GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Three beautiful vintage fashion filled adult colouring books from Dover Publications

It's safe to say that the adult colouring book craze has taken off like wildfire and then some! Though colouring books geared towards those far past the primary school age range are not new by any means, their widespread adoption and explosive growth as a market certainly is.

I've been wanting to dip my feet into the pool, so to speak, for quite some time now, as I greatly enjoyed colouring as a child and have been a passionate paper crafter (scrapbooker, card maker, etc) since my mid-twenties, however I rarely have time to just sit and craft or colour, so thus far I haven't done so - despite really wanting to.

Earlier this month I talked about how I'm making a point, no matter what, to carve out more downtime for myself. Ideally, I'd like my off-time to be as relaxing as possible, and the concept of adult colouring books certainly fall into that camp for me.

As such, Dover Publication's timing couldn't have been more perfect (no doubt the universe is trying to encourage me to relax more!). The awesome folks there recently got in touch with me again (we've worked together here in the past) to ask if I'd be interested in receiving a set of, and giving away copies of the same, three historical fashion filled colouring books from their expansive library of such.

Vintage? Colouring? A chance to unwind a little? Yes, pretty please! I jumped at the chance, not only for my own sake, but so as to be able to offer one lucky Chronically Vintage reader the chance to win a prize pack featuring all three of the following Dover adult colouring books.






Creative Haven Art Nouveau Fashions Coloring Book: Illustrated by noted artist Ming-Ju Sun, this elegant colouring book features fashions spanning the 1890s to the early 1900s (aka, the end of the Victorian era straight on into the beginning of the Edwardian period). Think leg-o-mutton sleeves, intricate lace, slender waists, sophisticated dangle earrings, and enchanting upswept hairstyles of the sorts that many stylish ladies of the day sported.

Like all three of the colouring books that I received from Dover, the pages in this title are single sided and perforated, making them a snap to remove and then display (or even frame), if so desired.

The illustrations in this book, like those of the other two titles, are a sort of neo-vintage take on the era and have a very romantic quality to them that instantly calls to mind many historical illustrations (and, really, art depicting people in general) from the 1980s, which I find wonderfully endearing and enjoyable, having grown up with us when I was a child.





Creative Haven Art Deco Fashions Coloring Book: Of the three colouring books, this lovely title (also starring illustrations by Ming-Ju Sun) might just be my very favourite. Inside one finds 30 pages overflowing with beautifully illustrated examples of 1920s, 1930s and early 1940s fashions, and I have to say, this book sings with the spirit of jazz age looks of various types (aka, not just the stereotypical "bright young things" sort of flapper ensemble).

It is a terrific cross selection of posh looks from that ever-evolving era and one that I'd imagine just about vintage fan would enjoy spending some time colouring in pages full of such chic fashions.





Creative Haven Fabulous Fashions of the 1950s Coloring Book: Like the other two titles, this wonderfully fun colouring book features art by Ming-Ju Sun and as the title implies, is rife with 31 pages of styles inspired by popular fashions, for both women and men, from a decade that many of us hold near and dear to our hearts - the fantastic fifties!
Like the other two books, this title is printed on really nice quality paper, with crisp, sharp black lines and illustrations, that while detailed, are not excessively intricate, as those in some adult colouring books tend to be.

Though I've not had a chance to sit down and colour in any of these three books yet myself (I need to visit Michael's the next time we're in Kelowna and pick up some good quality pencil crayons), I wholeheartedly look forward to doing so and already tell, before I've even brought pencil tip to paper, that these books are very high quality and a joy to use.

It doesn't surprise me for a second that adult colouring books have become an epic vogue over the last few years. They allow anyone who wants to become an artist (or further add to their artistic abilities) and also give users the important sense of completing a manageable crafting related project (colouring a page or even a whole book).

One might not always have time to whip out a quilt, knit a sweater, or create all of their Christmas cards from scratch, but most of us - myself included - can set aside an hour or two at least once in a while to connect with our inner artist and bring beautiful illustrations to life all the more thanks to our colouring skills.

For vintage fans, I can think of no better suited adult colouring books on the market today (and believe me, I see a ton of them each week when putting together the mailing lists for our website Any New Books) and truly want to thank Dover for sending me these three titles, as well as for offering up a set of the same books to one lucky reader.

If you'd like to enter for your chance to win, please read on to learn how to do just that! :)



Giveaway details:

This giveaway is one copy of each of the three Creative Havens vintage fashion colouring books shown in today's post. It is open to participants worldwide and will run from today's date (March 23rd) until Thursday March 31st, after which point, using the feature that allows you to do so directly through that app, I will draw the winning name using Rafflecopter.

