Enter to win a $40.00 store credit from awesome etsy shop 4TheLoveOfVintage

There's always something magical about the changing of the seasons, regardless of if you're eager to see the new one roll into town or not. Chances are, much as I am, you're pretty darn giddy about the fact that spring (or conversely, autumn, if you happen to life south of the equator) is here again - whether it looks like such outdoors yet or not.

Spurred on by the happiness that comes so naturally with the blossoming of a fresh season, I always adore giving gifts to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter of the year and today I'm delighted to bestow upon one lucky winner the chance to receive a fabulous present in the form of a $40.00 (US) store credit from one of Chronically Vintage's newest sidebar sponsors, etsy shop 4TheLoveOfVintage.

The virtual shelves of this delightful shop are currently brimming with more than 350 vintage items spanning a spectrum of everything from lingerie to housewares, clothing to jewelry and scores more to boot.

Offering worldwide shipping, thoroughly reasonable prices, and wonderfully lovely customer service, visiting 4TheLoveOfVintage's etsy shop feels a bit like popping into your favourite thrift store or weekend flea market, where household items mingle with vintage clothing alongside plenty of covetable ephemera, and you never quite know just what sort of can't-live-without treasure you're going to spot next.



{Four delightful offerings from 4TheLoveOfVintage current inventory of the kind you could put your $40.00 store credit towards if you win this week's giveaway. From top left to bottom right: Vintage Nasco Nesting Bowls Snack Set, Vintage Enamel Daisy Brooch, 1960s yellow cardigan sweater, White 1960s wicker handbag}



4TheLoveOfVintage has very generously teamed up with Chronically Vintage this month to celebrate spring's return and present one lucky winner with a $40.00 store credit that can be applied to any item, or items, purchased from their etsy shop. This store credit will not expire and can be used in full (during one transaction) or over the course of multiple purchases up until the point that the $40.00 value it entails has been spent.

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How to enter

There are eight of ways to enter this great giveaway. Please remember to leave a separate comment for each entry method that you do, so as to increase your odds of winning.

1. Leave a comment below in which you share one of your favorite items from 4TheLoveOfVintage with me (note, you are of course under no obligation to purchase that item if you win the store credit).

2. Post about this giveaway on your own blog, linking back to both this post and 4TheLoveOfVintage on etsy.

3. Like Chronically Vintage on Facebook.

4. Post about this giveaway on Facebook.

5. Follow Chronically Vintage on Twitter.

6. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, including the hashtag #4TheLoveOfVintage in your tweet.

7. Follow Chronically Vintage on Bloglovin'.

8. Follow Chronically Vintage on Instagram.

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Giveaway details

This giveaway is open to all readers from around the world. It will run from today's date until 11:59 PST on Monday March 31, 2014, withe the winning comment being selected using an online random number generator the next day. The winner will be announced on Facebook and Twitter, as well as contacted (by me) via email, if an email address is provided or can be found on your website. Once I've heard back from the winner, I will then pass your contact information onto Kerry Cairo, 4TheLoveOfVintage's owner, who will email you with all the details about your store credit.

Please email me if you have any questions about this giveaway not covered in today's post.

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Sites like 4TheLoveOfVintage are a particular favourite of mine, eclectic secondhand store loving gal that I am, and I flat out adore it when shops of this nature become blog sponsors here. They're chalked full of interesting, fun, and fashionable delights at affordable prices and are blast to pursue from the comfort of one's own home (unlike an actual thrift store) 24/7/365.

Thank you very much, Kerry and 4TheLoveOfVintage, for your sponsorship and generosity, as well as for giving one of my marvelous blog readers a gift that no doubt start their spring (or fall) off on an even more joyful note this year.


Best of luck and many thanks to everyone who enters this giveaway!

Flickr Favourites: March 22, 2014

{The Fairy and The Child ~ Wendy}  


{Bluebells ~ yossarian6}  


{Fairy Godmother ~ Crafty Dogma}  


{Fairy wand cookies ~ Bubble and Sweet}  


{The child and the fairies ~ saltycotton}  


{Bunny by Sharon Montrose ~ blackeiffel}  


{Fairies of the Garden ~ redrickshaw}  


{Freshness of dew ~ Vicktor}  


{Mushroom Cha Cha ~ Kristin L}



{Around Fairyland with Alice ~ Tania Covo}

{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.}
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Most of us, when we look back over our childhoods, have deeply fond memories of certain books that our parents (and/or other family members) read to us aloud each night before bed.

