31 ways to make this August super fun!

August is a gorgeous month - both in terms of the weather (for those in the Northern Hemisphere at least) - and the potential that it holds. From this very morn, until the finally moment on the evening of the 31st, we get roughly four and a half weeks to make the absolute most of summertime while it's still here.

Though one can - and should - make a point of simply putting their feet up and watching the breeze at least once or twice this month (such becomes a lot less enjoyable when the temps are -30, not +30 as they are still are for many at the moment), I often find that I feel an ingrained sense to do, enjoy and experience as much about this month as possible.

Though the lovely weather may linger into September or even early October, this will be the final full month of summer and here on Canadian soil, I know that that I'll likely be waiting until next April before we start to see the first signs of spring again.

That's a rather lengthy haul for anyone, especially those in countries where your winters look like pristine, Christmas card worthy landscapes for the better part of that time. All the more reason, if you ask me, why we should try to really get the most out of August.

Recently I started thinking about some of the various activities that I hope to focus on this month and before long, I had a good sized list going (including a few that fall under the "daydream" heading).

I figured that many of you might enjoy seeing what's on it and perhaps adding to your own August itinerary care of this selection of thirty-one diverse, lovely activities to do throughout the eighth month of the year.

Of course, depending on where you live and the other various circumstances of your life, not all of these not these ideas will be equally easy to achieve. Hopefully though, they'll help to serve as a handy jumping off point when it comes making your August as exciting and enjoyable as possible.

31 ways to make this

August super fun!

1. Hit the open highway, or backwoods path, as you desire, and take a road trip someplace new and exciting!


2. Celebrate one or more (just-for-fun) National Food Days this month. Yum-yum!


3. Most towns and cities team with events in the summer months. Look on local community websites to see if there are any that catch your eye and then inquire as to if you can volunteer a few hours or more of your time to assisting them this month.


4. Set a fun challenge for yourself of taking at least one photo each day of something highly seasonally related. If you blog, consider writing a post at the end of the month in which you highlight some, or all, of the beautiful snaps you collected throughout August.





5. Head on over to Memphis, Tennessee and join thousands of other fans at the annual Elvis Week festival, which takes place this year between August 10th – 16th.


6. Just about any vintage, antique or second shopper's dream, The World's Longest Yard Sale (it spans multiple states!) returns between August 4th and 7th. Bring comfy shoes, lots of small bills, and your best negating skills!


7. Go camping, unfurl your sleeping bag, and enjoy an evening spend under the celestial beauty of the stars.


8. Try to source a great deal on local produce and join in the beautiful age-old tradition of summertime canning/preserving.


9. Sit outside, while the nights are still deliciously warm, and see if you can spot any shooting stars, fireflies, or bats zooming across the inky black sky.





10. Go through your sewing/knitting/crochet patterns and see if there's a fun, speedy summer garment or accessory project that you can make in a day and get at least a bit of wear out of this season.


11. Set aside an afternoon, or whole day, if you'd like, to write cheerful "thinking of you" letters, notecards, and/or postcards to loved ones around the world (extra bonus points in the stationary and/or postage stamps that you is seasonally themed) in which you share some of the highlights of your summer thus far.


12. Interview an elderly relative about their life and then afterwards, to sincerely thank them for sharing so much with you, present them with the gift of one or more of their most memorable pieces of wisdom displayed as a custom art print for them to hang in their home.


13. Break out your best 1920s or 30s finery and join scores of seriously stylish folks at that most beloved of deco era related summertime events, the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island in New York state.


14. Start creating (or at least planning) your winter holiday season crafts and/or handmade cards. As much as we may not want to think about it yet, Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, and many other December festivities are now less than five months away!





15. Let your inner youngster out at the beach and make a sandcastle with the best of 'em!


16. Get up really early and go out on a local hot air balloon ride to watch the summer sun rise from a breathtakingly gorgeous - and very lofty - vantage point.


17. Spend time on, in, or near the water! Lake, river, ocean, tiny creek, it scarcely matters. The important thing is that you likely won't freeze in you get wet!


18. Track down a remaining drive-in movie theater in your state or province and take as many relatives/friends as you can legally load into the car for a night of classic film going fun.


19. Try to squeeze in some extra outfit photo shoots this month for those chilly fall and winter months ahead when the weather may not be nearly as cooperative, but you don't want to go too long between posting new looks on your blog.





