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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Pretty spring makeover: start with one tableau

Spring has come to my apartment even though there were flurries for most of the day in Toronto, eeps.

I haven't posted on decor in so long as, truth be told, I have been uninspired in my space and haven't re-jigged it for months. Then, with a gal pal coming over for dinner last night, I looked around at all the (dust) and Persian carpets on the floor and dark colours and thought, "UG. I simply cannot make dinner until this palce has a fresh new look."

A whirlwindish afternoon of vacuuming and cleaning and tweaking set in. The final look is pretty. My inspiration: I tossed this piece of Ralph Lauren fabric that I've had (and meant to do something with) for years over the table and voila, there was my new spring tablecloth!

Then I added pretty bric-a-brac like a white cornucopia vase, a crystal tealight holder (both thrifted), a bamboo vase with bamboo in it (a gift) and a lovely chintz jug by  Lord Nelson Ware of England (given to me when my best friend's mother moved out of her home to an apartment).

Of course, tossing some of my fave flowers, orangy roses (that smell: do you know most roses these days don't?) into a thrifted silver vase was the ultimate way to create a pretty springtime look.

I kept the lamp base (which I thrifted at Sally Ann for under $10) the same but changed up the shade (thrifted for a few dollars and in mint condition) to a deep blue one, for contrast. The dark wood lacquer mirror was relocated from my desk and also provided a bit of grounded-ness to this pretty vignette.

This dark floral cushion, thrifted for $3.99 and actually from an old and now defunct Toronto store, is pretty yet provides important contrast too against the distressed silver wrought iron chair (found as a set of four for $20 years ago in a thrift shop and spray painted silver, by moi, years ago as well - like how the silver is getting that chipped beat-up look now).

This older tableau was fine for the winter, but I'm loving my new spring look.

This table area was actually the inspiration for re-jigging the rest of my apartment into a prettier look more akin to lighter spring weather. This week I'll show you how I did it!

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Love note to a lamp, thrifted

Reader, I bought it.

I interrupt regular scheduled programming tonight (was going to show you part deux of Allan Garden trip) to show you my Valentine's gift from my mommie - aptly enough, a blood red glass lamp. Je love it.

This was the rather horrible before. Sad, lonely red lamp base with a dreadful shade on top, just sitting there in the thrift shop window. A truly horrible match, I'd say.

The lamp has now found its other half in a red fabric lampshade I've had around the house for the last year (thrifted last year around this time, come to think of it).

I think they're going to live happily ever after if paired with the right accessories - like a thrifted pillow, table, chairs, dollar store tablecloth and black and white personal photographs -- oh and that lovely clear crystal tealight holder thrifted for a few bucks.

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Valentine's thrift gift pour moi?

Do I need another lamp? I have divulged somewhere in the contents of this blog just how many lamps I have, so I won't repeat myself here. Let's just say it's a style obsession - a true love, perhaps? But changing up the lamps in my life is a fun way to give my space a bit of a face lift.

And this mammoth ruby red glass base lamp, in the window of my neighbourhood thrift store, is just to die for, isn't it? My mummy is sending me some money for a Valentine's giftie, the sweetie, so maybe I'll buy it.

After all, it is red. And je love it .... Actually I've never quite seen anything like it. Natch, I would toss the exceedingly ugly shade.

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Dream lamp & decor piece found a la thrift

Remember these gorgeous hammered hanging lamps I showed you post-Thanksgiving, found at the Ottawa-area Third World Bazaar? I've actually been coveting them for two years now. They're made in Egypt and cost $50-$150 or so depending on the size. I loved them and even though they were tres affordable, I couldn't spare the cash to buy one.

Well, looky looky what I found in a thrift shop the other day! It's a cut-out orb, likely from the Middle East, that's suspended on a think chain. It actually had a lightbulb and cord attached inside (it flips open), but since the electrical wasn't standard for this country, I took it out.

Isn't it beautiful? Best part: it was $3.99, at the just-opened Canadian Thrift shop on Pape Ave. Je love it. Right now I'm treating it as a decorative object. It's hanging from my window blinds looking more pretty than functional. In the summer I could pop a tea light in it and hang it outside over my balcony.

Just goes to show that you can find even the most specialized of items at your local thrift shop!!

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Ow. My aching back. I spend 7 hours Sunday on me little re-org, and this little grungy girl is sore!

Here's a sneak peep at my new desk.

This little stack of papers represents the new direction my desk is taking: neutrals with little splashes of bright colour.

Here's the "new" old living room. I'm still tweaking it but I am liking the somewhat pared down look - yes this minimalist pour moi! I like the idea of doing away with the coffee table for now as the look is sleek and clean. Let's see if it's functional!

I tried to make things cozy with the lighting - I'm not just the Grunge Queen; I'm also the Lamp Queen and have over 20 lamps, most of which are thrifted!! I change them up often to create different looks. The wee wall lamp (thrifted for a mere $4.99) is perfect for snuggling on the loveseat reading, as is the higher placement of the brass lamp (picked up new for a fiver at my fave Toronto lighting store, Consumers Lighting on Dufferin St. and Castlefield Ave.). I'm so tired I think I'll flop down and do a little reading right NOW!

