Pumpkin Orange Skirt

Today I've got a ton of running around to do, and I want to be comfortable! Recently purchased this cute vintage 50s pumpkin orange full skirt and thought it perfect for today's errands. I feel festive! Need to buy some carving pumpkins now. :)

Can't believe I'm braiding my hair these days too, I usually wear it down and the same way almost ALWAYS, but thought I should take advantage of this warm sunshiny weather before my head's covered in hats soon. Neat fact side note: That dark blue jean (zipperless) bag was made by my dad's Amish friend - I love their simplicity in design!

Wishing you a wonderful and productive week, internet friends!

♥ Jessica

Telephone Cord Purses

"Necessity is the mother of invention!"
Telephone cord purses, or coil bags (as they were called in the '40s & '50s) were apparently a big hit during war rationing. Aren't they neat? Candy for the eyes. I want one, and I'm pretty sure one of these just might be my next gift to myself. :)

RaleighVintage

LisaLoot

SplendoreBoutique

LaineyMonster

Our Watermelon Days are Numbered

This berry-colored maxi dress will be getting packed away & stored this week with all of my other summer clothes! It definitely got it's time in the sun this summer.

CHANGE. It's happening. School has started, the nights are getting too cold even for fresh air from the fan in my window, and the watermelons in my dad's garden are ripe and ready to be picked & savored before it's too cold to do so.

On top of that two of my siblings who currently live very near to me are moving away! While I'm super excited and happy for them, I'm a little sad on the inside because, well it's been so nice having family so close. I know I can count on them whenever I need to, and vice versa. Thankfully, my sis will only be about 20 minutes away, but my brother (and I'm literally holding back tears as I type this...) will be moving to the other side of the state - Lake Michigan, in fact. I know, I know, it's not *that* far, it's not like he's moving to the other side of the country or anything. I'm just very close to him and it will be so hard not to be able to see him as regularly as I do now.

Change is good though, right? I'm trying to stay positive about all of these changes. Trying HARD. It's always tough when people you love move away!

On the bright side, I'm excited about my son's school year. We've got soccer, orchestra, and chess club busy-ness for extra curriculars, but I've been actually PLANNING the Sunday before so things have been running smoothy. (YES!) Planning is way awesome (who knew?) :p

Additionally, my part time job as a writing tutor has been incredibly rewarding so far this term. I've met some AMAZING people and have made a few kind and wonderful women friends. Having this position has been such a good balance to working at home for me. It's seriously so inspiring to see how writing has positively affected people in their lives. Also, I love getting dressed up for work a couple of days out of the week. :) More about this later!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I'm thrilled about possibly expanding the shop this year with vintage books and jewelry. There's another little surprise in the works as well, but it's an idea that's just recently been born and I will tell you more about it after I know more.

Have a lovely week, babes!  
♥ Jessica

FALLing

Some highlights from the most recent shop update for FALL. Hope there's a theme of "it's-getting-a-tad-chillier-out-there" apparent here. :) My favorite item of the week is the vintage 70s kimono dress with flying cranes! oh, you know how I love those novelty prints! How about that kitschy kitty vest too? so fun...MEOW. Have a great weekend!

{visit the shop}
 

Crocheted Jewelry by PetiteMortShop

 I don't usually consider myself a jewelry girl, but I find myself captivated by these lovely crocheted jewelry pieces that are like little colorful secrets wrapped up in lace-like metallic nests. Tel-Aviv based artist Julia Berg is the woman responsible for the creation of these beauties. I feel as if my eyes are tricking me because of how much the crocheted chain resembles crocheted detail on a metallic dress!

Find Julia's etsy shop here: PetiteMortShop

Liberty of London & Linen

such a sweet combination!
Fell in love with this vintage 70s blouse that I thrifted just within the last week or so. It was actually part of a skirt set, and while the 22" waist of the skirt was never going to fit this waistline in a million years, *thankfully* somehow the top fit perfectly. There are 2 tags and one reads "Mandy Pothecary" and the second attached tag, "Fabric by Liberty of London" - this didn't surprise me in the least, and completely explains that beautiful cotton floral print. There's a nice little write up about the incredible textiles of this company here. I adore the smocking at the waist & off - shoulder neckline too. Kept thinking, "this is so me." Bright red linen pants also thrifted a while ago -ridiculously comfortable. Can I please wear linen pants every day? Lastly, being big enough only for essentials, that tiny vintage floral leather purse has served me well this summer, and I love when it accidentally matches my outfits!

Summer Snippets

To see the summer sky
Is poetry, though never in a book it lie -
True poems flee.
~Emily Dickinson

If you've been following my blog or twitter for a while, it's no secret that summer is my favorite season! Being warm and outdoors just makes me happy, what can I say? Wanted to share a few sparkling moments of my life from these past few bright & sunshiny perfect months... Doesn't that bit from Emily Dickinson above just say it all? :)

In order:
1. I jumped in the pool with one of my favorite vintage dresses on - it was utterly exhilarating, and I love the picture my sister snapped.
2. Saw a double rainbow ("oh my god, all the way!" :p)
3. Lake day -I was on a date right here!
4. Finally took my boy to the Lego store which is located in a mall about an hour away. Lego-addict, that one! He was in HEAVEN.
5. Made some new girlfriends. Steph, in the middle, has a food blog with pics & recipes that will make your mouth water!
6. Pressed a bunch of flowers from my backyard for memories of summer, 2012. I loved the bleeding hearts best.
7. My sis & I attacking my mama with kisses for a picture. We were *so happy* she visited for a few days!
8. The ladies of my family toasting my sis on the beginning of her 3rd decade of life. ♥ She's darn lucky to have a summer birthday, and I tell her that every single year.
9. ♫sittin' on the dock o' the bay♫ . . . sippin on a rum & coke watching the sun go down. That day may have just been my favorite day of the entire year. :)

Hope all of you had some sparkling summer moments of your own! Fall is just around the corner, and though I'm excited about buying cardigans & getting cozy, I know it won't be long after till I'm pining for July again. . .