Expensive looking yet cheapie rings

Tonight I'm testing out my hand modeling poses on you.I should change this blog's name to bling blog or something, since its contents are reflecting my increasing contume jewellery obsession. I have a couple rings that I think look really expensive but yet cost me very little. I picked this one up on a shop on the Danforth the other day named Giftings (which, sadly, is closing at the end of May) for part of a 2 for $15 deal (or one for $10).It's...

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Rock n' roll bracelet

Found at Petra's haircutting place (see two previous posts). Haven't worn it yet but I'm not really seeing a rock n' roll outfit. Instead I see it with a crisp white summer outfit: long flowy pants and a flowy top, a la boho disco trend that's happening this spring.Le sigh. IS spring comi...

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Bling & bang trims!

So the boho bling I showed you in the post before this was found at a hairdresser's in East York on Coxwell Ave. at Danforth Ave. Owner Petra cuts hair, but she sells jewellery and other baubles out of her front window! Gotta love it.She's got lots of pins and some necklaces, mostly retro and vintage. Not thrift shop prices but not bad. Worth a gander!You can't miss the sign ....

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More boho bling

The floodgates have opened: I picked up more second-hand boho bling the other day. This (sterling? looks like it but I can't find a mark) bib-style necklace is actually pretty on trend now. But I bought it for its handmade looking quality and pretty florals.I liked the beat up old-world elegance of this filigre pendant, quite large, suspended from a leather cord. This one could be 1960s or 70s but it's kinda hard to tell.You won't believe where I...

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Ring rethink

I picked up this Mexican silver purple cut glass ring a few springs ago at a local garage sale. I had it in my 'get rid of' pile up until this morning, when I yanked it out. I really love this ring. My rule: toss what you are so-so about (give away, sell, whatever) but hang on to the lovers.It shows off my manicure too - which I gave myself, of cour...

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The gift of gab and new thrifted sweater

What do the two have to do with one another? Everything, if you're wearing a thick sweater thrifted for a whole three bucks that was made at the Blarney Woolen Mills in Ireland.Apparently the blarney stone, from a tower at Blarney Castle in Ireland, endows the person who kisses it with the gabs.According to the oh so authoritative source, good 'ole Wiki, blarney means "clever", "coaxing" or "coaxing." Is that me? Ahem.Anyway, I love my new Blarney...

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Boho bling

A recent dig at a thrift shop I shall not name ('cos I got the load for $10; they like me!) yielded some fun costume bling with a boho vibe. Granted the pieces aren't vintage, but I liked them as they're slightly bohemian in style - like this pewter tone peacock pendant and chain - and sturdily made.This ring isn't silver, but I liked the flowers. Very spring like.I think this is a kid's choker as the large loop that you're supposed to hook onto...

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Jeepers, creepers, where'd ya get those ....?

I've been told my peepers are, well, rather nice. That may be so. But, after a trip to the eye doctor prompted by headaches and rather debilitating eye pain, it's been discovered that not only has my prescription changed (for the better - one of the ironic things about aging is your eyes often DO get closer to 20/20) - but my eyes also require bi-focals AND I have the beginnings of cateracts.Oh joy.What this means: new eyewear. Every day glasses,...

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This little vintage piggy went to the antique market

But she didn't cry wee wee wee all the way home - that's 'cos she had such a fun time with her gal pal, Marsha, at the Sunday Antique Market at the St. Lawrence Market downtown!!It was a fab day for so many reasons - and not just because I got to eyeball goodies such as this modish plastic purse with boho embellishments (a bit of a contradiction in terms for me, but still it caught my eye).I also got to meet 'in the flesh' some amazing folk that...

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Green dreams

In honour of St. Patty's day I'm showing you some of my fave green thrifted fashions. I have never showed you these super thick silk 1980s Ellen Tracy shirt as I don't like the outfit I built around it over a year or so ago. But the silk is amazing and the style - oversize, with long slits up the side and a big floppy collar - is just to die for.I was at an event at H&M the other night (a place I never shop in) and I gave in to these sexy 1970s...

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What the heck are they?

Hanging ashtrays? Planters? 1970s bird feeders? Pure decorative kitsch?One of the items I've seen in vintage and collectible shops that I haven't been able to figure out, but have intrigued me nevertheless.Any guess...

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A thought on vintage purse design

I took these photos over three years ago when I did an article on a vintage shop, but I never used these pics of all these amazing vintage purses. I have a thing for vintage purses as they are structurally so interesting, so very often works of art from a design perspective.I remember looking at this beat up but super interesting bag style purse.You can't tell but it's made of hard metal and suede. I thought it was so sculpturally funky and said...

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Sarah Coventry pin & yet another coat from my collection

When I can't cajole people in my life to take pics of me for this blog, I end up posting these delightful (read: scary close up) shots of moi. Here the flash makes my wrinkles bearable - and actually showcases part of the reason for this post, the nautical Sarah Coventry pin I picked up for, like, a buck. It made me think summer, which is helpful for the spirit as the sleet and snow and rain you see behind me has been the norm this past week or so,...

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Spring swing

Rainy rainy spring-like weather is here and thank God, I don't have to wear my heavy winter coat. I've had this thin wool coat for years but haven't really worn it because of the gigantic shoulder pads a friend just helped me take out.It's by Escada and I found it in a consignment shop in Toronto. I love the deep blue shade  - worn with the beret it makes me feel tres French for some reason. Same with the swing. It may make me look a wee bit...

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Toronto Vintage Costume Jewllery Club Show coming in April

I look a bit dorky here but am wearing a piece I bought at last April's Toronto Vintage Costume Jewllery Club Show. It's stamped Sperry, a name about which I know zip, but it's one of my faves. It came with a bracelt with the same heart/design motif, $45 for the pair.If you're on the lookout for vintage costume bling, the next show is this Sunday, April 17 at the Leaside Memorial Gardens in Toronto. For more info check out the club's Facebook page...

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Fur in the mirror

These rather horrible pics of moi in the mirror seem to receive a lot of hits - so here I am wearing my spring prep outfit donned one warmish day last week that was, alas, short-lived. I'm wearing my new Costa Blanca skinny jeans - boy are they skinny - along with my thrifted Italian suede booties, a Point Zero cardi I found at the $2 Sale in Toronto, a real cashmere scarf found at a shop on St. Clair Ave. W in Toronto for under $10, a leather dollar...

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Vintage Irving Posluns jacket, thrifted

Finally, it's been warm enough to shed the winter coat and now I can show you a thrifted coat I've been dying to show you! A Made in Canada leather swing coat by Irving Posluns - $19.99 at Canadian Thrift!!Isn't it darling? Suede with faux fur trim and an A-line shape, it looks great with skinny jeans. I have a def thing for Irving Posluns jackets - the coat designer was hot in Toronto in the 1960s. I've seen some of his stuff for sale online and...

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Perk-me-up thrifted ring

It's been a tiring stressful week, so yesterday while doing work errands I nipped into a thrift shop and found this silver ring for $4.99. I like its arty-ness and almost mosaic influence.I also like the shape: it's organic and seems to hug my finger perfectly. The yellows and oranges are working with the palette that's really attracting me now. Guess I just want sping to be he...

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Past rooms I have loved

Mmmm, last night's post was on lazy decorating and I'll continue the theme tonight as I've been too tired and too busy to rejig my digs of late, sigh. Which is a shame as doing so always invigorates me and alleviates stress.I like the little tableau on the coffee table (garage sale special) that I created here - I plopped a thrifted velvet scarf on top as a runner and a lamp thrifted at a junk shop. The acidy green colours here are appealing to me...

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