That 70s Show

I've morphed from an urban-dwelling Canadian magazine editor wearing oh-so-chic vintage/thrifty ensembles to work every day to an unemployed, jean-clad gal living in a small yet picturesque UK town with my lovely new hubby. My style these days, though still thrifty, simply reflects my life of long walks, yoga and hanging with hubby when he's not flying - and as a result I find myself living in jeans. I hope this isn't too boring for you guys. I shall make a supreme effort to play dress up more often and show you some of my pretty thrifty frocks and such.

I feel like I've morphed from the set of That 70s Show, a TV show I used to love watching, in this outfit: the wide-legged (thrifted) Levis; the wedgie boots in tan (Kenneth Cole Reaction, thrifted at Value Village in Canada and STILL my fave even though they've been beat up over the years -- they just get better, tee hee); the cropped Parasuco jean jacket ($10 at a consignment store sale); the thrifted emerald green knit hoodie (turtleneck underneath, new, but bought at Winners on sale).

What feels really 70s: this thrifted suede bag with boho embroidery on the front and fuzzy interior, by Canadian bag designer Jeanne Lottie. Ironic thing is, I tried to give this bag away multiple times before I moved overseas. Now it appears to be one of my few bags that made it overseas; my vintage purses are, sadly, missing in action (but hopefully just lost  in my Mom's basement somewhere). I'm glad I ended up keeping it.

I love this ring. I initially saw it last fall at the Third World Bazaar in Manotick, Canada, but didn't want to spend $50 on it, though it was a good price. Then I saw it with my Mom shopping in Ottawa in a bling store, for $100 - but it was 50% off! So I ended up getting the ring, natch. As you can see by my outfit, I'm really attracted by emerald green these days. I love how one's relationship with colour changes over time. I probably haven't worn this colour since the 80s, when gem tones were all the rage!

Not sure if you can see, but I also bought the pendant that matched the ring, since it was also on sale! Wearing a pendant and chain over a turtleneck is so 1970s, isn't it?

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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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Movie star moment & thrifty scarves on St. Clair West

So I had a Grunge Queen Movie Star Moment yesterday when doing a shopping column along St. Clair Ave. West (pictured here, what used to be my headshot for this blog, my lovely logo, if you will, designed by my lovely artist sis).

There I was, sauntering along (in a thrifted outfit), when I hear "Kelly!." I look and see a lady I don't know. She tells me I don't know her. Then she introduces herself as, well let's just say "M." M and I have corresponded via email about our thrifty chic designer finds. She's a closet thrifter and visits good 'ole Grunge Queen almost every day, she says.

Well, I couldn't have been more proud or flattered, or more delighted to meet a reader. Sometimes blogging feels lonely as I post so faithfully and often don't get comments and don't always interact with readers - then I hear through friends, family, and even strangers that they check in every day. So M, thank you, you gave me a reality check, and it was truly great to meet you!!

Back to the thrifty news. When I shop St. Clair West in Toronto, I always hit the Goodwill there, which totally rocks (the Sally Ann nearby,  not so great). But I heard there's a new thrift shop just a few doors over from Goodwill called Advantage Thrift. So natch I checked it out after my column.

Pickings: not so great: I always shop high on the food chain when I thrift and look for leather, cashmere, wool, good designer labels etc, and there wasn't much of that there. This large mohair wool scarf, though, was only $2.99. I've always wanted one. In fact when I was in Ottawa for Thanksgiving I saw a purple scarf like this at the Third World Bazaar for $40, too steep for my purse at the time. This one looks brand new and not a stain on it.

I also found this oblong brownish scarf for a mere $1.99. I'm really into brown these days so I bagged it. It's a soft wool and I liked the flecks of reddish orange.

Even better, the label says Farhat Hosiery. Now I thought the name sounded kind of exotic, like it was Egyptian or something. Well a quick question to the Google Gods reveals that Farhat Hoisery is in Bolton, Lancashire, England - and I have been there! When I went to England in September my man and I went to a place I've written about called Bygone Times. Well, that's in Bolton - go figure huh? And my Brit mannie just happens to have flown in yesterday, so I think it's pretty serendipitous that I find a thrifted scarf from a place so close to where he lives in the UK! I call that thrift Karma!

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Third World Bazaar feel-good shopping rove

You know me: I will shop at every opportunity, especially when the shopping fare is unique and somewhat heartfelt. So when I was home for Thanksgiving this past weekend, my fam and I made a number of retail pilgrimages, if you will, one of which was to the Third World Bazaar close to Ottawa, Ontario. It just happens to have its opening weekend the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend every year - but don't worry, it runs every Fri-Sun until the weekend of November 19-21st, so if you're thinking of making your own little pilgrimage you still have time!

As you can see, we're at the bazaar bright and early, our shopping engines revved.

The Third World Bazaar is a different shopping experience and has become incredibly well known in the five years that it's been operating. First of all, it's in a refurbished barn in the wee town of Manotick Station. It's a family-owned biz and owners Peggy and Dick Bakker travel to developing countries buying jewellery, accessories, home decor, clothing and other items directly from the artisans working in those countries.

Then they open their barn for seven consecutive weekends a year for the masses to comb through the displays for great holiday gifts and more (my Mom always picks up handmade Christmas ornaments for the kids and grandkids here). The feel-good part is that they offer fair trade prices to the artisans and craftspeople they buy from, but they're able to pass on what they call warehouse prices to peeps like us who love beautifully-made pieces as they ship the items themselves and save on costs on other ways.

Needless to say, I could have bought a swack of stuff if my budget permitted. These wood chain-like neck pieces caught my eye - can't remember where they're from - as they suit the rocker-glam look I've been cultivating of late.

And I haven't admitted it til now, but I heart hearts, especially when they're big and chunky and not so perfect looking ....

As you may know from reading this blog, I'm an accessories statement piece junkie because I find that one funky, different accessory costs way less than an entire outfit and can be used to fashion multiple looks. I lingered over these beaded belts with wood clasps for a long time and couldn't decide which one to buy.

There were thinner ones but this thick black beaded belt caught my eye - only $22! But I ended up leaving it there as it was a wee bit big for my waist.

The cool thing about the place is that, even though the prices rock, you can find hi/low versions of particular items. These cuff bracelets were made of recycled pots and pans by youth living in the slums of Mathare Valley in Nairobi, Kenya.They were under $20 each, $15 if memory serves.

Meanwhile these more substantial cuffs from Morocco were around $60.

I gotta admit it: I was like a sugar-deprived kid in a candy shop. First I picked up a belt and walked around with it. Then I saw a gorgeous purple mohair scarf for $42, picked that up and put the belt back. But wait: this handbeaded bag from India was just too adorable!

I saw these gorgeous metal lamps with designs punched in them, from Egypt, last year and vowed to get one this year. They range from about $50 for a small one to $125 for a larger one. Aren't they beauts? Alas, I wasn't sure how I would cart one home on the train, and as you may know, my lamp and lighting obsession is reaching new heights of late ....

After picking up and putting down about a half dozen items I finally decided on this sheer woven top from Indonesia with gold threading in it, $32. I have so many lovely scarves, pendants, lamps, boxes and rugs that I just couldn't justify buying more. But one always needs tops, and I thought the multi-layers and ruffling too cute for words. Plus it can be glammed up or worn with jeans and boots.

My fellow shoppers picked up handmade pillows, mugs, bowls and Christmas ornaments. All in all a successful shopping sojourn! If you check it out, go early and wear your woolies as it can get cold in that barn. There's also hot cider and foodie fare outside to warm you in case you get chilled.

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