There are nine number of ways to enter this giveaway and you're welcome to do as many of them as you'd like. The more ways by which you enter, the greater your odds of winning become.

The only entry that is mandatory is that you leave a comment on this post sharing some of your thoughts on adult colouring books with me (have you tried them? Do you you like them? Do you think that they're a passing fad or have they established themselves as category of crafting in their own right? Etc).

Once the giveaway has wrapped up and the winner has been drawn, I will contact them via email and then pass along their information to my lovely contact at Dover. If you have any questions about this giveaway, please don't hesitate to email me anytime.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Many thanks again to Dover - who, I should mention, have put out scores upon scores of wonderful looking adult colouring books spanning a wide array of topics and illustration styles - for teaming up with my blog on this exciting giveaway. And big thank you as well to all those who take part in this contest!

Whether, like myself, you're an adult colouring book newbie, have completed dozens already, or fall somewhere in between, these historical fashion filled titles are sure to catch your eye and have you reaching for the felt markers and pencil crayons in no time!


*PS* As this post was going to press, so to speak, I got wind of numerous exciting adult colouring book related happenings that Dover is involved with and wanted to share about them here with you as well. These events include:

-A monochromatic colouring colour that starts on April 1, 2016.

-Dover is sponsoring National Coloring Book Day on August 2, 2016

-Dover supports, and is involved with, numerous Coloring Book Parties that are rapidly springing up across the country.

-And, last, but certainly not least, Dover now has a delightful Facebook page just for their Coloring Book Publications.

In which I am humbled and touched beyond words

Originally, I didn't have a post slatted for this gloriously warm last Friday of July, but then something happened that moved me to my core and which I wanted needed to blog about immediately, and so I'm doing just that right now.

I've had the great pleasure of knowing Lorena - a very talented artist from Brisbane, Australia - through both of her engaging, beautiful blogs (Balea Raitz Art and In Vogue One Day) for quite some time now, and we've long enjoyed swapping comments on each others sites.

Lorena had indicated before to me that she was interested in drawing me, and I'd happily said I would be honoured to have that happen anytime, but I didn't know that she was hard at work on a sketch this month, nor that she posted it on Balea Raitz Art until today. Imagine my double take inducing surprise when I visited her blog a few minutes ago was greeted with an illustrated image of myself.




This is the first time I've ever had anyone draw me as an adult, and I truly cannot begin to express the mixture of joy, appreciation, and amazement I'm feeling at the moment over the awesome image of me that Lorena so thoughtfully created (which is based on a photograph from this outfit post taken in the spring of 2012).

As I've touched on at various times here over the years (such as in this post), I have struggled with some really hefty self-esteem, self-confidence, and body image related issues over the years (which are not helped one iota by my battle with severe chronic health problems). Though I have gotten somewhat better in this regard, it took me a very long time - almost all of my life - to not look in the mirror and think that I was horrendously, hideously unattractive.

I am exceedingly well aware of the fact that I'm not, in most peoples' eyes, what one might call conventionally beautiful, and between all of these points, I honestly never imagined that anyone would look at me and choose to see me as a source of inspiration for their artwork - let alone want to draw an image depicting me.

At the age of 29 years old, I am incredibly humbled learn that I was wrong. Dead wrong. Someone found inspiration in me and created art with that. My goodness, I can think of nothing more touching or uplifting for my soul, spirit, and self-esteem.

Lorena's incredible piece exudes a sort of radiant beauty that I have honestly never seen in myself when I looked at my reflection, but which, clearly she was able to wisely see and transform into art.

The words "thank you" fail to do justice for gift of this incredible illustration, as well as for what, in one lightning fast instant, it taught me to see in myself. However, I will say them with as much conviction and sincerity as anyone has ever held before all the same: thank you deeply, dearly, and forever, Lorena.

My tenets of happy crafting

Compared to many topics on this blog (vintage fashion, recipes, mid-century history, and home decor, for example), I've not delved into crafting nearly as much. Of course there have been some craft themed posts over the years, but compared to the number that many vintage bloggers share on their sites, I'm the first to say that Chronically Vintage hasn't been flooded with such entries by any means.

This was never an intentional move, especially given that crafting has been an integral part of my life since I was knee high to a grasshopper. While, unlike many of you, I don't knit, crochet or sew (though I do know the basics of the latter and enjoy sewing a lot), that doesn't mean that I'm not an avid crafter.

The first craft that I really got into as a child, and one I sometimes still do to this day, was cross stitching, quickly followed by stitchery (embroidery). For many years these were the two main crafts that I did, though along the way I added beading/jewelry making to the mix, and also created and successfully had a part time business selling hair accessories when I was in high school. Later on in my twenties paper crafting hopped on board, and for the past two years scrapbooking and card making have been the two primary focuses of my crafting universe.

