Dare I give him the gift ... of thrift??

Does this look like a man who could bear a gift ... that's thrift?

I'm not so sure. When I gave my talk last week to a women's group on shoestring shopping for the holidays, I warned them against buying thrift gifts for peeps who may not, um, appreciate them. I used my dear mannie as an example. I don't mean this in a mean way. It's just who he is. While I'm a thrift store addict boho clutter bug, he's a new high-tech loving guy with a streamlined style sense, who's got the latest iPod this, fancy car, Abercrombie & Fitch wardrobe, etc ... I swore I'd never buy him a thrift gift, ever. Ever.

But truth be told: I'm a gal on a tight budget, and well, I just can't afford the latest iPod this or that. And I know he doesn't expect that from me. But what's a gal to do, then, when she wants to buy her Brit hunk, from far away, a lovely giftie for the holidays (especially when he's going to do his utmost to get his cute butt over here for Christmas to spend with 'lil 'ole me)?

The other day, I found this amazing gift in a thrift shop (amazing to me, of course - whether he'll find it amazing is, exactly, the question!). Unfortunately I can't even show it to you, because my dear sweet man checks in to my blog when he's not navigating the skies. But this gift, let's say, relates to what he does (pilot who travels a lot), has a sense of history (and is most certainly vintage), is practical and could be used if he wants, and is somewhat design-savvy - if not that then most certainly interesting style-wise - and is pretty well made, in my humble opin. (No honey, it's not a vintage model plane, sorry).

I think I may just go for broke (literally, ha ha) and give it to him.

But I never thought I'd ever, ever give him the gift of thrift!!

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I cannot tell a lie

Part of yesterday's holiday drop-in event for my gal pals entailed selling off some of my bling and accessories, as you can see from the above.

Don't hate me. I have explored the idea of having a public sales event for lovely readers like you, and even asked you, some time ago, to email me if you were interested in attending such a sale. A few people responded, but after not selling as much as I had hoped yesterday, I'm wondering if such a sale would be fruitful for me, and useful for you.

In truth, I have a lot - A LOT - of stuff that I will be selling off, either in one fell swoop or in little dribs and drabs (the latter isn't my most preferable mode) - everything from jewellery, clothes, fashion and decor accessories, and furniture. I had thought of having a personal sale in my pad, but in order to get rid of the volume I am intending to I'm not sure my place could support the masses of people - many strangers - I would need to attract to the sale.

Any ideas for getting rid of the lot, or have you tried a worthwhile technique? And as a fellow second-hand style lover, if you were interested in taking a gander at some of my goodies and buying for good deals, what sort of selling method or venture would appeal to you? (online, personal sale, etc?). Any feedback you have would be appreciated.

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Chic a la cheap (casual) holiday entertaining

Jeepers, I'm exhausted. I haven't entertained in months, and here I go doing it two days in a row.

How does a Grunge Queen entertain, you ask? You know the answer to that: la chic a la cheap.

First, grab a few bottles of wine, some plain fizzy water, and some orange fizzy water. Toss some vintage wine glasses (found a la thrift store) on a thrifted silver platter to get in the festive spirit.

Next: seasonal tangerines pop against as thrifted blue bowl made in Italy, while easy peasies like pretzels look almost elegant in a cobalt blue bowl I've had for years.

The dip at the front with the cheese on top, btw, is inexpensive and easy and people go bonkers over it: simply mix in a package of (low fat) cream cheese and sour cream and spread it on a platter. Pour some salsa over that, and some chopped tomatoes and red peppers over that, and finish it off with shredded cheddar and tortilla chips for dipping. Done in 10 minutes!

These no-bake cookies can be whipped up in the same amount of time - and they're real crowd pleasers too. They may not look as elegant on a chilled cut glass vintage platter (thrifted for $3.99) as fancy canapes, perhaps, but try one and you'll go back for more.

