November 22, 2016

Outfit: What Do You Wear With Weather Like This?

Nicole outfits falltime, fashion, hat, style, vintage

What to wear with weather like this, main image, the artyologist

Ok, I am going to be that person, and talk about the weather. But really, it has been a strange, strange year weather-wise! This fall, for example, we got snow on October 8, which then lasted for two weeks, taking all of our fall colour with it. Then the temperatures rose and the snow melted tricking us into thinking that it was springtime and we should pull out all the summer clothing again! Except for the fact that the calendar clearly told us it was October. Then, it got cold again, but there was no snow, and no fall leaves left either. So we’ve been living with the bare trees, and the brown grass for the last few weeks. But, now it’s snowing again, and I am sure that winter is here to stay this time. That’s OK though with me because, of course, my main concern when it comes to weather, as boring as it may be, is what to wear.

When the weather is chilly, but it doesn’t really feel like fall time, and it doesn’t really feel like winter time, what do you wear? I was ready to start wearing my more winter appropriate clothing, but I didn’t want to hurry into the season either. So, I have been trying to balance the two seasons, and coming up with combinations like this one I wore last week.

My trench coat kept me warm enough, because as dreary as it looks in these pictures, it wasn’t actually that cold out. And the wool beret and my favourite wool skirt made this outfit look wintry enough (OK, you caught me. I say everything is my favourite. But that’s just because I couldn’t choose a favourite anything if I tried…) Going with such a monochromatic, non-patterned outfit was really a change from the norm for me as well, and allowed me to use some of the accessories I have, that never seem to go with anything, like this scarf and clutch. The scarf added a nice jolt of colour, because, while I absolutely love mint, I have hardly anything in my wardrobe to wear this scarf with, thus, it doesn’t get worn as often as it deserves to be!

wool-skirt, what katie did polka dot tights, the artyologist

The other item I was glad to wear, is this hilarious/amazing vintage clutch. I picked this up in the summer, and this was it’s debut! I found this one in a thrift store, and it is covered with feathers, and then completely wrapped with clear plastic. There is a crack in the plastic on the back, but I don’t mind too much. I can’t really decide if the clutch is cool, or just plain weird, though. What do you think? It is the stupidest thing to carry though, as it is so narrow, it can only hold my phone, a lipstick, and some loose change. My wallet doesn’t even fit in it, but that’s a clutch for you: fun, but not very functional. (Maybe if I just schlepped less stuff around with me . . . )

Anyways, this outfit worked out pretty well for a transitional kind of outfit. I always find the changing seasons a bit difficult to dress for. Now that we have snow again, and the temperatures have dropped, I’ve started pulling out my winter coats, I guess I won’t have to really worry about that until Spring.

How about you- do you find it easy, or difficult to dress for the changing seasons? Does it feel like Winter now where you are? Are you excited about dressing for the upcoming season, or sad to see Fall go? (And, for my readers south of the Equator, just reverse the seasons 🙂 !)

Outfit Details:

Beret: ? I think my sister gave me this one?

Scarf: Thrifted- my sister gave me this too!

Clutch: Vintage

Shoes: Gabor

Coat: Hell Bunny

Skirt: Thrifted

Blouse: From my Mom

Brooch: Also from my Mom

Earrings: Also gifted. (Wow I get a lot of stuff from my family. Thanks, eh!)

Necklace: Also had for years

Tights: What Katie Did Retro Seamed Dot Tights with Dots (ps- I love these, and have worn them several times with nary a run or snag to be seen yet! Definitely a good quality purchase.)

beret-brooch-and-coat, the artyologist

vintage clutch, the artyologist

portrait, wool beret, the artyologist

leaf-and-necklace, the artyologist

trench-and-clouds, the artyologist

walking-away, vintage wool skirt, the artyologist

November 18, 2016

The Beginnings of a Collection: Blue and White Ceramics

Nicole lifestyle life, life lately, lifestyle

The Beginnings of a Collection: Blue and White Ceramics, the artyologist

My Grandma recently downsized to a new apartment, and wanted to pass on some things she doesn’t use anymore, and no longer had the space for in her new place. She asked if my sister and I would like some of her blue and white ceramics- and we both immediately said yes!