20. Devote at least 30 minutes a day to quiet reading and make some serious headway on your summer book list.


21. Invite some friends over and hold a spa day/night using only cold or room products to help keep August's heat at bay while you pamper yourselves.


22. Head to beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia for this year's fun filled Pacific National Exhibition - better known around these parts as the PNE.


23. Pretend that you're still of a single digit age and leap (or at least gingerly step ;D) through a splashing sprinkler.


24. Find a local stable or ranch that offers such and hire a horse for a day of trail riding.





25. Have a good old-fashioned ice cream social and go wild with the variety of sundae toppings that you offer your guests.


26. Visit, or perhaps even take part, in one of the biggest annual Highland Games, the Cowal Highland Gathering, in Scotland.


27. As you get ready to start incorporating your fall/winter wardrobe into your life again, take this time to give your closet a thorough purging. Sell, donate, or swap those items you no longer want and, if you've had some sales, treat yourself to something from your vintage wishlist that you've been yearning to buy for ages now.


28. Go early season apple or pear picking at a local orchard.


29. As the month wraps up, join throngs of fellow tennis enthusiasts at the US Open, which runs from August 29th - September 11th this year.


30. Host at least one more full-on, done right family barbeque or picnic.





31. Start planning your Halloween costume - it's never too early to do so and many stores are already beginning to stock festive offerings, so the sooner the better!



{To learn more about a specific image used in this post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Naturally the list above is a mere drop in the bucket (err, sandcastle pail) when it comes to the near endless number of things that one can do, savour and experience throughout the month of August, and it was tricky to cap my selection at just thirty-one entries.

It's doubtable anybody will do all of these entries this August, but we can each indulge in at least a few, adding in others that suit our lives and remaining open to some great on-the-fly fun as well.

After all, the ability to start your day early and end it late, both in glistening summer sunshine, is one of the most appealing aspects of this fantastic time of the year.

I hope that today's post will help to make your August even more enjoyable and would love to hear about some of the things that you adore doing, seeing, tasting, and otherwise delighting in this month!

Links, Life, Love: June 4, 2016

Summer is approaching, fast and powerfully, its air a fragrant blend of thunder storms, honeysuckle, sandy shores, and the first locally grown tree ripened stone fruits in nearly a year. A lively month fills our days now and before we know it, the next season really and truly will be upon us.

Nearly two months have passed now since I launched a new periodically occurring post series called Links, Life, Love here and it seems, now that we're into June, like high time for the second installment of such.



Links:

Thoughts on Modern Vintage Style: I greatly enjoyed and appreciated Bonita's heartfelt look at this topic and how it relates to her own life and wardrobe. It's something that I think many of us will be nodding up a storm as we read and I really commend her on tackling this important vintage style related subject.


My Favourite Instagram Accounts for 1920s Style Inspiration: Searching for some of the best and most arrestingly chic jazz era fashion wearers to follow on Instagram? Look no further than this curated and entirely fantastic list that Jessica from Zella Maybe recent put together. Le swoon!


Spring & Summer Vintage Accessory Essentials: Bianca rounds up several of favourite must-have warm weather vintage accessories, from high heeled sandals to pretty parasols, and highlights them care of some seriously soon worthy yesteryear images in this fun spring + summer fashion post.


The Lifesaving Powers of Vintage Turbans: You'll want to run, not walk, to your scarf collection the moment you read this terrific piece from Nicole at The Artyologst, and then proceed to spend the whole summer sporting the most glamorous vintage style turbans imaginable.


Why I don’t like capsule wardrobes: Personally, I'm quite neutral when it comes to capsule wardrobes and have zero against them personally, but I did find this post on why its author, Christina Fleming, isn't a fan to be a thought provoking, interesting read.


Edwardian Pomade Recipe: Kate's super simple and very natural recipe - complete with a great how-to video - for such will have you running to the local health food or holistic related shop and then your kitchen in a heartbeat.


Flea Market 101: A Beginner’s Guide: Jackie of the always enjoyable blog, Let's Go Thrifting, dishes out some super handy, and very detailed advice, on what to know/do/take with you/expect when you go flea market shopping. This post is a great read for all outdoor second hand market fans, be they newbies, veterans, or anywhere in between.


