Farewell, 1970s frocks; we had a good ride

I've had this post in my drafts folder since April, LOL. Long-time readers may remember my wearing some of my fave thrifted 1970s goodies. This post is dedicated to saying a final goodbye to the items that I have outgrown emotionally, not to mention physically!

Kinda hard to believe I was this wee. Boy, did I love this psychedelic wide-leg nylon pants. This pic was snapped by my hubby-to-be in 2010, on his first trip to see me in Canada after we met in the United States a few weeks before. This was in Niagara Falls, Canadian side.

I consigned these pants at my local shop this summer. The owner recently told me that an 80-year old woman bought them. Rock on, lady!

A friend, who isn't a friend any more, gave me this nylon dress when I left Toronto two years ago to move to the UK. I wasn't that emotional about getting rid of it. It also sold at my local shop.

But I did hang onto the wacky 1970s faceted shades.

I thrifted this pretty prom-like frock in Canada years ago and never wore it, save for this UK back yard photo shoot before I moved to France. Off it went to the consignment shop, where it also found a new home. Vintage is scarce in Annecy so my pieces have sold well.

Again, never wore this slinky 1970s dress I bought off Etsy when I first moved to the UK. My life and style was already in transition then, and I didn't even know it. Bye bye, baby. Oh, the thrifted 1970s necklace went too. And the thrifted Nat and Matt handbag. I kept the amazing vintage bracelet.

I also said goodbye to this fun striped cowl-neck number. I kept the vintage belt and thrifted Stuart Weitzman shoes.

I just dropped off a swack of fall items at the shop, and discovered, to my surprise, that this 1970s scarf dress, and contemporary shoes that are so high I'd surely topple wearing them in Annecy's cobblestone streets, are the only two items from my hoard that didn't sell.

The seller told me the waist was too small. Ok, now I believe it didn't sell. It's pretty small.

I may never wear this again, but I'm glad I still have it. I wore this in Niagara Falls that wonderful weekend with hubby-to-be, so it's drenched in sexy memories.

This is one vintage frock I couldn't consign, though I have little hope of fitting into it again.

Hubby bought it for me in West Palm Beach, the place where we met, a year or so after initially hooking up there. I jetted in to meet him for a weekend when he was on layover, and we found this dress in a wonderful vintage shop. Ah, the romance. I bought the vintage Trifari necklace at the Portobello Road market with him the year before I married him. Natch, I've kept that one too. I'm wearing both here at a goodbye party thrown in my honour when I left the newspaper I used to work for in TO.

I'm not sad to say goodbye to my once-beloved outfits. They served me well when I was a skinny, single big-city shopping columnist and editor. Now it's time to move on to a new style. I think the reason I love to shop continually is that my style is always evolving. Now, sans job, and with a new baby, my look is changing by the day - and hopefully refining itself. We'll see where it ends up. Oh, and I'm still bringing stuff to the consignment shop!

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Lakeside romps and letting go - almost! - of nylon

There aren't heaps of lakeside restos or bars on Lac Annecy, so discovering the precious few - which inevitably are outside of Annecy proper - is like unearthing a mountain of precious gemstones, especially if the places are relatively unoccupied by tourists, as was the case with this charming restaurant on the south-west side of the lake that we had the pleasure of dining at a few weeks ago. Family has been visiting pretty much non-stop since Adam was born, so we've been busy doing a combo of day trips and just hanging out at various points along the lake.

Hubby and I found this lakeside beach bum hangout last weekend on the other side of the lake. It's populated by local hippie 20-somethings mostly, but we had no probs infiltrating it with our little guy. A great afternoon was spent lapping up rose and chilling. It was a mini vacay of sorts and it reminded us that we need to spend at least one day not running around doing the endless amount of errands that seem to crop up with a little one. After the hustle and bustle of the last few months, we really needed it.

At three months, our little guy continues to grow and amaze. He apparently has some kind of gene that makes him cuter and cuter every day, LOL - I know, I'm the dazed-in-love Mommie!

Style-wise, I've been living in a selection of pretty boho sundresses, some second-hand, some new. Comfort, ease-of-wear (read: no ironing) and a breezy style have been my major criteria for summer togs these days. Here's me with Adam in a fave, a blue and white Ikat sundress found in an import shop in the old town.

