Sunday Best

I have not been so eager to see a new collection from a designer in a long time, but I'm running out of patience when it comes to Arabella Ramsay. The Australian designer has yet to release her 2013 Spring/Summer collection, so I'm just going to blabber about her current Fall/Winter one in anticipation. Crustacean themed prints, sailor inspired colours, and a youthful, but vintage appeal pretty much sum up the line. Arabella's clothing has a lot going on and it all seems to work together harmoniously.

L.

Ruby Tuesday

Vintage Suite (words to be true)   oil on canvas  2011

I can't believe I haven't done a post on Darlene Cole yet. A discovery while getting my Fine Art degree, I still find inspiration in every new piece of hers. The perfect artist for Ruby Tuesday, as many, many of her works use a juicy, ruby red. Cole's art explores the disappearance of childhood and carries a wonderful, dreamy quality. I also truly admire how she titles her work. I always find it extremely difficult to adequately name a piece, but hers seem to flow seamlessly into the work itself.

J.

Ruby Tuesday

The weather is getting chillier, which means dressing in snuggly sweaters and cuddling up with a nice warm blanket. Blankets are also another way to add colour and pattern to the home as we go into hibernation mode for the winter. Maybe it's just me, but during the colder months I like to stay inside, preferably lounging on the couch and definitely cocooned in one of my favourite throws. Gypsa makes it easy to keep toasty with these beautiful handmade and antique quilts. At the moment I can't get enough of this red, pink and mustard colour theme. 

J.

Arrive Alive (And In Style)

Bobbin Birdie

Okay, so I know I'm probably going to make myself look like the biggest hipster ever by posting this, but I don't care - I love bicycles, especially vintage ones. But I also like new bikes that are inspired by vintage wheels. Take Bobbin Bicycles for instance. Each bike is a reinvention of the traditional English upright cycle and is full of charisma and personality. My personal fave is the Bobbin Birdie in bright yellow or mint green. Compatible with 50's sundresses and daydreams, it seems as though this bike was made for me. Now if only winter wasn't on it's way, I'd be set.

L.

Living Pretty

I kept seeing wire baskets everywhere online, but wasn't sure where one could actually purchase these amazing vintage pieces. House Doctor, an online shop, appears to have just about any wire storage item you could ever want or need! Smaller baskets with handles to hold cosmetics or washroom essentials, larger ones for storing pretty quilts and blankets, and the list goes on and on. Too many to choose from actually. I might have to buy more than a few...

J.

Sunday Best

Amanda Johnson of Making Nice in the Midwest is another one of those amazing women that I look up to for seemingly doing it all. She is a wedding photographer, blog designer, writes a personal blog, and has an interior design degree in tow. Phew! Her lovely lifestyle blog shares inspiration for just about everything, including the best vintage wardrobe ever! The yellow dress pictured above is to die for! She is currently expecting (so we can soon add Mom to the list too) and has the cutest maternity outfits as well!

J.

Sunday Best

Late Afternoon is a personal style blog chock full of bright colours, bold patterns, and chunky jewels. Liz Cherkasova has a refined California style with the perfect mix of tailored glam and pretty vintage. I love that she doesn't shy away from pattern mixing and often wears pastels so well that it keeps me awake at night. It must have something to do with all that California sunshine.

L.

A Smoking Gun

How To Swim  vintage cigarette card courtesy of NYPL Digital Gallery

Mrs. Easton, a blog of curiosities by industrial designer Melissa Easton, recently posted some images of vintage cigarette cards in honour of the Summer Olympics. These beautifully illustrated cards immediately captured me and I began to start a rigorous online search into the history of these magical pieces of paper.

According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, these cards were first issued by tobacco companies in the late 1800's and often featured actresses, athletes, and sometimes advertising for the cigarettes themselves. Eventually, the cards were released in collector sets of 20 to 50 cards depicting themes such as "Ships and Sailors."

