My First Blogger Meetup With Jessica of Chronically Vintage
Sometimes life changes in the blink of an eye. When I first wrote this post, it was shortly after I had met Jessica. I wanted to write while the meeting was still “fresh in my mind” and before I forgot anything. Then, Jessica and I discussed back and forth as to when to publish the photos. We decided on publishing them on the same day in early November. This was in mid-September. And then, in October, as many of you already know and I mentioned before, Jessica lost almost everything that she owns, in an arson fire, on October 13th, 2016. In one day it went from excitement over wanting to post these pictures, to the shock of realizing that everything she owned was. . . gone. It is always hard to hear of someone suffering from a tragedy of any kind, but even more so when you know the person whom it happens to. It’s been eight months now, since Jessica and I had this lovely blogger meetup last September, and seven months since the tragic fire, and we have decided that it is now time to share the photos here on my blog. Since Jessica has made the difficult decision to now retire her blog, I hope that you enjoy this post, which I consider to be from both of us.
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Last July, when I posted pictures from a photoshoot my friend and I did, all dressed up in 1950’s outfits, I received a lovely comment on the post from Jessica, of the blog Chronically Vintage. She said that the post made her wish that “we lived nearby and could team up for a shared outfit shoot of our own” and that if she was ever out my way, or I was out hers, “it would be a blast to try and make that happen.” The thought had occurred to me as well, but even though it sounded like a fun thing to do, and despite the fact that we both live in Canada- we still don’t live that close to each other! I didn’t pin my hopes on such a thing happening. Fast forward a few months, though, and sometimes wishes do come true, in the form of my first ever blogger meetup!
A few weeks after that post, I received an email in my inbox from Jessica detailing her plans to visit Edmonton in September for a holiday. She so kindly asked if I wanted to meet up with her during her trip, since I live fairly close to the city, and it could make our plans of meeting in-person one day, a reality. Of course my answer was a resounding “Yes!”, and so a plan was made. It just so happened that I was going to be travelling through Edmonton at the same time she would be in the city, so we decided to have our blogger meet up that day. Originally, I had suggested meeting at the Old Strathcona Antique Mall, but as she had already planned to visit there with another friend, an alternate plan was made for us to meet at Rowena on Whyte Ave, the storefront of the Retro Glam online shop, and after we were finished there to continue up Whyte Ave and pop into any other stores we came across. We also stopped in at The Junque Cellar, which is, basically like it sounds, a vintage/junk store in a cellar. Well, I guess it’s a basement, but same difference. 😉
I love to go shopping at the best of times, but to go shopping for an afternoon, with a fellow vintage lover is really the best thing ever. Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything to buy (seriously, what is with the sizing of some things!? Everything went from too big, to too small!) but it was still so much fun to browse. We did discover that we have a lot in common, and it was really nice to put a face with a name, or well, maybe a person with the blog. You know what I mean. 😉 When we were finished shopping, we found a picnic table by some trees, to sit outside in the lovely fall sunshine and exchange some gifts. Jessica, remembering that in the past I have mentioned that I don’t own very many true vintage pieces, gave me the beautiful beaded necklace pictured here (it was so pretty I couldn’t wait to put it on, and the colour was perfect for my outfit!) and also a gold brooch of an artist’s palette (since my blog is called “The Artyologist”.) How completely special that, not only did she give me a gift, she gave me something so personally tailored! Jessica is such a sweet lady, and I am so honoured to have been able to meet her in person.
After we were done, we were able to make that wish of a few months ago a reality, with a photoshoot by her husband Tony. We took the photos in this walkway behind the Historic Train Station on Whyte Ave and Gateway, which is now a restaurant. As we were waiting for Tony to arrive, we saw only one person walk by, and thought that it would be a nice background for photos. Of course, as soon as he arrived, it suddenly turned into Grand Central Station, and everyone and their dog decided to walk through. It made for some lag time, but in the end we got these lovely pictures!
We didn’t plan our outfits to coordinate either, but I guess that vintage minds think alike! The colours of our outfits compliment one another splendidly, and are a perfect summer-to-fall transition. This day we were out and about, was a perfect early fall day, with the sun shining, but a crisp breeze on the air to remind us of the changing seasons.
It was a wonderful afternoon spent together, and it was also my first ever blogger meetup. Since then, Jessica and I have exchanged many emails back and forth, and I am truly thankful to have been able to meet her in person as well. This was my first time meeting up with Jessica- but hopefully it will not be the last!