Here's an over-exposed shot of me in it, at the annual Fete du Lac event we attended with my sis and her fam. Best fireworks display ever.

Most of my style shots, you won't be surprised to learn, are with Adam. I need to do a separate post on this, but let me say that I've been jazzing up basic summer dresses (like this cotton nightie-inspired sundress found at the market last summer for three euro) with awesome vintage jewellery found online.

France is not the place to find vintage bling, and most of the labels I'm looking for are from the States, so Etsy and Ebay have become close friends of late. I've become quite the collector, eking out certain makers, which means that, eventually, I'll have to thin out my tickle trunk of vintage costume baubles that I've dug up in Canadian thrift shops over the years.

Aside from bling and a decent handbag (the ethnic one pictured here was found at a vide grenier last fall for 3 euro), baby Adam has proved to be the best accessory. No, I dare not hold him on my hip as I strut around wearing four-inch spike heels (she looks great, but how does Victoria Beckham manage it?). On the lap or in the pram is just fine for public appearances.

I have, however, managed to channel my inner Victoria Beckham with these second-hand Rayban sunnies found at the local brocante market. Oddly enough, I recently consigned three pair of huge vintage oversize shades to my local shop. And here I go again, buying the same style. My only defense is they seem to suit my pixie face. Now I just need to manage the Beckham look by sucking in my cheeks and not smiling.

Oops, a wee smile escaped in spite of myself. I should be grinning ear to ear as I'm pictured here wearing pre-preggo jeans, yay! So what if they're super stretchy? I'm going with it. Everything but the purse and shoes are second-hand. I just love the Juicy Couture super soft cotton tie-dye tank I thrifted in Canada (even if my belly hangs out a little in it).

Here's one of the few full-length shots I've managed to request, snapped last week on the way to the beach bum bar. Easy peasy sundress: check. Shades: check. Vintage bling: check (more on this haute hippie maker, Cadoro, at another time). Golden espadrille wedgies and cross-body purse: check and check. Now bring on the vino!

On another wardrobe note, I've consigned the majority of my vintage 1960s-70s frocks, mostly because they're the size that would fit a Barbie Doll, and I doubt my 27-inch waist will return. Also because, well, loud patterns and nylon just don't fit my life anymore, just as those vintage oversize sunglasses don't seem to fit. That funky retro chick that started this blog four-plus years ago has changed. It's ok, I've mourned it and moved on, as leaving behind my retro style has coincided with amazing changes in my life (but please note, I may still do the goodbye post that features all the dresses, which has been in my Drafts folder for ages). I've held onto this black floral number, though, as I love it and it makes my post-preggo bod look ok.

I'll leave you with a shot of the wee one snapped at the beachy bar last weekend, wearing gifted items from overseas pals and fam. Hope you're all having a fab summer!

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I think he's a-coming

This could be the last time you see me for a while. I haven't had a chance to respond to your many kind comments and questions of late, nor to comment on your blogs. If I have a nice drawn-out labour (hah), I will most certainly endeavor to distract myself by catching up with life in the blogosphere.

This is me Friday night about to go out for dins with a group of friends. True to my maternity style ethic these days, I tarted up black leggings and a top with my latest vintage accessory finds, courtesy of Etsy.

The (1980s) tribal-esque jacquard scarf is huge, sporting a luxury label I am just learning about - Vakko, a Turkish company that's been around since the 1930s. I loved the colours and it's in superb shape.

It also goes with my 'new' vintage tribal handbag that I found on Etsy for a song.

Look familiar? I loved the pink one so much that when I saw the teal one with gold flecks, I had to expand my collection.

And now, I think I really have to go ....

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My "posh" thrifting outfit

Last week's thrifting outfit
(37 weeks)

I had to chuckle at hubby's comment last Saturday when I was about to depart for a wee thrift dig at my local thrift shop. Like most thrift stores I know, this particular shop isn't in the trendiest of areas. Rather, it's located on a slightly ramshackle street in a suburb of Annecy, with lots of warehouses and a railway track to boot. I think it's the heartbreaking story I once relayed to hubs about having a three-year old kid ask me for money in that area that sparked his comment that I looked "too posh" to walk through that 'hood to the thrift shop. 