There are quite a few titles that fall into this camp for me (interestingly, though probably not overly surprisingly, several are timeless vintage classics such as Blueberries for Sal, Goodnight Moon, and Bread and Jam for Frances), one of which I think of at least a few times a year: Come Follow Me by Gyo Fujikawa (whose wonderful illustrations are, to my mind, amongst the most darling even created for children's books).




This book, whose complete title is Come Follow Me to the Secret World of Elves and Fairies and Gnomes and Trolls, is not a tome of fairy tales of the Hans Christian Andersen variety, but instead is an exquisitely illustrated collection of stories about fairies (and other similar wee folk) themselves.

It's probably eighteen or twenty years since I last turned the pages of this book, but I can still picture it with vivid clarity and find that as spring returns once more to nature's realm, my mind becomes enchanted with the idea of tiny fairies prancing through the garden, convening under toadstools, working industriously inside (hollowed out) fallen logs, and dancing in the moonlight.

People from countless cultures the world over have thought that fairies, sprites, pixies, gnomes, trolls, leprechauns, elves, and similar itty-bitty beings shared the earth with us for thousands of years now, though it's a belief that has all but disappeared from many in more recent times. That said, it's not entirely unheard of for wee folk to make the news still, with the Cottingly Fairies case being one of the best known in the last hundred years.

Much as I may have as a small child, I can't claim that as a scientifically minded adult, I think there's much of a likelihood that fairies and the charming ilk are real (awesome as that would be!), but that doesn't mean one can't daydream about such being the case and if it were, what kind of enchanting world they would call their own.

As we slowly thaw out from another bone chilling winter and the first beautiful signs of verdant life return, part of me feels like I'm four or five years old again, peering under fairy rings on our lawn, watching ever so closely between the crocuses and rhododendrons in the garden for signs of minuscule winged beings, and frolicking in the first gloriously warm rays of sunlight in several months, imagining all the while that I'm holding hands with a party of pixies.

Spring's return itself, though perhaps not quite as much so as it was for our ancestors in centuries past, remains a bit magical unto itself. Life starts anew in so many ways, the world is draped not in ice any longer, but in delicate dew. Suddenly the palette of the day is filled with soft pastels and vivid hues alike. Newborn animals step into their place in the circle of life, rain replaces snow, only to both vanish under the golden light of the glistening springtime sun.

It is a lively time, one of happiness and renewed hope, and where - swept up in the profound beauty of it - one cannot help but think how resplendent it would be if they were a fairy, down at grass blade height, to see this amazing changing of the seasons quite literally at ground level. As that's not possible, I'm more than happy to just get outdoors and soak up all the loveliness of this crisp, sweet, gorgeous season.

Perhaps I'll buy a copy of this book that I still love dearly all these years later, tuck it under my arm, and head out to meadow of wildflowers for an afternoon of carefree fairy filled stories of the sort that helped bring an extra dose of imagination fuelled joy to my earliest days. Care to come follow me?

Discussing fashion, crafts, and the perfect Saturday afternoon with Marcy from Manhattan Hippy Vintage

This month Chronically Vintage has been blessed and delighted to welcome our largest number of new blog sponsors in a given month to date, one of the most recent of which is a seriously terrific etsy shop called Manhattan Hippy Vintage.

What strikes you at first glance about Manhattan Hippy, aside from their smile-inducingly awesome name, is the fact this etsy shop is stocked not merely with "just" vintage items or handmade products, but with a selection of each. Shop owner Marcy Langworthy (pictured below - does she not have the most gorgeous blonde curls imaginable?) is both an artisan and a vintage enthusiast, and she has woven her passion for each together seamlessly in a shop that conveys the creative spirit of the hippy movement with the posh, stylish elegance of Manhattan worthy fashion.




Living up to its moniker and then some, Manhattan Hippy, is a treasure trove of vibrant, wearable, very reasonably priced mid century fashions, accessories, and handmade jewelry items crafted by Marcy herself, that beckons one in and keeps them thumbing through each page of listings with great interest.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Marcy and getting to know both her and her awesome etsy shop better. From wearing vintage on the daily to being a fellow crafter who also has a massive passion for the past, I discovered the she and I share a lot in common and highly suspect that you'll likely see yourself in some of her answers as well.



Your shop has such a fabulously fun name, evoking a sense of both upscale sophistication and fun loving, youthful flower power. What was the driving motivation behind selecting it?

I've been living in Manhattan for 10 years and I absolutely love the city and all its quirks. NYC is known for high fashion, but what I really appreciate is the hole-in-the-wall thrift and vintage shops. I’m moving to Brooklyn this spring…but, Brooklyn Hippy just doesn’t have the same ring to it!



