BCBG dress 20 years old, $5.99

Notice: hips in this picture appear larger than they actually are.

Joke. Well, the pattern does make one look bigger. But I do love the mosaic print of this cute BCBG dress, found for $5.99 at Canadian Thrift. I wore it with a hot pink knit bolero and sassy strappy heels.

The neat thing: I work in Toronto's design district on Wingold Ave., where all the fashion brands wholesale to retailers. I walked into a cafe for lunch today and a woman said, "That's BCBG. I sold that dress to stores in 1992."

Who would have thought? The dress is in such great shape, and so stylishly applicable, that I thought it was somewhat current. Wonder if the BCBG brand is so timeless and as good a quality today?

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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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Like, groovy shades, man

Peace, fellow groovy hipsters. I'm here with my $1.99 thrifted 1960s (70s?) shades to spread the word of harmony and happiness through thrifting. It, like, saves the world, man - I mean woman! I'm an equal opportunity thrifter! And I've been working all weekend so I'm in a bit of a silly mood - can you tell? And what do you think of my shades, btw?

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Just beat the 99-cent bling deal

Two words: 49 cents.

This 1970s gold-tone pendant reminds me of that retro Coke TV commercial with a bunch of people singing "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony" - there's a Christmas tree involved, too, but I can't recall if it's the people who form the tree or if there's an actual tree in the picture. Anyway, this pendant is like a Christmas tree and just evoked that memory in me.

I didn't have a chain to put it on, but then I realized I had this vintage signed gold-tone chain I never really wear as it's too plain pour moi.

Mmm.

Add a jump ring and we may just have a Grunge Queen special!

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We went; we modeled; we shopped!

Oh, the fun we had. My gal pal Marsha (pictured here in this lovely vintage dress and matching summer hat) and I had so much fun this past weekend at Toronto's Common Sort, a veritable treasure trove of second-hand and vintage clothing and accessories (with locations on Queen Street East AND West).

Owner Nicole Babin has it bang on: not only can you shop like a crazed deal diva in her stores (the Parkdale Queen West location is larger and packed with good stuff), but you can also bring in your stylish duds and if Nicole likes 'em, she'll let you trade them in for other stuff in the form of a store credit (think she can give you cash too - but hey, once you get there you'll want to shop til you drop).

Also a fashion photog, Nicole does this really cool thing where customers come in and model her wares, and the pics are posted to her website blog. In return the happy model gets a store credit - and as you can see, Marsha put hers to work right away with this gorg vintage blue drop waist dress (on the sale rack for five bucks!) and matching shoes that she took home with her! Doesn't she look stunning?

Using my credit and then a bit more, I went home with most of this outfit: Paige denim capris ($34 and they fit me like a second skin); Juicy Couture tie-dye tank ($18) and darling Banana Republic scarf with animal print motif ($14). The gold ballet flats, Kenneth Cole, were found for a twoonie at the $2 Sale in Toronto, and the vintage John Hort bag isn't mine but I may have to go back for it!!

The 'reveal' post with Marsha and I modeling the Common Sort duds picked out by the resident stylist - coming!!

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99-cent thrifting streak??

Nothing could beat the find featured in yesterday's post, but I have to show you another 99 cent find I dug up this weekend in the most unexpected of places: a bead and craft shop selling mostly imports from the Philippines, largely jewellery making supplies.

But there's a section of vintage bibs and bobs in the store, mostly broken, that you're supposed to do something crafty with. Since I am not at all crafty, but rather a vintage bauble junkie, I sat on my butt on the floor for a good half hour rifling through the stuff, eventually unearthing this modernist style pendant - completely intact! For 99 cents to boot.

Totally my style. Maybe I'm on a 99-cent spending streak!!

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Danish modern pendant for ... guess how much?

I saw this pendant hanging from a bunch of chains and baubles in a thrift shop, but it stood out amidst the junky stuff. I thought it was glass at first until I noticed its smokiness - definitely a stone. There was a signature on the back but all I could make out was "Sterling." I really liked the design, so I asked the gal how much it was.

She said, "Two dollars." Poker face response on my side. Then in a heartbeat she said, "Ninety-nine cents!." I guess she mistook my lack of response for dissatisfaction with two bucks. But in truth I was amazed she'd let go of it for a mere twoonie.

Of course, dear readers, I bought it.

Got it home, took a peep under the glass, and see this is a piece signed AE From, otherwise known as Nils Erik From, a Danish jeweller born in 1908 who developed his own jewellery line. This would be a piece from the 1960s or so. The jewellery is no longer in production.

Did a quick search on Ebay and there's a lot of From pieces out there, but they're not cheap. An identical pendant on Ebay but with Rose Quartz was listed at $500. Granted, online listings don't always represent the true value of a piece, but lots of other From pieces were priced at several hundred dollars.

Anyway, I really like it and after seeing other From pieces online, I'm going to look out for them! Not bad for 99 cents!

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