I have always loved blue and white ceramics. They are a popular style, and come from such far flung places around the world including Holland (Delft Tile) all the way to Vietnam. I love hand painted ceramics and am always drawn to crisp blue and white colours. I am always so amazed at the talent and detail that goes into them. I took a pottery course once. Suffice it to say, we will not be handing those pieces down through the generations. 🙁

I already owned this pitcher, which I purchased from Ten Thousand Villages last year, so I was very happy to add these beautiful new pieces, to create a small collection.

In my family we didn’t get much handed down in the way of clothes, like many vintage lovers I know, who have gotten dresses, hats and jewelry from past relatives. However, from both sides of my family, I have gotten dishes. Not all of them are antique, but they are each special, because they are a part of our family history. They will become heirlooms, even if they aren’t very old right now, like these pieces. Really, if you think about it, everything that is antique and old today, was at some point brand new. However, someone thought it was special enough to preserve. And so it will be with these. They will always remind us of our Grandma, and they will be preserved and passed down. And maybe someday, my distant great-great-granddaughter will be using this very same pitcher, or candy dish herself, getting ready to pass it down to the next generation too. It’s a nice thought anyways 🙂

Do you have any special collections? Do you have any pieces (of anything – not just dishes!) passed down from your family? If not, have you ever thought of starting a new collection of heirlooms yourself?

The Beginnings of a Collection: Blue and White Ceramics, the artyologist

The blue teapot is my sisters, and the white one is mine.

The Beginnings of a Collection: Blue and White Ceramics, the artyologist

Such a neat design for the candy dish.

The Beginnings of a Collection: Blue and White Ceramics, the artyologist

I use this pitcher often, not as a pitcher, but as a vase! It makes a lovely vase for weedy roadside bouquets like the ones I picked here, or for pussy willow branches in the spring. It’ll probably be lovely for some evergreen boughs this winter too! And, on the right is the beautiful lattice design bowl of my sister’s.

The Beginnings of A Collection: Blue and White Ceramics, the artyologist

The little teapot is a tiny little knick-knack that my Grandma gave me years ago. It is a favour that Red Rose used to include in their teas years ago!

The Beginnings of A Collection: Blue and White Ceramics, the artyologist

The entire “collection”, (to date!)

November 15, 2016

The Comfort of a Good Tried and True Outfit

Nicole outfits fashion, hat, outfit, style, vintage

Feature. The comfort of a tried and true outfit, the artyologist

When one is wearing a 1960’s outfit, one must pretend to be a Vogue cover model of the era, and pose appropriately.

I love to play dress up with my wardrobe and come up with new outfit combinations. It’s always so much fun to pair items with something I haven’t before, and come up with new ideas on how to wear the garments I have. I especially love to do this whenever I get something new in my wardrobe. Before I buy a garment, I always try to picture it with the things I already have- how will it fit in with what I already own? What do I have that I could pair it with? And then, as soon as I bring it home, I try pairing it with as many things in my wardrobe as possible. That way, the next time I go to get dressed I already have an idea of what sorts of garments work together well, but I have the freedom to experiment and add accessories that haven’t been out to play for a while . . . or to choose something unexpected altogether. However, as much as I love to experiment, sometimes you just need the comfort of an old friend.

Enter, the tried and true outfit. This is an outfit that just “goes” together, and every time you wear it, you love it as much as you did the last time.

I have a few “uniforms” in my wardrobe, but this is definitely one of my favourites. You can actually read more about this coat in this post from back in March. Today’s outfit is identical to that one, with only the addition of a new-to-me vintage hat. I have worn this outfit, with the exact same dress, coat, and shoes several times since I found this coat a few years ago – and every time I wear it, I still love it just as much as the first time.