First, wild horses couldn't have kept me from thrifting that day: I was really in the mood and had the energy. Second, his comment, though utterly sweet, struck me as slightly ironic, considering that, with the exception of the leggings, the entire outfit was thrifted, with the standout pieces coming from that exact thrift shop which I was hellbent on visiting that day!

The 1990s boots you've seen before, a product of a Toronto vintage shop dig. The empire-waisted turtleneck sweater, a staple in my maternity wardrobe when the weather is cool (as it has been, rather uncharacteristically, in Annecy considering the pools and beaches normally open May 1!), was thrifted in Toronto as well.

Meanwhile, the fabulous Native-inspired leather purse was dug up at the local thrift shop's vide grenier (literally translates to "empty attic") for one Euro. I found the vintage Made-in-France brushed cotton and wool cape inside the boutique portion of the shop for 5 Euros. Isn't it cute? (Or maybe it's posh?).

I won't treat you to the extra-large version of my un-makeuped, sleep-deprived and pre-haircut self snapped about a week ago as I stuck my tongue out at hubby for taking my pic on a patio, but that look perfectly encapsulates how I'm feeling about figuring out the blog ramifications of Google Reader going the way of the Dodo bird in July.

I must admit that, aside from knowing I should transfer all my followers over to another reader and invite you all to come follow me there, I'm a little bewildered as to how to do all that. But the Bloglovin peeps have directed me to cut and paste this into my blog post so you'll all follow me, so please do, if you're so inclined, as it would be a shame to loose you now that I have you!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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Vintage accessory-obsessed

38 weeks

Maybe it's because I'm living in the same pair of black maternity leggings and a small selection of tops that cover my expanding butt and thighs, but I'm particularly obsessed with the details of outfits these days. And I've found some real vintage gems of late to help me jazz up my maternity uniform.

This 1980s? tapestry handbag, found on Etsy, is a fave. Normally I wear it cross-body as the strap is long and not adjustable. It's large enough to house the array of necessary stuff that accumulates in my daily bag of choice, plus I should be able to squish in some baby essentials like diapers and wipes in the coming months. The bonus to boot: it goes with practically everything.

I stalked this Sarah Coventry "Cleopatra" cuff bracelet with purply stone-like ovals for a while before finding one that was a screaming deal, also on Etsy. It's not an easy-to-find cuff and most were more than I wanted to pay, but I dug and dug and entered different search terms and up popped this one for a song. Love!

I'm particularly proud of this navy and multi-hued cotton Italian-made mega scarf by Rodier, snapped up at my local thrift shop for 1.50 Euros. I adore large scarves - so dramatic. Well, I love scarves, period, and I don't believe that you should give up wearing them in the summer. There are heaps of summer-weight options out there! This baby can double as a shawl and even a boob-cover when breast-feeding.

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I am like the lilacs

My take on Spring: thrifted over-dyed '90s grunge dress accessorized with deep lilac and plummy tones
Entirely thrifted outfit (except for tights)
(End of 37 weeks).

A 20-minute power shop in the local thrift shop before our OB appointment Friday yielded this amazing 1990s dress that I practically lunged at when I saw its deep purply hues.

Not only does it remind me of the over-dyed dresses I used to buy in the 1990s, but it is also the perfect complement to the deep-coloured lilacs that have sprouted all over Annecy.

Bought at the market today and now reposing in front of our huge living room windows.

I am sentimentally attached to lilacs. Some may find their smell cloying, but their sweet scent reminds me of growing up in the country, where two huge lilac bushes decorated our front and back yards. My sis and I would cut a bunch of branches and place the biggest bouquet possible in an oversize rose bowl right in front of an open window. The breeze would blow in, and the room would fill with the most heady of perfumes.