I adore that scrapbooking allows me to marry my love of preserving the past (even if that happens to mean the events of just a few days ago) with my desire to create and play with an abundance of beautiful craft supplies, from vintage themed papers to bowls of beautiful buttons and yard after yard of elegant lace. Card making, which often goes hand-in-hand with scrapbooking, is nothing short of an unbridled joy for me, as I really prefer giving someone something handmade when I want to let them know that I'm thinking of them or to celebrate a holiday or special event.

Sometimes, as I'm sure happens to pretty much all crafters, regardless of what arts and crafts they pursue and devote their time to, negative thoughts pop up or my mojo might wanes for a spell. During this time, I turn to a list of guiding principles that I first set down on paper when when I took up scrapbooking, and which has truly helped to serve me well ever since.

Lovingly known around my house as my "tenets of crafting", this list includes several points which I try to use like a compass in the course of my crafting adventures. Whether I find myself wishing I had more of a certain supply to work with or feeling like I haven't had had a good light bulb moment for a while, my spirits are always pacified and revived when I take a moment to review these tenets and reflect on how truly blessed I am to be able to craft often, in my own work space, and with (in reality) no shortage of supplies.

And so, on this crisp, lovely early autumn morning, I thought it was high time I shared my trusty tenets with all of you, knowing how many of my readers are also avid (endlessly talented) crafters. (Please note that I made this list into an image, which you can quickly pin to Pinterest or right click and save for your own personal, non-commercial use wherever you like.)

No matter what kind of crafts you love to do, where your mojo is at this week, or how often you get a chance to spend time creating, I sincerely hope that you'll also be able to avail of the help and inspiration this list has provided me over the year in your own life, too.

And should you happen to have any of your own personal tenets of crafting, please feel free to share them with me, I'm always happy to add to this list.

Remembering painted Halloween storefront windows

✯ Day 303 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

In countless ways the world is always moving forward. As part of this process, which has been the pattern of life since the dawn of time, certain things that were once commonplace start to fade away, further and further into our memories - or at least appearing less commonly in the course of our lives. Some vanish entirely, and others simply become harder to track down.

A few days ago while pursing Flickr for some more vintage Halloween inspiration, I chanced upon a photograph from the 1950s that instantly made me stop and reflect upon the fact that it has been years (well over a decade) since the last time I saw a storefront window painted up for Halloween.

Now granted I live in a big city (Toronto) these days, but nevertheless, I've gone past my fair share of storefronts during October each year, and while some put out fun, festive displays (e.g., mannequins with scary masks, clothing in shades of only orange and black), rack my brain as I may, I simply cannot remember seeing a window that had been painted for Halloween since I was about fifteen or sixteen (growing up in a moderate sized town in British Columbia).

In the image below we see three youngsters who have paused to admire a pair of painted windows. One of the girls points to the smiling moon face that looks down upon a delightfully spooky scene of black cats, leaf-less trees, eerie ghosts, and frightful black bats, and her friends’ gaze follows her outstretched arm.

{Wonderful vintage photo of a painted Halloween storefront window via fluffy chetworth on Flickr.}

 

I smiled ear-to-ear when I saw this photograph. I transported me back in time to my childhood in the 80s and 90s, when local businesses on main street routinely painted their windows for All Hallows Eve (not to mention Christmas and Easter, too).

Sometimes a professional window painter (I'd venture to guess not too many of those still exist any more) would be brought in to do the job; alternatively some shop owners who an interest in art would adorn their storefronts themselves. Other times still stores would let local school kids have a crack at painting murals on their windows.

If I had to take a guess at who painted the Halloween scene in this lovely vintage photo, I'd veer towards either kids or the shop's owner. There's something extra endearing about the fact that the artwork here doesn't look like it was lifted straight from a Madison Avenue art agency. It has a playful, relatable quality that makes it so sweet, fun, and easy to imagine oneself having created.

While I'm sure some businesses (particularly small town and mom and pop ones) are still holding onto the tradition of painting their windows for Halloween (and other holidays), I get the feeling that this classic art is one of those elements of society that will (sadly) continue to become harder and harder to find as time rolls onward.

Luckily however, we have images like this one from the 1950s to invoke nostalgia in those of us who grew up with painted Halloween storefront windows, and show others who didn't one of the most charming public ways of celebrating Halloween that has ever existed.