I only wear this dress paired with this coat, because it is a tunic, that I turned into a dress (but is impossible to alter so it is more fitted, as it has to be pulled on over the head.) The dress is rather baggy, and so it isn’t very flattering on its own, but when worn under this coat, it suddenly looks like a 1960’s shift (and so it is worth keeping in my wardrobe, even if I only wear it a couple of times a year!) Adding my trusty old low navy peep-toes, furthers the 1960’s theme, and when you are wearing a 1960’s inspired outfit, you have to pair it with a ridiculous feathered pillbox, right? I don’t know why, because they are rather silly, but I just love 1960’s hats. I picked this one up in the spring, just in time to pack it away for summer, so this was it’s official debut. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this hat while I was wearing it; it almost seems too tall and narrow. However, there is a benefit to taking pictures for your blog- you can look objectively at things later when you go through the photos! After looking at the hat in this pictures, I actually think it’s grown on me a bit, but what do you think? I’m still trying to decide if it is a yes or a no.

comfort of a tried and true outfit, the artyologist, hat

So, there you go, even though I have worn this exact thing before, I enjoyed wearing it all over again. That’s the magic of a Tried and True! The only sad thing about this lovely coat, is that it is wool, but only lined with a lightweight satin, and so it isn’t warm at all. I only get to pull it out a few times each Spring and Fall, but I do love wearing it while the weather permits!

Do you have a Tried and True outfit you love to wear? Or do you like to experiment and wear something different each time you get dressed?

Outfit details:

Actually now that I think about it, every piece in this outfit, except for the sunglasses and earrings, was a hand-me-down, was thrifted or bought at a vintage store. That’s cool, as that doesn’t usually happen! 🙂

1960's Peggy French coat, the artyologist

hat detail, the artyologist, the comfort of a tried and true outfit

black and white 1960's hat, the comfort of a tried and true, the artyologist

November 11, 2016

A Fashion Moment With McCall’s Treasury of Needlecraft: Dressy Sweaters

Nicole vintage fashion moments crocheting, fashion, fashion history, fashion moment, knitting, style, vintage

a fashion moment with McCall's Treasury of Needlecraft, Dressy Sweaters, the artyologist

I think that it is about high time there was another peek into the McCall’s Treasury of Needlecraft, don’t you? It has been quite a while since the last edition, back in July, where I shared knitted and crocheted dresses. This time around, we are delving into “Dressy Sweaters”.

By this I mean, not your average knitwear, which is usually intended for warmth (although style is always important as well!). These knits I share with you today are all just a bit fancier- either with intricate patterns, beading or other pretty details. Some of them are not specifically intended for evening wear, but look a little bit more elegant due to how they are styled, and what they are paired with, while some of them are intended for evening wear. We don’t usually think of knitted and crocheted garments for evening, but when they are made out of more delicate materials, they are the perfect option for fancier occasions, especially when the weather begins to turn cooler.

I hope you enjoy these lovely pieces! Which are your favourites?

beaded sweater, fashion moment with McCalls treasury of needlecraft, the artyologist

This needs to be in my wardrobe. Like, right now. This is one of the most beautiful cardigans I have ever seen, and it is definitely worthy of being worn with a bridal ensemble as shown here. Or with anything for that matter, as it would make any outfit incredible!

two-ladies, fashion moment with mccalls treasury of needlecraft the artyologist

Two outfits finished off perfectly with the addition of a belt.

fashion moment with mccall's treasury of needlcraft, dressy sweaters

You could definitely wear this beautiful jacket in place of a blazer. It looks so polished.

McCall's Treasury of Needlecraft, the artyologist, two elegant ladies

When in doubt, add a muff. And beading. And gloves. And impeccable hair. Ok, I’ll stop now.

portrait, dressy sweaters, fashion moment, mccall's treasury of needlecraft, the artyologist

Not only in love with her top, but her topper as well! Do you think it’s a beret? Or a hat with a folded up brim? It’s hard to tell!

knitwear, dressy sweaters, the artyologist, fashion moment

I’m gonna guess the lady on the right is wearing a bullet bra. . .

dressy-sweater, the artyologist, mccalls treasury of needlecraft

What appears to be another bridal ensemble.The question we are all asking ourselves though is . . . seriously, what is with the guy in the background??

ribbon dressy sweater, the artyologist

And last, but not least, this “handsome mandarin jacket” is made of ribbon yarn. It gives an interesting texture, and also a pretty and elegant sheen, don’t you think?