Though there are still the remains of many a jack-o-lantern to be seen around the neighbourhood, candy in bite size pieces and carnival worthy coloured wrappers linger in a dish on the table, and I might just watch Hocus Pocus one more time, hard as it is to believe, another marvelous All Hallows Eve has come and gone.
I hope that you each had an awesome October 31st, whether you celebrate Halloween or not and that you're gearing up for a lovely, fun filled second half of the fall. Before we know it, we'll be singing carols, festooning the banister with pine boughs, and baking up enough festive treats to feed a small army. Not today however. Right now, on this calm, chilly first Sunday in November I want to take a few minutes and share the latest batch of vintage related stories that have been capturing my eye in recent weeks.
As I knew that, like myself, most of you would not be online much (if at all) on the 31st and November 1st (a day I've long dubbed "Halloween Boxing Day" :)), I intentionally held off on sharing October's crop of links until today. Sit back, grab a mini chocolate (or eight!) and join me as we take a gander at some of the fun, fascinating, and just plain enjoyable vintage stories that are all more than a little buzz worthy.
♥11 Things You Should Never Say to a Vintage Seller: By way of the uber hardworking, vintage loving, always entertaining Sammy Davis comes this smile-inducing eBay post that is sure to have vintage dealers and buyers like nodding their head in agreement (for those of us who are often asked around this time of the year "what our costume is supposed to be" when we're in our usual vintage attire, #5 is sure to resonate with you).
♥ Could the clothes on your back halt global warming?: And if you want to keep nodding, this time over some considerably more serious matters in terms of their importance on the world as a whole, this great post about the effects of what we wear and how it impacts the planet is truly not be missed (it's lengthy, but well worth every minute, IMO).
♥ Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired by Legendary Dames of TV and Film-Part 1 and Part 2: I know, I know, we're still taking down the faux cobwebs and scrubbing the grease paint-esque makeup from behind our ears, but it's never too soon to start thinking of what you might want to sport come next October 31st and this lovely photo filled pair of posts from Blue Velvet Vintage (which they shared prior to Halloween) delivers some seriously cool ideas - such as Fay Wray in King Kong, pictured below - to tuck away already for next year.
♥ Vintage (Style) Can Be Appropriate: Natalie - whose engaging blog really deserves to be in your feeds, especially if you're a fan of contemporary literature reviews and/or great beauty and vintage related posts alike - has put together an incredibly thorough, thoughtful, fabulous post on the subject of how vintage fashions can, and do, work for folks of any age and in just about any setting. Whether you've been sporting vintage of a week or fifty years, you're sure to appreciate and find yourself agreeing with her well presented points on the subject.
♥ 12 Vintage Dealers to Follow on Instagram: Vogue's Resident Expert Shares her Feed: These days a solid chunk of the world's online vintage dealers have Instragram accounts (yours truly very much included), some of which are like works of swoon-worthy visual art unto themselves. It's no surprise then that many of the leading contenders in this field are kept close at hand by the likes of Vogue. Though this list is certainly not complete - and you'll no doubt wonder how some of the other really big names like Maejean Vintage and Dear Golden are absent from it - it's still a fascinating insight into how (modern) Vogue magazine interacts with the world of vintage fashion sellers.
♥ In the 1930s, a Mono-Named Mannequin Took New York by Storm: Here and there over the years, I'd heard tell of "Cynthia" and seen the occasional photo of this sophisticated, sharply dressed mannequin, but it wasn't until this recent Mental Floss article that I learned the true story behind this 1930s celebrity of the non-human variety and I must say, it makes for one thoroughly interesting read.
♥ Nine vintage fit tips for petite ladies: Emileigh's blog is chock-a-block with terrific posts on a wide range of vintage, sewing and cultural related topics that will have you reading for hours (especially if you're new or haven't visited for a while). One of her entries from September was on the subject of sporting vintage fashions as a petite gal and it really spoke to me as I'm barely 5'2" myself and while I do have an hourglass shape, fundamentally my frame is also petite (complete with really small shoulders), so I was thrilled to see another vintage gal delve into this a topic that's so near and dear to my own heart - and wardrobe!
♥ Everyone Loves a Scottie Dog, Especially the Vintage Community!: The very lovely Liz - a fellow vintage adoring canuck - has penned a delightfully fun post on the subject of Scottie dogs and their endearing popularity as fashion muses that is sure you have you rushing out to add a new Scottie themed wearable to your collection on the double!
♥ Beautiful Kodak Advertisements from the 1910s: As I've chatted about before (in posts such as this one from 2012), there's just something about the return of icy cold weather that puts me in the mood for all things Edwardian. As such, I thoroughly enjoyed coming across this recent Vintage Everyday entry that highlights a number of beautiful, endearingly sweet vintage colour image Kodak ads from the 1910s, which I'm sure you have a grand time checking out as well - no matter if, like me, you strongly equate winter with the 1900s and 1910s or not.
♥ DIY 1920s Evening Bag: If the cost of most original 1920s handbags leaves you doing a double-take and sends your wallet into hiding, it might be time to create a purse of your own that takes a very solid style cue from the classic, gorgeous bags of the era. Thought purse making can seem daunting, in this wonderful how-to post, Bianca takes you through everything you'll need to do - complete with lots of helpful photos - to make an alluringly lovely 1920s style purse all your own.
♥ 10 simple steps to avoid looking costumey: As vintage wearers we know that no matter how period perfect/appropriate we're dressed, some folks will always see our attire as costumey simply because it deviates from the 21st century norm, but objectively most of us do want to avoid running into overtly costumey territory when possible and keeping such views at bay as much as we can. This post from Wearing History dishes up ten stellar suggestions to help you stay on track when it comes to that front and is a smart, excellent read and reference for vintage wearers from all walks of life.
♥ French soldier’s room unchanged 96 years after his death in first world war: In a moving story that seems all the more fitting and poignant as we head towards Remembrance Day again next week, this article is sure to linger with you long after you've read it - reminding you of the power of a family's love and the importance of honouring those who fought so bravely, no matter how many years have passed since the last gunshot range out.
{All images throughout the list of links above come by way of the post that they are displayed directly beneath the write up of here. Please follow the links provided to learn more about these images.}
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There is a natural rush that comes with the start of November. We know that Christmas is just around the corner, that the year is nearing an end, and that there is so much to do to prep for the coming season (from swapping in the snow tires to bringing all the cold weather garb out of hibernation). Before the hubbub of that all starts (or gets in too full swing, if you've already kicked off gearing up for winter), I hope you'll join me in savouring a few more days of fall.
I'll be sporting its palette, munching on its seasonal produce, and reminiscing about my favourite parts that have already taken place (Halloween very much included!) for a little while longer still. How could I not? Autumn is shorter than a Manx cat's tail most years here in Canada and given that it's my favourite season, I'm in zero hurry to sweep it out the door like a crunchy crimson leaf that snuck in with the help of a hearty gale.
{I completely adore Christmas and a good many elements of winter, but for now, I want to keep celebrating the soul and beauty of autumn by way of fabulous vintage outfit choices like this amazing 40s plaid suit, lots of pumpkin recipes, strolls in the crisp fall air, and at least a few days more before my mind going into full on Santa-Claus-is-coming-to-town mode again! Image source.}
Nope, for a wee bit longer at least, I'm going to savour fall and all I treasure about it - though that doesn't mean I can't start listing to Christmas music, if so desired. Sometimes a marriage of two seasons is the best way to brace yourself for saying goodbye to one before the other arrives. Plus, it's a annual tradition in my family to start doing so come the clang of midnight on November 1st. And who am I to argue with traditional after all? :)