Flavors of the Season

Like most people I have an addiction. I don’t speak of it often, nor do I feel the need to express a disdain for it and others that share similar trials. Great strides have been taken recently to limit exposure to it and for a while, I am happy to say, it was working. But now that the seasons have changed there is a new aroma in the air. A scent I know well. I could literally sniff a source out from miles away. My number one vice, my now exposed addiction is Starbucks. Specifically the Pumpkin Spice latte at Starbucks.

I manage to keep my taste buds and bank account in check fairly well until the Fall and Winter flavors come back into play. Visions of Pumpkin Spice, Peppermint, Eggnog, and Gingerbread lattes all dance in my head while I’m nestled sweetly in my bed. Yes, I’m an addict and like all good addicts I want to share mine with you. Since I can’t fork over the Starbucks..partly due to the fact that I rather die than share any it, and partly due to the technology that would certainly be reduced to an ooey gooey sticky mess should I even make an attempt, I have decided to share some vintage finds that represent the array of Starbucks flavors.
Starting of course with the Pumpkin Spice.

These loafers are adorable. Although most people would pair them with pants I think they would compliment rather sweetly a fall skirt and textured leggings. Offered by Thrush for $34.00 they are certain to walk you most comfortably in style to any Starbucks nearby.

Pumpkin Spice loafers available on Etsy. Offered at Thrush for $34.99.

While the Pumpkin Spice flavor may be my all time favorite, it is only available in the Fall and Winter season. Luckily for me the local Starbucks attendants know me quite well and happily assist me in my ongoing addiction. Of course they do so by providing me my ultimate drug of choice until they no longer obtain the means to do so. When that fateful day comes I half heartedly switch to the Cinnamon Dulce latte. So far, it is the closest thing I have found to the Pumpkin Spice, without actually being the Pumpkin Spice. For lovely representation I have found this 1950’s Cinnamon and embroidery dress. Certain to make any vintage lover look good enough to eat, or drink in my case. I adore the neckline and the corded belt too. This dress is available in the GreenDragonLady shop for $28.50.

1950's Cinnamon Spice dress with embroidery and cord belting. Available at GreenDragonLady for $28.50 on Etsy.

While I may have my two personal favorites I realize there are many addicts out there, admitted or not, that prefer different flavors. In honor of all those struggling with single roasted taste buds and depleted bank accounts I have searched out other exclusive Fall and Winter Starbucks flavor representations.

Luckily for all your Caramel Starbucks addicts out there, I believe your flavor of choice has been added to the “always available, never turn an addict away, make as many as junkies as possible, keep em coming, keep em coming” list and therefore is always handily there for your choosing. Your luck hasn’t run out yet, because I found this adorable 1980’s Caramel ascot blouse waiting for you at LolaVintage. It can be yours for only $22.00. Just as addicting I can almost hear it whispering…”keep em coming..keep em coming..”. Go. Buy it now, before I have to…I am an addict, remember.

1980's Caramel ascot blouse from LolaVintage. Available for $22.00.

One of the popular Christmas and Winter flavors that will start to hit the a Starbucks store near you soon is the Peppermint Latte. With miniature bits of peppermint candies sprinkled on top of cascading whip cream, who can resist it. I can, as long as they have a Pumpkin Spice available. But that’s just me. I’m not sure I can resist this ever so lovely Peppermint striped vintage dress though. This candy coated must have is available at PenelopePupsVintage for $24.00.

Peppermint striped 1980's dress from PenelopePupsVintage. Available for $24.00.

I do love peppermint sticks. I prefer them to the hard peppermint candies. I love using them to stir hot chocolate or eggnog on a cold evening. It seems like the perfect way to end an already sweet treat. I found this lovely vintage faux pearl necklace and earring set. The coloring is so creamy the only word that could possibly describe it is Eggnog of course. Available in the LifeTravelsDesign shop for only $8.99 you better scoop it up now. We suspect a whirl of flavor searching addicts will surround all our vintage Starbucks treats.

