Bloomin' Wonderful Spring Vintage Fashion /Vintage Makes the World Go 'Round

Just had to share these beautifully bright and spring-like images of some of my favourite vintage friends and customers who live across the globe!

UK's The Vintage Mafia, featuring vintage bloggers Jeni Yesterday of Yesterday Girl (red dress, far right), Lisa of Snoodlebug (blue plaid dress in centre), and Fleur de Guerre of Diary of a Vintage Girl (far right). Bethan (second from right) looks wonderful wearing a 40s pansy print pinafore frock she bought from Adeline's Attic Vintage.

Absolutely elegant ladies in 20s and 30s fancies at the Art Deco Napier weekend in New Zealand.  Susie, at far left, is wearing a pair of 30s gauntlet gloves she got from Adeline's Attic Vintage!  At far right, you may recognize the amazing Inger of The Sydney Flapper.

Metropolis Photographic: Masterpieces of Shadow & Light

One of the very positive aspects of my sojourn in LA last year was the fact that I got to befriend some amazingly talented and stylish folks. Jason Kaplan is one of them. 

Jason, owner/operator of Metropolis Photographic (and one of my soon-to-be-featured vintage-wearing men for the Dapper Chaps series) is a gifted photographer who uses vintage equipment, film, and techniques from the 20s and 30s to capture some of the most exquisite images I've ever seen.  Here's a sampling of his works, many of which feature vintage-loving pals of ours from the LA area:

Back in the (Sugar) Swing of Things

Last night, my lovely new friend Erin, the blogger behind My Twelve Cents' Worth, and I danced our socks off at the amazing Sugar Swing Ballroom. The joint was so jumping they had a line up of people waiting outside to get a chance to dance!!  Kind thanks to the person who snapped this cute photo of us, which I've dubbed: "Imagining 1930s Mildred Pierce and 1950s Mrs. Draper in the same typing pool," and the Sugar Swing photog who caught an image of me mid-dance :). Yay! Such fun to be back in the "swing" of things where my dancing passion is concerned! I leave off with a link to a fun video showcasing some of the more advanced dancers at the Sugar Swing School. Something to aspire to this spring and summer!

My outfit: 1930s style blouse (made using 30s fabric, buttons, and buckle): Nudeedudee; 1930s skirt: Swish Vintage. Erin tells me her very authentically 1950s looking ensemble, including fabulous floral blouse and black circle skirt are entirely repro! This lady knows how to put together a swinging' dance ensemble!  

Image courtesy of Sugar Swing Dance Club

Bay Blanket Beauties

Just when it has felt like we're on the cusp of spring here in Edmonton, we've been getting a few dips in temperature. At such times, I'm once again pulling out my cozy outerwear. What could be cozier than cocooning oneself inside a vintage blanket coat?? Not much!! My friend over at the Vintage Haberdashers has done a lovely ode to one distinctly Canadian variety of the blanket coat: the Hudson's Bay Company Point Blanket Coat. Please check it out (he's done a bit more of the history than I will here).  Jonathan Walford has also done a great piece on this iconic outwear as well (first image is from his blog and the piece is in his Fashion History museum); of course, the HBC has done a very informative page as well.  Now, a peek at my favourite images and examples of Bay Blanket beauties for women!

Early 1920s Green & Black Bay Blanket coat, Fashion History Museum

1920s/30s Bay Blanket Coat wearing cuties!

WOW! Rare and beautiful 1920s/30s Pink Bay Blanket coat on Etsy!

1930s Bay Blanket Beauty

Etsy Shop Update: Flirty Forties Frock

New to the Shop (it's been a while since I added some 'new' goodies): this fabulously flirty little 40s frock!  Stay tuned for more cuties and beauties :)

Valentine's Vintage Blogger Meet Up

I just want to thank Laurie, a.k.a Retro Reporter, for arranging a vintage gals' meet up here in Edmonton.  Here are a couple of my favourite photos from the night (you may recognize Bailey, a.k.a Miss Bee Vintage at far left and the gal in the black coat second in from right is Erin from "My Twelve Cents' Worth").  You can see a few more over at Laurie's blog.

Sweetheart Deal ;)

Happy Valentine's Day, my sweets!  Using coupon code MARDIGRAS, all items in the shop are 20% off!

The Right Stripes

HELLO, lovelies! It has been far too long since my last post. Normally, I am pretty private about my personal life, but after receiving an overwhelming number of concerned queries from people wondering why I haven't been blogging with the same frequency or energy.  I guess it's time to confess that behind the scenes (and the blogging screen), I have been struggling through a very trying 16 months or so, having gone through a divorce, then a move to Toronto, then LA, then back to Edmonton after leaving a very financially and abusive relationship. So far, 2013 has been kind to me. I feel like I'm finding my stride again, re-connecting with friends, family, and now, after having to sell most of my beautiful vintage collection to pay for moving costs and such, I've started acquiring a few 'new' items. Today I thought I'd share this 1930s green & multicoloured striped knit dress, which was my exact size and I knew had to be mine!!  The cinnabar 30s shoes I'm wearing in the photo are currently in my etsy shop (hurry before I snap them back up).

1930s knit dress: Dorothea's Closet Vintage

1930s cinnabar shoes: Adeline's Attic Vintage

Deco Head: Marge Crunkleton