A Man Took Hundreds of Photobooth Self-Portraits From Between the 1930s and 1960s. But No One Knows Who He Is and Why?: Tell me this doesn't intrigue you something fierce!


5 Keys for Mid-Century (Decor) Style: A quintet of fun, easy ways to inject more of the mid-century awesomeness we so adore into our home decor care of Sabrina over at the delightful blog, Inky Notions.




Life:

In many respects, I feel like I've already shared most of the highlights that have filled our days lately, including our wonderful little trip to the Kootenays, but that doesn't mean that other things haven't been happening behind the scenes, too.

Tony recently returned home from his latest work trip to the States, which saw him touch down for a few days in Denver, Colorado. Save for the airport there, he'd never been to Denver before and really enjoyed his time in this beautiful state, which geographically speaking, share many points (mountains! evergreen trees! vast expanses of wilderness!) in common with our own province of British Columbia.

Much as with Austin, Texas in April, he adored getting to explore more of America and is looking forward to wherever his company may opt to send him to next, be it in America, Canada, or even further afield.

And speaking of Tony, both he and I have birthday coming down the pipeline in the not-too-far-off future. Mine will roll into town on July 10th (I'll be 32) and his appears again on August 6th (he'll be 36). We've always adored that we're both "summer babies" and while we don't have any mega plans in the works for either day yet, are certainly looking forward to celebrating them together.






In fact, we're genuinely psyched to be spending the summer as a whole in one another's company, after being apart while he was in San Francisco (for work) for nearly the whole duration of last summer.

Though we both fared well during that time apart and stayed in constant contact online, it truly wasn't the same letting the most stunning, sunny and light filled (aka, prime outdoor photo taking season) chapter of the year go by without each other's companionship and we feel very fortunate to have this summer together again.

We're also excited about Canada Day on July 1st (it's one of only two days each year - the other being New Year's Eve - when our town puts on a small fireworks show), the prospect of a summertime road trip or two, the return of cherry + peach + apricot + plum + nectarine season, days of weather so stunning it almost makes you weep, and making plans on various fronts for the second half of 2016.


Love:

-Muted colours, as I blogged about recently in this post, are something that I simply can't get enough of at the moment. I recently ordered a fab new fifties dress in these earthy, goes-with-everything shades for fall and am already planning an outfit for October around it.

-And speaking of thinking ahead when it comes to my ensembles (ahh, the life of a full-time fashion blogger), a recent Etsy search for "Christmas pudding brooch" lead me to discover the most delightfully cool handmade fruit and veg themed jewelry shop on Etsy called By the Shed, and I'm not even joking when I say that I want every single thing that they're selling. If I receive some birthday money this year, I uber want to put a portion of it towards my first purchase from this awesome shop.

-Wearing all the vintage straw hats and carrying all the vintage straw/bamboo/raffia handbags. Hands down one of my favourite elements about summertime fashion is this point right here and I've wasted no time this year in putting my straw (et al) accessories to good use!

-Shopping my own closet, so to speak. As evidenced by some of the comments that I received on this  post last year (and various others, too), I know that many of are firm fans of putting existing wardrobe pieces to continued use in new and exciting ways, and that's something that I greatly enjoy and make a point of doing as well.

There is, objectively, relatively little I truly *need* when it comes to clothing and the older I get, the more I want to keep enjoying and experimenting with my existing wardrobe, which naturally means blogging many such outfits here with all of you.

-Kailey Flyte, better known to many online as Mermaiden's, cuter-than-cute collection of cell phone cases that she designed in collaboration with Casetify.

-Magnum Double Raspberry Ice Cream Bars: Oh my stars, are these things amazing! Tony and I just discovered this particular Magnum offering last month and to we're both beyond addicted to them now. Hands down these Double Raspberry Bars are in my top five favourite store bought ice cream products of all time. If you love the taste of raspberries, I seriously can't recommend them highly enough!




-Nestling our camping chairs into the sand down at one of the local beaches here and watching the sky transform from butter yellow to tangerine, coral, lilac and amber as the ever-hotter sun sets over either Okanagan or Skaha Lake.

-This adorable elderly British couple who finally tied the knot after dating for 42 years (aww!).