Vintage faux pearl Eggnog necklace and pearl set available at LifeTravelsDesigns for $8.99.

My husband is not a coffee drinker. He is however a fan of caffeine. Once a week I get the occasion to possibly sleep in. Possibly because we have kids, and animals and life happens, and truth be told I am much more efficient in the morning than I am at night. During my once a week slumber fest my husband gathers the kids, sometimes dressed, sometimes not and carts them to Starbucks. Like all addicts need, my loving, supportive husband returns back to the roost with a piping hot Pumpkin Spice just for me. On occasion he will also pick up a Mocha for himself. I have come to find out that it usually depends on how hairy the car ride to Starbucks gets to be, since he does have the kids in tow afterall.

At this point I feel I should mention that our children DO NOT and WILL NEVER drink coffee as long as they live with me. There is enough abounding energy surrounding me and I don’t feel the need to amp it in any way. Therefore no children have been harmed in correlation with this ongoing admitted addiction.

To represent the Mocha I found this 1960’s day dress with tiny pin tuck pleats in the front and an eye catching button. The fitted top and A line flared skirt provides a flattering fit for any figure. This rich chocolate beauty can be found in SweetToothVintage’s shop. It is listed for $36.00 and is season friendly..just add textured leggings and a great cardigan.

Mocha Mini from the 1960's listed by SweetToothVintage for $36.00.

Some may say “what’s in a word?”..but for me the answer can be a lot. Take Vanilla for instance. I love it. I love how it rolls off the tongue. I love the intoxicating somewhat exotic aroma of true vanilla. One of my goals in life is still to at some point in my life own a vanilla orchid. For now, since we have the before mentioned kids and animals I am not likely to take care of plant in the way an orchid needs attention. Whenever I travel to Mexico vanilla is always on my must buy list and it should be on yours too. The differences in real vanilla and what you buy at the grocery store is staggering. Even if you don’t have plans for a trip to Mexico anytime soon you can get a little Vanilla lift with this one of a kind to die for beauty. If this dress was my size I would be all over it. Listed for $48.00 we suggest you run, don’t walk to FashionReRun and grab it up. The creamy vanilla coloring is only a portion of what makes it a standout. I love the scalloped lace and tiered style sheer skirting.

1970's Vanilla Cream and Lace Prairie dress from FashionReRun. Available for $48.00.

One of the other Christmas season flavors that Starbucks offers is a Gingerbread latte. As soon as we started collecting information for this blog we immediately thought of these Gingerbread Snaps corduroys. They are straight from the late 1950’s with hip side buttons closure, natural waist positioning and high water cuffs. We are all so excited to have them. Not just because they are deliciously adorable, but also because they are plus size. Vintage clothing sizes run considerably smaller than the sizes of today’s fashion. Nine times out of ten items we come across are marked in the Small or Medium category. So we get extra excited when we get pieces in that fit in the Large and Extra Large category. These Gingerbread Snaps cords are part of a grouping of new inventory that is in the process of being added to the online AlleyKat’s Store. Watch the online shop at Etsy for more information on them and lots of other goodies.

Gingerbread Snaps corduroys from the 1950's. To be listed soon on AlleyKat's Store on Etsy.

Is anyone craving their favorite Starbucks flavor yet? Did I miss any? I realize that there are lots of coffee drinkers out there that love coffee and much prefer to have it with either with nothing in it, or with simple milk and sugar. Yes, I know..that is the REAL coffee. REAL coffee shouldn’t be ruined with frou frouy flavoring. Well just for you I have found a listing to compliment your elitist tastes. This is a 1980’s puffed sleeve sweater that features an intricately detailed mid-strip sleeve and v-neck pattern. Aptly described as none other than Cafe Au Lait, this sweater sweetly calls to the coffee lover in us all. Available from DearGoldenVintage for $31.00 should you ever decide to add a flavor to your beloved drink, I’m sure this sweater would forgive you.

1980's Cafe Au Lait sweater with puffed sleeves and intricate, one of a kind pattern. Offered by DearGoldenVintage for $31.00.