My fall style obsessions

Second-hand granny boots: Ebay
90s dress: thrifted in Annecy, France
Vintage Bergdorf Goodman brocade jacket: 50% off sale at Toronto vintage shop
Bag: handmade in Montreal, Canada
Scarf: new and purchased years ago
Second-hand Ray Ban shades: Annecy brocante market
Second-hand Scooter Paris necklace: Annecy vide grenier
Vintage mood ring: Ebay.

Great vintage costume jewellery. Anything that's vintage tapestry, be it a handbag or a coat. A good pair (or five, LOL) of vintage boots. Some things will always be style obsessions.

But, in truth, my wardrobe wants lately aren't radically different from the pieces that have appealed to me in the last year or so, just perhaps more refined. In general, I love the 90s, semi-steampunk vibe of this outfit. Specifically, I'm grooving majorly on granny boots these days, especially the Victorian-esque look of these. (Yes, I could have worn black boots to match this outfit, but these babies arrived at my door the other day and I was too excited not to wear them. I think it's refreshing to forgo the matchy-matchy thing).

Having recently purchased three used pair of granny boots from Ebay, I can't deny that my penchant for lace-up booties has taken a rather strong hold of late. They're comfy (even these three-inch brown leather/fabric ones as the heel is chunky) and go with literally everything. And of course, I just love the granny boot look. I had a pair in the mid-1980s when I was a teen. Funny how the style options we gravitate towards are often ones we've worn and loved in the past, isn't it?

1990s? Capezio black granny boots: Ebay
Second-hand bubble-gum pink leather Alfani jacket: 50% off thrift sale in Toronto
Anthropologie scarf: new and crazily $$$ when I bought it a few years ago
Levis jeans: new and also crazily $$$ (and the only jeans that look good on my post-baby bod).

I'm wearing these black low-heel vintage granny boots by Capezio ALL the time. They're the most comfy boots I've ever owned. I have one more pair of higher-heeled Etienne Aigner boots coming in the post very soon. Then I stop buying boots, promise!

Outfit deets, repeats of above, except for gifted sweater and ...
Scarf: quilted Sonia Rykiel animal-print found at Annecy thrift shop for a song!

I've even been cuffing my new jeans to show them off.

Other fall style obsessions (this one derives from my tapestry love):

Oversize second-hand woven sweater jacket by Sugar Street Weavers: Ebay
(company still exists and according to the website this Angel of Love model is discontinued).
Vintage leather bag: Toronto vintage shop.

Tapestry-inspired woven sweater jackets like this one found on Etsy. It's really huge on me and made by Sugar Street Weavers in the U.S., which appears to cater to a larger client. Their sweaters don't appear to be made for hipsters by any stretch, but this one was was borderline ugly-cool and made my heart wump.

Because it's so big, I have to style it perfectly with skinnies and, natch, booties. Better pic coming soon.

Vintage scarf: gift
Sweater: gift
Second-hand cord jacket: a euro at an Annecy vide grenier
Second-hand skinny jeans: Toronto thrift shop
Vintage leather purse: Toronto vintage shop.

As always, great scarves, like this silk French-inspired one given to me for my B-day. I'm also a sucker for a good blazer. Normally I go for statement-piece blazers with great fabrics and patterns. This frayed navy-blue cord one is a slight deviation on the theme.

Vintage mood rings: Etsy and gifted.

I've always loved 1970s mood rings, but for some reason lately I've gone on a bender researching and buying them on Ebay and Etsy. I look for ones that seem to have a good weight as there are a lot of cheapie lightweight ones out there. It's hard to know buying online what the weight and stone colour will be like, but so far, I've fared well. I'm still looking for the PERFECT mood ring to replace one I gave to an undeserving (ex) friend years ago. I found it at the Sally Ann for $3.99 CAD. Still kicking myself for giving it away, sigh.

Galeries Layfayatte label sweater: Annecy vide grenier
Rest of outfit found at Annecy thrift shop.

Of course, I'm shopping at the vide greniers more for the wee one than I am for myself, and, since the well-heeled femmes of Annecy dress their kiddies in sweaters that cost 70 euros new, I've been rather committed, shall we say?, to obtaining some stylish used duds for Adam before the vide grenier season dissipates. I've bought a hoard of much-needed fall and winter stuff for 1-2 euros a piece!

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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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Secondhand sequels

Everything here except for the ridiculously priced scarf bought in Canada at Anthropologie (I still love it) is thrifted:  black jeans, 2 pounds at a UK charity shop; boots, about 30 CAD at a Toronto, Canada vintage shop; bag, a gift; tee, hoodie and jacket, thrifted in Canada & the UK.