-When my wonderful Etsy customers blog about their purchases, such as Sara from In a Nutshell, Sarah (with an "h" :)) from Sew Characteristically You, as well as Jessica from Zella Maybe , and Elizabeth from Gloriously Vintage have all done did in recent weeks.

Thank you wonderful ladies each so much, I truly appreciate it! (Check out snaps from each of their awesome posts below, in order from top to bottom: Jessica, Sarah H., Elizabeth, and Sarah.)

{To learn more about a specific image used in today's post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.} 

♥ ♥ ♥

What are your plans for this first Saturday of June, my dear friends? Recently my awesome sister, who lives in the nearby city of Kelowna, caught wind of a brand new vintage sale called the Okanagan Vintage Fair, which is holding its first ever event today, and rushed to tell me about it (isn't she the best!).

I didn't feel that I found out about it far enough in advance to attend as a seller (I usually need, due to my health, several weeks to prepare for an in person selling event, which then, there's never any guarantee that I'll be feeling well enough to attend; thus selling online via my Etsy shop, as I do, works so much better for me!), but I am hoping to bop up to Kelowna this weekend and attend as customer, if possible.

We have exceedingly few vintage related events, let alone sales, in this corner of the province and I really like to support as many of them that do exist as I realistically can (interestingly, a few days after my sister texted me about this event, the organizer - who I'd not interacted with before - contacted me via Facebook to invite me to attend, which was so sweet and thoughtful of her to do).

I know some of the folks who will be selling there and look forward to meeting others who are new to me, as well as to attend the premier occasion of this fun sale. Hopefully I'll return with a vintage treasure or two enrich my wardrobe and/or home with!

Aside from that, we're keeping things nice and on-the-fly this weekend, with few set plans and even less of a desire to be rushed or overly busy. These warm, gorgeous months are all too brief and one should savour them at a leisurely pace as often as possible (even if that means for just a few hours on the weekends or after work).

Have a stellar, delightfully fun - and hopefully relaxing - weekend, everyone!

Flickr Favourites: August 8, 2015

{Playtime togs ~ kristine}




{Vegetable sandwich~ Sara Domjan}



{Model in striped wool jersey dress (c. 1946) ~ Arnold Kabini}




{1959 Dole Pineapple ad ~ Totally Mystified}



{I'm feeling a little blue today ~ Steve Wilson}



{Good Housekeeping Mar 1951 ~ File Photo Digital Archive}



{1957 Saxone ad ~ Totally Mystified}



{1958 Admiral Stero ad ~ Totally Mystified}



{Baby Hérisson ~ Swann Chedemail}



{Blue and gold (1946) ~ Roz Leibowitz}

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

♥ ♥ ♥


August is a bold time of the year - brazen, some might even say. As a general rule, it's summer's last great stance, and indeed, is the final full month of the season. It's hot, fun, and full of rich, captivating, beautiful colours, amongst which gold, blue, dusty brown, and black always spring to mind for me.

They make me think of everything from dips in the lake when it's a sultry 35C at 11pm to evenings spent watching stars pirouette across the heavens to the colours of the sand and sagebrush strew hills that flank our town.

I love August and its intoxicating heat. I use it to nap, to talk walks, to wear my favourite sundresses, and to simply sit quietly and do nothing sometimes, in the great tradition of summers and porches everywhere.

August might feel like it flies by in the blink of an eye, but its rarely rushed and it loves to take the wheel, dictating, happily I might add, how you spend a good chunk of it. Thankfully, most of us so want to soak up every last ounce of sunshine while it’s still here, so that’s rarely a negative thing.

Stores are already starting to make room on their shelves for Halloween decorations and while I adore fall and its wonderful holidays with an unending passion, I am nowhere near getting my rake, plastic pumpkins, or Thanksgiving recipes out of storage yet.

Nope, no siree, no way. Right here, right now, I just want to watch the sun set over Okanagan Lake every night in a captivating, alluring, soulful palette that rather resembles the one featured here in this month's edition of Flickr Favourites. Coincidence? Just between you and I, not in the slightest! :)

Vintage Link Love for July 2015

Perhaps it comes as no surprise to most folks, but July whizzed by at the speed of light! I know that I begin many Vintage Link Love posts with similar sentiments about the pace at which the month that we just enjoyed whipped past at, but at perhaps no other time of the year does time seem to vanish more quickly than during the summer.

