All-American pendant

I'm not an American, but I was so drawn to this pendant necklace I found in Toronto's Continuum Modern Vintage, a lovely vintage-esque shop on Pape at Danforth. The pendant reminds me of one of those bead counting toys (can never remember the name) that kids learn to count with.

As you may be able to see by the tag, it's a Sarah Coventry piece. SC jewellery is pretty easy to find, quite collectible though not worth tons of bucks. I don't care as I love the SC bling from the 1960s and 70s.

Though I sometimes wear this shade of blue, I don't wear these colours, really (and who, other than an American patriot, would wear them all together?), so I'm still not sure what I'll wear this with. But don't you worry, I will find my way with it!

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Peep show

I kinda like these semi-lame, semi sexy shots in which I snap pics of myself in the mirror (not having a photog that follows me around all day, alas): they're somewhat illicit in my opin, a snapshot, if you will, into a life that's glanced at from behind.

There's nothing especially thrifty about my outfit here. The skirt was a dress, purchased in a West Palm Beach gift shop, that I've pulled down and used as a skirt as the elastic is going, and the tank was a cheapie new purchase. The 70s belt is vintage, natch.

What I really wanted to show you is this gorg crystal pendant. It was supposed to be a gift for a friend, but then I found something more appropriate and kept it, which really worked out as I love it! The crystal is suspended on a long gold-tone chain. I hauled out the magnifying glass when I got home and could barely make out, in tiny tiny print on the clasp loop, a Birks signature. Looks like the piece may be gold or gold-plated too - I can't quite make it out, though. I can't tell if this piece is vintage - what do you think?

Found at one of my fave shops, Continuum Modern Vintage on Pape Avenue at Danforth Ave. in Toronto.

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This little vintage piggy went to the antique market

But she didn't cry wee wee wee all the way home - that's 'cos she had such a fun time with her gal pal, Marsha, at the Sunday Antique Market at the St. Lawrence Market downtown!!

It was a fab day for so many reasons - and not just because I got to eyeball goodies such as this modish plastic purse with boho embellishments (a bit of a contradiction in terms for me, but still it caught my eye).

I also got to meet 'in the flesh' some amazing folk that I have only known in the Twitter or blogosphere - like Yank Azman, who shares a booth at the market with his wife (he does guy vintage stuff like cufflinks and she does bling and handbags - the bag above is hers, and it was selling for only $40).

Yank is an antiques dealer, actor and so much more (check out the link I've provided; he's a true Renaissance Man), and he was one of my first Twitter pals; then we became Facebook friends, and then I SAW him at a bunch of Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club sales but I didn't introduce myself as he was so busy selling (NOTE: next TVCJC sale is Sunday, April 17 at Leaside Gardens, 10am-4pm, free admission and really good vintage bling!). Then today, at market, we finally met - and the crazy thing is, we both recognized each other in an instant! (This retro plastic crochet-like purse: only $30).

I also saw tons of my pals from the TVCJC who are dealers at the market. One dealer, "Robbie", is a relation of a lovely lady who I met through the club. I've only ever corresponded with Robbie via email, so again, it was great to put the face to the name. It looks as though he just may well be the King of the Sunday Antique Market. He occupies one of the best tables (at the southern end, on a corner, in between the washrooms and the snackbar) and it looks as though every one knows him.

I also had the pleasure of meeting - finally - Kelly Stapleton of BlackRose Vintage, who I 'met' through this blog. Kelly and a few other vintage dealers have the only standalone shop in the same building as the Sunday Antique Market, called Antiques at the St Lawrence (no website but check out 92 Front St. E; 416-350-8865 and open Thursdays - Sundays).

Kelly and I were having so much fun chatting that I can't give you the full low down on what she carries, but suffice it to say the shop is full of Shabby Chic linens, English china and assorted tableware, and a range of vintage accessories, clothing and bling.

Meanwhile outside, I found this pendant and chain from dealer Larry Noble. I was generally disappointed with the vintage bling at the market as a whole - there are a few good dealers, and the rest sell junky contemporary stuff. This piece was inexpensive and I just loved its rough hewn look - such a contradiction when you look at the style of the piece.

Larry has some neat jewellery items - some vintage, some contemporary, some handmade. His crystal-like necklaces that you can see behind him are outfitted with glimmering chandelier pieces as pendants, and let me tell you, they catch my eye every time I go to the market. Think I will have to buy one the next time I go back

Especially since I am now in possession of an Anti Haggle coupon Larry gave me, which entitles me to 25% off my next purchase. What a sweetheart.

Larry also gave me a Happiness and Good Fortune coupon, which invites me to Keep my Sunnyside Up, Be Thankful, and Keep Smiling, and Think Positive. Words to live by.

It was an apt message to take home from the market, because today was a very good Karma day. All of the people I have written about here I like and would buy from - in fact would deliberately seek them out. Buying from peeps you like keeps the good Karma churning, in my opin.