Yeeks! A week and a half ago it was 35 degrees C, but in the last week it's cooled down and has been quite rainy - reminds me of the UK weather I left behind a few months ago! This is me a few days ago, tromping around with the hubby in Annecy. Excuse the bad hair. It's in growth mode and it looks silly when not tucked behind my ears.

Me in the UK in March, wearing the companion jeans to the black ones shown in the first pic: grey skinnies bought for 2 pounds at the Furballs charity shop in St Annes, Lancashire.

OUTFIT DEETS: booties and bag, new (but bag a decade old!); top, UK charity shop; J Crew blazer, thrifted in Canada long ago; scarf, gift; and Avon necklace, Toronto vintage shop.

The above is sorta an outfit prequel, if you will, as the pic was snapped my first month in the UK this spring, and I'm wearing the grey version of the black jeans. Both jeans were found at my fave charity shop in St Annes, the one benefitting the animals. I didn't even try them on - how lucky that they fit!

How I wore this thrifted knit dress a few years ago.

Speaking of outfit sequels, I used to wear this linen-blend knit dress (tag that says "Made in France", fittingly enough), which I thrifted in Canada for $6.99 or so, in the winter-time only, with a cashmere sweater underneath, tights, boots, and a fabulous statement piece necklace.

A bit blurry but I wanted you to see the head-to-toe.

Look at how skinny I was. And I have tights and a semi-bulky sweater underneath!

Current shot of moi wearing the dress as a summer frock, without anything but my thongs and a bra underneath!
ACCESSORIES: Kenneth Cole ballet flats, bought for $2 at the "$2 Sale" in Toronto, Canada, and a thrifted Matt & Nat handbag (maybe 4 CAD?).

I fill out the dress much better here, methinks. The other day (when it was still warm), I decided to give a summer twist to the frock by wearing it on its own, sans turtleneck etc (but keeping the same wondrous statement piece necklace). The French ethic is influencing me these days, as it's all about simplicity and effortless style - so much so that all my fancy vintage frocks (which are a wee bit tight these days, alas) don't seem to fit into my life here - but that's another story.

So a thrift shop addict can't thrift in Annecy. Next best thing? A cheap summer dress from the market - three Euros!
ACCESSORIES: bag, 2 pounds at a UK charity shop; Clarks leather sandals, under 10 pounds at the same; necklace, a gift from Alaska; bracelet, thrifted for a dollar in Canada.

This 3 Euros cotton sundress, bought a few weeks ago at the market under my window when it was stinking hot, can just make it as an outfit sequel as it represents my alternative to thrift shopping, sigh. Thrift/charity shops don't really exist here, you see (but Vide Greniers do, and I'll tell you about them soon!). This dress is another nightie frock and TRES see-through. You can see my legs, my white thong and my derriere. But heck, if women can walk around topless on the beaches here I figured a semi-transparent dress was within the bounds of decency. An old woman practically came onto me in the Monoprix when I was wearing it, LOL - thankfully I couldn't understand what she was saying but she did seem to be very interested in the dress, eeks!

Another nightie dress, this time for 5 Euros.
Bag and sandals: bought NEW years ago!

I bought this white cotton "nightie" sundress from the same vendor for 5 Euros about a month ago. I'm guessing the guy lowered his prices and slashed the 5 Euros dresses to 3 Euros!

Another 5 Euros dress, perfect for the hot Annecy summer weather - which I hope isn't gone for good!

My last 5 Euros dress, worn with a new hat and a fake tan.

Here's hoping I can wear it again soon.

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Pink post-script & UK carpet bag update

Eww. Today is another grim, rainy day so the hubby and I will stay indoors and play house. To follow up on the pink thread, I wanted to show you another pink dream I thrifted in Canada - it's a pink leather crop jacket by Alfani and it was a mere 6 bucks at a 50 percent off sale last summer at Stretch Thrift in Toronto (TIP: When every one else is scouring the racks for sun dresses, hit the winter jacket aisle). I'm wearing it with a ludicrously expensive uber long scarf I bought new at Anthrolopogie.

Hubby calls it the bubble gum jacket. It has this sheen to it, and I must admit that I never would have cast a second glance at it if it were full-priced. But that's the neat thing about thrift and charity shopping: you can experiment with looks you never would have because the monetary risk is low. If it works, great; if not, you can donate it back. Would you say your thrift shopping allows you to play more with your style?