Though I'm in no rush to see the glorious warm weather disappear, the passing of time does mean that it won't be too long (the first week of September, to be exact) until Tony gets home from working in the States this summer, and that's certainly something that we're both massively looking forward to.

{This early twentieth century beach photo sums up July so well for me this year. Full speed ahead, with a smile on my face, a song in my heart, and sand underfoot - at least once or twice!}

This month I was a seriously busy little bee! Between my birthday celebration, listing over 190 brand new antique and vintage items in the shop (including oodles of adorable vintage novelty brooches), returning to YouTube after a nearly eleven month (unplanned!) break there, thrifting up a storm (I've got a video in the works with some of my exciting recent thrift finds, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that), penning plenty of blog posts, and - no word of a lie - already beginning to think heavily about Halloween (giant shocker to those who know me, I'm sure! :D), plus all the other usual bits and bobs of life, I've been on my toes nearly none stop this month.

Ooohhh, plus, in the last few days of July, Chronically Vintage's Facebook page hit a new milestone: over 4,000 likes - thank you so much to everyone for your support there!

In amidst of burning the candle at both ends, I still found time to read many of my favourite blogs and websites. Amongst them I gleaned the following selection of twelve posts that captured my attention for one reason or another. I hope that you'll enjoy and/or be inspired by all of them as well!

♥ 42 glamorous wedding dresses from the 1920s and 30s: Though I don't know anyone tying the knot here locally this summer, wedding season has been out in full force for a while now and this selection of more than 40 photos of vintage gowns more than helps to make up for the lack of nuptials I've been attending lately. Prepare to swoon!!!


♥ What to know when getting your hair bobbed: Recently the always marvelously stylish Jenny Frances chopped over several inches of hair and is now sporting a very becoming bob. To help those who might want the skinny on what to know if you're considering this classic haircut, too, she put together a stellar, image filled post all about the ins and outs of getting a bob (that's definitely worth bookmarking even if you have no plans to chop your hair anytime soon - you just never know when a great post like this might come in handy).


♥ Crinolinemania: the sexy fashion trend that killed 3,000 women: The heart of this story from Mashable/Retronaut may not come as shocking news to those who study historical fashions, but the concept that so many people perished as the result of an elaborate undergarment is still more than enough to give anyone reason to pause and think.

♥ 21 post ideas for bloggers: I've thought about penning a similar post to this one myself many times before, but haven't yet had the chance, so in the meantime, I thought that I would share this lovely, helpful list of twenty-one blog post ideas from, fittingly, the fun contemporary fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog N°.20 - because, really, who amongst us bloggers can't use a little post prompt help every now and then?


♥ DIY Miriam Haskell Necklace: My good friend and fellow vintage blogger Bianca from The Closet Historian is not only a lovely writer, but an incredible talented milliner, seamstress, and jewelry maker. It is the latter skill that comes to foreground in this recent how-to post of hers in which she takes us through the easy to follow steps involved with make a show stoppingly gorgeous vintage looking, Miriam Haskell inspired statement necklace. Believe me, you'll want to reach for your round nose pliers, pronto!


♥ The Great British Heatwave In 32 Photos: 1911-1976 (WARNING: MAY NOT BE SAFE FOR WORK OR SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS/VIEWERS DUE TO NUDITY): Heat waves are anything but new, however the act of capturing them on camera has obviously only been possible since the invention of this world changing device. This recent post from the site Flashback rounds up over 30 photos taken in the UK during the early to mid-twentieth century during various heatwaves. Anyone who has ever experienced this common summer occurrence will be able to instantly relate to these memorable photos.




♥ How to pack a trunk in 1870: I find the topic of vintage travel and how people packed for it in the days of ocean liners, long railway journeys, and even the early days of aviation to be wildly interesting, so when Aimee shared this post about how to pack one's trunks for a voyage Victorian style, I couldn’t lap up each word quickly enough!


♥ Nine myths about dressing vintage: From fellow Canadian vintage fan, wearer, and blogger Kirstie, comes this spot on post that delves deeper, IMO, than many similar entries I've seen over the years and dispels some of the persistent myths that exist regarding the wearing of vintage.


♥ Decked Out-Nautical Fashion through the Ages: Whether you live a stone's through from the ocean or hundreds of miles away from the nearest seashore, summertime calls for nautical inspired fashions in spades and it's always fun to see examples of them from decades past, such as the lovely roundup in this recent post from Blue Velvet Vintage's delightful blog.