{1980s does 1940s red, yellow, white and blue floral print dress}

How long have you been selling vintage and what lead you pursue this passion?


I’ve had a funky fashion sense ever since I can remember so it just seemed natural. I opened my Etsy shop two years ago with no expectations. Little did I know, it would take over my life and my apartment!



{Vintage blue denim a-line skirt}

Has your etsy shop become your full-time career? If not, does your other job relate to your passion for vintage?


I spend insane amounts of time doing shop stuff, but it never really seems like work. Scouring flea markets and hitting up estate sales is my idea of fun. Last year, I worked in a vintage warehouse which was kind of a dream come true! I also work in a vegan restaurant from time to time.



{Handmade blue floral fabric button earrings}


Do you wear vintage often yourself? If so, what are your favourite decades to dress from?


I wear vintage every day, I gotta represent! Sometimes it’s just a pair of suspenders or a tie (my most recent obsessions), other times I’m decked out in head-to-toe vintage. I am always a sucker for ‘60s and ‘70s novelty prints and anything polyester.



{Awesome 1960s beaded fruit handbag}



You sell both genuine vintage items and beautiful handmade earrings created using vintage fabrics, how have you found managing both of these sides of your shop to be? (As opposed to only selling one or the other, I mean.)


It’s gets overwhelming at times, but I love being able to offer both vintage and handmade. My work space is always a hot mess, the woes of running a business from an NYC apartment I suppose.



{1950s/1960s red daisy metal and enamel brooch and earrings set}

What sorts of similarities between vintage clothing and crafting do you find ring true for you?


The main thing is creativity. I can find a dusty, wrinkled up maxi skirt at a warehouse and envision it all cleaned up and styled. Likewise, I can spot a fabulous earring print from a mile away. They’re both really hands on too. Obviously I make the earrings by hand, but the vintage requires a lot of work. I’m always washing, measuring, fixing or photographing the vintage pieces.




{Vintage patriotic American history print scarf}

What are some things that you feel help set your etsy shop apart from the crowd?


Carrying both vintage and handmade is pretty rare. I also offer styling suggestions. My favorite tip is to hoist your maxi skirt up, belt it and wear it as a dress.




{Vintage floral print dress with big front pockets}


What kind of advice would you give to someone who was brand new to wearing and shopping for vintage?


Don’t rely on vintage tag sizes, know your measurements. And, just have fun! (Jessica's note: for more on vintage clothes sizing, be sure to see this post from last year devoted just to that topic.)




{Cute white and yellow bow print fabric covered handmade earrings}


In your opinion, what are three to five timeless vintage pieces that any woman's wardrobe would benefit from owning?


1950s dresses are always a good idea. And, gauzy 60’s tops belong in every girls summer closet. Plus silk scarves for bad hair days.

{Beautiful 1960s/1970s floral stitchery fabric purse with wooden handles}



It's a sunny Saturday afternoon in July, what are doing, wearing, shopping for and noshing on?


I’m in Central Park wearing something skimpy and colorful, picnicking with my husband, eating vegetables and day dreaming about cats.



{Plus size vintage sleeveless striped summer dress}


Is there anything else about yourself or shop that you'd like to share with us?

I'm really excited about a new line of restructured vintage pieces that I’ll be adding to the shop over the next few weeks plus some hand painted earrings are on their way. Stay tuned.


You can also connect with Manhattan Hippy Vintage via their social media accounts on the following sites:

-Facebook

-Instagram

-Twitter

{All images in this post via Manhattan Hippy Vintage} 

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Thank you very much for a lovely interview, Marcy, and for sponsoring Chronically Vintage. I've fallen hard for your wonderful shop and handmade jewelry (you use the cutest vintage fabrics for your button earrings!) and could easily picture myself sporting several of the fabulous yesteryear fashions you have listed.

Should you also feel yourself pulled towards doing some shopping at Manhattan Hippy Vintage, Marcy is very generously offering all Chronically Vintage 20% off their purchases at her etsy shop until March 31, 2014 when you use the coupon code spring20 at checkout. This coupon code can be applied to orders of any size and used from any country that she ships to.

Though I don't usually don the threads of the time, I've always had a deeply rooted passion in my heart for the 1960s and 70s, the hippy era that massively changed the world and produced some of the best music ever. There should be at least a whisper of this amazing period in all of us, no matter if we wear "far out" fashions or not. That spirit is alive and well at Manhattan Hippy Vintage, where flower power meets chic New York flower pattern in a marvelous symphony of vintage and handmade items that are sure to catch the eye of yesteryear fashion fans far and wide.