Easter hats in the window, for only a pound

I love this: a local shop selling contemporary clothing has been having its retirement sale for weeks now, and the owner is hauling out all her old, unused and unsold stock and samples, along with her own personal vintage collection, as the sale winds down. Spotted in the window last week: a collection of hats worthy of an Easter Parade!

And most of them were a pound. Crazy eh? Alas, I had no plans for church or a fancy tea event, so most of the styles didn't really suit my life.

And the one I really wanted - the forest green wide-brimmed hat in the back, with the studs on it for three pounds - looked like a sombrero on me. Too bad. I did find one blue one (not pictured) that's sort of 70s-esque. If I ever wear it with an outfit I'll show you.

I really admired this beaded and fringed Art Deco purse in the window. These babies aren't cheap online or at vintage markets. It was in great condition and I really liked the faded Easter-like colours. Do you think I bought it?

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Boho bliss - my first Polyvore creation!!

I am so jazzed - another thing to be addicted to along with Etsy! Sad that I've been blogging for a few years and have just discovered Polyvore, but better late than never. Here's my first fashion set, inspired by a lovely vintage Versace skirt and my bohemian style ethic. Enjoy!

Boho bliss by grungequeen featuring a ruffle shirt

Prabal Gurung ruffle shirt, $1,150
Joe Browns jean jacket, £38
Pleated skirt, £158
Stuart Weitzman floral print sandals, $345
Satchel handbag, $40
Alkemie shell jewelry, $130
Wunderkind coin necklace, £609
1STDIBS.COM - Fuller + Roberts Co. - Large Italian Poster for HAROLD...
1STDIBS.COM - Coup d'Etat - A Pied Peaccock
Exposure Gold Decorative Vase, £15
1STDIBS.COM - Le Trianon - A Fine Italian Silver Giltwood Mirror
Areaware Distortion Candlestick, $24
1STDIBS.COM - Hollyhock - Dodie Thayer - Dodie Thayer Cabbage Leaf Cup...
Areaware Distortion Candlestick, $24
19th C. Limoges Enamel on Copper Portrait in Frame from piatik on Ruby..., $375
Nearly Natural Indoor/Outdoor Potted Grass with White Vase |...
Kim Seybert Capiz Placemat, $65
Baroque Frames | Ornate Frames | Baroque Painting Frames, $78

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Humour in decorating

My creative decor juices haven't been flowing for a while, so in memory of my former digs in Toronto(which some, not to brag, have compared to Carrie Bradshaw's pad in Sex in the City), I will, in the next few days, be showing you some of my fave decor looks from over the years. I'm a fan of what I call emotional decorating - ie: not being scared to proudly display and utilize items and momentos you love in your living space - and over the years, like anything in life, I guess, I've also cultivated a bit of humour when it comes to trussing up my apartments. Why not? Both philosophies make me smile and love my where I live all the more.

Meaning the man in the painting in the first pic (painted by my twin sis and artist Kendra Gadzala) is sharing a view with the ethnic statue I picked up at Value Village for a few bucks! Spring can be inspiring, after all, so why not let the clear plastic purple teddy bear piggy bank frolic with the tulips of the same hue? So if you're getting too stressed about everything being matchy-matchy and hyper-organized, remember: decorating needn't be dismal - it can be fun!

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My twin sis bought my dress in the local thrift store!

This pic was snapped in January 2010, months before meeting my future hubby and moving to the UK. But when the big move was in progress, I had to get rid of (as I'm sure you can imagine) a pile of stuff. I put aside this Italian-made dress, which I had bought second-hand in a Toronto consignment shop, for my twin sis, but she either didn`t see it or didn`t like it - neither of us can remember as it was such a hectic time. So I donated it to Stretch Thrift, our friendly neighbourhood thrift shop on Pape Ave. in Toronto.
Fast-forward to end of 2011, to after I had I left Toronto and was about to move to the UK. My sis was in said thrift shop, and she saw this dress. She was missing me so much and even though she wasn`t sure if she`d wear it, she had a feeling it was mine ... and so, dear reader: she bought it.
Love it.

You`ve heard me speak of emotional decorating. This is stronger stuff, propelled by emotion. Call it psychic thrift.