I had to show you another look with the same jacket and scarf, worn about six months ago when my thighs were small enough to fit into these jeans: thrifted boho sweater; thrifted Angel jeans and thrifted leather booties and bag - now that I see that bag I realize it's another bag that's gone missing in my move, along with my treasured carpet bags - WAH.

Photo courtesy KeepitRetro, Etsy.

Speaking of carpet bags, I have an update re: the Etsy-bought carpet bag, above, by UK company Carpet Bags. I emailed the company after I did the post last week and heard back from Alex, who told me this bag (as I had guessed) was from the 1980s, mid-80s, to be exact. It was one of three sizes made that were sold through a full-page spread in Country Living magazine (which, aside from Elle Decor, is one of my decor mag faves). The style is "Gladstone" and the tapestry is called "Forest." Isn't that cool? I'm so excited to have some info on my "new" vintage bag!!!

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Fall look, thrifted

Yeeks we went from 40 degrees with the humidity this last weekend to mornings of 11 degrees C and cool days! I love fall, but when you go from wearing sundresses to jackets methinks it'll take a while to get my fall fashion legs on, if you know what I mean. Here's my first attempt:

Thrifted designer Angel jeans out of L.A. ($5.99 if memory serves but perhaps less) and a thrifted mass market style jacket (a couple bucks). The scarf (Anthropologie) was new and expensive but worth every penny, and the C'est Moi top was new and I actually paid full price!

My latest and greatest find I know I am going to wear with absolutely EVERYTHING this fall: these leather booties, picked up used for $34.99 (high price pour moi but je love) at CTS on Queen St. W at Spadina Ave. in Toronto. They have this cowboy-boot feel crossed with a semi-Victorian feel and a wee bit of 1990s thrown in, what with those tassels and all.

I also picked up this leather bag at CTS for about 20 bucks. I love the colour and it's so soft (not telling what kind of leather it is) - plus the long strap, as you can see in the pic, means I can wear it diagonally across my body. Think this will be my casual bag du jour this fall season .....

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A look at a nook

I still have to snap a pic of the vintage jewellery piece I bought in Notting Hill, but until then I'll show you a bit of the apartment re-org I did before I left on holidays.

I love this little corner nook that I refreshed by adding pops of orange: the paisley pillow found at a massive church sale for a buck; the Made in Canada retro glass vase on the top of the bookshelf (thrifted for about $10 if memory serves); the not so thrifty Anthropologie lampshade that I fell in love with when the store first opened in Toronto.

I found the beautiful framed mini picture hanging over the chair - handpainted flowers on black velvet - for 99 cents at a thrift shop. On the back there's a label that reads, "Mrs. D. M. Gowing, 77 Stubbington Avenue, Portsmouth, Hampshire" and then a postal code and phone number. Isn't it just wonderful that this little treasure made its way from England and across the pond to me and my grungy little home?

The silver glass lamp was $5 at a lamp sale; and the wrought iron chair was part of a set I thrifted at Sally Ann years ago, one of my first major thrift purchases in fact. I spray-painted them silver and covered the seats with a tablecloth I cut up, bought at the dollar store. There's grungy style for ya.

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Wool trench, Goodwill

It's been raining like crazy this spring - good thing I have a warm wool trench to get me through! I found this deep blue wool trench by Evan Picone at Goodwill for less than 10 bucks. I love it. Every time I wear it - which is frequent these days - I feel like I'm in France.

I'm wearing it here with thrifted suede booties made in Italy ($14.99); this funky round leather purse made in Vancouver and found at Value Village for $12.99; vintage blue shades made in Italy found in a vintage shop; and my Anthropologie scarf - bought new but so worth it based on the compliments I get every time I wear it!

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Hi-low dressing, but mostly lo

Grunge Queen has been known to splurge on occasion. Two years ago when Anthropologie opened at Toronto's outdoor mall, Shops at Don Mills, I indulged and bought this long, lovely floral scarf. I've blocked out how much it was but it wasn't a Grunge Queen price.

I don it on cool spring days this time of year when you still need a little something around your neck. Every time I wear it, I get compliments galore - so definitely worth the splurge.

Good thing the rest of the outfit is thrift. My most recent thrifty buy: this boho robin's egg blue knit by Antoine Coelenbier, Kokomarina collection. I found it at ENDS at 1930 Queen St. E in the Beach (end-of-line and discount retailer extrordinaire), this sweater retailed for close to $300 but was marked down, then down again, then down again until it found its way to the sidewalk $9.99 rack, where this deal hunter found it. Perfect for coolish early spring days!

