The Classic Couple is Back

I remember the day when I heard JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (and Carolyn's sister) died in a plane crash. It was the summer of 1999. I was in my early twenties, and this couple had been in the tabloids and news for the past several years. Hearing about them regularly was normal, though they themselves were not normal. They were American royalty.

I didn't know much about the family then (I do now, with my love of the '60s, and Jackie Kennedy's style, and thanks to my vintage life that helps to feed this love). I recall it being serious, that this was a big deal, and words like "Kennedy Curse" floated about the news.

The latest series on FX and Hulu called Love Story has reintroduced the world to this classic couple. He, JFK Jr., and his thick head of hair, hat on backwards, cycling to and from work in New York City, she, Carolyn, with her perfectly minimalist style - a pair of class boot cut 517 Levi's, a crisp white shirt, and her oval sunglasses and straight long blond hair - this was a style I lived through and loved, and I'm glad it's having another moment.

I'm only a few episodes into the new series, and while it's a bit overly dramatized in some areas, there are definite heart-tugging moments; things about this couple we never knew, and things I wish people had known at the time. But life in the '90s wasn't like it is today. Truth wasn't as honest as it can be today with social media, so we, as an audience, are only as informed as the media would tell us.

Can you imagine Carolyn with Instagram today? The things - truthful things - she could've posted? What about JFK Jr.? He would've been inspired, I think. Social media would have been an outlet for him to say what he wanted America to hear; he may not have felt as constrained by the Kennedy name.

Who knows, though. It's all my speculation. 

But as a vintage lover, I am enthralled with the series, seeing what she wore. The costume designers were able to find true vintage duplicates of the things she wore, and for the items they couldn't find, they made them! I'm truly impressed. And would like a few more pairs of the vintage Levi's 517s for myself.

All that to say, while the series isn't perfect, I am fascinated by it, and glad to see the world is once again reminded of how beautiful this couple was, the struggles they went through. I'm also reminded of a few things: that life is fragile, that we should tell those whom we love that we love them, and that we should create our own style and be ourselves.

President's Day Weekend Sale 2026

Hope all of you have been not just surviving but thriving this winter. There's a lot to be shocked and frustrated about in this world, no matter where you turn or what you believe.

But, in my humble opinion, there is even more to be thankful for - as long as we're willing to look for it. So that's what I want to focus on. I'm thankful I get to do what I love every single day. And that, alongside writing, is preserving and selling vintage clothing.

This weekend (well, Monday really) is Presidents' Day, which means my monthly sale is happening right now. 20% off everything.

I'm always bringing in denim and sweaters. Two things I love and love to sell. Not only that, they sell the best - so it's obvious to sell what sells and sell what I love. So new denim is always coming in, and while the rest of this month happens, so are sweaters.

I may live in California (where it's not quite as cold), but I know the rest of the country is cold. I've got you covered! (literally). But, I also have shorts, t-shirts, and short-sleeved shirts ready for the spring and summer months because they are almost here!

Have a great weekend, and remember to enjoy every day. In just a few weeks, spring will be here! (Even if it's a cold spring.)♥

-Heather

Happy New Year 2026

Levi's Denim Stack

Last year, 2025, at my Etsy shop Perennial Vintage was the best year I've ever had, as far as sales and profit are concerned. 

Do I know why? No. Not really. I believe it was due to a variety of things. It may perhaps be dumb luck, but when I really think about it, I believe it was due to hard work and these things:

• more quality items (Quality over quantity.)
• fewer items overall (Less is more.)
• running more sales (The most eye-opening action I've taken.)
• learning as I go for the last 15 YEARS! (A lot of trial and error here.)
• listing what people truly want (They want denim and sweaters.)
• taking advantage of advertising on Instagram and Etsy (Small investment = Big Reward.)
• writing blog posts (Seriously, these posts help Google searchers find my shop.)

So, what didn't work this year? I'm finding that as much as I love dresses, they don't sell well - if you look at thrift stores, there is always a glut of dresses. Twice or three times as many of them as any other item.