Introducing Flickr Favourites

Few sites continually inspire me with the same degree of creative, endlessly beautiful wonder that Flickr does. I’ve professed my undying love for Flickr here before (and like to think it comes through in my Saturday Snapshots posts, as well as many other image filled articles), but have been wanting for ages to launch a regularly occurring post devoted squarely to this amazing image filled site.

Instead of assigning this new reoccurring post a set day of the week (for example, Tuesday), I’ve decided to put together a Flickr Favourites post whenever the mood strikes – which will certainly be on a frequent basis (I’d tentatively say one such post every week or two).

While Saturday Snapshots focuses solely on vintage photographs of "real folks" (as opposed to famous people, magazine pictures featuring models, etc), the images that appear in “Flickr Favourites” will be a tapestry of old school snaps and modern photos with a vintage slant (or ones that I simply find to be too resplendently lovely to not share with you). Sometimes the images that appear in a given post may have a common theme, on others might be entirely random, tied together simply by their inherently breathtaking vintage related subject matter.

Last June I wrote about ten of my favourite Flickr groups devoted to various vintage topics, and many of you shared with me how much you enjoyed that roundup. Since that time I’ve thought often of that post, wanting to have a regular outlet in which to share more vintage related Flickr groups, so in addition to a selection of assorted images that have captured my imagination recently, each time I write an edition of Flickr Favourites, I’ll be including a previously un-blogged about Flickr group that’s focused solely on some marvellous aspect of the past.

I’m so excited about this delightfully fun new post, and sincerely hope that the images below, as well as all that follow in future editions, will provide you with scores of inspiration, help to fuel your vintage daydreams and brighten you day in the sweetest of ways.


♥ ♥ ♥


{Vintage Turquoise Creamer by ethanollie}



{Floating spoons by saltycotton}



{Still life 5 by lucy.loomis}



{A Symphony of Pink and Turquoise by Charm and Poise}



{Spring Journey by Magpie’s Fancy}


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Teaming with images of lovely treasures, retro kitsch, family heirlooms and other items gathered and saved from yesteryear, the Flickr group Vintage Beauty – Thrifted Bliss teams with photos of assorted vintage items and photographs that people have found while out thrifting and want to share, or are hoping to sell (elsewhere, Flickr itself has a strict no selling policy).


{1. Stewardess from the 1950s, 2. 60s mod, 3. hairdyer1, 4. Romance is in the air}

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As spring ever-so-slowly creeps out of hiding here, my mind is evidently being drawn to shades of turquoise and blue, both hues that contain the ability to be serene and invigorating at the same time, much like this very season itself.

Wishing you each a radiantly sunshine filled Monday – and a week ahead bursting with bliss!

Wonderful Wednesday Recipe: Eunice’s English Lemon Curd

Last Wednesday’s introduction of a weekly recipe post was met with great enthusiasm, and I must extend a very big thank you to everyone who left comments on my Welsh Rarebit recipe (like some of you, I always thought the word “rarebit” sounded like “rabbit” as a child, luckily this dish is 100% bunny-free though, I assure you! :D). I can scarcely begin to tell you how elated I am to be sharing some of my favourite recipes with you all, and how much I’m looking forward to celebrating the art and fun that is cooking together.


Eunice’s English Lemon Curd
For a period of my childhood I was fortunate enough to live in a delightfully old house (built in 1909, to be exact), on a small, sleepy street that teamed with elderly neighbours. Some of them had lived in their respective houses for decades upon decades, but Eunice was not one of them. I really can’t recall how long she’d lived in the tiny creamy beige hued house directly across the street from us, but I don’t think it had been more than a couple of decades.

An English immigrant, she and her husband had come to Canada somewhat later in life and eventually settled on the very same street where I lived for a spell. Enchanted with all things British as a child and charmed by Eunice’s kind, spunky attitude, we quickly became friends.

If there was one thing I liked almost as much as listening to Eunice’s tales of life in England during the war years, it was when she would stop by and treat our family to a jar or two of her sublimely delicious lemon curd. In fact, it was this darling elderly English woman who provided me with my very first taste of the creamy, tart, sweet, immensely addictive spread that is lemon curd.

You can imagine my delight then when one day Eunice stopped round to ask if my little brother and I would like to help her whip up a new batch. With eyes wide as the saucer she rested her mixing spoon on, I stared intensely as Eunice turned a small handful of everyday ingredients into one of the tastiest substances my young pallet had thus far enjoyed.

I’ve always treasured times when I’ve been able to learn recipe’s firsthand from other cooks and loved that I was able to come away from that day not only with a very fond memory, but also with Eunice’s recipe for lemon curd. Whether it was one she perfected herself or sourced from someone else, I really do not know.

