for about three hours. In all the years I've been photographed for my blog, I can confidently say that such was a first (hiccups on camera, I mean).

As such, if I look a touch somber in some of these shots, I assure that I wasn't - I was just trying to keep from the whole shoot being nothing but terribly unflattering outtakes, so I was pursing my lips a lot of the time.

You may recall back in January when I mentioned (in this giveaway post) that I had a super fun flamingo print skirt from the brand Violet Vixen to share here with all of you, which the company very kindly sent me for review (thank you!!!).

Now, as much as I love punchy colours in the winter, I'm the first to admit that I don't usually rock a garment that is this heavily tropical print centered when there's snow up to my knees. Sometimes through, it's fun to break with tradition and so on a day that was well below freezing and that boasted some of the most slate grey skies imaginable, I did just that.

This skirt is such a charmer! Similar in price ($63 USD) to brands such as Hell Bunny, this delightful Violet Vixen flamingo print skirt channels the 1950s, right down to the pair of slanted hip pockets that feature lovely black fold-over tops.

I opted for the size small and am extremely pleased with the fit. On me, at barely 5'2", this skirt hits mid-calf, which is my absolute favourite point for any skirt or dress hem to land. Depending on your height and how far up your torso you opt to wear it, it may hit you a bit lower or higher, but on many folks, midi length is wildly flattering, so the fact that it will end up being such on a lot of people, is a big point in this skirt's favour.

Another is the comfortable cotton fabric that it's made of. Though it is more on the spring/summer weight side of things, I've certainly sported other skirts over the years that left me far chillier in the winter. One could probably get a thin, not-very-poufy crinoline under this skirt, but as it is closer to a-line than circle in shape, you'll want to leave your more voluminous pettiskirts in the closet when rocking this darling novelty print skirt.

Its colour palette is certainly evocative of the warmer months as well, as is the design on the fabric - a riot of coral pink birds, yellow and black palm fronds, plus coral pink and white tropical (hibiscus style) flowers, but that certainly doesn't mean that you have to reserve this skirt just for the dog days of the year.

While punchy, its colours are not full on neon light bright and can certainly be tempered, if so desired, by wearing black (shirt, tights, coat, etc) or another dark hue, such as grey, that would compliment the shades at work here nicely.

I always genuinely enjoy thinking - and styling - outside of the box and I love that wearing this skirt during the freezing cold days of winter made me do just that.

Instead of a breezy blouse, flirty halter top, or lightweight cardigan, I reached for crisp black button front shirt and turquoise blazer, to which I added vintage wrist length pink gloves, a beloved black 1940s/50s platter hat, my use-it-at-least-once-a-week black 50s/60s patent purse, and a classic pair of black pumps, plus some gold and yellow hued jewelry to tie into the palette of the skirt itself.

Actual physical hiccups are not usually fun (mine eventually vanished that day and thankfully have stayed at bay since then), but those of the more figurative sort like styling a flamingo print fifties style skirt in the dead of winter can be. They serve, in the process, as important reminders that the overwhelming majority of garments can - if so desired - be styled successfully all year round.

A point that my flamingo skirt and I will raise raise a paper umbrella adorned tropical drink to even on the dreariest days of winter! :)