My style blogger look

This is my The Sartorialist inspired shot, a style blog I'm absolutely hooked on (along with thousands of others).It's been a busy week but the other night I spent hours scrolling through the artsy, individualist and just plan different street fashion photos posted there.Sometimes when it's cold outside (as it is in Toronto, brr) it's easier to get into a bit of a style rut where you're not as inspired about what you're wearing. Let's just say this...

Read More

True blue 1930s lamp

This look is part of my breakup reorg. It's not perfect - the cords are still showing on the floor - but I'm really digging the simplicity.I lost the black tablecloth, changed the painting to a retro print, shortened the table, and streamlined the clutter.I'm really pleased with the lamps.My style isn't modernist at all but I've always loved the white bulbous lamp I thrifted for a few dollars.But I've never paired it with an all-white, contemporary...

Read More

Silly poses, thrifted retro belt

Let's just say I don't know how models - or fellow fashiony bloggers - do it.I'm trying to model my latest find here and I'm having problems looking natural.Oops here I'm looking too natural!Right then! Let's focus on the find at hand: a retro 1960s? chain belt with ball bobble, thrifted for $3.99 this weeke...

Read More

Seeing red

My most heartfelt thanks for the many kind comments from dearly beloved readers and followers on yesterday's post. I salute you all!Speaking of hearts, I'm still seeing red over my V-day breakup.Seeing a trend here? I decided to group all my red elements in one area, to pack a real wallop.There is something to be said for having a certain amount of drama in one's adode. I'm a frenetic mass of energy - mostly productive - at the moment so why not...

Read More

Breakup Reorgs

Keep your eye on the yellow kidney-shaped dish on the rad; there's a story here.But let me begin with this:Ah, breakup reorgs.I'm inclined to redo my digs whenever I'm bored, avoiding something, or in need of some therapy.Add a recent breakup (on Valentine's, of all days) and you have a rather manic recipe for the reorg of the century.I'm divulging highly personal details, yes, just keep your eye on that yellow dish. Doesn't it look pretty in the...

Read More

Dancing Queen

I have a stuffed up head so I don't much feel like dancing, but when I do I'm donning this sequined 1980s top with a One + One tag (remember that store?).I snagged it at Goodwill for $6.99.Yellow isn't really my colour but I will jazz it up with blue eyeliner!!It's a bit of a sack shape - my gold 1970s elasticized belt will cinch it in a bit and give it some shape.Happy weeke...

Read More

Ring a ding

I love costume jewellery from the 1960s and 70s.This cocktail ring was $6.99 less 50% at last week's Goodwill sale.It's pretty big huh?I love the gold detailed base - it makes me think of a magical seascape.I recently joined the Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club, and may be selling some of my items at their second annual sale in Toronto.There's no website but mark your calendars: Saturday April 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Leaside Memorial...

Read More

Get a Head

Is this image too distressing, I wonder? Me, my neck, with no head?I was having a bad face day, and I really wanted to show you the 1980s? necklace I picked up at Goodwill's 50 percent off sale on my way home from work last Friday night.Normally I NEVER do 50 percent off days as I can't stand the crowds, nor do I have the pluck to fight with strangers over designer coats and such.But the bonus this night is that the jewellery case was all but ignored....

Read More

Is there a thing as too much boho?

I have until 9 p.m. to exchange this at Value Village.It seemed a no brainer when I bought it 7 days ago for $9.99: a 100 percent dress, made in Paris, label Rene Derhy. The floral boho look got to me, as did that "Paris" tag.But is there such a thing as boho overboard?Am I going to look like a castoff from Little House on the Prairie if I wear this?It's very fitted on top, then tends to balloon a little at the waist as the skirt flares. I could...

Read More

Thrifty Valentine's Tribute

Happy belated Valentine's! This is my thrift tribute to that day: The Men in Your Life, Timeless Advice and Wisdom on Managing the Opposite Sex, dug up for $1.99 at my local thrift store.Written by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux in 1968 and reissued in this 2004 pink-clad hardcover, this pocketbook contains many witty tidbits of advice, organized into alphabetized blurbs on various topics and running the gamut from "absence", "accessories" and "actors"...