A welcome respite from my black leggings, this dress is perfect in so many ways, and not just because of the wonderful colours and simple style. The corset drawstring detail in the back, a popular '90s motif, means I can wear the dress now and then cinch it tighter post-baby (presumably when my 27-inch waist will return). :)

With the exception of the tights, the outfit is entirely thrifted:

Dress, 5 Euros at Annecy thrift shop
Chiffon made-in-Italy scarf, 1.50 Euros and found during the same power shop as the dress
Gap Limited Edition denim jacket, found at a UK charity shop a year ago
Plummy-blue Italian-made suede boots, $14.99 CAD in Toronto 
Deep pink straw purse, thrifted long ago in Toronto for a few bucks
Gold-plated Edwardian style necklace with pink glass, 50% off in a Toronto Value Village
Art deco style ring with pink glass, 5 Euros at Annecy brocante market.

The ring and pendant kinda match the lovely tree we took a pic of yesterday along the canal.

I love it when nature inspires an outfit, don't you?

I don't think this picture does justice to the reality I saw on the cobblestone streets after the market today. All those little bits you see between the mossy crevices are multi-hued sparkles that someone must have sprinkled there while partying the night before.

On that note, I'm linking up to all the sparkly style gems at Patti's Visible Monday.

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Boho brown & last bad hair pic

Last week: 36 weeks, behind the Clinic where I'll be giving birth.

I'm becoming a master in the art of jazzing up mass-bought leggings with second-hand and thrifted goodies.

Last Friday, when we went out to dins with pals, I decided to go slightly upscale. Over my H&M leggings and stretchy C'est Moi tank bought new in Toronto years ago (best tanks EVER), I wore a French-label statement piece blazer I picked up last summer in the consignment shop I frequent in Annecy. This was its first outing. The pattern is comprised of brown, bronze, taupe and silver sparkly threads. You can't see it here as I have no waist, but it has two amazing carved wood buttons. Very 1980s-90s chic. I have a definite thing for statement piece blazers but haven't worn them much since leaving Toronto.

As is usually the case with me, the accessories are second-hand. I bought the vintage 1970s Trifari necklace for way too much money on London's Portobello Road. The 1980s Kelly-style bag was a few pounds in a Beaconsfield, UK charity shop. The oh-so-comfy cork-wedge and suede Ugg sandals are another local consignment shop find.

This is the last you'll see of my mop-like hair for a while, hopefully, as I'm getting it thinned out tonight. I've been torn between growing and chopping of late: I don't want uber short hair like I used to have, but once it gets to this shapeless stage that overpowers my features, I cave, and try yet another local hairdresser. (I have high hopes for tonight's stylist, contender number three for my undying hair loyalty and affection, as he cut a friend's hair and it looks amazing).

This week: 37 weeks.

I fear I'm lapsing into predictability. Another legging shot with another second-hand brown top, boho in style, dug up for a few Euro at the local Sunday market where I chanced upon an actual second-hand dealer a couple months ago. It's not a maternity top per se, but it's the perfect preggo top as it's roomy and hides my upper thighs. :)

The boots were bought new in Canada; the denim was charity shopped, as was the 1970s paua shell necklace. The bracelet was 5 Euros in my local thrift shop, and the Indian bag was an Etsy find for 10 Euros.

I'm taking a break as we walked home with groceries earlier this week. We whipped up a Tex-Mex dinner extravaganza for friends that night, also fellow expats. We often get sick of the French fare here, which consists mainly of potatoes, melted cheese, and sausage, so we indulge in non-local foodie fare with peeps who will enjoy it with us whenever we can (this includes having brunch at a semi-trashy local Chinese buffet and lunch at a Thai resto in a nearby town - ethnic food isn't so easy to find here).

Not such a flattering pic. I feel rather whale-like these days, though I know I shouldn't complain as I've gained under 20 pounds so far. :)

Hope you're all having a great and very spring-like week. It's been so lovely to see those of you in this hemisphere in your spring togs. It seems like it's been a long time coming, non?

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Ethnic pink accessories jazz up boring black mat outfit

Vintage ikat bag, Etsy; new Moroccan-made flats; thrifted denim jacket; vintage 1970s necklace.
Leggings and top, H&M maternity.
(end of week 34).

A flu last week has quelled my energy and nesting instinct somewhat, but I'm on the mend - just in time for gloriously sunny skies and 20-plus C temps in Annecy this week, double yay!