The jeans were a few bucks at my lcoal thrift shop; the white tee was a couple bucks at Goodwill; the Nine West metallic booties (which you can't see) were picked up at Value Village, and the jewellery was another proud find picked up at Stretch Thrift's 50 percent off sale (which are frequent).

They're two long necklace strands, new, that have been in the store for months and months. I thought they looked pretty ick until I wound two strands around my neck several times. One on its own looks blah, but pair two together and they look really boho cool. Price $2.99 each less 50 percent!

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Airport bling

Every time I fly to West Palm I go through the Charlotte airport in North Carolina. There's this shop there where pretty much all the costume bling and accessories is $10 a piece. Last time, I picked up this silver tone ring. Look at the detailing! So boho - so Anthropologie-like! And doesn't it look like an expensive ring? It has weight, let me tell you.

I could have bought a handful of the same ring this time around and given one to every gal pal I know. But this vintage-esque ring caught my eye. It's not as substantial as the former, but I liked the brass-like antiqued look and the faux rhinestones.

The shop has necklace and earring sets for $10, along with belts, cufflinks, and some hair accessories. Definitely worth a pop in if you happen to be flying through and need to kill some time before your connecting flight.

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Bedside nook a la cheap

Ok, it's a wee bit off kilter but hey, it's Canada Day and I'm relaxing ....

So in keeping with the relaxing theme here's my bedside table ensemble, comprised of thrift shop and major dealio finds.

The brass lamp made in Egypt, a mere $5 at my fave lighting store in TO, Consumer's Lighting on Dufferin St. The shade was also a fiver there.

The cornucopia vase, I think, was $2.99 at Value Village. The silver dish, into which I've scattered lavender (pinch the lavender in your fingers to activate the scent and help you relax at night), was under $10 at a thrift shop, Goodwill if memory serves. And the glass clock was also a thrift shop find at around $5.

Most of the pillboxes were gifts.

The table itself used to be part of a vanity (that an ex dragged from the trash) until and ex beau sawed it in half and created two night tables out of it.

The lavender hue on the table: my rather sorry attempt to jazz it up with paint. I've been too lazy to try to make it look better so the table is as is for now.

The bib necklace hanging from the knob: another pathetic attempt to be handy, this time at the Yorkville, Toronto opening of the Anthropologie store where crafty types made necklaces from vintage findings .... mine took several hours and several wine punches, ha ha.

HAPPY CANADA DAY for those of you enjoying the festivities today!!

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Who says you can't be trendy & thrifty?

As seasoned thrifters know, thrift shops don't just house rejects from the 1970s and granny pants with elastic waists. The sad/happy paradox is that, with our disposable fashion attitude these days, there's often heaps of on-trend pieces to be had.

The trench has been big for the past few seasons and is still going stoing this spring, especially in fun colours like pastels and electric lime greens.

This Kelly green shade may be a little last year but I still love the trench - I found it at Goodwill for under $10, if memory serves. It's a Nygard poly trench with adorable silver button detailing and stitching.

I'm wearing it here, on a rainy spring day, with a thrifted black hoodie, a Wear White 4 Windfall tee designed by Franco Mirabelli underneath (given to me in a press kit for last year's campaign), and thrifted ripped skinny jeans, the latter of which are still on trend this season.

The scarf was new, bought in a moment of weakness when Anthropologie opened last year at the new Shops at Don Mills.

You can't see it but I'm wearing the skinny jeans with white sneakers (found on Orfus Road for super cheap.). Shades of grade nine circa 1984!!

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Lover chairs in the trash

I was on my way to work yesterday and what did I see peeping out from a mattress in the famous Trash Pile on my street?

Looks like a wing back chair to me.

Sure, the pattern on it is kinda 1990s ick, but then again it does have a semi Anthropologie look to it, n'est pas?

A closer look from a different angle revealed two chairs, nestled one on top of the other, as though they were spooning.

Ahh, how cute. I want to give these chairs a home. I didn't turn them over but I bet their seats are in good condition - that one lone cushion there looks barely worn.

I thought about hauling one home last night but was out with the gals, and besides, I couldn't separate the pair now could I?

A heart spray painted on a curb nearby sent a silent message: keep 'em together, or leave 'em there for the next person.

We'll see if they're still in the heap tonight.

I haven't had a problem with trash finds yet but sometimes I do get weirded out by bringing upholstered pieces home - you know bugs and all - but there is a spray that you can nuke 'em with.

My preference is to use a non-toxic silicon-based powder that gets rid of the creepy crawlies. Or toss the thing on my balcony in the deep freeze and dare any living thing to survive on it.

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