A Day of Hearts

valentines heart shaped cranberry and pecan scones

The heart shaped celebration of Valentine’s day continues!

Here is what we had in celebration of the day. First were heart shaped cranberry and pecan scones, served with butter and jam, for breakfast.

the artyologist- image cranberry and pecan scones in the shape of hearts

the artyologist- image of valentines cranberry and pecan scones in the shape of hearts and jam

And then later in the day, not a heart shaped, but heart decorated, hazelnut, cranberry and chocolate ganache covered cake, topped with whipped cream.

the artyologist- image of valentines heart decorated chocolate cake top

the artyologist- image of chocolate ganache hazelnut cake valentines with dusted cocoa heart decoration

the artyologist- image of chocolate cranberry hazelnut cake with whipped cream for valentines

Can we have Valentine’s every day?

 

Sunday Style: Valentines

the artyologist- image of vintage grey leather coat with silver fox collar

the artyologist- image of valentine's day outfit of floral skirt, pink lace peasant blouse and vintage leather and fur coat

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When contemplating what to wear on Sunday, which happily this year coincides with Valentine’s, I realized that I do not own very much red or pink clothing. Actually this blouse represents the sum total of garments that I own in those shades. (This obviously means that my wardrobe is seriously lacking, and should be remedied as soon as possible.) So, this top was the “only” choice for what to wear.

the artyologist- imag of valentine's outfit consisting of a floral skirt and pink lace blouse

the artyologist- image of grey vintage leather coat and fur collar

However, the only problem was that this blouse started out as one of those horrible peasant style blouses with an elasticized hem that, instead of falling on the waistline, falls on the hip. As all women know, it is obviously a very flattering silhouette to have a loose, and pouffy top end on the widest part of your body. I decided that the top was worth trying to save though, so earlier this week, I removed the elasticized part and re-smocked it with new elastic at my natural waistline. Fortunately it was a quick fix, taking me only about an hour to do, and the end result is a comfortable and flattering top, that I can easily wear over or tucked in to skirts.

I paired the skirt with my new favourite black floral skirt. I was searching for the longest time for a long 90’s floral skirt- the kind that are prolific in thrift stores- right up until the time I decided that I would like to get one, in which case they suddenly became extinct. So, when I came across this cotton, I decided to sew one up myself. Long skirts are just so fun to wear.

The floral paired perfectly with the pink lace and couldn’t be more Valentine’s appropriate if it tried.

the artyologist- image of black mary jane miz mooz shoes

the artyologist- image of pink lace shirt and vintage grey leather coat with a fur collar

Hope your Valentine’s Day was sweet, however you chose to spend it!

the artyologist- image of vintage leather coat with fur collar

Barbie and Me

the artyologist- image of barbie and me vintage barbie photoshoot

Once we realized that Barbie and I have almost the same sunglasses, it was just too good of an opportunity not to pull out the sundress, and the bright lipstick and the large plastic jewelry. Can Barbie be one of my fashion icons?

the artyologist- image of the retro barbie with an antiqued effect

Single Ladies Valentine’s Tea

the artyologist- image of floral porcelain teacup at valentine's tea party

I am not married or in a relationship, but this in no way hinders me from loving Valentine’s day as my favourite holiday of the year. Not only does Valentine’s day have a sweet history, from when it was first formed to the Victorian’s invention of the modern Valentine’s we know today, but what other day of the year do we purposefully bake heart shaped cakes, exchange cards, and dress in pink and red, and generally “prettify” everything around us?

I’ve never understood the Valentine’s hate some people have. Nor have I understood people who say they’ll simply show love all year- they don’t need one day to do it. To that I say, what’s wrong with going all out on one day? To me, Valentine’s doesn’t have to be about only romantic love. I take it as a day to celebrate my friends and family. And bake a heart shaped cake 🙂

In this particular year, I hosted a Valentine’s party for all the young single women in our church. It was a perfect excuse to get out all the fancy teacups, linen and bake pretty desserts.

So this year, if you are not going out with a significant other, why not use Valentine’s for a celebration of a different kind?

the artyologist- image of making heart shaped cookies with vintage cookie cutter for valentine's day party

Heart cookie preparation.

the artyologist- image of china teacups spread out on buffet for valentine's

the artyologist- image of mason jar candleholders with lace and ribbon for valentine's tea party

Lace wrapped around mason jars for tealight candleholders.

the artyologist- image of heart wreath and ice candle decorations for valentines party

Ice candles and lanterns lead the way to the heart wreath adorned front door.

the artyologist- image of dessert buffet for valentine's party

the artyologist- image of antique silver tea service

the artyologist- image of dessert spread for valentines tea party

The heart shaped cake. And cookies. And chocolate.

the artyologist- image of linens and silverware

the artyologist- image of message candy hearts for valentines

And what Valentine’s celebration would be complete without some chalky tasting candy with tacky sayings written on them?

Hope your Valentine’s Day, however you celebrate it, is a sweet one!

Vintage Astra Fur

the artyologist- vintage 1967 astra fur coat with real fur collar

I don’t own very much vintage; most of what I wear is reproduction I have made myself, but I do have a few real vintage pieces. If I had to choose a favourite, it would be this Astra Fur 1967 faux astrakhan fur coat with a real fur collar, which I wore in my last post.

the artyologist- vintage 1967 astra fur coat with real fur collar full length picture

I found it for a song at a Goodwill thrift store a few years ago, in surprisingly good shape. The black dot on the left side of the collar is actually a button- there is a buttonhole on the other side of the collar.

So, why is this coat my favourite? Not only because it is fabulous 🙂 but because I found an advertisement for this exact coat in a magazine called “Woman and Home” from 1967. (Were you wondering how I could date it so precisely?) It’s always neat when you find original advertisements, and especially when it is for something that you own!

 

astra fur advertisement for vintage astrakhan coat with fur collar

 

the artyologist- image of Astra Furs Paris label inside vintage astrakhan coat