All of my thoughtful maternity style solutions have devolved into a standard uni of late: H&M tights and some generic top to go with them. My style solution, to pep things up a bit: accessories, natch. And given my penchant for all bits and bobs ethnic these days, it's not surprising I tarted up this outfit with my latest acquisitions: one, a gorg pink, white and black vintage ikat tote found on Etsy.

Two, leather ballerina flats from Morocco, bought from the willowy hippy-dippy gal who owns a shop just a few doors over from where I live, most of it comprising amazing Moroccan wares. These were on sale as they were last season.

Aren't they pretty? They make my size 10 feet look like flippers, but, after the initial-wear blisters fade away and the leather gives a wee bit, they'll be comfy as as a pair of old slippers.

Speaking of great accessories, I have to show off my latest 1970s necklace, purchased* at a local second-hand shop where I recently consigned some of my beloved 1970s frocks (goodbye tribute coming soon). It's 70s-chic, but with those dangly bits, it has a semi-tribal feel to it, methinks.

*I actually bought it with the proceeds of two pieces that have already sold!

It perfectly matches the style of the ring I bought in the same shop on Christmas Eve. Love!

I was still feeling a bit tired on Sunday, when this pic was snapped, but it was so beautiful out that hubby and I met friends around the lake. Needless to say, the place was thronging with peeps. This pic was snapped at 8pm, when everyone had gone home to dinner. I love the lake **sans** humans!

Linking up with Bella at Citizen Rosebud's Shoe Shine series, which starts its second installment tomorrow!

EDIT: Crazy pregnant lady got it wrong - no Shoe Shine series today, my bad (see Bella's comment below). But still linking to the fabulous Bella 'cos she shines every day!

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Thrifted goodies I wouldn't have bought new (partial part deux of vide grenier haul)

Leather jacket: 2 Euros, Annecy vide grenier.
Worn with gifted maternity top, cheapie leggings, new patchwork purse;
Handmade and hand-dyed fringed shawl made from vintage fabric (not by me);
Vintage elasticized velvet and rhinestone belt.

I'm showing off my two-Euros leather jacket, a buttery soft European-label found at the vide grenier from a few weeks ago. Along with a statement-piece shawl and handbag, it jazzes up an otherwise boring black outfit.

Vintage 1990s booties found in Toronto, Canada.
Bracelet snagged for 5 Euros at Annecy thrift shop.
(31 weeks).

It's burgundy, not a colour I'm hugely attracted to and in truth I wouldn't have bought it it were any more than a few Euros. But that's the amazing thing about thrifting: because it can be so inexpensive, it gives you freedom to experiment with new colours and styles that you typically wouldn't if you were to pay full price.

Flashback to 2010, to another thrifted leather jacket find
(to when I had thighs).

Ditto for this slightly sheeny bubble-gum pink cropped leather I found in Toronto in 2010 at a half-off thrift sale. If it were 20-plus bucks, I very likely would have turned my nose up at it. But for about $10 (if memory serves), I snatched it up. The jacket spruces up denim, black or a relatively neutral outfit. And the wacky pink makes me smile. :)

Wearing the same vintage booties, along with a vintage leather bag, thrifted sweater, designer jeans
and purple Coach sunnies.
(Scarf bought new and worth every penny of the exorbitant price I paid for it at Anthropologie).

I kept most of the pieces comprising this outfit when I moved overseas, save for the designer Angel jeans found for a few bucks in a Toronto thrift shop. I was super super teeny back then, as a single girl. Marriage and general happiness (and not eating crackers and cheese for dinner) automatically put a couple pounds on me. But sadly, that meant I had to part ways with these, my favourite, jeans.

A look I've long admired in jewellery but wouldn't necessarily have paid retail for.

I'll quit moaning now. My new and expanding body is a blessing, even though I do sometimes mourn my former uber-svelte self. On another note, check out this bracelet I found at the thrift shop the same day as the vide grenier for 5 Euros. I've always loved this look but never wanted to pay full-price for it. It's got a slightly '90s vibe crossed with a tribal feel. I've been wearing it endlessly.

Does thrifting allow you to try on new or different looks, or acquire pieces you'd never buy new?

Linking up with the lovely ladies at Pattie's Visible Monday - the 90th installment! Thanks to Patti for continuing to host this fun linkup!

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