Over time I’ve tweaked little about her version – save for occasionally replacing the lemon juice with that of another fruit such as limes (you may want to add even slightly more sugar if you go this route), mangoes, or blood oranges. The ingredients are just as Eunice stipulated, though the instructions are in my own wording.



{This beautiful old fashioned fruit crate label calls to mind the sort I like to imagine the containers of lemons Eunice brought home (when she was a young homemaker) being adorned with. Image via Vintage Holiday Crafts.}


To my mind lemon curd finds its most perfect mate with a piece just prepared toast, the refreshing, tangy coolness of the curd marrying harmoniously with the soothing warmth of the bread. This spread however, works well on a multitude of other baked goods, too, from English muffins (naturally) to scones, blueberry or poppy seed muffins to biscotti (in the case of the latter, use the curd as a dip for these crisp Italian cookies).

It can also be employed with equal success as a filling (think cakes, trifles, cupcakes, doughnuts, cheesecakes and tarts – to name but a few possible uses) or thinned out a tad and drizzled over everything from pound cake to French toast, Greek yogurt to ice cream (it marries particularly well with berry flavoured frozen desserts).

If you’ve never treated yourself to lemon curd before, I can scarcely begin to tell you what you’ve been missing. If you like custards, lemon and/or jam, there’s a very high chance you’ll fall, just as I first did as youngster, head-over-heels for lemon curd and soon yourself mixing up batches to give away to your friends and neighbours, just as Eunice used to love to do.


Ingredients

• 3 large lemons (if you can get Meyer lemons, all the better, they have such a beautiful, gentle flavour)

• 4 extra large eggs

• ¼ cup unsalted butter (allow to come to room temperature before using)

• 1 ½ cups white sugar

• ½ cup lemon juice (this equates to the juice of about 3 to 5 lemons, depending on their size)

• Small pinch of fine sea salt


Directions

Notes: While it may not actually make too much of a difference, I like to have all of the fruit and fruit juice I’m going to use in this recipe at room temperature before beginning.

Start by washing and drying the lemons thoroughly, then with a citrus zester or vegetable peeler, zest (remove in strips) all of the peel (try to avoid hitting the bitter white pith that lies between the peel and the fruit’s flesh). Chop the zest very finely by hand or in a food processor. In a mixing bowl (or in the food processor) combine the lemon zest with the sugar and mix (or pulse) well.

In a separate bowl, cream the unsalted butter well with a wood spoon, then add in the lemon and sugar mixture, stirring to combine. Next introduce the eggs one by one, beating well after each inclusion. Once all four of the eggs have been added, stir in the lemon juice and salt; stir until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

To a non-reactive, heavy bottom saucepan (stainless steel is terrific here) that holds at least 2 litres (2 quarts) add the raw lemon curd mixture and cook over low (or even extra low, if your stovetop/cooker gets especially warm) heat (while a gentle simmer is all right, do not let the mixture come anywhere near a bubbling boil). I personally feel that you cannot mix lemon curd too much (the last thing you want is for pieces of cooked egg to start forming!), and recommend that you stir the mixture almost constantly until it has begun to thicken (this usually takes about 9 to 12 minutes in my experience).

To gage the consistency of the lemon curd, coat the back of a mixing spoon (give it a moment to cool down) and run your finger (or the handle of another spoon) through the mixture. If in doing so you leave a clean line with distinct “sides” flanking where the line appears, your mixture has most likely reached the right consistency.

Remove the lemon curd from the heat and pour into a medium sized stainless steel, ceramic or heat-safe glass bowl. Immediately place a layer of plastic wrap (cling film) on top of the lemon curd to prevent a film (skin) from forming as it cools.
Use warm (I dare you not to savour a spoonful straight!) or put the lemon curd into the refrigerator and store (covered) for up to one week. Lemon curd also freezes very well and stored in its frozen state for up to one year.

Makes approximately 3 cups of scrumptious, buttercup yellow lemon curd.

Bon appétit!

Five for Friday: January 8, 2010

...After a brief hiatus away, the weekly Five for Friday post returns, bringing with it the first handful of what I hope will be a slew of wonderful, diverse, creative items, ideas and images to fuel the fires of inspiration for the coming year...