I love the John Lander print above the couch. I found it for $4.99, I think, at my fave thrift shop, Stretch Thrift. The glass was broken and it broke even more on the way home, so I just did away with it altogether. Now it's much easier to hang sans glass!

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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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Spring streamlining

I'll give you a break from the bling and show you my mini-re-org in my pad, inspired by my recent lamp acquisitions - to those who have requested more decorating posts, thanks for your patience.

As you know from last week's post, I found this silver mirrored glass lamp and shade for $10 at a big sale at my fave lighting store in TO, Consumers Lighting & Lamps.

I decided to relocate the 'library' (ie: old brass retractable bookends with books in them) that was in my bedroom to the top of this vanity.


I cleaned up the Barrymore loveseat by putting a blue cover under the upholstered cushion.

I had a slipcover over it before but it went to the floor, and I must admit I prefer a clean line that shows the legs of the sofa. The huge pillow was found at my fave decor consignment shop in TO, Around the Block, for $30. It's custom-made with Victorian floral fabric - such a find.

In the warmer months it just feels natural to streamline the clutter and keep surfaces sparse and crisp.

The vignette on this bureau (which was dug up in the trash) was pretty extreme for me - there's only one ornament on it! But I like the clean look. Here the wood lacquer mirror and the piece of folk art are my 'accessories'.

I did the same clean sweep with my dining room table, relocating the strip of Ralph Lauren wall paper that was on my desk to the table. A couple lamps and just a couple decorative pieces finish off the look.

It's always funny to see peoples' reactions to my space when they visit. Just when I think I've been the ultimate streamlining slut, someone says, "Gosh you have a lot of stuff", or "Wow you have a lot of healthy clutter." Guess it's all relative eh?

Here's a view of the new lamp looking over the bottle green Kroehler sofa.

I didn't change much here; just put the thrifted gilt mirror where a big print was. In the mirror you can see that I relocated the big floral print to my work space.

I'm calling this a mini-re-org as I didn't get down and dirty and move any furniture. All I did was add and then rotate some lamps, change up a few lampshades, and move some accessories and art/mirrors.

You can get a whole new look by changing up and rotating your accessories - just as you accessorize the basics in your wardrobe by donning different pieces of jewellery, handbags and scarves.


I often think that lamps are the bling of the decor world - they really function like jewellery to me.

Gee, I am still finding a way to bring it all back to jewellery, aren't I???

I added a dramatic punch to my teak hutch by swapping the large gilt mirror for this darker lacquered one. I took off the runner to show off the wood, kept the books but added the large base lamp with the red shade.

The lamp is so big I think it merits being on a large piece of furniture, for scale. Then I plopped on an orange Made in Canada glass vase, for extra oomph. On the subject of mirrors, I love placing them directly across from or kitty-corner to windows - they reflect the light, make a dark corner lighter, and enlarge the space.

Voila! Mini-re-org complete!

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Lamp-o-mania

My favourite lighting store is having a garage sale!


Ok it my not be a garage sale per se but it is a sale! The tablecloth here gives it an outdoorsy garage sale feel.

I waltzed into Consumers Lighting & Lamps on Friday and the owner Sidney escorted me to the back area, where a good many lamps were between $5-$10 each.

Needless to say, I was in lamp heaven. If you check out my 'lamps' and 'lighting' posts you'll see I have 20.

Now I have more than 20.

Consumers has been around since 1961 and believe me, there's still scads of lighting from retro times of yore.


And there's every kind of lamp and lighting fixture available: chandeliers, floor lamps, table lamps, shades, sconces, you name it.



The lamp on the right is from India and has been in the shop since the '70s. It's on my bedside table now.

The tag doesn't lie: 5 bucks.

Why oh why did I leave the one beside it behind? I need another similar one for my other bedside table.

I love accessorizing with lamps in my space. I liken it to a gal's love for bling and accessories - you can create a whole new look by changing up the smaller parts of an outfit. And I do truly believe that accessories can make an outfit - or a room - come together.

I also picked up this silver lamp and shade for $10!

The lamp base is actually glass. I'm guessing it's 1970s, maybe 80s.

Of course, a room and apartment reorg is in process.

Just so you know, Consumers also does lamp repairs and has an entire second floor (closed to the public) of fixtures and lamp baubles to repair ailing or broken lamps. Just ask Sid what you are looking for and he will go on a dig for ya!

This is how my new lamp looks, with the neat $5 shade I bought to go with it. This was the last shade of its kind and I think it is so cool.

I am so going back for more.

Consumers Lighting is at 2482 Dufferin St. at Castlefield. It's a funny part of town but you can get to it on TTC via the charming 29 bus, heading south from Yordale mall or north frm Dufferin subway station. It is north of Eglinton but south of Lawrence.

Phone: 416-781-3607. Call for hours as I don't think they open late and they closed at 4 on Friday.

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