This is what bakelite heaven looks like

My friend Amber has an absolutely amazing collection of bakelite jewelry. Just look at those colors! Those towers of bangles! I think the best part off Amber's collection is that she actually wears the jewelry - it's a part of her every day life. That is super inspiring to me. Can you guess what the most valuable piece is here?

Guest Post || Teresa of Bess Georgette

Welcome to Teresa of Bess Georgette for today's guest post! Teresa is a self-described "tea drinking, skirt wearing, graphic designer with a huge passion for vintage clothing." You can see her sweet mug and read all about her in this great interview. You can also follow her adventures on her vintage blog (she just moved to Hong Kong!) and shop her sweet, mid-century styles here. Thank you, Teresa! ♡ Duff

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧

I love losing myself in the various online archives of fashions past and the incredible Jalou Gallery has the entire L’Officiel de la Mode available for our viewing pleasure. It is a fabulous adventure in the world of fashion magazines and is a treasure of fashion printed and published. Dating from the 1920s, each issue can be viewed in its original layout (complete with images). You can even print them if you wish!

With such a fantastic resource at your fingertips one can be forgiven for not knowing where to start but I thought where better than the 1920s? Duff always has the most spectacular pieces of jewellery from this wonderful era and it seems only fitting to begin our journey there.

In issue 40 in 1924 we are shown a collection of beautiful dresses by Brandt. Swooning from the coppery velvet of the 'Frivole' to the navy blue charmelaine of the 'Frimousse' and the classical elegance of the 'Zig-Zag'.

Moving on to issue 46 in 1925 and I am completely in love with the beautiful illustration of a Molyneux hat and bag ensemble. Oh, and how gorgeous is the illustration of the lady sitting on the bench underneath?!

Yet another stunning illustration, this time of Miss Mabel Boll, 'The Queen of Diamonds', is found in issue 69, 1927. So whimsical! Did you know that Miss Boll was quite the American socialite and who was known for her great atlantic flying aspirations?

This really is a fantastic inspirational source for vintage fashionistas and designers alike, and it's one I plan on visiting extensively. Now that you've had a little peek I'm sure you will be hooked too!

Guest Post || Lisa of Tree & Kimball

I asked Lisa of Tree & Kimball (the lady who made this rad necklace) to do a guest post for us about her studio space and when she sent me the photos, I was left bouche bée as they say. Sometimes I find super organized spaces a little intimidating but the opposite is true here - the room is soooo focused, cool and welcoming. I feel like I could accomplish anything at that desk, you know? That is the power of a perfect workspace. Thank you for sharing, Lisa! ♡ Duff

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧

Hello there! I'm Lisa from Tree & Kimball, filling in with a wee tour of my studio, as Duff settles into her new role as la mère extraordinaire. Ms. Jean Jean has become a dear internet pal of mine over this past year & I'm simply over the moon for her & Soren, as this little gentlemen transforms them into a family of three.

And so, I bring you a glimpse into my full-time Etsy-an work-space:

Where the lace lives.

Chain, with more chain and some chain on top

My two best gals and a brand-new dream-desk

Entry to the studio and a collection of favorite things

A sunny nook and a (hyper-organized) closet

Courtesy of my handy husband, loads of hideous beige carpeting has recently been ushered out of our house, in exchange for some new oak floors (hallelujah!). First stop was my studio, which has quickly become my (tightly sealed) oasis, as inches of sawdust pile up in the remainder of the house. Almost entirely re-decorated from what it once was, my new hideout has made me one seriously happy gal, & just in time for the holiday order rush!

Once the floors are complete (soon, so soon!), the last stop on the home renovation tip for my husband & I will be... a nursery! We've recently come to know that we'll be welcoming a bean of our own this coming summer. An internet pal to baby Duffelmeyer-Anderson, perhaps...

Guest Post || Maria of Adelaide's Homesewn

Good morning and welcome to my friend Maria of Adelaide's Homesewn! When she isn't working on her vintage clothing shop, Maria is probably thrifting, eating delicious food and drinking coffeeee! She has a lovely family which so far includes 2 dogs and a hubby (hi Steve!) Next month, Maria's household will be growing by one when they welcome a new babe. Thank you for this post, chère Maria. ♡ Duff

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Hello! I'm so happy to be blogging for Duff while she's taking some time with her new little one. I hope she's snuggling him up or taking a long nap right now.

In this time of winter, i just want to find a cozy spot to curl up and read a book so i thought it'd be fun to do a "cozy spaces" decor inspiration post. All the images are linked to their original sources, if you want to do more snooping! I found out that to me a cozy space equals lots of pillows and blankets, books nearby, light flooding in, and preferably some warm wood tones. i hope you enjoy, and happy winter!

Psst: You can see a pic of Maria and read some funny stats about her and her shop in this post.