Read More

Blue boho dress tunic

This is turning out to be Kelly's Fashion Week, given my apartment is a mess and hey, I don't often show you how I incorporate thrift into my daily fashions.I love this blue knit dress I picked up at Goodwill last year for $ 6.99. It's got a Made in Paris tag, and natch I was attracted to the boho look.I paired it with a cashmere turtleneck and a necklace I bought at a Toronto boutique made by a recovering drug addict - all proceeds went to the...

Read More

Colour me purple

You know my love for purple, and my penchant for second-hand coats.Ok ok, so I got another coat! Hey, we have wardrobes full of multiple items of everything else, so why not coats, especially in a cold climate where it can get depressing wearing the same one for half the year?This one was $14.99 at Value Village - which by the way has NOT been bought by Wal-Mart (a rumour I've heard swirling around thrifting circles).It's belted, and made of a lush...

Read More

Snowy morning; Ali MacGraw look

Snow has finally arrived in the megacity, a light dusting that is surely a portent of the deep snowdrifts to come ....I've been practically living in my latest thrift coat, a 1970s suede and fur collar belted beauty. $40 at, you guessed it, Stretch Thrift.It's quilted and super warm, and I flip up the fur collar to keep me warm. I still have conflicted feelings about second-hand fur, but I can't deny it's the warmest thing in this cold climate ....This...

Read More

Handmade hearts

The very best Valentines I've ever received were from my twin sis when we were growing up.We used to make Valentines for eachother, and the tradition even lasted into our twenties when we were away at school.This one was when we were 22. She was an art student and made the paper!! The one underneath was a pastel drawing of two hearts.I used to love making Valentines for her. When we were young we'd cut out these huge hearts from construction paper,...

Read More

My mosaic pin

Isn't this a pretty pin?I've always wanted a mosaic pin but have never found one while junking - the old ones are too dear to end up in the thrift shop I suspect.This one was 10 bucks at The Elegant Garage Sale on Bayview Ave in Toronto. You can tell it's old.It was a deal because there's a tiny bit of red missing on the right-hand side. I can try filling it in with something, but I don't much care as I love ...

Read More

Fellow bloggers' style at the junk shop

Funny how as you read the blogs and comments of your fellow thrifty bloggers, you get to know their design and decor sensibility.These typewriters, for example, are without a doubt something Thrifted Treasure would go ga-ga for.Think she may also like this retro industrial chic dish rack.I love the rack and the dish, which has an Old World feel crossed with a boho look.Speaking of boho I kinda like this framed print (with reflection from light fixture,...

Read More

Made in Canada glam for $4.99

In keeping with yesterday's post: I have a thing about made-in-Canada retro handbags.Most, like the one you see here, are architecturally beautiful. Now I'm sure design isn't endemic to Canada or anything, but when I found it at Goodwill yesterday for $4.99 I had to restrain myself:It's a pebbled leather or faux croc bag in excellent condition. The inside, as you see below, is all suede and the interior tag reads, "Handbags by Paragon, Toronto Canada."I'm...

Read More

Made in Canada and the future of thrift stores

What do you think of my new wool boucle jacket?Debbie Shuchat, made in Canada, found at Stretch Thrift in Pape Village, $6.99.Very Chanel, with a twist.I love Debbie Shuchat. And it's nice to find her creations with a Made in Canada tag on them.I'm pretty sure she's started manufacturing offshore, as with so many designers around the Globe.You can still find samples by her that say Made in Canada at the Mendocino outlet stores, but that's another...

Read More

Scary things in the window

Normally the stuff in thrift shop windows lures people in, rather than scares them away.This chair, recently showcased in my local thrift store, was somewhat questionable, especially with the $149.99 price tag.But it was solid wood. It was just so huge, and so ornate, and in my opinion, really ugly.It sat there for a while. They slashed the price. Then one day, it was gone.This one made me gasp.Now I know fur hats have experienced a bit of a comeback...

Read More