Da Thrifted Sistas

We're not gonna take it!No! We ain't gonna take it!We're not gonna take those chandeliers thrown in the trash ... anymore!!Especially when they're identical!Ah yes, we're the trash rebels, my twin sis and I.I'd like to think my junking ways have rubbed off on my sis but don't think I can claim that here as she's been known to do a trash dig from time to time over the years.When she saw some twin brass chandeliers at the curb last week, well, she...

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Fugly, freaky cool or fantastic?

Ever bought something you were attracted to and repelled by at the same time?That was me in my local thrift shop yesterday when I found this belt for $3.99.I thought it was a necklace as it was hanging from the jewellery rack, but the front part is so heavy it would never hang properly on the neck.It just happened to fit perfectly around my waist. Was that a reason to buy it? The wings. The lion head. The strips of leather decorated with odd Tribal-influence...

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A Touch of Vintage spring sale

Who are these jaunty ladies?They're Victoria and Diana, owners of online Etsy vintage shop A Touch of Vintage.I discovered the gals' online shop a month or so, only to discover they have a physical 'shop' in Toronto - ie: all you have to do is message them on Etsy and book an appointment to take a look at their vintage goods in person!The 'shop' is in Riverdale, my 'hood, so natch I popped in to meet the gals and had a grand old time.I'm not much...

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Grunge Queen reader stories

Isn't this a beautiful brooch?Doreen, a Grunge Queen reader who has become a friend, made it for me.Doreen and I met a few months ago after corresponding via email, and we discovered we were fellow writers, thrifters, and general kindred spirits - and we share the same B-day to boot!Last weekend we met for lunch and a thrift dig, and she presented me with the brooch and another wonderful pressie she made ....A Grunge Queen ring!I just love it. And...

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It bag a la thrift?

I haven't shown you my apartment lately - hope you're not getting sick of my mug. I've been too busy to be creative in my pad, but rest assured spring deco fever will kick in soon!This is me in front of the new/old Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, wearing my thrifted suede/fur coat and Italian 1970s shades.I sure won't be wearing the coat today - it's going to be 15 degrees C in TO today, yay!But I sure will be toting around what I am now calling...

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Heavenly vintage-esque shawl

I want to be buried in this shawl.Ok, since I want to be cremated, let's just say I'll be seeing it in heaven.And heavenly it is. Made of vintage and new purple patterned velvet fabric and dyed by a local designer, even the fringe, it's the most gorgeous piece I've ever seen.Investment piece. That's why I'm not only seeing it in heaven; I'm also wearing it til I die, even if all those fringes unravel to, well, hell.I found it at my fave new local...

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Sometimes I wear new

Yup, it happens. Most of my outfits are thrift, but sometimes - rarely - I buy at the mall.That's 'cos I have a shopping column. Last year when I did a column at Canadian retailer Costa Blanca I walked home with most of this outfit.The ripped jeans were less than $40, if memory serves, and so was the black boyfriend jacket.The neon top that makes me have curves I don't have? It came in a goodie bag at the launch of the spring collection of Toronto...

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New York, New York

This is my Rich Bitch New York look, created for the vintage costume jewellery shoot last weekend.Putting this together was a blast. I found the pink silky jacket at Goodwill for 50 percent off, meaning it was 10 bucks! It's in perfect condition save for a tiny hole at the back. The tag reads "Helft's Statler Hilton Los Angeles" so it must have been a line created for the hotel.I'm wearing it over a thrifted Teenflo dress (found for under $10 at...

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Boho wedding

I want to get married.So I can buy.This jacket.I interviewed Kim Ironmonger of Toronto's Valencienne boutique yesterday. Ironmonger has been custom designing bridal and evening wear for 25 years, and she has an amazing story (stay tuned on my Twitter bar for that one).Back to the jacket.You know my penchant for statement piece jackets, with a boho twist and a dash of velvet.And velvet is is - silk velvet, to be exact. It was intended to go with...