Miss ya, love ya, sis. Wear the frock in good health ... and think of me. xo

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Oh, for the jeans that are no more

Sigh. I bought these second-hand Paige denim capris last summer, directly after this photo was taken. (While I'm at it I'll deconstruct the pictured outfit, comprised of all second-hand finds: Paige denim capris, $32; Kenneth Cole flats found at the $2 Sale in Toronto; Juicy Couture tie-dye tank, about $20; Banana Republic scarf, about $12; and vintage 1970s crystal pendant, about $30. The purse is a vintage crochet made in Canada beaut by John Hort, circa 1960s, which I wish I had picked up from the consignment store in which this pic was snapped).

After going through my boxes, I have discovered, upon trying said capris on, that I can't get the zipper up. True, they're tiny (a small 28) and I probably needed to gain a bit of weight (though my thighs are disagreeing), but oh, let me mourn these denim babies. The dreaded 41-year old metabolic slow-down has begun, and my bod will not go gentle into that good night, I swear. But, since I have said goodbye to so many things these past few months - and happily so as it means I finally get to be with my hunny - I will also let go of these, albiet with a heavy heart, and relegate them to the charity shop bag.

I loved these designer jeans too. Also second-hand, these Angel skinnies were thrifted for just a few bucks in Toronto and were donated to a pal before my overseas move - I guess the poundage put-on had already begun in the fall, alas. They were wee, admittedly, but they looked good with everything and I tell you, I'm struggling to find a pair of skinny jeans in northern England, let alone flattering ones. Every one is too busy wearing leggings, or (heavens) ripped black tights under cut-off light blue denim shorts. Since I'm slowly slipping into decrepitide, in spite of long walks on the beach and yoga a few times a week, perhaps I should forgo the skinny jean look and wear more age-appropriate styles? Nah. I'm sure I will one day find a brand that suits my new (and apparently ever-expanding) shape. 



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My stuff & me

I had an emotional reunion with my clothing, jewellery and small bric-a-brac yesterday as my boxes arrived from Canada - yay!! I have been living without all my stuff for months now, and even though I got rid of 80 percent of my stash when I left Toronto, I still have a substantial bling collection, as you can see. And this pic represents only part of it! Maybe I should consider selling some, perhaps on Etsy, or having a big 'ole garage sale in the front yard (wouldn't hubby die). It's amazing how such baubles define us. I've been living sans music, sans cell phone, sans "my" fashion, with only a few sweaters and jeans, for months now, and memories of my former life in TO came flooding back as I sifted through everything ... in a way, I have ME back!

The sad thing is, because I'm not working, I don't really have much need to wear all these pretty dresses and bling-bling - that is, unless hubby takes me to dinner at The Grand Hotel in St Annes every night there's an idea! I bought some super sexy sandles at a local pop-up shop recently, which I will model with some of my new dresses (charity and from pop-up shop) once my toe heals and I can get hubby to snap some artful pics of moi. Alas, busted my foot for the umpteenth time the other day so I can't even really exert much effort unpacking my boxes. So I'll just sit on my butt for a while longer and let my man wait on me, hand and foot, tee hee.

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I heart Avon hearts these days, and Etsy too

I used to have a heart pendant, years ago, but in recent years I've thought of them as too cutsie. Then in February, while waiting to emigrate to the UK to be with the new hubby, all of a sudden, hearts had all kinds of appeal. Guess love was on the brain. Etsy.com, a fab online selling site for vintage and handmade items, yielded this vintage Avon heart necklace for less than $20 including shipping. It's not the style I typically favour, being small and sweet, but I really rather liked it, and I've worn it quite a bit in the UK. I also picked up a filigre ball pendant for my Mom for her B-day from the same seller, which she loved. Yah Etsy!!

I also found this larger Avon pendant that I reacted to emotionally, loving it on sight - don't get me wrong: it's lovely. But it's hard to dind things to wear with as I don't really wear red, and I'm not into wearing it over black as I think it would look silly. A statement piece like this merits just the perfect outfit to go with it.

A word of caution about Etsy: shop around for the same piece to see if you can get it for a lower price. The day I searched (and reacted emotionally, buying quickly), this was the only piece of its kind. Two days later there were two more, priced at substantially less. Vintage Avon pieces are common enough on Etsy, and I've seen many necklace pendants that I already own for prices ranging from $10-$50 for the same piece! So do your comparison shopping, and buy quickly only if you suspect the piece is one-of-a-kind or hard to find. Have fun - and while you're at it grab a glass of vino and take your time - before you know it, I betcha you'll have spent a good chunk of time sifting through all the vintage goodies!

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