♥ What do you want to be when you grow up?: This post from Gemma's always engaging blog Retro Chick spoke to me a great deal.  I constantly find areas of my life, very much including the running of my blog, where my own assorted childhood career aspirations come to the surface and are realized, at least some of the time, through the work that I actually do for a living these days, much as Gemma finds that to be true for her as well.


♥ 29 of the most delicious things you can do with zucchini: With zuc season upon us again, the fine folks at BuzzFeed have rounded some thoroughly scrumptious looking recipes that make good use of the vegetable, which frequently grows in copious quantities for those who plant it and which always seems to be easy to come by in spades during mid-summer (no matter if you have a garden or not). The Pizza Boats, Chocolate Muffins, and Blueberry Zucchini Cake with Lemon Buttercream in particular really jumped out me. Which zucchini recipes there call your name the most?


♥ Remembering the Apollo 11 Moon Landing With the Woman Who Made It Happen: July 20th marked the 46th anniversary since Neil Armstrong famously took his first steps on the moon, but as this intriguing Time Life piece details, such may not have been possible were it not for the pioneering software development work of Margaret Hamilton (pictured below).

{To learn more a specific image used in this post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

♥ ♥ ♥

August, the eight month of the year and final full month of the summer, is a unique one. The dog days of summer are often behind us (or very nearly so), but autumn's chill hasn't yet returned. The beaches are full still, but at the same time, the first Halloween decorations are starting to grace the shelves of various shops (Walmart, Michaels, Hallmark, and Marshalls are usually amongst the first to bring in seasonal decor here in our neck of the woods).

Those who enjoy the summer are usually still flushed and happy about the heat and spirits are high in general. However, I think that many of our minds are already starting to look ahead to fall and the changes that it brings back into our lives, be it a fresh school year, unpacking our cold weather threads, or coaxing our ovens out of hibernation when comfort food season strikes once more.



{August is a fascinating month. We often bound into it in a bathing suit and leave sporting trousers and cardigans again - or at least starting to think about introducing them into our closets and daily ensembles once more. It's fun, sunny, and usually over far too quickly - much like this July was!}


I think that August, just as with early September, is a wonderful transition filled time between the two chapters of the year and I love that it lets us enjoy summer proper for a little while longer.

In the coming weeks, I plan to continue thrifting and yard saling up a storm, cooking and baking (peach pies made with local fruit, you guys, oh my gosh, I can't even - they're always sensational!) with local produce, enjoying the fact that the sun still sets fairly late in the day, and yet at the same time, thinking more and more about autumn and all my ideas and blog posts for that season.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you each a sunny, fun filled, awesome August and hope that it will be a terrific month for all of us!

25 Vintage Deals Under $100 for July 2015

A few nights ago, as the very last vestiges of the setting sun vanished for another sleepy eve, I went out to get our mail and was almost overwhelmed by how strikingly beautiful the weather was, even at that late hour. In fact, it was the time of the day that helped to make it so magical. The air was warm to the point of feeling electrically charged, yet a solid wind blew, tinged with heat, as the sky turned shades of spilled ink indigo and jet black.
 
I walked leisurely to and from the mail box, trying to impart the heat of each step into my soul, which still felt partially frozen from last winter. Returning to our wee front stoop, I sat and looked up at the heavens, thanking the universe for the gift of this beautiful night and for the wonder that is summer from start to finish.
 
There is an abundance of things to adore about this season, even if - unlike myself - the heat isn't one of them for you (the hotter, the better for me, so long as it's a dry heat of the type that we're fortunate to get here most of the time). It is on precisely some of those seasonal joys, perks, and highlights that I'm focusing today's selection of 25 Vintage Deals Under $100.
 