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Lover chairs in the trash

I was on my way to work yesterday and what did I see peeping out from a mattress in the famous Trash Pile on my street?Looks like a wing back chair to me.Sure, the pattern on it is kinda 1990s ick, but then again it does have a semi Anthropologie look to it, n'est pas?A closer look from a different angle revealed two chairs, nestled one on top of the other, as though they were spooning.Ahh, how cute. I want to give these chairs a home. I didn't turn...

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Rock n' Pearl

That's not Avon calling.That's me on the phone at The Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Toronto, wearing heaps of vintage and retro pearls for a photo shoot.Hopefully these photos will generate some interest in the media about the Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club Show and Sale this Saturday, April 24 at the Leaside Memorial Gardens.They were graciously snapped by Joey Cee, Toronto entertainment entrepreneur and long-time associate producer of...

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Art Deco and air force

NOTE: This is NOT from the Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club photo shoot yesterday.Let me assure you those photos are waaay better!But while I wait for the photos to come to me I'll give you a taste of more vintage-esque jewellery.I found the Art Deco style pin I'm wearing on my boy blazer lapel at Miras Consignment Boutique in the Beach.It was only $15.My friend, Chris, pointed out that it looks sorta air force inspired, and I think he's right.It...

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French moi

I'm going on a cruise to the French Riviera!Ha ha. I wish.So I'll have to make do with this AMAZING French blazer I thrifted on the way to work a week ago.The label:Didier Parakian.The cost: $6.99 LESS 50 percent!The style: Most awesome blazer I've ever ever seen.It's black velvet with multi-coloured splashes, blue buttons and a funky peplum, and an asymmetrical collar at the back.I could definitely dress it up more but I was so excited to wear it...

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My new crush

Ever bought something you found alarmingly beautiful but wasn't quite sure how it would fit into your life?This Art Deco, brass and glass necklace found at an antique market on Danforth Ave in Toronto, wasn't exactly a Grunge Queen price.But oh, I love it so.It's stamped "Regina" and though some of my pals at the club I've recently joined, the Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club, had heard of the name, no one could find any info on it.I'll get...

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Punch of pink & purple thrift

I think I match my website here.I thought I'd show you a spring-like ensemble that, with the exception of the tights (and the artisan crafted leather bag), is 100 percent thrift!Long brown scarf, used H&M, can't remember how much but under $20.Stuart Weitzman shoes I bought last week at Goodwill, $9.99.Made in Italy boho purple dress, $20 at a consignment store.Retro pink wool-cashmere coat thrifted at Value Village for $14.99.I feel like a spring...

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Reading room

Here are my bunnies. Ever since redoing my bedroom (see a few posts below), they've been hanging out on the bed, as they are here.I love the vintage-esque pillow I bought at Pottery Barn (with a media gift certificate. The pillow was not a thrifter special!).It's sitting on a duvet cover I thrifted over 10 years ago for $3.99, which has this dusty rose on one side and a light blue on the other.The brass bed was also found over 10 years ago for just...

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Madame Vroom-Vroom

Meet Madame Vroom-Vroom.I didn't find her - she kinda found me this weekend.I was in a shop doing research and was having a great time chatting with the owner. I told her how much I loved her store, and she gave me this pin because as she put it, she always gives a gift to newcomers. Wowsers.Or maybe it was because I asked to take pictures and the 20-somethings in there with me just starting snapping away.No matter. I accepted the pin (and bought...

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Major designer steal at Goodwill

Excuse the run in my tights.I'm hoping that people were focusing on other things when I wore this outfit yesterday, like the oversize navy 1980s blazer with the big gold buttons I thrifted at Goodwill the other day.And do you notice the shoes? Forget the Kenneth Cole ones I bagged for $3.99 a few days ago.These ones were $9.99, almost brand new, and by ... Stuart Weitzman!Stuart Weitzman shoes are made in Spain and take 6-8 weeks to craft, according...

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