♥ ♥ ♥


{Utensils of timeless beauty}


{Everything in this elegantly serene collage of antique silverware speaks directly to my love of graceful, gorgeous items that have clearly endured the effects of time yet grown more sublime with each passing year. Something about these photos (which hail from sadieolive.com) reminds me of a classic saying that seems especially fitting around the New Year, “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold”.}


{Prettier than all the snowflakes in the arctic combined}


{Winter camouflage never looked so lovely! This darling two piece vintage suit with its fur collar (I'm hoping it's faux, but you'd have to ask the seller) and decorative bow channels a Russian princess vibe and would be the perfect way to stay both stylish and warm all season long. 1960s “Lilli Ann” suit, fits up to a 38 inch bust/32 inch waist, $165.00 (US), from etsy seller LipStick Whiskey.}


{This precious
little bank wants us all to love piggies once more}


{If being money-wise is amongst your resolutions this year (or if you’re all ready a saver whose looking for a charming place to stash your pennies), why not save every extra coin possible in this exceptionally cute, ever-so-slightly rococo ceramic piggy bank? Featuring cherub-esque gold wings and coming in at 6 inches tall, this massively adorable piggy is sure to become a treasured part of your home decor. Juicy Couture “If Pigs Could Fly” bank, $48.00 (US) from Revolve Clothing.}


{Proudly show winter it can’t defeat your passion for stunning open toed shoes!}


{Boasting a 4 inch stiletto, delicate ankle straps, cream hued fabric bow and a glossy black patent sheen, these intensely beautiful heels have exactly the right combination of elements to ensure they remain beloved favourites for many years to come. Black ankle strap stilettos, available in standard women’s sizes and half sizes (please note that some sizes appear to be sold out online at the moment), $34.00 from Newport News.}


{Help ensure you see everything 2010 has in store with crystal clear clarity}


{Tiny glistening rhinestones adorn the front and sides of this wonderfully pretty pair of 1950s cat’s eye glasses, adding instant pizzazz to whatever else in your wardrobe you opt to team them with. Vintage 1950s aurora rhinestone eyeglass frames (lenses not included), $127.00 (US) from etsy seller Vintage 50s Eyewear.}


Unsurprisingly the world outside is colder than the back of an ice cream delivery truck, the sidewalks slick and dangerously covered with a solid frosting of ice. One longs for the sight of bare, snow-free ground once more, but knows that such a resplendent treat is still many a week away in these parts. Consolation comes in the form of the odd sun-kissed day that appears, transforming the lacklustre snow in a brilliant playground of sparkling diamonds, as if to remind you that even the darkest season can radiate with majestic beauty.

I hope dearly that each of you has enjoyed a peaceful, happy first week of this new decade, and that your weekend ahead will be an amazing one!

Merriest wishes for a resplendent day!

Whether you observe Yule, Hanukkah, Christmas or just enjoy partaking in today's inherent beauty, from the bottom of my heart, I wish you and your loved ones a sparkling, memorable, fantastically splendid holiday season!


{Adorable vintage Christmas card scan via Pine and Wine’s Flickr stream.}

Thank you so very much, everybody, for being not only my treasured readers, but also my lovely friends. Your kindness and camaraderie is a gift I hold dear all year round.

May peace, good health, inspiration, and immense happiness be yours today and always!

Six more sleeps until Christmas!

Growing up, perhaps as many other kids did, I measured the countdown until an important date not so much in terms of days, but by the number of night’s worth of sleep left until said exhilarating day arrived. Of course these numbers are usually one in the same, but as a child measuring “sleeps” somehow seemed to bring the highly anticipated date closer even faster than marking off dates on a calendar did. The funny thing was come December 24th I was usually so bubbly with excitement, sleep was the furthest possible thing from my mind!


{Visions of sugarplums are already dancing in my head, just as when I was a youngster, I can’t help but well up with excitement as Christmas Day draws nearer! Image via Estelle and Ivy’s Flickr stream.}


These days I usually have no problem grabbing a few winks on the Christmas Eve (or nodding off in a state of exhaustive stupor – same difference, right?), but I still find a nostalgic happiness in marking my countdown in terms of the numbers of “sleeps” left to go. And so on this bitingly cold Saturday morning, with Christmas less than a week away, the natural habit of counting “sleeps” resurfaces.

On a somewhat different note, I realize that I wasn’t able to update Chronically Vintage as often over the past few days as I generally do. Some of my medical conditions are flaring up at the moment and I’m afraid that I’m not well enough to spend nearly as much time on the computer as I’d like to. I’m looking at things optimistically though and hoping that I’ll be to get to all the last minute Christmas tasks that should be done this week (I’d practically have to be unconscious to skip baking holiday cookies and preparing Christmas supper!). Likewise I will try to add further editions of Chronically Vintage’s holiday gift guide and other festive posts in the coming days, too.

Thank you dearly to all those who have recently visited and left comments, I appreciate your words, friendship and support so very much! Similarly, I truly want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and everybody who has ever visited Chronically Vintage, for this post marks my 200th on this blog, and this site would not be the same without you all!

