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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My Thirft Gift to him

So you must be bursting with anticipation: what on earth did I get my mannie for Christmas? Several things, among them this 'gift of thrift' that I felt sure applied to his life as a pilot who travels around all the time.

It's a retro leather traveling case. Looks like it's never been used!

The case, and all the utensils in it, have "Made in Western Germany" stamped or engraved on them.

I think I may have been more thrilled about the gift than my man! I love the chrome-covered tops on the brush, toothpaste and soap holders. So sleek. So retro!

Just look at this brush. I mean, isn't it the absolute top banana?

And this razor and brush? How absolutely darling!

There was a second case, also made in Germany, that looked as though it was used, but I bought it and cleaned it up and gave it to my sweetie pie with the other one. Both were found at a thrift shop.

I just loved the sense of history and the quality, and the fact that the kits tied in however loosely to my man's life. He could use them or not - and if it appears that he's not getting any value out of them, well, I'll take 'em back!!

My little thrifting ways, btw, inspired my mannie to buy ME a little thrift gift for x-mas - his first ever!! It was a second-hand book. I think he was pretty pleased with himself. As was I!

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Breakup Reorgs

Keep your eye on the yellow kidney-shaped dish on the rad; there's a story here.

But let me begin with this:

Ah, breakup reorgs.

I'm inclined to redo my digs whenever I'm bored, avoiding something, or in need of some therapy.

Add a recent breakup (on Valentine's, of all days) and you have a rather manic recipe for the reorg of the century.

I'm divulging highly personal details, yes, just keep your eye on that yellow dish. Doesn't it look pretty in the sunlight?

It was part of the reorg, having previously occupied the dining room table. I moved it to the rad and perched it atop some inspiring papers and design booklets.

I should also mention it was part of the fallout from a relationship that ended five years ago. The guy was a twit but when I left him he gave me this Canadiana bowl that we thrifted together at the Sally Ann for $17. Romantic soul, he was.

Tonight, that bowl just slid off the rad and crashed to the floor.

Now Dag, my cat, was nearby, but I'm taking the bowl's demise as a sign from the universe - a sign that I made the right choice, a sign to accept something as final, and - yes - a sign that I'm whole, with my integrity intact, even though what I thought was a relationship has been shattered beyond repair.

So. Time to thrive. I'll pick up the pieces, doncha worry.

Tomorrow: less personal philosophizing and more reorg pics!!

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