The Pillbox Hat, As Seen on Kate Middleton, Can Be Yours

If you're a Kate Middleton follower, you certainly couldn't miss noticing her latest hat in the news, a chocolate brown Pillbox. In homage to classic, timeless style as well as the style of the Duchess of Cambridge, I've created a collection of vintage pillbox hats, dating from the 1960s and earlier, possessing exceptional beauty, workmanship and price. While vintage hats are known to fetch prices into the hundreds, I've kept this list down to under $50, for which I am combing the Etsy Vintage web site. There are some real bargains there and the sellers are wonderful people to do business with.

The hats in this collection are perfect for Easter, Spring, and Summer. I found them in straw weave, cellophane weave, satin and wool felt. Click on the store name below each image to read the details. You'll be surprised how many more hats of various vintage styles are available through these stores!

Mitzi's Collectibles

Ladys Fancys

Lucy and Ethel

The Vintage Hat Shop

Edith and Violet

She's A Bettie Boutique

FrouFrou4YouYou

Poppycock Vintage

It's A Good Thing

Love in the Afternoon

Past Made Present

Oliver and Alexa

Wildrose Primitives

Here is your reward for "reading" to the end. I saved the best for last...a pillbox in Chocolate Brown. Remember, Kate Middleton chose to wear a chocolate brown pillbox on Saint Patrick's Day to go with her green dress. Very much matches the camouflage, don't you agree?

See my March 18 post "Kate Middleton Presents Shamrocks to First Battalion Irish Guards." Have a great week!

Kate Middleton Presents Shamrocks to First Battalion Irish Guards

Source: Reuters

Presenting shamrocks is a tradition started in 1901 by Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward II. Kate Middleton visited the 1st Batallion Irish Guards yesterday, Saturday, St. Patrick's Day, handing out  three-leafed clover boutonnieres to 40 officers and their mascot, an Irish Wolfhound.

Source: Reuters

Kate wears a gold clover brooch that once belonged to the Queen Mother. The green dress is by Emilia Wickstead, chocolate pillbox hat is by Lock & Clock. More spectacular photos can be found at  International Business Times.

St. Patrick's Weekend Shamrock Sale

Come to my shop and celebrate the St. Patrick's Day weekend with a 10% discount on everything! What luck! You will find unique, romantic yarn & felt wreaths, made entirely by my own hands. There are vintage and embellished clothing and shoes, as well as 20th century militaria and wood carvings from Bali and Africa.

That sale would include my embellished Kimmer ballet flats from DKNY Active. Medium width. 

Only one pair available. Size: US 7.5, 38 Europe, 5 UK, 6 Australia, 23 cm Japan.

This sweet pair of flexible shoes features non-slip rubber soles, padded footbeds, and hook-and-loop straps for a custom, comfortable fit. The layered and ruffled white cotton lace clips are removable. Previously owned, never worn, excellent condition. See details here Sale ends Sunday 3/18.

Woodland Earth Wreath Spiked with Chartreuse

I'm showing my St Paddy greens in this Earth Wreath. The bright chartreuse ribbon is for Spring. I make this wreath available with an assortment of ribbons for hanging, grosgrain ribbons in brown, off-white, and the bright green you see above. I created the Earth Day wreaths a year ago and they have turned out to be my most popular wreaths. The bright green shouts "Spring is here!" I must say, though, I can live with chartreuse all year long and not find it out of season. After all, it's still GREEN:) Before I forget, this can be ordered online at Saffron Fields Design Studio. This particular wreath sells rather quickly, and I only have enough materials for a few more, unless I find a new source. Just a warning.

On the Green with Kate Middleton

Just thought I'd put this out there. It's a color called lawn green. It's Kate Middleton. It's St. Patrick's Weekend. Would you buy this dress?
(Hint: the dress is available on ebay--Diane von Furstenberg, Maja Dress)

Green Hearts for an Irish Weekend

Found this tiny 2-inch, 6 cm, crocheted heart in apple green in an Etsy shop called Grace And Favours. Would be nice to wear--or pass out a handful--on a weekend like this, wouldn't you agree?

English Staple...Mushy Peas

 The Shears Inn is located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and dates back to circa 1664. Within its walls, old world charm awaits the visitor. I found this Inn online while searching for a recipe for mushy peas. The menu at the Shears Inn features quite a variety of hearty meals, including Home Roast Beef, Lamb Henry, Sausages and Mash. How about a taste of one of the ten scrumptious deserts with mouth-watering names such as Peach and Pear Crumble with custard, Rhubarb Crumb, Meringue Nests with fruit and Ice Cream. They all sound wonderful. 

Steak and Mushroom Pie with chips and mushy peas.

 When visiting in England, oh fifteen years or so ago, I had my first taste of mushy peas. My brother-in-law ordered it at some nondescript neighborhood grill (I don't know what they call them there, here in the US, we call them "hole-in-the-walls".) I love green food and peas in particular, so it should not be surprising that I fell in love with this unexpected green treat and cannot remember what else was on the plate. Above is a photo of the Steak and Mushroom Pie as served at the Shears Inn at Paris Gates, Boys Lane, Halifax. It's interesting to me that mushy peas is served with each entree. I have to visit, for sure. If you have anything to say about the peas or eating out in England, do leave a comment!