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Fur in the mirror

These rather horrible pics of moi in the mirror seem to receive a lot of hits - so here I am wearing my spring prep outfit donned one warmish day last week that was, alas, short-lived. I'm wearing my new Costa Blanca skinny jeans - boy are they skinny - along with my thrifted Italian suede booties, a Point Zero cardi I found at the $2 Sale in Toronto, a real cashmere scarf found at a shop on St. Clair Ave. W in Toronto for under $10, a leather dollar store belt ($2), and a thrifted blue fur jacket.

I admit to having my reservations about even thrifted fur. But it's so damn warm, and I really liked the look I pulled together.The leather bag slung over the shoulder gave it a chic, je ne sais quoi kind of 'tude.

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Fave Shop: Continuum Modern Vintage

Continuum Modern Vintage is one of my absolute fave vintage type shops. (It's where the shoes from yesterday's post came from). Owner Daina Liepa is celebrating a year in biz and I just came back from her anniversary fete.

Daina has such a great eye. She roams estate sales and antique auctions and finds the most beautiful and distinctive items in impeccable condition: a vintage porcelain Tiffany's box; white Limoges china; a gorgeous retro teak hutch.

What isn't in perfect shape gets a makeover - like this old coffee table she painted white and added a glass top to. There's also custom upholstery services available for furniture, headboards, you name it ....

... or you could buy it right off the shelf, so to speak. Walk into the shop and you could find a gorgeous Anthropologie-esque sofa, or a lush contemporary headboard with pillows, numerous custom-made throws and scarves.

I took this baby home: vintage velvet patterned fabric, dyed over with purple, to which a fringe, also dyed purple, was added, with brown velvet fabric on the other side. The most gorgeous thing I've seen in my life, and when I wear it, people practically stop me in the street.

Prices are really good, too, way better than the overinflated prices you see for the 'vintage' stuff they sell in uber trendy parts of town.

With vintage jewellery, luscious new candles, carefully selected vintage glasswear and accessories, this is a gift-givers paradise, a haven for those who love beautiful pieces and just an overall lovely store to browse in!

707 Pape Ave., 416-778-1200

For a review of Continuum and other shops just off the beaten path of the Danforth, see my January 2010 shopping column in the Town Crier newspapers

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Vintage shoes, never worn, my man bought me

Ah, le romanace. I'm not getting X-rated here, trust me: but I am showing off my sexy 'new' shoes my British mannie bought for me at one of my fave vinatage-esque shops (the latter of which I'll tell you about tomorrow) when he was visiting me a few weeks ago.

A pilot, he's now in Spain slumbering away through his birthday, so let this pic of my legs and the shoes serve as a little B-day pressie over the seas, tee hee.

But they are pretty sexy, aren't they? And only $25 (I'm a cheap date, what can I say). You know I have a thing for 1970s chic. Well these babies are '70s all the way: suede cross-over strappies with an open toe. Never worn. So boo-tiful. Thanks honey! I will def wear them for you the next time I see you!!

This could explain why they never sold: there's a different make on each pump! One says, "Celina, Made in Canada" ; the other, "Mugford  Shoes Ltd", an Ontario-based company that's been in existence since 1965 or so. Perhaps Celina was a make of Mugford? Or maybe the shoes were for different companies but made in the same factory? It's a mystery. What matters: I have my shoes, I have a good story about them, and yes, I have my mannie!

Tomorrow I'll show you the shop we found 'em in, which is, speaking of birthdays, celebrating its year B-day this month.

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Pop Up Shop on Queen East until December 31

It's not listed, there's no phone number, and nata a website. But I CAN tell you the shop is called craisy's; it's located at 888 Queen St. East, just where Leslieville meets Riverside in Toronto; and it's open until December 31.

The shop carries mostly fair trade imports from Peru, Mexico and so on. The wool and jewellery rocks, though you can pick up sea salts, kid's stuff and other accessories.

This wool Al Paca beret: a mere $15.

The real oak leaf dipped in some sort of metal (there were maple leaf variations dipped in sterling too): $25.

This gorgeous purple Al Paca sweater would have cost $150-200 in other stores, I'm guessing, but here it was $57. After my beret and my pendant I was broke, so my hunny bought it for me, the sweetheart that he is. I've been wearing the sweater in this damp weather - today I donned it with leggings and but a big belt at the waist - and it's been keeping me warm, and reminding me of my man.

The hat, meanwhile, is impossibly chic and has already turned into a staple. See how la-di-da it looks with some retro 1970s shades, and my hunky mannie?

See my recent review of Craisy's and some other new Leslieville area shops in my "Shopping" column in the Town Crier newspapers

P.S. Leslieville's "Wanderlust" evening shop hop is this Thursday, November 18! Many shops will be having specials and events and will be open late - I hear some will be open til 11pm. A family and stoller-friendly event too, I hear.

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