Guest Post || Amy of Wildfell Hall

A big thank you to Amy of Wildfell Hall Vintage for today's guest post. Amy became a full time vintage seller last year which is happy news for all of us who enjoy her lovely shop. She is a great student of eras, styles, designers and fabrics, often sharing her learnings on her beautiful blog. And she totally knocked my socks off with this super clever post. Which gal is your favorite? I'm into Carly Simon. ♡ Duff

Hello - Amy here! Sometimes when I find a dress, or a pair of shoes, or put two things together they immediately remind me of someone. So I thought for this guest post I would do a little "fantasy dressing"- putting Wildfell Hall clothes on some famous ladies. I admit that Shelley Duval in The Shining may be my favorite, the movie still terrifies me but I just love watching her in it....and truth be told I kind of love her outfits. Which wasn't the point I'm sure.

I hope you can find a favorite below from these fab women, who would YOU just love to dress given the chance?

Carly Simon in these boots

Dita Von Teese in this dress

Grace Kelly in this dress

Jane Fonda in these pants

Lucille Ball in this dress

Marilyn Monroe in this dress

Shelley Duval in this jumper

Stevie Nicks in this dress

Thelma & Louise in these jeans (yowza!)

Guest Post || Regina from Every Eskimo

Hi guys! Today kicks off a Monday series of wonderful guest posts here on the blog. Today's blogger is Regina, who made Baby Sev's mobile (you can see it here) and who has outfitted my Jean Jean office with many great pieces (like this receipt file clipboard). I got to meet her in real life last month and she is a splendid lady. And how about these keychains?! I bought two for Christmas gifts this year and they were a big hit. Don't miss the coupon code at the end of the post, just for you. ♡ Duff



I'm Regina from everyeskimo, stepping in today for the darling Duff. I hunt & gather great vintage and stitch up small animals in between . . . filling the shelves of my little shop, Every Eskimo. Today I thought I'd share something that brings a bit of what I love about Jean Jean Vintage into my own everyeskimo world.

Duff finds the loveliest vintage jewelry around. But what makes my heart ache is how each piece carries the soul, story and ghost of its original wearer. It's a connection to the past; a reminder that there's so much more than just this moment. It's part of why I created letterpress keychains. Something small, solid and tangible. Something from a time when the printed word was painstakingly laid out one letter at a time.

Pulled from my collection of antique letterpress blocks and combined with new hardware, letterpress keychains are a new offering at everyeskimo. Sometimes the pursuit of old take you somewhere new . . . running a drill press was definitely new! The drill press was, fittingly, old.

I'm happy to offer Jean Jean readers a free shipping discount! (Who doesn't love a discount?) Free shipping on all letterpress keychains through February 9th. Just enter word nerd in the notes to seller upon checkout and I'll send you a shipping refund. Easy peasy.

Thanks for letting me chatter away in your ear! It's been a pleasure to be here.

xo. regina

A stollen story

The other day, I was working and daydreaming about stollen. I've craved it every holiday season ever since I had my first bite a few years ago at Zingerman's. Sometimes I buy one for myself. Last year, a friend made me one and shipped it from D.C. (thank you Mariana!) This year, I realized I had no plan for stollen acquisition. Fretting, I off-handedly posted this on Twitter:

Can someone just drop by and bring me some homemade stollen? I would be ever so grateful. I would also probably kiss you and cry.

And what to my wondering eyes did appear but a tweet from my sweet friend Olivia, who replied in less than one minute:

I've got a really good recipe if want to try making it yourself! Or I could make you some : )

Now, Olivia is a seriously great baker. It is my fervent wish that someday she will open a bakery where I can order her treats by the dozen. Her recipes are often creative (the last thing she shared was a persimmon purée and chocolate muffin with buckwheat flour) and she has an unfailing sense of proportion and good taste. So naturally, I pursued her offer to make me stollen. She graciously accepted and yesterday the mailman delivered the dense, precious little loaf to my door. Please see Exhibits A-C above. It is absolutely delicious.

Olivia keeps a cooking/baking blog here and here is her stollen recipe. Also, if you live in the Ann Arbor area and find yourself in need of a special treat, I highly suggest getting in touch with her (via her blog) and discussing a custom order. You will be so pleased!

Coat + Brooch = wintertime happiness

Dear Golden Fresh Fern Coat | Jean Jean Vintage Vanilla Sugar Brooch

Adeline's Attic Capelet | Jean Jean Vintage Thackeray Brooch 

Greatest Friend Hunting Jacket | Jean Jean Vintage Twinkle Lights Brooch

Wildfell Hall Hooded Cape | Jean Jean Vintage Miss Bankson Brooch

Adelaide Homesewn Green Plaid Coat | Jean Jean Vintage The Races Pin

If I could put Jean Jean Vintage brooches on some coats stocked by my favorite shopkeepers at the moment, this is how I would do it. I could daydream all day about ways to accessorize the wonderful things in their shops! Text is linked.

Duff's wee gift picks

1 || Tree & Kimball lace earrings, Oh Dear Watson vintage cigarette tin
2 || Every Eskimo vintage napkins, Little Byrd Vintage perpetual calendar
3 || Haven Vintage vintage platter, Enhabiten zip-pouches

Here are six little gift ideas from some of my favorite shops. Charming, unique vintage and handmade goodies from fantastic shopkeepers - how can you go wrong? And almost everything is under $25, too!