Just bring a cup of milk, half a pound butter, 2 cups sugar (I use one cup) and 6 tablespoons cocoa to a slow boil, reduce heat and add a dash vanilla extract, a cup shredded coconut and three cups uncooked oats. Roll em in balls and chill. Voila! Easy peasy entertaining for casual get-togethers (the only ones in my books).

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Olive Oil or French chic?

When I was 14 I used to wear this outfit my Mom called my Olive Oil look. I thought I looked so super chic, with my long straight skirt, little granny booties, and oversize cardigan. But as Mom pointed out years later, I did rather look like the stringy character from Popeye.

I thought I looked rather chic in this thrifted outfit yesterday, consisting of a wool Ports sweater (maybe $5?) and green wool skirt made in France (again, $4 or $5). Boots were new, but purchased a decade ago at the Bay, and the necklace made with vintage beads by Toronto designer Gay Isber).

But when I saw these pics of me, I wondered if I hadn't resurrected my Olive Oil look? The square-toed boots are a wee bit dated and make me look rather gawky-Olive Oli-ish. And the long straight skirt makes me look, well, long and straight.

Shades of my 14-year old style self or French chic?

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The Gift of Thrift: Christmas

Tonight I gave a "Shopping on a Shoestring" talk to a lovely group of ladies who are part of a professional women's group associated with the local chapter of Dress For Success, a charity that helps clothe women who are preparing to enter the workforce.

The theme: holiday shopping. Natch, the topic of thrift came up. I brought a little tickle trunk of thrifted gift goodies to show during my talk, including this HUGE hardcover coffee table book on Van Gogh I found at Value Village for $5.99.This is at least a $100 book, more I bet. And it's in excellent shape - only a wee tear on the back jacket - and doesn't have that musty book smell that all too often accompanies used books. The cool thing: when I was carrying it home after I bought it, a girl stopped me on the street and told me it was an excellent book!

It's for my artist sis and I know she'll love it. Hope she doesn't read this post!

I'll be featuring more nifty thrifty gifty ideas for the holidays coming up!!

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What I got at the vintage bling sale yesterday

This was the scene yesterday at the third semi-annual Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club Show & Sale, a group I am part of. I wasn't selling but I did pop in to take a gander. It was a busy day and I did the entire round of close to 30 tables.

Now, you know I'm in clear out mode. So my mission: find one special piece and spend only what was in my pocket, $40.

Here I am at the sale. I'm looking pretty happy - and not just because I'm wearing my first pair of leggings (a cross between a jegging and a legging as they are made of a cotton cord material) since the 1980s. I'm also wearing THE PIECE I bought yesterday, which cost exactly $40!!

It's a vintage (circa) 1970s Napier pendant with these cut out concave jelly-bean shapes in red, white and black enamel. Very sculptural. I actually saw this very piece at the club's spring show and wanted to buy it then. This time, the seller and club member, a real sweetie, remembered that I loved it. She had it priced at $70 but gave me a super sweet deal. Thanks M!

Here's a pic I snapped of the piece at the spring sale.

Napier began, under a different name, in the States in 1875, apparently. The Napier brand is still being manufactured under the Jones Apparel Group (JAG) today.

I'm pretty happy with my new bling. As you can see, it's a real showstopper against a black cashmere turtleneck!

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Toronto Costume Vintage Jewellery Club Show & Sale - TODAY

I was eye-balling this piece at the spring Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club Show & Sale but didn't get it, alas. Well the doors opened at 10 a.m. today for the fall show, at Leaside Memorial Gardens, 1078 Millwood Rd. in Toronto.

I'm still feeling under the weather with a bad cold and sinus infection, but I'm hopping on a bus soon and hope to be there around noon to take a gander and visit with some of my bling lovin' pals. If you're thinking of popping in the show is in the William Lea room and runs til 4 p.m. today. There are 20+ vendors selling vintage costume jewellery, purses, accessories and vanity items.

Maybe I'll see you there!!

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