Winter attire & 5-Euros-and-under finds

YET ANOTHER PAIR OF LACE-UP BOOTS?
(is she off her rocker?)
Second-hand Michael Kors suede lace-up wedge booties with rubber sole: Etsy.

I haven't quite gotten around to snapping what I wear under my winter togs - not surprisingly, most of my blog pics these days are snapped on the run (though I'm still dreaming of a lakeside photo shoot before the snow flies) - so I thought I'd just show you what I wore today on a jaunt to the thrift shop with a friend, followed by lunch and a play date (never in a million years did I ever think I'd be uttering the term, "play date," but here I am uttering it, happily so. :)

The Michael Kors booties were a stellar and not expensive Etsy find and so casz-chic - the lifestyle I'm aspiring to at the mo. Does the girl have a problem with lace-up booties? Hell yah. But when I find such great deals online, how can I help it? Plus, all the booties look the same in Annecy - slouchy and bling-encrusted - and, like every thing here, they're not inexpensive.

Hooded coat: retail, a few years ago
Vintage fur gloves: Ebay
Leather 1990s bucket bag: Annecy thrift shop
Fur hat: Annecy thrift shop
Vintage scarf: Etsy
Fur-lined skirt peeing out: Annecy consignment shop.

You'll recognize the fur hat from last year - my jaw-dropping 1 Euro thrift shop find. I occasionally wore vintage fur in Toronto, and I must admit to having mixed feelings about it. I have no desire to enter into a political discussion on the merits and downfalls of vintage fur, but I do find it interesting that, in a place where fur is everywhere (and most emphatically NOT vintage; I have seen many women in their 50s and 60s wearing full-length contemporary fur coats), it can sometimes be an easier decision to wear it - especially when it costs a Euro and it keeps my head really, really warm in the not-so-cold but damp winters here. Ditto for the vintage Dents England fur gloves I'm wearing here, found on Ebay.

Vintage hammered brass and coloured cab necklace found at my local thrift shop - for under 5 Euros!

On another front, I routinely ooh and ahh over my thrifty vintage blogging buddies' finds in the UK, Canada and Australia. Such raging deals they find: a few pence; a few bucks. I heave a huge sigh of self-pity over the fact that I rarely dig up such inexpensive items in my local thrift shop (Annecy is land of the affluent, and the higher costs even trickle down to second-hand goods), and I often find myself dreaming of the day when I can go crazy in some grimy Toronto thrift shop. (When I visit, I am SO bringing an empty suitcase!).

So I'm going to feature a few recent 5-Euros-and-under thrift shop finds, like the necklace, above (4.50). I liked its arty groove: tribal boho. Of course, about 80 percent of Adam's wardrobe, comprised of 1-3 Euro deals, could be included in this entry but I think you'll get more excited about bling and handbags.

Don't let the crappy pic fool you: this bag is humongous. Found for 5 Euros at my local thrift shop.

How about this utterly huge leather handbag with amazing buckle, 10 Euros but mysteriously marked down to 5 (is it possessed? Only time will tell)? The detail here does not do it justice; I will show it to you accessorized some day soon so you can see it in all its glory. A true French-style handbag, it doesn't really fit into my life (how does a French woman with a stroller hold the bloody thing? I must observe better), but let's just say that wild horses couldn't have stopped me from taking this baby home. Great shape (as in structural: I love the odd scuff and dent); great hardware; great price. It ticked all the boxes.

Whoohee I'm on a roll: 4 Euros!

Today's find: a luscious burgundy suede and leather handbag, with unknown logo and amazing hardware on the side (not pictured). One of the grommets on the side was missing but who cares? For 4 Euros, it's my new bag-crush.

It's so lovely to read all your comments. I do visit your blogs, believe me, but I don't often leave comments these days. Forgive me, but it's a simpler pleasure for me lately to read a handful of posts in my down time. Hope you understand. I always intend to return and comment but then time slips me by. Trust that I am with you on your style and life journeys! xoxo

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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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French style: thrifted Weill coat

Made in France Weill coat for 30 Euros, a steal for the label.
Worn with thrifted Italian-made booties, thrifted wool pashmina scarf and handmade bag from Montreal.

All I can say is, can I sleep with my latest thrifted coat? I love it sooo much.

I bought it at the thrift shop where the vide grenier was, on the same day as the vide grenier (see post below), except it was full price in the boutique (30 Euros). But when my eagle-thrifting eye landed on it, even though I didn't know the label, I loved it on sight and knew it was a quality piece. Plus the swing shape perfectly accommodates wee Bobo (AKA the bump - surely I'm not the only preggo attach a name to it?).