Whether you prefer AC and a chilled fruit salad, hot dogs on that beach at mid-day, or a simple al fresco picnic as dusk rolls in, there is beauty and joy in every last minute of summertime and I for one, am truly grateful that we still have over two more months still of it to make the very most of. For now, though, let's delve into these delightful deals on summery vintage, handmade, and vintage appropriate goodies that are sure to appeal to even the biggest fan of winter amongst us! :)

1. Butterflies are a common sight in many areas, my own included, during the summer months and are such a beautiful, apt symbol of the season. I've always had a major thing for butterfly themed jewelry and clothing, and if you do as well, then you might adore this whimsically sweet c. 1960s BSK brand silver washed brushed gold tone metal butterfly brooch, which would look super cute on all kinds of summer sundresses, blouses, peasant tops, and (pinned) to straw hats and handbags. $16.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




2. Though they look beyond good enough to eat, these are not in fact real popsicles! Nope, instead they're some of the cutest handmade soaps I've ever seen. Talk about a great gift to give your guests at a summer party or barbeque! $5.50 for one 4 ounce bar of glycerin soap from Crimson Hill.




3. Nothing says summertime quite like the beach and few things represent that most delightful of places better than seashells, such as the fabulously pretty ones in this rare c. 1950s Mosell white enamel coated gold tone bracelet. $48.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




4. Wrangle excess volume or simply highlight your beautiful curves further with this charming, super cute rhinestone bow belt. Its light blue hue reminds me of the sparkling summer sky and the rhinestones of fluffy white clouds floating through it. $19.99 from Blue Velvet Vintage.




5. Smocking, a dainty floral pattern set atop a pastel pink background, fluttery sleeves, and a nice mid-calf (on most people) length lend this 1970s sundress an awesome mid-century vibe that would be right at home in a 1940s ensemble. Fits up to a 38" bust/ 36" waist, due to the fact that it's elasticized and can therefore work for many different sizes, from XS to XL (up to 36" inches in the waist). $42.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




6. The first of the season's peaches - which our area of the country is famous for growing a huge abundance of - are just starting to hit the grocery store and farmer's market stall shelves - and with them comes thoughts of peach everything - very much including accessories, like this fabulously fun vintage style handmade confetti lucite style brooch that is positively pulsating with old school inspired charm. $21.00 from Summer Blue Jewelry.



7. Described as having notes of Suntan Lotion, Coconut, Sea Salt, Lime, Jasmine, and Musk, this artisan scent is so far up my alley, it's not even funny! :) I haven't tried it yet myself, but it's on my wishlist and I really hope to one day, especially since it sounds like the most perfect summertime perfume ever. $23.00 for a spray bottle of scent from Wylde Ivy.



8. Calling all tiki, Hawaiian and Polynesian fans, this off-the-charts fabulous 1950s plastic and metal charm bracelet is for your! It features nuggets of marbled turquoise blue and white plastic, along with super fun metal hula girl charms. Love, love, love!!! $42.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.



9. Summery, sweet and stylish, this delightful mid-century rhinestone and plastic flower brooch instantly calls to mind fields of wildflowers swaying rhythmically in the roasty-toasty July breeze. $14.21 from Tansy Bell Vintage (use the coupon code TBV1Year at checkout to save 25% off on everything from this wonderful European Etsy vintage shop).




10. Though we do most often associate them with summer, pastels are frequently players during the summer, too, showing up in everything from ice cream to swimsuits to salt water taffy, not to mention in our jewelry choices. This new-to-the-shop deadstock set of Nemo brand 1950s clip-on earrings is bursting with some of the loveliest pastel shades around and offers you all kinds of marvelous matches for your warm weather outfits, be they mid-century, repro, pinup, rockabilly, or modern. $28.00 for the set of five pairs on their original paper display card, from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




11. That the New Look influence is hard at work in this splendidly pretty 1940s two-piece summer dress and jacket Anne Adams sewing pattern is undeniable, much like the timeless loveliness of the garments themselves that it will help you produce. $15.00 from One More Cup of Tea.




12. Even on the hottest days of the year, if an outfit calls for them, I have no qualms with sporting vintage gloves, though I do usually keep the colours light and the lengths short. This beautiful pair of candy pink c. 1950s gloves are just the sort I'd reach for, especially because of their eye-catching braided detailing at the wrist. Fits a vintage size 7 or 7.5 hand. $15.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




13. Recently I had the pleasure of obtaining a small assortment of mid-century vintage millinery flowers, most of which were (are) in brooch form, including this cheerful, summertime outfit perfect dark pink daisy example. $10.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy (some of the millinery flowers have already sold, but you can see all of the ones that remain here).