Almost Cat

I am completely entranced by this portrait series by Ronald Ceuppens. I am running out of space for my must have art, but I'm pretty sure these would look beautiful side by side above my bed. Delicate and haunting, there really is something intriguing about them. 

J.

Playing With Knives

JFK  brass handled knife, vintage coin, gold plated chain

Ax and Apple of Austin has a thing for knives. Not just any knives though, vintage pen knives. These tiny, unassuming items were used to sharpen quill pens and were often meant to be hidden, not worn around your neck. However, when paired with vintage coins and chains, these humble knives become stunners. I'm amazed and left wanting more.

L.

Sunday Best

Personal style blogger Veronika knows how to rock vintage and fast fashion all while looking like she just stepped out of a Noxzema commercial. Her blog Girl & Closet showcases her best style choices and a weekly giveaway from one of her many (amazing) sponsors. On top of all that awesomeness, she also runs her own little jewelry shop. Seriously, how does she find the time?!

L.

Living Pretty

I love, love, love these vintage cake stands! Bakery, Sweet & Saucy Shop decided their customers should have easy access to beautiful antique dishware and so was born Sweet & Saucy Supply. Owners, Melody Brandon and Eileen Francabandera traveled to every flea market and shop they could think of to produce a wonderful collection of delicious, candy coloured dishes. I'm not sure what I fancy more, the sweets or the stands!


J. 

Snap Happy

1939 Argus C3

Okay, so besides being obsessed with polka dots, I'm also obsessed with vintage cameras. I have a small collection, but nothing to brag about. It could be a lot bigger and if I had some money to throw around it would be thanks to Ilot Vintage. Ilot collects and restores old rangefinder cameras using wood veener to replace the traditional leather coverings most often found on these cameras. Not one refurb is the same, so you not only end up with a working Argus or Minolta, but you also end up with a one of a kind art piece. Now that's something to "shutter" about (sorry, I couldn't resist).

L.

Sunday Best

Jolene  2012 Collection

And now for something a little different. Fortnight Lingerie is a Canadian company with sex appeal written all over it. Drawing from vintage inspiration, their pieces are highly tailored and gorgeous. Not only that, but they design for real women with real bodies in sizes ranging from 30A - 38E. Their 2012 Collection is absolutely stunning and each piece is interestingly named after a Dolly Parton song, which I find makes them that much more endearing.

L.

Sunday Best

The Sunday of a long weekend definitely calls for something simple. Erin Perez Hagstrom's blog, calivintage is an awesome spot to check out elegant, yet quirky vintage looks. I especially love this denim skirt and plain tank. Perfect for a BBQ, don't you think?


J.

Ruby Tuesday

I just started learning how to crochet. So far I've determined that it's harder than, and more confusing than knitting. That being said, I am enjoying it. Maybe I'm enjoying the idea of it more than actually doing it though, which is partly my mum's fault. She saved all these fabulous crochet patterns from her teen years and I have been riffling through them for weeks. When I stumbled upon this vest pattern from Patons Canada, I literally shrieked with excitement. Not only is it perfect for Ruby Tuesday, but it is also pretty darn cute. The problem is, I have no clue how to make it…yet. 

L.

Ruby Tuesday

This Ruby Tuesday is dedicated to my Mom, who celebrates her birthday this week! My Mom has always had great style, and as we can see here, it started at a young age. Photographed in an adorable red coat, she looks picture perfect. I love looking through old photos of her and getting inspiration for outfits. The image itself is also quite lovely. I really enjoy that the rest of the photo is fairly neutral and the only pop of colour is her coat. Next up: photo inspiration from the 70's!

J.

The Good Old Days

Searching through old family photos for an art project I am currently working on, I stumbled upon quite a few intriguing images. Many of the photos from the 1920's and 30's have a spooky, yet beautiful quality to them that I love. Both candid and staged, the images possess a haunting sensibility that just isn't found very often these days. Even supposed lighthearted images hold a certain seriousness and hardship in them that can't be disguised.