The label is Weill, a Paris-based fashion-house that's always been, and still is, family-owned. According to the website, the label pioneered ready-to-wear in France. Established in 1892, it's apparently the oldest French fashion house (though Lanvin, founded seven years later, claims it's the oldest French fashion house still operating).

It's a crepe wool, and has obviously been crumpled for a while as it's a tad wrinkled. Just look at the detailing - those buttons with the "W" on them! The sleeves are three-quarters, but the coat doesn't feel vintage. The corded detailing and shape have a too-contemporary look to me.

A quick peep at the website reveals a spring wool trench-style coat a little shorter than this to be 745 Euros.

And the coolest thing? The collections are made in the company's factory on Laon, which isn't far from Annecy.

It's definitely not an everyday coat, but I'm hoping I can glam up my not-so-glam maternity wear to wear this often, as it's just the perfect spring-weight coat!

Linking up with all the fabulously stylish chickie-boos at Patti's Visible Monday and Lakota's Ta-dah! Tuesday. It's been a busy few days, so I look forward to catching up with you all soon. xo

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Vide Grenier Haul, part one

Wool-mohair blend coat with Paris label and great buttons, 2 Euros at a Vide Grenier

Cripes, talk about baby prep. Sleepless nights characterized by frequent bathroom trips and tossing and turning to find a comfy position, topped off by hubby snoring and cat crying at all hours, has pretty much set the tone this last week for an overwhelming tetchiness that makes me want to hip-check every dawdle-poke or generally annoying person who gets in my way.

Good thing a master haul at my local thrift shop's spring vide grenier (rummage sale, basically) this past Saturday is helping my zzzz-deprived brain manufacture some happy hormones when I think of all the great stuff I found there - two (huge) bags full of clothing for between 1-2 Euros each - including this wool-mohair blend coat from Paris (2 Euros).

The lining is thin so it was the perfect coat to don earlier this week, when temps soared to the teens.

Wool-blend sweater: a Euro at the same sale

I'm not great at this style of vide grenier - basically a big table with stuff tossed on it for all to fight over - but surprisingly there weren't too many pushy peeps. I was able to dig up this red wool-blend floppy turtleneck sweater, again with a Paris label, without any major incident (and for a Euro). I don't wear red often but I can do this shade, and I just loved the dart-like detailing on the sides.

Thyme maternity skirt, thrifted in Canada; Benetton patent leather brogues, thrifted in Annecy;
Scarf, Annecy market; Vintage bracelet, UK auction house;
leather purse, new and handmade by Montreal, Canada artisan.

30 weeks: POP!

As you can see, I've really popped out in the last week. I'm still going strong with the support hose, and comfy shoes that highlight my flipper feet ... funny how I'm trying my best to be stylish but won't compromise when it comes to sensible - and safe - footwear. I wouldn't want to topple over wearing heels, now would I?

I have heaps more to show you from the vide grenier. Must snap some pics one of these mornings, when I have more oomph. Now if you'll excuse me, but I'm off to beddie-by.

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Thierry Mugler for 4 Euros, I kid you not

I'm throwing my style cap into the ring with the chic chickas over at Patti's Visible Monday as I can hardly contain my excitement over my latest thrift find. The Grunge Queen is baaack! The story is like so many others: I was browsing the rack at the same thrift store I found the faux fur from last post, not expecting to unearth anything, and voila, a lush green velour-like fabric popped out at me like a spring flower peeping through the crappy brown snow. Took a gander (and a whiff) and discovered an amazingly constructed, non-smelly jacket. Tried it on and it fit beautifully.* The best part? It was 50 percent off 8 Euros, yip yip!

*Ok, I can't do up the bottom button of this Thierry Mugler jacket, but who cares? I will in the future, and for now, I'm happy to wear it open, as you see here.

Just look at the buttons! I have no idea how much something like this would cost resale. I've seen vintage Thierry Mugler online for a couple hundred up to a thousand bucks.

I can also do it up military style. I'm thinking the jacket is 1980s, possibly 90s. The shoulders look slightly puffed as someone has cut out the shoulder pads, but I think the poufiness adds to the dramatic effect. Aside from two slits in the exquisite green lining, which can be easily sewn (by someone else), this jacket is in pristine condition.

More (adjustable) button detailing at the back, for when I have a waist again.

I used to be the thrifty statement-piece blazer queen, often wearing them with tight skinny jeans, cashmere turtlenecks and high-heeled booties (alas, the days of tight skinny jeans and high-heeled booties are gone). My other great French designer blazer find was a Tara Jarmon for $4.99 (I know, this post from almost a year ago says $6.99, but I looked back into the archives at the original post and see that I actually paid $4.99 CAD ... too bad the pics aren't viewable)!