It’s hard to believe a blog that began last spring, born of my lifelong love of all things vintage, has now amassed two hundred posts. Chronically Vintage simply would not be the same place with out each of my immensely dear visitors and fellow vintage adoring friends, and I thank you each for helping to make this site the wonderful place that it is! Here’s to the next 200 vintage filled entries and well beyond!

As these last few days (and sleeps!) until Christmas whiz by, what events and traditions, celebrations and going-ons are keeping you on your toes, fuelling your excitement for the beautiful wondrousness that is the 25th itself?

And the winner of the vintage art giveaway is...

Comment number 23, which just happens to belong to none other than Amy of The Bargain Hunter Extraordinaire!


{Here’s the gorgeous winner herself, if you haven’t visited Amy splendid site before, be sure to pay her a visit - you'll be thrilled that you did! Her outfit posts, centred around incredible deals and are a marvelous blend of modern pieces and vintage style.}

Huge congratulations, Amy! You left such sweet comments and were so thoughtful to spread the word about this giveaway on your fantastic blog. Please email me any time with your complete mailing address and I will get the gorgeous set of Jessie Willcox Smith prints out to you right away!

Thank you dearly to absolutely everyone who left comments (and blogged about the contest on your own sites) for this giveaway, which received over 60 terrific comments. I definitely plan to offer many further giveaways in the future, so please stay tuned, you never know when you might end up winning a little something lovely from Chronically Vintage ♥

Chronically Vintage is giving away a gorgeous set of Jessie Willcox Smith vintage art prints

The walls in my apartment are, by and large, on the bare side. So much so that when my mom came to visit last spring she asked me why that was the case (curiously, not judgmentally, I should point out). The reason is twofold: artwork, even prints often cost a pretty penny, and secondly, I haven’t chanced upon too many shops selling pieces that spoke to my personal decor style and taste in art.

It was with absolute elation then that I read a recent email from a Canadian company called TJ Whitneys Traditional Toys that recently arrived in my in-box. The message asked if I’d like to review one of their products, a timelessly elegant set of art cards featuring vintage images of children in various scenes, and offer a second set to my readers. I jumped at the opportunity, because, the moment I saw the charmingly beautiful cards in question, they captured my vintage loving heart.

Strung on cheerfully colourful organza ribbon in various hues, the set of eight art cards I received in the post this past week are immensely lovely. Coming in at 8.5 by 8.5 inches, each card features a different vintage image by a talented artist named Jessie Willcox-Smith.

Born in 1863, Smith, who grew up in Pennsylvania where she attended the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, was revered in her day and has long been celebrated beyond her lifetime for the engaging, beautiful American artwork she created for many publications (such as Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, Collier’s Weekly, Harper’s, and McClures). Though she passed away in the 1930s, Smith’s work continues to be appreciated and sought after by many who treasure the carefree elegance and honest simplicity of childhood she so resplendently captured in her beautiful illustrations.

As you can see in the photo below (which comes from the Traditional Toys website), these cards are amazing. One print on its own would be a wonderful treat, but eight cards combined create a masterpiece of a set that has instantaneously enlivened one of my bedroom walls and brought a great deal of effervescent cheer to my home’s decor.



Anytime I’m asked to review a product I do so sincerely and without bias, but the simple truth is I adore these cards! They’re well printed on sturdy paper and strung with pretty ribbon – just the type of artwork I would love to give many of my vintage adoring friends as gifts (they’d be amazing as baby shower presents for a nursery, but work equally well in a home with older children or no kids at all, such as my own house). They feature engaging, classically enjoyable images from the last 19th and early 20th century that are bound to appeal to vintage art enthusiasts, and really do liven up any room.

I feel honoured to adorn my walls with these beautiful cards and am very thankful to Traditional Toys for allowing me the chance to review and giveaway one of their fine products.

Starting today and running until Monday November 30, 2009 at 11:59pm (EST), I’m delighted to offer you, my fantastic readers (who are an integral part of helping to make Chronically Vintage what it is) a chance to win your own set (identical to the ones pictured above) of eight Jessie Willcox Smith vintage art cards, which retail for $48.00, from Traditional Toys.

To enter for your chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. If you write about this giveaway on your own blog/site and then come back and tell me about it, you’ll automatically be entered a second time. That’s it! I’m not a fan of elaborate blog giveaway rules that want you to jump through hoops, instead I’d much rather ensure this contest is open to every single one of my amazing readers who leave a comment.

This giveaway is open to Chronically Vintage readers worldwide, so no matter where you live, please don’t hesitate to enter. One lucky winner will be drawn at random on December 1st, and announced via a blog post that same day. Best of luck to all who enter!