14. Summer + sunglasses are a natural (and smart!) match, especially when you've got frames as a sweetly lovely as these pretty pink 1950s cat eye ones (swoon!). $56.00 from Go Go Vintage Glasses.




15. Hot weather calls for lightness - in food, in bedding, and most definitely in clothing, including our accessories. This recently listed 1950s Coro brand cream and gold 1950s confetti lucite necklace is ideal for the season's scorching heat and would even be a great choice for a summer bride on her wedding day. $25.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




16. Give the oven the day (or month!) off with this delightful pair of mid-century vintage recipe books, both of which feature oodles of cold eats and drinks to help make the heat more bearable and delicious at the same time. $13.50 for the pair from Mud In The USA.




17. Elegant white milk glass and fun aqua hued molded plastic blooms team up with gold tone metal in this eye-catchingly gorgeous 1950s bracelet that sings with the spirit of summer and which partners so well with tons of different mid-century novelty prints, circle skirts, and sundresses all season long. $30.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




18. Ideal for everything from weddings to garden parties, church to a girls night out, this classic, good sized mid-century beaded white purse is the kind of goes-with-everything accessory you'll reach for time and time again for many years to come. $38.00 from Buy Ur Vintage Junk (be sure to use the exclusive coupon code for Chronically Vintage readers, VTG20, at checkout to save 20% off on all merchandise at Buy Ur Vintage Junk's shop until the end of July).



19. Though it is technically a covered casserole dish, I can't help but think how perfect this beautiful 1940s piece of crockery (that measures 8.5 inches in circumference) would be to serve summer salads - from potato to garden to macaroni - in all summer long, especially if you were entertaining outdoors. $15.00 from Vintage Finds by Suzi.




20. This classic 1950s tea length white sleeveless dress is currently on sale and deeply discounted, which just bolsters its appeal all the more. I could see this dress looking like a million dollars at all kinds of events from weddings (including as a wedding dress itself) to car shows to summer concerts. Available in modern ladies sizes XS to XL, $59.00 at the time of writing from Blue Velvet Vintage.




21. Rare is the summer day when I'm not wearing at least one thing with flowers on, be it a dress, hat, handbag, pair of shoes, or piece of jewelry. They suit the season sublimely and are just so cheerful to boot, very much including this wonderfully gorgeous c. 1910s - 1920s antique pale pink glass brooch with hand painted blue and pink flowers on it. $28.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.



22. If you live anywhere near a body of water, especially one frequented by people, chances are seagulls are as common a summertime sight around your town as they are in mind. Unlike the real deal though, this cute, kitschy pair won't get your car dirty or try to steal your lunch, instead they might in fact jazz it up thanks to the fact that they're salt and pepper shakers. $17.95 from Shake That Thang.



23. Like many a child, I can fondly remember picking daisies and braiding crowns of them to wear as I played outside during the summer when I was a youngster. This sweet, romantically pretty mid-century pink enamel and gold tone metal flower bracelet reminds me of those carefree, sun-kissed days each time I look at it. $20.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.




24. Much like winter's chill, summer's heat can do a real number on your lips, especially if you're spending much time in the sun and/or water. Help keep your lips smoochably soft with this warm weather perfect selection ice cream flavour inspired lip balms from Live Beautifully Body. $4.50 per individual tube of lip balm.




25. We have the merest speck of a yard in front (and to one side) of our condo and there isn't room for a real garden, but thanks to two small patches of dirt, since the year we moved in here (2012), we've been able to keep three rose bushes that we planted alive and thriving. They bloom about three or even four times between June and October usually and are out in full force right now. Rose are my all time favourite flower in any form, very much including jewelry, so this new-to-the-shop vintage enamel and shiny gold tone metal really feels at home in July for me and I'm sure for many of you as well. $18.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.

♥ ♥ ♥

As I sat on the front stairs and gazed at the first pulsating stars of the evening, I wished with all my might to capture the temperature, the vitality of the warm air, and the whole season itself and keep it there forever. Alas, such is not possible, but I did bank as much of it as I could in my memory to see me through when the icy breath of Old Man winter returns to breath down my neck again.

While seasons are temporary, pieces like those well priced examples in today's post can last far longer than just three months and are a great way to keep the spirit of the season going long after the last beach day of the year. And that is certainly something to be thankful for unto itself.

Have an amazing, sunshine filled second half of July, my dear friends!!!