I find it funny that the same thrift shop that's selling real fur coats for 50-150 Euros, which look like they morphed from granny's closet with a few mothballs attached, would let an iconic French designer's piece go for 4 Euros. But as we all know, this lack of designer knowledge often works to the scavenger's benefit!

This outfit is 100 percent thrifted, save for the rings and earrings: Thyme maternity skirt thrifted in Toronto before I was married (let's say I had a hunch); Italian boots thrifted in Annecy; ribbed turtleneck thrifted in Toronto; Italian-made doctor's bag, Etsy.

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My cheapie-deapie cashmere dress, and amazing Lancel handbag

Annecy continues to be beautiful this Fall, as this recent pic of the canal attests, snapped by my hubby. Just beyond the bridge at the far end of the photo is the lake and the mountains. I just love the light and the colours here -  the photo could almost be a postcard!

I'd like to thank all my fabulous blogging buddies for their kind words and comments the last few posts. It hasn't been an easy time and I still miss Dink like hell and grieve for her, but life has a way of taking over, and sadly, or happily, the pain has slowly subsided so that little things make me smile now. I'm still not in a major fashion frame of mind, but I have been snapping the odd photo of my get-ups (or rather, hubby has). Here's a an outfit from the end of September:

This pic was taken on the very bridge you see off in the distance in the first photo, called the Pont des Amours (Bridge of Lovers). It's normally swamped with tourists and since it connects people from one side of the lake to the other, it's quite busy. I'm not sure how romantic crowds make it, but I love it anyway.

I'm wearing a stretchy cashmere blend dress I picked up at the weekly market for 10 Euros, from the same guy that sold me my 3 Euros dresses in the summer.

The 80s-esque scarf was thrifted for three bucks CAD at Goodwill in Toronto.

And the leather bag? Goodness I've been meaning to show you this for ages. I found it for 4 Euros at the second-hand place I told you about months ago, Bazar sans Frontiere.

The French, as you may know, are very into their bags, and this is a high-end French label called Lancel - there's a shop in the old town where a mere wallet will run you 500 Euros, so I think I got a major deal on my huge bag! It was a bit beat up so I cleaned it well, and a black Sharpie marker filled in the edges where the corner tubing detail was starting to wear away.

The logo has changed and I couldn't find this one in an Internet search, so hopefully the bag isn't a fake. Apparently there are a lot of fake Lancels out there, but this bag says Made in France, and you can tell it's well-made ... and besideswhich I somehow doubt that the knock-off market would do a booming business here. The French, as I have joyfully discovered, are very much into items made in France, and rather obsessed with quality. I'm sure a French woman would rather jump in the lake in the middle of winter than be seen with a fake bag. Even in Annecy, which is fashionable but not the fashion capital of France, it's not uncommon to see Celine handbags draped over the arms of girls in their early 20s!

So now, hopefully, I look like a true French woman!!

The cute studded lace-ups were new and not cheap, but hey, nothing's cheap if you buy new in Annecy.

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September in Annecy & Vide Greniers

I love Annecy this time of year. The days are warm - warm enough for bikinis on the beach - yet the bulk of the tourists have left, so the old town and lake are blissfully quiet, except on market days or weekends. I plan on coming back to this now-deserted dock now that all the boat renters have left. Maybe drink some vino and watch the sunset with hubby? Ahh sounds dreamy.

North Americans may be used to garage sales in the Spring, but in France, September is the time for Vide Greniers, which are essentially the UK equivalent of car boot sales crossed or North American flea markets but translate into "empty attics."

Basically people rent tables and get rid of their stuff. There was one in the main city square a few weekends ago, so I popped in to have a peep. There was a lot of junk not worth buying in my opin - cheap mass-market clothing etc - but if you dug around you could find quite the deals as many items were 3-4 Euros each.

I spent a grand total of 15 Euros and walked away with a few good finds, including this rock n' roll necklace with a cute Swarovski heart for 5 Euros.

I should have bought the big golden-tone ring in the corner for 2 Euros, and the matching gold-tone bracelet, which could also be worn as a choker. The woman selling the bling bought it in India.

You know my obsession for tapestry bags. Lately I've been haunting Etsy for ethnic bags. I found this fab leather and Ikat purse on Etsy for around 34 Euros if memory serves. I've been looking for more bags of a similar ilk but am too much of a cheapskate ....

... so finding this leather and fabric bucket style bag for 3 Euros at the Vide Grenier was a super treat!

I bought some designer jeans, not pictured here, for 4 Euros, but my absolute finito buy: these leather booties, made in Portugal by Minka Design, for 3 Euros - love! (They'd probably sell for 100+ Euros as I've seen tall boots of the same mark new for 200 Euros).