It isn't that women don't love dresses anymore. We do, but we don't wear them daily the way we used to up until the early '70s. We wear them for special occasions, rather than a daily uniform.

So, I will be listing fewer dresses in my shop this year to see how I do (and try to sell the rest that I have). But when I do list one, it will be amazing, as in cut, era (1940s), or quality. It will be exceptional.

Instead, I will be listing more of what I love to sell: sweaters and outerwear. I'm super excited about this. As you know, I love sweaters and cardigans. I've made extra room available for them in my spare bedroom closets (now that my two sons have fled the nest) and have bins in place ready to store them until I sell them.

There's always a need for them (minus a couple of months in summer, and even then, people are always looking ahead), so having a larger portion of those items has been the big seller for me this winter and what I'll be doing more of in 2026.

Of course, denim, as in jeans, jackets, and shirts, will always be a staple for my shop and is equally one of the biggest sellers alongside sweaters and outerwear. I also sell a ton of belts. I love and wear belts all the time, and last year, I made it my mission to up my belt inventory. I'm happy to say, I've done it. I have over 100 belts listed, of all shapes and sizes. Visit my shop to see what I have!

I hope you have a fantastic January. Thank you for following me alongside my vintage journey, and I wish you the biggest and best blessings for 2026.

-Heather

Christmas Season 2025 - 15 Years On Etsy

Just a little note to tell you all how thankful I am for you!

November 30th marked the day I "opened shop" 15 years ago on Etsy, which means this is the start of the 16th year. 

Never did I think a fun "hobby" would turn into something I love, cherish, and adore even more now than when I started in 2010. It is a way of life for me: the vintage life. And it's one of the best things to happen to me.

I have sold almost 11,000 items through my Etsy shop. Every piece is a labor of love because I intentionally choose each one of those items to put into my store, to purchase it, photograph it, list it, and wait for it to be chosen by someone else to add to their life (or someone else's life. I get a lot of gift-giver purchases, and this time of year is no exception!)

So these pieces are all a little part of me; my love, my life, a part of who I am and want to be. This shop reflects my specific vintage love, and I feel lucky to share it with the world.

If you've purchased from me, read a blog post, or admired from a distance, thank you so much. I'm living a dream come true: doing what I love to do (that just happens to make a little "daily bread.") I have to add that this year has been the best year I've ever had, as far as sales go. So, for those who think instant success is the norm, it isn't. For me, it's taken 15 years to get there! What a journey.

And, in truth, it doesn't get better than this. It's been a blessed journey

Merry Christmas, and please enjoy continuous sales in my shop throughout the rest of the year to celebrate 15 years of life on Etsy. Visit the shop today to see what sparks joy for you!♥

-Heather

Vintage L. L Bean Bomber Jacket

This gorgeous jacket was made in the ‘80s by L.L. Bean, and is a take on the World War 2 bomber jacket. Bomber jackets have a history that goes back to World War 1 with a slightly looser fit, but their fitted form became the style of WW2, called the A-2 jacket, and is what people think of when they hear the words "bomber jacket."

When I found this a few weeks ago, I felt a little like I was being pranked. It was sitting out in plain sight with a very reasonable price tag. And no one was around me to snatch it from my hands or hope I put it back on the rack for them to pick it up. 

Was I missing something? Nope. I was meant to find it. This jacket is of amazing quality. It’s easy to assume the dupes that come out 40 years after the war are going to feel “fake” or in no way comparable.

I can tell you that’s not an issue with this jacket. Thick leather, gorgeous faux sherpa liner, fur collar, and amazing zippers. It’s made of overwhelmingly beautiful and exquisite materials.

This A-2 style jacket is in the shop. She’s had years of wear, has a lovely patina, but is in excellent condition. The shop is currently 25% all week for the Black Friday Sale. So, now’s the time to get the best deal I’ll have on it.

Happy Thanksgiving, my vintage friends. Eat lots, laugh tons, and enjoy your time with friends and family. ♥

-Heather