Vintage Deal of the Day: November 7, 2009

{Mail off a delightfully pretty hello note to a dear friend or loved one with a postcard from this elegant set, complete with its own charming metal tin, of 18 cards (three each of six designs) featuring Victorian inspired images of birds and flowers. What could be more pleasant, especially as the chilly “indoor” weather sets in, than spending a few moments now and then to correspond the old fashioned way with someone near and dear to you via one of these gorgeous cards? Set of 18 “Birds & Blooms Pink Postcard Tin” set currently on sale for $12.80 (US), from Plasticland.}


Like most of us, I have my very favourite – call them “tried and true” – vintage sources that I turn to time and time again, both for use in my posts and for my own personal collection, of which etsy is most definitely one such site. A number of my “Daily Deals” posts have featured etsy pieces, and I have no doubt that oodles of future ones will as well (etsy is, after all, entirely fabulous!), but I’d like to feature items in my “bargain finds” posts from an assortment of other sources as well.

The wonderful postcards above hail from Plasticland.com, a site that never cease to put my will power into overdrive, as I cruise its pages resisting the urge at every turn to order a little something for myself. In general Plasticland’s prices are fairly reasonable and their sale section can really be a good place to score a deal (the same is true of ModCloth.com).

I’m curious though as to what some of your favourite online sources for a stellar bargain are? No matter how large or small the site, if you think it’s a great place to score a deal on a vintage (or vintage looking) piece, I’d love to hear about it!

20 frightfully awesome Halloween blogs

With less than three weeks to go until All Hallows Eve appears, I thought it would be fun to share with you a list of some of my favourite Halloween blogs. Growing up in a small town I was often the fanatical person in my class/school/Girl Guide troop/neighbourhood/etc about this autumnal holiday, a point that made me happy but also a bit self-conscious. Thus it was a huge thrill to discover years later via the internet that there are others like myself out there that think, breath, eat and sleep Halloween all year long, not just on October 31st!

Of course one doesn’t have to be obsessed with Halloween to adore it. This eerily fun holiday means many things to many different people. For some it’s a chance to dress up and take on a different persona – if only for one night, for others it’s about the treasure trove of happy childhood memories Halloween brings to mind. I have adored Halloween for as long as I can recall. Each year my decorations come out their boxes like (friendly) vampires emerging from coffins, to line my shelves and tabletops, bookcases and counters. I certainly don’t have the world’s largest collection of decorations (not by a long shot), but I do love the witches, bats, pumpkins, monsters, scarecrows and all other manner of Halloween themed items that I’ve amassed so far.

While I’d be content to keep my Halloween decorations out year round, this isn’t always feasible when you live with someone else (and when you have a precious little cat who thinks all festive decor items – regardless of the holiday – are delightful playthings that get sprinkled around the house just for her amusement), so in order to keep the Halloween spirit flowing long after the last Jack-O-Lantern candle has burned down, I turn to a slew of fantastic blogs run by fellow fans of this spirited holiday all year long.

Though not all of these blogs cover vintage related topics, it’s not uncommon to find posts with antique, vintage or retro themed Halloween images or topics. As well many of them highlight Halloween handicrafts, decorations, party and costume ideas, and recipes that could easily weave their way into a vintage themed Halloween celebration.

Join me, won’t you? As I countdown twenty of my favourite Halloween blogs by listing their names and sharing a spooky, beautiful, old school or just plain marvelous image from each respective site that caught my eye (of newt) and spoke to my adoration of this beguiling holiday.





1.) A Nostalgic Halloween




2.) AranaMuerta




3.) Cat In The Moon




4.) Creepy Cupcakes




5.) Frog on the Pumpkin




6.) Hallow E’en Witches’ Flying Machine


{*Please note, the blog header image on this site contains frontal nudity and may not be safe for work – or younger viewers. The rest of the site is “work and family safe” from what I’ve seen in the time I’ve been following it.*}


7.) Halloween Folk Art by the Holiday Queen




8.) Haunt Style




9.) Johanna Parker Design




10.) Musings from Behind the Easel




11.) Orange and Black




12.) Pumpkin Hallow




13.) Pumpkinrot




14.) The Courtesan Macabre


{*This site is technically devoted to Gothic themed fashion, but I feel that such a topic makes it a great addition to this list.*}


15.) The Gallows




16.) The Halloween Tree




17.) Through the Patch




18.) Trixie’s Treats




19.) Vintage Halloween Collector




20.) Weird Hallow




A jaunt (or flyby on your broomstick) through these wonderful sites can’t help but get any Halloween enthusiast even more in the festive mood – I know each of them is certainly helping to fuel my excitement this year!

Do you have a favourite Halloween blog or website that isn’t mentioned above? I’m “dying” to know about it if you do! :D