My French look, with the boots: thrifted 7 For All Mankind Jeans; thrifted Teenflo blazer (how apt that it's a Paris-based label ... but found the blazer and matching skirt in Toronto!) in a glorious brown and neutral velvet; cashmere sweater gifted; new scarf and sunnies; and 'everything bag' purchased on Etsy.

They're just the perfect booties to wear around Annecy: flat so practical for uneven, cobblestone streets, yet also possessing a certain amount of chic (the French here aren't obsessed with heels, and it makes sense!). Thanks to my darling hubby for snapping the above two shots and for making this one artsy, with his shadow in the foreground and the glorious French Alps overlooking Lac Annecy in the background.

I leave you with a photo of a very elderly couple - both with walking canes! - I spied sitting on a bench around the Lake the other day. I thought they were so sweet, and they're not an uncommon sight: there are a lot of old, yet very fit, couples in Annecy and you can often see them out walking together. You tend not to see this type of thing in Canada. The climate, diet and lifestyle is so wonderfully different here that people stay active into their elderly years. I am sure people live longer here (I have read that people on the French Riviera live an average of ten years longer than the average American). I'm staying put!

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News flash: I found a charity shop in Annecy!

Who would have thought? There may not be 15 charity shops scattered in the main shopping area like there was in St Annes in the UK, but there actually IS the equivalent if a HUGE charity shop right here in Annecy, literally a ten-minute walk from me! I found out about it on an Expat Forum.

As the van says, it's called Bazar sans Frontieres. It's a association that provides employment opportunities for socially disadvantaged people, much like the Goodwill that I know and love in Canada. The website has different numbers but the French gent with whom I spoke says the organization employs 24 such people on site.

The place is huge, consisting of several buildings in which you'll find clothing, furniture, and books/bric-a-brac. Those are the French Alps in the background, BTW.

Outside there's stuff like old basins and tubs. I thought this iron day bed was particularly French!

You wouldn't believe the furniture building - two floors of it! The first floor is lined with solid wood armoires starting as low at 150 Euros!

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you may remember, from my Toronto apartment, my penchant for green velvet.

Sigh. Retro velvet just doesn't excite me anymore.

But if I could have turned this tapestry chair into a handbag, I would have in a flash.

I can't quite banish velvet from my thoughts though: I hauled hubby back one rainy day last week to look a this brown velvet loveseat. I thought it was quite French looking. He hated it, alas.

You may recall the 20-some lamps I had in Toronto, most of which were thrifted, and then given away when I moved overseas (the ones I couldn't part with are at my Mom's for safe-keeping). Now we are lampless in Annecy. I picked up this green baby for 6 Euros as I liked the shape. I left the shade there as it stank of the smoke of 10,000 cigarettes. Now I need to find a shade. I can never remember what 'lampshade' is in French, so my phrase of choice is when asking shop keepers: "Quelque chose pour mettre sur un lumiere,"  and then some sign language and an air drawing in the shape of a triangle. Oh dear, no wonder I'm not finding one.

I found five paisley boho napkins for 1 Euro total.

They totally complement the paisley tablecloth, pictured underneath, that I found at last month's brocante market in Annecy for 6 Euros!

Here's a quick peep at the table with its new covering. Tres French, n'est ce pas?

So is this wee stool, picked up for 7 Euros, which now reposes at the foot of our bed. Why?

Because my darling 16-year old little stinker loves hanging on the bed, and she has difficulty getting onto it sometimes. Our lovely new Ralph Lauren duvet cover is slowly getting ruined with pick marks as she claws her way to the top, poor wee thing.

The little fart jumped on it right away and slept on it for a total of three days. Now it doesn't exist. Off her radar completely. She looks like the Cat that Ate New York or something here, teehee.

The housewares building was a gold mine of inexpensive ceramics, pottery, bowls etc. Check out this "Made in Annecy" pottery serving plate - boho gorg and only .80 cents! This would be a great place to come and suss out local pottery etc for souvenirs.

My crowning achievement that day: finding these Made in France corkscrews made out of dried grape vines, for 1 Euro each!!!. My bro-in-law has one from France that he loves that broke, so guess what he's getting for his B-day pressie?

In fact, every one I know and love is getting one as they're FAB souvenirs. Most have teeny metal plaques screwed into them identifying the maker and place of origin - this one says Annecy Le Vieux, which is a suburb of Annecy.

I'm so obsessed with these things that I cleaned them out (five in total). Then I went back a few days later and found another for .50 cents. Score!

For now they comprise an 'artful' centrepiece when piled in a French-made bowl (bought new) and sitting atop an April Cornell tablecloth purchased recently on Etsy (I had, like, ten tablecloths in Canada and - surprise surprise - I gave them ALL away, duh).

I have more show and tell but will leave it at that tonight. Have a wonderful weekend every one!

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