Sunday morning and a new cuppa

I love Japanese stoneware - its simplicity yet elegance of design. Recently I found a trio of retro Mikasa cups, plus creamer, at my local thrift shop, Stretch Thrift, for 99 cents each. Way nicer than the cheap dollar store mugs I have that are now going in the 'donate' pile.

They complement the bronze ironstone cups by Primastone that I thrifted a few years ago - similar in shape and the colours work. Now I'll just have to have a cappuccino party!

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Remember this fancy little lady?

I had a smaller version while a kid in the late 1970s, except she had a pink dress (of course, this one has an ORANGE one - orange seems to be confronting me at every thrifting turn these days). Hopefully my little gal didn't end up in a landfill. If my memory serves, I'm pretty sure Mom donated our plaything castoffs to school sales and whatnot.

I didn't buy her. Sometimes the thrift shop can be the place of sweet memories. Oh how I loved my little doll like this, in the hot pink dress and hat (I can still remember the pattern!).

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'Fugly'--sentimental 1970s pendant

When I showed this gold-tone mosaic 1970s style pendant to my sis (which I ended up thrifting for 50 percent off), she told me it reminded her of the ugly necklaces and pendants our Mom used to wear in the 1970s when we were growing up.

Gee, I always loved those necklaces. And this one does remind me of them, too. I can see why my sis called them/it ugly - they're not beautiful, after all. Perhaps it's just the sentimental nut in me that makes me gravitate towards pieces like this. This one reminds me of my childhood and suits my 70s-ish style, so it's a definite keeper.

This is the only pic I have of my Mom wearing one of those 'ugly' 1970s necklaces - with me (right), my twin and older sis in the mid-1970s. Don't you just love my Mom's style? I remember this necklace lovingly! You can't see it that well, but it was a string of multi-coloured polished stones in earthy hues. I loved it then. I should ask Mom if she hung onto it.

Dig the crazy glasses, eh? I think those were more 1960s than '70s, though. My twin sis and I look like mini versions of Mom, with our turtlenecks and pants! And our older sis, so cheeky in her mini skirt and colour-coordinated tights and - you guessed it - another turtleneck!

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Bling & bang trims!

So the boho bling I showed you in the post before this was found at a hairdresser's in East York on Coxwell Ave. at Danforth Ave. Owner Petra cuts hair, but she sells jewellery and other baubles out of her front window! Gotta love it.

She's got lots of pins and some necklaces, mostly retro and vintage. Not thrift shop prices but not bad. Worth a gander!

You can't miss the sign ....

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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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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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This is the time to hit thrift shops

A few days ago I featured a lovely patent purse I found at Goodwill for about $4.99. Last night, as I was running around looking for gifties for my mannie, I happened upon a Goodwill shop.

You could almost hear the crickets in there. It was, needless to say, super quiet, save for some dealer types who were rummaging through things with the subtlety of charging rhinos.

Everyone is so preoccupied with the holiday mall shop that the thrift shops are blissfully quiet.

This patent clutch - which almost looks like real leather if you look at the crinkles on the thin little flap that goes through the hardware - was only $3.99. I bought it as I loved the shape and the hardware - which is super heavy.

Just look at the screws on the inside of the purse!! Four of 'em to hold the gold hardware that runs along the bottom flap of the upper part of the clutch.

Another purse to add to my collection.

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Little retro Christmas

The tree is up!! A tiny three-footer and my first REAL tree ever. Also my first tree I've set up in my apartment for years!

This is one of my fave ornaments, given to me by an auntie years ago.

This little guy was from my Mom a few years ago ....

This is a makeshift retro ornament, a red crystal bauble that used to hang on a chandelier, which I picked up for a few dollars at an antiques shop on Mount Pleasant Rd. 

Apparently the red pieces aren't so easy to find. I just strung a golden thread through it and voila: instant holiday bling!

Here's the tree! Isn't it just the cutest? Kinda Who-Down-In-Whoville, yes? A bit blurry, sorry for that.

Here's another Christmas tradition I haven't celebrated in years: hanging my Christmas stocking, which I've had since I was a wee kid. Think my Mom bought it decades ago at an independent retailer in Ottawa (now long gone) called Towers.

Not sure if you can see "Kelly" written on Santa's white belt?

Someone in my house, who's not from Canada, has a new stocking, picked up at the Bay.

Sometimes ya gotta start new traditions, right?

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Patently gorgeous

I've been meaning to show you this patent (not sure if it's real) purse I thrifted at Goodwill for $4.99 a while ago. I just love it. It's in mint condition and is just the greatest shape, with the coolest detailing.

What I love about retro purses is that they are so sculptural. And check out the hardware on this baby - don't you just love it? This is my new fave purse. Maybe I'll wear it to a holiday-ish event.

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Retro oversize shades - my collection

The long weekend in Toronto has been lovely, even though I've been chained to my desk working on a contract.

Last night I let loose and went out. Here I am in my latest vintage acquisition, a pair of authentic 1970s sunglasses! Aren't they fab?

I picked them up in a vintage shop that's squirreled away in the basement of a book shop. The place is called "Vantage Ground" and it's located at 758 Bathurst St. just south of Bloor in Toronto.

The shades were $15 and still had the original tag on them (which said "Valentino", ha ha, not THE Valentino).

There was also the original sticker still stuck on one of the lenses. I was thinking that perhaps the shades were repros, or reproductions, but on second thought I don't think so. They just look too well made to be contemporary fun shades - does that sound too cynical?

I have a thing for retro over-size shades. Here are the purple ones that started it all.

I may look a little scary and pale here - it was after an event and I was tired - but hopefully these glasses speak for themselves. Second-hand but in great shape, they were reposing in the window of an ancient hardware store on Danforth called "Tracey's Hardware." And they were $3!

Then there's these crazy ones, made in Italy, ooh la la, but picked up at my fave vintage bling and handbag shop in the city, "The Bead Goes On" just off Bayview Ave. at Soudan in Toronto.

They were $15. The blue is slightly freaky on me, but I wear them when the mood and outfit is right. They are so impossibly retro!

And last but not least, I scored these vintage babies at the Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club Show & Sale April 24 at Leaside Memorial Gardens - for five bucks!

Dealer Anita was selling them for her auntie - they belonged to her and Anita told me she remembered her aunt wearing them decades ago!

Actually I owe Anita a buck so they were really $4.

Which ones do you like best?

And while we're at it which haircut do you like best? As you can see I'm growing my hair after being short short for years ....

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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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