Thrift shop for boys, but girls like it too!

So who are these guys and what do they have to do with the Grunge Queen?

Everything.

If you like the items I've been posting from a shop called Canadian Thrift, meet the owners, pictured here wearing the hockey jerseys they sell, new and used, in store.

The uber neat thing about this thrift shop is that, unlike most, it caters to men.

Hockey jerseys, lumberjack shirts, leather jackets, electronics — everything to appeal to a man. I tell you, it's an odd walking into a thrift shop and see more men than chicks! But natch, there's tons of chicky stuff here too, as you can tell from the items under my label, Canadian Thrift!!

Take a gander at an article I wrote last month for the Town Crier newspapers in Toronto called
Two-Men and a Thrift Shop.

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Flyball Bags and A Touch of Vintage studio sale tomorrow in Riverdale!

My gal pal and fellow vintage lover/creative soul Diana is having a studio sale tomorrow in her Riverdale digs, so if you get a chance, email her for deets and pop by.

Diana makes clutches, messenger bags, totes, hobo bags and other accessories like journals out of vintage and re-purposed fabric under her Flyball Bags label - tomorrow these will be 50-75 percent off!

They're not pictured here, but the latest arrivals - which look super chic cool - aren't part of the sale but can be purchased for $45: cashmere upcycled slipper leg warmers. Check 'em out on here at her Etsy shop

All vintage pieces, such as the handbags, barware and accessories pictured here, along with dresses and shoes and such, will be 20 percent off tomorrow. Check out Diana's A Touch of Vintage shop.

Email Diana at atouchofvintage@gmail.com for address; sale is Sunday, December 12 from 1-6 p.m. in Riverdale, Toronto.

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Shops Girls in Parkdale

It's not a thrift shop, but last week when Parkdale Village store Shop Girls was celebrating its third B-day, I popped in to take a gander.

Owned and curated by Michelle Germain, the shop specializes in work by up-and-coming Canadian artists and manufacturers.

There's everything from jewellery and scarves to hats, clothing, and, very lately, home decor accents. The place is also known for its extensive selection of YOGA JEANS, and let me tell you, almost every gal in the place musta walked out with a pair (or at least them on) that night. (They're stretchy and comfy and don't lose their shape and look absolutely fab on).

I fell in love with these bib style neck pieces - made with buttons!

Keys coated in resin - neat idea huh?

There are rings too.

I'm a gal on a budget, as you know, so I limited my purchases (maybe I'll get some Christmas money to go back for the YOGA JEANS?).

But this wrist warmer (made by artists in Ottawa, my hometown!) was just too cool, and under $20. Kinda artsy-boho meets steampunk chic.

I bought only one, to wear as an accessory, though now that the deep freeze has hit Toronto I kinda wish I'd bought one for the other wrist!

1342 Queen St West 416-534-7467

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Beauty splurges & saves

Ok I lied: Giant Tiger outfit coming tomorrow.

Since I'm on vacay the theme this week has been R & R, and some pampering thrown in.

My beauty splurge: a facial for $60 (def an -out-of-Toronto price!).

This is me after my facial, pretty much without makeup (save for the cheapie but oh so wonderful liquid navy eyeliner purchased at my local Dollar Blitz in T.O.). Nothing like a good facial to plump you up and make you want to swear off makeup for good.

BUT I couldn't resist a beauty save: the"Paris Collection" sparkly berry lipstick with Vitamin E I picked up at the dollar store near where my folks live. It's a brand I always seek out when I come home (hey, Paris for a buck, wouldn't you buy it?) and it makes my lips so soft.

Yesterday it was 26 degrees C, so Mom and I, after doing a day's worth of yard work and cleaning, decided to park ourselves on the back deck with a bottle of vino and some nail paraphernalia.

We also decided we'd save ourselves $35 each and have loads of fun by implementing another beauty save strategy: giving each other a pedi!

Two hours later, after quaffing white wine and a good gab and laugh fest, we were done.

Don't our toes look great? My feet are so soft. Now I have to get a bit more sun on my white legs.

I have a balcony in my apartment and think this could be a fun way to do some chicky bonding with gal pals (providing we're ok touching each others' feet) and not have to shell out for a summer pedi.

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