We're Back!!

My husband and I go to Vegas every year for a quickie holiday. 4 or 5 days is just enough time to recharge without disrupting the business too much and we just love the sheer excess of the place.

Since we live in Victoria BC, travelling Internationally is always a pain in the A$$. Good deals on International flights are usually available only from Vancouver or Seattle, which make the ferry trip to the mainland part of the journey. While tourists ooh and ahh over the superb scenery of the Islands, I've taken the ferry hundreds of times and usually just want to get from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen as soon as possible.



BC Ferries, Spirit of Vancouver Island



So here was the itinerary:

• Mom picks us up at noon and drives us from Victoria to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to catch 1 pm ferry


• Arrive at Tsawwassen Terminal at 2:45


• Catch BC Transit Bus to Airport approx 3 pm (1 transfer)


• Arrive Vancouver airport 3:50 pm


• Check in and clear USA customs, shop Duty Free and drink coffee until our flight at 6:25 pm


• Arrive Vegas at 9pm

WHOOO 9 hours from start to finish... we could have flown to England in that length of time. Getting to and from the ferry usually add a minimum 3 or 4 hours onto any trip, such is the cost of living on an Island !!




Beautiful Victoria BC, Inner Harbour

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage

Viva Las Vegas

Just a quick note to let everyone know I'll be on a short vacation to fabulous Las Vegas from Mar 22 to Mar 26th. My Etsy stores are temporarily shut down. My Ebay store is still active, but items will not be shipped until we get back.

Cheers and wish me luck!!

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage

Vintage Spotlight

I recently made a purchase from BeautifulReign on Etsy and I was near speechless with delight when I saw the vast selection of antique and vintage boudoir items. I especially love the 1920s silk lingerie pins and garters. Many items in mint condition and some even new in the box; a treasure trove!

Exquisite 1920s Powder Puff Wand with Smocked Silk and Black Lace

1920s Silk Rosette Lingerie Pins - New in Box!

1920s Pink Silk Garters, Powder Puff and Lace Trimmed Hankie, New in Box

Pink Silk Garter with Ribbon Rose, 20s

A Pair of Large Pink Silk Rosettes, 1920s

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage

New to Empress Jade Vintage

Some more shameless promotion: New to Empress Jade Vintage at Etsy

Fabulous 80s Benetton Sweater Dress you can wear two ways.

Red and Black Poppies on a 70s Secretary Dress

Blue Polka Dot Crinkle Dress with Surplice Bodice and Slit Skirt

Black Orchid Ultra Sheer 70s Disco Dress

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage

VINTAGE COUTURE

I just had to share these:

Stunning 1922 Coco Chanel Embroidered Dress from the V&A Collection

Wild Vivienne Westwood Platforms 93/94 Season from the V&A Collection

Every time I visit London England I have to visit the Fashion, Jewellery and Accessories collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Wonderfully conserved and beautifully displayed, the collection is staggering in scope and covers fashionable dress from the 17th century to the present day. Exhibits change often as the collection is too large to be shown all at once. A MUST SEE for anyone interested in history, fashion or textiles.

Excellent V&A web resources:

Explore the Couture Houses and Designers from the Golden Age of Couture

V&A Fashion Jewelery & Accessories

There are tons of resources on this site; from how to care for vintage textiles, 1940s knitting patterns, corsets and crinolines, Swinging 60s London etc.... You can literally spend hours perusing this site!

1890s Wasp Waist Tightlace Corset Photo from the V&A Collection

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage

What is a Secretary Dress?

I admit to using the word "Secretary" to describe some vintage dresses I sell, and so do a lot of other Vintage Sellers. BUT, what does this term really mean? Is it just modern usage to describe any kind of career or day dress, or does it mean something specific?

For me I use it for dresses from the 70s and early 80s with some kind of cute but fussy detail...think pussy bows, bishop sleeves, ascots and ruffles. Definitely something that could have been worn to the office, but now we're seeing them shortened to mini length and worn everywhere. Like this bright pink and yellow pleated number from Lullie Vintage Clothing

However a search of "vintage secretary dress" on Ebay brings up such a varied selection it's clear that anything goes in this category; from 50s wiggle dresses like this fab green polka dot dress from Vogue Vintage Clothing

To this amazing rayon two tone dress from LoveSpyVintage


So let me know how you define "Secretary Dress" ...

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage

Cool Cats

Some groovy vintage cats for your collection:

Pretty kitty in the cookie jar, the real McCoy - from JunkyardGypsy

Jewel Eyed Kitty Cat Vintage 60s Hand Towels from FuzzyLizzie

Vintage Gold Lunch Box and Thermos with Adorable Kitty Transfers - from Bellalulu

Vintage Japanware Siamese Cats. Just like the ones I inherited from my Granny. - From LookOnMyTreasures

Black Panther Baby, Vintage 50s Ceramic (probably Japanware) - from CuriousOldThings


Glossy Black Cat Bookend, Japanware - From VintageStarrBeads

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage

GREEN is My Favorite Color

I love green in all it's shades; from absinthe green to the inky black green of the deep forest. I even love those impossible to wear colors like puce, AKA puke green, or as my Mother called it, "baby shit green"!

While my primary business is focused on vintage fashion related items, clothing, accessories, jewelry and sewing patterns; my personal collection of vintage extends to housewares and other collectibles. Invariably I'm drawn to anything green from depression glass to chippy painted furniture. I even live in a 101 year old lime green house!

Here is my Green Wish List from Etsy:

These Amazing UNWORN Mossy Green 70s Charles Jourdan Shoes (Size 8) are a steal at only $46.00. Unfortunately not my size or they would be mine - available at Tree&Kimball

Spectacular Green Rhinestone Broach from TheAtticShop

I like to wear vintage broaches in unexpected ways, as a choker necklace or on a handbag

Unusual Deco CANDLE-LITE Candle Holders 1930's National Porcelain Co. Trenton N.J. from VintageSam's

More Jadite! A lovely covered Hen Dish from ShabbyChicAntiques

This 50s Elf Cookie Jar is strangely intriguing, kitsch fun for the kitchen. Available from ZucchiniFlourVintage

This groovy lime green fondue pot makes me want to plan a party... good friends, lots of wine and fattening food!!! From ElectricLime

XOXO Empress Jade Vintage