Outfit details, on me:
Dress: Retrolicious, Nostalgia Dress, from Rowena/Retro Glam
Shoes: Hotter Shoes
Shrug: Second hand
Hat: Oh Dina! from several years ago
Necklace: Gift from Jessica
Purse: Bought in England
May 16, 2017 @ 6:19 am
Oh Nicole, this was so lovely to read and I’m really glad that Jessica felt like the photos could be shared. I can’t even imagine how strange it must feel for her to look back at a time that must feel a lot longer than several months ago. The photos are great and what fun it sounds like you had! It warms my heart when people come together through their blogs and shared interests – it’s quite a special and unique friendship, I think 🙂
May 17, 2017 @ 8:55 am
Thanks! It is a unique kind of friendship I agree, as it’s nice to know that the other person likes the same sorts of things you do 🙂
May 16, 2017 @ 2:06 pm
What happened to Jessica was so very tragic.
Looking back on these photos prior to the incident it really makes you think about how life can turn on a dime.
You both look radiant.
bisous
Suzanne
May 17, 2017 @ 8:58 am
Thank-you so much Suzanne. It was tragic, which is why I debated about sharing these photos, but Jessica kindly encouraged me to post them now.
May 16, 2017 @ 4:12 pm
Sweet Nicole, how eloquently and perfectly you tell the tale of our meetup – the events leading up to it and those of the special day itself. Thank you deeply for each beautiful word and for still wanting, after all these rocky months, to post about the tremendously awesome day that we shared.
If I had a dollar for every time that I’ve reflected back on that serene and sunny September afternoon since then, I’m sure I could afford another trip to Edmonton right now. Alas, such isn’t possible, but I do wholeheartedly hope that we’re able to meet up again in the future (hopefully multiple times). Though, as you noted, CV has been retired, my love of vintage is unshakable and as, little by little, my (new) wardrobe takes shape, I strive to wear mid-century styles once more as frequently as can be, so I’d always be game for another photo shoot, if you were.
You are a dear and wonderful friend, and I cannot thank you enough for honouring our fabulous day together with this moving post.
Tons of love & hugs,
♥ Jessica
May 17, 2017 @ 9:01 am
Thank-you so much Jessica- I’m so glad to hear that! And, I would also love to meet up again some day, should our paths cross again.
I’m also glad to hear that your new vintage wardrobe is slowly taking shape. That is great news, and no doubt is helping to make things feel normal again.
Thank-you again for the wonderful afternoon we spent together, and hopefully it won’t be the last!
May 17, 2017 @ 12:32 am
Aw, I didn’t know you two lovely ladies had met up! You both look gorgeous, what lovely Autumn light. These are super pictures. I hope you get the chance to meet again xx
May 17, 2017 @ 9:03 am
We, sadly, didn’t get a chance to share our meet-up with the blogging world at the time, so I am glad to be able to share it now. I agree- the pictures turned out wonderful, and I was so glad that Tony was willing to do a photoshoot for us!
May 17, 2017 @ 12:53 pm
Awww, yay! Two of my favorite bloggers together! How fun that you guys both got to meet. You both look adorable and I’m glad you had fun!
May 17, 2017 @ 11:36 pm
Thanks Emileigh! We did have a lot of fun meeting 🙂
May 18, 2017 @ 12:08 am
It is so nice to see and read about the lovely day you two spent together. It’s always fun to see two online friends meet up, and I’m always a little jealous too! With Jessica’s blog retired though, it’s even more special to get to see another photoshoot with her – I’ve missed her lovely face!
May 20, 2017 @ 9:59 am
Thanks Tanith! We did have a lovely day together. I always think it’s too bad that all of us internet friends live scattered across the entire globe- otherwise it would be so fun to have a giant blogger meetup with all of us. 🙂
May 21, 2017 @ 10:58 am
It’s so lovely to see these photos. I read Jessica’s blog for years before I ever started my own, and she is just such an unfailingly sweet, kind person – I’m delighted that you got to meet up with her. You both look beautiful here, and it sounds like you had a really nice time meeting up with her.
May 21, 2017 @ 6:18 pm
I too read Jessica’s blog for years before I started my own and met up with her. It was almost like getting together with an old friend, and we did have a lovely afternoon together.
May 22, 2017 @ 9:07 am
What a special post this is! I can’t tell you how much it has warmed my heart to see some snaps of you and Jessica looking so happy! Of course your outfits are perfect and you look as though you are having such fun!!
May 22, 2017 @ 1:25 pm
Thanks Christina ♥ We did have a really lovely time!
May 24, 2017 @ 12:06 pm
I’m so glad you got to meet Jessica! She has the biggest heart, and I was sickened and saddened by what happened to her. It’s so nice to see her lovely face again on a blog. I hope that one day she returns to blogging.
Both of your outfits are wonderful too!
xoxo
-Janey
May 24, 2017 @ 5:36 pm
Thank-you Janey- we had a lovely afternoon together. And I too hope that someday she returns to the blogging world!
May 27, 2017 @ 8:50 am
How fabulous that you got to meet up. I bet you had the best time! It sounds like a really lovely day and the photos are a great extra momento. I really miss Jessica’s blog so it was lovely to see her again here.
May 28, 2017 @ 10:39 pm
Thanks Kate-Em, it is lovely to see her on the internet again, I agree! 🙂